Modular cutter ring for implementation in a waste disposer and related methods

Abstract

Disclosed herein are modular shredder rings for implementation in a waste disposer, such as a food waste disposer, as well as waste disposers employing such modular shredder rings and related methods of operation and assembly. In example embodiments, a food waste disposer includes a food transport section, a motor section, and a grinding section, all of which are supported by or formed within a housing. The grinding section includes a rotating plate and a modular shredder ring, which includes an annular support structure and a plurality of shredder modules mounted on or coupled to the annular support structure. Additionally, respective shredder modules are positioned along respective different portions of a radially inward-facing annular surface of the annular support structure, respectively. Furthermore, each of the respective shredder modules includes one or more respective first contact structures that at least partially define one or more respective first spaces.

Description

[0001] field This disclosure relates to grinding mechanisms or systems within waste disposers such as food waste disposers, and more specifically, to shredder rings or similar structures or features within such waste disposers, and related methods for operating and implementing them.

[0002] background A food waste disposer is used to grind food scraps into particles small enough to pass through household drain pipes. A food waste disposer typically includes a main inlet along the top of the disposer, where it receives water and food scraps from the sink, and a main outlet at which food waste and water are discharged from the disposer. A food waste disposer can be understood to include a food conveying section, a motor section, and a grinding section. The motor section includes a motor, such as an induction motor or a permanent magnet motor, which operates to transmit rotational motion to a motor shaft, thereby operating the grinding section. The grinding section of a food waste disposer can typically employ a rotating plate, lugs, and a fixed shredder ring. Furthermore, the fixed shredder ring typically has multiple teeth, and by means of these teeth, it can also be understood as constituting cylindrical shredder blades.

[0003] The stationary shredder ring typically takes the form of a cylindrical wall that circumferentially surrounds the rotating plate and generally extends upward from the circumference of the rotating plate. The rotating plate is coupled to a motor in the motor section to rotate in response to the motor's rotation, and lugs mounted on the rotating plate rotate with it. The centrifugal force associated with the rotation of the rotating plate, and the force exerted by the lugs, tend to guide or project food waste radially outward toward the stationary shredder ring. Upon impact and contact with the teeth formed along the stationary shredder ring, the food waste is pulverized into particles of the desired small size. The particles then pass through the gaps between the teeth of the stationary shredder ring and eventually reach and exit the food waste disposer through the main outlet.

[0004] While many conventional food waste disposers are effective at pulverizing food waste using a fixed shredder ring, they do experience some limitations in how effectively they can pulverize food. Specifically, even if the teeth or blades provided as part of the fixed shredder ring are effective at achieving the desired pulverization of certain types of food waste, those teeth or blades may not be equally or sufficiently effective at achieving the desired pulverization of other types of food waste. Variations in the waste material received by the food waste disposer or other changes in the operating environment experienced by the food waste disposer can lead to a decrease in the grinding performance of conventional food waste disposer plates compared to conventional shredder plates.

[0005] Furthermore, manufacturing or implementing different fixed shredder rings with different corresponding characteristics within a food waste disposer can be complex and / or expensive, as these different characteristics may be suited to achieve different corresponding operational behaviors or to the use of different corresponding types of food waste materials. In fact, switching between manufacturing a first-type fixed shredder ring with a first-type tooth arrangement and manufacturing a second-type fixed shredder ring with a second-type tooth arrangement can be complex and / or expensive. Moreover, many conventional fixed shredder rings employ teeth arranged around the circumference of the fixed shredder ring according to a specific repeating tooth pattern. Manufacturing such a fixed shredder ring can be relatively cost-effective, where the tooth pattern is consistent around the ring. However, manufacturing a fixed shredder ring in which different forms or types of teeth are arranged around the fixed shredder ring at different locations can be complex and / or expensive.

[0006] It would be advantageous if, for at least one or more of these reasons, or for one or more other reasons, an improved grinding section within a garbage disposal unit, such as a food waste disposer, and / or an improved shredder ring of such a grinding section, and / or an improved method of operating and / or implementing them, could be developed to solve any or more of the problems discussed above, or to solve one or more other problems, or to provide one or more benefits.

[0007] Brief Overview In at least some example embodiments, this disclosure relates to a food waste disposer. The food waste disposer includes a housing, a food conveying section, a motor section, and a grinding section located between the food conveying section and the motor section, wherein the food conveying section, the motor section, and the grinding section are all supported by or formed within the housing. The grinding section includes a rotating plate and a modular chopper ring, the modular chopper ring including an annular support structure and a plurality of chopper modules mounted on or connected to the annular support structure. Furthermore, respective chopper modules are positioned along corresponding different portions of a radially-inwardly-facing annular surface of the annular support structure. Additionally, each of the respective chopper modules includes one or more corresponding first contacting formations that at least partially define one or more corresponding first spaces.

[0008] Furthermore, in at least some example embodiments, this disclosure relates to a modular shredder ring for implementation in a waste disposal unit. The modular shredder ring includes an annular support structure and a plurality of shredder modules mounted on or coupled to the annular support structure. Respective shredder modules of the plurality of shredder modules are respectively positioned along respective different portions of a radially inwardly facing annular surface of the annular support structure. Furthermore, each of the respective shredder modules includes one or more respective first contact structures that at least partially define one or more respective first spaces.

[0009] Additionally, in at least some other example embodiments, this disclosure relates to a method of operating a food waste disposer. The method includes providing a food waste disposer having a first modular chopper ring implemented therein, the first modular chopper ring having a first plurality of chopper modules coupled to an annular support structure. The method further includes removing the first modular chopper ring from a housing portion of the food waste disposer. The method also includes installing different modular chopper rings within the housing portion of the food waste disposer, wherein the different modular chopper rings are second modular chopper rings or modified versions of the first modular chopper ring, and wherein the different modular chopper rings or modified versions of the first modular chopper ring have a second plurality of chopper modules that are at least partially different from the first plurality of chopper modules. Brief description of the attached diagram Embodiments of a shredder ring and portions thereof that can be implemented in the grinding section of a waste disposer (or a system including a waste disposer), such as a food waste disposer, waste disposers employing a shredder ring and portions thereof, and related operation and implementation methods are disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings, and are for illustrative purposes only. The systems, apparatuses, devices, components, processes, and methods included herein are not limited in their application to the construction details, component arrangements, or other aspects or features shown in the accompanying drawings, but rather include other embodiments or can be practiced or performed in various other ways. The same reference numerals are used to denote the same components. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a front view of a food waste disposer including a grinding section with a modular chopping ring, according to an example embodiment; Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 The line 2-2 cut Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a food waste disposer; Figure 3 yes Figure 1 and Figure 2 A front perspective view (or isometric view) of the modular chopper ring of a food waste disposer. Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Top view of the modular shredder ring; Figure 5 yes Figure 3 and Figure 4 An additional cross-sectional top plan view of a portion of the modular shredder ring, in which the outer cylindrical shell of the modular shredder ring is shown as transparent; Figure 6 Provides each of the following: front view, top view, and front perspective view of multiple or a series of different types of shredder modules, one of which is Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 The modular shredder ring includes one type of shredder module; and Figure 7 It shows the relationship with Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 A cross-sectional front perspective view (or isometric view) of a portion of an alternative embodiment of a modular shredder ring.

[0011] Detailed description The inventors have recognized that the conventional grinding sections of conventional food waste disposers are typically limited in their performance due to the way the teeth or blades are arranged around a fixed shredder ring. In fact, the teeth or blades of such conventional grinding sections are usually formed in a repeating manner around the entire circumference of the fixed shredder ring. Furthermore, when implementing such conventional grinding sections in conventional food waste disposers, the fixed shredder plates within these disposers are typically fixed inside the food waste disposer. Therefore, even though fixed shredder plates with their specific teeth or blades can effectively achieve the desired shredding of food waste material in certain situations, the performance of conventional grinding sections employing such fixed shredder rings is generally limited. In fact, due to the fixed and repetitive nature of those fixed shredder rings and their teeth or blades, changes in the operating environment or the waste material received by the food waste disposer can lead to a decrease in the grinding performance of those shredder plates.

[0012] In view of the foregoing, the inventors have recognized that it would be advantageous if the fixed shredder ring in a food waste disposer (or garbage disposer) could be implemented in a manner that facilitates the realization of desired operational (e.g., grinding) behaviors or characteristics within the food waste disposer and / or facilitates the modification of operational (e.g., grinding) behaviors or characteristics within the food waste disposer to accommodate different waste materials and / or other operating environments or conditions that may be received by the food waste disposer. The inventors further recognize that, in at least some of the embodiments covered herein, by forming or implementing the fixed shredder ring using shredder modules, each configured to occupy only a corresponding portion of the radially inward-facing surface of the fixed shredder ring and positioned at different locations around the shredder ring to establish an overall shredder profile (or shredder ring profile), a fixed shredder ring for a food waste disposer (or other garbage disposer) can be provided that achieves one or more such advantageous behaviors (and / or achieves other advantages).

[0013] In at least some of these embodiments, it is possible that the shredder modules can take any of various forms or types (e.g., forms or types with different blade characteristics), such that, depending on which shredder modules are arranged on a given shredder ring, the shredder ring can provide any of a variety of desired shredding or other operational characteristics or behaviors during operation of a food waste processor in which the shredder ring is implemented. Furthermore, in at least some of these embodiments, one or more shredder modules implemented on a given shredder ring can be modified or replaced by other shredder modules to alter or adjust the shredding or other operational characteristics or behaviors provided by (or to be provided by) the shredder ring during operation of a food waste processor in which the shredder ring is implemented.

[0014] Refer to each Figure 1 and Figure 2 The following figures illustrate a modular shredder ring 200 according to an example embodiment of this document (see [link]). Figure 2 Front view and cross-sectional view of food waste disposer 100. Figure 2The specific cross-sectional view provided is taken along line 2-2, which extends along the central axis 150 of the food waste disposer 100. As shown, the food waste disposer 100 includes a housing 102 having a top housing portion or upper outer shell 104 and a bottom housing portion 106. Furthermore, the food waste disposer 100 can be understood to include a food delivery section 108, a motor section 110, and a grinding section 112. The food delivery section 108 is generally located within the upper outer shell 104 at or near the top of the food waste disposer 100, and the motor section 110 is generally located at a position corresponding to and within the bottom housing portion 106. The grinding section 112 is disposed within the housing (e.g., within the upper outer shell 104, as shown), between the food delivery section 108 and the motor section 110.

[0015] As further shown in the figures, the food waste disposer 100 includes a main input port or inlet 114 and a main output port or outlet 116. The main inlet 114 is located along or near the top end 118 of the food waste disposer 100 and is configured to receive water and food scraps from a sink (not shown) to which the food waste disposer is mounted during operation. The main outlet 116 is formed along a first sidewall portion 120 of the upper housing 104, near the junction between the upper housing and the bottom housing portion 106, and is configured to allow food waste and water to flow out of the food waste disposer 100 from the grinding section 112 during operation. Additionally, as shown, the food waste disposer 100 also includes a dishwasher inlet 124, which is an auxiliary port of the food waste disposer and is also formed along and as part of the first sidewall portion 120.

[0016] In addition, such as Figure 2As specifically shown, in this embodiment, the motor section 110 includes a motor 126 supported between the lower end frame (LEF) 152 and the upper end frame (UEF) 154 of the food waste disposer 100 by a first support 128 located at or near the lower end frame (LEF) and a second support 130 located at or near the upper end frame (UEF). The first support 128 and the second support 130 are specifically configured to allow the motor shaft 132 of the motor 126 to rotate about a central axis 150 relative to other parts of the food waste disposer 100 (e.g., housing 102, LEF 152, and UEF 154). As shown, the motor shaft 132 extends upward specifically to pass through the UEF 154, which effectively serves as the uppermost portion of the motor section 110 and as the boundary between the motor section and the grinding section 112. The motor 126 may be, for example, an induction motor, or alternatively, a permanent magnet motor.

[0017] In addition, such as Figure 2 As specifically shown, the grinding section 112 includes a rotating plate 134 and a plurality of lugs 136 (one of which is in Figure 2 (particularly evident in the image) and a fixed shredder ring, which in this embodiment is a modular fixed shredder ring (or more simply, a modular shredder ring) 138. The modular shredder ring 138 is a generally cylindrical structure that circumferentially surrounds the outer circumference 140 of the rotating plate 134 and extends generally upward from the outer circumference 140 of the rotating plate 134. As will be described in further detail, the modular shredder ring 138 includes a plurality of shredder modules 142, which are fixedly supported relative to the outer cylindrical housing 144 of the modular shredder ring. Each of the shredder modules 142 includes one or more corresponding first contact structures 146. The first contact structures 146 typically include, for example, edges, flanges, or other wall or surface portions of the shredder modules 142 that can contact food, water, or other substances within the food waste disposer 100 during operation. Additionally, each of the shredder modules 142 includes one or more corresponding first spaces 148, each first space 148 being partially or wholly defined by one or more corresponding contact structures 146 of the corresponding shredder module. In some embodiments, the first contact structure 146 and / or the first space 148 can be understood as forming a shredder blade.

[0018] It should be understood that the food waste disposer 100 is configured to receive water and food scraps from a sink (not shown). During operation of the food waste disposer 100, when the motor 126 is actuated to rotate, the motor operates to transmit rotational motion to the motor shaft 132, which in turn transmits that rotational motion to the rotating plate 134 of the grinding section 112. When this occurs, the centrifugal force associated with the rotation of the rotating plate 134, and the force exerted by the lugs 136 rotating with the rotating plate, tend to guide or project any food scraps (and associated water) within the grinding section 112 radially outward toward the modular shredder ring 138.

[0019] Food waste is pulverized into small particles of the desired size upon impact with the first contact structure 146 formed within the shredder module 142 of the modular shredder ring 138. The particles then pass through a first space 148 disposed within the shredder module 142. After passing through the first space 148, the particles (along with associated water or other fluid) travel downward toward the upper surface 156 of the UEF 154 of the motor section 110 and further circumferentially and radially outward to reach the main outlet 116, through which the particles (along with associated water or other fluid) exit the food waste disposer 100.

[0020] Turn to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The diagram shows a front perspective view (or isometric view) 300 and a top plan view 400 of the modular shredder ring 138. Further references... Figure 5 An additional cross-sectional top plan view 500 of a portion 502 of the modular shredder ring 138 is provided to illustrate in more detail how the shredder module 142 engages with the outer cylindrical housing 144 of the modular shredder ring. The modular shredder ring 138 in... Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 The components are shown separately or independently from other parts of the food waste disposer 100 to show in more detail the chopper module 142 of the modular chopper ring 138 and the outer cylindrical housing 144, and how these components are assembled with each other in this embodiment.

[0021] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the modular shredder ring 138 extends generally circumferentially around a central axis 302 of the modular shredder ring, which, when implemented as part of a food waste disposer, coincides with and can be considered identical to the central axis 150 of the food waste disposer 100. Additionally, Figure 3 and Figure 4Both are shown as an outer cylindrical housing 144 and a plurality of shredder modules 142, which are fixedly coupled to and supported relative to the outer cylindrical housing. In this example embodiment, the plurality of shredder modules 142 are metal, while the outer cylindrical housing 144 is plastic, and the plurality of shredder modules are attached to the outer cylindrical housing to extend from and be positioned generally inwardly from the inner cylindrical surface 304 of the outer cylindrical housing, located between the upper annular edge 306 and the lower annular edge 308 of the outer cylindrical housing 144.

[0022] In this embodiment, the modular shredder ring 138 specifically includes sixteen (16) shredder modules 142, which are positioned one after another, circumferentially spaced, around a central axis 302 along the inner cylindrical surface 304 of the outer cylindrical housing 144. In alternative embodiments covered herein, the modular shredder ring may include more or fewer than sixteen shredder modules. For example, at least some of the additional embodiments covered herein may have any number between eight and twenty-four shredder modules.

[0023] As shown in the figure, each of the chopper modules 142 includes a corresponding square flat surface 402, and also includes a corresponding first end flange portion 404 and a second end flange portion 406. The corresponding square flat surface 402 of the chopper module 142 is a radially inward or generally radially inward surface of the chopper module facing the central axis 302 of the modular chopper ring 138. Furthermore, the corresponding square flat surface 402 constitutes the main contact surface for contact or interaction with food matter, water, or other substances entering the food waste processor, and particularly its grinding section 112.

[0024] Each of the shredder modules 142 has a corresponding first end flange portion 404 extending from a corresponding first edge 408 of a corresponding square flat surface 402 of the shredder module, substantially perpendicular to the corresponding square flat surface. Furthermore, each of the shredder modules 142 has a corresponding second end flange portion 406 extending from a corresponding second edge 410 of a corresponding square flat surface 402 of the shredder module, substantially perpendicular to the corresponding square flat surface, and this extension is parallel to the extension of the corresponding first end flange portion 404 from the corresponding square flat surface. The corresponding first edge 408 and second edge 410 of each of the shredder modules 142 are located on corresponding opposite sides of the corresponding square flat surface 402 of the shredder module and extend generally in a direction parallel to the central axis 302.

[0025] Although in this embodiment, the shredder module 142 includes corresponding square flat surfaces 402, in other embodiments, the shredder module may have other surfaces that are not necessarily square or flat. For example, in some alternative embodiments, the shredder module may include a rectangular (not square) or other shape (e.g., elliptical) main engagement surface, and / or a curved (e.g., recessed) rather than flat main engagement portion. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the shredder module may include other portions or structures besides or in place of the first end flange portion 404 and the second end flange portion 406. For example, in some such other embodiments, the shredder module may include more than two such flange portions. Yet another example, in some other embodiments, the main engagement surface may be convex, with its ends effectively replacing the first end flange portion 404 and the second end flange portion 406.

[0026] In addition, such as Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, each of the corresponding shredder modules 142 is positioned between a pair of adjacent shredder modules arranged along the inner cylindrical surface 304. More specifically, the corresponding first end flange portion 404 of each of the shredder modules 142 is positioned close to the corresponding second end flange portion 406 of the corresponding first adjacent shredder module. Furthermore, the corresponding second end flange portion 406 of each of the shredder modules 142 is positioned close to the corresponding first end flange portion 404 of the corresponding second adjacent shredder module.

[0027] Each of the shredder modules 142 is positioned relative to the inner cylindrical surface 304 such that the corresponding shredder module (specifically, the corresponding square flat surface 402 of the corresponding shredder module) is positioned along the corresponding arcuate portion 412 of the inner cylindrical surface 304 (one example in...). Figure 4 Extending from the central axis 302 of the modular shredder ring 138, the corresponding arcuate portion extends radially inward. Each corresponding shredder module in the shredder module 142 is positioned along its corresponding arcuate portion 412 differently from the corresponding arcuate portions 412 of other corresponding shredder modules in the shredder module 142; that is, different shredder modules are positioned at different locations along the inner cylindrical surface 304. Furthermore, each of the square flat surfaces 402 extends approximately perpendicular to its corresponding radius 414 (one example of which is shown in...). Figure 4(shown as dashed lines in the middle) The corresponding radius 414 extends outward from the central axis 302 of the modular shredder ring 138 toward the inner cylindrical surface 304 that passes through the center of the corresponding square flat surface.

[0028] Figure 5 The additional sectional plan view 500 specifically presents portion 502 of the modular shredder ring 138 in such a manner that the outer cylindrical housing 144 is shown as transparent, allowing a view of how the outer cylindrical housing 144 is molded around several shredder modules 142, such that these shredder modules are fixedly connected to and supported relative to the outer cylindrical housing. (In this respect, it should be understood that...) Figure 5 It can also be viewed as a cross-sectional view roughly showing a portion 502 of the modular shredder ring taken at the midpoint between the upper annular edge 306 and the lower annular edge 308 along a plane perpendicular to the central axis 302. As shown, the outer cylindrical housing 144 is specifically overmolded to extend around (and / or wrap around) the respective end portion 504 of the respective first end flange portion 404 of each of the shredder modules 142 and the respective end portion 506 of the respective second end flange portion 406.

[0029] exist Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 In this embodiment, each of the shredder modules 142 has a corresponding first contact structure 146 comprising six first contact structures arranged in three pairs. These three pairs of first contact structures are spaced apart between a corresponding first edge 408 and a corresponding second edge of the corresponding shredder module on which the corresponding first contact structure is disposed (wherein the corresponding middle pair of the corresponding first contact structures of each of the shredder modules is positioned slightly closer to the lower annular edge 308 of the corresponding shredder module than the corresponding other pairs of first contact structures that are closer to the corresponding first edge and second edge of the corresponding shredder module). Accordingly, each of the shredder modules 142 has a corresponding space 148 comprising six spaces, each space being defined by a corresponding one of the first contact structures. Furthermore, in this example embodiment, each of the first contact structures 146 in each of the shredder modules 142 takes the form of a shell-shaped surface (or a quarter-spherical surface) that protrudes inward from the corresponding square flat surface 402 on which the corresponding first contact structure is formed, generally toward the central axis 302 and away from the inner cylindrical surface 304.

[0030] A corresponding first contact structure 146 with a corresponding shell-shaped surface establishes a corresponding space 148. In this embodiment, the corresponding space 148 takes the form of a generally semi-circular channel extending within the corresponding shell-shaped surface from a corresponding position 508 to a position 510 along a square flat surface. The corresponding position 508 is generally positioned inside the corresponding square flat surface 402 of the corresponding shredder module 142 on which the corresponding first contact structures 146 are disposed. By means of these generally semi-circular channels forming the space 148, the corresponding position 508 along the corresponding square flat surface 402 of the corresponding shredder module 142 (e.g., the position located between the square flat surface and the central axis 302) is fluidly connected not only to the position 510, but also to the corresponding hollow region 512 existing between the corresponding square flat surface 402 and the outer cylindrical shell 144.

[0031] With the aid of this configuration of the modular shredder ring 138, it should be understood that when the food waste disposer 100, including the modular shredder ring, is in operation, food scraps (or food media) received by the food waste disposer are at least partially crushed or ground into particles of the desired small size due to contact between the food scraps and the first contact structure 146. Upon reaching this desired small size, the particles and associated water (or other fluid) then pass through the corresponding spaces 148 to the corresponding hollow regions 512. Due to the specific shape of the spaces 148 in this embodiment, the particles and associated water (or other fluid) pass through these spaces generally circumferentially and radially outward to reach the hollow regions 512. Furthermore, upon reaching the hollow regions 512, the particles and associated water (or other fluid) then travel further downward (e.g., towards the upper surface 156 of the UEF 154 as previously described) and further circumferentially and radially outward to reach the main outlet 116 through which the particles and associated water (or other fluid) exit the food waste disposer 100.

[0032] Go to Figure 6 Although the above description relates to a modular shredder ring 138 having multiple shredder modules 142, each shredder module 142 having a first contact structure 146 having a shell-shaped surface forming a space 148, this disclosure is intended to cover many other embodiments of the modular shredder ring having any of a variety of different types of shredder modules having any of a variety of different types of contact structures and / or any of a variety of different types of spaces. Figure 6A plurality of shredder modules are specifically shown, illustrated as a series of shredder modules 600, including a first shredder module 602, a second shredder module 604, a third shredder module 606, a fourth shredder module 608, a fifth shredder module 610, and a sixth shredder module 612. In this respect, Figure 6 A series of top plan views 614, front view 616 and front perspective views 618 of the shredder module 600 are provided.

[0033] By comparing the first shredder module 602 with the shredder module 142 implemented on the modular shredder ring 138 described above, it can be understood that the first shredder module 602 constitutes one of the shredder modules 142. Therefore, the first shredder module 602 again includes a corresponding one of the square flat surfaces 402, a corresponding one of the first end flange portions 404 extending from a corresponding one of the first edges 408, a corresponding one of the second end flange portions 406 extending from a corresponding one of the second edges 410, and a corresponding set of six first contact structures 146 each having a shell-shaped surface and providing a corresponding one of the spaces 148. As particularly apparent from the front perspective view 618 showing the first shredder module 602, the first end flange portion 404 also includes a first pair of additional rectangular openings 620 arranged along the first end flange portion in a manner one on top of the other, and similarly, the second end flange portion 406 also includes a second pair of additional rectangular openings 622 arranged along the second end flange portion in a manner one on top of the other. It should be understood that, despite Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 Not shown, but each of the shredder modules 142 also includes a pair of additional rectangular openings 620 and 622 on the respective first end flange portion 404 and second end flange portion 406 of the respective shredder module.

[0034] Each of the second chopper module 604, the third chopper module 606, the fourth chopper module 608, the fifth chopper module 610, and the sixth chopper module 612 is similar to the first chopper module 602 in that each of the second chopper module, the third chopper module, the fourth chopper module, the fifth chopper module, and the sixth chopper module also includes its respective corresponding square flat surfaces 624, 626, 628, 630, and 632, its respective corresponding first end flange portions 634, 636, 638, 640, and 642, and its respective corresponding second end flange portions 644, 646, 648, 650, and 652. Similarly, the corresponding first end flange portions 634, 636, 638, 640, and 642 extend from their respective first edges 654, 656, 658, 660, and 662 of their respective square flat surfaces 624, 626, 628, 630, and 632, respectively, perpendicular to the respective square flat surfaces. Likewise, the corresponding second end flange portions 644, 646, 648, 650, and 652 extend from their respective second edges 664, 666, 668, 670, and 672 of their respective square flat surfaces 624, 626, 628, 630, and 632, respectively, perpendicular to the respective square flat surfaces, in a manner parallel to the extension of the corresponding first end flange portion of the corresponding shredder module from the respective square flat surface. Furthermore, each of the corresponding first end flange portions 634, 636, 638, 640 and 642 also includes a corresponding first pair of additional rectangular openings 674, 676, 678, 680 and 682, and each of the corresponding second end flange portions 644, 646, 648, 650 and 652 also includes a corresponding second pair of additional rectangular openings 684, 686, 688, 690 and 692.

[0035] Despite these similarities, the second chopper module 604, third chopper module 606, fourth chopper module 608, fifth chopper module 610, and sixth chopper module 612 differ from the first chopper module 602 in that, instead of having a first contact structure 146 that partially or completely defines space 148, these respective chopper modules have their own second contact structures 754, third contact structures 756, fourth contact structures 758, fifth contact structures 760, and sixth contact structures 762, which respectively partially or completely define their own second spaces 764, third spaces 766, fourth spaces 768, fifth spaces 770, and sixth spaces 772. More specifically, as shown in the figures, the second contact structure 754 of the second chopper module 604 is configured to form a pair of inverted U-shaped openings 774 constituting the second space 764. As these corresponding openings extend upward from the bottom edge 776 of the square flat surface 624 toward the top edge 778 of the square flat surface (but not to the top edge 778), each of the pair of inverted U-shaped openings 774 is generally away from the first edge 654 of the square flat surface 624 and inclined toward the second edge 664 of the square flat surface.

[0036] Similar to the second contact structure 754, the third contact structure 756 of the third shredder module 606 also forms a pair of inverted U-shaped openings 784. As these corresponding openings extend upward from the bottom edge 786 of the square flat surface 626 toward the top edge 788 of the square flat surface (but not reaching the top edge 778), the pair of inverted U-shaped openings 784 are inclined generally away from the first edge 656 of the square flat surface 626 toward the second edge 666 of the square flat surface. The third contact structure 756 includes not only the portion of the square flat surface 626 defining the inverted U-shaped openings 784, but also an inwardly projecting triangular flange structure 780. The inverted U-shaped openings 784, together with the additional triangular openings 782 formed by the triangular flange structure 780, constitute the third space 766 of the third shredder module 606.

[0037] Other examples Figure 6 As shown, regarding the fourth shredder module 608, the fourth contact structure 758 is configured to form a pair of inverted U-shaped openings 790 constituting the fourth space 768. Each of the pair of inverted U-shaped openings 790 extends vertically upward from the bottom edge 792 of the square flat surface 628 toward (but does not reach) the top edge 794 of the square flat surface, located between the first edge 658 and the second edge 668 of the square flat surface. Therefore, the inverted U-shaped openings 790 are not tilted compared to the inverted U-shaped openings 774 and 784.

[0038] Furthermore, regarding the fifth shredder module 610, the fifth contact structure 760 is configured to form a pair of inverted U-shaped openings 740. Each of these inverted U-shaped openings 740 extends vertically upward from the bottom edge 742 of the square flat surface 630 toward (but does not reach) the top edge 744 of the square flat surface. The opening 740 is narrower than the inverted U-shaped opening 790, and extends closer to the top edge 744 than the opening 790 extends toward the top edge 794. Moreover, although the inverted U-shaped openings 790 are generally spaced inwardly away from the first edge 658 and the second edge 668, the inverted U-shaped openings 740 are positioned adjacent to the first edge 660 and the second edge 670, respectively. The fifth contact structure 760 includes not only a portion defining an inverted U-shaped opening 740 on the square flat surface 630, but also a portion defining a central elliptical opening 746, which is positioned generally within the center of the square flat surface 630 between those openings 740. The inverted U-shaped opening 740 and the elliptical opening 746 together constitute the fifth space 770 of the fifth shredder module 610.

[0039] Finally, regarding the sixth shredder module 612, the sixth contact structure 762 is configured to form a pair of inverted V-shaped openings 730. Each of the pair of inverted V-shaped openings 730 extends vertically upward from the bottom edge 732 of the square flat surface 632 toward the top edge 734 of the square flat surface (but does not reach the top edge 734). Although it is V-shaped instead of U-shaped, the inverted V-shaped openings 730 are configured in a manner substantially similar to that of the inverted U-shaped openings 740 in terms of how the openings 730 are positioned along the square flat surface 632 (compared to how the openings 740 are positioned along the square flat surface 630), and the extent of the extension of the openings 730 between the bottom edge 732 and the top edge 734 is substantially the same as the extent of the extension of the openings 740 between the bottom edge 742 and the top edge 744.

[0040] The sixth contact structure 762 includes not only a portion defining an inverted V-shaped opening 730 on the square flat surface 632, but also a portion defining a central pentagonal opening 736 (which is generally located within the center of the square flat surface 632 between those openings 730), a portion defining a notch 739 along the bottom edge 744, and an inwardly projecting triangular flange structure 738 positioned between the central pentagonal openings 736, which forms an additional triangular opening 737. The inverted V-shaped opening 730, together with the pentagonal opening 736, the notch 739, and the additional triangular opening 737, constitutes the sixth space 772 of the sixth shredder module 612. As further shown in the figure, the sixth contact structure 762 of the sixth shredder module 612 also includes an additional tab 729, which extends from the bottom edge 742 on opposite sides of the notch 739, generally in the same direction as the first end flange portion 642 and the second end flange portion 652, in a manner perpendicular to the square flat surface 632, in order to further define the notch.

[0041] although Figure 6 The illustration shows example first shredder module 602, second shredder module 604, third shredder module 606, fourth shredder module 608, fifth shredder module 610, and sixth shredder module 612. However, it should be understood that this disclosure also includes many other embodiments of shredder modules. For example, this disclosure includes other embodiments of shredder modules that are reversed relative to the arrangement of the above-described shredder modules in terms of the arrangement of contact structures or spaces. Furthermore, for example in this respect, this disclosure also includes shredder modules that are reversed relative to the second shredder module 604, particularly because such reversed shredder modules have spaces that are inclined in opposite directions (e.g., when traveling upwards from the bottom edge 776, the space is inclined from the second edge 664 to the first edge 654, rather than as...). Figure 6 (As shown, it slopes from the front edge to the second edge). Additionally, for example, this disclosure covers many other embodiments of a shredder module having any of a variety of configurations or numbers of contact structures and / or spaces.

[0042] Furthermore, despite Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5The modular shredder ring 138 includes sixteen shredder modules 142 of the type of the first shredder module 602 shown in FIG. 16, but this disclosure also covers many other embodiments of modular shredder rings with different shredder modules. For example, this disclosure covers embodiments of modular shredder rings having sixteen second shredder modules 604, or sixteen third shredder modules 606, or sixteen fourth shredder modules 608, or sixteen fifth shredder modules 610, or sixteen sixth shredder modules 612. Furthermore, for example, as previously stated, this disclosure also includes embodiments having more or fewer than sixteen shredder modules.

[0043] Furthermore, this disclosure also includes embodiments of a modular shredder ring having a combination of different types of shredder modules arranged along an internal cylindrical surface 304. For example, according to embodiments of the modular shredder ring, any given modular shredder ring may have multiple shredder modules, each taking one or more forms of any one or more of any different types of first shredder module 602, second shredder module 604, third shredder module 606, fourth shredder module 608, fifth shredder module 610, and sixth shredder module 612. Furthermore, this disclosure covers embodiments of the modular shredder ring in which any one or more of the first shredder module 602 type shredder module 142 is replaced by any one of the different types of shredder modules 604, third shredder module 606, fourth shredder module 608, fifth shredder module 610, and sixth shredder module 612. Furthermore, for example, in an additional embodiment covered herein, the modular shredder ring will have eight shredder modules of type 602 and eight shredder modules of type 604, wherein the first type of shredder modules and the second type of shredder modules alternate along the inner cylindrical surface 304.

[0044] In light of the foregoing discussion, it should be understood that in this example embodiment, the first shredder module 602, the second shredder module 604, the third shredder module 606, the fourth shredder module 608, the fifth shredder module 610, and the sixth shredder module 612 may be referred to herein as modules, provided that different shredder modules within the shredder modules can replace or be replaced by other shredder modules within the shredder modules (including shredder modules of different types). Accordingly, the modular shredder ring 138 may be referred to as a modular shredder ring because it includes one or more of these shredder modules that can be substituted for one another.

[0045] In this embodiment, the ability to replace or substitute one of the shredder modules with another (possibly of a different type) is particularly enhanced by the fact that, in this embodiment, the various shredder modules in the first shredder module 602, the second shredder module 604, the third shredder module 606, the fourth shredder module 608, the fifth shredder module 610, and the sixth shredder module 612 share certain external dimensions. Specifically, in this embodiment, the corresponding square flat surfaces 402, 624, 626, 628, 630, and 632 are all of equal size, the corresponding first end flange portions 404, 634, 636, 638, 640, and 642 are all of equal size and shape, and the corresponding second end flange portions 406, 644, 646, 648, 650, and 652 are all of equal size and shape. Despite the foregoing discussion, this disclosure also covers embodiments in which the modular shredder ring may include shredder modules with different corresponding external dimensions.

[0046] exist Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 In some embodiments, it is conceivable that as long as the outer cylindrical housing is a molded plastic covering the metal shredder module, the shredder module (e.g., Figure 6 (Any type of shredder module shown) is supported by an outer cylindrical housing 144. In such an embodiment, by removing one shredder module and inserting another, it is not possible or likely that a shredder module initially supported by the outer cylindrical housing 144 can be replaced (or easily replaced) with another shredder module. Therefore, in such an embodiment, to achieve a variation in the shredder modules implemented within a given food waste disposer, it is necessary or may be necessary to completely remove a modular shredder ring having a first plurality of shredder modules from the given food waste disposer and replace that modular shredder ring with another modular shredder ring having a second plurality of shredder modules different from the first plurality of shredder modules. Therefore, in such an embodiment, the entire modular shredder ring (other than or in place of the shredder modules) can be considered as a module to be implemented within the rest of the food waste disposer, and the entire food waste disposer can be considered as a modular device or system.

[0047] While at least some of the embodiments covered herein are examples in which the modular shredder ring has a shredder module coupled to an outer cylindrical housing by means of a molded outer cylindrical housing overlying the shredder module, in other embodiments, the modular shredder ring may have a shredder module coupled to the outer cylindrical housing in other ways. For example, in some alternative exemplary embodiments, the shredder module is coupled or attached to the outer cylindrical housing by ultrasonic welding the shredder module and the outer cylindrical housing to each other. In some such embodiments, both the shredder module and the outer cylindrical housing are made of plastic (or different types of plastic).

[0048] Furthermore, for example, in some alternative embodiment, the shredder module can be coupled to the outer cylindrical housing by snapping the shredder module into place relative to the outer cylindrical housing (for coupling to the outer cylindrical housing). Furthermore, in this respect, Figure 7 A cross-sectional front perspective view (or isometric view) 700 of a portion 702 of an alternative embodiment of a modular shredder ring 704 is shown. The modular shredder ring 704 includes a plurality of shredder modules 706 which are fixedly supported relative to the outer cylindrical housing 708 of the modular shredder ring.

[0049] In this example embodiment, each of the shredder modules 706 has a similar design to... Figure 6 The sixth shredder module 612 shown has a very similar form. Specifically, each of the shredder modules 706 has a corresponding square flat surface 710 corresponding to the square flat surface 632, and also has corresponding first end flange portions 712 and second end flange portions 714, corresponding to first end flange portions 642 and second end flange portions 652, respectively. Each of the corresponding first end flange portions 712 extends from a corresponding first edge 716 corresponding to the first edge 662, and each of the corresponding second end flange portions 714 extends from a corresponding second edge 718 corresponding to the second edge 672.

[0050] Furthermore, each of the shredder modules 706 has a contact structure 720 corresponding to the sixth contact structure 762 and partially or completely defining a space 722 corresponding to the sixth space 772. By means of these contact structures 720, the space 722 in each of the shredder modules 706 again includes all the same spaces as shown in space 772. That is, the space 722 in each of the shredder modules 706 includes a pair of inverted V-shaped openings 730, a central pentagonal opening 736, and a notch 739. Furthermore, the contact structure 720 again includes an inwardly projecting triangular flange structure 738 forming an additional triangular opening 737, which is also included in the space 722. In addition, the contact structure 720 also includes additional tabs 729 extending on opposite sides of the notch 739.

[0051] Despite the aforementioned similarities between the shredder module 706 and the sixth shredder module 612, in some respects, the corresponding first end flange portion 712 differs from the first end flange portion 642, and the corresponding second end flange portion 714 differs from the second end flange portion 652. Specifically, the corresponding first end edge 724 of the corresponding first end flange portion 712 and the corresponding second edge 726 of the corresponding second end flange portion 714 are curved toward each other. Furthermore, the corresponding first end flange portion 712 and the corresponding second end flange portion 714 do not have any additional rectangular openings corresponding to the additional rectangular openings 682 and 692. In particular, due to the curved configuration of the corresponding first end edge 724 and the corresponding second end edge 726, each of the shredder modules 706 is configured to slide and snap into a corresponding inner cylindrical surface recess 728 of the outer cylindrical housing 708, such that the shredder module can be coupled to the outer cylindrical housing and held in place relative to the outer cylindrical housing.

[0052] In addition to the embodiments described above, this disclosure covers many other embodiments of the modular shredder ring and its components, including different embodiments of the shredder module and / or different embodiments of the external cylindrical housing. Furthermore, it should be recognized that this disclosure covers other types of waste disposers employing a modular shredder ring or shredder module, and is not limited to food waste disposers.

[0053] Furthermore, this disclosure includes various methods for assembling modular shredder rings, including overmolding one or more shredder modules, joining one or more shredder modules to a cylindrical ring by ultrasonic welding, or joining one or more shredder modules to a cylindrical ring by snap-fitting or other fastening techniques. Additionally, in some other embodiments, an external support structure other than the cylindrical ring is used to support the shredder modules. Furthermore, in another embodiment, the shredder modules can be coupled to each other (e.g., end-to-end) to form a ring without requiring any additional support structure, such as an external cylindrical ring.

[0054] Furthermore, this disclosure is intended to cover various methods of operating, assembling, or implementing a waste disposal unit (e.g., a food waste disposer), its grinding section, and / or its fixed shredder ring. In one example embodiment covered herein, the method of assembling a food waste disposer includes: first, attaching one or more shredder modules to a ring structure to form a modular shredder ring; and then, second, implementing or positioning the modular shredder ring within a housing portion of the food waste disposer (e.g., within the upper housing 104).

[0055] In another example embodiment covered herein, a method of operating (and / or assembling, implementing, and / or modifying) a food waste disposer includes: first, providing a food waste disposer having a first modular shredder ring; then, second, removing the first modular shredder ring from the housing of the food waste disposer; and next, third, installing different modular shredder rings within the housing of the food waste disposer, wherein the different modular shredder rings are a second modular shredder ring or a modified version of the first modular shredder ring. In at least some such embodiments of the method of operating (or implementing) a food waste disposer, the first modular shredder ring is modified after removal by removing one or more shredder modules from the outer cylindrical housing of the first modular shredder ring and replacing those removed one or more shredder modules with one or more other, additional, or different shredder modules.

[0056] Furthermore, in at least some such embodiments of the method of operating a food waste disposer, before the first modular shredder ring is removed, the method further includes determining that the nature of the food or other substance entering the food waste disposer, or another operating environment (or multiple operating environments), has changed or will change, such that different shredder rings with different operating characteristics (e.g., different shredding characteristics) are more suitable for the operating environment (or one or more anticipated future operating environments) than the first modular shredder ring. This determination can be made, for example, by a microprocessor or other electrical processing device, control device, or circuitry based on sensing signals about the food or substance entering the food waste disposer sensed by one or more sensors.

[0057] One or more embodiments covered herein are advantageous in one or more respects. For example, at least some of the embodiments covered herein will allow for a very large (practically unlimited) combination of any of a variety of different types of shredder modules (e.g., different modules of shredder blade design) on a modular shredder ring, wherein each shredder module constitutes a segment of the modular shredder ring comprising or formed of a plurality of shredder modules arranged in a circular configuration. Given that any of a variety of different types (and possibly a number) of shredder modules can be implemented with respect to the modular shredder ring, installers or users will be able to mix and match different shredder modules (or blade designs) to create a desired grinding profile.

[0058] Furthermore, for example, at least some of the embodiments covered herein are advantageous because using / implementing a shredder module or modular shredder ring makes it easier to form or modify the shredder ring to have the desired characteristics than to form or provide a conventional shredder ring with the desired characteristics. Correspondingly, the use / implementation of a modular shredder ring or shredder module within a food waste disposer (or other waste disposer) makes it easier to implement or modify a food waste disposer (or other waste disposer) to achieve the desired operating characteristics compared to implementing or modifying a conventional food waste disposer that does not employ a modular shredder ring or shredder module.

[0059] In practice, the use / implementation of shredder modules or modular shredder rings can allow or create versatility in the grinding performance and capabilities of food waste disposers or other waste disposers. For example, if a bidirectional design is required, two different types of shredder modules can be provided on the modular shredder ring, alternating around each other, with one type of shredder module achieving better shredding when the waste disposer rotates in a first direction, and the other type achieving better shredding when the waste disposer rotates in a second direction. In some cases, the same shredder modules can be used, with every other module alternating grinding directions to allow grinding in both directions. Additional modules can be developed for specialized grinding characteristics or to allow deflectors to throw objects away, preventing them from moving around the ring and causing blockages.

[0060] Specifically, this invention is not limited to the embodiments and descriptions contained herein, but includes modifications of those embodiments, portions of the embodiments, and combinations of elements from different embodiments, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A food waste disposer, comprising: case; as well as The food conveying section, the motor section, and the grinding section are located between the food conveying section and the motor section, wherein the food conveying section, the motor section, and the grinding section are all supported by the housing or formed within the housing; The grinding section includes a rotating plate and a modular shredder ring. The modular shredder ring includes an annular support structure and multiple shredder modules mounted on or connected to the annular support structure. Among them, the corresponding shredder modules in the plurality of shredder modules are respectively positioned along different portions of the annular surface radially inward of the annular support structure, and Each of the respective shredder modules includes one or more respective first contact structures, which at least partially define one or more respective first spaces.

2. The food waste disposer according to claim 1, wherein, The corresponding different portions of the radially inward-facing annular surface of the annular support structure are corresponding different arc-shaped portions.

3. The food waste disposer according to claim 1, wherein, The shredder module is connected to the annular support structure by overmolding the annular support structure relative to the shredder module.

4. The food waste disposer according to claim 3, wherein, The ring support structure is made of plastic material, and the shredder module is made of one or more metal materials.

5. The food waste disposer according to claim 1, wherein, The shredder module is connected to the annular support structure by ultrasonic welding relative to the annular support structure.

6. The food waste disposer according to claim 1, wherein, The shredder module is connected to the annular support structure by snapping the shredder module relative to the annular support structure.

7. The food waste disposer according to claim 1, wherein, The first shredder module in the shredder module can be removed from the annular support structure and then replaced by a first replacement shredder module, which is then connected to the annular support structure, wherein the first replacement shredder module includes an additional contact structure different from the corresponding first contact structure of the first shredder module in the shredder module.

8. The food waste disposer according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the shredder modules has a generally square flat surface portion and a first end flange portion and a second end flange portion. The generally square flat surface portion has a first end and a second end. The first end flange portion and the second end flange portion are integrally formed with the generally square flat surface portion at or near the first end and the second end, respectively.

9. The food waste disposer according to claim 8, in, Each of the shredder modules is connected to the annular support structure by overmolding the annular support structure relative to the first end flange portion and the second end flange portion of the shredder module, and Each of the shredder modules is mounted on the annular support structure via a connection between the first end flange portion and the second end flange portion and the annular support structure, such that the corresponding generally square flat surface portion is spaced apart from the corresponding different portions of the radially inward annular surface of the annular support structure.

10. The food waste disposer according to claim 1, wherein, The plurality of shredder modules includes at least eight and no more than twenty-four shredder modules.

11. The food waste disposer according to claim 1, wherein, The corresponding first contact structure of the first shredder module in the shredder module includes one or more of the following: At least one shell-shaped protrusion, the at least one shell-shaped protrusion protruding radially inward toward the central axis of the modular shredder ring; At least one inwardly projecting triangular flange structure; and Multiple edges, the multiple edges being configured to define at least one of the respective first spaces of the first shredder module in the shredder module.

12. The food waste disposer according to claim 1, wherein, The corresponding first contact structure of the first shredder module in the shredder module is configured such that the corresponding first space of the first shredder module in the shredder module includes one or more of the following: At least one channel having a generally semi-circular cross-section; At least one tilted, inverted U-shaped or V-shaped space; At least one non-tilted inverted U-shaped or V-shaped space; Triangular opening; Oval-shaped opening; Notch; and Pentagonal opening.

13. The food waste disposer according to claim 1, wherein, The respective first contact structure and the respective first space of the first shredder module in the respective shredder module are the same as the respective first contact structure and the respective first space of each of the other shredder modules in the respective shredder module.

14. The food waste disposer according to claim 1, wherein, The respective first contact structure and the respective first space of the first shredder module in the corresponding shredder module are different from the respective first contact structure and the respective first space of the second shredder module in the corresponding shredder module.

15. The food waste disposer according to claim 14, wherein, The respective first contact structure and the respective first space of each of the first and second shredder modules in the corresponding shredder modules are different from the respective first contact structure and the respective first space of the third shredder module in the corresponding shredder modules.

16. A modular shredder ring for implementation in a waste disposal unit, the modular shredder ring comprising: Ring-shaped support structure; and Multiple shredder modules are mounted on or connected to the annular support structure. Among them, the corresponding shredder modules in the plurality of shredder modules are respectively positioned along different portions of the annular surface radially inward of the annular support structure, and Each of the respective shredder modules includes one or more respective first contact structures, which at least partially define one or more respective first spaces.

17. The modular shredder ring according to claim 16, wherein, Each of the respective shredder modules shares the same form, or the first shredder module in the respective shredder module is configured differently from the second shredder module in the respective shredder module.

18. A method of operating a food waste disposer, the method comprising: The food waste disposer is provided, the food waste disposer having a first modular chopper ring implemented therein, the first modular chopper ring having a first plurality of chopper modules coupled to an annular support structure; Remove the first modular chopper ring from the housing portion of the food waste disposer; Different modular chopper rings are installed within the housing portion of the food waste disposer, wherein the different modular chopper rings are modified versions of a second modular chopper ring or a first modular chopper ring, and wherein the different modular chopper rings or the modified versions of the first modular chopper ring have a second plurality of chopper modules, the second plurality of chopper modules being at least partially different from the first plurality of chopper modules.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising, before providing the first garbage disposal: The first plurality of shredder modules are attached to the annular support structure to form the first modular shredder ring; and The first modular shredder ring is implemented within the housing portion.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising any one of the following: Before removing the first modular shredder ring, determine that one or more operating environments have changed or will change, such that the different modular shredder rings are more suitable for one or more anticipated future operating environments than the first modular shredder ring; or After removing the first modular shredder ring, the first modular shredder ring is modified into a modified version of the first modified shredder ring by removing one or more of the first plurality of shredder modules from the annular support structure and replacing the removed one or more shredder modules with one or more different shredder modules.

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