Portable vacuum storage unit and method for use

• US 6,521,051 B1
• Filed: 04/06/2000
• Issued: 02/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Liquid Environmental Solutions Of Texas, L.P.
• Original Assignee: U.S. Liquids, Inc.
• Inventors: Lutich, Louis L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Snider, Theresa T.
• Application Number:
  US09/544,576
• Time in Patent Office: 1,048 Days
• Field of Search: 153/19, 153/53, 153/28, 152/481, 152/462, 134/21, 138/178
• US Class Current: 134/21
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 5/365 of the vertical type, e.g. tank or bucket type
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0028 Security means, e.g. float valves or level switches for preventing overflow
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0033 with means for recycling the dirty liquid
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0038 with means for emptying the tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 7/0042 Gaskets; Sealing means

Abstract

A liquids collection unit is provided for the collection of liquids, including spent grease in food preparation establishments. The unit includes a housing that surrounds a tank. Coupled to the tank are a suction hose and a motor, which creates a vacuum in the tank to draw liquid into the tank when the hose is disposed in liquid. The suction motor of the device is disposed on a detachable plate on the tank. Sensors located within the tank monitor the liquid level of the liquid in the tank. A down-tube from the detachable plate terminates in a dimpled protuberance in the bottom of the tank. A heating element disposed near the bottom of the tank provides for the circulation of liquids in the tank during periods when the liquids are being stored.

Claims

1. A liquids collection unit, comprising:

a housing having a hinged door on a surface of the housing;

a number of wheels coupled to the housing;

a tank within the housing;

a plate detachably coupled to the top of the tank and accessible through the hinged door of the housing;

a heating element disposed in the tank;

a conduit coupling the heating element to the plate;

a suction motor coupled to the plate;

a suction hose coupled to the tank and extending from the housing;

wherein the activation of the suction motor when the suction hose is disposed in a liquid causes liquids to be suctioned into the tank;

wherein the liquids includes at least oil; and

wherein the detachable plate permits the suction motor to be removed from the housing for service and to be replaced by a second detachable plate having a second suction motor coupled thereto.

2. The liquids collection unit of claim 1, wherein the heating element is in the form of a rectangular plate and includes two thermostats.

3. A liquids collection unit, comprising

a housing having a hinged door on a surface of the housing;

a number of wheels coupled to the housing;

a tank within the housing;

a plate detachably coupled to the top of the tank and accessible through the hinged door of the housing;

a suction motor coupled to the plate;

a suction hose coupled to the tank and extending from the housing;

wherein the activation of the suction motor when the suction hose is disposed in a liquid causes liquids to be suctioned into the tank;

wherein the liquids includes at least oil;

wherein the detachable plate permits the suction motor to be removed from the housing for service and to be replaced by a second detachable plate having a second suction motor coupled thereto; and

wherein the hose includes a handle and a liquids collection cup detachably mounted to the hose.

4. A method for collecting oil using a portable oil collection unit, comprising the following steps:

providing an oil collection unit, the oil collection unit comprising,

a housing;

a tank located within the housing;

a heating element disposed in the interior of the tank;

an external hose coupled to the tank and extending from the housing;

a detachable plate coupled to the tank;

a suction motor coupled to the detachable plate, wherein the suction motor is operable to create vacuum pressure in the tank and wherein the detachable plate and suction motor may be removed from the housing for servicing of the suction motor; and

wheels coupled to the housing;

positioning the housing near a source of oil to be collected;

placing the external hose in the source of oil to be collected; and

activating the suction motor to create a vacuum in the tank such that oil is suctioned into the interior of the tank for collection.

5. An oil collection unit, comprising:

a housing having a hinged lid;

a tank disposed within the housing;

a plate detachably coupled to the tank and accessible through the hinged lid in the housing;

a hose coupled to the top of the tank and extending through an orifice in the housing;

a suction motor coupled to the plate;

a down-tube coupled to an orifice in the plate, the down-tube extending into the tank and terminating in a dimple formed in the bottom of the tank;

a shutoff sensor disposed in the tank and operable to transmit a signal to cause the suction motor to cease operation when the tank is full;

a heating element coupled to the plate via a conduit and disposed in the tank;

wherein the activation of the suction motor causes oil to be suctioned into the tank when the hose is disposed in oil.

6. The oil collection unit of claim 5, further comprising an intermediate sensor disposed in the tank and operable to transmit a signal when the oil level in the tank has reached a defined liquid level.

7. The oil collection unit of claim 5, wherein the shutoff sensor causes electrical power to be cut off from the suction motor.