WO2014068316A1

WO2014068316A1 - Liquid waste disposal container

Info

Publication number: WO2014068316A1
Application number: PCT/GB2013/052842
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephen John Cummins; Mark Dennis RODWELL
Original assignee: Transworld Group Limited
Priority date: 2012-11-01
Filing date: 2013-10-31
Publication date: 2014-05-08

Abstract

A disposable system for highly viscous waste liquid. The system includes a container and an absorbent material for absorbing and retaining the waste liquid. The container includes a main body 3 within which the absorbent material is located, and a collector 5 for holding a measured volume of waste liquid requiring disposal. The collector 5 is perforated for regulating the flow of the waste liquid held in the collector to the absorbent material. The perforations are sized and numbered to provide sufficient time for the collector 5 to be filled to the measured volume, prior to a substantive amount of the waste liquid being released. The captured waste is bound to the absorbent material and together with the container provides an ecological waste disposal solution.

Description

LIQUID WASTE DISPOSAL CONTAINER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001 ] The present invention relates to the disposal of waste liquid. In particular, the present invention relates to a disposal system for highly viscous waste liquid, for example waste hydrophobic liquids. As the disposal system is especially suited for waste cooking oils, it will be convenient to describe the invention in relation to that example application. It should however be understood that the invention is equally suitable for the disposal of other waste liquids, for example used motor oil.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Liquid waste, for example residual oil and liquefied fats from domestic cooking, is often disposed of by pouring the waste down a household drain or sink connected to the sewerage system. The disposal of liquid waste in this manner can lead to pipe blockages and is a major problem for authorities of sewerage treatment plants. Although sewerage treatment plants typically have sophisticated traps and filters to capture contaminants and pollutants, environmental damage to waterways often still occurs.

[0003] Another method of disposing of liquid waste includes pouring the waste into a sealed container and subsequently placing the container in the rubbish/garbage bin for collection by local authorities. The problem with this approach is that the collected rubbish is typically sent to a landfill site. Over time the container can degrade and allow the waste liquid to escape and to leach into the surrounding environment.

[0004] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a disposal system for waste liquid which overcomes or ameliorates at least one of the abovementioned problems. [0005] Any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not be taken as an admission that any of the material formed part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia or any other country on or before the priority date of the claims herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a disposable system for a waste liquid. The system includes a container and an absorbent material for absorbing and retaining the waste liquid. The container includes a main body within which the absorbent material is located, and a collector for holding a measured volume of waste liquid requiring disposal. The collector includes release means for regulating flow of the waste liquid held in the collector to the absorbent material.

[0007] The release means is preferably provided by at least a portion of the collector being perforated, thereby enabling waste liquid held in the collector to pass through the perforations and into contact with the absorbent material. In this respect, the absorbent material preferably lies underneath the collector such that the waste liquid is gravity fed to the absorbent material.

[0008] The perforations are preferably sized and numbered to provide sufficient time for the collector to be filled to the measured volume, prior to a substantive amount of the waste liquid being released, and to enable this release to occur within a user-acceptable timeframe. In this respect, the perforations are preferably sized and numbered to provide a bottom wall of the collector within an overall open area of between about 2 and 6%. The perforations are preferably sized between about 1 .2 and 1 .8 mm in diameter. More preferably, the perforations are sized between 1 .3 and 1 .6 mm in diameter, even more preferably about 1 .5 mm in diameter. The perforations may be spaced between about 3 and 7 mm apart. More preferably, the perforations are spaced between about 4 and 6 mm apart, and even more preferably 5 mm apart.

[0009] In one embodiment, the measured volume of waste liquid requiring disposal corresponds to the maximum holding capacity of the collector. In an alternative embodiment, a fill line is provided on the collector and the measured volume of waste liquid is reached when the waste liquid poured into the collector reaches the fill line.

[0010] The collector is preferably sized to at least partially fit within the main body of the container. Further, the collector is preferably supported above the absorbent material by contact with one or more inner walls of the main body. In this respect, the collector may further include one or more side walls extending upwardly and outwardly from the bottom wall of the collector with the side walls of the collector contacting with one or more of the inner walls of the main body. Further, the one or more inner walls of the main body may extend upwardly and outwardly from a bottom of the main body with the side walls of the collector substantially overlying the inner walls of the main body.

[001 1 ] The absorbent material is preferably oleophilic and may consist primarily of particulate derived from cones of a coniferous plant species, for example the plant species Pinus elliottii, comminuted to a mixture of particles, preferably fine particles. The container is preferably made of a biodegradable material, for example a plant based material such as bagasse.

[0012] In accordance another aspect of the invention there is provided a disposal system for a waste liquid. The system includes a container and an absorbent material for absorbing and retaining a waste liquid. The container includes a main body within which the absorbent material is locatable, and a collector for holding a measured volume of waste liquid requiring disposal. The collector includes release means for regulating flow of the waste liquid held in the collector to the absorbent material, wherein the container and absorbent material are made of biodegradable organic matter.

[0013] The present invention advantageously provides an organic solution to the disposal of waste liquids including, but not limited to, fats, greases, oils and other hydrocarbons. In this respect, the entire container together with the absorbent material with captured waste liquid provides an organic mass capable of biodegradation when placed in the natural environment.

[0014] Further, the disposal system of the present invention advantageously enables waste liquid poured into the disposal system to be measured such that the volume imparted is within the absorption capacity of the absorbent material, thereby avoiding saturation of the absorbent material. In addition, waste liquid can be rapidly poured directly into the collector of the disposal system and filled to a predetermined measured level before a substantive amount of the waste liquid drains from the collector. At the same time, the waste liquid is advantageously able to drain from the collector within a reasonable timeframe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention. The preferred embodiments should not be considered as limiting any of the statements in the previous section. In the drawings:

[0016] Figure 1 is a side perspective view of a container of the disposal system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0017] Figure 2 is a sectional side view of the container illustrated in Figure 1 ;

[0018] Figure 3 is a side perspective sectional view of the container illustrated in Figure 1 ; [0019] Figure 4 is a side perspective view of a container of the disposal system in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; and

[0020] Figure 5 is a sectional side view of the container illustrated in Figure 4.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021 ] Before proceeding to describe the invention further, it is important to note that various terms that will be used throughout the specification have meanings that will be well understood by the skilled addressee. The term 'absorb' as used herein means to take up or receive, and includes to 'adsorb'. When used in the context of the present invention, 'absorbing' encompasses both incorporating the liquid into the absorbent material and physically adhering or bonding molecules and/or ions onto a surface of the absorbent material (sometimes referred to as 'adsorbing'). The terms 'absorption' and 'absorbent' have corresponding meanings.

[0022] The term 'retain' as used in the context of the present invention means that the absorbent material does not leach or desorb a significant amount of absorbed liquid, i.e. not more than about 50 mg of liquid for every L of liquid adsorbed.

[0023] With reference to Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a container 1 of a disposal system for a waste liquid, for example a high viscosity waste liquid such as oil. The disposal system includes the container 1 and an absorbent material (not shown in the drawings) for absorbing and retaining waste oil. The container 1 includes a main body 3 into which a measured quantity of the absorbent material is located. The container 1 further includes a collector 5 for holding a measured volume of waste oil requiring disposal. The container 1 may further include a lid 7 for retaining the contents of the container 1 . [0024] Preferably, the collector 5 directly overlies the absorbent material contained in the main body 3. The collector 5 includes release means for regulating the flow of waste oil held in the collector to the underlying absorbent material.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the release means is provided by a series of perforations 9 in at least a portion of the collector 5. In this respect, the perforations 9 are preferably provided in a planar bottom wall 1 1 of the collector 5. The perforations 9 enable waste oil held in the collector 5 to pass out of the collector 5 and into contact with the underlying absorbent material in the main body 3. The perforations 9 are numbered and sized to provide sufficient time for the collector 5 to be filled to the measured volume, prior to a substantive amount of the waste liquid being released. At the same time, the perforations 9 enable the release of the waste liquid to occur within a user-acceptable timeframe, for example less than 30 seconds. These requirements can be obtained by providing the bottom wall 1 1 of the collector 5 with an open area of between about 2 and 6%, more preferably about 4%. With reference to Figure 3, the perforations 9 are about 1 .5 mm in diameter and preferably evenly distributed with adjacent perforations 9 being spaced about 5 mm apart. Although the desired percentage of open area in the bottom wall 1 1 could be obtained by increasing the diameter of the perforations 9, the waste oil tends to drain too quickly making it difficult for the collector to be filled with a measured volume of waste oil. In this respect, the measured volume held by the collector 5 may correspond to the maximum holding capacity of the collector 5. However, the collector 5 is preferably sized such that the measured volume held by the collector 5 is reached when the waste oil poured into the collector 5 reaches a fill line provided on one or more side walls 13 which extend upwardly and outwardly from the bottom wall 1 1 .

[0026] In another embodiment, the release means is provided by at least a portion of the collector 5 being porous. In this respect, the porosity of said portion should be low enough to provide sufficient time for the collector 5 to be filled to the measured volume prior to a substantial amount of waste liquid being released.

[0027] In yet another embodiment, the release means is provided by at least a portion of the collector 5 being porous and at least a portion of the collector 5 being perforated 9. In this respect, the porous portion and open area provided by the perforations 9 should collectively provide sufficient time for the collector 5 to be filled to the measured volume prior to a substantial amount of waste liquid being released.

[0028] The disposal system is preferably packaged for sale with the main body 3 of the container 1 pre-filled with a measured quantity of the absorbent material. This advantageously eliminates the need for users to manually handle the absorbent material prior to using the disposal system. The measured quantity of absorbent material is sized to absorb and retain at least the measured volume of waste oil poured into the collector 5. Preferably, the absorbent material is sized to absorb and retain an overall volume of waste oil which is a multiple of the measured volume of waste oil held by the collector 5 without becoming saturated. For example, the absorbent material may be sized to absorb and retain a volume of oil which corresponds to the collector being filled to the measured volume twice. Accordingly, if the amount of waste oil requiring disposal is less than or equal to the measured volume which the collector 5 can hold, the disposal system can be stored for re-use at a later stage when a further quantity of waste oil requires disposal. The disposal system can thereby be used multiple times before requiring disposal.

[0029] The collector 5 is preferably sized such that at least the bottom wall 1 1 of the collector 5 is located within the main body 3 of the container 1 . More preferably, the entire collector 5 is housed within the main body 3, above the absorbent material, by the upwardly and outwardly side walls 13 of the collector 5 abutting with the inner walls 15 of the main body 3. The inner walls 15 of the main body 3 and the side walls 13 of the collector 5 are preferably inclined at the same angle with the side walls 13 of the collector 5 overlying the inner walls 15 of the main body 3. The collector 5 is thereby wedged in the main body 3.

[0030] In order to use the disposal system, the lid 7 is first removed from the main body 3 of the container 1 . As mentioned above, the disposal system is preferably packaged for sale with the main body 3 of the container 1 prefilled with a measured quantity of the absorbent material. The disposal system is also preferably packaged for sale with the collector 5 positioned within the main body

3 above the absorbent material. The waste oil, for example waste cooking oil, is then poured into the collector 5 and filled to the fill line provided on the side wall 13 of the collector 5. The measured volume of waste oil passes through the perforations 9 under gravity feed and into the absorbent material.

[0031 ] The amount of absorbent material contained in the main body 3 is preferably sized such that the absorbent material can absorb and retain a volume of oil corresponding to the collector 5 being filled multiple times to the fill line provided on the side wall 13 of the collector 5. The lid 7 can then be placed on the main body 3 with the container 1 subsequently disposed.

[0032] The container 1 shown in Figures 1 -3 is dimensioned for use in the disposal of waste domestic cooking oils. The bottom wall 1 1 of the collector 5 has a diameter of approximately 95 mm and approximately 170 perforations having a diameter of about 1 .5mm. The perforations are also spaced about 5mm apart. This equates to the bottom wall 1 1 of the collector 5 having a percentage open area of about 4.5%. The container 1 depicted in Figures 4 and 5 is a larger version of the container 1 illustrated in Figures 1 to 3. The container 1 in Figures

4 and 5 is dimensioned to accommodate a greater volume of waste oil, for example, used motor engine oil. In both embodiments, the diameter of the perforations 9 together with the percentage open area in the bottom wall 1 1 advantageously enables the waste oil to drain from the collector 5 within an acceptable timeframe. For a collector 5 holding a measured volume of about 70ml of waste oil, this equates to a drainage time of within about 30 seconds. [0033] The absorbent material preferably primarily consists of particulate derived from the cones of a coniferous plant species, for example the plant species pinus elliottii, comminuted to a mixture of particles. Such a material is marketed in Australia and other countries under the trade mark Sokerol. It is preferred that the Sokerol absorbent material be limited to fine particulate matter with particles having a diameter of less than 3 mm to provide optimum absorption ratio performance.

[0034] The container 1 depicted in Figures 1 to 3 is dimensioned to accommodate 100 grams of an absorbent material, for example pre-filled Sokerol. This amount of Sokerol is sufficient to absorb and retain 140 ml of waste oil, which corresponds to the collector 5 being preferably filled to a 70 ml fill line twice. Although Sokerol is marketed as a 2lt:1 kg absorbent, a greater absorption tolerance level is factored in by using a 1 .4:1 ratio.

[0035] The container 1 is preferably made of a biodegradable organic material, for example the fibrous matter that remains after sugar cane has been crushed to extract juice during sugar cane processing. Such a material is commonly known as bagasse. In order to improve the container's ability to contain and hold waste liquid, a small percentage of synthetics and polymers may be incorporated into the bagasse.

[0036] As mentioned previously, the collector 5 is designed to fit and sit at the top of the main body 3. The collector 5 is dimensioned to match the internal top diameter of the main body 3 with matching angular walls ensuring that the collector fits tightly against the internal walls at the top of the main body 3. The collector 3 may also be provided with an oil resistant coating, if desired.

[0037] While the invention has been described with reference to waste cooking oil, the disposal system is suitable for other liquids including:

Diesel Fuel Petrol

Motor oils

Paraffin oils

Kerosene

Pentane

Varsol

Aviation Avgas

Aviation oils

Petroleum Ether

Cyclohexane

Bunker Fuel Oils

Heptane

Hexane

Light Oils

Crude oils

Benzene

Toluene

Xylene

Phenol (48% in Acetone)

Acetone

Butanol

Ethanol

Ethyl Glycol

Ethylene Glycol

Isopropanol

Methanol

Propanol

Carbon Tetrachloride Chloroform

Dichloromethane

Acetonitrile

Carbon Disulfide

Cutting Oils Silicone Oils (100cs)

Canola Oils

Corn Oils

Scintillation Liquid

All Cooking Oils

Carbon Tetrachloride

Catonic hand Cleaner

Chumshine

Cislin

Citric Acid Monohydrate

Copper (II) Sulphate 5 Hydraft

Cressian

Cyclo Power

Di- Ammonium iron (II) Sulphate 6 Hydrate

Di-Sidium Tetraborate

Diethyl Ether

Dimethyl Formamide

DTE 25 Oil Heavy

Ethanol

Fenitrothion

Folithion

Floorsafe Anti Slip cleaner

GPD

GPD5

Halosan

Handsan

HD 50

Hydrochloric Acid

Inhibited Descaling acid

Iodine indicator

Iodine lodate

Kieldahl Catalyst Tablets Selenium

Kwiksan Lead (II) Acetate

Liquid Caustic Soda

Liquid Smoke House Cleaner

Metal Bright

Methanol

Microcide

Mobil Clear 636

N-Hexane and Hexane Fractions

Nicontinic Acid

Orthosan

Petroleum Spirit 40-60 Deg

Phenolphalein

Polymeric disp 5

Polyphen 50

Potassium lodate

Potasium Iodide

Potassium Nitrate

Potassium Sulphate

ProtosolvQuatracide

Roundup

Royal Foam

Salvodine

Smoke House

Smoke House Cleaner

Sodium Hydroxide

Sodium Hypochloride

Sodium Thiosulphate5-Hydrate

Towerguard 3

Towerguard 450

Towerguard 5

Urea

Vanquish

Zerice S68 [0038] The disposal system of the present invention advantageously enables a consumer to take an unmeasured quantity of waste liquid, for example oil, pour the waste oil directly from a cooking pan/tray into the container 1 , and, on filling to the required capacity, deliver a measured volume of waste oil to the prefilled absorbent material.

[0039] The present invention dramatically improves the means by which small and medium volumes of waste oil, hydrocarbons and certain chemicals, can be removed from the environment as, once the pour is complete, the waste liquid is absorbed and is bound to the absorbent material, which through composting and bioremediation oil is further broken down into environmentally inert carbon sub- elements.

[0040] Moreover, with the main body 3, lid 7 and collector 5 being made of bagasse, together with the absorbent material preferably being a natural product, the disposal system of the present invention advantageously provides a total ecological waste disposal solution.

[0041 ] As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the essential characteristics of the invention, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments should not be considered to limit the present invention but rather should be construed broadly. Various modifications and equivalent arrangements are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A disposal system for a waste liquid, the system including:

a container and an absorbent material for absorbing and retaining waste liquid, the container including:

a main body within which the absorbent material is locatable, and a collector for holding a measured volume of waste liquid requiring disposal, the collector including release means for regulating flow of waste liquid held in the collector to the absorbent material.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the release means is provided by at least a portion of the collector being perforated, thereby enabling waste liquid held in the collector to pass through the perforations and into contact with the absorbent material.

3. A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the perforations are sized and numbered to provide sufficient time for the collector to be filled to the measured volume, prior to a substantive amount of waste liquid being released.

4. A system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the perforations are sized and numbered to provide a botom wall of the collector with an open area of between about 2 and 6 %.

5. A system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the perforations are sized between about 1 .2 and 1 .8 mm in diameter.

6. A system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the perforations are spaced about 5 mm apart.

7. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the measured volume corresponds to the maximum holding capacity of the collector.

8. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein a fill line is provided on the collector, the measured volume of waste liquid being reached when the waste liquid held by the collector reaches the fill line.

9. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the collector is sized to at least partially fit within the main body.

10. A system as claimed in claim 9 wherein the collector is supported above the absorbent material by contact with one or more inner walls of the main body.

1 1 . A system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the collector further includes a one or more side walls extending upwardly and outwardly from its bottom wall, said side walls contacting with the one or more inner walls of the main body.

12. A system as claimed in claim 1 1 wherein the one or more inner walls of the main body extend upwardly and outwardly from a bottom of the main body, said side walls of the collector substantially overlying the inner walls of the main body.

13. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the absorbent material is oleophilic.

14. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the absorbent material includes cones of a coniferous plant species comminuted to a mixture of particles.

15. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the container is made of biodegradable organic matter.

16. A system as claimed in claim 15 wherein the container is made of bagasse.

17. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the amount of absorbent material located in the main body is sized to absorb and retain an overall volume of waste liquid which is a multiple of the measured volume.