Drum enclosure for containing particles

Abstract

An enclosure prevents the escape of fine powder paint during its removal from an open drum. The enclosure includes a transparent lid for covering the drum. The lid has an opening. A closure is secured to the lid around the opening. An aspirator removes the powder from the drum, while the closure allows the aspirator to move about within the drum relative to the lid and prevents the powder from escaping into the environment.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An enclosure for containing a powder during removal of the powder from a drum using an aspirator, said enclosure comprising: 
 a substantially transparent lid for covering the drum, said lid having an opening; and    a closure secured to said lid and disposed about said opening, said closure engageable with the aspirator for allowing movement of the aspirator relative to said lid.    
     
     
         2 . The enclosure according to  claim 1 , wherein said lid includes a disk-shaped planar surface, in which said opening is formed.  
     
     
         3 . The enclosure according to  claim 1 , wherein said lid includes a rim extending about said planar surface.  
     
     
         4 . The enclosure according to  claim 3 , wherein said rim is disposed along the periphery surface of said lid.  
     
     
         5 . The enclosure according to  claim 3 , wherein said rim extends from said lid.  
     
     
         6 . The enclosure according to  claim 1 , wherein said closure includes a powder retaining sock.  
     
     
         7 . The enclosure according to  claim 6 , wherein said powder retaining sock is tubular.  
     
     
         8 . The enclosure according to  claim 6 , wherein said powder retaining sock is constructed from a flexible material.  
     
     
         9 . The enclosure according to  claim 6 , wherein said powder retaining sock is secured to said lid and extends about said opening.  
     
     
         10 . The enclosure according to  claim 9 , wherein said opening is circular.  
     
     
         11 . The enclosure according to  claim 1 , wherein said closure is releaseably engageable with the aspirator.  
     
     
         12 . The enclosure according to  claim 1 , wherein said closure includes a drawstring to create a releasable seal with the aspirator.  
     
     
         13 . A system for containing a powder during removal of the powder from a drum using an aspirator, said system comprising: 
 drum for containing the powder, said drum including a substantially transparent lid with an opening; and    a closure secured to said lid and disposed about said opening, said closure engageable with the aspirator for allowing movement of the aspirator relative to said lid.    
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 13 , wherein said lid includes a disk-shaped planar surface, in which said opening is formed.  
     
     
         15 . The enclosure according to  claim 13 , wherein said lid includes a rim extending about said planar surface.  
     
     
         16 . The enclosure according to  claim 15 , wherein said rim is disposed along the periphery surface of said lid.  
     
     
         17 . The enclosure according to  claim 15 , wherein said rim extends from said lid.  
     
     
         18 . The enclosure according to  claim 13 , wherein said closure includes a powder retaining sock.  
     
     
         19 . The enclosure according to  claim 18 , wherein said powder retaining sock is tubular.  
     
     
         20 . The enclosure according to  claim 18 , wherein said powder retaining sock is constructed from a flexible material.  
     
     
         21 . The enclosure according to  claim 18 , wherein said powder retaining sock is secured and extends about said opening.  
     
     
         22 . The enclosure according to  claim 13 , wherein said opening is circular.  
     
     
         23 . The enclosure according to  claim 13 , wherein said closure is releaseably engageable with said aspirator.  
     
     
         24 . The enclosure according to  claim 23 , wherein said closure includes a drawstring to create a releasable seal with said aspirator.  
     
     
         25 . A method for removing powder from a drum, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing an aspirator;    providing a powder containment system having a drum and a closure, the drum including a substantially transparent lid with an opening, the closure secured to the lid and disposed about the opening, the closure engageable with the aspirator for allowing movement of the aspirator relative to the lid;    extending the aspirator through the closure and opening and into the drum;    moving the aspirator; and    aspirating the powder from the drum through the aspirator.    
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 25 , including the step of fastening said lid to said drum.  
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 25 , including the step of preventing the escape of powder from the containment system.  
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 27 , including the step of closing a drawstring to create a releasable seal between said aspirator and said closure.