Debris collection apparatus with mechanical residue suction

A debris collection apparatus, comprising:

• an upper member positioned above and moveable relative to a lower member, the upper member including a first panel that defines an upper chamber, the lower member including a second panel and a slot;
• and
• a membrane extending between the upper member and the lower member to define a lower chamber, the upper chamber separated from the lower chamber by the first panel to inhibit debris from traveling between the upper chamber and the lower chamber,
• wherein the membrane is configured to generate a low-pressure area within the lower chamber when the upper member is moved relative to the lower member, and
• wherein the low-pressure area is configured to urge debris from a surface in an environment around the debris collection apparatus through the slot and into the lower chamber.

A method for collecting debris disposed on a surface in an environment, the method comprising:

• positioning a debris collection apparatus on the surface in the environment such that a front edge of an upper panel of the debris collection apparatus is adjacent to the debris;
• urging some of the debris onto the upper panel of the debris collection apparatus such that a remainder of the debris is collected at the front edge of the upper panel;
• generating a vacuum at a slot disposed at a front edge of a lower panel disposed below the upper panel by moving the upper panel away from the lower panel to expand a bellows that extends between the upper panel and the lower panel to create a low-pressure area within a chamber defined by the bellows;
• and
• urging at least some of the remainder of the debris through the slot and into the chamber via the vacuum generated at the slot.