Donald James Morrissey
Dentist at Carefree, Colorado Springs, CO

5967780, Oct 19, 1999

Dec 16, 1997

8/991951

Donald J. Morrissey - Colorado Springs CO

A61C 1706, A61C 1714

433 92

A vacuum receptacle and method is provided for accumulating, holding and disposing of liquids and certain solids that are withdrawn from the mouths of dental patients by a suction tube or other apparatus placed in the patient's mouth during dental procedures. The receptacle incorporates a vacuum outlet port to which a vacuum pump line is attached. The vacuum pump line pulls air and dental debris through the receptacle from a waste inlet port which is connected through a hose to the tube in the patient's mouth. A baffle is provided to impact and decelerate the dental debris as it enters the receptacle. Once decelerated, the dental debris falls to the bottom of the receptacle where it accumulates up to a predetermined level whereupon a float assembly activates a discharge pump. The discharge pump is connected to a waste outlet port that removes the accumulated fluid waste via an internal waste outlet tube. In the event the float assembly or discharge pump fails and the waste in the canister continues to accumulate, a vacuum safety float assembly is activated by the rising waste.

5953772, Sep 21, 1999

Dec 16, 1997

8/991954

Donald J. Morrissey - Colorado Springs CO

E03C 112

4679

A sink station system and method for accumulating and holding fluids and solid sediments. The sink station system incorporates a drain pipe serving to draw fluid out of a dental sink. The fluid flows down the drain pipe and into a fluid trap. As the sink is used, fluid accumulates in the fluid trap. As fluid accumulates in the trap beyond a predetermined level, the fluid rises upward through a water level pipe into a water level chamber wherein a float sensor is disposed. As the water rises to a predetermined level within the water level chamber, the float sensor is activated. Upon activation of the float sensor, a discharge pump is activated and accumulated fluid is pumped out of the system through a discharge pipe. The water level chamber and drain pipe fluidly communicate by means of an air vent that allows air accumulating above the fluid rising in the water level chamber out of the system to atmosphere through the drain pipe and sink.