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Title:
COLLECTION SYSTEM FOR USED COOKING OIL AND METHOD FOR COLLECTING USED COOKING OIL
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2018/199834
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
Collecting food fat from households and restaurants is being done today, partly to recycle the fat, partly to prevent it from being poured into the sewage and resulting in a plugged sewage pipes with extensively costs as a consequence. Existing systems for collection of used cooking oil from households, includes a lot manual handling for units responsible for collection, a safety risk for households and results in that the collected fat goes to incineration instead of recycling because of the uncertainty of the quality of the collected fat. The presented invention concept is a collection system and method that solves the above problem through a docking between one, dedicated to the purpose, container (2) and a receiving unit (1). The container (2) and the receiving unit (1) are both equipped with valves (5, 6) which interact at docking and open each other. This docking procedure means that the receiving unit (1) can only be filled by using the intended container (2).

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Inventors:
JOHANSEN TOM (SE)
Application Number:
PCT/SE2018/050410
Publication Date:
November 01, 2018
Filing Date:
April 23, 2018
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
JOHANSEN TOM (SE)
International Classes:
A47J37/12; B67D3/00; B67D7/36
Domestic Patent References:
WO2015094722A12015-06-25
WO2015094722A12015-06-25
Foreign References:
US20130291969A12013-11-07
US4148729A1979-04-10
AU2010100066A42010-02-25
US20070227597A12007-10-04
US20080121578A12008-05-29
US20130291969A12013-11-07
US4148729A1979-04-10
AU2010100066A42010-02-25
US20070227597A12007-10-04
US20080121578A12008-05-29
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Claims:
CLAIMS

1. A system for collecting used cooking oil, such as frying oil, including a number of reusable containers (2), intended to be used in households or restaurants, and to be filled with liquid grease, such as used cooking oil, and system also includes at least one receiving unit (1) for receiving used cooking oil from the containers (2), wherein:

each container (2) includes a container valve (5) with a movable valve element (8), which is so preloaded that the tank valve (5) is normally closed; the receiving unit (1 ) includes a tank valve (6) with a movable valve element (9), which is so preloaded that the tank valve (6) is normally closed;

Each container (2) can, by a docking movement, be brought into a docking position relative to the receiving unit (1) for transferring cooking oil from the container (2) to the receiving unit (1), and

the system is arranged so that, in response to and during docking, the valve element (8) of the container valve (5) and valve element (9) of the tank valve (6) are exposed to an opening force, resulting in opening of the tank valve (6) and opening of the container valve (5), for transfer of food fat from the container (2) to the receiving unit (1 ) via the open valves (5, 6) in docking mode.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system is such that, in response to and during the docking movement, the valve element (9) of the tank valve (6) and the valve element (8) of the container valve (5) force each other to move in the direction of the preloaded forces of the two valves.

3. A system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the system is arranged so that, in response to and during the docking process, the valve element (8) of the container valve (5) and the valve element (9) of the tank valve (6) is forced to open the tank valve (6) first and then open the container valve (5).

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the valve element (8) of the container valve (5) is preloaded towards its closed position with a first preload force (35) and valve element (9) of the tank valve (6) is preloaded towards its closed position with a second preload force (36), which is lower than that first preload force (35), so that the tank valve (6) is opened before the container valve (5) during the docking movement.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the valve element (9) of the tank valve (6) is arranged so that, during a first part of the docking movement, it is exposed to a force by the valve element (8) of the container valve (5), to open the tank valve (6) and to take an end position, and wherein the valve element (8) of the container valve (5) is arranged so that, in response to that the valve element (9) of the tank valve (6) reaches its end position, and under a second part of the docking motion, is forced by the valve element (9) of the tank valve (6) to open.

6. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each container (2) includes one vessel (20) and a removable lid (11 ) on the vessel (20) and wherein the container valve (5) is located in the lid (11 ).

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the container valve (5) of the container (2) includes a circular outlet opening (11) in the lid (32) and, round the opening and on the inside of the lid (11 ), located valve seat (21 ), and wherein the valve element (8) of the container valve (5) is arranged on the inside of the lid (11 ) to move towards and from the valve seat (21).

8. The system of claim 6 or 7, wherein each container (2) further includes one intended for filtering of grease, substantially bowl-shaped, filter (14), which is arranged on and has an open side facing the inside of the lid (11 ), wherein the valve element (8) of the container valve (5) is arranged in and movably supported by the bowl-shaped filter (11 ).

9. The system of any of the preceding claims, further including a locking device (4), for temporary locking of the container (2) in the docking position, to prevent the container (2) from being forced away from the docking position by the force from the preloaded valve elements (8, 9).

10. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the docking movement is parallel (Z) with the movement of the valve elements (8, 9).

11. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving unit (1 ) further includes an upward open bowl-shaped docking unit (3) for receiving a part of the container (2) during docking. The docking unit (3) has a bottom, in which the tank valve (6) is located, as well as a side part, for example a vertical cylindrical wall, for receiving part of the container (2) at docking.

12. A method for collection of used cooking oil, such as frying oil, including docking of reusable containers (2) containing used food fat to a docking position relative to a receiving unit (1 ) and transfer of the liquid food fat from the docked container (2) to the receiving unit (1),

Wherein each container (2) includes a normally closed container valve (5) with a movable valve element (8) and the receiving unit (1 ) includes a normally closed tank valve (6) with a movable valve element (9),

and whereby, the docking will, in response to and during the docking movement, force the valve element (8) of the container valve (5) and valve element (9) of the tank valve (6) to open the tank valve (6) and to open the container valve (5), for transfer of food fat from the container (2) to the receiving unit (1 ) through the open valves (5, 6) in docking mode.

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein the docking includes as a first opening step at least partially opening of the tank valve (6) and then, as a second opening step, opening of the container valve (5).

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first opening step includes: the valve element (8) of the container valve (5) forces the valve element (9) of the tank valve (9) to at least partially open the tank valve (6), and the second opening step includes: With the valve element (9) of the tank valve (6), force the valve element (8) of the container valve (5), to open.

15. A method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the valve element (8) of the container valve (5) is held preloaded against its closed position with a first preload force (35) and the valve element (9) of the tank valve (6) is preload against its closed position with a second preload force (36) which is less than the first force (35), so that the tank valve (6) is opened before the container valve (5) during docking.

16. A method as claimed in any of claims 13-15, wherein the first opening step includes that the valve element (8) of the container valve (5) forces the valve element (9) of the tank valve (6) to its end position, in which the tank valve (6) is fully open, and wherein the second opening step is initiated during docking, in response to that the valve element (9) of the tank valve (6) reaches its end position.

17. Method according to any of claims 12-16, wherein the docking further includes the operation to temporarily lock the container (2) in docking position at the end of the second opening step.

18. Method according to any of claims 12-17, wherein each container (2) includes a vessel (20) with a fill opening (34) and a lid (11 ) for closing the fill opening (34) in which the container valve (5) is arranged, and wherein mentioned docking and transmission is carried out while the container (2), with the lid (11 ) mounted, is oriented with the lid (11) and the container valve (5) directed downwards towards the tank valve (6).

Description:
COLLECTION SYSTEM FOR USED COOKING OIL AND METHOD FOR COLLECTING USED COOKING OIL

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention concept described is a system and method for collecting used cooking oil and other cooking greases from households and restaurants

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Collecting used food fat from households and restaurants is being done today, partly to recycle the fat, partly to prevent it from being poured into the sewers and result in plugging and extensive cleaning costs as a consequence. Existing systems for the property-related collection of used cooking oil and food fat have some problems that this method addresses.

Existing systems involve collection of used cooking oil in plastic bottles or other simpler containers. The filled containers are then left in a waste bin in the garbage room or can be left on public collection stations or at household waste recycling centers. The containers are then emptied into larger tanks or the plastic packaging is sent directly to incineration.

These existing systems involves removing bottles, intended to be recycled, from their recycling system and sending them to incineration. The systems also include a risk of injury, because cooking oil can be a very hot when it is to be disposed, and return bottles of e.g. PET are heat sensitive. This results in risk of personal injury when collecting in e.g. PET bottles. Furthermore, this kind of system involves a lot of manual work for those who collect waste, as many separate small containers need to be handled before recycling could be possible.

A problem with existing systems is that you cannot tell for sure what substance they contain. This means that biogas plants do not receive this resource. If a biogas plant is to receive the used cooking oil from households, then it must be ensured that it does not contains liquids that can damage the biogas production, e.g. engine oil or paint. Another challenge with food fat collection is if it contain a large amount butter relative to oil. This mixture will separate into layers, where the butter layer passes into solid form at lower temperatures. This mixture may be difficult to empty out of a smaller container, especially if the container has a small opening. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concept intends to solve or substantially reduce the problems above because it has the features specified in the following claims.

The system is aimed at households, which is why too complex solutions, concerning handling, results in that collection of the used cooking oil is not done, and instead that it is poured into the drain. A too expensive solution will result in extensive costs for housing associations or municipalities, with as a result, a cheaper and perhaps less functionally alternative is introduced.

To solve the challenges above, an intuitive and inexpensive system is required.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a system for collecting used cooking oil, such as frying oil, including several reusable containers (2), intended to be used in households or restaurants, and to be filled with liquid grease, such as used cooking, and the system also includes at least one receiving unit (1 ) for receiving used cooking oil from the containers (2), wherein:

each container (2) includes a container valve (5) with a movable valve element (8), which is so preloaded that the tank valve (5) is normally closed; the receiving unit (1 ) includes a tank valve (6) with a movable valve element (9), which is so preloaded that the tank valve (6) is normally closed;

Each container (2) can, by a docking movement, be brought into a docking position relative to the receiving unit (1) for transferring cooking oil from the container (2) to the receiving unit (1), and

the system is arranged so that, in response to and during docking, the valve element (8) of the container valve (5) and valve element (9) of the tank valve (6) are exposed to an opening force, resulting in opening of the tank valve (6) and opening of the container valve (5), for transfer of food fat from the container (2) to the receiving unit (1 ) via the open valves (5, 6) in docking mode.

In a preferred embodiment, the system is arranged so that, in response to and during the docking process, the valve element (8) of the container valve (5) and the valve element (9) of the tank valve (6) is forced to open the tank valve (6) first and then open the container valve (5).

The opening process may be such that the tank valve (6) is first opened completely, and after that the opening of the container valve (5) begins. Or alternatively, the tank valve (6) is first opened partly, after which the opening of the container valve (5) begins, so that for a certain period below the docking movement involves a simultaneous opening of the valves (5, 6).

Preferred is complete opening of the tank valve (6) before commencing opening of the container valve (5), this to ensure that the container's (2) content is received by the receiving tank (7).

When using the system according to the invention, the receiving unit (1) is typically located at a household waste recycling center or in a garbage room. One can also imagine that you have the reception unit (1 ) in or adjacent to a restaurant. The reception unit (1 ) can also be placed on a truck for collection of used cooking oil from detached houses.

The volume of the receptacle tank (7) is larger than the volume of the containers (20). Typical the volume of the container vessel (20) can be 2 to 4 liters, and the volume of the receptacle tank (7) can be between 50 and 1000 liters.

The food fat is recycled into new products, or you can be used in biogas production. The purpose with the system is to create a collection procedure that is safe for users, easy to collect for those who are responsible for collection of the tanks, and to provide a safe raw material for further recycling.

The docking process means that you can only, with reasonable effort, fill the receiving unit (1 ) by using the container (2). This provides a barrier against that wrong fluid poured into the receiving tank (7). Through this procedure the raw material is secured for further processing.

The system is based on reusing of the container (2) after emptying, which means partly an environmental benefit and a more secure system for the user. This because you can ensure that the container (2) is suitable for the purpose, for example, be stable at higher temperatures, such as a PET bottle is not.

In some embodiments, the system may be such that, in response to and during the docking movement, the valve element (9) of the tank valve (6) and the valve element (8) of the container valve (5) force each other to move in the direction of the preloaded forces of the two valves.

In some embodiments of the system as above, the valve element (8) of the container valve (5) is preloaded towards its closed position with a first preload force (35) and valve element (9) of the tank valve (6) is preloaded towards its closed position with a second preload force (36), which is lower than that first preload force (35), so that the tank valve (6) is opened before the container valve (5) during the docking movement.

By opening the valves in sequence, the tank valve (6) first and then the container valve (5), minimizes the risk of spilling cooking oil during the emptying process.

Furthermore could, the valve element (9) of the tank valve (6) be arranged so that, during a first part of the docking movement, it is exposed to a force by the valve element (8) of the container valve (5), to open the tank valve (6) and to take an end position, and wherein the valve element (8) of the container valve (5) is arranged so that, in response to that the valve element (9) of the tank valve (6) reaches its end position, and under a second part of the docking motion, is forced by the valve element (9) of the tank valve (6) to open.

By letting the tank valve (6) reach its end position before opening of the container valve (5) starts, a large opening area is reached in the tank valve before the emptying process begins. This provides additional security against spilling used cooking oil.

In some embodiments of the above system, could each container (2) includes a vessel (20) and a removable lid (11) on the vessel (20), and wherein the container valve (5) is located in the lid (11). The lid can be removed during filling of the container. The container could be filled inserting the oil through the container valve (5) with an accessory, such as a funnel that keeps the valve open during refill. By locating the container valve (5) is in the lid (11 ), the user is forced to rotate the container (2) during the emptying process. This rotation causes the fat to be mixed into a more homogeneous liquid, which is easier to empty out of the container (2).

In some embodiments, could the container valve (5) of the container (2) include a circular outlet opening (11) in the lid (32) and, round the opening and on the inside of the lid (11 ), a valve seat (21 ) can be located, and wherein the valve element (8) of the container valve (5) is arranged on the inside of the lid ( ) to move towards and from the valve seat (21). By designing the container valve in this manner, the same solution can be used for the tank valve, thus the cost for the final product can be reduced.

In some embodiments of the system, each container (2) further includes one intended for filtering of grease, substantially bowl-shaped, filter (14), which is arranged on and has an open side facing the inside of the lid (11 ), wherein the valve element (8) of the container valve (5) is arranged in and movably supported by the bowl-shaped filter (11 ).

In preferred embodiments, the valve element could include a sealing element, such as a valve plate or similar, and a guide pin connected to the sealing element, where the sealing element is guided by a side part of the cup-shaped valve element, and the guide pin is guided by a bottom part of the bowl-shaped filter.

In some embodiments, a corresponding filter (15) may also be located in the receiving unit (1 ) at its tank valve (6).

Further, the system according to above can including a locking device (4), for temporary locking of the container (2) in the docking position, to prevent the container (2) from being forced away from the docking position by the force from the preloaded valve elements (8, 9). In preferred embodiments, the locking device can be a locking protrusion (4) that engage the container lid (11) and thereby holds the container (2) in place during the emptying process.

In the system described above, the docking movement can be parallel (Z) with the movement of the valve elements (8, 9).

Further, the receiving unit (1) can include an upward open bowl-shaped docking unit (3) for receiving a part of the container (2) during docking. The docking unit (3) has a bottom, in which the tank valve (6) is located, as well as a side part, for example a vertical cylindrical wall, for receiving part of the container (2) at docking.

In a preferred embodiment, the cup-shaped docking unit (3) of the receiving unit (1), can be arranged to receive a lid (11) of the container (2) and in the preferred embodiments, may be arranged to temporarily lock the lid (11 ) at the docking unit (3) during emptying. The docking unit (3) can be located directly on the receiving tank (7), for example as a lid on the tank. Alternatively, the docking unit (3) can be designed as a, from the reception tank (7), separate part, so that the food fat could be led from the docking unit (3) to the receiving tank (7) via pipes or hoses.

The bottom of the docking unit (3) may have openings connected to the reception tank (7) so that any spill in this bowl is effectively caught up and safely guided down in the reception tank (7).

According to a second aspect of the invention, A method is provided for collection of used cooking oil, such as frying oil, including docking of reusable containers (2) containing used food fat to a docking position relative to a receiving unit (1 ) and transfer of the liquid food fat from the docked container (2) to the receiving unit (1 ),

Wherein each container (2) includes a normally closed container valve (5) with a movable valve element (8) and the receiving unit (1 ) includes a normally closed tank valve (6) with a movable valve element (9),

and whereby, the docking will, in response to and during the docking movement, force the valve element (8) of the container valve (5) and valve element

(9) of the tank valve (6) to open the tank valve (6) and to open the container valve

(5), for transfer of food fat from the container (2) to the receiving unit (1 ) through the open valves (5, 6) in docking mode.

In some preferred embodiments, the docking includes as a first opening step at least partially opening of the tank valve (6) and then, as a second opening step, opening of the container valve (5).

In some embodiments of the above method, the first opening step includes: the valve element (8) of the container valve (5) forces the valve element (9) of the tank valve (9) to at least partially open the tank valve (6), and the second opening step includes: With the valve element (9) of the tank valve (6), force the valve element (8) of the container valve (5), to open. In some embodiments of the method according to above, the valve element (8) of the container valve (5) is held preloaded against its closed position with a first preload force (35) and the valve element (9) of the tank valve (6) is preload against its closed position with a second preload force (36) which is less than the first force (35), so that the tank valve (6) is opened before container valve (5) during docking.

In some embodiments of the method, the first opening step includes that the valve element (8) of the container valve (5) forces the valve element (9) of the tank valve (6) to its end position, in which the tank valve (6) is fully open, and wherein the second opening step is initiated during docking, in response to that the valve element (9) of the tank valve (6) reaches its end position.

When emptying the contents of the container (2), the container (2) is docked into the docking unit (3) which is part of the receiving unit (1 ). During docking, the container valve (5) and the tank valve (6) opens. Opening of these valves can be done by pressing them against each other axially, and that either the container valve (5) or the tank valve (6) is provided with a protruding element, here called valve rod (10). When the valves are pressed against each other axially, the spring force (35) of the container valve (5) and the spring force (36) of the tank valve (6) are exceeded, whereupon the valves are opened and the medium in the container (2) is emptied into the receiving unit (1).

In the preferred embodiment, the valve element (9) of the tank valve (6) is equipped with a valve rod (10). The valve rod (10) transfers the force, from the docking movement, between the two valve elements (8,9). By adding a valve rod (10) to the valve element (9) of the tank valve (6), a larger opening of the valves (5,6) is received, compared to if force transmission was to occur directly between the two valve elements (8, 9), this results in a faster emptying process. The valve rod (10) guides the flow of food fat from the container (2) to the tank (7), which reduces the risk of spilling during the emptying process.

In some embodiments of the method described above, docking may further include the operation to temporarily lock the container (2) in docking position at the end of the second opening step. It would also be possible to also have a tactile lock or feedback, so the user knows when docking mode has been reached.

In some embodiments of method described above, each container (2) may each container (2) include a vessel (20) with a fill opening (34) and a lid (11) for closing the fill opening (34) in which the container valve (5) is arranged, and wherein mentioned docking and transmission is carried out while the container (2), with the lid (11 ) mounted, is oriented with the lid (11 ) and the container valve (5) directed downwards towards the tank valve (6).

Terminology

According to the invention concept, the containers are intended to be filled with used cooking oil. The term "filled with" should be interpreted broadly in the sense of "receiving" and complete filling, to the rim of the container, is not necessary. The term "used" shall be interpreted broadly and include cases where the fat can be reused for other applications after collection, with or without processing before such additional uses.

The term "docking movement" shall be interpreted in the broadest sense. In preferred embodiments, docking movement refers to a movement of the container relative to a stationary receiving unit. In other embodiments, the docking movement may refer to a motion of only the receiving unit relative to the container, or a combination of both. Furthermore, it is also possible to imagine embodiments in which the tank valve is not directly located in the tank of the receiving unit, but in a distancing from the tank, connected by a hose or tube. In such embodiment, the docking movement may refer to a relative movement between the container valve and the tank valve. In the preferred embodiments, a docking movement results in a docking position at the container in which both valves have been opened as a direct mechanical consequence of the docking movement, and in which cooking oil can be emptied from the docked container to the receiving unit via the open valves.

The term "container valve" refers to a valve of the container, which when it is opened, allows emptying of the container when docked against the receiving unit. The concept "container valve" also includes the possibility that the valve is used when filling the container in households or restaurants.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1 : The receiving unit and container

Figure 2: The container

Figure 3: The receiving unit

Figure 4: Sequential valve opening - both valves closed

Figure 5: Sequential valve opening - tank valve open

Figure 6: Sequential valve opening - tank valve at end position

Figure 7: Sequential valve opening - both valves open

Figure 8: Sequential valve opening - docking

Figure 9: Docking - engaging, docking protrusion is pressed out

Figure 10: Fountain effect over the filter of the tank valve

Figure 11 : Docking - Tank inlet with horizontal opening - closed valve

Figure 12: Docking - Tank inlet with horizontal opening - Open valve

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The system consists of 2 main components, the container (2) and the receiving unit (1) (Fig 1), which in turn consists of several components. Described below is an example where a system of several containers (2) are docked in a receiving unit (1 ), whereupon the contents of the containers (2) are emptied. The receiving unit (1 ) consists of a receiving tank (7), with a larger volume than the volume of the container (2), and of a docking unit (3). The main function of the docking unit (3) is to fix the container (2) in position during the emptying process.

The system container (2) is equipped with a valve, here called a container valve (5). The receiving unit is provided with a receiving device, with the function to open the container valve (5) and to ensure that only relevant containers (2), belonging to said system, can be emptied into the receiving unit (1), no other containers. The receiving device may be a spring preloaded valve, here called tank valve (6), it may also be one protruding tank inlet with horizontal opening (27).

Assuming that the receiving device of the receiving unit (1) is a tank valve (6), the preferred system is described as follows.

When emptying the contents of the container (2), the container (2) is docked into the docking unit (3), which is part of the receiving unit (1 ). During docking, the container valve (5) and tank valve (6) opens. Opening of these valves can be done by pressing the valves against each other axially, and that either the container valve (5) or the tank valve (6) is provided with a protruding element, here called valve rod (10). When the valves are pressed axially against each other, the spring force (35) of the container valve (5) and the spring force of the tank valve (6) are exceeded (36), whereupon the valves are opened and the medium in the container (2) is emptied into the receiving unit (1). Opening of the container valve (5) and tank valve (6), during docking, can either be done simultaneously or in sequence.

To create a sequential opening of the container valve (5) and tank valve (6), the tank valve (6) could e.g. have a weaker spring preload force (36) than the spring load force (35) of the container valve (5) (Figure 4), causing the tank valve (6) to open first and reach is end position (Figure 5 and Figure 6). When the tank valve (6) reaches its end position, the preload force (35) of the container valve (5) is exceeded and the container valve (5) is opened (Figure 7).

The center axis (23) of the container valve (5) and the center axis (22) of the tank valve (6) are collinear, which causes the openings (32 and 33) of the container valve (5) and tank valve (6) to be positioned above each other, this results in a minimization of pressure drop and thus a faster emptying process for the system.

During docking, the two moving parts of the valves interact, the valve element (8) of the container valve (5) and the valve element (9) of the tank valve (6), transmits the opening force and creates opening of the container valve (5) and the tank valve (6). This is to prefer compared to having two valves to open by letting the moving parts meet solid parts, as it results in a more favorable flow path for the medium that is going through the valves.

During emptying, the position of the container (2) should be secured in relation to the receiving unit (1 ), because the spring preload force of the valves wants to push the container (2) away from the receiving unit (1 ), with the result that the emptying process would be interrupted. Securing such position can be achieved by geometrically locking the container (2) in the receiving unit (1) during docking. This can be done by having engaging protrusions (4) (Figure 9), or by having threaded containers (2) and receiving unit (1 ), or through some other power.

By fixing the position of the container (2) in the receiving unit (1), spill-free emptying of the container (2) is obtained.

The sequence for, by hand, pressing the container (2), and into the docking unit (3) and emptying will occur, will then be: Tank valve (6) opens, sealing takes place between the container lid (11 ) and the receiving unit (1 ), the container valve (5) opens and finally the container (5) is locked into the docking device (3) by the engaging protrusions (4) that geometrically engage with the lid (11).

The container ltd (11) is designed to create 3 different seals. Firstly, the opening of the container vessel (20) is sealed, seal A (24), this partly by creating a valve seat against the valve element (8) of the container valve (5), seal B (25), and partly by sealing against the docking device (3), seal C (26).

By ensuring seals A (24) and C (26), a protection is obtained of overfilling the receiving unit (1 ). When sealing is obtained between lid (11 ) and container (2) and between lid (11 ) and receiver unit (1 ), then a container (2) cannot empty its contents into a full receiving unit (1 ). Equilibrium is achieved and the emptying process stops.

In order to create the most rational design concerning manufacturing, it is possible, through synergy effects, achieve several desired functions with few components.

The valve housing (12) of the container valve (5) and valve housing (13) of the tank valve (6), can be designed so that they are partly a filter (14,15), to prevent larger particles or residues from getting caught in the valves, and that they are partly a part of the valve seat (16,17), since they can be designed to fix the container valve seal (21 ) in the valve seat of the container valve (16) in the z-direction (Figure 4). Furthermore, it can act as guide of the valve elements (8,9) at both ends: Lower guide surface for valve element (18) and upper guide surface for valve element (19).

The wall of the docking unit (3) is designed to be both be carrier of the engaging protrusions (4), to have an integrated valve seat (17) for the tank valve (6) and to have a bowl-shaped design, to act as a drip catcher in case of any spill during the emptying process.

To distribute the flow evenly across the filter of the receiving unit (15), the valve element (9) of the tank valve (6), is designed so that a fountain effect (Figure 10) over the filter (15) is obtained. In this way, a larger area of the filter is utilized compared to if e.g. two ball valves had interacted.

Assuming that the receiving unit of the system is not a tank valve (6) according to above, but instead a protruding tank inlet (27) with horizontal opening (31 ) (Figure 11 ):

When emptying the contents of the container (2), the container (2) is docked into the docking unit (3), which is a part of the receiving unit (1 ). Before docking, seal between tank inlet (27) and the lid (11 ), seal D (30) occurs. Thereafter, the tank inlet (27) presses the valve element (8) of the container valve (5) upwards, and its seal against the valve seat of the container valve (16) is removed. By this procedure, a spill-free emptying of the container is achieved.

The tank inlet (27) is designed to also be the filter (15) of the reviving unit. In this way, larger particles are captured on the receiving unit (1), which enables easier cleaning of the filter (15) of the receiver unit.

To obtain a quick emptying of the container (2) in the receiving unit (1 ), the mixture of solid, semi-solid fat and fat in liquid form in the container (2) must be ensured. This is done since the system is designed so that it is required that the container (2) is rotated 180 ° during emptying, in relation to its standing storage position. This rotation results in a mixture of grease in solid and liquid form. Further mixing effect can be achieved by adding a mixing device (28). This mixing device can use the liquid stream, of the cooking oil, through the opening of the container valve (5), and create a movement in the contents of the container. This movement results in a mixing effect of the contents of the container (2).

The mixing device (28) may be e.g. an angled fin in the container (2) or an impeller in the container (2). The mixing device can be activated and driven by the outflow of cooking oil, or energy could be supplied to the container, e.g. by electricity at docking.

Emptying the container (2) into the receiver unit (1 ) can also be accelerated by adding an external force. This can be done by having the system to activate a force, vacuum, pressure or heat, when the container (2) is docked in the receiving unit (1).