InstiVac

This concept was linked to the need for a vacuum system which allowed for the collection of cigarette butts and other small rubbish that otherwise needs to be collected by hand in many public spaces. As battery operated vacuum cleaners have a limited run time and are slow to startup when rubbish is located. A system using compressed air was built that has an almost instant response time and only vacuums for the very short time needed. Based on tests with a full tank of compressed air it was possible to pick up 15 cigarette butts every minute for 6hrs, before the tank was empty. It also runs a lot quieter than most other alternatives.