PROCESS AND SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING ECO-FRIENDLY INCENSE STICKS FROM ARECANUT HUSK WASTE

Abstract

The present invention provides a sustainable method to repurpose arecanut husk waste by transforming it into dhoop sticks or incense sticks. The process involves drying, grinding, and blending arecanut husk with natural binders and essential oils, which add fragrance and insect-repellent properties. The mixture is then molded into sticks and subjected to a final drying phase to ensure quality and durability. A dedicated production system integrates drying, grinding, blending, molding, and drying units for consistent results, reducing time and labor. Said approach addresses the environmental issue of arecanut husk waste while creating an eco-friendly, marketable product with enhanced aroma and minimal smoke. The invention supports sustainable practices and offers a viable economic opportunity for communities in arecanut-producing regions.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates to a sustainable method of converting arecanut husk waste into eco-friendly dhoop sticks or incense sticks, particularly by utilizing arecanut husk as a base material to create a marketable product with unique characteristics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

In recent years, the global focus on sustainable practices has highlighted the importance of repurposing agro-industrial waste into valuable products. Arecanut husk, a byproduct of arecanut cultivation, is often discarded or used primarily for low-value applications such as fuel briquettes, despite its potential for higher-value uses. As arecanut production grows, so does the accumulation of this husk waste, presenting an opportunity for waste reduction and resource efficiency through innovative applications.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

One or more of the problems of the conventional prior art may be overcome by various embodiments of the system and methods of the present invention.

The principal object of the present invention is to repurpose arecanut husk waste into eco-friendly dhoop sticks or incense sticks, providing a sustainable use for this agro-industrial byproduct.

Another object of the invention is to utilize arecanut husk as a base material, reducing reliance on traditional raw materials in the production of incense products.

A further object is to create a marketable product from arecanut husk waste, offering an economically viable alternative to fuel briquettes.

Yet another object of the invention is to incorporate natural essential oils in the production process, enhancing the fragrance and insect-repellent properties of the final product.

An additional object of the invention is to develop a specialized process flow that effectively converts arecanut husk into dhoop sticks or incense sticks with unique characteristics suitable for consumer use.

Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, according to the basic aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process begins by drying the arecanut husk to remove moisture, which is essential for proper grinding and consistent quality in the final product. The dried husk is then ground into a fine powder to enhance its usability in incense stick formation. The powdered husk is blended with specific additives that improve the stick's structural integrity and burning properties. Natural essential oils, such as sandalwood, lavender, or eucalyptus, are then added to impart fragrance and insect-repellent qualities. The mixture is molded into sticks, which are then subjected to a secondary drying phase to ensure durability and prevent cracking, setting the final form of the product.

Another aspect of the present invention, wherein the incorporation of natural essential oils into the process, providing the sticks with desirable aromatic and functional properties is highlighted. These oils not only enhance the fragrance but also serve as insect repellents, adding value to the product by offering additional benefits over traditional incense sticks. This aspect addresses consumer demand for natural, multifunctional products and makes the dhoop sticks more versatile in usage scenarios.

Another aspect of the present invention, wherein the arecanut husk powder is mixed with environmentally friendly additives to optimize the burning properties of the sticks. This ensures that the incense sticks burn consistently and emit minimal smoke, enhancing the user experience and reducing the release of harmful residues. This claim addresses the need for a clean-burning incense product, aligning with eco-friendly practices and minimizing environmental impact.

Another aspect of the present invention, wherein the dhoop sticks or incense sticks made primarily from arecanut husk, blended with essential oils and additives to produce a high-quality, eco-friendly, and insect-repellent product. The product is characterized by its unique composition, which sets it apart from traditional incense sticks. The use of arecanut husk as the primary base material not only makes the sticks sustainable but also offers a productive use for agricultural waste, making it a viable alternative in the incense industry.

Another aspect of the present invention, wherein the system designed for the production process, consisting of drying, grinding, blending, essential oil addition, molding, and secondary drying units. Each unit is adapted to handle arecanut husk's specific properties, ensuring efficient processing and consistent quality in the final product. This system minimizes waste and supports scalable production, whether for domestic or commercial purposes. By using a well-integrated system, the process flow is optimized, enabling the transformation of arecanut husk into a high-quality, sustainable product with minimal environmental impact. This system also ensures that the production process is streamlined, contributing to efficient resource utilization and economic viability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a functional flow of operations involved in the making of incense sticks using arecanut as base material, according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES

Referring to Figure 1, in an aspect, the functional flow of processes involved in making of incense sticks using arecanut as base material is illustrated. The process begins with drying the arecanut husk to remove excess moisture, which is essential for efficient grinding and to prevent microbial growth during storage. Proper drying ensures that the husk achieves the desired consistency, which is crucial for the following steps. Once the husk is sufficiently dried, it is then ground into a fine powder. This grinding step improves the consistency of the arecanut husk and makes it suitable for blending, ensuring uniformity in the final product. The powdered husk is then blended with specific additives. These additives include natural binders, such as guar gum or starch, which provide structural integrity to the dhoop sticks, ensuring that they hold their shape during burning. In addition to binders, environmentally friendly additives are included to enhance the burning characteristics of the dhoop sticks, ensuring they burn evenly and emit minimal smoke. This feature is particularly important to create a high-quality product that appeals to environmentally conscious consumers.

Next, natural essential oils are added to the blended mixture to impart fragrance and additional functionality. Essential oils such as sandalwood, lavender, eucalyptus, and others provide a pleasant aroma to the incense sticks. Furthermore, some essential oils have insect-repellent properties, adding value by serving a dual purpose. This inclusion of essential oils distinguishes the product from traditional incense sticks, as it combines both aromatic and functional benefits, making it appealing in both domestic and commercial markets.

Once the mixture is prepared, it is molded into stick form using molds specifically designed for incense production. The molding process can vary depending on the desired shape and size of the final product, but it generally ensures that each stick has a consistent thickness and length. The sticks are then subjected to a secondary drying phase to set the shape and improve their durability. This secondary drying process ensures that the sticks maintain their form without cracking or crumbling, even during handling and storage.

The invention also includes a system for producing dhoop sticks or incense sticks, which integrates the entire process into an efficient production line. The system is equipped with drying, grinding, blending, essential oil addition, molding, and secondary drying units, each adapted to handle the specific characteristics of arecanut husk. The drying unit ensures proper moisture removal; the grinding unit creates a fine, uniform powder; the blending unit ensures consistent mixing of additives and essential oils; the molding unit shapes the sticks; and the secondary drying unit finalizes the product. This system streamlines the production process, reducing time, labor, and waste, and ensures consistency in the quality of the final product.

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.
, Claims:1. A process for producing eco-friendly dhoop sticks or incense sticks from arecanut husk waste, comprising the steps of:
drying the arecanut husk;
grinding it into a fine powder;
blending the powder with specific additives;
adding natural essential oils for fragrance; and
molding the mixture into sticks, followed by a secondary drying process to set the final product.

2. The process as claimed in Claim 1, wherein natural essential oils such as sandalwood, lavender, or eucalyptus are added to provide fragrance and insect-repellent properties to the product.

3. The process as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the arecanut husk powder is mixed with environmentally friendly additives to enhance the burning properties of the dhoop sticks or incense sticks without producing harmful residues.

4. A product of dhoop sticks or incense sticks made from arecanut husk, characterized using arecanut husk as the primary base material, blended with natural essential oils and specific additives to provide a fragrant, eco-friendly, and insect-repellent product.

5. A system for producing dhoop sticks or incense sticks from arecanut husk, comprising drying, grinding, blending, essential oil addition, molding, and secondary drying units configured to efficiently process arecanut husk into a finished product with minimal waste and consistent quality.

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