GB2228751A

GB2228751A - Grease trap

Info

Publication number: GB2228751A
Application number: GB8902594A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Derek Humphries
Original assignee: Aco Polymer Products Ltd
Current assignee: Aco Polymer Products Ltd
Priority date: 1989-02-06
Filing date: 1989-02-06
Publication date: 1990-09-05
Anticipated expiration: 2009-02-06
Also published as: GB2228751B; GB8902594D0

Abstract

A grease trap comprises a removable bucket 13 for receiving waste material including a mixture of silt S, grease G and water W from an inlet 5. The bucket is provided with baffle means for retaining the grease which separates out of the mixture when within the bucket. The bucket comprises holes 16 spaced from an upper open edge 17 for permitting water to flow out of the bucket. The silt can collect at the bottom 18 of the bucket. Additional baffle means 22 are provided for impeding the progress of silt and/or grease not retained within the bucket. <IMAGE>

Description

GREASE TRAP This invention relates to grease traps, and in particular but not exclusively, to grease traps for connection to the waste pipe of hospital, school or restaurant kitchens.

Conventional grease traps consist of a tank having an inlet and an outlet, the top of the tank being removable for allowing access to within the tank for cleaning. A mixture of silt, grease and water flowing from the kitchen flows into the tank of the grease trap. Silt and any other solid material present in the mixture tends to sink and settle on the bottom of the tank, while grease contained within the mixture tends to raise to the top surface of the mixture within the tank. The tank is provided with one or more fixed baffle plates which extend at least from the top surface of the mixture to a level below the surface for impeding the flow of grease from the inlet to the outlet. There is therefore a tendency for the grease to separate out from the mixture and to collect at the surface of the mixture between the inlet and the first baffle plate.

Some separation can occur downstream of the first baffle plate. A trapped outlet prevents grease from downstream of the first baffle plate leaving the grease trap.

Owing to the collection of silt and grease within the grease trap, it is necessary periodically to clean the grease trap. The previously described conventional grease traps have the disadvantage that cleaning is messy and unpleasant since the entire contents of the tank need to be bailed out each time the grease trap is cleaned.

A further disadvantage with the conventional grease traps is that in cases where the flow rate of the mixture through the grease trap becomes high, there is insufficient time for the grease to separate from the mixture before the mixture reaches the outlet. A further problem is that the grease traps themselves, being made of metal, corrode and require replacement.

A further disadvantage with conventional grease traps is that they are difficult to install since the height of the inlet and outlet of the trap relative to the installation piping to which the trap is to be coupled must be within a predetermined range.

Consequently, if the height of the trap is not suitable for a particular installation, the grease trap must either be recessed into the ground or an independent supporting structure must be made in order to support the grease trap above the ground.

It is an aim of the present invention to overcome or at least alleviate the aforementioned disadvantages.

According to the present invention, there is provided a grease trap comprising a removable bucket for receiving waste material including a mixture of silt, grease and water, wherein the bucket is provided with baffle means for retaining grease separating out of the mixture within the bucket, and the bucket is configured for permitting water to flow out of the bucket and for allowing the collection of silt within the bucket.

The grease trap is preferably provided with deflector means for deflecting the waste material into the bucket. Baffles may be provided on the deflector means for slowing down the flow of the mixture and so assisting the separation of grease from the mixture.

The deflector means is preferably in the form of a shroud which prevents fast flowing mixture from flowing over the bucket.

In embodiments of the invention, the deflector means may be formed integrally with the removable bucket. The removable bucket preferably comprises one or more openings, spaced from the open and closed ends of the bucket, for enabling water to flow out of the bucket while providing for the retaining of grease and silt within the bucket. The bucket may be provided with a handle for facilitating easy removal of the bucket from the trap.

The grease trap is preferably provided with an outlet having an outlet trap for preventing escape of foul gases from the grease trap.

An additional baffle means may be provided for impeding the progress of silt and/or grease not retained within the bucket from the inlet to the outlet.

The additional baffle means is preferably removable for permitting easy cleaning of the grease trap.

The additional baffle means may be movable between a plurality of positions between the bucket and the outlet for enabling regulation of the flow of the mixture through the trap and for encouraging the trapping of grease and silt for a range of different flow rates f the mixture.

The additional baffle means may comprise one or Ire plates each of which are slidably locatable within ilots provided in the sides of the grease trap. At least ne of the plates may be dimensioned so as to extend 9..

the bottom of the trap to at least the highest ' < mixture within the trap, the plate having an opening between the top and bottom for permitting the passage of water to the outlet.

The plates may alternatively have the opening at the bottom instead of midway between the top and bottom.

An adaptor, which may be cut to size, may be provided for attachment to the top of the grease trap, the adaptor effectively extending the height of the sides of the trap so as to enable adaptation of the grease trap for a particular piping installation.

One or more of the grease trap, the bucket, the adaptor or the baffle means may be formed from polymer concrete.

Provision of the removable bucket in embodiments of the invention affords the significant advantage that silt and grease can be easily removed from the grease trap. The provision of adjustable additional baffle means enables regulation of the flow of the mixture through the grease trap so as to maximise separation of grease and silt from the mixture. The additional baffle means can impede the flow of mixture through the grease trap thereby providing more time for adequate separation of grease and silt to take place; the additional time enhancing the breakdown of grease by enzymes present in the mixture. Enzymes can be added simply by pouring them into the sink to which the trap is connected.

The adaptor, which can be cut to size to suit a particular piping installation, can eliminate the need to recess the tank within the ground or to construct an independent support for the trap.

Production of embodiments of the invention from a non-corrosive material such as polymer concrete can reduce manufacturing cost, increase lifetime of the grease trap and reduce the need for maintenance.

The invention will be further described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like elements, and in which: Figure 1 is a sectional elevational view of a first embodiment of the invention, taken along the lines X-X of Figure 2; Figure 2 is a plan view of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an end sectional elevational view taken along the lines Y-Y of Figure 2; Figure 4 is an end elevational view of a removable bucket of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 4a is a side elevational view of the bucket of Figure 4; Figure 5 is an additional baffle means which may be used in embodiments of the invention; Figure 6 is a part sectional and side elevational view of an adaptor according to the embodiment; and Figure 6a is a part plan view of the adaptor of Figure 6.

Figure 1 shows a grease trap comprising a tank having a base 1 and sides 2. An L-shaped rim 3 is fixed to the edges of the sides 2 at the top of the tank. The flange 3 defines a recess 4 for accommodating the periphery of a lid (not shown) for closing the open top side of the tank. The lid can be recessed to take tiles or other kinds of floor coverings.

An inlet 5 is provided close to the flange 3 at one side 2 of the tank. This inlet 5 is spaced from the base 1 by a distance which is greater than the distance between an outlet 6 and the base 1, which outlet 6 is provided on the opposite side 2 of the tank. The purpose of this differential in spacing is to establish a flow through the grease trap from the inlet 5 to the outlet 6.

The inlet 5 is provided with an annular recess 7 for receiving a waste pipe 8 of a pipe installation. The pipe 8 may be the waste pipe, of, for example, a kitchen sink. Sealing engagement is established between the end of the pipe 8 and the annular recess 7 by means of an O-ring 9 as illustrated in the exploded view A of Figure 1.

A trap 10 comprising a 900 bend is provided in the outlet 6. One end 11 of the trap is positioned so as to lie below the top surface of the mixture when the grease trap is in use. The trap is operative for preventing the escape of foul odours from the grease trap. The trap 10 is provided with a removable cap 12 or rodding eye for allowing access to be gained to any pipe installation connected to the outlet 6.

A removable bucket 13 is positioned at one end of the tank close to the inlet 5 for receiving waste material, which may comprise a mixture of water W, grease G and silt S, from the pipe 8. A shroud 14 is provided for deflecting the waste material into the bucket 13 as it leaves the pipe 8. Supporting feet 15 are provided on the bucket 13. The feet 15 can provide for accurate seating of the removable bucket 13 within the tank.

Baffles 14a (see Figure 4a) or bars may be provided on the shroud 14 for slowing the flow of the mixture and create turbulance at it passes into the tank.

The bucket is provided with openings 16 which are spaced from an upper open edge 17 and a base 18 of the bucket 13. While the mixture is within the bucket 13, the flow of the mixture is reduced which enables the grease G to float to the top of the liquid material within the movable bucket 13.

Silt S and other solid waste matter S falls to the bottom of the bucket 18 thereby allowing relatively uncontaminated water W to pass through the openings 16 to the main body of the tank.

The removable bucket is provided with a handle 19 for enabling the bucket to be lifted out of the tank so that the grease G and silt S within the bucket can Ke discarded clearly and conveniently.

Slots 20 are provided in the sides 2 of the tank for receiving plates of a further baffle means (see Fi sure 5). Further baffle plates may be inserted at one or more of the positions defined by the slots 20 for assisting the separation of grease and silt from fe mixture contained within the main body of the tans for regulating the flow of fluid through the tark Additional baffle plates also act as a throttle to slow down the flow of water through the tank. Additional baffles will therefore serve to assist the separation of grease from the mixture.

Figure 2 shows a plan view of the embodiment of Figure 1 which illustrates the seating of the removable bucket 13 within the main body of the tank more clearly. A seat 21 is provided around the sides 2 of the tank, which seat 21 is profiled so as to conform to the shape of the removable bucket 13. The seat 21 prevents lateral movement of the bucket within the tank but permits removal of the bucket from the tank for emptying. As can be seen from Figure 2, the shroud 14 is provided in the vicinity of the inlet 5, the handle 19 extending either side thereof for permitting easy handling of the bucket.

Figure 5 shows two possible forms of plate 22 which can act as a further baffle. The plates 22 comprise shoulders 23 which can be received by the slots 20 provided in the upper portion of opposing sides 2 of the tank. One of the plates 22 is provided with an opening 24 substantially midway between the top and bottom of the plate 22 for permitting passage of water through the baffle plate 22. Any grease escaping from the removable bucket 13 will tend to rise to the surface of the water contained in the main body of the tank and sediment will tend to sink to the bottom 1 of the tank. The other of the plates 22 is provided with its opening 24 at the bottom edge of the plate. A handle 28 can be formed towards the top of the plate.

The grease will be prevented from flowing to the outlet 6 by the upper portion of the plate 22, and the silt or sediment will be held from flowing to the outlet by the lower part of the plate 22.

The particular dimensions and configuration of the plate 22 may vary according to the operating conditions, which conditions are dependent on the installation to which the grease trap is connected. For Example, a different area of opening 24 could be provided so as to adapt the further baffle means to differing flow rates through the grease trap.

Figure 6 shows an adaptor 25 having a peripheral edge 26 dimensioned to silt within the recess 4 of the flange 3. The adaptor 25 has a flange 3a which corresponds to the flange 3 of the grease trap for receiving a lid so as to enable closing of the trap.

The height H of the adaptor 25 can be varied to a predetermined amount by cutting the adaptor 25 at an appropriate recess 27 provided in the side thereof. Positioning of the adaptor, cut to an appropriate size within the recess 4 of the main tank can allow the embodiment of the invention to be fitted to a variety of waste pipe installations. The height H of the adaptor is chosen so that the inlet 5 and the outlet 6 of the grease trap are at a height which is appropriate for drainage from the installation.

The main body (sides 2 and base 1) of the tank and the adaptor 25 may be made from a polymer concrete material for easy manufacture and durability. This kind of material is resistent to corrosion and can be cut easily to size with a standard grinding disc cutter.

Claims

1. A grease trap comprising a removable bucket for receiving waste material including a mixture of silt, grease and water, wherein the bucket is provided with baffle means for retaining grease which separates out of the mixture when within the bucket, and the bucket is configured for permitting water to flow out of the bucket and for allowing the collection of silt within the bucket.

2. A grease trap according to Claim 1, comprising deflector means for deflecting the waste material into the bucket.

3. A grease trap according to Claim 2, wherein baffles are provided on the deflector means for slowing down the flow of mixture and so assisting the separation of grease from the mixture.

4. A grease trap according to Claim 3, wherein the deflector means is in the form of a shroud which prevents fast flowing mixture from flowing over the bucket.

5. A grease trap according to Claim 4, wherein the deflector means is formed integrally with the removable bucket.

6. A grease trap according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the removable bucket comprises one or more openings spaced from the open and closed ends of the bucket for enabling water to flow out of the bucket while providing for the retaining of silt and grease within the bucket.

7. A grease trap according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bucket is provided with a handle for facilitating easy removal of the bucket from the trap.

8. A grease trap according to any one of the preceding claims comprising an outlet having an outlet trap for preventing escape of foul gasses from the grease trap.

9. A grease trap according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein additional baffle means is provided between the bucket and the outlet for impeding the progress of silt and/or grease not retained within the bucket.

10. A grease trap according to Claim 9, wherein the additional baffle means is removable for easy cleaning of the grease trap.

11. A grease trap according to Claim 9 or Claim 10, wherein the additional baffle means is moveable between a plurality of positions between the bucket and the outlet for enabling the regulation of the flow of the mixture through the grease trap and for encouraging the trapping of grease and silt for a range of different flow rates of the mixture.

12. A grease trap according to Claim 9, Claim 10 or Claim 11, wherein the additional baffle means comprises one or more plates each of which are slidably located within slots provided in the sides of the grease trap.

13. A baffle means according to Claim 12 wherein at least one of the plates is dimensioned so as to extend from the bottom of the grease trap to at least the highest level of the mixture within the grease trap, the plate having an opening between the top and bottom for permitting of the passage of water to the outlet.

14. A grease trap according to Claim 12 wherein at least one of the plates is divisioned so as to extend from the bottom of the grease trap to at least the highest level of the mixture within the grease trap, the plate having an opening close to or at the bottom edge thereof for permitting the passage of water to the outlet.

15. A grease trap according to any one of the preceding claims comprising an adaptor, which can be cut to size, for attachement to the top of the grease trap, the adaptor effectively extending the height of the sides of the trap so as to enable adaptation of the grease trap for a particular piping installation.

16. A grease trap substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, or Figures 1 to 4 and 4a, Figure 5 or Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings.

16. A grease trap according to any one of the preceding claims formed from a polymer concrete.

17. A grease trap substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3, or Figures 1 to 4 and 4a, Figure 5 or Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A grease trap comprising: a removable bucket for receiving waste material including a mixture of silt, grease and water, wherein the bucket is provided with baffle means for retaining grease which separates out of the mixture when within the bucket, and the bucket is configured for permitting water to flow out of the bucket and for allowing the collection of silt within the bucket; and additional baffle means for providing, between the bucket and the outlet, means for impeding the progress of silt and/or grease not retained within the bucket.

9. A grease trap according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the additional baffle means is removable for easy cleaning of the grease trap.

10. A grease trap according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the additional baffle means is moveable between a plurality of positions between the bucket and the outlet for enabling the regulation of the flow of the mixture through the grease trap and for encouraging the trapping of grease and silt for a range of different flow rates of the mixture.

11. A grease trap according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the additional baffle means comprises one or more plates each of which are slidably located within slots provided in the sides of the grease trap.

12. A baffle means according to Claim 11 wherein at least one of the plates is dimensioned so as to extend from the bottom of the grease trap to at least the highest level of the mixture within the grease trap, the plate having an opening between the top and bottom for permitting of the passage of water to the outlet.

13. A grease trap according to Claim 11 wherein at least one of the plates is divisioned so as to extend from the bottom of the grease trap to at least the highest level of the mixture within the grease trap, the plate having an opening close to or at the bottom edge thereof for permitting the passage of water to the outlet.

14. A grease trap according to any one of the preceding claims comprising an adaptor, which can be cut to size, for attachement to the top of the grease trap, the adaptor effectively extending the height of the sides of the trap so as to enable adaptation of the grease trap for a particular piping installation.

15. A grease trap according to any one of the preceding claims formed from a polymer concrete.