Grease interceptor system and method of installing a grease interceptor system

Abstract

A grease interceptor system with a corrugated pipe stub that can be obtained and cut to size in the field during installation.

Claims

1. A grease interceptor system, comprising: a grease interceptor having an inlet, an outlet, a bottom wall, at least one sidewall, a top wall, and at least one opening in the top wall, the top wall having a recessed portion surrounding the at least one opening in the top wall, the recessed portion extending inward below the top wall of the grease interceptor and having a recessed portion bottom wall disposed adjacent to the at least one opening, the recessed portion bottom wall extending to a recessed portion sidewall, the recessed portion sidewall extending substantially parallel to the at least one sidewall of the grease interceptor; a pipe stub having a first end and a second end disposed opposite from the first end, the first end supported on the recessed portion bottom wall, a substantial portion of the pipe stub being coextensive with the recessed portion sidewall; a gasket disposed between an outer wall of the tube stub and the recessed portion sidewall and, a lid having a collar surrounding a central opening, the central opening configured and arranged to align with opening in the grease interceptor when the lid is supported on the second end of the pipe stub.

2. The grease interceptor system of claim 1, wherein the pipe stub is corrugated.

3. The grease interceptor system of claim 1, further comprising a cover removably attached to the lid to cover the central opening.

4. The grease interceptor system of claim 1, wherein the lid is attached to the pipe stub by fastening means.

5. The grease interceptor system of claim 1, wherein the recessed portion sidewall is disposed in spaced apart relation to the pipe stub.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing showing a typical installation for a grease interceptor; and,

(2) FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional vie a grease interceptor of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(3) At the outset, it should be clearly understood that like reference numerals are intended to identify the same structural elements, portions or surfaces consistently throughout the several drawing figures, as such elements, portions or surfaces may be further described or explained by the entire written specification, of which this detailed description is an integral part. Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be read (e.g., cross-hatching, arrangement of parts, proportion, debris, etc.) together with the specification, and are to be considered a portion of the entire written description of this invention. As used in the following description, the terms horizontal, vertical, left, right, up and down, as well as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof, (e.g., horizontally, rightwardly, upwardly, etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the illustrated structure as the particular drawing figure faces the reader. Similarly, the terms inwardly and outwardly generally refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis of elongation, or of rotation, as appropriate.

(4) Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, a typical installation provides for locating the grease interceptor 10 away from a building 13 such as a restaurant in an area that is accessibly by a truck. The grease interceptor 10 has a top opening 16 that provides access to equipment on the truck for removing the waste.

(5) A drain pipe 19 located at the outlet of a drain or basin 22 exits the building 13 and extends a distance away from the building 13 where the grease interceptor 10 is located. The drain pipe 19 connects to an inlet 23 of the grease interceptor 10. At the opposite side of the grease interceptor 10 an outlet 25 is located. The waste water minus the grease and oil flows from the outlet 25 and continues into the public wastewater system in the direction of arrow 26. The top of the grease interceptor 10 has at least one removable lid 27 that provides access for the removal of the waste. The removable lid 27 is typically located in a portion of a paved area 30 surrounding the building 13 and is made level with the finished grade 31 of the paved area 30. The lid 27 is made level with the finished grade 31 so that it does not become damaged or pose an obstacle.

(6) The distance between the finished grade 31 and the top of the grease interceptor 10 will typically vary depending on the distance of the grease interceptor 10 from the building 13, the slope of the land, and other factors. Accordingly, the distance between the top of the grease interceptor 10 and the finished grade 31 may vary widely between installations. As discussed in detail below, the present invention is designed to utilize readily available materials that may be cut to length in the field to fit the required envelope.

(7) Turning to FIG. 2, a grease interceptor 10 has a body 50 formed by a bottom wall 53, side walls 56, 57 and a top wall 59. The top wall 59 has at least one opening 16 formed therein. The top wall 59 extends inward from sidewall 56 along a lateral portion 58. From lateral portion 58, the top wall 59 extends upward along a substantially vertical portion 60. Portion 60 extends to the uppermost surface 61 that is disposed adjacent to and extends to a recessed portion 62. The opening 16 is surrounded on the outside by the recessed portion 62 having a recessed portion side wall 63 and a recessed portion bottom wall 64 that forms a shelf around the opening 16. The recessed portion bottom wall 64 provides support for a corrugated pipe stub 65. A first end 68 of the pipe stub 65 engages with the recessed portion bottom wall 64 around the opening 16 when it is installed. The opposite second end 71 of the pipe stub 65 supports the lid 27. The lid 27 which may be plastic or cast iron has a collar 74 that may be attached to the corrugated pipe 65 by means of a screw 75 or other fastener, including but not limited to, mechanical fasteners such as nails, bolts, or the like or adhesives. The lid 27 has a cover 28 that is removably attached to the collar 74 by means of fastener 78 or the like to provide secure access to the opening 16 for clean out and removal of the waste for disposal by qualified personnel.

(8) The system described above may be designed to receive a standard size corrugated pipe 65 such as a corrugated plastic pipe having an eighteen inch diameter. The corrugated pipe 65 may be obtained at any plumbing, hardware or contractor supply store such as Home Depot, Lowe's, or the like. The corrugated pipe 63 may be cut to the proper length in the field to fit the specific envelope for the system. The top of the lid 27 is typically located in a portion of a paved area 30 surrounding the building 13 and is made level with the finished grade 31 of the paved area 30. The lid 27 is made level with the finished grade 31 so that it does not become damaged or pose an obstacle. Accordingly, the corrugated pipe 65 may be measured and cut in the field after the grease interceptor 10 is installed. The corrugated pipe 65 is sized such that the top surface of the lid 27 is flush with the finished grade 31 surrounding it. A gasket 90 may be provided to seal the space between the corrugated pipe 65 and the side wall 63 of the recessed portion 62.

(9) As will be evident based on this disclosure, many changes and modifications may be made. Therefore, while the presently-preferred form of the grease interceptor system has been shown and described, and several modifications and alternatives discussed, persons skilled in this art will readily appreciate that various additional changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.