Waste disposal system and processor fluid injector system for use with waste disposal

Abstract

This application relates to a waste disposal system and a processor fluid injector system for use with a waste disposal system. A processor fluid injector system for injecting fluid into a waste disposal system, a waste disposal system having such an injector system, and a method of operating such an injector system are provided. The processor fluid injector system may include a fluid injector assembly and may be connected to the dishwasher inlet of the disposal system via an injector coupling. The fluid injector assembly may include a base unit and a bottle received by the base unit. During operation, fluid is removed from the bottle and injected into the disposal system via the injector coupling.

Description

[0001] field

[0002] This disclosure relates to a waste disposer having an injector system for injecting fluid into the waste disposer, and to a fluid injection system for use with waste disposers such as food waste disposers. background

[0003] A food waste disposer is used to break down food scraps into particles small enough to pass through household drain pipes. A food waste disposer typically includes a main inlet along the top, through which it receives water and food scraps from the sink, and a main outlet through which food waste and water are discharged from the disposer. Additionally, a dishwasher inlet is usually included, typically located on the side of the disposer. Besides the main inlet and main outlet, a dishwasher inlet is an auxiliary port through which water discharged from the dishwasher (usually located near the disposer) can be channeled into the disposer. The dishwasher is typically connected to the dishwasher inlet via a hose, pipe, or tube.

[0004] Garbage disposers may have any of several problems, such as bacteria accumulating inside and producing odors, buildup in drain pipes, and problems with septic systems. Previous attempts to address these problems have involved expensive, leak-prone devices that occupy significant under-sink space or require considerable effort and electricity to install and operate. For at least one or more of these reasons, or one or more of the others, it would be advantageous if an improved system could be developed to address any or more of the problems discussed above, or solve one or more of the others, or provide one or more benefits.

[0005] Brief Overview

[0006] In at least some embodiments of this technology, a food waste disposer is provided having an injector system for injecting fluid into the waste disposer. A method for operating such an injector system is also provided.

[0007] In at least one aspect, a food waste disposer system is provided, comprising a food waste disposer and a food waste disposer fluid injector system. The food waste disposer has a main inlet, a main outlet, and a dishwasher inlet. The food waste disposer receives water and food scraps through the main inlet, and the food waste and water are discharged from the food waste disposer through the main outlet. The food waste disposer fluid injector system includes a fluid injector assembly fluidly connected to the dishwasher inlet, the fluid injector assembly including a base unit and a bottle received by the base unit.

[0008] In another aspect, a processor fluid injector system for use with a garbage disposal unit is provided, the system including a fluid injector assembly configured to be fluidly connected to a dishwasher inlet of the processor, the fluid injector assembly including a base unit and a bottle received by the base unit.

[0009] In a third aspect, a method is provided for operating a processor fluid injector system on which a waste disposal unit is installed. The method includes: connecting the processor fluid injector system to a processor; turning on the processor fluid injector system; and having the fluid injector system automatically perform at least one injection cycle. Attached Figure Description

[0010] While the various embodiments discussed herein may be adapted to modifications and alternatives, aspects thereof have been shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings and described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described, but is intended to include all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the terms “example” and “embodiment” as used throughout this application are by way of illustration only and not limitation, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and unless otherwise stated, the same reference numerals are used in different drawings to indicate similar or identical items. In the drawings:

[0011] Figure 1 This is an example view of a food waste disposer system having a processor fluid injector system of the present technology installed under the sink;

[0012] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Another view of the food waste disposer system, showing the fluid injector assembly mounted on the wall and the fluid connection to the dishwasher inlet;

[0013] Figure 3 It can be used Figure 1 A perspective view of the fluid injector component of this technology in a processor fluid injector system;

[0014] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Exploded view of the fluid injector assembly;

[0015] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 Front view of the fluid injector component;

[0016] Figure 6 yes Figure 3 Rear view of the fluid injector assembly;

[0017] Figure 7 It is along Figure 3 A first cross-sectional view of the fluid injector assembly taken by line AA;

[0018] Figure 8 It is along Figure 3 The second cross-sectional view of the fluid injector assembly, taken by line BB;

[0019] Figure 9 It can be used Figure 1 A perspective view of an example injector connector of this technology in a processor fluid injector system; and

[0020] Figure 10 It is along Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of the injector connector taken by line CC; and

[0021] Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating a processor fluid injector system of the present technology. Detailed description

[0022] This disclosure relates to and covers waste disposal systems, such as food waste disposal systems, which include a processor fluid injector system. The processor fluid injector system of this technology is connected to the waste disposal unit and periodically injects cleaning fluid into the waste disposal unit. The cleaning fluid can be any suitable cleaning fluid, such as disinfectant, drain cleaner, and / or septic enzyme.

[0023] Figure 1 and Figure 2 An example of a food waste disposer system 100 incorporating the processor fluid injector system 200 of this technology is shown. Figure 1 As best shown, the food waste disposer system 100 includes a food waste disposer 102 installed below the sink 10. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the food waste disposer 102 includes a main inlet 104 along the top of the food waste disposer system 100, through which the food waste disposer receives water and food scraps from the sink 10. Figure 2As best shown, food waste disposer 102 also has a main outlet 106 through which food waste and water are discharged from food waste disposer 102. Food waste disposer 102 also includes a dishwasher inlet 108 through which an optional dishwasher (not shown) may be connected to food waste disposer 102, for example, via pipe 110.

[0024] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the processor fluid injector system 200 includes a fluid injector assembly 202 connected to the food waste disposer 102. In the example shown, the processor fluid injector system 200 is an inline disposer fluid injector system, which includes an injector connector 204 inlinely mounted to and fluidly connected to the dishwasher inlet 108 of the food waste disposer 102, and a tube 206 fluidly connecting the fluid injector assembly 202 to the injector connector 204.

[0025] The fluid injector assembly 202 can be mounted near the food waste disposer 102 in any suitable manner. For example, as... Figure 1 As shown, the fluid injector assembly 202 is mounted on the bottom plate of the cabinet below the sink. As another example, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the fluid injector assembly 202 is installed in a manner that it is mounted to the cabinet wall below the sink.

[0026] Figures 3-8 An example of a fluid injector assembly 300 is shown, which can be used as a fluid injector assembly 202 in a processor fluid injector system 200. The fluid injector assembly 300 includes a base unit 302 and a bottle 304 received by the base unit 302.

[0027] The base unit 302 includes a housing 306. The housing 306 may be made of any suitable material, such as plastic. The housing 306 includes a front side 308, a rear side 310, and a bottle receiving area 312.

[0028] Bottle 304 includes a neck 314 having a top portion 316 and a bottom portion 318. The interior of the bottle is substantially hollow and contains fluid (not shown), which can be any suitable type of fluid, such as fluids designed to reduce bacteria, provide fragrance, improve the health of wastewater treatment systems, and / or reduce buildup in drain pipes. The bottle can be configured to stand upright when the bottom portion 318 faces downward. As used herein, the term "configured to" means that a component is structurally and functionally designed and formed to perform any operation that the component is configured to perform. For insertion into base unit 302, bottle 304 is inverted such that the top portion 316 faces downward. The top portion 316 and at least a majority of the neck 314 are inserted into and received by the bottle receiving area 312 of base unit 302. The neck 314 of the bottle 304 may have at least one retaining feature 330, such as a groove, protrusion, notch, step, or other structural feature configured to help hold the bottle 304 in an upright or substantially upright orientation when it is received and held in the bottle receiving area 312 of the base unit 302. During use of the fluid injector assembly 300, the bottle 304 is received and held in the receiving area 312 of the base unit 302 and may be held in an upright or substantially upright orientation, and fluid is discharged from the bottle 304 into the base unit 302 over time and injected by the base unit 302 into the waste processor 102.

[0029] refer to Figure 4 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 The receiving area 312 of the base unit 302 may include a first surface 320 and a neck receiving portion 322. The neck receiving portion 322 may extend into the base unit 302 and is configured to receive the neck 314 of the bottle 304 and any retaining features 330 thereon. For example, as Figure 8 As shown, the neck receiving portion 322 may include a latch 332 configured to engage with a retaining feature 330 on the neck 314 of the bottle 304.

[0030] Additionally, the fluid injector assembly 300, and particularly the base unit 302 of the fluid injector assembly 300, can be powered by any suitable method, including but not limited to at least one battery or a power cord configured to be plugged into a wall outlet. Figure 7 As can be seen, the base unit 302 includes a power cord 324, which is operatively connected to the base unit 302 and, when plugged into a wall socket (such as...). Figure 1The wall socket 12 shown provides power to the components of the base unit 302. The wall socket 12 is a standard residential wall socket located below the sink 10. The garbage disposal unit 102 can also be plugged into the wall socket 12, as shown below. Figure 1 As shown. Alternatively or additionally, the base unit 302 may include a battery compartment that houses at least one battery that supplies power to the components of the base unit 302.

[0031] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 8 As shown, the base unit 302, particularly the housing 306 of the base unit 302, may include a battery compartment 326, and more specifically, the bottle receiving area 312 may include an upper wall 328, and the upper wall 328 may include the battery compartment 326. When the bottle 304 is received and held in the bottle receiving area 312 of the base unit 302, at least a portion of the bottom portion 318 of the bottle 304 may be connected to or abut against the upper wall 328. Figure 4 As shown, the bottom portion 318 of the bottle can be formed to include an extension 356, and the upper wall 328 includes a recess 358 configured to receive the extension 356 of the bottle.

[0032] refer to Figures 3-6 The base unit 302 may include multiple buttons or switches and one or more indicator lights. In the example shown, the base unit includes a pop-up button 334, a low battery indicator light 336, an on / off switch 338, and a start button 340.

[0033] The eject button 334 is operatively connected to the latch 332 and, when activated, disengages the latch 332 from the retaining feature 330 on the neck 314 of the bottle 304, thereby allowing the bottle 304 to be lifted and removed. For example, when the first bottle 304 is empty, it can be replaced by pressing the eject button 334 and removing the first bottle 304, then inserting a new bottle 304 into the bottle receiving area 312, causing the latch 332 to engage the retaining feature 330 on the new bottle 304.

[0034] In an example where the fluid injector assembly 300, and particularly the base unit 302 of the fluid injector assembly 300, is powered by at least one battery, a low battery indicator 336 can be illuminated when at least one battery becomes low on power. Therefore, the low battery indicator 336 can provide the user with an indication that the at least one battery should be replaced.

[0035] The on / off switch 338 allows the user to turn the fluid injector assembly 300 on and off.

[0036] The start button 340 allows the user to start the pump to inject fluid into the processor 102.

[0037] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the base unit 302 of the fluid injector assembly 300 may also include a power-operated control unit 342, which is operatively connected to the pump 344 and one or more buttons or switches, as well as one or more indicator lights. For example, the control unit 342 may be operatively connected to a low battery indicator 336, an on / off switch 338, and a start button 340.

[0038] Pump 344 can be any suitable type of pump, such as a peristaltic pump. The base unit 302 of the fluid injector assembly 300 may include at least one fluid connection 346 for fluidly connecting bottle 304 to pump 344. At least one fluid connection 346 may include a needle 348 configured to pierce the top portion 316 of bottle 304 and draw fluid from bottle 304. The top portion 316 of bottle 304 may be made of a self-healing material, such as self-healing silicone, to allow the top portion 316 to close when bottle 304 is removed from base unit 302.

[0039] like Figure 6 As best illustrated, the base unit may include a conduit channel 350, a discharge conduit 352, and a power adapter port 354. In an example where the base unit 302 includes a power cord 324, the power cord 324 may be connected to the base unit 302 at the power adapter port 354. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the discharge pipe 352 can be fluidly connected to the injector connector 204 via the pipe 206.

[0040] Control unit 342 can be configured to operate pump 344 when fluid injector assembly 300 is open. During operation, control unit 342 can be configured to cause pump to perform injection cycles at one or more times of the day. Control unit 342 can be configured to cause pump to perform injection cycles at consistent time intervals, such as every 4 hours, every 6 hours, every 12 hours, every 18 hours, or every 24 hours. During each injection cycle, pump can... Figure 2 The injector connector 204 shown injects a certain amount of fluid into the processor 102. The fluid volume can be any suitable fluid volume and can be a relatively small amount sufficient to control the odor in the processor 102. For example, the amount of fluid injected into the processor by the fluid injector assembly 300 during each injection cycle can be less than about 5 ml, such as about 2 ml, about 3 ml, or about 4 ml.

[0041] In addition to the injection cycle, the user can inject fluid into the processor 102 by pressing the start button 340 on the base unit 302.

[0042] Figure 9 and Figure 10 An example of an injector connector 400 is shown, which can be used as such Figure 2 The injector connector 204 is shown. The injector connector 400 includes a body 402 having a first end 404 and a second end 406. The first end 404 of the body is connected to the dishwasher inlet 108 of the food waste disposer 102, as shown. Figure 2 As shown, it may have a sleeve 408 and an inlet outlet 410. The sleeve 408 may be slidably connected to the dishwasher inlet 108 of the food waste disposer 102 and may include at least one clamp 412 that can be tightened to secure the sleeve to the dishwasher inlet 108 of the food waste disposer 102. The sleeve may be any suitable material, such as rubber, and may be configured to prevent leakage.

[0043] The injector connector 400 may include an injector inlet 416, which may be configured to be fluidly connected via a conduit 206 to a discharge conduit 352 of the fluid injection assembly 300, such as... Figure 2 As shown. During the injection cycle, the processor fluid injector system 200 injects fluid into the processor 102 by discharging fluid through the discharge pipe 352 of the fluid injection assembly 300 into the injector inlet 416 of the injector connector 400. The injector connector 400 receives fluid from the discharge pipe 352 of the fluid injection assembly 300 through the injector inlet 416 of the injector connector 400 and discharges fluid from the injector connector 400 into the processor 102 through the injection outlet 410 of the injector connector 400.

[0044] When a dishwasher is present, the second end 406 is configured for fluid connection to the dishwasher. The injector connector 400 may include a plug 414 that can be removably secured to the second end 406. In the illustrated example, the plug 414 is configured to be slidably received within the second end 406. The plug 414 is configured to prevent leakage from the injector connector 400 to the outside of the second end 406 when no dishwasher is connected to the injector connector 400. In the example where a dishwasher is present, the plug 414 is removed from the second end 406 before fluidly connecting the second end 406 of the injector connector 400 to the dishwasher.

[0045] Figure 11 A flowchart illustrating a method 500 for operating a processor fluid injector system of the present technology is provided.

[0046] refer to Figures 1-2 and Figure 11 Method 500 begins at step 502, which includes connecting a processor fluid injector system (such as processor fluid injector system 200) to a garbage disposal unit (such as food waste disposal unit 102). Connecting the processor fluid injector system may include connecting an injector coupling (such as injector coupling 204 or 400) to a dishwasher inlet 108 of the processor 102. Connecting the processor fluid injector system may include fluidly connecting a fluid injection assembly (such as fluid injection assembly 300) to the injector coupling, such as by connecting a pipe 206 at one end to the injector inlet 416 of the injector coupling 400 and connecting a discharge pipe 352 of the fluid injection assembly 300 to the injector coupling at the opposite end.

[0047] Method 500 further includes step 504, which includes turning on the processor fluid injector system. Turning on the processor fluid injector system may include connecting a power source, such as at least one battery or power cord, to the base unit 302. Turning on the processor fluid injector system may also include switching an on / off switch 338 to the "on" position.

[0048] Method 500 further includes step 506, which includes activating the processor fluid injector system. Activating the system may include pressing a start button 340 on the base unit 302.

[0049] Method 500 further includes step 508, which includes causing the processor fluid injector system to automatically execute at least one injection cycle. Method 500 may include causing the processor fluid injector system to automatically execute a series of injection cycles, wherein each injection cycle is executed at a constant interval.

[0050] The processor fluid injector system can automatically perform multiple injection cycles until the fluid in bottle 304 is depleted. At this point, the user can shut down the processor fluid injector system by switching the on / off switch 338 to the "off" position. The user can then push the eject button 334, causing the latch 332 to disengage from the retaining feature 330 on the neck 314 of bottle 304, allowing bottle 304 to be lifted and removed. The user can remove the first bottle 304 and then insert a new bottle 304 into the bottle receiving area 312, causing the latch 332 to engage the retaining feature 330 on the new bottle 304. The user can then restart the method in step 504 by turning on the processor fluid injector system.

[0051] The system and method of this technology offer several improvements over past attempts to address processor odor problems. For example, the processor fluid injector system can be powered independently of the processor via battery or wall adapter. The processor fluid injector system can be installed in various ways, including as... Figure 1 As shown, it is located below the water tank, or as... Figure 2 The injector is mounted to the cabinet wall, rather than on the processor, which results in less stress on the piping and reduces the risk of leaks. The injector connector allows the use of existing, readily available holes in the processor, eliminating the need to drill holes in the processor's sidewalls and significantly reducing installation effort. Furthermore, by inverting the fluid bottle during use, the need to generate pressure to deliver the contents to the processor is eliminated, reducing the size of the processor fluid injector system and the power required to operate it.

[0052] While the principles of this invention have been described above in conjunction with the specific embodiments discussed herein, it should be understood that this description is by way of example only and is not intended to limit the scope of this invention. Specifically, this invention is not limited to the embodiments and descriptions contained herein, but includes modifications to those embodiments, parts of those embodiments, and combinations of elements from different embodiments, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A garbage disposer system, comprising: The waste disposal system includes: A garbage disposal unit has a main inlet, a main outlet, and a dishwasher inlet. The garbage disposal unit receives water and food scraps through the main inlet, and the garbage and water are discharged from the garbage disposal unit through the main outlet. A processor fluid injector system includes a fluid injector assembly fluidly connected to the dishwasher inlet, the fluid injector assembly including a base unit and a bottle received by the base unit.

2. The garbage disposer system of claim 1, wherein, The waste disposal system also includes an injector connector fluidly connected to the dishwasher inlet of the waste disposal, and a tube fluidly connecting the fluid injector assembly to the injector connector.

3. The garbage disposer system of claim 2, wherein, The injector connector includes a body having a first end and a second end, and an injector inlet configured to receive fluid from the fluid injector assembly, wherein the first end of the body is connected to the dishwasher inlet and includes an injection outlet configured to inject fluid into the garbage disposal unit.

4. The garbage disposer system of claim 3, wherein, The injector connector also includes a plug that is removably secured to the second end.

5. The garbage disposer system of claim 1, wherein, The base unit includes a housing having a bottle receiving area, and the bottle receiving area includes a neck receiving portion extending into the base unit.

6. The garbage disposer system of claim 1, wherein, The bottle is held in an inverted position in the base unit.

7. The garbage disposer system of claim 1, wherein, The bottle includes a neck and a bottom portion, the neck having a top portion and at least one retaining feature.

8. The waste disposal system according to claim 7, wherein, The base unit includes a latch that engages at least one retaining feature on the neck of the bottle.

9. The garbage disposer system of claim 1, wherein, The base unit includes a control unit and a pump, and the control unit causes the pump to periodically perform an injection cycle in which the fluid injector assembly injects fluid into the waste processor.

10. A processor fluid injector system for use with a garbage disposer, comprising: The processor fluid injector system includes: A fluid injector assembly configured to be fluidly connected to a dishwasher inlet of the garbage disposal unit, the fluid injector assembly including a base unit and a bottle received by the base unit.

11. The processor fluid injector system of claim 10, wherein, The processor fluid injector system also includes an injector connector fluidly connected to the dishwasher inlet of the waste processor, and a tube fluidly connecting the fluid injector assembly to the injector connector.

12. The processor fluid injector system of claim 11, wherein, The injector connector includes a body having a first end and a second end, and an injector inlet configured to receive fluid from the fluid injector assembly, wherein the first end of the body is connected to the dishwasher inlet and includes an injection outlet configured to inject fluid into the garbage disposal unit.

13. The processor fluid injector system of claim 12, wherein, The injector connector also includes a plug that is removably secured to the second end.

14. The processor fluid injector system of claim 10, wherein, The base unit includes a housing having a bottle receiving area, and the bottle receiving area includes a neck receiving portion extending into the base unit.

15. The processor fluid injector system of claim 10, wherein, The bottle is held in an inverted position in the base unit.

16. The processor fluid injector system of claim 10, wherein, The bottle includes a neck and a bottom portion, the neck having a top portion and at least one retaining feature.

17. The processor fluid injector system of claim 16, wherein, The base unit includes a latch that engages at least one retaining feature on the neck of the bottle.

18. The processor fluid injector system of claim 10, wherein, The base unit includes a control unit and a pump, and the control unit causes the pump to periodically perform an injection cycle in which the fluid injector assembly injects fluid into the processor.

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