Disposable oil change kit

A disposable liquid disposal tool is provided for collecting liquids and for changing engine oil or other hydrocarbon containing products whereby the liquid, spent oil, or hydrocarbon is encapsulated in a non-biodegradable substance rendering the kit safe for disposal in a non-hazard or controlled substance landfill. A disposable container insert tray may be composed of rows separating conical shaped depressions that are used to channel the liquid to all levels of the container so that liquids can be exposed to the maximum volume of the non-biodegradable substance for total encapsulation. In embodiments, the top of the liquid disposal container may be covered with an open weave fabric material that acts as a diffuser whereby the liquid materials are spread more equally throughout the confines of the container and on to the surface of the tray insert.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention in general relates to the collection, storage and disposal of used and spent liquids, and in particular to a disposable oil change kit for servicing engines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The high cost of owning and maintaining an automobile has led many vehicle owners to drain and change their own oil at home. Typically, the oil change performed by the vehicle owner is done in a haphazard manner, with the vehicle owner utilizing any available household receptacle, such as a bowl or cooking pan, to receive the dirty or spent engine oil. Subsequently, the dirty oil must be disposed of in an ecologically responsible manner into some larger licensed receptacle, thus increasing cost and adding further inconvenience to the procedure. Furthermore, there is greater likelihood of spilling the dirty oil during the oil changing operation using readily available household equipment.

The spilt oil results in driveways and garages being stained. Further, the leakage or spilling of oil results in a significant amount of oil accumulating on the roadways. During rains, the accumulated oil can present a driving hazard to motorists as the oil makes the roadway slick. Additionally, during rains the oil on the driveways and roadways eventually ends up in streams, waterways, and ground water thereby creating a significant environmental problem.

Thus, there exists a need for an economical oil change kit that collects and provides for the disposal of spent or dirty oil in an ecologically safe manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A liquid disposal tool in the form of a disposable oil change kit (DOCK) is provided for changing engine oil or other hydrocarbon containing products whereby the spent oil or hydrocarbon is encapsulated in a non-biodegradable substance rendering the kit safe for disposal in a non-hazard or controlled substance landfill. Embodiments of a container insert tray for dispersing spent hydrocarbons may be formed from scrap news print that has been emulsified into liquefied slurry that is injected into a mold, thus creating a uniquely designed dispersion tray.

In specific embodiments, the disposable container insert tray is composed of rows of conical shaped protrusions that are used to channel the hydrocarbon materials to all levels of the container so that the hydrocarbon can be exposed to the maximum volume of the non-biodegradable substance for total encapsulation. In other specific embodiments in order to maximize the rate of absorption and efficiency of the encapsulating material, various slits or holes are strategically placed within each conical shaped protrusion of the insert tray.

In other specific embodiments, the top of the oil change kit container is covered with a diffuser sheet formed of an open weave fabric material that acts as a liquid diffuser whereby the hydrocarbon materials are spread more equally throughout the confines of the container and on to the surface of the tray insert. The polypropylene material has a center taper of about 1 inch depth to create a reservoir in the top of the container that accommodates the on-rush of dirty oil upon opening the drain plug to an oil pan, and prevents an over-flow condition.

An absorbent including but not limited to a non-degradable substance, such as peat moss that has been specially processed and is capable of absorbing hydrocarbons with total encapsulation is present underneath the tray insert. The peat moss prevents the hydrocarbons from escaping or exhibiting any form of free flow once the encapsulation has occurred. The encapsulation process provided by the absorbent non-degradable substance is what allows the DOCK to be disposed of in a non-hazardous or controlled substance landfill.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has utility as a liquid disposal tool. An inventive liquid disposal tool may be used to collect liquids that drip from equipment over time, or in a particular non-limiting application as a disposable oil change kit (DOCK) for emptying an engine of dirty oil during an oil change. Embodiments of the liquid disposal tool absorb a variety of liquids illustratively including spent oil, other hydrocarbon fuel, or combinations thereof in a substance and in specific instances rendering the tool safe for disposal in a non-hazard or controlled substance landfill.

In embodiments of the inventive liquid disposal tool, a disposable container insert tray is composed of protrusions that are used to channel the liquid downward within the container so that the liquid can be directly injected below the top surface of the absorbent substance so as to expose the liquid to the maximum volume of the absorbent substance. The protrusions have a variety of shapes illustratively including conical, stepped, cuboidal, frustoconical, and other polygonal forms. In specific embodiments slits and holes may be present in some or all of the protrusions to directly expose the liquid to the absorbent substance. The structure of the insert tray is designed to provide a reservoir to hold the oil long enough to allow the absorbent to absorb the liquid. A physical limitation of the absorption when the liquid is 10/30 weight motor oil is that the oil can only be absorbed from a diameter of about 2 inches. In other embodiments, in order to maximize the rate of absorption and efficiency of the absorbent, various slits or holes are strategically placed within each protrusion of the insert tray.

The top of the inventive liquid disposal tool in some specific embodiments may be covered with a diffuser sheet formed of an open weave fabric that acts as a liquid diffuser whereby the liquid or hydrocarbon materials are spread more equally throughout the confines of the container and on to the surface of the tray insert. This diffuser sheet is synonymously referred to herein as a top or top cover. The diffuser sheet is illustratively formed from materials synthetics such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyamides, and polystyrenes; and natural fibers such as cotton, hemp, jute, and other cellulosics. The mesh coating of the diffuser sheet fabric provides a capillary action to spread the oil across the whole surface. The fabric in some specific embodiments has a center depression to create a reservoir in the top of the container that accommodates the on-rush of liquids. In another specific embodiment the taper at the center of the fabric is about one inch and in other embodiments ranges between 0.5 and 2 inches. For example, in the application of the liquid disposal tool for an oil change or DOCK, the on-rush of dirty oil exiting upon opening the drain plug to an oil pan is controlled on the surface of the fabric and prevents an over-flow condition.

An absorbent operative herein illustratively includes peat moss; peat moss that has been specially processed and is capable of absorbing hydrocarbons with total encapsulation; cellulosics such as corn cob grit, saw dust, paper, straw, and cotton; clays such as cat litter; synthetic polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene and polyacrylics. This or other absorbents specific to the liquid to be absorbed is present underneath a tray insert, filling the tray insert, or both. Peat moss prevents the hydrocarbons from escaping or exhibiting any form of free flow once the encapsulation has occurred. Peat moss is a well suited material for absorbing oil because the oil penetrates into the peat core and does not seep from it. In contrast, other conventional absorbents operative herein are either only surface coated (cellulosics such as sawdust or corn cob grit) or becomes softened with the absorption (polyethylene). In specific embodiments the absorbent may also further include oil eating microbes. It is appreciated that some disposal regulations allow for oil that has been encapsulated in an inventive liquid disposal tool or DOCK to be disposed of in a non-hazardous or controlled substance landfill.

Referring now to the figures,FIG. 1is a partial transparent view diagram of a container portion120of a liquid disposal tool100as shown inFIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3Baccording to specific embodiments of the invention. The container120is illustratively formed from a variety of materials such as paper, cardboard, plastic, oriented strand board (OSB), sugar cane, and any composite material containing any of the aforementioned. It is appreciated that the container120is readily formed of virgin or recycled materials. The container portion120has a bottom122where an absorbent140is placed, as shown inFIGS. 2B, 3A, and 3B. Optionally, the absorbent140may be treated with microbes that digest the absorbed liquid, such as microbes that digest petroleum based products such as oil absorbent microbes. These are detailed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,803. The container120also has walls124with a perimeter shelf126and upper lip128. The perimeter shelf126serves as an attachment point for a diffuser sheet180. In an embodiment the diffuser sheet180may be glued to the perimeter shelf126with for example ultra violet (UV) glue. Extending from the perimeter shelf126, the upper lip128serves to catch and contain a sudden flow of liquids. The container120, though depicted as a rectangle in the figures, it is appreciated that it may assume a variety of shapes including a square, triangle, circle, cube, or trapezoid.

The diffuser sheet180, which is shown in greater detail inFIGS. 2A and 2B, covers the container120, the absorbent140, and the tray insert160I. The tray insert160I is a generic representation of specific embodiments of actual tray inserts160,160′,160″, and160′″ as shown in complete detail inFIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F, 6G, and 7. The diffuser sheet180overlays the insert160I. The diffuser sheet/cover180acts as a liquid diffuser whereby the liquid is spread more equally throughout the confines of the container and on to the surface of the tray insert160I. The diffuser sheet180has a center taper182to create a reservoir in the top of the container that accommodates the on-rush of liquids. The taper182is optionally created by attaching the fabric of the diffuser sheet180to stringers184. This attachment is readily accomplished by conventional techniques such using ultra-violet light (UV) activated adhesives, hot melt glues, contact adhesives and the like. In another specific embodiment, the taper at the center of the diffuser sheet material may have a depth (D) of about one inch or between 0.5 and 2 inches. In another specific embodiment (not shown) that does not use the tray insert160I, the diffuser sheet180also serves to retain the absorbent140.

FIG. 3Ais an exploded perspective view of the liquid disposal tool100, as best shown inFIG. 2B, that shows the placement of the major component parts. As described above, the container120houses the absorbent140, the tray insert160I that is a generic representation of specific embodiments of actual tray inserts160,160′,160″, and160′″ as shown in complete detail inFIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F, 6G, and 7, and the top cover/diffuser sheet180.

FIG. 3Bis an exploded perspective view of the inventive liquid disposal tool100-4, where the generic representation of a contoured insert tray160I is replaced with an embodiment of the insert tray160that is shown in greater detail inFIGS. 4A-4E.

FIGS. 4A-4Eare a series of perspective views of a specific embodiment of a contoured insert tray160. The insert tray160has a series of elevations162separated by rows164that are used to channel the liquid downward to the lower levels of the container so that the liquid can be exposed to the maximum volume of the absorbent or the non-biodegradable substance for total encapsulation. In other specific embodiments in order to maximize the rate of absorption and efficiency of the encapsulating material, various slits186or holes188are strategically placed within some or all elevations162of the insert tray160. The insert tray160is formed of the same materials as container120. Preferably, recycled materials are used for forming the insert tray160. Embodiments of a container insert tray160for dispersing spent hydrocarbons are readily formed from scrap news print or sugar cane pulp that has been emulsified into liquefied slurry that is injected into a mold that provides the shape of the insert, thus creating a uniquely designed dispersion tray.

FIGS. 5A-5Fare a series of perspective views of another specific embodiment of a contoured insert tray160′ with rows164separating conical depressions166. The insert tray160′ may have an ordered array of features, synonymously referred to herein as high tiered protrusions163H and lower tiered protrusions163L, as best shown in the embodiments ofFIGS. 5C, 5E, 5F, that are also separated by rows164, and conical depressions166protruding into an underlying absorbent140that are used to channel the liquid downward within the container so that the liquid is exposed to the maximum volume of the absorbent140for absorption or encapsulation. It is appreciated that additional absorbent140is readily placed within the tray140as well (not shown for visual clarity). In other specific embodiments, in order to maximize the rate of absorption and efficiency of the absorbent located beneath the tray160, various slits186or holes188may be strategically placed within each high tiered protrusion163H and conical depression166of the insert tray160′. The insert tray160′ is formed of the same materials as container120. Preferably, recycled materials will be used for forming the insert tray160′. Embodiments of a container insert tray160′ for dispersing spent hydrocarbons are readily formed from scrap news print or sugar cane pulp that has been emulsified into liquefied slurry that is injected into a mold that provides the shape of the insert, thus creating a uniquely designed dispersion tray.

FIGS. 6A-6Gare a series of perspective views of an embodiment of a contoured insert tray160″ with a series of rows164that separate conical depressions166. The insert tray160″ may have the conical depressions166protruding into absorbent layer140(as shown inFIG. 8A and 8B) that are used to channel the liquid or hydrocarbon materials to all levels of the container so that the liquid is exposed to a large percentage of the volume of the absorbent140or the non-biodegradable substance for total encapsulation. In embodiments in order to maximize the rate of absorption and efficiency of the encapsulating material, various slits186or holes188, (as shown in Detail A inFIG. 6F) may be strategically placed within each of the conical depressions166of the insert tray160″. A series of flat top pedestals170in the rows164extend upward from the insert tray160″, with respect to the bottom of the container120when the tray160″ is placed in the container120. The flat top pedestals170are separated by a series of gaps171, where the flat top pedestals170are wider than the gaps171. The gaps171also serve as channels to distribute the liquid or hydrocarbon materials. The flat top pedestals170serve as supports and as an attachment point for diffuser sheet180, which is shown in greater detail inFIGS. 2A and 2Band inFIGS. 8A and 8B. The diffuser sheet180acts as a diffuser whereby the liquid is spread more equally throughout the confines of the container and on to the surface of the tray insert160″. The upper rim172extends above the flat top pedestals170and defines a collection volume176between the diffuser sheet180and the flat top pedestals170. In a similar manner, the lower rim174extends below the conical depressions166to provide an area to place the absorbent140(as shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B). The insert tray160″ is formed of the same materials as container120. Preferably, recycled materials may be used for forming the insert tray160″. Embodiments of a container insert tray160″ for dispersing spent hydrocarbons may be formed from scrap news print or sugar cane pulp that has been emulsified into liquefied slurry that is injected into a mold, thus creating a uniquely designed dispersion tray.

FIG. 7is an additional perspective view of a contoured insert tray160′″ with rows164separating an array of flat top elevations175.

FIG. 8Ais a side cross-sectional view of the inventive DOCK ofFIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and3A that show conical depressions166protruding into the absorbent layer140. As shown, slots186or holes188are strategically placed within the conical depressions166of the insert tray160I′ in order to maximize the rate of absorption and efficiency of the encapsulating material. The insert tray160I′ is a generic representation of specific embodiments of actual tray inserts160′ and160″, as shown in complete detail inFIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F, and 6G, It is appreciated that the insert tray160and160′″ as shown inFIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, and 7may also be inserted in the container120as described above. Void areas168hold the liquid as the liquid is being absorbed into the absorbent encapsulating material140. Also shown inFIG. 8A, the diffuser sheet180has a center taper182to create a reservoir in the top of the container that accommodates the on-rush of liquids. The taper182is optionally created by attaching the fabric of the diffuser sheet180to stringers184. The diffuser sheet180may rest or be attached to the flat top pedestals170. Void areas168hold the liquid as the liquid is being absorbed into the absorbent encapsulating material140. The upper rim172extends above the flat top pedestals170and defines a collection volume176between the diffuser sheet180and the flat top pedestals170.

FIG. 8Bis a side view of an alternative embodiment of the liquid disposal tool100′ configured with an under tray138for holding the absorbent encapsulating material140. The under tray138may be joined directly to the insert tray160I′ via glue, frictional fitting, a shrink wrap or the like. The under tray138may be made of the same materials as the insert tray160I′. In embodiments the under tray may be made of materials including paper, cardboard, plastic, oriented strand board (OSB), sugar cane, and composite material containing any of the aforementioned. In embodiments the under tray may be made of a recycled material. The insert tray160I′ is a generic representation of specific embodiments of actual tray inserts160′ and160″, as shown in complete detail inFIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F, and6G, It is appreciated that the insert tray160and160′″ as shown inFIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, and7may also be inserted in the under tray138. Diffuser sheet180covers the insert tray160I′. Void areas168hold the liquid as the liquid is being absorbed into the absorbent encapsulating material140. In specific inventive embodiments, the absorbent140may further include at least one of sawdust, corncob, cat litter or a polyalkylenes.