U.S. patent application number 14/038283 was filed with the patent office on 2014-06-19 for replaceable grease trap system for a wastewater system and method of using the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to Canplas Industries Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Canplas Industries Ltd.. Invention is credited to Scott Baldwin, Jeffrey D. Bayley, Andrew Bird, Carl Robb.
Application Number | 20140166595 14/038283 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50382813 |
Filed Date | 2014-06-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140166595 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Baldwin; Scott ; et
al. |
June 19, 2014 |
REPLACEABLE GREASE TRAP SYSTEM FOR A WASTEWATER SYSTEM AND METHOD
OF USING THE SAME
Abstract
The present invention relates to a grease trap system for
wastewater systems, having an inlet pipe with a shut off valve, an
outlet pipe with a shut off valve and a grease interceptor
comprising a replaceable container body including means to trap
fats, oils and grease within the body. The body has inlet and
outlet slide couplers in opposed walls, and each coupler has an
associated connecting means to sealingly fluidly connect the slide
couplers to the inlet and outlet pipes. When the container body is
disconnected from the pipes the slide couplers may also be sealed
by a removable plug for transport. The slide couplers displace
inwardly and outwardly relative to the container to give clearance
between the pipes to remove the container. A method of replacing
full containers with empty containers is also comprehended.
Inventors: |
Baldwin; Scott; (Innisfil,
CA) ; Bayley; Jeffrey D.; (Midhurst, CA) ;
Robb; Carl; (Barrie, CA) ; Bird; Andrew;
(Shanty Bay, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Canplas Industries Ltd. |
Barrie |
|
CA |
|
|
Assignee: |
Canplas Industries Ltd.
Barrie
CA
|
Family ID: |
50382813 |
Appl. No.: |
14/038283 |
Filed: |
September 26, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
210/799 ;
210/163 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C02F 2101/32 20130101;
C02F 2101/325 20130101; C02F 2201/004 20130101; E03F 5/16 20130101;
C02F 2307/08 20130101; C02F 2201/007 20130101; C02F 1/40
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
210/799 ;
210/163 |
International
Class: |
E03F 5/16 20060101
E03F005/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 28, 2012 |
CA |
2791444 |
Claims
1. A grease trap system for wastewater systems, said grease trap
system comprising: a ground engaging frame into which a replaceable
container body may be inserted, an inlet pipe connector with shut
off valve on an inlet side of said frame; an outlet pipe connector
with a shut off valve on an outlet side of said frame; a grease
interceptor comprising a replaceable container body including means
to trap fats, oils and grease within said replaceable container
body and further being sized and shaped to be positioned within
said frame and connected to said inlet and outlet pipe connectors,
said container body including inlet and outlet slide couplers
through opposed walls of said body, said inlet and outlet slide
couplers having associated connecting means to sealingly fluidly
connect said inlet and outlet connectors to said container body,
said inlet and outlet slide couplers being further configured to be
sealed for transport of said container body by a closure member;
wherein said slide couplers laterally displace away from said inlet
and outlet connectors when said container body is being
replaced.
2. The grease trap system of claim 1 wherein said slide couplers
may be moved by hand.
3. The grease trap system of claim 1 wherein each of said slide
couplers include a threaded collar and said slide couplers may be
extended and retracted by said threaded collar as the threaded
collar engages and disengages said inlet and outlet connectors.
4. The grease trap system of claim 2 further including a coupling
assembly at each of said inlet and outlet having a manually
actuable handle for coupling and decoupling said container body to
said inlet and outlet couplers.
5. The grease trap assembly of claim 4 wherein closure member
comprise a container shut off valve and said manually actuable
handle simultaneously actuates said container shut off valve to
open and close said container to liquid flow through said inlet and
outlet slide couplers during said coupling and decoupling.
6. The grease trap assembly of claim 4 wherein said manually
actuable handle also actuates said slide coupler to cause said
slide coupler to seal and unseal against said respective inlet and
outlet couplers.
7. The grease trap assembly of claim 4 wherein said manually
actuable handle also actuates a pair of diametrically opposed
locking elements for locking and unlocking said inlet and outlet
slide couplers to said inlet and outlet couplers.
8. The grease trap assembly of claim 7 further including two
handles and wherein each of said handles extends between an upper
and a lower actuator plate.
9. The grease trap assembly of claim 8 wherein said manually
actuable handle can be positioned at a convenient angle relative to
said container body for actuating said actuator plates.
10. The grease trap assembly of claim 8 wherein said upper and
lower actuator plates are guided during actuation by said handle by
guide pins fixed to said container.
11. The grease trap system of claim 1 wherein the container body
includes inlet and outlet sleeves in which said slide couplers are
housed.
12. The grease trap system of claim 11 wherein at least one o-ring
is mounted on said slide couplers to form a sliding seal between
said couplers and said sleeves.
13. The grease trap system of claim 12 wherein said slide couplers
include an internal stop lip to prevent said slide couplers from
extending out too far from said container.
14. The grease trap system of claim 13 wherein said collar is
rotatably retained within a channel to limit axial movement of said
collar relative to said slide coupler while allowing the rotation
of said collar to cause the lateral displacement of the slide
coupler.
15. The grease trap system of claim 1 wherein said frame positions
said inlet and outlet connectors in position relative to said
container.
16. The grease trap system of claim 12 wherein said slide couplers
include a sealing face and each of said threaded pipes include an
o-ring mounted to seal against said sealing surfaces when said
collars are fully engaged with said threaded pipes.
17. The grease trap system of claim 16 wherein said frame includes
an orientation tab to prevent said container from being mounted
within said frame in a reverse position.
18. The grease trap system of claim 17 wherein said container
includes a recess for receiving said orientation tab.
19. The grease trap system of claim 1 wherein the container body is
made from molded plastic.
20. The grease trap system of claim 11 wherein the inlet and outlet
sleeves are molded in place.
21. The grease trap system of claim 1 wherein said frame further
includes support elements to provide enough space beneath the
container above a surface to position lifting forks under said
container.
22. The grease trap assembly of claim 21 wherein said space is
sized and shaped to provide a toe space under said container
body.
23. The grease trap system of claim 1 wherein said inlet and outlet
sleeves are positioned on opposite sides of said container to
permit said container body to be lifted up without tilting the
container side to side to permit said plugs to be installed without
spilling.
24. The grease trap assembly of claim 1 wherein said container body
further includes a toe space molded into at least one of said sides
of said container body.
25. A method of collecting grease from a wastewater stream
comprising the steps of: positioning a replaceable container body
between a pair of inlet and outlet connectors mounted on a frame,
wherein said connectors are connected to a wastewater drain and
fluidly connecting inlet and outlet slide couplers on said body to
said connectors so wastewater flows through said container body;
capturing fats, oils and grease in said container body over time;
shutting inflow and outflow pipe valves to stop the flow of
wastewater through said body, displacing one or both of said inlet
and outlet pipe connections and said inlet and outlet couplers
towards said container body to permit said container to be removed
from between said connectors without interference at said
connectors; sealing said inlet and outlet slide couplers on said
container to ready said container body for transport; and
transporting said sealed container to a remote location to be
emptied and cleaned.
26. The method of claim 25 further including the step of placing a
clean empty container between said inlet and outlet pipes, while
said slide couplers are displaced inwardly towards said container
body, sealing slide couplers to said connectors and opening said
valves to permit wastewater to flow into through and the out of
said clean empty container.
27. The method of claim 25 further including the step of
simultaneously sealing the inlet and outlet of said container as
said container is decoupled from said connectors.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to the field of wastewater
systems and in particular to a passive collector of fats, oils and
grease of the type that is typically associated with a wastewater
drainage system for a food service establishment. Most particularly
this invention relates to a grease trap or collector which is used
to collect such fats, oil and grease from a sink or drain from a
commercial kitchen or the like to prevent the same from being
discharged directly into a municipal wastewater system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Grease traps or interceptors are well known and used
extensively to collect fats, oil and grease ("F/O/G") from the
wastewater discharge streams from commercial food service
establishments such as kitchens and restaurants. In many
jurisdictions there are by-laws or other local rules which require
the owners or operators to use such devices to prevent the F/O/G
from being freely discharged and then fouling the downstream
wastewater system.
[0003] Typically in the past these grease interceptor devices have
taken the form of steel containers or vessels which are positioned
in the wastewater effluent stream downstream of the food
preparation areas. Often they are large volume containers which are
sunk into the floor with removable lids at or slightly above grade.
They are typically immovable and plumbed into place. Water from the
sinks or dishwashers flows, by gravity, into and then out of the
devices, and is then carried away by the wastewater or sewer
system. Baffles and the like are positioned inside of the container
to trap the floating F/O/G within the container to prevent it from
entering into the sewer system. However, even with a large
container, over time the FOG builds up and then the grease
interceptor needs to be emptied.
[0004] Typically such devices are built with a removable lid so
that the floating F/O/G can be periodically removed from the top of
the container. There are several methods used to empty the F/O/G
from the container. In some small volume devices an employee may be
asked to remove the top of the container and then bail out the
F/O/G into a ladle or bucket and then dump the removed material
into a dumpster or other solid waste container. In other cases a
service will be used to bring a pump out truck to pump out the
F/O/G from the container, once the lid is taken off. In this case a
long hose is threaded from the truck to the container and the F/O/G
is sucked out through the hose. Various other means of emptying the
container also exist.
[0005] However, in all cases when the lid is taken off the smell is
very strong and noxious. The smell can penetrate clothing, foul the
air and typically will be located deep within the kitchen. Nasty
smells within the kitchen can be very off putting for customers of
the food service establishment, as well as the employees. Therefore
the F/O/G removal operation is often scheduled for late at night or
early in the morning when the facility is otherwise closed. However
in some cases the food service facility may be open 24 hours per
day making this scheduling more difficult. Furthermore, in some
applications such as a shopping mall food court, the grease
interceptor may be located at such a distance from an outside wall
that it can be difficult to stretch the suction hose from the truck
to the interceptor. What is desired is a way to accomplish the
removal of the F/O/G without exposing the employees and customers
to the foul smells associated with the accumulated F/O/G while
improving the cost effectiveness and convenience of the F/O/G
collection process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Accordingly the present invention provides a grease
interceptor system which includes a grease trap that comprises a
portable light weight container body, which can be easily connected
and disconnected to the wastewater system for pick up and removal,
without the need for the container to be opened during this removal
step. The present invention provides for an above grade mounting
for the container body of the grease interceptor in between opposed
inflow and outflow portions of the wastewater drain pipes. The body
includes inflow and outflow openings which are sized and positioned
to be connectable to the drain pipes. The drain pipes are provided
with shut off valves to permit the drain pipes to be closed when
the grease interceptor is disconnected from the drain pipes. There
is also provided easy to use pipe couplings to fluidly connect to
the container body of the grease interceptor to the drain
pipes.
[0007] In one embodiment the present invention provides a method
whereby a container body which is full of trapped F/O/G may be
removed by means of a hand cart placed under the bottom of the
grease interceptor container body. Plugs, such as screw thread
caps, or valves are provided to permit the inflow and outflow
openings of the full grease container to be sealed for transport
once the container body is disconnected from the inflow and outflow
lines. Means are provided on the body of the grease interceptor to
temporarily displace the connecting elements laterally as the body
is placed into or pulled out of position between the drain pipes,
to protect the seals, o-rings and coupler stems that are present on
the container body to provide the hydraulic connection to the
wastewater drain.
[0008] Thus according to the present invention a replaceable grease
interceptor can be removably secured in place in a wastewater line
to collect F/O/G. When full, a service is called and a clean, empty
unit is wheeled into the kitchen on a hand cart. The wastewater
flow line valves are shut both upstream and downstream of the
container body and the couplers are disconnected. Then the full
unit can be moved slightly, in a direction generally perpendicular
to the axis of the pipe connections, by placing the hand cart under
the unit and levering it up and pulling it out slightly, to permit
closure members, such as the plugs, stoppers, caps or other sealing
means to be threaded, or otherwise secured in place to seal the
pipe openings in the body. Then the full unit can be fully removed
from between the inlet and outlet drain pipes. It will be noted
that this initial movement of the container body can be
accomplished without tilting the body side to side thus reducing
the chances of causing a spill out of the pipe coupler openings,
before the drain plugs are secured in the openings. Once the full
unit is removed from between the upstanding pipes the clean unit
can be placed in position.
[0009] The clean unit is positioned between the drain pipes and
coupled to the drains. Once this is done the valves upstream and
downstream on the wastewater lines can be re-opened to permit the
water to drain through the unit whereby fresh F/O/G will be
captured. The full unit can be wheeled away to a truck or the like
for eventual disposal at a land fill site or the like or for
recycling as appropriate. In this way the F/O/G remains
substantially enclosed as the container is moved through the
kitchen and then out through the commercial establishment and the
bad smell is greatly reduced if not eliminated. A single service
truck can be provided with multiple replacement containers and can
follow a route to service many separate commercial restaurants by
pulling the full units and replacing them with empty units as
needed. Over time the route can be timed to co-ordinate with the
frequency of the haul away need of the establishment.
[0010] Thus according to a first aspect the present invention
provides a grease trap system for wastewater systems, said grease
trap system comprising:
[0011] a ground engaging frame into which a replaceable container
body may be inserted,
[0012] an inlet pipe connector with shut off valve on an inlet side
of said frame;
[0013] an outlet pipe connector with a shut off valve on an outlet
side of said frame;
[0014] a grease interceptor comprising a replaceable container body
including means to trap fats, oils and grease within said
replaceable container body and further being sized and shaped to be
positioned within said frame and connected to said inlet and outlet
pipe connectors, said container body including inlet and outlet
slide couplers through opposed walls of said body, said inlet and
outlet slide couplers having associated connecting means to
sealingly fluidly connect said inlet and outlet connectors to said
container body, said inlet and outlet slide couplers being further
configured to be sealed for transport of said container body by a
closure member;
[0015] wherein said slide couplers laterally displace away from
said inlet and outlet connectors when said container body is being
replaced.
[0016] According to another aspect the present invention provides a
method of collecting grease from a wastewater stream comprising the
steps of:
[0017] positioning a replaceable container body between a pair of
inlet and outlet connectors mounted on a frame, wherein said
connectors are connected to a wastewater drain and fluidly
connecting inlet and outlet slide couplers on said body to said
connectors so wastewater flows through said container body;
[0018] capturing fats, oils and grease in said container body over
time;
[0019] shutting inflow and outflow pipe valves to stop the flow of
wastewater through said body;
[0020] displacing one or both of said inlet and outlet pipe
connections and said inlet and outlet couplers laterally to permit
said container to be removed from between said connectors without
interference at said connectors;
[0021] sealing inlet and outlet slide couplers on said container to
ready said container body for transport; and
[0022] transporting said sealed container to a remote location to
be emptied and cleaned.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] Reference will now be made to preferred embodiments of the
invention by way of example only to the following illustrative
figures in which:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a front view of a container according to present
invention in place and fluidly connected to a wastewater flow
line;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a close up of an inflow connection portion
according to a preferred aspect of the present invention ready to
connect to the wastewater flow line;
[0026] FIG. 3 is the same view as in FIG. 2 with the inflow
connection portion connected to the wastewater flow line;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a view of the inflow connection portion of FIGS. 2
and 3 disconnected from the wastewater line and with a plug sealing
the inflow connection portion so the container may be transported
without spilling it contents;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a view from behind showing a support frame
according to a preferred aspect of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 5a is a close up view of a section through an
orientation tab on the frame of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 6 is a cut away view of the full sealed container ready
for transport.
[0031] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a further embodiment of an
attachment assembly according to the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 8 is a top view of the attachment assembly of FIG. 7 in
an attached position where wastewater can flow through the
assembly;
[0033] FIG. 9 is a top view of the attachment assembly of FIG. 8
partially uncoupled from the fixed wastewater plumbing;
[0034] FIG. 10 is a top view of the attachment assembly in a fully
disconnected position; and
[0035] FIG. 11 is a view of an alternate embodiment of a container
according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0036] FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a grease trap system
10 according to the present invention from the front, having a
grease collector or container body 11. The system includes an inlet
pipe connector 12 having a drain pipe receiving collar collar 14 to
which a conventional drain pipe 15 from a sink or the like can be
joined in the usual manner such as by solvent welding. The inlet
pipe connector 12 is preferably carried on a frame 16, which holds
the connector 12 in position even when the connector 12 is not
connected to a drain pipe 15 or a container 11. As will be
explained in more detail below the present invention requires the
inlet connector be carefully positioned so that a connection can be
made to the container 11. Thus, the frame 16 is useful to position
the inlet coupler in the right position for the installer, who
merely has to connect the pipe 15 to the inlet connector, without
having to worry about putting the connector in the right place in
space. The inlet pipe connector 12 includes a shut off valve 18 and
ends with a threaded pipe end 20 having a groove 21 with an o-ring
seal 22. A manually operated gate valve 18 with a twist lock
feature to prevent accidental release has provided good results.
Most preferably the grease trap system 10 is positioned below or
close to a sink so the drain pipe 15 has a minimum run and does not
form an obstruction to movement of employees within the kitchen.
The threaded pipe end 20 can be molded in as part of the valve 18,
or can be as shown, namely, a separate sleeve that is threaded or
solvent welded onto the valve 18.
[0037] The threaded pipe end 20 is sized and shaped to engage with
and seal with a slide coupler 22 mounted in an inlet sleeve 24 of
the container 11. The slide coupler 22 defines an inlet opening 26
in an upstream side 28 of the container body 11. The slide coupler
22 is comprised of an internally threaded collar 30 rotatably
mounted on an outside stem portion 32, in a channel 34. The channel
is formed by shoulders 33, 35 (FIGS. 2 and 3) which trap the collar
30 in place relative to the slide coupler 22. The threaded collar
30 can be manually turned onto and off of the threaded pipe end 20.
The outside stem portion 32 is secured to an internal stem portion
36 that includes a limit stop lip 38 and a pair of o-ring seals 40
and 42 (FIG. 2) secured in channels 44 and 48 (FIG. 2)
respectively. The inside and outside stem portions 32, 36 may be
threaded together as shown at 37, solvent welded or joined in any
other manner that ensures a secure liquid tight connection.
[0038] The container body 11 is preferably made from molded plastic
and sized and shaped to hold a reasonable amount of liquid inside.
Plastic has the advantage of being reasonably light weight, easy to
clean and inexpensive to manufacture, but the present invention
comprehends that other materials may also be used without departing
from the scope of the invention. The container body 11 includes a
removable top or lid 50, which can be secured to the container body
11 in a liquid tight manner, such as through the use of fasteners
clips and seals or the like as is known in the art. Most preferable
the container body 11 includes the usual baffles and grease
separating structures (not shown) within to allow the container
body 11 to trap grease oil and the like over time as wastewater
flows through the body 11. As will be understood wastewater will
enter through an upstream side 28 and then exit the container body
11 through a downstream side 52 and then be carried away by an
outlet drain pipe 54.
[0039] As well as the inlet pipe connector 12 there is provided an
outlet pipe connector 60 on the frame 16 on the downstream side 52
of the container body 11. As can now be better understood the frame
holds both the inlet and outlet connectors in the correct position
to accommodate a container 11 there-between and so greatly helps in
installing the connectors in the correct position when they are
first plumbed into the wastewater drain pipe. The outlet pipe
connector 60 is preferably the same as the inlet pipe connector 12
previously described, only in reverse. There is an outlet sleeve 62
which most preferably is at a height relative to the inlet sleeve
24 that allows the wastewater flowing into the container body 11 to
the flow out of the container 11 by gravity drainage with the F/O/G
trapped inside.
[0040] Located within the outlet sleeve 62 is an outlet slide
coupler 64 which is comprised of an internal stem portion 66 and an
external stem portion 68. Again these may be joined together by
threads, solvent welding or the like. The internal stem portion 66
includes a stop lip 70, and a pair of o-ring seals 72, 74 located
within channels 76, 78 respectively to seal against an inside
surface of the outlet sleeve 62. The external stem portion 68
includes a receiving channel 80 in which an internally threaded
collar 82 is rotatably received. Once again the slide coupler 64
may move back and forth within the outlet sleeve 62, by means of
the difference in distance between the internal side of the collar
82 and the end of the sleeve 62.
[0041] Downstream of the outlet slide coupler 64 is the outlet pipe
connector 60. As with the inlet pipe connector 12 the outlet pipe
connector 60 includes an externally threaded tube which forms an
outlet pipe 86 onto which the threaded collar 82, may be secured.
Again an o-ring seal 88 may be used to seal the slide coupler 64 to
the outlet pipe 86. Also the outlet pipe connector 60 includes a
manually operable shut off valve 90 to shut off the water flow
through the pipe 86 when the valve is shut.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 1 both the inlet and outlet pipes 15, 54
are in the form of a gravity drainage wastewater pipes and need to
be plumbed with the drainage slope as is required by code or the
like to ensure good drainage of the wastewater through the pipes.
FIG. 1 also shows support rails or posts 65 which raise the bottom
67 of the container body 11 off the floor to permit lifting forks
69 of a dolly or lift truck (not shown) to fit underneath the
bottom 67. An orientation tab 214 is also shown which is explained
in more detail below.
[0043] Turning to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 there is shown a close up view
of the inlet connector 12 and the slide coupler 22 according to the
present invention in three different positions. Although showing
only the inlet side, it will be understood that the outlet side
will be substantially the same. In FIG. 2 the slide coupler 22 is
displaced inwardly towards the container 11 to permit the container
11 to be inserted or removed from between the inlet and outlet
connectors 12, 60. In FIG. 3 the slide coupler 22 is extended
outwardly and connected to the connector 12 to permit wastewater to
flow through the connection to permit the collection of F/O/G
within the container 11. In FIG. 4 the slide coupler 22 is shown
with a seal or plug, which is used to contain the fluids inside of
the container 11 when transporting a full container.
[0044] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
although threaded engagements are shown between the slide couplers
22, 68 and the connectors 12, 60 and have been found to work well,
other types of connection can also be used, such as a bayonet type
mount or the like. All that is required is for the components to be
manually coupled together in a manner that permits them to be
easily connected and disconnected as and when required, preferably
without the need for any tools or the like. As well, although there
is reference to the sealing ring 21 being placed on the threaded
pipe end 20 of the connector it will be understood that the sealing
ring could also be placed on the other component as a matter of
design choice without departing from the spirit of the present
invention.
[0045] FIG. 2 shows the present invention configured for insertion
or removal of a container 11 into position between the connectors
12, 60 on the frame 16, with only the inlet side being shown. In
this view the slide coupler 22 is displaced inwardly towards the
container 11 and a gap is shown at 100 between the stop lip 38 and
an inside wall of the container 11. This gap 100 permits there to
be a smaller gap at 102 which allows the threaded collar 22 to be
displaced away from the threaded pipe end 20. As can now be more
clearly understood the slide couplers of the present invention
provide a certain amount of axial movement along a centerline axis
of the wastewater pipe or generally orthogonal to the inlet and
outlet sides 28 and 52 of the container 11. The present invention
comprehends a number of ways of providing this axial movement, such
as by using flexible pipes or the like, but good results have been
achieved through the slide couplers as described above. What is
desired is to allow the inlet and outlet couplers to connect to the
inlet and outlet sleeves of the container but to have enough space
between the connecting elements to permit the connection elements
to be out of contact with each other to permit the container 11 to
be easily removed from between the connectors at both ends along an
axis generally perpendicular to the direction of the axial movement
of the slide couplers. In this way there is no interference between
the inlet and outlet couplers and the container when the container
is being moved.
[0046] Most preferably the external ends of the slide couplers will
be displaced away from the connectors (i.e. towards the container
11) when disconnected as described above. This will allow the
container 11 to be lifted up, for example, on a lift cart or dolly
with lifting forks 51 and moved back from between the pipes.
Ideally the present invention allows the lifting and movement of
the container to occur in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the
pipes. This avoids a problem of the prior art where the lifting of
one end of the container, while the other end was still partially
engaged with the pipes might lead to tipping the container and
accidental spilling before the container is fully disengaged from
the pipe connections.
[0047] In FIG. 3 the slide coupler 22 has been slid out until the
internal threads of the collar 30 can engage the threaded pipe end
20, and then the collar 30 is turned to cause it to engage with the
threaded pipe end 20. As the collar 30 is turned on, the slide
coupler 22 is moved along the inlet sleeve axis away from the
container 11 by the turning action of the collar 30 on the threads
20 until the collar 30 is fully threaded on the pipe 20. At this
point the o-ring seal 21 is engaged with a sealing surface 104 on
the slide coupler 22. As can be seen the gap 106 is much smaller
than the gap 100 shown in FIG. 2 as the collar has pulled the slide
collar out almost the full distance of the gap 100. During this
movement the two o-ring seals 40, 42 remain in contact with the
inner surface of the inlet sleeve 24 and maintain a sliding sealing
engagement therewith.
[0048] FIG. 4 shows a view of the container 11 with a closure
member, in this case a plug 130 in place in the slide coupler 22.
This occurs once the container 11 has been removed from between the
inlet and outlet couplers as described above. The plug 130 is
threaded and mates with the threads on the collar to form a liquid
tight joint. An o-ring 140 is provided to seal against the sealing
surface 104 of the slide coupler 22. With the plug 130 in place the
full container may be easily transported around without spilling or
losing any of the contents of a full container 11. It will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that while the drawings
show plugs being used to close the openings on the grease
interceptor, other closure members such as stoppers, caps, valves
or the like are comprehended by the present invention. Further,
such devices can be threaded, frictionally fit, bayonet mounted, or
otherwise secured to the open ends without departing from the scope
of the present invention.
[0049] The frame 16 can now be understood in better detail. The
frame 16 is shown from behind in FIG. 5. As shown the inlet and
outlet connectors are held in position by the frame in the exact
locations where they can be connected to the slide couplers of a
container. Thus they have to be spaced and positioned in the
correct locations so that a standard sized container 11 can be
easily connected and disconnected to the couplers as described
above. The frame 16 is configured to allow the container to slide
into place between the connectors and is provided with a pair of
support rails 65 upon which the container rests. This provides a
space under the container into which the forks or edge of a lifting
truck can be inserted. As well, the present invention comprehends
that the frame will include an orientation tab 214, which fits into
an indentation 216 formed into the container 11 to ensure that the
container 11 is inserted between the inlet and outlet connectors in
only the correct orientation for the capturing of the F/O/G within
the container 11. The orientation tab is offset from the center of
the container so that if the container is reversed the parts won't
fit and the container cannot be connected to the slide couplers as
required. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the
interceptor is designed to capture F/O/G that flows through in a
preferred direction. If the unit was mounted in reverse
orientation, this would affect the ability to collect and trap
F/O/G. Thus the restricted orientation is believed desirable.
[0050] FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of a container 11 which is
full and being replaced. The inlet and outlet features are shown as
82 and 84 and the plugs are in place to seal the container. There
is a layer of trapped F/O/G at 90 and a layer of water at 92
underneath. All that is required to clean the unit is to take it to
a solid landfill site, remote the top, dump out the contents and
wash with a pressure sprayer or the like. Since this can be done at
a location remote from the food service establishment, there is no
risk of the strong odours offending the customers.
[0051] Having now described the various components of the invention
the operation of the invention can now be more clearly understood.
First a clean container is put into place between a pair of
connectors as described above. The container will sit up slightly
on supports that are positioned in such a way to permit
conventional lift truck, or dolly forks, to be inserted under the
container 11 to easily manipulate it when full. Various forms of
lift truck are available so the present invention comprehends
various forms of supports positioned and configured for the type of
forks to be used. According to the present invention therefore the
supports are positioned under the container to allow easy access
for lifting forks under the container and to center the lifting to
avoid tilting the container, which is important as explained
below.
[0052] Then both on both sides the wastewater drain pipes, inlet
and outlet, are coupled to the container 11 by extending the slide
couplers out of the containers until they are sealed with the
connectors. Then the valves are opened and wastewater is allowed to
flow into and then out of the grease trap in the usual hydraulic
gravity feed fashion. Over time grease and oil will collect and at
a certain point it will be necessary to empty the container 11. In
this case a service is called. The service will bring a fresh clean
and empty container body to the site. They will then shut off the
flow of wastewater through the pipes by turning off or closing the
inlet and outlet valves. Next they will position a dolly under the
full container and get ready to lift the same. Then they will
unscrew the threaded sleeves, the action of which moves the slide
couplers in towards the container 11 and then gently lift the
container 11 up with the dolly, and back slightly, without tiling
it so much that it spills. At this point it is only necessary to
move the container 11 enough to provide access to the slide
couplers to screw in a drain plug on either side of the container.
The next step is to continue to guide the container from out
between the inlet and outlet connectors and the frame 16 until the
full container is clear. Since it is now sealed it will not be
emitting any odours. Once the full container is out of the way, the
fresh clean container can be positioned on the frame 16 between the
threaded pipe ends and fluidly connected to the upstream and
downstream pipes by means of the collar connectors. The next step
is to open the valves to get the wastewater flowing again through
the empty container body. Then the full container, which is sealed
by reason of the plugs, is taken out to a waiting truck for
transport. In this sealed state it can be easily wheeled out of the
food service establishment without offending any staff or
patrons.
[0053] Now that the container is sealed and moveable it may be
taken to a remote site, by truck for example to be emptied and
cleaned. Alternatively, the restaurant staff may disconnect and
remove the unit and take it to their grease collection bin usually
located behind the restaurant where they will remove the grease
manually. Then it can simply be reinstalled in place. A preferred
form of cleaning includes using water such as a hose or pressure
sprayer to clean out the container of any solids collected in the
container. The plastic will easily wash clean. By providing a
removable top or cover it will make the container easier to clean
and empty and the container top need not be opened until the
container is at a disposal site such as a land fill disposal site.
Thus the bad odours that are emitted will not be in close proximity
to the food service areas.
[0054] It can now be appreciated that the present invention permits
the replacement of full containers with empty containers without
the need to expose the trapped fats oil and grease to the open air.
Thus, by means of the dolly and the closure members or plugs, the
present invention comprehends an easy, clean and smooth exchange of
empty containers for full containers according to a service
schedule that can be determined based on the usage and need of the
food service establishment. Further the positioning of the inlet
and outlet opening on opposite side walls of the device permits the
initial lifting of the full container body to occur without
tilting, ensuring that there is no spillage before the plugs can be
put in place.
[0055] A second embodiment of an attachment assembly for connecting
the container 11 to the fixed wastewater piping 15, 54 is shown in
exploded view in FIG. 7. The second embodiment permits the
container to be sealed and disconnected from the fixed piping or
conversely unsealed and connected to the fixed wastewater piping
with a simple one handed motion as explained below. As shown an
upper actuator plate 300 and a lower actuator plate 302 are
connected together by, among other things, push/pull handles 304
and 306 at either end, which fit into holes 305 and 307
respectively. As described below, the handles may be used to push
or pull the upper and lower actuator plates laterally between a
first position forming liquid tight sealing connection between the
container and the piping and a second unsealed position to allow
the full container 11 to be replaced. In the sealed position the
container 11 can be used to collect grease and the like and in the
other position the container will be separated from the piping and
sealed against spillage to allow the full container to be removed
and replaced with an empty one. The handles 304 and 306 straddle
the inlet/outlet pipe assembly portion 308. Although the drawings
only show one side of the container it will be understood by those
skilled in the art that a similar assembly will be provided on each
side of the container to permit the quick connect and disconnect
method to be used at both the upstream and downstream connections
for the container 11. Further although the discussion focuses on
the upper actuator plate 300, it will be understood that the lower
actuator plate 302 is the same and operates the same way.
[0056] An outwardly extending sleeve 310 is formed on the container
11 onto which is surmounted an outer sleeve 312. A guide pin 314 is
positioned on the sleeve 312 and is retained in a slot 316 of the
upper plate 300. A similar guide pin 318 extends from the bottom of
the sleeve 310 into a guide slot 320 of lower plate 302.
[0057] A slide coupling element 322 is slideably engaged in the
outwardly extending sleeve 310. The slide coupling element 322 has
two o-rings 390 and 392 mounted thereon. As in the previous
embodiments the element 322 slides in and out relative to the
sleeve 310 to seal and unseal with an end of the fixed wastewater
piping. The slide coupling element 322 slides within an inner
sleeve member 321 which seals against an inside of the container by
means of gasket 319 and is secured in place by nut 317. The nut 317
also secures the outer sleeve 312 in place.
[0058] Adjacent to the other end of the assembly 308 is a
wastewater piping shut off valve 324 having a handle 323 for
opening and closing the shut off valve 324. The shut off valve 324
is attached to an end of the fixed wastewater pipe (not shown) such
as 15, 54, and is permanently fixed at that location. The valve 324
can be opened and closed by pulling or pushing of the handle 323.
As previously described the shut off valve 324 allows the pipes 15,
54 to be sealed during the replacement and removal of a full
container with an empty one. On the container side of the valve 324
is located a sleeve 325 having upper and lower locking pins 326
which engage with locking arms 327 of the upper and lower pivoting
locking plates 328 in a manner as described below. Because the
locking pins 326 are located on the shut off valve, which is fixed
in position, the locking pins 326 do not move during coupling and
decoupling of the container to the fixed wastewater piping.
[0059] A further pair of pins 330 are provided extending from the
sliding coupling element 322. The pivoting locking plates 328 have
curved slots 336, which interact with pins 330 to extend and
retract slide coupler 322, and a locking slot 338 which helps
define the locking arm 327 to secure the slide coupler 322 into
sealing engagement with shut off valve assembly 342 and in
particular with the sleeve 325. It will be understood that similar
slots and pins exist with respect to both the upper and lower
plates 300 and 302, so that the slide coupler is secured in
diametrically opposite positions about the pipe to ensure a good
fit and seal. Also shown is pin 344 which extends into upper plate
300 and lower plate 302 through slots 346 which controls the
movement of the pivoting locking plates 28 as described below.
[0060] Also shown in top plate 300 is angled slot 350 which carries
a pin 352 attached to a container shut off valve 354. The actuation
of the container shut off valve 354 is controlled by the movement
of the pin 352 in the slot 350 as described below as well as the
movement of the plates during the coupling or uncoupling steps. The
slot 350 includes a bend as shown to accommodate the inward and
outward motion of the slide coupler 322 during the coupling
uncoupling steps as described below.
[0061] Having described the elements the operation of the present
embodiment can now be understood. FIG. 8 is a view from above of
the attachment assembly 308 attached to a container and a fixed
wastewater piping system (not shown) such as 15, 54 ending is a
shut off valve 324 and capable of having liquid flow through the
attachment assembly 308 out of the container. As shown the handle
323 of the shut off valve 324 is pulled out permitting liquids to
flow through the valve 324.
[0062] As shown the top plate 300 and the bottom plate 302 are
positioned to the left which has a number of effects. The first is
that the pin 352 has carried the container shut off valve 354 to an
open position. The second is that pivoting locking plate 328 has
pivoted about the guide pin 314 to a position where the locking arm
327 has engaged fixed locking pin 326 to help draw the slide
coupler 322 into sealing engagement with the sleeve 325. As well,
the curved slot 336 has interacted with pin 330 to help draw the
slide coupler out and into sealing engagement with the sleeve
325.
[0063] The following sequence is used to detach the assembly 308
from the valve 324 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. First the piping
shut off valve 324 is closed in direction C by pushing in the
handle 323 and closing the pipe 15 to the flow of liquid. Then a
user grips the handle 300 and draws it towards the right as shown
by arrow O in FIG. 8 as shown in FIG. 9. As the handle is pulled
and the top and bottom plates 302 and 304 are displaced to the
right the following things happen: the pin 352 of the container
shut off valve 354 moves along the angled slot 350 until it is at
an end of the slot 350 and after that further movement of the top
plate 300 to the right will cause the container shut off valve 354
to slide in valve housing 360 (FIG. 7) until eventually it covers
an open end of the sliding sleeve 322. During this time, the
pivoting locking plate 328 pivots about the fixed guide pin 314 to
allow the locking arm 327 to disengage from fixed locking pin 326.
As well, the pin 330 on the slide coupler 322 is forced along the
curved slot 336 whereby the slide coupler is forced to the present
invention comprehends that other mechanical structures can be used
to implement the desired functionality of an easy to use quick
disconnect and quick connect design. What is most desired is a
structure that translates a simple hand motion into causing the
slide coupler to displace axially in a direction into or out of the
container while at the same time forming a seal or plug against
spillage out of the container 11 through the slide coupler during
movement of the full container as it is replaced and taken away to
be emptied. For example, instead of using a lateral motion as shown
the present invention comprehends using a lever to cause a
rotational motion about an axis defined by the centreline of the
slide coupler. In this case a screw thread or the like can be used
to advance and withdraw the slide coupler. Further, while the
design shown includes a seal against spillage being formed on an
outside of the container it is also comprehended that the seal
against spillage can be formed within the container such as by
overlapping slots in an inlet sleeve which can rotate open and
closed. However, the lateral movement design described above is the
most preferred at present.
[0064] FIG. 11 shows a further embodiment of the container which
includes a toe space 500 formed into the bottom edge 502 of the
container 11. The present invention needs to be placed in a
position, for example in a kitchen, where there is easy access to
it to permit the containers to be changed as needed. Convenient
locations include under a sink or under a counter. However, in such
a location the bottom edge of the container may represent an
ergonomic issue to those needing to use or work in the sink or
counter. As such a toe space formed in the container as shown
permits ergonomic access to the sink or counter above by kitchen
staff or the like by allowing the user to move closer and reducing
the amount of bending over and reaching. In an alternative
embodiment the present invention comprehends using the frame or
other spacer elements to create a toe space under the container
body where there is enough head room under the sink or counter to
permit the same.
[0065] While the foregoing description has been in respect of
preferred embodiments of the invention it will be understood that
many variations and alternations are possible without departing
from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Some of these have been discussed above and others will be apparent
to those skilled in the art. For example, although plastic is
preferred for both the container and the pipes, these could be made
from other materials that were light weight and flexible.
* * * * *