Abstract:
A sealable bin for collecting waste biomass in a household kitchen comprising a container for receiving biomass, a sealable lid for placement over the container, venting means for circulating air within the waste biomass, and a handle. Venting means is contained in the lid. The inside surfaces of the container have a series of parallel features comprising either channels or projections in order create pathways into and out of the container for aeration of the biomass and dehumidifying of the biomass so as to deter anaerobic decomposition and odours.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/149,217 filed on Feb. 2, 2009. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to composting apparatus and more particularly to a compost collection bin. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Composting organic kitchen waste is an important way to reduce the amount of biomass that is put into landfill. Buried biomass generates methane gas which is a well known and patent greenhouse gas. Buried biomass also produces hydrogen sulphide gas which is potentially poisonous and has an offensive rotten egg odour. Reduction of biomass placed into landfill extends the life of the landfill and reduces noxious emissions from the landfill. As well, composted kitchen waste creates a high quality fertilizer than can be used on household gardens. 
         [0006]    Many households continue to place organic waste into garbage destined for landfill. One reason for this is a perceived difficulty in collecting and storing biomass indoors. One problem associated with composting organic waste is its collection in the kitchen in suitable amounts prior to transfer to the garden composting apparatus and the potential for unpleasant odours in the household. The householder wishes to use a container that is aesthetically pleasing for indoor use and does not create distasteful odours in the kitchen. A number of compost containers are presently marketed which comprise stainless steel containers. These are shiny and aesthetically pleasing. However, they are merely pails with low capacity that must be emptied often. They have to be emptied often to avoid decomposition of the matter in the pail and resulting odours. Other indoor compost containers resemble rectangular garbage cans which are not pleasing to the eye and rely upon charcoal filters to keep odours to a minimum. Handling and emptying such a container can be awkward and the top of the container is detached and may fall off the container during transport and emptying. 
         [0007]    Therefore, there is a need for a new type of compost container that can be used to collect kitchen waste, is aesthetically pleasing, and capable of prolonged use prior to emptying without anaerobic decomposition causing unpleasant odours in the household. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    In accordance with the present invention there is provided a compost collection bin fabricated from a suitable thermoplastic material such as HDPE with a volume of at least 7.5 L. However, the invention can be adapted to be as large as 120 L and generally, whatever size is demanded by the market. The present invention comprises three main parts which are the container for receiving the waste biomass, the lid for sealing the container and the handle for manipulating the container. In one embodiment of the invention the lid comprises a plurality of pinholes for aerating the biomass to prevent anaerobic decomposition and odours. The pin holes can be opened and closed using venting means. The pin holes are generally smaller than a fruit fly to prevent these and other small insects from entering the container. In another embodiment of the invention the lid seals the container and has no pin holes. 
         [0009]    Advantages of the present invention include interior flutes or channels along the inside surface of the container. These channels allow for air to gain access to the organic material to promote aerobic decomposition and also permit evaporation of moisture up the channels and out of the vented lid. In the embodiment where the lid does not contain vents, the action of opening and closing the sealed lid acts to pump air into the biomass and draw moisture laden air out of the biomass. The lid is releasable from the container to permit better cleaning and use of dishwashers. In other embodiment of the invention there may be ripples, corrugations, dimples or other similar features that encourage air circulation around the biomass within the container. These features have a low profile and so the interior of the container is easily cleaned without biomass being trapped within the channels. Another advantage of the invention is the ergonomic hand grips which allow the user a wide range options to grasp and manipulate the container. This particularly important for older persons who may have difficulty handing a container without a properly design handle. Another advantageous feature of the invention is the bottom tabs or “buck teeth” which, when used in cooperation with the handle and lid, permit the user to maintain control of the container during emptying operations. 
         [0010]    The invention is aesthetically pleasing and so can remain in sight and in use in the household. 
     
    
     
       DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a top view of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1A  is a side view of invention with the top closed. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the invention containing biomass. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a top view of another embodiment of the invention wherein the channels have a semi-circular profile. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a top view of yet another embodiment of the invention comprising dimples on the bottom inside surface. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  shows a top view of another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  shows still another embodiment of the invention in top view. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  shows another embodiment of the invention with no projections or channels on the inside surface of the container. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  shows another embodiment of the invention bottom view. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  shows the invention as it might appear being emptied. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9A  is a view of the tabs on the bottom of the container in one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9B  is a view of how the tabs and lid are used to grasp the container. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a top view of one embodiment of the invention with the lid having partial venting. 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a top view of one embodiment of the invention showing the connection between the lid and the container. 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  illustrates how the lid can be disconnected from the container. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 1  there is shown a top view of the invention  10  comprising the container  12 , the sealing top  14  and the ergonomic handle  16 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the lid  14  includes venting means  18  comprising a plurality of perforations  20  adapted to let air into and out of the sealed container to promote aerobic decomposition. The venting means  18  also permits moisture to escape the sealed container so as to keep the biomass relatively dry. Lid  14  further comprises a skirt  22  and a latching aperture  17  which is adapted to engage release button  15  on lip  26  of the container  12  in a sealing arrangement. Release button  15  is integral to lip  26  and engages latching aperture  17  for a secure and easy to use and see release mechanism.  FIG. 1A  shows the same embodiment of the invention  10  as in  FIG. 1  in side view with the lid  14  closed. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 2  there is shown the invention containing a quantity of biomass  28 . The channels  30  within the inside walls  32  of the container  12  are adapted to permit air flow  34  into and around the biomass thereby preventing anaerobic decomposition and odours. Air flow  34  will occur with the lid  14  closed and sealed through venting means  18 . Alternatively, the lid  14  does not include venting means  18  the action of opening and closing the led will result in air being forced into and drawn out of the biomass by compression (when closing) and suction (when opening). The vent holes in the lid are sufficiently small so as to prevent egress by fruit flies and other small insects. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown another embodiment of the invention  36  in top view wherein the channels  38  have a semi-circular profile. In this embodiment the channels descend from the lip  40  of the container to the bottom  42  of the container and across the inside bottom surface of the container and up the opposite side  44  of the container. Channels are also shown on the back surface  46  of the container and may be inscribed on the front surface (not shown) as well. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , there is shown yet another embodiment of the invention  50  comprising a grid pattern of dimples  52  on the bottom surface  54  of the container  56 . The dimples have the purpose of maintain airflow channels around the bottom of the biomass within the container as well as permitting fluids that will accumulate there by gravity to evaporate into the air flow and be expelled out of the top of the container. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown still another embodiment of the invention  60  wherein the channels  62  have a rectangular profile with a tapered top portion  64 . At the bottom of the container  66  the channels join to form a network  68  of channels on the bottom inside surface of the container. This permits air flow along the bottom of the biomass in the container and also permits collection of moisture along the sides of the container for pooling at the bottom of the container. Air flow will promote evaporation of the moisture into the air for expulsion out of the top of the container. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , there is shown another embodiment of the invention  70  wherein there are a plurality of parallel elongate projections  72  along the insides  74  and bottom inside surface  76  of the container  78 . The projections have a semi-circular profile and permit air flow between them along pathways  80 . 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , there is one embodiment of the invention  90  wherein there are no channels or projections on the inside surfaces of the container  92 . 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , there is shown the bottom surface  94  of one embodiment of the invention  96 . Also illustrated are the support legs  98  to lift the container off of a supporting surface, the ergonomic handle  100  and the vented lid  102 . One further advantage of the invention is the tabs  104  and  106  which can be grasped by the user&#39;s hand with the lid to manipulate the container during emptying. The tabs are curved or dished to provide for an ergonomic and secure grip. Straight tabs may also be provided in other embodiments. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , there is shown another view of the invention wherein the tabs  104  and  106  are shown more clearly. The tabs are moulded into the container as illustrated in  FIG. 9A . The handle  100  is placed behind the container and the lid  102  is swung back so that it contacts the handle. In this configuration, the tabs are used with the lid as a grasp to hold the container during emptying. This is illustrated in  FIG. 9B . 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , there is shown another embodiment  110  wherein the lid  112  is partially vented  114 . The venting can be opened and closed by a handle  116  moving from a full open to a full closed position in slide  118 . Advantageously the vent can be placed in any location on the surface of the lid. In another embodiment of the invention the vent can be placed in multiple corners of the lid. The vent opening and closing mechanism can take other forms such as a rotating vent, a flip lid over the vent or equivalents. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , there is shown another advantage of the invention which is the releasable lid  120  hinged to the container  122 . By pressing the lid and the container together where indicated by the black arrows the distance between the hinges holding the lid to the container will expand causing the hinges to release the lid. The lid can be easily re-installed by the same pressing operation. This is illustrated in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0037]    Although the description above contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but merely providing illustrations and examples of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. For example, the lid of the invention may have no venting or partial venting or full venting. The container can have other shapes as can the channels and projections within the container. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.