Food waste disposer with washable external air duct

Abstract

This invention proposes a food waste disposer with a washable external air duct, comprising an inner barrel, an outer barrel, an outer cover, a deodorizing medium box, a base, and a power module. When the suction fan and exhaust fan of the inner barrel are activated, outside air can be introduced from below the base, bringing the deodorizing gas generated by the deodorizing gas generator in the inner barrel into the processing space within the inner barrel. The deodorized exhaust gas passes through this processing space, through multiple vents on the inner and outer barrels, the external air duct, and the interior of the deodorizing medium box, and is discharged through the vent on the outer cover. The deodorizing medium box can be removed for replacement, and the outer cover, external air duct, and vents can be cleaned, thus solving the problem of traditional food waste disposers emitting foul odors that cannot be cleaned.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a food waste processor, and more particularly to a food waste processor with a washable external air duct. Prior Technology

[0002] A food waste disposer, also known as a food waste shredder, food waste grinder, or raw food waste processing equipment, is a device used to process food waste generated in households or restaurants. Its main functions are to reduce the volume of food waste, decrease odor and bacterial growth, and facilitate subsequent processing. Common types include shredders, dehydraters, and microbial decomposition types. For example, a dehydrater uses heating and stirring to evaporate the moisture from the food waste, reducing its overall volume by 70-90%. The advantages are reduced odor, smaller volume, and the ability to reuse the processed food waste for composting. However, in practice, because this type of food waste disposer is a semi-enclosed device, some internal components cannot be disassembled for cleaning and maintenance. As a result, odor molecules produced by food waste fermentation, such as amines, hydrogen sulfide, and ammonia, accumulate in these areas. Over time, dehydrater-type food waste disposers develop a persistent, strong, putrid odor, a drawback that users find difficult to tolerate but must accept.

[0003] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention was proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This paragraph extracts and summarizes certain features of the invention. Other features will be disclosed in subsequent paragraphs. Its purpose is to cover various modifications and similar arrangements within the spirit and scope of the additional claims.

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems and reduce the issue of foul odors emanating from existing food waste disposers that prevent proper cleaning, this invention discloses a food waste disposer with a washable external air duct. This food waste disposer includes: an inner tank containing a processing space for holding food waste; a cover pivotally connected to the top to close or open the processing space; an external deodorizing gas generator; and a suction fan and an exhaust fan installed below. The suction fan is connected below the deodorizing gas generator, and a vent pipe is connected above the deodorizing gas generator, connecting to the processing space through the inside of the cover. A first vent is located below the cover. The inner tank extends outside the exhaust fan to form a water collection tank, which connects to the space below the inner tank through a second vent. A third vent is located above the water collection tank to connect to the space below the inner tank. An external... A barrel body is installed around the outer side of the inner barrel body, with a fourth vent forming above the first vent. A groove is formed on the outer side of the outer barrel body below the fourth vent. An outer cover is a hollow structure that is detachably installed on the outer side of the outer barrel body, located above the water collection tank. The interior of the outer cover forms an accommodating space with multiple air vents at the top. The groove is attached to the inner side of the outer cover, forming an external air duct between the third and fourth vents. A deodorizing medium box is removably installed in the accommodating space, containing deodorizing medium and allowing ventilation from above and below to filter the flowing air. A base is installed below the outer barrel body and has a detachable bottom cover with multiple air inlets. When the suction fan and the exhaust fan are started, outside air is introduced from below the base, and the deodorizing gas generated by the deodorizing gas generator is brought into the processing space. The deodorized exhaust gas passes through the processing space, through the first vent, the fourth vent, the external air duct, the second vent, the third vent, and the interior of the deodorizing medium box, and is discharged through the air outlets of the outer cover. The condensate water from the water vapor in the exhaust gas falls into the water collection tank.

[0006] According to the present invention, the inner barrel may further include a filter disc, which is detachably installed above the water collection tank and below the deodorizing medium box to filter some impurities carried in the exhaust gas.

[0007] According to the present invention, the bottom cover has a maintenance cover corresponding to the exhaust fan, and the exhaust fan can be directly cleaned after the maintenance cover is removed.

[0008] The aforementioned food waste disposer with a washable external air duct may further include a power module installed below the inner tank and electrically connected to the suction fan and the exhaust fan to convert power from the external power grid into working DC power to provide the necessary operating power for the electrically connected components.

[0009] The aforementioned food waste processor with a washable external air duct may further include a heater installed below the processing space and electrically connected to the power module to heat the food waste to be processed in the processing space.

[0010] The aforementioned food waste disposer with a washable external air duct may further include an infrared switch, which is installed above the outer barrel and electrically connected to the power module. When the switch detects the back-and-forth movement of a human limb, it opens the cover.

[0011] According to the present invention, a touch panel can be further installed on the top of the cover plate. The touch panel is electrically connected to the power module and signal-connected to the suction fan and the exhaust fan, and can drive or turn off the suction fan and the exhaust fan.

[0012] The aforementioned exhaust gas contains residual deodorizing gases, oil fumes, and solid floating impurities.

[0013] The deodorizing gas generator can be an ozone generator, an active oxygen generator, an oxidizing gas generator, or a plasma discharge gas generator. The deodorizing medium can be activated carbon, zeolite, or molecular sieve.

[0014] Because the outer cover and deodorizing medium box are removable for cleaning, when the outer cover is removed from the outer barrel, the deodorizing medium box can be taken out and the deodorizing medium replaced. The outer cover, the groove, the water collection tank, the first vent, the second vent, the third vent, and the fourth vent can be cleaned to remove adhering waste gas molecules. Therefore, the food waste disposer with a washable external air duct of the present invention can clean almost all the places where waste gas passes through, making it difficult for odor molecules to adhere, thereby solving the problem of traditional food waste disposers emitting foul odors that cannot be cleaned. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a food waste processor with a washable external air duct according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 is another perspective view of the food waste processor with a washable external air duct.

[0017] Figure 3 is a partial exploded view of the food waste processor with a washable external air duct.

[0018] Figure 4 is a three-dimensional view of the food waste disposer with a washable external air duct separating the outer container.

[0019] Figure 5 is a three-dimensional view of an inner barrel, in which the upper part of the cover plate has been removed.

[0020] Figure 6 is a partial three-dimensional view of the inner barrel.

[0021] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the food waste disposer with a washable external air duct when the outer cover is separated from the deodorizing medium box.

[0022] Figure 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the outer cover and the deodorizing medium box.

[0023] Figure 9 illustrates the state of the food waste disposer with a washable external air duct when the maintenance cover is removed.

[0024] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the food waste processor with a washable external air duct.

[0025] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the food waste disposer with a washable external air duct when the lid is opened. Implementation

[0026] The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following embodiments.

[0027] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a food waste processor 1 with a washable external air duct according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is another perspective view of the food waste processor 1 with a washable external air duct. Figure 3 is a partial exploded view of the food waste processor 1 with a washable external air duct. Structurally, the food waste processor 1 with a washable external air duct includes an inner container 10, an outer container 20, an outer cover 30, a deodorizing medium box 40, a base 50, and a power module 60. The technical features of these components will be described in detail below with reference to the figures, and the reasons why the food waste processor 1 with a washable external air duct is easy to clean will be explained.

[0028] The inner container 10 is the main device for storing and processing food waste. See Figure 4, which is a perspective view of the food waste processor 1 with a washable external air duct separated from the outer container 20. The inner container 10 has a processing space S1 for holding the food waste. A cover plate 11 is pivotally connected to the top of the inner container 10 to close or open the processing space S1. A deodorizing gas generator 12 is installed on the outside of the inner container 10, and a suction fan 13 and a row of fans 14 are installed below the inner container 10. The suction fan 13 is connected below the deodorizing gas generator 12, and a vent pipe 15 is connected above the deodorizing gas generator 12. See Figure 5, which is a perspective view of the inner container 10, where the upper half of the cover plate 11 is removed, revealing the structure within the cover plate 11. The vent pipe 15 connects to the processing space S1 through the interior of the cover plate 11. In other words, as shown in Figure 4, one port 151 of the vent pipe 15 is located inside the cover plate 11, facing the processing space S1. The vent pipe 15 can vent the deodorizing gas generated by the deodorizing gas generator 12 to the processing space S1, reducing the odor generated by the kitchen waste to be processed. The deodorizing gas generator 12 can be an ozone generator, an active oxygen generator, an oxidizing gas generator, or a plasma discharge gas generator. If the deodorizing gas generator 12 is an ozone generator, the deodorizing gas produced is ozone; if the deodorizing gas generator 12 is an active oxygen generator, the deodorizing gas produced can be molecules containing hydroxyl radicals or peroxides; if the deodorizing gas generator 12 is an oxidizing gas generator, the deodorizing gas produced can be chlorine dioxide or hydrogen peroxide vapor; if the deodorizing gas generator 12 is a plasma discharge gas generator, the deodorizing gas produced can be plasma-generated argon, helium, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, etc.

[0029] A first vent 16 is located below the cover plate 11. The first vent 16 has multiple ribs, which can initially filter out larger impurity particles. Please see Figure 6, which is a partial perspective view of the inner barrel 10. The inner barrel 10 extends to the outside of the exhaust fan 14 to form a water collection tank 17. The water collection tank 17 is connected to the lower space of the inner barrel 10 through a second vent 18. A third vent 19 is located above the water collection tank 17 to connect to the lower space of the inner barrel 10.

[0030] The outer barrel 20 is installed around the outside of the inner barrel 10. As shown in Figure 4, a fourth vent 21 is formed above the outer barrel 20 corresponding to the first vent 16, and a groove 22 is formed on the outside of the outer barrel 20 below the fourth vent 21.

[0031] According to the present invention, the inner tank 10 also includes a filter disc 171, as shown in Figures 5 and 7. The filter disc 171 is detachably installed above the water collection tank 17 and below the deodorizing medium box 40 to filter some impurities carried in the exhaust gas. Since the food waste to be processed in the processing space S1 will generate exhaust gas after heating, the exhaust gas contains water vapor, residual deodorizing gas, oil fumes and solid floating impurities. The condensate from the water vapor will fall into the water collection tank 17. The water collection tank 17 can prevent the condensate from overflowing during use of the food waste processor 1 with a washable external air duct, but solid floating impurities in the food waste to be processed, such as leaf residue, will also float out with the exhaust gas from the second vent 18. If these solid floating impurities enter the deodorizing medium box 40, it will weaken the ability of the deodorizing medium box 40 to adsorb organic molecules (the main source of food waste odor). Therefore, after installing the filter disc 171, because the filter disc 171 has multiple ribs, it forms a finer filter channel that allows only smaller solid floating impurities to pass through, while blocking larger solid floating impurities.

[0032] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the food waste disposer 1 with a washable external air duct when the outer cover 30 is separated from the deodorizing medium box 40. The outer cover 30 is a hollow structure, detachably installed on the outside of the outer barrel 20, located above the water collection tank 17. Please see Figure 8, which is an enlarged perspective view of the outer cover 30 and the deodorizing medium box 40. The interior of the outer cover 30 forms an accommodating space S2, and multiple air vents 31 are opened on the top of the outer cover 30. A groove 22 is attached to the inner side of the outer cover 30, so that the groove 22 forms an external air duct P between the third air vent 19 and the fourth air vent 21 (the specific location is shown in Figure 10).

[0033] The deodorizing medium box 40 is removably installed in the accommodating space S2, and contains a deodorizing medium. The top and bottom of the deodorizing medium box 40 are ventilated to filter the flowing air and adsorb organic molecules therein. According to the present invention, the deodorizing medium can be, but is not limited to, activated carbon, zeolite, or molecular sieve.

[0034] The base 50 is installed below the outer barrel 20 and has a detachable bottom cover 51 with multiple air inlets 511. The base 50 covers the exposed components below the outer barrel 20, such as the suction fan 13, the exhaust fan 14, and part of the power module 60, preventing damage during use. To facilitate cleaning or maintenance of these components, the base 50 is designed with a large opening for installing the bottom cover 51 without completely disassembling it. Cleaning and maintenance can be performed simply by removing the bottom cover 51. The exhaust fan 14, due to prolonged contact with exhaust fumes, accumulates more odor molecules and requires more frequent cleaning. Therefore, the bottom cover 51 is further designed in this invention. See Figure 9, which illustrates the state of the food waste disposer 1 with a washable external air duct when the maintenance cover 512 is removed. The bottom cover 51 has a maintenance cover 512 corresponding to the exhaust fan 14; after removing the maintenance cover 512, the exhaust fan 14 can be cleaned directly. The air inlet 511 provides a channel for air to enter the exhaust fan 13.

[0035] The power module 60 is a component that provides power to the food waste disposer 1, which has a washable external air duct, and requires electrical components. The power module 60 is installed below the inner container 10 and includes a wire 61 and a power converter 62 (which may include a transformer, surge protector, overcurrent protector, power distribution circuit, etc.). The power module 60 is electrically connected to components such as the intake fan 13 and exhaust fan 14 to convert power from the external power grid into operating DC power, providing the necessary operating power for the connected components.

[0036] Please refer to Figure 10, which is a cross-sectional perspective view of the food waste processor 1 with a washable external air duct. When the suction fan 13 and the exhaust fan 14 are activated, external air can be introduced from below the base 50 (as shown by arrow A1), bringing the deodorizing gas generated by the deodorizing gas generator 12 into the processing space S1 (as shown by arrow A2). The deodorized exhaust gas passes through the processing space S1, through the first vent 16, the fourth vent 21 (below the first vent 16 in Figure 10, covered by the first vent 16) (as shown by arrow A3), the external air duct P, the third vent 19 (as shown by arrow A4), the second vent 18 (as shown by arrow A5), and the interior of the deodorizing medium box 40 (as shown by arrow A6), and is discharged through the air outlets 31 of the outer cover 30. The condensate from the water vapor in the exhaust gas falls into the water collection tank 17.

[0037] When the outer cover 30 is removed from the outer barrel 20, the deodorizing medium box 40 can be taken out and the deodorizing medium replaced. At the same time, the outer cover 30, the groove 22 of the outer barrel 20, the water collection tank 17 of the inner barrel 10, the first vent 16, the second vent 18 and the third vent 19, and the fourth vent 21 of the outer barrel 20 can be cleaned to remove adhering exhaust gas molecules and reduce the overall odor of the food waste processor 1, which has a washable external air duct.

[0038] In addition to the above-mentioned design that solves the problem of odor generation in existing food waste processors, the present invention also has the following special design features.

[0039] Please see Figure 11, which is a perspective view of the food waste processor 1 with a washable external air duct when the lid is open. The food waste processor 1 with a washable external air duct also includes a heater 70, which is installed below the processing space S1 and electrically connected to the power module 60. Its function is to heat the food waste to be processed in the processing space S1 and accelerate fermentation and decomposition.

[0040] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3. The food waste disposer 1 with a washable external air duct also includes an infrared switch 80. The infrared switch 80 is installed above the outer tank 20 and is electrically connected to the power module 60. When it detects the back and forth movement of a human limb, it opens the cover 11 to allow the user to dispose of food waste.

[0041] In addition, a touch panel 111 is installed above the cover 11 of the food waste disposer 1 with a washable external air duct. The touch panel 111 is electrically connected to the power module 60 and signal-connected to the suction fan 13 and the exhaust fan 14, and can manually or automatically drive or turn off the suction fan 13 and the exhaust fan 14. Furthermore, the touch panel 111 can also display operational information of the food waste disposer 1 with the washable external air duct.

[0042] Although the present invention has been disclosed above by way of embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone skilled in the art can make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the appended claims.

[0043] 1: Food waste disposer with washable external air duct 10: Inner barrel 11: Cover plate 111: Touch panel 12: Deodorizing gas generator 13: Suction Fan 14: Exhaust Fan 15: Ventilation tube 151: Port 16: First vent 17: Water collection tank 18: Second vent 19: Third vent 20: Outer barrel body 21: Fourth vent 22: Groove 30: Outer cover 31: Vent 40: Deodorizing medium box 50: Base 51: Bottom Cover 511: Air Inlet 512: Maintenance Cover 60: Power Module 61: Electrical wire 62: Power Converter 70: Heater 80: Infrared switch A1: Arrow A2: Arrow A3: Arrow A4: Arrow A5: Arrow A6: Arrow P: External air duct S1: Processing Space S2: Storage space

Claims

1. A food waste disposer with a washable external air duct, comprising: an inner barrel having an internal processing space for holding food waste to be processed, a cover plate pivotally connected to the top to close or open the processing space, an odor generator installed on the outside, and a suction fan and an exhaust fan installed below, wherein the suction fan is connected below the odor generator, a vent pipe is connected above the odor generator, the vent pipe communicates with the processing space through the inside of the cover plate, a first vent is opened below the cover plate, the inner barrel extends outside the exhaust fan to form a water collection tank, the water collection tank communicates with the lower space of the inner barrel through a second vent, and a third vent is opened above the water collection tank to communicate with the lower space of the inner barrel; an outer barrel being installed around the outside of the inner barrel, a fourth vent being formed above the first vent, and a groove being formed on the outer side of the outer barrel below the fourth vent. An outer cover, a hollow structure, is detachably installed on the outside of the outer barrel, above the water collection tank. The interior of the outer cover forms an accommodating space with multiple air vents at the top. A groove is attached to the inner side of the outer cover, forming an external air duct between the third and fourth air vents. A deodorizing medium box, removable and installed in the accommodating space, contains deodorizing medium and is ventilated from both above and below to filter the flowing air. A base, installed below the outer barrel, has a detachable bottom cover with multiple air inlets. When the suction fan and the exhaust fan are started, outside air is introduced from below the base, bringing the deodorizing gas generated by the deodorizing gas generator into the processing space. The deodorized exhaust gas passes through the processing space, through the first vent, the fourth vent, the external air duct, the second vent, the third vent, and the interior of the deodorizing medium box, and is discharged through the vents on the outer cover. The condensate from the water vapor in the exhaust gas falls into the water collection tank. When the outer cover is removed from the outer barrel, the deodorizing medium box can be removed to replace the deodorizing medium. The outer cover, the groove, the water collection tank, the first vent, the second vent, the third vent, and the fourth vent can be cleaned to remove adhering exhaust gas molecules.

2. The food waste disposer with a washable external air duct as described in claim 1, wherein the inner tank further includes a filter disc detachably mounted above the water collection tank and below the deodorizing medium box for filtering some impurities entrained in the exhaust gas.

3. The food waste disposer with a washable external air duct as described in claim 1, wherein the bottom cover has a maintenance cover corresponding to the exhaust fan, the maintenance cover being removed so that the exhaust fan can be directly cleaned.

4. The food waste disposer with a washable external air duct as described in claim 1, further comprising a power module installed below the inner tank and electrically connected to the suction fan and the exhaust fan, for converting power from the external power grid into operating DC power to provide the necessary power for the operation of the electrically connected components.

5. The food waste processor with a washable external air duct as described in claim 4, further comprising a heater installed below the processing space and electrically connected to the power module for heating the food waste to be processed in the processing space.

6. The food waste disposer with a washable external air duct as described in claim 4, further comprising an infrared switch installed above the outer tank and electrically connected to the power module, which opens the cover when it detects the back-and-forth movement of a human limb.

7. The food waste disposer with a washable external air duct as described in claim 4, wherein a touch panel is further installed above the cover, the touch panel being electrically connected to the power module and signal-connected to the suction fan and the exhaust fan, and capable of driving or turning off the suction fan and the exhaust fan.

8. The food waste disposer with a washable external duct as described in claim 1, wherein the exhaust gas further comprises residual deodorizing gas, fumes, and solid floating impurities.

9. A food waste disposer with a washable external air duct as described in claim 1, wherein the deodorizing gas generator is an active oxygen generator.

10. A food waste disposer with a washable external air duct as claimed in claim 1, wherein the deodorizing gas generator is a plasma discharge gas generator or an oxidizing gas generator.

11. A food waste disposer with a washable external air duct as described in claim 1, wherein the deodorizing medium is activated carbon or zeolite.

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