Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02777850 2012-05-22
GREASE SEPARATION AND DISPOSAL SYSTEM
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of grease separators and grease
collectors, and
in particular to a grease separator and disposal system wherein a modified
strainer includes a
funnel portion adapted for insertion into a reusable container having a
disposable liner.
Background of the Invention
Disposal of typical kitchen fat, oil and grease, conventionally, and herein
referred to as FOG, which is encountered within residential kitchens when, for
example,
cooking fatty foods is inconvenient, often messy, and may be environmentally
unsound if the
waste grease is not disposed of properly.
In an informal polling of people's habits in this regard, applicant found that
a
significant percentage of people polled merely poured their waste grease down
the kitchen
drain while running hot water into the drain. Others poured kitchen grease
from the pot or
frying pan into an empty tin can, glass jar, plastic container or other
recyclable container. The
pouring of waste grease down the kitchen plumbing and so that it may
eventually reach the
sewer system or septic tank is clearly improper in that it may cause a
blockage in the plumbing
as the grease congeals and, for the grease which exits the residential
plumbing into the civic
sewer system or septic tank, may accumulate and cause blockages downstream.
The disposal
of waste grease by pouring the waste grease into an empty tin can or other
recyclable container
usually means that the container must be left on the kitchen counter or the
like in order for it to
cool before it may be disposed of, typically whereby leaving lingering odours
in the kitchen
long after the cooking and cleanup has been finished. Further, congealed
grease in recyclable
containers complicates the recycling process for the container in that the
container has been
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fouled by the refilling with a waste FOG product. Applicant believes that
fouled otherwise
recyclable containers will often be refused for recycling, and will become
landfill waste.
Further, if the waste kitchen grease is to be stored in a container for the
later
addition of additional waste FOG until the container is full before the
container is disposed of,
the problem of odours and potentially a problem of attracting insects and
pests are
compounded.
Various methods and apparatus have been proposed is the prior art for FOG or
grease separation, collection and disposal, for example as found in United
States Patents
7,731,846 and 8,016,150.
In United States Patent No. 7,731,846, which issued June 8, 2010, to Jones for
A Grease Collection System, a grease collection system for collecting and
storing cooking
grease for disposal by a user is proposed wherein liquid cooking grease is
poured by a user
into an inlet assembly coupled to a cabinet. The grease flows through the
inlet assembly and
into a grease collector via a hose. A funnel is provided to engage the inlet
assembly to
facilitate pouring of the cooking grease into the inlet assembly. The
collector is positioned on
the floor of the cabinet, and the inlet is illustrated as mounted adjacent a
sink. A cleaner is
provided to clear blockages in the hose between the inlet and the collector.
The collector is
taught to include a canister having a disposable bag mounted therein. Jones
states that his
grease collection system is a closed system in the sense that all fluids and
debris that enter into
the system through the inlet assembly are collected in the collection
assembly. The funnel is
taught to threadably engage into the inlet assembly so as to inhibit the
funnel from
inadvertently disengaging when the user is pouring cooking grease into the
funnel. A meat
draining member may be selectively coupled to the funnel.
United States Patent No. 8,016,150 which issued September 13, 2011, to Bunch
et al. for a Used Cooking Grease Disposal And Storage Device, discloses a
receptacle which is
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positioned within the cavity of a container. The receptacle may be a
disposable bag. A funnel
is positioned within the container cavity and stabilized by a support so as to
align the funnel
with the receptacle to thereby guide a disposable substance such as grease
through the funnel
and into the receptacle in the container. The support is removable from the
container so as to
provide access to the receptacle for disposal. A removable strainer may be
positioned within
the funnel to catch any food items or other items not desired to be deposited
within the
receptacle.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention provides, in one aspect, a modified strainer or modified
colander, herein collectively referred to as a strainer, which includes a
receiving bowl having
straining apertures and a funnel mounted thereunder. The bowl is large enough,
for example a
four cup size, to capture cooked food product and liquid FOG when poured into
the modified
strainer from, for example, a large frying pan or large pot. The funnel is
preferably rigid,
although this is not intended to be limiting, and may be cylindrical in shape
or may be conical
or frusto-conical in shape, with the narrower end, if any, disposed at the
loweimost end of the
funnel. The strainer is modified in the sense that the straining apertures or
sieve apertures
(collectively herein referred to as sieve apertures) in the bowl of the
strainer are positioned so
as to be only directly over the open upper end of the funnel. The walls of the
bowl do not have
apertures. Thus fluids such as liquid FOG being poured into the strainer bowl
flow through the
sieve apertures and into the open upper end of the funnel, and otherwise do
not escape from
the strainer bowl. FOG passing through the sieve apertures and into the upper
end of the funnel
exit from the lower end of the funnel. The lower end of the funnel has been
inserted into the
open upper end of a disposal container. The modified strainer according to the
present
invention is advantageously sized to be a substitute for a conventional
strainer or colander, so
that the conventional strainer or colander may be entirely replaced with the
modified strainer,
thereby not increasing the clutter in the kitchen cupboards or drawers. The
modified strainer
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may be used as a conventional strainer even though counter-intuitively there
are no sieve
apertures in the bowl walls as found in conventional colanders.
The funnel is advantageously sized so that at least the lower end of the
funnel
fits into the most common forms of disposal containers including recyclable
containers such as
tin cans and for example one-half litre wax-paper milk cartons, when the top
of the carton has
been fully opened. This allows the use of the modified strainer according to
the present
invention to reduce the mess and inconvenience previously found when pouring
grease, for
example from a large frying pan into a disposal container such as a wax paper
carton or
recyclable container which has a relatively small upper opening.
In a preferred embodiment, the modified strainer is used as a system in
conjunction with a disposable liner, for example a waxed paper liner somewhat
similar in
shape to a conical or basket-style coffee filter used in drip coffee makers.
The liner is intended
to be a low cost disposable liner which is preferably biodegradable and which
is easily inserted
by the user into any suitable smallish container. For example such a smallish
container may be
a coffee mug or the like which supports the disposable liner when the liner is
mounted snugly
into the mug. The user holds the strainer apparatus with one hand, and with
the other hand
pours the contents of, for example, the frying pan into the strainer bowl with
the lower end of
the funnel inserted into the upper open end of the liner.
Applicant has found that waxed paper liners will not soak the hot liquid
grease
or other FOG into the paper of the liner. Applicant has found that the grease
will not penetrate
or migrate significantly or at all from the liner. The liner is sized and
mounted in the container
so as to snugly line against and around the walls and bottom of the container.
The grease then
congeals, after which the paper liner may be easily slid out of the container
carrying the grease
with it, for disposal into the garbage as conventional biodegradable kitchen
waste.
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In alternative embodiments, the liner need not be waxed paper so long as the
liner is disposable and of low cost, and in a preferred embodiment as stated
above is
biodegradable in the landfill. In yet further embodiments, the liner is
sufficiently stiff and
formed to be self supporting when for example sitting on a kitchen counter so
that the liner
becomes a disposable container in and of itself', removing the need to use
further containers
such as a coffee mug. Thus for example a wax-paper carton may be employed.
In embodiments using liners which are removable from correspondingly sized
containers, it is advantageous if the liner is taller than the container so
that, as illustrated
herein, the upper edges of the liner protrudes above the upper lip of the
container. This allows
a user to easily gather together the upper edges of the liner once the grease
has congealed, so
as to smoothly, with an upwardly pulling motion, extract the liner from the
container. Where
for example the container is a coffee mug or the like, the coffee mug may then
be easily
washed to remove any film of grease which may have seeped from the liner.
Brief Description of the Drawings
In the drawings wherein similar characters of reference denote corresponding
parts in each view:
Figure 1 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of the grease separator.
Figure 2 is a bottom perspective view of the grease separator of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a side elevation view of the grease separator of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is, in partially exploded bottom perspective view, the grease
separator
of Figure 1 shown with its funnel portion nested into the upper opening of a
disposable liner, wherein the disposable liner is nested into a hollow
container.
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Figure 5 is, in partially exploded top perspective view, the system of Figure
4.
Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention
As seen in the figures which accompany this specification, and form a part
thereof, the grease separation system according to one aspect of the present
invention includes
a grease separator 10 which includes an upper bowl portion 12 and a lower
funnel portion 14.
Although bowl portion 12 is illustrated as having an upper cylindrical rim 12a
adjoining a
lower frusto-conical catchment basin 12b it is understood that bowl portion 12
is not intended
to be so limited in shape. Bowl portion 12 may be semi-spherical in shape, or
may be
otherwise shaped including having a platter-like shape, or a box-like shape,
or an irregularly
curved shape. The upper opening into the bowl portion 12 may be foinied as a
circle, or
ellipse, or a square or rectangle, or some combination of these, or may be
irregularly shaped so
as to accommodate a particular size and shape of pan or pot or other cooking
container in
which food is heated so as to liquefy the FOG contained in the food and
produce liquefied
FOG. Thus advantageously, the rim 12a of bowl portion 12 will define an upper
diameter d1
which may for example be greater than or equal to 7 inches, or may for example
be in the
range of 7-12 inches, although this is not intended to be limiting.
Advantageously, diameter di
should be sufficiently large to accommodate wide-mouthed frying pans and pots
so that when
grease is being poured from the frying pan or pot into grease separator 10,
the likelihood of
liquefied grease spilling to the outside of rim 12a is reduced.
A plurality of sieve apertures 16 are founed in the loweimost end of basin 12b
so as to pass liquid grease there-through. Sieve apertures 16 are small holes
in the basin, for
example having a diameter of one to several millimetres. Apertures 16 are
foimed directly
above, so as to fall within, the circumferential boundary of funnel portion 14
as defined by the
walls 14a of the funnel. Again, although funnel portion 14 is illustrated to
be a hollow cylinder
having a height hi which is much less than the corresponding funnel diameter
d2, it is
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understood that the shape and dimensions of funnel portion 14 are not intended
to be so
limited. In alternative embodiments, funnel portion 14, instead of being
circular in horizontal
cross section, may be otherwise shaped, for example, elliptical, square or
rectangular, or a
combination of these, or irregularly shaped. Funnel portion 14 may itself be
conical in shape or
frusto-conical.
Advantageously, height hi may, as seen in the drawings, be approximately 5/8
of an inch, or for example may be in the range of 'A to two inches. A lower
height hi may be
preferable because a secondary function for funnel portion 14 is to provide a
stand or base.
Grease separator 10 sits in a stable position on the base provided by funnel
portion 14 when
resting on a horizontal flat surface, for example a kitchen counter, or on a
cabinet shelf when
grease separator 10 is stowed. This advantageously allows for the use of
grease separator 10 to
replace conventional strainers or colanders and thus, by substituting grease
separator 10 for
conventional strainers or colanders, the use of a grease separator 10 does not
require additional
storage space within a kitchen, which is often at a premium. Even though basin
12b lacks
straining aperture around its walls, grease separator 10 may function as a
conventional strainer
or colander for straining typically water based liquids from cooked items.
Apart from the
structure described above wherein the sieve or straining apertures 16 are
constrained to be
within the circumference of the funnel walls 14a so that all of the sieve
apertures 16 are within
fluid communication within the interior of funnel portion 14, grease separator
10 must be
made of a heat resistant material often not found in conventional kitchen
strainers or colanders
which may be made of rather soft and non-heat-resistant plastics.
The diameter of funnel 14, and in particular diameter d2, may advantageously
be within the range of approximately one to three inches. Thus funnel portion
14 may be for
example two times as high as it is wide, although this may not be preferable
as the support or
base function provided by funnel portion 14 would thereby be undermined, as
grease separator
10 would be not particularly stable when resting on the lowermost end of the
funnel portion.
Conversely, and as illustrated, funnel portion 14 may be three times as wide
as it is high.
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Conventional handles 18 may be provided mounted to for example opposite
sides of rim 12a, so as to protrude therefrom for ease of holding of grease
separator 10 by a
user. One or more of handles 18 may include holes 18a for storing grease
separator 10 from for
example a hook within a kitchen cabinet, or from a nail protruding from a
wall.
The width or diameter d2 is preferably chosen to match the size of the opening
of the desired grease capture container 20. Thus if the grease catcher
container 20 is for
example an empty tin can, for example an empty soup can, the size of the
opening into the can
may be in the range of 2-4 inches in diameter. Thus diameter d2 will be sized
so that the lower
end of funnel portion 12 may be easily inserted into the open end of the
grease capture
container. Similarly, if the desired grease capture container is a wax-paper
carton for example
of the kind often found storing milk, then, with the top of the empty carton
fully opened,
typically the diameter of the opening will be similar to that found for tinned
goods, that is, in
the range of 2-4 inches. Again, the lowermost end of funnel portion 12 would
be sized as to fit
into the open end of the grease capture container 20.
In the system according to a further aspect of the present invention, a grease
capture container liner 22 is provided which inserts into grease capture
container 20 prior to
funnel portion 14 being inserted. For example, liner 22 may be a waxed paper
cup product.
Advantageously, liner 22 is sized so that it snugly and confonnally fits into
the cavity within
grease capture container 20. Thus, if liner 22 is made of waxed paper, and the
insert portion
22a is sized to snugly fit within grease capture container 20, then, with
funnel 14 inserted into
the open upper end of liner 22, and with liner 22 within grease capture
container 20, FOG that
is poured in direction A into bowl portion 12 is strained by sieve apertures
16 and flows
downwardly through funnel 14 and into insert portion 22a. Debris within the
liquefied FOG
poured into bowl portion 12, is captured by sieve apertures 16, so long as the
size of the debris
being strained is larger than the largest diameter or opening dimension of the
sieve apertures
16. Liquid FOG, once strained, flows downwardly from funnel 14 and is captured
and held by
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the waxed paper walls and base of insert portion 22a. Once all of the liquid
FOG is decanted
into bowl portion 12 and allowed to flow down into insert portion 22a within
grease capture
container 20, grease separator 10 may then be removed and the upper
circumferential edges
22b of liner 22 gathered upwardly. The top of the liner may be closed, for
instance, by the use
of a, plastic clip, twist tie or other means of closing the upper edges 22b of
liner 22. Liner 22 is
then left within grease capture container 20 until the liquid grease has
congealed. Once the
grease has congealed, the gathered upper circumferential edges 22b may be
pulled gently
upwardly so as to release the contact between the sidewalls of grease capture
container 20 and
insert portion 22a of liner 22 to thereby allow the liner 22 to be lifted
clear from grease capture
container 20 for disposal of the liner and its contents. The liner 22
containing the waste grease
may be disposed into the conventional waste which is ultimately deposited at a
municipal
landfill. Both the liner and the waste grease are biodegradable. Grease
capture container 20,
which may be for example as common an object as a coffee mug, mason jar, empty
tin can or
the like, is then simply washed if it is a coffee mug or the like to be reused
within the kitchen.
If container 20 is an empty tin can, then the tin can may be stored for later
reuse with a new
liner 22 for the next time waste cooking FOG is to be captured from under
grease separator 10,
or the tin can may be recycled as it has not been fouled by waste FOG as it
conventionally
would have been were it not for the operation of the system according to the
present invention.
That is, both the FOG and the liner are biodegradable and will prevent
recyclable items from
being contaminated and ending up in the land fill.
Once the grease separation has been completed, a user merely places grease
separator 10 into the kitchen sink where it rests stably upon the base
provided by the
horizontal lowermost edges of funnel walls 14a while the user than deals with
for example
liner 22. The debris or food products caught within bowl portion 12 by sieve
apertures 16 may
then be dealt with. For example food products may be recovered and returned to
the frying pan
or pot, or the debris may be otherwise disposed of into the waste. Grease
separator 10 may
then be simply washed as would be any strainer or colander for later reuse.
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While washing the separator, very small amounts of FOG will end up going
into the home or commercial kitchen sewer line. The minute amounts will be
mixed with hot
water and detergent to help in its journey through the sewer lines. By
drastically reducing or
eliminating the larger amounts of FOG from entering the domestic, commercial
and civic
sewer system, it will reduce the maintenance costs for all.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing
disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of
this invention
without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Accordingly, the scope of
the invention is
to be construed in accordance with the substance defined by the following
claims.
