Patent Publication Number: US-2021189707-A1

Title: Garbage disposal with door and switch assembly

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of an earlier filing date and right of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/949,760, filed 18 Dec. 2019, the contents of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present application relates to a garbage disposal and switch assembly, and more particularly to a garbage disposal having an operable door to reach within the interior of the disposal from cleaning as well as a switch for governing power supplied to the disposal. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Washing dishes is a part of everyday life for most individuals. When a person is washing dishes or merely scraping dishes to put in a dishwasher, the sink often fills up with some water and large food particulates. The particulates act to clog the sink and back the water up. These particulates may either be scooped up with the hand or a tool and transferred to a trash receptacle, or may be passed down a garbage disposal connected to the sink. 
     The act of carrying the particulates to the trash receptacle can be messy. Therefore, a number of individuals use a disposal. Currently a switch is used to regulate power to the disposal. The switch operates between an off and on position. When needed, an individual flicks the switch and power is provided to the disposal. The disposal continues to run until the switch is turned off. As the process of using the disposal is not relatively long, the individual tends to keep their hand on the switch waiting to turn it off. The disadvantage here is that the hands are typically not clean and water tends to drip down the switch and switch plate or onto the counter. Additionally, scrap particulates can be transferred to the switch and make it unsightly. Alternatively, the individual may turn the switch on and return to scraping dishes only then to return to the switch to turn it off moments later. 
     Garbage disposals are common kitchen devices used to aid in the disposing of food particulates. As dishes are cleaned in a sink, food particles may be left on the plate and eventually collect in the sink after rinsing or washing. The food particles may be rinsed down the drain if small enough. In an effort to minimize the chances of clogging in the wastewater drain, a garbage disposal is often attached to an underside of the sink. The food particles travel through the disposal where the impellers break up the particles into smaller sized pieces to permit easier flow through the drain. 
     It sometimes occurs where the disposal clogs and needs to be cleaned out. Currently a user must either stick their hand or an implement down through the sink opening to try and reach around the internal compartment of the disposal to clear away the clog. This is difficult to do as the sink opening is small and there is minimal visibility. This can also result in minimal to severe stress to the user because of the dirty nature of a disposal and the blades that can be felt but not seen. Another option is to remove the disposal from the sink. This is not ideal as it is often heavy and is connected to a waste line. Water inevitably leaks and a user is still left with the only option of sticking their hand or an implement through the opening of the garbage disposal which is the same size as the opening of the sink. Visibility is minimal. 
     Although strides have been made with respect to garbage disposals and switches, shortcomings remain. It is desired that an assembly be provided that is configured to permit easier accessibility to the interior of the disposal and a more convenient method of regulating disposal operation. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present application to provide a garbage disposal that includes a side access door in the housing for the ability to enter the interior volume for the maintenance of the disposal. Additionally, a switch assembly is provided to regulate operation of the disposal, or any associated electrical device, so as to eliminate the need to maintain control of a switch while the disposal is in use or to return to the switch multiple times to turn it on and off. The garbage disposal assembly and the switch assembly may be used individually or combined together. 
     Ultimately the invention may take many embodiments. In these ways, the present invention overcomes the disadvantages inherent in the prior art. The more important features have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and to ensure that the present contribution to the art is appreciated. Additional features will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow. 
     Many objects of the present application will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views. 
     Before explaining at least one embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments are capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the various purposes of the present design. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present application. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features believed characteristic of the application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the application itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a garbage disposal assembly according to an embodiment of the present application. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a switch assembly according to an embodiment of the present application. 
     
    
    
     While the embodiments and method of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the application to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the process of the present application as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Illustrative embodiments of the preferred embodiment are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer&#39;s specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationships between various components and to the spatial orientation of various aspects of components as the devices are depicted in the attached drawings. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of the present application, the devices, members, apparatuses, etc. described herein may be positioned in any desired orientation. Thus, the use of terms to describe a spatial relationship between various components or to describe the spatial orientation of aspects of such components should be understood to describe a relative relationship between the components or a spatial orientation of aspects of such components, respectively, as the embodiments described herein may be oriented in any desired direction. 
     The embodiments and method will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the assembly may be presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless otherwise described. 
     Referring now to the Figures wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements in form and function throughout the several views. The following Figures describe embodiments of the present application and its associated features. With reference now to the Figures, embodiments of the present application are herein described. It should be noted that the articles “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1  in the drawings, a garbage disposal system  101  is illustrated. The garbage disposal assembly  101  of the present application is configured to permit access to the interior of the garbage disposal through an alternate access location from the side of a housing  104 . The housing includes upper hopper chamber  104   a  and lower hopper chamber  104   b.    
     Assembly  101  further includes flywheel  106  and impellers  108  which rotate within an interior volume of housing  104 . As food and particulates pass through sink  99  and into the interior volume, motor  110  is selectively activated by a user which initiates flywheel  106  and impellers  108 . Motor  110  is located in the lower chamber. These are initiated to impale and break up the particulates/food to sizes small enough to pass through waste line connector  112  and down the drain lines. 
     The flywheel is located adjacent an internal surface in lower chamber  104   b  such that the interior volume is predominantly above the flywheel  106  and impellers  108 . The disposal is located in contact with an underside of a sink  99  wherein the sink hole aligns with a hole in the neck of the upper chamber  104   a.    
     Access door  103  is configured to selectively open and close to permit access into the interior volume. This is useful to clear obstructions to avoid the need to detach the disposal from the sink to gain better access. 
     In operation, food particulates or other matter is passed down through the hole in the upper chamber body into the interior volume where they come into contact with the flywheel and impellers. Water is usually passed with the particulates in an effort to assist in carrying them through the flywheel and out a waste line to the drain. During operation, the motor is turned on such that the impellers and flywheel rotate so as to pulverize the particulates in an effort to decrease their size to make passage through the waste line feasible. 
     Disposal  101  includes a side access auxiliary door  103  to permit access into the internal volume of the disposal body. Particulates can become stuck causing clogs in the disposal during operation. To alleviate the need to remove the disposal to clear the clog, or the need to frustratingly jam implements or hands down the opening of the disposal  101 , access door  103  is operable between an open and a closed position to selectively permit side access into the interior to remove the clog. 
     An advantage of door  103  is that there are now two access locations to the interior. Where only one was available, efforts to insert a hand or tool into the opening blocked the ability to shine a light to allow visibility into the interior. With two access points, a light can be shown through one hole while a tool or hand can be inserted into the other. Visibility inside is now possible. Additionally, a side access provides a user better access and sight within the interior to see and function. Clogs can be removed faster and more conveniently. 
     It is understood that door  103  may be located around the perimeter of the disposal body at any area. The size and shape of door  103  may be modified or selected in accordance with design criteria. Door  103  is also sealed in contact with housing  104  to prevent leakage. 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 2  in the drawings, a perspective view of a switch assembly  201  is illustrated. The switch assembly of the present application is configured to provide selective preset control of an electrical device in a manner that automatically limits the run time of the device and does not require a user to have to manually maintain control of the switch while the device is running or through manual operation of a control (dial/switch) in alternate directions. As noted above, the switch assembly is operable with a garbage disposal coupled to a sink. However, the switch assembly is not so limited in its use and the description of the disposal is merely exemplary in nature as the functions and features of the switch assembly are applicable to any electrical device. 
     Switch assembly  201  is in communication with an electronic device  203 . An example of device  203  may be a garbage disposal  101 , but other electronic devices are contemplated. Switch assembly  201  is configured to receive electrical power and route that power so as to operate with a dial  205  and a switch  207 . Dial  205  and switch  207  are in electrical communication with each other so as to allow dial  205  to selectively affect the performance of switch  207 . Dial  205  and switch  207  are located within a housing  204 . 
     As a whole, assembly  201  is configured to regulate the transmission of power to device  203 . Device  203  is configured to run when power is received. Assembly  201  selectively restricts power from reaching device  203 . Switch  207  is configured to remain at rest in a neutral position wherein electrical power is not permitted to flow to device  203 . When depressed or operated, switch  207  is configured to allow power to flow to device  203  for a limited preset duration. A single contact with the switch provides an intermittent amount of electric power to pass to device  203 . This duration may be preset upon manufacture. The duration may be determined based upon the device it is operating. 
     In  FIG. 2 , switch  207  is a toggle switch or rocker switch. In this style, a user may elect to push a lower section  209  or an upper section  211 . The selection and subsequent operation of each section  209 / 211  allows power to flow to device  203  for a limited time. Section  209  is used to provide the preset duration noted above. Section  211  is used to allow an operator to provide power for a user selected time duration. With both sections  209 / 211  the user merely has to push the particular section to activate and the switch  207  will return to the neutral setting. This negates the need of the user to have to keep a hand on the switch to manually turn it off or to have to return to the switch a second time to turn it off. 
     Dial  205  is a control device which is not herein limited to a round or cylindrical rotating control. Dial  205  is configured to regulate the time duration of upper section  211 . A user may rotate or operate dial  205  to different durations of time. This may be set once or multiple times. Upper section  211  operates to whatever the time duration of dial  205  is set to. 
     In the example of device  203  being a garbage disposal, the functional operation of switch assembly  201  can be shown. When at a sink, a user may need to activate the disposal. The user may elect to push section  209  wherein the manufacture preset time duration governs the length of time the disposal runs. This time can be chosen to be any length but for this purpose, perhaps a length of 1 second is best. The user only has to punch or depress section  209  and then immediately remove his/her hand. By being a depressible switch, the user may use any portion of the body or an object to initiate the depression. By not having to use a dirty hand, or by not having to leave their hand on a switch or return to it to turn it off, the environment around switch assembly  201  remains cleaner. 
     Alternatively, a user may elect to select section  211  wherein the time duration is governed by dial  205 . Prior to initiation of section  211 , a user can optionally adjust dial  205  wherein an alternative time duration compared to section  209  may be chosen. Initiation of section  211  will run for the duration selected on dial  205 . The disposal may optionally run for anywhere between 5 and 30 seconds perhaps. Longer times are possible. 
     It is understood that switch  207  may be composed of one or more independently operable switches and is not herein limited to the type depicted. Furthermore, any manner of switch operation is permitted (i.e. flick switch) but it is preferred that the switch return immediately to a neutral position automatically to avoid the need to manually turn it off and the need to keep a dirty hand on the switch or to return to the switch. 
     The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the application may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. It is apparent that an application with significant advantages has been described and illustrated. Although the present application is shown in a limited number of forms, it is not limited to just these forms, but is amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.