Apparatus for clearing obstructed fluid passageways

Abstract

 Apparatus for clearing obstructed fluid passageways has a control manifold (10) with first and second inlets (28, 24) to a pressure source and a vacuum source and an inlet/outlet port (42) for connection to the obstructed passageway. An interior chamber (40) is divided into a pressure chamber (34) communicating with the first inlet (28) and a vacuum chamber (32) communicating with the second inlet (24). A displaceable member (62) in alternate positions thereof communicates between the vacuum chamber (32) and said inlet/outlet port (42), and between the pressure chamber (34) and said inlet/outlet port (42). Displacing means (52) moves the displaceable member (62) between its positions thereby connecting the port (42) sequentially to either the pressure chamber (34) or the vacuum chamber (32). This displacing means (52) also simultaneously connects the other of the pressure chamber (34) and vacuum chamber (32) to atmosphere via a porting means (50, 48).

Description

[0001] This present invention relates to an apparatus for clearing obstructed passageways, for example opening slow and clogged drains in commercial, industrial and household applications and for purging any type of radiator cooled engines such as cars, trucks, etc., and cooling systems for marine inboard and outboard motors.

[0002] It is a common problem that drains of various kinds such as household plumbing drains including bathtubs, showers, and so forth, periodically become clogged and need to be opened to restore normal usage. Typical methods for clearing drains call for the use of chemicals including caustics and acids which are highly detrimental to plumbing systems and plumbing fixtures. Chemical treatments tend to destroy metal fittings while caustics attack ABS pipes, and acids attack porcelain. These chemicals are dangerous to handle and are pollutants. In other techniques, high pressure drain opening systems tend to rupture plumbing joints and snakes tend to damage the finish of plumbing fittings and fixtures. Accordingly, there is a need for a safe, nondestructive, nonpolluting way of dealing with clogged plumbing drains.

[0003] Motor vehicle radiators over a period of time accumulate rust scale and other deposits which impede cooling efficiency and require periodic flushing to remove accumulated materials and to restore the radiator to full heat exchange efficiency. Typically, high pressure devices or acids are used for cleaning automobile radiators and are detrimental to the structural integrity of the radiator.

[0004] Marine inboard and outboard motors ordinarily have cooling systems using ambient water and tend to become coated with foreign materials carried along in the cooling water. It is desirable periodically to flush the cooling systems to remove such materials which substantially interfere with heat transfer of the cooling system and also when winterizing an engine.

[0005] When winterizing swimming pools, the filter system is secured and it is desirable to purge the filter lines of water and debris which remain in the lines.

[0006] There is a need for an apparatus and method which can quickly and effectively deal with obstructed passageways, such as clogged drains and flushing radiator and cooling systems and aid in cleaning or winterizing swimming pools.

[0007] In the prior art US-A-3238556 discloses a portable suction and blower unit for use in cleaning operations i.e. vacuum cleaning (e.g. clearing hair cuttings) with the blower used to clear obstructions in the hose of the unit itself.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for clearing obstructed fluid passageways including a control manifold, said control manifold comprising:
first and second inlets to be connected to a pressure source and a vacuum source respectively;
an inlet/outlet port for connection to an obstructed passageway;
an interior chamber divided into a pressure chamber communicating with said first inlet and a vacuum chamber communicating with said second inlet;
a displaceable member establishing, in use, in one position thereof communication between the vacuums chamber and said inlet/outlet port, and in another position thereof communication between the pressure chamber and said inlet/outlet port;
and means for displacing the displaceable member between said one and another positions to connect sequentially one of the pressure chamber and the vacuum chamber to said inlet/outlet port, wherein said displacing means also simultaneously connects the other of said pressure chamber and vacuum chamber to atmosphere via a respective porting means for porting the pressure chamber and the vacuum chamber to atmosphere.

[0009] An embodiment of the apparatus conveniently and effectively opens drains in plumbing systems and is applicable to other opening/flushing operations such as cleaning motor vehicle radiators and marine engine cooling systems. In the preferred embodiment, a series of pressure pulses both positive and negative are applied in rapid succession effectively to move and clear away debris blocking drains or to aid in purging and flushing cooling systems.

[0010] An embodiment is provided by an ordinary household wet/dry vacuum cleaner fitted with a pressure reversing header for quickly applying a repetition of negative and positive pressure pulses to the plugged drain. The header includes a manually operable valve member which when manipulated causes the wet/dry vacuum cleaner to apply alternate pressure and vacuum pulses to the drain in rapid succession effectively to clear the drain. In use, pressurized water and/or detergent cleaners can aid in drain opening.

[0011] An embodiment employs a household canister-type dry vacuum or wet/dry vacuum cleaner having a vacuum port and an exhaust port. This apparatus may include a wet canister fitted with a pressure reversing header connected to a dry vacuum cleaner by-suitable hose connections. The household vacuum cleaner, whether dry or wet/dry, may be used for supplying pressure and vacuum pulses while the wet cannister may serve as receptacle for effluent form clogged drains.

[0012] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :-

Figure 1 is a schematic view of the apparatus for opening drains according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the pressure/vacuum control manifold according to the invention.

Figure 3 is a section taken, along line 3-3 of Figure 2 to illustrate the interior of the control manifold.

Figure 4 is a schematic view of modification of the invention in which a water feed is applied together with positive pressure pulses to a drain.

Figure 5 is a schematic view of a modified control manifold according to the invention.

Figure 6 is an elevational view in section of a further modification of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a side elevational view of a blade valve and handle forming part of the modified embodiment of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a side elevational view of a further modification of the invention showing the pressure/vacuum control manifold with a modified operating handle.

Figure 9 is a top plan view of the manifold of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a further modification of the invention illustrating a drain opener including a pressure/vacuum control manifold and receptacle for connection to a canister-type dry or wet/dry vacuum cleaner.

Figures 11a and 11b are sequential views of the pressure/vacuum control manifold in a pressure pulse mode (11a) and in a wet vacuum mode (11b).

[0013] Referring to the drawing, Figures 1 to 3 show an embodiment of the apparatus 10 for opening drains includes a suitable pressure/vacuum source, as for example, a wet/dry vacuum cleaner 12, a pressure/vacuum control manifold 14, and an operating hose 16 for opening a drain 18.

[0014] The vacuum cleaner includes an upright receptacle 20 having a motor driven fan 22 for drawing vacuum through an inlet port 24 to the interior 26 of the receptacle or canister 20 and for exhausting air from the canister through an outlet port 28. In this description these ports are referred to as vacuum port 24 and pressure port 28.

[0015] The wet and dry vacuum cleaner operates in the usual fashion to draw debris into the canister through vacuum port 24 while exhausting or evacuating the interior of the canister through pressure port 28. This basic manner of operation applies herein. The pressure/vacuum control manifold 14 regulates the drain opening apparatus so as selectively to apply pressure or vacuum through operating hose 16 to drain

[0016] The control manifold 14 includes an upright block shaped housing 30 formed of any suitable material such as rigid plastic or cast aluminium. The manifold includes interior vacuum 32 and pressure 34 ducts and exterior conical vacuum 36 and presure 38 sleeves for connection to the vacuum 24 and pressure 28 ports of the vacuum cleaner. The vacuum and pressure ducts 32, 34 merge into an upwardly extending two-way pressure/vacuum duct 40 with an access port 42 located in the top surface 44 of the manifold. The front wall 46 has openings 48,50 communication with the interior vacuum and pressure ducts 32, 34 respectively for the purpose of drawing air into or exhausting air from thee canister 20 during operation as more fully developed below.

[0017] The control manifold 14 (Fig.2) further includes a control mechanism 52 for directing pressure/vacuum flow within the operating hose 16. The control mechanism 52 includes a pivot shaft 54 extending horizontally through the manifold and lying along the top of a partition 56 separating the interior vacuum 32 and pressure ducts 34. The shaft pivotally mounted between the front 46 and rear 50 walls of the manifold and includes a projection 60 extending a short distance from the front wall.

[0018] A blade-shaped valve or damper 62 is supported by and projects radially from the surface of pivot shaft 54 for directing flow through two-way duct 40 and operating hose 16 by blocking either interior vacuum duct 32 or pressure duct 34. The contour of blade valve 62 conforms to the interior wall surface of vacuum duct 32 and pressure duct 34 at their places of confluence with two-way duct in an air tight fit to avoid pressure loss during operation. The control mechanism 52 further includes a movable cover 64 for selectively closing openings 48, 50 in front wall 46. The cover 64 is connected to pivot shaft 54 by means of extension rod 66 for pivoting movement between the openings 48, 50. A suitable knob 68 is fitted to the cover 64 for ease of manipulating the cover. It is to be observed that blade valve 62 and extension rod 66 are coplaner so that when the blade valve covers the pressure duct 34, for example, the pressure opening 50 will be uncovered and vice versa for vacuum duct 32 and vacuum opening 48.

[0019] In operation, the control mechanism is set in one position as for example, the solid line position of Figures 2 and 3 in which case exhaust air is expelled from the vacuum cleaner through the pressure duct 34 and pressure opening 50 while the external cover 64 closes vacuum opening 48 and opens vacuum duct 32 drawing air into the vacuum cleaner through hose 16. The position of valve 62 assures draw of partial vacuum through operational hose 16 and application of vacuum to the blocked drain. By reversing the position of the handle 68 and control mechanism 52 (to the dash line position of Figure 3), pressure is now applied to the operating hose 16 and drain 18. As shown in the dash line portion of Figure 3, air is pushed into the operating hose 16 through pressure duct 34 and into the drain 18 while open vacuum port 48 provides for inflow of ambient air into the system.

[0020] By periodic manipulation of the control mechanism differential pressure pulsations are applied for effectively clearing the drain.

[0021] In like manner, the mechanism can be applied to other fittings such as automotive radiators, maring engines, and so on, for clearing the fluid passages of such devices.

[0022] The invention is useful for cleaning or winterizing swimming pools particularly in purging water and any debris lodged in the filter recirculating and distribution lines.

[0023] If desired, auxiliary drain clearing aids such as detergent or pressurised water can be introduced through hose fitting 17 by means of an applicator 19 as shown in Fig.l and also in Fig.4.

[0024] Figs. 4 and 5 present another embodiment in which water feed accompanies the positive pressure pulses of the system as an aid in opening drains and the like. Here a hand-held nozzle 70 is attached to hose fitting 17 and has a suitable fitting 72 for receiving a water supply hose. The nozzle includes a suitable valve 74 and is actuated by a trigger 76 for water supply. Additionally, the trigger 76 forms part of an electric circuit 78 which also includes a control manifold solenoid 80 shown in Fig.5. As the trigger 76 is actuated water is applied to the drain 18 and the solenoid-actuated movable cover 66 moved to the positive pressure mode. By releasing the trigger 76 the water-feed is interrupted and a vacuum pulse applied to the drain. If desired, the nozzle 70 may be used to feed detergents, degreasers, etc., to a drain.

[0025] A further embodiment is illustrated in Figs.6 and 7. The modified control manifold 90 includes an upright block-shaped housing 92 with an interior chamber 94 and a movable blade valve or damper 96 for, directing pressure and vacuum pulses to a closed drain. The interior chamber includes a pressure chamber 98 through which pressurised air is applied to the drain or exhausted to atmosphere and a vacuum chamber 100 through which air is drawn from the drain or from the atmosphere. The control manifold 90 is generally rectangular in cross-section and includes rear 102, front 104 and side walls 106 of integral construction preferably of injection molded polypropylene. The side walls taper upwardly and inwardly at 102a from approximately two-thirds their vertical dimension terminating at a inlet/outlet sleeve 108. The upper portions of the front and rear walls are joined to and follow the contour of the tapered side wall portions 102a. The inner surface 110 of both tapered side walls 106 just below inlet/outlet sleeve 108 is beveled to form a sealing surface for engagement with the upper sealing surfaces 112 on both sides of the blade valve. An operating hose 113 fitted to the inlet/outlet sleeve communicates vacuum and pressure pulses to the drain.

[0026] The control manifold 90 also includes an interior partition 114 comprising spaced partition walls 116 vertically oriented and extending between and attached to the front and rear walls 104, 102. The interior partition 114 is molded integral with the control manifold 90. The upper edges 118 of each partition wall 116 are beveled to form a sealing surface for engaging the lower sealing surfaces 120 of the blade valve 96. Additionally, a stop shoulder 121 is located at the upper edge of each partition wall 116 for limiting movement of the blade valve 96. The partition walls 116 cooperate with the front wall 104 and direct air into and out of a single inlet/outlets port 122 in the front wall 104.

[0027] The lower ends of the pressure and vacuum chambers 98,100 have outlet 123 and inlet 125 ports, respectively, for connection to the corresponding ports of a vacuum cleaner substantially as shown in Fig. 1.

[0028] The generally rectangular blade valve 96 shown in Fig.7 comprises an imperforate valve plate 124 divided into major 124a and minor 124b parts along a pivot axis A-A defined by a hollow pivot hub 126. The pivot hub 126 is generally cylindrical and is formed integral with the valve plate 124 of suitable material such as polypropylene. The pivot hub 126 receives a pivot shaft 128 which is assembled into the manifold at pivot openings 130, 132 located in front 104 and rear walls 102. A handle member 134 is fitted to the front end of the pivot shaft for manipulating the blade valve 96 between vacuum and pressure positions.

[0029] As shown in Fig.6, the control manifold 90 has its blade valve 96 closing the pressure chamber 98 so that in operation the vacuum cleaner applies a vacuum pulse to the closed drain 18 through inlet sleeve 108 and operating hose 113. Pressurized air from the vacuum cleaner enters the pressure chamber 98 and is exhausted through outlet port 122. By reversing the position of blade valve 96 to the dash line position of Fig.6, a pressure pulse is applied to the closed drain 18 through outlet sleeve 108 and ambient air is drawn through the inlet port 122 into the vacuum chamber providing the source of pressurized air to the closed drain through operating hose 113.

[0030] The blade valve 96 includes a spring member 136 (Fig.7) fitted between the pivot shaft and front wall for resisting the tendency of the blade valve 96 to shift (Fig. 6) under the influence of a pressure differential acting on the blade valve 96 in the vacuum mode (solid line position of Fig. 6). Alternatively, a ball/detente arrangement (not shown) between front wall 104 and the operating handle 134 may be used to provide positive positioning and holding of the blade valve 96 in both pressure and vacuum positions.

[0031] Figs.8 and 9 illustrate a modification of the pressure/vacuum manifold of Fig.6. This form of the manifold 90 includes housing 92, interior chamber 94 and damper (blade valve) 96 for directing pressure and vacuum pulses to a closed drain. The damper 96 is manipulated between vacuum (full line and pressure dash line) positions by means of operating handle 138.

[0032] A pivot shaft 140 is mounted between front 142 and rear 144 walls and receives damper 96 in the manner of Figs. 6 and 7. First and second levers 146, 148 are fitted to the ends of the pivot shaft 140 extending along the front and rear wals 142,144 and are joined at one end by a laterally extending gripping handle 150. The other ends of the levers 146, 148 extend away from the pivot shaft 140 to provide balance to the operating handle 150. The outer surfaces of the front and rear walls 142, 144 are provided with abutments or stop members 152 which limit the movement of the operating handle 150 without stressing the blade valve 96. The stop members 152 are conveniently molded integral to the front and rear walls. The operating handle is weighted for the purpose of counteracting the tendency of the blade valve 96 to move counterclockwise (Fig.8) by reason of the pressure differential on the vacuum face 96a and pressure face 96b. The same pressure differential is sufficient to hold the operating handle 150 in the pressure mode (dash lines Fig.8). The handle 150 itself provides a convenient and durable structure for rapidly switching the unit from pressure to vacuum modes. The other structural elements of Figs. 8 and 9 have numerals corresponding to the same structural elements of Fig.6.

[0033] Fig. 10 is a further embodiment of the apparatus illustrating a drain opener 10 including a pressure/vacuum control manifold 90 and receptacle 156 for connection to a canister-type dry or wet/dry vacuum cleaner.

[0034] The drain opener includes a dedicated intermediate canister or receptacle 156 for receiving effluent from a plumbing drain 18, pressure/vacuum control manifold 90, and a canister-type dry or wet/dry vacuum cleaner 158. The arrangement provides for communication of pressure/vacuum pulses to plumbing drain 18 from pressure/vacuum source such as the canister-type vacuum cleaner 158 without requiring to the source vacuum cleaner to receive effluent from the plumbing drain. The effluent is received and retained by the intermediate canister 156. This modification inciudes a pressure/vacuum control manifold 90 as described above for Figs. 8 and 9 as reflected by corresponding reference numerals of Fig.10. As described above, the pressure/vacuum manifold 90 directs pressure or vacuum pulses through hose 113 to plugged plumbing drain 18.

[0035] The intermediate canister includes a bucket 160 of suitable capacity, e.g. five gallons, and tightly fitting top cover 162 held in place by several snap fittings 164. The top cover includes fittings defining a vacuum line 166 and a pressure line 168.

[0036] The vacuum line 166 includes a circular port 166a in the top surface of the cover 162 and an upwardly directed elbow fitting 166b for connection to the vacuum port 159V of vacuum cleaner through a suitable hose 169. Both circular port 166a and vacuum elbow 166b are open to the interior 170 of the bucket.

[0037] The pressure line 168 also includes a circular port 168a and an upwardly directed elbow 168b similar to the vacuum line fittings, however, the pressure line further includes a conduit connection 168c directly between pressure elbow 168b and pressure port 168a so that pressure pulses are sent from pressure source 158p through hose 172, pressure line 168, manifold 90 to plumbing drain via hose 113. In other words, the interior of the bucket 160 is not subjected to pressure pulses.

[0038] In operating the embodiment of Fig.10, the operating handle 150 is set in vacuum mode (solid lines) and a vacuum pulse drawn on clogged drain by vacuum source 158v. The bucket interior 170 is subject to vacuum conditions developed by the vacuum source 158v. Effluent drawn from the drain in this operating mode is trapped in the bucket 160. By merely reversing the operating handle 150 to pressure mode (dash lines) a pressure pulse is directed from pressure source 158p through pressure line 172, manifold, hose 113, to drain. When the drain is clear, effluent in canister can be disposed of by removing the top cover.

[0039] If desired a liner 171 (Fig.10) can be, used for collection and disposal of effluent received by the container 160 (Fig.10) or 20 (Fig.1). Preferably the liner is of heavy guage sheet material or of rigid material to maintain its shape in the vacuum mode.

[0040] In the embodiment of Figs. 11a and 11b to be described below there is provided means for retaining the displaceable member in said one position for applying the vacuum source to said inlet/outlet port. Specifically, in the embodiment of Figs. 11a and 11b there is the restraining ring 214 which co-operates with the knob 208 on the manifold 180 to thereby hold the control damper 196 in the position in which inlet/outlet 212 communicates with vacuum connection 188. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that given the teaching of the embodiment of Figs. 11a and 11b, the embodiments of Figs. 1 to 10 may be adapted to incorporate such retaining means.

[0041] Figs. 11a and 11b illustrate a further modification of the apparatus. In this apparatus the pressure/vacuum manifold 180 is arranged in horizontal orientation within an outer housing 182 of the drain opening apparatus. A motor driven fan 184 within the housing provides pressure P and vacuum V sources with suitable connections 186,188 to the manifold. The housing includes a base plate 190 and external cover 192 and is mounted on a receptacle 194 for receiving effluent from a closed drain and with a liner 171. A control damper 196 is mounted within the manifold on a pivot shaft 198 dividing interior chamber 200 into pressure 202 and vacuum 204 chambers. Preferably, the damper 196 and its pivot shaft 198 are integral and molded of suitable plastic. A U shaped handle 206 is fitted to opposite ends of the pivot shaft for manipulating the damper. A knob 208 attached to the handle through slot 210 provides for gripping and manipulating the damper 196. In operation, the damper 196 normally assumes the position shown in Fig. 11a, i.e., the pressure mode where the incoming pressurized air opens the damper 196 to direct pressure through the inlet/outlet port 212 and hose 220 to the drain 18. As in the case with the embodiments of Fig.1-10, the damper 196 is shifted from vacuum to pressure mode to provide sequential vacuum and pressure pulses to a drain. As shown in Fig.11b, the operating handle 206 may be restrained in the vacuum mode by a ring 214 fixed to the housing adjacent the slot 210. The restraining ring 214 is pivotally mounted to a base member 216 fixed to the housing. The ring 214 slips over the knob 208 and holds the damper 196 in the vacuum position against the force of pressurized air which is directed through exhaust port 218 to atmosphere. In this position, the drain opening apparatus can now be used as for wet vacuum operations with waste collected in the lined receptacle 194 through the two way duct 220 and vacuum chamber 200.

[0042] Figure 11b further illustrates a force cup 222 particularly adapted for use with the apparatus. The force cup 222 includes a hemispheric upper portion 224 which is truncated to define an opening 226 for communicating with two-way duct 220. The edge of the force cup around opening 226 is flanged 228 for ease in connection with the two way duct 220. The opposite end 230 of the hemispheric portion includes an integral hollow neck-wall portion 232 of gradually reduced diameter as the neck wall converges to an open end 234. The force cup 222 is molded integral of rubber or a suitable rubber substitute with sufficient resiliency to conform to a variety drain contours and has a sufficient wall strength to withstand vacuum within as the drain opening apparatus is used in vacuum mode particularly the wet vacuum mode of Fig.11b.

[0043] In operating the drain opening apparatus with a receptacle liner, it is desirable for the liner to maintain its shape within the receptacle and not to interfere with the vacuum draw from the receptacle. As shown in Fig.11a, the liner is provided with a pleated sidewall 171a for maintaining side wall rigidity for resisting side wall collapse during operation. Additionally, liner bottom wall 171b is fitted with double coated tape strips 171c for securing the liner to the receptacle bottom wall 194a. As a further measure in maintaining liner shape, manifold connection 188 extends well into the interior of receptacle 194 directing air flow therefrom toward the liner bottom wall 171b.

[0044] Manifold connection 188 preferably extends at least half the depth of receptacle and its length may be selected by user or manufacturer for the purpose of determining the volume of effluent received by the receptacle. When the effluent level rises to cover the lower open end 189 of connection 188, the air flow characteristics of the apparatus are changed and a change of motor pitch will alert the operator that the volume limits of the receptacle 194 have been reached and the receptacle 194 is to be emptied. This safety arrangement assures that no effluent will flow into the fan 184 through vacuum intake connection 186.

[0045] The apparatus has been described with particular reference to utilizing a household wet/dry vacuum cleaner in usual commercial form. Alternatively, apparatus for clearing obstructed fluid passageways may be specifically built for the purpose. For commercial or industrial applications, such custom built apparatus may have the pressure/vacuum source together with the control mechanism and be dedicated to the function of clearing obstructed fluid passageways: this apparatus may be of unitary construction. In such embodiment, a drive motor of greater horsepower may be used to achieve higher levels of pressure/vacuum than are available with wet/dry vacuum cleaners and which are appropriate and required for clearing obstructions in commercial and industrial applications. Similarly, the embodiments are contemplated which are specifically designed for use in purging motor vehicle radiators, the cooling systems of marine engines, and so forth where pressure/vacuum levels are tailored specifically for these applications.

Claims

1. Apparatus for clearing obstructed fluid passageways including a control manifold (10), said control manifold (10) comprising:
first and second inlets (28,24) to be connected to a pressure source and a vacuum source respectively;
an inlet/outlet port (42) for connection to an obstructed passageway;
an interior chamber (40) divided into a pressure chamber (34) communicating with said first inlet (28) and a vacuum chamber (32) communicating with said second inlet (24);
a displaceable member (62) establishing, in use, in one position thereof communication between the vacuum chamber (32) and said inlet/outlet port (42), and in another position thereof communication between the pressure chamber (34) and said inlet/outlet port (42);
and means (52) for displacing the displaceable member (62) between said one and another positions to connect sequentially one of the pressure chamber (34) and the vacuum chamber (32) to said inlet/outlet port (42), wherein said displacing means (52) also simultaneously connects the other of said pressure chamber (34) and vacuum chamber (32) to atmosphere via a respective porting means (50,48) for porting the pressure chamber (34) and the vacuum chamber (32) to atmosphere.

2. Apparatus as claimed in either claim 1, wherein said interior chamber (40) is divided into a pressure chamber (34) and a vacuum chamber (32) by partition means (56) , said displaceable member (62) co-operating with said partition means (56) to define said pressure and vacuum chambers (34,32) , the position of said displaceable member (62) determining which of said pressure and vacuum chambers (34,32) is in communication with said inlet/outlet port (42).

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, comprising means (214) for retaining said displaceable member (62,196) in said one position for applying the vacuum source to said inlet/outlet port (42, 212).

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein said partition means (56) comprises a pair of spaced partition walls (116) located between the vacuum chamber (100) and the pressure chamber (98) , and a port (122) to atmosphere from the interior chamber (94) located in the space between said partition walls (116).

5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a force cup (230) communicating with said inlet/outlet port (212), the force cup (230) having an open ended bottom hemispheric portion (224) being truncated to define a top opening (226) for connection to an operating hose (220), a converging neck portion (232) connected to an opening and having a contour for forming a tight fit with an obstructed passageway, and the wall portion (224,232) of the force cup (230) having sufficient strength to maintain form under vacuum conditions.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a receptacle (194) for receiving effluent from an obstructed fluid passageway when said passageway is connected to the vacuum source (188) and a disposable liner (171) in the receptacle, the liner (171) having a pleated side wall (171a) and a bottom wall (171b).

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the liner bottom wall (171b) is fitted with adhesive means (171c) for securing the liner bottom wall (171b) to the receptacle (194).

8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a motor driven fan (184) having an intake (V) defining a vacuum source and an outlet (P) defining a pressure source, a receptacle (194) for receiving effluent of the obstructed passageway when said passageway is connected to the vacuum source, a manifold connection (180) having an open end (189) for directing effluent into the receptacle (194), said open end (189) extending a predetermined distance into the receptacle (194) to limit the volume of effluent received in this receptacle (194) and to avoid entry of effluent into the fan intake.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the manifold connection (189) extends a distance of at least one half the depth of the receptacle (194).

10. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2. and 3 to 9 when dependent on claim 2, comprising means (66) for moving the displaceable member (62) between said one and said another positions to connect sequentially, in use, the pressure source and the vacuum source to the obstructed fluid passageway and in the same sequence to connect the pressure chamber (34) and the vacuum chamber (32) to said inlet/outlet port (42).

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said moving means (66) includes an external handle (68) biassed to overcome a pressure differential between pressure and vacuum sides of the displacable member (62) when the control manifold (40) is in vacuum mode.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the external handle (68) is weight biassed and the control manifold (40) has means for stopping the handle at pressure mode and vacuum mode positions.

Drawing