Apparatus for recycling used oil filters
OwnerRichard R. Rozyckiinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for recycling used oil filters is disclosed wherein an oil filter canister of the type having a base portion and a cover portion enclosing a pleated filter element is placed in a separating means wherein the filter cover is separated or cut from the filter base to expose the pleated filter element. The oil filter cover is sent to a crusher, while the pleated filter element is sent to a spin means or centrifuge to remove excess oil therefrom. Miscellaneous parts are then removed from the oil filter and sent to scrap bin. The pleated filter element, having the oil removed, is suitable for use in landfills. The separating means and the spin means provide for the collection of used motor oil in an oil reservoir.
Claims13
A system for recycling used oil filters of the type having a filter element contained within a filter canister, said canister including a base portion with a hole therein and a cover portion, said system including, in combination:
- (a) a gripping means to grasp a used oil filter by its base portion, with the filter canister in an inverted position, said gripping means comprising a pair of cam operated jaws for grasping said base portion through the hole therein and means to open and close said jaws;
- (b) means to rotate said filter while it is held in said gripping means, said rotating means comprising a turntable rotatably mounted to a base member, said turntable having a centrally located opening therein, through which said jaws protrude;
- (c) a reservoir to collect the oil released from said used oil filter;
- and
- (d) cutting means to cut the filter canister proximate the base portion to permit the removal of said cover portion, thereby providing access to said filter element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.