Abstract:
An abrasive cleaning system that utilizes a central vacuum compressor, at least one in-line filtration device and at least one control panel unit to be placed in a treatment station. This system has an option to expand by adding two or more additional control panel units in two or more treatment stations. The number of these add on control panel units depends upon the design layout of the system unit which can be unlimited.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to abrasive cleaning devices that can remove and capture dirt and debris from a surface by using abrasive particles with mixture of high pressurized air and vacuum. More particularly, the invention relates to an abrasive-cleaning device utilizing a system having a central vacuum compressor with plurality of control panel units that can be placed in treatment stations to be used for unlimited number of users. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Abrasive cleaning devices are well known as surfacing applicators to treat surfaces for cleaning, smoothing, etching and resurfacing a damaged area such as human skin. These devices operate on a high stream of a pressurized air or vacuum suction to carry abrasive particles to be impinged against the surface. The high pressures of abrasive particles removes dirt and debris from a surface and provides an extremely satisfactory cleaning means. 
     In spite of the advantages of these devices in prior art, there are some disadvantages and limitations that can not be delivered for the purpose of productivity. For example, only one operator at a time can use this device while using the applicator to treat a patient. The usage of the unit is entirely limited to a sole operator. In case of needing another operator for more productivity, additional unit must be purchased and that is not a cost-effective approach. 
     Another disadvantage of the prior art unit is that the vacuum compressor is built in with control panel and while the unit is operating, the compressor makes a loud noise and generates heat in the treatment room and it&#39;s very inconvenient. However, this invention overcomes the shortcomings of conventional units and provides a system that utilizes a central vacuum compressor with an option to expand the system and provide additional treatment stations for unlimited number of operators at very lower cost and achieve maximum productivity. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved abrasive cleaning system that utilizes a central vacuum compressor, at least one in-line filtration device and at least one control panel unit to be placed in a treatment station. Said compressor is placed in a separate room away from treatment stations to eliminate the compressor noise in treatment stations. 
     It is also an object of this invention to expand the system by adding two or more additional control panel units to the original system set up. The number of these additional control panel units depends upon the design layout of the system unit, which can be unlimited. Therefore by expanding the system unit, we can provide multi-treatment stations at very low cost to treat patients and to be productive. 
     In each treatment station, a control panel unit may be a wall mounted panel or a tabletop panel that includes a handpiece, a collection canister, a source canister, a vacuum adjustment knob and a control flow knob to adjust the flow of the abrasive particles. The in-line filtration device may also be included in this unit. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide in-line filtration device with this system to collectively capture particles and optionally be able to expand the filtration device with additional filters. It is preferable to have straight type fitting connections to the system to eliminate any loss of vacuum flow in 90 degrees angle and retain maximum vacuum source. However, the elbow connection fitting may be used in some system configurations for purpose of controlling the vacuum flow. Said in-line filtration device includes a least two proxy-filters connected at each end with a connecting part with a passage of flow between the two filters, two end caps with hose fittings connectors, and at least one translucent cover. 
     Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from consideration of the drawings and description that follows. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the present invention showing a system unit in conjunction with multi-treatment stations. 
     FIG. 2A is a partial view of a control panel unit shown as a wall mount panel for each treatment station. 
     FIG. 2B is a partial view of a control panel unit shown as a tabletop panel for each treatment station. 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the in-line filtration device. 
     FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line  4 — 4  in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 4 except an additional filter has been added and the caps are modified. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 is showing an abrasive cleaning device  10  that utilizes a system that includes a central compressor  12 , an arrangement of at least one in-line filtration device  12 , an arrangement of at least one control panel unit  20  located in a treatment station  26 . The central compressor unit  12  has a number of vacuum ports  32  and an exhaust port  34 . Vacuum ports  34  may be connected to a manifold to distribute a vacuum suction from a central compressor  12 . 
     The compressor  12  at its vacuum port  32  is connected by a vacuum hose  40  to at least one in-line filtration device  14  at its outlet port  46 . The filtration device  14  is to capture sand type particles, So that the compressor runs smoothly and last longer. At the other end of the in-line filtration device  14  at its inlet port  48 , a connecting hose  36  is connected to control panel unit  20 . 
     Preferably, the compressor  12  separated from the control panel unit  20 , and it is located in a compressor room  44  to eliminate the noise extracted by the compressor  12  in a treatment station  26  where the patient is being treated for a medical procedure. 
     FIG. 1 is also illustrates the system unit in a basic and in comprehensive configuration. The basic configuration is designed for one treatment station  26  and can be expanded for two or more treatment stations  28 ,  30  for comprehensive configuration that accommodate two or more control panel units  22 ,  24  with possible two or more in-line filtration devices  16  and  18  using a central compressor  12 . This type of system unit has advantages over the prior art devices, because the system is expandable and cost-effective. 
     Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, showing a control panel unit  20  that can be a wall mounted panel  50  or a table top panel  100 . The control panel unit  20  includes a handpiece  56 , a collection canister  60 , a source canister  70  that contains abrasive particles, a vacuum adjustment knob  76  to control and adjust the vacuum source from the central compressor  12 , a control flow knob to adjust the flow of the abrasive particles from a source canister to the handpiece. This control panel unit  20  may also include the in-line filtration device  14  as part of this assembly. 
     The applied vacuum suction from the central compressor  12 , that is directed to the outlet port  64  of collection canister  60  activates the circulation of abrasive particle  72  in source canister  70  at its outlet port  75  to the handpiece  56  through a control flow knob  82  and a pair of vacuum tubes  52 ,  54 . The handpiece  56  eject a mixture of high pressurized air with stream of abrasive particles at its tip  57  onto a surface  92  for cleaning means to remove the debris from the surface  92 . The pressure flow from the compressor exhaust may also be use in this control panel unit to circulate the abrasive particles  72  within the source canister  70  to provide better circulation of the abrasive particles in the system. 
     Another important device in this system unit is the in-line filtration device  14  as shown in FIG.  3  and FIG.  4 . This device comprises at least two filters  106   a  and  106   b  preferably proxy type filters, a connecting part  108  to connect or position the filters  106   a  and  106   b  at its end, two end caps  102 ,  110  with connector fitting  114 ,  112  preferably straight connector, and at least one translucent cover  104  to cover the filters  106   a ,  106   b  and the connecting part  108  to be assemble with the end caps  102 ,  110 . Through the vacuum suction flow that is generated by the compressor, the in-line filtration device filters the abrasive particles. The flow passes through the inlet port  114  and move on to first filter  106   a . The end cap  110  has a number of projected tabs  116  that is abut with the end of the first filter. The vacuum suction flow passes through the opening created by these projected tabs  116  and forwarded to the chamber  150   a  between the first filter  106   a  and cover  104   a . Some of the particles are capture by the first filter and the remaining particles move on to the second chamber  150   b  between the second filter  106   b  and the cover  104   b  to be capture completely. The connecting part  108  is positioned between the first filter  106   a  and the second filter  106   b . This connecting part includes a number of projected tabs  120  for flow of vacuum suction to the second filter  106   b  and it also has a central opening  122 . 
     The in-line filtration device  14  can be modifying for more than two filters as shown in FIG.  5 . Additional filter  106   c  can be added to this device for better filtration to meet the system requirement for cleaner flow. 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, this specification and the accompanying drawings disclose only some specific forms as examples of the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments so described, however, the scope of the invention is pointed out in the appended claims