US4872920A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Asbestos removal method and system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1987-11-25
•
Granted: 1989-10-10
•
Expires: 2007-11-25
Abstract
Abstract A method for removing asbestos-containing materials from substrates including a nozzle assembly for directing streams of pressurized steam to penetrate asbestos-containing material sufficiently to loosen binders therein so that the material can be easily dislodged from the substrate by a second stream of higher pressure steam. The nozzle assembly also includes a suction device having an inlet opening arranged adjacent steam ejection nozzles to draw-in asbestos particles and fibers entrained by the steam directed onto the asbestos-containing materials.
Inventors
- 👤 Tom S. Flynn
- 👤 Joe L. de Figueiredo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 14:03
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47L; A47L11/00; A47L11/40; A47L11/408; A47L11/4086; A47L11/34; A47L5/00; A47L5/12; A47L5/14; A47L7/00; A47L7/0071; B; B08; B08B; B08B15/00; B08B15/04; B08B3/00; B08B3/02; B08B3/024; B08B2203/00; B08B2203/02; B08B2203/0229; B09; B09B; B09B2101/00; B09B2101/35
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of removing bound asbestos-containing materials from substrates, comprising the steps of directing at least one stream of low pressure steam to penetrate asbestos-containing material sufficiently to loosen binders therein so that the material can be easily dislodged from a substrate, and directing a controlled stream of higher pressure steam against the asbestos-containing material for dislodging the same from the substrate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of removing bound asbestos-containing materials from substrates, comprising the steps of directing at least one stream of low pressure steam to penetrate asbestos-containing material sufficiently to loosen binders therein so that the material can be easily dislodged from a substrate, and directing a controlled stream of higher pressure steam against the asbestos-containing material for dislodging the same from the substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 1 including the step of adding a wetting agent to at least one stream of pressurized steam to assist in penetrating the asbestos-containing material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein the wetting agent includes polyoxyethylene ester and polyoxyethylene ether.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said directing step includes directing pressurized steam from a nozzle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 4 further including the step of arranging a suction means adjacent the nozzle to draw-in asbestos particles and fibers entrained by the steam directed onto the asbestos-containing material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 5 further including the steps of detecting whether suction is applied to the suction means and halting the ejection of steam whenever the suction pressure is below a predetermined level.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for removing bound asbestos-containing materials from substrates, said method comprising the following steps: directing at least one stream of low pressure steam to penetrate asbestos-containing material sufficiently to loosen binders in the material so that the material can be easily dislodged from a substrate; then, directing a controlled stream of higher pressure heated fluid against the asbestos-containing material for dislodging the material from the substrate; and by suction, drawing-in asbestos particles and fibers entrained by the higher pressure fluid that is directed onto the asbestos-containing material.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for removing bound asbestos-containing materials from substrates, said method comprising the following steps: directing at least one stream of low pressure steam to penetrate asbestos-containing material sufficiently to loosen binders in the material so that the material can be easily dislodged from a substrate; then, directing a controlled stream of higher pressure heated fluid against the asbestos-containing material for dislodging the material from the substrate; and by suction, drawing-in asbestos particles and fibers entrained by the higher pressure fluid that is directed onto the asbestos-containing material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 7 including the step of adding a wetting agent to the steam to assist in penetrating the asbestos-containing material and binder.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 7 including the step of ceasing the ejection of steam and higher pressure heated fluid whenever there is a loss of the suction provided by the vacuum source.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for removing bound asbestos-containing materials from substrates, said method comprising the steps of: directing at least one stream of pressurized heated fluid to penetrate asbestos-containing material sufficiently to loosen binders in the material so that the material can be easily dislodged from a substrate to which said substrate is bound; by suction, drawing asbestos particles and fibers entrained by the pressurized heated fluid into a suction inlet means and ejecting a portion of the pressurized heated fluid directly into the suction inlet to assist the suction to prevent clogging of the suction inlet means.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for removing bound asbestos-containing materials from substrates, said method comprising the steps of: directing at least one stream of pressurized heated fluid to penetrate asbestos-containing material sufficiently to loosen binders in the material so that the material can be easily dislodged from a substrate to which said substrate is bound; by suction, drawing asbestos particles and fibers entrained by the pressurized heated fluid into a suction inlet means and ejecting a portion of the pressurized heated fluid directly into the suction inlet to assist the suction to prevent clogging of the suction inlet means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-10-09 | 1993-04-10 | 1993-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-10-09 | 1997-04-10 | 1997-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-10-09 | 2001-04-10 | 2001-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |