Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
An apparatus for separating solid particles, such as amalgam waste, from the waste water from dentists' surgical units, said apparatus comprising a separation container (1) having an inlet (2) for liquid containing solid particles and an outlet (3) for purified liquid from which solid particles have been separated, at least one filter body (6, 13) through which the liquid flows and which consists of a filter medium enclosed between two perforated walls (8, 9), and at least one sedimentation zone (4, 12) for the sedimentation of solid particles, characterised in that the filter medium of at least one of said filter bodies consists of balls (10) having a diameter of 0.05-15 mm, said balls having a density such that they either float in or are carried along by the liquid flowing through the filter body (6, 13), and said balls (10) being present in such an amount that they take up a total volume which is less than the total volume of the filter body (6, 13), and said balls (10) filling out at least the cross-sectional area of the filter body (6, 13) through which the liquid flows.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
189 words
An apparatus for separating solid particles, such as amalgam waste, from the waste water from dentists' surgical units, said apparatus comprising a separation container (1) having an inlet (2) for liquid containing solid particles and an outlet (3) for purified liquid from which solid particles have been separated, at least one filter body (6, 13) through which the liquid flows and which consists of a filter medium enclosed between two perforated walls (8, 9), and at least one sedimentation zone (4, 12) for the sedimentation of solid particles, characterised in that the filter medium of at least one of said filter bodies consists of balls (10) having a diameter of 0.05-15 mm, said balls having a density such that they either float in or are carried along by the liquid flowing through the filter body (6, 13), and said balls (10) being present in such an amount that they take up a total volume which is less than the total volume of the filter body (6, 13), and said balls (10) filling out at least the cross-sectional area of the filter body (6, 13) through which the liquid flows.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the balls (10) consist of alumina.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the balls (10) are hollow and have a density of 0.8-3. 4 g/cm 3 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the balls (10) have a density of 0.8-1.1 g /cm 3 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the balls (10) have a density of 0.8-0. 9 g /cm 3 .
Claim 7
Independent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1-5, characterised in that it has a sedimentation zone (4) between the inlet and the filter body or bodies (6).
Claim 8
Independent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1-6, characterised in that it has two filter bodies (6, 13) with an intermediate sedimentation zone (12).
Claim 9
Independent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1-7, characterised in that at least one sedimentation zone (4, 12) comprises a layer of absorption material (5).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that the absorption material (5) consists of alumina fibres.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, characterised in that the fibres have a diameter of 1-20um.