Abstract:
Apparatus for grinding waste material like kitchen waste foresees a loading section ( 10 ) for loading the waste material, a grinding section ( 12 ) for grinding the waste material, means for collecting ( 15 ) the ground waste, and means ( 20,25,35 ) for dispensing controlled quantities of sanitizing or cleaning powder (P) in the apparatus directly on the waste material present in the loading section, or on the internal surfaces of the apparatus. The powder can also be dispensed on the waste material that has been ground and collected ( 15 ). 
     The powder (P) that is dispensed influences the biological transformation of the waste to avoid formation of hazardous substances for the health and sources of bad smell. The powder can be dispensed directly or by movement with a flow of air, which is generated for example by a rotor or piston mechanism. There can also be a system that fluidizes the powder to create a flow of air mixed with powder which is then dispensed in the apparatus. The apparatus can have reduced size and can be located under a sink unit.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention concerns an apparatus for grinding organic waste, like kitchen waste that has to be collected and disposed of. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Known apparatus of the field of the invention that grind the kitchen waste to reduce its volume, are described in EP 1707270, in PCT/EP2007/005793 (not published), in Italian application PI2007/000050 (not published). 
         [0003]    These apparatuses achieve that an increased amount of ground waste can be stored in disposal collectors, like the recyclable garbage bags commonly used by the public. Furthermore, the resulting ground waste can be more effective for composting processes, and thus provides an important contribution to ecology. 
         [0004]    The mentioned apparatuses foresee a cleaning cycle which uses a mixture of water and sanitizing liquid. Once the cycle has been completed, the mixture can be eliminated through a piping system which is connected to a collection container of the apparatus that can be emptied, or to the drain system of the kitchen. Therefore, the apparatuses require connection to the water supply, and in many cases also to a drain system. 
         [0005]    Sanitizing and cleaning of the equipment needs to be carried out thoroughly. Furthermore, the process and products for sanitizing and cleaning should not be harmful for the environment. 
         [0006]    One of the inconveniences to be avoided in these types of machines is that waste residues remain attached to the internal walls of the apparatus, which complicates cleaning of the surfaces where the attachment occurs. 
         [0007]    However, the use of a mixture of water and sanitizing liquid needs to occur frequently because the effect of the sanitizing liquid on the walls is limited due to its evaporation and dripping away with the water of the mixture. 
         [0008]    The use of water and sanitizing liquid, together with the provision of a cleaning cycle, require that the apparatus be positioned near a water supply and a drain system of the kitchen. This can be a problem for who is not able to position the apparatus according to these requirements. 
         [0009]    In addition, the use of cleaning and sanitizing liquid and the provision of a cleaning cycle require that the apparatus be provided with supplementary parts like internal valves or containers for deviating the liquids towards the drains and the collection devices. These supplementary parts increase the space occupancy of the apparatus. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for grinding solid portions of the waste, like kitchen waste wherein more simplified and less task of cleaning is possible for surfaces exposed to contact with the waste. 
         [0011]    It is another object of the invention to provide an apparatus for grinding solid portions of the waste, like kitchen waste, wherein the decomposition of the waste is controlled by using predetermined quantities of cleaning or sanitizing products. 
         [0012]    It is also an object of the invention to provide such an apparatus wherein the effect of the cleaning or sanitizing products on the internal surfaces of the machine lasts longer. 
         [0013]    It is a further object of the invention to provide such an apparatus wherein it is no longer necessary to perform cleaning/sanitizing cycles with liquid products. 
         [0014]    It is a further object of the invention to provide such an apparatus that does not require connection to the water supply or to a drain system for liquids. 
         [0015]    It is a further object of the invention to provide such an apparatus having a reduced size, and which can be positioned in kitchens where little space is available. 
         [0016]    Theses and other object are achieved with the apparatus of claim  1  of the present application. 
         [0017]    In substance, the apparatus foresees a loading section for loading the waste material that needs to be treated, a grinding section for grinding the waste material that has been loaded, means for collecting the solid waste that has been ground, means for dispensing controlled quantities of powder for sanitizing and/or cleaning. 
         [0018]    The predetermined quantities of powder can be dispensed on the waste material present in the loading section and/or on the surfaces of the loading section. Furthermore, the powder can be dispensed on the waste material that has been ground and is collected in the collecting means. 
         [0019]    In particular, the powder comprises known powder compounds, for example biological types consisting of enzymes, which avoid transformation into substances that are hazardous for the health or are a source of bad smell. For example, although not exclusively, powder composition can be used containing proteinaceous nitrogen, enzymes, vitamins, micro-elements, macro-elements or compositions like those described in EP 0878202, based on bacteria and enzymes, used for sanitizing and deodorizing road side garbage containers. 
         [0020]    The powder dispensed on the parts of the apparatus, like the walls of the loading section and the grinding means reduce the possibility of attachment of the waste to the treated surfaces. In fact, the powder remains attached to the surfaces and there forms a protective veil where the waste will contact without becoming attached, or if attachment occurs, cleaning will be easier during an eventual cleaning cycle that occur periodically. In particular, the enzymes reduce the possibility that the waste remains attached to the internal walls of the apparatus, thereby simplifying cleaning of those surfaces that come in contact with the waste. 
         [0021]    An embodiment of the invention foresees a powder feeding unit comprising a ventilator and a member for fluidizing the powder. The ventilator produces a flow of air that fluidizes a powder bed. A mixture of air and powder is formed over the bed. The mixture is conveyed to various locations of the apparatus. For example, the mixture can be conveyed to the loading section and/or to the collection section for the ground waste. 
         [0022]    In the loading section of the waste, a distributor can spray the mixture of air and powder on the loaded waste, or on the surfaces of the apparatus that are not in contact with the waste. 
         [0023]    A nozzle system can be foreseen near the collecting means for spraying the powder on the ground waste, when the latter is being collected in the collecting means. 
         [0024]    A second embodiment foresees a rotating surface that is capable of producing an air flow, which engages the particles of powder and sprays them in a distributed manner on the surfaces of the apparatus. 
         [0025]    A third embodiment foresees that the user of the apparatus actuates a piston mechanism for creating a flow of air whic sprays the powder in the apparatus. 
         [0026]    According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for grinding organic waste, like kitchen waste, as defined in claim  14 . 
         [0027]    The apparatus of the invention can be used as a stand alone unit with the advantage that it can be positioned in a variety of locations seeing that water or drain connections for liquids may not be required. 
         [0028]    Furthermore, the apparatus of the invention can be foreseen without requiring supplementary parts, like internal valves or containers for deviating the liquids towards the drains and collection devices, or these parts can result more simple and reduced in dimensions. 
         [0029]    According to another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for grinding waste comprises a section for loading the waste; a section for grinding the waste; a section for collecting the waste; and the characteristic that the apparatus can be positioned under the sink unit of a kitchen. In particular, the apparatus has a depth between 30 and 54 cm, a height between 40 and 75 cm and a width between 15 and 60 cm. Preferably, the apparatus has a height which is less than 50 cm. 
         [0030]    In a preferred embodiment, the loading section comprises a portion that is extractable from a fixed structure, therefore the waste can be loaded in the loading section from above by extracting the extractable portion from under the sink unit. The apparatus that can be positioned under the sink unit foresees means for dispensing predetermined quantities of sanitizing/cleaning powder on the waste or on the internal surfaces of the apparatus. 
         [0031]    The apparatus of the invention can also foresee, for certain embodiments, cleaning cycles using liquids and relative draining of the liquids. However, the cleaning cycles can be performed less frequently and more effectively due to the use of powder which impedes the waste from attaching to the internal walls. 
         [0032]    Furthermore, the apparatus according to the invention can be provided with a collection container for the ground waste, which is connected to the structure of the apparatus by means of a sealing joint to avoid that bad smell escapes. At the same time, the container is easily removed and connected to the apparatus when operations of emptying the ground waste are required. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0033]    Further characteristics and the advantages of the apparatus according to the invention will result from the following description of some specific embodiments, which are made for exemplary reasons and without being limitative, and with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
           [0034]      FIG. 1  is an elevation partial section view of an apparatus for grinding waste, illustrating a first embodiment of the invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 2  is a prospective view as seen from direction  2  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 3  is a section view as seen from directions  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 3   a  is a section view as seen from directions  3 A- 3 A of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 4  is a partial section view similar to a portion of the view of  FIG. 1  illustrating a second embodiment of the invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 5  is a partial section view similar to a portion of the view of  FIG. 1  illustrating a third embodiment of the invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 6  is a partial section view similar to the view of  FIG. 1  illustrating the apparatus of the invention positioned in the space, like is available under the sink unit of kitchens. 
           [0041]      FIG. 7  is a view as seen from direction  7  of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0042]      FIG. 8  is a partial section view similar to the view of  FIG. 1  illustrating the apparatus of the invention with a collection container connected to the apparatus in a sealed manner. 
           [0043]      FIG. 9  is a prospective view as seen from direction  9  of  FIG. 8  illustrating the solution for connecting the collection container. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0044]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , kitchen waste W can be placed by a user in basin  10  of loading section  11 . From this position the waste can fall by gravity on the surface of grinding rollers  12  (shown with dashed line representation in  FIG. 1 ). The grinding rollers can be like those described in above mentioned Italian application. The waste that has been loaded in basin  10  is conveyed towards the central area of the rollers so that grinding can occur. 
         [0045]    The ground waste that exits the rollers from side  13  falls for example in a bag (not shown) placed in collection bin  15 . Any liquid waste that is passed in the loading section can drip through the spacing existing between the rollers  12 , and thus reach the collection bin  15 . Alternatively, a liquid collection system (not shown) can be present on side  13  for collecting the liquid in a container which is connected to a discharge tube of the apparatus, like has been described in the above mentioned applications cited in the introductory part of the description. 
         [0046]    The powder dispensing solution as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3   a  foresees a unit  14  for feeding the powder, which comprises chamber  16 , ventilator  17  and piping  18 . Unit  14  is assembled on a trolley structure  26  ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ), which also supports bin  15   
         [0047]    Ventilator  17  is connected by means of conduit  17 ′ to member  19  for fluidizing the powder (see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). Member  19  is positioned near the bottom of chamber  16 . Member  19  can be a tube with bores facing the overhead space of chamber  16 . Chamber  16  is provided with a loading channel  21 , which can be opened at entrance  21 ′ by removing tap  16 ′. This allows the user to load the powder through channel  21 . 
         [0048]    At the bottom of channel  21 , a motorized valve  22  can release predetermined quantities of powder in chamber  16  to guarantee that a predetermined level of powder bed PB is present over fluidizing member  19 . The air flow coming from ventilator  17 , and which is distributed by member  19 , fluidizes the powder bed PB. This creates a mixture of air and powder PM which fills space A above the powder bed. 
         [0049]    Due to a sufficient pressure produced by ventilator  17 , the mixture of air and powder PM flows though piping  18  to reach distributor  20  present in the loading section and the nozzle system  25  located in the collecting section of the waste, as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0050]    Distributor  20  is located over basin  10  where waste to be treated is loaded (see  FIG. 1 ). Distributor  20  is provided with outlet openings  20 ′ that allow the mixture of air and powder PM to be uniformly sprayed in loading section  11 . In this way, the powder can be deposited on waste present in basin  10 , or on the exposed surfaces of the apparatus. 
         [0051]    The mixture PM also reaches nozzle system  25  for dispensing the powder on ground waste material that is deposited in bin  15 . Depositing the powder on the ground waste can be an alternative to depositing powder on the waste in the loading section, or it can be an additional measure to increase prevention of the formation of hazardous substances and source of bad smell. 
         [0052]    When the waste is not present in basin  10 , the powder can be sprayed by distributor  20  so that it deposits on the walls of basin  10 , and also on the surfaces of grinding rollers  12 . The grinding rollers  12  can be rotating when this occurs. This exposes all the surfaces of the grinding rollers to the spray of powder. 
         [0053]    Control unit  23  of the apparatus can be programmed to activate ventilator  17  when spraying of the powder needs to occur in loading section  11  and through nozzle system  25 . Control unit  23  can also activate valve  22  for delivering the powder in chamber  16  so that the level of bed PB is maintained constant. 
         [0054]    Valve  22  can be provided with compartments  22   a - 22   d  located around axle  22   e , like is shown in  FIG. 3   a . Predetermined volumes of powder fill each compartment  22   a - 22   d  for being intermittently dropped into chamber  16  by means of rotation of axle  22   e  caused by motor drive  24  and control unit  23 . The rotations of axle  22   e  are started and stopped by control unit  23  to maintain the predetermined level of the powder bed PB in chamber  16 . Sensors (not shown) can detect the level of the powder bed, and therefore cause motor drive  24  to rotate valve  22 . Further sensors (not shown) can detect the level of powder present in loading channel  21  and therefore signal requirement of replenishing unit  14  with powder. 
         [0055]    The timing that ventilator  17  remains actuated is controlled by control unit  23 . This timing can influence the quantity of powder that becomes sprayed in the apparatus by distributor  20  and by nozzle system  25 . Control unit  23  can be programmed, for example, for causing dispensing of powder at regular intervals of the working time of the apparatus, or based on the occurrence of working cycles of the apparatus. 
         [0056]    The user can easily reach entrance  21 ′ of channel  21  by drawing trolley structure  26  in direction  26 ′. This will result in aligning entrance  21 ′ with the user present outside the apparatus. Trolley structure  26  is drawn in direction  26 ′ also for allowing the user to access collection bin  15  when needing to remove the ground waste from the apparatus. 
         [0057]    The user can directly actuate dispensing of powder on behalf of unit  14  by actuating a switch of control unit  23 . Furthermore, the user can change the number of cycles for dispensing the powder, the timing that ventilator remains operative, and the timing that valve  22  remains activated. All this for modifying the conditions and quantity of powder being dispensed in the apparatus. 
         [0058]    A deviation valve  18 ′ activated by control unit  23  can deviate flow of powder between piping going to distributor  20  and piping going to the nozzle system  25 , or can maintain the flow in both piping. 
         [0059]    A further embodiment of the invention for dispensing powder in the loading section is shown in  FIG. 4 . The solution of  FIG. 4  can be a unit  40  located overhead the loading section in central area  41 , see  FIG. 1 . 
         [0060]    Unit  40  does not require an air flow for dispensing the powder. The powder P can be stored in loading chamber  30  of unit  40 . A calibrated opening  31  at the bottom of chamber  30  communicates with channel  32  of the support structure  33  of unit  40 . Channel  32  has a calibrated opening  32 ′ which communicates with a second channel  34  of support structure  33 . 
         [0061]    A predetermined quantity of powder  49  can fall through opening  31  into channel  32  when push shaft  47  moves rearwards in direction X′ to open opening  31  towards channel  32 . 
         [0062]    Channels  32  and  34  are parallel to each other and extend longitudinally in direction X. Channel  34  is located below channel  32 . Opening  32 ′ is located more forward than opening  31  in direction X. 
         [0063]    Opening  34 ′ near to the end of channel  34  communicates with area  35  of support structure  33 . Area  35  has a conical configuration which expands from opening  34 ′ towards basin  10 . 
         [0064]    A rotor  36  having a conical configuration is located in section  35 . Rotor  36  is supported by shaft  37 , which is assembled on bearings  38  located in support structure  33 . Shaft  37  is rotated by motor  39  so that rotor  36  is rotated around central axis  40 ′ of section  35 . 
         [0065]    Actuator member  42  has a rack portion  42 ′ which engages pinion  43  of motor  44 . Bidirectional rotations of motor  44  translate member  42  backwards and forwards, i.e. respectively in directions X and X′. Rod  45  is an extension of member  42 , and translates in channel  32  for the same translations accomplished by member  42 . Similarly, pusher rod  46  is an extension of member  42  and translates in channel  34  for the same translations accomplished by member  42 . Pusher rod  47  is more forward than pusher rod  45  in channel  32 , whilst spring  48  is assembled between rod  45  and rod  47 . 
         [0066]      FIG. 4  shows an operative instant of unit  40 , in which rod  46  is pushing a predetermined quantity of powder  49  through channel  34 . The pushing direction is X towards opening  34 ′ of section  35 . When the powder reaches opening  34 ′, it falls on rotor  36  which is rotating around axis  40 ′. The engagement of the powder on the rotor that is rotating causes the powder particles to be launched out of section  35 , and therefore dispenses the powder particles into loading section  11 . 
         [0067]    The predetermined quantity of powder  49  reaches channel  34  in a previous stage when rod  47  has pushed the powder along channel  32  to make it drop though opening  32 ′. In an even previous stage, rod  47  has been sufficiently moved in direction X′ to clear opening  31 , and therefore to allow the predetermined quantity of powder to drop from loading chamber  30  into channel  32  through opening  31 . 
         [0068]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , spring  48  allows rod  47  to engage the end of channel  32  and at the same time allows rods  45  and  46  to continue to translate in direction X, when rod  46  needs to push the powder in channel  34  towards opening  34 ′. 
         [0069]    The sequence of translation of rods  45 ,  47  and  46  are caused by the sequence of rotations of motor  44 , which can be controlled by control unit  23  to guarantee that predetermined quantities of powder are pushed and caused to fall on rotor  36 , or the user of the apparatus can directly activate motor  44  by means of switches of control unit  23  for causing the predetermined quantity of powder to be pushed and made to fall on rotor  36 . 
         [0070]    Unit  60  shown in  FIG. 5  is a further embodiment that can be applied for dispensing powder in the loading section  11 . With unit  60 , the user presses on piston  61  to move it in air tight chamber  62 . In this way a an air flow is caused through piping  63  which pressurizes chamber  64 . 
         [0071]    Slide member  65  is like a piston member which can translate in chamber  64  due to the push obtained by the pressurized air coming from chamber  62 . Slide member  65  has passage  65 ′ which can be aligned with opening  66  of powder reservoir  67 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . The alignment of passage  65 ′ with opening  66  causes a predetermined quantity of powder to fill passage  65 ′. 
         [0072]    The air flow caused by the user pressing piston  61  translates member  65  in direction X′, which therefore aligns passage  65 ′ both with passage  70  and with air exit  71 . During the translation of member  65 , entrance  72  of by pass duct  73  is opened to deviate a portion of air flow to reach air exit  71 . 
         [0073]    Passage  70  is an exit for spraying the powder in loading section  10 . Diffusion members at the exit of passage  70 , enlarged section  74  and cone  75 , cause the powder to be sprayed out from passage  70  onto a vast area of the loading section. Therefore, when passage  65 ′ is aligned with passage  70  and air exit  71 , the air leaving  71  sprays the powder out of passage  65 ′ through passage  70  and into the loading section  11 . 
         [0074]    During translation of slide member  65  in direction X, spring  76  becomes preloaded. When piston  61  is released, the preload of the spring translates slide member  65  in opposite direction X to bring slide member back into engagement with cap member  62 ′, thereby returning the situation to the condition of  FIG. 5   
         [0075]    Distributor  20  and units  40 , 60  can be assembled in a portion  50  of the apparatus structure (see  FIG. 1 ). Portion  50  of the apparatus structure can function as a lid for allowing access and for closing the loading section  11 . The lid can be rotated by means of hinges (not shown) in directions Y and Y′, respectively for opening and closing the loading section. Piping  18  will have a suitable rotation joint (not shown) to allow the rotation of the lid. 
         [0076]    Even though the apparatus described in the various embodiments is foreseen for use as a stand alone unit, with the advantage that it can be positioned in a variety of locations without requiring connections to the water supply or the drain for liquids, in some cases it should not be excluded to have cleaning cycles and related draining of liquids like is described in EP 1707270 and the two mentioned applications. In fact, the use of powder achieves savings in energy, water and sanitizing and cleaning liquids, which can be used during limited periodic cycles of cleaning of the machine. 
         [0077]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the apparatus is positioned below a sink unit  81  and comprises the loading section  11 , the grinding unit  12 , the collection container  15  and eventually even the devices for collecting the liquids (not shown). As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  apparatus A can be positioned in the lowest area under the sink unit  81  and more precisely under one of the sinks  80 . The position of the apparatus A can be to one side with respect to the siphon  82  that is required for connection to drain  83 . The overall height H of the apparatus A is less than 50 centimeters. 
         [0078]    For loading of the waste W in section  11  of  FIG. 6  (see arrow C) and emptying of the waste container  15 , the user can extract from the apparatus (see movement represented with arrow F) both the loading section with the grinding section (see the external position of the loading section and the grinding section represented with the dashed line contour  11 ′ and  12 ′, respectively) and the collection container for the waste  15  (see the position of the collection container represented with the dashed line contour  15 ′). The extraction of the members  11 ,  12 ,  15  and their return to the inside position to start the grinding operation occurs respectively by pulling and pushing on the front handles of the apparatus. In this way members  11 ,  12 ,  15  move in the directions of arrows F and F′. 
         [0079]    In the section view of  FIG. 8  the container for the waste  15  is in contact with the surface  70 ′ of the frame  70  in order to become sealed and thereby avoid bad smell from escaping. Surface  70 ′ is provided with sealing member  71 , which is seated in frame  70 . Frame  70  can be a portion of the structure where passage of ground waste to reach container  15  occurs. Container  15  is maintained in contact with surface  70 ′ by means of locking members  72  (see  FIG. 9 ), which can be actuated rapidly, as more fully illustrated in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0080]    In  FIG. 9 , for reasons of illustration, the front panel of the apparatus has been removed and container  15  is shown in the external position of the apparatus, like is the condition represented by dashed line contour  15 ′ of  FIG. 6 . In  FIG. 9 , two locking members  72  can be seen on one side of container  15 . Another two locking members are on the opposite side of the container and are not visible in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0081]    The locking members  72  are hinged to respective levers  74 , which are in turn hinged to container  15 . Each locking member  72  hooks onto a respective hook  73  positioned on frame  70 . The locking members are hooked onto the hooks and pulled by manually rotating levers  74  around pins where each lever results hinged on container  15 . By rotating the levers in direction  74 ′, the top face of container  15  is pulled against surface  70 ′, and therefore against sealing member  71  to form the sealed joint. 
         [0082]    The foregoing description of specific embodiments will so fully reveal the invention according to the conceptual point of view, so that others, by applying current knowledge, will be able to modify and/or adapt for various applications such an embodiment without further research and without departing from the invention, and it is therefore to be understood that such adaptations and modifications will have to be considered as equivalent to the specific embodiment. The means and the materials to realise the different functions described herein could have a different nature without, for this reason, departing from the field of the invention. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.