Patent Publication Number: US-11639598-B2

Title: Mounting assemblies and methods for disposer installation

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/907,982, filed on Sep. 30, 2019, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to waste disposers, such as food waste disposers, and methods of mounting such waste disposers in relation to other structures such as sinks and, more particularly, to waste disposer assemblies or mounting assemblies of or for such waste disposers, and methods of mounting such waste disposers in relation to other structures such as sinks, by way of such waste disposer assemblies or mounting assemblies. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Food waste disposers are used to comminute food scraps into particles small enough to pass through household drain plumbing. Referring to  FIG.  1    (Prior Art), a conventional food waste disposer  10  is often mounted to a sink, such as a kitchen sink (not shown), and includes a food conveying section  12 , a motor section  14 , and a grinding section  16  disposed between the food conveying section and the motor section. The food conveying section  12  includes a housing  18  that forms an inlet for receiving food waste and water. The food conveying section  12  conveys the food waste to the grinding section  16 , and the motor section  14  includes a motor imparting rotational movement to a motor shaft to operate the grinding section. 
     Conventional food waste disposers such as the food waste disposer  10  can be installed to a sink in a two-step procedure using a mounting assembly  100 , an example of which is shown in  FIG.  1    in an exploded manner relative to the food waste disposer. First, a sink flange assembly  102 , which includes a strainer flange  104 , a sink gasket  106 , a back-up flange  108 , an upper mounting flange  110 , bolts  112 , and a retaining ring  114  are installed or mounted in relation to the sink (which again is not shown in  FIG.  1   ). Second, a disposer assembly  30  including the food waste disposer  10  and also including a mounting (or sealing) gasket  116  and a body flange (also sometimes refereed to as a lower mounting flange)  118  are attached to the sink flange assembly  102 . The combination of the disposer assembly  30  and the mounting assembly  100  can be considered to constitute an overall food waste disposer assembly  150 . 
     More particularly with respect to the attachment of the disposer assembly  30  to the sink flange assembly  102 , it should be understood that the body flange  118  is placed around the lip  12  of the disposer housing  18 , which forms the inlet of the food conveying section. The mounting gasket  116  is then placed around that inlet as well, above the body flange  118 , in a manner tending to secure the mounting gasket  116  to the inlet, by virtue of a lip  12  at the inlet of the disposer housing  18 . Attachment of the disposer assembly  30  including the food waste disposer  10  to the sink flange assembly  102  and thereby to the sink is then particularly achieved by engaging mounting tabs  120  of the body flange  118  with ramps (or inclined mounting fasteners or edges or ridges)  122  of the upper mounting flange  110  and then rotating the body flange  118  relative to the upper mounting flange  110  until secure. When the body flange  118  and upper mounting flange  110  are secured together, the mounting gasket  116  is compressed therebetween, and provides a seal between the sink flange and inlet. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 913,990 describes another mounting assembly for a waste disposer. With reference to  FIG.  2   , the mounting assembly described therein consists of a strainer flange assembly  202 , mounting gasket  216 , and a body flange  300 . The strainer flange assembly  202  is installed in the sink drain opening and consists of the strainer flange  204 , fiber gasket  206 , back up flange  208 , mounting flange  210 , retaining ring  214 , and three bolts  212 . The strainer flange  204  is inserted into the sink drain opening. The three bolts  212  are inserted into the three threaded holes on the mounting flange  210  with the stud end of the bolt  212  projecting upwards. The back up flange and mounting flange  210  with bolts are positioned around the tubular portion of the strainer flange that extends beneath the sink. The retaining ring is inserted into the groove on the strainer flange to support the backup and mounting flanges. The stud end of each of the bolts  212  contacts the lobes of the back up flange. The bolts are tightened, forcing the backup flange into contact with the bottom of the sink. 
     An alternate configuration of the strainer flange assembly is described in PCT Application No. PCT/US19/24210. In that application, instead of using a retaining ring that engages with a groove on the exterior of the strainer flange to support the mounting flange, the exterior of the strainer flange has a plurality of protrusions. The inner diameter of the mounting flange has a plurality of cut outs and tabs. To install the mounting flange on the strainer flange, the cutouts on the mounting flange are aligned with the protrusions on the strainer flange and the mounting flange is displaced vertically towards the sink bottom when the protrusions pass through the cutouts. Once the mounting flange is above the protrusions, the mounting flange is rotated to bring the tabs over the strainer flange protrusions. Once in this alignment, the mounting flange is supported by the protrusions and the bolts can be tightened to secure the back up flange as described in U.S. Pat. No. 913,990. 
     With reference to  FIG.  2   , for installation as described in either U.S. Pat. No. 913,990 or PCT Application No. PCT/US19/24210, the body flange  300  is placed around the disposer throat and the mounting gasket  216  is secured to the lip of the disposer housing (not shown). The installer then aligns the top of the mounting gasket  216  with the bottom opening of the strainer flange  204  and holds the disposer in that position with one hand. With the other hand, the installer then rotates the body flange  300  about the disposer throat until the three tabs  220  on the body flange  300  engage the ramps  222 . Continued rotation of the body flange  300  will force the tabs further up the ramps and begin to compress the mounting gasket  216 . Once the tabs are partially engaged onto the ramps, the disposer is supported by the ramps and the installer no longer has to support the disposer weight. At this point, the installer can then use both hands and/or a tool to complete the installation by forcing the tabs  220  to the ends of the ramps  222 . At that fully engaged position, the mounting gasket will be fully compressed between the bottom opening of the strainer flange  204  and the lip of the container body throat creating a seal that prevents leaking and the disposer will be secured to the strainer flange assembly. As described in U.S. Pat. No. 913,990, there can be V-shaped notches  301  in the body flange  300 , which are intended to prevent the disposer from being installed if any one of the tabs  220  is not engaged with a ramp  222  as the installer begins to rotate the body flange  300 . 
     Although food waste disposers have been successfully installed in relation to sinks in the manner described above (or in similar manners), there remain difficulties associated with the installation process that can make the process undesirably challenging or inconvenient for some individuals who are performing that process. For example, the installer still has to support the disposer weight with one hand while engaging the body flange and mounting flange with the other hand. Food waste disposers can tend to weigh up to about 18 pounds and can be bulky and difficult to support with one hand. The installer is typically working in the cabinet space under a sink which is cramped and does not have room for another person to assist in the installation of the disposer. There have been various tools developed to help with the installation of a disposer, such as jacks. However, many food waste disposers are installed by home owners or non-professionals who may only install a disposer once every 7-10 years and do not invest in specialized tools for the occasional need. 
     Accordingly, it would be desirable if an improved waste disposer assembly, and/or an improved mounting assembly of or for such a waste disposer assembly, and/or an improved method of installing or mounting such a waste disposer assembly or mounting assembly in relation to another structure such as a sink, could be developed that alleviated or addressed one or more of the above-discussed concerns associated with conventional waste disposer assemblies, or alleviated or addressed one or more other concerns or disadvantages, or provided one or more advantages by comparison with conventional arrangements. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     In at least some example embodiments, the present disclosure relates to mounting assemblies for waste disposers, such as food waste disposers, waste disposers employing such mounting assemblies, and related methods of installing waste disposers. 
     Mounting assemblies disclosed herein for mounting a waste disposer include an engagement feature having a first engagement structure located on a body flange and a second engagement structure located on an upper portion of a disposer body. Engagement features may optionally include a third engagement structure located on the body flange. Engagement features have an engaged position in which the body flange and the disposer body are engaged and are rotatable as a unit, and a disengaged installed position in which the disposer body is rotatable independently of the body flange. 
     Waste disposer assemblies disclosed herein include a waste disposer and a mounting assembly. The waste disposer has a disposer body that includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The mounting assembly includes an engagement feature having a first engagement structure located on a body flange and a second engagement structure located on an upper portion of a disposer body. The engagement feature has an engaged position in which the body flange and the disposer body are engaged and are rotatable as a unit, and a disengaged installed position in which the disposer body is rotatable independently of the body flange. 
     Methods of assembling a mounting assembly for use in mounting a waste disposer include a first step of providing a mounting assembly comprising an engagement feature, the engagement feature comprising a first engagement structure located on a body flange and a second engagement structure located on an upper portion of a disposer body. Such methods also include a second step of placing the engagement feature in an engaged position in which the body flange and the disposer body are engaged and are rotatable as a unit. Such methods also include a third step of rotating the disposer body through a first degree of rotation with the engagement feature in the engaged position. Such methods further include a fourth step of transitioning the engagement feature from the engaged position to a disengaged installed position. The fourth step may be performed by rotating the disposer body through a second degree of rotation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of waste disposer assemblies, mounting assemblies of or for such waste disposer assemblies, and related methods are disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings and are for illustrative purposes only. The waste disposer/mounting assembly apparatuses and methods encompassed herein are not limited in their applications to the details of construction, arrangements of components, or other aspects or features illustrated in the drawings, but rather such apparatuses and methods encompassed herein include other embodiments or are capable of being practiced or carried out in other various ways. Like reference numerals are used to indicate like components. 
         FIG.  1    is an exploded view of a Prior Art food waste disposer assembly including both a mounting assembly and a disposer assembly including a food waste disposer, as can be installed in relation to another structure such as a sink. 
         FIG.  2    is an exploded view of another Prior Art food waste disposer mounting assembly. 
         FIG.  3    is a partly cross-sectional, partly front elevation view of one example of a waste disposer assembly of the present technology installed on a sink; 
         FIG.  4    is an isometric view of another example of a waste disposer assembly of the present technology. 
         FIG.  5    illustrates an exploded view of one example of an engagement feature of the present technology, prior to engagement of the engagement feature. 
         FIG.  6    illustrates the engagement feature of  FIG.  5   , in its engaged position. 
         FIG.  7    illustrates an exploded view of a second example of an engagement feature of the present technology, prior to engagement of the engagement feature. 
         FIG.  8    illustrates the relative positions of one hole of the first engagement structure and one protrusion of the second engagement structure when the engagement feature of  FIG.  7    is in its engaged position. 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a detail view of a third engagement structure of the engagement feature of  FIG.  7   . 
         FIG.  10    illustrates the third engagement structure of  FIG.  9    when the engagement feature of  FIG.  7    is in its engaged position. 
         FIG.  11    illustrates an exploded view of a third example of an engagement feature of the present technology, prior to engagement of the engagement feature. 
         FIG.  12    illustrates the engagement feature of the  FIG.  11   , with the body flange abutting the circumferential support ring. 
         FIG.  13    illustrates an exploded view of a fourth example of an engagement feature of the present technology, prior to engagement of the engagement feature. 
         FIG.  14    illustrates an example of the engagement feature of  FIG.  13   , having a second engagement feature with only one protrusion. 
         FIG.  15    illustrates the engagement feature of  FIG.  13    in its engaged position. 
         FIG.  16    illustrates a fifth example of an engagement feature of the present technology, with the engagement feature in the engaged position. 
         FIG.  17    illustrates a sixth example of an engagement feature of the present technology, with the engagement feature in the engaged position. 
         FIG.  18    illustrates another view of the engagement feature of  FIG.  17   . 
         FIG.  19    illustrates a sixth example of an engagement feature of the present technology, with the engagement feature in the engaged position. 
         FIG.  20    illustrates an exploded view of a seventh example of an engagement feature of the present technology, prior to engagement of the engagement feature. 
         FIG.  21    illustrates a cut-away perspective detail view of the engagement feature of  FIG.  20    in the engaged position. 
         FIG.  22    illustrates a top detail view of the engagement feature of  FIG.  20    in the engaged position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , one example of a waste disposer assembly  400  of the present technology is installed or mounted in relation to a sink  402 . Although  FIG.  3    shows a side elevation view of the food waste disposer assembly  400 ,  FIG.  3    provides a cutaway cross-sectional view of the sink  402 , so as to better illustrate how the waste disposer assembly  400  is installed relative to the sink  402 . The waste disposer assembly  400  includes a waste disposer  404  and a mounting assembly  406  of the present technology that allows for the waste disposer  404  to be attached to the sink  402 , such that the waste disposer  404  is positioned beneath the sink  402 . As shown, the waste disposer assembly is attached to the strainer flange assembly  202  of sink  402 . 
       FIG.  4    illustrates one example of a waste disposer assembly  500  of the present technology, which includes a waste disposer  502  and a mounting assembly  504 . The waste disposer  502  has a disposer body  506  that includes an upper portion  508  and a lower portion  510 . The lower portion  510  of the disposer body  506  may include one or more grips  512  that may be used by an installer to grip the waste disposer  502  to facilitate the lift and rotate motion described above. 
     It is noted that some examples of waste disposers include a trim shell, while others do not. For purposes of this disclosure, the trim shell is considered to be part of the waste disposer, and references herein to the “disposer body” include the trim shell for embodiments in which the waste disposer has a trim shell. 
     Generally, mounting assemblies of the present technology, such as mounting assembly  406  or  504 , include an engagement feature that has an engaged position and a disengaged installed position. When the engagement feature is in the engaged position, the body flange and the disposer body are engaged and are rotatable as a unit. The engagement feature may include a first engagement structure located on the body flange and a second engagement structure located on the upper portion of the disposer body. The first engagement structure on the body flange may interact with the second engagement structure on the upper portion of the disposer body to engage the body flange with the disposer body. When the body flange and the disposer body are engaged by the engagement feature, the combined disposer and body flange assembly can be lifted into alignment with the strainer flange assembly and rotated as a unit to engage the body flange with the mounting flange. Since the disposer and body flange rotate together as a unit initially, the installer can use both hands to lift and rotate the disposer/body flange assembly, thus making it easier for the installer. 
     The engagement feature may be configured to provide temporary engagement between the body flange and the disposer body. The engagement feature may be configured such that the temporary engagement automatically disengages. For example, the engagement feature may be configured to maintain the engaged position during a first degree of rotation of the disposer body, and transition from the engaged position to the disengaged installed position upon a second degree of rotation of the disposer body. As one such example, in waste disposer assemblies having mounting flange ramps, such as ramps  122  or  222  described above, once the body flange tabs have engaged with the mounting flange ramps, the disposer will be supported on the mounting flange ramps. As the body flange tabs travel up the mounting flange ramps, the first and second engagement structures of the body flange and the disposer body may automatically separate, causing the engagement feature to transition to its disengaged installed position, in which the disposer body is rotatable independently of the body flange. The disposer body can then be rotated to align the plumbing and the engagement of the body flange with the mounting flange into the locked position completed. As another example, the engagement feature may include a keyed coupling between the body flange and the disposer which disengages automatically based on the increase of required torque to turn the unit during the install. The coupling between the body and the flange could be a component that shears off or flexes to automatically disengage so the plumbing can be aligned. Alternatively, the engagement feature may not automatically disengage. For example, the engagement feature may include a keyed coupling pin, or other coupling device, between the body flange and disposer that would not disengage automatically. Once the disposer is hung, the key, pin, or other coupling device could be manually removed so the plumbing could be aligned by turning the disposer. 
       FIGS.  5  and  6    illustrate one example of an engagement feature  600  of the present technology. The engagement feature  600  includes first engagement structure  602  located on the body flange  604  and a second engagement structure  606  located on the upper portion  608  of the disposer body  610 . 
     The first engagement structure  602  includes one or more holes  612  provided in a bottom surface  614  of the body flange  604 . In the illustrated example, the first engagement structure  602  includes two holes. The bottom surface  614  of the body flange  604  has a circumference, and the two holes  612  are spaced apart along the circumference of the bottom surface  614  of the body flange  604  at an angle about 180°. In other examples, the first engagement structure  602  may include any suitable number of holes, such as one hole, three holes, or a different plurality of holes. Each hole may be spaced apart from any other hole at any suitable angle, including an angle of less than about 180°. Each of the holes  612  is shown as being circular, but may have any suitable shape, and may be slots or other configurations. The shape of each of the holes  612  may be the same as or different from any of the other holes  612 . 
     The second engagement structure  606  includes one or more protrusions  616  provided on the upper portion  608  of the disposer body  610 . The upper portion  608  of the disposer body  610  may include a body flange support collar  618  having top surface  620 , and each protrusion  616  of the second engagement structure  606  may extend upwardly from the top surface  620  of the body flange support collar  618 . Each protrusion  616  may be formed and secured to the top surface  620  of the body flange support collar  618  in any suitable manner. For example, in  FIG.  6   , each protrusion  616  is formed by hardware, such as a screw or bolt. The number, spacing, and shape of each protrusion  616  of the second engagement structure  606  should be selected to align with a corresponding hole  612  of the first engagement structure  602 . The bottom surface  614  of the body flange  604  may abut the top surface  620  of the body flange support collar  618  when the engagement feature  600  is in the engaged position. 
       FIG.  6    illustrates engagement feature  600  in its engaged position. The first engagement structure  602  is aligned with and receives the second engagement structure  606 . Specifically, each hole  612  of the first engagement structure  602  is aligned with and receives one of the protrusions  616  of the second engagement structure  606 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, the protrusions and holes may be reversed, with the first engagement structure  602  including protrusions and the second engagement structure including holes. The design and operation of such an engagement feature would be the reverse of engagement feature  600 . 
       FIG.  7    illustrates an example of an engagement feature  700  of the present technology. The engagement feature  700  includes first engagement structure  702  located on the body flange  704  and a second engagement structure  706  located on the upper portion  708  of the disposer body  710 . The engagement feature  700  also includes a third engagement structure  722 , which is an optional structure that can be used in embodiments where the waste disposer assembly has mounting flange ramps, such as ramps  122  or  222  described above. 
     The first engagement structure  702  includes one or more holes  712  provided in a bottom surface  714  of the body flange  704 . In the illustrated example, the first engagement structure  702  includes two holes  712 . The bottom surface  714  of the body flange  704  has a circumference, and the two holes  712  are spaced apart along the circumference of the bottom surface  714  of the body flange  704  at an angle about 180°. In other examples, the first engagement structure  702  may include any suitable number of holes, such as one hole, three holes, or a different plurality of holes. Each hole may be spaced apart from any other hole at any suitable angle, including an angle of less than about 180°. Each of the holes  712  is shown as being a generally rectangular punch-out tab, but may have any suitable shape, and may be circular, slots, punch-out tabs or other configurations. The shape of each of the holes  712  may be the same as or different from any of the other holes  712 . 
     The second engagement structure  706  includes one or more protrusions  716  provided on the upper portion  708  of the disposer body  710 . The upper portion  708  of the disposer body  710  may include a body flange support collar  718  having top surface  720 , and the second engagement structure may extend above the top surface  720  of the body flange support collar  718 . The bottom surface  714  of the body flange  704  may abut the top surface  720  of the body flange support collar  718  when the engagement feature  700  is in the engaged position. The number, spacing, and shape of each protrusion  716  of the second engagement structure  706  should be selected to align with a corresponding hole  712  of the first engagement structure  702 . 
       FIG.  8    illustrates the relative positions of one hole  712  of the first engagement structure  702  and one protrusion  716  of the second engagement structure  706  when the engagement feature  700  is in its engaged position. Referring to FIGS.  7  and  8 , in the illustrated example, each protrusion  716  in in the form of a one-way tab, having a sloped upper surface  724  and a protrusion side wall  726 . The protrusion side wall  726  of the abuts the hole side wall  728  of the hole  712  when the engagement feature  700  is in its engaged position. 
       FIG.  9    provides a detail view of one extension arm  730  of the third engagement structure  722  of the engagement feature  700 , and  FIG.  10    illustrates the third engagement structure  722  when the engagement feature  700  is in its engaged position. Referring to  FIGS.  7 ,  9 , and  10   , the body flange  704  has a plurality of ramp engagement tabs  732 . The third engagement structure  722  includes an extension arm  730  provided on at least one of the ramp engagement tabs  732 . In the illustrated example, each extension arm  730  has a generally arcuate shape that extends upwardly and outwardly from a ramp engagement tab  732 . As can be seen in  FIG.  10   , when the engagement feature  700  is in its engaged position, each extension arm  730  of the third engagement structure  722  engages a portion of a ramp  734  of the upper mounting flange  736 . Ramp  724  of the upper mounting flange  736  may correspond to the ramps  222  of the upper mounting flange as described above with reference to  FIG.  2   . While the third engagement structure  722  is illustrated herein as being a component of engagement feature  700 , it should be understood that it could be incorporated into any of the other engagement features described herein. 
       FIGS.  11  and  12    illustrate an engagement feature  800  of the present technology. The engagement feature  800  includes first engagement structure  802  located on the body flange  804  and a second engagement structure  806  located on the upper portion  808  of the disposer body  810 . 
     The first engagement structure  802  includes one or more extension tabs  812  extending downwardly from a bottom surface  814  of the body flange  804 . In the illustrated example, the first engagement structure  802  includes five extension tabs  812 . The bottom surface  814  of the body flange  804  has a circumference, and the extension tabs  812  are spaced apart along the circumference of the bottom surface  814  of the body flange  804 . In other examples, the first engagement structure  802  may include any suitable number of extension tabs  812 , such as two, three, four, six, or a different plurality of extension tabs  812 . The extension tabs  812  may or may not be evenly spaced along the circumference of the bottom surface  814  of the body flange  804 . Each of the extension tabs  812  is shown as being generally triangular in shape, but may have any suitable shape. Preferably, each extension tab  812  has at least one sloped surface. 
     The second engagement structure  806  includes one or more protrusions  816  provided on the upper portion  808  of the disposer body  810 . The upper portion  808  of the disposer body  810  may include a body flange support collar  818  that includes the one or more protrusions  816 . The body flange support collar  818  may also include a circumferential support ridge  820 , and the bottom surface  814  of the body flange  804  may abut the circumferential support ridge  820  of the body flange support collar  818  when the engagement feature  800  is in the engaged position. The one or more protrusions  816  of the second engagement structure  806  may each extend outwardly from the upper portion  808  of the disposer body  810 , and may be located below the circumferential support ridge  820 . The number, spacing, and shape of each protrusion  816  of the second engagement structure  806  should be selected to align with a corresponding extension tab  812  of the first engagement structure  802 . In the illustrated example, each protrusion  816  has a sloped upper surface  822 . 
     In practice, the user may place the body flange  804  so that the bottom surface  814  of the body flange  804  rests on the circumferential support ridge  820 , as shown in  FIG.  12   . As the user lifts the unit and pushes it upward into the sink flange, the user may rotate the unit counter clockwise (looking from the top of the unit to the bottom). After a few degrees of rotation, the one or more extension tabs  812  of the first engagement structure  802  may become engaged with the one or more protrusions  816  of the second engagement structure  806 . The design shown, or another sloped design, may cause the body flange  804  to be pushed upward as it gets tightened, which may allow the body flange  804  to be tightened more. Past a certain point of rotation, the one or more extension tabs  812  of the first engagement structure  802  and the one or more protrusions  816  of the second engagement structure  806  may become disengaged and, the disposer body may be rotated without tightening the body flange  804  anymore. At this point, the body flange  804  may be tightened enough to hold the unit&#39;s weight, and the disposer body  810  may be rotated for alignment with the piping under the sink. 
       FIGS.  13 - 15    illustrate an engagement feature  900  of the present technology. The engagement feature  900  includes first engagement structure  902  located on the body flange  904  and a second engagement structure  906  located on the upper portion  908  of the disposer body  910 . 
     The first engagement structure  902  includes one or more notches  912  provided in the sidewall  914  of the body flange  904 . Each notch  912  may be an indented shape formed in the sidewall  914 , such as the V-shaped notches  912  as shown, or any other suitable indented shape, such as an arc. The shape of each of the notches  912  may be the same as or different from any of the other notches  912 . In some examples the body flange  904  may have the same structure as the body flange  300  shown in  FIG.  2   , and the V-shaped notches  301  may act as the first engagement feature in addition to performing the function described in U.S. Pat. No. 913,990. In the illustrated example, the first engagement structure  902  includes notches  912  spaced apart along the circumference of the sidewall  914  of the body flange  904 . In other examples, the first engagement structure  902  may include any suitable number of notches  912 , such as one, two, four, five, or a different plurality of notches  912 . 
     The second engagement structure  906  includes one or more protrusions  916  provided on the upper portion  908  of the disposer body  910 . The upper portion  908  of the disposer body  910  may include a body flange support collar  918  that includes the one or more protrusions  916 . The body flange support collar  918  may also include a circumferential support ridge  920 , and the bottom surface  914  of the body flange  904  may abut the circumferential support ridge  920  of the body flange support collar  918  when the engagement feature  900  is in the engaged position. The one or more protrusions  916  of the second engagement structure  906  may each extend outwardly from the upper portion  908  of the disposer body  910 , and may be located below the circumferential support ridge  920 . The number, spacing, and shape of each protrusion  916  of the second engagement structure  906  should be selected to align with a corresponding notch  912  of the first engagement structure  902 . In the example shown in  FIGS.  13  and  15   , the second engagement structure  906  includes three protrusions  916 , which are configured to align with the three V-shaped notches  912 . In the example shown in  FIG.  14   , the second engagement structure  906  only includes one protrusion  916 . The second arm  922  may serve to keep the body flange level to facilitate engagement of the tabs  926  with the ramps. Each of the protrusions  916  as shown includes an arm  922  having an alignment post  924  at its distal end. The alignment posts  924  may be spherical or semi-spherical, as shown, or may have any other shape suitable to align with and be received by the notches  912 . 
     In practice, when the engagement feature  900  is in the engaged position, the alignment post  924  of each protrusion  916  is received by a notch  912 , as shown in  FIG.  15   . The disposer body  910  and body flange  904  can be lifted and rotated as an assembly. Once the tabs  926  of the body flange  904  engage with the ramps (e.g.,  122  or  222 ) on the mounting flange, the disposer will be supported on the mounting flange and the first engagement feature  902  of the body flange  904  may separate from the second engagement feature  906  with further rotation. The disposer body  910  may then be rotated independently of the body flange  904  to complete the installation. 
       FIGS.  16 - 19    illustrate examples of engagement features of the present technology that include a coupling pin, which would not disengage automatically. Once the disposer is hung, the coupling pin could be manually removed and the disposer could then be aligned with the plumbing by turning the disposer. 
     The engagement feature  1000  of  FIG.  16    includes first engagement structure  1002  located on the body flange  1004  and a second engagement structure  1006  located on the upper portion  1008  of the disposer body  1010 . 
     The first engagement structure  1002  includes one or more notches  1012  provided in the sidewall  1014  of the body flange  1004 . Each notch  1012  may be an indented shape formed in the sidewall  1014 , such as the V-shaped notches  1012  as shown, or any other suitable indented shape, such as an arc. The shape of each of the notches  1012  may be the same as or different from any of the other notches  1012 . In some examples the body flange  1004  may have the same structure as the body flange  300  shown in  FIG.  2   , and one or more of the V-shaped notches  301  may act as the first engagement feature in addition to performing the function described in U.S. Pat. No. 913,990. 
     The second engagement structure  1006  includes one or more protrusions  1016  provided on the upper portion  1008  of the disposer body  1010 . The one or more protrusions  1016  of the second engagement structure  1006  may each extend outwardly from the upper portion  1008  of the disposer body  1010 . The number, spacing, and shape of each protrusion  1016  of the second engagement structure  1006  should be selected to align with a corresponding notch  1012  of the first engagement structure  1002 . In the example shown in  FIG.  16   , the second engagement structure  1006  includes one protrusion  1016 , which is configured to align with one of the V-shaped notches  1012 . The protrusion  1016  as shown is L-shaped and has a pin receiving hole  1018 . When the pin receiving hole  1018  is aligned with the notch  1012 , the coupling pin  1020  can be placed, being received by the notch  1012  and the pin receiving hole  1018 , causing engagement of the body flange  1004  with the disposer body  1010 . 
     The engagement feature  1100  of  FIGS.  17 - 18    includes first engagement structure  1102  located on the body flange  1104  and a second engagement structure  1106  located on the upper portion  1108  of the disposer body  1110 . 
     The first engagement structure  1102  includes one or more first pin receiving holes  1112  provided in the sidewall  1114  of the body flange  1104 . 
     The second engagement structure  1106  includes one or more protrusions  1116  provided on the upper portion  1108  of the disposer body  1110 . The one or more protrusions  1116  of the second engagement structure  1106  may each extend outwardly from the upper portion  1108  of the disposer body  1110 . In the example shown in  FIGS.  17 - 18   , the second engagement structure  1106  includes one protrusion  1116 , which is configured to align with one first pin receiving hole  1112 . The protrusion  1116  as shown is L-shaped and has a second pin receiving hole  1118 . When the second pin receiving hole  1118  is aligned with the first pin receiving hole  1112 , the coupling pin  1120  can be placed, extending through both the first and second pin receiving holes, causing engagement of the body flange  1104  with the disposer body  1110 . 
     The engagement feature  1200  of  FIG.  19    includes first engagement structure  1202  located on the body flange  1204  and a second engagement structure  1206  located on the upper portion  1208  of the disposer body  1210 . 
     The first engagement structure  1202  includes one or more notches  1212  provided in the sidewall  1214  of the body flange  1204 . Each notch  1212  may be an indented shape formed in the sidewall  1214 , such as the V-shaped notches  1212  as shown, or any other suitable indented shape, such as an arc. The shape of each of the notches  1212  may be the same as or different from any of the other notches  1212 . In some examples the body flange  1204  may have the same structure as the body flange  300  shown in  FIG.  2   , and one or more of the V-shaped notches  301  may act as the first engagement feature in addition to performing the function described in U.S. Pat. No. 913,990. 
     The second engagement structure  1206  includes at least one coupling post  1216  provided on the upper portion  1208  of the disposer body  1210 . The at least one coupling post  1216  may extend vertically, or substantially vertically, upwards from the upper portion  1208  of the disposer body  1210 . 
     When the engagement feature  1200  is in the engaged position, the at least one coupling post  1216  of the second engagement structure  1206  is aligned with and received by the at least one notch  1212  of the first engagement structure  1202 . The body flange  1204  and the disposer body  1210  are thus engaged, and may be lifted and rotated as an assembly. Similarly to the embodiment shown in  FIG.  13 - 15   , in practice, once the body flange  1204  engages with the ramps (e.g.,  122  or  222 ) on the mounting flange during installation, the disposer will be supported on the mounting flange and the first engagement feature  1202  of the body flange  1204  may separate from the second engagement feature  1206  with further rotation. The disposer body  1210  may then be rotated independently of the body flange  1204  to complete the installation. 
       FIGS.  20 - 22    illustrate an engagement feature  1300  of the present technology. The engagement feature  1300  includes first engagement structure  1302  located on the body flange  1304  and a second engagement structure  1306  located on the upper portion  1308  of the disposer body  1310 . 
     The first engagement structure  1302  includes a protrusion  1312  that extends inwardly from the body flange  1304 . The protrusion  1312  in the illustrated example is in the form or a rectangular tab. However, the protrusion  1312  could have any suitable shape that is configured to be received by the receiving space  1316 , described below. 
     The second engagement structure  1306  includes a rib  1314  and a receiving space  1316 . The rib  1314  is provided on the upper portion  1308  of the disposer body  1310 . The rib  1314  extends circumferentially around a portion of the upper portion  1308  of the disposer body  1310 , from a first location  1318  to a second location  1320  spaced apart from the first location. The receiving space  1316  is the space between the first location  1318  of the rib and the second location  1320  of the rib. In the illustrated example, the rib  1314  is configured such that the receiving space  1316  is located about 90° to the left of the front of the disposer body  1310 . The receiving space  1316  is configured to receive the protrusion  1312  when the engagement feature  1300  is engaged. 
     In practice, when the engagement feature  1300  is in the engaged position, the protrusion  1312  of the first engagement structure  1302  is received by the receiving space  1316  of the second engagement structure  1306 , as shown in  FIGS.  21  and  22   . The disposer body  1310  and body flange  1304  can be lifted and rotated as an assembly. The body flange may also include one or more tabs  1322  that are configured to engage with the ramps (e.g.,  122  or  222 ) on the mounting flange. Once the tabs  1322  of the body flange  1304  engage with the ramps (e.g.,  122  or  222 ) on the mounting flange, the disposer will be supported on the mounting flange and the first engagement feature  1302  of the body flange  1304  may separate from the second engagement feature  1306  with further rotation. The disposer body  1310  may then be rotated independently of the body flange  1304  to complete the installation. 
     From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that although specific examples have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to particularly point out and distinctly claim the claimed subject matter. 
     It is specifically intended that the present invention not be limited to the embodiments and illustrations contained herein, but include modified forms of those embodiments including portions of the embodiments and combinations of elements of different embodiments as come within the scope of the following claims.