Cold rotting device for batchwise decomposition in horizontal direction and use as well as computer program product

Abstract

A cold rotting device (10) in the manner of a worm composter, particularly for kitchen waste, particularly suitable for indoor spaces and private households, configured to provide a habitat for worms decomposing kitchen waste, comprising a cavity (11) receiving the kitchen waste and providing the habitat, and at least one partition (12, 12a) segmenting or sealing off the cavity, which partition can be positioned at a plurality of, in particular, form-fitting, predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines (13) on / in the cavity (11); characterized in that the plurality of predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines (13) segment the cavity (11) in at least one horizontal spatial direction (u) and, when the partition (12, 12a) is positioned there, each seals off the worms against horizontal migration.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a cold rotting device in the manner of a worm composter, in particular for kitchen waste or the like, also / particularly suitable for indoor spaces and private households, configured to provide a habitat for worms or similar organisms that decompose kitchen waste, comprising a cavity that receives the kitchen waste and provides the habitat, and at least one partition that segments or seals off the cavity, which partition can be positioned at a plurality of, in particular, form-fitting, predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines on / in the cavity. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to uses of a cavity that can be segmented and sealed off into multiple regions for providing and using such a cold rotting device.Last but not least, the present invention relates to device-related optimization measures in the context of a method for producing the device, in particular in the context of additive manufacturing processes. In particular, the invention relates to a device and uses according to the preamble of the respective independent claim, as well as a correspondingly implemented computer program product. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] For the non-thermal composting of, for example, kitchen waste, devices are already known which enable composting even indoors or in living areas such as the kitchen, thus enabling largely odor-free operation, and which may also be optimized in certain respects with regard to handling, for example with regard to converted natural products (clean removal thereof). Such composting devices are colloquially referred to as worm composters (in English the corresponding process is also referred to as "vermicomposting" or "vermiculture"), in which decomposition is intended to take place in a moderate temperature range, e.g. room temperature, i.e. under ideal conditions for the worms or similar organisms. In contrast, noticeable increases in temperature would be undesirable. In other words: the present invention concerns the optimization of so-called cold rotting.Heat, whether introduced naturally or technically, would negatively affect its functionality.

[0003] According to the state of the art, such cold composting systems are usually designed to be scalable in height, whereby it is assumed that the worms or similar organisms select the local area in which conditions are favorable for them by migrating vertically. One example is publication EP 2 393 764 B1, which describes a downwardly tapered container that is optimized for the removal of compacted material when the bottom lid is removed. This publication also shows the importance of a good compromise between decomposition efficiency on the one hand and advantageous device handling on the other, which is particularly important when used in residential interiors. It has been shown, however, that during the decomposition process disadvantages with regard to density and also accumulation of liquid in the decomposition product orin the waste still to be decomposed, which, on the one hand, impede the migration of the worms and, on the other hand, impair the most efficient / effective continuity of the decomposition process within the available volume. Accordingly, alternatives to this vertical concept described in EP 2 393 764 B1 have already been devised.

[0004] An example is publication AT 12 534 U1, which describes a worm compost box designed particularly for household purposes and optionally also for outdoor use, with horizontal migration option for the worms, which is designed redundantly in structural terms, in that two composting chambers are arranged horizontally next to each other, separated from each other by a perforated plate, via which the worms can migrate from one composting chamber to the other as they wish, in the sense of continuous or parallel operation.

[0005] Also worth mentioning is publication WO 2019 / 232577 A1, which investigates and describes the migratory behavior of worms as a function of food addition and their spatial distribution, particularly in the context of large-scale industrial plants. It is recommended to ensure good continuity of the decomposition process in conjunction with a high worm density by specifically adding food only in an upper part and only on one side of the volume previously permeated by worms, with the effect that already decomposed product can be recovered largely worm-free.Based on this publication, the expert learns something about the migratory behavior of worms and similar organisms, but it remains unclear how a particularly advantageous implementation in terms of device technology could be realized for indoor use and in particular for private households, i.e. for comparatively small quantities.

[0006] Based on the current state of the art, there is a noticeable need for cold rotting devices, particularly suitable for households, that can ensure high decomposition efficiency combined with even more advantageous use and handling of the device. Last but not least, there is also interest in an easily scalable design and particularly simple, intuitive, and clean handling, particularly in light of the different individual needs of households. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The aim is to provide a device for functioning as a cold rot, particularly for decomposing kitchen waste, particularly for (private) households and end-user use, by means of which the decomposition process can be designed particularly efficiently and can also be easily controlled by adding waste or food scraps, while at the same time having a simple device design and intuitive handling options for the user / operator. It is also the aim to design such a device in such a way that the worms and similar organisms responsible for the decomposition process can be guaranteed particularly advantageous living conditions, for good, continuous decomposition efficiency, while at the same time being particularly simple and clean handling by the user, e.g., in the context of adding food scraps and / or removing decomposition products.Last but not least, it is the task of designing such a device from a functional point of view in such a way that, on the one hand, the manner in which the decomposition process is to take place can be specified in a comparatively simple manner and, on the other hand, in particular the removal of decomposition product can be easily coordinated therewith, whereby the device-technical design should also be optimised for integration of the device in households, e.g. in the environment of a kitchen or a dining room, and whereby the device-technical design should in particular also bring with it a good degree of safety with regard to optimal living conditions for the organisms.

[0008] This object is achieved by a cold-rotting device according to claim 1 and corresponding independent device claims, as well as by uses according to the independent use claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are explained in the respective subclaims. The features of the exemplary embodiments described below can be combined with one another unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0009] Provided is a cold rotting device (hereinafter also referred to as "the device") in the manner of a worm composter, in particular for kitchen waste or the like, also suitable for indoor spaces and private households, configured to provide a habitat for worms or similar organisms that decompose kitchen waste, comprising a cavity that receives the kitchen waste and provides the habitat, and at least one partition that segments or seals off the cavity, which partition can be positioned at a plurality of, in particular, form-fitting, predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines on / in the cavity. According to the invention, it is proposed that the plurality of predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines segment the cavity in at least one horizontal spatial direction and, when the partition is positioned there, each seal off against horizontal migration of the worms.The cold rotting device according to the invention is designed for batch decomposition in a horizontal direction. In other words, the worms are temporarily assigned an area of ​​activity by means of the device's technical design, and the user / operator / feeder decides when the worms want / should leave this area. Such a cold rotting device provides a particularly advantageous compromise between device complexity, required space, controllability of the decomposition process, ergonomic and clean handling, as well as device scalability. The cold rotting device according to the invention can be easily used indoors, particularly in private households, and can expect high user acceptance thanks to its advantageous ergonomics.

[0010] The inventive concept is also described here as horizontal (spatially controlled / prescribed) batch-wise discontinuous decomposition (batch decomposition or batch process may be appropriate), i.e., as a batch-wise process induced by a device (either manually and / or at least partially motor-assisted) that can be repeated step by step in a horizontal direction, so that individual batches of decomposition products can be removed as soon as the worms and the like have migrated horizontally after release (removal of the corresponding bulkhead) into the next batch or segment or horizontal section. For example, approximately two to three days are planned for the worms to migrate horizontally into the next segment from the release of the migration path.However, this duration may also depend on the type of worms, their dimensions and structural features, the current feeling of hunger, and the like.

[0011] Where decomposition is referred to in the present disclosure, this is to be understood as decomposition brought about by the worms and corresponding organisms.

[0012] It should be understood that the measures described in publication AT 12 534 U1 assume that continuous operation, divided into several composting chambers, brings advantages. However, according to the teaching of this publication, it is assumed that controlling the worm population (especially horizontal migration) should be more or less achievable solely through feeding. The structural concept and the device-related handling according to the present invention differ from this in that, on the one hand, the time of a horizontal migration of the worms / organisms can be precisely specified.(namely by removing or moving the bulkhead), on the other hand, the removal of the decomposition product can take place independently of the progress of the decomposition process in the adjacent segment (and thus also minimizes the risk of accidentally removing a significant proportion of the worms together with the decomposition product).

[0013] A bulkhead is understood to be a completely sealed partition, as thin as possible, and advantageously also very dimensionally stable and torsionally rigid, for easy insertion. The bulkhead can be made of, for example, a relatively hard plastic or even metal. Advantageously, the respective bulkhead is not perforated, thus completely sealing off the respective area against horizontal migration of the worms. The respective bulkhead is therefore advantageously not designed as a perforated sheet. Advantageously, the respective bulkhead is not perforated with any openings or holes at all. This makes it even easier to implement the inventive concept of specifying the exact time of a horizontal migration from a first horizontal area (segment) to a second horizontal area (segment). The worms can be guided in a targeted manner, e.g.with at least partially rotationally symmetrical construction of the cavity from one circular (ring) segment horizontally to the next circular (ring) segment. Thus, the user / operator / feeder alone determines the point in time at which the worms have access to fresh food. In this way, the humus substrate or the decomposition product can be advantageously influenced, e.g. with regard to the degree of decomposition. For example, particularly in the context of food shortages, the worms can be encouraged to run through the substrate a second or third time; this makes the humus product richer in nutrients, and residues are avoided even more effectively. Worms can also be easily prevented from running back, e.g. by inserting a second bulkhead. This means that the worms do not have to be removed from the cavity, or the risk of removing worms from the cavity is minimized.Consequently, the efficiency / effectiveness achievable by the device can also be maximized.

[0014] It is to be understood that the respective bulkhead described here can optionally segment / separate the cavity on at least two sides (arrangement within the cavity) or can seal off the cavity on one side, in particular in the circumferential direction to the outside (in the latter functionality, in the manner of a slide or the like closing a hatch or similar access opening).

[0015] It is to be understood that the device described here can also be motor-operated, i.e. the batch-wise process described here, i.e. the batch-wise production of decomposition product in horizontally predefined spatial areas, can also be carried out in an at least partially automated manner, in particular by removing or inserting the (respective / corresponding) bulkhead at the corresponding position, in particular by removing decomposition product at least partially automatically, in particular by feeding kitchen waste or similar worm food at least partially automatically.

[0016] In particular, it should be understood that the cold-rotting device described here is primarily optimized for simple, ergonomic manual handling, but can also be operated at least partially by means of actuators. For example, at least one actuator is provided, in particular at least one actuator per separation position / line or per bulkhead, which can move the corresponding bulkhead at the corresponding separation position, e.g., at a predefined time or depending on predefined measured value thresholds, in particular push it up (linear actuating movement). Optionally, the respective actuator is in communication with a / the control device of the cold-rotting device.Optionally, the cold rotting device is equipped with at least three separation positions / lines, at each of which a bulkhead is arranged, which can be positioned by motor in an open (passage) position, in particular pushed upwards, and in a closed (separation) position.

[0017] It is to be understood that the cold rotting device described here is particularly advantageously equipped or can be operated with one or two separation bulkheads within the cavity provided for the waste and worms and with two removal bulkheads for sealing off or opening the advantageous two removal openings.

[0018] The present invention provides a concept that is particularly advantageous from a device-technical perspective, in which the individual components of the cold rotting device can advantageously also be manufactured using an additive manufacturing process and can be assembled / built in a comparatively simple manner. For example, the cold rotting device is constructed from the following components: a housing with the cavity for providing the habitat (feed body), several bulkheads, a lid, a lower section with a base or with separately provided base components; and a receiving area / box for organic liquid fertilizer.

[0019] In this way, the design concept can be realized based on comparatively few parts or components. The cover, housing, and base can have at least approximately the same basic geometric shape, in particular, starting from a cylindrical basic shape, a shape with a recessed area over a circular segment of, for example, 60, 70, 80, or 90°.

[0020] Personified terms, unless formulated in the neuter form, can refer to all genders within the scope of this disclosure. Any foreign-language expressions or abbreviations used here are standard industry terms and are familiar to the person skilled in the art in the relevant language. Any German terms used / usable synonymously may be provided redundantly here for the sake of completeness, or vice versa, for example, with regard to the term "monitoring" (monitoring / documenting).

[0021] According to one embodiment, the plurality of predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines segment the cavity at least in the horizontal circumferential spatial direction. This also promotes a device design that is advantageous both for the decomposition process and in connection with handling.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the plurality of predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines are defined by guides or similar at least form-fitting contours, which are advantageously provided protruding into the cavity, in particular projecting radially into the cavity. This provides further device-related and handling-specific advantages. For example, the contours are 3D-printed contours or material sections. Optionally, the contours can also be provided by, for example, materially bonded rails or similar guides.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the plurality of predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines are defined by guides or similar, at least form-fitting contours whose widths are matched to the thickness of the corresponding partition, forming a gate-like passage for each separation position. This also enables even easier handling and / or more effective partitioning.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the cavity at least partially occupies the volume of a ring cylinder or at least a ring cylinder segment, for example, a ring cylinder segment over a circumferential angle of 290° or 300°. This also facilitates an advantageous device-based implementation of the horizontal batch decomposition process according to the invention.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the cavity extends in a ring-cylindrical manner around a central (symmetry) axis (in particular around a vertical design axis), in particular over a circumferential angle of at least 180°, wherein the plurality of predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines segment the cavity at predefined circumferential positions with radial alignment of bulkheads positioned therein / thereon. This also provides a particularly advantageous compromise between ergonomics and usable installation space.

[0026] According to one embodiment, at least two predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines are provided, in / on which the at least one bulkhead can be fixed in an at least approximately vertical orientation, at least approximately orthogonal to a floor that defines the bottom of the cavity. Such segmentation also promotes effective utilization of the available space and facilitates the targeted addition of worm food or (kitchen) waste, without the exact time of removal of decomposition product being of limiting relevance.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the plurality of predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines segment the cavity at least in the horizontal circumferential spatial direction and, when positioned there, seal off any horizontal migration of the worms, such that the cold rotting device is configured for a batch process, on the one hand, concerning the locally confined operation of the worms and, on the other hand, concerning the batchwise removal of the decomposition product. This also enables the operating mode to be adapted to the type of decomposition in a simple and effective manner, whereby, in particular, the removal of decomposition product can be realized in a particularly expedient, ergonomic, and / or hygienic manner.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the cold-rotting device has a lid, in particular a circular ring-shaped or circular ring-segment-shaped lid, which is rotatably mounted / supported on the cavity relative to the cavity. This also provides further handling advantages, particularly in the context of one-handed operation. Optionally, the lid and its mounting / receiving device are designed to be so robust that the cold-rotting device, with the lid in place, can function as a seat or stool. In this respect, the lid can also form a seat support, for example in combination with a retrofittable seat cushion, e.g. nonwoven fabric, which can be coupled using a hook-and-loop fastener. The entire device can therefore be designed to be so robust, in particular including the feet, that the load generated by sitting / supporting an adult person with a dead weight of e.g.80kg loads can be transferred via the enclosure into the feet or similar floor supports.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the cold rotting device has a receiving area, in particular a centrally arranged cylindrical receiving area surrounded by the cavity at least over a circumferential segment of, for example, 270°, which is designed to receive paper or cardboard and is sufficiently wide for manual removal of paper / cardboard, for example, at least 20 cm wide. Last but not least, this also promotes effective / efficient management of the food supply and also enables functional integration or expansion, in particular with advantageous ergonomics and the option of one-handed handling. Cellulose can be added to the waste as required, and a separate wastepaper basket would no longer be necessary. This also minimizes any space problems in / with small kitchen facilities.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the cold rotting device has at least one laterally horizontally accessible discharge access opening, advantageously at least two laterally horizontally accessible discharge access openings, in particular at least one discharge access opening arranged in or leading to an access area excluded from the basic geometric shape of the cold rotting device. This facilitates even easier handling, particularly in the context of removing decomposition product, particularly in connection with the horizontal migration concept. For example, the cavity is provided over a 270° circular (ring) segment, and the discharge access openings lead into the free, recessed circumferential segment area. Advantageously, the discharge access openings can each be sealed off from the environment by a bulkhead, advantageously by a plug-in bulkhead that can be positively secured from above.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the cold rotting device has at least three partitions, including at least one first partition that partitions adjacent cavity segments and at least one second partition that partitions one or the removal area. The at least one first partition and the at least one second partition are advantageously designed similarly, preferably congruently. This enables a relatively streamlined, reduced-parts design in terms of both construction and ergonomics (handling), while simultaneously maximizing the range of functions.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the cold rotting device comprises: a collection box which is detachable from the cavity and can be coupled thereto, which is advantageously arranged or can be arranged in an access area excluded from the basic geometric shape of the cold rotting device, and / or a fruit fly trap; wherein a / the circumferential angle of the extension of the collection box and / or the fruit fly trap advantageously corresponds to a / the circumferential angle of the extension of at least one of the sealable cavity segments, wherein at least the fruit fly trap is advantageously arranged and structurally designed for coupling to the housing and / or at least one bulkhead in an arrangement inside the cavity.This facilitates even more extensive functional integration, with comparatively small space requirements or installation space (volume), while maintaining a slim design and adopting the constructive concept described here for additional / supplementary functions, which further improve ergonomics.

[0033] It should be understood that the cavity (as far as solid material is concerned) may only need to be emptied once or twice, and probably no more than three to five times a year, depending on the intensity of use. Accordingly, it is also advantageous to initially collect (kitchen) waste in a collection box that can be arranged separately from the cold rotting device, for example on a kitchen worktop, and then to place it, for example, every two, three or four days, into the cavity or into the corresponding cavity segment currently occupied by worms. On the one hand, this facilitates the use / recycling of (kitchen) waste in the daily workflow, and on the other hand, it can avoid very frequent operation of the lid(s) of the cold rotting device. The collection box is also advantageously equipped with a lid including an odor filter (e.g. containing activated carbon).Since the collection box can advantageously be docked in the circular / cylindrical segment excluded from the enclosed cavity (e.g. 90°, for access to the removal access opening) (and advantageously also extends over this same circumferential angle), storage of the collection box is possible without requiring additional space, in particular in combination with an overflow collection function, and in particular also in combination with a substrate removal function. In other words: the docking position is advantageously designed such that substrate can be pushed continuously and at ground level into the collection box via the at least one removal opening (with the lid of the collection box previously removed). This structural design can also be further developed by a person skilled in the art with regard to further ergonomic advantages, depending on the form in which the collection box is to be structurally integrated.

[0034] It should also be understood that placing a fruit fly trap outside the device can overcome a whole range of disadvantages, particularly those associated with fruit fly bowls placed freely in open spaces in living areas. Furthermore, the fruit fly trap described here, in the arrangement described here, at least partially structurally integrated into the outer contour of the device, is likely to be particularly effective because it is located as close as possible to the location where fruit flies are expected to congregate, thus effectively preventing fruit flies from congregating in the entire room in which the device is or will be installed.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the cold rotting device comprises: an overflow provided on a / the lower part, particularly for animal welfare purposes, in particular an overflow that is / can be coupled to a / the collection box. This also provides further advantages with regard to operation and system safety, particularly in the form of a protective mechanism for the organisms or worms living in the cavity (animal welfare aspect). In particular, it can prevent the worm tea level (or the level of available organic liquid fertilizer produced) from rising too sharply and possibly ascending into the substrate.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the cold rotting device is constructed from the following constituent components: a housing surrounding the cavity, a plurality of bulkheads, a lid, and a lower part; wherein the components can advantageously be coupled to one another in a form-fitting manner, at least in pairs, in particular a housing and lid, a housing and bulkheads, a housing and lower part; wherein the respective component is advantageously designed as an integral, one-piece component, in particular additively manufactured (at least the housing, lid, and lower part). This provides, not least of all, a simple and robust structure with regard to assembly, disassembly, and cleaning, which can be easily scaled to accommodate additional functions and size adjustments.

[0037] The aforementioned object is achieved in particular by a cold rotting device in the manner of a worm composter, in particular for kitchen waste, particularly suitable for indoor spaces and private households, designed to provide a horizontally segmentable habitat for worms decomposing kitchen waste, comprising a cavity receiving the kitchen waste and providing the habitat, and a plurality of bulkheads segmenting or sealing off the cavity, advantageously at least four positionable bulkheads, which can be positioned at a plurality of spatial separation positions or separation lines on / in the cavity, in particular by guides or similar at least form-fitting contours; wherein the plurality of predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines segment the cavity in at least one horizontal spatial direction, namely with an at least approximately vertical alignment of the respective bulkhead,and, with a partition positioned there, seal off the worms against horizontal migration in such a way that the cold-rotting device is configured for a horizontal batch process, wherein the cavity occupies the volume of a ring cylinder segment. The cold-rotting device has a centrally arranged receiving area for the manual addition and removal of paper or cardboard. The cold-rotting device has at least one laterally horizontally accessible discharge access opening, advantageously at least two laterally horizontally accessible discharge access openings, which advantageously open into an access area, excluding the cylindrical geometric basic shape of the cavity. This allows the aforementioned advantages to be realized in a particularly synergistic way in combination with one another, in particular with regard to particularly good ergonomics and simple, clean handling.

[0038] The aforementioned object is achieved in particular by a cold rotting device in the manner of a worm composter, in particular for kitchen waste, in particular suitable for indoor spaces and private households, configured to provide a horizontally segmentable habitat for worms decomposing the kitchen waste, comprising a cavity receiving the kitchen waste and providing the habitat and at least one bulkhead segmenting or sealing off the cavity, which can be positioned at a plurality of, in particular, form-fitting predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines on / in the cavity, in particular a cold rotting device according to the present disclosure;The cold rotting device comprises a lid, in particular a circular ring-shaped or circular ring-segment-shaped lid, which can be rotatably mounted on the cavity relative to the cavity. The plurality of predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines advantageously segment the cavity in at least one horizontal spatial direction and, when a partition is positioned there, advantageously seal each of the worms off from horizontal migration. This allows the aforementioned advantages to be realized in a particularly synergistic way in combination with one another, in particular with regard to particularly good ergonomics and handling, especially during feeding.

[0039] It should be understood that the lid can advantageously be operated with one hand, wherein both an annular lid for covering the cavity can advantageously be rotated about an at least approximately vertical axis, wherein a circular lid for covering an at least approximately central receiving area (in particular for paper, cardboard, cellulose) can advantageously also be rotated about an at least approximately vertical axis. Advantageously, the circular lid rotates together with the annular lid. The annular lid (or ring-segment-like lid) can advantageously be equipped with at least one magnetic coupling, which locks the lid at least in the closed desired position.

[0040] The aforementioned object is achieved in particular by a cold rotting device in the manner of a worm composter, in particular for kitchen waste, particularly suitable for indoor spaces and private households, configured to provide a horizontally segmentable habitat for worms decomposing the kitchen waste, comprising a cavity that receives the kitchen waste and provides the habitat, and at least one partition that segments or seals off the cavity and can be positioned at a plurality of, in particular, form-fitting, predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines on / in the cavity, in particular a cold rotting device according to the present disclosure; wherein the cold rotting device comprises: a collection box for produced organic liquid fertilizer, which can be detached from the cavity and coupled to it;wherein the plurality of predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines advantageously segment the cavity in at least one horizontal spatial direction and, when a bulkhead is positioned there, advantageously seal it off against horizontal migration of the worms. This allows the aforementioned advantages to be realized in a particularly synergistic way in combination with one another, particularly with regard to elegant functional expansion and easier handling, especially with regard to the removal of produced organic liquid fertilizer.

[0041] It is worth mentioning that organic liquid fertilizer produced in this way can be used advantageously for houseplants, for example, in a dilution ratio with water of 1:10.

[0042] The above-mentioned object is also achieved by a cold rotting device, particularly suitable for indoor spaces, configured to provide a horizontally segmentable habitat for worms or similar organisms, comprising a cavity providing the habitat and at least one partition segmenting or isolating the cavity, which partition can be positioned at a plurality of separation positions or separation lines on / in the cavity, wherein the separation positions / lines segment the cavity in at least one horizontal spatial direction and, when the partition is positioned there, each partition against horizontal migration of the worms such that the cold rotting device is configured for horizontal batch decomposition, in particular a cold rotting device according to the present disclosure, wherein the cold rotting device is produced by forming a cavity that can be divided into a plurality of horizontally partitionable segments, in particular from a plastic material, in particular by an additive manufacturing process, and by providing a plurality of partitions that can be coupled as separate parts, advantageously in an intended at least approximately vertical alignment, to the cavity in the respective separation position or along the respective separation line, for segmenting the cavity into a plurality of horizontally partitioned regions for a horizontal batch-wise decomposition process, in particular over a circumferential segment of at least 270°. This makes it possible to realize the aforementioned advantages, in particular with regard to a lean manner of providing the device, for example also based on a do-it-yourself kit or a data set for additive manufacturing of the individual constituent components.

[0043] The aforementioned object is also achieved by a data carrier with a data set comprising data for the additive manufacturing of at least one of the constituent components of a cold rotting device according to the present disclosure.

[0044] The aforementioned object is also achieved by a piece of kitchen equipment equipped with at least one cold-rotting device according to the present disclosure. This allows the aforementioned advantages to be realized, in particular with regard to user acceptance and the ability to integrate into everyday work routines or workflows. For example, the device is accessible at least from above or from the front, advantageously both from above and from the front lateral surface. Advantageously, a / the lid of the cold-rotting device is arranged flush with a surface, e.g., a worktop, of the piece of kitchen equipment, in particular in the sense of a fully integrated design.

[0045] The aforementioned object is also achieved by a kitchen unit carcass, in particular a kitchen sink base cabinet, which is equipped with at least one cold rotting device according to the present disclosure. This allows the aforementioned advantages to be realized, in particular with regard to maximized usability in the immediate context of the work and "waste" or compostable residues generated in a kitchen. Advantageously, a / the lid of the cold rotting device can be coupled to a kinematic system activated when the kitchen unit carcass is opened / closed in such a way that the lid is actuated in a rotational manner during opening / closing, in particular in a rotational manner about an at least approximately vertical (symmetrical) axis. This further facilitates use, in particular with regard to one-handed operation.

[0046] The aforementioned object is also achieved by using a cavity that can be segmented and sealed off into several areas in the horizontal direction to provide a cold rotting device for batchwise decomposition in the horizontal direction, in particular for kitchen waste or the like, in particular suitable for indoor spaces and private households, for providing a horizontally segmented habitat for worms or similar organisms that decompose the kitchen waste, in combination with at least one partition that segments or seals off the cavity, which partition can be positioned at a plurality of, in particular, form-fitting, predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines on / in the cavity; wherein a partition positioned therein seals off each of the worms or similar organisms against horizontal migration; in particular in a cold rotting device according to the present disclosure.This allows the aforementioned advantages to be realized, especially with regard to a simple constructive concept, which can also be easily scaled and, for example, varied with regard to the number of segments.

[0047] The aforementioned object is also achieved by using a cold rotting device according to the present disclosure for equipping a kitchen facility, in particular as a built-in solution architecturally integrated and / or spatially accommodated in a kitchen unit or the like. This allows the aforementioned advantages to be realized, particularly with regard to maximum functional benefit, even in the context of common daily activities, especially when preparing or consuming food.

[0048] The aforementioned object is also achieved by using a cold-curing device according to the present disclosure for equipping an interior piece of furniture, such as a stool or table. This allows the aforementioned advantages to be realized, particularly with regard to elegant and integrative integration into living spaces and the atmosphere of a shared community.

[0049] The device components described here can advantageously be manufactured using additive manufacturing processes, and are therefore preferably made of plastic, optionally at least partially of metal (e.g., the bulkheads, due to their comparatively simple geometry, are made from flat material / sheet metal). Optionally, the cover and bulkheads are made from flat material, and the housing and base are manufactured additively.Advantageously, a manufacturing method is implemented in which the following steps are / are implemented at least partially to produce at least some of the essential components of the device: producing the housing forming the cavity with at least one positive-locking coupling part to the lower part, producing the lower part with at least one positive-locking coupling part designed to correspond to the housing, producing a plurality of preferably congruently designed bulkheads which couple in a positive-locking manner to corresponding guides on / in the housing, producing the cover with at least one positive-locking coupling part designed to correspond to the housing (wherein at least one magnetic coupling part can also be provided on the cover and on the housing).

[0050] According to one embodiment, the individual constituent components of the device are designed in terms of construction, and thus also an adequate manufacturing process, in such a way that the constituent components can advantageously be coupled to one another in a purely form-fitting manner (can be mounted on one another), and can advantageously each be produced integrally in one piece in an additively manufactured design, so that a comparatively simple assembly and thus also disassembly and cleaning can be realized for the end user.

[0051] The device design described here can be advantageously used for a very targeted mode of operation, in particular by at least partially evaluating the behavior or functioning of the worms / organisms (or the resulting result, e.g. the composition of the substrate) using sensors and / or image capture, and using this to generate at least one message based on at least one threshold value or trigger, e.g. for remote monitoring for the purpose of scheduling the feeding and / or removal of organic liquid fertilizer. A plurality of parameters such as humidity, mass / weight, temperature, and the like are optionally evaluated. Advantageously, a method for operating the device is implemented in which the user receives recommendations for action based on predefined threshold values, in particular transmitted to a terminal device.This can also improve user acceptance and facilitate familiarization with the operation and mode of operation.

[0052] The above-mentioned object is also achieved by a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the computer program product is executed on a computer or a terminal, cause the computer or terminal to carry out a method for monitoring a decomposition process in a cold rotting device according to the present disclosure, advantageously based on at least one signal detected by the cold rotting device and transmitted wirelessly, e.g.Parameters transmitted into a home network via near-field communication, advantageously comprising generating at least one recommended action for operating the cold-rotting device, advantageously with the at least one recommended action output via a user interface optionally on the terminal device and / or on the cold-rotting device, in particular with the computer program product configured to evaluate at least one parameter from the following group: humidity, temperature, mass / weight, fill level in the cavity, density of worms, fill level of the produced organic liquid fertilizer in a collection box. Based on the aforementioned advantages, this also enables easier optimization of the operating mode for the user, in particular by computer-aided checking of the latter, which is not least beneficial to decomposition efficiency and animal welfare.In this respect, the computer program product can be implemented in particular to facilitate the operation of the cold rotting device or to facilitate the monitoring of the decomposition process.

[0053] Advantageously, the computer program product is configured for configuring and optionally controlling a graphical user interface configured to visualize at least one of the following processes: assembly (and disassembly), positioning at least one of the bulkheads, removal of substrate, and removal of organic liquid fertilizer. This also facilitates user interaction, particularly species-appropriate and animal-friendly user interaction.

[0054] Advantageously, the computer program product is configured to output a recommended course of action for a specific position of at least one of the bulkheads. For example, the device comprises at least three bulkheads and at least four separation positions, wherein, depending on the loading condition and possibly further parameters, the recommended course of action may comprise a position-specific recommendation to position a / the bulkhead at a specific separation position, e.g., to allow the worms more freedom of movement or to create a larger habitat consisting of two segments from a single segment. This variability, on the one hand from a design perspective and, on the other hand, also in terms of operation and / or user interaction, can further facilitate the further optimization of use and operation.

[0055] The computer program product is particularly designed to support the method for operating described here in terms of control / regulation technology or at least to accompany it in terms of documentation, e.g. also with regard to remote monitoring (monitoring / documentation), e.g. during vacation absence, which may also be beneficial to animal welfare.

[0056] It should be understood that the implementation of AI models within the scope of the present invention can, for example, facilitate the monitoring of the decomposition process (or the functioning of the organisms) and thus also the planning of options for action for the optimized operation of the cold rotting device, in particular based on computer-aided image analysis, and that a computer infrastructure or data processing architecture provided for this purpose can be implemented either on the device itself or otherwise, which can in particular also be implemented in the core of at least one computing unit, which also facilitates the execution of ML algorithms centrally directly in / on the hardware and / or makes it more powerful or accelerates it (up to real-time processing) and / or makes it more energy-efficient or at least partially even makes it possible in the first place.In particular, decision-making processes of neural AI networks can be implemented comparatively quickly and (energy) efficiently, especially in end devices (edge) or in sensors or image data acquisition units intended for the application described here.For example, the computer-based and chip-based means described here comprise at least one of the following components: photonic AI chips, in particular with silicon photonic structures (combination of electronic and optical data processing processes), optical waveguides at least partially instead of or at least in addition to electronic semiconductors, as well as multiplexing components, photon modulators, photodetectors, ring resonators, at least one dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) component for the simultaneous processing of multiple data channels, at least one optical circuit integrated into at least one neural network (NN) or into a DNN (deep neural network), and at least one photonic processor. For example, at least one NN and / or DNN is implemented directly at the hardware level. As a result, particularly large amounts of data can be analyzed particularly quickly.For example, at least one photonic component is present in a form printed directly onto a wafer, in particular at least one of the following photonic components: optical amplifiers, photonic circuits (PICs), polarization converters, splitters, optical fibers, splitters, phase modulators. Based on the present disclosure, a person skilled in the art can assess the extent to which a particular depth of a computer-implemented design / implementation is advantageous for the respective user or application.

[0057] Summary: Indoor cold composting systems and worm composters must meet high standards of hygiene, handling, minimized olfactory symptoms, and, of course, good decomposition efficiency. Current cold composting systems may still be optimized with regard to at least one of these aspects.Provided is a cold rotting device in the manner of a worm composter, in particular for kitchen waste or the like, also suitable for indoor spaces and private households, configured to provide a habitat for worms or similar organisms that decompose kitchen waste, comprising a cavity that receives the kitchen waste and provides the habitat, and at least one bulkhead that segments or seals off the cavity and can be positioned at a plurality of, in particular, form-fitting, predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines on / in the cavity; wherein the plurality of predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines segment the cavity in at least one horizontal spatial direction and, when the bulkhead is positioned there, each seals off any horizontal migration of the worms.This provides a synergistic interaction of ergonomic, hygienic, and decomposition efficiency-related advantages, particularly based on device-related optimization. The present invention further relates to uses of a cavity that can be segmented and sealed off into multiple areas for providing and using such a cold-rotting device, as well as to design optimizations that allow additive manufacturing processes to be advantageously implemented, as well as to correspondingly manufactured cold-rotting devices, and, last but not least, to a computer program product for facilitating the operation of the cold-rotting device and for facilitating the monitoring of the decomposition process. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS

[0058] The invention is described in more detail in the following drawing figures. Reference numbers not explicitly described in a particular drawing figure refer to the other drawing figures. They show: Fig. 1A, Fig. 1B, Fig. 1C shows a perspective view and a front view, each in an exploded view, as well as a front view in the assembled state, of a cold rotting device according to an embodiment; Fig. 2A, Fig. 2B, Fig. 2C, Fig. 2D in two front views in exploded view and in assembled state as well as in a perspective view in assembled state a cold rotting device according to a further embodiment, as well as in a perspective view a worm blocker designed as a segmented insert; Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B, Fig. 3C shows a perspective view, a front view and a plan view of a housing of a cold rotting device according to embodiments; Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B, Fig. 4C shows a perspective view, a front view and a top view of a lid of a cold-rotting device according to embodiments; Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a lower part of a cold-rotting device according to embodiments; Fig. 6 shows perspective views of several bulkheads of a cold rotting device according to embodiments; Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of an insertable base part of a cold-rotting device according to embodiments; Fig. 8A, Fig. 8B, Fig. 8C shows a perspective view, a front view and a top view of a collection box of a cold rotting device according to embodiments; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0059] The invention will first be explained with general reference to all reference numerals and figures. Special features or individual aspects of the present invention, or aspects that are clearly visible / depictable in the respective figure, will be addressed individually in connection with the respective figure.

[0060] Provided is a cold rotting device 10 in the manner of a worm composter, in particular for kitchen waste 1 or the like, particularly suitable for indoor spaces and private households, configured to provide a habitat for worms W or similar organisms decomposing kitchen waste, comprising a (receiving) cavity 11 receiving the kitchen waste and providing the habitat for a worm-driven decomposition process, and at least one partition 12, 12a segmenting or sealing off the cavity, which partition can be positioned at a plurality of, in particular, form-fitting predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines 13 on / in the cavity 11; wherein the plurality of predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines 13 segment the cavity 11 in at least one horizontal spatial direction (u) and, when the partition 12, 12a is positioned there, each seals off any horizontal migration of the worms.

[0061] The cold rotting device 10 or worm composting device is advantageously particularly suitable for indoor spaces, in particular private households, and thanks to an at least approximately centric, in particular cylindrical receiving area 18, enables not only the decomposition of kitchen waste 1 but also the recycling of paper (shredded material), cardboard, cellulose 3, stored separately, directly feedable.

[0062] The present invention is based in particular on the concept of being able to specifically supply the worms with the substances to be decomposed and also to be able to control how and for how long this decomposition or the functioning of the worms in these substances should take place. For this purpose, the present invention provides a plurality of cavity segments / areas 11.1 that can be horizontally sealed off from one another, in particular ring-cylinder segments, for a horizontal batch-wise decomposition process, wherein the respective segment is / will be sealed off by at least one segmenting / separating bulkhead 12 (separating bulkhead, separating shield) or by at least one bulkhead 12a sealing off the removal area (separating bulkhead, removal bulkhead, removal shield). The respective bulkhead advantageously has a haptic actuation area 12.1, in particular a grip (recess), in particular in the area of ​​the upper edge. For the respective bulkhead,Predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines 13 are provided on the outer surfaces of the housing, which can be predetermined, for example, by guides 14 or the like, at least form-fitting contours.

[0063] Advantageously, the cavity 11 or a housing 17 (feed box) surrounding the cavity has at least one perforated head section 11.3 (ventilation level). Advantageously, the housing 17 is designed as a type of tube-in-tube construction. The housing 17 ensures spatial delimitation of the cavity, particularly in the radial direction, advantageously both radially inward and radially outward (at least by means of corresponding lateral surfaces). Advantageously, the housing 17 also structurally provides a (ring) cylinder segment 17.1 that is exempt from (rotational) symmetry, e.g., over a circumferential angle of approximately 90°, for access to at least one removal access opening, in particular for access to two laterally horizontally accessible unloading / removal access openings 17.3.

[0064] Advantageously, the cavity 11 or a housing 17 surrounding the cavity comprises at least one worm blocker 11.5 (i.e., a gap barrier impassable for the worms), in particular a worm blocker with an inner edge, in particular with a downwardly projecting edge or downwardly projecting profile, in particular an L-shaped profile. The worm blocker can be structurally implemented in an integral, one-piece design, and / or the worm blocker can comprise at least one insert 11.51 with worm blocker functionality, advantageously provided in segments, which can advantageously be inserted from above in a form-fitting manner into the respective cavity segment.

[0065] The substrate 5 is deposited on a base 16 which defines the cavity at the bottom, and moisture / liquid can escape or seep into the lower part 19 through holes 16.1 provided therein.

[0066] A lid 15 (rotating lid) that defines the cavity at the top advantageously adopts the geometry of the housing and, accordingly, advantageously also has a recessed (ring) cylinder segment, so that when the lid is rotated about an at least approximately vertical axis, an opening to the cavity is released, in particular for the purpose of segment-specific feeding. The lid can also have at least one haptic actuation area 15.1, in particular a grip (recess) or one-finger rotary recess. Advantageously, the lid is equipped with at least one magnet 15.7 or part of a magnetic coupling / clutch. Accordingly, at least one correspondingly acting magnet 11.7 or part of a magnetic coupling / clutch can be implemented on the cavity or on the housing. In this way, the lid can be quickly / easily moved into at least one predefined target position, e.g.into a closed position that completely defines / covers the cavity (geometrically projected in plan view, corresponding to the base area of ​​the cavity). Advantageously, the lid is designed in the shape of a circular ring segment, with a central opening for which an additional, advantageously rotationally displaceable lid element is provided to cover the central receiving area 18.

[0067] In addition to the previously described constituent components of the cavity / housing and lid, a lower part 19 can also be provided, particularly for worm tea or for produced organic liquid fertilizer, so that an essentially three-part structure of the entire device can be implemented (housing, lid, lower part), optionally supplemented by further functional individual parts that, however, do not noticeably affect the basic design principle. Advantageously, the lower part comprises a foot (section) 19.1 or at least one foot receptacle configured to receive at least one insertable foot part 19.2 (e.g., an insertable footrest, advantageously made of wood), advantageously three foot receptacles for three individual footrests. Furthermore, an adjustable drain 19.5 is advantageously provided, particularly in combination with a hose that can be clamped off with one hand, and an additional overflow 19 arranged above it.3 especially with animal protection function can ensure that the level of produced organic liquid fertilizer does not rise to the bottom of the cavity.

[0068] The construction of the device 10 is advantageously designed such that optional additional components can be retrofitted, in particular a collection box 50 for the removal of produced organic liquid fertilizer and / or a fruit fly trap (not shown), each optionally with at least one guide or hooking or locking means (for force / form closure), in particular geometrically adapted to the geometry of the recessed (ring) cylinder segment of the basic shape of the housing.

[0069] The collection box 50 advantageously comprises an inlet 41, a centering plug connection 52, in particular at the inlet section, at least one guide 53 (for force / form fit) for holding the collection box on the housing or on the lower part of the device, a separate collection box lid 55, advantageously with ventilation holes, and optionally also an olfactory neutralization unit 57, in particular with odor filter / carbon filter.

[0070] It is to be understood that the lower part 19 can essentially be designed as a comparatively large collection container for the organic liquid fertilizer; in this respect, the optional collection box serves to improve ergonomics / handling, particularly for the individual, as-needed removal of organic liquid fertilizer.

[0071] The following geometric reference quantities facilitate a deeper understanding of the present invention: diameter D1 of the receiving area, inner diameter D2 of the cavity, outer diameter D3 of the cavity, access area V0 (excluding the basic geometric shape), volume V1 of a respective sealable cavity segment, volume V11 of the cavity itself. The radial direction is provided with the reference symbol (r), and the horizontal circumferential spatial direction is provided with the reference symbol (u), whereby the vertical axis and also a / the intended vertically oriented axis of symmetry are provided with the reference symbol (z).

[0072] The design concept described here, in particular based on a type of tube-in-tube arrangement (double-cylindrical or ring-cylindrical design of the housing), enables advantageous ergonomics in combination with functional and easy handling, whereby the individual dimensions in the circumferential direction can also be described in more detail as follows: α1 extension area or angle of the cavity 11 in the circumferential direction (e.g. approx. 270°), α11 extension area or circumferential angle of a cavity segment / area 11.1 (e.g. approx. 65° with four cavity segments, or approx. 71°), and extension area α50 or circumferential angle of the collecting box 50 (e.g. approx. 90° or approx. 70°).

[0073] The device described here can be equipped with further technical means which can, in particular, improve the interaction between users and animals and / or facilitate optimization of the device's operation. In particular, the following can be provided: a control unit 20 with a computing unit / logic unit, a communication module 21, an energy storage unit 22, at least one actuator 23 (in particular for linear actuating movement at the bulkhead / separating position and / or for rotary actuating movement on the lid and / or for pump actuation for pumping out liquid organic fertilizer), at least one sensor 24 (preferably a wirelessly communicating sensor, preferably energetically self-sufficient for at least several months). For user interaction, at least one user interface 31 can be implemented, in particular a graphical user interface, optionally on a display unit of the device, optionally, for example, also mirrored on a terminal 40 (e.g.B. smartphone). The device 10 can also be equipped with at least one camera unit 70 capable of wireless data transmission. Sensor points P4 can be implemented particularly within the cavity, advantageously implemented in a segment-specific manner, in particular with weight sensor functionality and / or temperature measurement function and / or humidity measurement function.

[0074] It is to be understood that the segmenting or isolating bulkheads (separating bulkheads, separating shields) 12 described here can advantageously be designed in a similar or congruent manner to the bulkheads (separating bulkheads, removal bulkheads, removal shields) 12a that seal off the removal area.

[0075] It should also be understood that the user interface described here is advantageously a graphical user interface that can be configured or controlled by the computer program product and is set up to visualize at least one of the following processes: (dis)assembly, positioning of at least one of the bulkheads, removal of substrate, removal of organic liquid fertilizer.

[0076] In the following, special features of the invention are explained with reference to individual figures or embodiments.

[0077] In the Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment. In the Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B shows that the device 10 can essentially be constructed from three constituent components: cover, housing, and lower part. Additional foot parts can be inserted from below into pipe sections on the lower part, for example. Also visible are form-fitting contours or fitting edges for interlocking, form-fitting placement of the components constituting the device, particularly on the lower section of the housing. Fig. 1C indicates that paper 3 and similar cellulose waste can be introduced into a central receiving area, and kitchen waste 1 can be introduced into the respective compartment or segment, depending on where a decomposition process is currently to be supported or prepared for the near future.

[0078] In the Fig. 2 shows an embodiment without foot parts. Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B is already from the Fig. 1 well-known basic design principle adopted. In Fig. 2C, an optional user interface 31 is indicated (or a display unit or touch panel provided for this purpose), which can also be coupled with a smartphone 40, for example. Both embodiments of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 benefit from the advantageous circular segment-shaped geometry of the cavity. In Fig. Figure 2D shows a segmented insert 11.51 with worm blocker functionality; the insert can be inserted into the respective segment from above, especially in the case of form-fitting support.

[0079] In the Fig. 1B and Fig. 2A it is clearly visible that the lid can additionally have a lid (displaceable lid element) rotatably mounted on it, by means of which access to the central receiving area for cellulose and the like can be granted.

[0080] In the Fig. 3 shows the housing and cavity in detail, especially with regard to their functionality. Fig. 3A shows that five separation positions 13 are provided distributed around the circumference, at each of which a bulkhead can be positioned. Fig. 3A also shows two magnets or parts of a magnetic coupling / clutch 11.7, the number and position of which can also vary, and which interact magnetically with at least one correspondingly designed magnet or magnetic part on the cover ( Fig. 4A). In Fig. 3B shows three positioned bulkheads. In Fig. 3B also shows substrate 5, which is located in the first cavity segment next to the access area V0 (clockwise from left). As shown in Fig. 3B, the second cavity segment 11.1 can be used to start feeding kitchen waste 1, and then, after removing the Fig. 3B with reference number 12 between the first and second cavity segments, to cause the worms W to migrate into the second cavity segment in order to then be able to remove the substrate 5 from the first segment essentially worm-free. In Fig. 3C, the perspective of the removal areas / access openings 17.1 is released; normally, only one of these needs to be opened at a time, in particular by removing the corresponding bulkhead.

[0081] In the Fig. 4 shows details of the lid. In Fig. 4A shows the circular segment-shaped basic geometry of the cover corresponding to the cross-sectional geometry of the housing or cavity. Fig. 4A also shows two magnets or parts of a magnetic coupling / clutch 15.7, the number and position of which can also vary, and which interact magnetically with at least one correspondingly designed magnet or magnetic part on the housing ( Fig. 3A). In Fig. 4B, an actuator 23 is indicated, which can be integrated into the lid and can be designed for a rotary adjustment movement of the lid relative to the cavity, e.g. a type of gear drive via a comb strip arranged in a ring segment. Fig. 4C, electronic / electrotechnical components are indicated, in particular control unit 20, communication module 21, energy storage unit 22, which can each be optionally implemented, in particular for the purpose of improved user interaction.

[0082] In Fig. 5 shows details of the lower part 19; the lower part can be designed in the manner of a collecting container, functionally optimized with a comparatively large collecting volume, for trouble-free long-term operation. For example, the lower part 19 is essentially designed as a shell or trough-like body, which takes up / adopts the geometry and circumferential contours of the housing and brings them to a tapered bottom, with form-fitting contours advantageously provided at the form-fitting edge area with the housing. In this way, assembly can be simplified in the manner of a supporting, form-fitting plug-in connection.

[0083] In Fig. 6 shows the two bulkhead types 12, 12a, essentially identical, possibly slightly varying in the area of ​​the haptic grip recess or the gripping hole at the top.

[0084] In Fig. 7 shows a foot part 19.2 that can be coupled to a corresponding foot receptacle of the lower part, here in the form of an insertable footrest, e.g., made of wood. Advantageously, a force-locking fixation is achieved by screwing, particularly thanks to the asymmetrical cross-sectional geometry of at least one of the coupling sections.

[0085] In the Fig. 8 or Fig. 8A, Fig. 8B, Fig. 8C shows details of the optional retrofittable collection box 50, which were already mentioned above. Fig. 8 particularly highlights the elegant structural and geometric adaptation and integration into the hollow cylinder segment-shaped access area of ​​the enclosure.

[0086] In light of the figures and the general description, the person skilled in the art will understand that application-specific variations can be made without necessarily having to deviate from the advantageous basic concept described here, consisting essentially of three constituent components and the associated advantages, in particular with regard to handling and decomposition management (lid, housing with annular segment-specific cavity segments configured therein, lower part). List of reference symbols 1 Kitchen waste or similar 3 Paper, cardboard, cellulose 5 Substrat 10 Cold rotting device 11 (receiving) cavity 11.1 Sealable cavity segments / areas 11.3 punched / perforated head section 11.5 Worm blockers, especially with inner edges 11.51 segmental use, advantageous form-fitting 11.7 Magnet or part of a magnetic coupling / clutch 12 segmenting / isolating bulkhead 12a bulkhead sealing off the withdrawal area 12.1 Haptic actuation area 13 predefined spatial separation position or dividing line 14 Guides or similar at least form-fitting contours 15 lids 15.1 Haptic actuation area 15.7 Magnet or part of a magnetic coupling / clutch 16 Floor 16.1 Holes 17 Enclosure 17.1 removed cylinder segment 17.3 Laterally-horizontally accessible unloading / removal access opening 18 Recording area 19 Lower part 19.1 Foot or foot recording 19.2 insertable footrest, insertable footrest, preferably made of wood 19.3 Overflow 19.5 Procedure 20 Control unit 21 Communication module 22 Energy storage unit 23 Actuator 24 sensors 31 User interface 40 devices, e.g. smartphone 50 collection boxes 51 inlet 52 centering plug connection especially at the inlet section 53 Leadership 55 Lid of the collection box 57 olfactory neutralization unit, especially with odor filter 70 Camera unit D1 Diameter Mounting Area D2 inner diameter of the cavity D3 Outer diameter of the cavity P4 segment-specific implemented / implementable sensor point V0 access area V1 Volume of each sealable cavity segment V11 Volume of the cavity W Worms or similar organisms r radial direction u horizontal circumference spatial direction z Vertical axis or intended vertically aligned symmetry axis α1 Extension area or angle of the cavity in the circumferential direction α11 Extension area or circumferential angle of a cavity segment / area α50 Extension area or circumferential angle of the collection box QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 2 393 764 B1

[0003] WO 2019 / 232577 A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Cold rotting device (10) in the manner of a worm composter, in particular for kitchen waste, in particular suitable for indoor spaces and private households, arranged to provide a habitat for worms decomposing the kitchen waste, comprising a cavity (11) receiving the kitchen waste and providing the habitat and at least one bulkhead (12, 12a) segmenting or sealing off the cavity, which can be positioned at a plurality of, in particular, form-fitting predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines (13) on / in the cavity (11); characterized by that the plurality of predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines (13) segment the cavity (11) in at least one horizontal spatial direction (u) and, when the bulkhead (12, 12a) is positioned there, each seal it off against horizontal migration of the worms. [2] Cold rotting device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines segment the cavity at least in the horizontal circumferential spatial direction. [3] Cold rotting device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines are defined by guides or similar at least form-fitting contours, which are advantageously provided projecting into the cavity, in particular projecting radially into the cavity. [4] Cold rotting device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines are defined by guides or similar at least form-fitting contours which are adapted in width to the thickness of the corresponding bulkhead and which form a gate-like passage for each separation position. [5] Cold rotting device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cavity at least partially occupies the volume of a ring cylinder or at least one ring cylinder segment, for example a ring cylinder segment over a circumferential angle of 290° or 300°. [6] Cold rotting device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cavity extends in a ring-cylindrical manner around a central (symmetry) axis, in particular over a circumferential angle of at least 180°, wherein the plurality of predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines segment the cavity at predefined circumferential positions with radial alignment of bulkheads positioned therein / thereon. [7] Cold rotting device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines are provided, in / on which the at least one bulkhead can be fixed in an at least approximately vertical orientation at least approximately orthogonal to a floor delimiting the cavity downwards. [8] Cold rotting device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines segment the cavity at least in the horizontal circumferential spatial direction and, when the bulkhead is positioned there, seal it off against horizontal migration of the worms in such a way that the cold rotting device is set up for a batch-wise process, on the one hand concerning the locally limited operation of the worms and, on the other hand, concerning the batch-wise removal of the decomposition product. [9] Cold rotting device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cold rotting device has a lid, in particular a circular ring-shaped or circular ring-segment-shaped lid, which can be rotatably mounted / supported on the cavity relative to the cavity. [10] Cold rotting device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cold rotting device has a receiving area, in particular a centrally arranged cylindrical receiving area surrounded by the cavity at least over a circumferential segment of, for example, 270°, which is designed to receive paper or cardboard and is sufficiently wide for manual removal of paper / cardboard, for example at least 20 cm wide. [11] Cold-rotting device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cold-rotting device has at least one laterally-horizontally accessible discharge access opening, advantageously at least two laterally-horizontally accessible discharge access openings, in particular at least one discharge access opening arranged in an access area excluded from the basic geometric shape of the cold-rotting device or opening thereto. [12] Cold rotting device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cold rotting device comprises at least three bulkheads, including at least one first bulkhead (12) sealing off adjacent cavity segments and at least one second bulkhead (12a) sealing off a / the removal area, wherein the at least one first bulkhead and the at least one second bulkhead are advantageously of the same type, preferably congruent. [13] Cold-rotting device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cold-rotting device comprises: a collection box which is detachable from the cavity and can be coupled thereto, which is advantageously arranged or can be arranged in an access area excluded from the basic geometric shape of the cold-rotting device, and / or a fruit fly trap; wherein a / the circumferential angle of the extension of the collection box and / or the fruit fly trap advantageously corresponds to a / the circumferential angle of the extension of at least one of the sealable cavity segments, wherein at least the fruit fly trap is advantageously arranged and structurally designed for coupling to the housing and / or at least one bulkhead in an arrangement inside the cavity. [14] Cold-rotting device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cold-rotting device comprises: an overflow provided on a / the lower part, in particular for animal protection purposes, in particular an overflow which is / can be coupled to a / the collection box. [15] Cold rotting device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cold rotting device is constructed from the following constituent components: housing surrounding the cavity, several bulkheads, lid, lower part; wherein the components can advantageously be coupled to one another at least in pairs in a form-fitting manner, in particular housing and lid, housing and bulkheads, housing and lower part; wherein the respective component is advantageously designed as an integral one-piece component, in particular additively manufactured. [16] Cold rotting device in the manner of a worm composter, in particular for kitchen waste, particularly suitable for indoor spaces and private households, designed to provide a horizontally segmentable habitat for worms decomposing the kitchen waste, comprising a cavity receiving the kitchen waste and providing the habitat and a plurality of bulkheads segmenting or partitioning the cavity, advantageously at least four positionable bulkheads which can be positioned at a plurality of spatial separation positions or separation lines on / in the cavity, in particular predefined by guides or similar at least form-fitting contours;wherein the plurality of predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines segment the cavity in at least one horizontal spatial direction, namely when the respective bulkhead is at least approximately vertically aligned, and when the bulkhead is positioned there, each seals off against horizontal migration of the worms in such a way that the cold-rotting device is set up for a horizontal batch process, wherein the cavity occupies the volume of a ring cylinder segment, wherein the cold-rotting device has a centrally arranged receiving area for manual addition and removal of paper or cardboard, wherein the cold-rotting device has at least one laterally horizontally accessible discharge access opening, advantageously at least two laterally horizontally accessible discharge access openings, which advantageously open into an access area, excluding the cylindrical geometric basic shape of the cavity. [17] Cold rotting device (10) in the manner of a worm composter, in particular for kitchen waste, in particular suitable for indoor spaces and private households, arranged to provide a horizontally segmentable habitat for worms decomposing the kitchen waste, comprising a cavity receiving the kitchen waste and providing the habitat and at least one bulkhead segmenting or sealing off the cavity, which can be positioned at a plurality of, in particular, form-fitting predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines on / in the cavity, in particular a cold rotting device according to one of the preceding claims; characterized bythat the cold rotting device has a lid, in particular a circular ring-shaped or circular ring-segment-shaped lid, which can be rotatably mounted on the cavity relative to the cavity, wherein the plurality of predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines advantageously segment the cavity in at least one horizontal spatial direction and, when a bulkhead is positioned there, advantageously seal it off against horizontal migration of the worms. [18] Cold rotting device (10) in the manner of a worm composter, in particular for kitchen waste, in particular suitable for indoor spaces and private households, arranged to provide a horizontally segmentable habitat for worms decomposing the kitchen waste, comprising a cavity receiving the kitchen waste and providing the habitat and at least one bulkhead segmenting or sealing off the cavity, which can be positioned at a plurality of, in particular, positively predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines on / in the cavity, in particular a cold rotting device according to one of the preceding claims; characterized bythat the cold rotting device comprises: a collection box for produced organic liquid fertilizer, which can be detached from the cavity and coupled thereto; wherein the plurality of predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines advantageously segment the cavity in at least one horizontal spatial direction and, when a bulkhead is positioned there, advantageously seal it off against horizontal migration of the worms. [19] Cold rotting device, particularly suitable for indoor spaces, designed to provide a horizontally segmentable habitat for worms, comprising a cavity providing the habitat and at least one partition segmenting or isolating the cavity, which partition can be positioned at a plurality of separation positions or separation lines on / in the cavity, wherein the separation positions / lines segment the cavity in at least one horizontal spatial direction and, when the partition is positioned there, each partition against horizontal migration of the worms such that the cold rotting device is designed for horizontal batch decomposition, in particular a cold rotting device according to one of the preceding claims, produced by forming a cavity which can be divided into several horizontally isolable segments, in particular from a plastic material, in particular by an additive manufacturing process, and by providing a plurality of partitions,which, as separate parts, advantageously in an intended at least approximately vertical alignment, can be coupled to the cavity in the respective separation position or along the respective separation line, for segmenting the cavity into several horizontally separated areas for a horizontal batch-wise decomposition process, in particular over a circumferential segment of at least 270°. [20] Data carrier with a data set comprising data for the additive manufacturing of at least one of the constituent components of a cold rotting device according to one of the preceding claims. [21] Kitchen equipment, equipped with at least one cold rotting device according to one of claims 1 to 19, advantageously with a / the lid of the cold rotting device in a flat-flush finish with a surface, e.g. worktop, of the kitchen equipment. [22] Kitchen unit body, in particular a kitchen sink base unit, equipped with at least one cold rotting device according to one of claims 1 to 19, advantageously with a / the lid of the cold rotting device coupled to a kinematics activated when opening / closing the kitchen unit body in such a way that the lid is actuated in a rotational manner when opening / closing, in particular in a rotational manner about an at least approximately vertical (symmetry) axis. [23] Use of a cavity which can be segmented and sealed off into a plurality of regions in the horizontal direction for providing a cold rotting device for batchwise decomposition in the horizontal direction, in particular for kitchen waste or the like, in particular suitable for indoor spaces and private households, for providing a horizontally segmented habitat for worms decomposing the kitchen waste, in combination with at least one partition which segments or seals off the cavity and which can be positioned at a plurality of, in particular, form-fitting predefined spatial separation positions or separation lines on / in the cavity; wherein a partition positioned therein seals off each of the worms or similar organisms against horizontal migration; in particular in a cold rotting device according to one of claims 1 to 19. [24] Use of a cold rotting device according to one of claims 1 to 19 for equipping a kitchen facility, in particular as a built-in solution architecturally integrated and / or spatially accommodated in a kitchen unit or the like. [25] Use of a cold-rotting device according to one of claims 1 to 19 for equipping an item of interior furniture such as a stool or table. [26] Computer program product comprising instructions which, when the computer program product is executed on a computer or a terminal device, cause the computer or a terminal device to carry out a method for monitoring a decomposition process in a cold-rotting device according to one of claims 1 to 19, advantageously based on at least one parameter detected by the cold-rotting device and transmitted wirelessly, for example, to a home network via near-field communication, advantageously comprising the generation of at least one recommended action for operating the cold-rotting device, advantageously with the at least one recommended action output via a user interface optionally on the terminal device and / or on the cold-rotting device.

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