EP1811469A1

EP1811469A1 - Container for collecting used household oil

Info

Publication number: EP1811469A1
Application number: EP07380006A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Iker Jauregi Miranda; Ion Alvarez Biurrarena; Josu Perez Lopez; Sara Aldai Pozo; Felix Zugasti Teso; Eñaut Ruiz de Egino Berasategi; Amaia Duque Dehesa; Gorka Arechaga Urquiola
Original assignee: Arrasateko Udala
Current assignee: Arrasateko Udala
Priority date: 2006-01-13
Filing date: 2007-01-10
Publication date: 2007-07-25
Also published as: ES2303425B1; ES2303425A1

Abstract

Container for collecting used household oil, that comprises a first opening (4) through which receptacles (3) with used oil are inserted, a storage tank where said receptacles (3) are deposited, one storage facility (5) where empty receptacles (3) are stored, and a second opening (7) through which said receptacles (3) are provided. The container (1) also comprises an intermediate tank (8) where the receptacle (3) with used oil inserted into said container (1) is disposed, and one intermediate facility (9) where an empty receptacle (3) proceeding from said storage facility (5) is held, said tank (8) and said facility (9) rotating solidary with a shaft (10). Whereby the rotation of said shaft (10) causes the receptacle (3) with used oil in the intermediate storage tank (8) to be deposited in the storage tank, and the empty receptacle (3) in the intermediate storage facility (9) to be provided.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is related to containers for collecting used household oil, for its subsequent recycling.

PRIOR ART

Used household oil is a contaminating product, whereby if said oil is discharged through the main drains of a dwelling, for example, said oil contributes to the end contamination of waters and sub-soils. In view of this problem, ever greater use is being made of systems for recycling said used household oil, thereby stopping the contaminating effect of said oil. In order to recycle it, said oil is poured into special tanks provided accordingly, such as the one described in ES2239485A1 , for example. In said document, it is disclosed that the oil is discharged via a specific drain that leads to a tank that collects said oil. The introduction of tanks of this type involves a very high cost, which makes their implementation extremely difficult.
JP2002226007 discloses a container that is placed, for example, in supermarkets, and the user inserts a receptacle with used household oil into said container, for its subsequent processing.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a container for collecting used household oil, as defined in the claims.
The container of the invention comprises a first opening through which receptacles with used household oil are inserted into said container, a storage tank where said receptacles are deposited, at least one storage facility for storing empty receptacles, and a second opening through which said empty receptacles are provided outside. Said container also comprises an intermediate storage tank with at least one cavity for holding the receptacle with used household oil that is inserted into said container, at least one intermediate storage facility with at least one cavity for holding an empty receptacle proceeding from the storage facility, the empty receptacle being disposed outside.
The container also comprises a rotating shaft which, when a receptacle with used household oil is disposed in the intermediate storage tank, rotates in a specific direction when it is operated, said intermediate storage tank and the intermediate storage facility rotating solidary with said rotating shaft. Accordingly, the rotation of said rotating shaft causes the receptacle with used household oil disposed in the intermediate storage tank to be deposited in the storage tank, and an empty receptacle disposed in the intermediate storage facility is provided outside.
Therefore, when a user inserts a receptacle with used household oil into the container, said user is provided with a new empty receptacle stored in said container, thereby said user having a new receptacle available where storing used household oil at any time.
These and other advantages and specifications of the invention will be made clear in the light of the figures and of the detailed description of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the container of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the receptacle for the container of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 shows the intermediate storage tank in the container of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the inside of a first embodiment of the container of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 shows the cogwheel and the ratchet of the first embodiment of the container of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 shows the actuating means in the embodiment of FIG. 3, mounted on the storage facility in said container.
FIG. 7 shows the actuating means of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 shows a plurality of intermediate storage facilities 9 of the first embodiment of the container of FIG. 1, with the corresponding storage facility actuators.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the inside of a second embodiment of the container of FIG. 1, without an involving sheet involving the storage facility.
FIG. 10 shows a static base disposed under a bin for receptacles of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 shows an intermediate storage facility 9 of the second embodiment of the container of FIG. 1.
FIG. 12 shows an arrangement of a plurality of static bases disposed under bins for receptacles of the storage facility of FIG. 9.
FIG. 13 shows an involving sheet which involves the storage facility in the second embodiment of the container of FIG. 1.
FIG. 14 shows a tape for the second embodiment of the container of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the container 1 of the invention, employed for the collection of used household oil by means of receptacles 3, shown in figure 2, for its subsequent recycling. Said container 1 comprises a first opening 4 through which the receptacles 3 with used household oil are inserted, a storage tank (not shown in the figures) in which said receptacles 3 are disposed for their subsequent collection, a storage facility 5 in which empty receptacles 3 are stored and a second opening 7 through which said empty receptacles 3 are provided outside. Said container 1 also comprises an intermediate storage tank 8 with at least one cavity 80 which holds the receptacles 3 with used household oil that are inserted into said container 1 through the first opening 4, at least one intermediate storage facility 9 disposed below the storage facility 5, with a cavity 90 for holding an empty receptacle 3 proceeding from the storage facility 5, and a rotating shaft 10, said intermediate storage tank 8 and said intermediate storage facility 9 rotating solidary with said rotating shaft 10. In a preferred embodiment, the intermediate storage tank 8 and the intermediate storage facility 9 are substantially cylindrical, and the cavities 80 and 90 are arranged axially in said intermediate storage facility 9. In said preferred embodiment, the cavity 80 of said intermediate storage tank 8 comprises a substantially V-shaped surface, said cavity 80 holding solely receptacles 3 with used household oil with a substantially V shape.
When operating the rotating shaft 10 by means of a lever (not shown in the figures), for example, with a receptacle 3 with used household oil disposed in the cavity 80 of the intermediate storage tank 8, said rotating shaft 10 rotates in a specific direction causing said intermediate storage tank 8 to rotate in said specific direction, such that the receptacle 3 with used household oil disposed in said cavity 80 falls into the storage tank of said container 1 by means of a first slope 14. Likewise, said rotation of the rotating shaft 10 causes the intermediate storage facility 9 to rotate in said specific direction, the empty receptacle 3 disposed in the cavity 90 of said intermediate storage facility 9 being provided outside through the second opening 7, by means of a second slope 15 that communicates said intermediate storage facility 9 with said second opening 7.
The container 1 of the invention also comprises at least one storage tank sensing device 82 shown in figure 34 and which is attached to a structure 16 of said container 1 by means of a support 81, to prevent the intermediate storage tank 8 from rotating in the specific direction when there is no receptacle 3 with used household oil in said intermediate storage tank 8, the rotating shaft 10 being prevented from rotating in said specific direction. Accordingly, the dispensing of a receptacle 3 is prevented if an empty receptacle 3 with used household oil has not previously been inserted into said container 1. With the cavity 80 on the intermediate storage tank 8 empty, when a user operates the rotating shaft 10 causing said rotating shaft 10 to rotate in the specific direction, said intermediate storage tank 8 rotates in said specific direction, said storage tank sensing device 82 being inserted into the cavity 80 of said intermediate storage tank 8. If the rotation of said rotating shaft 10 in said specific direction continues to be actuated, a wall 80' of said cavity 80 comes into contact with said storage tank sensing device 82, said storage tank sensing device 82 preventing the intermediate storage tank 8 from continuing to rotate in said direction. The storage tank sensing device 82 may comprise, for example, a substantially wedge shape, such that if the rotation of the rotating shaft 10 is actuated in the opposite direction to that specified, said storage tank sensing device 82 is released from said cavity 80, resting on the outside surface 8' of said intermediate storage tank 8.
With a receptacle 3 with used household oil disposed in the cavity 80 of the intermediate storage tank 8, when a user operates the rotating shaft 10 causing said rotating shaft 10 to rotate in the specific direction, said intermediate storage tank 8 rotates in said specific direction, said receptacle 3 interacting with said storage tank sensing device 82, said receptacle 3 preventing said storage tank sensing device 82 from being inserted in said cavity 80, and therefore allowing said rotating shaft 10 to rotate in said specific direction. If the rotation of said rotating shaft 10 continues to be actuated in said specific direction, the receptacle 3 disposed in said cavity 80 is deposited in the storage tank in container 1.
The container 1 comprises a plurality of storage tank sensing devices 82 (preferably three) arranged on the intermediate storage tank 8 at different axial distances from the front of said intermediate storage tank 8, in order to admit only receptacles 3 with a predetermined shape. In the preferred embodiment, the receptacle 3 arranged to be inserted into the container 1 has a width that gradually decreases, taking as reference a lid 3' of said receptacle 3. Thus, if a receptacle 3 of a different shape is inserted, said storage tank sensing devices 82 are not released from said cavity 80, the rotation of said rotating shaft 10 being prevented.
The container 1 of the invention also comprises a storage facility actuator 91, 92, shown in figures 8 and 11 , for preventing the intermediate storage facility 9 from rotating in the specific direction whenever there is no empty receptacle 3 in said intermediate storage facility 9, the rotating shaft 10 being prevented from rotating in said direction. Accordingly, when there are no empty receptacles 3 in the storage facility 5 it is not possible for the receptacle 3 with used household oil that a user disposes in the intermediate storage tank 8 to pass through to the storage tank in said container 1, said user being able to recover said receptacle 3 with used household oil. When an empty receptacle 3 is disposed in the cavity 90 of said intermediate storage facility 9, said receptacle 3 cooperates with said storage facility actuator 91, 92 for allowing the rotation of said intermediate storage facility 9. With the cavity 90 on the intermediate storage facility 9 empty, when a user operates the rotating shaft 10 causing said rotating shaft 10 to rotate in the specific direction, said intermediate storage facility 9 rotates in said specific direction, said storage facility actuator 91, 92 inserting itself into said cavity 90. If further actuating is applied to rotate said rotating shaft 10 in said specific direction, a wall 90' of said cavity 90 comes into contact with said storage facility actuator 91, 92, said storage facility actuator 91, 92 preventing said intermediate storage facility 9 from continuing to rotate in said direction, said rotating shaft 10 being prevented from rotating in said direction.
With a receptacle 3 disposed in the cavity 90 of the intermediate storage facility 9, when a user operates the rotating shaft 10 causing the rotation of said rotating shaft 10 in the specific direction, said intermediate storage facility 9 rotates in said specific direction, said receptacle 3 cooperating with said storage facility actuator 91, 92, said receptacle 3 preventing said storage facility actuator 91, 92 from inserting itself into said cavity 90, the rotation of said rotating shaft 10 in said specific direction being allowed. If further actuating is applied to rotate said rotating shaft 10 in said specific direction, the receptacle 3 disposed in said cavity 90 is provided outside through the second opening 7.
In a first embodiment of the container 1, the storage facility 5 comprises a plurality of sloping cavities 51 arranged one over the other and separated by separators 51', where the empty receptacles 3 are stored in a row, as shown in figure 4. Said receptacles 3 are transferred from said sloping cavities 51 to a vertical cavity 52, passing from said vertical cavity 52 to the intermediate storage facility 9 when the cavity 90 of said intermediate storage facility 9 faces said vertical cavity 52. In said first embodiment, a ratchet 12 interacts with a cogwheel 11 attached to the rotating shaft 10 to prevent said rotating shaft 10 from rotating in the opposite direction to the specific direction, as shown in figure 5. When the ratchet 12 interacts with the cogs 11a of said cogwheel 11, the rotating of said cogwheel 11 in the specific direction is allowed, but the rotation of said cogwheel 11 in the opposite direction is prevented. In the preferred embodiment, the intermediate storage tank 8 comprises three cavities 80, said cogwheel 11 comprising three notched areas that correspond to said cavities 80. Accordingly, when the storage tank sensing devices 82 prevent said intermediate storage tank 8 from rotating in the specific direction, said ratchet 12 does not interact with the cogs 11a in any notched area, said intermediate storage tank 8 being able to rotate in the opposite direction to that specified. If, on the other hand, the storage tank sensing devices 82 allow the intermediate storage tank 8 to rotate in the specific direction, the ratchet 12 interacts with the cogs 11a on one of the notched areas, preventing said intermediate storage tank 8 from rotating in the opposite direction to that specified. The cogwheel 11 comprises at least one groove 11b and a wheel actuator 13 attached to the structure 16, said wheel actuator 13 comprising a wheel sensing device 13' which fits into said groove 11b. Said groove 11b is arranged in such a manner on said cogwheel 11 that when the wheel sensing device 13' fits into said groove 11b, the cavity 80 is facing the first opening 4, allowing a user to insert a receptacle 3 into said cavity 80.
In the first embodiment, the receptacles 3 are triangular shaped, whereby they may jam when they are disposed in the vertical cavity 52 and not pass through to the intermediate storage facility 9, and not being provided outside. In order to avoid this situation, each sloping cavity 51 comprises a hatch 53 which is opened to allow the passage of an empty receptacle 3 from said sloping cavity 51 to the vertical cavity 52. Said storage facility 5 also comprises actuating means 54 for each sloping cavity 51 shown in figures 6 and 7, said actuating means 54 allowing or not for the opening of the corresponding hatch 53, allowing or not for the passage of an empty receptacle 3 from the sloping cavity 51 corresponding to the vertical cavity 52. The actuating means 54 comprise a second rotating shaft 54a, a sensing device 54b and a semicircular piece 54c, said sensing device 54b and semicircular piece 54b being attached to the second rotating shaft 54a. When a receptacle 3 disposed in the vertical cavity 52 comes into contact with an actuating mean 54, said receptacle 3 acts upon the sensing device 54b causing a rotation of the second rotating shaft 54a. Said rotation causes the semicircular piece 54c to rotate, said semicircular piece 54c preventing the hatch 53 from opening. When said receptacle 3 ceases to be in contact with said actuator 54, said sensing device 54b rotates in the opposite direction causing the rotation of said second rotating shaft 54a and therefore of said semicircular piece 54c, allowing for the opening of said hatch 53.
In a first embodiment, preferably, the container 1 comprises three storage facilities 5, comprising one intermediate storage facility 9 for each storage facility 5. Thus, said container 1 comprises three storage facility actuators 91, each one of said storage facility actuators 91 interacting with one of said intermediate storage facilities 9 as it is shown in figure 8.
In a second embodiment of the container 1 of the invention, the store facility 5 comprises a vertical shaft 150 which rotates solidary with the rotating shaft 10 by means of transmission means (not shown in figures), and at least one substantially circular shaped bin for receptacles 151 which surrounds said vertical shaft 150, as it is shown in figure 9. Said bin for receptacles 151 is attached to said vertical shaft 150, rotating solidary with said vertical shaft 150. The bin for receptacles 151 comprises a plurality of radial compartments 151a where empty receptacles 3 are stored radially, said compartments 151a being separated between each other by means of a plurality of dividers 151b.
With reference to figure 10, a static base 152 is disposed under the bin for receptacles 151, said static base 152 being fixed to the structure 16 of said container 1. The static base 152 comprises an opening 152a through which an empty receptacle 3 of one of said compartments 151a is deposited in the intermediate storage facility 9, when said compartment 151a is disposed above said opening 152a.
In the second embodiment, preferably, the container 1 comprises a storage facility 5 with a plurality of bins for receptacles 151 disposed one over other, a static base 152 being disposed under each bin for receptacles 151, and one intermediate storage facility 9. Thus, said container 1 comprises one storage facility actuator 92 shown in figure 12, which cooperates with said intermediate storage facility 9, preventing said intermediate storage facility 9 from rotating in the specific direction.
The opening 152a of the most inferior static base 152 is facing the intermediate storage facility 9, empty receptacles 3 being deposited in said intermediate storage facility 9 through said opening 152a. Thus, the empty receptacles 3 of the most inferior bin for receptacles 151 are deposited in said intermediate storage facility 9, as the vertical shaft 150 rotates. With reference to figure 13, the static bases 152 are disposed in such a way, that the openings 152a of said static bases 152 are disposed in a substantially stepping manner. Therefore, the bins for receptacles 151 are emptied from top to bottom, being possible to deposit in the intermediate storage facility 9 the empty receptacles 3 disposed in the most inferior bin for receptacles 151.
In the second embodiment, the storage facility 5 is involved by means of an involving sheet 153 as it shown in figure 13. Said involving sheet 153 comprises an incoming opening 153a for each bin of receptacles 151, empty receptacles 3 being stored in the compartments 151a of said bins for receptacles 151 through the corresponding incoming opening 153a. The incoming opening 153a coincides with the opening 152a of the static base 152 disposed under the corresponding bin of receptacles 151, so that the storage facility 5 comprises a tape 154 for covering each opening 152a when empty receptacles 3 are being stored in said storage facility 5 through the corresponding incoming opening 153a. Said tape 154, shown in figure 14, is longitudinally displaceable with respect to its corresponding opening 152a, and the corresponding base 152 comprises a shaft (not shown in figures) which extends along all the width of the external end of said opening 152a, such that when said tape 154 is longitudinally displaced uncovering the corresponding opening 152a, said tape 154 rotates in one of its ends 154a with respect to said shaft. Said tape 154 comprises a limiting element 154b in said end 154a, said tape 154 staying subject to said end 154a by means of said limiting element 154b, when said tape 154 rotates with respect to said shaft.

Claims

Container for collecting used household oil, that comprises a first opening (4) through which receptacles (3) with used household oil are inserted into the container (1), and a storage tank in which said receptacles (3) are deposited, characterised in that it also comprises
at least one storage facility (5) where empty receptacles (3) are stored, and a second opening (7) through which said receptacles (3) are provided outside,
an intermediate storage tank (8) with at least one cavity (80) where the receptacle (3) with used household oil that is inserted into said container (1) is disposed,
at least one intermediate storage facility (9) disposed below the storage facility (5), said intermediate storage facility (9) comprising at least one cavity (90) where an empty receptacle (3) proceeding from said storage facility (5) is held, the empty receptacle (3) housed in said cavity (90) being provided to the outside, and
a rotating shaft (10) which, with a receptacle (3) with used household oil disposed in the intermediate storage tank (8), rotates in a specific direction when it is operated, said intermediate storage tank (8) and said intermediate storage facility (9) rotating solidary with said rotating shaft (10), whereby the rotation of said rotating shaft (10) causes the receptacle (3) with used household oil disposed in the intermediate storage tank (8) to be deposited in the storage tank, and the empty receptacle (3) housed in the intermediate storage facility (9) to be provided outside.
Container according to claim 1, wherein the cavities (80,90) of the intermediate storage tank (8) and of the intermediate storage facility (9) are arranged axially.
Container according to any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the cavity (80) of the intermediate storage tank (8) comprises a substantially V-shaped surface.
Container according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the intermediate storage tank (8) and the intermediate storage facility (9) are substantially cylindrical.
Container according to any of claims 1 to 4, which comprises at least one storage tank sensing device (82) disposed on the intermediate storage tank (8), which is inserted in the cavity (80) of said intermediate storage tank (8) to prevent said intermediate storage tank (8) from rotating in the specific direction when there is no receptacle (3) with used household oil disposed in said cavity (80), the rotation shaft (10) being prevented from rotating in said direction, a receptacle (3) with used household oil acting upon said storage tank sensing device (82) when said receptacle (3) is disposed in said cavity (80), such that the storage tank sensing device (82) is released from said cavity (80) allowing said intermediate storage tank (8) to rotate in said direction.
Container according to claim 5, which comprises a plurality of storage tank sensing devices (82) disposed on the intermediate storage tank (8) at different axial distances from the front of said intermediate storage tank (8), the axial arrangement of the storage tank sensing devices (82) being adjusted to the shape of the receptacle (3).
Container according to any of claims 1 to 6, which comprises at least one storage facility actuator (91,92) which is inserted into the cavity (90) of the intermediate storage facility (9) to prevent said intermediate storage facility (9) from rotating in the specific direction when there is no empty receptacle (3) held in said cavity (90), the rotation of the rotating shaft (10) in said direction being prevented, such that when an empty receptacle (3) is disposed in said cavity (90), said receptacle (3) prevents said storage facility actuator (91,92) from inserting itself in said cavity (90), said intermediate storage facility (9) being allowed to rotate in said direction.
Container according to any of claims 1 to 7, which comprises a cogwheel (11) attached to the rotating shaft (10) and a ratchet (12) that cooperates with said cogwheel (11) to prevent said rotating shaft (10) from rotating in an opposite direction to the specific one.
Container according to claim 8, which comprises a wheel actuator (13) and the cogwheel (11) comprises at least one groove (11b), such that when the wheel actuator (13) fits into the groove (11b) the cavity (80) of the intermediate storage tank (8) is facing the first opening (4).
Container according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the storage facility (5) comprises a plurality of sloping cavities (51) arranged one on top of the other where the empty receptacles (3) are stored in a row, said receptacles (3) being transferred to a vertical cavity (52) facing the intermediate storage facility (9), said storage facility (5) also comprising a hatch (53) for each sloping cavity (51) that is opened for allowing the passage of an empty receptacle (3) from said sloping cavity (51) to the vertical cavity (52), and actuating means (54) for each sloping cavity (51) disposed in said vertical cavity (52), such that when an empty receptacle (3) disposed in said vertical cavity (52) comes into contact with an actuating mean (54), said actuating mean (54) prevents the corresponding hatch (53) from opening, the passage of the empty receptacle (3) from the corresponding sloping cavity (51) to said vertical cavity (52) being prevented.
Container according to any of claims 1 to 10, which comprises three storage facilities (5) and three intermediate storage facilities (9), each one of said intermediate storage facilities (9) corresponding to a storage facility (5).
Container according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the storage facility (5) comprises a vertical shaft (150) which rotates solidary with the rotating shaft (10), at least one bin for receptacles (151) which surrounds said vertical shaft (150) and which is attached to said vertical shaft (150) rotating solidary with said vertical shaft (150), and at least one static base (152) disposed under the bin for receptacles (151), said bin for receptacles (151) comprising a plurality of radial compartments (151a) where empty receptacles (3) are stored radially, and said static base (152) comprising an opening (152a) through which an empty receptacle (3) of one of said compartments (151a) is deposited in the intermediate storage facility (9) when said compartment (151a) is disposed above said opening (152a).
Container according to claim 12, wherein the storage facility (5) comprises a plurality of bins for receptacles (151) disposed one above other and a static base (152) under each bin for receptacles (151), the opening (152a) of the most inferior base (152) being facing the intermediate storage facility (9), an empty receptacle (3) of the bin for receptacles (151) disposed above said base (152) being deposited in said intermediate storage facility (9), the openings (152a) of said static bases (152) being disposed in a substantially stepping manner, such that the bin for receptacles (151) are emptied from top to bottom.
Container according to any of claims 12 or 13, wherein an involving sheet (153) involves the storage facility (5), said involving sheet (153) comprising an incoming opening (153a) for each bin of receptacles (151) through which empty receptacles (3) are introduced in the compartments (151a) of the corresponding bin for receptacles (151).
Container according to claim 14, wherein the incoming opening (153a) coincides with the opening (152a) of the base (152) disposed below the corresponding bin of receptacles (151), the storage facility (5) comprising a tape (154) for each opening (152a), said tape (154) covering its corresponding opening (152a) when the empty receptacles (3) are being introduced in said storage facility (5).
Receptacle for the collection of used household oil, characterised in that it is arranged for being inserted into a container (1) according to any of the preceding claims.