Patent Publication Number: US-2023142555-A1

Title: Organic waste processing device and method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under 35 USC § 119(e) of US provisional patent application 62/992,473 filed on Mar. 20, 2020, the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to the field of organic waste processing. More particularly, the invention relates to an organic waste processing device that dries and grinds organic waste into a convenient particular form, such as a fertilizing material including plant growth supplements. It also relates to a method for processing organic waste, including grinding and drying same to obtain a fertilizing particular material. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is a clear desire of many people to do more for the environment by reducing our ecological footprint. For instance, it is well-known that composting offers an environmental alternative to using organic material for landfill because, amongst others, composting reduces methane production, a major source of greenhouse gas. 
     However, city-owned composting facilities are not available everywhere and few cities offer composting facilities. Furthermore, transporting organic waste towards composting facilities has a non-negligible cost because organic matter is typically heavy and bulky and this adds to the ecological footprint. 
     In addition, composting at home is not always possible, especially when one does not have a backyard. Furthermore, it can be rebarbative to some because it can be smelly, it requires additional work to gather up the kitchen waste and put in a compost pile outside after meals. 
     There is thus a need for a domestic appliance which would transform domestic organic waste in a few hours, which could be substantially odorless and silent, and which could transform the food residue into a valuable fertilizer for plants and garden. 
     In view of the above, there is a need for an improved organic waste processing device which, by virtue of its design and components, would be able to overcome or at least minimize some of the above-discussed prior art concerns. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to a first general aspect, there is provided an organic waste processing device comprising: an organic matter-receiving container having a bottom wall and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom wall and defining together an organic matter-receiving chamber; at least one grinding assembly at least partially contained in the organic matter-receiving chamber, and a gas-propelling unit. 
     In an embodiment, each one of the at least one grinding assembly comprises: a drive shaft having an interior (or inner) gas flow channel extending longitudinally therethrough and an outer peripheral surface; and a rotatable blade assembly including a blade support sleeve mounted to the drive shaft and being engaged in rotation therewith. The blade support sleeve has a sleeve outer peripheral surface and the rotatable blade assembly further includes at least one blade mounted to the blade support sleeve and extending outwardly from the sleeve outer peripheral surface into the organic matter-receiving chamber. The drive shaft and the blade support sleeve are in fluid communication and configured to define at least one gas path to provide gas flow flowing from the interior gas flow channel of the drive shaft into the organic matter-receiving chamber. The gas-propelling unit is in gas communication with the interior gas flow channel of the drive shaft. 
     More particularly, when mounted to the drive shaft, the blade support sleeve is configured to define at least one gas path to provide gas flow flowing from the interior gas flow channel of the drive shaft into the organic matter-receiving chamber. More particularly, an interior surface of the blade support sleeve is spaced-apart from the drive shaft. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the drive shaft is free of interior gas flow channel and the at least one gas path is provided between the drive shaft and a partition wall and/or the drive shaft and the inner surface of the blade support sleeve and/or the inner surface of the blade support sleeve and a partition wall. In an embodiment, the at least one gas path comprises an ascending gas flow and/or a descending gas flow. 
     In an embodiment, the organic waste processing device further comprises a heating unit configured to heat organic waste contained in the organic matter-receiving chamber. The heating unit can comprise a gas-heating unit configured to heat gas propelled by the gas-propelling unit before it contacts the blade support sleeve. In an embodiment, the organic waste contained in the organic matter-receiving chamber is heated at least by convection with heated gas flowing through the at least one grinding assembly. In an embodiment, the organic waste can be also heated by convection via the bottom wall of the organic matter-receiving container. 
     In an embodiment, the blade support sleeve covers a section of the drive shaft extending in the organic matter-receiving chamber with an inner surface of a peripheral wall of the blade support sleeve being at least partially spaced-apart from the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft to define a gas flow channel inbetween, the gas flow channel being in gas communication with a gas-plenum chamber of the organic waste processing device. In an embodiment, the gas flow channel is an outer gas flow channel in gas communication with the interior gas flow channel of the drive shaft, if any. The peripheral wall of the drive shaft can comprise at least one aperture defined therethrough to provide gas communication between the interior gas flow channel of the drive shaft and the outer gas flow channel. 
     In an embodiment, the gas flow channel defined in the at least one grinding assembly is in gas communication with the organic matter-receiving chamber at least through a spacing defined between a lower end of the peripheral wall of the blade support sleeve and the bottom wall of the organic matter-receiving container. 
     According to another general aspect, there is also provided an organic waste processing device comprising an organic matter-receiving container having a bottom wall and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom wall and defining together an organic matter-receiving chamber; and at least one grinding assembly at least partially contained in the organic matter-receiving chamber and having a longitudinal axis. Each one of the at least one grinding assembly comprises: a drive shaft; and a rotatable blade assembly including a blade support sleeve mounted to the drive shaft and being engaged in rotation therewith. The blade support sleeve has a sleeve outer peripheral surface and at least two rows of at least one blade mounted to the blade support sleeve and extending outwardly from the sleeve outer peripheral surface into the organic matter-receiving chamber. The at least two rows of at least one blade are longitudinally spaced-apart from one another. 
     According to yet another general aspect, there is also provided a method for grinding and drying waste organic matter. The method comprises the steps: adding waste organic matter into an organic matter-receiving chamber; and simultaneously grinding the waste organic matter by engaging in rotation at least one grinding assembly having at least one blade mounted thereon and drying the waste organic matter while it is grinded by injecting gas into the organic matter-receiving chamber through the at least one grinding assembly. The method can further comprise heating the gas before injecting same into the organic matter-receiving chamber. 
     According to a general aspect, there is provided an organic waste processing device comprising: a casing, an organic matter-receiving container, a gas-propelling unit, and at least one grinding assembly. The casing includes a base and a peripheral wall, extending upwardly from the base, and defining together an internal compartment. The casing has a gas-plenum chamber defined therein. The organic matter-receiving container is insertable in the internal compartment of the casing and has a bottom wall and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom wall and defining together an organic matter-receiving chamber. The gas-propelling unit is in gas communication with the gas-plenum chamber. The at least one grinding assembly is at least partially contained in the organic matter-receiving chamber. Each one of the at least one grinding assembly comprises: a drive shaft having an outer peripheral surface; and a rotatable blade assembly including a blade support sleeve mounted to the drive shaft and being engaged in rotation therewith, said blade support sleeve having a peripheral wall with an inner surface and a sleeve outer peripheral surface and the rotatable blade assembly further includes at least one blade mounted to the blade support sleeve and extending outwardly from said sleeve outer peripheral surface into the organic matter-receiving chamber, the inner surface of the blade support sleeve being spaced-apart from the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft to define at least one gas flow channel extending longitudinally into the at least one griding assembly and providing gas communication between the gas-plenum chamber and the organic matter-receiving chamber. 
     In an embodiment, the organic waste processing device further comprises a heating unit configured to heat organic waste contained in the organic matter-receiving chamber. 
     In an embodiment, the organic matter-receiving container is removably insertable in the internal compartment of the casing with the bottom wall of the organic matter-receiving container being spaced-apart from the base of the casing to define the gas-plenum chamber inbetween and in gas communication with the gas-propelling unit and the at least one gas flow channel of the at least one grinding assembly, the gas-propelling unit generating a gas flow from the gas-plenum chamber towards the organic matter-receiving container and through the at least one gas flow channel of the at least one grinding assembly. 
     In an embodiment, the organic waste processing device further comprises a gas-heating unit at least partially contained in the gas-plenum chamber and configured to heat gas propelled by the gas-propelling unit while flowing into the gas-plenum chamber. The gas-heating unit can comprise at least one heating element contained at least partially in the gas-plenum chamber. The gas-heating unit can comprise a partition wall located in the gas-plenum chamber and surrounding at least partially the at least one heating element; and a plurality of fins dividing the gas flow to enhance heat transfer with the at least one heating element. 
     In an embodiment, the gas-propelling unit circulates the gas flow along a gas flow path defined in the organic waste processing device, the gas flow path including sequentially the gas-plenum chamber, the at least one gas flow channel extending longitudinally into the at least one griding assembly, and the organic matter-receiving chamber, wherein the organic waste processing device further comprises a gas-filtering assembly mounted downstream of the organic matter-receiving container in the gas flow path. In an embodiment, the organic waste processing device further comprises a lid engageable with the casing and containing the gas-filtering assembly. 
     In an embodiment, the at least one gas flow channel comprises an ascending gas flow channel and a descending gas flow channel. The descending gas flow channel can surround the ascending gas flow channel with a partition wall extending inbetween. The partition wall can comprise a peripheral wall of the drive shaft defining a gas port opened in the gas-plenum chamber. The peripheral wall of the drive shaft can comprise at least one aperture extending therethrough to provide gas communication between the ascending gas flow channel and the descending gas flow channel. The at least one aperture can be located in an upper section of the peripheral wall of the drive shaft. 
     The drive shaft can be located centrally inside the ascending gas flow channel and the partition wall can surround the drive shaft and be spaced-apart thereof with the ascending gas flow channel extending inbetween. The ascending gas flow channel and the descending gas flow channel can be in fluid communication above an upper free end of the partition wall. The partition wall can comprise a tubular shell extending upwardly from the bottom wall of the organic matter-receiving container to prevent organic matter contained in the organic matter-receiving chamber from entering into the gas-plenum chamber. 
     The ascending gas flow channel and the descending gas flow channel can be in gas communication in an upper section of the at least one grinding assembly. 
     In an embodiment, the at least one gas flow channel comprises an inner gas flow channel and an outer gas flow channel. The outer gas flow channel can surround the inner gas flow channel with a partition wall extending inbetween. The partition wall can comprise a peripheral wall of the drive shaft defining a gas port opened in the gas-plenum chamber. The peripheral wall of the drive shaft can comprise at least one aperture extending therethrough to provide gas communication between the inner gas flow channel and the outer gas flow channel. The at least one aperture can be located in an upper section of the peripheral wall of the drive shaft. 
     The drive shaft can be located centrally inside the inner gas flow channel and the partition wall can surround the drive shaft and be spaced-apart thereof with the inner gas flow channel extending inbetween. The inner gas flow channel and the outer gas flow channel can be in fluid communication above an upper free end of the partition wall. 
     The partition wall can comprise a tubular shell extending upwardly from the bottom wall of the organic matter-receiving container to prevent organic matter contained in the organic matter-receiving chamber from entering into the gas-plenum chamber. 
     In an embodiment, the inner gas flow channel and the outer gas flow channel are in gas communication in an upper section of the at least one grinding assembly. 
     In an embodiment, the drive shaft of the at least one grinding assembly extends through an aperture defined in the bottom wall of the organic matter-receiving container. The organic waste processing device can further comprise an actuator assembly at least partially located between the base of the casing and the bottom wall of the organic matter-receiving container and wherein the drive shaft can comprise a lower section operatively coupled to the actuator assembly to be engaged in rotation. 
     In an embodiment, the casing further comprises a gas entrance port and wherein the peripheral wall of the casing is at least partially spaced-apart from the peripheral wall of the organic matter-receiving container defining inbetween a peripheral wall spacing in gas communication with the gas entrance port and in which gas drawn into the internal compartment flows upstream of the gas-propelling unit. 
     In an embodiment, the blade support sleeve covers a section of the drive shaft extending in the organic matter-receiving chamber. 
     In an embodiment, the at least one gas flow channel is in gas communication with the organic matter-receiving chamber at least through a spacing defined between a lower end of the peripheral wall of the blade support sleeve and the bottom wall of the organic matter-receiving container. 
     In an embodiment, the at least one grinding assembly comprises more than one grinding assembly, spaced-apart from one another in the organic matter-receiving container and extending upwardly from the bottom wall of the organic matter-receiving container. 
     In an embodiment, the blade support sleeve comprises a lower end spaced-apart from an inner face of the bottom wall of the organic matter-receiving container to allow gas flowing into the at least one gas flow channel to enter into the organic matter-receiving chamber. 
     In an embodiment, the blade support sleeve is removably mounted to the drive shaft. The blade support sleeve and the drive shaft can be detachably engageable at upper ends thereof. 
     In an embodiment, the at least one blade comprises a plurality of rows of blades apart from one another along a longitudinal axis of the at least one grinding assembly, each one of the rows of blades including a plurality of radially spaced-apart blades. The blades of a first one of the rows of a respective one of the at least one grinding assembly can be angularly offset from the blades of a second one of the rows of the respective one of the at least one grinding assembly. 
     In an embodiment, the gas flows upwardly inside the organic matter-receiving chamber, entering adjacent to the bottom wall of the organic matter-receiving container and exiting at an upper end of the peripheral wall of the organic matter-receiving chamber. 
     According to another general aspect, there is provided an organic waste processing device comprising: an organic matter-receiving container having a bottom wall and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom wall and defining together an organic matter-receiving chamber; and at least one grinding assembly at least partially contained in the organic matter-receiving chamber. Each one of the at least one grinding assembly comprises: a drive shaft having an inner channel extending longitudinally therethrough and an outer peripheral surface; and a rotatable blade assembly including a blade support sleeve mounted to said drive shaft and being engaged in rotation therewith, said blade support sleeve having a sleeve outer peripheral surface and the rotatable blade assembly further includes at least one blade mounted to the blade support sleeve and extending outwardly from said sleeve outer peripheral surface into the organic matter-receiving chamber. The drive shaft and the blade support sleeve are in fluid communication and configured to define at least one gas path to provide gas flow flowing from said inner channel of the drive shaft into said organic matter-receiving chamber. The organic waste processing device also comprises a gas-propelling unit in gas communication with the inner channel of said drive shaft. 
     In an embodiment, the organic waste processing device further comprises a heating unit configured to heat organic waste contained in the organic matter-receiving chamber. 
     In an embodiment, the organic waste processing device further comprises a casing including a base and a peripheral wall, extending upwardly from the base, and defining together an internal compartment, the organic matter-receiving container being removably insertable in the internal compartment of the casing with the bottom wall of the organic matter-receiving container being spaced-apart from the base of the casing to define a gas-plenum chamber inbetween and in gas communication with and being located between the gas-propelling unit and the inner channel of the drive shaft of the at least one grinding assembly in the at least one gas path. 
     The organic waste processing device can further comprise a gas-heating unit at least partially contained in the gas-plenum chamber and configured to heat gas propelled by the gas-propelling unit while it flows into the gas-plenum chamber and before it contacts the blade support sleeve. 
     The organic waste processing device can further comprise a gas-filtering assembly mounted downstream of the organic matter-receiving container in the at least one gas path. 
     The organic waste processing device can further comprise a lid engageable with the casing and containing the gas-filtering assembly. 
     In an embodiment, the drive shaft of the at least one grinding assembly can extend through an aperture defined in the bottom wall of the organic matter-receiving container and the inner channel of the drive shaft can comprise a gas port opened in the gas-plenum chamber. 
     The organic waste processing device can further comprise an actuator assembly at least partially located between the base of the casing and the bottom wall of the organic matter-receiving container and the drive shaft can comprise a lower section operatively coupled to the actuator assembly to be engaged in rotation. 
     In an embodiment, the blade support sleeve covers a section of the drive shaft extending in the organic matter-receiving chamber with an inner surface of a peripheral wall of the blade support sleeve being at least partially spaced-apart from outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft to define a gas flow channel inbetween, the gas flow channel being in gas communication with the inner channel of the drive shaft. The peripheral wall of the drive shaft can comprise at least one aperture defined therethrough to provide gas communication between the inner channel of the drive shaft and the gas flow channel. 
     In an embodiment, the gas flow channel is in gas communication with the organic matter-receiving chamber at least through a spacing defined between a lower end of the peripheral wall of the blade support sleeve and the bottom wall of the organic matter-receiving container. 
     In an embodiment, the at least one grinding assembly comprises more than one grinding assembly, spaced-apart from one another in the organic matter-receiving container and extending upwardly from the bottom wall of the organic matter-receiving container. 
     In an embodiment, the blade support sleeve comprises a peripheral wall with an inner surface spaced-apart from the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft to define a gas flow channel inbetween, the gas flow channel being downstream of the inner channel of the drive shaft in the at least one gas path. The blade support sleeve can comprise a lower end spaced-apart from an inner face of the bottom wall of the organic matter-receiving container to allow gas flowing into the gas flow channel to enter into the organic matter-receiving chamber. 
     The drive shaft can comprise at least one aperture extending therethrough and providing gas communication between the inner channel of the drive shaft and the gas flow channel. The at least one aperture can be provided at an upper section of the drive shaft. 
     In an embodiment, the blade support sleeve is removably mounted to the drive shaft. The blade support sleeve and the drive shaft can be detachably engageable at upper ends thereof. 
     In an embodiment, the at least one blade comprises a plurality of rows of blades apart from one another along a longitudinal axis of the at least one grinding assembly, each one of the rows of blades including a plurality of radially spaced-apart blades. The blades of a first one of the rows of a respective one of the at least one grinding assembly can be angularly offset from the blades of a second one of the rows of the respective one of the at least one grinding assembly. 
     In an embodiment, the gas flows upwardly along the at least one gas path inside the organic matter-receiving chamber, entering adjacent to the bottom wall of the organic matter-receiving container and exiting at the peripheral wall of the organic matter-receiving chamber. 
     In accordance with a further general aspect, there is provided an organic waste processing device comprising: an organic matter-receiving container having a bottom wall and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom wall and defining together an organic matter-receiving chamber; and at least one grinding assembly at least partially contained in said organic matter-receiving chamber and having a longitudinal axis. Each one of said at least one grinding assembly comprises: a drive shaft; and a rotatable blade assembly including a blade support sleeve mounted to said drive shaft and being engaged in rotation therewith, said blade support sleeve having a sleeve outer peripheral surface and at least two rows of at least one blade mounted to the blade support sleeve and extending outwardly from the sleeve outer peripheral surface into the organic matter-receiving chamber and being longitudinally spaced-apart from one another. 
     In an embodiment, the at least one blade comprises a plurality of blades radially spaced-apart blades. The blades of a first one of the at least two rows of a respective one of the at least one grinding assembly can be angularly offset from the blades of a second one of the at least two rows of the respective one of the at least one grinding assembly. 
     In an embodiment, the organic waste processing device further comprises: a casing including a base and a peripheral wall, extending upwardly from the base, and defining together an internal compartment, the casing having a gas-plenum chamber defined therein and the organic matter-receiving container is insertable in the internal compartment of the casing; a gas-propelling unit in gas communication with the gas-plenum chamber; and wherein the drive shaft has an outer peripheral surface, and the blade support sleeve has a peripheral wall with an inner surface, the inner surface being spaced-apart from the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft, when the blade support sleeve is mounted to the drive shaft, to define at least one gas flow channel extending longitudinally into the at least one griding assembly and providing gas communication between the gas-plenum chamber and the organic matter-receiving chamber. 
     In an embodiment, the organic waste processing device further comprises: a heating unit configured to heat organic waste contained in the organic matter-receiving chamber. The organic matter-receiving container can be removably insertable in the internal compartment of the casing with the bottom wall of the organic matter-receiving container being spaced-apart from the base of the casing to define the gas-plenum chamber inbetween and in gas communication with the gas-propelling unit and the at least one gas flow channel of the at least one grinding assembly, the gas-propelling unit generating a gas flow from the gas-plenum chamber towards the organic matter-receiving container and through the at least one gas flow channel of the at least one grinding assembly. 
     In an embodiment, the organic waste processing device further comprises a gas-heating unit at least partially contained in the gas-plenum chamber and configured to heat gas propelled by the gas-propelling unit while flowing into the gas-plenum chamber. The gas-heating unit can comprise at least one heating element contained at least partially in the gas-plenum chamber. The gas-heating unit can comprise a partition wall located in the gas-plenum chamber and surrounding at least partially the at least one heating element; and a plurality of fins dividing the gas flow to enhance heat transfer with the at least one heating element. 
     In an embodiment, the gas-propelling unit circulates the gas flow along a gas flow path defined in the organic waste processing device, the gas flow path including sequentially the gas-plenum chamber, the at least one gas flow channel extending longitudinally into the at least one griding assembly, and the organic matter-receiving chamber, wherein the organic waste processing device further comprises a gas-filtering assembly mounted downstream of the organic matter-receiving container in the gas flow path. 
     In an embodiment, the organic waste processing device further comprises: a lid engageable with the casing and containing the gas-filtering assembly. 
     In an embodiment, the at least one gas flow channel comprises an ascending gas flow channel and a descending gas flow channel. The descending gas flow channel can surround the ascending gas flow channel with a partition wall extending inbetween. The partition wall can comprise a peripheral wall of the drive shaft defining a gas port opened in the gas-plenum chamber. 
     The peripheral wall of the drive shaft can comprise at least one aperture extending therethrough to provide gas communication between the ascending gas flow channel and the descending gas flow channel. The at least one aperture can be located in an upper section of the peripheral wall of the drive shaft. 
     The drive shaft can be located centrally inside the ascending gas flow channel and the partition wall can surround the drive shaft and is spaced-apart thereof with the ascending gas flow channel extending inbetween. The ascending gas flow channel and the descending gas flow channel can be in fluid communication above an upper free end of the partition wall. 
     The partition wall can comprise a tubular shell extending upwardly from the bottom wall of the organic matter-receiving container to prevent organic matter contained in the organic matter-receiving chamber from entering into the gas-plenum chamber. 
     In an embodiment, the ascending gas flow channel and the descending gas flow channel are in gas communication in an upper section of the at least one grinding assembly. 
     In an embodiment, the at least one gas flow channel comprises an inner gas flow channel and an outer gas flow channel. The outer gas flow channel can surround the inner gas flow channel with a partition wall extending inbetween. 
     The partition wall can comprise a peripheral wall of the drive shaft defining a gas port opened in the gas-plenum chamber. The peripheral wall of the drive shaft can comprise at least one aperture extending therethrough to provide gas communication between the inner gas flow channel and the outer gas flow channel. The at least one aperture can be located in an upper section of the peripheral wall of the drive shaft. 
     The drive shaft can be located centrally inside the inner gas flow channel and the partition wall can surround the drive shaft and is spaced-apart thereof with the inner gas flow channel extending inbetween. The inner gas flow channel and the outer gas flow channel can be in fluid communication above an upper free end of the partition wall. 
     In an embodiment, the partition wall comprises a tubular shell extending upwardly from the bottom wall of the organic matter-receiving container and preventing organic matter contained in the organic matter-receiving chamber to enter into the gas-plenum chamber. 
     In an embodiment, the inner gas flow channel and the outer gas flow channel are in gas communication in an upper section of the at least one grinding assembly. 
     In an embodiment, the drive shaft of the at least one grinding assembly extends through an aperture defined in the bottom wall of the organic matter-receiving container. 
     In an embodiment, the organic waste processing device further comprises: an actuator assembly at least partially located between the base of the casing and the bottom wall of the organic matter-receiving container and wherein the drive shaft comprises a lower section operatively coupled to the actuator assembly to be engaged in rotation. 
     In an embodiment, the casing further comprises a gas entrance port and wherein the peripheral wall of the casing is at least partially spaced-apart from the peripheral wall of the organic matter-receiving container defining inbetween a peripheral wall spacing in gas communication with the gas entrance port and in which gas drawn into the internal compartment flows upstream of the gas-propelling unit. 
     In an embodiment, the at least one gas flow channel is in gas communication with the organic matter-receiving chamber at least through a spacing defined between a lower end of the peripheral wall of the blade support sleeve and the bottom wall of the organic matter-receiving container. 
     In an embodiment, the at least one grinding assembly comprises more than one grinding assembly, spaced-apart from one another in the organic matter-receiving container and extending upwardly from the bottom wall of the organic matter-receiving container. 
     In an embodiment, the blade support sleeve comprises a lower end spaced-apart from an inner face of the bottom wall of the organic matter-receiving container to allow gas flowing into the at least one gas flow channel to enter into the organic matter-receiving chamber. 
     In an embodiment, the blade support sleeve is removably mounted to the drive shaft. The blade support sleeve and the drive shaft can be detachably engageable at upper ends thereof. The gas can flow upwardly along the gas flow path inside the organic matter-receiving chamber, entering adjacent to the bottom wall of the organic matter-receiving container and exiting at the peripheral wall of the organic matter-receiving chamber. 
     According with still another general aspect, there is provided a method for grinding and drying waste organic matter. The method comprises the steps: adding waste organic matter into an organic matter-receiving chamber; and simultaneously grinding the waste organic matter by engaging in rotation at least one grinding assembly having at least one blade mounted thereon and drying the waste organic matter while it is grinded by blowing gas into the organic matter-receiving chamber through the at least one grinding assembly. 
     In an embodiment, the method further comprises heating the gas before blowing same into the organic matter-receiving chamber to a gas temperature comprised between about 35° C. and about 110° C. 
     In an embodiment, the simultaneously grinding and drying is carried out during a portion of a process cycle and only one of the griding and the drying is carried for another portion of the process cycle. Drying the waste organic matter can further comprise heating the gas to a gas temperature comprised between about 35° C. and about 110° C. before blowing same into the organic matter-receiving chamber during at least a portion of the process cycle. 
     In an embodiment, blowing the gas into the organic matter-receiving chamber comprises feeding the gas adjacent to a bottom wall of the organic matter-receiving chamber. 
     In an embodiment, blowing gas into the organic matter-receiving chamber through the at least one grinding assembly comprises blowing the gas into at least one gas flow channel extending between a drive shaft and a blade support sleeve of the at least one grinding assembly. Grinding the waste organic matter can comprise engaging in rotation the blade support sleeve via a rotation of the drive shaft. 
     In an embodiment, drying the waste organic matter is carried out continuously during about 150 minutes to about 1440 minutes. 
     In an embodiment, grinding the waste organic matter is carried out intermittently while drying the waste organic matter. 
     In an embodiment, the at least one grinding assembly rotates at a rotational speed between about 10 rpm and about 150 rpm. 
     In an embodiment, blowing gas into the organic matter-receiving chamber comprises blowing a gas at a gas flowrate ranging between about 1 CFM and about 10 CFM. 
     In an embodiment, blowing gas is carried out continuously while drying the organic matter contained in the organic matter-receiving chamber. 
     In an embodiment, adding the waste organic matter into the organic matter-receiving chamber comprises filing about 5% to about 90% of a total volume of the organic matter-receiving chamber with the organic matter. 
     In an embodiment, the method further comprises closing the organic matter-receiving chamber with a lid and wherein blowing gas comprises introducing gas into the organic matter-receiving chamber adjacent to a bottom wall thereof and withdrawing gas from the organic matter-receiving chamber in an upper portion thereof and through the lid. 
     According with a further general aspect, there is provided an organic waste processing device comprising: an organic matter-receiving container having a bottom wall and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom wall and defining together an organic matter-receiving chamber; and at least two grinding assemblies at least partially contained in said organic matter-receiving chamber, each one of said at least one grinding assembly comprising: a rotatable blade assembly having an outer peripheral surface and at least one blade extending outwardly from the outer peripheral surface into the organic matter-receiving chamber and being engageable in rotation to cover a blade cutting path, the blade cutting paths of two of the at least two grinding assemblies overlapping each other. 
     In an embodiment, the at least one blade comprises a plurality of blades radially spaced-apart blades. Each one of the rotatable blade assembly comprises at least two rows of blades longitudinally spaced-apart from one another; and wherein the blades of a first one of the at least two rows of a respective one of the at least one grinding assembly are angularly offset from the blades of a second one of the at least two rows of the respective one of the at least one grinding assembly. 
     In an embodiment, the organic matter-receiving container has a substantially elliptical cross-section with a length and a width, and the length of the organic matter-receiving container is shorter than twice the width of the organic matter-receiving container. 
     In an embodiment, a diameter of each one of the blade cutting path is substantially equal to (or substantially corresponds to) a width of the organic matter-receiving container. 
     In an embodiment, a diameter of the at least one grinding assembly is substantially equal to (or substantially corresponds to) the width of the organic matter-receiving container. 
     In an embodiment, the organic waste processing device further comprises: a casing including a base and a peripheral wall, extending upwardly from the base, and defining together an internal compartment, the casing having a gas-plenum chamber defined therein and the organic matter-receiving container is insertable in the internal compartment of the casing; a gas-propelling unit in gas communication with the gas-plenum chamber; and wherein each one of the at least two grinding assemblies has a longitudinal axis and comprises a drive shaft having an outer peripheral surface, and the rotatable blade assembly comprises a blade support sleeve mounted to the drive shaft and being engaged in rotation therewith, the blade support sleeve has a peripheral wall with an inner surface and the outer peripheral surface, the inner surface being spaced-apart from the outer peripheral surface of the drive shaft, when the blade support sleeve is mounted to the drive shaft, to define at least one gas flow channel extending longitudinally into the at least one griding assembly and providing gas communication between the gas-plenum chamber and the organic matter-receiving chamber. 
     In an embodiment, the organic matter-receiving container is removably insertable in the internal compartment of the casing with the bottom wall of the organic matter-receiving container being spaced-apart from the base of the casing to define the gas-plenum chamber inbetween and in gas communication with the gas-propelling unit and the at least one gas flow channel of the at least one grinding assembly, the gas-propelling unit generating a gas flow from the gas-plenum chamber towards the organic matter-receiving container and through the at least one gas flow channel of the at least one grinding assembly. The organic waste processing device can further comprise a gas-heating unit at least partially contained in the gas-plenum chamber and configured to heat gas propelled by the gas-propelling unit while flowing into the gas-plenum chamber. The gas-heating unit can comprise at least one heating element contained at least partially in the gas-plenum chamber. 
     In an embodiment, the gas-propelling unit circulates the gas flow along a gas flow path defined in the organic waste processing device, the gas flow path including sequentially the gas-plenum chamber, the at least one gas flow channel extending longitudinally into the at least one griding assembly, and the organic matter-receiving chamber, wherein the organic waste processing device further comprises a gas-filtering assembly mounted downstream of the organic matter-receiving container in the gas flow path. The organic waste processing device can further comprise a lid engageable with the casing and containing the gas-filtering assembly. 
     In an embodiment, the organic waste processing device further comprises a lid engageable with at least one of the casing and the organic matter-receiving container, the lid comprising a gas inlet port in gas communication with the organic matter-receiving chamber and a gas outlet port to expel gas outwardly of the organic waste processing device. 
     In an embodiment, the lid is sealed to the at least one of the casing and the organic matter-receiving container in a closed configuration thereof. 
     According with still another general aspect, there is provided an organic waste processing device comprising: a casing including a base and a peripheral wall, extending upwardly from the base, and defining together an internal compartment; an organic matter-receiving container insertable in the internal compartment of the casing and having a bottom wall and a peripheral wall extending from the bottom wall and defining together an organic matter-receiving chamber; a gas-propelling unit in gas communication with the organic matter-receiving chamber; at least one grinding assembly at least partially contained in the organic matter-receiving chamber; and a lid engageable with at least one of the casing and the organic matter-receiving container, the lid comprising a gas inlet port in gas communication with the organic matter-receiving chamber and a gas outlet port to expel gas outwardly of the organic waste processing device. 
     In an embodiment, the organic waste processing device further comprises a heating unit configured to heat organic waste contained in the organic matter-receiving chamber. The organic matter-receiving container can be removably insertable in the internal compartment of the casing with the bottom wall of the organic matter-receiving container being spaced-apart from the base of the casing to define a gas-plenum chamber inbetween and in gas communication with the gas-propelling unit, the gas-propelling unit generating a gas flow from the gas-plenum chamber towards the organic matter-receiving container and through at least one gas flow channel extending through the at least one grinding assembly. 
     In an embodiment, the organic waste processing device further comprises a gas-heating unit at least partially contained in the gas-plenum chamber and configured to heat gas propelled by the gas-propelling unit while flowing into the gas-plenum chamber. 
     In an embodiment, the gas-propelling unit circulates the gas flow along a gas flow path defined in the organic waste processing device, the gas flow path including sequentially the gas-plenum chamber, the at least one gas flow channel extending longitudinally into the at least one griding assembly, and the organic matter-receiving chamber, wherein the organic waste processing device further comprises a gas-filtering assembly at least partially contained in the lid and mounted downstream of the organic matter-receiving container in the gas flow path and in gas communication with the gas inlet port and the gas outlet port. 
     In an embodiment, the lid is sealed to the at least one of the casing and the organic matter-receiving container in a closed configuration thereof. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a top and front perspective view of an organic waste processing device, in accordance with an embodiment, wherein a lid is configured in an open configuration to show internal components thereof. 
         FIG.  2    is a sectional view taken along cross-section lines A-A of the organic waste processing device of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a sectional view taken along cross-section lines A-A of the organic waste processing device of  FIG.  1   , including arrows depicting a gas path within the organic waste processing device. 
         FIG.  4    is a front perspective view of the organic waste processing device shown in  FIG.  1    showing at least some removable components withdrawn from a casing. 
         FIG.  5    is a front elevation view of the organic waste processing device of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  6    is a sectional view taken along cross-section lines B-B of the organic waste processing device of  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  7    is a sectional view taken along cross-section lines C-C of the organic waste processing device of  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  8    is a sectional view taken along cross-section lines D-D of the organic waste processing device of  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  9    is top and front perspective view of an organic waste processing device, in accordance with another embodiment, wherein a lid is configured in an open configuration and including a gas-filtering assembly located in the lid. 
         FIG.  10    is a sectional view taken along cross-section lines E-E of the organic waste processing device of  FIG.  9   . 
         FIG.  11    is a cross-sectional view of the organic waste processing device of  FIG.  9   , including arrows depicting a gas path within the organic waste processing device. 
         FIG.  12    is a front perspective view of the organic waste processing device shown in  FIG.  9    showing at least some removable components withdrawn from a casing. 
         FIG.  13    is a front elevation view of the organic waste processing device of  FIG.  9   . 
         FIG.  14    is a sectional view taken along cross-section lines F-F of the organic waste processing device of  FIG.  13   . 
         FIG.  15    is a sectional view taken along cross-section lines G-G of the organic waste processing device of  FIG.  13   . 
         FIG.  16    is a sectional view taken along cross-section lines H-H of the organic waste processing device of  FIG.  13   . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar elements. The embodiments, geometrical configurations, materials mentioned and/or dimensions shown in the figures or described in the present description are embodiments only, given solely for exemplification purposes. 
     Moreover, although the embodiments of the device and corresponding parts thereof consist of certain geometrical configurations as explained and illustrated herein, not all of these components and geometries are essential and thus should not be taken in their restrictive sense. It is to be understood, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art, that other suitable components and cooperation therein between, as well as other suitable geometrical configurations, may be used for the device, as will be briefly explained herein and as can be easily inferred herefrom by a person skilled in the art. Moreover, it will be appreciated that positional descriptions such as “above”, “below”, “left”, “right” and the like should, unless otherwise indicated, be taken in the context of the figures and should not be considered limiting. 
     Moreover, although the associated method includes steps as explained and illustrated herein, not all of these steps are essential and thus should not be taken in their restrictive sense. It will be appreciated that the steps of the method described herein may be performed in the described order, or in any suitable order, unless otherwise specifically stated. 
     To provide a more concise description, some of the quantitative and qualitative expressions given herein may be qualified with the terms “about” and “substantially”. It is understood that whether the terms “about” and “substantially” are used explicitly or not, every quantity or qualification given herein is meant to refer to an actual given value or qualification, and it is also meant to refer to the approximation to such given value or qualification that would reasonably be inferred based on the ordinary skill in the art, including approximations due to the experimental and/or measurement conditions for such given value. 
     Referring to the drawings and more particularly to  FIG.  1   , there is shown a non-limitative embodiment of an organic waste processing device  20  (or organic matter grinding-drying device  20 ). The organic matter grinding-drying device  20  is configured to process, i.e. at least to dry and grind (or shred), organic waste such as, and without being limitative, domestic organic waste such as food residue, and to transform same into a fertilizer (or a plant growth supplement) for plants and garden. In an embodiment, the organic waste processing device  20  is a domestic appliance configured to transform organic matter, such as table waste, into a natural fertilizer ready for plants and garden, 
     The organic matter grinding-drying device  20  includes a casing  22  having a base  24  and a peripheral wall  26 , extending upwardly from the base  24 , and defining together an internal compartment  28 . In the embodiment shown, the peripheral wall  26  of the casing  22  comprises two wall portions  30  and  32  secured together and to the base  24  to define the internal compartment  28 . The internal compartment  28  has an access port  34  in an upper portion of the casing  22 . The organic matter grinding-drying device  20  also includes a lid  36 , pivotally mounted to the casing  22 , in the upper portion thereof, through hinges connecting at a peripheral edge of the lid  36  to a peripheral upper edge of the casing  22 . In the upper portion of the casing  22 , the access port  34  is delimited by an upper rim  38 , extending inwardly from the upper edges of the wall portions  30 ,  32 . In the embodiment shown, one of the wall portions  30 ,  32  has apertures defined therein and intended to accommodate operating buttons, such as, and without being limitative a power button  42 , a stand-by button  44 , and a reset filter button  46 . 
     The lid  36  is selectively configurable in a closed configuration, wherein it extends above and covers the access port  34  and closes the internal compartment  28 , and an open configuration, wherein the access port  34  is uncovered and the internal compartment  28  is accessible. As mentioned above, in the embodiment shown, the lid  36  is pivotally mounted to the casing  22 . However, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the lid can be removably engageable with the casing to close the access port  34  when engaged therewith. 
     In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the casing  22  further comprises a partition wall  48  separating the internal compartment  28  into two sub-compartments  50 ,  52 . A first one  50  of the sub-compartments is configured to removably receive an organic matter-receiving container  54  while a second one  52  of the sub-compartments is configured to removably receive a gas-filtering assembly  56 , which may contain a deodorizing agent (not shown). It is appreciated that the number, the shape and the configuration of the casing  22  including the partition wall(s) and the sub-compartments can vary from the embodiment shown. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  4    showing some of the removable components, including the organic matter-receiving container  54  and the gas-filtering assembly  56 , withdrawn from the casing  22 , there is shown that the organic matter-receiving container  54  includes a bottom wall  58  and a peripheral wall  60 , extending upwardly from the bottom wall  58  and defining together an organic matter-receiving chamber  62  accessible from an organic matter-receiving opening  64 , delimited by an upper end of the peripheral wall  60 , and configured to receive organic matter (or organic waste) that is spoiled, wet, uneatable or any other matter that is considered domestic waste. 
     The organic matter-receiving container  54  is removably insertable in the internal compartment  28  of the casing  22 , through the access port  34 , with the bottom wall  58  of the organic matter-receiving container  54  being spaced-apart from the base  24  of the casing  22 , when inserted therein. In the embodiment shown, a gas-plenum chamber  40  ( FIGS.  2  and  3   ) is defined between the bottom wall  58  of the organic matter-receiving container  54  and the base  24  of the casing  22 , when the organic matter-receiving container  54  is inserted in the casing  22 . It is appreciated that the gas-plenum chamber can be located at a different location in the organic matter grinding-drying device  20 . 
     When the organic matter-receiving container  54  is contained in the internal compartment  28  of the casing  22 , the organic matter-receiving opening  64  is accessible, i.e. organic waste can be loaded in the organic matter-receiving chamber  62  and the product of the organic matter grinding-drying device  20  such as a fertilizer can be withdrawn from the organic matter-receiving chamber  62 , in the open configuration of the lid  36 . For operating the organic matter grinding-drying device  20 , the lid  36  is configured in the closed configuration. 
     In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the organic matter-receiving container  54  includes a pivotable handle  70  (shown in a non-operative configuration wherein it is abutted against an upper edge of the peripheral wall  60 ) to facilitate sizing and manipulating the organic matter-receiving container  54 . For instance, the handle  70  can be used for emptying the container  54  once the grinding and drying process is completed and the product, such as the fertilizer, contained in the organic matter-receiving chamber  62  is ready for use. 
     In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the gas-filtering assembly  56  comprises a gas-filter housing  72  defining an inner chamber (not shown) configured to contain the deodorizing agent. Gas and, more particularly, air can flow through the gas-filter housing  72  through a gas inlet port  80  defined in an upper wall of the gas-filter housing  72 , exposed outwardly when the lid  36  is configured in the open configuration, and having an obstruction grid  82  extending therethrough. The gas-filtering assembly  56  also includes a gas outlet port (schematically represented by arrow  122  in  FIG.  3   ) in gas communication with the inner chamber and the deodorizing agent contained therein. In the closed configuration of the lid  36 , the gas-filtering assembly  56  is in gas communication with the organic matter-receiving chamber  62 , downstream thereof along a gas flow path, in a manner such that gas exiting the organic matter-receiving chamber  62  are drawn into the gas-filtering assembly  56  before being expelled through the gas outlet port  122 . Therefore, a gas stream and, more particularly, an air stream can flow into the inner chamber and contact the deodorizing agent contained therein through the gas inlet port  80  and the gas outlet port  122 . 
     The organic matter grinding-drying device  20  further includes two grinding assemblies  69 , at least partially contained in the organic matter-receiving chamber  62 , each one including a drive shaft  66  and a rotatable blade assembly  67  removably mounted to the drive shaft  66  and engageable in rotation therewith. Thus, in the non-limitative embodiment shown, the organic matter grinding-drying device  20  includes two drive shafts  66 , spaced-apart from one another, extending substantially parallel to one another, and protruding into the first internal sub-compartment  50 , as shown in  FIG.  4   . It is appreciated that, in an alternative embodiment, the organic matter grinding-drying device  20  can include one, two or more than two rotatable grinding assemblies  69 . 
     Each one of the rotatable blade assemblies  67  includes a blade support sleeve  68  removably mounted to a respective one of the drive shafts  66  and being engaged simultaneously in rotation therewith. Each one of the blade support sleeves  68  has a sleeve outer peripheral surface  98 . Each one of the rotatable blade assemblies  67  further includes at least one blade  100  mounted to the respective one of the blade support sleeves  68  and extending outwardly from the sleeve outer peripheral surface  98 . In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the blades  100  extends radially from the sleeve outer peripheral surface  98 . In the non-limitative embodiment shown, each rotatable blade assembly  67  includes two rows of three blades  100 , the rows being spaced-apart longitudinally from one another, and the blades of each row being radially spaced-apart from one another, along the blade support sleeves  68  and into the organic matter-receiving chamber  62 . Furthermore, in the non-limitative embodiment shown, the blades of the two rows are axially offset, i.e. the blades of vertically spaced-apart rows are not aligned with one another. The blades  100  are configured to contact the organic waste contained in the organic matter-receiving chamber  62  to grind/shred same upon rotation of the grinding assemblies  69 . It is appreciated that the number of blade rows of each rotatable blade assembly  67 , the number of blades in each row, and the blade configuration and shape of the blades can vary from the embodiment shown. 
     When engaged in rotation about the longitudinal axis of their respective drive shaft  66 , the blades  100  cover a blade cutting path. In an embodiment, a diameter of the blade cutting path substantially corresponds to a width W of the organic matter-receiving container  54 , i.e. a diameter of each grinding assembly, including the outwardly extending blades  100 , substantially corresponds to a width W of the organic matter-receiving container  54 . In the embodiment shown, in a central portion of the organic matter-receiving container  54 , the blade cutting baths of the two rotatable blade assemblies  67  overlap each other, thereby reducing the uncovered portions of the organic matter-receiving chamber  62  wherein organic matter contained in the organic matter-receiving chamber  62  can be uncontacted by the blades  100  and remain stationary therein, i.e. unground. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG.  6   , the organic matter-receiving container  54  has a substantially elliptical cross-section with a length L and the width W. In the embodiment shown, the length L of the organic matter-receiving container  54  is shorter than twice its width W. Therefore, in some embodiments, the blade cutting paths of the grinding assemblies overlap each other. 
     Each one of the drive shafts  66  has a lower end  84  extends through an aperture  76  defined in the bottom wall  58  of the organic matter-receiving container  54 . The lower end  84  is located in the gas-plenum chamber  40 , adjacent to the base  24 . Since they are rotatable, the drive shafts  66  can be connected to the casing  22  and/or the organic matter-receiving container  54  through bearing assemblies, as it is known in the art. The drive shafts  66  extend upwardly from the gas-plenum chamber  40  and into the organic matter-receiving chamber  62 , with a majority of their length extending in the organic matter-receiving chamber  62 . The drive shafts  66  are operatively coupled to an actuator assembly  86  ( FIG.  8   ) to engage same in rotation, as will be described in more details below. As mentioned above, the organic matter-receiving container  54  is provided with apertures  76  extending through the bottom wall  58  thereof and aligned with the drive shafts  66  when the organic matter-receiving container  54  is inserted in the first internal sub-compartment  50 . Therefore, when the organic matter-receiving container  54  is inserted in the first internal sub-compartment  50 , the drive shafts  66  have a section extending upwardly into the organic matter-receiving chamber  62 . 
     In the non-limitative embodiment shown, referring to  FIGS.  2  and  3   , the drive shafts  66  are substantially cylindrical in shape with a peripheral wall  88  defining an inner (or interior) gas flow channel  90 , extending longitudinally therethrough, to provide which is part of the gas flow path inside the organic matter grinding-drying device  20 , as will be described in more details below. Since the drive shafts  66  are provided with an inner gas flow channel  90 , they are also provided with at least one aperture  92  defined through their peripheral wall  88  to provide gas communication as will be described in more details below. In the non-limitative embodiment shown, each one of the drive shafts  66  includes two apertures  92 , located in an upper section  94 , adjacent to the upper end  96 , and diametrically opposed to one another. The apertures  92  are in gas communication with the inner gas flow channel  90 . It is appreciated that, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the number of apertures  92  can vary and apertures  92  can be provided anywhere and in any suitable configuration along a length of the drive shaft  66 . In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the aperture can be located at an upper and free end of the drive shaft  66 . 
     The inner gas flow channels  90  of the drive shafts  66  have a gas port opened in the gas-plenum chamber  40 . In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the gas port is defined at lower and free ends of the drive shafts  66 . Therefore, air/gas can enter into the inner gas flow channels  90 , from the gas-plenum chamber  40 , through the gas ports. 
     Each one of the rotatable grinding assemblies  69  includes a rotatable blade support sleeve  68  having a sleeve outer peripheral surface  98  and two rows of blades  100  mounted to the respective one of the rotatable blade support sleeves  68  and extending radially outwardly from their sleeve outer peripheral surface  98 . In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the rotatable blade support sleeves  68  are cylindrical in shape and removably engageable with a respective one of the drive shafts  66 . More particularly, they can be coaxially mounted to the drive shaft  66  in a manner such that they are engaged in rotation simultaneously therewith. In a non-limitative embodiment, the rotatable blade support sleeves  68  are connected to the respective one of the drive shafts  66  through a snap-fit connection  124  provided at or in proximity of their upper ends, in the upper sections  94  of the drive shafts  66 . 
     For cleaning purposes and removal of the organic matter-receiving container  54 , the rotatable blade support sleeves  68  can be disengaged from their respective drive shaft  66 , as shown in  FIG.  4   , and reengaged therewith, through the snap-fit connection  124 . When engaged together, the rotatable blade support sleeves  68  are secured to their respective drive shaft  66 , i.e. they cannot rotate relative to their drive shaft  66  but are engaged in rotation simultaneously therewith. Therefore, the blades  100  are also engaged in rotation simultaneously with the drive shaft  66  through the rotatable blade support sleeve  68  to grind/shred the organic matter contained in the organic matter-receiving container  54 . In a non-limitative embodiment, by being pulled upwardly via a handle located at an upper end thereof  126 , the rotatable blade support sleeve  68  can be disengaged and removed from the drive shaft  66 . The handle  126  is fabricated in such a manner that the rotatable blade support sleeve  68  can be pulled off and reinserted over the drive shaft  66  as many times as needed, with ease. 
     In the non-limitative embodiment shown, each one of the rotatable grinding assemblies  69  includes two rows of three blades  100  each, which are spaced-apart from one another along a longitudinal axis X of the respective one of the rotatable grinding assemblies  69 . It is appreciated that, in alternative embodiments, the number, the shape and the configuration of the blades  100  can vary from the embodiment shown. In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the blades  100  also extend substantially parallel to each other ( FIG.  2   ) and substantially parallel to the bottom wall  58  of the organic matter-receiving container  54 . 
     When the rotatable blade support sleeves  68  are engaged with the drive shaft  66 , an inner surface  104  of a peripheral wall  102  of the rotatable blade support sleeve  68  is spaced-apart from the outer peripheral surface  106  of the drive shaft  66  to define an outer gas flow channel  108  inbetween. In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the outer gas flow channel  108  is substantially annular in shape, as shown in  FIG.  6   , and extends substantially along an entire length of the blade support sleeve  68 , when the drive shaft  66  and its blade support sleeve  68  are engaged together. 
     In the non-limitative embodiment shown, when engaged together, the rotatable blade support sleeve  68  covers a majority of the section of the drive shaft  66  extending into the organic matter-receiving chamber  62 , from an upper end  96  of the drive shaft  66  towards the bottom wall  58  of the organic matter-receiving container  54 . In the embodiment shown, a lower end  110  of the blade support sleeve  68  is slightly spaced-apart from an inner face  112  of the bottom wall  58  of the organic matter-receiving container  54 , to allow a gas flow and, more particularly, an airflow inbetween, as will be described in more details below. It is appreciated that, in alternative embodiments (not shown), the peripheral wall  102  of the blade support sleeve  68  can be provided with one or more aperture(s) defined therethrough and spaced-apart along a length of the blade support sleeve  68  to provide gas communication between the outer gas flow channel  108  and the organic matter-receiving chamber  62 . 
     Thus, gas, such as air, can flow along the gas path, represented by arrows in  FIG.  3   , sequentially in the inner gas flow channels  90  of the drive shafts  66 , into the apertures  92  defined in the peripheral walls  102  of the drive shafts  66 , into the annular outer gas flow channels  108  defined between the drive shafts  66  and the inner surfaces  104  of the blade support sleeves  68 , and exit through the spacings defined between the lower end  110  of the blade support sleeves  68  and the inner face  112  of the bottom wall  58  of the organic matter-receiving container  54  to provide a substantially ascending gas flow, particularly for drying the organic matter contained in the organic matter-receiving chamber  62 , as shown in  FIG.  3   . Thus, the inner gas flow channels  90  of the drive shafts  66  and the outer gas flow channels  108  delimitated by the arrangement of the drive shafts  66  with their respective blade support sleeves  68  are in fluid communication and define gas paths to provide a gas flow flowing from the inner gas flow channels  90  of the drive shafts  66  into the organic matter-receiving chamber  62  and, more particularly, from the gas-plenum chamber  40  towards and into the organic matter-receiving chamber  62 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2  and  3   , there is shown that the organic matter-receiving container  54  comprises two spaced-apart tubular shells  55  extending upwardly from the bottom wall  58 . Each one of the tubular shells  55  is associated to a respective one of the rotatable grinding assemblies  69 . The drive shafts  66  of the grinding assemblies  69  extend through a central channel of the tubular shells  55  with their outer peripheral surface  106  being juxtaposed to an inner surface of the tubular shells  55 . The drive shafts  66  are rotatable inside tubular shells  55 . Furthermore, the tubular shells  55  act as a partition wall, separating the inner gas flow channel  90  from the outer gas flow channel  108 . In the embodiment shown, the tubular shells  55  extend along a majority of the length of the driving shafts  66 ; however, it is appreciated that they can be shorter. The outer gas flow channels  108  are therefore defined between an outer peripheral surface of the tubular shells  55  and the inner surfaces  104  of the blade support sleeves  68 . The tubular shells  55  extending upwardly from the inner surface  112  of the bottom wall of the organic matter-receiving container  54  and being covered by the blade support sleeves  68  prevent organic matter from entering into the gas-plenum chamber  40 . 
     In an embodiment, the inner gas flow channel  90  and the outer gas flow channel  108  can be seen as an ascendant gas flow channel and a descendant gas flow channel respectively. In an embodiment, both gas flow channels  90 ,  108  are located in the grinding assemblies  69 . They can be separated by a gas channel partition wall and/or the peripheral wall  88  of the drive shaft  66  if one of the gas flow channels extends therein. Thus, the grinding assemblies  69  define at least one gas flow channel extending longitudinally therein and providing gas communication between the gas-plenum chamber  40  and the organic matter-receiving chamber  62  and in which gas, which can be heated gas, can flow. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  7  and  8   , there is shown that the organic matter grinding-drying device  20  also includes a gas-propelling unit  116  and, more particularly, a gas-blowing unit, such as, and without being limitative, a fan, in gas communication with the gas-plenum chamber  40  and the at least one gas flow channel of the grinding assemblies  69 , for instance the inner gas flow channels  90  and/or the outer gas flow channels  108 . More particularly, in the non-limitative embodiment shown, the gas-propelling unit  116  is contained in the second sub-compartment  52  of the casing  22 . 
     The gas-propelling unit  116  is configured to blow gas and, more particularly, air into the gas-plenum chamber  40  extending between the base  24  of the casing  22  and the bottom wall  58  of the organic matter-receiving container  54 , i.e. the gas-propelling unit  116  is located upstream from the gas-plenum chamber  40  and the organic matter-receiving chamber  62 . In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the inner gas flow channels  90  of the drive shafts  66  are opened in the gas-plenum chamber  40  and therefore, gas, and more particularly air, can flow therein, as detailed above. The gas-plenum chamber  40  is thus in gas communication with and being located between the gas-propelling unit and the at least one gas flow channel of the at least one grinding assembly along the at least one gas path of the organic matter grinding-drying device  20 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, the gas-propelling unit can be a gas drawing unit configured to draw gas from the organic matter-receiving chamber  62  and thereby create a gas circulation in the organic matter grinding-drying device  20 . In such embodiment, the gas-propelling unit is located downstream from the organic matter-receiving chamber  62 . In still another embodiment, the organic matter grinding-drying device  20  can include a gas-blowing unit and a gas-drawing unit mounted respectively upstream and downstream from the organic matter-receiving chamber  62 . 
     As represented by the arrows in  FIG.  3   , in the closed configuration of the lid  36 , gas/air exits the organic matter-receiving chamber  62 , after contacting the organic matter contained therein, through the organic matter-receiving opening  64 , located in an upper portion of the organic matter-receiving container  54 , and then flows towards the gas-filtering assembly  56 , entering in the inner chamber to contact the deodorizing agent, through the gas inlet port  80 , exiting through the gas outlet port, and then outwardly of the casing  22 . 
     To increase the drying efficiency, the organic matter grinding-drying device  20 , also includes a heating unit  118  including, for instance and without being limitative, one or more heating elements, located in the gas-plenum chamber  40  and configured to heat the gas/air propelled by the gas-blowing unit  116 . In some implementation, the gas/air is heated before it contacts the blade support sleeves  68  and, then, the organic matter contained in the organic matter-receiving chamber  62 . In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the heating unit  118  is a gas-heating unit since gas is heated by conduction as it contacts the heating elements. In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the gas/air is heated before it flows into the at least one gas flow channel of the grinding assemblies  69  and, in the embodiment shown, in the inner gas flow channels  90  of the drive shafts  66 . However, it is appreciated that, in an alternative and non-limitative embodiment, the drive shafts  66 , for instance their peripheral wall  88 , can be heated to heat the gas/air as it flows into the inner gas flow channels  90  and the outer gas flow channels  108 . 
     In the embodiment shown, the organic matter contained in the organic matter-receiving chamber  62  is mainly heated by convection via the heated gas that flows into the chamber  62  through the rotatable grinding assemblies  69 . 
     Returning now to  FIG.  3   , there is shown that, in this non-limitative embodiment, the organic matter grinding-drying device  20  further comprises a partition wall  74  separating the gas-plenum chamber  40  into two sections which are in gas communication. An upper section of the gas-plenum chamber  40 , adjacent to the bottom wall  58  of the organic matter-receiving container  54  contains the heating unit  118 , shown in further details in  FIG.  7   , which is a cross-sectional view looking downward and taken from below the organic matter-receiving container  54  and above the heating unit  118  and the partition wall  74 . The lower section, extending upwardly from the base  24  of the casing  22  contains at least partially the actuator assembly  86 , shown in further details in  FIG.  8   . In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the lower section of the gas-plenum chamber  40  also contains the lower ends  84  of the drive shafts  66 , including the gas ports. 
     It is appreciated that, in alternative embodiments (not shown), the gas-plenum chamber  40  can be free of partition wall separating the gas flow into two sub-gas flows. Alternatively, all the gas flow can be directed towards the heating unit  118 , or any suitable alternative thereof. In the embodiment, the partition wall  74  extends along an entire surface area of the casing  22 . However, it is appreciated that, in alternative embodiments (not shown), the partition wall can extend along only a portion thereof. 
     In the non-limitative embodiment shown, at least a portion of the gas/air blown by the gas-propelling unit  116  is directed above the partition wall  74  and contacts the heating unit  118 . Thus, heated gas/air contacts the bottom wall  58  of the organic matter-receiving container  54 . Therefore, the organic matter contained in the organic-matter-receiving chamber  62  is at least partially heated via heat conduction. 
     The heating unit  118  can be configured to heat gas and/or the organic matter-receiving container  54 . In some implementations, the gas/air introduced in the organic matter-receiving chamber  62  can be at room temperature. In other implementations, the gas/air introduced in the organic matter-receiving chamber  62  can be a heated gas, i.e. a gas at a temperature higher than the room temperature. 
     The organic matter grinding-drying device  20  can further include a controller (not shown) operatively connected to the power button  42 , the stand-by button  44 , and the reset filter button  46  as well as the actuator assembly  86 , the gas-propelling unit  116 , and the heating unit  118 . Thus, based on commands received via the power button  42 , the stand-by button  44 , and the reset filter button  46 , the controller activates and adjusts the operating parameters of the actuator assembly  86 , the gas-propelling unit  116 , and the heating unit  118 . 
     In some embodiments, it might be desirable to avoid direct contact between a heated element and the organic matter contained in the organic matter-receiving chamber  62 . Therefore, it may be suitable to heat the gas/air flow before it contacts the organic matter. Therefore, in some embodiments, neither the organic matter-receiving container  54  nor the blade support sleeves  68  are directly heated. 
     An efficient heat transfer for drying the organic waste has been observed by injecting heated gas/air through the rotatable grinding assemblies  69 , thereby lowering the energy cost and the cycle time, i.e. the time required to process (dry and grind) organic waste and transform same into a fertilizer. 
     Thus, still referring to  FIG.  3   , the gas/air flows along a gas/air flow path defined in the organic matter grinding-drying device  20  during operation thereof. More particularly, gas/air enters the casing  22  at room temperature through a gas/air entrance port defined in the casing  22  (indicated by arrow  114 ). In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the gas/air entrance port is defined in the peripheral wall  26  of the casing  22 . Once inside the casing  22 , i.e. in the internal compartment  28 , gas/air is drawn towards the gas-propelling unit  116  and then blown by same into the gas-plenum chamber  40 . In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the gas-propelling unit  116  blows gas/air into the upper and/or lower sections of the gas-plenum chamber  40 . In the upper section, the gas contacts the heating unit  118  where it is heated by heat convection. The gas then flows towards the lower section of the gas-plenum chamber  40  wherein it enters into the gas flow channels of the grinding assemblies  69  and, more particularly, into the inner gas flow channels  90  of the drive shafts  66 . 
     In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the gas/air entrance port is located on the peripheral wall  26  of the casing  22 . The peripheral wall  60  of the organic matter-receiving container  54  is spaced-apart from the peripheral wall  26  of the casing  22 , defining inbetween a peripheral wall spacing, therefore, air/gas at room temperature can flow inbetween, i.e. in the peripheral wall spacing, and cool the peripheral wall  60  of the organic matter-receiving container  54  by gas convection, thereby lowering the probabilities that organic matter remains attached (or sticks) to the peripheral wall  60  of the organic matter-receiving container  54  due to conduction heat transfer. Thus, gas/air at room temperature is drawn inside the internal compartment  28  by the gas-propelling unit  116  and flows into the peripheral wall spacing before reaching the the gas-propelling unit  116 . It is appreciated that, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the gas/air entrance port can be located elsewhere on the casing  22  or on the lid  36 . 
     Thus, in gas-plenum chamber  40 , the gas/air contacts the heating unit  118  before flowing into, sequentially, the inner gas flow channels  90  of the drive shafts  66 , the apertures  92 , the outer gas flow channels  108 , and then the organic matter-receiving chamber  62 . As the gas/air flows upwardly into the organic matter-receiving chamber  62 , it dries the organic matter contained therein. As mentioned above, in the closed configuration of the lid  36 , gas/air exiting the organic matter-receiving chamber  62  flows towards the gas-filtering assembly  56 , entering in the inner chamber of the gas-filtering assembly  56  to contact the deodorizing agent, through the gas inlet port  80 , exiting through the gas outlet port, and then outwardly of the casing  22  through a gas/air outlet port defined in the casing  22  (indicated by arrow  122 ). In some embodiments including the gas-filtering assembly  56 , the gas/air flow exiting the organic matter grinding-drying device  20  is substantially odor-free. 
     Now referring to  FIG.  8   , a non-limitative embodiment of the actuator assembly  86  of the organic matter grinding-drying device  20  will be described.  FIG.  8    is a cross-sectional view looking downward and taken from below the organic matter-receiving container  54 , below the partition wall  74 , and above at least a portion of the actuator assembly  56 . As mentioned above, the actuator assembly  86  is at least partially located between the base  24  of the casing  22  and the bottom wall  58  of the organic matter-receiving container  54 , in the gas-plenum chamber  40  and, more particularly, in the lower portion thereof. Lower sections of the drive shafts  66  are operatively coupled to the actuator assembly  86  and the actuator assembly  86  is configured to engage the drive shafts  66  in rotation. 
     The actuator assembly  86  is operatively connected to the rotatable grinding assemblies  69  and, more particularly, the drive shafts  66  to engage same in rotation upon actuation of the organic matter grinding-drying device  20  and, thereby, grind/shred the organic matter contained in the organic matter-receiving chamber  62 . 
     In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the actuator assembly  86  includes a motor  136  ( FIG.  7   ) connected to a power supply (not shown), a driving gear  134  engaged in rotation by the motor, a belt or a chain  113  engaged with the driving gear  134 , and driven pulleys  130 ,  132  (two in the embodiment shown, each one being operatively connected to a respective one of the drive shafts  66 ). Thus, the driven pulleys  130 ,  132  are operatively connected to the driving gear  134  through the belt/chain  113 . 
     The actuator assembly  86  further includes two idler pulleys  138  to tension the belt/chain  113  along its path. Thus, the drive shafts  66  are engaged in rotation by the actuator assembly  86 , which may differ from the embodiment shown in the figures and described above. 
     It is appreciated that the components of the organic matter grinding-drying device  20  (or organic waste processing device) can be made of any suitable materials. For instance, and without being limitative, the casing  22  can be made of polymer with high impact resistance, low cost, and low heat conductivity. Examples of polymers meeting such requirements include ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), also known as “Plexiglas”. 
     For instance, and without being limitative, the organic matter-receiving container  54  can be made of a corrosion resistant alloy. Examples of corrosion resistant alloys which can be used include austenitic stainless steel (e.g., 304 L, 316 L), duplex stainless steel, martensitic stainless steel, Nickel  200 , Monel alloys, Inconel alloys, etc. 
     For instance, and without being limitative, the deodorizing agent, which can be contained in the gas-filtering housing  72 , can be active carbon, although other deodorizing agents such as baking soda or silicon dioxide coated with copper with high specific surface area (≥100 m2/g according to BET method) can also be used. 
     Using the above-described organic matter grinding-drying device  20 , there is also provided a method for grinding and drying waste organic matter contained in the organic matter-receiving chamber  62 . The method comprising: adding waste organic matter into the organic matter-receiving chamber  62 , simultaneously grinding the waste organic matter by engaging in rotation at least one grinding assembly having at least one blade mounted thereon and drying the waste organic matter while it is grinded by injecting gas, which can be an heated gas, into the organic matter-receiving chamber through the at least one grinding assembly. As mentioned above, the gas can be heated before being injected into the organic matter-receiving chamber. In an embodiment, the grinding assembly(ies) is(are) engaged in rotation at a speed sufficient to grind the waste organic matter contained in the organic matter-receiving chamber. It is appreciated that the organic matter grinding and drying can be carried out simultaneously during only a portion of the waste organic matter processing. 
     The organic matter-receiving chamber  62  can be filled with a volume of waste organic matter comprised between about 5% and about 90% of a total volume of the organic matter-receiving chamber  62  to ensure proper usage of the organic matter grinding-drying device  20 . 
     In embodiment, the grinding and drying process of the waste organic matter contained in the organic matter-receiving chamber  62  can be carried out during a process cycle having a duration comprised between about 150 minutes and about 1440 minutes (24 hours). In another embodiments, the process cycle has a duration comprised between about 150 minutes and about 480 minutes. The duration of the process cycle can be varied in accordance with the volume of waste organic matter contained in the organic matter-receiving chamber  62  or other process variables including but without being limited to the gas flow rate, the gas temperature, the rotation speed of the grinding assemblies, and the like. 
     In an embodiment, the grinding assembly(ies) is(are) engaged in a rotation intermittently while gas, which can be heated gas, is blown therein. In an embodiment, during one or more portions of the process cycle, the gas blown in the grinding assembly(ies) can be at ambient temperature. In one or more other portions of the process cycle, the gas blown in the grinding assembly(ies) is heated gas. It is appreciated that the temperature of gas blown in the grinding assembly(ies) can be varied during the process cycle. 
     The grinding assembly(ies) is(are) being engaged in a rotation with a rotational speed being comprised between about 10 rpm and about 150 rpm. 
     In an embodiment, as described above, the method comprises injecting a heated gas in the organic matter-receiving chamber  62 . In such an embodiment, the heating unit  18  is operational for most of the duration of the process cycle. In an embodiment, gas at ambient temperature is injected in the organic matter-receiving chamber  62  at the end of the process cycle to allow some time for the waste organic matter to cool down before withdrawing the product from the organic matter-receiving chamber  62 . 
     In an embodiment, gas having a temperature comprised between about 35° C. and about 110° C. can be injected inside of the organic matter-receiving chamber  62 . The gas/air flow rate flowing in the gas path can be comprised between about 1 CFM and about 10 CFM. 
     In an embodiment, the gas-propelling unit  116  such as and without being limitative, is in operation during an integrality of the process cycle. 
     As mentioned above, the organic matter-receiving container  54  is removably insertable in the internal compartment  28  of the casing  22  and the blade support sleeves  68  are removably mounted to a respective one of the drive shafts  66 . Therefore, to either clean the organic matter-receiving chamber  62  or to remove processed particular material at the end of the grinding and drying process, the organic matter-receiving container  54  can be removed from the internal compartment  28  of the casing  22 . In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the blade support sleeves  68  can first be disengaged from their drive shafts  66  and removed from the organic matter grinding-drying device  20  and, then, the organic matter-receiving container  54  can be disengaged from the casing  22  and removed from the internal compartment  28 , using, for instance, the handle  70 . Once emptied and/or cleaned, the organic matter-receiving container  54  can be reinserted into the internal compartment  28  of the casing  22  with the drive shafts  66  extending into the organic matter-receiving chamber  62  through the apertures  76  defined through the bottom wall  58  of the organic matter-receiving container  54 . Then, the blade support sleeves  68  can be inserted onto their respective drive shaft  66  and engaged therewith, for instance through the snap-fit connection  124 . Once engaged together, the blade support sleeves  68  and the drive shafts  66  rotate simultaneously, the blade support sleeves  68  being engaged in rotation by their respective drive shaft  66 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  9  to  15   , there is shown an alternative embodiment of the organic matter grinding-drying device  20  wherein the features are numbered with reference numerals in the  200  and  300  series which correspond to the reference numerals of the previous embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG.  9   , there is shown, that the organic matter grinding-drying device  220  is mostly similar to the organic matter grinding device  20  except for the gas-filtering assembly  256 , which is located inside the lid  236  and above the organic matter-receiving opening  264  of the organic matter-receiving container  254 . As the gas-filtering assembly  56 , it comprises a gas-filter housing  272  mounted to and protrudes from an inner surface of the lid  236 . The gas-filtering housing  272  is contained in the organic matter-receiving chamber  262  in the closed configuration of the lid  236 , as shown in  FIGS.  10  and  11   . More particularly, the gas-filtering housing  272  is essentially in register with the organic matter-receiving opening  264  and closes the organic matter-receiving chamber  262  in the closed configuration of the lid  236 . 
     A lower surface, i.e. the one exposed inside the organic matter-receiving chamber  262  in the closed configuration of the lid  236 , comprises a gas inlet port  280  with an obstruction grid  282  extending therethrough. Thus, the gas-filtering assembly  256  is in gas communication with the organic matter-receiving chamber  262  in a manner such that gas exiting the organic matter-receiving chamber  262  is drawn into the gas-filtering assembly  256  before being expelled through the gas outlet port (not shown). In a non-limitative embodiment, the gas outlet port is located on top of the lid  236 , and above the organic matter-receiving opening  264  and in gas communication therewith. The gas-filtering assembly  256  can contain a deodorizing agent. Therefore, a gas/air stream can flow into the inner chamber and contact the deodorizing agent contained therein in a manner such that the organic matter grinding-drying device  220  can expel a substantially odor-free gas. 
     Thus, in a non-limitative embodiment, in its closed configuration, the lid  236  is engaged with the casing  222  and/or the organic matter-receiving container  254 . More particularly, it can be sealingly engaged with at least one of the casing  222  and/or the organic matter-receiving container  254 , with a sealed (mounted to the lid  236 , the casing  222  and/or the organic matter-receiving container  254 ) to prevent gases from escaping the organic matter grinding-drying device  220  before flowing through the gas-filtering assembly  256 . The lid includes the gas inlet port  280  in gas communication with the organic matter-receiving chamber  262 , through the organic matter-receiving opening  264 , and the gas outlet port to expel gas outwardly of the organic matter grinding-drying device  220 . Thus, when the lid  236  closes the organic matter-receiving chamber  262 , gas blown into the organic matter-receiving chamber  262 , adjacent to the bottom wall  258  thereof, are withdrawn from the organic matter-receiving chamber  262  in an upper portion thereof and, more particularly, through the organic matter-receiving opening  264  and the lid  236 , before being expelled outwardly of the organic matter grinding-drying device  220 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  15   , there is shown that the air/gas flow path inside the organic matter grinding-drying device  220  is slightly different, mostly when flowing in the gas-plenum chamber  240 . As for the organic matter grinding-drying device  20 , the air/gas enters inside the internal compartment  228  of the casing  222  at room temperature through an gas/air entrance port defined in the peripheral wall  226  of the casing  222  (indicated by arrow  314 ). The air/gas flows between the peripheral wall  226  of the casing  222  and the peripheral wall  260  of the organic matter-receiving container  254 , cooling the peripheral wall  260  of the container  254  by convection, drawn by the blowing unit  316 . Then, the air/gas flow through the blowing unit  316  ( FIG.  14   ) and is propelled towards the heating unit  318 , the grinding assemblies  369 , and the organic matter-receiving chamber  262  sequentially. 
     As for the embodiment shown above in reference to  FIGS.  1  to  8   , the organic matter grinding-drying device  220  includes a partition wall  274  separating the heating unit  218  from the actuator assembly  286  ( FIG.  16   ). The heating unit  318  includes a heating element  319  surrounded by a partition wall  317  delimiting a gas heating chamber  321  around the heating element  319 . Inside the gas heating chamber  321 , a plurality of fins  323  extends upwardly from the partition wall  274  and divides the gas/air flow to promote heat transfer with the heating element  319 . It is appreciated that the shape, the number and the configuration of the heating unit  318 , including the heating element(s)  319 , the gas heating chamber  321 , and the fins  323 , can vary from the embodiment shown in  FIG.  16   . 
     Referring back to  FIG.  11   , there is shown that the gas flow path in the organic matter grinding-drying device  220 , after flowing through the heating unit  318  is substantially similar to the one described above in reference to the embodiment shown in  FIGS.  1  to  8   . The heated gas/air flows into the inner gas flow channels  290  of the drive shafts  266 , then, into the outer gas flow channels  308  defined between the outer peripheral surface  306  of the drive shafts  266  and the inner surfaces  304  of the blade support sleeves  268 , and exit through the spacings defined between the lower end  310  of the blade support sleeves  268  and the inner face  312  of the bottom wall  258  of the organic matter-receiving container  254  to provide a gas flow, particularly for drying the organic matter contained in the organic matter-receiving chamber  262 , as shown in  FIG.  11   . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS.  9  to  16   , the peripheral wall  302  of the blade support sleeves  268  also includes apertures  278  ( FIG.  11   ) extending therethrough and above the lower end  310 , through which the heated air/gas can flow and contact the organic matter contained in the organic matter-receiving chamber  262 . 
     In the organic matter-receiving chamber  262 , the heated gas/airflows upwardly towards the organic matter-receiving opening  264  of the organic matter-receiving container  254  and, then, into the gas-filtering assembly  256 , which is located inside the lid  236  and above the organic matter-receiving opening  264 , to finally be expelled outwardly of the organic matter grinding-drying device  220 . 
     Turning now to  FIG.  16   , there is shown that the actuator assembly  286  of the organic matter grinding-drying device  220  includes a combination of toothed wheels (driving and driven gears)  330 ,  332 ,  334 ,  338  and a chain (not shown) operatively engaged together, instead of the wheels and belt of the actuator assembly  86 . The toothed wheels are engaged in rotation by the motor  336  ( FIGS.  10  and  11   ). 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  9  to  11   , there is shown that the rotatable blade support sleeves  268  are connected to the respective one of the drive shafts  266  through a snap-fit connection  324  provided at or in proximity of their upper ends, in the upper sections  294  of the drive shafts  266 . The design and the configuration of the snap-fit connection  324  differs from the one included in the embodiment shown and described in reference to  FIGS.  1  to  8   . Both snap-fit connections  124 ,  324  allow, for cleaning purposes, to disengage the rotatable blade support sleeves  268  from their respective drive shaft  266 , as shown in  FIGS.  4  and  12   , and to be reengaged therewith. When engaged together, the rotatable blade support sleeves  268  are secured to their respective drive shaft  266 , i.e. they cannot rotate relative to their drive shaft  266  but are engaged in rotation simultaneously therewith. Therefore, the blades  300  are also engaged in rotation simultaneously with the drive shaft  266  through the rotatable blade support sleeve  268  to grind/shred the organic matter contained in the organic matter-receiving container  254 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  10  and  11   , there is shown that the organic matter-receiving container  254  also comprises two spaced-apart tubular shells  255  extending upwardly from the bottom wall  258  wherein each one of the tubular shells  255  is associated to a respective one of the rotatable grinding assemblies  269 . While in the embodiment shown in  FIGS.  1  to  8   , the inner gas flow channel  90  is defined centrally of the drive shafts  66  with their outer peripheral surface  106  being juxtaposed to an inner peripheral surface  57  of the tubular shells  55 , in the embodiment shown in  FIGS.  10  and  11   , the inner gas flow channel  290  is defined between the outer peripheral surface  306  of the drive shafts  266  and the inner peripheral surface  257  of the tubular shells  255 . Thus, the tubular shells  255  act as a partition wall between the inner gas flow channel  290  and the outer gas flow channel  308 . As the blade support sleeves  268  engage and connect with the drive shafts  266  in the upper sections thereof and the tubular shells  255  are shorter in length than the drive shafts  266 , gas communication is provided between the inner gas flow channel  290  and the outer gas flow channels  308 . More particularly, the inner gas flow channel  290  and the outer gas flow channel  308  are in gas communication above an upper free end of the tubular shells  255  acting as a partition wall. In turn, the outer gas flow channels  308  are defined between an outer peripheral surface of the tubular shells  225  and the inner surfaces  304  of the blade support sleeves  268 . Once again, the tubular shells  255 , extending upwardly from the inner surface  312  of the bottom wall of the organic matter-receiving container  254  and being covered by the blade support sleeves  268 , prevent organic matter from entering into the gas-plenum chamber  240 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS.  9  to  16   , the gas port opened in the gas-plenum chamber  240  is a portion of the apertures  276  defined in the bottom wall  258  of the organic matter-receiving container  254 . More particularly, gas communication is provided by the portion of the apertures  276  surrounding the drive shafts  266  and extending outwardly therefrom. As for the above-described embodiment, the drive shafts  266  extend through the apertures  276  from the gas-plenum chamber  240  and into the organic matter-receiving container  254 . A lower portion of the tubular shells  255  is in register with the apertures  276  and also delimits the gas/air port providing fluid communication between the gas-plenum chamber  240  and the grinding assemblies  269 . 
     In the above-described embodiments, the grinding assemblies  69 ,  269  provide gas communication between the gas-plenum chamber  40 ,  240  and the organic matter-receiving chamber  62 ,  262  through at least one gas flow channel. More particularly, both embodiments include the inner gas flow channel  90 ,  290  and an outer gas flow channel  108 ,  308 , located downstream of the inner gas flow channel  90 ,  290 . It is appreciated that the inner gas flow channel  90 ,  290  can be qualified as an ascending gas flow channel in which gas flows upwardly from the gas-plenum chamber  40 ,  240  into the grinding assemblies  69 ,  269  while the outer gas flow channel  108 ,  308  can be qualified as a descending gas flow channel in which gas flows downwardly to be introduced into the organic matter-receiving chamber  62 ,  262 . It is appreciated that, in alternative embodiments (not shown), the gas can flow downwardly in the inner gas flow channel and upwardly in the outer gas flow channel. Furthermore, the grinding assemblies  69 ,  269  can include a single gas flow channel in which gas flows either upwardly or downwardly. The grinding assemblies  69 ,  269  can include more than two gas flow channels separated by partition walls, either the peripheral wall of the drive shaft or other partition wall(s). 
     Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described and illustrated herein. The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to be exemplary only. A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the possible combinations and variations of the components. A person of ordinary skill in the art would further appreciate that any of the embodiments could be provided in any combination with the other embodiments disclosed herein. It is understood that the invention could be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein. Accordingly, while the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind. The scope of the invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.