BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains generally to security locks and systems for tanks, drums and other receptacles for fluids, particularly grease and oil from restaurants and other cooking enterprises to be used to generate various commodities, including for example, biofuel.
2. Background of the Invention
Containers are used to store fluids, such as cooking oil and grease from restaurants and other enterprises, and people recycle the fluid to generate various commodities, such as biofuel, feedstock, cosmetics, and industrial compounds. However, other people steal the fluid from the containers. Unprotected fluid is subject to theft. The more available and visible the fluid, the more enticing it is to thieves. People have added lids to containers and those have been bent open by thieves. People have added locks to containers but those been broken and vandalized. People have added screens to the lids of containers and hinged locked lids, but those have been cut and otherwise broken into and liquid splattered when poured and made messes. Accordingly, there remains a need for improved security devices for such fluid storage receptacles. In light of the situation herein, it is an object of the present invention to provide improved security enabled receptacles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates the above mentioned deficiencies associated with the prior art.
More particularly, the present invention may be characterized as a fluid collection security device comprising a receptacle, a cover, a trough or plate and a locking arrangement.
The receptacle has walls around the sides and bottom. The side walls define a receptacle opening proximate the top of the receptacle. The interior of the receptacle defines a secured fill level proximate at least one side, below the top and above the bottom of the receptacle. The cover has a top and bottom whereby at least part of the bottom fits over the receptacle opening and the cover also defines a siphon opening. The secured fill level may be further defined at least 6 inches below the top of the receptacle.
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a trough having a top planar section and a bottom section comprising trough side walls connected to the top planar section. The trough fits within the receptacle opening with the bottom section proximate the secured fill level and connects to the receptacle at the junction of the top planar section of the trough and the side walls of the receptacle. At least one of the side trough walls comprises a first sloping wall extending from the top planar section to a bottom section of the trough at a downward angle. The bottom section defines a drain opening between the first sloping wall and at least one of the other trough side walls.
The drain opening also therefore defines a vertical drain plane extending along its length. The trough further includes a horizontal rail connected to a lower portion of a trough side wall and extending along and above the length of the drain opening and defining a rail opening smaller above the drain opening. The rail opening defines a vertical rail plane parallel to and horizontally offset from the vertical drain plane. The trough also includes a channel having at least two channel side walls and a channel bottom wall. One channel side wall is connected to a lower portion of a trough side wall. The channel extends along and below the length and width of the drain opening and defines a channel opening below the drain opening. The channel may further define a channel opening further defining a first opening on a first end of the channel bottom and a second opening on a second end of the channel bottom.
In another embodiment, rather than a trough, the present invention includes a plate comprising a flat plane section. The plate has a top and bottom and multiple sloping panels extending at common angles from the top of the plane section. The plate fits within the receptacle with the bottom of the plane section proximate the secured fill level. The plate connects to at least one side wall of the receptacle at the junction of at least one of the sloping panels between the top of the plane section and below the top of the receptacle. The plate defines a siphon opening in the flat plane section. The perimeter of sloping walls of the plate and the side walls of the receptacle also define multiple plate drain openings, wherein the multiple plate drain openings are less than or equal to ½ inches in diameter.
In any embodiment, the locking arrangement preferably comprises a nut, key and block that locks the block connected to the top of the cover or block plate connected to the plate proximate the siphon opening into a locked position covering the siphon opening and unlocks the block or block plate into an unlocked position not covering the siphon opening via the nut and key specific to the nut. The nut connects to a bolt in the block in the locked position and disconnects from the bolt in the unlocked position. The top of the nut defines a groove for the key. The key fits in the groove to secure the nut to the bolt and lock the block in the locked position and to unsecure the nut from the bolt to unlock the block in the unlocked position. The locking arrangement may further include a turn bar engaged with the key to connect and disconnect the nut from the bolt.
In one embodiment of the locking arrangement, the block comprises a pipe, bolt and box. The pipe has first and second ends and a side wall. The block may also include a pipe shroud. The pipe defines a pipe opening there through. The first end of the pipe is connected to the cover or plate proximate the perimeter of the siphon opening. The bolt is connected to the side wall of the pipe and extends beyond the first end of the pipe. The box has sides and a top and a bottom. The box defines a box bottom opening in the bottom and a box top opening in the top. The box bottom fits over the second end of the pipe and the top box opening fits over the bolt in the locked position and is separated from the pipe and bolt in the unlocked position.
In another embodiment of the locking arrangement, the cover or plate further defines hinge opening near a first side of the siphon opening and the locking arrangement comprises a block plate, hinge, bolt and pipe shroud. The block plate comprises a plane having a top and bottom and at least three block plate sides and defining a block plate opening there through. The hinge connects to the block plate on at least one block plate side and connects to the top of the cover or plate via the hinge opening, whereby the block plate can turn on the hinge from the locked position and the unlocked position. The bolt is connected to the top of the cover or plate near a second side of the siphon opening.
The block and block plate may further include a pipe shroud having first and second ends and defining a pipe shroud opening there through. The pipe shroud is connected at the first end to the top of the box of the block or the block plate proximate the top box opening or block plate opening. The second end extends at least to the nut in the locked position.
These, as well as other advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description and drawings. It is understood that changes in the specific structure shown and described may be made within the scope of the claims (e.g., different sizes and shapes), without departing from the spirit of the invention.
While the apparatus and method has or will be described for the sake of grammatical fluidity with functional explanations, it is to be expressly understood that the claims, unless expressly formulated under 35 USC 112, are not to be construed as necessarily limited in any way by the construction of “means” or “steps” limitations, but are to be accorded the full scope of the meaning and equivalents of the definition provided by the claims under the judicial doctrine of equivalents, and in the case where the claims are expressly formulated under 35 USC 112 are to be accorded full statutory equivalents under 35 USC 112.
The above-description sets forth, rather broadly, a summary of example embodiments of the present invention so that the detailed description that follows may be better understood and the contributions of the present invention to the art may be better appreciated. Some of the embodiments of the present invention may not include all of the features or characteristics listed in the above summary. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described below and will form the subject matter of claims. In this respect, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or as illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
The invention can be better visualized by turning now to the following drawings wherein like elements are expressed using like-referenced characters.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the remainder of this specification, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2B is a perspective view of an alternative first embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are respectively perspective, perspective and top views of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2A;
FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 2A and 3C;
FIG. 3E is a cross-sectional side view an alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 2A and 3C;
FIGS. 3F and 3G perspective views of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2B;
FIG. 3H is a cross-sectional side view an alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 2B and 3F;
FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views of a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative second embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 6A and 6B respectively top and side views of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 5;
FIGS. 6C and 6D are respectively perspective and top views of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B;
FIGS. 6E and 6F are respectively top and perspective views of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 5;
FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D and 7E are respectively perspective, side, side, top and bottom views of the locking arrangements of the embodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1, 2A, 4A, 4B and 5;
FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the locking arrangement shown in FIGS. 1, 4B, 6C, 6D and 7A-E;
FIGS. 9A and 9B are exploded views of the locking arrangement of the embodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS. 2B, 5, 6E and 6F;
FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E and 1OF are cross-sectional views of alternatives of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3C and 3F.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Initially referring to FIGS. 1 and 4A, these are exemplary receptacles (20, 220) of the present invention for fluids (e.g., cooking oil, grease, drippings, etc.) collected from restaurant and other food preparation services. Such waste and/or recyclable fluids are preferably kept away from customers and areas that must be kept clean, so, for example, the fluids are stored in containers in the back of the service facility, outside, away from the customers. The fluid is valuable in that it can be converted to biodiesels, biofuels, feedstock, cosmetics, and industrial compounds and other, without limitation, commodities. Thus, there is competition in commerce to collect such fluids for such purposes, and there are also thieves who break into the receptacles (20, 220) to steal the fluids for resale as or for commodities. The present invention is accordingly directed to fluid (e.g., grease, oil, biodiesel) collection security devices (10, 210) to facilitate such collection while deterring such theft. The present invention is presented in at least two primary embodiments directed to a tank receptacle 20 and a drum receptacle 220. FIG. 1 shows a tank receptacle 20 and FIG. 4A shows a drum receptacle 220. FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B and 3A-H are directed to the structure of the tank receptacle 20 embodiment. FIGS. 4A, 4A, 5 and 6A-F are directed to the structure of the drum receptacle 220 embodiment. For all embodiments (e.g., tank, drum, box, barrel, cylinder, silo, etc.), the present invention also includes at least two embodiments of locking arrangements for providing secured access to the content of the receptacle. FIGS. 7A-E and 8 show one such first locking arrangement 60 and FIGS. 9A and 9B show another such locking arrangement 260.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B, the fluid collection security device 10 of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The fluid collection security device 10 is comprised of a receptacle 20, in this case a tank, having walls 22 around the sides 23 and bottom 24. The side walls 22 define a receptacle opening 25 proximate the top 26 of the receptacle 20. The interior 27 of the receptacle 20 defines a reservoir. As explained in further detail below, the opening 25 provides space within which to fit the trough 40 though which fluid is drained into the interior 27 (aka reservoir) of the receptacle 20. The interior 27 of the receptacle 20 also defines a secured fill level 28 proximate at least one side 23, below the top 26 and above the bottom 24 of the receptacle 20 (shown for illustrative purposes in FIG. 2A via dashed line on the outside of the receptacle 20, but which is defined by the interior 27 or reservoir of the receptacle 20). In operation, the receptacle 20 is used to contain fluid (e.g., grease, oil), which may be added to the receptacle 20 through the receptacle opening 25 and particularly through the drain opening 45 of the trough 40 (and plate 110) as explained below. The fluid collection security device 10 prevents unauthorized access to siphon such fluid in the reservoir of the receptacle 20 below the secured fill level. That is, and as explained in more detail below, the draining opening facilitates pouring fluid into the receptacle 20 and prevents access to the reservoir to remove fluid, while the locking arrangement 60 facilitates secured access to remove fluid from the interior 27 of the receptacle 20 through the siphon opening 33 when unlocked and to prevents access to the interior 27 to remove fluid when locked.
As further shown in FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B, the fluid collection security device 10 includes a cover 30 having a top 31 and bottom 32 whereby at least part of the bottom 32 fits over the receptacle opening 25. The cover 30 preferably includes hinges 39 for movement of part or all of the cover 30 over the receptacle opening 25 between open and closed positions. The cover 30 also defines a siphon opening 33 (i.e., as shown, cover 30 includes the hinged portion that fits over the receptacle opening and the remaining portion that extends over the remainder of the top of the receptacle 20). The siphon opening 33 comprises a passage through the cover 30, which can take various shapes, such as a circle, square or semicircle (e.g., see FIGS. 8, 9A and 9B); the siphon opening 33 provides access to siphon fluid from the receptacle 20. For example, fluid in the reservoir of the receptacle 20 can be collected via a pump using a siphon inserted into the siphon opening 33. The fluid (e.g., oil, grease, biodiesel) may be viscous and require substantial pumping power to remove. For example, this pumping power can be providing by an industrial siphon pump and a siphon tube (e.g., usually a pipe connected to siphon pump by a hose, or a suction attachment connected to a siphon pump by a hose, or a hose connected to a siphon pump). The siphon tube is typically of about 1 to 2 inches in diameter (e.g., 1½ inches in diameter), although different sizes can be used. The siphon opening 33 must at least be larger in diameter than the siphon tube diameter. The siphon tube is typically formed of a pipe or non-flexible material at the end that inserts through the siphon opening 33. For example, to harvest the fluid in the receptacle 20, a truck with a siphon pump is pulled close to the receptacle 20, the siphon tube is inserted into the siphon opening 33 and the fluid is pumped through the siphon tube back to a siphon pump reservoir on the truck. Preferably, the siphon opening 33 is at least 2 inches in diameter to provide ample access for siphon tubes and similar devices that can be used in connection with pumping fluid from the receptacle 20, although different sizes can be used.
As also shown in FIG. 1, and described in more detail with reference to other figures (e.g., FIGS. 7A-E, 8 and 9A-B), the fluid collection security device 10 of the embodiment shown includes a locking arrangement 60 lockably connected to the cover 30 over the siphon opening 33 (e.g., opening 233 shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B; in FIG. 7A, opening 33 is under first end 73 of pipe 70).
Given the purpose to store several gallons of fluid, the receptacle 20 (and 220 as well) and its components (including the locking arrangement 60) are preferably formed of metal components, such as sheet metal and steel plate material (e.g., 10, 12, 14, 16 gauge) connected by welds or mechanically connecting seams (e.g., without limitation, pressed, folded, heat molded sheet metal) and connectors (e.g., without limitation, rivets, nuts and bolts), although any suitable metal or other material and connections may be used. For example, the receptacle 20 shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A may comprise sheet metal components comprising the walls 22 and cover 30 and steel plate material comprising the locking arrangements (60, 260). The receptacle 20 shown can vary in size but is typically within 3 feet in height, 2 feet in width and 4 feet in length in dimensions, although other dimensions could be used depending on the amount of grease to be contained and the dimensions of the storage facility. It should be understood that the size, shape and relative dimensions of the receptacle 20 shown in the drawings are for exemplary purposes only.
As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and as shown in further detail in FIGS. 3A-H, the fluid collection security device 10 includes a trough 40 fitting within the receptacle opening 25. The trough 40 has a top planar section 41 and a bottom section 42 comprising trough side walls 43 connected to the top planar section 41. The trough 40 preferably further includes a trough edge 49 surrounding and connecting to the top planar section 41. As shown in FIGS. 3D and 3E, the trough edge 49 may further include lower planar sections connecting to and providing lateral support to the bottom section 42 of the trough 40. The bottom section 42 is proximate the secured fill level 28, e.g., the bottom section 42 prevents access to the grease in the receptacle 20 below the secured fill level 28. As explained in more detail below, the secured fill level 28 is preferably defined below the top 26 of the receptacle 20, such as six to eight inches below (e.g., FIGS. 2A, 2B for the tank embodiment (also see FIGS. 4B, 5 showing the drum embodiment)), to provide further security and theft prevention and to eliminate spillage and messes outside of the receptacle 20 when fluids are added to the receptacle 20. The trough 40 is connected to the receptacle 20 at at least the junction of the top planar section 41 of the trough 40 and the side walls 22 of the receptacle 20. The trough 40 is connected to the receptacle 20 so as to provide drain or pouring access to the interior 27 of the receptacle 20 below the secured fill level 28 via the trough 40 through the bottom section 42. As described further below, the bottom section 42 is structured to prevent access to the content of the receptacle 20 via a siphon tube or similar device to pump grease from the receptacle 20.
As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B and in further detail in FIGS. 3A-H, at least one of the trough side walls 43 comprises a sloping wall 44. As shown, such sloping wall 44 extends from the top planar section 41 to the bottom section 42 of the trough 40 at a downward angle. At the end of the sloping wall 44 and proximate another trough side wall 43, the bottom section 42 defines a drain opening 45 between the first sloping wall 44 and at least one of the other trough side walls 43. As shown in FIG. 2A and FIGS. 3A-E, the sloping wall 44 and trough side wall 43 can comprise two laterally opposed and opposite sloping walls 44 that merge close together at the bottom section 42 of the trough 40 to define the drain opening 45. As shown in FIG. 3D, such laterally opposed sloping walls 44 converge close together to define the drain opening 45 and end at approximately the same vertical distance below the top planar section 41. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3E, one sloping wall 44 extends further below the other sloping wall 44 (e.g., to define a drain opening 45 and further vary the path of access through and below the drain opening 45 from straight to crooked). As shown in FIG. 2B and FIGS. 3F-H, the sloping wall 44 and trough side wall 43 can comprise one sloping wall 44 and a vertical trough side wall 43 that converge close together at the bottom section 42 of the trough 40 to define the drain opening 45. In either case, the trough side walls 43 provide the form of the trough 40, its bottom section 42 and the trough side wall 43 surfaces that direct grease poured into the receptacle opening 25 to and through the drain opening 45 and into the interior 27 of the receptacle 20. As described further below, the bottom section 42 includes rails 46 and channels 50 to further facilitate draining fluid into the receptacle 20 while preventing access to such fluid in the interior 27 of the receptacle 20 below the secured fill level 28 via a siphon tube or other device.
As shown in FIGS. 3A-H, to provide further security to the fluid security collection device, and to prevent access to the content of the receptacle 20 by siphon tubes and other theft devices while allowing pouring access (e.g., by restaurant, kitchen personnel) to fill the receptacle 20, the trough 40 includes structure that minimizes the maximum opening from the trough 40 to the receptacle 20 through the bottom section 42 of the trough 40. This structure also precludes straight line path of access to the receptacle 20 through the bottom section 42 of the trough 40 and instead provides a crooked line path (e.g., without limitation, Z-shaped, L-shaped, U-shaped and other zigzag, back and forth, down and up indirect (non-straight-line) path) access so as to further deter access via a siphon tube through the bottom section 42 of the trough 40.
As such, as shown in FIGS. 3A-H, a horizontal rail 46 is connected to a lower portion 47 of a trough side wall 43. It can be connected to a sloping wall 44 (FIG. 3D) or a trough side wall 43 opposite a sloping wall 44 (FIG. 3H). As shown, it is preferably connected so as to extend in a direction generally parallel to the top planar section 41 of the trough 40. As connected, the horizontal rail 46 extends along and above the length of the drain opening 45. Connected to the trough side wall 43 close to the drain opening 45, the horizontal rail 46 defines a rail opening 48 above the drain opening 45 and horizontally offset from a vertical drain plane defined within the drain opening 45 by a distance (e.g., distance “d”). The vertical drain plane (e.g., plane “L”) is preferably midway between the width of the drain opening 45. Distance “d” is preferably at least half the width of the drain opening 45, although various distances can be used, depending on the drainage and blockage preferences. The rail opening 48 is defined to be smaller than siphon tubes and other devices that could be used to attempt to access the content of the receptacle 20 by thieves. Preferably, the rail opening 48 is smaller than 1 or ½ inch in width, although it can vary in dimension depending on where the horizontal rail 46 is connected to the trough side wall 43 and the size of siphon tube it is designed to deter from access. Multiple rails 46 may be used to facilitate drainage and capture of debris floating within the fluid. The width of drain opening 45 is also preferably at least the width of the uppermost rail opening 48 (or rail openings) to facilitate drainage and avoid blockage and difficulty of clearing blockage of the rail 46 and drain opening 45 as pieces of material (e.g., solid bits and particles of fried food and other gunk) are captured by the bottom section 42 of the trough 40 as fluid drains there through). The space defined between the channel bottom wall 54 and the lower ends of the trough side walls 43 adjacent the drain opening 45 is preferably larger than the width of the drain opening 45 and rail opening 48.
As further shown, the trough 40 includes a channel 50 having at least two channel side walls 52 and a channel bottom wall 54. One channel side wall 52 is connected to a lower portion 47 of a trough side wall 43. It can be connected to a sloping wall 44 (FIG. 3D, 3E) or a trough side wall 43 opposite a sloping wall 44 (FIG. 3H). As shown, it is preferably connected so that the channel bottom wall 54 extends in a direction generally parallel to the top planar section 41 of the trough 40 and the channel side walls 52 extend in a direction generally perpendicular to the top planer section 41. As also shown, the channel 50 may be connected to a trough side wall 43 on the opposite side of a trough side wall 43 as the horizontal rail 46 (FIGS. 3D, 3H) and it may be connected to opposite trough side walls 43 (in which case the channel opening 56 (described further below) is at the ends of the channel 50 (e.g., FIG. 3D; the channel 50 in FIG. 3D may also be attached to one trough side wall 43 instead of both)). It is not necessary that the channel 50 be connected to the same trough side wall 43 as the horizontal rail 46. However, the channel bottom 54 preferably extends along the length of the drain opening 45 and rail opening 48 to preclude straight line access to the interior 27 of the receptacle 20 there through (e.g., FIG. 3C). The trough 40 may also be construed without a rail 46, such as in FIG. 3E. As shown in FIG. 3E, opposite sloping side walls 44 form a drain opening 45 at the bottom section 42 of the trough 40 and one sloping wall 44 extends further beyond the drain opening 45 and bottom end of the other trough side wall 43. The channel 50 connects to the longer extending sloping wall 44 to define a crooked path from the trough 40 to the interior 27 of the receptacle 20 below secured fill level 28.
As further shown with respect to the channel 50, the channel 50 extends along and below the length of the drain opening 45 and defines a channel opening 56. The channel opening 56 may be defined on first and second ends of the channel 50 as defined by the channel bottom 54 and channel side walls 52 (e.g., FIGS. 3B, 3D, 3G). The channel 50 opening may also be defined by the space above a channel side wall 52 and below the drain opening 45 (e.g., FIGS. 3E, 3H). In either case, fluid in the channel 50 spills through the channel opening 56 to the reservoir 27 of the receptacle 20 below. Further, the channel 50 extends along the length and width of the drain opening 45 to prevent straight line access from the drain opening 45 to the interior 27 of the receptacle 20 below the secured fill level 28 (e.g., FIGS. 3C, 3G). As such, the channel 50 prevents access to the reservoir below the secure fill level by siphon tubes and other devices that could be used to attempt to access the content of the receptacle 20 by thieves. The dimensions of the channel 50 may vary. As shown in the exemplary embodiments, the channel bottom 54 is at least wider than the drain opening 45 and preferably approximately twice as wide, the channel bottom wall 54 is approximately equal in length to the length of the drain opening 45.
Accordingly, as shown, the bottom section 42 of the trough 40, via the horizontal rail 46 and channel 50 respectively above and below the drain opening 45, precludes straight line path of access to the interior 27 of receptacle 20 below the secured fill level 28 through the bottom section 42 of the trough 40 and instead provides a crooked line path that allows poured grease to pass through but deters access via a siphon tube or other theft device.
Further, the staggered arrangement of the rail opening 48 and drain opening 45, the use of a drain opening 45 preferably at least the width of the rail opening 48 above, and the placement of the channel 50 below the length and width of the drain opening 45 prevents entry of a siphon tube into the receptacle 20 below the secured fill level 28 and provides for collection of debris mixed with the fluid poured into the trough 40 and the draining of such fluid into the receptacle 20 below the secured fill level 28 (e.g., FIGS. 3A-3H). As such, debris does not close the openings. Rather, debris is captured by the rail 46 and trough side walls 43 and can pile high within the trough 40, including as high as six to eight inches or more, however deep the trough bottom section 42 or plate 110 is placed in the receptacle 20. While the debris settles, the fluid drains through the rail, drain and channel openings (48, 45, and 56). The sloped walls further promote collection of debris and draining of fluid and cleaning of the trough 40 and plate 110. The debris is cleaned out of the trough 40 and off of the plate 110 between authorized drainage and harvest of the collected fluid (e.g., cleaned out, without limitation, by scooping, scraping, vacuuming, siphoning the debris from the trough 40). The same advantages apply to the plate 110 and plate drain openings 114 described below (e.g., FIGS. 4B, 5, 6A-f). The trough 40 (and the plate 110 described below) further provide a way to determine when the fluid has filled above the secure fill level, as fluid is seen or otherwise detectable in the bottom section 42 of the trough 40 or above the plate 110 when the fluid exceeds the secure fill level. Debra and/or fluid also may cover part or all of the locking arrangement 60. This further deters against theft and vandalism, plus indicates when the container is full or near full.
FIGS. 10A-F show alternative embodiments of trough 40, including particularly alternative arrangements of the side walls 43, sloping wall(s) 44, rail(s) 46, and accordingly differently defined rail openings 48 and drain openings 45. These are cross-sectional views corresponding generally to cross sectional line 3D in FIG. 3C and cross sectional line 3H in FIG. 3F. Accordingly, FIG. 10A includes rails 46 vertically above sloping walls 44 that form a peak just below the rail opening and slope down towards edge 49 of the trough 40 at its bottom section 42. Drain openings 45 are defined between the end of each sloping wall 44 and edge 49. FIGS. 10E and 10F are similar. FIG. 10E excludes rails. FIG. 10F includes additional sloping walls vertically below the first set of sloping walls 44. FIG. 10B includes a rail 46 and side wall 43 in the form of horizontal baffles and defining rail opening 48 and drain opening 45 thereby. FIG. 10D is similar to FIG. 10C but includes a first sloping wall 44 and additional sloping walls vertically below the first sloping wall. The side walls 43, sloping wall(s) 44, rail(s) 46 are preferably connected (e.g., welded, folded) to each other and to the top planar section 41 and edge 49 of the trough (e.g., compare FIGS. 3A-3H). As discussed above, the rail openings 48 and drain openings 45 are defined in the bottom section 42 of the trough. That is, they are sunken down from the top planar section 41 to a position adjacent the secured fill level 28. The rail openings 48 and drain openings 45 are defined to prevent access to the content of the receptacle 20 (or 220) via a siphon tube or similar device to pump fluid from the receptacle. That is, they do not define a straight path to the interior 27 of the receptacle 20. Further, the walls (43, 44), rails 46 and channel 50 are staggered (e.g., zig-zagged, irregular, non-straight, baffled) to prevent access to the content of the receptacle 20 (or 220) via a siphon tube or similar device to pump fluid from the receptacle. Sloping walls 44 facilitate pouring, drainage and filtering along with the rails 46 and channel 50.
Also, in an alternative embodiment, the trough 40 may be removable from the opening of the receptacle 20 to facilitate cleaning. For example, handles may be added to the edge 49 of the trough 40 and the trough 40 may be mounted to the receptacle 20 via releasable connectors (e.g., lockable latches and clips).
As shown in FIGS. 1, 7A-E and 8, the fluid collection security device 10 of this embodiment includes a locking arrangement 60. The locking arrangement 60 comprises a nut 62, key 63 and block 64. The block 64 lockably and securedly connects to the cover 30 of the receptacle 20. As shown, in this embodiment, the block 64 preferably connects to a part of the cover 30 that does not fit over the receptacle opening 25. The block 64 connects to the cover 30 along or around the perimeter 34 of the siphon opening 33. For example, the pipe 70 is welded to the perimeter 34 of the cover 30 or plate 110 (FIG. 8) defining the siphon opening 33. The locking arrangement 60 locks the block 64 into a locked position 65 covering the siphon opening 33 (e.g., FIG. 4B and 7A) and unlocks the block 64 into an unlocked position 66 not covering the siphon opening 33 (e.g., FIG. 8) via the nut 62 and key 63 specific to the nut 62.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 7A-E and 8, the block 64 comprises a pipe 70, bolt 71 and box 72. The pipe 70 has first end 73 and second end 74 and a pipe side wall 75. The pipe 70 defines a pipe opening 76 through the pipe. The first end 73 of the pipe is connected to the cover 30 proximate the perimeter 34 of the siphon opening 33. The bolt 71 is connected to the pipe side wall 75 of the pipe and extends beyond the second end 74 of the pipe. The box 72 has sides 80 and a top 81 and a bottom 82. The box 72 defines a box bottom opening 83 in the bottom 82 and a box top opening 84 in the top 81. The box bottom opening 83 fits over the second end 74 of the pipe and the top box opening 84 fits over the bolt 71 in the locked position 65. The box 72 is separated from the pipe 70 and bolt 71 in the unlocked position 66. That is, the box 72 is lifted or otherwise separated from the pipe 70 and bolt 71 so that the box bottom opening 83 does not fit over the pipe 70 and the box top opening 84 does not fit over the bolt 71 in the unlocked position 66. As such, the siphon opening 33 is accessible via the pipe opening 76 in the unlocked position 66.
As further shown in FIGS. 7A-E and 8, by securing and unsecuring the nut 62 from the bolt 71 (e.g., preferably the nut 62 and bolt 71 have mating threads), the nut 62 connects to the bolt 71 in the locked position 65 and disconnects from the bolt in the unlocked position 66. Other suitable connections could be used as between the nut 62 and bolt 71 (e.g., without limitation, mated fittings, locking pins, etc.). The top 85 of the nut 62 defines a groove 86 for the key 63. The key 63 fits in the groove 86 to secure the nut 62 to the bolt 71 and lock the block 64 in the locked position 65 and to unsecure the nut 62 from the bolt 71 to unlock the block 64 in the unlocked position 66. For example, the nut 62 may comprise a lug nut used for care tire bolts and having a groove unique to a certain key for security purposes (e.g., McGard 25257 Wheel Locking Lug Nuts, White Knight wheel locking lug nuts). By further example, the locking arrangement 60 may further include a turn bar 87 engageable with the key 63 to connect and disconnect the nut 62 from the bolt 71 (e.g., FIG. 8, a t-shaped bar with the key 63 at one end to fit over the nut 62 and turn the nut 62 via the t-ends of the bar 87). As also shown, the block 64 also preferably includes a pipe shroud 90 around the nut 62 and over the bolt 71 above the top 81 of the box 72. Accordingly, the pipe shroud 90 has first and second ends 92 and 94. The pipe shroud 90 defines a pipe shroud opening 96 there through the pipe shroud 90. The shroud 90 connects at the first end 92 to the top 81 of the box 72 proximate the top box opening 84. The second end 94 of the pipe shroud 90 preferably extends at least to the top 85 of the nut 262 in the locked position 265. Also, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, and described in more detail below, an alternative locking arrangement 260 is included, which also uses the nut 262 and key 263 described above (62, 63) and is interchangeable with the locking arrangement 260 described above (i.e., fitting over the perimeter 34 of the siphon opening 33).
Accordingly, as shown, in FIGS. 1, 7A-E and 8 (and alternatively FIGS. 9A and 9B) the locking arrangement (60, 260) provides a way to lock and unlock access to the siphon opening (33, 233). The unique key and nut arrangement provides a way to do so via a key specific to the nut on a specific receptacle 20 (220). As referenced above, the materials of the receptacle 20 and its components, as well as the locking arrangement 60 (and 260), are preferably made of sturdy metal components. In particular, the pipe 70, box 72, bolt 71 and pipe shroud 90 of the block 64 of this embodiment (and the other embodiments, e.g., 260, including pipe 270, box 272, bolt 271 and pipe shroud 290) are preferably made of high grade steel or similar metals (e.g., without limitation, 10, 12, 14 gauge (or grade) for plates, sheets and pipe, schedule 40 bolts) and welded at points of connection, so as to further deter access to the siphon opening 33 and the content of the receptacle 20. Since the receptacles (20, 220) by their nature are to be located in the back of restaurant and other food service establishments and collection of fluid is done at various hours, the structure is designed to deter accessing (or vandalizing) the receptacles by a variety of substantial means that could be used by thieves, including pipe cutters, pipe saws, welding torches, punches, blunt instruments, etc. For example the pipe 70 (270) is high grade steel and welded to the cover 30 and the pipe shroud (90, 290) is high grade steel and welded to the box (70, 271), so as to deter thieves from removing or tearing open the block 64 (264) despite the locking arrangement 60 (260). The shroud 90 (290) protects the nut 62 (262) from access along its perimeter. The pipe shroud provides further security (e.g., prevents access to the nut via vice-grips or similar devices). The unique nut and key combination further deters thieves. Frustrated thieves are further deterred from vandalizing the locking arrangement 260 by its structure. For example, locks and padlocks with typical key entries may be vandalized by damage to the key groove or opening or by filling the opening with glue or other materials. However, the key groove arrangement described above akin to car lug nuts is not highly susceptible to such vandalism.
Referring to FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5 and 6A-F, the fluid collection security device 210 of another preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The fluid collection security device 210 of this embodiment is also comprised of a receptacle 220, in this case a drum, having walls 222 and bottom 224. The side walls 222 define a receptacle opening 225 proximate the top 226 of the receptacle 220. The interior 227 of the receptacle 220 defines a secured fill level 228 proximate at least one side wall 222, below the top 226 and above the bottom 224 of the receptacle 220. The receptacle 220 shown can vary in size but is typically within 3 feet in height and 2 feet in diameter, although other dimensions could be used depending on the amount of grease to be contained and the dimensions of the storage facility. In operation, as with the previous embodiment, the receptacle 220 contains fluid (e.g., without limitation, cooking oil, grease, biofuel), which may be added to the receptacle 220 through the receptacle opening 225. The receptacle 220 and its components are preferably formed of metal, such as steel plate material connected by welds or seams, although any suitable metal or other material and connections may be used (see above regarding the gauges and grades of plate and sheet materials). The fluid collection security device 210 prevents unauthorized access to siphon the fluid in the receptacle 220 below the secured fill level 228.
As further shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the fluid collection security device 210 of this embodiment includes a cover 230 that fits over the receptacle opening 225. As shown the cover 230 preferably includes a link or connector 38 to hold the cover 230 adjacent a side wall 222 of the receptacle 220 when removed from over the receptacle opening 225. The cover 230 also preferably includes a connector 38 (e.g., a chain shown, although other connectors could be used) and lock (e.g., pad lock (not shown) although other locks could be used) to secure the cover 230 over the receptacle opening 225.
As shown further in FIGS. 4B and 5, the fluid collection security device 210 of this embodiment includes a plate 110 that defines a siphon opening 233. The siphon opening 233 provides access to siphon fluid from the receptacle 220, in this case via the siphon opening 233 in the plate 110. As also shown, and described in more detail with reference to other figures, the fluid collection security device 210 of this embodiment also includes a locking arrangement 260 lockably and securedly connected to the cover 230 over the siphon opening 233. The locking arrangement 260 has at least two embodiments (e.g., FIGS. 8 and 9A and 9B).
As shown in FIGS. 6A-6F, the plate 110 comprises a flat plane section 112. The plate 110 and flat plane section 112 has a top 116 and bottom 117. The plate 110 preferably has multiple sloping panels extending at common angles from the top 116 of the flat plane section. The plate 110 alternatively has multiple side edges around the perimeter of the plate 110. The plate 110 fits within the receptacle 220 with the bottom 117 of the plane section proximate the secured fill level 228. As for the previous embodiment, the plate 110 restricts access to the content of the receptacle 220 below the secured fill level 228 to allow pouring access to add fluid via the receptacle opening 225 but to deter siphoning access to remove fluid below the secured fill level 228. The plate 110 connects to at least one side wall 222 of the receptacle 220 at the junction of at least one of the sloping panels (or side edges in an alternative embodiment) between the top 116 of the plane section and below the top 226 of the receptacle 220. The plate 110 defines a siphon opening 233 in the flat plane section. Similar to the description for the earlier embodiment above, this opening is for siphon tube access to the interior 227 of the receptacle 220 below the secured fill level 228 to remove fluid. The siphon opening 233 is preferably larger than 1 to 2 inches in diameter to accommodate such devices. Although, the siphon opening 233 may be defined by any suitable dimension desired.
The plate 110 and the side wall 222 of the receptacle 220 define multiple plate drain openings 114. As shown, the plate 110, including particularly the multiple sloping walls 118, form a generally circular perimeter except for the multiple flat (non-curved) sides intermittently spaced along the perimeter (e.g., see FIG. 6E, 6D). The inner perimeter of the receptacle 220 along side wall 222 is circular or curved. As such, the perimeter of the sloping walls 118 (or alternatively side edges) and the side walls 222 of the receptacle 220 define multiple plate drain openings 114. In an alternative embodiment, the plate 110 with multiple side edges (but not sloping walls 118) forms a similar generally circular perimeter with multiple flat (non-curved) sides intermittently spaced along the perimeter. As such, the multiple flat sides can further include ridges, notches or other patterns or define holes to further define the plate drain openings 114. In a further embodiment, the plate 110 may be circular and define openings adjacent its perimeter to define plate drain openings 114. The plate 110 may be bolted or welded to the side wall 222 of the receptacle 220 and the juncture points (or connected by any other suitable means). The plate 110 is preferably welded to the side wall 222 of the receptacle 220 at the junction of the flat plane section. The plate 110 is connected to the receptacle 220 so as to provide drain or pouring access to the interior 227 of the receptacle 220 below the secured fill level 228 via the multiple plate drain openings 114. On the other hand, plate 110 and multiple plate drain openings 114 are structured to prevent access to the content of the receptacle 220 via a siphon tube or similar device to pump fluid from the receptacle 220. As such, the multiple plate drain openings 114 are preferably equal to or smaller than approximately ½ inches in diameter. However, alternative minimums can be used depending on the dimensions of the multiple sloping walls 118 and the desired minimum (e.g., in view of the range of siphon tubes and other devices anticipated to be used to try to illicitly penetrate the multiple plate drain openings 114).
As shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A-E and 8, the locking arrangement 60 for this embodiment (the drum receptacle 220 with plate 110) includes the same first locking arrangement 60 first described above (i.e., nut, key and block with block comprising a pipe, bolt and box and alternatively a pipe shroud and turn bar as well). In this embodiment however, the block 264 of the locking arrangement 60 is connected along or around the perimeter 234 of the siphon opening 233 on the plate 110 (rather than the cover 230).
As shown in FIGS. 6E, 6F, 9A and 9B, an alternative second locking arrangement 260 may also be used. First of all, as shown in FIG. 9A, the plate 110 further defines hinge opening near a first side 235 of the siphon opening 233. As shown in FIGS. 6E, 6F and 9A, the block 264 further comprises a block plate 100, hinge 101, bolt 271 and pipe shroud 290. The block plate 100 comprises a plane 101 having a top 103 and bottom 104 and at least three block plate sides 106. The block plate 100 also defines a block plate opening 105 through block plate 100. The hinges 101 connect to the block plate 100 on at least one block plate side 106 and connect to the top 116 of the plate 110 via the hinge opening 98. Various hinges can be used (e.g., without limitation, rings, latches, door like hinges). In this example, the hinges comprise rings that are welded on one end to the plate 110 and through the hinge opening, and the hinges further couple to the block plate 100 on one block side 106. Such hinges provide little profile or access from outside the receptacle (20, 220). In either case, the block plate 100 can turn on the hinges from the locked position 265 (FIG. 6F) and the unlocked position 266 (FIG. 9A). That is, the block plate 100 covers the siphon opening 233 in the locked position and turns on the hinges 101 to lift up and away from the top 116 of the plate 110 to expose the siphon opening 233 in the unlocked position 266. The bolt is also connected to the top 116 of the plate 110, but near a second side 236 of the siphon opening 233 generally opposite the first side 235 of the siphon opening 233. The bolt extends through the block plate 100 opening in the locked position 265. The block plate 100 is separated from the bolt 271 in the unlocked position 266. The block 264 also preferably includes a pipe shroud 290. The pipe shroud 290 has first and second ends 292 and 294. The pipe shroud 290 defines a pipe shroud opening 296 there through. The pipe shroud 290 is connected to the top 103 of the block plate 100 around the block plate opening 105.
As an alternative hinge arrangement, FIG. 9B also shows an L-shaped attachment to the bottom 117 of the block plate 100 partially along one side of the block plate 100. The L-shaped attachment forms a lip 107. The lip 107 includes a generally straight side. The hinge opening 98 or siphon opening 233 has a corresponding surface to mate with the lip 107, and accordingly, the lip 107 fits to the hinge opening 98 or siphon opening 233 in the locked position 265 and becomes separated from the hinge opening 98 or siphon opening 233 in the unlocked position 266. In FIG. 9B, siphon opening 233 is defined as a half-circle or half-moon shape, although various shapes could be used that define an opening and have a straight side to mate with the lip (e.g., triangle, rectangle).
As further shown in FIGS. 6E, 6F, 9A and 9B, and similar to the first locking arrangement 60, in the second locking arrangement 260, the nut 262 connects to the bolt 271 in the locked position 265 and disconnects from the bolt 271 in the unlocked position, the top 85 of the nut 262 defines a groove 86 for the key 263, the key 263 fits in the groove 86 to secure the nut 262 to the bolt and lock the block 264 in the locked position 265 and to unsecure the nut 262 from the bolt to unlock the block 264 in the unlocked position 266. Preferably, the key 263 and nut 262 are akin to a car lug nut with a unique groove in the nut that corresponds to a key for that nut or set of nuts. This second locking arrangement 260 can also be used with a turn bar 87 engageable with the key 263 to connect and disconnect the nut 262 from the bolt 271.
As also noted above, this second locking arrangement 260 can be used with the first embodiment of receptacle 220 shown in FIGS. 2B and 3A-H, including all alternative hinges 101, including the lip 107. The second locking arrangement 260 in this case lockably and securedly connects and disconnects the block 264 from over the siphon opening 33 on the cover 30. The hinges 101 connect to hinge opening in the cover 30. This embodiment has corresponding first side 35 and second side 36 of the siphon opening 33 and corresponding orientation of the bolt 71 and hinge 101.
Further, based on the description of the present invention above and further below for all embodiments, the following will be appreciated. As noted, placing the secured fill level (28, 228) below the top (26, 226) of the receptacle (20, 220), such as six to eight inches below (e.g., FIGS. 2A, 2B, 4B, 5), eliminates spillage and messes outside of the receptacle when fluids are added to the receptacle. The use of thick sold flat steel plates discourages cutting, disassembly and other forms of thievery and vandalism. With steel plates, there is nowhere to start a cut. The use of multiple sloping walls 118 and plate drain openings 114 around the perimeter of the plate 110 and inner side walls 222 of the receptacle 220 provides for collection of debris in the fluid (e.g., chunks of food, food particles coated with grease, oil, etc.) on the plate 110 above the secured fill level (28, 228) and drainage of fluid into the receptacle 220 below the secured fill level 228 (e.g., FIGS. 4B, 5, 6A-F). Another advantage of positioning the trough bottom section 42 or plate 110 a distance below the top (26, 226) of the receptacle (20, 220) is that collected fluid and debris may cover the locking arrangement (60, 260) itself, including the pipe shroud (90, 290) and nut (62, 262), particularly when the receptacle (20, 220) is full of fluid ready for collection. Thieves cannot readily see the locking arrangement (60, 260) and have to delve into the fluid to find it when the receptacle (20, 220) is full of valuable fluid.
Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.
