A cap

Abstract

A cap which is removably couplable to at least one waste oil container (C) and comprising at least one closing body (2) of the waste oil container (C), at least one level sensor (4) of the waste oil contained in the oil container (C) and inserted inside the at least one compartment (5) made in the closing body (2), the compartment (5) comprising at least one opening (6) towards the inside of the oil container (C) for detecting the oil level, at least one covering element (8) of the closing body (2) arranged above the closing body (2) to protect it from atmospheric precipitation or similar agents, the covering element (8) comprising one or more first through holes (9) to allow air to access the compartment (5), at least one collection tank (11) of liquids coming from the first through holes (9).

Description

[0001] A CAP

[0002] D E S C R I P T I O N

[0003] Field of application

[0004] The present invention is applicable to the field of waste management and relates to the collection of waste oils.

[0005] In more in detail, the present invention relates to a cap couplable with a container of waste oils.

[0006] State of the art

[0007] In the field of waste management, there is a known need to separate the different waste in order to proceed with the relative recycling and, therefore, reduce the environmental impact of the waste itself. In this sense, the management of waste oils is of great importance. In particular, not only in restaurants, but also in large-scale distribution there is an increasingly higher use of oil. In fact, in addition to being an excellent preservative for food, oil is used in large quantities to make fried foods. Moreover, thanks to its convenience, canned food preserved in oil has become part of everyday family life.

[0008] As is known, the disposal of oil is subject to special precautions. In fact, both restaurateurs and families are called upon to bring the waste oils in special containers, from which they are delivered to special facilities where the waste oils are treated and made available for new use.

[0009] As for the waste oil containers, they consist of a drum provided with a lid which is lifted by the user when he / she must pour the waste oil inside the drum. In particular, the most modern waste oil containers also comprise an oil quantity sensor in order to organise the emptying of the various drums spread out on the territory.

[0010] In light of the above, it is necessary to preserve such sensors from atmospheric agents. In fact, the waste oil containers are typically located in spaces not protected from atmospheric agents. It follows that sometimes such drums are exposed to sunlight and / or rain for several hours.

[0011] This entails some recognised drawbacks. In fact, a persistent exposure to sunlight generates an overheating of the electronic components, with consequent premature wear thereof.

[0012] At the same time, in addition to overheating, the electronic components of the sensor are also exposed to the risk of early damage caused by water infiltration and, in general, moisture.

[0013] This results, once again, in a risk of early wear of the sensor, with consequent increased costs due to the frequent replacement thereof.

[0014] And there is more. The breakage of the sensor makes it temporarily impossible to exploit its advantages such as the remote control of the fill level of the waste oil container in order to organise the emptying thereof.

[0015] Presentation of the invention

[0016] The object of the present invention is to at least partially overcome the drawbacks highlighted above by providing a cap which is removably couplable to at least one waste oil container which allows extending the life of the oil level sensors contained in the waste oil containers.

[0017] In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a cap which allows to preserve the level sensor from the damages caused by the overheating of electronic components or by the infiltrations of water and / or moisture caused by atmospheric agents.

[0018] In fact, another object of the present invention is to provide a cap which simultaneously allows the entry of air to ventilate the electronic components and protects the sensor from atmospheric agents.

[0019] It follows that a further object of the present invention is to provide a cap which is removably couplable to at least one waste oil container which allows to avoid the premature replacement of the oil level sensor.

[0020] It follows that another object of the present invention is to provide a cap which allows to save costs generated by the frequent replacement of the damaged level sensor.

[0021] Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a cap which is removably couplable to at least one waste oil container which allows to reduce the risk of interruption of the waste oil collection service due to a non-operation of the level sensor.

[0022] Said objects, as well as others which will become clearer below, are achieved by a tap which is removably couplable to at least one waste oil container in accordance with the following claims, which are to be considered an integral part of the present patent.

[0023] In particular, the cap is removably couplable to at least one waste oil container.

[0024] Advantageously, the cap of the invention can have any shape so as to be couplable to any type of waste oil container, thus being advantageously versatile.

[0025] Like other caps of the prior art, the cap of the invention comprises, according to an aspect of the invention, at least one closing body of the waste oil container.

[0026] Advantageously, the presence of the closing body allows to protect the waste oil contained inside the container from other elements which could enter therein, such as leaves or waste of various kinds and, at the same time, to prevent the escape of bad odours.

[0027] According to another aspect of the invention, the cap further comprises at least one level sensor of the waste oil contained in the oil container. In particular, the level sensor is inserted inside at least one compartment made in the closing body and comprising at least one opening towards the inside of the oil container.

[0028] Advantageously, the presence of the level sensor allows to detect when the oil reaches a certain level in order to proceed with the emptying of the container.

[0029] Still advantageously, the insertion of the level sensor inside the compartment allows a protection of the level sensor.

[0030] According to another aspect of the invention, the cap further comprises at least one covering element of the closing body which is arranged above the latter.

[0031] Advantageously, the presence of the covering element allows the closing body to be protected from atmospheric precipitation or similar agents.

[0032] Still advantageously, the covering element allows to also repair the level sensor which is inserted inside the closing body.

[0033] Moreover, according to a further aspect of the invention, the covering element comprises one or more first through holes to allow air to access the compartment inside which the level sensor is inserted.

[0034] Advantageously, the first through holes made on the covering element allow air to access the compartment. It follows, advantageously, that the first through holes make it possible to avoid the overheating of the sensor and, more in general, of the electronic components.

[0035] This allows, still advantageously, to reduce or even eliminate the risk of damage to the level sensor.

[0036] It follows that the above allows the frequency and need for premature replacement of the level sensor to be greatly reduced.

[0037] Moreover, this advantageously leads to cost savings with respect to what occurs in the prior art.

[0038] According to a further aspect of the invention, the cap comprises at least one collection tank of liquids coming from said one or more first through holes.

[0039] In more detail, according to another aspect of the invention, the collection tank comprises at least one depression made on the closing body, and the first through holes are made on the covering element at the depression.

[0040] Advantageously, the above allows to collect any rainwater, preventing it from coming into contact with the liquid sensor.

[0041] Still advantageously, this allows to preserve the liquid sensor from damage due to atmospheric agents, resulting in a further advantage of reducing the risk of damaging it.

[0042] Moreover, this allows to reduce if not to eliminate the risk of interruptions of the emptying service of the waste oil containers due to unwanted damage to the level sensor.

[0043] It follows, still advantageously, that the above also allows to save costs with respect to what occurs with the caps of the prior art.

[0044] Brief description of the drawings

[0045] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent in the light of the detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a cap which is removably couplable to at least one waste oil container, illustrated by way of non-limiting example with the aid of the attached drawing tables in which:

[0046] FIG. 1 depicts a cap which is removably couplable to at least one waste oil container according to the invention; FIGS. 2 to 4 depict details of the cap of FIG. 1 .

[0047] Detailed description of some preferred embodiments

[0048] With reference to the cited figures, a cap 1 is described which is removably couplable to a waste oil container C in accordance with the following claims, which are to be considered an integral part of the present patent.

[0049] In particular, as mentioned, the cap 1 is removably couplable to a waste oil container C, whatever shape and size it has. This means, advantageously, that the cap 1 of the invention is versatile.

[0050] Like other caps of the prior art, the cap 1 of the invention comprises, according to an aspect of the invention, at least one closing body 2 of the waste oil container C.

[0051] Advantageously, the presence of the closing body 2allows to protect the waste oil contained inside the container C from other elements which could enter therein, such as leaves or waste of various kinds and, at the same time, to prevent the escape of bad odours.

[0052] According to another aspect of the invention, the cap 1 further comprises a level sensor 4 of the waste oil contained in the oil container C.

[0053] Advantageously, the presence of the level sensor 4 allows to know when the oil reaches a certain level inside the container C without having to open the cap 1 or provide windows which could become dirty or otherwise make the reading not easy and inaccurate. Moreover, the presence of the sensor 4 allows to implement remote oil level reading, with all the advantages that may derive therefrom.

[0054] According to another aspect of the invention, the level sensor 4 is inserted inside a compartment 5 made in the closing body 2.

[0055] Advantageously, the insertion of the level sensor 4 inside the compartment 5 allows a protection of the sensor 4 itself.

[0056] With reference to the conformation of the compartment 5, it is observed that it comprises an opening 6 towards the inside of the oil container C. Such an aspect is useful in that, since in the embodiment disclosed herein the level sensor 4 belongs to the group of infrared sensors, the presence of the opening 6 allows the sensor 4, in fact, to carry out the appropriate detections. However, it is noted that the type of sensor 4 must not be considered a limiting characteristic for different embodiments of the invention according to which the level sensor is of a different type than infrared sensors.

[0057] According to a further aspect of the invention, the level sensor 4 is inserted inside a containment casing 5a counter-shaped to the compartment 5.

[0058] According to another aspect of the invention, the containment casing 5a, and the level sensor 4 therewith, is constrained to the compartment 5 by bayonet coupling means consisting of a peg 7 and a respective L-shaped slot 7a. In more detail, the constraint between the containment casing 5a and the compartment 5 occurs by inserting the containment casing 5a from above with the sensor 4 inside the compartment 5, keeping the peg 7 at the short leg of the L of the slot 7a until the peg 7 is inserted therein. At that point, the containment casing 5a is partially rotated along the long leg of the L of the slot 7a to prevent it from exiting from the compartment 5.

[0059] Thereby, advantageously, the sensor 4 is kept stationary inside the cap 1 and, still advantageously, it is preserved from any impacts which could occur with the movement of the cap 1 by a user.

[0060] However, what has been said so far, both with reference to the constraint of the sensor 4 to the compartment 5 and with reference to the methods by which such a constraint is allowed, must not be considered limiting for different embodiments of the invention. In fact, according to some variant embodiments not depicted herein, the sensor is simply housed inside the compartment and not constrained to the latter. In other embodiments, the sensor is instead constrained to the compartment by coupling means different from the bayonet connection.

[0061] According to another aspect of the invention, the cap 1 further comprises a covering element 8 of the closing body 2 arranged above the latter. The particular embodiment depicted in the figures is a dome-shaped laminar body, but such an aspect must also not be considered limiting for the invention.

[0062] Advantageously, the presence of the covering element 8 allows to shelter the closing body 2 from atmospheric agents in general. In fact, the covering element 8 allows to give the closing body 2, and thus the level sensor 4 contained therein, an advantageous protection from sunlight. This allows, still advantageously, to further reduce the risk of overheating of the electronic components, with particular reference to the sensor 4.

[0063] It follows that what has been said allows, advantageously, to reduce if not eliminate the risk of early damage to the sensor with this, still advantageously, greatly reducing premature replacements thereof.

[0064] And there is more. The above allows, still advantageously, to avoid the risk of frequent and unwanted interruptions of the level sensor 4 with the obvious consequences on the management of the container C emptying.

[0065] Moreover, still advantageously, thanks to the covering element 8, it is possible to locate the waste oil container C in any area, even if it must be particularly exposed to sunlight.

[0066] And there is more. Obviously, the presence of the covering element 8 allows to also shelter the closing body 2 and the level sensor 4 from precipitation such as rain, snow and hail.

[0067] Moreover, according to a further aspect of the invention, the covering element 8 comprises a plurality of first through holes 9.

[0068] Advantageously, the presence of the first through holes 9 allows air to access the compartment 5 inside which the level sensor 4 is inserted.

[0069] It follows, advantageously, that the first through holes 9 allow to further avoid the overheating of the sensor 4 and, more in general, of the electronic components.

[0070] Advantageously, what has been said again allows to reduce or even eliminates the risk of early damage to the level sensor 4.

[0071] Obviously, with regard to the first through holes 9 made on the covering element 8, it is evident that their number must not be considered a limiting characteristic for the present invention. In fact, although four can be found from the detail of Fig. 4, they can be in any number.

[0072] However, the presence of the covering element 8 to protect the sensor 4 also allows the creation of further ventilation holes 4a made on the containment casing 5a to allow an optimal ventilation of the sensor 4.

[0073] Advantageously, the presence of the ventilation holes 4a allows to further favour the cooling of the electronic components. It is evident that the presence of the first through holes 9 allows the passage of liquids below the covering element 8. Consequently, according to a further aspect of the invention, the cap 1 comprises a collection tank 11 for liquids coming from such first through holes 9.

[0074] In more detail, according to another aspect of the invention, the collection tank 11 comprises a depression 11a made on the closing body 2 and the first through holes 9 made on the covering element 8 are located at the depression 11a

[0075] Advantageously, the presence of the collection tank 11 allows any rainwater to be collected, preventing the same from coming into contact with the liquid sensor 4.

[0076] Still advantageously, what has been said allows the liquid sensor 4 to be preserved from damage due to atmospheric agents, with the consequent advantage of further reducing the risk of damaging it.

[0077] According to a further aspect of the invention, the collection tank 11 comprises a portion for draining the liquids coming from the first through holes 9.

[0078] Advantageously, the presence of the draining portion allows at least a part of the liquids such as rainwater coming from the first through holes 9 and which may have accumulated inside the collection tank 11 to flow outwards.

[0079] Going into detail of the conformation of the draining portion, it is noted that, according to an aspect of the invention, the collection tank 11 comprises a first side 12 arranged towards the inside of the cap 1 and a second side 13 arranged towards the outside thereof. Well, in the detail of the embodiment depicted herein, the draining portion consists of the fact that the first side 12 is more developed in height with respect to the second side 13. In other words, the first side 12 is higher with respect to the second side 13.

[0080] With this, advantageously, the liquid contained in the collection tank 11 is allowed to overflow from the part of the second side 13, i.e. , towards the outside of the cap 1.

[0081] Moreover, still advantageously, the fact that the first side 12 is higher with respect to the second side 13 allows the electronic components, and therefore the liquid sensor 4, to be preserved, preventing the infiltration of liquids inside the compartment 5.

[0082] The foregoing, however, is not to be considered a limiting characteristic for different embodiments of the invention. In fact, according to an embodiment variant not depicted herein, the draining portion consists of a second through hole made on the outer perimeter of the closing body of the cap.

[0083] According to another aspect of the invention, the closing body 2 is couplable to the oil container C by means of a circular ring nut 15 and the covering element 8 is mechanically coupled to the circular ring nut 15.

[0084] Thereby, advantageously, the covering body 8 is constrained to the circular ring nut 15.

[0085] It follows, still advantageously, that this allows, when a user opens the cap 1 to pour the waste oil inside the container C, the covering element 8 to be lifted together with the entire cap 1. It follows that, still advantageously, when the container C is closed again there is no risk of the user forgetting to arrange the covering element 8 above the closing body 2.

[0086] However, what has been said so far must not be considered a limiting characteristic for different embodiments of the invention according to which the covering element is released and in its own right and therefore the user must arrange it above the covering body each time he / she proceeds to pour waste oil into the container.

[0087] According to a further aspect of the invention, the cap 1 comprises, although not depicted in the figures, a programmable logic unit operatively coupled to the level sensor 4.

[0088] Advantageously, the presence of the programmable logic unit allows to calculate the quantity of oil contained inside the container C based on the detection of the level reached.

[0089] It follows, still advantageously, that this also allows the quantity of oil present in the container C, and not only the level reached, to be detected, thereby relieving users of the task of measuring or calculating such a quantity.

[0090] As regards the placement of the programmable logic unit, it is noted that it can be inserted inside the compartment, but not necessarily. In fact, such an aspect must not be considered a limiting characteristic for the invention. Moreover, the correspondence between the oil level and the oil quantity collected could be pre-programmed inside the programmable logic unit at a time prior to the assembly thereof in the cap 1 , or, according to other embodiments not depicted herein, programmed from time to time in accordance with the specific container to which the cap is coupled.

[0091] The foregoing advantageously allows to use the cap 1 of the invention with any container, having any shape or size and thus containing any quantity of oil.

[0092] Operationally, the waste oil container C provided with the cap 1 of the invention can be positioned in any area, inside or outside, exposed to the sun or protected from natural or artificial elements. In fact, the presence of the covering element 8 allows protecting the level sensor 4 from atmospheric agents and from the risk of overheating.

[0093] In fact, the presence of the first through holes 9 allows the passage of air towards the inner part of the cap 1 , i.e. , where the sensor is located, favouring the cooling thereof. At the same time, however, the risk of any water reaching the level sensor 4, causing the damage thereof, is avoided. In this sense, the water collected inside the collection tank 11 flows outside the cap 1 thanks to the presence of the draining portion.

[0094] In light of the foregoing, it is understood that the cap which is removably couplable to at least one waste oil container achieves all the preset objects.

[0095] In particular, it allows to extend the life of the oil level sensors contained in the waste oil containers.

[0096] In fact, it allows to preserve the level sensor from the damages caused by the overheating of electronic components or by the infiltrations of water and / or moisture caused by atmospheric agents.

[0097] This is possible because the cap of the invention allows the entry of air to ventilate the electronic components and at the same time protects the sensor from atmospheric agents.

[0098] It follows that the cap which is removably couplable to at least one waste oil container of the invention allows to avoid the premature replacement of the oil level sensor.

[0099] As a result, it allows to save costs generated by the frequent replacement of the damaged level sensor.

[0100] Further, the cap which is removably couplable to at least one waste oil container of the invention allows to reduce the risk of interruption of the waste oil collection service due to a non-operation of the level sensor. The invention is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all falling within the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may furthermore be replaced by other technically equivalent elements, and the materials may be different if required, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention defined by the appended claims.

Claims

C L A I M S1 . A cap removably couplable to at least one waste oil container (C) and comprising: at least one closing body (2) of the waste oil container (C); at least one level sensor (4) of the waste oil contained in the oil container (C), said at least one sensor (4) being inserted inside at least one compartment (5) made in said at least one closing body (2), said at least one compartment (5) comprising at least one opening (6) towards the inside of the oil container (C) for detecting the oil level; at least one covering element (8) of said at least one closing body (2) arranged above said at least one closing body (2) to protect it from atmospheric precipitation or similar agents, said at least one covering element (8) comprising one or more first through holes (9) to allow air to access said at least one compartment (5); at least one collection tank (11) for liquids coming from said one or more first through holes (9).

2. Cap according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one collection tank (11) comprises at least one depression (11a) made in said at least one closing body (2), said one or more first through holes (9) being made in said at least one covering element (8) at said at least one depression (11a).

3. Cap according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said at least one collection tank (11) comprises at least one draining portion of at least a part of the liquids coming from said one or more first through holes (9).

4. Cap according to claim 3, wherein said at least one collection tank (11) comprises a first side (12) arranged towards the inside of said cap (1) and a second side (13) arranged towards the outside of said cap (1), said first side (12) being more developed in height with respect to said second side (13).

5. Cap according to claim 3, wherein said at least one draining portion comprises at least a second through hole made on the outer perimeter of said at least one closing body (2) of said cap (1).

6. Cap according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising at least one programmable logic unit operatively coupled to said at least one levelsensor (4) to calculate the quantity of oil contained inside the container (C).

7. Cap according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising at least one containment casing (5a) of said at least one level sensor (4), said casing (5a) being counter-shaped in said compartment (5) and having one or more ventilation holes (4a) for said at least one level sensor (4).

8. Cap according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one level sensor (4) belongs to the group of infrared sensors.

9. Cap according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said closing body (2) is couplable to the oil container (C) by means of at least one circular ring nut (15), said covering element (8) being mechanically coupled to said at least one circular ring nut (15).

10. Cap according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one level sensor (4) is constrained to said at least one compartment (5) by bayonet coupling means.

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