Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology – Apparatus – Bioreactor
Patent
1997-05-12
1999-11-30
Beisner, William H.
Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology
Apparatus
Bioreactor
4352904, 4352941, 220501, 220909, C05F 902
Patent
active
059941227
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a composter and has been designed, particularly though not necessarily solely, for use as a garden composter.
BACKGROUND ART
A typical garden composter or compost bin comprises a receptacle into which food scraps, grass clippings and the like are placed to enable the composting cycle to take place. A problem with such constructions is that in general the older material is at the bottom of the composter and therefore cannot be used until at least a substantial amount of the material in the compost bin is ready for use. There exists a need therefore for a composter which will enable the older material to be removed before newer material.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a composter which will go at least some distance to meeting the foregoing requirement or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
In a first aspect the invention comprises a composter comprising means defining or assemblable to define at least three composting compartments in a vertical inter-relationship, the top most compartment including an inlet for material to be composted (optionally closeable) and the lowermost including an outlet (optionally closeable) for removing composted material,
wherein each of the upper at least two compartments provide a support surface (herein referred to as a "shelf") for material being composted until (directly or indirectly) ongoing loading of material through said inlet cascades (preferably already composting or composted) material into a lower said compartment onto a support surface.
The term "shelf" is not to be considered as restricted to planar nor regularly shaped shelves.
Preferably means is provided to close said inlet.
Preferably means is provided to close said outlet.
Preferably there are three compartments.
Preferably said means defining or assemblable to define the vertically inter-related compartments is generally round in plan.
Preferably said means defining or assemblable to define the vertically inter-related compartments is formed from a plurality of moulded components.
Preferably said moulded components are formed by rotational or blow moulding.
Preferably said components defining said at least three composting compartments are capable of being self nested with a like component and/or being nested within one of its complimentary components.
Preferably the componentry to define said composting compartments are nestable, one component at least substantially within another and can accommodate any means to close said inlet and/or said outlet.
Preferably said composter is formed largely of a plastics material.
Preferably there are two shelves only.
Preferably each said shelf is substantially bowl or the like shaped but includes eccentrically positioned therein at least one opening to allow said cascading down of composting material onto an out of register shelf below or the support surface or other support of or for the lower most compartment.
Preferably said inlet is in the top of the upper most compartment.
Preferably means is provided to close said inlet, said means being a cover that can be rotated about a substantially vertical rotational access to bring an opening into or out of register with said inlet.
Preferably said outlet is in a side wall of the lower most compartment; there being provided means capable of being moved over said outlet or away from said outlet to allow the removal of composted or composting material from the lower most compartment.
Preferably said means defining the compartments does not define a base to the lower most compartment and a support surface for the apparatus or the ground itself provides the base of said lower most compartment.
In a further aspect the invention is, as a marketable item, a nested composter of the present invention wherein the components thereof are nested to reduce space requirements.
In a further aspect the invention comprises a method of composting material which comprises providing or assembling a composter of the p
REFERENCES:
patent: 1220422 (1917-03-01), Hewitt
patent: 2026169 (1935-12-01), Guckenheimer
patent: 2043265 (1936-06-01), Roeder
patent: 3413124 (1968-11-01), Akin
patent: 4084937 (1978-04-01), Beach
patent: 5690249 (1997-11-01), Karlsten
Cooper Raymond
Smythe Michael Hugh
Beisner William H.
Prodevco (NZ) Limited
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