MXPA97002812A

MXPA97002812A - Automatic container for grease of waste

Info

Publication number: MXPA97002812A
Application number: MXPA/A/1997/002812A
Authority: MX
Inventors: F Steckler John
Original assignee: Darling International Inc
Priority date: 1995-08-17
Filing date: 1997-04-17
Publication date: 1998-02-01

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automatic container for the recirculation of waste grease, for being installed inside a place containing food preparation equipment, comprising: a tank having an upper part, a lower part, at least one wall side and a plurality of openings, said tank installed adjacent to a wall and inside a place containing food preparation equipment, liquid level sensing means mounted in the tank, said sensor means located to respond to a high level of liquid and to respond to a low level of liquid, an entry line for the transfer of waste grease to said tank, the entrance line mounted in one of the openings in the tank and connected to it, the opening is located in said tank at a level above the high level of liquid, a line of exit that passes through the wall of the place and that has a first end inserted into an opening in the This line of exit ends outside the place for connection to a tank truck, said line of exit having an entrance in the tank at a level below the low level of liquid, and a ventilation line that passes through the wall of the place and inserts into an opening in the tank and connects to it, the opening located in the tank at a level above the for the line of entry, and means connected to said line of output to control the access of the waste grease to the tanq

Description

AUTOMATIC CONTAINER FOR GREASE OF SPILL TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates generally to automatic containers and, in particular, to an automatic container for waste grease.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The waste grease generated by food establishments is recirculated by the classification industry. The prevailing method of collection by the smelter is via barrels and bulky containers located outside the food establishment. The waste grease is manually transported from the food establishment to the external collection device. This presents potential damage from burns caused by hot grease or slippery conditions caused by spilled grease. In addition, the exterior of the container can allow the contamination of the grease through rainwater and garbage as well as the stimulation of the theft of the grease before the reception by the melter. In addition, spilled grease can be an environmental pollutant. The present invention, a new automatic container for waste grease, minimizes all the problems described above.

COMMENT OF THE INVENTION The present invention is an automatic container for the reception of waste grease that is preferably located for reasons of convenience, safety and protection, within a food establishment, where the fat is generated. The automatic container comprises a tank, first and second liquid level sensors, associated level indicators, a thermostat and an internal heating element. The invention includes an inlet and outlet line with quick-connect couplings. The outlet line extends through a wall of the food establishment and ends in a quick coupling located outside the food establishment. In accordance with the present invention, the waste grease is collected in a fryer and periodically transferred through a filter pump, via the inlet line, to the automatic container. As the liquid increases in the automatic container, the liquid level indicators indicate an observer of the liquid level in the automatic container. When the tank reaches a predetermined level, a melting tank truck is connected to the outlet line and the automatic container is partially or completely drained of grease.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A more complete understanding of the present invention and its advantages can be had by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the automatic container for waste grease; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the automatic container for waste grease; and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the use of the automatic container for waste grease.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Reference will now be made to the drawings in which similar reference characters denote equal or similar parts throughout the three figures. Referring to Figure 1, the automatic container 10 for waste grease comprises a tank 11 having an upper part 12, a bottom 16 and either a side wall 14 or side walls 14 depending on the cross section of the tank. Inserted in the side wall 14 of the tank 11, there is a first liquid level sensor 22 with an associated external liquid level indicator 32, and a second liquid level sensor 24 with an associated liquid level indicator 34. A liquid level sensor model # M7700 from Madison Company and a model indicator # 25307 from Telemecan iq ue may be used. Additionally mounted to the side wall 14 is a thermostat 26 and inserted through the side wall 14 is a heating element 28. A heating element model # N45-028 of Carneo Manufacturing can be used. The automatic container 10 further comprises an outlet line 50 and a ventilation line 70 which, but it is not required, it is connected to the upper part 12 of tank 1 1. A filling line 40 is illustrated by being inserted into the side wall 14 of the tank 1 1, but alternatively it can be inserted into the top part 12. With reference to Figure 2, the automatic container is preferably located, for reasons of convenience, safety and security. protection, within a food establishment, where waste fat is typically generated 2, but not exclusively, in a fryer 80. Waste fat may include, but is not limited to, fat spent in a fryer. In the present invention, the entry line 40 further comprises a quick coupling 42 for receiving a matching coupling connected to a filling hose 60, in turn connected to the outlet of a filter pump 62. The outlet line 50 further comprises a portion 52 extending toward the tank 1 1 and ending near the bottom 16 of the tank, and a portion 54 extending through a forming wall 100 and ending in a quick coupling 58 located outside the food establishment. A shut-off valve 56, located between tank 11 and outlet coupling 58, prevents spillage and theft of waste grease 2. Vent line 70 extends from the top of tank 11 to vent the tank inside. of the establishment of food. Returning now to Figure 3, the method of operation of the automatic container 10 located in a food establishment 300 is illustrated. The waste grease 2 accumulates in the fryer 80. Periodically, the filter pump 62 transfers the waste grease 2. to the inlet line 40 via the filling hose 60 in the quick coupling 42. The waste grease 2 accumulates in the tank 11 through this procedure. As the level in the tank 11 increases, the liquid level sensors 22 and 24 and the liquid level indicators 32 and 34 indicate to an observer the level of the waste grease 2 in the tank 11. can connect an audio alarm signal (not shown) to the liquid level indicators 22 and 24 to help avoid overfilling of the tank 11. The thermostat 26 responds to the temperature of the waste grease 2 and through a connection of conventional power supply (not shown) operates the heating element 28 to maintain the temperature of the grease above a predetermined level to ensure its pumping capacity towards a melting tank truck 200. When the tank 11 reaches a predetermined level, the melting tank truck 200 is connected to the quick coupling 58, and the shut-off valve 56 is opened, thus allowing the waste grease 2 to be pumped from the tank 1 1 towards the truck c isterna melter 200. Although one embodiment of the invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the following detailed description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, but is capable of numerous modifications without departing from the scope of the invention. the invention, as claimed.

Claims

1. - An automatic container for the recirculation of waste grease, to be installed inside a place containing food preparation equipment, comprising: a tank having an upper part, a lower part, at least one side wall and a plurality of openings, said tank is installed adjacent to a wall and inside a place that contains equipment to prepare food; liquid level sensor means mounted in the tank, said sensor means located to respond to a high level of liquid and to respond to a low level of liquid; an entrance line for the transfer of waste grease to said tank, the entrance line mounted in one of the openings in the tank and connected to it, the opening is located in said tank at a level above the high level of liquid; an outlet line passing through the wall of the site and having a first end inserted into an opening in said tank and connected thereto, said outlet line terminating outside the place for connection to a tank truck, said line of outlet having an entry in the tank at a level below the low liquid level; and a vent line passing through the wall of the site and inserted into an opening in the tank and connected thereto, the opening located in the tank at a level above that for the entry line; and means connected to said outlet line to control the access of the waste grease to the tank. 2 - The automatic container according to claim 1, further including: a thermostat mounted to a side wall of the tank; and a heating element inserted in an opening in the tank, said thermostat connected to and operating said heating element. 3.- The automatic container according to the claim 1, wherein the entry line further includes: a quick-connect coupling for connection to a line from a transportable tank carrying the waste grease. 4. An automatic container for the recirculation of waste grease, to be installed inside a place containing food preparation equipment, comprising: a tank having an upper part, a lower part, at least one side wall and a plurality of openings, said tank being installed adjacent to a wall and inside a place containing food preparation equipment; liquid level sensor means mounted to said tank, sensor means located to respond to a high level of liquid and to respond to a low level of liquid; an entry line for transferring the waste grease to said tank, the entry line having a first end inserted in an opening in the tank and connected thereto, the opening located in the tank at a level above the high level of the tank. liquid, said inlet line having a second end with a quick connect coupling to connect to a line from a waste grease container; an outlet line passing through the wall of the site and having a first end inserted into an opening in said tank and connected to the same, the outlet line terminating out of place in a quick connect coupling to be connected to a tank truck, said outlet line having a portion inside the tank and terminating near the bottom of said tank, below the low level of liquid; a vent line passing through the wall of the site and inserted into an opening in said tank and connected thereto, the opening located in the tank at a level above the opening for the entry line; a thermostat mounted to a side wall of the tank; a heating element inserted into an opening in the tank, the opening located in said tank at a level below the low level of liquid; and means connected to said outlet line to control the access of the waste grease inside the tank. 5. The automatic container according to claim 4, where the liquid level sensor also includes an external level indicator. 6. - The automatic container according to claim 4, wherein the means for controlling include a shut-off valve located outside the wall of the place. 7. The automatic container according to claim 6, further comprising a plurality of liquid level sensors and external liquid level indicators inserted in the openings in the tank. SUMMARY An automatic container (10) for receiving waste grease (2) is preferably located, for reasons of convenience, safety and protection, within a food establishment (300), where the waste fat is generated. The automatic container (10) comprises a tank (11), first and second liquid level sensors (22, 24), associated liquid level indicators (32, 34), a thermostat (26) and a heating element. internal (28). The automatic container further includes an inlet line (40) and an outlet line (50) with quick connect couplings (42, 58). The outlet line (50) extends through a wall (100) of the food establishment (300) and terminates in a quick connect coupling (58) located outside the food establishment.