EXHIBIT 10.27

                                           BAR CODE NO US005579704A

UNITED STATES PATENT  (19)                 (11)  PATENT NUMBER:        5,579,704
MANSUR                                     (45)  DATE OF PATENT:    DEC. 3, 1996
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(54)  APPARATUS FOR DISPOSING OF REFUSE BY THERMAL OXIDATION

(75)  Inventor:    PIERRE G. MANSUR, Miami, Fla.

(73)  Assignee:    MANSUR INDUSTRIES INC., Miami, Fla.

(21)  Appl. No.: 364,785

(22)  Field: DEC. 27, 1994

(51)  INT. CL. .................. F23N 5/00; F23B 5/00; F23G 5/00

(52)  U.S. CL. .............. 110/185; 110/192; 110/193; 110/211;
                              110/242; 110/250

(58)  FIELD OF SEARCH ...... 110/241, 242, 110/248, 250, 211, 216
                             185, 192, 193, 229

(56)              REFERENCES CITED

                 U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

       2,711,139   6/1955  Martin ................. 110/211
       2,905,115   9/1959  Kendall ................ 110/211
       5,363,777  11/1994  Yoshimoto el at ...... 110/241 X

                FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

        3112976    1/1983  Germany ................ 110/211

PRIMARY EXAMINER--Henry A. Bennett
ASSISTANT EXAMINER--Susanne C. Tinker
ATTORNEY, AGENT, OR FIRM--Robert M. Downey, P.A.

(57)                  ABSTRACT

A unit for disposing of refuse and contaminants by thermal oxidation includes a
housing having a bottom, side walls and a top disposed in surrounding relation
to an interior thereof. A partial wall structure divides the housing interior to
define a first thermal oxidation chamber sized and configured to contain the
refuse and contaminants and a second flue gas burning chamber disposed in
air-flow communication with said first chamber. Heating elements are provided in
the first and second chambers to raise the temperature to a predetermined level
in order to induce thermal oxidation of refuse in the first chamber and the
resultant flue gasses passing through the second chamber. An exhaust stack
receives the flue gasses exiting from the second chamber and includes a filter
therein for removing remaining contaminants from the flue gasses prior to
entering the atmosphere.


                           12 CLAIMS, 2 DRAWING SHEETS

                              (SCHEMATIC DRAWING)

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U.S. PATENT            DEC. 3, 1996       SHEET 1 OF 2                5,579,704

                              (SCHEMATIC DRAWING)

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U.S. PATENT            DEC. 3, 1996       SHEET 2 OF 2                5,579,704

                              (SCHEMATIC DRAWING)

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                                   5,579,704

                                       1

             APPARATUS FOR DISPOSING OF REFUSE BY THERMAL OXIDATION

                          BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

  1. Field of the Invention

  This invention relates to a unit for disposal of refuse and contaminants, and
more particularly, to a portable unit for disposing of refuse and contaminants
by thermal oxidation, producing close to zero emissions at elevated
temperatures.

  2. Description of the Related Art

  The disposal of waste material presents numerous problems of environmental
and economic concern. A common means of disposal of waste material, including
contaminants, cardboard boxes, plastic, paper and other wastes products employs
the use of incinerators to burn the waste material at high temperatures. While
this method of disposal is effective to some degree, incinerators are generally
large, cumbersome and costly to manufacture and operate. For this reason, most
manufacturing facilities, medical facilities and other businesses need to
transport waste material on a regular basis to a disposal facility having an
incinerator.

  Another problem associated with use of conventionally known incinerators is
the difficulty in maintaining low emissions to minimize release of harmful
pollutants to the atmosphere. The need to adapt to increasingly strict EPA
disposal guidelines places an added burden on disposal facilities, and
businesses, significantly increasing the cost of disposing of waste material.

  In the related art, there have been various portable refuse treating apparatus
developed which are suitable for use at a business facility having to dispose of
waste material. In particular, the U.S. patent to Mogi, U.S. Pat. No. 5,170,724
discloses a burning apparatus having a burn-promoting plate which is
specifically designed to burn fuel and refuse while giving rise to almost no
smoke. The Mogi device employs the use of a burn-promoting plate which is
designed to cause the refuse to be burned from top to bottom in a burning
chamber. The refuse thrown in the burning chamber is ignited using fuel and a
direct flame such as, for example, a match. Thus, the refuse is burned at
relatively low temperatures. While this device is suitable for disposing of
various waste material such as cardboard boxes, grass and bark, the burning
method does not employ high enough temperatures for properly disposing of
various contaminants, including sludge, grease and medical waste products.

  The Dessi, U.S. Pat. No. 5,086,713, discloses a refuse-treating unit which
is adapted to hold a predetermined amount of refuse in a chamber for
sterilization by heat to convert the refuse into at least a partly converted
sterilized mass. The sterilized mass is then compacted to convert the mass into
a compact block. While the Dessi treating unit is particularly suited for
disposal of medical waste products, it is a significantly expensive apparatus
to manufacture and, thus, is primarily limited to higher end users such as in
the medical industry. Further, the Dessi unit is not particularly suited for
disposal of other contaminants and waste products such as those commonly found
in maintenance and repair facilities, including grease, sludge, oily rags,
contaminated absorbent materials and the like.

  Accordingly, there is a definite need in all industries having to regularly
dispose of refuse and contaminants for a portable, low cost device specifically
structured to dispose of refuse and contaminants through thermal oxidation
while producing close to zero emissions at elevated temperatures.

<PAGE>

                                       2

                            SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

  The present invention is directed to a device for disposing of refuse and
contaminants by thermal oxidation.

  More particularly, the present invention is directed to a portable, low cost
device for disposing of refuse and contaminants such as, but not limited to,
contaminated rags or wipes, oil and grease residue, contaminated absorbent
materials and medical waste by thermal oxidation and including a housing
having a bottom, side walls and a top disposed in surrounding relation to an
interior thereof. At least one partial wall structure divides the housing
interior to define a first thermal oxidation chamber sized and configured to
contain the refuse and contaminants therein and a second flue gas burning
chamber disposed in air-flow communication with the first chamber. The partial
wall structure further defines a labyrinth to channel flow of flue gasses from
the first thermal oxidation chamber to the second flue gas burning chamber.

  Heating elements are provided in the first and second chambers to raise the
temperature in order to induce thermal oxidation through convection. Baffle
means in the second chamber serve to interrupt the flow of flue gasses
therethrough, prolonging exposure of the flue gasses to the heating elements,
and thus heating the flue gasses to a predetermined temperature to ensure more
complete thermal oxidation and a maximum reduction of contaminant vapor
discharge. The flue gasses continue from the second chamber to an exhaust stack
having a filter therein for removing additional pollutants prior to the flue
gasses entering the atmosphere.

  A blower introduces air from atmosphere to the housing interior, thereby
introducing sufficient oxygen to promote thermal oxidation.

  Control means on the housing include a switch for actuating the blower and
heating elements. The control means may further include timer means for cycling
the heating elements between and on and off state in order to maintain a
predetermined temperature in the housing interior, while further preventing
damage to the heating elements. A portion of the top of the housing may be
defined by a movable lid or door to facilitate access to the housing interior.
A tank or tray, formed of a high temperature alloy material, may further be
provided for containing the refuse and contaminants within the first chamber,
the tray being removable from the housing interior through an access opening
exposed when the door is removed therefrom.

  Accordingly, with the foregoing in mind it is a primary object of the present
invention to provide a portable, low cost device for disposing of refuse and
contaminants by thermal oxidation.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable, compact
device for disposing of refuse and contaminants by thermal oxidation, while
producing close zero harmful emissions at elevated temperatures.

  It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device or unit
for disposing of refuse and contaminants by thermal oxidation and which employs
the use of high temperature heating elements to generate temperatues in excess
of 2,800 degrees fahrenheit within burning chambers of the unit, and including
means for cycling the heating elements on and off to maintain a predetermined
temperature and to prevent damage to the heating elements.

  It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a unit for
disposing of refuse and contaminants by thermal oxidation, and wherein the unit
is portable and adapted to operate on common 110 volts.

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                                   5,579,704

                                       3

  It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a unit for
disposing of refuse and contaminants and including high temperature heating
elements to induce thermal oxidation through convection while producing close to
zero emissions so as to provide a practical and economical means of complying
with Environmental Protection Agency waste disposal guidelines.

  It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a unit for
disposing of refuse and contaminants, as described above, which complies with
all government imposed safety requirements.

  These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more
readily apparent in the description which follows.

                       BRIEF DESCRIPTINO OF THE DRAWINGS

  For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention reference
should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the
accompanying drawings in which:

  FIG. 1 is a front, top perspective view, in partial cut-away of the refuse
disposal unit of the present invention;

  FIG. 2 is a front elevation, in partial section, of the refuse disposal unit;
and

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the various electrical components
of the unit.

  Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of
the drawings.

                DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

  Referring to the several views of the drawings, and initially FIGS. 1 an 2,
there is generally illustrated the unit 10 of the present invention for
disposing of refuse and contaminants. The unit 10 is comprised of a housing 12
including a bottom 14, side walls 16, 17, 18, 19 and a top 15 disposed in
surrounding relation to an interior 23 of the housing 12. The housing further
includes a movable door 20, defining at least a portion of the top 15 of the
housing 12, the door 20 being hingedly attached to a remainder of the housing
12 by hinge means 26, whereupon movement of the door 20 to an open position, as
seen in FIG. 1, exposes an access opening 22 through the top of the housing,
thereby facilitating access to the interior 23. The exterior walls, including
top 15, bottom 14 and side walls 16, 17, 18, and 19 are all provided with a
ceramic insulation 24 to contain heat within the housing interior 23 and to
prevent and outer skin 25 of the housing from becoming hot.

  The interior of the housing includes a partial wall structure 30. In a
preferred embodiment, the partial wall structure 30 includes a first partial
wall 32 extending downwardly from the top 15 and terminating at a lower free
distal edge 33 in spaced relation above an interior surface 14' of the bottom
14 so as to define a gap 34 therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, the partial
wall structure 30 further includes a second partial wall 36 extending upwardly
from the interior surface 14' of the bottom 14 and terminating at an uppere free
distal edge 37 in spaced relation below an interior surface 15' of the top 15 to
define a gap 38 therebetween.

  The partial wall structure 30, including first wall 32 and second wall 36
further serve to define a first thermal oxidation chamber 40 and a second flue
gas burning chamber 50. The partial wall structure 30 forms a labyrinth to
direct

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                                   5,579,704

                                       4

flue gasses (resulting from thermal oxidation of refuse in the first chamber 40)
from the first chamber 40 to a lower portion of the second chamber 50. A tray 46
formed of a high temperature alloy material is provided for containing the
refuse, contaminants and generally any waste material for thermal oxidation in
the first chamber 40. The tray 46 is specifically sized and configured to be
inserted and removed through the access opening 22, thereby facilitating
placement and removal of the refuse from within the thermal oxidation chamber
40.

  Heat generating means 60 are provided within the housing interior 23 including
first heating elements 62 within the interior under-side of the door 20, as seen
in FIGS. 1 and 2. Preferably the first heating elements 62 are at least
partially embedded or recessed within the underside of the door 20 to prevent
damage thereto when placing and removing the tray 46 from within the chamber 40.

  A second set of hearing elements 64 are provided within the second chamber 50,
for burning flue gasses as they pass therethrough. Referring to FIG. 2 the flow
of the flue gas is shown by the arrows, wherein the first heating elements 62
induce thermal oxidation of the contents within the tray 46, resulting in the
flue gasses existing a top thereof. The flue gasses are thereafter directed
through the labyrinth defined by the partial wall structure 30, and into a lower
portion of the second chamber 50. Baffles 68 in the second chamber 50 serve to
interrupt flow of the flue gasses through the second chamber 50, thereby
prolonging exposure of the flue gasses to the heating elements 64. In a
preferred embodiment, the heating elements 62, 64 are preferably high
temperature super electronic heating elements capable of generating temperatures
in excess of 2,800 degrees fahrenheit. Exposure of the flue gasses to the
heating elements 64 in the second chamber 50 serves to ensure more complete
thermal oxidation and a maximum reduction of contaminant vapor discharge into a
flue stack 70. The flue stack 70 is further provided with a filter means 74,
preferably a charcoal activated filter, which may be removable from the stack
for cleaning and replacement. The filter means 74 removes remaining pollutants
or contaminants in the flue gasses existing the second chamber 50. Thereafter,
gasses exiting to the atmosphere through the open top 72 of the flue stack 70
have close to zero harmful emissions.

  To prevent accidental opening of the door 20 during thermal oxidation, and
thus preventing injury, a lock means 75 is provided. Preferably, the lock means
75 is responsive to heat in the housing interior 23; locking the door 20 when
temperatures are above a predetermined level in the housing interior 23. The
lock means 75 may comprise a bi-metallic coil sensor 76 responsive to heat. A
locking element 78 is movable into locked and unlocked engagement with the door
20 by the bi-metallic coil 76 in response to temperature changes within the
housing interior 23.

  Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a schematic diagram of the various
electrically operated components of the unit 10. In particular, there is a
control means 80 including a switch 82 operable between an open and closed
circuit position. The switch 82 may be of a dial timer device 83 (see FIG. 2.)
inw hich a timer 84 is provided to maintain the switch 82 in a closed circuit
position for a preset amount of time. Alternatively, the switch 82 may comprise
simply a togel switch or other simple switch to open and close the circuit.

  The control means 80 further includes a controller circuit board 86 having a
switching mechanism 88 electrically connected with heating elements 62 and 64.
The switching

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                                   5,579,704

                                       5

mechanism 88 is specifically structured to cycle current flow to the heating
elements 62, 64 so that the heating elements 62, 64 are activated for a
predetermined time period and then deactivated for a predetermined time period
when the switch 82 is in the closed circuit position. In this manner, a
predetermined temperature level can be maintained within the housing interior
23, while further preventing damage to the heating coils 62, 64 which may result
from extended, uninterrupted operation.

  A blower or fan 90 is further provided to supply air from atmosphere into the
housing interior 23, thereby introducing sufficient oxygen to promote thermal
oxidation of the refuse, contaminants or waste contents therein. The unit 10 is
electrically powered by any conventional 110 volt power source, preferably
using an electrical cord 94 having a plug 96 on a free end for plugging into a
standard electrical socket. The cord 94 supplies electrical power to the switch
82 which, when closed, directs the electric power to the controller circuit
board 86, heating elements 62, 64 and blower 90.

  While the invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be a
practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made
within the spirit and scope of the following claims which, therefore, should not
be limited except within the Doctrine of Equivalents.

  Now that the invention has been described,

  What is claimed is:

  1. A unit for disposing of refuse and contamination comprising:

  a housing including a bottom, side walls, and a top disposed in surrounding
    relation to an interior of said housing, and an access door movable between
    covering and uncovering relations to an access opening communicating with
    said housing interior,

  a first thermal oxidation chamber sized and configured to contain the refuse
    and contaminants for thermal oxidation therein,

  a second flue gas burning chamber disposed in air flow communications with
    said first chamber and structured for upward passage therethrough of flue
    gasses resulting from thermal oxidation of said refuse and contaminants,

  a labyrinth between said first chamber and said second chamber and structured
    for channeling the flue gasses from an upper portion of said first chamber
    to a lower portion of said second chamber,

  first heat generating means for increasing the temperature in said housing
    interior to a predetermined temperature in order to induce thermal
    oxidation of the refuse and contaminants contained therein,

  exhaust means communicating with said second chamber for exhausting the flue
    gasses to atmosphere and including a flue stack extending upwardly from a
    top of said second chamber in receiving relation to the upwardly rising flue
    gasses passin through said second chamber,

  second heat generating means in said second chamber for heating said flue
    gasses passing upwardly therethrough to promote upward rise of said flue
    gasses towards said exhaust means and to ensure more complete thermal
    oxidation and a reduction of contaminants in said flue gasses prior to
    entering said exhaust means,

  filter means contained in said flue stack for removing additional pollutants
    and contaminants from the flue gasses prior to entering the atmosphere.

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                                   5,579,704

                                       6

  blower means for supplying air to the housing interior to provide oxygen at
    a sufficient rate and level in order to promote thermal oxidation of the
    refuse and contaminants therein,

  control means for actuating said first and second heat generating means and
    said blower means, and

  said control means including means for maintaining a predetermined temperature
    in said housing interior.

  2. A unit as recite din claim 1 wherein said bottom, said walls and top of
said housing include thermal insulation means therein to maintain heat within
said housing interior and further to prevent an exterior of said housig from
reaching harmful temperatures.

  3. A unit as recited in claim 2 wherein said first and second heat generating
means (include high temperature electrical heating elements capable of
generating temperatures in excess of 2,800 degrees fahrenheit.

  4. A unit as recited in claim 3 wherein said second chamber includes baffle
means therein for interrupting flow of the flue gasses therethrough and
prolonging exposure of the flue gasses to said second heat generating means.

  5. A unit as recited in claim 4 wherein said means for maintaining a
predetermined temperature includes a switching mechanism for activating and
deactivating said first and second heat generating means.

  6. A unit as recited in claim 5 further including a tray formed of a high
temperature resistant alloy material for containing the refuse and contaminants
therein for thermal oxidation within said first chamber.

  7. A unit for disposing of refuse and contaminants comprising:

  a housing including a bottom, side walls, and a top disposed in surrounding
    relation to an interior of said housing, and an access door movable between
    covering and uncovering elation to an access opening communicating with
    said housing interior,

  a first thermal oxidation chamber sized and configured to contain the refuse
    and contaminants for thermal oxidation therein,

  a second flue gas burning chamber disposed in air flow communication with said
    first chamber and structured for upward passage therethrough of flue gasses
    resulting from thermal oxidation of said refuse and contaminants,

  a labyrinth between said first chamber and said second chamber and structured
    for channeling the flue gasses from an upper portion of said first chamber
    to a lower portion of said second chamber,

  first heat generating means for increasing the temperature in said housing
    interior to a predetermined temperature in order to induce thermal
    oxidation of the refuse and contaminants contained therein,

  exhaust means communicating with said second chamber for exhausting the flue
    gasses to atmosphere and including a flue stack extending upwardly from a
    top of said second chamber in receiving relation to the upwardly rising
    flue gasses passing through said second chamber,

  second heat generating means in said second chamber for heating said flue
    gasses passing upwardl therethrough to promote upward rise of said flue
    gasses towards said exhaust means and to ensure more complete thermal
    oxidation and a reduction of contaminants in said flue gasses prior to
    entering said exhaust means,

  filter means contained in said flue stack for removing additional pollutants
    and contaminants from the flue gasses prior to entering the atmosphere,

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                                   5,579,704

                                        7

  blower means for supplying air to the housing interior to provide oxygen at
    a sufficient rate and level in order to promote thermal oxidation of the
    refuse and contaminants therein.

  lock means for locking said access door in covering relation to said access
    opening and preventing movement of said access door to an open position in
    uncovering relation to said access opening when temperatures within said
    housing interior are above a predetermined level, said lock means including
    a first element responsive to heat and a second locking element movable into
    locked and unlocked engagement with said access door by said first element
    in response to temperature changes within said housing interior.

  control means for actuating said first and second heat generating means and
    said blower means, and

  said control means including means for maintaining a predetermined temperature
    in said housing interior.

  8. A unit as recited in claim 7 wherein said bottom, side walls and top of
said housing include thermal insulation

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                                   5,579,704

                                       8

means therein to maintain heat within said housing interior and further to
prevent an exterior of said housing from reaching harmful temperatures.

  9. A unit as recited in claim 8 wherein said first and second heat generating
means include high temperature clectrical heating elements capable of generating
temperatures in excess of 2,800 degree Fahrenheit.

  10. A claim as recited in claim 9 wherein said second chamber includes baffle
means therein for interrupting flow of the flue gasses therethrough and
prolonging exposure of the flue gasses to said second heat generating means.

  11. A unit as recited in claim 10 wherein said means for maintaining a
predetermined temperature ncludes a switching mechanism for activating and
deactivating said first and second heat generating means.

  12. A unit as recited in claim 1 further including a tray formed of a high
temperature resistant alloy material for containing the refuse and contaminants
therein for thermal oxidation within said first chamber.

                                   * * * * *