Integrated Apparatus and System for the Treatment of Waste Fluids and Drain Networks

Abstract

An apparatus for treating greasy waste fluids comprises a fluid inlet which receives the waste fluids, and a waste filtering device positioned downstream from the fluid inlet; the waste filtering device is so configured as to retain at least a portion of the particulate matters contained in the waste fluids. The apparatus further comprises a compartment which is so configured as to receive a slow-releasing grease treating formulation. Also, the apparatus comprises a fluid outlet positioned downstream from the compartment. Furthermore, the compartment is so positioned in a flow path defined between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet as to contact the waste fluids.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the appended drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing an apparatus for the treatment of greasy waste fluids according to a first non-restrictive illustrative embodiment of the present invention; the apparatus is shown mounted underneath the bottom of a sink tank and connected between the sink drain assembly and a drain P-trap;

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, taken from line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a three-dimensional exploded view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of an intake sub-assembly of the apparatus according to a non-restrictive illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional exploded view of the intake sub-assembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 a is an isometric view of a strainer basket of the intake sub-assembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 b is a plan view of the strainer basket of FIG. 7a;

FIG. 7 c is an elevational view of the strainer basket of FIGS. 7a and 7b;

FIG. 8 a is an isometric view of a filtering basket frame according to a non-restrictive illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 b shows a web mounting ring for installation on the frame of FIG. 8a;

FIG. 8 c is a cross-sectional view of the ring of FIG. 8b, as viewed from line 8c-8c,

FIG. 9 is a three-dimensional exploded view of an apparatus for the treatment of greasy waste fluids according to a second non-restrictive illustrative embodiment of the present invention, wherein an alternate component layout has been implemented, and mounting brackets have been added;

FIG. 10 a is an isometric view of an integrated system according to a third non-restrictive illustrative embodiment of the present invention, in which waste treating elements are incorporated between a false-bottom and a bottom of a reservoir;

FIG. 10 b is a front elevational view of the integrated system of FIG. 10a; and

FIG. 10 c is a cross-sectional view of the integrated system of FIG. 10b, as viewed from line 10c-10c.

Claims

1. An apparatus for treating greasy waste fluids comprising: a fluid inlet receiving the waste fluids;a waste filtering device positioned downstream from the fluid inlet, the waste filtering device being so configured as to retain at least a portion of the particulate matters contained in the waste fluids;a compartment so configured as to receive a slow-releasing grease treating formulation; anda fluid outlet positioned downstream from the compartment;wherein the compartment is so positioned in a flow path defined between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet so as to contact the waste fluids.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising an enclosure for housing the waste filtering device and the compartment.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the enclosure is made of chemical and bacteria resistant material.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the chemical and bacteria resistant material includes at least one element selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene and stainless steel.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, further comprising a reservoir so configured as to mount the enclosure thereto; the reservoir being so connected to the fluid inlet as to supply waste fluids thereto.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the reservoir is fluidly connected to the fluid inlet through a reservoir drain outlet.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the reservoir includes a sink mounting assembly interconnecting the reservoir drain outlet and the fluid inlet.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the enclosure further includes an access door, so configured and sized as to give access to the waste filtering device and the compartment.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a support frame so configured as to support the waste filtering device.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein the waste filtering device includes a filtering basket covered with a filtering medium, so configured as to retain at least a portion of the particulate matters of the waste fluids.

11. An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the filtering medium is stretchable.

12. An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the filtering medium is removable.

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the filtering medium includes a web.

14. An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the filtering basket is so sized as to hold about 5 kg of particulate matters.

15. An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the filtering basket includes a resilient resonating frame so configured as to receive the filtering medium in a stretched manner.

16. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the compartment includes a removable tray.

17. An apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein the removable tray includes a plurality of openings.

18. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the compartment is located downstream from the filtering device.

19. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the slow-releasing grease treating formulation includes a slow-dissolving bio-cake.

20. An apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein the slow-dissolving bio-cake comprises: a) an active bacterial strain;b) a cleaning agent; andc) a filling agent.

21. An apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein the bio-cake further comprises a nutrient.

22. An apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein the cleaning agent comprises a surfactant.

23. An apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein the bacterial strain is active at room temperature.

24. An apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein the bacterial strain biodegrades greasy waste fluids.

25. An apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein the bacterial strain is of the Bacillus genus.

26. An apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein the bacterial strain is of the Pseudomonas genus.

27. An apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein the bacterial strain is of the Paenibacillus genus.

28. An apparatus as defined in claim 25, wherein the bacterial strain is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus lichenformis, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus circulans, and mixtures thereof.

29. An apparatus as defined in claim 26, wherein the bacterial strain is selected from the group consisting of Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and mixtures thereof.

30. An apparatus as defined in claim 27, wherein the bacterial strain comprises Paenibacillus polymyxa.

31. An apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein the filling agent is selected from the group consisting of a preservation agent, a solubilisation agent, a thickening agent, an absorbent and mixtures thereof.

32. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, further comprising an inflow valve located downstream from the fluid inlet and upstream from the waste filtering device; the inflow valve being so configured as to selectively close the fluid inlet.

33. An apparatus as defined in claim 32, wherein the inflow valve includes a pivotable perforated plate assembly.

34. An apparatus as defined in claim 33, wherein the pivotable perforated plate assembly is connected to a valve actuating member accessible from outside of the enclosure.

35. An apparatus as defined in claim 32, further comprising a fluid deflector located downstream from the inflow valve and upstream from the waste filtering device.

36. An apparatus as defined in claim 35, wherein the fluid deflector includes a helix.

37. An apparatus as defined in claim 36, wherein the fluid deflecting helix is mounted to an axle, assembled to the inflow valve, and so configured as to rotate when hit by the waste fluid flow coming from the inflow valve.

38. A system for treating greasy waste fluids, comprising: a reservoir having a drain assembly; andan apparatus as defined in claim 1, fluidly connected to the drain assembly via the fluid inlet;wherein a) the fluid outlet is so configured as to be connected to a drain pipe network for fluid evacuation; b) a portion of the particulate matter present in the waste fluids flowing from the reservoir into the apparatus through the fluid inlet is removed by the waste filtering device and c) the waste fluids collect microscopic live organisms that biodegrade at least a portion of the grease matter contained therein.

39. A system for treating greasy waste fluids, comprising: a reservoir having a bottom provided with a fluid outlet and a false-bottom including a drain assembly;a waste filtering device mounted to the drain assembly via a fluid inlet; anda compartment so configured as to receive a slow-releasing grease treating formulation;wherein a) the fluid outlet is so configured as to be connected to a drain pipe network for fluid evacuation; b) a portion of particulate matters present in the waste fluids flowing from the reservoir to the drain pipe network is removed by the waste filtering device and c) the compartment is so positioned in a flow path defined between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet so as to contact the waste fluids.