US 5,489,042 AGranted

Reusable waste handler for vehicular oil changes

OwnerBart W. Ewaldinventor

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Abstract

The present invention provides a way for the do-it-yourself oil and filter changer to safely and cleanly drain used oil from the filter, then seal and store both filter and drained filter oil in the same container that crankcase oil is collected and stored in while keeping the drained filter dry and separate from the drained and collected oil. The invention solves a recent problem that has become apparent as used oil filters have become a culprit of land and water pollution. By allowing the do-it-yourselfer a convenient, safe, clean, and economical way to manage his used oil filter along with his used oil, it hampers the tendency to improperly dispose of these recyclable wastes by allowing more convenient and cleaner transport of these wastes to a collection center. This reusable container also eliminates the disposable items currently being used to transport used oil filters, thus eliminating these oily wastes from the wastestream.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A device for the management, handling, storage, and transportation of spent liquids and at least one oil filter collected during one or more oil changes comprising:

a) a receptacle having a bottom member and a peripheral wall upwardly extending from the outer edge of said bottom member to define an interior of said receptacle to form a shallow pan of large enough size to allow for collecting of the spent fluids without the use of funneling means, and to allow for movement and transporting of the spent liquids without spillage;
and
b) a support means attached to said receptacle which provides support for the oil filter over said bottom member, keeping the filter in a suspended and stable position above the spent liquids throughout drainage, storage and transport, said receptacle including at least one annular collar projecting upwards from said bottom member into said interior and engaging and firmly affixing said support means;
and
c) a lid that releasably engages with said receptacle providing an oil tight seal for storage and transport, said lid being constructed in such a way as to provide adequate space for the suspended filter to remain in its suspended position above the spent liquids when said lid is engaged on said receptacle.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/323,908Filed 17 Oct 1994
Granted: 6 Feb 1996
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

B01D 41/04
Regeneration of the filtering material or filter elements outside the filter for liquid or gaseous fluids: of rigid self-supporting filtering material
F16N 31/002
Means for collecting, retaining, or draining-off lubricant in or on machines or apparatus: drain pans
B09B 2101/02
Type of solid waste: gases or liquids enclosed in discarded articles, e.g. aerosol cans or cooling systems of refrigerators
B09B 2101/20
Type of solid waste: filters, e.g. oil filters