Filtration and filtration method for cooking oil used in frying process

Abstract

A filter for filtering particulate material from cooking oil used in a frying process is comprised of a non-woven panel of directionally or randomly oriented fibers of a synthetic material. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a majority of the fibers comprising said non-woven panel have a size within the range of 1-25 denier, and a length within the range of 1.5-5 inches. It is also preferred that the material of the filter be affected by exposure to the cooking oil at a filtration temperature within the range of 250° F. to 400° F. such that the panel experiences a vertical dimensional expansion of at least about 20% upon exposure to the cooking oil at the filtration temperature for a period of time within the range of 15-120 seconds.

1 . A filter for filtering particulate material from cooking oil used in a frying process, said filter comprising a non-woven panel of directionally or randomly oriented fibers of a synthetic material, with a majority of said fibers having a size within the range of 1-25 denier.  
   
   
       2 . The filter of  claim 1  wherein a majority of the fibers of synthetic material have a length within the range of 1-5-5 inches.  
   
   
       3 . The filter of  claim 1  wherein the synthetic material is selected from the group consisting of polyester, polypropylene and nylon.  
   
   
       4 . The filter of  claim 1 , said filter having a permeability within the range of 5-60 cubic feet of air per minute at 0.5 inch water pressure.  
   
   
       5 . The filter of  claim 1 , said filter having a density within the range of 6-20 ounces/yard 2 .  
   
   
       6 . The filter of  claim 1  which is affected by exposure to the cooking oil at a filtration temperature within the range of 250° F. to 400° F. such that the panel experiences a lateral dimensional shrinkage of 2-10% upon exposure to the cooking oil at the filtration temperature for a period of time within the range of 15-120 seconds.  
   
   
       7 . The filter of  claim 1  which is affected by exposure to the cooking oil at a filtration temperature within the range of 250° F. to 400° F. such that the panel experiences a vertical dimensional expansion of at least about 20% upon exposure to the cooking oil at the filtration temperature for a period of time within the range of 15-120 seconds.  
   
   
       8 . A filter for filtering particulate material from cooking oil used in a frying process at a filtration temperature within the range of 250° F. to 400° F., said filter comprising a non-woven panel of directionally or randomly oriented fibers of synthetic material, said material being affected by exposure to the cooking oil at the filtration temperature such that the panel experiences a vertical dimensional expansion of at least about 20% upon exposure to the cooking oil at the filtration temperature for a period of time within the range of 15-120 seconds.  
   
   
       9 . The filter of  claim 8  wherein the synthetic material is affected by exposure to the cooking oil at the filtration temperature such that the panel experiences a lateral dimensional shrinkage of 2-10% upon exposure to the cooking oil at the filtration temperature for a period of time within the range of 15-120 seconds.  
   
   
       10 . The filter of  claim 8  wherein the synthetic material is selected from the group consisting of polyester, polypropylene and nylon.  
   
   
       11 . The filter of  claim 8 , said filter having a permeability within the range of 5-60 cubic feet of air per minute at 0.5 inch water pressure.  
   
   
       12 . The filter of  claim 8 , said filter having a density within the range of 6-20 ounces/yard 2 .  
   
   
       13 . The filter of  claim 8  wherein a majority of the fibers of synthetic material have a size within the range of 1-25 denier.  
   
   
       14 . The filter of  claim 8  wherein a majority of the fibers of synthetic material have a length within the range of 1.5-5 inches.  
   
   
       15 . The filter of  claim 8  wherein the synthetic material is affected by exposure to the cooking oil at a filtration temperature within the range of 315° F. to 385° F. such that the panel experiences a vertical dimensional expansion of at least about 20% upon exposure to the cooking oil at the filtration temperature for a period of time within the range of 15-120 seconds.  
   
   
       16 . The filter of  claim 8  wherein the synthetic material is affected by exposure to the cooking oil at a filtration temperature within the range of 315° F. to 385° F. such that the panel experiences a lateral dimensional shrinkage of 2-10% upon exposure to the cooking oil at the filtration temperature for a period of time within the range of 15-120 seconds.  
   
   
       17 . A method for filtering cooking oil used in a frying process at a filtration temperature within the range of 250° F. to 400° F., said method comprising: 
 (a) providing a filter comprising a non-woven panel of directionally or randomly oriented fibers of synthetic material, with a majority of said fibers having a size within the range of 1-25 denier;    (b) exposing the filter to the cooking oil while applying a vacuum to draw the cooking oil therethrough.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  which includes providing a filter comprising a non-woven panel of directionally or randomly oriented fibers of synthetic material, said material being affected by exposure to the cooking oil at the filtration temperature such that the panel experiences a vertical dimensional expansion of at least about 20% upon exposure to the cooking oil at the filtration temperature for a period of time within the range of 15-120 seconds.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17  which includes providing a filter having a permeability within the range of 5-60 cubic feet of air per minute at 0.5 inch water pressure.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17  which includes providing a filter having a density within the range of 6-20 ounces/yard 2 .