Means for environmentally friendly and odor-neutralizing disposal of cooking oil and fat

Abstract

Agent for the environmentally friendly and odor-neutralizing disposal of cooking oil and fat, containing an oil-soluble component in the form of 12-hydroxystearic acid, characterized in that as components of the agent at least a) 90 - 95 wt.% 12-hydroxystearic acid and additionally b) 5-10 wt% vegetable wax are included.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a means for the environmentally friendly and odor-neutralizing disposal of cooking oil and cooking fat according to the preamble of claim 1. State of the art

[0002] Used cooking oil and fat pose a disposal problem because they are difficult to handle in liquid form. Various methods and means are known for absorbing or solidifying such waste oil. Common household recommendations suggest collecting cooled oil in suitable containers or absorbing it using absorbent materials (e.g., kitchen paper, sawdust, or cat litter) and then disposing of it in the household waste. However, these methods are often messy and only bind the oil to a limited extent.

[0003] Specialized oil binders and solidifying agents have been developed to facilitate disposal. Powdered additives are commercially available that, when added to liquid cooking oil, cause it to gel at room temperature. For example, JP-A-26246 / 1995 A describes a two-component system in which an oil-soluble gelling agent (such as 12-hydroxystearic acid) is added to the waste oil together with a microwaveable, low-volatility carrier liquid to solidify it without additional heating. Similarly, Japanese patent application JP S61-19681 A (1986) describes the use of pure 12-hydroxystearic acid powder to solidify cooking oil. However, a drawback observed in this approach is a syneresis effect – the formed gel tends to contract and expel liquid oil, which impairs complete oil binding.

[0004] In addition, oil absorbents from the industrial sector are used, which are usually based on mineral or synthetic substances (e.g., granules containing diatomaceous earth or polymer absorbents). Such agents were primarily developed for absorbing spilled mineral oils and are less suitable for cooking oil, as they are not designed for food residues and are often not biodegradable or suitable for household waste.

[0005] In summary, although various oil solidifiers are already known from the state of the art, there is still a need for improvements in terms of handling, effectiveness, environmental compatibility, and suitability for private households. In particular, there is no known product that combines all the desired properties—namely, plant-based origin, free dosing, easy application with hot oil, structurally stable solidification without oil separation, and odor reduction. Description of the invention

[0006] The present invention is based on the object of eliminating the aforementioned disadvantages and of providing a means by which used cooking oils and fats can be solidified quickly, safely and completely so that they can be disposed of easily and cleanly - for example, via household waste - without special precautions.

[0007] According to the invention, the above object is achieved according to the preamble of claim 1 in conjunction with the characterizing features.

[0008] Furthermore, the object of the invention is to create a product that is easy to use and freely dosable, allowing for flexible use both in the home and in the catering industry. Furthermore, it should be plant-based and sustainable to promote environmentally friendly disposal, and possess an odor-reducing effect to reduce unpleasant odors from the used oil during and after solidification. The aim is to overcome the disadvantages identified in the prior art—such as complicated handling, insufficient gelling effect, or unpleasant odors.

[0009] Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the means according to the invention in this regard are specified in the dependent subclaims.

[0010] The inventive agent for the environmentally friendly and odor-neutralizing disposal of cooking oil and fat initially contains an oil-soluble component in the form of 12-hydroxystearic acid. The agent is characterized by containing at least a) 90-95% by weight of 12-hydroxystearic acid and, in addition, b) 5-10% by weight of vegetable wax.

[0011] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the agent is formed as an agglomerate composed of at least two components: 12-hydroxystearic acid and vegetable wax, which is combined, stored, compressed and / or aggregated.

[0012] The agent is preferably a granulate, a tablet or a pellet or is designed as such, whereby the agent can also be in powder form and / or be designed as a homogeneous, solid mass.

[0013] Thanks to this composition and dosage form, the agent according to the invention achieves particularly efficient solidification of cooking oil and fat. It is ideally applied while the used oil is still hot (e.g., immediately after frying or roasting). The agent is sprinkled directly into the hot liquid fat – for example, in an amount of approximately 10 g per 250 ml of oil. The agent according to the invention thus represents a powerful, scientifically sound oil gelling agent that surpasses conventional oil solidifiers in efficiency and functionality.

[0014] In the hot oil, the agent – ​​which may be in the form of flake-like granules – melts immediately and mixes homogeneously with the liquid fat. During subsequent cooling, a phase transition occurs: The dissolved 12-hydroxystearic acid crystallizes in combination with the wax and forms a solid gel, or rather, a wax-fat compound, which completely binds the previously liquid oil. The result is a homogeneous, solid mass (no crumbling or oil leakage) that retains its shape. Surprisingly, it was found that the inventive mixture of 12-HSA and vegetable wax (preferably carnauba wax) not only cures reliably but also reduces unpleasant used oil odors. Odorants are presumably either bound by inclusion in the solid matrix or partially masked by the wax, which leads to a significantly improved odor situation.

[0015] The product is freely dosable, meaning the user can individually measure the required amount depending on the amount of oil. No measuring of liquids or rigid portion packs are necessary – the product can simply be added with a spoon. The recommended dosage of approximately 4% by weight of the oil volume (equivalent to 10 g of product per 250 ml of oil) has proven sufficient to achieve complete solidification. Larger or smaller oil volumes can be scaled accordingly.

[0016] A further aspect of the invention is the method of producing the agent according to the invention:

[0017] In a first embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a combined, aggregated, compressed and / or aggregated agglomerate is formed from the at least two components 12-hydroxystearic acid and vegetable wax, which agglomerate is agglomerated to form a granulate, a tablet or a pellet.

[0018] Furthermore, the process can consist of first melting the at least two components 12-hydroxystearic acid and vegetable wax together and mixing them thoroughly until a homogeneous liquid melt is formed, which is then cured.

[0019] To obtain the flake-shaped particles, the two components 12-hydroxystearic acid and vegetable wax are first melted together and thoroughly mixed until a homogeneous liquid melt is formed. This two-component melt is then poured thinly into molds or spread onto a smooth surface, where it hardens completely. After the mass has cooled, it is mechanically crushed using a pressure process, whereby the solidified layer is broken into irregular, thin flakes or granules by the application of pressure. The result is free-flowing, easy-to-handle particles with a large surface area that promotes rapid melting in hot oil. This manufacturing process ensures that the product is low in dust (compared to fine powder) and that the particles are of a suitable size for easy dosing and distribution.

[0020] The agent according to the invention offers a number of advantages over known methods and products for oil solidification:

[0021] Easy handling: The product according to the invention is very user-friendly. Unlike fine powders, which can create dust, the fluffy particles can be precisely dosed and evenly sprinkled into the oil. Complex preparation (such as heating a product separately or mixing components) is eliminated. The solidification process takes place directly in the cooking vessel being used, saving time and effort, as it also reduces frying or deep-frying residues in the cookware.

[0022] Fast and effective solidification: Thanks to the specific combination of 12-HSA and vegetable wax, the oil reliably gels within a short time during cooling. A quantity of ~4% by weight of the agent is sufficient to bind many times more oil. The result is a compact, solid mass of bound fat that leaves no liquid residue. Compared to some conventional approaches, which either do not bind all of the oil, leave frying residue in the pan, or require long waiting times for complete hardening, this method achieves a fast and complete result.

[0023] No syneresis effect: The addition of vegetable wax to 12-hydroxystearic acid significantly improves the structural stability of the oil solidification. Unlike the use of pure 12-HSA, which can lead to subsequent separation of liquid oil – as reported in JP S61-19681 – the solid created by oil flakes remains stable and dense. Wax and fatty acid form a solid structure that evenly encloses the oil, including frying and deep-frying residues, and prevents separation.

[0024] Odor reduction: A unique feature of the agent according to the invention is its odor-reducing effect. When using oil flakes, the typical frying odors of used oil are significantly reduced. This results in greater user comfort, especially indoors, as the unpleasant odor after frying is minimized. None of the known competing products offer explicit odor reduction; gelled oil often still smells strongly of old fat, whereas fat treated with oil flakes remains significantly more neutral.

[0025] Purely plant-based composition and environmental compatibility: The oil flakes are made from renewable raw materials (12-hydroxystearic acid comes from hydrogenated castor oil; the preferred carnauba wax is from the leaves of the carnauba palm) and contain no synthetic plastics or environmentally harmful additives. The final product of the solidification is essentially a solid mixture of plant-based waxes and fats that can be safely disposed of with household waste. Unlike mineral oil binders, no problematic residues are produced. The use of plant-based components makes the product biodegradable and CO2-neutral when burned, which improves the ecological balance of disposal.

[0026] Versatility: The product is universally applicable for different quantities and types of cooking oils and frying fats. Both small quantities (such as oil from a frying pan after frying) and large volumes (e.g., oil in a deep fryer in a restaurant) can be treated by appropriately dosing the product. This flexibility distinguishes oil flakes from pre-portioned disposable units or rigid systems that may only be designed for fixed oil volumes.

[0027] In summary, the invention offers the user a clean, safe and efficient solution for cooking oil disposal, which is superior to the previous state of the art in both handling and results. Example 1: Production of a granulate

[0028] To produce the agent according to the invention, a mixture of 90-95% by weight 12-hydroxystearic acid and 5-10% by weight vegetable wax is preferably prepared. Both starting materials (in solid form) are heated to approximately 90°C in a heatable container. At this temperature, both the 12-HSA (melting point approximately 75-80°C) and the carnauba wax (melting point approximately 82-86°C) melt. They are mixed while stirring to form a clear, homogeneous molten liquid. The liquid mixture is then spread thinly – approximately 1-2 mm thick – onto silicone sheets and cooled completely at room temperature until a hard, solidified layer is formed. This layer is then comminuted using a mechanical pressure process: The sheet is broken up by a roller crusher or by the application of pressure, resulting in irregular, platelet-like granulate flakes. The typical particles have dimensions in the range of max.They are a few millimeters thick and less than one millimeter thick. They are free-flowing, non-dusty, and can be filled directly into suitable containers. The resulting product is stable in storage, does not clump, and retains its free-flowing properties, which is important for easy dosing. Example 2: Household use

[0029] In a household, approximately 500 ml of used frying oil accumulates in the deep fryer after frying food (e.g., French fries). Immediately after the last frying cycle, while the oil is still at approximately 150 °C, 20 g of an agent, for example in the form of oil flake granules, are evenly sprinkled into the hot oil (corresponding to the recommended dosage of 4% by weight of the oil volume).

[0030] The gelling agent partially sinks and immediately begins to melt. Stir the oil briefly with a heat-resistant spoon to ensure even distribution. Within a few seconds, the gelling agent dissolves completely in the hot fat. Unplug the fryer, and let the oil and gelling agent mixture stand in the container.

[0031] After about 20-30 minutes of cooling (to room temperature), the oil will have solidified into a solid mass. This can be easily removed from the fryer container – either whole or in large pieces, as it has a waxy consistency. No liquid oil residue will escape. It is noticeable that the typical used oil smell is significantly weaker than usual: Even during the cooling phase, the odors were muted, and the solid oil mass smells only mildly waxy, not overly strong like old fat. The mass can be wrapped in newspaper, for example, and finally disposed of in the general waste bin. The fryer container has hardly any residue and can be easily cleaned with warm soapy water without leaving a greasy film in the wastewater. Example 3: Application in the catering industry

[0032] In a commercial kitchen, a large amount of frying fat is produced every day, for example 5 liters of oil per day from a deep fryer. To make disposal easier here too, an inventive procedure is used: After use, the still-hot frying oil is treated with oil flakes. Around 200 g of an agent, for example in the form of oil flake granules, is added to the liquid fat (again around 4% by weight). Despite the slightly lower temperature, the fine wax flakes still melt completely because the oil is above the melting point of the mixture. Gentle stirring distributes everything evenly. The mixture cools to room temperature overnight. The next morning it is apparent that the entire volume of 5 liters of fat has solidified into a solid mass that can be cut into several large pieces. These can then simply be removed and collected in a waste container.Employees report that the odor in the kitchen was significantly less than usual when the used oil was left standing. The solid mass can be disposed of with the general waste, replacing the previous method of collecting the liquid fat in canisters and disposing of it as hazardous waste. This saves the company disposal costs and simultaneously reduces the risk of grease accidents (no more spills of hot oil).

[0033] These exemplary embodiments demonstrate that the agent according to the invention functions reliably at a wide range of scales. The dosage guideline (approximately 40-50 g of agent per liter of oil) can be adjusted as needed if the oil is heavily contaminated or a particularly solid consistency is desired. A natural fragrance additive could also be optionally added to the agent if a specific scent is desired for the solidified oil—however, the basic formulation is already odor-reducing and does not require any further additives. Industrial applicability

[0034] The invention has a wide range of commercial applications. The product according to the invention can be manufactured, packaged, and distributed on a large scale. Conventional production facilities in the food or chemical industries (stirred tanks, cooling belts, roller crushers) can be used for production, enabling cost-efficient manufacturing. The final product can be offered in various packaging sizes (e.g., portion bags for end users in the home, bulk packs for catering establishments).

[0035] In practice, the agent according to the invention has a wide range of applications. Private households benefit from the simple option of cleanly disposing of small amounts of cooking oil without handling liquids. Restaurants and food processing companies can use the agent according to the invention to convert large quantities of frying oil into solid form directly on-site. This simplifies internal waste logistics, as heavy containers of liquid waste oil no longer need to be handled or stored. The invention can also contribute to safe disposal in food processing or in canteens, snack bars, and food trucks, where frying oil is regularly generated.

[0036] Furthermore, the product contributes to environmental protection by making improper disposal of oil (e.g., down the sink or toilet) unattractive and offering a convenient alternative. The solid form of the bound oil prevents leakage in landfills or garbage trucks, thus reducing potential soil and water pollution. Finally, its industrial applicability also extends to waste management companies, which could provide their customers (both households and businesses) with the means to simplify the collection of used oil. Overall, the invention is easy to implement and economically viable, with benefits along the entire cooking oil disposal chain. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP-A-26246 / 1995 A

[0003] JP S61-19681 [0003, 0023]

Claims

[1] Agent for the environmentally friendly and odor-neutralizing disposal of cooking oil and fat, containing an oil-soluble component in the form of 12-hydroxystearic acid, characterized by , that as components of the agent at least a) 90 - 95 wt.% 12-hydroxystearic acid and additionally b) 5-10 wt% vegetable wax are included. [2] Agent according to claim 1, characterized by that the agent is formed as an agglomerate composed of at least two components: 12-hydroxystearic acid and vegetable wax, which is combined, accumulated, compressed and / or aggregated. [3] Agent according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the product is a granulate. [4] Means according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by that the product is a tablet or pellet. [5] Means according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by that the remedy is a powder. [6] Means according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by that the agent is formed as a homogeneous, solid mass. [7] Means according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by that the vegetable wax is carnauba wax.