Abstract:
A tetra vermi compost container and a method for composting in a container made from a flexible fabric with walls secured by rope. Support pockets affixed to the exterior of the sidewalls for receiving support poles. Apertures in the sidewalls vent the container. Vermi wash or leachate drains through an aperture in the bottom wall into a drainage pipe and the free end of the pipe empties into a cup installed in a pit within the work surface. The compost method yields manure. The tetra vermi compost container is collapsible so that it can be easily assembled and disassembled for operation at multiple sites and for storing agricultural waste.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 13/261,053 filed Sep. 12, 2012, and claims the benefit of PCT/IN2009/000312 with an International Priority Date of Feb. 6, 2009. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to the field of devices and methods for composting waste into manure. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The prior art cited below are relevant to the described device and method: 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,488,733, by Kalra, et al., discloses methods of composting employing pits which are line with bricks (see e.g.: Col. 3, Line 4, Lines 20-24). The device used for composting requires a fixed, permanently dug pits. Accordingly, the device is not intended to be portable. 
         [0005]    U.S. Patent Applications, Pub. Nos.: US 20060101882 A1 (see e.g., Col. 2-&amp; 34) and US 20040191288 by AlKhanuja, et al., (see e.g., Col. 2-&amp; 34) disclose the use of animal urine for composting in pits lined with bricks and is, therefore, not intended to be portable. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,141,169 by Koehler discloses composting sewage in an apparatus, comprising the use of tanks and piping therefor. It follows that this device is not intended to be portable (see, e.g., Col. 2, Lines 15-23). 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,576,462 by Thompson discloses a vermi culture composting device for organic/kitchen waste which relies upon sunlight to partially control the temperature for composting. The container for composting is painted in opposed dark and light colors for absorbing or reflecting sunlight. The device is difficult to be moved from its installation site and not intended to be portable. 
         [0008]    FR. 2913014 by Lauren discloses employment of a plurality of tanks with perforated bottoms and covered with air holes and  dendrodrilus rubidus  worm for composting. The device structure lacks ease of assembly and disassembly and, as a consequence, is not intended to be portable. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,018,831, by Gitt, relates to a composting apparatus which comprises a plurality of stackable composting drawers and a plurality of receivers, each receiver is arranged under one unit of the drawers. This apparatus is not intended to be portable. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    Disclosed is a vermi composting bed of the type disposed upon a work surface of dirt or soil for receiving therein waste for composting and from which is drained vermi wash. The bed comprises a stitchless, heat-sealed, composite fabric comprising four layers of UV-stabilized LDPE layers coated for heat extrusion; and three HDPE substrate layers of woven fabric layers; each of said HDPE layers being disposed between two of said LDPE layers. There is a main panel made of the fabric which is 16 feet, 9 inches, by 2 feet. There are two side panels each 12 feet, 9 inches, by 2 feet. The main panel and the two side panels form the bed of 12 feet in length by 4 feet wide by 2 feet high defining the walls of the bed with an internal volume of 96 cubic feet open for receiving therein the waste for composting. The exterior walls of the side panels are green and the interior walls which defining the volume of the bed are snow white. Rope is disposed along and secured to each of the upper longitudinal marginal edge of each of the panels. The upper longitudinal marginal edges of the panels define the opening. There are fourteen pockets. Each of the pockets are comprised of the composite fabric and affixed to the exterior walls of the panels and have a U-shaped opening at one end thereof and is closed at the end opposed to the U-shaped opening. The closed end is secured to the panel by the rope. There are fourteen round, straight, 39 inch long wooden poles. The work surface has holes at predetermined locations. Each of said holes is 18 inches in depth. Each of the poles is snug fit into a respective one of the holes and projects above the work surface to a height of 21 inches. Each of the side panels has six window apertures therethrough. Each of the window apertures is 8 inches by 4 inches with rounded corners and disposed at predetermined locations a long the longitudinal side of the respective side panel. The main panel has, in a predetermined location, a drain aperture of 3 inches by 1 inch. A pipe has a semi-circular opening. The semi-circular opening is disposed under the drain aperture and disposed upon the work surface at an angle with respect to a horizontal plane passing through the drain aperture and into and below the work surface of the work surface for draining the vermi waste from the bed. HDPE nets are provided and so dimensioned so that each one covers one of the window apertures and the drain aperture and heat sealed to the panel. 
         [0011]    There is also provided a method for composting agricultural waste in a tetra vermi bed. This method comprises sorting out hard material, including stones and domestic animal dung from partly decomposed agricultural waste and leaching out animal urine from the partly decomposed waste by watering and precipitating out salt to less than 0.% by weight level. Layering alternately in the tetra vermi bed said partly decomposed waste and said animal dung each in 6 inch thick layers and repeating said layering method till the tetra vermi bed is almost filled to brim or alternatively filling completely with animal dung. Sprinkling water in fine spray over the contents of the tetra vermi bed till heat of the contents is positively removed and the contents of the tetra vermi bed are cooled and humidity initially is 70%-80% by weight. Checking settling down of the contents after sprinkling water and adding a layer of animal dung till the contents reach the 2 feet height of the tetra vermi bed. Measuring periodically the temperature of the contents and maintaining it to between 25° C. to 3° C. and maintaining moisture to adequate levels. Periodically checking the pH value and maintaining it to a range of 5 to 9 level. Adding calcium carbonate to the contents to raise the pH to the 5 to 9 level or adding peat moss to the contents to lower pH to the required 5-9 pH level, the ideal pH being a pH of 7 indicating a slightly alkaline nature, which is favorable for reproduction of worms. Making 3 to 4 inch deep basins into the contents along all sides of the tetra vermi bed, after it is sufficiently cooled down and the water content comes down to 20-30% by weight so as the waste to become sufficiently moist and porous for free movement of earthworms. Adding earthworms to said basins, allowing them to mix with the contents and closing said basins. Repeating the method after three days, as described above but to add proper feed for worms. Frequently watering the contents for maintaining the porousness of the decomposed waste to facilitate free movement of worms. Allowing the earthworms for a period of 2 months to work on the partly-decomposed agricultural waste. collecting vermi wash liquid in the container placed in the pit. Periodically inspecting said vermi wash liquid, earthworms and the tetra vermi bed and monitoring temperature. Gathering the produced manure, after 40 days, from all sides of the tetra vermi bed and stacking it in a pile, leaving thereby the earthworms at bottom of the tetra vermi bed. Sieving the produced manure and packing it in bags. Sampling the packed manure for inspection for quality check. Re-using earthworms segregated from the produced manure in following manure production batches. 
         [0012]    There is provided an apparatus of the type which is disposed upon a work surface and receives vegetation for composting. The apparatus comprises a container having a bottom and sidewalls made of flexible material. There is also means for supporting the container with respect to the work surface. The container has an open position for receiving, storing, and composting vegetation and a closed position for transportation between work surfaces. 
         [0013]    There is also provided a method of composting partially decomposed vegetation in a compost container comprising the steps of: providing the partially decomposed vegetation providing dung; placing within the compost container the partially decomposed vegetation and dung in alternating layers; spraying the combination of decomposed vegetation and dung with water so as to reduce the temperature of the contents of the container; maintaining the water content of the compost container with a predetermined range; refilling the container as the contents of the container from time-to-time as the contents thereof settle; maintaining the contents of the container within a range of predetermine temperature and moisture content; measuring and maintaining the pH of the contents of the container at a predetermined level; add earthworms to the contents within the container; and removing the manure formed thereby after a predetermined period of time. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0014]    In order that the device and method may be more fully understood it is described by way of examples and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a tetra vermi compost container; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of a blank of the tetra vermi compost container of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a plan partial view of a front sidewall of the tetra vermi compost container of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective partial view a first end sidewall and a rear sidewall of the tetra vermi compost container of  FIG. 1  with an extending drain pipe and receptacle therefor; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a partial plan view of the front sidewall and a rear sidewall joined to the blank of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a perspective partial view of a base wall and the front side and the first end sidewall of the tetra vermi compost container of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of the first end sidewall of the tetra vermi compost container of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a perspective partial view of the interior of the rear sidewall and a second end sidewall of the tetra vermi compost container of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a plan partial view of the front sidewall of the tetra vermi compost container of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a plan partial view the first end sidewall of the tetra vermi compost container of  FIG. 1  with a support member; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a plan partial view of the front sidewall of the tetra vermi compost container of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a plan view of front sidewall of the tetra vermi compost container of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is a perspective partial view of the first end side and front sidewalls of the tetra vermi compost container of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is a schematic perspective view of the support members disposed for supporting the tetra vermi compost container of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    Described is a tetra vermi compost container which is relatively light, easily erected for use and collapsed for transportation or storage when not in use and the method for making and using the same. 
         [0030]    A compost container is provided which may be of any convenient shape. In this example, the compost container  100  ( FIG. 1 ) has a substantially rectangular cross-section with a front sidewall or panel  100 - 2 , a rear sidewall or panel  100 - 3 , first and second end walls or panels  100 - 4 ,  100 - 5  and a bottom wall or panel  90 . The side opposed bottom wall  90  is open to receive the vegetation for composting. 
         [0031]    The bottom wall  90  and the first and second end walls  100 - 4 ,  100 - 5  may be formed from a single blank  100 - 1  ( FIG. 2 ). The first and second end walls  100 - 4 ,  100 - 5  are formed from the blank  100 - 1  by folding along parallel fold-lines  100 - 8 ,  100 - 9  so that each end wall  100 - 4 ,  100 - 5  is substantially perpendicular with respect to the remainder of the blank  100 - 1  leaving the base wall  90  ( FIGS. 1, 2, 6 ). 
         [0032]    The first and second end walls  100 - 4 ,  100 - 5 , the front side and rear sidewalls  100 - 2 ,  100 - 3  and the bottom wall  90  may be constructed from a material, such as a fabric, that is significantly lighter relative to such other types of materials frequently used to form a compost container, such as wood or metal. In this example, the fabric is a seven-layer chemically treated U.V.-stabilized composite woven fabric. Each layer of the fabric may comprise a laminated sandwich of a layer of LDPE between two layers of HDPE (the layered construction is not shown). Each HDPE layer may be made from HDPE granules combined with a UV stabilizing compound which is then extruded in a manner well known in the art into the single composite fabric. The UV-stabilizing compound may comprise between 3 to 5% by weight of the HDPE so as to inhibit cracking due to exposure to sunlight. 
         [0033]    In the assembly of the container  100  the edges of adjacent walls:  100 - 2  and  100 - 4 ;  100 - 2  and  100 - 5 ;  100 - 3  and  100 - 4 ;  100 - 3  and  100 - 5 ;  100 - 2  and  90 ; and  100 - 3  and  90  are secured to one another by any well known means, such as adhesive or, as in this example, by heat sealing. Thus, a first marginal edge  102  of the front sidewall  100 - 2  is substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall  90  and is affixed to a first marginal edge  102  of the first end wall  100 - 4  (where a common edge is shown a single identification number is used). A second marginal edge  104  of the front sidewall  100 - 2 , which is opposed to the first perpendicular edge  102 , is affixed to a marginal edge  104  of the second side panel  100 - 5 . A marginal edge  106  of the front sidewall  100 - 2 , which joined to a first marginal edge  106  of the bottom wall  90  ( FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 13 ). 
         [0034]    A first marginal edge  108  of the rear sidewall  100 - 3 , which is substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall  90 , is joined to a second substantially perpendicular marginal edge  108  of the first end wall  1004 . A second marginal edge  110  of the rear sidewall  100 - 3 , which is opposed to its first marginal edge  108  is joined to a second marginal edge  110  of the second end sidewall  100 - 5  ( FIGS. 1, 4, 6 ). A marginal edge  112  of the rear sidewall  100 - 3  disposed substantially coplanar with the bottom wall  90 , is joined to a second marginal edge  112  of the bottom wall  90  ( FIGS. 1, 4-6 ). 
         [0035]    The front side and rear side and first and second end sidewalls  100 - 2 - 100 - 5  may be of equal perpendicular length with respect to the bottom wall  90 . The sides of the front side and rear sidewalls  100 - 2 ,  100 - 3  which are parallel to the base wall  90  are of substantially equal length. The length of the end walls  100 - 4 ,  100 - 5  between their respective perpendicular edges  102  and  108 ,  104  and  110  are substantially equal but are shorter than the length of the front side and rear sidewalls  100 - 2 ,  100 - 3  between their respective perpendicular edges  102  and  104 ,  108  and  110 . The bottom, front side, and rear sidewalls  90 ,  100 - 2 ,  100 - 3  may be each 16 feet 9 inches wide by 4 feet 2 inches high. The first and second end panels  100 - 4 ,  100 - 5  may each be 12 feet 9 inches by 2 feet by 4 feet 2 inches. 
         [0036]    The front side  100 - 2 , rear side  100 - 3 , and first and second end walls  100 - 4 ,  100 - 5  may each have two apertures or eyelets  114  therethrough ( FIG. 3, 7, 9, 12 ). Each eyelet  114  is located proximate the corner formed by the juncture of a perpendicular edge (e.g.,  102  of the front sidewall  100 - 2 ) with the exposed marginal edge (e.g.,  136  of the front sidewall  100 - 2 ) of the container  100 . 
         [0037]    Rope  152  may be secured to each of the top edges  136 - 142  of the walls  100 - 2 - 100 - 5 , at the open end  132  of the container  100 . The rope  152  may be secured by any well known means, such as adhesive ( FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13 ). Alternatively and well known in the art, there may be provided a hem made in the walls  100 - 2 - 100 - 5  at the open end  132  of the container  100  and the rope  134  threaded through the hem (not shown). 
         [0038]    Each corner of the container  100  may be provided with a flap  150  of a fabric which is attached to the abutting walls  100 - 2  and  100 - 4 ,  100 - 2  and  100 - 5 ,  100 - 3  and  100 - 4 , and  100 - 3  and  100 - 5  as by heat sealing and have a grommet aperture  154  therethrough ( FIGS. 1, 3, 6, 8, 13 ). Each of the two free rope ends (not shown) attached to each marginal edge of the side and end walls  100 - 2 - 100 - 5  is passed through adjacent grommet aperture and through the proximately disposed apertures  114  thereunder and tied to one another in order to strengthen the joinder of the walls  100 - 2  and  100 - 5 ,  100 - 2  and  100 - 4 ,  100 - 3  and  100 - 4 , and  100 - 3  and  100 - 5 . 
         [0039]    The front side and rear sidewalls  100 - 2 ,  100 - 3  may have several window apertures  70  ( FIGS. 1, 5, 11, 12 ) therethrough and spaced along the length parallel to the bottom wall  90  and adjacent but spaced from its respective top edges  134 ,  136 . The window apertures  70  serve to vent the container  100  so as to admit fresh air and vent accumulated gases. Each window aperture  70  may be of any desired shape and size. In this example there are three substantially rectangularly shaped window apertures of equal dimensions and equally spaced along each wall  100 - 2 ,  100 - 3 . One pair of opposed sides  44 ,  46  ( FIG. 11 ) of each window  70  may be straight and parallel and the shorter dimensioned pair of sides  40 ,  42  may be mirror-imaged and concave ( FIG. 11 ). A net or screen  72  may be attached to the wall as by heat sealing and cover each window  70 . In this example, the net  72  is made of HDPE. 
         [0040]    As compost decomposes within a container, it is desirable to drain the accumulated leachate or vermi wash therefrom. As with the window apertures  70 , a similarly shaped drain aperture  74  is provided in the bottom wall  90  ( FIG. 2 ) and is likewise covered with an HDPE net  72 . 
         [0041]    To effect the drainage the tetra vermi compost container  100  is supported above a work surface  156  ( FIG. 14 ). In this example the work surface  156  is at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane. The work surface  156  may comprise, for example, firmly packed soil and have a gradient of 6 inches over 12 feet. 
         [0042]    The tetra vermi compost container  100  may be provided with a multiplicity of support pockets  80  each of which is so dimensioned as to be capable of receiving support members  82  ( FIGS. 1-3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14 ). In this example, there are fourteen such pockets  80 : six each secured to the front and rear sidewalls  100 - 2 ,  100 - 3  and one each secured to the first and second end walls  100 - 4 ,  100 - 5 . Each support pocket  80  may be substantially identically dimensioned. The exterior wall  84  of each support pocket  80  may be made of the same fabric as that of the blank  100 - 1  and front and rear sidewalls  100 - 2 ,  100 - 3 . Each pocket  80  is secured to an exterior side  86 ,  88 ,  92 ,  94  of the respective front and rear sidewalls  100 - 2 ,  100 - 3 , and first and second end walls  100 - 4 ,  100 - 5  by any well known means such as stitching, adhesive or, as in this example, by heat sealing. Each support pocket  80  is created by heat sealing the pocket&#39;s exterior wall  84  along its opposed and parallel marginal sides  80 -A. These sides  80 -A extend perpendicularly to the bottom wall  90 . The exterior wall  84  of the pocket  80  and the exterior side  86 - 94  of each wall  100 - 2 - 100 - 5 , respectively, form the pocket. Each pocket  80  may be joined at its edge  116  to and at edge  116 - 120  opposed to and parallel the bottom wall  90 . Alternatively, it may have its exterior wall  84  extend over the rope  152  and then heat sealed to the interior surface of the wall (not shown). 
         [0043]    To facilitate ease of receiving the support pole  82  the exterior wall  84  of each support pocket  80  may be disposed with its pocket opening  154  proximate the bottom wall  90  and in which the outer wall of each pocket has an U-shaped indent  154  at its opening to facilitate receiving the support members. Six of the support pockets  80  are secured to the exterior of the front side and rear side walls  100 - 2 ,  100 - 3 . Each of the two remaining pockets  80  is secured to a respective first and second end walls  100 - 4 ,  100 - 5 . Six of the pockets  80  are secured to the front side and to the rear side walls  100 - 2 ,  100 - 3  and are upon such wall  100 - 2  or  100 - 3  equally spaced from each other and equally spaced from the perpendicular edges  102  and  104 ,  108  and  110  of the walls. In this way each pocket  80  secured to the front side wall  100 - 2  is in registry with a pocket  80  secured to the rear side wall  100 - 3 . The pocket  80  secured to the exterior of the first end wall  100 - 4  is in registry with the pocket secured to the exterior of the second end wall  100 - 5 . 
         [0044]    In this example, the opening  148  of each support pocket  80  may be 6 inches or greater between the marginal edges  80 -A such that the cylindrical pole  82 , which may have a 12 inch diameter, easily fits through the U-shaped indented opening  148  and into the pocket  80 . 
         [0045]    The work surface  150  may comprise, for example, firmly packed soil and provide a gradient of 6 inches over 12 feet. Alternatively, the acute angle or gradient may be obtained by varying the lengths of the poles  82  with respect to a substantially horizontal work surface (not shown) to establish the desired acute angle. As an alternative, the pockets  80  may be disposed at an acute angle along the container sidewalls  100 - 2 - 100 - 5  with respect to the horizontal plane such that, with support being provided by poles  82  of equal length, the container  100  will be at the acute angle with respect to the horizontal plane. 
         [0046]    The tetra vermi container  100 , when fully erected, may, because of its fabric walls, be folded upon itself and erected ready for use at a work site. 
         [0047]    In operation, holes are made in the work surface  150  to a sufficient depth that each pole  82  is firmly in place as by grouting. In this example, there are fourteen holes  146  are made in the work surface  150  ( FIG. 14 ) each hole  146  is so dimensioned as to be capable of receiving one of the wooden poles  82 . Each hole  146  corresponds to the location of one of the pockets  80  when the container  100  is positioned over the holes. Each hole  146  has a depth of 18 inches. Each pole  82  may be of any structural material such as wood and have any desired shape such as a circular cross-section and be 40 inches in length. The insertion of the free end of all of the poles  82  into the corresponding pockets  80  thereby provides the support for the four sides  100 - 2 - 100 - 5  of the tetra vermi compost container  100  ( FIG. 2 ). 
         [0048]    A drain pipe  96 , which may be made of any structural material such as plastic, and in this example is made of HDPE. The pipe  96  may have a semi-circular sector  148  aperture therein adjacent one end  168  to receive the leachate or vermi wash drained from the container  100 . The pipe  82  may be fitted under the drain aperture  74  in a manner well known in the art. The other end  160  of the pipe  82  may then open into a pit  164  in the work surface  150  into which is placed a receptacle  162  ( FIG. 4 ) to receive the vermi wash liquid. The drain aperture  74  may be positioned at the lowest point of the gradient of the work surface  150 . 
         [0049]    There is provided the process for composting partly decomposing agricultural waste in a tetra vermi bed or container of the type having a drain for removing the leachate or vermi wash. The method comprises:
       providing partly decomposing agricultural waste for composting in the bed;   providing a predetermined amount of domestic animal dung;   removing from the partly decomposing agricultural waste, such as stones and domestic animal dung from the partly decomposed agricultural waste;   watering the partly decomposed agricultural waste and precipitating out salt to less than 0.5% by weight to thereby leach out any animal urine in the waste;   placing alternate layers, each of 6 inches, of the partly decomposed agricultural waste and the animal dung in the bed until the bed is substantially filled to its brim or, if there is insufficient partly decomposed agricultural waste to completely fill the bed, then filling the empty balance the bed with the animal dung;   sprinkling water in fine spray over the contents of the bed until the heat of is reduced to the ambient temperature and the humidity is between 70% and 80% of weight of the contents;   adding the animal dung to the bed to 2 feet from the brim of the bed to replace any settling of the contents;   measuring the temperature of the contents at predetermined intervals;   maintaining the temperature of the contents between 25° C. to 35° C.;   maintaining moisture to predetermined levels;   measuring the pH of the contents at predetermined intervals;   maintaining the pH of the contents to between 5 and 9 and as close to 7.5 by adding either calcium carbonate to raise the pH or peat moss to lower the PH;   making a trench or basin of between 3 to 4 inches deep in the contents proximate each sidewall and end wall of the bed when the temperature of the contents has cooled to the ambient temperature and the water is between 20% and 30% by weight of the contents so that the contents are sufficiently moist and porous for free movement of earthworms;   providing a predetermined amount of earthworms;   adding the earthworms into the basins;   allowing the earthworms to enter into the contents;   closing the basins;   waiting three days and then repeating the step of making a trench or basin of between 3 to 4 inches deep in the contents proximate each sidewall and end wall of the bed when the temperature of the contents has cooled to the ambient temperature and the water is between 20% and 30% by weight of the contents so that the contents are sufficiently moist and porous for free movement of earthworms;   providing feed for the earthworms;   adding the feed to the basins;   closing the basins;   watering the contents at predetermined intervals to maintain the porousness of decomposing agricultural waste so to facilitate free movement of the earthworms;   collecting the leachate from the drain;   inspecting the leachate, earthworms and bed and monitoring temperature at predetermined intervals;   allowing the earthworms a period of up to 2 months to work on the partly-decomposed agricultural waste;   gathering the produced manure after 40 days from the sides of the bed;   stacking the collected manure in a pile,   leaving the earthworms at bottom of the bed;   sieving the stacked manure and packing it in bags;   sampling the packed manure for inspection and quality; and   reusing the earthworms       
 
         [0081]    As a further example of the apparatus, there can be provided a main panel with the following specification:
       two inverted pockets having U-shaped opening, each being 24 inches by 8 inches;   a drain of 3.5 inches by 1.5 inches; and   the top opening edge have a rope of 2 inch diameter attached thereto.