The disclosure relates to home accessories generally. More particularly, the disclosed subject matter relates to a composter apparatus or a countertop temporary storage device for organic waste, the method of making and the method using the same.
Tremendous organic waste is generated in household kitchens every day. Organic waste is mostly dumped as trash and eventually end in landfills. Therefore, organic waste management is very important.
Some methods and devices are used to divert organic waste from landfills. Such devices include under-sink waste disposers and garbage compacters. Disposers provide an immediate means to remove garbage from the sink area, but the disposers waste a large amount of water, which burdens sewage systems, and use energy to operate. Garbage compacters reduce the volume of garbage by crushing garbage and storing them in a plastic bag. However, the total mass of garbage remains unchanged.
Some other methods include home composting outside of houses, and municipal collection and composting. For home composting, homeowners may maintain a composting container or device in yard. The homeowners put their daily organic waste into the composting container or device. The collected organic waste will decompose and turn into compost, which can be used as fertilizer for gardens.
The present disclosure provides an apparatus as a countertop composter or a temporary storage device used in a kitchen for collecting, storing and/or composting organic wastes.
In some embodiments, such an apparatus includes a container, a frame, and a lid. The container has a bottom wall, a side wall, an open top and a top edge (or rim) of a predetermined size defined by the side wall. The frame is configured to be coupled to and support the container. The container is removably coupled to the frame. The lid defines one or more holes that can be adjustably opened and closed. In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a knob coupled with the lid, and the knob is configured to rotate, and adjustably open and close the one or more holes on the lid. The knob may comprise or be made of a material of metal, plastics or any combination thereof. The lid may also comprises an edge shaped and sized to be interlocked with the top edge of the container. The container comprises or is made of a resilient material. When the container is inverted, the container is still held onto the frame. A force can be applied onto the bottom of the container and discard organic wastes stored inside the container.
In some embodiments, the container further comprises an outwardly extending rib. The rib may be made of the same or different material for the container. In some embodiments, the rib has higher rigidity and hardness compared to the main body of the container. The apparatus further comprises a frame clip configured to be coupled with the outwardly extending rib and the frame so as to hold the container to the frame.
In some embodiments, the container further comprises a tab attached to an outside surface of the bottom wall. The tab is shaped and sized to be applied to a force and translate to the container so as to push the container inward and pull the container outward.
The lid with one or more holes can be in different configurations. For example, the lid may be a single lid that defines a plurality of holes. A cover with one or more holes may also be pivotally mounted onto the lid.
In some embodiments, the lid comprises two portions: the first lid portion and the second lid portion. The first lid portion has at least one venting region defining a plurality of holes. The second lid portion defines at least one opening. The first lid portion is configured to be disposed on the second lid portion. The second lid is configured to be disposed on the top edge of the container to cover the container. The first lid portion is configured to be movable relative to the second lid portion from a sealed or closed configuration to a venting or open configuration. The at least one venting region and the at least one opening are at least partially overlaps in the venting configuration.
In some embodiments, the knob is on the first lid portion. The knob is shaped and configured to move the first lid portion relative to the second lid portion so as to form a sealed configuration or a venting configuration. The knob and the first lid portion may be in a unitary structure molded in one step. Alternatively, the knob may be made separately and then attached with the first lid portion through any suitable means such as screws. In some embodiments, the knob is coupled with a center of the first lid portion, and is hollow facing inward. The second lid portion has an upward pin shaped and sized to be inserted into the knob.
The container may be in any suitable shape. For example, the container may be a bucket substantially in a shape of a cylinder or a frustum of cone. The lid including the portions such as the first lid portion and the second lid portion are substantially circular. In some embodiments, the first lid portion may have a size equal to or smaller than the predetermined size. The second lid portion may also have a size equal to or smaller than the predetermined size. In some embodiments, the first lid portion is smaller than the second lid, and is shaped to have a bottom surface substantially matching with a top surface of the second lid portion. The second lid portion may comprise an edge shaped and sized to be interlocked with the top edge of the container in some embodiments.
The hole defined by the lid can be in any suitable configuration. For example, the at least one venting region of the first lid portion can be in any suitable configuration to provide a plurality of holes or apertures through the first lid portion. For example, the at least one venting region of the first lid portion may comprise a mesh structure, a grid structure, a net structure, or the like or any combination thereof. The at least one venting regions may be arranged in a pattern. In some embodiments, the first lid portion comprises six venting regions radially distributed throughout the first lid, and the second lid portion defines six openings radially distributed throughout the second lid accordingly.
The knob, the first lid portion, and the second lid portion may be made of a plastic or reinforced elastomer. The frame may be made of a metal, a plastics or a combination thereof. The container is made of an elastomer, which is optionally reinforced. For example, the container may be made of a hydrophobic elastomer having a shore A hardness in the range from 20 to 90. In some embodiments, the container is made of a silicone.
In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of making the apparatus as described. Such a method comprises the steps of providing the container, the frame, the lid (for example, the first lid portion and the second lid portion), and assembling them to form the apparatus. The container including the outwardly extending rib and the bottom tab may be molded from a same material such as an elastomer or different materials, as described. The lid, the first or the second lid may be molded from a plastics or reinforced elastomer. The knob and the first lid portion may be in a unitary structure molded in one step. Alternatively, the knob may be made separately and then attached with the first lid portion through any suitable means such as screws. The pin and the second lid portion may be in a unitary structure molded in one step.
In the assembling step, the container is coupled onto the frame, for example, by pushing the frame clip inward and coupling with the frame. The lid such as the second lid portion is placed onto the top edge of the container so as to cover the container. The lid (e.g., the second lid portion) may have an edge to engage or interlock with an edge of the container. The first lid portion is placed onto the second lid portion in some embodiments.
In another aspect, the present disclosure also provides a method of using the apparatus as described. The apparatus is placed on a countertop in a kitchen. In such a method, the lid, for example, the first and the second lid portions, are removed from the container, organic waste can be placed into the container. In some embodiments, the first lid portion is moved relative to the second lid portion to one of the sealed configuration and the venting configuration so as to adjust air flow into the container. The air flow can be increased, decreases or completely shut off. It is preferable that air may get into the container for compositing, but no odor of decayed organic waste comes out of the container. In some embodiments, the first lid portion comprises a knob. The first lid portion is moved relative to the second lid by applying a force to the knob to rotate the first lid portion.
The method of using may further comprise removing the lid or lid portions from the container, inverting the container with the open top at least partially facing down, and pushing the container so as to remove the organic waste out of the container. In some embodiments, the container comprises a tab on an outside surface of the bottom wall. A force is applied onto the tab to translate the container inward to remove the organic waste inside. The organic waste can be directly dumped to a big outdoor composter. The tab is pulled outward and the container return back to an original shape. The container can be washed or rinsed with water under a faucet or with water from a garden hose, and/or washed in a dishwasher.
The present disclosure is best understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawings are not necessarily to scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. Like reference numerals denote like features throughout specification and drawings.
This description of the exemplary embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description, relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,”, “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivative thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.
For purposes of the description hereinafter, it is to be understood that the embodiments described below may assume alternative variations and embodiments. It is also to be understood that the specific articles, compositions, and/or processes described herein are exemplary and should not be considered as limiting.
In the present disclosure the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. When values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. As used herein, “about X” (where X is a numerical value) preferably refers to ±10% of the recited value, inclusive. For example, the phrase “about 8” preferably refers to a value of 7.2 to 8.8, inclusive. Where present, all ranges are inclusive and combinable. For example, when a range of “1 to 5” is recited, the recited range should be construed as including ranges “1 to 4”, “1 to 3”, “1-2”, “1-2 & 4-5”, “1-3 & 5”, “2-5”, and the like. In addition, when a list of alternatives is positively provided, such listing can be interpreted to mean that any of the alternatives may be excluded, e.g., by a negative limitation in the claims. For example, when a range of “1 to 5” is recited, the recited range may be construed as including situations whereby any of 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 are negatively excluded; thus, a recitation of “1 to 5” may be construed as “1 and 3-5, but not 2”, or simply “wherein 2 is not included.” It is intended that any component, element, attribute, or step that is positively recited herein may be explicitly excluded in the claims, whether such components, elements, attributes, or steps are listed as alternatives or whether they are recited in isolation.
The present disclosure provides an apparatus, a method of making and a method of using the apparatus. The apparatus can be used as a countertop composter or a temporary storage device in a kitchen for collecting, storing and/or composting organic wastes.
Referring to
Referring to
The first and the second lid portions 30, 40 can be adjusted to form any configuration between a closed configuration to an open configuration as shown in
In some embodiments, the second lid portion 40 may include a bottom lid tab 48 (
Referring to
The container 12 further comprises an outwardly extending rib 16. The rib 16 may be made of the same or different material for the container 12. In some embodiments, the container 12 including the rib 16 are integrally molded from a same elastomer such as silicone. In some embodiments, the rib 16 has higher rigidity and hardness compared to the main body of the container 12.
Referring to
Referring to
The container 12 may be in any suitable shape. For example, the container 12 may be a bucket substantially in a shape of a cylinder or a frustum of cone. The lid, including first lid portion 30 and the second lid portion 40, is substantially circular. In some embodiments, the first lid portion 30 may have a size equal to or smaller than the predetermined size. The second lid portion 40 may also have a size equal to or smaller than the predetermined size. In some embodiments, as illustrated in
The second lid portion 40 may comprise an edge facing downward shaped and sized to be interlocked with the top edge 17 of the container 12 in some embodiments. The edge of the second lid portion 40 and the top edge 17 of the container 12 may be configured to form a male-female interlocking structure circumferentially in some embodiments.
The at least one venting region 36 of the first lid portion 30 can be in any suitable configuration to provide one or more holes or apertures through the first lid portion 30. For example, referring to
The first lid portion 30 with venting regions 36 and the second lid portion 40 with openings 46 are described for illustration only. The structures of the first lid portion 30 and the second lid portion 40 can be interchangeable. For example, the first lid portion 30 may have the opening 46 as described and the second lid portion 40 may have the venting regions 36 as described. In some embodiments, the lid includes only a single portion that defines one or more venting regions therethrough. A cover can be pivotally or otherwise moveably coupled to the lid and is adapted to cover and uncover the venting region a desired amount. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that other means for providing adjustable venting in the cover can be implemented.
In some embodiments, the container 12 is made of an elastomer, which is optionally reinforced. The container 12 may have a smooth or a matted or textured surface. It is preferable that the material for the container 12 has a certain flexibility such that the container 12 is movable when pushed from the bottom 11 with a certain amount of force while the container will substantially maintain its shape when a force below the certain threshold is applied. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the amount of force required to invert the container should not be greater than an average adult or child can exert.
The flexibility of the container 12 (compost bucket) can be defined based on its Shore A hardness, which may be in the range of from 20 to 90, measured following ASTM D 2240. The container is made of a material having a Shore A hardness less than or equal to 80 is preferable. Such a material may have a shore A hardness of any suitable ranges, for example, 20-80, 30-80, 40-80, 50-80, 30-70, 40-70, or any other combination.
The container 12 is made of an elastomer, preferably a hydrophobic and mold resistant elastomer in some embodiments. For example, the container 12 is made of a hydrophobic elastomer having a shore A hardness in the range from 20 to 90 for example, 20-70, 30-70, 40-70, 50-70, 30-60, 40-60) in some embodiments. Examples of suitable materials include but are not limited to silicone (including fluorosilicone), polyolefin elastomer, nitrile rubber, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, and fluoroelastomer. In some embodiments, the container 12 including the tab 14 is made of silicone.
The lid, including the first lid portion 30, knob 50, and the second lid portion 40, may be made of a plastic or reinforced elastomer.
Suitable materials for the lid, including first (or top) lid portion 30, the second (or bottom) lid portion 40, and knob 50, may be a plastic or reinforced elastomer material having a Shore D hardness in the range from 10-90 (e.g., 30-80, 30-70, 30-60, 40-80, 40-70, 40-60, or any suitable ranges or combinations thereof), measured following ASTM D2240. In some embodiments, such a material may be a reinforced elastomer material having a Shore A hardness in the range from 70-90, measured following ASTM D2240. Such suitable materials may be a hydrophobic and/or mold resistant. Examples of suitable materials include but are not limited to high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylenene (PP), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) polymer, other polyolefins, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyamide such as nylon, polycarbonate, polysulfone, reinforced elastomer such as silicone or polyolefin elastomer, or any combination thereof. The materials for the lid, including top lid portion 30, the bottom lid portion 40, and knob 50, also have good strength and toughness.
In some embodiments, knob 50 is injected molded with plastics in a single process and then attached with the first lid portion 30 as described.
Frame clip 18 is made of plastic and has higher rigidity and hardness compared to the container. Examples of suitable materials for frame clip 18 include but are not limited to high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylenene (PP), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) polymer, other polyolefins, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyamide such as nylon, polycarbonate, polysulfone, reinforced elastomer such as silicone or polyolefin elastomer, or any combination thereof. In some embodiment, frame clip 18 is made of nylon, which is molded into silicone for rib 16 and container 12. The frame clips 18 may be in a color different from that of rib 16.
The frame 20 may be made of a metal, a plastics or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the frame 20 is made of metal wires such as stainless steel wires. In some embodiments, the frame 20 may include an internal structure to at least partially support the bottom 11 of the container 12. The frame may have a polished and smooth surface.
In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of making the exemplary apparatus 10 as described. Such a method comprises the steps of providing the container 12, the frame 20, the lid 34, which may include the first lid portion 30 and the second lid portion 40; and assembling the container 12, the frame 20, the first lid portion 30 and the second lid portion 40 to form the apparatus 10.
The container 12 including the bottom tab 14 and the outwardly extending rib 16 may be molded from a same material such as an elastomer or different materials, as described. The container 12 including the bottom tab 14 and the outwardly extending rib 16 may be in a unitary structure. The first lid portion 30 or the second lid portion 40 may be molded from a plastic or reinforced elastomer. The knob 50 and the first lid portion 40 may be in a unitary structure molded in a single step. Alternatively, the knob 50 may be made separately and then attached with the lid through any suitable means such as screws or bonding. The upward pin 42 and the second lid portion 40 may be in a unitary structure molded in a single step.
In the assembling step, the container 12 is coupled onto the frame 20, for example, by pushing the frame clip 18 inward and coupling with the frame 20. The second lid portion 40 is placed onto the top edge 17 of the container 12 so as to cover the container 12. The second lid portion 40 may have an edge to engage or interlock with the top edge 17 of the container 12. The first lid portion 30 is placed onto the second lid portion 40.
In another aspect, the present disclosure also provides a method of using the apparatus 10 as described. The apparatus 10 is placed on a countertop in a kitchen. In such a method, the lid, e.g., the first and the second lid portions 30, 40, is removed from the container 12. Organic waste, such as peeling, vegetables and food leftovers, can be placed into the container 12. The first lid portion 30 is moved relative to the second lid portion 40 to one of the sealed configuration and the venting configuration so as to adjust airflow into the container 12. It is preferable that a certain amount of air may get into the container 12 for compositing, but no odor of decayed waste comes out of the container 12. In some embodiments, the first lid 30 comprises a knob 50 as described. The first lid portion 30 is moved relative to the second lid portion 40 by applying a force to the knob 50 to rotate the first lid portion 30 relative to the second lid portion 40.
The method of using may further comprise removing the lid (i.e., first and the second lid portions 30, 40) from the container 12, inverting the container 12 (not shown) with the open top at least partially facing down, and pushing the container 12 so as to remove the organic wastes out of the container 12. When the apparatus 10 is inverted, the container 12 remains attached with the frame 20, the container 12 maintains its shape without collapsing.
The organic waste may be kept in the container 12 for a period of time from one day to a month. For example, the organic waste in the container 12 may be discarded out once a week. The tab 14 is pushed to discard the organic wastes inside the container 12. The tab 14 is pulled, i.e., a force is applied onto the tab 14, to translate the container 12 such that the container 12 reverts back to a waste-receiving configuration as shown in
Although the subject matter has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments, which may be made by those skilled in the art.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/472,780, filed Mar. 17, 2017, which application is expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62472780 | Mar 2017 | US |