Apparatus for Removing Solids and Recovering Fats or Oils from the Waste Water of Sinks or from other Waste Liquids.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 1st May, 1899
Complete Specification Left, 19th Feb., 1900-Accepted, 7th Apr., 1900
Apparatus for Removing Solids and Recovering Fats or Oils from the
Waste Water of Sinks or from other Waste Liquids.
I, JAMES ASHDOWN, of No. 22, Clarence Street, Prahran, in the Colony of
Victoria, Plumber, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The greasy matter such as oil or fat usually lost with the discharge waters
from kitchen sinks or from other sources is found to be of commercial value it
being useful for domestic purposes and also vendable to soap manufacturers:
such being the case I have devised a means of saving the grease. My inven-
tion also prevents solid and injurious greasy matter entering the drain pipes,
thus avoiding the expense of repairs.
The invention consists of two vessels preferably of more or less rectangular
form one of which is arranged to fit upon the top of the other. The upper
vessel is divided into two compartments a large and small one by a division
plate which extends to near its top. The bottom of the small compartment is
perforated throughout the bottoni of the larger compartment has perforations
at one end only and this compartment has also a false bottom set above that
last described and which is perforated throughout its length except a portion
above the perforations near the end of the bottom plate.
The water containing the grease is conducted on to the solid portion of the
false bottom of the large compartment and passes on to and through the perfo-
rations and into the recess formed between the bottom and the false bottom and
passes out by the perforations in the bottom plate into the chamber beneath.
Any solid matter entering the apparatus with the water will be held by the false
bottom and may be removed at will. Provision is made for any sudden overflow
of water, in enabling it to pass over the division plate aforesaid into the small
compartment and through the perforated bottom plate of same to an outlet pipe
in a chamber beneath.
The lower vessel is divided into a number of compartments, a compartment
being arranged beneath the perforations in the bottom plate of the upper vessel
and which compartment receives a removable box into which the water which
has passed through the aforesaid perforated plates enters. The division plate
forming this chamber and the top of the box which overlaps the division plate
being of less height than the bottom vessel so that the grease and liquid will pass
out of the said box into other divisions or compartments in the lower vessel,
whilst any heavy solid substance such as sand or grit which may enter the box
will be held by same and may be removed from time to time. The water con-
taining the grease passes out of the said box and is intercepted by a curved
laffle plate. The fat or oil will proceed down and beneath this plate to its oppo-
site side and will rise and pass over a dividing plate which extends from about
the water level of the vessel down towards its bottom. The water from the box
will pass down between this latter dividing plate and the division plate forming.

page_text: the box compartment and will pass into a compariment which has false bottom
plates, one inclining upwardly from the bottom to the centre of the other and
from the centre down to a vertical division plate a longitudinal opening being
formed between the top of the said inclined plates through which the water will
pass. From the latter declined bottom plate, a vertical plate depends, an open-
ing being left between such plate and the boitom of the vessel for the passage of
the water. Any grease which may have escaped thus far and circulates with the
water will be intercepted by the plates and will be free to rise and pass up to the
surface of the water through perforations which are provided along the declined
plate at the junction of same with the vertical depending plate aforesaid.
The perforated false bottom plate is as aforesaid connected with a vertical
division plate which latter extends to near the water level of the vessel, a free
passage for the water being left between the junction of these plates and the
hottom of the main vessel. Upon the top of the vertical division plate a trans-
verse gutter or channel is formed and which has its front edge at or slightly
above the water level and its back edge projecting to a higher level.
The water passes from the recess formed by the false hotfom plates aforesaid
into the next compartment and along an inclined plate and around a V plate
and between same and a corresponding declined plate which latter is connected
with a vertical division plate, a passage being left for the water beneath this
plate whence it passes info a narrow recess formed by said division plate and the
end plate of the vessel. The water after circulating around these plates and
being freed as far as possible from any fat or oil it may contain, will pass over
the end plate of the main vessel (which stops short of the top of same) into a
shallow compartment and away therefrom by means of an outlet pipe to a water
seal and the drain pipe.
The floating film of grease will pass along the water surface to the lip of the
channel or guffer described and into which it will he received and from which
be obtained.
it may
I employ the following appliance for removing and recovering the grease. A
curved pipe which will screw into the side of main vessel and communicate with
the channel, the normal position of this pipe being with its outlet opening at
the highest level. I provide means in conjunction with this pipe for raising the
plate which controls the level of the water in the lower vessel and which comes
into operation on the turning of the pipe. For this purpose the pipe near its
junction with the main vessel is provided with projecting pins the top one of
which forms a stop for a rod which slides in a sleeve connected with the main
vessel and which rod at its opposite ends is connected by a crank arm to a rod
which later extends across the main vessel, and has bearings in same, such rod
having also near each end short arms from which the movable plate controlling
the water level depends, guides being provided for such plate to move it. I
provide also a small hand lever which is centred to the main vessel and forms a
hold upon the top vertical pin of the curved pipe and so prevents the pipe being
turned accidentally or without first operating the catch lever. The normal posi
tion of the slide plate (ie, when the grense pipe is curved upwardly and stopped
by a catch lever) is at its lowest, level.
On operating the pipe to obtain the fat or oil the catch lever is raised, the
pipe is turned downwardly and the grease may be obtained in any vessel set
beneath. this operation of the pipe will cause its bottom pin to come in contact
with the movable rod so as to turn the cross rod and raise the slide plate and
hold same in such position till the outlet pipe is again moved so as to reutra
the parts into their normal position, as aforesaid. The effect of raising the slide
plate, and therewith the water level, will be that the floating fat or oil on the
surface will be caused to pass over the edge of channel so as to be at once put
into flowing line with the channel or gutter aforesaid.
I may employ a receiver which will fit upon the top rim of the grease channel
and depend into the water, such receiver being provided with a handle its object

page_text: being for the purpose of catching any grease that may be in the water in the
chamber beyond the grease channel and so that the grease may be directed into
the channel by raising the said receiver (by means of its handle) and so pouring
the grease into the channel.
The invention may with advantage be applied on a larger scale to the recovery
of fats and oils, the product of sheep or wool washing and to other like cases,
the water containing fats or oils being led to and passed through the apparatus
as herein described.
For the Applicant,
GEDGE & FEENY.
Chartered Patent Agents.
60, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C
Apparatus for Removing Solids and Recovering Fats or Oils from the
Waste Water of Sinks or from other Waste Liquids.
I. JAMES ASHDOWN. of No. 22. Clarence Street. Prahran, in the Colony of
Victoria, Plumber, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:—
The greasy matter such as oil or fat usually lost with the discharge waters
from kitchen sinks or from other sources is found to be of commercial value it
being useful for domestic purposes and also vendable in soap manufacturers.
such being the case I have devised a means of saving the grease. My inven-
tion also prevents solids and injurious greasy matter entering the drain pipes
thus avoiding the necessity and expense of repairs.
In order to make the invention clear I will refer in the following description
to the accompanying sheet of drawings in which—
Figure 1 shews a plan of the appliance with parts removed for the sake of
illustrating otherwise hidden parts
Figure shews longitudinal vertical section of same,
Figure side elevation of outlet pipe and
Figures 4 and 5 side views of outlet pipe in its two positions.
The invention consists of two vessels preferably of more or less rectangular
form one of which is arranged to fit upon the top of the other. The upper vessel
is divided into two compartments, a large one "A" and a small one "B," by a
division plate "C" which extends to near its top. The bottom of the small
compartment has a slot (or alternately is perforated throughout) the bottom
of the larger compartment has perforations at one end, and this compartment
has also a false bottom "D" set above that last described and which is per-
forated throughout its length, or formed of wire screening. represents handles
provided on same to facilitate removal when required.
The water containing the grease is conducted on to the screen "D" and passes
through same into the recess "E" formed between the screen and bottom of "A"
and passes out by the perforations in the bottom plate into a vessel beneath (to
be described). Any solid matter entering the apparatus with the water will be
held by the screen and may be removed at will. Provision is made for any
sudden overflow of water by enabling it to pass over the division plate "C"
aforesaid into the small compartment "B" and through the slot into a chamber
beneath.

page_text: The lower vessel is divided into a number of compartments, a compartment
being arranged beneath the perforations a in the bottom plate of the upper vessel
and which compartment receives a removable box "F" into which the water and
grense (which has passed through the aforesaid perforations) enters, f repre-
sents handles for removal of E. The division plate "G" forming this chamber
and the top of the box Fwhich overlaps top of division plate being of less
height than the bottom vessel the grease and liquid will pass out of the said box
into other divisions or compartments in the lower vessel, whilst any heavy solid
substance such as sand or grit which may enter the box will be held by same and
may be removed from time to time. The water containing the grease passes out
of the said box and is intercepted by a curved baffle plate E. The fat or
oil will proceed down and beneath this plate to its opposite side and will rise
and pass over a dividing plate ""which extends from about the water level of
the vessel down towards its bottom. The water from the box will pass down
between this latter dividing plate and the division plate "G" and will pass into
n compartment which has false bottom plates "K.L one inclining upwardly
from the bottom towards the centre and the other from the centre down to a
vertical division plate 7, a longitudinal opening being formed between the top of
the said inclined plates through which the water will pass. From the latter
declined bottom plate a vertical plate "M" rises, an opening being left between
the junction of these plates and the bottom of the vessel for the passage of the
water. Any grease which may have escaped thus far and circulates with the
water will be intercepted by the plates "K, L, 1," and will be free to rise and
pass up to the surface of the water through perforations which are provided
along the declined plate "L" near the junction of same with the vertical depend-
ing plate aforesaid. The vertical division plate extends to near the water level
of the vessel and upon the top of same a transverse gutter or channel "X" is
formed and which has its front edge n at or slightly above the water level and
its back edge a projecting to a higher level. The grease rising in and floating
on the surface of the water will form a film and pass over the edge » into the
gutter.
The water passes from the recess formed by the false bottom plates "K.L"
aforesaid into the next compartment and along an inclined plate which
latter terminates near a vertical division plate "P." a passage being left for the
water beneath this plate whence it passes into a narrow recess formed by said
division plate, and the end plate of the vessel. The water after circulating
around these plates and being freed as far as possible from any fat or oil it may
contain, will pass over the end plate "Q" of the main vessel (which stops short
of the top of same) and into a shallow compartment "R" and away therefrom
by means of an outlet pipe "S" to a water seal and away by the drain pipe.
I employ a curved pipe for removing and recovering the grease, the pipe
is received by a socket 7 set at side of vessel and communicates with the
channel N. this pipe is arranged to turn in its socket and has webs which
are held by locking piece hinged to socket frame: the normal position of this
pipe is with its outlet opening at the highest level. 1 may provide a slide plate q
to control the level of the water in the lower vessel and with any suitable means
of adjusting the level of same.
-
The top of "Q" is constructed at or adjusted to such height as to allow of a
skimming of the floating oil and grease by the gutter prior to overflow of the
liquid atQ."
The pipe is turned downwardly to obtain the grease and same may be arranged
to flow into any vessel set beneath.
The invention may with advantage be applied on a larger scale to the recovery
of fats and oils, the product of sheep or wool washing and to other like cases,
the water containing fats or oils being led to and passed through the apparatus
as herein described.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed. I declare that what
1 claim is:-
1. A chamber having perforations in its bottom plate and mounted upon a
larger chamber having a receptacle (placed beneath perforations), baffle and
division plates, and gutter with outlet opening therefrom substantially as and
for the purposes described.
2. In combination with the parts claimed in Claim 1, a pipe as "T" (which
communicates with gutter) set in socket as with means for holding it with its
outlet opening in a down position or upwardly substantially as and for the
purposes described.
"
3. In combination a chamber having two compartments formed by division
plate as C" one of which has an opening communicating with chamber beneath.
the other having perforations as a at its bottom and a screen as "D." a cham-
ber having receptacle as "F"set beneath perforations.-baffle and division
plates and a gutter as N" with outlet opening therefrom and division plate
as "Q" of a height to allow of overflow of water into chamber "R" substan-
tially as and for the purposes described.
"
4. The combination and arrangement of the whole of the parts substantially
as illustrated on the accompanying sheet of drawings and for the purposes
described.
Dated this 19th day of February 1900.
For the Applicant,
GEDGE & FEENY,
Chartered Patent Agents.
60. Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C.