Automated biological growth and dispensing apparatus
First Claim
1. A batch process for delivering grease digesting bacteria to a drain trap of a drain in a restaurant comprising:
- providing a container having a base, a side wall extending upwardly from the base and an exit opening at a height above the base, providing a drain hose for flow under gravity from the exit opening to the drain,providing a fluid in the container at a height below the exit opening,the fluid including the grease digesting bacteria,growing the bacteria in the fluid in the container,providing an impeller in the container rotatable about an axis to discharge fluid impinging on the impeller,rotating the impeller for a period of time at speeds which create and maintain a standing vortex in the container with a height of the standing vortex being below the height of the exit opening, anddispensing fluid from the container to the drain by increasing the speed of rotation of the impeller to increase the height of the standing vortex to the height of the exit opening such that fluid above the exit opening exits the container via the exit opening and flows via the drain hose to the drain.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automated biological growth and dispensing apparatus utilizing a modular growing tank which is removable for replacement by another growing tank. Mechanisms for the delivery of air, water and/or nutrients are adapted to permit the growing tank to be readily coupled and uncoupled for easy and inexpensive replacement. Mechanisms for agitation may be integral and removable with the growing tank or may be adapted for a quick connection and disconnection with the growing tank. The growing tank may be disposable and each new growing tank may be provided as a sealed container including a starting amount of a biomass and/or nutrient.
38 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A batch process for delivering grease digesting bacteria to a drain trap of a drain in a restaurant comprising:
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providing a container having a base, a side wall extending upwardly from the base and an exit opening at a height above the base, providing a drain hose for flow under gravity from the exit opening to the drain, providing a fluid in the container at a height below the exit opening, the fluid including the grease digesting bacteria, growing the bacteria in the fluid in the container, providing an impeller in the container rotatable about an axis to discharge fluid impinging on the impeller, rotating the impeller for a period of time at speeds which create and maintain a standing vortex in the container with a height of the standing vortex being below the height of the exit opening, and dispensing fluid from the container to the drain by increasing the speed of rotation of the impeller to increase the height of the standing vortex to the height of the exit opening such that fluid above the exit opening exits the container via the exit opening and flows via the drain hose to the drain. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification