BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to fuel filters, and more particularly to a device for draining residue oil or fuel remaining in a filter after the filter has been removed from, e.g., a gasoline pump or an oil furnace, in preparation for proper disposal ofthe filter and the oil or fuel drained therefrom.

Gas stations that sell gasoline to the public usually contain one or more "islands" having one or more banks of gas pumps that the motorist maneuvers his or her car proximate to. Each bank of gas pumps may be "double-sided" (that is, with a plurality of pumps on each opposing side) so cars can pull up along both sides ofthe pump bank. Further, each side ofthe pump bank may contain two or more pumps, one for each grade of gasoline sold. A typical pump bank contains six pumps, three on each side.

Typically, each pump within a bank of pumps contains a canister-like fuel filter located inside the bank. The filters are usually readily accessible upon removing a panel on the bank. The filter is operable to filter out impurities in the gasoline prior to the gasoline being pumped by the consumer from the underground storage tank into the automobile gas tank.

These filters need to be periodically replaced as, over time, the impurities collected by the filter add up to a point where the normal flow of gas through the filter is impeded. The filters are accessed by removing the panels on the pump bank and unscrewing the filters. Each filter may contain one pint or more of residue gasoline, which must be properly drained from the filter prior to proper disposal ofthe drained filter in accordance with ever- stricter environmental laws regulating the disposal of such filters.

In the prior art, it is known to use a large bucket (e.g., a five gallon bucket), open at the top. The filters are removed from a bank of pumps and the filters are either held by hand within the bucket and allowed to drain individually, or the filters are placed into the bucket among the accumulated fuel and left unattended to eventually drain. The first method is time consuming in that the person must hold the filter until most, if not all, ofthe fuel remaining in each filter has drained into the bucKet. The time spent waiting for each filter to drain is inefficient and can add up. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that a typical gas station may contain 24 or more individual pumps and corresponding filters. The second method is problematic in that the person must eventually "fish out" the filters from the bucket, typically by hand. Regardless ofthe method used, the accumulated fuel must be poured into an appropriate container, often times the underground storage tank for the gasoline itself.

In another situation, an oil furnace for a residence typically has a single filter that filters out impurities in the oil prior to combustion. Similar to the gas station filters discussed previously, the oil filter must be periodically changed. However, the oil filter presents a different environment for changing the filter as compared to gas pump filters. For example, as mentioned before, a typical gas station may have 24 or more filters that must be changed at one time. In contrast, a home oil furnace usually has only one filter to be changed. Also, the gas station itself provides a readily available site for disposal of collected fuel (the underground fuel tank). In contrast, most often there is no place to properly dispose ofthe residue oil collected from an oil furnace filter. Typically, the collected oil and furnace filter must be transported from the home to a proper site for disposal, such as a hazardous waste storage area. Thus, problems of possible spillage during vehicle transportation ofthe oil must be addressed.

Accordingly, it is a primary object ofthe present invention to provide a device that holds fuel filters so that they can be drained of any remaining fuel or oil without having the filter immersed in an accumulated residue oil or fuel.

It is a general object ofthe present invention to provide a coverable bucket-type device for holding fuel filters for draining any remaining fuel or oil from the filters while transporting the filters and without any spillage ofthe accumulated oil or fuel from the device. It is another object ofthe present invention to provide an inexpensive device for holding one or more filters and for quickly draining any fuel or oil remaining therein, and for facilitating the pouring of accumulated oil or fuel in the device into a proper receptacle.

It is still another object ofthe present invention to provide an inexpensive and portable device for holding one or more filters and for quickly draining any fuel or oil remaining therein, all ofthe components ofthe device being stored in a compact manner when not in use. It is yet another object ofthe present invention to provide a device that facilitates the collection of fuel or oil drained from filters at one site and for transporting the accumulated fuel or oil and the removed filters for disposal at another site.

It is still another object ofthe present invention to provide a device that facilitates the collection of fuel or oil drained from filters without spillage that could contaminate the environment.

The above and other objects and advantages of this invention will become more readily apparent when the following description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To overcome the deficiencies ofthe prior art and to achieve the objects listed above, the Applicant has invented a device for draining residual fuel or oil in one or more filters.

According to a first aspect ofthe present invention, the device is utilized for draining fuel from a plurality of gasoline pump filters. The device includes an outer container or bucket, a basket, a funnel and a cover. In use, the basket is turned upside down and disposed inside the outer container such that a perforated screen surface ofthe basket is inside the outer container. In a preferred embodiment, the edge or lip ofthe perforated surface rests on a corresponding lip or edge within the outer container. The plurality of fuel filters are then placed on the screen and the fuel drains out ofthe filters by gravity and flows into the lower portion of the outer container. After draining, the filters may be discarded and the fuel accumulated in the lower container may be poured out ofthe container using the funnel. When not in use, the funnel is placed in the outer container, the basket is placed over the funnel in the outer container, and the cover is fit onto the top ofthe outer container. This allows for compact storage ofthe device.

According to a second aspect ofthe present invention, the device is utilized for draining oil from an oil fumace filter, located in a residential oil fumace. The device includes an outer container or bucket, a basket and a cover. In use, the basket is disposed entirely within the outer container. One or more filters are disposed on a screened or ribbed surface and the residual oil within the filters is allowed to drain through the screened or ribbed surface and strike a sloping surface that directs the oil to and through a small opening in the sloping surface. The oil then drips down into the bottom ofthe outer container where it is collected. Once the filters are placed within the basket, the cover may be placed on the outer container to cover the top thereof to prevent spillage ofthe collected oil during transportation ofthe device in a vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view ofa device, according to the present invention, having an outer container with an inner basket disposed at least partially therewithin, and also illustrates a plurality of canister-like fuel filters disposed within the inner basket and adapted to drain any residual fuel through perforations formed in a bottom surface ofthe inner basket;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional illustration ofthe outer container and the inner basket of FIG. 1, together with a funnel disposed within the outer container and a cover disposed over an opening at the top ofthe outer container, the device of FIG. 2 shown in a storage position; FIG. 3 illustrates a front- view, partially cut-away, illustrating the outer container of FIG. 1 with an altemative embodiment of means, disposed within the container, for supporting the inner basket within the outer container;

FIG. 4 illustrates an altemative embodiment ofthe outer container of FIG. 1 having a handle and a plurality of wheels, together with an altemative embodiment ofthe inner basket of FIG. 1 and an altemative embodiment ofthe means for supporting the inner basket within the outer container;

FIG. 5 illustrates the device of FIG. 4 in a storage position, including a funnel and a cover;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional illustration of an altemative embodiment ofthe device of FIG. 1, having an inner basket adapted to support various types of fuel and/or oil filters for draining into the outer container;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional illustration ofthe device of FIG. 6, and an alternative embodiment ofthe basket of FIG. 6, together with an altemative embodiment of means for supporting the basket; FIG. 8 is a top view, partially cut-away, ofthe device of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 9 is a top view ofthe device of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings in detail, a device for facilitating the draining of oil or fluid remaining in a filter is illustrated therein and generally designated by the reference numeral 100. The device 100 generally includes an outer container or bucket 104, and an inner basket

108 disposed at least partially within the outer container when the device 100 is set up to drain

the fluid from the filters 112, 116. Various types of means for holding the inner basket 108 in a predetermined position within the outer container 104 are also disclosed. During storage ofthe device 100, a funnel 120 is disposed within the outer container 104, the inner basket 108 is disposed entirely within the outer container, and a cover 124 is provided to cover an opening in the top ofthe outer container.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there illustrated is a first preferred embodiment ofthe device 100 ofthe present invention. The device 100 includes an outer container 104, cylindrical in shape, comprising plastic, metal or other suitable material. The outer container 104 is generally in the shape ofa bucket having a closed bottom, a cylindrical sidewall, and an opening at the top.

An inner basket 108 is cylindrical in shape and has a bottom screened surface 128 with a plurality of perforations 132 formed therein. The top ofthe inner basket 108 has an opening to facilitate the placement of one or more canister-like fuel filters 112 within the inner basket and on the bottom screened surface 128 ofthe basket. Means are provided for holding the inner basket in a predetermined position at least partially within the outer container. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the means for holding comprises a metal or plastic ring 136 that is disposed at least part way around the inner surface ofthe outer container 104 and is attached thereto by way of, e.g., nuts/bolts or rivets. The means for holding the inner basket has a "lip" or upper ring surface 140 upon which the outer edges ofthe bottom surface 128 ofthe inner basket 108 rest on.

The device 100 of FIG. 1 is contemplated for use in draining residue fuel within a plurality of fuel filters 112 (in a preferred embodiment, six) removed from a bank of gasoline pumps at a gasoline station. The device 100 ofthe present invention has utility in quickly draining residue fuel in an unattended manner from the filters 112 to facilitate proper disposal of empty filters and fuel accumulated at the bottom ofthe outer container 104.

FIG. 2 illustrates the device 100 of FIG. 1 in a stored position. The inner basket 108 is illustrated inverted from the position shown in FIG. 1, such that the inner basket is now disposed entirely within the outer container 104. A funnel 120 is disposed entirely within the outer container 104 at the bottom thereof. The funnel 120 facilitates the pouring ofthe fluid accumulated in the bottom ofthe outer container into a proper disposal tank. For example, for use ofthe device 100 ofthe present invention in conjunction with fuel oil at a gasoline station, the funnel 120 may facilitate the pouring ofthe accumulated gasoline into the underground

gasoline storage tank at the gasoline station. A cover 124 is provided to cover the opening at the top ofthe outer container 104. Thus, FIG. 2 illustrates four primary components ofthe device of FIG. 1 in an assembled, compact storage position.

FIG. 3 illustrates the outer container 104 of FIG. 1, together with an altemative embodiment ofthe means for holding the inner basket 108 in a predetermined position within the outer container. In contrast to the means illustrated in FIG. 1, the means illustrated in FIG. 3 comprises a cylindrical-shaped inner support 144 disposed within the outer container 104 and resting on the bottom surface thereof. The inner support 144 has an upper ring surface 148 upon which the bottom surface 128 ofthe inner basket 108 can rest. The ring surface 148 of the inner support comprises a "lip" that extends partly toward the center ofthe inside ofthe outer container 104. A suitable opening is provided within the inner support 144 so as not to impede the flow of fluid draining from the filters 112 through the perforations 132 in the bottom surface 128 of the inner basket 108.

In this altemative embodiment ofthe means for holding the inner basket 108, the inner support 144 may be unattached to the inner surface ofthe outer container 104. In such case, the inner support 144 is sized to fit snugly with respect to the inner surface ofthe outer container 104. Altematively, the inner support 144 may be physically attached to the outer container 104 by suitable fastening means, such as nuts/bolts, rivets, welds, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there illustrated is yet another altemative embodiment ofthe device 100 of he present invention. The outer container 104 has a handle 152 formed integrally therewith. Also shown attached to a bottom surface ofthe outer container 104 is a platform 156 having a plurality of wheels 160 to facilitate moving the device 100 around the area of use. For example, it is contemplated that the device 100 ofthe present invention may be utilized at a public gasoline station having a plurality of gasoline pumps located at various "islands" disposed over a rather large area. The handle 152 and wheels 160 allow the device

100 ofthe present invention to be easily moved to the desired locations at which the fuel filters 112 are located, especially as the device 100 becomes heavier due to additional fuel accumulated in the outer container 104. On the other hand, it is also contemplated that the device 100 ofthe present invention may be utilized within an airplane hangar or an automobile service garage, such installations having articles utilizing fuel filters that must be periodically drained utilizing the device 100 ofthe present invention.

In contrast to the earlier embodiments disclosed hereinbefore, the outer container 104 illustrated in FIG. 4 has a pair of cross-members 164, illustrated in cross-section, spanning a portion or all ofthe distance across the inside ofthe outer container 104. For example, ifthe outer container 104 comprises a steel material, the cross-members 164 may also be steel or other metal material and are welded at appropriate locations to the inner surface of the outer container 104. In a preferred embodiment, two cross-members 164 are provided, each cross-member being attached at both ends to appropriate locations on the inner surface of the outer container 104. The two cross-members 164 are arranged with a predetermined height above the bottom ofthe outer container 104 to support the bottom surface 128 ofthe inner basket 108 when the inner basket is placed thereon, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

The inner basket 108 of FIG. 4 also has a handle 168 formed in the wall ofthe basket near the top cylindrical opening thereof. The basket 108 also has appropriate slotted openings 172 formed therein to facilitate the storage ofthe basket 108 within the outer container 104, as illustrated in FIG. 5. That is, when the basket 108 is to be stored entirely within the outer container 104, the slotted openings 172 formed in the wall ofthe inner basket

108 slide over the two cross-members 164 within the outer container 104. Also, as can be seen from FIG. 5, this type of means for holding the inner basket 108 may require the funnel 120 of FIG. 2 to be shaped somewhat differently therefrom, in order to fit properly within the outer container 104 for storage. For example, an upper portion 176 ofthe funnel 120 has a lower flanged surface 180 that rests on the cross members 164. Also illustrated in FIG. 5 is a cover

124 for covering the cylindrical opening in the top ofthe cylindrical-shaped outer container 104 for storage ofthe device 100.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there illustrated is an altemative embodiment ofthe device 100 ofthe present invention for use in, e.g., draining oil from a filter 116 removed from a fumace located in a residence. Also, FIG. 8 illustrates a top view, partially cut-away, ofthe altemative embodiment ofthe device 100 of FIG. 6. The device 100 comprises a cylindrical- shaped outer container 104. The device 100 also includes a cylindrical-shaped inner basket 108 disposed entirely within the outer container 104, in contrast to the previous devices 100 described and illustrated in FIGS. 1-5. Preferably (although not absolutely required), it is desired that the cylindrical outer surface ofthe inner basket 108 abut the inner surface ofthe outer container 104. This reduces the ability ofthe oil accumulated at the bottom ofthe outer container 104 to "splash" back up and out ofthe container. In this altemative embodiment, it is

desired to have the basket 108 disposed entirely within the outer container 104 since, typically, the person utilizing the device 100 will travel from residence to residence replacing an old fumace filter 112, 116 with a new fumace filter. The user ofthe device 100 must have some way of placing the removed filter 112, 116 within the inner basket 108, then placing a cover 124 over the outer container 104, and then traveling to the next residence to perform another replacement procedure. During the time that the person utilizing the device 100 of FIG. 6 is travelling, the filters 112, 116 located within the inner basket 108 are allowed to drain. To prevent spillage ofthe oil accumulated in the bottom ofthe outer container 104 (e.g., in case the device 100 tips over in the vehicle), a cover 124 is provided to cover the opening in the top of the outer container.

In a preferred embodiment, the inner basket 108 has a plurality of horizontally- located ribs 184 connected between a central point or "hub" at the center ofthe inner basket 108 and at predetermined locations proximate the outer surface ofthe inner basket. As • illustrated in FIG. 8, these ribs 184 provide means for supporting canister-like oil filters 112 to allow the oil remaining therein to drain through the spacing between the ribs 184. Also illustrated in FIG. 8 are the ribs 184 having at least one protrusion 188 emanating upward from each rib. These protrusions 188 facilitate the placement ofthe typical circular-shaped, felt filters 116 found in modem residence oil furnaces. That is, the filters 116 have a central opening located therewithin which is placed over the protrusion 188 ofthe rib 184 to better hold the filter 116 within the device 100. Altematively, the central opening in a canister-like oil filter 112 may also be disposed over and onto the protrusion 188 on the rib 184.

Oil draining from either type of filter 112, 116 passes between the openings in the ribs 184 and then strikes a sloping surface 192 located at the bottom ofthe inner basket 108. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the oil is then directed toward a relatively small diameter opening 196 formed, e.g., in the center ofthe lower sloping surface 192 ofthe inner basket 108. In the altemative, FIG. 7 illustrates the situation where the opening 196 in the lower sloping surface 192 ofthe inner basket 108 is off to the side ofthe inner basket, near the inner surface ofthe outer container 104. The relatively small circular opemng 196 reduces the chance that the accumulated oil at the bottom ofthe outer container 104 will "splash" back up at the filters 112, 116 or even to the top ofthe inner basket 108.

FIG. 9 illustrates an altemative embodiment where, instead of utilizing ribs 184, a screened surface 200 having a plurality of perforations to allow oil to drain down therethrough

is provided. The screened surface 200 may also have a plurality of protrusions 188 located thereon, in a similar manner to the ribs 184 of FIG. 8.

Referring also to FIG. 6, a plurality of legs 204 are illustrated as comprising the means for supporting the inner basket 108 within the outer container 104. A bottom portion of each leg 204 is disposed on the bottom surface ofthe outer container 104, while the upper portion of each leg 204 supports the bottom ofthe lower sloping surface 192 ofthe inner basket 108. The legs 204 may either be free standing within the outer container 104, or they may be formed integral with the inner surface ofthe outer container, or they may be attached utilizing suitable fasteners to the inner surface ofthe outer container. FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment where the legs 204 are formed unattached to the inner basket 108, and clips 208 or other suitable means are provided for "gripping" the sides of each leg 204 to facilitate proper placement ofthe legs 204 within the outer container 104. This "gripping" means 208 may be formed on the bottom ofthe lower sloping surface 192 ofthe inner basket 108. In the altemative, the legs 204 may be formed integral with the inner basket 108. Also, FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a cover 124 disposed over the top cylindrical opening ofthe outer container 104. The cover 124 has either attached thereto, or formed integrally therewith, an inner lid 212 that protrudes downward from the upper edge ofthe outer container 104. The Ud 212 may comprise rubber or other suitable material. Its purpose is to provide a high-integrity seal at the top ofthe outer container 104 to prevent any accumulated oil at the bottom ofthe container from spilling out ofthe container during transportation ofthe device 100 ofthe present invention. Preferably, the rubber lid 212 is of a height such that the bottom ofthe Ud 212 abuts the top ofthe inner basket 108 to provide the tight interface.

The device 100 ofthe present invention has been described as being embodied in several preferred embodiments with a number of different features specific to certain embodiments. However, it should be understood that certain features, such as the handle 152 and wheels 160 provided for the outer container 104, may be utilized with any or all ofthe embodiments disclosed herein, or equivalents thereof, in light ofthe teachings therein and without departing from the broadest scope ofthe present invention. That is, the device 100 of the present invention utilized for draining and transporting fumace filters may have a handle 152 and/or wheels 160 formed together with the outer container 104.

Further, the means for holding the inner basket 108 within the outer container 104 ofthe device 100 ofthe present invention utilized for draining gasoline from gasoline

station fuel filters 112, 116 (illustrated in FIGS. 1-5) may utilize the legs 204 of FIG. 6 as the means for holding the inner basket 108 within the outer container 104. Further, the wheels 160 utilized for moving the device 100 ofthe present invention around a predetermined location are purely exemplary. Other means for moving the device, such as tracks or rails, can be utilized without departing from the broadest scope ofthe present invention.

The shape ofthe outer container 104 and inner basket 108 has been illustrated as being generally cylindrical. However, it should be understood that other shapes may be utilized and are contemplated by the broadest scope ofthe present invention. For example, the outer container 104 and/or the inner basket 108 may each or both comprise a square or multi-sided shape.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that obvious structural modifications can be made without departing from the spirit ofthe invention. Accordingly, reference should be made primarily to the accompanying claims, rather than the foregoing specification, to determine the scope ofthe invention. Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is: