Organic waste storage and deodorization equipment

Abstract

Generally, this disclosure relates to an apparatus that reduces spoilage and associated odors using two methods: First, air is circulated into, through, and out of the storage device to remove moisture and reduce the rate at which organic matter spoils; Second, an ozone generator converts oxygen into ozone, which chemically reacts with the organic waste, producing chemicals within the device and reducing discernible odors.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Priority claims This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 398,098, filed August 15, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for storing organic waste prior to future processing. [Background technology]

[0003] Common garbage containers often emit a foul odor when organic waste is stored therein as moisture and the enclosed environment tends to promote the decay of the organic waste. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure includes systems, methods, and devices for storing organic waste. One exemplary embodiment includes a removable bin and a cover configured to fit over the removable bin and including a recirculation fan that recirculates air throughout the bin. The cover also includes an ozone generator that disperses ozone into the bin, an exhaust fan that exhausts air from the bin through an exhaust port, a filter formed in a flow path between the exhaust fan and the exhaust port, and an intake port.

[0005] Implementations may optionally include one or more of the following features.

[0006] In some cases, the storage device includes a support to which the cover is secured, and the removable container is housed within the support. In some cases, the support includes a telescoping arm to which the cover is attached, the telescoping arm moving the cover relative to the container.

[0007] In some cases, the intake port includes a ducted passage through the cover, which requires the intake air to pass through the container before reaching the recirculation or exhaust fan.

[0008] In some cases, an exhaust fan creates a negative pressure within the container relative to the ambient atmospheric pressure.

[0009] In some cases, the storage device includes a controller configured to regulate the speed of the recirculation fan, the speed of the exhaust fan, and the output level of the ozone generator.

[0010] In some cases, the controller adjusts the speed of the exhaust fan based on a pressure differential determined based on the pressure within the vessel and the ambient pressure.

[0011] Optionally, the controller is configured to shut off the recirculation fan, the exhaust fan, and the ozone generator when the cover is separated from the container.

[0012] In some cases, the storage device includes a gas sensor that measures the concentration of ozone in the container, and the controller adjusts the power level of the ozone generator based on the sensed concentration of ozone.

[0013] An exemplary implementation is a method for storing organic waste in a container, the method including containing the organic waste in the container and placing a cover over the container that recirculates air throughout the container with a first fan and exhausts air from the container through a filter using a second fan, and disperses ozone into the container.

[0014] The details of these and other aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features, objects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the description, drawings, and claims. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a storage device for organic waste. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a rear perspective view of a storage device for organic waste. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of a cover for a storage device for organic waste. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the storage device with the container removed. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 illustrates some of the internal components of the storage device cover with certain elements removed. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the controller and some of the sensors and systems that the controller can operate on. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Generally, the present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods of use for waste storage containers designed to limit odor emissions and waste spoilage. Generally, food waste or organic waste spoils relatively quickly when left in a container or trash can. This can produce undesirable odors and lead to increased waste. Furthermore, combining organic waste with other waste increases the total waste production of a household or organization. Alternatively, organic waste (e.g., food waste) can be stored separately and later reprocessed in a useful manner (e.g., in energy production, composting, etc.). A storage device is described to allow organic waste to be stored and transported for processing.

[0017] The storage unit uses two methods to reduce spoilage and associated odors. First, air is circulated into, throughout, and out of the storage unit to remove moisture and reduce the rate at which organic materials spoil. Second, an ozone generator converts oxygen into ozone, which chemically reacts with the organic waste, creating chemicals within the unit and reducing noticeable odors.

[0018] FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a storage device 100 for organic waste. The storage device 100 includes a container 102 and a processing head 104. The container 102 may be removable, allowing easy access for adding or removing organic waste from the storage device 100. The processing head 104 includes an air intake 106 that allows fresh air to be drawn into the device 100. An exhaust port (not shown) may be provided to allow air to be exhausted from the device, as described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 2.

[0019] Although shown as having a rectangular cross-section, storage device 100 can take on many form factors. For example, storage device 100 can be cylindrical, square, triangular, or any suitable shape. Additionally, storage device 100 can be taller or shorter than shown. For example, storage device 100 can be tall such that receptacle 102 is sized to fit a standard household trash bag (e.g., 13 gallons, or other volume). In some embodiments, receptacle 102 can be designed to operate without any bag and have an internal coating that prevents food or other waste from adhering to it.

[0020] FIG. 2 shows a rear perspective view of the storage device 100 for organic waste. Shown in FIG. 2 is a support 208 that can hold the container 102 and support and position the processing head / cover 104. In some embodiments, the support 208 includes telescoping arms that can raise and lower the processing head 104 to provide access to the container 102. The support 208 can include spring-loaded, electrical, hydraulic, mechanical, or other mechanisms for moving the processing head 104. In some embodiments, the processing head 104 is translated directly upward to separate it from the container 102. In some embodiments, the processing head pivots open and rotates to provide access to the container 102.

[0021] The process head / cover 104 is provided with an exhaust vent 210 that allows airflow to exit the storage device 100. Although shown on the rear corner of the process head 104, the exhaust 210 can be located in any suitable location (e.g., the top, front, or other side). In some embodiments, the exhaust vent 210 can include a duct or chimney that can exhaust gases outside the storage device 100 or to a location separate from where the storage device 100 is located.

[0022] 3 shows a bottom view of the cover for the storage device for organic waste. The cover or processing head 104 includes a recirculation fan 312, an exhaust fan 314, a filter 316, and an ozone generator 318.

[0023] The recirculation fan 312 is configured to force mixed air through the apparatus, generally allowing for rapid evaporation of any moisture that may be present in the organic waste stored within the apparatus.

[0024] Exhaust fan 314 is configured to draw suction into the interior region of the device and exhaust air out exhaust 210 through filter 316. In some embodiments, exhaust fan 314, inlet 106, and outlet 210 are sized so that the exhaust fan generally draws a vacuum or negative pressure on the storage device relative to the surroundings. By maintaining the container at a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure, gas leakage is biased into the container rather than outward, ensuring that the majority of gases exiting the container pass through filter 316.

[0025] The exhaust fan 314 and the recirculation fan 312 can be the same or different fans. In some embodiments, they are brushless DC fans configured to operate at different speed ranges, which can be operated by a controller (e.g., controller 618 as described below with respect to FIG. 6).

[0026] A filter 316 can be positioned in the flow path between the exhaust fan 314 and the exhaust 210 to filter any air exiting the apparatus 100. The filter 316 can be a particulate filter, such as an activated carbon filter, or a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. In some embodiments, the filter 316 includes an ionizer or a resin-exchange layer for removing ions or other charged particles from the air. In some embodiments, the filter 316 includes multiple layers or stages and can include both activated carbon, HEPA, ion, or other stages. The filter 316 can be an active (e.g., energy-consuming) system or a passive system. In some embodiments, the filter 316 is easily removable from the process head 104 and can be removed and replaced (e.g., after a period of time or number of hours of operation of the exhaust fan 314). In some embodiments, the filter 316 includes one or more fragrance layers to add a pleasant aroma to the air passing through them.

[0027] The ozone generator 318 can be mounted inside the cover 104 and can convert oxygen within the storage device 100 into ozone. In some embodiments, the ozone generator 318 is configured to take in air or oxygen near the top of the cover 104 and exhaust ozone-rich air near the bottom. Because ozone is generally heavier than air, it disperses within the container 102 and tends to concentrate where organic waste is stored (i.e., the bottom of the container 102). The ozone then either reacts with odor-producing components of the organic waste or naturally decays back into oxygen. The ozone generator can generate ozone using a silent corona discharge reaction, in which a large voltage exists across two or more electrodes, ionizing the air between them and causing the generation of ozone. In some embodiments, the ozone generator uses ultraviolet (UV) light to generate ozone. Narrow-band UV light is irradiated into the air entering the ozone generator, causing oxygen (O2) molecules to break down and recombine with other oxygen molecules to form ozone. In some embodiments, the ozone generator is configured to operate only when conditions within the vessel are suitable for ozone generation. For example, if the moisture content within the vessel exceeds a predetermined threshold and the ozone generator uses silent corona discharge, it can be disabled while the moisture content remains above the threshold to minimize nitric acid generation. In some embodiments, moisture and gas sensors are present within the cover 104. Additionally, in certain examples, the apparatus 100 can measure the concentration of ozone within the vessel and adjust the ozone production of the ozone generator 318 to achieve a target concentration.

[0028] In some embodiments, a presence detector or presence switch identifies when the container 102 is removed from the apparatus 100. When the container 102 is removed or the process head / cover 104 is separated from the container (e.g., when the telescoping arms of the support 208 are extended), the recirculation fan 312, the exhaust fan 314, and the ozone generator 318 may be turned off or de-energized.

[0029] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the storage apparatus 100 with the container removed. The air inlet 106 allows the intake air flow 402 to enter the container and mix with the air circulating throughout the apparatus 100. In Figure 4, a duct is visible surrounding the air inlet 106 that directs the intake air flow 402 into the container rather than directly into the suction of any fan in the process head 104 (e.g., recirculation fan 312, or exhaust fan 314). In some embodiments, the duct extends into the container below the process head 104.

[0030] The recirculation flow 404 is generated by the recirculation fan 312, which draws suction from the area inside the cover 104 and forces mixing and circulation of air within the vessel 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the recirculation fan 312 is positioned a distance away from the top of the cover 104 to prevent high air velocities at the inlet of the recirculation fan 312.

[0031] Exhaust flow 406 , shown in dashed lines, removes air from the vessel and allows it to pass through filter 316 before exiting device 100 .

[0032] FIG. 5 illustrates some of the internal components of the storage device's cover, with certain elements removed. Specifically, many structural elements, as well as electrical components (e.g., wires, connectors, etc.), have been removed for clarity. The recirculation fan 312 can be seen mounted on a set of standoffs 522, which provide volume at the recirculation fan 312 inlet to reduce air velocity at the fan inlet. Additionally, a controller board 520 is provided. The controller board 520 can provide input to any of the storage device's electronic components. For example, the controller board 520 can command the fan speeds of the recirculation fan 312, the exhaust fan 314, as well as the output level of the ozone generator 318. In some embodiments, sensors can be mounted on or remote from the controller board 520 to provide inputs to the controller board 520 that can be used to modify the operation of various components of the device. For example, a remote latch sensor (not shown) can sense whether a container is installed in the device. When the container is removed, the controller board 520 can deactivate the exhaust fan 314, the recirculation fan 312, and the ozone generator 318.

[0033] In some embodiments, the controller board 520 is a printed circuit board (PCB) that can include integrated sensors. For example, an ambient pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, or a humidity sensor is mounted directly to the controller board 520. In some embodiments, the controller board 520 is coated with a corrosion-resistant or waterproof material. For example, the controller board 520 can be coated with a conformal coating including polyurethane, silicone, acrylic, combinations thereof, or other coatings.

[0034] Figure 6 is a block diagram illustrating a controller 618 and some of the sensors and systems that the controller may operate. The organic waste storage device 100 may be communicatively coupled to the controller 618. Although shown as a separate component in Figure 6, the controller 618, or portions of the controller 618, may be integrated into the organic waste storage device 100.

[0035] The controller 618 can receive inputs 622 from various sensors within the organic waste storage device 100. These inputs can include temperature signals from one or more temperature sensors 608. The temperature sensors 608 can be thermocouples, resistance temperature detectors (RTDs), thermistors, or other suitable temperature sensors. The temperature sensors 608 can be located within the storage device receptacle or near the treatment head. The controller 618 can further receive inputs 630 from one or more current sensors 636, which can provide indications of current supplied to various components within the organic waste storage device 100 (e.g., the recirculation fan 312, the exhaust fan 314, the ozone generator 318, etc.). One or more position sensors 612 can also provide inputs 630 to the controller. The position sensor 612 can be, for example, an encoder connected to an actuator associated with the cover (e.g., the treatment head 104 or the support 208 as described with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2 ). In some embodiments, the position sensor 612 may be a Hall Effect sensor, or an array of Hall Effect sensors, which sense magnetic fields and can determine the position of various components of the organic waste storage device 100 (e.g., the processing head 104, the support 208, the container 102, etc.).

[0036] One or more gas sensors 616 can provide the controller 618 with information regarding the relative concentration and pressure of gases within the organic waste storage device 100. The gas sensors 616 can include humidity sensors that detect the concentration of water vapor inside and / or outside the container. An ozone sensor can detect the ozone concentration within the container. A pressure sensor can detect pressure, and an external pressure sensor can detect ambient atmospheric pressure. Additionally, one or more pressure sensors can be placed at the inlet of the exhaust fan 314 and at the output of the filter (e.g., filter 316 in FIG. 3) to calculate the differential pressure across the filter. This differential pressure can be used to determine the health of the filter or to indicate when the filter needs to be replaced.

[0037] One or more presence detectors 614 can sense the presence of waste within the organic waste storage device 100. The presence detectors 614 can be, for example, infrared (IR) range finders or ultrasonic sensors, or weight / pressure sensors that detect the presence of an object within a particular area. The presence detectors 614 can determine if new waste has been added to or removed from the container and, in some cases, can increase or decrease fan speed or ozone production accordingly.

[0038] The controller 618 may include or provide signals to a display 624, which may generally provide a user with information regarding the current status and operation of the organic waste storage apparatus 100. The display 624 may be an LCD display, an OLED display, or any other suitable display. The display 624 may provide a graphical user interface for relaying information to the user and receiving one or more inputs from the user (e.g., via a touch screen and soft keys or buttons associated with the display).

[0039] The controller 618 can provide one or more outputs 620 to the system, including, but not limited to, drive currents or control signals to the recirculation fan 312, the exhaust fan 314, the ozone generator 318, the vessel lock 602, or the head lift mechanism 604, which can operate the process head 104 as described in Figure 1. The outputs 620 can be electrical, digital, or analog signals, or mechanical signals and outputs (e.g., motor or gear rotation).

[0040] The foregoing figures and accompanying description illustrate example processes and systems. However, the described systems (or their software or other components) are contemplated to use, implement, or perform any suitable techniques for performing these and other tasks. It will be understood that these processes are for illustrative purposes only, and that the described or similar techniques may be performed at any suitable time, including simultaneously, individually, or in combination. In addition, many of the operations in these processes may occur simultaneously, concurrently, and / or in a different order than that shown. Furthermore, the described systems and flows may use processes and / or components that involve or perform additional, fewer, and / or different operations, so long as the methods and systems remain appropriate.

[0041] In other words, while the present disclosure has been described with respect to particular embodiments and generally associated methods, modifications and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of exemplary embodiments does not define or constrain the present disclosure. Other modifications, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A removable container; a cover configured to fit over the container, The cover is a recirculation fan configured to recirculate air throughout the vessel; an ozone generator configured to disperse ozone into the container; an exhaust fan configured to exhaust air from the vessel through an exhaust port; a filter disposed in a flow path between the exhaust fan and the exhaust port; Intake port and Including, Storage device.

2. A support is provided, 10. The storage device of claim 1, wherein the cover is secured to the support and the container is removably nestable within the support.

3. 3. The storage device of claim 2, wherein the cover is attached to a telescoping arm of the support, the telescoping arm being configured to move the cover relative to the container.

4. the intake port includes a ducted passage through the cover; 10. The storage device of claim 1, wherein the ducted flow path is configured to require intake air to pass through the container before reaching the recirculation fan or the exhaust fan.

5. The storage device of claim 1 , wherein the exhaust fan is configured to create a negative pressure within the container relative to ambient atmospheric pressure.

6. 10. The storage device of claim 1, comprising a controller configured to adjust the speed of the recirculation fan and the exhaust fan and the output level of the ozone generator.

7. a pressure sensor configured to measure a difference between the pressure in the container and ambient pressure; The storage device of claim 6 , wherein the controller is configured to adjust the speed of the exhaust fan based on the pressure difference.

8. 7. The storage device of claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to shut off the recirculation fan, the exhaust fan, and the ozone generator when the cover is separated from the container.

9. a gas sensor configured to measure a concentration of ozone within the container; 7. The storage device of claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to adjust a power level of the ozone generator based on the measured concentration of ozone.

10. 1. A method for storing organic waste, comprising: placing the organic waste in a container; placing a cover over the container; The cover is recirculating air throughout the vessel with a first fan; exhausting air from the container using a second fan through a filter; dispersing ozone into said container; A method characterized by:

11. The method of claim 10 comprising a support, said cover being secured to said support and said container being removably nestable within said support.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the cover is attached to a telescoping arm of the support, the telescoping arm being configured to position the cover over the container.

13. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the cover comprises an intake port with a duct flow path through the cover, the duct flow path configured to require intake air to pass through the vessel before reaching the first fan or the second fan.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the second fan is configured to create a negative pressure within the container relative to ambient atmospheric pressure.

15. The method of claim 10, comprising adjusting the speed of the first fan, the speed of the second fan, and the amount of ozone dispersion.

16. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein adjusting the speed of the second fan comprises sensing a difference in pressure within the vessel from ambient pressure and adjusting the speed of the second fan based on the pressure difference.

17. 16. The method of claim 15, comprising stopping the first fan, the second fan, and the ozone dispersion when the cover is separated from the container.

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