MULTI-STAGE STORM DRAIN FILTER INSERT

Abstract

A multi-stage drain filter insert (10) comprises a first basket (14) installed in a drain (D) inlet (I). A second basket (20) fits inside the first basket and is installed therewith for debris in the water flowing into the insert to be collected in a bottom of the second basket. An absorption media in a pouch (26) installed in the second basket for removes hydrocarbons from water flowing into the drain through the insert. A filtration media in a pillow (24) installed in the first basket between the first and second baskets removes contaminants, including bacteria, from water flowing through the second basket into the first basket. As a result, debris and contaminants are substantially removed from water flowing from the insert into the drain.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Provisional patent application 61/305,341 filed Feb. 17, 2011.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

N/A

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to drain filters; and, more particularly to multi-stage storm drain filter inserts.

It is well-known that, over time, drains used for the disposal of rain water, for example, can become clogged with dirt and other debris carried by the water into the drain. Besides the resulting blockage, the clogged site can become a breeding ground for bacteria. To prevent these problems, filters have been installed in drains to trap the dirt, sediment, and other debris. This then allows the water to flow freely into and through the drain. Further, by periodically cleaning or replacing the filter, the chances of bacteria breeding at the site are significantly reduced if not eliminated altogether.

The present invention is directed at a multi-stage storm drain filter which is more effective than current filters in trapping and retaining debris, sediment, and other materials, significantly reduces the threat of theft of a filter, is low cost, and easy to maintain.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed to a storm drain filter having a plurality of filter inserts for removing various pollutants flowing into a drainage system. The filter comprises a dual stage filter whose first stage traps and retains larger debris flowing into the drain, and a second stage which traps fine sediments and particles. An absorbent media pouch is installed in the first stage to absorb hydrocarbons, and a second media absorbing pouch is installed in the second stage of the filter. The pouches include absorbent materials so that water flowing into the drain is exposed to two levels of filtration for hydrocarbons, metals, bacteria, and other materials. The result is that substantially clean water enters the drain after passing through the filter.

The dual-stage filter design and installation allows more metals flowing into a drain to be reclaimed for sale back to metal reclaimers.

The filter is low cost, and easy to install and maintain. For example, the pouches are reusable and recyclable so to lower the carbon footprint left on the environment.

Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects of the invention are achieved as set forth in the illustrative embodiments shown in the drawings which form a part of the specification.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a drain inlet for a sewer system illustrating the dual-stage drain filter insert of the present invention as installed;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the installed filter insert;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the filter insert; and,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the installation of the filter insert.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it will be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Referring to the drawings, a multi-stage drain filter insert of the present invention is indicated generally 10. Insert 10 is sized to be installed in the inlet I of a drain D beneath a grate G which covers the inlet. Water flow into and through drain D is indicated by the solid line arrows in FIG. 1. The drain, which empties into a drain or sewer system is found in a variety of locations including, for example, parking lots, service stations, car washes, industrial sites, restaurants, apartments or multi-family dwellings, and subdivisions. The water which flows into inlet I of drain D may carry a variety of contaminants including such matter as dirt, rocks, vegetation, debris, hydrocarbons (e.g., oil), and metal and plastic. In addition to these, the waste water may also contain bacteria. Multi-stage insert 10 has the capacity to remove substantial amounts, if not all, of these contaminants, including the bacteria, as the water flows through the insert. The result is that the water downstream from the insert is relatively clean.

With respect to FIGS. 1 and 4, to install insert 10 in the drain, grate G is first removed. Next, J-hooks 18 are anchored into sidewalls W of the drain using concrete anchor bolts inserted in holes H formed in the sidewalls. The spacing between the respective sets of holes corresponds to the width of a filtration basket 14. A basket 14 is supported in place by support rods 12 which are inserted through sleeves 16 formed along opposite sides of basket 14. The protruding ends of the rods are supported on the respective J-hooks 18 so to suspend basket 14 in place.

Filtration basket 14 comprises a second stage filtration basket of drain insert 10. Fitted within basket 14, when insert 10 is installed, is a first stage trash basket 20. Both filtration basket 14 and trash basket 20 are generally rectangular in size and shape and both have a closed bottom and an open top. Basket 14 is made of a poly-nylon open-mesh material. Further, woven nylon webbing support straps 21 extend up each side of basket 14 along the corners of the basket. Each strap 21 is sewn inside each corner seam of basket 14. An eyelet or loop is formed at the upper end of each strap, and as shown in the drawings, the protruding ends of the support rods 12 are inserted through the eyelets to prevent the corners of basket 14 from sagging when installed in the drain.

Basket 20 has sides made of a non-woven filter fabric. The bottom of the basket, however, is made of a woven geo-textile filter material. Basket 20 further has D-rings 22 located at each corner of the upper, open end of the basket. The D-rings are attached to snap hooks 23 located at the upper corner on each side of the min filter body. See FIG. 3.

The baskets are available in a number of sizes and which size is used is dependent upon the size of the drain in which insert 10 is installed. For drains of an unconventional size, baskets 14 and 20 are custom made.

A media pillow or pouch 24 is sized to fit into the bottom of basket 20 as shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, pillow 24 comprises a plurality of adjoining pillow segments each of which is filled with a filter media to absorb bacteria in the water flowing through filter insert 10. While six pillow segments are shown in FIG. 3, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that there could be more or fewer segments without departing from the scope of the invention. Further, the media with which pillow 24 is filled is site specific. In general, the media comprises a mixture of zeolite, pearlite, and granular activated carbon (GAC) together with other media, as appropriate.

In addition to media pillow 24, hydrocarbon screen pouches 26 are installed in trash basket 20. This as shown in FIG. 2. The pouches 26 are floatable pouches and are filled with a hydrocarbon absorbent media so the pouches 26 can filtering out hydrocarbons in the water flowing into drain D and through filter insert 10. As shown in FIG. 3, two pouches 26 are fitted into basket 20, the pouches being laid crosswise in the bottom of the basket.

Installation of filter insert 10 is as follows:

First, the holes H are drilled into the sidewalls of the drain inlet.

Next, a media pillow 24 is placed in the bottom of filtration basket 14.

Then, waste basket 20 is inserted into the open end of basket 14.

After that, the support rods 12 are fitted through the sleeves 16 formed in basket 14.

The D-rings 22 and the eyelet ends of the straps 21 of basket 14 are inserted onto the protruding ends of the support rods.

Next, the ends of the support rods are installed on the J-hooks 18 so to suspend basket 14 in the drain inlet.

Finally, the hydrocarbon absorbent pouches 26 are placed in the bottom of basket 20.

After the installation is complete, a baffle plate 28 is fitted on top of basket 14. The length and width dimensions of baffle plate 28 substantially correspond to those of drain inlet I. The baffle plate has a central, generally rectangular opening 30 in its top surface 32. The opening is placed over the center of insert 10 and the top surface of the baffle plate slopes inwardly from the outer margin of the baffle plate toward the opening. Accordingly, water flowing through grate G into inlet I is directed into the center of insert 10 and falls directly into waste basket 20, onto the pouches 26, through the bottom of basket 20 onto media pillow 24 and then through the bottom of filtration basket 14 into drain D.

If more water flows into the filter insert 10 than can immediately flow through the baskets and into drain D, it will start to backup in the insert. As it does so, the pouches 26 will float on the surface of the water collecting in the insert. Since oil sits atop any water, the pouches 26 are filled with hydrocarbon absorbent media, the pouches now absorb any oil with the water. Debris such as rocks, leaves, paper, etc. are collected in the bottom of basket 20.

Pillow or pouch 24 does not float. As such, as water flows downwardly through basket 14, it flows through the segments comprising the pouch and contaminants, including bacteria, in the water are absorbed by the media in pouch 24. Over time, this material will fill-up the insert, block water flow through it, and backup the drain. Accordingly, a maintenance schedule is established by which this material is periodically collected from the insert and the pouches 26 and pillow 24 are replaced with new ones. Or, after heavy rains, the maintenance procedure is performed as a matter of course.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects and advantages of the present disclosure have been achieved and other advantageous results have been obtained.

Claims

1. A multi-stage drain filter insert comprising:

a first basket installed in a drain inlet;

a second basket fitted inside the first basket and installed therewith for debris in the water flowing into the insert to be collected in a bottom of the second basket;

an absorption media installed in the second basket for removing hydrocarbons from water flowing into the drain through the insert; and,

a filtration media installed in the first basket between the first and second baskets to remove contaminants, including bacteria, from water flowing through the second basket into the first basket whereby debris and contaminants are substantially removed from water flowing from the insert into the drain.

2. The filter insert of claim 1 in which the absorption media is contained in a pouch which floats within the second basket as the water level rises so to absorb hydrocarbons floating on the top of the water.

3. The filter insert of claim 2 in which the filtration media is contained in a pouch which rests on the bottom of the second basket to remove contaminants as water flows out of the filter insert through the bottom of the second basket.

4. The filter insert of claim 1 further including support means for supporting the first and second baskets in the drain inlet.

5. The filter insert of claim 1 further including a baffle sitting over the top of the second basket, the baffle having a central opening through which water flowing into the drain inlet is directed into the top of the first and second baskets.