Abstract:
A garbage disposer is provided with a wireless receiver switch, for operating the disposer from a wireless transmitter, without any additional wiring or interface between disposer and receiver. A disposer system includes disposer, receiver, and transmitter. A kit is also enclosed, which includes a disposer case extender, receiver, and transmitter.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/588,517, filed on Jul. 16, 2004, entitled Garbage Disposer with Wireless Control, to inventor Edward Chavez, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field  
         [0003]     Embodiments relate to kitchen appliances, and in particular, to garbage disposers.  
         [0004]     2. Related Art  
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a typical garbage disposer. Disposer  100  is driven by motor  120 , housed in motor case  122 . Disposer  100  is typically fastened under sink  140  and counter  142  by an interface mount  106 . Motor  120  is powered through cable  134 , ending in plug  135 . Plug  135  is typically plugged into switched socket  150 , which is controlled by switch  152 . Socket  150  and switch  152  provide operating power for motor  120  at a current of approximately 5 Amps. A 15 or 20 Amp circuit breaker is typically used for a line powering a disposer. Wiring  151 ,  154 , and  156  is typically located behind wall  160 , out of sight.  
         [0006]     A problem with typical disposer switched-outlet wiring is that if such wiring is not already in place, then re-wiring (and possibly wall repair) is required in order to provide switched power under counter top  142 . Also, operators of disposers are typically performing dish-cleaning during disposer operation, and their hands are wet. Operating high-current wall switch  152  with wet hands may present the danger of electric shock.  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of a garbage disposer operated by a low voltage switch. Disposer  100  is connected through switch electronics  200  to plug  135 , and thereby, power outlet  155  (not switched). Switch electronics  200  is controlled by control  202  through interface  204 . Interface  204  is typically low power electronics, fiber optics, or pneumatic. Interface  204  has a path to control electronics  200 , for example through hole  244  in counter top  142  (or sink  140 ).  
         [0008]     A problem with low-power-interface controls is that a hole  244  is typically bored in counter top  142  in order to install the control. Other problems include the need to route low-power wires, tubes, or fibers around sink  140 .  
         [0009]     Therefore, what is required is a disposer than can be controlled remotely, eliminating electrical danger, which is also easily installed, without the need for re-wiring, construction, or damage to the counter top,  
       SUMMARY  
       [0010]     In order to provide a safe and convenient means of installing and operating a garbage disposer without altering sinks, countertops, or walls, or adding wiring or other connecting interfaces, a garbage disposer is provided with a radio control receiver operated by a wireless transmitter.  
         [0011]     In some embodiments, the wireless garbage disposer has a receiver attached to the source and motor wiring. In some embodiments, the receiver is contained in the disposer case.  
         [0012]     In some embodiments the receiver requires a digital code to be present in the signal. In some embodiments, the signal is a radio signal.  
         [0013]     In some embodiments, the disposer is provided with a timer that switches the disposer off after a predetermined period of operation.  
         [0014]     In some embodiments, a disposer system includes the disposer, receiver, and transmitter.  
         [0015]     In some embodiments, a disposer remote operating kit includes a case extension, a receiver, and a transmitter. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a typical garbage disposer of the prior art.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of a garbage disposer of the prior art, as operated by a low-voltage switch.  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of an embodiment of a garbage disposer with a wireless remote control, according to the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of an embodiment of a garbage disposer with a radio-frequency wireless control, according to the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of an embodiment of a radio-frequency wireless control, according to the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of a garbage disposer with an external wireless control.  
         [0022]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of a garbage disposer with a wireless control, having an electronic emission filter.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0023]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of an embodiment of a garbage disposer with a wireless remote control, according to the present invention. In some embodiments, disposer  300  is shaped like typical disposer  100 , having motor case  322  around motor  320 , and ending in end-bell  323 , encased in lower shell  328 . Mount  306  attaches to sink  140  (referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). Embodiments include many types and models of disposer. For example, disposers can be fashioned to accommodate many different horse-power ratings (e.g., % HP, % HP, 1 HP), and different operating voltages (e.g., 110 VAG, 220 VAG).  
         [0024]     In some embodiments, disposer  300  is provided with case extension  340 , attaching to end-bell  323 , and a longer lower shell  328 , providing space for wireless control receiver switch  320 . In some embodiments, extension  340  is added to typical disposer  100 , below lower shell  328 .  
         [0025]     Wireless control receiver and switch unit  360  is connected by cable  134  and plug  135  to socket  155  (not switched). Cable  134  and plug  135  are made to the electrical design standard for the type of power to be supplied (e.g., hot, neutral, and ground for 110 VAC). Wireless control  370  transmits a signal to wireless control switch unit  360 , in order to cause switch unit  360  to start or stop disposer  300 . In some embodiments the signal is a radio frequency signal. In some embodiments other types of signals could be used (e.g., ultrasonic, millimeter waves).  
         [0026]     Receiver switch unit  360  is rated at sufficient current and surge capacity to handle the conditions present in driving and switching disposer  300 . In some embodiments, receiver switch unit  360  is rated to handle 1 kW of electric power. Wireless switches of this power range are produced by Baihuang Electric Co., 25 Ltd., of Cixi Ningbo, China.  
         [0027]     In some embodiments, switch unit  360  of disposer  300  is provided with a safety timer, which turns off disposer  300  after a predetermined duration of operation. If disposer  300  is accidentally switched on or receives a spurious radio signal, operation is terminated after a reasonable time. In some embodiments, disposer  300  and/or switch unit  360  are also equipped with circuit breakers to prevent damage to motor  120 , or potential danger from fire or electrocution if there is an over-current condition.  
         [0028]     In some embodiments, receiver switch unit  360  operates on a digital coding system (e.g., as used in garage door openers), in order to prevent false commands from triggering the disposer to operate or stop. In some embodiments, different coded signals can be selected by settings on code switches  325 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of an embodiment of a garbage disposer with a radio-frequency wireless control, according to the present invention. In some embodiments, disposer motor  120  is attached to wireless switch unit  360  by drive wires  321 . The action of switch  362  is controlled by control signal  363 , generated by receiver  364 . When antenna  366  receives an ON or OFF command radio signal, receiver  364  interprets the signal to send control signal  363  to switch  362  to switch power through lines  321  on or off, thus controlling the action of disposer  300 .  
         [0030]     In some embodiments, receiver switch unit  360  and transmitter  370  can be set to operate on one of a number of radio frequencies, in order to avoid interference with other transmitters and receivers.  
         [0031]     In some embodiments, switch  362  receives power for its own operation over line  134 . In some embodiments, control transmitter  370  is powered by one or more batteries (disposable or rechargeable) or by a transformer.  
         [0032]     In some embodiments, extension  340  is attached to end-bell  323  by fasteners  342 . In some embodiments, gasket  344  prevents leakage of water into extension  340 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of an embodiment of a radio-frequency wireless control, according to the present invention. Button  520  operates switch  522 , which sends a signal to transmitter  524 . Transmitter  524  sends an appropriate signal out antenna  526  when activated by switch  522 . Transmitter  524  is powered by battery  528 . Case  501  contains the components. In some embodiments, case  501  is provided with adhesive strip  510 , which secures remote transmitter  370  to counter top  142 , or other convenient surface.  
         [0034]     In some embodiments, transmitter  370  sends a coded signal to receiver  360 . In some embodiments the coded signal can be changed by code switches  525 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of a garbage disposer with an external wireless control unit that incorporates both a switch and a signal receiver. In some embodiments, wireless control receiver  600  is a separate unit from disposer  100  (an ordinary disposer). In some embodiments, wireless control receiver  600  is equivalent to or identical to model BH8836, produced by Baihuang Electric Co., Ltd., of Cixi Ningbo, China. Wireless control receiver  600  is capable of switching and controlling at least 1 kW of electric power.  
         [0036]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of a garbage disposer with a wireless control, having an electronic emission filter. In some embodiments, particularly in the European Union, devices such as disposers are required by law to have electromagnetic emission control devices. Disposer  300  is provided with extended case  740  to fit both receiver  360  and filter  750 . In addition to receiver/switch  360 , electronic emission filter  750  is wired to motor  320 .  
         [0037]     In some embodiments, a remote control kit is provided to consumers, or manufacturers, or used for factory retrofitting. In some embodiments, a kit provides transmitter  370 , switch  360 , and extension  340 . In some embodiments, a kit provides a longer version of lower shell  328 . In some embodiments, a remote control kit includes hardware such as bolts  342  or gasket  344 . Such kits may also include other useful materials, such as wire, electrical connectors, and instructions.  
         [0038]     Thus a garbage disposer may be operated without any holes having to be drilled in countertop, sink, or walls. Further, operators are isolated from high power connections that may be dangerous under the wet conditions around a sink, or wet hands.  
         [0039]     While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example and not limitation. Those skilled in the art will understand that various changes in forms or details may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Thus, the above description does not limit the breadth and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.