Abstract:
The compostable waste processing apparatus includes a pulverizing device and a shredding device in separate compartments within a housing. The pulverizing device and the shredding device may be driven by at least one electronic motor. The electronic motor may be powered by one or more batteries that are charged by a photovoltaic panel of the housing. The compostable waste processing apparatus has a simple and efficient structure to facilitate use by a wide range of end-users, including households.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to waste processing, and more specifically, to an apparatus for processing waste for use as compost. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Composting has many benefits to the environment. Compost is a key ingredient in organic farming. 
     Modern, methodical composting is a multi-step, closely monitored process with measured inputs of water, air and carbon- and nitrogen-rich materials. The decomposition process is aided by shredding plant matter, adding water and ensuring proper aeration by regularly turning the mixture. Worms and fungi may further break up the material. Aerobic bacteria manage the chemical process by converting the inputs into heat, carbon dioxide and ammonium. Ammonium is further converted by bacteria into plant-nourishing nitrites and nitrates through the process of nitrification. 
     Compost can be rich in nutrients. It is used in gardens, landscaping, horticulture, and agriculture. The compost itself is beneficial for land in many ways, including as a soil conditioner, a fertilizer, addition of vital humus or humic acids, and as a natural pesticide for soil. 
     In ecosystems, compost is useful for erosion control, land and stream reclamation, wetland construction, and as landfill cover. Compost can also be used to generate biogas through anaerobic digestion. 
     Given the significant advantages of composting, numerous environmental benefits may be achieved if more members of society could take part in processing compostable waste generated in their households and composting such waste. Conventional methods of processing compostable waste are often not ideal for residential use as they generally involve large and/or complex machinery. 
     Thus, a compostable waste processing apparatus solving the aforementioned problems is desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The compostable waste processing apparatus includes a pulverizing device and a shredding device in separate compartments within a housing. The pulverizing device and the shredding device may be driven by at least one electronic motor in the compostable waste processing apparatus. The electronic motor may be powered by one or more batteries that are charged by a photovoltaic panel of the housing. The compostable waste processing apparatus has a simple and efficient structure to facilitate use by a wide range of end-users, including households. 
     These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a compostable waste processing apparatus according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the compostable waste processing apparatus of  FIG. 1  as seen from the top with the first door opened. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one side of the compostable waste processing apparatus of  FIG. 1  with the housing broken away to show the first compartment. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another side of the compostable waste processing apparatus of  FIG. 1  with the housing broken away to show the first compartment. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the compostable waste processing apparatus of  FIG. 1 , showing first and second doors open. 
     
    
    
     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The compostable waste processing apparatus is adapted for processing waste for composting. The compostable waste processing apparatus may include a pulverizing device and a shredding device in separate compartments within a first housing. The pulverizing device and the shredding device may be driven by at least one electronic motor. The electronic motor and one or more batteries for powering the electronic motor may be provided in a second housing of the compostable waste processing apparatus. The compostable waste processing apparatus may further include a photovoltaic panel for charging the batteries. 
     The compostable waste processing apparatus may be compact, lightweight, and easy to use. As such, the compostable waste processing apparatus may be operated in any suitable setting, including recycling centers and processing facilities, as well as residential and business settings. The compostable waste processing apparatus may thereby increase societal involvement in the recycling and composting process. 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of an exterior of the compostable waste processing apparatus  10 . The compostable waste processing apparatus  10  may include a first housing  12  a having a first compartment  14 , a second compartment  16 , a first collection drawer  18  attached to the first compartment  14 , a second collection drawer  20  attached to the second compartment  16 , and a first door or lid  22  covering a top portion of the first housing  12   a . The first collection drawer  18  and the second collection drawer  20  may be laterally opposed and slidably attached to the first housing  12   a . The first door  22  may include a photovoltaic panel  22   a . The first door  22  may be movably attached to the first housing  12   a , e.g., hingedly or slidably attached, to facilitate access to an interior of the first housing  12   a , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The first door  12  may be opened to allow disposal of compostable wastes into the first housing  12   a  for processing. Compostable wastes may include organic and inorganic waste products, such as fruit, vegetable, and other food products, as well as paper or plastic wrapping and packaging articles. 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the first housing  12   a  may include a peripheral wall  24  and the first compartment  14  and the second compartment  16  may be separated by a divider wall  26 . The first housing  12   a  may include a floor or bottom wall  23  extending between the peripheral wall  24 . The first housing  12   a , including the peripheral wall  24  and the divider wall  26 , may be formed from a suitable insulating material that is non-stick, resistant to rust and that does not absorb moisture. Preferably, the peripheral wall  24 , the divider wall  26  and the bottom wall include fiberglass insulation. 
     The first compartment  14  and the second compartment  16  may be laterally aligned. The first compartment  14  may include a pulverizing device  28 . The second compartment  16  may include a shredding device  30 . The pulverizing device  28  and the shredding device  30  may be independently operable by first and second buttons,  32  and  34  respectively, which are provided on the exterior of the compostable waste processing apparatus  10 . Compostable waste suitable for grinding or pulverizing, particularly food waste, may be disposed in the first compartment  14  and pulverized or comminuted by the pulverizing device  28 , then discharged into the first collection drawer ( FIG. 1 ). Compostable waste suitable for cutting or shredding, particularly paper or plastic waste, may be disposed in the second compartment  16  and shredded or cut by the shredding device  30 , then discharged into the second collection drawer  20 . If desired, the processed waste gathered in the first collection drawer  18  may be disposed in the second compartment  16  for further processing. Similarly, the processed waste gathered in the second collection drawer  20  may be disposed in the first compartment  14  for further processing. After the waste has been sufficiently processed by the compostable waste processing apparatus  10 , the waste may be composted. 
     The pulverizing device  28  may include any suitable grinder, granulator, hammer-mill, or other grinding device. Preferably, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the pulverizing device  28  includes two rotary shafts  36   a  and  36   b , which are horizontally aligned and have a horizontal axis of rotation. Each of the rotary shafts  36   a  and  36   b , may extend through a series pulverizing elements  38   a  and  38   b , respectively. The pulverizing elements  38   a  and  38   b  may be configured to rotate around the horizontal shafts  36   a  and  36   b  in order to pulverize waste materials disposed in the first compartment. The pulverizing elements  38   a  and  38   b  may be, for example, a series of elliptical discs as is shown. A first collection channel  40 , including an ejection mechanism  40   a , may be provided below the pulverizing device  28  to capture and eject the pulverized waste into a receptacle  18   a  in the first collection drawer  18 . The ejection mechanism  40   a  may include a blower, fan, screw, or other suitable device for ejecting the pulverized waste into the receptacle  18   a.    
     As is further depicted in  FIG. 3 , the compostable waste processing apparatus  10  may also include a ventilation motor  42  to generate air flow and circulate air within the first housing  12   a . The ventilation motor  42  may be provided in a second housing  12   b  of the compostable waste processing apparatus  10 . The second housing  12   b  may be adjacent to the first housing  12   a . Perforations  44  in at least a portion of the peripheral wall  24  may permit the generated air flow to enter the first housing  12   a . The perforations  44  may be evenly or unevenly spaced along a side of the peripheral wall  24  that is closest to the ventilation motor  42 . Although round perforations are shown, other shaped perforations may be formed. The perforations  44  may also facilitate evaporation of liquids from the processed waste. The second housing  12   b  may further include a motor  46  to drive the pulverizing device  28  and the shredding device  30 . The motor  46  may also be configured to drive the ejection mechanism  40   a.    
     The shredding device  30  may include shredding blades, cutters, or any other suitable shredder. Preferably, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the shredding device  30  includes two rotary shafts  48   a  and  48   b , which are horizontally aligned and have a horizontal axis of rotation. Each of the rotary shafts  48   a  and  48   b  may extend through shredding elements  50   a  and  50   b , respectively. The shredding elements  50   a  and  50   b  may be adapted to rotate around the respective horizontal shafts  48   a  and  48   b  in order to shred waste materials. The shredding elements  50   a  and  50   b  may be, for example, a series of blade cutters, as is shown, each cutter having multiple blades extending radially outward from the shaft. A second collection channel  52 , including an ejection mechanism  52   a , may be provided below the shredding device  30  to capture and eject the shredded waste into a receptacle  20   a  in the second collection drawer  20 . The ejection mechanism  52   a  may include a blower, fan, screw or other suitable device for ejecting the shredded waste into the receptacle  20   a.    
     One or more batteries  54  may also be disposed within the second housing  12   b  to power the motor  46  that drives the pulverizing device  28  and the shredding device  30 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . The photovoltaic panel  22   a  of the first door  22  may charge the batteries  54 . A second door  56 , adjacent the first door  22 , may allow access to the batteries  54  in the second housing  12   b . The second door  56  may be movably attached to the second housing  12   b , e.g., hingedly or slidably attached. The first and second collection drawers  18  and  20  may slide out laterally as is shown in  FIG. 5  for the second collection drawer  20 . 
     The compostable waste processing apparatus  10  may be made from any suitable material known in the art. Preferably, an outer surface of the compostable waste processing apparatus  10  includes a reflective insulating material. For example, an outer surface of the compostable waste processing apparatus may include a polyethylene bubbled film sandwiched between two or more aluminium sheets. 
     The waste processed by the compostable waste processing apparatus may be composted in any suitable fashion. An exemplary composting method may include transferring the processed waste to a suitable container, e.g., a carton or box made from paper. The processed waste may be retained in the container for a suitable length of time, e.g., one week. The processed waste may then be drained to eliminate any liquid collected in the container. The remaining waste may be transferred into another suitable container that is perforated. The perforations of the container may allow entry of air into the container to prevent the build-up of undesirable odor. The waste in the container may be stirred periodically to accelerate the decomposition process. Water may be added to the container in an amount sufficient to keep the waste wet without flooding the container. Additional components, including soil, dry leaves, newspaper, plant derivatives, and/or manure, may be added to the container to further composting process. 
     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.