Liquid vacuum apparatus and method

• US 20080289718A1
• Filed: 02/21/2008
• Published: 11/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gary Drew
• Original Assignee: Gary Drew
• Inventors: Drew, Gary
• Application Number:
  US12/070,762
• Publication Number:
  US 20080289718A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 141/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0014 with additional means or devices between nozzle and casing
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0038 with means for emptying the tanks
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 5/04 Cleaning by suction, with or without auxiliary action B08B9/035 takes precedence; suction cleaners A47L
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/08 Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 37/10 for special use for evacuating by absorption or adsorption F04B37/02; for evacuating by thermal means F04B37/06

Abstract

The various embodiments disclosed and pictured herein illustrate a liquid vacuum apparatus and method that is easy to operate, provides increased safety for operators, mitigates the risk of operator exposure to the liquid, and mitigates the risk of liquid spillage during and after the liquid is transported. As described herein, the liquid vacuum apparatus may be employed either with or without the connector, piping, and end piece; and if an end piece is used, it may take many different forms depending on the particular application.

Claims

1. A liquid vacuum apparatus comprising:

a. a storage tank 1;

b. a vacuum pump 2 fluidly connected to said storage tank 1 wherein said vacuum pump 2 reduces the pressure within said storage tank 1;

c. a flexible hose 9 fluidly connected to said storage tank 1;

d. a wand 10 fluidly connected to said flexible hose 9; and

,

e. an end piece 11 fluidly connected to said wand 10.

2. The liquid vacuum apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said storage tank 1 is insulated.

3. The liquid vacuum apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said wand 10 is insulated.

4. The liquid vacuum apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a filter is positioned between said end piece 11 and said storage tank 1.

5. The liquid vacuum apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a portion of flexible piping having a first and second end is attached to said storage tank 1 at said first end and said wand 10 is attached at said second end of said portion of said flexible piping.

6. A method of removing oil from a container comprising:

a. Generating a reduced pressure within a liquid vacuum apparatus, said liquid vacuum apparatus further comprising;

i. a storage tank 1;

ii. a vacuum pump 2 fluidly connected to said storage tank 1 wherein said vacuum pump 2 reduces the pressure within said storage tank 1;

iii. a flexible hose 9 fluidly connected to said storage tank 1;

iv. a wand 10 fluidly connected to said flexible hose 9; and

,

v. an end piece 11 fluidly connected to said wand 10;

b. Positioning said end piece 11 in the oil to be evacuated from the liquid container wherein said oil is at atmospheric pressure; and

,

c. Allowing the reduced pressure within said storage tank 1 to urge the oil from said liquid container into said storage tank 1.

7. The method of removing oil from a container according to claim 6 wherein said end piece 11 is removed from the oil in the liquid container and air is allowed to pass through said liquid vacuum apparatus for a period of time to ensure that all liquid is removed from said wand 10, hose 9, and piping 13.

8. The method of removing oil from a container according to claim 7 wherein said hose 9 may be disconnected from said piping 13 at said connector 12 without any spillage of liquid.

9. The method of removing oil from a container according to claim 6 wherein the oil is used food fryer oil 15 and said liquid container is a food fryer 14.

10. The method of removing oil from a container according to claim 9 wherein the oil is liquid having a temperature over 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

11. The method of removing oil from a container according to claim 6 wherein said storage tank 1 is insulated.

12. The method of removing oil from a container according to claim 6 wherein a filter is positioned between said end piece 11 and said storage tank 1.

13. The method of removing oil from a container according to claim 6 wherein a portion of flexible piping having a first and second end is attached to said storage tank 1 at said first end and said wand 10 is attached at said second end of said portion of said flexible piping.

14. A liquid vacuum apparatus comprising:

a. a storage means;

b. a vacuum means fluidly connected to said storage means wherein said vacuum means reduces the pressure within said storage means;

c. a conduit means in fluid communication with said storage means; and

,

d. an intake means in fluid communication with said conduit means, said intake means allowing intake of a liquid for containment and control of said liquid in said storage means wherein said liquid is at atmospheric pressure.

15. The liquid vacuum apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said liquid is used fryer oil 15.

16. The liquid vacuum apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said used fryer oil has a temperate above 300 degrees Fahrenheit and said storage means and said intake means are insulated to allow evacuation and maintain said used fryer oil 15 in a liquid state.

17. The liquid vacuum apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said used fryer oil has a temperate between 300 degrees Fahrenheit and 550 degrees Fahrenheit and said storage means and said intake means are insulated to allow evacuation and maintain said used fryer oil 15 in a liquid state.

18. The liquid vacuum apparatus according to claim 15 wherein a filtering means may be positioned at said intake means for particulate removal prior to storage of said liquid.

19. The liquid vacuum apparatus according to claim 16 wherein a filtering means may be positioned at said intake means for particulate removal prior to storage of said liquid.

20. The liquid vacuum apparatus according to claim 17 wherein a filtering means may be positioned at said intake means for particulate removal prior to storage of said liquid.