Composting and compost size sorting machine, and food waste composting method

Abstract

The composting and compost size sorting machine comprises of the following components: at least a composting container assembly, a platform frame, rotating shaft assemblies, a rotation control box or at least one hand crank handle, and at least a tray. An aerobic food waste composting method for using with this machine is provided. The composting container assembly can be lifted by the rotating shaft assemblies mounted on top of the platform frame and rotated by a motor inside a rotation control box or a hand crank handle installed on a side of the platform frame. The purpose of the invention is to encourage households to reduce global warming by eliminating food waste at the source; to make it easy to use; to reduce limitations of food waste; to be able to sort the size of the compost; and to be able to use for both aerobic or anaerobic composting method.

Description

COMPOSTING AND COMPOST SIZE SORTING MACHINE, AND FOOD WASTE COMPOSTING METHOD

[0001] The composting and compost size sorting machine, and a food waste composting method comprises of the following components: a composting container assembly, a platform frame, two sets of rotating shaft assemblies, a rotation control box or a hand crank handle, a tray and an aerobic food waste composting method for using with this machine. The composting container assembly is riveted on both sides with the two sets of the rotating shaft assemblies which are installed on the platform frame so that the composting container assembly can be lifted and rotated by a motor of rotation control box or a hand crank handle installed at a side of the platform frame. The composting container assembly comprises of a composting container; a main lid; a secondary lid installed on the main lid for convenient inserting food waste or organic materials, such as coconut coir or sawdust, into the composting container; a compost size sorting lid for separating the small-sized compost and reducing moisture from the composting container; ventilation pipe assemblies comprising of insect-proof screens and covers; composting container holders attached to the flanges of the rotating shaft assemblies installed into the platform frame; the lid lockers for tightly locking the main lid or the compost size sorting lid to prevent food waste and organic objects from falling out of the composting container while being rotated; the surface area increasing assemblies installed inside the composting container; and liquid drain holes with liquid stoppers at the bottom of the composting container. The composting container assembly has functions of holding the food waste and the organic materials, selecting the composting method, mixing and turning the pile, increasing the surface area of food waste while being rotated, and draining the liquids produced from the composting process.

[0002] The purpose of the invention is to encourage households to participate widely in helping to reduce global warming by eliminating food waste at the source; to make it easy to use, especially for women or the elderly because it can help save effort in making compost; to reduce the steps of mixing food waste with organic materials such as coconut coir or sawdust; to save time in turning the pile to add air in the composting process; to reduce limitations on the size and hardness of food waste; to be able to separate the size of the compost; and to be able to use for both aerobic or anaerobic composting method.

[0003] Engineering related to the composting and compost size sorting machine, and a food waste composting method.

[0004] Improperly disposed household food waste is one of the causes of global warming. To reduce the improperly disposed food waste, there are many different types of food waste disposers available today. Each type has its own limitations. Such as, methods with propellers in food waste containers, there are limitations on the size and hardness of the food waste as it can cause the blades to jam. Models, which use static composting containers, are required cutting food waste to small pieces, mixing food waste with organic materials before placing it the composting containers and periodically turning the pipe manually. These make it inconvenient for some users to perform these steps. Anaerobic fermentation methods, the products from the composting must be buried for further decomposition after composting food waste. Methods, which use heat to dispose of food waste, are still priced beyond the reach of the average household. Methods, which users must rotate an octagon or hexagon containers by hand, are needed to adjust their lids upward since they may be in an upside-down or angled position, and needed to adjust the weight distribution of food waste and organic materials inside the composting containers so that the lids of the composting containers are at the desired position for removing compost from the composting containers. These are inconvenient because the weight distribution changes when they are rotated or removed the compost from the composting container, causing the positions are at undesired position. Additionally, the decomposed liquid or moisture from food waste cannot be drained or remove efficiently from the composting container. Users still need to take the compost out of the composting containers and then dry it to remove moisture from the compost and must sort the compost by size themselves for appropriate use for different type of plant or different period of planting. Limitations of various methods of food waste disposal mentioned above can be solved by lifting a composing container above ground; by using instruction sets in the microcontroller to control motor to automatically rotate a composting container, detect the position of the composting container, calculate and control the rotation speed, adjust power to drive the motor at a constant rotation speed even though the weight of food waste and organic materials in the composting container increases when food waste or organic materials are added or decreases when compost is removed from the composting container, stop the composting container vertically to make it convenient for users to put food waste or organic materials in, change rotation directions to distribute the weight in the composting container and mix the food waste with the organic materials well, and lock the composting container at any position to easily take out the compost from the composting container; and by adding ventilation pipe assemblies for selecting aerobic or anaerobic composting method to the composting container, drain holes with stoppers to remove liquid out of the composting container and a compost size sorting lid to remove moisture and separate compost sizes for appropriate use for each type of plant or each period of the plant.

[0005] As shown in, the composting and compost size sorting machine comprises of the following components: At least one composting container assembly (1) that has functions of holding the food waste and organic materials, selecting the composting method, mixing and turning the pile, increasing the surface area of food waste while being rotated, and draining the liquids produced from the composting process; The platform frame (2) that has functions supporting rotating shaft assemblies (3), locking a hand crank handle (5) with a locking pin (23) at the vertical or inclined position and holding a rotation control box; The rotating shaft assemblies (3) which are mounted to the platform frame (2). They are also attached to the composting container assembly (1) and the motor shaft inside the rotation control box (4) or the hand crank handle (5) so that the composting container assembly (1) can be held and lifted off the ground, thus enabling the composting container assembly (1) to be rotated vertically by the motor inside the rotation control box (4) or the hand crank handle (5); The rotation control box (4) or the hand crank handle (5) that is installed at the side of the platform frame (2), its functions are to mix the food waste and organic materials together and to turn the pile to ventilate the air, moisture and heat inside the composting container assembly (1) by rotating the rotating shaft (17) of the rotating shaft assembly (3) to rotate the composting container assembly (1) attached to the flange of the other side of the rotating shaft (17); And, at least one tray (6) that is put at the bottom of the composting container assembly (1) to receive the liquid produced in the composting process, the compost that is sorted from the compost size-sorting lid (10), or the compost that has gone through the composting process.

[0006] The composting container assembly (1) has the functions of receiving food waste and organic materials; selecting a composting mechod; mixing and turning the pile of food waste and organic materials while being rotated; increasing the surface area of the food waste while being rotated so that more food waste can contact with microorganisms, thus making food waste decomposition more efficient, and draining the liquid produced from the composting process. It comprises of: A composting container (7) for receiving food waste and organic materials in the composting process; a main lid (8) for taking the compost out of the composting container (7); A secondary lid (9) installed on the main lid (8) for convenient putting food waste or organic materials into the composting container (7); A compost size sorting lid (10) that has a grate to separate the small-sized compost that has been composted inside the composting container (7) by removing the opening lid (8) and replacing it with a size sorting lid (10), the compost inside the composting container (7) will be sorted while the composting container (7) is upside down while being rotated. Compost that is smaller than the grate holes will pass through the grate holes and fall into the tray (6). it can reduce moisture from the compost while the composting container (7) is at upright position; The ventilation pipe assemblies (11) have insect-proof screens to prevent insects from entering the composting container (7) and covers that can be opened or closed to select the aerobic or anaerobic composting method and to control the air transfer, humidity and heat inside the composting container (7). They are installed on both the upper and lower sides of the composting container (7); The composting container holders (12) have the functions of holding the composting container (7) and attaching to the flanges of the rotating shaft assemblies (3) which are installed into the platform frame (2). When the rotating shaft (17) of the rotating shaft assembly (3) is rotated by the motor inside the rotation control box (4) or the hand crank handle (5), the composting container assembly (1) is also rotated; The lid lockers (13) have the function of tightly locking the main lid (8) or the compost size sorting lid (10) to prevent food waste and organic objects from falling out of the composting container (7) while it is being rotated; And, the liquid drain holes with liquid stoppers (15). The materials comprising the composting container assembly (1) are non-corrosive or rust-proof materials.

[0007] As shown in, the surface area increasing assemblies (14) are installed inside the composting container (7) has the functions of mixing and increasing the surface area of the food waste when they touch the food waste while the composting container (7) is being rotated. So that the food waste can be contacted with more microorganisms, thus making the decomposition of the food waste more efficient.

[0008] As shown in, the liquid drain holes with liquid stoppers (15) are located at the bottom of the composting container (7). When they are opened, the liquid produced in the composing process can be drained into the tray (6). The choice of opening or closing the liquid drain holes depends on the composting method chosen by users. For example, during an anaerobic fermentation process, the liquid drain holes can be opened to drain liquid produced in the fermentation process. After that, the liquid drain holes can be closed with liquid stoppers during the mixing of organic materials for further decomposition after the food waste fermented instead of being buried for further decomposition.

[0009] As shown in, the rotating shaft assembly (3) mounted on the top of the platform frame (2) and attached with the container holders (12) and the motor shaft inside the rotation control box (4) or the hand crank handle (5). They have the functions of holding and lifting the composting container assembly (1) off the ground, so that the composting container assembly (1) can be rotated vertically by the motor inside the rotation control box or the hand crank handle (5). The rotating shaft assembly comprises of the ball bearing (16) which has the functions of supporting the rotating shaft (17) and reducing the friction of the rotating shaft (17) during rotation; a flange that have the function of attaching the container holder (12) to the rotating shaft (17); and the rotating shaft (17) have the function of attaching the flange and the motor shaft inside the rotation control box (4) or the hand crank handle (5). The materials comprising the rotating assembly (3) are non-corrosive or rust-proof materials.

[0010] As shown in, the rotation control box (4) has the functions of receiving settings of the operating dates and periods to rotate the composting container assembly (1) automatically. A user can set the settings from the rotation control box (4) or from an application in a mobile phone; controlling the motor to start or stop automatically or manually; controlling the motor to rotate the motor shaft in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction; controlling the speed of the motor; displaying operating statuses; and sending alarm signals. The rotation control box (4) comprises of a motor; a sensor to indicate the position of the motor shaft; an operating date and period timer; DC power supplies; a microcontroller with instruction sets; an electrical circuit to control the operation of the motor; a circuit to measure the current used to drive the motor; a sound signal driving circuit; an automatic / manual operation switch (18) to select an automatic operation or manual operation; a rotating direction switch (19) to select the rotation of the motor shaft in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction; a speed control knob (20) to control the speed of the motor; a start / stop switch (21) to select the motor to start or stop operating so that a user can control the composing container assembly (1) to rotate or stop rotating at any desired position; and an indicator light (22) that has the function of showing the operating statuses of the rotation control box (4). If a user selects the automatic operation from the automatic / manual operation switch (18) of the rotation control box (4), when the day and time period set on the operating date and period timer arrives, the rotation control box (4) will sound an alarm to start operating, then it will start driving the motor, calculating the revolution speed and controlling the revolution speed to be low and constant to save energy. When the motor rotates its motor shaft, it will also rotate the rotating shaft (17) of the rotating shaft assembly (3), causing the composting container assembly (1) to be rotated accordingly. The motor will rotate its motor shaft in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions at a constant speed even if the weight of food waste and organic matter are increased from adding food waste or organic materials into the composting container assembly (1); or decreased from sorting the compost size from compost inside the composting container assembly (1) automatically. When the operating time is up, the rotation control box will drive the motor to adjust the position of the composting container assembly (1) to be in upright position so that, next time, the user can easily open the secondary lid (9) to put food waste or organic materials into the composting container (7). If the user selects the manual operation from the automatic / manual operation switch (18) of the rotation control box (4), the user can control the rotation of the motor shaft in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction from the rotating direction switch (19). The motor shaft speed can be controlled to be faster or slower by the speed control knob (20) to adjust the speed of the composting container assembly (1) to mix and turn the pile of food waste and organic materials inside faster or slower, or to adjust the speed of the composting container assembly (1) to sort the compost size faster or slower. The composting container assembly (1) can be controlled to stop at any desired position by using the start / stop switch (21), such as wanting the composting container assembly (1) to be upside down or tilted to take the compost out of the composting container (7). Regardless of whether the user selects the automatic or manual operation mode. The rotation control box (4) will monitor the current consumption of the motor at all times. If the current consumption for the motor drive is more than the set value either by an obstacle or overweight, the rotation control box (4) will stop the motor and indicate the operating status by flashing the display light (22) and giving an audible signal to the user.

[0011] As shown in, the hand crank handle (5) can be attached to the rotating shaft (17) of the rotating shaft assembly (3) to replace the rotation control box assembly (4) for rotating the composting container assembly (1) in cases of there is no electricity, not suitable for the use of electricity or a child at the area where the machine is placed. For example, the machine may be exposed to water or may be unsafe to operating the machine. A user can install the hand crank handle (5) by disconnecting the motor shaft inside the rotation control box (4) from the rotating shaft (17) of the rotating shaft assembly (3), then install the hand crank handle (5) to the rotating shaft (17) of the rotating shaft assembly (3) on the opposite side of the rotation control box (4), and use the locking pin (23) to lock the hand crank handle (5) to the platform frame (2) causing the position of the composting container assembly (1) to be locked as well. The position of the composting container assembly (1) can be locked at an upright position for easily putting food waste or organic materials into the composting container assembly (1), or at an inclined or upside-down position to conveniently remove compost from the composting container assembly (1). The materials that make up the hand crank handle (5) are rust-free or rust-proof.

[0012] An aerobic food waste composting method for the composting and compost size sorting machine is as follows: open all the covers of the ventilation pipe assemblies (11), open the secondary lid (9); put coconut coir or sawdust as organic materials into the composting container (7) about half of the composting container (7); add brown sugar about 4 tablespoons and dried aerobic microorganisms about 1 tablespoon or manure about one-tenth of the capacity of the composing container (7), or both; then, the liquid-separated food waste can be put into the composting container (7) without the need to mix with any organic materials; set the rotating control box (4) to operate automatically for at least 10 minutes a day. The coconut coir or sawdust will be shrinked when it absorbs the liquid from the decomposition of the food waste. Every time after adding liquid-separated food waste through the secondary lid (9), observe the inside of the secondary lid (9) for vapor or wet organic materials. If there are, add coconut coir or sawdust about half of the space inside the composting container (7) so that the food waste and the organic materials are not too wet. By setting the rotating control box (4) to operate more frequently will reduce the humidity inside the composting container (7) and will reduce the amount of coconut coir or sawdust to be added. Repeat adding liquid-separated food waste until the amount of food waste and organic materials are filled up to the level of the upper ventilation pipe assemblies (11), then stop adding the liquid-separated food waste. After that, every a few days for about two weeks, open the lid (9) and observe the inside of the lid (9) for vapor or wet organic materials. If there are, add coconut coir or sawdust about half of the space inside the composting container (7). Two weeks after stop adding liquid-separated food waste, remove the main lid (8) and replace it with the size sorting lid (10). Set the timer to operate for a few minutes every hour to prevent ants or insects from entering the composting containers assembly (1) through the grates of the size sorting lid (10). The compost in the composting container (7) will be sorted while the composting container assembly (1) is at upside-down position while being rotated. The compost that is smaller than the grates will pass through the grates and fall into the tray (6). Moisture inside the composting container assembly (1) is reduced while the composting container assembly (1) is at the upright position. The small-size compost can be used as a growing material for plants or dried to replace the coconut coir or sawdust in the next composting round. About three weeks after stop adding liquid-separated food waste, the remaining compost inside the composting container assembly (1) can be poured into the tray (6) by selecting manual operation mode and using the start / stop swithch (21) to control the desired position. The compost can be used as a growing material for plants. However, if there are large pieces of food waste that have not been completely decomposed, they can be returned to the composting process again. It is recommended to have more than one machine or composting container assembly (1) so that the food waste can be continuously put into another composting container assembly (1) without waiting for the previous food waste to be decomposted. The number of machines or composting container assemblies (1) are depended on the size of the composting container assemblies (1), the amount of food waste per day and the speed of the composting process.

[0013] As mentioned in the Disclosure of Invention.

[0014] The composting and compost size sorting machine.

[0015] The surface area increasing assembly.

[0016] The liquid drain holes.

[0017] The rotating shaft assembly.

[0018] The rotation control box.

Claims

The composting and compost size sorting machine comprises of the following components: at least one composting container assembly (1), a platform frame (2), rotating shaft assemblies (3), a rotation control box (4) or at least one hand crank handle (5), and at least one tray (6).The special characteristics comprise of the following:The composting container assembly (1) comprises of a composting container (7), a main lid (8), a secondary lid (9), a size sorting lid (10), ventilation pipe assemblies (11), composting container holders (12), lid lockers (13), surface area increasing assemblies (14) and drain holes with liquid stoppers (15).The ventilation pipe assembly (11) comprises of a ventilation pipe, insect-proof screens and covers.The platform frame (2) has functions of supporting the rotating shaft assemblies (3); locking the hand crank handle (5) with a locking pin (23) at the vertical position or inclined positions; and holding a rotation control box.The rotating shaft assembly (3) comprises of a ball bearing (16), a rotating shaft (17) and a flange.The hand crank handle (5) has a hole for inserting the lock pin (23) that locks the hand crank handle to the platform frame to lock the compost container assembly (1) in the vertical position or inclined positions.The rotation control box (4) comprises of a motor, a sensor to indicate the position of the motor shaft, an operating date and period timer, DC power supplies; a microcontroller with instruction sets, a circuit to control the operation of the motor, a circuit to measure the current used to drive the motor, a sound signal driving circuit, an automatic / manual operation switch (18); a rotating direction switch (19), a speed control knob (20), a start / stop switch (21) and an indicator light (22).The rotation control box (4) can be set operating dates and periods at the timer inside the rotation control box (4) or at an application on the mobile phone.In the automatic operation mode, when the day and time period set on the operating date and period timer arrives, the rotation control box (4) will give an audible signal to start operating, then it will start driving the motor that causes the composting container assembly (1) to be rotated at low and constant revolution speed regardless of weight of food waste and organic materials changed ,and when the operating time is up, the rotation control box will drive the motor to adjust the position of the composting container assembly (1) to be at the vertical position so that a user can easily open the secondary lid (9) to put food waste or organic materials into the composting container (7).If the current consumption for driving the motor is more than a set value, the rotation control box (4) will stop the motor, give an alarm signal to the user and flash the indicator light (22).

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