Abstract:
The invention relates to an in home apparatus for simultaneously suspending, aerating, agitating, extracting and entraining a compost water nutrient culture. A beaker contains the compost nutrient water culture. A perforated elastic membrane transversely covers the open beaker bottom and is retained and compression sealed by a holder. The holder mates with a recess provided by upper portions of a base. The base contains a diaphragm air pump supplying air through the perforated elastic membrane releasing air bubbles into the compost, water nutrient culture in the beaker. Pulsating air supply from the diaphragm air pump vibrates the perforated elastic membrane which in combination with the sparging of air bubbles suspends the compost nutrient water culture preparing a high quality compost tea. The beaker, holder, and base easily engage and disengage for the proper cleaning and convenient in home preparation of compost tea.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable 
     SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     This invention relates to compost tea as a water extract of compost, more specifically an in home mechanism and methods for the brewing of compost tea as an aerobic water extract of compost. 
     2. Discussion of Prior Art 
     Our agricultural community increasingly appreciates the benefit of crops produced on a sustainable basis without the use of damaging chemicals. As the recognized disadvantages of chemical fertilizers, fumigants, pesticides and herbicides become more evident, compost teas are rapidly emerging as a sustainable, economic, organic, alternative. Compost tea is an aerobic water extract of compost that is cold brewed. Compost tea is applied to crops or plants by foliar spray or soil drench. Unique to the brewing of compost teas is the need to supply enough energy to extract beneficial microorganisms which adhere to compost particles without destroying the microorganism itself. The extracted microorganisms are given nutrients and proper oxygen levels which result in an increase in the number and activity of the beneficial species. Species diversity may be as high as 25,000 to 500,000 species in a gram of compost tea. Beneficial microorganisms control disease by competing for foods, space, and infectious sites on the plant. Also beneficial predators consume diseases as another mechanism to prevent pathogen growth. The greater the diversity of aerobic beneficial microorganisms, the more likely that disease-causing organisms will be out competed on leaves, stems, roots, or in the soil. Beneficial microorganisms promote nutrient cycling. For example, bacteria and fungi immobilize nutrients in their biomass, and the protozoa and nematodes consume and release the nutrients from the bacterial and fungi and return them to plant available forms, promoting plant growth. Beneficial organisms also improve nutrient levels, build soil structure, and remove toxins. Every chemical-based pesticide, fumigant, herbicide and fertilizer tested harms or out right kills some part of the beneficial life that exists in soil. Properly prepared compost teas restore soil biology killed or damaged by chemicals. Testing compost teas using direct microscopic methods provides meaningful, repeatable results measuring the microbial life available to plants. 
     The brewing of compost tea is distinguished from all other fermentation processes in three ways. First, compost tea requires the extraction of adhered microorganisms. Energy supplied by a brewing mechanism breaks adhesions between the microorganism and its host, compost, without destroying the microorganisms. In contrast, all other known fermentation processes inoculate with bacterium. Second, compost tea extractions produce a species diversity as high as 500,000 species in a gram of compost tea. In contrast, all other known fermentation processes utilize a single bacteria specie or in some cases a few selected or preferred bacteria specie as provided by inoculate. Third, compost teas select for aerobic microorganisms by maintaining at least 6 mg/liter oxygen. Properly prepared composts contain very few anaerobic microorganisms. Any anaerobic microorganisms present do not reproduce in oxygen levels above 6 mg/liter in compost tea. In contrast, all other known fermentation processes do not select for aerobic or anaerobic microorganisms but rather start with a known bacterium. 
     Compost tea bucket methods began in Roman, Greek, and Egyptian times (Brehaut, 1933 Cato&#39;s De Agriculture). Modern versions of “compost in a bucket are still used today. Typically compost is either free in the bucket or suspended in a sack or bag in a bucket. Water is then added and the slurry stirred periodically adding a small amount of air. The brewing time usually requires several weeks in order to extract any of the organisms from the compost. After brewing, the slurry is strained and applied to the crop. With this method only a few organisms will be extracted and reproduce due to the lack of available food sources in mature compost, and the ability of bacteria to use oxygen more rapidly than it can be replaced by stirring the slurry. 
     As the benefits and economics of compost tea became apparent more efficient Compost tea making devices were developed. The Soil Soup Bio-Blender@www.soilsoup.com is designed to stir and aerate a water nutrient solution producing compost tea. In this method compost is contained in a felt bag. The felt bag is then partially submerged into a tank containing an aerated water nutrient solution. Bacterial and fungal extraction depends upon the ability of the aerated moving water to penetrate into the felt bag, extract the bacteria and fungi from the compost, transfer them back through the felt bag, and into the nutrient solution. The felt bag greatly restricts interaction between the aerated moving water and the compost inhibiting the extraction of microorganisms, especially in compost centrally located within the felt bag. The felt bag becomes anaerobic if not very carefully cleaned producing contaminated conditions in the next batch of tea. While producing higher quantities of microorganisms than earlier methods, published tests show a relatively low number of bacterial and fungal microbes brewed by the Bio-Blender. (Ingham, 2003 “The Compost Tea Brewing Manual”). 
     The Bio-reactor is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,168,949. This device pumps water from the bottom of tank up to the top of the tank then through an air atomizing nozzle into a vortex chamber to interact with compost. While sprayers enhance extraction and circulation improves aeration, the same problems still exist, restricted interaction between contained compost and the aerated water nutrient solution. Extensive plumbing within this brewer requires time consuming cleaning to prevent anaerobic conditions. The pump recirculating system in combination with the right angle plumbing is known to reduce the number of microorganisms. Published test results were better than the Bio-Blender, however, they were still far below the known potential for compost tea brewers. (Ingham, 2003, “The Compost Tea Brewers Manual”). 
     The Compost Tea System, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/847,893 uses a water holding tank to contain process water. Air diffusers are positioned near the bottom of the holding tank and sparge directly up toward compost contained in finely perforated baskets. Again the same problem exists, the restricted interaction between the contained compost and the aerated water nutrient solution which inhibits the release of microorganisms. This device is known to produce reduced oxygen levels (below 6 mg of oxygen per liter) in lower tank portions. Cleaning may be difficult around air diffusers. Published test results show good bacterial extraction but poor fungal extraction.(Ingham, 2003, “The Compost Tea Brewers Manual”). 
     More recently several machines have appeared on the market. EMP Earth Tea Brewers@ www.composttea.com Simplici-tea@www.simplici-tea.com (patent pending) Alaska Giant@www.alaskagiant.com. Ecology brewer, E-mail: info@ecology-enterprise.com (patent pending). (Ingham, 2003, “The Compost Tea Brewers Manual”). None of these are patented machines and they all follow the same pattern of compost in a basket with various methods of supplying air to extract and multiply microorganisms. None of these would perform suitably in ones living quarters. 
     Modern compost tea brewers demonstrate improvement over older bucket methods, however, all known compost tea brewers suffer from a number of disadvantages. 
     (A) The inability to maintain aerobic conditions (above 6 mg oxygen per Liter). Dead zones within compacted compost tea baskets or bags, and areas of poor circulation in the water nutrient tank lead to anaerobic problems. 
     (B) The inability to extract microorganisms from the compost. Many machines do not supply enough energy to extract adhered microorganisms from compost surfaces. Typically, energy is supplied in the form of an aerated nutrient water culture which must penetrate the fine perforations of a bag or basket filled with compost, extract the adhered microorganisms from the compost, transfer them back through the bag or basket, and into the nutrient solution all without damaging fragile cell membranes. Consequently some machines extract bacteria and very few fungi, protozoa, or nematodes. 
     (C) The inability to properly clean the machine. Cleaning is serious business for compost tea machines. A bio-film forms on all surfaces contacted by compost teas. With time bio-films become anaerobic producing strong acids in tea and kill plant tissues if applied to them. Circulating pumps and associated plumbing, compost baskets and bags, and air diffusers with frames are easily contaminated and often difficult to clean. 
     (D) The inability to provide a machine suitable for indoor/kitchen use. Every known machine is too large, awkward, and unappealing for suitable indoor/kitchen use. 
     (E) The inability to provide a machine which simultaneously suspends, aerates, agitates, and entrains compost in a nutrient water culture. 
     (F) The inability to provide a machine which separates compost solids from finished compost tea after the brewing process. 
     (G) The inability to provide a smaller, lower cost machine which reaches a new group of end users. 
     (H) The inability to provide a machine that tests high in all categories of beneficial organisms. 
     Several objects and advantages of our invention include: 
     (A) To provide a greatly simplified machine which operates with aerobic conditions continually in all compost tea contact zones. This is possible by eliminating all circulating pumps and associated plumbing, compost holding baskets or bags, air diffuser frames, and temperature controllers. 
     (B) To provide a machine which efficiently extracts high numbers of microorganisms by supplying energy directly against microorganisms adhered to compost suspended in a nutrient water culture and releasing microorganisms directly into the compost nutrient-water culture. 
     (C) To provide a machine which quickly disassembles every part exposed to compost tea for thorough cleaning in a dish washer just as one would wash a cup or plate. 
     (D) To provide a counter top kitchen appliance type design practical for in home compost tea preparation, use and clean-up. The beaker with holder easily separates from the base and gives a convenient method of pouring finished compost tea into a sprayer. 
     (E) To provide a machine in which the perforated elastic membrane vibrates and supplies the desired amount and size of air bubbles when receiving a pulsating air supply from a diaphragm pump. This unique vibrating and sparging action simultaneously suspends, agitates, and entrains the compost in a nutrient water culture, greatly enhancing the aeration, extraction, and multiplication of beneficial organisms. The perforated elastic membrane also acts a back flow valve, reducing the number of required parts. 
     (F) To provide a machine that uses a filtering lid to separate compost solids from finished compost tea. Separation after the brewing cycle eliminates the need for inefficient, often anaerobic compost basket or bag. 
     (G) To provide a machine which reaches a new group of end users. Especially suited for in home use, where the owner of house plants, patio gardens, window boxes would benefit from an invention that greatly reduces the need for plant care chemicals in the home, apartment, or building. 
     (H) To provide a machine with excellent beneficial microbial test results. 
     Further objects and advantages are to provide an air diffuser without a frame The framed or encased chamber is easily contaminated and common to every known air diffuser used to manufacture compost tea machines. The frameless air diffuser or perforated elastic membrane is easily released for proper cleaning by unscrewing the holder from the beaker. To provide a compost tea machine without the need for temperature controllers. Preparing compost tea indoors at room temperatures negates the need for a temperature controller. To provide an instant connect/disconnect air supply system eliminating the need for in line shut off valves, in-line back flow valves, and threaded connectors. Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from consideration of the ensuing description and drawings. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with the present invention there is provided an apparatus for simultaneously suspending, extracting, and entraining a compost nutrient water culture, comprising a beaker containing the culture, a perforated elastic membrane transversely covering the open bottom of the beaker, a holder positioned between the beaker and the base, a base containing an air pump supplying air through the holder and against the perforated elastic membrane which releases enough air into the culture to maintain 6 mg per liter through out the brewing cycle. The beaker, holder, and base combine having a general size, and appearance of a counter top kitchen appliance. The beaker, holder, and base engage and disengage easily for the convenient in home preparation of compost tea. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Figures 
       In the drawings, the figures show views, aspects, functions, and desired embodiments of the present invention. The numbers show separate parts and functions 
         FIG. 1  is side view of the compost tea machine. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the compost tea machine. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of another embodiment having break over clamps. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of another larger embodiment having a threaded base. 
     
    
    
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 DRAWINGS-Reference Numerals 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 10. 
                 Threaded Beaker 
               
               
                 12. 
                 Handle 
               
               
                 14. 
                 Holder 
               
               
                 16. 
                 Spline 
               
               
                 18. 
                 Base 
               
               
                 20. 
                 Tapered Recess 
               
               
                 22. 
                 Air Tube 
               
               
                 24. 
                 Diaphragm Air Pump 
               
               
                 26. 
                 Perforated Elastic Membrane 
               
               
                 28. 
                 Seat 
               
               
                 30. 
                 “O” ring 
               
               
                 32. 
                 Passage 
               
               
                 34. 
                 Mammilated Air Duct 
               
               
                 36. 
                 Lid 
               
               
                 38. 
                 Strainer 
               
               
                 39. 
                 Base Plate 
               
               
                 40. 
                 Break Over Clamps 
               
               
                 42. 
                 Disk 
               
               
                 44. 
                 Hose Barb 
               
               
                 46. 
                 Discharge Valve 
               
               
                 48. 
                 Filter 
               
               
                 50. 
                 Tank With Threaded Base 
               
               
                 52. 
                 Cover 
               
               
                 54. 
                 Threaded Lid 
               
               
                 58. 
                 Beaker 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DESCRIPTION 
     A typical embodiment of the compost tea machine is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     A threaded beaker  10  has an open bottom and a handle  12 . In the preferred embodiment threaded beaker  10 , has height to bottom diameter ratio of about 3:1, and a top diameter to bottom diameter ratio of about 1.1:1. Threaded beaker  10  may have a height to diameter ratio of about 2:1 to about 5:1, and a top diameter to bottom diameter ratio of about 1:1 to about 3:1. The lower portion of threaded beaker  10  is provided with suitable male threads that are engaged by corresponding female threads in a holder  14 , which thus functions as a nut. In the preferred embodiment threaded beaker  10  and holder  14  are a clear thermal plastic polymer that is easily colored, such as a polystyrene, or polycarbonate. However, threaded beaker  10  and holder  14  may be comprised of any other material which maybe formed or molded such as metal, fiberglass or graphite, polypropylene, or polyethylene. An air diffuser or a perforated elastic membrane  26  transversely covers the bottom of threaded beaker  10  and is retained, and compression sealed by tightening holder  14 . In the preferred embodiment perforated elastic membrane  26  is latex rubber having a diameter between 2″ and 6″, having perforations of a size between 0.23 mm and 2 mm, a durometer between 25 and 50, an elasticity between 600% and 900%, a thickness between 0.03″ and 0.125″, and having a desired number and spacing of perforations proportional to the membrane diameter. Perforated elastic membrane  26  may be comprised of any elastic sheet material such as neoprene, butyl, silicone, or urethane. A ½″ to 2″ diameter centrally located portion of perforated elastic membrane  26  remains unperforated and acts as a back flow valve when fitted against a seat  28 . Holder  14  is also provided with a plurality of tapered parallel splines  16  protruding from the exterior circumference as on a decorative column. Splines  16  mate positively with a corresponding tapered recess  20 , provided by a base  18 , there by positioning bottom of holder  14  nearly flush with top surface of tapered recess  20 . Base  18  contains a diaphragm air pump  24  which supplies air through an air tube  22 , and into a mammilated air duct  34 . In the preferred embodiment the air supply is diaphragm air pump  24  which provides a pulsating air supply, however, the pump may also be a rotary, vane, or piston type air pump. Mammilated air duct  34 , fitted with a horizontal “O” ring  30 , is positioned centrally on the top surface of tapered recess  20 . Mammilated air duct  34  protrudes upward into a passage  32  provided by holder  14 , forming an air tight seal between “O” ring  30  and passage  32 . A base plate  39  supports diaphragm air pump in base  18 . A lid  32  contains a strainer  38 . In the preferred embodiment strainer  38  is a stainless steel wire filtering medium having a mesh size between 80 mesh and 120 mesh. Strainer  38  may comprise any material inert to microbial decomposition such as plastics, nylon, silk and fine weave cotton. 
     Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     Operation— FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     To operate this version of the invention lid  36 , with strainer  38  are removed from threaded beaker  10 . The desired amount of compost nutrient water culture is introduced into threaded beaker  10 . Lid  36 , with strainer  38  are fitted into the top of threaded beaker  10 . Diaphragm Air pump  22  is activated by plugging into standard household electric outlet. Pulsating pressurized air from the diaphragm air pump  22  passes into air tube  22 , through mammilated air duct  34 , into passage  32 . In passage  32  pulsating air pressure overcomes hydrostatic pressure of compost nutrient water culture contained in threaded beaker  10 , vibrating and stretching perforated elastic membrane  26 , and sparging air into the culture contained in threaded beaker  10  for approximately twelve to twenty four hours. The combination of vibrating perforated elastic membrane  26 , air bubble movement through the culture, and shape of threaded beaker  10  simultaneously suspends, agitates, and entrains the culture greatly multiplying the number of beneficial organisms. Suspension of the compost nutrient water culture upon vibrating perforated elastic membrane  26  assures full aeration without settling of particles in lower portions of threaded beaker  10 . Agitation of the compost nutrient water culture efficiently extracts microorganisms adhered to compost directly into the compost, water nutrient culture. Entraining the compost nutrient water culture introduces the extracted microorganisms into an enriched environment of aerated water and nutrients conductive to rapid reproduction. When the desired time elapsed diaphragm air pump  22  is deactivated. Immediately, the hydrostatic pressure in threaded beaker  10  overcomes air pressure upon perforated elastic membrane  26  depressing unperforated portion of perforated elastic membrane  26  upon seat  28 , acting as a back flow valve. Then lift threaded beaker  10  by handle  11  from base  14  and pour brewed compost tea through strainer  38  in lid  36  into desired dispenser. To clean the compost tea machine, remove Lid  36  with strainer  38  from threaded beaker  10 , disengage holder  14  from threaded beaker  10 , and remove perforated elastic membrane  26 . Place Lid  36  with strainer  38 , Threaded beaker  10 , Holder  14 , and perforated elastic membrane  26  in dish washer using a mild detergent or use other cleaning means to remove surface bio-solids. 
     FIGS.  3  and  4  ADDITIONAL EMBODIMENTS 
     Additional embodiments are shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . In  FIG. 3  a plurality of break over clamps  40  pull a beaker  58  and base  18  together compression sealing perforated elastic membrane  26  between bottom of beaker  58  and top of a disk  42 . 
     In  FIG. 4  a tank with threaded base  50  has a cover  52  and a threaded lid  54 . Perforated elastic membrane  26  transversely covers tank with threaded base  50 . Diaphragm Air pump  24  supplies air through air tube  22  and into a hose barb  44 . Threaded lid  54  compression seals perforated elastic membrane  26  between tank with threaded base  50  and threaded lid  54 . A discharge valve  46  is fitted with a filter  48 . This alternative embodiment represents a larger version of our invention comprising sizes between about 5 gallon to 500 gallon. 
     Operation— FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
     The operation of the additional embodiment of  FIG. 3  is nearly the same as the preferred embodiment. The operating changes are that pressurized pulsating air from the diaphragm air pump  24  passes into air tube  22 , through hose barb  44  and then overcomes hydrostatic pressure of culture contained in beaker  58 . The pressurized pulsating air is then sparged through perforated elastic membrane  26  and into culture contained in beaker  58 . To clean this additional embodiment remove lid  36  with strainer  38  from top of beaker  58 , disengage break over clamps  40  separating beaker  58  from base  18 , and remove perforated elastic membrane  26 . Place lid  36  with strainer  38 , beaker  58 , and perforated elastic membrane  26  in dish washer or use other cleaning method. 
     Operation— FIG. 4   
     The operation of the additional embodiment of  FIG. 4  is nearly the same as the preferred embodiment. The operating changes are to remove cover  52  from top of tank with threaded base  50  and introduce the desired amount of compost, nutrient water culture into tank with threaded base  50 . Pressured air from diaphragm air pump  24  passes through air tube  22  and into hose barb  44 . Air pressure in hose barb  44  overcomes hydrostatic pressure of compost, nutrient water culture in tank with threaded base  50  and sparges air through perforated elastic membrane  26  and into compost, nutrient water culture contained in tank with threaded base  50 . To remove brewed tea from tank  50  open discharge valve  46  and brewed tea flows through filter  48  and into desired sprayer or container. To clean, unscrew threaded lid  54 , remove perforated elastic membrane  26 , and clean tank with threaded base  50 , threaded lid  54 , and perforated elastic membrane  26 . 
     Advantages: 
     From the description above, a number of advantages of our compost tea machine become 
     evident: 
     (A) Our invention eliminates the need for all circulating pumps and associated plumbing, compost holding baskets or bags, air diffuser frames, and temperature controllers. 
     These parts interact with the compost tea culture and often contribute to anaerobic conditions. 
     (B) The unique design efficiently extracts high numbers of microorganisms by supplying energy directly against microorganisms adhered to compost suspended in a nutrient water culture. Microorganisms are extracted directly into the compost, nutrient water culture. All other known commercial compost tea machines supply energy against a basket or bag which greatly restricts microorganism extraction, especially in centrally located portions of basket or bag. 
     (C) The ability to mass produce a smaller machine with fewer parts translates into a lower cost machine affordable by a larger customer base. 
     (D) A lifting the beaker by the handle easily separates the beaker with holder from the base, and gives a convenient method of pouring finished compost into the desired dispenser. The attractive design is appropriate for a counter top kitchen appliance. 
     (E) The perforated elastic membrane vibrates and supplies the desired amount and size of air bubbles when receiving an air supply from a diaphragm pump. This unique, vibrating and sparging action simultaneously suspends, agitates, and entrains the compost in a nutrient water culture greatly enhancing the aeration, extraction, and multiplication of beneficial organisms. The combination of a vibrating perforated elastic membrane, air bubbles sparging into the compost nutrient water culture, and the beaker shape eliminate anaerobic zones and suspend all of the culture above the vibrating perforated elastic membrane. Our invention is so efficient that the brewing time is reduced by 50% compared to other compost tea machines, also, our invention requires only one half the amount of compost as other compost tea machines. The perforated elastic membrane also acts a back flow valve retaining the compost nutrient water culture in the beaker, and eliminating the need for an in line back flow valve. 
     (F) This invention uses a filtering lid to separate compost solids from finished compost tea. Separation after the brewing cycle eliminates the need for inefficient, often anaerobic compost baskets or bags. 
     (G) Our invention quickly disassembles every part exposed to compost tea for cleaning in a dishwasher, as one would wash a cup or plate. 
     (H) The combination of a perforated, elastic membrane acting as a back flow valve and an instant air connect/disconnect, permit the beaker with holder to contain a culture and be connected or disconnected from the base without leaking or spilling any of the culture. 
     (I) Presently, many homes, offices and apartments maintain indoor plants with chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The present invention provides an organic, non-chemical option, and, therefore, reaches a new group of end users. 
     Further objects and advantages are to provide an air diffuser without a frame, which eliminates the encased or framed chamber. The framed chamber is easily contaminated and common to every known air diffuser. The frameless air diffuser or perforated, elastic membrane is easily released for proper cleaning by disengaging the holder. To provide a compost tea machine without the need for temperature controllers. To provide an instant connect/disconnect air supply. This unique device eliminates the need for in-line shut of valves, in-line back flow valves, and threaded connections.