Abstract:
The invention relates to a portable overnight degreasing system and a method of use. The invention includes a portable soak tank with a disposable liner bag liner that is placed within the interior of the soak tank. The liner bag is then filled with a cleaning solution and soiled items are lowered into the bag liner upon removable grates. The soiled items remain within the locked soak tank overnight or until grease and carbon falls off of the soiled items. An optional heater and/or pump may be used within the soak tank to increase the speed of degreasing. The soak tank also includes a slanted floor that funnels fluid from the interior of the soak tank into a pipe that connects to a valve on the front wall of the soak tank. Fluid is removed from the system through the valve and then the empty liner bag is disposed.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]    The disclosure relates generally to a portable overnight degreasing system and its method of use, wherein the system is easily maneuverable through commercial kitchens. 
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]    Kitchen appliances, such as hood filters, pots, pans, and the like accumulate large deposits of carbon and grease during normal daily usage. Many layers are baked on throughout the day without being cleaned. These deposits are removed regularly in order to maintain a sanitary cooking environment. Failure to remove these deposits can result in an unsanitary cooking environment that may not be compliant with local health codes. 
         [0003]    Removing the deposits from the kitchen appliances can be a very time consuming process, especially in commercial kitchens, which can be operational up to 24 hours a day. Commercial kitchens would benefit from a means for cleaning the appliances without occupying a large portion of the kitchen and a large amount of the kitchen staff&#39;s time. 
         [0004]    Presently, commercial kitchens utilize conventional methods of dishwashing for smaller cooking utensils and hire outside companies to clean the larger items like hood filters. Examples of conventional methods include manually scrubbing, acid baths, caustic chemical soaking and boiling. Conventional cleaning methods reduce the efficiency of the kitchen because the kitchen staff must allocate a substantial portion of the day to cleaning the utensils rather than other kitchen tasks. In addition, the cleaning materials used in conventional methods often damage the utensils and are often relatively ineffective. Hiring an outside cleaning service adds a regular expense to the cost of running commercial kitchens, which often run on very tight budgets. A cleaning system for the smaller and larger cooking apparatuses would increase kitchen efficiency and reduce cost. 
         [0005]    Existing prior art has attempted to solve these kitchen problems through the use of soak tanks. The prior art OZ Tank© includes a double skinned soak tank that electrically heats a solution to remove grease from kitchen utensils soaked within the tank. The OZ Tank© has several disadvantages. The OZ Tank© utilizes a heater that requires a constant flow of electricity, the lining of the tank is stainless steel and must be cleaned after the removal of the cleaning solution, and the tank drain is positioned near floor level, which makes it difficult to drain the cleaning solution into a slop sink or commode. 
         [0006]    The prior art Fog Tank includes a soak tank that heats a carbon removing powder and water to 185 degrees Fahrenheit. Kitchen equipment is placed in the tank and soaked to remove carbon and grease. However, the Fog Tank requires constant electricity to maintain the fluid at 185F, the interior of the tanks needs to be cleaned regularly, and the drain is near floor level making it difficult to drain the fluid from the tank into a slop sink or commode. 
         [0007]    The prior art Clean X-Press includes a metal tank filled with a cleaning solution. Kitchen appliances are placed within the metal tank and heated using an electronic heater. The appliances remain in the solution for an extended period of time until the carbon and grease is loosened to a point that it may be scrubbed off in a kitchen sink. The disadvantages of the Clean X-Press are that it needs a constant flow of electricity to function, the tank is lined with metal that must be cleaned after uses, and the drain is positioned near floor level, which makes it difficult to drain the cleaning solution into a slop sink or commode. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0008]    The present invention involves a system and method of removing grease and carbon from kitchen appliances overnight. The present invention overcomes many of the disadvantages of prior soak tanks by providing a removable liner to minimize cleaning time, a degreasing solution that removes grease and carbon without heat, and a drain positioned 16 inches above the floor to allow easy drainage into a slop sink or commode. 
         [0009]    In commercial kitchens, carbon and grease build up on kitchen appliances during regular usage. Specifically, the grease accumulates on appliances, such as pots, pans, sheet pans, fry baskets, sauté pans, stove parts, and the like. Carbon deposits accumulate on the oven racks, hood filters, grills, and the like. These appliances must be cleaned to maintain a sanitary kitchen, as well as, conform to health regulations. Presently, kitchen staff uses conventional methods including: manually scrubbing, acid baths, caustic chemical soaking and boiling to remove carbon and grease. Kitchens also employ outside cleaning companies or use soak tanks that include electric heaters to heat the cleaning fluid to near boiling temperatures. These methods are time consuming and costly to the average commercial kitchen. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment the portable overnight degreasing system comprises a portable soak tank. The soak tank is preferably made of polypropylene, but may be constructed of any suitable material that will maintain integrity during constant contact with the cleaning solutions disposed within. The soak tank is preferably 56 inches long, 32 inches wide and 35 inches high (measured from ground to top). The 32 inches width of the device is optimal to fit through conventional doorways, while still having enough width to receive BBQ racks. The dimensions may vary in size to accommodate smaller or larger kitchens; however, the dimensions will be proportional to the aforementioned dimensions and be able to accommodate kitchen equipment, such as hood filters, drip pans, oven racks and the like. 
         [0011]    The interior of the soak tank is lined with a disposable liner bag. The disposable bag is flexible in order to conform to the contour of the interior of the soak tank. The bag is reusable and disposable, in order to eliminate the need to clean the interior of the soak tank. The liner bag holds about 50 gallons or proportionally different in size with the dimensions of the soak tank. The open end of the disposable liner bag folds over the top of the tank to prevent contact between the cleaning solution and the interior surface of the soak tank. A hinged, locking lid clamps down upon the folded open end of the liner bag to hold it against the upper rim of the soak tank, thereby preventing the liner bag from falling into the soak tank during use and exposing the interior surface of the soak tank to the cleaning solution. 
         [0012]    The soak tank is in fluid communication with a drain disposed on the exterior of the soak tank. The drain is positioned about 16 inches above the floor on an exterior wall of the soak tank. The 16-inch height of the drain allows for a more convenient flow of fluid out of the tank into a slop tank or commode, while still utilizing gravity to maintain fluid flow from the soak tank. The drain has a 3-inch diameter, which differs from prior art that uses 1-inch drains, thereby improving upon the slower drainage in the prior art; and the drain is constructed of PVC or any suitable material for use. The drain further comprises a threaded male projection that may be fluidly connected to a hose for directing the fluid from the soak tank to a distant receptacle. The drain incorporates a shut off valve mechanism to control the rate of flow from the drain. The valve mechanism may include one of a knife gate, ball valve, butterfly valve, disk valve, or any suitable valves know in the art. 
         [0013]    The interior floor surface of the soak tank is angled up to 45 degrees from front to back with respect to the floor of the room. The interior floor surface of the soak tank is also angled up to 33 degrees from the lateral sides to the longitudinal center of the bottom surface, thereby creating a funnel shaped cross-section through the bottom surface, when viewed from front to back. The angled surfaces direct the flow of fluid within the soak tank towards the drain. The degree of bilateral slope and the degree of the descending slant can vary per required application. 
         [0014]    The interior of the soak tank also includes a grate. The surface area of the grate is sized to be slightly smaller than the cross-sectional area of the interior of the soak tank, in order to allow the grate to be lowered and raised within the soak tank while holding the kitchen appliances. The grate is held in place within the soak tank by sitting upon four catches within the soak tank, wherein each interior wall of the soak tank includes a corresponding catch. The catches also maintain the position of the disposable liner bag. The grate further includes 2 handles or indentions disposed on opposite longitudinal ends of the grate, having sufficient height to remain graspable outside the upper surface of the cleaning solution during use. 
         [0015]    When the 50-gallon disposable liner bag is positioned within the soak tank and filled with cleaning solution and kitchen appliances, the whole portable degreasing system weighs about 500 lbs or more. The weight and size of the system make it difficult to maneuver, especially in the tight spaces of a commercial kitchen. In order to alleviate this problem the portable degreasing system includes six 8 inch caster wheels positioned longitudinally along the bottom surface of the exterior of the soak tank. The wheels include: two 8-inch swivel caster wheels positioned on the front of the bottom surface, two 8-inch swivel caster wheels positioned on the back of the bottom surface, and two 8-inch stationary caster wheels positioned in the center of the bottom surface on lateral sides. The swivel wheels on the front and back allow the system to rotate 360 degrees about an axis of rotation that is drawn vertically through the center of the system, which is advantageous for maneuvering into small spaces because the system does not have to make wide turns. The two stationary wheels help steady the device and prevent incidental lateral movement while moving the system. All the wheels are 8 inches in size to allow the system to roll over bumps and cracks without becoming stuck due to the wheels being small enough to fit into the cracks or not tall enough to roll over a bump. The number, placement, and size of the wheels may vary from the above description, and can be attached directly to the bottom, attached by means of a framing mechanism, or by any number of attachment applications. 
         [0016]    The vacant space between the interior floor surface of the soak tank and the bottom surface of the exterior of the soak tank is fitted with storage compartments. The storage compartment includes a lockable, hinged door that covers the four storage compartments. The compartments are sized to accommodate bags, gloves, goggles, aprons, etc. 
         [0017]    The upper portion of the soak tank includes a lid hinged to either lateral side of the upper portion of the soak tank. The hinge allows the lid to be opened or closed upon the open end of the soak tank. One or both of the longitudinal ends of the upper portion of the soak tank includes a handle for the user to maneuver the degreasing system. 
         [0018]    The preferred cleaning solution is sodium hydroxide. However, any other caustic or non-caustic cleaning solution that will remove carbon and grease from a kitchen appliance without damage may be used within the portable overnight degreasing system. Also, a neutralizing agent may also be included with the system to neutralize the cleaning solution after use and before disposal. The neutralizing agent may be any chemical with an acidic pH that will result in a pH neutral solution when mixed with the cleaning solution. This is important for complying with municipal regulations for disposal of chemical solutions. 
         [0019]    In a second embodiment, an electric heater and/or pump is included in the portable overnight degreasing system. The heater/pump is in addition to all the features of the first embodiment. The heater shortens the amount of time needed to remove the carbon and grease from the kitchen appliances. The pump provides laminar and turbulent water flow to expedite the cleaning process, thereby shortening the operational time of the degreasing system. 
         [0020]    The embodiments of the degreasing system are preferably sold in a kit. The kit comprises all the elements of the first or second embodiment and instructions for use. The instructions include the following steps:
       1. Remove the grate from the interior of the soak tank;   2. Install the disposable bag liner within the interior of the soak tank, securing it along the open end of the tank and along the catches inside;   3. Replace the grate within the disposable bag liner and the soak tank;   4. Secure the grate along the catches;   5. Place soiled items upon the grate;   6. Fill the soak tank with warm water until all soiled items are submerged, but do not fill beyond the “fill line” marked within the soak tank;   7. Wear protective gear (i.e. gloves, goggles, apron, and respirator) from storage compartment;   8. Add recommended amount of soak tank degreaser powder/liquid or other degreaser product;   9. Close lid and secure with lock;   10. Allow degreasing action overnight or for at least 8 hours; or plug in heater or pump, if available, and allow 6-8 hours of degreasing action;   11. Wear protective gear (i.e. gloves, goggles, apron, and respirator) from storage compartment;   12. Open lid and remove items from grate;   13. Rinse items with hot water over sink;   14. Re-install or store cleaned items;   15. If solution is spent (i.e. dark colored), attach hose to drain and open valve mechanism to drain solution into a drain, then replace used disposable bag liner with a new disposable bag liner.   16. If solution is not spent (i.e. not opaque) save and reuse from Step 5.       
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0037]    The novel features believed to be characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, as well as, a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0038]      FIG. 1  is a perspective and exploded diagram of the preferred embodiment of the overnight portable degreasing system. 
           [0039]      FIG. 2  is a top sectional view of the system in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the system in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0041]      FIG. 4  is a rear sectional view of the system in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0042]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the second embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0043]    The present invention comprises a portable overnight degreasing system and a method of using the system to remove carbon and grease from kitchen appliances without the need for heat. 
         [0044]    With reference to the drawings and particularly  FIG. 1  a portable overnight degreasing system comprises a portable soak tank  1  having an open upper end  2 , a closed lower end  3 , and four lateral walls, wherein each wall is perpendicular to the adjacent walls. The size and shape of the soak tank  2  can be modified to accommodate a variety of appliances and kitchens. A disposable liner bag  4  is disposed within the interior of the soak tank  1 , wherein the liner bag  4  includes a liner bag opening in the central lower portion of the liner bag that corresponds to and engages the opening  17  in the central portion of the floor  12  of the soak tank  1 . The connection between the liner bag opening and the opening in the central portion of the floor  12  is a fabricated plug  17 A with an aperture there through, a male-female press fit connection, or the like. The connection is such that fluid is not able to leak out of the bag into the area between the liner bag  4  and the interior floor of the soak tank  1 . The central opening in the floor  12  includes a pipe  17 B on the underside of the floor  12  that connects the central opening with a valve mechanism  9  disposed on the front wall  21  of the soak tank  1 . The liner bag  4  is flexible and constructed of a durable plastic, rubber, or composite. The liner bag is preferably 2-4 mils thick to ensure durability while still allowing flexibility. The liner bag  4  is also disposable, thereby preventing the need for cleaning the interior of the liner bag  4  or the interior of the soak tank  1 . The liner  4  is sized to complement interior of the soak tank  1 . The pipe  17 B is preferably made of metal, polypropylene, PVC or any other suitable material for the use. 
         [0045]    The front wall  21  includes a drain positioned 16 inches above the floor and on the exterior of the front wall  21 . The drain passageway is coextensive with the connection of the interior of the front wall  21  and the pipe  17 B, as shown in  FIG. 3 . The drain comprises a valve mechanism  9 , wherein the valve mechanism  9  is preferably a knife gate, but may be a ball valve, butterfly valve, disk valve, or any other valve or mechanism suitable for controlling flow through a drain. The front wall  21  is slanted so that the drain is directed substantially downward to get a complete draining of the pipe. A hose  19  may be connected to the distal end of the drain, as shown in  FIG. 5 , to direct fluid from the system to a floor drain, slop tank, commode, or the like. The length of the hose  19  may vary to accommodate the distance to the waste receptacle and the diameter of the hose  19  may vary to complement the diameter of the drain. 
         [0046]    The disposable liner bag  4  holds a grate  6 . The grate  6  and liner bag  4  are held in place by catches  8  positioned along the interior walls of the soak tank  1 . The catches  8  are a lip that project from the interior of the walls of the soak tank  1  and circumscribes the interior circumference of the soak tank  1 . The kitchen appliances being cleaned are lowered into the liner bag  4  via the grate  6  and the grate handles  7 . The grate handles  7  can be grasped by the user while lowering or raising the grate  6  into or from the liner bag  4 . The grates handles  7  can be tall enough that when the grate  6  is lowered to the catches  8  the grate handles  7  will still pierce the surface of the cleaning solution, thereby allowing the user to grasp the grate handles  7  without placing his or her hands in the cleaning solution. The handles  7  optionally may be indentions in the outer perimeter of the grates  6 , thereby allowing the totality of the inner perimeter to be utilized for placement of equipment to be cleaned, without blockage of space by the handles  7 . The indentions would be large enough for a user to insert his or her hands and lift the grates out of the soak tank  1  and liner bag  4 . The grate  6  may optionally be two grates  6 , each with a set of handles  7 , that lie next to one another in the same horizontal plane within the liner bag  4  and soak tank  1 . The two grates  6  configuration allows for easier carrying and placement of the grates  6  for user with shorter arm spans. 
         [0047]    The upper end  2  of the soak tank  1  includes a lid  11  that is connected to a lateral side of the soak tank  1  via a hinge. The lid  11  is able to be locked upon the open end  2  of the soak tank  1  when the lid  11  is in the closed configuration, as shown in  FIG. 1 . The lid  11  also comprises ventilation holes  18  that allow exhaust, if necessary, to escape from the interior of the soak tank  1  during use. The exhaustion of chemical fumes prevents a cloud of fumes from overwhelming a user upon opening of the lid  11 , as well as, prevents a hazardous build up of pressure within the soak tank  1  during use. The soak tank  1  further includes a lip that circumscribes the outer portion of the tank  1 . The lip around the soak tank  1  includes one notch that allows the latch from the lid to pass there between and join with the eyelet disposed on an outer side of the soak tank  1  for locking the lid  11  in the closed position. The lid  11  perimeter is slightly larger than the perimeter of the upper end  2  of the soak tank  1 , thereby allowing the lid  11  to pass over the upper end  2  for a snug fit with the upper end  2  of the soak tank  1 . In this configuration, the upper end  2  functions as a male connection and the lid  11  as a female connection, wherein they can be snuggly pressed together and wherein the passage of the lid  11  down the sides of the soak tank  1  is delimited by the lip that circumscribes the outer portion of the soak tank  1 . The interior of the lid  11  that fits over the sides of the soak tank  1  is a gasket material, which maintains the snug fit and prevents spillage over the sides of the soak tank  1 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 2  shows the hinge  14  where the lid  11  is rotatably connected. A handle  13  is positioned on a wall perpendicular to the wall where the hinge  14  is positioned. The handle  13  is positioned on one or both of the longitudinal ends of the soak tank  1 , depending on the preference of the user. Opposite of the open upper end  2  is a slanted floor  12 . The slanted floor  12  is slanted from each of the sides of the soak tank  1  at about a 3 degrees downward grade. This urges the flow of fluid within the soak tank  1  and liner bag  4  towards the opening in the central portion of the floor  12 , and allows for a complete draining of the interior of the soak tank  1  upon opening of the valve mechanism. 
         [0049]    The slanted floor  12  results in an empty space between the floor  12  and the closed lower end  3 . The area is filled with storage compartments  15  and the pipe that transfers fluid from the interior of the soak tank  1  to the valve mechanism  9 . The storage compartments  15  hold objects, such as extra bag liners  4 , gloves, aprons, etc. The storage compartments  15  are shielded from the outside via a hinge, lockable door  16 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . The storage compartments  15  may be divided into four areas, as shown in  FIG. 4 , or divided into more or less compartments depending on the intended usage. 
         [0050]    The closed lower end  3  of the soak tank  1  comprises six caster wheels  10  attached to the lower surface of the closed lower end  3 . The wheels  10  include: two 8 in swivel caster wheels  10  positioned on the front of the lower surface; two 8 in swivel caster wheels  10  positioned on the back of the lower surface; and two 8 in stationary caster wheels  10  positioned in the center of the bottom surface on lateral sides. The swivel wheels  10  on the front and back allow the system to rotate 360 degrees about an axis of rotation that is drawn vertically through the center of the system, which is advantageous for maneuvering into small spaces because the system does not have to make wide turns. The two stationary wheels help steady the device and prevent incidental lateral movement while moving the system. All the wheels  10  are 8 in in size to allow the system to roll over bumps and cracks without becoming stuck due to the wheels being small enough to fit into the cracks or not tall enough to roll over a bump. The number, placement, and size of the wheels may vary from the above description, and can be attached directly to the bottom, attached by means of a framing mechanism, or by any number of attachment applications. 
         [0051]      FIG. 5  shows a second embodiment where an optional electric heater and/or pump  20  may be included in the soak tank  1  to reduce the time necessary for cleaning the kitchen appliances. The heating element  20  may be attached to the lid  11 , and interior side of the soak tank  1 , attached to the grate  6 , or removably placed within the soak tank  1  as necessary. 
         [0052]    The above-mentioned features of the portable overnight degreasing system are illustrative, but not limited to the exact design, shape, size, form, materials, parts, function and usage. The illustrative features that form the basis of the portable soak tank  1  can be changed or modified by those skilled in the art to accommodate the needs of the business, organizations or individuals who can benefit from the invention. This system can be utilized in a variety of cleaning methods, from sustained emersion in chemical solutions, to the use of heating elements  20  and pumps to expedite the cleaning process. Those skilled in the art can take advantage of the latest green technology to provide additional cleaning methods for this invention.