Household composting machine

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a composter, and more particularly to a domestic composter for organic waste. Prior art

[0002] Household waste management represents a real environmental challenge. Every day, tons of waste are buried or incinerated around the world. To reduce the environmental impact of this waste, composting organic household waste (e.g., kitchen waste, garden waste, etc.) is a well-known and effective solution. In fact, this type of household waste generally represents 50% of a European household bin.

[0003] From a domestic perspective, this solution is typically implemented in the form of organic waste piles in a garden or outdoor bins in which organic waste is placed.

[0004] It is clear that few individuals adopt this solution because, to date, in Europe, more than 80% of organic waste is ultimately buried or incinerated, which causes completely avoidable environmental pollution.

[0005] It is therefore necessary to provide a more attractive, simpler and more accessible solution for individuals to compost organic waste. Statement of the invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a domestic composter for organic waste which is both simpler to use and more efficient than the composters known from the prior art. Domestic composters are known from CN211367429U.

[0007] For this purpose, the present invention provides a domestic composter for organic waste according to claim 1 comprising: an inlet for receiving organic waste; a grinder for grinding the organic waste, coupled to a first actuator; a tank surmounted by the grinder and arranged to contain the organic waste ground by the grinder; a mixer arranged in the tank for mixing (and aerating) the ground organic waste contained in the tank, coupled to a second actuator; an outlet arranged at a bottom of the tank for recovering compost produced by composting the organic waste contained in the tank.

[0008] The composter is also typically equipped with an aeration system having: an air inlet at least partially surmounting the tank and within which a fan is arranged air circulation orifices in the tank, at the bottom of the tank; an air outlet, preferably fluidly coupled to the orifices;

[0009] This ventilation system is then configured to generate air circulation in the tank, from the air inlet to the air outlet, via the orifices.

[0010] The composter according to the invention is particularly simple to use. In particular, it is sufficient to insert organic waste into the inlet, to activate the grinder and / or the mixer as required (when they are not automated), and to recover the compost thus obtained after a certain time. Since the grinder is located above the tank, the crushed organic waste simply falls into the tank by gravity, without any other technical input, and is then mixed and aerated by the mixer. The grinder and the mixer allow rapid transformation of the organic waste into compost, so that the composter is much more efficient than the basic outdoor composting techniques known from the prior art. The compost can then be easily recovered via the outlet and used in various applications, for example to feed indoor plants, so that the organic waste composted by the composter is thus recycled.

[0011] In a simple way, the tank allows organic waste to be confined, without clutter in optimal hygiene and cleanliness conditions, the only accesses to the interior of the composter preferably consisting of the entrance and the exit. The composter can thus be placed easily and without nuisance in a busy living area of ​​a home, for example, by means of a wall suspension. In particular, it does not require access to a garden, so that it is also suitable for an apartment. In particular, by its "domestic" nature, the composter according to the invention is specifically adapted and / or sized to be placed in a living room of a home or community, for example, a kitchen.

[0012] The aeration system also plays an advantageous role: it allows the compost in the tank to be aerated, and therefore accelerates composting, so that the compost can be created and recovered more quickly. The composter according to the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 to 10B introduced below thus allows organic waste to be transformed into compost in just about two months.

[0013] The fan draws air from the outside of the composter into the inside of the tank. It can operate on a power supply, for example at a voltage of 12V and with a current of 1A, for example with a battery or by connection to the electrical network.

[0014] The air inlet at least partially surmounts the tank. The fan is therefore preferably placed at the top of the tank, or higher than the tank. For example, it can be arranged at a side wall of the tank, so as to surmount at least part of the tank. It can also completely surmount the tank and be held by an upper wall of the composter. The fact that it is at the top of the tank and that the air circulation orifices are at the bottom of the tank, at the bottom of the tank, is very advantageous for ensuring air circulation throughout the tank, from top to bottom. Very preferably, the air that enters the tank through the air inlet can only exit through the air outlet, via the orifices, so that the air circulation system ultimately guides the air circulation in the tank.The air circulating in the tank thus passes through all the crushed organic waste and the compost (possibly forming), or in other words, the compost, in the tank to bring oxygen into it in a controlled manner, and thus make composting more efficient.

[0015] It is also advantageous for the air circulation holes to be provided at the bottom of the tank. Indeed, the bottom of the tank is generally occupied by mature compost, in the form of potting soil. From then on, the air passes through this potting soil, which helps to oxygenate the potting soil while ridding the air of odors. Indeed, the potting soil acts as a natural filter. Thus, potential odor nuisances are reduced when the air reaches the air outlet. This would not have been the case if the holes were provided higher in the tank, where there is not necessarily potting soil. It should also be noted that the terms "at the bottom of the tank" do not imply that the holes are in the bottom of the tank, but that they are located in the immediate vicinity of the bottom of the tank, therefore in the lower part of it.

[0016] Preferably, the air outlet includes an air filter. The air filter helps filter out any odor emanating from the tank that may not have been mitigated by the advantageous positioning of the orifices. It preferably includes a box filled with activated carbon beads to filter the air passing through the box.

[0017] Thanks to these different components and their advantages, the composter according to the present invention makes the composting of organic waste more attractive, more accessible and easier for individuals.

[0018] Within the scope of this document, terms introducing generic devices such as "grinder", "mixer", (or hereinafter "fan") are to be interpreted generically, without any limitation to a particular structural design of the device. The terms "grinder", "mixer" and "fan" should thus be interpreted reciprocally in the same way as "grinding means", "mixing means" and "ventilation means".

[0019] For the purposes of this document, the composter preferably extends along a "composter axis" directed from the outlet to the inlet of the composter. The axis is preferably said to be directed "from the bottom up." Thus, preferably, the inlet is located higher than the grinder, which is located higher than the mixer, which is located higher than the outlet. The "bottom" of the tank is also logically at the bottom of the tank, as would be legitimately understood by a person skilled in the art. The axis is preferably directed parallel to the force of gravity and in a direction opposite thereto.

[0020] The term "overcome" (and its derivatives) used in this document also indicates, preferentially, an arrangement of one element of the composter above another (along said axis), therefore higher than another, which corresponds to a usual use of this term, as a person skilled in the art would understand.

[0021] Preferably, the "fluid coupling" between the air circulation ports and the air outlet consists of a pipe and / or piping and / or a particular path in the tank specifically leading a fluid, air in this case, from these ports to the air outlet. Such a fluid coupling preferably channels the circulation of air between these ports and the air outlet within the tank.

[0022] Although the disclosure relates to a composter provided with an aeration system, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that this (and these technical specifications) is preferred for a generic composter provided with an inlet, a grinder, a tub, a mixer and an outlet as generally indicated above. In particular, this document will be considered by those skilled in the art as also disclosing such a generic composter in combination with each of the embodiments set forth below.

[0023] The use in this document of the verb "to understand", its variants, and their conjugations, cannot in any way exclude the presence of elements other than those mentioned. Similarly, the use in this document of the indefinite article "un", "une", or the definite article "le", "la" or "l'", to introduce an element does not in any way exclude the presence of a plurality of these elements.

[0024] The terms "first", "second", etc. are, for their part, used in this document exclusively to linguistically differentiate elements, and this without implying an order between them, nor implying that these elements would be structurally distinct. The specific case where the first and second actuators are at least partially the same technical element of the composter is moreover perfectly conceivable within the framework of the invention as introduced below.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and second actuators are manual. This embodiment is also perfectly in line with the domestic nature of the composter. Indeed, given that the composter is dedicated to the composting of household and organic waste from a handful of individuals, it is perfectly conceivable to manually operate the grinder and the mixer because little waste is to be composted. In particular, such an implementation would not be possible on large industrial composters. These actuators can, for example, take the form of cranks to be turned or manipulated by a user of the composter, in order to drive, by a mechanical coupling (for example, via one or more mechanical axes), the grinder and / or the mixer.

[0026] The actuators are preferably exclusively manual. This advantageously means that no electrical or electronic power supply is required to operate the grinder and mixer, which helps make the composter more energy-independent and environmentally friendly.

[0027] Alternatively, the first and / or second actuators may comprise motorization means so that they are both manual and motorized as desired and according to the user's needs. Thus, an elderly person will be able to grind and mix their waste without having to develop manual strength, or by developing reduced manual strength, depending on whether the motorized means are supplementary or not. Such motorized means are known to a person skilled in the art. They are, for example, an electric motor hidden in a crank base which constitutes one of the actuators. These motorized means can operate either by battery or via a mains power supply. A battery power supply or an absence of motorization means for the actuators has the additional advantage of allowing the composter to be placed in any way in a living space, without having to take into account the locations where an electricity supply is possible.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment, the composter comprises a set of one or more sensors from among: a temperature and / or humidity sensor of air in the tank; a temperature and / or humidity sensor of the crushed organic waste and / or compost contained in the tank; a sensor of a selection of composting gases in the tank; the sensors being configured to transmit data to a logical data processing unit.

[0029] The term "logical data processing unit" preferably includes any computerized logical unit capable of processing sensor data, and therefore, for example, a computer, a smartphone, a computer network, or generally any programmable device. The actual processing of sensor data is preferably done via a computer program, for example via a smartphone application.

[0030] Advantageously, the sensors allow, through the transmission of their data, to monitor the compost in the tank, and in particular to check that it is at the right humidity and / or temperature, and / or that the same is true for the (ambient) air within the tank, because these parameters affect the speed and quality of composting. The sensors allow more generally to check that composting is taking place in good conditions, and to act on it if necessary via the grinder and / or the mixer, and / or any other technical element with which the composter would be equipped, in order to restore such conditions. For example, gas emissions likely to cause odor nuisances can thus be anticipated. The sensors preferably comprise at least one sensor for the temperature and humidity of the air in the tank and a sensor for the humidity of the crushed organic waste and / or the compost contained in the tank.They are preferably protected by a structure within the tank or in its immediate vicinity. They can thus be assembled in the same structure, or arranged in the tank according to the data they are to capture.

[0031] Preferably, one or more sensors are electronically coupled to the fan so that the power of the fan depends on the output data of the sensor(s). This or these sensors preferably comprise a sensor for the humidity of air in the tank and / or the humidity of the shredded organic waste and / or the compost contained in the tank. For example, when the composter according to this embodiment is such that it comprises a sensor for the humidity of the shredded organic waste and / or the compost contained in the tank, this sensor is preferably electronically coupled to the fan so that the power of the fan depends on the output data of the sensor. A variation in the power of the fan can be implemented for example by a variation in the voltage of a fan power supply between terminals such as 5 and 12V. The power of the fan preferably depends linearly on the humidity data.For example, the higher the humidity data corresponds to, the greater the induced power will be. In addition, and preferably, the fan operates continuously, with only its power varying.

[0032] Preferably, when the composter comprises one or more sensors and an aeration system as described above, at least some of the sensors (typically those that measure data at the level of the air circulating in the tank) are arranged at the air outlet and surrounded by a lateral partition adapted to guide the air circulation. The air circulating in the tank is thus directed specifically towards these sensors, thanks to the aeration system and the partition, so that the data from these sensors only concerns the air leaving the tank, in the air circulation, and not the ambient air outside the tank. In this way, the data obtained via these sensors is all the more precise and its margin of error is reduced. In this case, when the air outlet comprises an air filter, the latter is preferably arranged at the outlet of these sensors.

[0033] The air circulating in the ventilation system then preferably and successively passes through an area in which these sensors are located, surrounded by the side partition, an air filter as described above, and then an air outlet grille opening onto the outside of the composter.

[0034] Two particular preferred embodiments of the aeration system, each compatible with all of the above considerations, are set out below, and are implemented respectively in the preferred embodiments of the composter of the figures 1A to 4B introduced below, on the one hand, and 5A to 10B, on the other hand. The aeration system is in no way limited to these two embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

[0035] According to the first of these embodiments, the orifices are made in a side wall of the tank, and the air outlet is adjacent to the side wall, arranged at the bottom of the tank.

[0036] According to the second of these embodiments, the orifices are made in a lower part of a (hollow) tube passing through the tank, and the air outlet is adjacent to the air inlet, and preferably arranged at the level of the inlet of the composter.

[0037] The tube preferably extends from the bottom to the top of the tank, along the axis of the composter. It preferably consists, and in relation to an embodiment introduced below, of a mechanical axis mechanically coupled to the first and / or second actuators and driving the grinder and / or the mixer. Indeed, this particular embodiment makes it possible to arrange the tube in a simple and practical manner without cluttering the tank and without hindering the mixer.

[0038] In both embodiments, the orifices preferably extend along the axis of the composter over 10% to 15% of the height of the tank (measured along this axis), for example approximately 10 cm, counted from the bottom of the tank. The side wall or the tube, depending on the embodiment, preferably comprise a mesh covering having a tight mesh at the orifices so as to allow only air (and not potting soil) to pass through it. This covering makes it easier to manufacture the composter, because the orifices can be made with simpler tools and be larger. For example, they have a diameter of between 1.5 and 2.5 mm, for example, approximately 1.9 mm, while the holes in the covering have, for example, a diameter of 0.1 to 0.25 mm, for example, approximately 0.18 mm, and a mesh diameter, for example, of approximately 120 µm.

[0039] This first embodiment has the advantage of being simple to plan and of not cluttering the tank with elements of the ventilation system. Preferably, the orifices are provided over an entire circumference of the side wall of the tank, at the bottom thereof. The air outlet can then correspond to the entire circumference, a mesh covering and an air filter can easily be provided on it. Alternatively, the air outlet can without limitation be defined as being specifically at the level of a possible lateral partition surrounding the sensors.

[0040] The second design has the advantage of bringing the more technical elements of the aeration system (and potentially the composter) to the same level, preferably on an upper wall completely surmounting the tank. It is therefore easier to maintain these elements and replace them in the event of failure than if they extend throughout the entire composter. The size of the tank is also more easily adjustable. In addition, a single air filter can be arranged within both the air inlet and the air outlet, which extends its effects to the air inlet, without having to provide two air filters, and two related maintenance operations.

[0041] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bottom of the tank comprises a removable portion capable of being moved to allow the compost to be recovered from the tank into a container. It is possible to recover the compost produced in the composter particularly easily by this removable portion. Its movement typically frees an opening in the bottom of the tank through which the compost flows. The outlet typically comprises this removable portion.

[0042] The compost collection can be implemented in several ways. For example, the container can be a simple container that a user holds under the removable portion. In this case, preferably, the removable portion is mechanically coupled to a handle for moving the removable portion, which can be easily grasped by the user. Preferably, the removable portion is bordered by a seal to ensure the airtightness of the bottom of the tank. The handle and the seal are preferably part of the outlet.

[0043] Alternatively, the container may be a sliding drawer topped and bordered by the bottom of the tank (and therefore, located lower than the bottom of the tank) forming an integral part of the composter, and therefore facilitating its use. Thus, when the removable portion is moved, the compost falls directly into this drawer. Once the removable portion is replaced, so as to reconstitute the bottom of the tank, the drawer can slide and provide access to the compost thus recovered, in a simple and clean manner. In this case, optionally the bottom of the tank consists of the removable portion, which is preferably sliding and includes a handle allowing a user to slide it. The drawer is preferably also part of the outlet.

[0044] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the composter is provided with a cartridge comprising: an upper support portion resting on an upper wall of the composter and projecting out of the tank, a lower portion containing an insecticide composition, and an intermediate portion extending from the upper portion and to the support portion, and comprising at least one opening sized to allow the passage of insects, for example flies, the intermediate portion (and optionally also the lower portion) being in fluid communication with the tank, and preferably arranged in the tank. The term "upper wall" preferably refers to a wall bordering the top of the composter along the axis of the composter, and surmounting the tank.

[0045] The composter according to this embodiment makes it possible to avoid the unwanted proliferation of flies and other insects, typically fruit flies, within the compost. Indeed, the organic waste introduced into the composter is likely to include insect eggs or insects, typically fruit fly eggs, which find in the tank ideal temperature and humidity conditions for development. These insects do not represent a direct nuisance because they are enclosed in the tank. It is however preferable to eliminate them, which the aforementioned cartridge allows.

[0046] In practice, the cartridge is easily replaceable by manipulating the upper portion, which can be manually lifted to remove the cartridge, and can be replaced by leaning on the upper wall of the composter. Alternatively, the cartridge can be fixed to the upper wall of the composter and its contents accessible via a lid. It is thus easy to refill it with insecticide composition. As the intermediate portion is in fluid communication with the tank, the insects present in the compost can access the intermediate portion and preferably the lower portion, where they are killed by the insecticide composition.

[0047] The composition preferably comprises an insect attractant, such as vinegar, and a surface tension suppressant such as an oil or liquid soap, to cause insects attracted by the vinegar odor to sink and attempt to drink the insecticidal composition. Advantageously, this composition is simple to manufacture and inexpensive, while being perfectly ecological and natural.

[0048] According to a preferred general embodiment of the invention, the composter comprises an enclosure surmounting the tank and housing and / or bordering the grinder, the inlet comprising a passage made in the enclosure, such that the organic waste received by the inlet enters the enclosure before being crushed by the grinder. The enclosure makes it possible both to store more organic waste to be crushed, and typically to introduce organic waste without necessarily having to crush all of it directly. The enclosure also plays a protective role with regard to the user. Indeed, the grinder housed and / or bordered by the enclosure could injure the user. The enclosure also plays an aesthetic role because it hides the grinder and the waste from the user's view, in particular during the operation of crushing the organic waste. Finally, it prevents waste from being thrown out during this operation.

[0049] Preferably, mixing means (in other words, a second mixer) are arranged in the enclosure to mix the organic waste contained in the enclosure. These means preferably surmount the grinder. They advantageously allow preliminary mixing and aeration of the organic waste to be ground, at the start of composting, typically when this organic waste remains for several days in the enclosure. They also allow the organic waste to descend from the top to the bottom of the enclosure, towards the grinder, so that it is ground and then descends into the tank.

[0050] The mixing means may take, for example, the form of a rotating blade comprising one or more extensions transverse to the blade. Generally, they may be implemented in the same way as the mixer, or even constitute an extension to the mixer connected to the second actuator to actuate both the mixer and the mixing means. Alternatively, the mixing means may be mechanically coupled to a third actuator distinct from the second actuator, and optionally forming the same mechanical part with the first actuator.

[0051] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and second actuators are formed from the same mechanical part mechanically coupled to a mechanical axis, preferably rotating, capable of driving both the grinder and the mixer. The axis of the composter is preferably parallel to the mechanical axis. The mechanical axis preferably crosses the tank from bottom to top, in its center.

[0052] This embodiment is advantageous because a single actuator activates both the grinder and the mixer, which facilitates both the use and the manufacture of the composter. Furthermore, in the case of a rotating mechanical axis mechanically coupled to a manual crank, it is sufficient to turn the crank to activate the grinder and the mixer, without requiring great force.

[0053] When the composter further comprises an aeration system as in the second embodiment introduced above, the hollow tube passing through the tank is preferably none other than the mechanical axis, which significantly simplifies the realization of the invention and reduces the size of the tank.

[0054] Preferably, when the mechanical axis passes at least partially through the tank, at least one foot is attached to the mechanical axis and extends transversely from the mechanical axis to the bottom of the tank, in the tank. Preferably, at least two such feet are provided, and arranged symmetrically in the tank. They are capable of rotating in the tank when the mechanical axis is rotating. Such feet allow for better aeration of the compost (or potting soil) at the bottom of the tank. They also allow the compost (or potting soil) to be manipulated via the outlet if it is too dense or too compact. For the purposes of this document, the term "foot" is not to be interpreted as a lower support because such a foot typically does not have a function of supporting the mechanical axis on the bottom of the tank as such. The term "foot" is used to simply refer to an "extension to the mechanical axis directed towards the bottom of the tank".These terms may also be interchanged within the framework of this document.

[0055] According to one embodiment of the invention, a mechanical structure for wall mounting the composter is provided on the side wall of the tank. In this case, at least one mechanical stiffening element is preferably provided to mechanically couple (for example, via bearings) the mechanical structure and the mechanical axis, so as to stabilize and increase the rigidity of the composter.

[0056] Two practical and preferred embodiments of both the grinder and the mixer of the composter according to the invention are now presented, each embodiment of the one being compatible with an embodiment of the other.

[0057] According to a first embodiment of the grinder, it comprises blades arranged on partially superimposed toothed wheels and oriented towards the tank. The toothed wheels are preferably enclosed in a housing and coupled to the first actuator via a gear and a mechanical axis to be driven in rotation. The organic waste is thus ground by crushing it at the level of the rotating toothed wheels, which advantageously reduces its volume and increases the surface accessible to microorganisms useful for composting. The orientation of the toothed wheels also drives the waste downwards, therefore towards the tank, which facilitates the operation of the composter.

[0058] It is possible to operate the rotation of the gears in the opposite direction (for example, by turning a crank constituting the first actuator in the opposite direction) to release organic waste that would be stuck between the gears.

[0059] According to a second distinct embodiment of the shredder, it comprises a rotating blade surmounting a grid bordering the tank. This grid is adapted to retain organic waste that is too large, so that it is cut by the blade when it is rotated, that is to say, preferably, via the first actuator. The grid has, for example, mesh holes between 1 cm and 2.5 cm in diameter, preferably 1.5 or 2 cm in diameter, which allows the passage of waste such as pits, without damaging the blade. Such a diameter is adapted so that waste that is too large to be composted effectively is retained by the grid and cut by the blade, without systematically cutting all the organic waste introduced into the composter, which could create agglomerates of small organic waste in the tank and prevent the circulation of oxygen therein.Advantageously, this second embodiment of the grinder is simple to manufacture and operate, in particular, when only the blade is to be rotated. The grid and the blade preferably extend perpendicular to the axis of the composter. The blade preferably extends along a cross-sectional diameter (transverse) of the composter.

[0060] Preferably, the shredder comprises two such blades, preferably no more and no less. Preferably, each blade is bidirectional, which allows the blade to be rotated in either direction, and therefore to more easily clear any organic waste that may be blocked in the shredder. Each blade preferably has a rounded cutting edge at its extreme end, which allows for a better shearing effect and therefore better cutting of the waste in the shredder. This rounded edge also induces a lateral movement (inwards or outwards) of the waste in the shredder, facilitating its blocking against a wall of the shredder and therefore the cutting or grinding of this waste.

[0061] Preferably, the shredder blade is enclosed (axially) between the grid and a structure for dividing the organic waste to be shredded, surmounting the blade. The dividing structure preferably takes the form of two or three circular sectors extending perpendicular to the axis of the composter. It makes it possible to divide the mass of organic waste to be shredded and to facilitate this operation.

[0062] According to a first embodiment of the mixer, it comprises a rigid helical wire extending around a helical axis, dimensioned to be moved in the tank in rotation around the helical axis and / or parallel to the helical axis by means of the second actuator. Preferably, the helical axis corresponds to the axis of the composter, the helicoid extending from the bottom to the top of the tank. This mixer is preferably used in three movements. First, it is lifted along the helical axis to extract a core of compost from the tank. Then, it is shaken slightly along the helical axis to make the compost fall from the core back into the tank. The second actuator is preferably manual for these operations, so that, advantageously, a user can feel the weight of the compost initially carried by the mixer reduced as it falls back into the tank, thus knowing when to start the third movement.This involves returning the mixer to its original position. To do this, the rigid helical wire is rotated into the compost, or in other words, it is screwed, along the helical axis, in order to penetrate the compost more easily. The mixer thus allows the shredded organic waste to be homogenized, so that the soil produced by their composting is of very good quality.

[0063] This first embodiment of the mixer is particularly advantageous because it allows the layers of organic waste (created as they are introduced into the composter) to be preserved at different stages of decomposition. This has two major advantages. On the one hand, it allows the cultivation of microorganisms useful for composting to be respected, which vary per layer depending on the stage of decomposition. On the other hand, as the bottom of the tank contains mature compost in the form of potting soil, or at least is intended to contain it, it is desirable not to mix this potting soil with organic waste at an earlier stage of decomposition, so that the potting soil at the outlet is pure. This mixer is advantageously suited to this purpose.

[0064] The helical rigid wire is preferably made of stainless steel and is preferably extended by a straight rigid wire (or at least fixed to such a wire, for example, by means of a deformed turn itself extending the helical rigid wire) of the same material extending parallel to the helical axis partially in the tank, and this in order to allow the movement of the helical rigid wire, in the tank, along the helical axis. These wires are preferably of a smooth and regular cross-section, so as not to cut and / or grind the organic waste in the tank, but simply to aerate and mix it, in layers, for the reasons explained above. This cross-section is preferably essentially constant and / or circular.

[0065] Geometric parameters of these mechanical elements are discussed below with regard to the figure 3. When the composter comprises the second embodiment of the aeration system introduced above, the rigid wire extending along the helical axis can be substituted for a portion of the hollow tube passing through the tank extending into the heart of the helicoid. The hollow tube can also be used as a mechanical axis as explained above.

[0066] According to a second distinct embodiment of the mixer, the latter comprises (at least) one (rotary) blade. This blade is preferably carried by a rotating mechanical axis passing through the tank, and extends orthogonally to it. The mechanical axis preferably extends along the axis of the composter, so that it is directed from the outlet to the inlet. Preferably, the mechanical axis drives the blade via the second actuator. Preferably, the mechanical axis corresponds to that of one of the embodiments introduced above, as illustrated with regard to Figures 5A to 9hereinafter introduced. Thus, this mechanical axis can constitute the hollow tube of the second embodiment of the aeration system mentioned above when the composter includes one. The term "mechanical axis" used in the formulation of this second embodiment of the mixer is however not limited to these particular embodiments set out above. The blade preferably extends on either side of the tank, so that it passes through it.

[0067] This second design is simple to manufacture and industrialize. It is also simple to operate because it is sufficient to rotate the blade using the second actuator. The weight of compost to be moved by the mixer is low since it corresponds to a layer of compost at the level of the blade. Therefore, it is made particularly easy for a user to set the mixer in motion using a second manual actuator, without having to exert a great deal of force at the level of this second actuator.

[0068] Since the blade is arranged orthogonally to the mechanical axis directed from bottom to top, its rotation will set a layer of the compost in motion without breaking the layer structure thereof, which is advantageous for the same reasons as discussed above with regard to the other embodiment of the mixer. In addition, by its rotary movement, the blade induces the release of space for air circulation in a corresponding layer of compost, so that good homogenization and aeration of the compost is provided. This allows the production of good quality potting soil.

[0069] Preferably, the mixer according to this second embodiment comprises at least two such blades. Each blade is preferably positioned in half or two-thirds of the tank closest to the inlet, in order to reduce the risks of mixing the mature compost in the form of potting soil with other organic waste at a less advanced stage of decomposition. Advantageously, one or more feet may be fixed to the mechanical axis and extend transversely from the mechanical axis to the bottom of the tank, in the tank, in order to allow specific aeration of this potting soil, as described previously with regard to another embodiment of the invention.

[0070] Preferably, the blade is provided with one or more extensions that are transverse to it. These extensions may take the form of smaller blades, having a length between about 10 and 40%, for example, between 10 and 20%, of a length of the blade. In this case, the "length" is preferably the largest spatial dimension of the blade and the extensions. The extensions advantageously make it possible to increase the contact surface of the mixer with the organic waste in the tank. The size of these extensions is such that they are small enough not to break the layers of the composting as discussed above, and large enough to obtain adequate homogenization and aeration of the organic waste. Furthermore, it is advantageous to limit the size of the extensions to limit the energy required at the second actuator to drive the mixer.

[0071] Preferably, each end of the blade comprises such an extension. This makes it possible to increase the contact surface of the blade with the compost at the edge of the tank, and therefore to further improve the aeration thereof. More precisely, preferably, the extension extends a free end of the blade and is oriented from the outlet towards the inlet from the blade according to a plane intersecting the blade forming a smaller angle with it of between 90° and 160°, preferably between 130° and 160°, for example, approximately 145°. In other words, the extension is oriented from bottom to top according to the aforementioned inclination. A mixer equipped with these blades remains particularly easy to manufacture and makes it possible to mix the waste in the tank around the mechanical axis by giving it a vertical incidence, "upwards", and this so as to aerate it adequately, in particular, in synergy with the advantageous aeration system used.To achieve this, as indicated above, it is not necessary to provide large extensions. For example, their projected length on the mechanical axis is between 1.0 and 2.5 cm, for example 1.5 cm, which limits the resistance of the waste on the extensions, and the energy to be deployed to set the mixer in motion, in particular when said smallest angle is between 130° and 160°.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the blades extend from the mechanical axis towards a free end essentially perpendicular to the mechanical axis. They are arranged in sequence along the mechanical axis, and are offset from each other according to the sequence by the same angle. Preferably, the number of blades corresponds to the upper integer part of the quotient of 360° by this angle. For example, this number is 4 if the angle is 90°. Advantageously, this "staircase" construction of the mixer is simple to implement and offers a very good ratio between the efforts required to set the mixer in motion and the mixing effect provided by preserving the layers.

[0073] Each of the present considerations concerning the second embodiment of the mixer extends directly to the mixing means being introduced above when the composter comprises them. These preferably take the same form and are driven by the same mechanical axis as the mixer. Brief description of the figures

[0074] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended figures among which: THE Figures 1A and 1B illustrate overall exterior side views from above of a composter according to a first embodiment of the invention; the Figures 2A, 2B and 2C illustrate top views, in superimposed sections and overall of a composter grinder illustrated in Figures 1A and 1B ; there figure 3 illustrates a side view of a mixer of the composter illustrated in Figures 1A and 1Band mechanical parts to which it is associated and coupled; Figures 4A and 4B illustrate exterior views of an exit from the composter shown in Figures 1A and 1B , comprising a removable bottom of a tank as well as a compost collection drawer; the Figures 5A and 5B illustrate overall exterior views, on the one hand, lateral and from above, and on the other hand, lateral and from below, of a composter according to a second embodiment of the invention; the Figures 6A and 6B illustrate interior side views, with and without an enclosure wall, of the composter shown in Figures 5A and 5B ; there figure 7 illustrates an interior view of a composter grinder shown in Figures 5A and 5B , and its neighborhood; the figure 8 illustrates an interior, side and bottom view of the composter shown in Figures 5A and 5B ; there figure 9 illustrates a side overall view of a mixer for the composter according to the second embodiment above; Figures 10A and 10Billustrate two side views from above of a blade of the mixer shown in figure 9 .

[0075] The drawings of the figures are not to scale. Like elements are generally denoted by like references in the figures. For the purposes of this document, identical or similar elements may bear the same references. For example, the helical rigid wire of said first embodiment bears the same reference as the rotating blades of said second embodiment since they are parts of the respective mixers of the composters of these embodiments playing the same role, even if these parts are structurally different.

[0076] Furthermore, the presence of reference numbers or letters in the drawings is not to be considered as being limiting, including when these numbers or letters are indicated in the claims. Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

[0077] This section presents a description of two preferred embodiments of the invention based on particular embodiments and numerical references to the Figures 1 to 10B without being limited by them. In particular, the drawings of the figures described below are only schematic and are not limiting.

[0078] A first embodiment of the composter 1 according to the invention is described with regard to the Figures 1A to 4B . A second embodiment of the composter 1 according to the invention is described with regard to the Figures 1 to 10B . The inlet 11, the outlet 12, the grinder 2, the mixer 3 and the aeration system, for example, are at least partly distinct according to these two embodiments. As will be evident from the description of the invention for those skilled in the art, generally, the specific embodiments of these technical elements of the composter 1 are completely interchangeable between these two embodiments.

[0079] The first embodiment is represented globally in Figures 1A to 1B . This composter 1 comprises an enclosure 13 in which a passage is made defining an inlet 11 through which organic waste can be introduced. The passage may be conical in shape and / or adapted to place a funnel therein. A cover (not shown) may be arranged in the passage to cover it for aesthetic and hygienic reasons. The enclosure 13 houses a grinder 2 shown in figure 2 and coupled to a first actuator 21. The first actuator 21 takes the form of a crank to turn, which is installed laterally on the enclosure 13.

[0080] THE Figures 2A, 2B and 2Cillustrates more precisely the crusher 2. It comprises five toothed wheels 22 carrying blades in the form of pointed ends of the toothed wheels 22. The number of toothed wheels 22 is of course not limited to five. They are assembled in a housing and mechanically coupled to said first actuator 21 via a mechanism 23 which can be produced in various known ways (for example, via a gear and / or an axle). The toothed wheels 22 partially overlap as illustrated in Figure 2B The first actuator 21 then allows them to be driven in rotation in opposite directions two by two, so that the organic waste is crushed, cut and driven downwards, into a composting tank 4 visible in Figures 1A and 1B. The gears 22 are sized so that the organic waste is cut to about 1.5 cm thick. This is a compromise between the need to cut organic waste too large to be composted efficiently, and not having organic waste too small in the tank which would create clumps and prevent the circulation of oxygen in the tank 4.

[0081] As it is visible in Figures 1A and 1B, the tank 4 is cylindrical. For example, it has a diameter of 30 cm, an axial height of 90 cm and a compost volume of approximately 50 liters. Both the shape and the dimensions and the capacity of the tank are adjustable according to domestic needs, without in any way affecting the operation of the composter. These data can also be applied to the second embodiment of the composter discussed below. The tank 4 in the context of the present invention is nevertheless preferably generally cylindrical to present a smooth and symmetrical shape around an axis facilitating both the design of the tank and the arrangement of technical elements within it, and providing a smooth side wall 41 for the compost in the tank 4, which allows it to slide progressively towards the bottom of the tank 4, without creating amalgams in any angular points thereof. In the case of Figures 1A and 1B, the tank is shown as transparent, making it easier for a user to see the compost inside.

[0082] The crushed organic waste thus falls by gravity into the tank 4. The mature compost will form compost at the bottom 42 of the tank 4 since this is where the oldest crushed organic waste is located and therefore at a more advanced stage of composting. As can be seen in Figures 4A and 4B, the bottom 42 of the tank 4 consists of a removable plate 61 provided with a handle that can be slid. This removable plate 61 surmounts a container 6 consisting of a sliding drawer for collecting the potting soil. Thus, a user can easily and cleanly recover potting soil produced in the tank 4 by pulling the removable plate 61 to drop potting soil into the drawer, replacing the removable plate 61 to prevent the column of organic waste in the tank 4 from collapsing or escaping, and then opening the drawer to access the potting soil. For example, the drawer can be completely detached from the bottom of the tank 4 to allow easy movement of the potting soil before use. These technical means define an outlet 12 of the composter 1.

[0083] To allow for homogenization and adequate aeration of the crushed organic waste in the tank 4, a mixer 3 is arranged within it. It is mechanically coupled to a second actuator 31 in the form of a crank with double handles, in order to be able to more easily handle the mixer 3 and the possible weight that it carries.

[0084] Mixer 3 is described in detail with regard to the figure 3. It comprises a rigid helical wire 36 made of stainless steel whose helical axis corresponds to an axis of revolution of the tank 4, defining an axis of the composter 1. The mixer 3 has a diameter (or width) DH smaller than that of the tank 4, symmetrically defining a space E between the mixer 3 and the side wall 41 of the tank 4. The diameter of the tank 4 is determined to have an acceptable height and a fairly large total volume, while the space E is determined to limit the amount of organic waste that is not mixed (and to avoid amalgamation on the side wall 41), without inducing friction between the mixer 3 and the side wall 41 via the organic waste because such friction would require handling the mixer with more force.Furthermore, the DH diameter itself is chosen so as not to excessively increase the weight of the mixer, while still mixing a sufficient quantity of organic waste.

[0085] The helical rigid wire 36 defines, for example, from 3 to 6 turns, each having a constant turn height HS large enough not to induce too great a weight at the mixer or at the organic waste captured by these turns, but also small enough to limit the elastic spring effect of the helical rigid wire 36, so that the weight of the organic waste does not deform it when the mixer 3 is in action, the mixer 3 having to remain rigid. An upper end (at the top) of the helical rigid wire 36 ends in a deformed turn 35 extending perpendicular to the helical axis, in order to stiffen the mechanical coupling to the second actuator 31. The other end 37 (at the bottom) of the helical rigid wire 36 is preferably round and smooth.More generally, the rigid helical wire 36 and the deformed turn 35 are preferably made of a round and smooth wire whose cross-section diameter is chosen to be large enough to induce sufficient rigidity in the mixer 3 to prevent it from deforming when it is in action, without being too large in order to limit the weight of the mixer 3.

[0086] The helical rigid wire 36 does not extend throughout the tank 4, but over an axial height (i.e., along the helical axis) HH. The deformed turn 35 is extended by a straight rigid wire 34 of the same material extending along the helical axis partly in the tank 4, in order to allow the movement of the helical rigid wire 36, in the tank 4, along the helical axis. The part of the straight rigid wire 34 extending in the tank 4 (when the mixer is at rest) is of height HC. It is precisely from this height that the rigid helical wire 36 can move parallel to the helical axis in the tank 4. The height HC therefore defines the stroke of the mixer 3. This is typically 50 to 70% of the diameter of the tank 4 in order to allow sufficient mixing and aeration of the compost per layer.The overall height H of the rectilinear rigid wire 34 is chosen to be able to pass through the enclosure 13 and to arrange the second actuator 31 there at its end, for example, by screwing a threaded portion 33 of the rectilinear rigid wire 34 of a height HF into a threaded female rod 32 of the second actuator 31.

[0087] For a tank 4 with a diameter of 30 cm, the purely exemplary and totally non-limiting values ​​of the above-mentioned parameters are given: HC = 17 cm, or generally between 15 and 20 cm; HH = 50 cm; HS = 13.5 cm; DH = 22 cm, or generally between 20 and 25 cm; E = 4 cm, or generally between 2.5 and 5 cm; number of turns = 3.7, or generally between 3 and 6; cross-section diameter of the rigid helical wire 36 = 1 cm; weight of the mixer < 3 kg. A person skilled in the art will understand that these numerical data are to be adapted in proportion (%) with respect to the diameter of the tank 4, for other diameters of tank 4, for example, 25 cm, 35 cm, 40 cm, 45 cm, with the exception of the space E which can either be constant or be adapted in proportion. The values ​​of HF and H are less dependent on the size of the tank 4, and more on that of the enclosure 13. Non-limiting examples of numerical values ​​are given by HF = 4.7 cm and H = 41.3 cm.

[0088] A cartridge 8 containing an insecticide composition may be arranged above the tank 4, as illustrated in Figure 1B and according to the comments of the disclosure of the invention.

[0089] As illustrated in Figures 1A and 1B, the composter 1 is also provided with an aeration system 5 comprising a fan 51 arranged in an air inlet in the side wall 41 of the tank, at the top of the tank, such that it at least partially surmounts the tank. The fan 51 makes it possible to draw ambient air from outside into the tank 4, and to oxygenate the compost so as to accelerate composting. Once the air has entered the tank 4, it can exit through air circulation orifices 52 pierced on a circumference of the side wall 41 of the tank 4, at the bottom of the tank 4, at the level of the bottom 42 thereof. The air thus passes through the entire tank 4, from top to bottom, before exiting therefrom. A specific air outlet 53 may be provided on the side wall 41 and fluidically coupled to a portion of the orifices 52 shown in Figures 1A and 1B. The air outlet 53 comprises a side partition adapted to guide the air circulation specifically out of the tank, and enclosing parameter sensors 7 for evaluating composting conditions in the tank 4. Thus, the sensors 7 are specifically arranged at the air outlet 53 to capture only air leaving the tank 4, so that the measurement of the sensors 7 is not disturbed by outside ambient air. The air outlet 53 comprises an air filter as explained in the description of the invention. The air filter is then preferably arranged at the outlet of the sensors 7.

[0090] The second embodiment is generally represented in Figures 5A to 10B . This composter 1 comprises an enclosure 13 in which a passage is made defining an inlet 11 through which organic waste can be introduced. A cover 15 is arranged in the passage to cover it for aesthetic and hygienic reasons. As seen in figure 8 , the inlet 11 surmounts a deflector 16 oriented opposite a cartridge 8 (visible on the Figures 5A , 6B And 8 ) containing an insecticide composition as introduced in the first embodiment. The deflector 16 aims to prevent flies attracted by the cartridge 8 from passing through the inlet 11 to exit the composter 1. It plays an aesthetic and safety role in hiding the mechanical elements and organic waste in the enclosure 13 from the user's view.

[0091] The enclosure partially houses and borders a crusher 2 visible in figure 7 Once crushed, the organic waste is carried downwards, into a composting tank 4 visible in Figures 5A to 6B. A difference with the first embodiment is that the enclosure houses mixing means 24, 25, similar to a mixer 3 arranged in the tank to mix the organic waste therein. Another difference is that a hollow rotating mechanical shaft 34 passes through the enclosure 13 and the tank 4, from the level of the inlet 11 (at the top), to the level of a bottom 42 of the tank 4 (at the bottom), without touching this bottom 42, and that this mechanical shaft 34 rotates the grinder 2, the mixing means 24, 25 and the mixer 3, via a single manual actuator 21, 31 (corresponding to the previous first and second actuators) in the form of a crank to be turned by a user. This actuator 21, 31 is arranged on an upper wall of the composter, at the same level as the inlet 11, for easy use.

[0092] The enclosure 13 comprises a wall having a conical lower (or bottom) portion extending a lateral edge of the crusher 2 as illustrated in Figure 6A, so as to completely separate the space of the enclosure 13 from that of the tank 4 introduced below, the latter being bordered by the grinder 2.

[0093] THE Figures 6B , 7 And 8 illustrate more precisely the grinder 2 and the interior of the enclosure 13. The mixing means 24, 25 are preferably similar to the mixer 3 and comprise a blade 24 extending along a diameter of the enclosure 13, while maintaining a distance similar to E separating it from the wall of the enclosure 13. The blade 24 comprises transverse extensions 25 to improve the aeration of the organic waste in the enclosure 13. The objective of these mixing means 24, 25 is also to cause the waste to descend by gravity through the grinder 2 into the tank 4.

[0094] As visible on the figure 7, the crusher 2 comprises a rotating blade 22 extending perpendicular to the mechanical axis 34 and coupled thereto via a mechanism 23 achievable in various known ways (for example, via an eyelet). The blade 22 is axially enclosed between, above, two circular sectors 26 of a circular plate perpendicular to the mechanical axis 34 constituting a waste dividing structure, and below, a grid 27 bordering the tank 4 and being perpendicular to the mechanical axis 24. A grid 27 having holes of 1.5 to 2 cm in diameter is suitable for calibrating the size of the organic waste in the tank 4 as detailed in the disclosure of the invention. Although the two sectors 26 are shown as being flat, almost without thickness, on the figures 6A to 8, an embodiment where they would be much thicker, for example 1.0 to 2.0 cm, in a direction corresponding to the mechanical axis 34, for reasons of strength and resistance, would not depart from the scope of the invention. Preferably, although this is not shown in figure 7 , the blade 22 is bidirectional and has a rounded extreme edge to increase the shearing effect of the cut.

[0095] The tank 4 is mainly cylindrical, but its bottom 42 is partially spherical, or more precisely it has the shape of a crushed sphere, giving it a particularly aesthetic design and practical to handle. It has for example a diameter of 30 cm. The total axial height of the composter 1 is approximately 90 cm for a compost volume of approximately 50 liters. Both the shape and the dimensions as well as the capacity of the tank are adjustable according to domestic needs, without in any way affecting the operation of the composter 1. The case of a cylindrical or partially cylindrical tank 4, in all cases with a smooth side wall 41 and bottom 42 is preferred for the same reasons as explained with regard to the first embodiment, this applying generally within the scope of the invention.

[0096] The crushed organic waste thus falls by gravity into the tank 4 through the grid 27. The mature compost will form compost at the bottom 42 of the tank 4 since this is where the oldest crushed organic waste is located and therefore at a more advanced stage of composting. As can be seen in Figures 5B And 6A , the bottom 42 of the tank 4 comprises a removable portion 61 which can be moved by means of a handle 63. A seal 62 ensures sealing at the bottom 42 of the tank 4 opposite the removable portion 61. Once the removable portion 61 has been moved, it is sufficient to collect the compost in a manual container and replace the removable portion 61. These technical means define an outlet 12 of the composter 1.

[0097] To allow for homogenization and adequate aeration of the crushed organic waste in the tank 4, a mixer 3 is arranged within it. As seen in Figures 6A and 6B, it comprises two rotating blades 36 carried by the mechanical axis 34 extending perpendicularly to it, up to opposite sides of the side wall 41 of the tank 4, while however leaving a space between the blades and the side wall 41, comparable in terms of use and size to the space E introduced for the first embodiment. The blades 36 are located in the upper half (top) of the tank 4 so as not to affect the compost at the bottom 42 of the tank 4. They comprise transverse extensions 38 oriented to aerate and mix the compost effectively by layer as described in the description of the invention.

[0098] There figure 9 illustrates an alternative mixer to the one visible at Figures 6A to 7for the composter 1 according to the second embodiment. As in the previous embodiment of the mixer 3, several blades 36 extend from the mechanical axis 34, some blades 36 comprising an extension 38 at their free end (the one opposite the one attached to the mechanical axis 34). In this embodiment, the blades 36 do not extend on either side of the mechanical axis 34, but only on one side. Preferably, four blades 36 are provided on the mechanical axis 34, in the tank 4. Each blade 36 is offset by 90° relative to the other, the blades 36 thus being arranged in a rotating staircase as seen in figure 9 where three blades are shown. The blade 36 closest to the bottom 42 may or may not include the extension at its free end; in the case of the figure 9 , it has no extension to limit movements within the more mature compost.

[0099] The blades 36 of the mixer 3 illustrated in figure 9are also visible in Figures 10A and 10B individually. Each blade 36 illustrated in figure 9comprises a portion 39 adapted to at least partially match the shape of the mechanical axis 34 to be fixed thereto in a solid and resistant manner. A main part of the blade 36 is essentially planar and extends from the portion 39 perpendicular to the mechanical axis 34. The extension 38 of the blade 36 is arranged from a folded edge of the main part and extends along a plane intersecting that of the blade 36, forming a smaller angle of approximately 145° between them. The way in which the extension 38 is formed from this folded edge, and the thickness of the blade 36 (i.e. preferably 2.0 to 5.0 mm) makes it particularly resistant to the forces exerted on it. The extension 38 is oriented to lift waste upwards and ensure good aeration thereof, as described in the disclosure of the invention.The extensions 38 extend relatively little upwards (and are for example of a height projected on the mechanical axis 34 of approximately 1.5 to 2.0 cm), so as not to induce too much mixing of the compost and waste, and therefore to maintain composting by layer. This limited height also makes it possible to limit the efforts required to operate the mixer 3.

[0100] The blades 24, 36 and their extensions 25, 38, as illustrated in Figures 6A to 10B are preferentially representative of their exact positioning, geometry and orientation, so that such characteristics implicit in the view of these figures are fully part of the invention.

[0101] In order to more specifically aerate the compost at the bottom 42 of the tank, but also to possibly manipulate it via the outlet 12, feet 93 may be provided fixed to the mechanical axis 34 and extending transversely from it to the bottom 42 of the tank 4. For example, two such feet 93 directed and oriented opposite to the mechanical axis 34 are provided, together having a partial triangular shape resting at the bottom 42. The feet 93 nevertheless do not touch the bottom 42 for obvious reasons, in particular so that the rotation of the mechanical axis 34 does not require too much effort and no friction of the parts of the composter 1 against each other is generated, which would reduce the life of the composter 1. These same reasons apply to justify a space E between the blades 24, 36 (and / or the extensions 25, 38) with the side wall 41 of tank 4.Alternatively, the mechanical axis 34 can be based below the level of the bottom 42 of the tank 4, without such feet 93 being present, and without the mechanical axis 34 being in contact or in friction with the bottom 42.

[0102] The composter 1 is equipped with an aeration system 5 visible in Figures 5A , 6B And 8This aeration system 5 comprises a fan 51 arranged in an air inlet in the upper wall of the composter 1, at the top of the enclosure 13, so that it surmounts the enclosure 13 and the tank 4. The fan 51 aims to suck ambient air from outside into the tank 4, and to oxygenate the compost in the enclosure 13 and in the tank 4 so as to accelerate composting. Once the air has entered the tank 4, it can exit through air circulation orifices 52 pierced at the bottom of the mechanical axis 34, as well as through the open end of the mechanical axis 34, this end also constituting such an orifice 52. Thus, the orifices 52 are arranged at the bottom 42 of the tank 4. The air thus passes through the entire tank 4, from top to bottom, before exiting from the latter via the hollow mechanical axis 34.The air then rises in the mechanical axis 34 to an air outlet 53 made in the upper wall of the composter 1 (or as illustrated, in the crank for greater compactness of the composter 1). This air outlet includes an air filter and is preceded by sensors 7 arranged in the mechanical axis 34. Advantageously, compared to the first embodiment, the side partition which encloses the sensors 7 and guides the circulation of air out of the tank is none other than the mechanical axis 34 itself, or rather its upper end (at the top). This has great advantages in terms of design of the composter 1 because the fan 51, the sensors 7, the air filter, the cartridge 8 are all arranged at the upper wall of the composter 1, and because it is not necessary to provide a side partition for the sensors 7.The industrialization of these technical parts, their replacement and their repair are thus facilitated, while the dimensions of the enclosure 13 and the tank 4 can also be adapted, for example, in height, to a larger composting volume without replacing all of these technical parts.

[0103] The composter 1 according to the present invention can be placed on a support, or hung on a wall. The second embodiment represents a mechanical structure 9 for wall mounting the composter 1 arranged astride the side wall 41 of the tank 4 and that of the enclosure 13. This mechanical structure 9 comprises anchoring locations 91 of the composter 1 as visible in Figures 5A and 5B . As seen in Figures 6B And 8 , two mechanical rigidity arms mechanically couple the mechanical structure 9 and the mechanical axis 34, so as to stabilize and increase the rigidity of the composter 1.

[0104] In summary, the invention relates to a domestic composter 1 for organic waste provided with an aeration system 5 and a grinder 2 surmounting a tank 4 in which a mixer 3 is arranged. The invention has been described herein in relation to specific embodiments, which have a purely illustrative value and should in no way be considered as limiting. The numerical values ​​provided for information purposes in this document are provided with a margin of error of 5%. In general, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the examples illustrated and / or described above, and that its scope is defined by the claims introduced below.

Claims

1. A domestic organic waste composter (1) comprising: - an inlet (11) for receiving organic waste; - a grinder (2) for grinding the organic waste, coupled to a first actuator (21); - a tank (4) surmounted by the grinder (2) and arranged to contain the organic waste grinded by the grinder (2); - a mixer (3) arranged in the tank (4) to mix the grinded organic waste contained in the tank (4), coupled to a second actuator (31); - an outlet (12) arranged at the level of a bottom (42) of the tank (4) to recover a potting soil produced by composting the organic waste contained in the tank (4); - an aeration system (5) comprising: ∘ an air inlet at least partially surmounting the tank (4) and containing a fan (51); ∘ orifices (52) for circulating air in the tank (4), at the level of the bottom (42) of the tank (4); ∘ an air outlet (53) coupled in a fluidic manner to the orifices (52); the aeration system (5) being configured to generate a circulation of air in the tank (4), from the air inlet towards the air outlet (53), via the orifices (52).

2. The composter (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the first (21) and second (31) actuators are manual.

3. The composter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a set of one or more sensors (7) from: - a temperature and / or humidity sensor for the air in the tank (4); - a temperature and / or humidity sensor for the grinded organic waste and / or the potting soil contained in the tank (4); - a sensor for a selection of composting gases in the tank (4); the sensors (7) being configured to transmit data to a data processing logic unit.

4. The composter (1) according to the preceding claims, wherein at least some of the sensors (7) are arranged at the level of the air outlet (53) and surrounded by a lateral bulkhead adapted to guide the air circulation.

5. The composter (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the sensors (7) comprise a sensor for the humidity of the grinded organic waste and / or the potting soil contained in the tank (4), this humidity sensor being electronically coupled to the fan (51), such that a power of the fan (51) depends on an output data of the humidity sensor.

6. The composter (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the orifices (52) are fitted in a side wall (41) of the tank (4), and wherein the air outlet (53) is adjacent to the side wall (41) and arranged at the level of the bottom (42) of the tank (4).

7. The composter (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the orifices (52) are fitted in a lower portion of a tube passing through the tank (4), and in which the air outlet (53) is adjacent to the air inlet.

8. The composter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom (42) of the tank (4) comprises a removable segment (61) capable of being moved to allow the potting soil to be recovered from the tank (4) into a container (6).

9. The composter (1) according to the preceding claim, also comprising a sliding drawer surmounted and bordered by the bottom (42) of the tank (4) and consisting of the container (6).

10. The composter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a cartridge (8) comprising an upper support segment bearing on an upper wall of the composter (1) and projecting out of the tank (4), a lower segment containing an insecticide composition, and an intermediate segment extending from the upper segment and to the support segment, and comprising at least one opening dimensioned to allow the passage of insects, the intermediate segment being in fluidic communication with the tank (4).

11. The composter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an enclosure (13) surmounting the tank (4) and housing and / or bordering the grinder (2), the inlet (11) comprising a passage fitted in the enclosure (13), so that the organic waste received via the inlet (11) enters the enclosure (13) prior to being grinded by the grinder (2).

12. The composter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first (21) and second (31) actuators are formed by a single mechanical part mechanically coupled to a mechanical axle (34) capable of driving both the grinder (2) and the mixer (3).

13. The composter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the grinder (2) comprises: - a plurality of blades arranged on partially superimposed toothed wheels (22) and oriented towards the tank (4), or - a rotating blade (22) surmounting a grid (27) bordering the tank (4).

14. The composter (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the mixer (3) comprises a rigid helical wire (36) extending about a helical axle, and dimensioned to be moved in the tank (4) in rotation about the helical axle and / or parallel to the helical axle by means of the second actuator (31).

15. The composter (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the mixer (3) comprises a paddle (36) carried by a rotating mechanical axle (34) passing at least partially through the tank (4) and directed from the outlet (12) towards the inlet (11), the paddle (36) extending orthogonally thereto.

16. The composter (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the paddle (36) is equipped with at least one extension (38) which is transverse to it, which extends a free end of the paddle (36) and is oriented from the outlet (12) towards the inlet (11) from the paddle (36) in a plane secant to the paddle (36) forming a smallest angle therewith of between 130° and 160°.

17. A use of a composter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims to produce a potting soil by composting organic waste.