Abstract:
The invention is a device for storing, dispensing and recycling a suspension of regenerating microorganism. The device provides an opening allowing a user to remove a portion of the suspension. The device defines a first area for receipt of new suspension and a second area for dispensing of such suspension for use. Preferably, an angled plate in the interior of the device forms a passage through which the suspension passes towards the dispensing opening. After use, the used suspension is recycled by again pouring the used suspension back into the device through a screen cover. The device allows a user to continue to reuse suspension from the device in that the device recycles such suspension in a manner that allows the microorganism to regenerate as it travels through the device towards the dispensing opening.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the storage, dispensing and recycling of a cleaning suspension including a microorganism. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device for storing, dispensing and recycling a suspension including a regenerating petrophilic microorganism that permits the microorganism to regenerate before reuse. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The industrial environment is seemingly inherently contaminated by a variety of petroleum or other hydrocarbon-based products. For example, heavy machinery requires constant maintenance ranging from part repair to lubrication. Such operations inevitably result in spillage of a variety of hydrocarbon-based fluids. Further, particularly in the case of older equipment, seals may leak and a variety of different contaminants such as oil, greases, fuel and other hydrocarbons spilled or leaked onto the floor. Such problems are not restricted to factories or other industrial environments using heavy machinery. Similar problems exist in many other environments from small and lightweight manufacturing facilities to the home mechanic changing oil in his or her garage. Whether due to a leaky seal in a piece of heavy equipment or a spill while changing oil in a car, such spills typically contain toxic substances and can be extremely hazardous. Moreover, the presence of an oil spill or the like in a factory walkway or other common area is a significant risk to workers. Thus, such spills must be promptly and properly cleaned to ensure safety and to reduce if not eliminate unwanted hydrocarbon products from the environment except for their intended use. 
     As a result, a variety of clay-based products are available to address hydrocarbon product spillage. Such clay products are typically provided in a container or other suitable package provided by the manufacturer for sale or shipment of the product. When placed on a hydrocarbon spill, the clay product absorbs the spill. A variety of such products are available from various sources. One such known product is sold under the trademark OIL DRY. Another is offered under the trademark MIRACLE SWEEP. Other such clay products include cat litter. The use of such products is to place the clay-based material onto the spill and leave for a sufficient period to permit absorption of the spill. The used product, including the hydrocarbon can then be swept up and the spill is, at least to some extent, remedied. If necessary, the process is repeated to affect a maximum amount of cleaning. 
     There are problems that arise when using clay products to clean hydrocarbon spills. Clay products are not bioremedial, i.e. they do not regenerate. This means that once used, the clay product becomes waste. A related problem with the clay products&#39; lack of bioremediation is that, after absorbing a toxic hydrocarbon, the clay product itself becomes a hazardous waste. After absorbing the spill, the user must find a way of disposing of the used clay product in a manner that ensures against pollution of the environment with a hazardous waste material. One method of disposing used clay products has been the use of land fill space. This, of course, is very expensive. Disposing of used clay products in a land fill presents its own set of other problems, including the possibility that the hydrocarbon may leak out of the clay product and into the ground. Leakage of the hydrocarbon into the earth can be very hazardous to the environment. 
     Because of the need to reduce industrial waste, alternative types of hydrocarbon absorbents are being tried. Some newer absorbents include natural, non-toxic, non-pathogenic, non-caustic, regenerating petrophilic microorganisms. One such suspension is sold under the trademark OIL SPONGE. The regenerating petrophilic microorganisms are live, synergistic groups that digest hydrocarbons and aromatic compounds. Some such microorganisms are believed able to absorb up to eight times more liquid than conventional clay products. The suspension of at least some such absorbents with regenerating petrophilic microorganisms has the consistency of dust. 
     Petrophilic microorganisms are typically activated to an absorbent state upon contact with a hydrocarbon. As with conventional clay products, the suspension can be poured or otherwise placed directly onto a hydrocarbon spill. After absorbing the hydrocarbon, the suspension can be swept up and, in some instances, immediately disposed. One benefit is that a lesser quantity of cleaning suspension or absorbent is necessary because the petrophilic microorganisms are able to absorb a greater quantity of spill using less absorbent. Accordingly, less used absorbent is generated. There is yet another benefit, however, because the microorganism can regenerate itself for reuse. Under ideal conditions, a petrophilic microorganism may completely regenerate itself in six hours. A petrophilic microorganism is believed able to reach an effective absorbent stage approximately six times. However, even after losing its regeneration capabilities, the petrophilic microorganism will not leak any hydrocarbon and constitutes a non-hazardous waste product. Thus, the petrophilic microorganism suspension can be bagged and routinely disposed, eliminating concern and liability for hazardous waste disposal, including the possibility of costly government citations to the user. 
     Packaging of conventional clay products is typically accomplished in a single package that permits dispensing of the absorbent onto the spill. Packaging of regenerating microorganism suspension absorbent has, to the inventor&#39;s knowledge, tracked conventional clay product packaging, which does not contemplate recycling of the absorbent. Preferably, after the regenerating petrophilic microorganism suspension has been used to absorb a hydrocarbon spill, the used suspension should be stored in a manner such that the microorganism has time to regenerate before it is to be used a second time. Simply storing the suspension in a conventional container is not practical. In that instance, after use, the used suspension would be stored on top of other, unused suspension in the container. If a subsequent spill were needed to be cleaned before the used microorganism suspension were allowed to regenerate, it would be very difficult to obtain unused (or regenerated) suspension from the bottom of the container. 
     As noted above, industrial environments are typically dirty and messy. In addition to spills, it is not uncommon for a variety of other, extraneous materials to be found on a factory or shop floor, such as screws, bolts, machine parts and other items. Preferably, such items are disposed of in an appropriate manner. If such extraneous items are swept up with a conventional clay absorbent, these extraneous items are readily disposed with the used absorbent. 
     However, when using a microorganism suspension and seeking to reuse or recycle that suspension, it is important to remove these extraneous items from the suspension before reuse. Another problem is that the used suspension itself can agglomerate, forming clumps. It is necessary to break these clumps up before reusing the suspension. 
     Thus, a need exists in the art for a device for storing a suspension of petrophilic microorganism. 
     Due to the regenerating capabilities of the suspension of regenerating petrophilic microorganism, there is a further need for a device that allows used suspension to regenerate before it is reused, while permitting use of new, unused absorbent. 
     Yet further, a need exists for a device that filters out solid particles and breaks up or avoids use of clumped suspension particles. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention solves such problems and fills such needs in the art by providing a device for storing, dispensing and recycling a suspension of regenerating microorganism and a method according to which the suspension can be stored in the device and be allowed to properly regenerate for reuse. 
     Generally described, the present invention provides a first area for receipt and storage of new suspension, a second area in communication with the first area for receipt and storage of used suspension, and means for accessing said first area without disturbing the used suspension contained in said second area. 
     Described more particularly, a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a device for storing a regenerating microorganism comprising a storage area defining a rear surface. An interior surface extends from the rear surface to define two areas. An opening in the device for accessing the regenerating microorganism suspension from the first area is positioned below the point where the interior surface projects from the rear surface. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, a bottom surface is provided adjacent to the opening in the device. The interior surface projects toward a front wall and is disposed to meet two side walls. The interior surface terminates prior to reaching the front wall and the bottom surface of the device, thus forming a passage for the regenerating microorganism. A plurality of flanges are provided at or near the top of the device. The flanges support a screen cover. The screen cover acts as a filter to prevent solid particles such as screws and bolts from entering the interior of the device and also breaks up clumps of the suspension prior to entering the interior of the device. 
     In another embodiment, wheels are attached to the bottom of the device near the corners of the bottom surface. At least one receptacle is attached to the bottom, outside surface of a side wall for receiving a broom, or other cleaning implement. At least one collar, vertically aligned with the receptacle, may be provided for additional support for the broom handle or shovel handle. 
     The present invention also provides a method of using the device for storing the regenerating microorganism suspension, generally comprising the steps of pouring the suspension of regenerating microorganism into the device, allowing the suspension to pass through a first area defined by an interior surface within the device, removing a portion of the regenerating microorganism suspension from an opening defined in a second area below the interior surface, applying the portion of the regenerating microorganism suspension to absorb the contents of a spill, and sifting the used suspension while returning the used suspension to the device. The screen cover filters the replaced portion of the regenerating microorganism and breaks up any clumps that have formed. The present invention provides time and means for the replaced portion of the regenerating microorganism to regenerate, ensuring that new regenerating microorganism suspension is first removed from the device to be applied to a second or subsequent spill. 
     Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device to store a regenerating microorganism. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device for storing a suspension of regenerating microorganism that also allows used suspension time to regenerate. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a storage device for a regenerating microorganism suspension that allows a user to replace used suspension in a first area of the device and use suspension from a second area of the device to clean subsequent spills. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device that filters solid particles such as screws and bolts from entering the device when replacing used petrophilic microorganism. 
     It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a device that breaks up clumps of the suspension of regenerating microorganism before reuse. 
     Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a device for storing a regenerating microorganism embodying the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the device shown in FIG. 1, with the cover removed. 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the device for storing a regenerating microorganism with the cover removed. 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the screen cover of the device shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the device shown in FIG. 1 with broom and shovel. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 1 with doors. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now in more detail to the drawings in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a device  10  for storing, dispensing and recycling a regenerating microorganism embodying the present invention. 
     The device  10  provides a front wall  12 , two side walls  14 ,  16 , a rear wall  18  and a bottom surface  20 . The front wall  12  and the two side walls  14 ,  16  are attached to the edges of the bottom surface  20  and extend upward. The walls  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  are substantially vertical walls. The rear wall  18  is attached along the vertical edges at the top of the two side walls  14 ,  16  and may be of smaller dimension than that of the other walls  12 ,  14  and  16  for the reasons set forth herein. The side walls  14 ,  16  are slightly wider than the front wall  12  and rear wall  18  to form a substantially rectangular shaped device  10 . It will be appreciated that other shapes are within the purview, spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     The four substantially vertical walls  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  and the bottom surface  20  create an inlet  21  at the top of the device  10 . The regenerating microorganism is placed in the device through the inlet  21 . A door  22 , as shown in FIG. 6, may be used to cover the device  10  and prevent contaminants and moisture from entering the device, particularly when used in an industrial environment or outdoors. Also, in case a fire develops inside the device, the door  22  can be closed to limit the amount of oxygen entering the device. Hinges  23  located along any one wall of the device  10  connect the door  22  to the device and allow the door to be easily opened and closed. 
     A plate  25  is attached to the interior of the rear wall  18  at the bottom of the rear wall  18 , as shown in FIG.  3 . The plate  25  is substantially the same width as the rear wall  18  and extends in the interior of the device  10  at an angle towards the bottom surface  20  of the device  10 . It should be noted that the plate  25  need not be flat. The plate  25  extending in the interior of the device  10  does not reach the bottom surface  20  or the front wall  12  of the device  10 . 
     An opening  30  is defined in the device  10  as shown in FIG.  1 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the opening  30  is defined by the bottom of the rear wall  18 , the side walls  14 ,  16  and the bottom surface  20 . The opening  30  is thus positioned below the rear wall  18 , and just below the point where the plate  25  is attached to the rear wall  18 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the opening  30  is substantially the same width as the rear wall  18  and extends downward to the bottom surface  20 . The opening  30  may be of varying dimension, but is large enough to facilitate extraction of the suspension from the device  10 . An incline  32  in the bottom surface  20  of the device  10  extends from a portion of the bottom surface  20  adjacent to the rear wall  18  towards the opening  30 . 
     Preferably, a vertically sliding door  31 , as shown in FIG. 6, covers the opening  30  when the device  10  is not in use. The sliding door  31  prevents spillage of the suspension when moving the device  10  and also prevents moisture from entering the device. Brackets  33  located along the extended side edges of the rear wall  18  guide the sliding door during opening and closing. 
     As shown best in FIGS. 2 and 3, near the top of each wall  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  are short flanges  34  extending slightly into the interior of the device  10 . The flanges  34  extend perpendicularly from the walls. A screen cover  36 , as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, is used to cover the device  10 . A thin frame  38  surrounds the periphery of the screen cover  36 . The screen cover is placed on the device  10  so that the frame  38  rests on the flanges  34 . 
     Four wheels  45  are located on the bottom surface  20  of the device  10 , one at each corner. Two cylindrical receptacles  50  are attached to the bottom corners of the side walls  14 ,  16  adjacent to the front wall  12 . The receptacles  50  have a solid bottom surface but no top surface and are hollow. Two cylindrical collars  52  are attached to the top corners of the side walls  14 ,  16  vertically aligned with the receptacles  50 . The handle of a broom  54  is placed through one collar  52  and into the corresponding receptacle  50 . The handle of a shovel  56  is placed through the other collar  52  and into the other receptacle  50 . The broom  54  and shovel  56  are thus suspended from the side walls of the device  10 . It should be noted that the receptacle  50  and collars  52  can be of any suitable shape that would support the broom and shovel or any other cleaning implement. 
     The preferred device  10  may be initially filled through the inlet  21  with approximately ninety pounds (90 lbs.) of regenerating petrophilic microorganism suspension after removing the screen cover  36 . This fills the device  10  approximately 75% by volume. A portion of the suspension passes through a first storage area  70  formed by the plate  25  and thus defined by the plate  25  and the upper portion of the walls  12 ,  14 ,  16  and  18  as shown in FIG.  3 . The device  10  similarly defines a second area  72  below the plate  25 . The petrophilic microorganism may be stored in the device  10  indefinitely. The screen cover  36  may be replaced after filling the device  10  covering the inlet  21  so that the frame  38  of the screen rests on the flanges  34 . It should be appreciated that the device  10  would be useful for storing any type of regenerating microorganism. 
     In order to clean a hydrocarbon spill, such as an oil spill, the device  10  can be rolled to the spill using the wheels  45 . The shovel  56  or a scoop (not shown) is removed form the receptacle  50  and placed in the opening  30 . An appropriate amount of the suspension is removed from the second area  72  of the device  10  using the shovel  56 . The suspension is placed on the spilled item and allowed to absorb the contents of the spill. 
     The absorption process of the regenerating petrophilic microorganism suspension can be enhanced using the broom  54 . The broom is removed from the receptacle  50  and used to mix the suspension with the contents of the spill. The suspension may thus more quickly absorb the spilled item. 
     After the suspension has completely absorbed the spilled item, the broom  54  is used to sweep the used suspension into the shovel  56 . The used suspension is then replaced in the first storage area  70  of the device  10  by pouring it onto the screen  36  covering the inlet  21  of the device  10 . The replaced suspension filters through the screen cover  36  into the first storage area  70  of the device  10 . The screen cover  36  prevents solid particles of any type that may have been mixed with the suspension from entering the device  10  and also breaks up any clumps of suspension that have formed. 
     Subsequent spills are cleaned according to the above described method using suspension from the bottom or second area  72  of the device  10 . As this process is repeated, the replaced suspension works its way through the device  10 , from the first area  70  to the second area  72  for reuse. The positioning of the plate  25  in the interior of the device  10  creates a passage through which the replaced suspension passes when moving from the first area  70  to the second area  72 . The plate ensures that the suspension used is from the second area  72  of the device  10 , allowing the replaced suspension time to regenerate before reaching the opening  30  for reuse. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the device  10  is made of metal. The flat portion of the bottom is 18.5 inches wide and  20  inches long. The incline  32  is 4.5 inches long and 18.5 inches wide and extends upward at an angle of approximately 30° to 40°. The front wall  12  is 32 inches high and 18.5 inches wide and the rear wall  18  is 18 inches high and 18.5 inches wide. The side walls  14 ,  16  are 24 inches wide and 32 inches long along the front edge that connects with the front wall  12  and 29 inches long along the rear edge that connects with the rear wall  18 . The plate  25  is 18.5 inches wide and 18 inches long extending downward at an angle of about 67°. This creates gap of approximately 7 inches between the end of the plate  25  and the bottom surface  20 , forming the passage through which the suspension passes, when moving from the first area  70  to the second area  72 . 
     The flanges  34  extend one inch into the interior of the device  10 . The flanges located along the side walls  14 ,  16  are 18 inches long and the flanges located along the front wall  12  and the rear wall  18  are 16 inches long. The screen cover  36  is 23.5×17.5 inches. The frame  38  surrounding the cover is one inch thick. 
     It is to be appreciated that the spirit and scope of the foregoing invention can be accomplished using a variety of materials so long as such material is compatible with the microorganism suspension. It will be further appreciated that the device may be of any particular size and shape so long as constructed such that incoming new or recently-used suspension is directed away from the inlet and there stored for a sufficient period to permit regeneration of the microorganism. 
     While the invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiment, thereof, it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention as described hereinbefore and as defined in the appended claims.