AU2014246602A1 - Entrapment device - Google Patents

Abstract

An entrapment device (10) is provided. The device includes a housing (12) which defines a passage (18) extending from a first end to an opposite second end of the housing. At least one cleaning obstruction (40; 42) extends into the passage and is 5 configured in use to allow transit of a line along its length through the passage and further to interact with an outer surface of the line as it transits through the passage thereby to dislodge material on the outer surface. A containment configuration, such as a cavity (58) is defined in the passage and adapted to contain the material dislodged by the at least one cleaning obstruction (40; 42) from the outer surface of the line while the 10 line transits through the passage. LO) LO) co~ CC~)

Description

Entrapment device Field The present disclosure is directed to a material or fibre removal device and a method of extracting materials from an outer surface of lines, such as cables, rods, 5 ropes or the like. Background For many years asbestos was generally used in various industrial, manufacturing and construction applications due to its properties of durability, fireproofing and insulation. 10 Although asbestos is no longer used as building material, asbestos' legacy and the potential health risk associated with it remain, e.g., in the telecommunications industry. The use of asbestos cement pits and asbestos cement pipes for running telephone lines, cables or the like still poses a risk when upgrades or repairs on the lines take place. For example, prior to feeding fibre optic cables into existing pits and 15 pipes, it may be necessary to first remove older cabling. Proving of the pipes or conduits, by rodding and roping (i.e. the process of feeding a rope through the conduit to assist in hauling a cable), may also precede hauling of cables, cable-in-conduit, or the like. Some or all of these activities may disturb asbestos fibres and make them airborne, thereby potentially posing a serious health risk to an operator, if inhaled. 20 A need has been identified to limit the exposure of operators to hazardous materials when work is being done on pipes or conduits containing such hazardous material, e.g., during the hauling of lines from such pipes or conduits. A further need has been identified to collect and contain hazardous materials such as asbestos fibres disturbed during the mentioned activities, thereby allowing the trapped fibres to be 25 safely disposed of, diminishing the risk of exposure to the operator. 1 Summary According to one aspect of this disclosure, there is provided an entrapment device including: a housing which defines a passage extending from a first end to a second end of 5 the housing; at least one cleaning obstruction extending at least partially into the passage; the passage and the at least one cleaning obstruction configured in use to allow transit of a line through the passage and to interact with an outer surface of the line as it transits through the passage thereby to dislodge material on the outer surface; and 10 a containment configuration adapted to contain the material dislodged by the at least one cleaning obstruction from the outer surface of the line while the line transits through the passage. The at least one cleaning obstruction may include a first cleaning obstruction and a second cleaning obstruction, with the containment configuration being a collection 15 cavity defined between the first and the second cleaning obstructions. The second cleaning obstruction may extend at least partially into the passage and be configured in use to allow transit of a line along its length through the passage and further to interact with an outer surface of the line as it transits through the passage thereby to dislodge material on the surface. 20 Each cleaning obstruction may respectively be located at or toward the first and second end of the housing. The at least one cleaning obstruction may include two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight or more cleaning obstructions throughout the passage in the containment configuration. 25 Each cleaning obstruction may include at least one cleaning formation. In one embodiment, in the event of plural cleaning obstructions, the cleaning formations may be located adjacent each other. 2 Each cleaning formation may extend the same distance into the passage. Alternatively, the cleaning formation may be configured to extend varying distances into the passage. For example, a cleaning formation closer to the first end may extend further into the passage than a cleaning formation closer to the second end. The first 5 end may be an exit end from which the line is hauled during use. Alternatively, the first end may be an entrance end from which the line enters the device during use. In one implementation in either of these alternatives, the cleaning formations are less coarse or abrasive towards or at the first end in comparison to the cleaning formations towards or at the second end. 10 Each cleaning obstruction may be shaped and sized to define a constriction in the passage, e.g., in the form of an aperture having a diameter less than the diameter of a proposed line. Each cleaning formation may be manufactured from a resilient material in use to brush against the outer surface of a line as it passes through the passage. For example, 15 the at least one cleaning formation may be a brush including at least one formation of bristles which in use brush against the outer surface of the line that transits through the passage. The brush may include a brush pad from which the bristles extend. The at least one cleaning obstruction may comprise, on one end, e.g., an entrance, of the housing two adjacently located brushes. The brush positioned towards 20 the entrance end may have shorter bristles. Similarly, the brush positioned on the outer entrance end may have coarser bristles than the brush located on the inner entrance end. The housing may be configured to releasably secure each of cleaning obstructions to the housing. For example, the housing may define one or more 25 connectors, such as a slot, channel, lip, bracket or the like to receive a complementary part of the cleaning obstruction. The housing may include multiple parts configured to be movable between a closed position in which the passage is defined and an open position in which access to the cleaning obstruction and the collection cavity is provided. In the closed position, the 30 cleaning obstruction is operably configured to clean the outer surface of the line. 3 The housing may include a connector to secure the multiple parts together in the closed position. The entrapment device may include a passage obstruction located opposite the at least one cleaning obstruction. The containment configuration may be a collection 5 cavity defined between the at least one cleaning obstruction and the opposite passage obstruction. E.g., the passage obstruction may be a non-cleaning or substantially non cleaning obstruction. According to a second aspect of this disclosure there is provided a line hauler kit including an entrapment device according to any embodiment described above and a 10 feeder guide having an elongate trough-like body with an end which is shaped and sized to be received in an end of a conduit (the conduit end) and an end to guide a line out of the conduit (the feeder end), wherein the entrapment device includes a connector configured to be secured to the feeder end of the feeder guide. The connector may include an arm configured to wrap around the feeder guide 15 while the entrapment device is at least partially received in a portion of the feeder end thereby to secure the entrapment device to the feeder guide. According to yet a further aspect there is provided a method of removing material from an outer surface of a line, the method including: positioning an entrapment device according to any embodiment described above 20 around a line of which the outer surface is to be cleaned; and hauling the line through the entrapment device. The method may further include positioning the entrapment device, and securing the entrapment device, in a portion of a feeder guide, the feeder guide having an elongate trough-like body with a conduit end which is shaped and sized to be received in an end 25 of a conduit and a feeder end to guide a line into the conduit. The method may further include removing the entrapment device from the line by opening the entrapment device, and replacing the at least one cleaning obstruction. 4 Further aspects of the present disclosure and further embodiments of the aspects described in the preceding paragraphs will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Brief description of the drawings 5 Figure 1 is a perspective exterior view of an entrapment device according to an example embodiment; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the entrapment device of Figure 1 in a closed position; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the interior of the entrapment device of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective side view of a cable conduit guide that may be used with the 10 entrapment device of Figure 1; Figure 5 illustrates the entrapment device of Figure 1 with a cable extending through a central opening defined by the entrapment device, with the entrapment device being secured to the feeder guide of Figure 3, in accordance with an example embodiment; and 15 Figure 6 illustrates a further application of the entrapment device of Figures 1 and 2, with the entrapment device being connected to an adjustable metal frame. Detailed description Turning to Figure 1, an entrapment device configured to collect and contain material, such as fibres, e.g., potentially hazardous asbestos fibres, from a cable or 20 conduit, is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. Asbestos fibres clinging to the outer surface of ropes, conduits or cables may be relevant, for example, in various cable operations where cables, conduits or the like are either pushed into or pulled from existing pits, or conduits manufactured from, or containing, asbestos fibres. For example, a conduit may be in the form of a pipe that 25 includes or is coated with a material including asbestos fibres. In one example embodiment, the entrapment device 10 may accordingly be used to collect and contain such hazardous asbestos fibres. This may help reduce or avoid these fibres becoming airborne during cabling operations. An example industry in which asbestos may be 5 relevant during cable operations is the telecommunications industry. It will however be appreciated that the entrapment device 10 could find application outside of the telecommunication industry, e.g., in fields where it may be necessary, or at least preferable, to clean outer surfaces of hoses, climbing ropes or the like. In this 5 specification the term 'line' is therefore to be understood to include any cable, conduit, cable-in-conduit, swivel cable, cable grip, rod, rope, hose, pipe or the like. It will become apparent from this disclosure that the entrapment device 10 is configured to interact with an outer surface of a line passing through the device 10, in the process dislodging material located on and/or adhering to the outer surface of the 10 line. The material so dislodged is at the same time to be collected by and contained within the entrapment device 10. As shown in the embodiment of Figure 1, the entrapment device 10 includes a housing 12 shown to have two parts 14, 16 which are connected together to facilitate the opening and closing of the entrapment device 10. In this example embodiment, 15 each part 14, 16 is elongate, with a semi-circular cross-section. When the two parts are connected to each other, they define between them a passage 18 (best shown in Figure 2) that extends from one end of the entrapment device 10 to the other. The passage 18 allows a line, such as a cable, to transit along its length through the housing 12 of the entrapment device 10. While being passed through the passage 18, e.g., during hauling 20 of the line, the outer surface of the line is cleaned, which process will be described in more detail further below. It will be appreciated that the entrapment device could be adapted to allow for the passage of lines of various diameters. The diameters of the lines being hauled is typically dependent on the type of line, e.g., whether it is a fibre optic cable, a hauling 25 rope, swivels or the like. The diameters may further depend on the specification of the particular line (e.g., the fibre optic count of a cable, its manufacturer, etc). In the case of fibre optic cables, the cable diameter may vary from approximately 4.5 mm for a 1 fibre count cable, to approximately 15.5 mm for a 144 fibre count cable, and further to approximately 28 mm for a 864 fibre count cable. Hauling ropes, depending on the type, 30 may, for example, have 8 mm or 14 mm diameters, while a hauling rod may have a 20 mm diameter. In some example embodiments, swivels may have a 22 mm diameter. 6 Details of example embodiments of various fibre optic cables by at least two manufacturers, i.e. Corning and Prysmian, that may be used with the entrapment device of the present disclosure is shown in the table below. Cable Sizes Cable Diameter (mm) mm 2 Average Fibre count Corning Prysmian SDS 1F 3 x 5 n/a 15 4.40 MSS 12F 5 x 9 n/a 45 7.55 LSS 72F 12.7 13.7 127 13.20 LSS 144F 14 17.4 154 15.70 LSS 288F 23.7 22.4 441 23.05 n/a 432F 25.9 22.4 527 24.15 n/a 576F 26 27.7 531 26.85 n/a 864F 28.8 27.7 651 28.25 5 In order to accommodate the various sizes of line, the entrapment device may be adapted in size to best suit the diameter sizes mentioned above. As will be appreciated, the inner diameter defined by the entrapment device 10 when it is in a closed position, i.e. the passage 18, should be larger than the diameter of the line to transit through the device, e.g., the diameter of the passage may be 12mm, 15mm, 18mm, 21mm, 30mm, 10 35mm, 37mm or the like, depending on the line to be hauled. The two parts 14 and 16 are connected together on one of their respective sides with a hinge arrangement 20, while each of the opposite sides of the parts 14 and 16 provide a complementary connector 22 and 24 in order to ensure that the entrapment device 10, once closed, remains in a closed position during its use. In one embodiment, 15 one of the complimentary connectors 22 includes an arm 26 that extends from the hinge arrangement 20 around its respective part 14 and terminates in a suitable locking arrangement to engage with the complementary locking arrangement of the connector 24. As will be described further below, in one example embodiment this arm 26 assists in securing the entrapment device 10 in place during operation. 7 Referring now also to Figure 3, each of the two parts 14, 16 has a straight-sided end 28 and an opposite tapered end 30. The straight-sided end 28 forms the entrance or mouth 32 of the housing 12 and is used as the feeding end of line into the entrapment device 10. The opposite tapered end 30 tapers from a smaller inner 5 diameter to a larger outer diameter thereby providing an expanding opening. A line being hauled from a pipe or conduit in a pit may, in many circumstances, be curved or bent as it exits the pipe from which it is hauled thereby to remove it from the pit. As the curved line may continuously interact with the periphery of the exit end of the entrapment device 10 as it is hauled, frictional forces are exerted on the exit end. 10 Tapering the exit end 34 enables a reduction in these frictional forces produced when the line is moved or hauled through the entrapment device 10. The entrapment device 10 is oriented to have its tapered end 22 towards the end from which a line will be hauled. It will be appreciated that alternative shapes of an exit end for the entrapment device 10 may also provide the required reduction in friction forces. For example, the 15 exit end periphery may have rounded edges. In one embodiment, central sections 36, 38 of the parts 14 and 16 of the housing 12 are made from moulded metal, while the straight-sided end 28 and the opposite tapered end 30 are separately formed sections which are secured to the ends of the central sections. The materials from which these ends are manufactured may be 20 chosen to perform in accordance with a specification for durability and/or strength. Other material arrangements are also envisioned and may be applied in accordance with the use and/or particular application of the entrapment device, e.g., a central section 36, 38 may be manufactured from a metal or metal alloy, with one or both of the straight-sided and tapered ends 28, 30 being made of a plastic or rubber 25 material. Alternatively, the central section 36, 38 may be manufactured from a hard plastic material with the tapered end 30 being made from a moulded neoprene or the like. It will further be appreciated that the housing 12 may in alternative embodiments be integrally formed, e.g., moulded from a durable plastics material, metal or any other suitable material, without any differentiation in material along its length. 30 In applications where it is not necessary to structurally accommodate for the different stresses and pressures that the two ends 32, 34 of the entrapment device 10 8 may experience during line hauling, the entrapment device 10 may be configured not to differentiate in structure or material between its entrance and exit ends. Alternatively, in other embodiments, both the entrance and exit end 32, 34 of the entrapment device 10 may be configured to reduce any friction forces that may occur during hauling of a line. 5 Such an embodiment of an entrapment device would therefore also not have a specific orientation of use, with both open ends structurally adapted to be used as an entrance or exit. It will also be appreciated that the entire housing 12 of the entrapment device 10 may be shaped differently, e.g., it may be adapted in size, in cross-section, or the like. 10 As mentioned above, modification of shape and size of the entrapment device 10 may particularly occur in cases where lines of different diameters have to be accommodated. The entrapment device 10 further includes at least one cleaning obstruction, in this embodiment shown as two cleaning obstructions 40 and 42 located towards the opposite ends 32 and 34 of the housing 12. Each cleaning obstruction 40 and 42 in turn 15 has one or more cleaning formations, shown in Figure 3 as two separate and adjacent brushes 44, 46 located near the entrance 32 of the entrapment device 10 (i.e. an outer entrance brush 44 and an inner entrance brush 46) and two adjacent brushes 48, 50 at the exit end 34 of the device 10 (i.e. an inner exit brush 48 and an outer exit brush 50). Each cleaning obstruction 40 and 42 is configured to extend at least partially into the 20 passage 18 defined by the housing 12 when in a closed position, as shown in Figure 2. The cleaning obstructions 40 and 42 are further to interact with the outer surface of the line, in the process dislodging material on the surface and cleaning it. It is accordingly necessary for the at least one cleaning obstruction to sufficiently interact with the surface to clean while not being such a barrier that the line cannot be hauled through 25 the entrapment device 10. As the cleaning obstructions 40 and 42, and in particular the cleaning formations, are to interact with materials on the surface of the line, it will be appreciated that the cleaning formations, in this case the brushes 44 to 50, may be configured, e.g., shaped, sized and/or selected, in accordance with the material to be removed, the level of 30 cleaning required, the type of line used, the environment of operation or the like. This provides the entrapment device 10 with a convenient adaptability to different 9 applications. This is also one reason why the cleaning obstructions may in some embodiments be replaceable. In the accompanying enlargement of a brush of the embodiment shown in Figure 3, each brush comprises an elongate brush pad 52 from which extends a plurality of 5 bristles 54, in an example embodiment of the pad being flexible, parallel to each other. The two parts 14, 16 of the housing 12 are configured to engage with the brushes, i.e. to support them and keep them in place. As shown in Figure 3, on the inside of each of the parts 14, 16 are connectors, shown as slots (only some of which are indicated by reference numeral 56). These slots 56 are used to hold the brushes, allowing the 10 brushes conveniently to be secured to, and removed from, the housing 12. For example, each slot 56 may be an elongate channel shaped and sized to receive the brush pads 52 of the individual brushes. An end lip is located at respective ends of each slot 56 to aid in holding each end of, and thereby the brush, in place. When a brush is installed in a slot, the brush pad 52, which may conveniently be flexible, deforms and 15 curves, biasing the loose ends of the bristles 54 towards a focal point, resulting in the bristles 54 extending radially across the passage. The bristle ends will create a dense bristle obstruction through which the line is to travel and which is to clean the surface of the line. The bristles 54 of the respective brushes may have varying lengths, thereby 20 allowing the bristles to extend into the passage 18 at varying distances. This is described in more detail further below. The bristles 54 may be arranged on the brush pad to define a bristle arrangement of a predetermined width. For example, the bristle arrangement may have a width across the pad of approximately 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 8mm or more. It will be appreciated that the cleaning 25 ability of a particular brush may typically increase as the width of the bristle arrangement increases. It will further be appreciated that brushes of the same or different bristle arrangements may be used in a single entrapment device 10. In the example embodiment described in accordance with Figures 1 to 3, the brushes are releasably secured to the housing 12, thereby enabling their replacement. It 30 will however be appreciated that the brushes may be secured to the housing 12 in various other ways and that in some embodiments the brushes may be fixedly secured 10 to the housing. Such embodiments may be most suitable where replacement of brushes is not expected, e.g., in applications where the wear of the brushes will be minimal or where the entrapment device will be a single use device that will be disposed of after use. 5 In one example embodiment, the entrapment device 10 defines a collection configuration in the form of a collection cavity 58 in the passage (i.e., between inner walls of the parts 14 and 16 of the housing 12) between the cleaning obstructions 40 and 42 located on opposite ends 32, 34 of the entrapment device 10. The collection cavity 58 is to contain the material dislodged from the outer surface of the line by the 10 respective cleaning obstructions 40 and 42. It is for this reason that the cleaning obstructions 40 and 42 are also configured, e.g., with sufficiently long bristles, to keep and hold in the collection cavity 58 the material removed from the line passed through the device 10 contained. As is best shown in Figure 3, the cavity 58 is mostly located between the inner entrance brush 46 and the inner exit brush 48. It will however be 15 appreciated that various different cavities or sub-cavities may be defined within the passage, depending on the arrangements of cleaning obstructions used. In another example embodiment, multiple cleaning obstructions may be provided, one adjacent the other, throughout the passage defined by the two parts 14 and 16 of the housing 12, from the entrance end 32 to the exit end 34. In such an example 20 embodiment, no collection cavity may exist between adjacent cleaning obstructions, although material removed from the line may still be held between adjacent cleaning obstructions. The cleaning obstructions and their respective cleaning formations may in this embodiment form a collection configuration for the entrapment device. The following description provides additional information on one example 25 embodiment of the cleaning obstructions, with reference still to Figure 3. The inner entrance brush 46 of the entrapment device 10 may have bristles that extend further into the passage than its adjacent brush, the outer entrance brush 44. In contrast, the outer exit brush 50 located towards the exit 34 of the entrapment device 10 may have bristles that extend further into the passage than the adjacent inner exit brush 30 48. In turn, the bristles of the entrance cleaning obstruction 40, i.e. brushes 44 and 46, may be shorter and thus extend less into the passage 18 than the bristles of the exit 11 cleaning obstruction 42, i.e. brushes 48 and 50. In other words, the bristles of the various brushes, when in position and installed in the entrapment device 10, may define inner apertures through which the line passes in use, with the defined inner apertures decreasing in size from the opening 32 of the entrapment device 10 to its exit 34. This 5 type of configuration ensures effective cleaning of the line that passes through the entrapment device 10, as each cleaning formation 44, 46, 48 and 50 removes a further layer of material from the line. In one example embodiment, the outer entrance brush 44 may be selected to be the coarsest brush, with a bristle diameter of, for example, 0.30 mm. The bristle length 10 may be approximately 21 mm, and the aperture defined by it may have a diameter of approximately 26 mm. Of all the brushes, this brush 44 has the shortest bristles and is to remove the most outer layer of material from the line. For this reason, this configuration of brush is used as the outer entrance brush. The inner entrance brush 46 has bristles that have a similar coarseness, e.g., at an approximate diameter of 0.30 15 mm, but the length of the bristles is longer, at approximately 23.5 mm. This brush may define an aperture of an approximate diameter of 25 mm. The difference in bristle length enables a further layer of material to be removed from the line. The selected coarseness of the bristles is convenient to assist in scrubbing the material from the outer surface of the line. 20 Turning then to the exit brushes, the inner exit brush 48 is located adjacent to, but displaced from (i.e. set apart from), the inner entrance brush 46, thereby creating the collection cavity 58. The bristles of this brush 48 may be of intermediate coarseness, i.e., a medium, with an approximate diameter of 0.25 mm. The bristles are longer than the entrance brushes at an approximate length of 27 mm, with the defined 25 aperture having a diameter of approximately 14 mm. Finally, the outer exit brush 50 has the finest texture and is located closest to the tapered end 30 of the entrapment device 10. The outer exit brush 50 comprises bristles with an approximate diameter of 0.18 mm and lengths of approximately 32.5 mm. An aperture of approximately 6 mm is defined by this brush, which aperture will typically be less than the diameter of the line, resulting 30 in the bristles of the brush dragging along the outer surface of the line. 12 In one example embodiment, the brushes are made from nylon, though other suitable materials like metal wire can also be used, depending on the application and type of line. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the entrapment device 10 may 5 have a greater or lesser number of brushes, with the bristles being of different coarseness, length, diameter or manufactured from different materials. Although brushes of different bristle length may define different inner apertures of the passage, the defined apertures will typically have a diameter less than the diameter of the line that passes through the passage. This ensures that the brushes interact with the outer 10 surface of the line, thereby to clean it. The brushes may further be located at the respective ends of the entrapment device housing, close to the ends, or displaced from the ends. In some example embodiments, a predetermined overlap of diameters may be required between the diameter of the line or lines to transit through the device and the 15 apertures defined by the brushes. In other words, the diameter of the largest aperture defined by the brushes may be 5 to 10% larger than the diameter of the line being hauled. The diameter of other apertures may be the same size as the diameter of the line, or may be 2%, 5%, 7%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 40%, 50% or more smaller than the diameter of the line to transit through the aperture. 20 Also, while in one example embodiment a cleaning obstruction may comprise a single formation of bristles, in other embodiments the cleaning obstruction may comprise multiple bristle formations on a single brush pad, e.g., forming two rows of bristles, wherein each formation functions as a separate cleaning formation. Depending on the cleaning requirements of the entrapment device, each cleaning formation may, 25 for example, have a different or the same configuration of bristle coarseness, length, diameter and/or material. As discussed above, the cleaning formation may also have a predetermined width defined by the bristle arrangement. It will additionally be appreciated that in one embodiment, the entrapment device may comprise only one brush as part of either an entrance or an exit cleaning 30 obstruction. In such an example embodiment, in order to define a collection cavity within the passage which is to retain material removed from the surface of the line, an 13 obstruction in the form of an opposing planar member or wall, for example a curtain of material or soft bristles, is to form part of the entrapment device 10. For example, such a wall may extend from the opposite sides of the two parts 14, 16, similarly to a cleaning obstruction. In one embodiment, the wall may be soft bristles that are not configured, or 5 not only configured, to remove much or any material from the surface of the line, but rather to act to retain the material in the cavity. In an alternative embodiment, e.g., where the wall is a planar member or section, the wall is to define an appropriately sized aperture to allow for a line to pass through it while still ensuring that the material removed from the line remains in the collection cavity. It will be appreciated that such a 10 wall takes the place of the exit cleaning obstruction described above. Apart from brushes, other types of cleaning obstructions may be used. For example, a cleaning obstruction comprising strips or sections of internally extending material may be used. Such cleaning obstructions may, for example, be material segments secured to a semi-circular base strip, which in use interacts with at least a 15 portion of the outer surface of a line as it passes through the device. The base strips may be permanently or releasably secured to the parts defining the passage, thereby appropriately locating them in the passage. Referring now to Figure 4, the entrapment device 10 may be used with a feeder guide 60 to facilitate removal (or entry) of a line, such as a cable, into a conduit. The 20 feeder guide 60 may also assist in maintaining the integrity of a line, e.g., a cable, as it enters or exits an exposed end of a conduit. This type of feeder guide 60 may therefore be particularly useful in telecommunication operations where damage to a cable, e.g., a fibre optic cable, would have an impact on the functioning of the cable. The feeder guide 60 has a trough-like body 62, for example with a U-shaped 25 cross-section. The guide 60 has two ends 64 and 66 that may be interchangeably used as a conduit end, in one embodiment shaped and sized to be received in the exposed or open end of a conduit, and a feeder end 66 to guide the line into or out of the conduit. In one embodiment and as shown in Figure 4, a curve 68 is provided between the two ends of the feeder guide 60. The curve 68 may be located off-center between the two 30 ends 64 and 66 resulting in a longer guide section 70 and a shorter guide section 72. The curved nature of the feeder guide 60 assists in operations and arrangements where 14 the conduit opening from which the line is hauled is at a different height to an operator or spool. For example, if the conduit work is being performed in a pit, the longer guide section 70 may be better suited as the feeder end thereby assisting an operator to work from an edge of the pit while hauling from or feeding line into the conduit. In other 5 arrangements, the longer guide section 70 may ensure a better and more stabilised fit when used as the conduit end. As shown in Figure 5, the entrapment device 10 is adapted to be secured to the feeder guide 60 by the complementary connectors 22 and 24 mentioned above. For example, and as mentioned above, one of the complementary connectors 22 10 comprises, in one embodiment, an arm 26 that extends from the hinging arrangement 20. This arm 26 is configured to pivot around the hinging arrangement 20, similar to the two parts of the device 10, allowing the arm 26 to fold or wrap around the outer surface of the feeder guide 60, with the entrapment device 10 then at least partially received in the feeder guide's U-shaped cross section. The locking arrangement of the connector 15 22 is configured to be secured to the locking arrangement of the opposing complementary connector 24 located, in one example embodiment, on the side of the entrapment device 10. For example, a latch may be provided to which the locking arrangement of the arm 26 is secured. In one embodiment, the feeder guide 60 (around which the arm 26 wraps), as well as the housing 12 of the entrapment device 10, and 20 the arm 26 of the connector 22, are all configured to have a similar diameter and curvature. This ensures that a secure connection is possible between the feeder guide 60 and the entrapment device 10. In a further embodiment, and as shown in Figure 1, a label or indicia 74 showing the preferred orientation of the entrapment device 10 in relation to the direction of 25 movement of a line from a conduit may be provided to the outer surface of the complementary connectors (or alternatively the outer surface of the housing). For example, a label or indicia is appropriate for use with embodiments where the length and/or coarseness of the bristles are not longitudinally symmetrical, and/or in embodiments where the ends 32, 34 of the entrapment device is configured to reduce 30 forces on the exit end 34 of the entrapment device. 15 In a further embodiment, the entrapment device 10 may have an aperture in the housing that extends from the collector cavity 58. In some embodiments, the aperture may be defined in order to allow a conduit for liquid evacuation from the housing to be secured to the housing. For example, when the entrapment device 10 is in the closed 5 position and a line is hauled through the device 10, liquid (or material) build-up may occur in the collection cavity 58. With the aperture positioned at an operable lower end of the device 10, evacuation of the device 10 may be possible while in use. Turning now to Figure 6, a further embodiment of an entrapment device is shown. In this embodiment, the entrapment device 10 is adapted to be supported and 10 stabilised by a frame structure 76 which is secured to the housing 12 of the entrapment device 10. The frame structure 76 comprises two telescopic horizontal bars 78 and 80 configured to extend from two opposing sides of the entrapment device 10. Each horizontal bar 78 and 80 connects to further frame segments, e.g., telescopic vertical bars 82 and 84, each of which terminates in a foot which forms the base of the 15 structure. The feet of the structure are configured to be secured in place, e.g., with suitable securing means. It will however be appreciated that the entrapment device 10 may be secured through alternative structures in place, in front of a conduit out of which a line is hauled. For example, the entrapment device 10 may only have side supports that may be secured within a pre-existing support structure, e.g., an internal manhole 20 structure. Use of the entrapment device 10 during line hauling operations is now described in more detail. The entrapment device 10 is first orientated with respect to the particular conduit from which a line is to be hauled. The entrapment device 10 is then positioned over a line by opening the device through lifting the latch of the complementary 25 connectors upwards. To insert clean brushes into the entrapment device, an operator is to hold a brush by its bristles 54, inserting one end of the bristle pad 52 into the slot 56, ensuring that the respective ends of the brush pads 52 are captured under the end lips of the particular slot 56. One part of the entrapment device 10 is then placed underneath the line to be 30 cleaned, while the other part is moved over the line in order for the line to extend through the passage defined by the entrapment device 10 when the device is in the 16 closed position as shown in Figure 5. The complementary connector 22 that includes the arm 26 is then moved over the outer edge of the feeder guide 60 until it reaches the latch enabling the entrapment device 10 to be secured to the feeder guide 60. The line may now be hauled from the conduit and through the entrapment device 5 10. As the line transits through the entrapment device 10, the various brushes brush against the outer surface of the line, or at least, brushes against material that has adhered to the line, thereby collecting the material from the surface of the line, and containing the material within the collection cavity of the entrapment device 10, as described above. This ensures, in the case of hazardous material such as asbestos 10 being removed from the line, limiting the exposure of operators to such hazardous materials. In order to remove the brushes that may contain asbestos particles after use, the feeder guide 60 may be removed from the conduit opening, whereafter the entrapment device 10 is opened by lifting the latch from the locked position, allowing the cable to be 15 removed from the passage 18. An operator can grip the bristles 54 and apply a downward force to the brush, effectively unhooking one end of the brush from underneath the lip and allowing the brush to be removed from the slot 56. Following the relevant asbestos management procedures, the brushes may then be disposed of safely and the entrapment device 10 20 cleaned appropriately. It will be appreciated that, in an embodiment where the entrapment device is to be a single use device, the housing need not have more than one part as there will be no need for the device to be opened in order to either replace the brushes or to clean the device. 25 It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention. As used herein, except where the context requires otherwise, the term 30 "comprise" and variations of the term, such as "comprising", "comprises" and 17 "comprised", are not intended to exclude further additives, components, integers or steps. 18

Claims (20)

1. An entrapment device including: a housing which defines a passage extending from a first end to a second end of the housing; and 5 at least one cleaning obstruction extending at least partially into the passage; the passage and the at least one cleaning obstruction configured to allow transit of a line through the passage and to interact with an outer surface of the line as it transits through the passage thereby to dislodge material on the outer surface; and a containment configuration defined in the passage and adapted to contain the 10 material dislodged by the at least one cleaning obstruction from the outer surface of the line while the line transits through the passage.

2. An entrapment device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one cleaning obstruction includes a first cleaning obstruction and a second cleaning obstruction, the containment configuration comprising a collection cavity defined between the first and 15 the second cleaning obstructions.

3. An entrapment device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one cleaning obstruction comprises a plurality of cleaning obstructions throughout the passage in the containment configuration.

4. An entrapment device as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein each cleaning 20 obstruction includes at least one cleaning formation.

5. An entrapment device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the at least one cleaning formation includes multiple cleaning formations, each of which extend the same distance into the passage.

6. An entrapment device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the cleaning formations of 25 one said cleaning obstructions extend into the passage to a different extent to the cleaning formation of another one of said cleaning obstructions. 19

7. An entrapment device as claimed in claim 6 wherein a cleaning formation closer to the first end extends further into the passage than a cleaning formation closer to the second end.

8. An entrapment device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the first end is designated 5 an exit end from which the line is hauled in use.

9. An entrapment device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the first end is designated an entrance end into which the line enters the device in use.

10. An entrapment device as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 9 wherein each cleaning formation is manufactured from a resilient material in use to brush against the 10 outer surface of a line as it transits through the passage.

11. An entrapment device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the cleaning formation is a brush including at least one formation of bristles.

12. An entrapment device as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 11 wherein the housing is configured to releasably secure the at least one cleaning obstruction to the 15 housing.

13. An entrapment device as claimed in claim 12 wherein the housing defines a slot to receive a complementary part of the cleaning obstruction.

14. An entrapment device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the housing includes multiple parts configured to be movable between a closed position in 20 which the passage is defined and an open position in which access to the at least one cleaning obstruction is provided.

15. An entrapment device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the at least one cleaning obstruction is shaped and sized to define a constriction in the passage in the form of an aperture having a diameter less than the diameter of the line 25 from which material is to be dislodged.

16. A line hauler kit including a entrapment device according to any one of claims 1 to 15 and a feeder guide having an elongate trough-like body with an end which is shaped and sized to be received in an end of a conduit (the conduit end) and an end to 20 guide a line out of the conduit (the feeder end), wherein the entrapment device includes a connector configured to secure the entrapment device to the feeder end of the feeder guide.

17. A line hauler kit as claimed in claim 16 wherein the connector includes an arm 5 configured to wrap around the feeder guide while the entrapment device is at least partially received in a portion of the feeder end thereby to secure the entrapment device to the feeder guide.

18. A method of removing material from an outer surface of a line, the method including: 10 positioning an entrapment device according to any one of claims 1 to 15 around a line of which the outer surface is to be cleaned; and hauling the line through the entrapment device.

19. A method as claimed in claim 18 further including positioning the entrapment device, and securing the entrapment device, in a portion of a feeder guide, the feeder 15 guide having an elongate trough-like body with a conduit end which is shaped and sized to be received in an end of a conduit and a feeder end to guide the line out of the conduit.

20. A method as claimed in claim 19 further including removing the entrapment device from the line by opening the entrapment device, and replacing at least one said 20 cleaning obstruction. 21