Reservoir for food waste recycling appliance

The disclosure relates to a food waste recycling appliance having a hollow reservoir which can collect liquid generated during a cycle of operation, drain the collected liquid, and provide an air flow path for the removal of odors.

BACKGROUND

Food waste recycling appliances are known to implement a food recycling cycle for biologically and chemically decomposing organic material into homemade fertilizer for use as a fertilizer and soil amendment. The food recycling cycle can be implemented in a bin by providing water, heat and aeration to the food waste, and can require a period of time for completion. During this period of time, water can condense in the appliance and be collected in a reservoir. Odors may also exist within the reservoir.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one aspect, a liquid reservoir for a food waste recycling appliance that generates liquid during a recycling operation comprises a hollow, generally U-shaped body formed of first and second arm portions joined by a web portion wherein the first and second arm portions and the web portion define an opening, a liquid inlet at a distal end of the first arm portion configured to connect to a source of liquid in a food waste recycling appliance, an air inlet near the distal end of the first arm portion, and an air outlet near a distal end of the second arm portion. The air outlet is configured to connect to a driver to cause air to move from the air inlet through the first arm portion, the web portion, and the second arm portion to the air outlet.

In another aspect, a food waste recycling appliance comprises a liquid reservoir formed of a hollow, generally U-shaped body having first and second arm portions joined by a web portion wherein the first and second arm portions and the web portion define an opening, a food waste container wherein the opening is disposed over the food waste container, a liquid inlet at a distal end of the first arm portion connected to a source of liquid in the food waste recycling appliance, an air inlet near the distal end of the first arm portion; an air outlet near a distal end of the second arm portion and connected to a fan to draw air out of the U-shaped body, and a filter downstream of the fan to treat air exiting the U-shaped body. The fan causes air to move from the air inlet through the first arm portion, the web portion, and the second arm portion to the air outlet where it is treated at the filter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates a schematic view of a food waste recycling appliance100for transforming organic material into homemade fertilizer by way of a food recycling cycle of operation. While a “food waste recycling appliance” is described, embodiments of the invention can be equally applicable for similar devices, such as composters or food recyclers or biological waste digesters. The food waste recycling appliance100can include a liquid reservoir10in accord with the invention, and an output bin50typically disposed beneath the liquid reservoir10.

FIG. 2illustrates an isometric view of the liquid reservoir10in the food waste recycling appliance100ofFIG. 1. The liquid reservoir10comprises a hollow, generally U-shaped body12having a first arm portion14joined to a second arm portion16by a web portion18. Together, the arm portions14,16and web portion18define an opening20. The opening20is located so as to be above the output bin50in the food waste recycling appliance100, and dimensioned to enable products from other mechanisms in the food waste recycling appliance100to pass through to the output bin50. A liquid and air inlet22can be provided at a distal end of the first arm portion14and can be connected to a source of liquid in the appliance100. In addition, an air inlet24can be provided near the distal end of the first arm portion14, and an air outlet26can be provided near the distal end of the second arm portion16. Further, the portions14,16,18can have a contiguous bottom wall32, and a drain outlet30can be disposed on the bottom wall32near a junction of the web portion18and one of the first or second arm portions14,16. The drain outlet30may be open and unrestricted, or it preferably has a valve or the like to independently control the flow of liquid therethrough. The reservoir10can also contain a plurality of legs34adapted to mount the reservoir to a frame in the food waste recycling appliance100. A liquid level sensor40can be disposed in the reservoir10to measure the level of liquid in the reservoir. Preferably, liquid level sensor40is mounted in one of the first or second arm portions14,16, and may extend through an upper wall to enable connection to a controller (not shown).

Looking now also at the top view of the liquid reservoir10inFIG. 3, the distal ends of the first and second arm portions14,16can be joined by a connecting rib36. Additionally, the air inlet24can be positioned within a recessed area38adjacent to and opening to the connecting rib36, as shown. Preferably, the connecting rib36is sloped toward the opening20.

FIGS. 4 and 5illustrate a side view and front view, respectively, of the liquid reservoir10. The bottom wall32can be sloped relative to the legs34along the length of at least one of the arm portions16,18as seen inFIG. 4. The bottom wall32can also be sloped relative to the legs34along the width of the web portion18as seen inFIG. 5, such that the bottom wall32can slope in two directions toward the drain outlet30.

FIG. 6illustrates an isometric sectional view of the liquid reservoir10fromFIG. 2taken along line6-6. The recessed area38can be positioned adjacent and above the connecting rib36, and the rib36can extend to the opening20as shown.

In a standard cycle of operation, liquid generated within the food recycling appliance100can flow through the liquid/air inlet22into the body12of the reservoir10, downward along the sloped bottom wall32(FIGS. 4 and 5) toward the drain outlet30, and then exit the reservoir10if or when the drain outlet is open. It can be appreciated that the liquid level sensor40(FIG. 2) can monitor the amount of liquid contained in the reservoir10. In the event of any overflow of liquid out of the air inlet24, the liquid can flow along the recessed area38to the connecting rib36and then to the opening20as shown inFIG. 6. The opening20can be disposed above the food waste container50as shown inFIG. 1in order to safely collect any overflowing liquid from the reservoir10, and thus any electrical components mounted to the exterior of the reservoir10can be protected from exposure to moisture. It can also be appreciated that the connecting rib36can provide additional structural strength to the reservoir10.

It is contemplated that a driver28(FIG. 2), such as a suction fan, can be connected to the air outlet26and cause air to be drawn out of the body12of the liquid reservoir10. Air can enter the reservoir10through either or both of the inlets22and24, move within the first arm portion14, the web portion18, and the second arm portion16, and then exit the reservoir10through the air outlet26; an exemplary air flow path is shown inFIG. 3. It can be appreciated that the surface of liquid contained in all portions of the reservoir10can be in contact with this air flow such that any odors present within the liquid and elsewhere inside the reservoir10may be removed while the driver28is in operation. It is further contemplated that a filter (not shown) may be positioned within the food waste recycling appliance100, outside of the reservoir10and downstream of the driver28, in order to treat the air flowing out of the reservoir10. Such treatment may include removal of odors.

The material used for the first and second arm portions14,16and the web portion18may be any material suitable for the environmental conditions found in a food waste recycling device, such as metal or plastic, and it is contemplated that these portions may be formed of blow molded plastic. In addition, the legs34can support the first and second arm portions14,16and the web portion18in the food waste recycling appliance100. Any suitable attachment method may be used to attach the legs34to the interior of the appliance100, such as screws.

To the extent not already described, the different features and structures of the various embodiments can be used in combination with each other as desired. That one feature cannot be illustrated in all of the embodiments is not meant to be construed that it cannot be, but is done for brevity of description. Thus, the various features of the different embodiments can be mixed and matched as desired to form new embodiments, whether or not the new embodiments are expressly described. Combinations or permutations of features described herein are covered by this disclosure.