Patent Application
20120223078
The present invention relates generally to collection of organic materials, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to a compost collector for storing kitchen organic waste.
As concern about landfill space increases, worldwide interest in recycling by means of composting is growing, since composting is a process for converting decomposable organic materials into useful stable products. Increasingly there is greater attention on the need for composting organic waste generated in households.
One significant drawback for collecting green waste in a household environment is that organic waste can begin to decompose quite rapidly. Traditionally, indoor/countertop storage solutions cover and seal the contents of a “garbage” pail which decreases the oxygen supply to the contents. Putting green waste into such an environment where oxygen is limited initiates a fairly rapid anaerobic decomposition.
It is this anaerobic decomposition that creates fluids, odors, and potentially toxic bacteria that prevent acceptance of countertop/in-house collection and storage of organic waste in preparation for composting. The anaerobic decomposition is further undesirable in that the process attracts flies and other pests which can spread disease, and it is better to avoid attracting such pests into a household. Additionally, the collection and management of in-home organic waste generally requires tools and procedures that can clash with desired design and aesthetic elements.
There are products that collect and store organic waste in the household, using devices that look and function more or less like garbage bins and the like. In some contexts and for some users, there is a desirable to completely avoid storage of organic waste in living areas, which can be related to an aversion to odors, messiness, and/or cleanliness associated with even relatively short-term storage of organic waste. While having an aversion or resistance to prior art implementations, the user would prefer to enjoy advantages associated with composting/recycling of organic waste.
What is needed is a compost collector that permits convenient accumulation and storage of household organic waste that is more sanitary, less messy, and less odiferous.
Disclosed is a compost collector and compost collection method that permits efficient accumulation and storage of household organic waste that is more sanitary, less messy, and less odiferous. The following summary of the invention is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of technical features related to household collection of green waste, and is not intended to be a full description of the present invention. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the invention can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole.
An organic material collection apparatus includes a housing having closed side wall defining a storage volume and joined bottom forming a container having an opening, the side wall formed from a pliable elastomeric material that maintains elasticity at a temperature less than the freezing point of water, with the side wall sufficiently pliable when containing frozen organic matter to permit the bottom to be depressed toward the opening to dislodge the frozen organic matter from the storage volume; and a mounting structure, coupled to the side wall, for hooking the housing over an edge of an upright planar wall.
A method for collecting organic waste including: a) hooking a mounting structure over an edge of an upright planar drawer face of a drawer underlying a work surface, the mounting structure coupled to a container including one or more walls made with a pliable elastomeric material, the container including a top opening and a closed bottom with a side wall enclosing a storage volume; b) supporting the top opening using the hooked mounting structure near a portion of the work surface having a quantity of organic matter; c) scooping the quantity of organic matter into the storage volume; d) unhooking the mounting structure from the drawer face; and thereafter e) freezing the quantity of organic matter while it is in the storage volume.
The method of some embodiment further includes: f) pushing the bottom towards the top opening while the quantity of organic matter is frozen inside the storage volume, the pushing step g) dislodging the frozen organic matter from inside the storage volume.
Embodiments of the present invention provide an easy way to scoop organic matter off of a countertop into a storage volume. Storage of the organic waste in a freezer compartment completely eliminates the drawbacks of organic decomposition associated with countertop collection and storage of organic matter. The storage volume may be removed from the freezer to have more organic matter added, and placed back in the freezer for storage. When full and/or ready for recycling, the container is manipulated (e.g., the bottom pressed towards the top opening) to dislodge the frozen organic waste and remove it from the container. The organic waste may then be put directly on a compost pile or put into green recycling processes. The mounting structure hooks over an edge of drawer or other similar structure to position the top opening near the countertop surface, allowing organic material to be easily scooped into the container. The mounting structure of some implementations permits the drawer to be fully or partially closed to position the top opening at the edge of the countertop to avoid scooping material onto the floor. Preferably the shape of the housing permits multiple housings to be nested together for efficient storage and access.
This device is not designed as a composter but as a collection apparatus and method to gather and store frozen organic waste for later composting. This eliminates the generation of the compost fluids, odors, and attractiveness of the stored material to pests. Because the drawbacks are removed, the collection and storage of organic waste for compost/recycling is enhanced.
Other features, benefits, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent upon a review of the present disclosure, including the specification, drawings, and claims.
The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally-similar elements throughout the separate views and which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, further illustrate the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a compost collector that permits aesthetic accumulation and storage of household organic waste that is more sanitary, less messy, and less odiferous. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements
Various modifications to the preferred embodiment and the generic principles and features described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.
A formed mounting structure 810 attaches to, coupled to, or otherwise integrated with sidewall 805. When assembled/formed, mounting structure 810 preferably provides for a drawer face attachment system that hooks over an edge of an upright planar surface (e.g., a drawer face or the like), the drawer face part of a drawer underlying a work surface that has collected a quantity of organic material to be stored.
The drawer is opened, mounting system 810 is hooked over the upright drawer face, and the drawer is opened/closed sufficiently to position the top opening below/adjacent an edge of the work surface. Then the organic material may be scooped into the storage volume directly from the work surface. Collector 100 is unhooked and placed into the freezer with the quantity of organic waste stored in the storage volume.
After freezing, eventually it will be desired to remove the frozen organic waste, such as to transfer it to a compost pile or add it to recycling process. Collector 100 may be inverted, mounting structure 810 may be used as a handle, and the frozen contents are dislodged and removed by manipulating pliable sidewall 805 (e.g., by depressing the bottom towards the top opening).
There are many advantages to this disclosed structure for collecting and storing organic waste besides the elimination of decomposition odors and fluids, with the associated pests. The flexibility of the sidewalls permits collector 800 to be stored anywhere in the freezer where there is space without worrying about the size and orientation of that space.
The system and methods above has been described in general terms as an aid to understanding details of preferred embodiments of the present invention. Other preferred embodiments of the present include the described application for organic waste collection. In the description herein, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of components and/or methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that an embodiment of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other apparatus, systems, assemblies, methods, components, materials, parts, and/or the like. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of embodiments of the present invention.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “a specific embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention and not necessarily in all embodiments. Thus, respective appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or “in a specific embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics of any specific embodiment of the present invention may be combined in any suitable manner with one or more other embodiments. It is to be understood that other variations and modifications of the embodiments of the present invention described and illustrated herein are possible in light of the teachings herein and are to be considered as part of the spirit and scope of the present invention.
It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements depicted in the drawings/figures can also be implemented in a more separated or integrated manner, or even removed or rendered as inoperable in certain cases, as is useful in accordance with a particular application.
Additionally, any signal arrows in the drawings/Figures should be considered only as exemplary, and not limiting, unless otherwise specifically noted. Furthermore, the term “or” as used herein is generally intended to mean “and/or” unless otherwise indicated. Combinations of components or steps will also be considered as being noted, where terminology is foreseen as rendering the ability to separate or combine is unclear.
As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, “a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed herein. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes only, various equivalent modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate. As indicated, these modifications may be made to the present invention in light of the foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention and are to be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Thus, while the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosures, and it will be appreciated that in some instances some features of embodiments of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth. Therefore, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the essential scope and spirit of the present invention. It is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular terms used in following claims and/or to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include any and all embodiments and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims. Thus, the scope of the invention is to be determined solely by the appended claims.
