Grease trap with turbulence buffer

An apparatus and method to separate grease and solids from wastewater before reaching the sewers using a grease trap, wherein said grease trap comprises a turbulence buffer and a plurality of chambers which efficiently trap solid particles from the water waste in other to make easier the compliance with regulating agencies.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention is related to grease traps, more particularly to an apparatus and method to separate grease and solids from wastewater before reaching the sewers.

2. Discussion of the Background

Grease traps, also known in the art as grease interceptors, and grease recovery devices are mechanisms intended to capture greases and solids before they enter the sanitary system. Grease traps are usually constructed of concrete, fiberglass or steel having high grease and solid storage capacities for high flow applications. Generally, said grease traps are used in restaurant and foodservice kitchens wherein a lot of waste grease including fats, oils, grease and other residues are present. The waste material is normally known as “fats, oils, and grease” (FOG). Grease traps tend to remove all the FOG from the wastewater before it reaches the sewers in order to comply with government regulations.

As mentioned the main purpose of the grease traps is to retain oil, grease and other solids well trapped, allowing cleaner wastewater to flow onto the public sewer. However, sometimes residues or waste materials are not completely contained inside of said traps and end up reaching public sewer facilities without complying with parameters regulated by local authorities. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,993,646 to Powers discloses a grease trap having an inlet member, a discharge member, plurality inner walls defining chambers within, and a relief member for flushing accumulated waste matter. In general the fluid flows through to a chamber including an inlet chamber, a preliminary chamber, an outlet chamber, a discharge chamber, and a reservoir chamber. A gauge member adjacent to the reservoir chamber is adapted to view waste accumulation which, when necessary, is flushed through the relief member via the reservoir chamber. However even when the grease trap has a system to flush out the waste material the residue that move on the top of the chamber reaches the sewers due to the impact effect of liquids received from the sinks, or even worse, from dishwasher machines, creating turbulence in the first chamber, pushing solids away towards the outlet.

Therefore there is a need for a grease trap capable to contain effectively the residues flowing through the waste water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the Prior Art providing a grease trap with a detachable residue interceptors comprising at least a removable mesh fixed to a residue trap opening using several attachments, wherein said residue interceptors efficiently reduce turbulence and trap solid particles from the wastewater, making it easier to comply with local agency regulations.

Another object of the invention is to provide a detachable residue interceptor which can be easily removed, cleaned, washed and reused, or alternatively dropped in the garbage and replaced with a new mesh.

Another object of the invention is to reduce bad odors at the grease trap.

Another object of the invention is to simplify and reduce the cleaning time in such way that the personnel in charge of cleaning has complete access to make a better interior cleaning and make sure that, even when pumped out, less residues are left behind.

Another object of the invention is to complete and control immediate turbulence in the first chamber allowing the greases to get organized in the very first chamber while clean water flows ahead.

Another object of the invention is to provide a flow second path to avoid clogging of the trap when all meshes get full.

Another object of the invention is to provide an inner wall to avoid clogging due to the meshes interfering with the waste water flow.

Another object of the invention is to provide an easy mesh assembling at the residue trap.

Yet another object of the invention is to control the turbulence of the wastewater by creating a vortex in a first chamber of the grease trap, wherein said vortex functions as a filter.

The invention itself, both as to its configuration and its mode of operation will be best understood, and additional objects and advantages thereof will become apparent, by the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The Applicant hereby asserts, that the disclosure of the present application may include more than one invention, and, in the event that there is more than one invention, that these inventions may be patentable and non-obvious one with respect to the other.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present first embodiment of the grease trap comprises several parts, made from different materials, wherein said parts are assembled to provide a receptacle to regulate flow and clean wastewater before the waste water is deposited into city sewers. For example, materials including but not limited to polypropylene (white, cleat) panels, aluminum angles or frames, rubber joints with adhesive, stainless steel locknuts, screws and nuts, stainless steel hinges with bearings, butterfly nuts and dowel screws, galvanized knobs, PVC-SCH40 pipes, fittings and tubular meshes of different materials, such as cotton or poly-cotton fiber, are assembled together to construct the present grease trap1.

FIG. 1shows the assembly of a grease trap1using said materials, wherein said grease trap1comprises several chambers I-VI, an inlet2aproviding a path for the waste water pipes from the restaurant or food service kitchen to be treated at the grease trap1, an outlet2bproviding a path for the treated waste water to reach the sewer pipes, several baffles forming the chambers I-VI and a residual trap3.

The aluminum frame covering some polypropylene panels are used to create outer walls for the grease trap1. Inside said outer walls several baffles are assembled to create the chambers I-VL As shown inFIG. 1, the baffles arrangement creates a first chamber I which is the first chamber to get in contact with the waste water. As illustrated, the first chamber's dimensions are bigger than the other chambers II-VI.

During the water waste treating process the wastewater accesses the grease trap1through an opening2aformed at the first chamber I of the grease trap1. Most of the residues at the waste water are removed at the first chamber I by means of a turbulence buffer or detachable residue trap3. The detachable residue trap3is fixed inside said first chamber I, wherein the opening2ais aligned and physically connected to the intake of the removable residue trap3as shown inFIG. 2. In the instance case, the inner wall of chamber I is shaped to hold the residue trap3in position in such way that the flow of wastewater interacts with the residue trap3instead of directly contacting the first chamber I. The residue trap3serves as a buffer for the waste water turbulence before the waste water moves through the chambers I-VI in a particular order creating a path wherein each chamber help with the treating process of said waste water.

As mentioned before and as shown inFIG. 3, the first chamber I is configured to control the displacement of the detachable residue trap3. The dimensions of that first chamber are restricted by an inner wall baffle8which serves as a wall between chamber I and chamber II. The wall8is positioned at a point wherein enough space is provided for the extension of a mesh4connected to the residue trap3. The inner wall8, as shown inFIG. 4, comprises several openings8a. The openings8aavoid the clogging due to the mesh4while provides different path for the waste water flow to reach the subsequent chamber. The wall8is removable for cleaning purposes wherein said chamber I is configured to fix and support said wall8in position.

The residue trap3, as shown inFIG. 5, comprises a receptacle device which includes a boxlike compartment or drawer structure C fixed inside the grease trap1, but more specifically inside the first chamber I wherein said drawer structure comprises at least an inlet for a residue trap, at least one opening or outtake3aconnected through an adapter9,11to a bag or mesh4, at least an overflow escape3band handles3c. The residue trap3is provided with a deeper bottom on the side of the openings3awere the meshes4are to be connected in order to control turbulence while assisting the flow of wastewater. The adapter can be formed integrally with the residue trap3or separate. The present invention provides an adapter9,11comprising a mesh's holder9having a hollow body with a flange at a distal end and a spiral ridge or thread at the other end. The flange is configured to be fixed inside the residue trap3while the pipe extends through the residue opening3a. The flange is shaped to have a surface that in combination with the residue trap's3surface avoiding the rotation of the hollow body after assembled. For example, a cylindrical hollow body with a hexagonal flange is provided inFIG. 6. The thread end is adapted to receive a mesh's fixing portion such as a nut11.

The mesh's fixing portion11firmly holds the mesh4to the residue trap3using hollow body threads and said a mesh's fixing portion11.FIG. 7shows the mesh4assembly, the residue trap is not presented in order to clearly disclose said assembly. The hollow body9is first inserted through openings3awherein the flange is positioned inside the residue trap3. A gasket or seal10is provided between the hollow body9flange and the residue trap3. The hollow body9is positioned inside the opening3ain such way that at least the hollow body's thread extend away from the opening3a. The mesh fixing portion11is connected and/or fixed to the hollow body9. However before the connection, said mesh4is inserted through the center of the mesh's fixing portion11until a portion of the mesh4is folded back leaving a short piece over the mesh's fixing portion outer surface. Then the mesh's fixing portion11is fixed to hollow body9using the thread which simultaneously fixes the mesh4. Usually the connection is the same for all meshes4.

FIG. 8provides an isometric view of the residue trap3. A support structure S which can be provided at the grease trap1inside the first chamber I controls the displacement of said residue trap3making the detachment of the residual trap1easier from the first chamber I, if needed, for cleaning.

During the waste water treating process the waste water carries grease, oil, vegetables and a variety of other solid particles from the dish washing process and floor drains connected to the first chamber I of the grease trap1. The flow enters with turbulence due to the impact of liquids received from the inlet2a. The residue trap3substantially controls the turbulence avoiding the waste water to push solids away towards the outlet2b. When the waste water reaches the drawer3it is directed to the residue trap outtake wherein the meshes4are connected. Letting the water pass through, the mesh4serves as a filter wherein solid particles are trapped inside the mesh4, making it easier to comply with parameters regulated by local authorities. Also, since fewer solids remain at the bottom of the wastewater, the bad odors due to the decomposition are avoided or reduced.

As mentioned before, the residue trap3is provided with overflow escapes3b. The main purpose of the overflow escapes is to continue with the wastewater treatment even if clogging occurs at the residue outtake. Further, a mechanical or electronic alert can be introduced in such way that the user will know if clogging due to overloaded meshes are taking place.

When the meshes4are packed or needed to be removed as part of the maintenance of the grease trap, the residue trap3is provided with handles that helps user to remove the residue trap3.

Next, the waste water moves toward a second chamber II. As mentioned the grease trap1is provided with a removable inner wall8with perforations8aavoiding clogging. The purpose of the inner wall8is to keep the end of the mesh4away from the transfers6, usually consisting of PVC piping or a perforation at the baffle, in such way that the grease trap1will continue working, chamber after chamber, until reaching its outlet. Further, some baffles are provided with overflow perforation5to guarantee the waste water movement through chambers II-VI in case of clogging at the transfer6,7. Chambers' walls including P.V.C. piping transfers6,7and/or perforations are designed to provide an effective path that that contributes with the waste water treatment allowing the treating of the waste water.

The assembly of all these parts, including the residue trap3, the frames, pipes and other materials can be performed in several ways. However, in the instance case the selected assembly includes picking the materials to be used as mentioned before. The first step will be to cut the body parts, such as lid, walls, baffles, bottom, mesh, drawer and others usually made with polypropylene material. Next, all parts are put together using plastic welding process, producing a well built monolithic unit, very strong and extremely durable. It is important to weld the body and baffles together with the exception of detachable baffles.

The PVC inlet2a, the outlet2b, other fittings with its corresponding special gaskets and the intermediate transfer pipes are installed inside the body. Further, an aluminum frame comprising thick aluminum angles is installed around the circumference and on top of the grease trap transversal parts. Stainless Steel screws and locknuts are used for its assembling. The upper surface of the framing comprises a self adhesive sponge rubber joint that provides the appropriate seal for the grease trap1when closed. The good adhesion of this joint is very important. Also, since polypropylene surface does not have any adherence at all, excellent results are obtained with the adhesion of the foam joint directly to the aluminum frame.

Simultaneously with the above mentioned body assembly, the drawer3is prepared. As mentioned before, the drawer structure3should show a deeper bottom surface at the side of the openings3awhere the meshes4are connected. It may have two or more adapters to connect a mesh, one or two inlets, and an overflow fixture3b. The mesh4is connected using the adapter as mentioned before. After the residue trap is assembled it is installed inside the first chamber II.

Next, for the lid's installation a polypropylene panel is covered with an aluminum sheet, for example Diamond Head mill finish aluminum sheet, in such way that the aluminum faces the top. Fixing means such as screws and locknuts are used in order to attach the lid's polypropylene panel and the aluminum sheet together. Finally, the apparatus is framed with aluminum angles.

Even when there are several ways to install and secure the lid to the grease trap body the present invention uses two different ways. The first one is directed to spaces with little clearance between the sink and the trap's lid. In this case it is preferable to use the dowel screws with butterfly nuts system. The second is directed to model with more space in which is preferable to use stainless steel hinges with bearings. However, the butterfly type is also an option.

FIG. 9shows an isometric view of a second embodiment of the invention. The present second embodiment of the grease trap10comprises several parts, made from different materials, wherein said parts are assembled to provide a receptacle to regulate flow and clean wastewater before the waste water is deposited into city sewers. For example, materials including but not limited to polypropylene (white, clear) panels, aluminum angles or frames, rubber joint with adhesive, stainless steel locknuts, screws and nuts, stainless steel hinges with bearings, butterfly nuts and dowel screws, galvanized knobs, PVC-SCH40 pipes and fittings are assembled together to construct the present grease trap10.

The grease trap10comprises a housing, such as a rectangular case comprising an inlet101, a first chamber100, a turbulence buffer121, a plurality of conduct fluid devices TS, a plurality of baffles117,118,119,120, wherein said plurality of baffles are arranged inside said rectangular case to form said first chamber100comprising a first sub-chamber102, a second sub-chamber103and a third sub-chamber104. Further the plurality of baffles creates a second chamber105and a third chamber106comprising an outlet107, and wherein said chambers comprises baffles with openings as waste water paths, between chambers100,105,106wherein said conduct fluid device TS are attached to said baffle openings.

FIG. 10shows a side view of the grease trap10from the front andFIG. 11shows a side view of the grease trap10from the back.FIG. 12is a top view of the grease trap10. The grease trap10comprises a rectangular case with a floor111, a first end wall112, a first lateral wall113, a second lateral wall114, a second end wall115and a top116. Further, the grease trap10is divided into chambers by a number of baffles, each baffle comprising a rectangular sheet that comes into contact with the inner surface of the floor111and extends vertically. The waste water enters through the inlet101and flows through the chambers100,105,106in sequential order.

FIG. 13shows a side view of the fluid conduct device, such as a cylindrical tube T-structure TS. The cylindrical tube T-structures TS is incorporate into several openings and outlet of the present invention in order to guide the flow of waste water between chambers. Each cylindrical tube T-structure comprises a vertical tube141perpendicularly connected to a horizontal tube142. The vertical tube141is open at both ends and the horizontal tube142serves as an opening in the vertical tube141body between said open ends. It is important to understand that the fluid control device TS can have different shapes, such as a rectangular shape, wherein said rectangular shape is open at both ends and at least a opening is provided through the conduct fluid device TS body. Further the conduct fluid device TS can be made integrally with the baffles for a faster assembling.

The first end wall112comprises an opening such as an inlet101serving as an entrance for the waste water toward the grease trap10. A first cylindrical tube T-structure TS131is attached to said first end wall112in the interior of the inlet101near the top116of the grease trap10. Waste water flows into the grease trap10through the inlet101and through the first cylindrical tube T-structure TS131into the first chamber100, more particularly the first sub-chamber102.

The first sub-chamber102is comprised within the space created by the floor111, the first end wall112, the first lateral wall113, the second lateral wall114and the first baffle117. The first baffle117extends from the first lateral wall113to the second lateral wall114, parallel to the first end wall112and second end wall115. The first baffle117reaches the floor111, but does not reach the top116. The first chamber102also comprises a turbulence buffer121.FIG. 14shows a detail of the side view of the first sub-chamber102.

The turbulence buffer121comprises a first movable section122, a second movable section123, influent flow guides127and fixing means to assemble the device avoiding unwanted movement. The first movable section122and the second movable section123are mechanically attached and substantially cover the top part of the first sub-chamber102.

The first movable section122comprises a turbulence promoting piece such as a rectangular sheet mechanically connected to the first baffle117by fixing means such as hinges124. The first movable section122is attached to the first baffle117, and extends from the first lateral wall113to the second lateral wall114. The area of the first movable section122covers a section of the upper area of the first sub-chamber102.

The first movable section122rests upon the first “L” stopper125and second “L” stopper125, fanning a ninety degree angle with the first baffle117, partially covering a section of first sub-chamber102. The first and second “L” stoppers125each comprise a piece that is fixed to a flat wall and provides a thin upper surface for a separate piece to rest upon. The first “L” stopper125is fixed to the first lateral wall113at the height of the top of the first baffle117and a second “L” stopper125is fixed to the second lateral wall114the height of the top of the first baffle117.

The second movable section123is attached to the first moveable section122by a fixing means such as hinges124and extends from the first lateral wall113to the second lateral wall114. The second movable section123comprises a section of material which is interrupted at the corner between the first end wall112and the second lateral wall114in order to allow the first cylindrical T-structure TS131to enter into the first sub-chamber102.

The inferior side of the second movable section123of the turbulence buffer121and the corners between the first end wall112and the floor111and between the first baffle117and the floor111are equipped with influent flow guides127. Each influent flow guide127comprises a wedge that eliminates the aggressive angles formed at each corner. Each influent flow guide127extends from the first lateral wall113to the second lateral wall114. Waste water flows into the first chamber102as turbulent flow. The turbulence buffer121and the influent flow guides127drive the flow into a vortex F.

The second sub-chamber103comprises the space created between the floor111, the first baffle117, the first lateral wall113, the second lateral wall114and the second baffle118. The second baffle118extends from the first lateral wall113to the second lateral wall114, parallel to the first end wall112, the second end wall115and the first baffle117. The second baffle118reaches the floor111, but does not reach the top116.

The third sub-chamber104comprises the space between the floor111, the second baffle118, the first lateral wall113, the second lateral wall114and the third baffle119. The third baffle119extends from the first lateral wall113to the second lateral wall114in parallel with the first end wall112and second end wall115, and from the floor111to the top116of the grease trap10, and comprises a first opening151and a second opening152located near the top116. The third sub-chamber104also comprises a second cylindrical tube T-structure TS132, similar to the first cylindrical tube T-structure TS131. The second cylindrical tube T-structure TS132comprises a vertical tube141perpendicularly connected to a horizontal tube142that enters through the first vent151of the third baffle119. The vertical tube has a first open end at the bottom and a second open end at the top, The second opening152of the third baffle119is needed for ventilation.

The second chamber105comprises the space between the floor111, the first lateral side113, the third baffle119, the fourth baffle120and the second end wall115. The fourth baffle120extends from the third baffle119to the second end wall115, in parallel with the first lateral wall113and second lateral wall114, and comprises a third vent153and a fourth vent154. The third opening153and fourth vent154each comprise an aperture such as a circular hole. The second chamber105also comprises a third cylindrical tube T-structure TS133, similar to the first cylindrical tube T-structure TS131and the second cylindrical tube T-structure TS132. The third cylindrical tube T-structure133comprises a vertical tube141perpendicularly connected to a horizontal tube142that enters through the third opening153of the fourth baffle120. The vertical tube has a first open end at the bottom and a second open end at the top. The fourth opening154of the fourth baffle120is needed for ventilation.

The third chamber106comprises the space between the floor111, the third baffle119, the fourth baffle120, the second lateral wall114and the second end wall115. The third chamber106also comprises a fourth cylindrical tube T-structure134, similar to the first cylindrical tube T-structure131. The fourth cylindrical tube T-structure134comprises a vertical tube perpendicularly connected to a horizontal tube that exits through the second end wall115. The vertical tube has a first open end at the bottom and a second open end at the top.

As mentioned before, the first cylindrical T-structure TS131discharges waste water into the first sub-chamber102. The inlet flow guides127and the shape of the second movable section123of the cover121drives the water to flow in a circular movement, creating turbulence within the first sub-chamber102. The heavier objects found within the waste water is drawn towards the center of the turbulence. Cleaner, less dense water overflows from the first sub-chamber102and continues flowing to the subsequent sub-chambers103,104and chambers105,106.

As water overflows from the first sub-chamber102, it flows into the second sub-chamber103. When water level reaches the top of the second sub-chamber103, water overflows from the second sub-chamber103into the third sub-chamber104. Dense and heavy objects and fluids remain at the bottom of the second sub-chamber103by gravity.

Water flows into the third sub-chamber104from the second sub-chamber103. It is expected that most of the solid objects were removed from the water in the first sub-chamber102and the second chamber103mostly because of the vortex action created at the first sub-chamber102. Grease and oils are generally less dense than water, and therefore accumulate in the upper layers of the fluid in the third sub-chamber104. The vertical tube of the second cylindrical tube T-structure132extends towards the bottom of the grease trap10without reaching the floor111. Water enters the second cylindrical tube T-structure132through the bottom of the vertical tube and rises as water enters the third sub-chamber104. When the water within the second cylindrical tube T-structure132reaches the level of the horizontal tube, the water flows through the horizontal tube and through the first hole151of the third baffle119into the second chamber105. The oil and grease is expected to remain in the upper layers of the third sub-chamber104, not flowing into through the second cylindrical tube T-structure132into the second chamber105.

The same principle is repeated in the second chamber105. The third cylindrical tube T-structure133extends towards the bottom of the grease trap10without reaching the floor111. Water enters the third cylindrical tube T-structure133through the bottom and rises as water enters the second chamber105. When the within the third cylindrical tube T-structure133reaches the level of the horizontal tube, the water flows through the horizontal tube and through the first hole153of the fourth baffle120into the third chamber106. The oil and grease is expected to remain in the upper layers of the second chamber105, not flowing into the third chamber106.

The same principle is repeated a third time in the third chamber106. The fourth cylindrical tube T-structure134extends towards the bottom of the grease trap10without reaching the floor111. Water enters the fourth cylindrical tube T-structure134through the bottom and rises as water enters the third chamber106. When the water within the fourth cylindrical tube T-structure134reaches the level of the horizontal tube, the water flows through the horizontal tube and through the outlet107. Any remaining oil and grease is expected to remain in the upper layers of the third chamber106, not flowing through the outlet107. The water that exits through the outlet107is devoid of solid wastes, oil and grease.

While the invention has been described as having a preferred design, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention after considering this specification together with the accompanying drawings. Accordingly, all such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by this invention as defined in the following claims and their legal equivalents. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses, if any, are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures.

All of the patents, patent applications, and publications recited herein, and in the Declaration attached hereto, if any are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein. All, or substantially all, the components disclosed in such patents may be used in the embodiments of the present invention, as well as equivalents thereof. The details in the patents, patent applications, and publications incorporated by reference herein may be considered to be incorporable at applicant's option, into the claims during prosecution as further limitations in the claims to patentable distinguish any amended claims from any applied prior art.