In-Ground Receptacle with Heating and Insulation for Grease Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Waste removal systems, particularly for locations like fast-food restaurants and urban areas, face challenges with large waste receptacles that are difficult to access, prone to freezing, and emit strong odors, especially when dealing with greases and oils, which are hard to manage, especially in cold winters.
Innovation Solution
An in-ground receptacle system with a ground well liner and a double-walled liquid containment receptacle featuring a heating element, thermal insulation, and a strainer assembly to manage temperature and fluid flow, including a thermostatic control and a lockable pump-out mechanism to prevent theft and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If a large waste receptacle is used, then waste capacity is increased, but accessibility and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle is partially buried in the ground, transitioning from a fully above-ground configuration to one that extends below grade. This dimensional change allows the receptacle to maintain large volume capacity while reducing the visible profile and improving accessibility by positioning the opening at ground level rather than requiring users to access elevated structures
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the receptacle is placed below grade, then resistance to freezing and odor emission is improved, but accessibility may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle structure implements differential positioning: the main body is buried below grade to exploit the insulating properties of surrounding earth for freezing resistance, while the access opening and upper portion remain at or near ground level to maintain accessibility. This local quality approach allows different regions of the same structure to serve different functional requirements
3Productivity
If a lifting device is used for emptying, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle is designed to be emptied through a pump-out system that utilizes gravity and pressure differential created by the pump itself, without requiring external lifting equipment. The pump creates negative pressure to extract contents, and the system uses the receptacle's own position and structure to facilitate the emptying process, making the system self-sufficient
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides improved accessibility, reduced odor emission, and efficient handling of greases and oils by maintaining a temperature above freezing, preventing theft, and ensuring environmental safety through double-walled containment.
Implementation Method 1
There is a heating element mounted to the inner wall structure outside the receptacle
Implementation Method 2
There is a layer of thermal insulation between the outer wall structure and the inner wall structure
Data Source
AI summary
An in-ground apparatus includes a receptacle and a liner into which the receptacle can be placed and removed. The liner may be a molded plastic liner having a tapering body to permit stacking. The lower margin includes a set of seats for anchor fittings in the form of re-bar prongs that, when installed, extend radially outwardly from the liner. The seats, and hence the prongs, are located upwardly of the bottom edge of the liner so that they are embedded above and below when concrete is poured around the bottom of the liner. The receptacle is formed to contain liquids, such as used cooking oil and hot grease. It has a heating element wrapped around the receptacle, and insulation between the receptacle and the liner. There is an internally concealed pump-out with a swiveling access fitting.