Abstract:
A combination fluid collector and parts washer includes a collector mounted on a base supported stanchion to receive fluid for selectively discharging the fluid through a valve into a container. A tray is removably mounted in the collector for supporting parts to be washed by the fluid in the collector and includes ridges on the bottom for drainage purposes and holes for draining the fluid from the tray into the collector. A device for collecting fluid from each of a plurality of containers is detachably attachable to the stanchion for discharging the collected fluid into a vessel.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    I. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to transfer of fluids between containers and, more particularly, to dismantleable apparatus for storage purposes used to transfer fluids between containers and for using a fluid to clean parts. 
         [0003]    II. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    During normal maintenance of a powered vehicle, the lubricating oil in the engine and in the transmission should be changed periodically. Oil for these purposes generally sold to the public is packaged in quart containers. The size of such containers renders pouring the lubricating oil into a closeable aperture in the valve cover or into a tube in close communication with the crankcase is relatively easy. Usually, lubricating oil for the transmission is poured into a long thin tube and a funnel is usually used therewith to minimize the likelihood of spillage. 
         [0005]    The cost of lubricating oil, whether for an engine or a transmission, has increased significantly. When such oil is packaged in quart containers, the cost per fluid ounce is significantly higher than the cost per fluid ounce in one or five gallon containers. Accordingly, some savings may be effected by buying lubricating oil in larger containers but such larger containers render it difficult and usually messy to transfer oil from a large container into either the engine or the transmission. 
         [0006]    Many individuals choose to change oil in the engine and/or transmission of their vehicle rather than going to a commercial facility for this purpose. Before fresh lubricating oil can be introduced, the existing oil must be drained. Engines and transmissions include a threaded plug that can be removed to permit drainage of the existing oil. Most individuals tend to drain the oil, whether from an engine or transmission, into a pan. Disposal of the oil in the pan presents numerous handling problems related to transfer of the used oil into a container suitable to be taken to a disposal facility. To alleviate this problem, there are sealable containers of low height available. Unfortunately, the inlet to such containers is relatively small and spillage of oil often occurs. Additionally, any sloshing of such a container during movement from beneath the vehicle and prior to capping the opening, creates spillage problems. 
         [0007]    Lubricating oil is relatively viscous and complete drainage of fresh oil from a quart container takes a certain amount of time. Most persons are sufficiently impatient not to wait for complete evacuation of the oil and the residual oil is discarded. In consequence of a number of oil changes, oil, not in an insignificant amount is discarded and may represent an unacceptable cost. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention includes a platform supporting a detachably attached post. An inverted pyramidal shaped collector is slidably mounted on the post and includes a stop cock for controlling drainage. The outlet of the stop cock is sized to discharge lubricating oil into conventional quart containers with little probability of spillage during such drainage. Because the funnel like collector is positionally vertically adjustable, various sized containers for receiving the oil can be accommodated. A tray may be removeably mounted within the collector to support parts to be cleaned with a cleaning fluid disposed in the collector. Upon completion of the cleaning operation, the cleaning fluid is easily discharged into a container for such purpose. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,832,095, describing an invention by the present inventor, discloses a device for collecting fluids from inverted containers and channeling such fluid into a further container. This device may be mounted on the post to reduce waste. 
         [0010]    As the platform, post, collector and device are readily dismountable, storage of the invention between periods of use is significantly enhanced. 
         [0011]    It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide apparatus for transferring fluid from a container into each of a plurality of smaller containers. 
         [0012]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable apparatus for accommodating discharge of fluids into containers of different heights. 
         [0013]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a post supported collector for washing parts in a cleaning fluid. 
         [0014]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for distributing oil to be discarded into each of several containers. 
         [0015]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a mounting for an oil collection device useable in conjunction with a dismantleable apparatus for collecting oil from each of a variety of containers in a container. 
         [0016]    A still yet further object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for transferring a fluid between containers which apparatus is dismountable for storage purposes. 
         [0017]    A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a dismantleable apparatus for distributing oil from a large container into each of a plurality of smaller containers. 
         [0018]    A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a method for preventing spillage and waste of oil during an oil change in the engine and/or transmission of a vehicle. 
         [0019]    These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the description thereof proceeds. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The present invention will be described with greatest specificity and clarity with reference to the following drawings, in which: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a prospective view of use of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a detailed view of a selectively useable filter; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  illustrates a device for collecting oil from a plurality of containers mounted upon the post of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional view of the device shown in  FIG. 4  and the post; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is an end view taken along lines  6 - 6  as shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6   a  is a partial cross-sectional view taken along lines  6   a - 6   a , as shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating the collector used for cleaning purposes; 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the tray mountable within the collector, as shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  illustrates a section of the tray for attachment to the collector; 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a conventional automotive oil filter placed upon the tray for drainage purposes; and 
           [0032]      FIG. 11  is a partial view illustrating the cleaning of a part. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated apparatus  10  for collecting a fluid from a container  12  into a flask  14 ; it is to be understood that the element identified by the term flask could be any type of capped or uncapped container. Apparatus  10  includes a base  20  for supporting a post  22 . The post nests within a cylinder  24  extending from base  20 . Set screws  26 , or the like, extend through cylinder  24  into locking engagement with the post to permit insertion and withdrawal from the post. 
         [0034]    As further shown in  FIG. 2 , a collar  30  is slidably mounted upon post  22  and includes a set screw  32  for lockingly engaging the collar with the post at a selected height. A collector  34  is engaged with collar  30  through a support  36 . Accordingly, the vertical location of collector  34  relative to base  20  is a function of the location at which collar  30  is locked onto post  22 . As particularly illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the collector is generally in the shape of an inverted hollow pyramid having an opening  40  serving in the manner of an inlet for fluid poured thereinto and an outlet  42  for discharging the fluid, as depicted by arrow  44  shown in  FIG. 1 . A valve  46 , such as a ball valve shown, controls flow of fluids from within collector  40  through conduit  48  to outlet  42 . A lid  50  covers opening  40  to prevent deposit of foreign matter within collector  34  that might contaminate or otherwise compromise the integrity of the fluid flowing therethrough. Obviously, the lid would be removed, as shown in  FIG. 1 , during use of apparatus  10 . 
         [0035]    As will be described in further detail below, apparatus  10  may be used for cleaning parts with cleaning fluid disposed within collector  34 . In conjunction therewith, or in the normal course, a screen  58  may be mounted in a holder  60  which holder is placed adjacent bottom surface  62  of collector  34 . Necessarily, screen  58  is essentially coincident with opening  64  in the bottom surface. 
         [0036]    In operation, apparatus  10  is particularly useful to empty fluid from a large container  12  into each of a plurality of smaller sized flasks  14 . As depicted in  FIG. 1 , fluid is poured into collector  34 . Thereafter, a flask  14  or other container to receive some or all of the fluid is placed beneath outlet  42 . Upon opening of valve  46 , the fluid will flow into the container until the fluid level therein is commensurate with the intentions of an operator. Thereafter, valve  46  is closed. The flask or container may then be removed and capped for further use of the fluid contained therein. It may be noted that filter  58  may be present, as depicted, to reduce the likelihood of flow of any contaminants within collector  34  into the flask  14  or other container. Preferably, outlet  42  is cut on the bias to control dripping at a certain point at the outlet and thereby ensure that the inlet of the flask is aligned with the lower most point of outlet  42  to prevent spillage and avoid contamination of base  20  and the exterior of flask  14 . 
         [0037]    The present inventor obtained U.S. Pat. No. 4,832,095 for a device  70  which accommodates collection of residual oil from a plurality of upturned containers. This device is primarily depicted in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  6  and  6   a  and a description of its use in conjunction with apparatus  10  will be described. Device  70  is configured as a closed hollow inverted pyramidal shape serving in the manner of a funnel  72 . A plurality of inlets  74  are formed in a top surface  76  for engagement with the outlets in the neck of each of a plurality of conventional quart size oil containers  78  (or other container). Over a period of time, the oil within containers  78  will migrate downwardly and into funnel  72 . The funnel includes an outlet  80  for a threaded engagement with a neck  82  of a further container serving in the manner of a depository  84 . Thereby, the residual oil within containers  78  will migrate over a period of time into depository  84  for subsequent use. 
         [0038]    Device  70 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , includes a support  80  for mounting the device on a stanchion or the like. The support includes a vertical side wall  82  and a pair of downwardly extending slots  92 ,  94  formed therein. A right angle brace  90  includes a pair of rivets  84 ,  86 , or the like, extending laterally from a side wall  100 . Each of these rivets includes a shank  96  for sliding engagement into one of slots  92 ,  94 . Wall  102  of brace  90  is secured to the top of cap  98  by a pair of rivets  104 ,  106  or the like. Cap  98  is configured to receive the upper end of post  22 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0039]    In operation, device  70  is attached to the post by first engaging cap  98  with the upper end of the post. Thereafter, support  80  of device  70  is brought into engagement by slots  92 ,  94  engaging rivets  84 ,  86  to receive support therefrom. After such attachment, containers  78  may be mounted upon the device, as shown in  FIG. 4 . Any residual oil in these containers will migrate over time into the device for discharge into depository  84 , as depicted by arrow  108 . 
         [0040]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , apparatus  10  may be used simultaneously to collect oil from a plurality of containers while accommodating transfer of fluid from one container, such as container  12  as shown in  FIG. 1 , to flask  14 . After use, apparatus  10  may be dismantled for storage purposes. Furthermore, apparatus  10  may be used to transfer fluid independent of the operation of collecting fluid and vice versa. 
         [0041]    Referring jointly to  FIGS. 7 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10  and  11 , the use of apparatus  10  for cleaning parts will be described in detail. Collector  34  may be filled in part with a cleaning fluid  110  particularly adapted for use on the parts to be cleaned. To assist in the cleaning function, a tray  112  may be dependingly attached to side  114  of collector  34 . 
         [0042]    As particularly shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  8 ,  9  and  10 , tray  112  includes a side wall  116  having a lip  118  extending therefrom for supported engagement with side  114 . As particularly shown in  FIG. 10 , with this mating arrangement, tray  112  tends to be tilted downwardly within collector  34 . A plurality of holes  120  are disposed in bottom  122  generally adjacent wall  124 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the holes are at essentially the lowest point within the tray when the tray is mounted within the collector and drainage from within the tray of cleaning fluid is enhanced. A plurality of ribs  126  may be disposed in bottom  122  to support a part being cleaned, such as part  130  shown in  FIG. 10 . Moreover, if part  130  is a conventional oil filter used in an engine, it may be placed in tray  112  upon ribs  126  to permit drainage, as depicted by arrows  132 . 
         [0043]    As particularly shown in  FIG. 11 , a part  130  may initially be dipped or soaked in cleaning fluid  110  within collector  134  to assist in loosening any debris thereupon. Thereafter, the part may be brushed with a brush  134  to assist in removing the debris. It is to be understood that the brush, as well as parts  130 , may be periodically dipped in cleaning fluid  110  to enhance cleaning of the part. By cleaning the part over tray  112 , the debris removed may be viewed. Moreover, the tray can serve as a support for parts  130  during the cleaning operation. As discussed above, the cleaning fluid along with any debris therein will drain through holes  120  into collector  134 . By use of filter  58  (see  FIG. 3 ), debris larger than a predetermined size will be filtered from the cleaning fluid ultimately discharged through valve  46  into a container, flask or other receiving element.