Under-sink organic waste separator

Abstract

To provide a garbage separator for use under a sink which is safe and easy to use and allowed to reduce or suppress smell release.SOLUTION: A garbage separator 12, to be attached to a sink drainpipe, comprises a horizontal pipe 36 that includes proximal and distal ends, a sidewall 44, a solid-garbage outlet 24 positioned at the distal end and a flange 42 on the sidewall 44 and defines a horizontal bore 52, a motor 64 driven helical-vane member 62 that is received in the horizontal bore 52, a circularly cylindrical filter 66 that encompasses the helical-vane member 62, a drainage recoverer 38 that is positioned below the circularly cylindrical filter 66 and terminates at a drainage outlet, a sink drainage inlet 22 that is positioned close to the proximal end and vertical to the horizontal bore 52 and in fluid-communication with the horizontal bore 52, a vertically-closed flap valve 76 that is hinged at the horizontal pipe 36 around the distal end, a hinge actuator for the vertically-closed flap valve 76, and a micro-processor that is to electronically communicate with the hinge actuator.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology is a household device for separating wastewater into solid and liquid waste. More specifically, the technology is a microprocessor-controlled in-line organic waste separator for a sink drain. [Background technology]

[0002] Over the years, food waste management has changed. Garbage disposals have been considered a rational method for disposing of solid waste. However, these devices use large amounts of water and place unnecessary strain on sewer systems. Furthermore, these devices discard material that could be used for composting or anaerobic digestion. Current methods focus on solid waste reduction. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,629,299 discloses a kitchen sink composting-type food disposal device that separates food waste into liquid and solid portions. The liquid portion is routed to a standard sewer or septic tank. The solid portion is routed to a removable storage container. The food waste is separated by a motor-driven spiral blade member. The spiral blade member is adjacent to the inner wall of a shielding cup, and the liquid is discharged through the shielding portion of the cup and the solids through an opening at the bottom of the cup. A microprocessor circuit senses the load on the drive motor and, if the load becomes excessive, automatically reverses the direction of the shaft and spiral blade member to discharge the excess food waste causing the load. Because solid waste is stored in an open storage bin, odors are not contained. Furthermore, pests may be attracted to the waste due to the odor. Furthermore, if not emptied regularly, the solid waste may become contaminated with mold and other fungi, releasing fungal spores into the surrounding area. Composting garbage disposals are not closed systems. The layout and design of the solid waste discharge pipe presents a problem: the spiral blades direct the solid waste to the bottom of the cup, blocking the opening of the discharge pipe, which has a diameter much smaller than the bottom of the cup. The layout of the outlet and waste pipes presents a problem, as liquids are preferentially discharged through the solid waste outlet pipe.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses an under-sink waste treatment device that includes a waste separator that extracts liquid from organic waste and routes the extracted liquid to a residential drain. The remaining solids, known as mushy organic matter, are dried in a dryer and deposited in a removable collection container. A cutter, sometimes called a spiral blade, separates the organic waste before drying. The cutter is mounted laterally within the waste separator. The mushy organic matter outlet and liquid outlet are located on opposite sides of the waste separator. Therefore, the impetus of the cutter pushes the mushy organic matter toward the mushy organic matter outlet but does not direct the liquid toward the liquid outlet, resulting in insufficient separation of the liquid and solids. This system is therefore highly inefficient. Because no measures are taken to seal the system from the environment, odors may be emitted. Drying requires a lot of energy and also emits odors. Furthermore, the dried waste must be replenished with water before it can be used as compost.

[0004] Patent Document 3 discloses a garbage disposal device. The garbage disposal device includes a shredding device that shreds garbage introduced through a sink drain and a connecting member; a horizontal conveying device that transports the shredded garbage laterally; a dehydrating device that receives the shredded garbage transported through the horizontal conveying device and dehydrates the shredded garbage while transporting it upward; a drying device that receives the shredded garbage discharged from the dehydrating device through a chute and rotates to dry the shredded garbage; and a garbage receptacle that can be retracted below the drying device. The shredded garbage dried and reduced in volume by the drying device falls from the rotating drying device and is collected in the garbage receptacle. This drying process consumes a large amount of energy and generates an odor. Furthermore, the resulting dried garbage needs to be replenished with moisture in order to be used as compost. Because the garbage disposal device includes an exhaust fan and a removable receptacle, it is not a closed system and does not appear to have a mechanism for isolating it from the surrounding environment.

[0005] Patent Document 4 discloses a waste separator for attachment to a sink drain and collection container. The waste separator includes a proximal end, a distal end, a sidewall between the proximal and distal ends, a solid waste outlet at the distal end, and a magnetic flange on the sidewall. The waste separator includes a lateral pipe defining a lateral bore and accommodating a motor-driven helical blade member and a cylindrical filter between the motor-driven helical blade member and the lateral pipe sidewall. A sink drain inlet located near the proximal end, perpendicular to and in fluid communication with the lateral bore, a normally closed solenoid valve located near the distal end of the lateral pipe, and a lower container defining an interior in fluid communication with the lateral bore near the proximal end, including a drain outlet. The collection container has a predetermined volume, and gas is trapped within the unit when the collection container is attached to the waste separator, but gas is released when the collection container is removed from the waste separator or when a sink plug is removed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 9,694,362 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 8,464,970 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Patent No. 7,954,739 [Patent Document 4] Canadian Patent No. 3011856 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] There is a need for an under-sink waste separator that is safe, easy to use, and reduces or prevents odor emissions. Preferably, the waste separator would be small and allow for the use of larger containers. Even more preferably, the waste separator would be energy efficient. Even more preferably, the waste separator would have few moving parts. Even more preferably, the waste separator would reduce or eliminate inadvertent water spillage. It is also desirable that the waste separator be microprocessor controllable. Preferably, the waste separator is a closed system when the flap valve is closed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The technology is a safe, easy-to-use under-sink waste separator that reduces and eliminates odor emissions. The technology is compact, energy-efficient, and has few moving parts. The technology can reduce or eliminate accidental water spills. The technology is microprocessor controlled. The waste separator allows for the use of larger containers. The waste separator is a closed system when the flap valve is closed. Because the system does not separate solid waste or dry out solid waste, the system requires low power.

[0009] In one embodiment, a waste separator and collector system for use under a sink is provided, the waste separator comprising: a transverse pipe including a proximal end, a distal end, a sidewall between the proximal and distal ends, a solid waste outlet located at the distal end, and a flange on the sidewall, the transverse pipe defining a transverse bore; a motor-driven non-cutting helical blade member received in the transverse bore; a cylindrical filter positioned around the motor-driven non-cutting helical blade member; a water collector located below the cylindrical filter and terminating in a drain outlet; a sink wastewater inlet located near the proximal end, perpendicular to the transverse bore, and in fluid communication with the transverse bore; a normally closed flap valve hinged to the transverse pipe near the distal end; a hinge actuator for the normally closed flap valve; and a microprocessor in electronic communication with the hinge actuator. The collector includes a telescoping container defining an interior. The telescoping container includes an inner member including a wall, a top, a push pin on the wall, and a waste opening in the wall, an outer member including a wall, a bottom, and a plurality of vertically disposed openings in the wall for releasably engaging the push pins, and a drawer slidably engaging the front of both the inner and outer members. At least the distal end of the lateral pipe extends into the interior such that the flange abuts a rear surface of the collection section and releasably seals the lateral pipe to the rear surface.

[0010] In the system, the waste separator may further include a pressure sensor within the water collection section adjacent the proximal end of the lateral bore and in electronic communication with the microprocessor.

[0011] In the system, the waste separator may further include a locking arm hinged to the transverse pipe proximate the distal end, and a locking arm actuator in electronic communication with the microprocessor.

[0012] In the system, the waste separator may further include a pair of gaskets between the distal end and the normally closed flap valve.

[0013] The system may include an alarm. The collection section may include a sensor that detects when the collection section is full. The alarm and sensor may be in electronic communication with the microprocessor.

[0014] In the system, the collection section may further include a collection container housed in the internal drawer.

[0015] In the system, the outer member of the expandable container may further include a plurality of air intake openings in a wall adjacent the bottom, and the top includes a plurality of ventilation openings.

[0016] In the system, the upper portion of the extendable container may include a filter housing underneath.

[0017] The system may further include an activated carbon filter within the filter housing.

[0018] In the system, the motor-driven helical blade member may be a non-cutting motor-driven helical blade member.

[0019] In another embodiment, a method for separating organic solid waste from liquid waste in wastewater and recovering the organic solid waste is provided using the above-described system connected to a sink drain, the method including the steps of a user activating the waste separator as wastewater enters the system, the system opening the normally closed flap valve, the waste separator pumping the organic solid waste into the extendable vessel, and discharging the liquid waste from the system to a drain.

[0020] The method may further include the user deactivating the waste separator and the system closing the normally closed flap valve.

[0021] The method may further include the system autonomously closing the normally closed flap valve.

[0022] In this method, the user may remotely activate the system.

[0023] In another embodiment, a waste separator for attachment to a sink drain is provided, the waste separator comprising: a transverse pipe including a proximal end, a distal end, a sidewall between the proximal and distal ends, a solid waste outlet located at the distal end, and a flange on the sidewall, the transverse pipe defining a transverse bore, a motor-driven non-cutting helical blade member received in the transverse bore, a cylindrical filter positioned around the motor-driven non-cutting helical blade member, a water collection section located below the cylindrical filter and terminating in a drain outlet, a sink wastewater inlet located near the proximal end, perpendicular to the transverse bore, and in fluid communication with the transverse bore, a normally closed flap valve hinged to the transverse pipe near the distal end, a hinge actuator for the normally closed flap valve, and a microprocessor in electronic communication with the hinge actuator.

[0024] The waste separator may further include an upper pipe disposed between the sink wastewater inlet and the lateral pipe, the upper pipe defining an upper bore, the upper bore in fluid communication with the sink wastewater inlet and the lateral bore.

[0025] In the waste separator, the upper pipe may include a dishwasher waste inlet.

[0026] The waste separator may further include a pressure sensor located within the water collection section adjacent the proximal end of the lateral bore, the pressure sensor being in electronic communication with the microprocessor.

[0027] The waste separator may further include a locking arm hinged to the transverse pipe adjacent the distal end, and a locking arm actuator in electronic communication with the microprocessor.

[0028] The waste separator may further include a pair of gaskets between the distal end and the normally closed flap valve.

[0029] The waste separator may further comprise a motor attached to the proximal end of the transverse pipe for driving the non-cutting helical blade member to provide the motor-driven non-cutting helical blade member.

[0030] In the waste separator, the flange may be a magnetic flange.

[0031] In the waste separator, the hinge actuator may be a servo.

[0032] In the waste separator, the lock arm actuator may be a servo. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a waste separation and recovery system of the present technology. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a waste separator of the system of FIG. 1. [Figure 3A] 3A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the waste separator of FIG. 2 taken along line 3A. [Figure 3B] 3B is a cross-sectional view of the waste separator of FIG. 2 taken along line 3B. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a left side view of the waste separator. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a vessel of the system of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a collection container. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a container showing airflow through the container. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a side view of a container installed on a waste separator within a cabinet. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the electronics of the system. [Figure 11A] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a microprocessor and a switch. [Figure 11B] 1 is a schematic diagram of a microprocessor and a Bluetooth® radio. [Figure 11C] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a Bluetooth® radio that further communicates with an application on a mobile device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] Unless expressly stated otherwise, the following rules of interpretation apply to this specification (the specification and claims): (a) all words used herein shall be construed in accordance with gender or number (singular or plural) as appropriate to the context; (b) the singular terms, indefinite and definite articles, used in this specification and the appended claims, include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise; (c) the preposition "about" applied to a cited range or numerical value expresses approximation within the known or expected deviation in that range or numerical value from the measurement method in question; (d) the words "herein," "herein," "herefrom," "toward," "earlier," and "hereafter," and words of similar import, refer to this specification as a whole, and not to particular paragraphs, claims, or other subdivisions, unless expressly stated otherwise; (e) descriptive headings are for convenience only and do not affect the meaning or interpretation of any part of this specification; (f) "or" and "optional" are not exclusionary, and "include" and "including" are not limitations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" shall be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to") unless otherwise specified.

[0035] The recitation of ranges of values ​​herein, unless otherwise indicated herein, is intended to serve only as a shorthand method for individually referencing each individual value falling within the range, and each individual value is incorporated herein as if it were individually set forth herein. Where a specific range of values ​​is provided, it is understood that values ​​between the upper and lower limits of the stated range, and any other stated or intervening value within the stated range, are included therein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. All smaller ranges are also included. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges are also included therein, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range.

[0036] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the relevant art. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used, acceptable methods and materials are described below.

[0037] [Definition] Information Processing Device - In the context of the present technology, an information processing device is a mobile phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, or specially made information processing device. The information processing device comprises a memory and a processor.

[0038] Handheld Mobile Device - In the context of the present technology, a handheld mobile device is a mobile phone, a tablet or a laptop.

[0039] Dishwasher wastewater - In the context of the present technology, dishwasher wastewater is the mixture of liquid waste and organic solids that is pumped down the drain from the dishwasher.

[0040] Sink wastewater - In the context of the present technology, sink wastewater is the mixture of liquid waste and organic solids that is discharged from a sink into a drain.

[0041] Filtered wastewater - In this technology, filtered wastewater is water that has passed through a filter in a waste separator and has a significantly reduced content of solid organic waste.

[0042] [Detailed explanation] A waste separation and collection system, generally designated 10, is shown in Figure 1. A waste separator, generally designated 12, is positioned in-line on a drain pipe 14 between a sink 16 and a trap 18. As shown in Figure 2, the waste separator has two waste inlets, a dishwasher drain inlet generally designated 20 and a sink drain inlet generally designated 22, and two outlets, a solid waste outlet generally designated 24 and a filtered water outlet generally designated 26. Returning to Figure 1, the waste separator 12 is mounted in an enclosure 30.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A, the housing, generally designated 32, includes an upper pipe 34, a lateral pipe 36, and a wastewater collector 38 (see FIG. 3A). The upper pipe 34 has an upper bore 40 that terminates in a sink drain inlet 22. The sink drain inlet 22 is sized to receive the upper portion of the sink drain pipe 14 (shown in FIG. 1). A flange 42 surrounds the upper pipe 34 at the sink drain inlet 22. The dishwasher drain inlet 20 enters the upper bore 40 through a side wall 44. The dishwasher drain inlet 20 has a male end 46 for mating with the female end of a dishwasher drain hose. An electric motor housing 50 is attached to the lateral pipe 36. As shown in FIG. 3A, the lateral pipe 36 has a lateral bore 52 that terminates distally in the solid waste outlet 24 and is connected proximally to the electric motor housing 50. The wastewater collector 38 is located below the cylindrical filter 66 and has a lower surface 54 that slopes sharply from the transverse bore 38 so that its volume increases from its distal end 56 to its proximal end 58 (where the filtrate outlet 26 is located). Without being bound by theory, this promotes the flow of filtrate to the filtrate outlet 26. The filtrate outlet 26 has a drain bore 60 at its proximal end 58 that is approximately the same diameter as the wastewater collector 38. The drain bore 60 is sized to accept a standard 1.5-inch diameter waste discharge elbow of the drain pipe 14. The upper bore 40 and the area adjacent the proximal end 58 of the wastewater collector 38 are vertically aligned to form a flow-through bore, commonly referred to as 55. The flow-through bore 55 allows for gravity flow to the filtrate outlet 26 and reduces entrainment of liquid waste among the organic solids being separated by the separator. A sensor housing 61 houses a pressure sensor 63. A pressure sensor 63 determines the water level in the event of a flood so that the flap valve 76 can be closed before the system begins to flood the container 30. The lateral bore 52 houses a helical blade member 62 that is attached to a motor 64 at the proximal end 65 of the lateral pipe 36. The helical blade member 62 has a diameter with a pitch of approximately 3 inches that decreases toward the distal end 67 and is 8 inches long. The helical blade member 62 is a non-cutting helical blade member and has rounded edges 63 to prevent cutting food waste, as shown in FIG. 3B.This allows the spiral vane member to urge food waste toward the solid waste outlet 24 without producing small particles that could clog the cylindrical filter 66. The cylindrical filters 66 are attached to both the proximal end 65 and the distal end 67 of the lateral pipe 36 and reside between the spiral vane member 62 and an inner surface 68 of the lateral pipe 36, and between the spiral vane member 62 and the water collector 38. The cylindrical filter 66 has a plurality of chamfered openings 70. Without being bound by theory, the chamfering creates sharp edges at each opening 70, which may reduce the likelihood of food particles becoming trapped.

[0044] As shown in Figures 2 and 3A, the magnetic flange 72 surrounds the lateral pipe sidewall 74. As shown in Figure 3A, the distal end 67 of the lateral pipe 36 has a normally closed flap valve 76. An outer gasket 78 is disposed over the flap valve, and an inner gasket 79 is disposed over the distal end 67 to prevent water from leaking out of the separator 12 and odors from leaking out of the container 30 when the flap valve 76 is in the closed position. The dual gaskets 78, 79 reduce or eliminate water and odor escape even in the presence of food waste.

[0045] Liquid waste and solid organic waste enter waste separator 12 through dishwasher drain inlet 20 and sink drain inlet 22. When the liquid waste and solid organic waste reach transverse pipe 36, spiral blade member 62 drives the organic solid waste toward solid waste outlet 24, while the liquid waste continues to flow by gravity through filter 66 as filtered wastewater to wastewater collector 38. The efficiency of this process is demonstrated in Example 1.

[0046] Details of the flap valve 76 are shown in Figures 2 and 4. The illustrated flap valve 76 is a normally closed type flap valve 76. As shown in Figure 2, a lock arm 80 is hingedly connected to an arm servo 82. The arm servo 82 actuates the lock arm 80 to urge it from the open position to the closed position. In the closed position, the lock arm 80 presses against the flap valve 76. As shown in Figures 2 and 4, a hinge 84 is attached to the flap valve 76. As shown in Figure 4, the hinge 84 is hingedly connected to a hinge servo 86 and the flap valve 76. As a result, by operating the hinge 84, the flap valve 76 opens and closes.

[0047] 5, the bin 30 has a bottom 90, sides 92, a front 94, a back 96, and a top 98. The front 94 includes a handle 100 located on a drawer front 102. The collection bin 104 is positioned within a drawer 106. The drawer 106 has sides 108 sized to receive the collection bin 104.

[0048] 6, the collection bin 104 has a handle 110 and a lid 112. The corners of the collection bin 104 are all rounded to reduce food waste getting caught.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 7 , the bin 30 has an extendable body defined by an inner member 120 and an outer member 122. A plurality of openings 124 in the outer member 122 of the rear section 96 are sized to receive a push button 126 on the inner member 120 of the rear section 96. In this manner, the height of the bin 30 can be increased or decreased depending on the height of the cabinet. Once the height is adjusted, clips are used to secure the members 120, 122 together. A waste opening 130 in the inner member 120 of the rear section 96 is sized to receive the distal end 67 of the lateral pipe 36. An air intake opening 132 is also located in the outer member 122 of the rear section 96.

[0050] As shown in Figure 8, the vent 134 is located in the top portion 98. Beneath the top portion 98 is a holder 136 for releasably holding an activated carbon filter 138. The air flow through the container 30 is indicated by arrows. Because the air flow is convective, it passively removes warmed air from the container 30. Without being bound by theory, this reduces odors because odors require heat to develop.

[0051] 9, when the container 30 is in the retrieval position, the distal end 67 of the lateral pipe 36 is in the container interior 204 and the magnetic flange 72 abuts the rear portion 96, forming a magnetic seal between the rear portion 86 and the flange 72. This magnetic seal further reduces or eliminates odor leakage. The container 30 is screwed onto the base 224 of the cabinet 226.

[0052] In an alternative embodiment, the flange 72 is bolted to the rear portion 96 of the vessel 30 and has a gasket that presses against the rear portion 96 .

[0053] As shown in FIG. 10 , microprocessor 250 is housed in motor housing 50. Motor 64, pressure sensor 63, arm servo 82, hinge servo 86, sensor 240, preferably an ultrasonic sensor, and alarm 254 are under the control of microprocessor 250 and are therefore in electrical communication with it. Microprocessor 250 directs motor 64 through cycles that differ from the basic cycle of propelling organic waste into container 30 via the spiral blades—for example, reverse operation to clear blockages, operation at different speeds, and stopping. Returning to FIG. 9 , sensor 240 is positioned on container 30 to signal when container 30 is full. Such a signal could include, for example, an ultrasonic distance sensor, a downwardly angled optical sensor 240, and in that case, a light source 242. Alternatively, such a signal could be a pressure sensor that senses a pressure increase caused by organic waste pressing against the sensor, or a mechanical switch. However, the signal is not limited thereto. This causes the microprocessor 250 to instruct the alarm 254 to sound.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 11A, in one embodiment, the waste separation and collection apparatus 10 is hardwired to a switch 300. In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 11B, the microprocessor 250 is hardwired, and a Wi-Fi receiver 302 is in electrical communication with the microprocessor 250. The microprocessor 250 can autonomously control the opening and closing of the flap valve 76. A Wi-Fi transceiver 304 within a mobile device 306, such as, but not limited to, a cell phone, tablet, or laptop, wirelessly communicates with the Wi-Fi receiver 302 and sends instructions to the microprocessor 250. In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 11C, there is a Wi-Fi transceiver 308 in electrical communication with the microprocessor 250. The transceiver 308 transmits organic waste weight data via the Wi-Fi transceiver 304 to an application 310 on the mobile device 306. This allows the application 310 to track the amount of waste generated over time. [Example]

[0055] The waste separation and recovery device 10 was operated and the following data was obtained: - Average food waste extracted: 95%. - Average free liquid removed: 100%. - Longest dimension of processable solids (does not include soft organic matter, e.g. banana peels, which can be much larger): 3 inches - Filter size (minimum food waste size): 5 / 32 inches (keep in mind that smaller food particles can grow by being entrained in larger particles). - Run time: minimum 6 seconds. - Maximum power: 60W.

[0056] While exemplary embodiments have been described in connection with what are presently considered to be examples of the most practical and / or preferred embodiments possible, it will be understood that the description is not intended to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific exemplary embodiments specifically described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims appended hereto or subsequently filed.

Claims

1. 1. A waste separator for attachment to a sink drain, comprising: a lateral pipe including a proximal end, a distal end, and a sidewall between the proximal end and the distal end, the distal end having a solid waste outlet, the sidewall having a magnetic flange oriented toward the solid waste outlet, the lateral pipe defining a lateral bore; a motor-driven non-cutting helical blade member received in said transverse bore; a cylindrical filter positioned around the motor-driven non-cutting spiral blade member; a water collection section located below the cylindrical filter and terminating in a drain outlet; a sink wastewater inlet located near the proximal end, perpendicular to the lateral bore, and in fluid communication with the lateral bore; a normally closed flap valve hinged to the transverse pipe near the distal end and reversibly covering the solid waste outlet; a hinge actuator for the normally closed flap valve; a microprocessor in electronic communication with the hinge actuator; a locking arm hingedly attached to the transverse pipe proximate the distal end and extending to cover at least a portion of the normally closed flap valve; a lock arm actuator in electronic communication with said microprocessor; A waste separator comprising:

2. 10. The waste separator of claim 1, further comprising an upper pipe: the upper pipe is disposed between the sink wastewater inlet and the lateral pipe, the upper pipe defining an upper bore in fluid communication with the sink wastewater inlet and the lateral bore.

3. 3. The waste separator of claim 2, wherein the upper pipe includes a dishwasher waste inlet.

4. 4. A waste separator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a pressure sensor in electronic communication with the microprocessor and located within the water collection section adjacent the proximal end of the lateral bore.

5. 5. The waste separator of any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a pair of gaskets between the distal end and the normally closed flap valve.

6. 6. A waste separator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a motor attached to the proximal end of the transverse pipe for driving the non-cutting spiral blade member to provide the motor-driven non-cutting spiral blade member.

7. A waste separator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the hinge actuator is a servo.

8. A waste separator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the lock arm actuator is a servo.

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