Small scale automated composter

Details Small scale automated composter Small scale automated composter

1999-10-15

2001-09-04

Redding, David A. (Department: 1744)

Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology

Apparatus

Bioreactor

C435S290400

Reexamination Certificate

active

06284528

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an automated composter suitable for small scale use such as for single household domestic use.
2. Acknowledgement of Prior Art
While many automated composters for large scale use are known and are practicable, the smaller the composter the more difficult it is to obtain efficient operation. No automated composter small enough for domestic use is known. Current thinking concerning environmental considerations lead to the desirability of composting not only on a large scale but at every level of garbage disposal. On a very small scale such composting has been difficult. Composting containers are available but it has been necessary to hand mix the garbage. Moreover, simple non-aerated composting containers do not effectively compost fish, meat and some other garbage.
The only form of automatic composting on a small scale is very specialized. Automated composting toilets are available for circumstances where flush toilets are unsuitable. Composting toilets are not suitable for general purpose use. The input to such composters is especially suitable for easy composting. Usually such toilets include a composting drum which is either turned by hand periodically or turned by an electric motor periodically. There is usually no forced air circulation in composting toilets although there is provision for passive air circulation and, since these devices are usually located inside a dwelling, an external vent for noxious gases is provided.
The inventor, in the present case, has addressed the problems of providing a composting unit small enough for domestic use which will require no manual turning of the compost, which is efficient enough to compost animal based biodegradable garbage, and from which the vent emits non-noxious gas.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided a composter for domestic or small scale use comprising an airtight housing about a preliminary mixing chamber for compostable material have an imperforate floor and a secondary composting chamber, having an inlet to the mixing chamber for garbage and an outlet from the composting chamber for compost, there being a dividing wall between said preliminary mixing chamber and said secondary composting chamber, a communicating aperture A being provided above the dividing wall between an upper part of the preliminary mixing chamber and an upper part of the secondary composting chamber, mixing means being provided in the mixing chamber arranged to circulate composting garbage within the mixing chamber about a horizontal axis parallel to the plane of the dividing wall in a path such that, when the level of composting garbage is above the dividing wall, said garbage is directed in its circulatory path towards said aperture to spill over into said secondary composting chamber. Air flow means are provided comprising an inlet into an upper part of said primary mixing chamber, air communication means between said primary mixing chamber and said secondary composting chamber, air dissipation means for said secondary composting chamber, air communication means from said composting chamber to an air filter, and air outlet means from the housing and a fan to promote the circulation of air through said airflow means.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5047349 (1991-09-01), Eweson
patent: 19030415 (1997-02-01), None
patent: 0599661 (1994-06-01), None
patent: 2701257 (1994-08-01), None
patent: 2704120 (1994-10-01), None

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