Combination fluid collection container and drive-up service point in a traffic lane

A fluid collection container for collection of automotive fluids, the fluid collection container comprising a shallow basin formed of thermoplastic, the shallow basin comprising a rectangular bottom sheet, a first side wall, a second side wall, a first end wall, and a second end wall,

• wherein the bottom sheet comprises an upper side, a lower side which is opposed to the upper side and separated from it by the thickness of the bottom sheet, a peripheral edge, a center, a longitudinal axis which lies in the plane of the bottom sheet and lies parallel to the length of the sheet, and a transverse axis which lies in the plane of the bottom sheet, lies parallel to the width of the bottom sheet, and lies perpendicular to the longitudinal axis,
• wherein the lower side of the bottom sheet is bonded to the surface on which it lies, and wherein the bonding is achieved by application of heat to the bottom sheet,
• wherein said first side wall and said second side wall are each formed of elongate thin rectangular strips of thermoplastic, the side wall strips comprising a length which corresponds to the length of the bottom sheet, a width, and a thickness, the side wall strips comprising a inside edge and an outside edge, the outside edge being separated from the inside edge by the width of the side wall strip, the side wall strips comprising a rectangular cross section,
• wherein said first end wall and said second end wall are each formed of elongate thin rectangular strips of thermoplastic, the end wall strips comprising a length which corresponds to the width of the bottom sheet, a width, and a thickness, the end wall strips comprising a inside edge and an outside edge, the outside edge being separated from the inside edge by the width of the strip, the end wall strips comprising a trapezoidal cross section such that the outside edge tapers downward,
• wherein said respective first and second side walls are positioned about the bottom sheet such that the respective inside edges of each of said first and second side walls overlie the portions of the peripheral edge of the bottom sheet which correspond to its length, and the respective outside edges of each of said first and second side walls extend outward therefrom,
• wherein said respective first and second end walls are positioned about the bottom sheet such that the respective inside edges of each of said first and second end walls overlie the portions of the peripheral edge of the bottom sheet which correspond to its width, and the respective outside edges of each of said first and second end walls extend outward therefrom,
• wherein the inside edges each of said first and second side walls and each of said first and second end walls are thermally bonded to said bottom sheet so that said respective side walls, end walls, and bottom sheet are integrated together to form a non-leaking receptacle for trapping automotive fluids.

A method of installing a fluid collection container on a paved surface,

• the fluid collection container comprising a base, two side walls, and two end walls,
• the base, two side walls, and two end walls comprising a thermoplastic material which is impermeable to automotive fluids which include fuels, lubricants, and coolants,
• the base comprising a base bottom surface, a base top surface which is opposed to the base bottom surface and separated from it by the thickness of the sheet, a base peripheral edge, a base center, a longitudinal axis which lies in the plane of the base and lies parallel to the length of the base, and a transverse axis which lies in the plane of the base, lies parallel to the width of the base, and lies perpendicular to the longitudinal axis,
• the longitudinal axis of the base coinciding with the longitudinal midline of the base and extending from a first end of the base to a second end of the base, the transverse axis of the base coinciding with the transverse midline of the base and extending from a first side of the base to a second side of the base,
• each of the two side walls extending between the first end of the base to the second end of the base so as to be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base, each of the two side walls extending upward from the base peripheral edge,
• each of the two end walls extending between the first side of the base and the second side of the base so as to be parallel to the transverse axis of the base, each of the two end walls extending upward from the base peripheral edge,
• the method resulting in a fluid collection container which is bonded to the paved surface and which retains the automotive fluids within the fluid collection container, the method including the following method steps:
• 1. Determine the location on the pavement where the fluid collection container is to be positioned, this location referred to as the application area.
• 2. Clean and dry the application area to remove all residues, including de-icing compounds such as salt, which could prevent proper adhesion of the oil and gas impervious base sheet to the pavement.
• 3. Position the fluid collection container in the application area so that the base center overlies the center of the application area.
• 4. Apply heat to the fluid collection container using a heat source. Heat is applied until the base is bonded to the pavement.
• 5. Check bonding of the fluid collection container to the pavement. If bonding is imperfect, repeat step 4.