Composter equipped with a biowaste recovery device.

Abstract

The invention relates to a composter (1) comprising a container (2) configured to process biowaste and transform it into compost. The container comprises a first compartment (8) capable of receiving the biowaste and comprising a bottom (18) which comprises at least one window (19). The composter (1) comprises a closing member (28) of the at least one window (19) which is configured to be moved into an open position or into a closed position. The composter (1) comprises at least one removable collection bin (26) and a receiving area (25) arranged under the first compartment (8), the at least one collection bin (26) and the receiving area (25) allowing the positioning of the at least one collection bin (26) in the receiving area (25), under the at least one window (19), and the extraction of said at least one collection bin (26) from said receiving area (25). Abstract figure: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Composter equipped with a biowaste recovery device. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of composters, whether for collective use, for example for use in public spaces, businesses or restaurants, or for household use, that is to say household composters which households can have outside the home, for example in the garden, under a shelter, in a corner of a terrace, on a balcony, or even indoors for people living in apartments. State of the art

[0002] The general awareness of preserving our planet is very present these days and, to contribute to it, households are invited, even encouraged, to separate as best as possible the various household wastes which can be classified more or less into three categories, namely: waste intended for incineration, the heat produced being exploitable in various ways, for example to heat buildings; recyclable products, recycled material used in the manufacture of other products and; biowaste which can be treated and transformed into compost. This compost can advantageously be used for gardening, an activity which has also regained importance with the desire to consume products from local agriculture and to instill agricultural notions in the youngest. This results in an increased presence of composters in households.The same applies to public and professional spaces where means are put in place to sort waste, with composters being installed in public and professional places and allowing the production of compost on a larger scale, which can be recovered for example by local authorities or farmers. In addition, the constantly evolving regulations in favor of the environment, rightly, tend to impose the revaluation of biowaste, the need for the use of composters only being felt.

[0003] Composters traditionally have an aerated compartment into which biowaste is poured. A supply of oxygen, dry matter and possibly earthworms, promote the organic decomposition of this biowaste for a suitable and faster transformation into compost.

[0004] Generally speaking, the composter comprises a container which defines a ventilated compartment and has in the upper part a cover or a hatch for the introduction of the biowaste and, in the lower part of a contour wall of said container, a door allowing, in an open position, the extraction of the biowaste in more or less advanced state of organic decomposition, arranged in the lower part of the compartment, the extraction being carried out using a fork-type tool which is introduced into the compartment through said hatch, the decomposing biowaste being pulled out of the container and having to be collected to then be placed in the garden or in a gardening bin, or any other vegetated space.

[0005] However, composters are known which include improvements, for example those described in the following titles: DE3004016A1; DE9303691U1; US5674744A; WO9916730A1 and; WO2010022939AL

[0006] In document DE3004016A1, the composter comprises a succession of compartments arranged one below the other and separated from each other by floors each provided with two parts which can be operated to open the floor and lower the biowaste in the process of organic transformation, from one compartment to the next located directly below, as the said biowaste decomposes. Below the lower compartment of the composter, in which the compost obtained or at least the biowaste in the most advanced state of organic decomposition is located, a hopper is arranged which comprises a conveyor for evacuating the compost.

[0007] In document DE9303691U1, the composter comprises a container divided into two compartments separated from each other by a floor provided with an opening closed by a hatch manually operable from outside the container. The upper compartment allows biowaste to be contained at the beginning or in an initial process of organic decomposition and the lower compartment allows said biowaste to be contained at the end or in a final process of organic decomposition finally allowing compost to be obtained. The opening of the hatch allows the biowaste to be transferred from the upper compartment to the lower compartment.The composter also comprises a device for mixing the biowaste in the upper compartment and in the lower compartment, this mixing device comprising mixing arms driven in rotation about a vertical axis by means of a crank actuator which drives in rotation about the vertical axis a shaft, from which extend radially the mixing arms arranged at different heights in the upper and lower compartments. A door is arranged in the lower part of the container, directly above the bottom of the container, to access the lower compartment and extract from it the biowaste in a more or less advanced decomposition phase by means of a fork-type tool.

[0008] In document US5674744A, the composter comprises a container with a door arranged in the lower part of the contour wall of the container, just above the bottom of said container. The bottom is slightly raised so as not to be in direct contact with the ground or the support surface, this bottom comprising ventilation holes to ventilate the container compartment. A scraper is arranged just above the bottom of the container and is rotated by a shaft to which a handle is attached, located above an upper wall of the container. This scraper cleans the three ventilation openings to maintain proper ventilation of the compartment. The extraction of biowaste in a more or less advanced decomposition phase is carried out through the door using a fork-type tool.

[0009] In document WO9916730A1, the composter comprises a container divided into several compartments arranged one below the other and separated from each other by floors each provided with a door that can be operated to open the floor and transfer the biowaste in the process of organic transformation, from one compartment to the next located directly below, as said biowaste decomposes. Rotating arms are arranged above each floor to move the biowaste in the process of transformation towards the opening on the floor. Below the lower compartment of the composter, in which the resulting compost is located or at least the biowaste in a more or less advanced decomposition phase, an outlet enclosure is arranged which comprises a conveyor for removing the compost.

[0010] In document WO2010022939A1, the composter comprises a container divided into three compartments separated from each other by floors. Each floor comprises a fixed plate provided with two openings and a movable plate rotating about a vertical axis. The movable plate is configured to close or, on the contrary, open the two openings on the fixed plate, depending on its rotational position. A scraper also mounted to rotate about the vertical axis, is mounted above the movable plate and allows the biowaste in the process of decomposing to fall from the upper compartment to the intermediate compartment and, likewise, from the intermediate compartment to the lower compartment.A door is arranged on the contour wall of the container just above the bottom of said container and allows access to the lower compartment to extract from it the compost obtained or all of it or at least the biowaste in a more or less advanced decomposition phase minus the biowaste in a more or less advanced decomposition phase by means of a fork-type tool.

[0011] The applicant submits that currently known composters do not allow easy extraction of the compost obtained or at least the biowaste in a more or less advanced decomposition phase, except for industrial-scale composters where said composters can have a conveyor belt arranged under the bottom of the container and allow the extraction of the compost once said compost has been poured onto the belt. Household or collective type composters systematically require extraction of the compost obtained, or at least the biowaste in the decomposition phase. more or less advanced position, from the lower compartment of the container using a fork-type tool or even directly with gloved hands. Summary of the invention

[0012] The present invention overcomes this drawback by designing a composter which comprises a container configured to treat biowaste and transform it into compost or at least obtain biowaste in a more or less advanced decomposition phase. The container comprising a first compartment capable of receiving the biowaste. The first compartment comprises a bottom which comprises at least one window. The composter comprises a member for closing the at least one window, said closing member being configured to be moved into an open position of the window, to allow the passage of biowaste in a more or less advanced decomposition phase through the bottom, or into a closed position of the window, to prevent the passage of biowaste in a more or less advanced decomposition phase, through the bottom.Furthermore, according to the invention, the composter comprises at least one removable collection bin and a receiving area arranged under the first compartment. The at least one collection bin and the receiving area are configured to allow the positioning of the at least one collection bin in the receiving area, under the at least one window, and to allow the extraction of said at least one collection bin, from said receiving area.

[0013] Thus, when the biowaste placed in the container is treated and transformed into compost or at least into biowaste in a more or less advanced decomposition phase, the closure member can be moved to the open position, allowing the passage of the decomposing biowaste through the at least one window on the bottom, said decomposing biowaste falling into the at least one recovery bin placed under the at least one window. Once the at least one recovery bin is filled with decomposing biowaste, the at least one window on the bottom is closed by moving the closure member to the closed position, then the removal of said at least one recovery bin can be carried out manually by the user, without any tools and without handling the compost directly with the hands.The at least one recovery bin can then be recovered by biowaste collectors or emptied into a vegetated area if its contents have already been transformed into compost and then repositioned in the reception area, under at least one window.

[0014] Preferably, all of the biowaste is poured into the first compartment, the decomposition of the biowaste in the first compartment being progressive as the upper part of the first compartment is filled with biowaste and the resulting compost, or at least the biowaste in a more or less advanced decomposition phase, is emptied through the bottom of the first compartment. container could however comprise several compartments arranged successively one below the other and separated from each other by floors each provided with a closing device configured to be actuated in the open position of the floor and in the closed position of the floor, the open position of the floor making it possible to transfer the biowaste in the process of organic transformation, from one compartment to the next located directly below, as and when the said biowaste decomposes, until reaching the first compartment which, in this case, would be arranged in the lower part of the container.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the composter according to the invention, the container comprises a second compartment placed directly below the first compartment and constituting the receiving area. In addition, the second compartment comprises a door configured to allow the passage of the at least one recovery bin. Thus, the at least one recovery bin can be concealed in the second compartment of the container when it is not in use. This makes it possible to keep the at least one recovery bin available directly under the at least one window closed by the closure member, without the risk of the at least one recovery bin being removed for another use, at the risk of losing it and no longer having it available at the desired time, for the extraction of the compost or biowaste in the more or less advanced decomposition phase from the first compartment.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the composter which is the subject of the invention, it comprises a sweeping member arranged above the bottom in the first compartment and a device for actuating the sweeping member, said sweeping member being configured to move above the at least one window, the compost or biowaste in a more or less advanced decomposition phase, arranged in the vicinity of the bottom in the first compartment, when it is actuated. Thus, the compost or biowaste in a more or less advanced decomposition phase arranged in the lower part of the first compartment can be suitably extracted through the at least one opening, when the closure member has been previously placed in the open position.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the composter which is the subject of the invention, it comprises a device for mixing the biowaste arranged in the first compartment. This allows the biowaste in the first compartment to be properly aerated in order to promote its organic decomposition. In the case where the container of the composter according to the invention comprises several compartments arranged successively one below the other and separated from each other by floors each provided with a closing device, as mentioned above, a mixing device could be arranged in each of the compartments or even only in some of these compartments.

[0018] According to a first embodiment of the composter which is the subject of the invention, the bottom comprises several windows and as many recovery bins configured to be placed respectively under the windows when they are positioned in the reception area. According to a second embodiment of the composter which is the subject of the invention, the bottom comprises several windows and a single recovery bin configured to be placed under all of the windows when it is positioned in the reception area. Other embodiments are conceivable, in particular a bottom comprising several windows and at least two recovery bins, each recovery bin being configured to be positioned below a certain number of windows.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the composter which is the subject of the invention, the at least one recovery bin comprises a gripping member. This facilitates its handling when it is removed from the receiving area and when it is positioned therein.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the composter which is the subject of the invention, positioning means are arranged between the reception area and the at least one recovery bin. These positioning means make it possible to guide the user when placing the at least one recovery bin in the reception area, in order to guarantee suitable positioning of the at least one recovery bin below the at least one window and thus to avoid the fall of compost or biowaste in a more or less advanced decomposition phase, outside the at least one recovery bin, when pouring the compost or biowaste in a more or less advanced decomposition phase, from the first compartment to the at least one recovery bin.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the composter which is the subject of the invention, the bottom comprises between two and six windows, preferably four or five windows. Other numbers of windows on the bottom remain conceivable while remaining within the scope of the invention.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the composter according to the invention, the container comprises an access device configured to allow the introduction of biowaste into said first compartment. Preferably, this access device is arranged on an upper wall of the container. In the case where the container of the composter according to the invention comprises several compartments arranged successively one below the other and separated from each other by floors each provided with a closing device, as mentioned above, the access device would be configured to allow the introduction of biowaste into the upper compartment, the biowaste then being conveyed successively into the compartment located below until reaching the lower compartment, once the biowaste has been transformed into compost or into biowaste in a more or less advanced decomposition phase.Preferably, according to this embodiment, in the presence of a stirring device as mentioned above on the composter, the access device is configured to be moved into the open position and . in the closed position and to simultaneously operate the mixing device when it is moved between the open and closed positions. This ensures that each time biowaste is deposited in the container, the biowaste being treated is mixed, which guarantees efficient treatment and, thus, faster production of ready-to-use compost or at least biowaste in a more or less advanced decomposition phase.

[0023] Of course, some of the aforementioned embodiments of the composter which is the subject of the invention may be implemented independently and / or in combination. Brief description of the figures

[0024] The characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description based on figures, among which: - [Fig.l] illustrates an overall view of a first embodiment of the composter according to the invention; - [Fig.2] illustrates an overall view of the composter of [Fig.l], two doors of the container being removed to view the interior of the container, a window closing device on the bottom of the first compartment being in the open position; - [Fig.3] illustrates an overall view of the composter of [Fig.l], two doors of the container being removed to view the interior of the container, a window closing device on the bottom of the first compartment being in the closed position; - [Fig.4] illustrates [Fig.3] with the recovery bins extracted from the composter reception area; - [Fig.5] illustrates a recovery bin implemented on the composter of [Fig.l], according to a preferred embodiment; - [Fig.6] illustrates a first variant of the composter of [Fig.l] highlighting a different arrangement of the recovery bins in the reception area, below the windows on the bottom; - [Fig.7] illustrates a second variant of the composter of [Fig.l] highlighting a different arrangement of the recovery bins in the reception area, below the windows on the bottom; - [Fig.8] illustrates an overall view of a second embodiment of the composter according to the invention, comprising a single recovery bin; - [Fig.9] illustrates the composter of [Fig.8] with cladding covering the external wall of the container, removed to highlight ventilation holes on the container; - [Fig. 10] illustrates the composter of [Fig.8], a collection bin being removed from a receiving area; - [Fig. 11] illustrates a preferred embodiment of the recovery bin on the composter of [Fig.8]; - [Fig. 12] illustrates certain elements of the composter of [Fig.8], highlighting in particular the bottom of the first compartment and the closure member; - [Fig. 13] illustrates a preferred embodiment of the closure member on the composter of [Fig.8]; - [Fig. 14] illustrates a preferred embodiment of the bottom of the first compartment on the composter of [Fig.8]; - [Fig. 15] illustrates certain elements of the composter of [Fig.8], highlighting in particular the contour wall and the upper wall of the container and the presence of a mixing device and a sweeping member; - [Fig. 16] illustrates certain elements of the composter of [Fig.8], highlighting in particular the presence of a stirring device and a sweeping member. Detailed description

[0025] In the remainder of the description, terms such as "top", "bottom", "below", "above", "lower", "upper"... which could be used, will be used in consideration of the normal position of the composter positioned on a ground surface or a support placed on the ground, for example on a terrace floor or on a concrete slab.

[0026] In the remainder of the description, the term “compost” will be used to define both compost as such, obtained in the final phase of the organic decomposition of biowaste, and biowaste in a more or less advanced phase of decomposition.

[0027] Furthermore, the same references will be used to designate the same characteristics, according to the various design variants of the composter, unless otherwise indicated in the text of the following description.

[0028] With regard to [Fig.l] to [Fig.4], the composter 1 comprises a container 2 which comprises an upper wall 3, a contour wall 4 and a lower wall 5. The contour wall 4 comprises an upper door 6 and a lower door 7, arranged one below the other, as shown in [Fig.l]. The container 2 is divided into a first compartment 8 and a second compartment 9, the first compartment 8 being arranged above the second compartment 9. A first hatch 10 is arranged on the upper wall 3 to allow access to the first compartment 8, from above the container 2, and thus to introduce biowaste to be treated in order to obtain compost. A second hatch 11 is arranged on the upper wall 3 to allow access to a storage bin 12 containing dry matter, for example sawdust, which can be poured onto the biowaste just introduced into the first compartment 8, through the first hatch 10.Of course, a version of this . A composter without the storage bin 12 and without the second hatch 11 is possible while remaining within the scope of the invention.

[0029] With regard to [Fig.l] to [Fig.4], the composter 1 comprises means for aerating the container 2, in order to aerate the first compartment 8. For this, the contour wall 4 comprises cladding blades 13 arranged vertically with a slight spacing 14 between them, these cladding blades 13 participating in the cladding of the composter 1, this spacing 14 allowing the passage of ambient air. The contour wall 4 comprises an internal support 15 defining the internal contour of the container 2, said internal support 15 receiving the cladding slats 13. The internal support 15 comprises first ventilation holes 16 arranged in correspondence with the spacings 14 between the cladding slats 13, which facilitates the penetration of air into the first compartment 8. The lower wall 5 of the container 2 comprises second ventilation holes 17, also contributing to ventilation in the container 2.

[0030] With regard to [Fig.l] to [Fig.4], the first compartment 8 comprises a bottom 18 which preferably has the shape of a disc and ensures a physical separation with the second compartment 9. The bottom 18 comprises windows 19, preferably four in number in said figures. The number of windows 19 could be different, for example between two and six, or even a single window 19. The size and shape of these windows 19 depend in particular on their number and the shape of the bottom 18. In these figures, the windows 19 are preferably circular, but variants are possible with circular portions or angular portions (disc quarters). The bottom 18 is fixed to the internal support 15 of the contour wall 4. The composter 1 comprises a post 20 arranged along a vertical axis X, the post 20 passing through the bottom 18 and being mounted in pivot connection along the vertical axis X, relative to the upper wall 3 and the lower wall 5.The upper end portion 20a of the post 20 passes through the upper wall 3 and is accessible from outside the container 2. This upper end portion 20a comprises a handle 21 facilitating the handling of the post 20, when it is rotated around the vertical axis X. The post 20 is hollow and comprises third ventilation holes 22 along its length and on its upper end portion 20a, a ventilation grid 23, which also contributes to the ventilation inside the first compartment 8.

[0031] With regard to [Fig. 2] to [Fig. 4], the post 20 comprises a sweeping member 24, preferably in the form of a blade, which extends radially to the vertical axis X and is arranged juxtaposed to the bottom 18, on the upper side thereof. The rotation of the post 20 allows the sweeping member to sweep the lower part of the first compartment 8, or even to scrape the upper face of the bottom 18, so as to move the compost into the lower part of the first compartment 8, above the windows 19, for the passage of the compost through the bottom 18. Stirring members, not illustrated but in the form of blades comparable to the blade of the sweeping member 24, are preferably mounted at different heights along the length of the post 20 inside the first compartment 8, said stirring members being driven in rotation when the handle 21 is actuated, which makes it possible to stir the biowaste in the first compartment 8. The second compartment 9 of the container 2 constitutes a reception area 25 for receiving recovery bins 26 positioned under the windows 19. The recovery bins 26 are preferably four in number, placed respectively under the four windows 19, and have the shape of a bucket which has in the upper part 26a a rim 27 curved downwards, as illustrated in [Fig. 5], so as to allow the recovery bin 26 to be gripped with the fingertips of a hand.It would also be possible to provide collection trays 26 of another shape and of a larger dimension, capable of being positioned under more than one window 19 below the bottom 18, for example one collection tray 26 for two windows 19. It would also be possible to provide other means of gripping the collection tray 26, for example a handle (not illustrated) secured to the upper part 26a of said collection tray 26.

[0032] With regard to [Fig.2] to [Fig.4], the composter 1 comprises a closure member 28 in the form of a disc which is mounted in a pivot connection along the vertical axis X, relative to the post 20. The closure member 28 comprises four openings 29 illustrated in [Fig.2] and in dashed lines in [Fig.3], these openings 29 preferably having a shape identical to that of the windows 19. The rotation of the closure member 28 into an open position makes it possible to make the openings 29 correspond with the windows 19, as illustrated in [Fig.2], which allows the passage of the compost which can be poured into the recovery bins 26 arranged under the windows 19, the sweeping member 24 contributing to said pouring. Rotating the closure member 28 into a closed position allows the openings 29 to be offset relative to the windows 19, so as to close them and prevent the compost from passing through the bottom 18 of the first compartment 8.When the closure member 28 is in the closed position, the collection bins 26 can be removed to pour the compost into a plant area, for example a garden, a gardening bin or a field. The closure member 28 comprises a handle 30, which facilitates the rotation of the closure member 28 around the post 20.

[0033] In [Fig.2] and [Fig.3], the collection bins 26 rest on the lower wall 5 of the container 2, the positioning of the collection bins 26 suitably under the windows 19 depending on the precision of the user who visually and approximately carries out this positioning. To guide the user and ensure a posi suitable and precise operation of the recovery bins 26 under the windows 19, the composter 1 may include positioning means 31, as described below according to the two variant embodiments of [Fig.6] and [Fig.7].

[0034] In the embodiment variant of [Fig.6], the composter 1 has exactly the same design as that of [Fig.1] to [Fig.4], with the addition of small cavities 32 which respectively receive the bases 33 of the recovery bins 26, the number of small cavities 32 being identical to the number of recovery bins 26. Each small cavity 32 has a shape identical to the base 33 and is of a dimension very slightly greater than that of said base 33, so as to guarantee precise positioning of the recovery bin 26. Each small cavity 32 here preferably has a circular shape, like the base 33, and is arranged coaxially with the respective window 19, along the vertical axis X.

[0035] In the embodiment variant of [Fig. 7], the bottom 18 and the closure member 28 are reversed, compared to the previous variants of the composter 1, the closure member 28 being placed above the bottom 18, inside the first compartment 8, the mounting principle however remaining identical to that described previously, the bottom 18 remaining fixed with respect to the contour wall 4 and the closure member 28 still being mounted in rotation along the vertical axis X around the post 20 for its positioning in the open position or in the closed position. The handle 30 of the closure member extends downwards from the lower face 34 of the closure member 28 and passes through a circular light 35 whose shape is comparable to those illustrated and which will be described later with regard to [Fig. 13], which allows the user to access the handle 30 from the second compartment 9, when the lower door 7 is open.This circular light 35 makes it possible to limit the rotation of the closure member 28 around the post 20 during its passage from the open position to the closed position and vice versa. The lower face 36 of the bottom 18 comprises under each window 19, two right-angled tabs 37a, 37b defining a groove 37 configured to receive the rim 27 of the recovery tank 26 so as to guide it and position it suitably under the window 19.

[0036] According to these three variant embodiments of the composter 1 described in support of [Fig.l] to [Fig.7], the user lifts the hatch 10 to insert biowaste into the first compartment 8. The User can, if he wishes, add dry matter to the biowaste, available in the storage bin 12, as mentioned previously. The user can also, if he wishes, operate the handle 21 to rotate the post 20 and cause the activation of the stirring members (not illustrated) mentioned previously, so as to aerate the biowaste undergoing organic decomposition in the first compartment 8, the lower part of the first compartment 8 containing compost after a certain treatment time. The User can open the lower door 7 and operate the handle 30 to move the closure member 28 to the open position, then operate the handle 21 to rotate the post 20 and, thus, the sweeping member 24, as well as the stirring members, the 360° rotation of the sweeping member 24 around the vertical axis X allowing the compost to pass through the windows 19 and to be poured into the recovery bins 26 placed respectively below the windows 19. Once the recovery bins 26 are filled, these can be removed from the reception area 25, that is to say from the second compartment 9, for the use of the compost, taking care beforehand to operate the handle 30 to reposition the closure member 28 in the position for closing the windows 19 on the bottom 18 of the first compartment 8.

[0037] [Fig. 8] to [Fig. 16] describe another embodiment of the composter 1' which comprises a container 2' and a single collection bin 26' placed in a receiving area 25' located below the container 2'. The container 2' comprises an upper wall 3' and a contour wall 4', which are secured. The upper wall 3' has an opening 38 which preferably has a semi-circular shape, as illustrated in [Fig. 9] and [Fig. 15]. The contour wall 4' preferably has a frustoconical shape, illustrated in particular in [Fig. 8] and in [Fig. 10], a cylindrical shape being however conceivable. The contour wall 4' comprises cladding blades 13' arranged vertically with a slight spacing 14' between them, these cladding blades 13' participating in the cladding of the composter 1', this spacing 14' allowing the passage of ambient air. The contour wall 4' comprises an internal support 15', illustrated in particular in [Fig.9] and [Fig.16], also of truncated cone shape, defining the internal contour of the container 2' forming a single first compartment 8', visible in [Fig. 15] and [Fig. 16]. The internal support 15' receives the cladding slats 13'. The internal support 15' comprises ventilation holes 16' arranged in correspondence with the spacings 14' between the cladding slats 13', which facilitates the penetration of air into the first compartment 8'. The upper wall 3' is fixed to the upper end of the internal support 15', or even formed in a single piece with the internal support 15'.

[0038] With particular reference to [Fig.9], [Fig.10], [Fig.12], [Fig.15] and [Fig.16], the composter 1' comprises a post 20' which comprises at its lower end 39a, a base 40, and at an upper end portion 39b a plate 41 which has the shape of a disc, like the upper wall 3' of the container 2'. The plate 41 also comprises an opening 42 in the shape of a semicircle, of a dimension similar to the opening 38 on the upper wall 3'. Preferably, the plate 41 will be mounted removably from the upper end portion 39b of the post 20'. The post 20' defines a vertical axis X'. On the internal lower edge 43 of the internal support 15' is mounted a sweeping member 24' which extends diametrically and comprises in its center a first rolling ring 44, illustrated [Fig. 15] and [Fig. 16]. The upper wall 3' comprises in its center a second rolling ring 45. The first rolling ring 44 and the second rolling ring 45 are mounted on the post 20' respectively at an intermediate portion 39c and the upper end portion 39b, which allows the internal support 15' to be mounted in rotation relative to the post 20' along the vertical axis X'. The internal support 15' also comprises on its internal contour 46, stirring members 47 which preferably extend radially towards the vertical axis X', as illustrated in [Fig. 15] and [Fig. 16]. Thus, the rotation of the internal support 15', and therefore of the container 2', around the vertical axis X', concomitantly causes the rotation of the sweeping member 24' and the stirring members 47.

[0039] The plate 41 is arranged just below the upper wall 3' when the container 2' is mounted on the post 20', as shown in [Fig.9]. Depending on the rotational position of the container 2' around the vertical axis X', either the opening 38 on the upper wall 3' corresponds with the opening 42 on the plate 41, thus allowing the introduction of biowaste into the first compartment 8', or said opening 38 is offset from said opening 42, as shown in [Fig.9], the container 2' and, therefore, the first compartment 8' being closed. Thus, the opening of the first compartment 8' to introduce biowaste, obtained by rotating the container 2' around the post 20', requires concomitant activation of the mixing members 47 and the sweeping member 24'.

[0040] With particular reference to [Fig.10], [Fig.12], [Fig.13], [Fig.14] and [Fig.16], the composter comprises a first disc 48 which is fixed to the post 20', just below the sweeping member 24', at the level of the intermediate portion 39c, said first disc 48 constituting a bottom 18' of the first compartment 8'. The first disc 48 comprises windows 19', preferably five in number, defining angular portions. As shown in [Fig. 14], the windows 19' are not uniformly distributed around the first disc 48, a part 48a of said first disc 48 having a greater spacing than the others between the two neighboring windows 19'. The composter 1' comprises a second disc 49 of shape and diameter more or less identical to the first disc 48, this second disc 49 constituting a closing member 28'.This second disc 49 comprises openings 29', as many as the number of windows 19' on the first disc 48, in this case five, the shape and dimensions of the openings 29' corresponding to those of the windows 19'. As shown in [Fig. 13], the openings 29' are not uniformly distributed around the second disc 49, a part 49a of said second disc 49 having a greater spacing than the others between the two neighboring openings 29', in a manner identical to the windows 19' on the first disc 48. The second disc 49 is position . just below the first disc 48 and it is mounted in pivot connection along the vertical axis X', on the post 20', so as to be able to rotate around the post 20' and be placed either in an open position where the openings 29' correspond respectively with the windows 19', allowing the passage of the compost through the bottom 18' of the first compartment 8', or in a closed position where the openings 29' are offset from the windows 19' thus preventing the passage of the compost through the windows 19'. The second disc 49 comprises two circular lights 50a, 50b which respectively receive two studs 51a, 51b extending downwards from a lower face of said first disc 48, which makes it possible to limit the angular rotation of the closure member 28' around the post 20' and relative to the bottom 18'. These circular lights 50a, 50b are comparable to the circular light 35 mentioned previously for the embodiment of the composter 1 in [Fig.7].The second disc 49 comprises a handle 30' which extends radially from the peripheral edge 52 of said second disc 49, this handle 30' being accessible from the outside of the composter 1', as shown in particular in [Fig.8], so as to be able to actuate the closure member 28' from the open position to the closed position, and vice versa, before removing the recovery bin 26'.

[0041] With particular reference to [Fig.8] to [Fig.12], a receiving zone 25' is defined below the container 2', between the closure member 28' and the base 40 arranged on the post 20'. The recovery tank 26' comprises more or less a cylindrical pot shape, as shown in [Fig.8], [Fig.9] and [Fig. 11], with a notch 53 which extends over the entire height of the recovery tank 26 and radially to its center, this notch 53 receiving the lower portion 39d of the post 20' when said recovery tank 26' is engaged in the receiving zone 25'. This notch 53 of the recovery tank 26' corresponds with the part 48a of the first disc 48, mentioned previously, when the recovery tank 26' is in position in the reception zone 25', so that all the windows 19 of the bottom 18' of the first compartment 8' are suitably placed above the upper opening 54 of said recovery tank 26'.In order to ensure this suitable positioning, the base 40 comprises on its upper face a protruding element 55, illustrated in particular [Fig. 10], which makes it possible to properly orient the recovery tank 26' relative to the post 20', by placing the notch 53 facing the protruding element 55, then engaging the notch 53 on the lower portion 39d of the post 20'. To facilitate the handling of the recovery tank 26', the latter comprises on its contour 56 a recess 57 allowing it to be gripped with one hand. Other gripping means could be envisaged, for example a handle arranged on the contour 56 and extending radially outside said contour 56.

[0042] During use, the user rotates the contour wall 4' around the vertical axis X' to match the opening 38 on the upper wall 3' with the opening 42 on the plate 41 fixed to the post 20', which allows the introduction of biowaste into the first compartment 8', then the user closes said first compartment 8' by rotating the contour wall 4' again to shift the opening 38 from the opening 42, said rotation concomitantly driving the mixing members 47 for systematic aeration of the biowaste in the first compartment 8'. By pouring his biowaste into the first compartment 8', the user can also pour dry matter made available next to the composter 1', preferably.When the compost in the lower part of the first compartment 8' is ready for use or the first compartment 8' is full, the user operates the handle 30' to pivot the closure member 28' around the post 20' and place the openings 29' in correspondence with the windows 19' allowing the compost to be poured into the collection bin 26'. In order to facilitate this pouring of the compost, the user rotates the contour wall 4', which rotates the sweeping member 24' which moves the compost into the lower part of the first compartment 8' to pass it through the windows 19'. Once the compost is in the collection bin, the user operates the handle 30' to move the closure member 28' to the closed position where the openings 29' are offset from the windows 19'.Then the user grasps the collection bin 26' by engaging a hand in the recess 57 and pulling said collection bin 26' outwards to release its notch 53 from the lower part 39d of the post 20'. The compost can then be poured into a plant space, for example a garden, a gardening bin or a field.

[0043] The principle of opening and closing the first compartment 8' on the composter 1' may be implemented on the various variants of the composter 1 described with regard to [Fig.l] to [Fig.7]. In this case, the post 20 will rotate along the vertical axis X, a plate provided with an opening which will be comparable to the plate 41 provided with the opening 42, to make this opening correspond or not with another opening on the upper wall 3, comparable to the opening 38 on the upper wall 3', so as to be able to pour the biowaste into the first compartment 8. In this case, the actuation of the post 20 for the introduction of the biowaste into the compartment 8 will simultaneously allow the rotation of the mixing members for systematic aeration of the biowaste in the first compartment 8 during the opening and closing of said first compartment 8.

[0044] Variants of the composter which is the subject of the invention remain conceivable, in particular as regards the number of windows 19, 19' and openings 29, 29' and as regards the number of recovery bins 26, 26'. The shapes of the containers 2, 2' may also be different, for example having a square section in a perpendicular cutting plane. dicular to the vertical axis X, X'. Variants without the cladding blades 13, 13' will also be possible.

Claims

Claims

1. Composter (1, 1'), which comprises a container (2, 2') configured to process biowaste and transform it into compost, the container (2, 2') comprising a first compartment (8, 8') capable of receiving the biowaste, the first compartment (8, 8') comprising a bottom (18, 18') which comprises at least one window (19, 19'), the composter (1, 1') comprising a closing member (28, 28') of the at least one window (19, 19'), said closing member (28, 28') being configured to be moved into an opening position of the window (19, 19') or into a closing position of the window (19, 19'), characterized in that said composter (1, 1') comprises at least one removable collection bin (26, 26') and a zone receiving area (25, 25') arranged under the first compartment (8, 8'), the at least one recovery tray (26, 26') and the receiving area (25, 25') being configured to allow the positioning of the at least one recovery tray (26,26') in the receiving area (25, 25'), under the at least one window (19, 19'), and to allow the extraction of said at least one recovery bin (26, 26') from said receiving area (25, 25').,

2. Composter (1) according to claim 1, wherein the container (2) comprises a second compartment (9) placed directly below the first compartment (8) and constituting the receiving area (25), said second compartment (9) comprising a door (7) configured to allow the passage of the at least one recovery bin (26).

3. Composter (1, 1') according to any one of claims 1 or 2, which comprises a sweeping member (24, 24') arranged above the bottom (18, 18') in the first compartment (8, 8') and a device for actuating the sweeping member (24, 24'), said sweeping member (24, 24') being configured to move above the at least one window (19, 19'), the compost or biowaste in a more or less advanced decomposition phase arranged in the vicinity of the bottom (18, 18') in the first compartment (8, 8'), when it is actuated.

4. Composter (1, 1')(1, 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which comprises a device for mixing the biowaste arranged in the first compartment (8, 8').

5. Composter (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the bottom (18) comprises several windows (19) and as many bins of recovery (26) configured to be placed respectively under the windows (19) when positioned in the reception area (25).

6. Composter (1') according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the bottom (18') comprises several windows (19') and a single collection bin (26') configured to be placed under all of the windows (19') when positioned in the receiving area (25').

7. Composter (1, 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the at least one collection bin (26, 26') comprises a gripping member (27, 57).

8. Composter (1, 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein positioning means are arranged between the receiving area (25, 25') and the at least one recovery bin (26, 26').

9. Composter (1, 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the bottom (18, 18') comprises between one and six windows (19, 19'), preferably four or five windows (19, 19').

10. Composter (1, 1') according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the container (2, 2') comprises a device for accessing the first compartment (8, 8'), configured to allow the introduction of biowaste into said first compartment (8, 8').

11. Composter (1, 1') according to claim 10 dependent on claim 3, in which the access device is configured to be moved into the open position and into the closed position and to concomitantly actuate the stirring device during its movement into the open position and into the closed position.

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