Patents by Inventor Bruce W. Kyles

Bruce W. Kyles has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11040895
    Abstract: A grease trap for separating waste from waste water that includes grey water and FOG includes a tank having a bottom and an interior volume. An inlet invert in the tank has a discharge end for discharging waste water into the tank, and an outlet invert in the tank has a drain end for removing grey water from the tank. A first baffle across the interior volume below the discharge of the inlet invert and above the drain end of the outlet invert has a hole allowing grey water to descend through the hole to a path under the first baffle to the drain end of the outlet invert. A second baffle across the interior volume above the discharge of the inlet invert has a hole allowing FOG to float through the hole in the second baffle to collect above the second baffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Thermaco, Incorporated
    Inventors: Francisco Javier Gonzalez, Zachary Michael Rubeor, William Charles Batten, Bruce W. Kyles
  • Patent number: 10830718
    Abstract: An apparatus for discriminating between liquids having differing thermal conductivities includes a thermally conductive substrate, a resistor and a thermistor mounted to the thermally conductive substrate. Two leads on the resistor enable a current to be passed through the resistor to generate heat, and two leads on the thermistor enable a current to be passed through the thermistor to generate a datum indicative of thermistor temperature. An electrical insulator encapsulates the resistor, the thermistor and part of the thermally conductive substrate. A remainder of the thermally conductive substrate may extend beyond the electrical insulator to provide a thermal path from the resistor and thermistor to a liquid in which the apparatus may be immersed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Thermaco, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan Robin Fischer, Bruce W. Kyles, William C. Batten
  • Publication number: 20200109067
    Abstract: A grease trap for separating waste from waste water that includes grey water and FOG includes a tank having a bottom and an interior volume. An inlet invert in the tank has a discharge end for discharging waste water into the tank, and an outlet invert in the tank has a drain end for removing grey water from the tank. A first baffle across the interior volume below the discharge of the inlet invert and above the drain end of the outlet invert has a hole allowing grey water to descend through the hole to a path under the first baffle to the drain end of the outlet invert. A second baffle across the interior volume above the discharge of the inlet invert has a hole allowing FOG to float through the hole in the second baffle to collect above the second baffle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Applicant: Thermaco, Incorporated
    Inventors: Francisco Javier Gonzalez, Zachary Michael Rubeor, William Charles Batten, Bruce W. Kyles
  • Patent number: 10526216
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for a grease trap for separating grease and solid waste from waste water. The grease trap includes a tank having a downwardly shaped bottom. An upwardly shaped baffle insert divides the tank into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. An outlet port near an upper part of the baffle allows waste into the upper chamber. An inlet invert in the tank receives incoming waste water, while an outlet invert removes water from the tank. A removable cover covers the tank and allows access for removal of accumulated grease and solid wastes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Thermaco, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Batten, Bruce W. Kyles, Kenneth Kaie Prochnau
  • Publication number: 20190137423
    Abstract: An apparatus for discriminating between liquids having differing thermal conductivities includes a thermally conductive substrate, a resistor and a thermistor mounted to the thermally conductive substrate. Two leads on the resistor enable a current to be passed through the resistor to generate heat, and two leads on the thermistor enable a current to be passed through the thermistor to generate a datum indicative of thermistor temperature. An electrical insulator encapsulates the resistor, the thermistor and part of the thermally conductive substrate. A remainder of the thermally conductive substrate may extend beyond the electrical insulator to provide a thermal path from the resistor and thermistor to a liquid in which the apparatus may be immersed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Applicant: Thermaco, Inc.
    Inventors: JAN ROBIN FISCHER, Bruce W. Kyles, William C. Batten
  • Patent number: 9932247
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for a grease trap for separating grease and solid waste from waste water. The grease trap includes a tank having a downwardly shaped bottom. An upwardly shaped baffle insert divides the tank into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. An outlet port near an upper part of the baffle allows waste into the upper chamber. An inlet invert in the tank receives incoming waste water, while an outlet invert removes water from the tank. A removable cover covers the tank and allows access for removal of accumulated grease and solid wastes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Thermaco, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Batten, Bruce W. Kyles, Kenneth Kaie Prochnau
  • Patent number: 9932732
    Abstract: A grease trap for separating waste from waste water includes a tank, an inlet in the tank for receiving incoming waste water, a pump discharge for discharge of grease from the tank and a cartridge fitting within the tank. The cartridge includes a pump that is housed in a lower portion of the tank for removing grease from the tank, a plumbing disconnect that provides a communication between the cartridge and the pump discharge when the plumbing disconnect is engaged and optionally terminates the communication if the plumbing disconnect is disengaged and a remote pumper interface distally connected to the pump discharge and including a releasable connection for a pumping truck hose. Methods for separating waste from waste water are also shown and described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Thermaco, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Batten, Bruce W. Kyles
  • Patent number: 9771711
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating FOG from grey water in an effluent includes a housing having a first end having two plumbing fittings and a second end having one plumbing fitting. A baffle mounted inside the housing at the second end forms a barrier to flow of liquid toward the plumbing fitting on the second end above a certain height, and allows the flow of liquid past the barrier toward the plumbing fitting on the second end below the certain height. A conduit allows flow of liquid from past the baffle to one of the plumbing fittings on the first end. A plug closes one of the three plumbing fittings, and leaves the other two plumbing fittings available for connection to plumbing from a source of effluent and an outlet for grey water, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Thermaco, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy Batten, William C Batten, Bruce W Kyles, Travis McBride
  • Patent number: 9700815
    Abstract: An economical fat, oil and grease removal assembly and method includes a container having a bottom, a top, at least one sidewall, an inlet and an outlet. The outlet is spaced above the bottom and below the top to define a static water level for liquid in the container. The container may include at least one divider. The container further includes a valve at an elevation such that F.O.G. floating on water in the container can flow from the container out through the valve when a valve control is engaged and opened. The assembly further includes an inlet baffle, an outlet baffle and a removable storage tank arranged to accept F.O.G. that is flowed out of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Thermaco, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Batten, Bruce W. Kyles
  • Patent number: 9671319
    Abstract: A fats, oils, and grease waste materials water sampling apparatus includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet, a floor to accommodate a sampling jar below the inlet and an open top. The floor in the housing includes a recessed bottom, the recessed bottom extending between the inlet and the outlet to facilitate receipt of a sample jar for fats, oils, and grease waste materials sampling. Systems and methods for the invention are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Thermaco, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Batten, Bruce W. Kyles
  • Publication number: 20150308094
    Abstract: A separator and method of its use for separating oil, grease F.O.G. from effluent has a control to avoid potential user errors. A skimming control causes skimming events to occur in accordance with presets that include a preset minimum skim setting above zero, a preset maximum skim setting below a continuous skim event. A user interface allows the user to select a user skim mode. The user skim mode settings include a programming cycle that directs a series of skimming events to occur at substantially non-repetitive times during a skimming event cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: Thermaco, Inc.
    Inventors: Randolph Batten, William C. Batten, Bruce W. Kyles
  • Publication number: 20140150877
    Abstract: An economical fat, oil and grease removal assembly and method includes a container having a bottom, a top, at least one sidewall, an inlet and an outlet. The outlet is spaced above the bottom and below the top to define a static water level for liquid in the container. The container may include at least one divider. The container further includes a valve at an elevation such that F.O.G. floating on water in the container can flow from the container out through the valve when a valve control is engaged and opened. The assembly further includes an inlet baffle, an outlet baffle and a removable storage tank arranged to accept F.O.G. that is flowed out of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Thermaco, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Batten, Bruce W. Kyles
  • Patent number: 8273255
    Abstract: An economical fat, oil and grease removal assembly and method includes a container having a bottom, a top, a sidewall, an inlet and an outlet. The outlet is spaced above the bottom and below the top to define a static water level for liquid in the container. The container includes at least one baffle extending downwardly to a level below the static water level. The container further includes a port at an elevation such that F.O.G. floating on water in the container can flow from the container out through the port when the liquid level in the container is raised above the static water level. The assembly further includes an inlet bridge, an outlet bridge and a storage tank arranged to accept F.O.G. that is flowed out of the container. A hub on the storage tank interfaces the container with the storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Thermaco, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Batten, Bruce W. Kyles, Randolph H. Batten
  • Patent number: 8252188
    Abstract: A separator for separating F.O.G. from an effluent that contains F.O.G. includes a tank, an inlet to the tank for receiving effluent that contains F.O.G., and an outlet to allow grey water to leave the tank. The tank has a size to enable stratification of a layer of F.O.G. present in the tank on water in the tank, and first and second thermocouples are positioned at differing levels in the tank. Conductors couple the thermocouples to sensors, and differing voltages in the thermocouples can be sensed to determine if the thermocouples are surrounded by F.O.G. or water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Thermaco, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Batten, Bruce W. Kyles
  • Publication number: 20110297626
    Abstract: An economical fat, oil and grease removal assembly and method includes a container having a bottom, a top, a sidewall, an inlet and an outlet. The outlet is spaced above the bottom and below the top to define a static water level for liquid in the container. The container includes at least one baffle extending downwardly to a level below the static water level. The container further includes a port at an elevation such that F.O.G. floating on water in the container can flow from the container out through the port when the liquid level in the container is raised above the static water level. The assembly further includes an inlet bridge, an outlet bridge and a storage tank arranged to accept F.O.G. that is flowed out of the container. A hub on the storage tank interfaces the container with the storage tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: William C. Batten, Bruce W. Kyles, Randolph H. Batten
  • Patent number: 8002139
    Abstract: A method of joining a thermoplastic tube to another tube includes orienting a thermoplastic tube within an outer tube, positioning a malleable band within the thermoplastic tube, and expanding the malleable band radially until a seal is formed between the thermoplastic tube and the outer tube. The invention may also be considered an apparatus including a first tube a second tube and a malleable band. The first tube contains a portion of the second tube. The malleable band is expanded radially, forming a seal between the first and second tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Thermaco, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Batten, Bruce W. Kyles
  • Patent number: 7997156
    Abstract: A F.O.G. water sampling apparatus includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet, a floor that slopes downward from the inlet to the outlet and an open top. A first insert placed in the housing for normal operation includes a pipe having end flanges making a friction fit within the housing and connecting the inlet and outlet and spanning above the housing floor. A second, substitute insert to receive a F.O.G. sampling jar has a floor that slopes downward from the inlet to the outlet and at the floor of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Thermaco, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Batten, Bruce W. Kyles, Randolph H. Batten
  • Patent number: 7854051
    Abstract: A container for receiving and holding effluent water containing oil/grease to be removed has sectional covers. A main sectional cover supports a partially immersed rotatable disk; a drive on the main sectional cover rotates the disk; a trough on the main sectional cover straddles the disk; and a blade on the trough scrapes a side of the disk, to direct oil and grease from the disk along the scraper blade along the trough for collection in a storage container. Efficiencies of construction of the sectional covers, disk and a sensor probe are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Thermaco, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Batten, Bruce W. Kyles
  • Patent number: 7828960
    Abstract: A separator for separating F.O.G. from an effluent that contains F.O.G. includes a tank, an inlet to the tank for receiving effluent that contains F.O.G., and an outlet to allow grey water to leave the tank. The tank has a size to enable stratification of a layer of F.O.G. present in the tank on water in the tank, and first and second thermocouples are positioned at differing levels in the tank. Conductors couple the thermocouples to sensors, and differing voltages in the thermocouples can be sensed to determine if the thermocouples are surrounded by F.O.G. or water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Thermaco, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Batten, Bruce W. Kyles
  • Patent number: D706902
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Thermaoc, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Batten, Bruce W. Kyles, Brad Forrest