A used oil collection management apparatus

Abstract

A used oil collection management apparatus comprising one or more used oil containers (2) located in one or more territorial areas, detecting means (7) for detecting the level of oil contained within at least one of the containers (2); at least one memory circuit (9) adapted to contain one or more pieces of information collected by the detecting means (7), at least one programmable logic unit (10) operatively connected at least to the detecting means (7) and to the memory circuit (9), at least one computer product stored in the memory circuit (9) and adapted to be executed by the programmable logic unit (10) to process one or more series of oil level measurements contained within the containers (2) so as to determine a filling prediction of the containers (2), scheduling said collection of the used oil on the basis of the prediction.

Description

[0001] A USED OIL COLLECTION MANAGEMENT APPARATUS D E S C R I P T I O N

[0002] Field of application

[0003] The present invention is applicable to the field of waste management and relates to the collection of used oils.

[0004] In more detail, the present invention relates to a used oil collection management apparatus.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] In the field of waste management, there is a known need to separate the different waste in order to proceed with the relevant recycling and, therefore, reduce the environmental impact of this waste. In respect of this, the management of used 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.

[0007] As is known, the disposal of oil is subject to special precautions. In fact, both restaurateurs and families are asked to bring their waste oils in special containers, from which they are delivered to special facilities where the used oils are treated and made available for new use.

[0008] As for the waste oil containers, they consist of a drum provided with a lid which is lifted by the user when they have to pour the waste oil into the drum. In particular, the most modem used oil containers also comprise an oil level sensor in order to organise the emptying of the various drums located out on the territory.

[0009] In fact, known sensors inform users when containers are full and therefore need to be emptied. However, precisely because these are level sensors, they only signal when the waste oil in the container reaches a certain level, that is, the filling level.

[0010] Other times, however, it happens that it is the users themselves who are forced to report the filling of the containers and then ask for them to be emptied by the entity that manages the collection of the used oil.

[0011] As a consequence of this, it sometimes happens that the waste oil containers remain full for several days before being emptied, resulting in the user being unable to empty further waste oil into the containers.

[0012] This leads to a disruption by the entity that provides the collection service, resulting in inconvenience for the user who, whether restaurateur or private person, needs to dispose of the waste oil.

[0013] And there is more. The level sensors of the prior art involve a wasted expenditure of fuel, as the collection takes place on predetermined days for all the containers located in the various territorial areas, regardless of whether or not they are actually full.

[0014] This results in a considerable expenditure of time and costs.

[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 used oil collection management apparatus which enables the organisation of the collection of waste oil from the various containers located in different areas of the territory.

[0017] In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a used oil collection management apparatus which makes it possible to optimise and simplify the collection of used oils.

[0018] In fact, another object of the present invention is to provide a used oil collection management apparatus which makes it possible to ensure that the oil containers always have capacity to contain oil, whatever their shape, size and containment capacity.

[0019] It follows that another object of the present invention is to provide a used oil collection management apparatus which makes it possible to ensure an efficient and constant service to the end user.

[0020] Moreover, another object of the present invention is to provide a used oil collection management apparatus which allows the user of the containers to be relieved of the obligation to notify that the containers are full.

[0021] Furthermore, a further object of the present invention is to provide a used oil collection management apparatus which guarantees the constant availability of the containers while not incurring excessive costs arising from the non-optimal collection of the waste oil. And there is more. A further object of the present invention is to provide a used oil collection management apparatus that makes it possible to reduce the air pollution generated by the sometimes unnecessary deployment of the means that are used for the collection even when the bins are not full.

[0022] The aforesaid objects, as well as others which will be made clearer below, are achieved by a used oil collection management apparatus in accordance with the following claims which are to be considered an integral part of the present patent.

[0023] In particular, the management apparatus comprises one or more used oil containers located in one or more territorial areas and detection means for detecting the level of oil contained therein.

[0024] Advantageously, the presence of the oil level detecting means makes it possible to know when the oil contained in the containers reaches a certain level, as typically happens with the known sensors arranged inside the waste oil containers.

[0025] According to an aspect of the invention, the apparatus also comprises at least one memory circuit and a programmable logic unit operatively connected at least to the detecting means and to the memory circuit.

[0026] Advantageously, the presence of the memory circuit makes it possible to store the information collected by the detecting means and create a history of the same.

[0027] According to a further aspect of the invention, the apparatus also comprises at least one computer product stored in the memory circuit and adapted to be executed by the programmable logic unit.

[0028] By means of this, the apparatus processes one or more series of measurements of the level of oil contained inside the containers.

[0029] Advantageously, this makes it possible to determine a filling prediction of the oil containers.

[0030] To this end, the apparatus therefore makes it possible to schedule the collection of the waste oil on the basis of the filling prediction made.

[0031] In more detail, according to another aspect of the invention, the processing of the series of measurements takes place by means of a predictive algorithm. Advantageously, this makes it possible to determine in advance when the containers will need to be emptied and therefore, still advantageously, optimise the collection of the waste oil.

[0032] It follows, still advantageously, that the aforesaid makes it possible, to ensure the constant containment capacity of the waste oil containers.

[0033] In this way, still advantageously, an efficient service is guaranteed to the end user, be they a restaurateur or a private entity.

[0034] Moreover, the possibility of predicting in advance the timing for the containers being filled makes it possible, still advantageously, to save fuel compared to the situation with the equivalent sensors of the prior art, thus avoiding "empty" collection rounds.

[0035] It follows that this also results in time and cost savings compared to the known equivalent art.

[0036] Brief description of the drawings

[0037] Further features and advantages of the invention will become more evident in light of the detailed description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of a used oil collection management apparatus, illustrated by way of a non-limiting example with the aid of the accompanying drawing table, wherein FIG. 1 shows a used oil collection management apparatus in a schematic view.

[0038] Detailed description of some preferred embodiments

[0039] With reference to the aforementioned figures, a used oil collection management apparatus 1 is described comprising a plurality of containers 2 located, like all waste oil containers, in different territorial areas.

[0040] In particular, as is known, the used oil containers 2 can be managed by a user such as a restaurateur and, therefore, be private and intended for use only by the restaurateur who places them in an area suitable for them. However, the containers 2 can also be owned by an entity that makes them available to citizens for the disposal of oil used in private environments such as homes. In this case, the containers 2 are placed in special urban or extra-urban waste collection areas.

[0041] According to one aspect of the invention, each container 2 comprises a unique identification means 3 for the same which, in the detail of the embodiment described herein, comprises an RFID code 3a.

[0042] Advantageously, the presence of the unique identification means 3 of the containers 2 makes it possible for each of these to be accurately identified.

[0043] Moreover, the presence of the unique identification means 3 is particularly advantageous because these also make it possible to see remotely, as will be seen below, which of the many containers 2 is emitting signals or is transmitting certain messages to the collection manager.

[0044] It follows, still advantageously, that the presence of the identification means 3 makes it possible to quickly distinguish which container 2 needs assistance, maintenance or anything else.

[0045] However, the aforesaid must not be considered a limiting characteristic for different embodiments of the invention according to which none or only some of the containers comprise data identification means, or the data identification means is any, i.e. different from the RFID code.

[0046] Moreover, according to another aspect of the invention, the containers 2 comprise position tracking means 5, without however constituting a limit for the present invention.

[0047] Advantageously, the presence of the position tracking means 5 makes it possible to monitor the geographical location of the different containers 2, as well as, still advantageously, to reach them in the event of their movement.

[0048] In fact, it may happen that the customer using the container 2 moves it from one place to another for various reasons. This obviously happens in the case of a restaurateur. On the contrary, in the case of containers 2 of sed oil made available to citizens by a specific entity, it may be the latter that decides to move the container to another area that they consider more accessible to end users.

[0049] In such situations, therefore, the presence of the position tracking means 5, advantageously, allows those who deal with the emptying of the containers 2 to easily reach them without the expenditure of time to look for them.

[0050] In the particular embodiment described, the tracking means 5 comprise a GPS. However, the type of tracking means 5 must not be considered a limiting characteristic for different embodiments of the invention according to which the tracking means belong to a different type such as, by way of example and not limited to, triangulation by wireless communication networks such as Wi-Fi or mobile telephone networks.

[0051] Moreover, according to a further aspect of the invention, the apparatus 1 comprises, although not depicted in the figures, means for connecting to a data network.

[0052] Advantageously, the presence of the means for connecting to a data network allows the containers 2 to dialogue inside the apparatus 1 and towards the outside thereof.

[0053] In particular, in the embodiment described herein, the apparatus 1 also comprises means for transmitting messages to the user. In more detail, the apparatus 1 sends messages both to the user of one or more containers 2 and to the waste oil collection manager. This is in particular advantageous in that it allows users and collection managers to be updated in real time about one or more pieces of information relating to the apparatus 1 as a whole or to one or more specific containers 2. In respect of this, however, it is evident that once again the presence of the identification means 3 of the containers 2 is particularly advantageous. In fact, if one of these needs maintenance or to transmit a particular message to the user or to the manager of the collection and maintenance, in the transmitted message there is a unique identifier for the container 2 to which the message refers.

[0054] According to another aspect of the invention, the used oil collection management apparatus 1 comprises acoustic signalling means 6. In particular, these signal a removal of the containers 2 from the respective territorial areas in which they were placed.

[0055] Advantageously, the acoustic signalling means 6 make it possible to notify when there is a movement of the containers 2 that has not been previously authorised.

[0056] This advantageously increases the security of the containers 2, preserving them from any theft that may occur.

[0057] And there is more. In this way, advantageously, the end user is guaranteed an always efficient service which, therefore, still advantageously, avoids periods of shortage of containers 2 in which to pour the waste oil. Obviously, both the presence of the signalling means and the type are not limiting characteristics for different embodiments of the invention. In fact, according to some embodiment variants there are no means for signalling any distances of the containers from the predetermined areas, while according to other embodiment variants the signalling means are of the visual type.

[0058] According to another aspect of the invention, the management apparatus 1 also comprises detecting means 7 for detecting the level of the oil contained inside the containers 2. Going into more detail of the embodiment disclosed herein, the detecting means 7 is represented by a sensor. However, it should be noted that, although in the embodiment represented here the sensor is present in all the containers 2, this aspect should not be considered as limiting. In fact, it may happen that, typically in the case of several containers located in the same area, but not only, the sensor is present only in one or some of the containers.

[0059] Advantageously, the presence of the detecting means 7 for detecting the level of the oil makes it possible to see when the oil contained in the containers 2 reaches a certain level, as typically happens with the known sensors arranged inside the used oil containers.

[0060] Moreover, the presence of the sensor makes it possible to see this information remotely, without having to physically go to the location of the containers 2 to measure the level of the oil reached.

[0061] It follows that the presence of the sensor allows a considerable saving of time and costs.

[0062] But this is not the only factor. By means of the sensor there is a considerable reduction in the movement of vehicles attending the containers 2 and this advantageously makes it possible to reduce air pollution caused by fine dust that vehicles disperse in the air.

[0063] Moreover, the fact that the detecting means 7 are constituted in this case by a sensor, still advantageously, allows the oil level to be measured automatically by the sensor, hence without human intervention.

[0064] This results in considerable and beneficial time savings.

[0065] However, it should be noted that, obviously, the presence of the sensor must not be considered a limiting characteristic for different embodiments of the invention according to which the detecting means are constituted, for example, by a camera that frames a special window made on the container and that returns the level of the waste oil contained therein. According to other embodiments, the detecting means are instead constituted by human intervention. It follows that in such cases the measurement of the oil level is done directly by the user who then enters the information collected in a special portal.

[0066] Moreover, in this sense, according to another aspect of the invention, the apparatus 1 comprises, although not represented in the figures, data entry means available to the user.

[0067] These allow not only the entry of data relating to the oil level by the user but also additional data such as, for example, the position where the container 2 is located.

[0068] According to one aspect of the invention, the apparatus 1 also comprises a memory circuit 9 and a programmable logic unit 10 operatively connected to the detecting means 7 and to the memory circuit 9.

[0069] Furthermore, according to another aspect of the invention, the apparatus 1 also comprises a computer product stored in the memory circuit 9 and adapted to be executed by the programmable logic unit 10.

[0070] The simultaneous presence of the detecting means 7 with the computer product makes it possible to carry out multiple level measurements at different times in order to process a series of measurements of the level of oil contained inside the containers 2.

[0071] In particular, according to another aspect of the invention, the processing of the series of measurements takes place by means of a predictive algorithm. In more detail, in the embodiment described herein, the predictive algorithm consists of an artificial intelligence algorithm without, however, this constituting a limit for the present invention.

[0072] Advantageously, this makes it possible to determine a filling prediction of the oil containers.

[0073] It follows, still advantageously, that what has been said makes it possible to determine in advance the moment when the containers 2 need to be emptied and therefore, still advantageously, to schedule the collection of the waste oil on the basis of the prediction made.

[0074] It follows, still advantageously, that the foregoing advantageously makes it possible to optimise the management of the collection of waste oils and, at the same time, still advantageously, to ensure the constant containment capacity of the used oil containers 2.

[0075] In this way, still advantageously, an efficient and constant service is guaranteed to the end user, be they a restaurateur or a private entity.

[0076] Moreover, the possibility of predicting in advance the timing for filling the containers makes it possible, once again, to save fuel compared to the situation with the equivalent sensors of the prior art, with a considerable reduction in the emission of pollutants into the air.

[0077] It follows that this also results in time and cost savings compared to the known equivalent prior art.

[0078] Moreover, the series of level measurements are stored within the memory circuit 9 and this advantageously makes it possible to create historical series.

[0079] Advantageously, this makes it possible to know the trend over time of the filling of the containers 2 subject to monitoring.

[0080] It follows, still advantageously, that it is possible to schedule the collection of the waste oil from the containers 2 located in the various areas, also distinguishing by periods of the year.

[0081] In fact, thanks to the constant monitoring of the oil level by the detecting means 7, it is possible to determine whether there are periods of the year during which the containers 2 fill faster, and which those periods of pouring greater quantities of waste oil are.

[0082] It follows, advantageously, that it is possible to organise the collection of waste oil by increasing its frequency during the aforementioned periods of the year.

[0083] Once again, this makes it possible to optimise the collection of waste oil and provide users with a constant, efficient and cost-optimised service.

[0084] Moreover, this makes it possible to organise the routes for the collection of the waste oil.

[0085] This enables a considerable saving in terms of time and costs compared with the prior art.

[0086] In particular, in the embodiment being described, the programmable logic unit 10 and the memory circuit 9 are part of a remote server connected to the detecting means 7 by means of the aforementioned data network. However, this aspect is also not to be considered limiting for different embodiments of the invention where, for example, both the programmable logic unit and the memory circuit are housed together with the detecting means and perform the processing of the data collected on site and then transfer this, again through the data network, to a remote server for control and management of the waste oil collection paths.

[0087] Operatively, the used oil collection management apparatus 1 performs, by means of the detecting means 7, a plurality of measurements of the level of oil contained inside the containers 2 at different times so as to carry out a series of measurements for each container 2. These measurements are stored within the memory circuit 9 so as to create series of historical measurements and therefore see the filling speed of the various containers 2 during the year or at a certain period.

[0088] These series of measurements are then processed by means of the predictive algorithm. Advantageously, this makes it possible to determine a filling prediction of the containers 2.

[0089] Based on this prediction, the collection of the waste oil from the containers 2 located in the different territorial areas is therefore scheduled.

[0090] In light of the foregoing, it is understood that the used oil collection management apparatus achieves all the intended objects.

[0091] In particular, it enables the organisation of the collection of waste oil from the various containers located in different areas of the territory.

[0092] In fact, the used oil collection management apparatus of the invention makes it possible to optimise and simplify the collection of waste oils.

[0093] Moreover, it makes it possible to ensure that the oil containers always have oil holding capacity, whatever their shape, size and containment capacity.

[0094] It follows that the management apparatus of the invention makes it possible to ensure an efficient and constant service to the end user. Furthermore, it makes it possible that the user of the containers is relieved of the task of notifying that the containers are full.

[0095] In addition, the used oil collection management apparatus guarantees the constant availability of the containers while not incurring excessive costs due to the non-optimal collection of the waste oil.

[0096] The invention is subject 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 used oil collection management apparatus comprising: one or more used oil containers (2) located in one or more territorial areas; detecting means (7) for detecting the level of oil contained within at least one of said one or more containers (2); at least one memory circuit (9) adapted to contain one or more pieces of information collected by said detecting means (7); at least one programmable logic unit (10) operatively connected at least to said detecting means (7) and to said at least one memory circuit (9), said management apparatus (1 ) further comprising at least one computer product stored in said at least one memory circuit (9) and adapted to be executed by said at least one programmable logic unit (10) for: processing one or more series of oil level measurements contained within said at least one of said one or more containers (2) so as to determine a filling prediction of said at least one of said one or more containers (2); scheduling said collection of used oil based on said prediction.

2. Used oil collection management apparatus according to Claim 1 , wherein said processing of one or more series of measurements takes place by means of a predictive algorithm.

3. Used oil collection management apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein said oil level detecting means (7) comprise at least one sensor.

4. Used oil collection management apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising means for connecting to a data network.

5. Used oil collection management apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said one or more containers (2) comprise position tracking means (5).

6. Used oil collection management apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising data entry means available to a user, said data entry means being operatively connected at least to said at least one programmable logic unit (10) for the entry into said memory circuit (9) of at least information relating to said one or more containers (2).

7. Used oil collection management apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said one or more containers (2) comprise unique identification means (3) thereof.

8. Used oil collection management apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising acoustic (6) and / or optical signalling means of at least one removal of said one or more containers (2) from said one or more territorial areas.

9. Used oil collection management apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising means for transmitting messages to the user.

10. A method for managing used oil collection adapted to be implemented by a management apparatus (1 ) according to one or more of the preceding claims comprising the following steps: performing a plurality of measurements of the level of oil contained within said at least one of said one or more containers (2) so as to perform said one or more series of measurements; processing said one or more series of oil level measurements contained within said at least one of said one or more containers (2) so as to determine a filling prediction of said at least one of said one or more containers (2); scheduling said collection of used oil based on said prediction.

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