VERMICOMPOSTING DEVICE

Abstract

Vermicomposting device The present invention relates to a vermicomposting device (1) for producing solid and liquid natural fertilizers from organic waste D using earthworms, characterized in that it comprises an enclosure (2) determining an internal chamber (4) arranged to contain said organic waste D to be composted, and comprising from bottom to top at least: - a filling orifice (5) arranged on the upper wall (6) of said enclosure (2) and being closed, in a non-permanent manner, by a feed hatch (7) sliding on the top of said upper wall (6), - grinding means (8) arranged at least partly in a grinding chamber (9) and making it possible to grind the organic waste D introduced into the grinding chamber (9) through the filling orifice (5), and - blocking means. Fig 2

Description

Title of the invention: VERMICOMPOSTING DEVICE Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the general field of composting, and more particularly to a "vermicomposting" device: a device implementing a process of transforming organic matter into compost by earthworms, also called earthworms. State of the art

[0002] In the field of composting, it is known to use earthworms which feed on organic waste decomposed by micro-organisms (such as bacteria and fungi), digest said organic waste and produce high added value droppings which become a natural fertilizer, also called compost, ideal for the vegetable garden, lawns and plants: vermicompost.

[0003] Conventionally, vermicomposting devices comprise an enclosure equipped, for example, with four superimposed trays which contain respectively from top to bottom: fresh waste, waste being digested by the earthworms, waste transformed into solid compost and the liquid fertilizer collection tank called "worm tea" which will subsequently be diluted to 10%.

[0004] These worm composting devices are certainly interesting because they produce compost more quickly and give off little odor thanks to the enzymes contained in the intestines of the earthworms, which allows them to be installed on your balcony, in your garden, but also inside a home.

[0005] However, these vermicomposting devices have a number of drawbacks. First of all, to increase their efficiency, it is important to reduce the size of the organic waste before introducing it into the enclosure of said vermicomposting devices and to incorporate carbon into this waste in the form, for example, of cellulose, which causes additional long and tedious operations and handling. Finally, these vermicomposting devices do not prevent the proliferation, for example, of flies or midges coming from inside their enclosure and which may escape from the latter during the handling mentioned above, which risks making their installation inside a home unadvisable. Summary of the invention

[0006] The aim of the present invention is therefore to propose an efficient vermicomposting device, easy to implement and allowing optimal and rapid composting and risk-free installation both outside and inside a ha- accommodation for individual or collective use.

[0007] In accordance with the invention, a vermicomposting device is therefore proposed for producing solid and liquid natural fertilizers from organic waste D using earthworms, remarkable in that it comprises an enclosure determining an internal chamber arranged to contain said organic waste D to be composted, and comprising from bottom to top at least: - a filling orifice arranged on the upper wall of said enclosure allowing the introduction of organic waste and being closed, in a non-permanent manner, by a sliding feed hatch on the top of said upper wall between a "closed" position in which it completely closes the filling orifice and an "open" position in which it at least partially uncovers said filling orifice, - grinding means arranged at least partly in a grinding chamber and making it possible to grind the organic waste D introduced into the grinding chamber through the filling orifice, said grinding chamber being arranged above the internal chamber and comprising a lower opening to allow the ground organic waste D to fall into said internal chamber, and - blocking means configured to, on the one hand, block the grinding means and close the lower opening of the grinding chamber when the feed hatch is in its "open" position and, on the other hand, be able to unlock the grinding means and at least partially uncover the lower opening of the grinding chamber only when the feed hatch is in its "closed" position.

[0008] Advantageously, the internal chamber comprises a double bottom which is at least partly perforated making it possible to separate the liquid and solid phases of the composted organic waste D, the liquid phase then being stored under said double bottom and being able to be evacuated from the internal chamber by opening a drain valve.

[0009] The internal chamber preferably comprises one or more ventilation tubes allowing the circulation of air through the compost and the evaporation of the liquid phase contained under the double bottom.

[0010] According to a particular embodiment, the internal chamber is provided with casters to be removed from the enclosure and moved on the ground, said enclosure then being provided with at least one vertical side wall which is at least partly removable or openable.

[0011] Advantageously, the grinding means comprise two counter-rotating rollers set in motion by a crank arranged outside the enclosure and being associated with a shaft and gears.

[0012] The grinding means preferably comprise claws which continuously scrape the counter-rotating rollers.

[0013] According to a particular embodiment, the blocking means comprise at least less : - a lever pivotally mounted on the upper wall of the enclosure about an axis perpendicular to said upper wall between a "lock" position in which it locks the grinding means and an "unlock" position in which it unlocks the grinding means, and vice versa, and extending parallel to the sliding direction of the feed hatch and beyond the upper wall of the enclosure, when it is in its "lock" position, so as to interfere with the crank of the grinding means, and - an isolation hatch movable between a "retained" position in which it completely closes the lower opening of the grinding chamber and a "passage" position in which it at least partially uncovers said lower opening, said isolation hatch being connected to the lever in such a way that, when the lever moves from its "locking" position to its "unlocking" position, the isolation hatch moves from its "retained" position to its "passage" position, and vice versa.

[0014] The locking means are advantageously associated with a slot provided in the feed hatch opposite the lever and being configured so that, on the one hand, when the feed hatch is in its "open" position, the lever is imperatively in the "locking" position and cannot pivot towards its "unlocking" position and, on the other hand, when said lever passes from its "locking" position to its "unlocking" position, said feed hatch is in the "closing" position and cannot slide towards its "open" position.

[0015] Advantageously, the vermicomposting device comprises an automatic distributor comprising a reservoir of dry and carbonaceous matter arranged in the enclosure and under the upper wall of the latter, and an endless screw extending from said reservoir towards the grinding chamber and being advantageously controlled by the grinding means so that their movement causes the movement of said endless screw and, consequently, the conveyance of the dry and carbonaceous matter from the reservoir towards the grinding chamber.

[0016] Finally, the vermicomposting device preferably comprises a mixer comprising one or more propellers arranged under the lower opening of the grinding chamber and each pivoting around a vertical axis, and being advantageously controlled by the grinding means so that their movement causes the rotation of one or more of its propellers. Brief description of the figures

[0017] Other advantages and characteristics will emerge more clearly from the following description of an embodiment of the invention with reference to the appended figures in which:

[0018] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of a vermicomposting device according to the invention,

[0019] [Fig.2] is a vertical sectional view along the axis 11-11' of the worm composting device of [Fig.l],

[0020] [Fig.3] is a schematic top view of the vermicomposting device of [Fig.l],

[0021] [Fig.4] is a schematic view of the vermicomposting device of [Fig.3] in filling mode,

[0022] [Fig.5] is a schematic view of the vermicomposting device of [Fig.3] in grinding mode,

[0023] [Fig.6] is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vermicomposting device along the axis VI-VI' of [Fig.3],

[0024] [Fig.7] is a schematic view of the vermicomposting device of [Fig.6] in grinding mode. Description of the embodiments

[0025] In Figures 1 to 7, there is shown, in accordance with the invention, a vermicomposting device 1 intended to produce solid and liquid natural fertilizers from organic waste D using earthworms also called earthworms.

[0026] Said vermicomposting device 1 comprises an enclosure 2 arranged to rest on a horizontal ground, advantageously by means of feet 3, the latter preferably being adjustable in height in order to guarantee the stability of the enclosure 2 whatever the flatness of the ground. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the ground may be more or less inclined, terms such as, for example, horizontal, vertical, upper or even lower will then have to be adapted.

[0027] The enclosure 2 of the vermicomposting device 1 according to the invention determines an internal chamber 4 arranged to contain organic waste D to be composted using earthworms, not shown, and comprises from bottom to top at least: - a filling orifice 5 arranged on the upper wall 6 of said enclosure 2 allowing the introduction of organic waste and being closed, in a non-permanent manner, by a feed hatch 7 sliding on the top of said upper wall 6 between a "closed" position in which it completely closes the filling orifice 5 and an "open" position in which it at least partially uncovers said filling orifice 5, - grinding means 8 arranged at least partly in a grinding chamber 9 and making it possible to grind the organic waste D introduced into the grinding chamber 9 through the filling orifice 5, said grinding chamber 9 being arranged above the internal chamber 4 and comprising a lower opening 10 for allow crushed organic waste D to fall into said internal chamber 4, and - blocking means 11 configured to, on the one hand, block the grinding means 8 and close the lower opening 10 of the grinding chamber 9 when the feed hatch 7 is in its "open" position and, on the other hand, be able to unlock the grinding means 8 and at least partially uncover the lower opening 10 of the grinding chamber 9 only when the feed hatch 7 is in its "closed" position.

[0028] It goes without saying that the filling orifice 5 may be arranged on a wall of the enclosure 2 other than the upper wall 6 without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0029] The internal chamber 4 further comprises a double bottom 12 which is at least partly perforated, making it possible to separate the liquid and solid phases of the composted organic waste D, the liquid phase then being stored under said double bottom 12 and being able to be evacuated from the internal chamber 4 by opening a drain valve 13. Regular evacuation of the liquid phase is necessary, because it is limiting for the vermicomposting device 1, the organic waste D being mainly composed of water which must be evacuated regularly. The double bottom 12 is advantageously a grating or wire mesh plate.

[0030] Furthermore, to reduce maintenance costs, the internal chamber 4 also comprises one or more ventilation tubes 14 allowing the circulation of air through the compost and the evaporation of the liquid phase contained under the double bottom 12.

[0031] According to an advantageous embodiment, the enclosure 2 comprises two slides 15 fixed to its upper wall 6, having a cross section in the overall shape of a Z and arranged opposite each other to allow the sliding of the feed hatch 7. It goes without saying that the cross section of the two slides 15 could be of another shape such as, for example, a U or L pivoted by 90°, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0032] The grinding means 8 are designed specifically for grinding organic waste D and preferably comprise two counter-rotating rollers 16, 17 set in motion by a crank 18 arranged outside the enclosure 2 and being associated with a shaft 19 and gears not shown. Said counter-rotating rollers 16, 17 are made, on the one hand, of rigid plastic material of the type, for example, poly-lactic acid (PLA) or polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) in order to be able to grind hard organic waste D such as pits, shells or even whole vegetables and, on the other hand, of flexible plastic material of the type, for example, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) in order to be able to absorb waste which cannot be ground such as, for example, stones or even pieces of metal. This plastic design also makes it possible to avoid the corrosion problems inherent in the composition of the crushed organic waste D. In addition, in order to prevent the proliferation of harmful insects inside the crushing chamber 9, the crushing means 8 comprise claws, not shown, which continuously scrape the counter-rotating rollers 16, 17.

[0033] The locking means 11 comprise a lever 20 pivotally mounted on the upper wall 6 of the enclosure 2 around an axis perpendicular to said upper wall 6 between a "locking" position in which it locks the grinding means 8 and an "unlocking" position in which it unlocks the grinding means 8.

[0034] Here, the term "blocks the grinding means 8" refers to the fact that the grinding means 8 cannot operate without discontinuity, the crank 18 not being able to make a complete turn without stopping in one direction of rotation, or in the opposite direction. Conversely, here, the term "unblocks the grinding means 8" refers to the fact that the grinding means 8 can operate without discontinuity, the crank 18 being able to make more than one complete turn without stopping in one direction of rotation, or in the opposite direction.

[0035] For this purpose, when it is in its "lock" position, the lever 20 extends parallel to the sliding direction of the feed hatch 7 and beyond the upper wall 6 of the enclosure 2 so as to interfere with the crank 18 of the grinding means 8, not allowing a user to make a complete turn with the latter (Cf. figures 3 and 5, the opposite position of said crank 18 being shown in dotted lines). On the contrary, when it is in its "unlock" position, the lever 20 is pivoted and no longer interferes with the crank 18 of the grinding means 8, then allowing a user to make several complete turns with the latter (Cf.

[0036] Furthermore, the locking means 11 are associated with a slot 21 arranged in the feed hatch 7 opposite the lever 20. Said slot 21 is configured so that, on the one hand, when the feed hatch 7 slides from its "closed" position to its "open" position, the lever 20 must imperatively be in the "locked" position and cannot pivot to its "unlocked" position (Cf. [Fig.4]) and, on the other hand, when said lever 20 passes from its "locked" position to its "unlocked" position, said feed hatch 7 is in its "closed" position and cannot slide to its "open" position (Cf. [Fig.5]).

[0037] This configuration is particularly interesting because it prevents any unlocking of the counter-rotating rollers 16, 17 when the feed hatch 7 is not in its "closed" position, which makes it possible to avoid injuries to a user sliding his hand between the counter-rotating rollers 16, 17.

[0038] Finally, for safety reasons, the locking means 11 advantageously include return means, not shown, tending to return the lever 20 to its "locking" position, which requires the user to use both hands (one on the lever 20 and one on the crank 18 of the grinding means 8) to grind organic waste D present in the internal chamber 4.

[0039] The blocking means 11 also comprise an isolation hatch 22 movable between a "retained" position in which it completely closes the lower opening 10 of the grinding chamber 9 and a "passage" position in which it at least partially uncovers said lower opening 10 so as to allow the passage of the crushed organic waste D into the internal chamber 4. Said isolation hatch 22 is connected to the lever 20 so that, when the lever 20 passes from its "blocking" position to its "unblocking" position, the isolation hatch 22 passes from its "retained" position to its "passage" position, and vice versa.

[0040] This configuration of the blocking means 11 is interesting, because the isolation hatch 22 forms with the feed hatch 7 a sanitary airlock at the level of the grinding chamber 9 preventing the exit to the outside of odors and any insects coming from the internal chamber 4. Indeed, when the isolation hatch 22 passes from its "retained" position to its "passage" position, the feed hatch 7 is necessarily in its "closed" position and, when said feed hatch 7 passes from its "closed" position to its "open" position, the isolation hatch 22 is necessarily in its "retained" position.

[0041] In its "retained" position, the isolation hatch 22 completely seals the lower opening 10 of the grinding chamber 9 in a sealed manner. Here, "sealed" means that the seal between the isolation hatch 22 and the lower opening 10 of the grinding chamber 9 can be not only absolute but also relative. In the latter case, the relative seal will be such that the spaces between the isolation hatch 22 and the grinding chamber 9 will be at most of the order of a few millimeters, in order to prevent the passage of insects such as flies or midges.

[0042] It is understood that the return means of the blocking means 11, which tend to return the lever 20 to its "blocking" position, also tend to return the isolation hatch 22 to its "retained" position.

[0043] Furthermore, to improve its efficiency and the good balance and survival of the ecosystem, the vermicomposting device 1 according to the invention advantageously comprises an automatic distributor 23 of dry carbonaceous matter.

[0044] Preferably, said dry carbonaceous matter is in the form of a mixture of cellulose pellets originating, for example, from residual sludge from paper mills, and which can be combined with lime to lower the pH of the organic waste D from the grinding chamber 9 containing the earthworms.

[0045] Said automatic distributor 23 comprises a reservoir 24 of dry and carbonaceous material arranged in the enclosure 2 and under the upper wall 6 of the latter, and a worm screw 25 extending from said reservoir 24 towards the grinding chamber 9 and being advantageously controlled by the grinding means 8 so that their setting in motion, that is to say in the embodiment described the setting in motion of the counter-rotating rollers 16, 17 using the crank 18, causes the setting in motion of said worm screw 25 and, consequently, the conveying of the dry and carbonaceous material from the reservoir 24 towards the grinding chamber 9.

[0046] Furthermore, to further improve its efficiency, the vermicomposting device 1 according to the invention comprises a mixer 26 comprising one or more propellers 27 arranged under the lower opening of the grinding chamber 9, each pivoting around a vertical axis, and making it possible to uniformly distribute the crushed organic waste D over the entire active surface of the internal chamber in order to accelerate decomposition by the earthworms. Said mixer 26 is advantageously controlled by the grinding means 8 so that their movement, that is to say in the embodiment described the movement of the counter-rotating rollers 16, 17 using the crank 18, causes the rotation of one or more of its propellers 27.

[0047] Finally, the internal chamber 4 is preferably provided with casters 28 to be removed from the enclosure 2 and moved on the ground, said enclosure 2 then being provided with at least one vertical side wall which is at least partly removable or openable, to allow the exit of said internal chamber 4.

[0048] It is understood that the movement of the mixer 26 may be carried out using a reduction system in order to improve the efficiency of the mixing, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0049] The vermicomposting device 1 according to the invention finds a particular application for the composting of organic waste D, but it goes without saying that it can be adapted to compost other types of waste.

[0050] Finally, it goes without saying that the examples of vermicomposting devices 1 in accordance with the invention which have just been described are only particular illustrations, in no way limiting the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Vermicomposting device (1) for producing solid and liquid natural fertilizers from organic waste D using earthworms, characterized in that it comprises an enclosure (2) determining an internal chamber (4) arranged to contain said organic waste D to be composted, and comprising from bottom to top at least: - a filling orifice (5) arranged on the upper wall (6) of said enclosure (2) allowing the introduction of organic waste and being closed, in a non-permanent manner, by a feed hatch (7) sliding on the top of said upper wall (6) between a "closed" position in which it completely closes the filling orifice (5) and an "open" position in which it at least partially uncovers said filling orifice (5),- grinding means (8) arranged at least partly in a grinding chamber (9) and making it possible to grind the organic waste D introduced into the grinding chamber (9) through the filling orifice (5), said grinding chamber (9) being arranged above the internal chamber (4) and comprising a lower opening (10) to allow ground organic waste D to fall into said internal chamber (4), and - blocking means (11) configured to, on the one hand, block the grinding means (8) and close the lower opening (10) of the grinding chamber (9) when the feed hatch (7) is in its "open" position and, on the other hand, be able to unlock the grinding means (8) and at least partly uncover the lower opening (10) of the grinding chamber (9) only when the feed hatch (7) is in its "closed" position.,

2. Vermicomposting device (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the internal chamber (4) comprises a double bottom (12) at least partly perforated allowing the liquid and solid phases of the composted organic waste D to be separated, the liquid phase then being stored under said double bottom (12) and being able to be evacuated from the internal chamber (4) by opening a drain valve (13).

3. Vermicomposting device (1) according to claim 2 characterized in that the internal chamber (4) comprises one or more ventilation tubes (14) allowing the circulation of air through the compost and the evaporation of the liquid phase contained under the double bottom (12).

4. Vermicomposting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the internal chamber (4) is provided with casters (28) for being removed from the enclosure (2) and moved on the ground, said enclosure (2) then being provided with at least one vertical side wall which is at least partly removable or openable.

5. Vermicomposting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the grinding means (8) comprise two counter-rotating rollers (16, 17) set in motion by a crank (18) arranged outside the enclosure (2) and being associated with a shaft (19) and gears.

6. Vermicomposting device (1) according to claim 5 characterized in that the grinding means (8) comprise claws which permanently scrape the counter-rotating rollers (16, 17).

7. Vermicomposting device (1) according to any one of claims 5 or 6 characterized in that the locking means (11) comprise at least: - a lever (20) pivotally mounted on the upper wall (6) of the enclosure (2) around an axis perpendicular to said upper wall (6) between a "locking" position in which it locks the grinding means (8) and an "unlocking" position in which it unlocks the grinding means (8), and vice versa, and extending parallel to the sliding direction of the feed hatch (7) and beyond the upper wall (6 of the enclosure (2), when it is in its "locking" position, so as to interfere with the crank (18) of the grinding means (8),and - an isolation hatch (22) movable between a "retained" position in which it completely closes the lower opening (10) of the grinding chamber (9) and a "passage" position in which it at least partially uncovers said lower opening (10), said isolation hatch (22) being connected to the lever (20) so that, when the lever (20) passes from its "locking" position to its "unlocking" position, the isolation hatch (22) passes from its "retained" position to its "passage" position, and vice versa.,

8. Vermicomposting device (1) according to claim 7 characterized in that the locking means (11) are associated with a slot (21) arranged in the feed hatch (7) opposite the lever (20) and being configured so that, on the one hand, when the feed hatch (7) is in its "open" position, the lever (20) is im- permanently in the "lock" position and cannot pivot towards its "unlock" position and, on the other hand, when said lever (20) moves from its "lock" position to its "unlock" position, said feed hatch (7) is in the "closed" position and cannot slide towards its "open" position.

9. Vermicomposting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises an automatic distributor (23) comprising a reservoir (24) of dry and carbonaceous material arranged in the enclosure (2) and under the upper wall (6) of the latter, and an endless screw (25) extending from said reservoir (24) towards the grinding chamber (9) and being advantageously controlled by the grinding means (8) so that their movement causes the movement of said endless screw (25) and, consequently, the conveying of the dry and carbonaceous material from the reservoir (24) towards the grinding chamber (9).

10. Vermicomposting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a mixer (26) comprising one or more propellers (27) arranged under the lower opening of the grinding chamber (9) and each pivoting around a vertical axis, and being advantageously controlled by the grinding means (8) so that their movement causes the rotation of one or more of its propellers (27).

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