U.S. patent application number 16/764123 was filed with the patent office on 2020-09-03 for garbage separator.
This patent application is currently assigned to AS America, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is AS America, Inc.. Invention is credited to Nitin S. Kolekar, Douglas Fornell Leavitt, Alanna Wing Libbrecht, Verne H. Myers.
Application Number | 20200277766 16/764123 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004857679 |
Filed Date | 2020-09-03 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200277766 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Leavitt; Douglas Fornell ;
et al. |
September 3, 2020 |
Garbage Separator
Abstract
A garbage separator system (500) is provided, the system
configured to separate water from waste, garbage, and food
particles as they flow down a sink drain. In some embodiments, the
system includes a screw drive (508) configured to be mounted
beneath the drain of a sink and to rotate to convey waste particles
laterally away from the underside of the drain of the sink (e.g.,
toward a bin for collecting waste particles (518)) while allowing
water to drain through a plurality of drainage holes in a tube
encasing the screw drive.
Inventors: |
Leavitt; Douglas Fornell;
(Bethlehem, PA) ; Kolekar; Nitin S.; (Piscataway,
NJ) ; Myers; Verne H.; (Fort Wayne, IN) ;
Libbrecht; Alanna Wing; (Seattle, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
AS America, Inc. |
Piscataway |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
AS America, Inc.
Piscataway
NJ
|
Family ID: |
1000004857679 |
Appl. No.: |
16/764123 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2018 |
PCT Filed: |
November 19, 2018 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2018/061744 |
371 Date: |
May 14, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62624725 |
Jan 31, 2018 |
|
|
|
62588901 |
Nov 20, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03C 1/2665 20130101;
E03C 1/264 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E03C 1/264 20060101
E03C001/264; E03C 1/266 20060101 E03C001/266 |
Claims
1. A garbage separator system for separating waste particles from
water in a drain of a sink, comprising: a screw conveyor configured
to be mounted beneath the drain of a sink, the screw conveyor
comprising: a screw drive configured to rotate to convey waste
particles laterally away from the drain of the sink; a tube
encasing the screw drive, wherein the tube comprises a plurality of
drainage holes configured to allow water to drain out of the screw
conveyor and to retain waste particles inside the screw conveyor;
and a removable waste bin configured to receive waste particles
conveyed by the screw conveyor.
2. The garbage separator system of claim 1, wherein the screw drive
of the screw conveyor is configured to rotate about an axis of
rotation that intersects a central axis of the drain of the
sink.
3. The garbage separator system of claim 2, wherein the axis of
rotation is perpendicular to the axis of the drain of the sink.
4. The garbage separator system of claim 2, wherein the axis of
rotation forms an acute upward angle with the axis of the drain of
the sink.
5. The garbage separator system of claim 1, wherein the screw
conveyor comprises a proximal portion beneath the sink drain and a
distal portion above the removable waste bin.
6. The garbage separator system of claim 5, wherein the tube
comprises a waste opening at the distal portion of the screw
conveyor above the removable waste bin.
7. The garbage separator system of claim 1, wherein: the screw
conveyor comprises a middle portion between the proximal portion
and the distal portion; and some or all of the plurality of
drainage holes in the tube are located at the middle portion.
8. The garbage separator system of claim 1, further comprising a
return manifold configured to catch water draining from some or all
of the plurality of drainage holes.
9. The garbage separator system of claim 8, wherein the return
manifold is configured to be coupled to a drainage pipe such that
the water caught by the return manifold drains into the drainage
pipe.
10. The garbage separator system of claim 1, further comprising a
housing defining an opening above the screw conveyor configured to
be mounted below the dram of the sink.
11. The garbage separator of claim 10, wherein the housing defines
an opening configured to allow the removable waste bin to slide
into and out of the housing.
12. The garbage separator of claim 10, wherein the housing is
configured to direct falling waste particles toward the waste
bin.
13. The garbage separator of claim 1, wherein the tube comprises a
removable end portion configured to be removed to allow removal of
the screw drive from the screw conveyor.
14. The garbage separator of claim 1, wherein the garbage separator
is configured to be installed in an enclosure beneath a sink.
15. The garbage separator of claim 14, wherein the garbage
separator is configured such that, when installed, the removable
waste bin faces in a direction toward an area in front of the sink,
and is removable by sliding in the direction toward the area front
of the sink.
16. The garbage separator of claim 1, further comprising a movable
seal configured to move between an open position in which waste
particles may pass through an opening between the tube and the
waste bin and a closed position in which the opening is sealed.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/588,901, filed Nov. 20, 2017, and U.S.
Provisional Application No. 62/624,725, filed Jan. 31, 2018, the
entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This relates to waste disposal systems and, particularly, to
systems for separating waste particles from water in a drain of a
sink.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Small pieces of food waste such as vegetable and fruit
cuttings, cereal, dish scrapings, and other food waste are
regularly poured into kitchen sinks. In some sink systems, a simple
strainer is provided to block food from flowing down the drain of
the sink. Water passes through the strainer and down the drain
while food waste particles accumulate atop the strainer. In some
sink systems, a garbage disposal system is provided to chop and
grind the food waste into small enough pieces to safely pass them
into the sewer/septic system along with the drainage water that is
run through the drain of the sink.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] As discussed above, the most common systems for processing
food waste poured into sinks are strainers covering the drain of
the sink and garbage disposal systems integrated into the drain of
the sink. However, these solutions have various drawbacks.
[0005] For strainer systems, a user must frequently reach into the
drain of the sink to remove the strainer and dispose of the small
amount of food waste particles that may accumulate atop the
strainer before the drain becomes effectively blocked by the
accumulated waste atop the strainer. While cleaning the strainer,
the user must stop the flow of water in order to prevent food
particles from being washed into the drain, and the user must
furthermore clear the sink in order to be able to manually reach
the drain. This process may be inconvenient and unhygienic.
[0006] For garbage disposal systems, damage to sewer and septic
systems may be caused over time due to the flow of non-liquid
particles down the drain of the sink. Furthermore, the garbage
disposal system may require an electric power supply, may consume
large amounts of power, may emit loud noise, and may pose a safety
hazard especially to children.
[0007] Accordingly, improved systems, methods, and techniques are
needed for processing food waste that is poured into sinks.
Particularly, there is a need for systems, methods, and techniques
for processing food poured into sinks that allow food waste
particles to be separated from the flow of running water such that
the food particles do not flow into and damage the sewer or septic
system; there is a further need for such systems that do not
require frequent manual intervention, do not consume large amounts
of power, do not emit loud noises, and are safe to touch.
[0008] Garbage separator systems that address one or more of the
above needs are provided herein. As described in detail herein, a
garbage separator system may be integrated into the drain of a
sink, such that particles of food waste may be automatically
separated from the flow of drainage water and deposited into a
waste bin, while the water is allowed to continue to flow down the
drain.
[0009] Some garbage separator systems as discussed herein may make
use of a rotating separator cup having a plurality of drainage
holes allowing water to pass through and having helical blades that
may lift and push food particles upward and outward and into the
waste bin. The waste bin may be periodically manually emptied by a
user, though the need to do so may be significantly less frequent
than the need to empty a conventional strainer system. The
separator cup may be caused to rotate by a water turbine system
that uses water flowing from the line of water running to the sink
to drive the separator cup and cause it to rotate. A separate line
in fluid connection with the line of water running to the sink may
be established and connected in fluid connection with a chamber
containing the water turbine. One or more valves may control the
flow of water through the water turbine line and may thereby be
used to turn the garbage separator system on and off. Cleaning
fluid may be injected into the line running to the water turbine
chamber, or may otherwise be mixed with a running supply of water
and injected directly into and/or onto the garbage separator,
thereby reducing the need to manually clean the garbage
separator.
[0010] Some garbage separator systems as discussed herein may make
use of a screw conveyor (also called an auger conveyor) to convey
food and waste particles through a tube encasing a rotating helical
screw blade, toward a waste bin, while allowing water to drain
through a plurality of drainage holes disposed in a tube. The waste
bin may be periodically manually emptied by a user, though the need
to do so may be significantly less frequent than the need to empty
a conventional strainer system. The screw conveyor may be caused to
rotate by an electric motor, and may be turned on or off by a user
of a sink under which the garbage separator system is mounted. As a
safety measure, the garbage separator system may be configured to
only be able to be turned on when a cover is over the drain of the
sink. In some embodiments, inserting and/or rotating a cover in the
drain of the sink may cause the garbage separator system to turn
on.
[0011] Systems, methods, and techniques described herein may be
advantageous because, among other advantages, they may separate
food waste from drainage water efficiently and automatically, may
require less manual intervention than a conventional strainer, and
may be less power-intensive, noisy, and dangerous than garbage
disposal systems.
[0012] In some embodiments, a first garbage separator system for
separating waste particles from water in the drain of a sink is
provided, the system comprising: a separator cup configured to be
mounted beneath the drain of a sink; a water turbine fluidly
connected to a water supply of the sink, the water turbine
configured to cause the separator cup to rotate to eject waste
particles from the separator cup; and a waste bin configured to
receive waste particles ejected by the separator cup.
[0013] In some embodiments of the first system, the separator cup
comprises at least one helical protrusion extending from an inner
wall of the separator cup.
[0014] In some embodiments of the first system, the helical
protrusion comprises a plurality of ribs on an upper surface of the
helical protrusion.
[0015] In some embodiments of the first system, the separator cup
comprises a convex floor configured to cause waste particles to
fall toward an inner wall of the separator cup.
[0016] In some embodiments of the first system, the separator cup
is configured to rotate about an axis aligned with the drain of the
sink.
[0017] In some embodiments of the first system, the separator cup
comprises a plurality of drainage holes configured to allow water
to drain through the separator cup and to prevent waste particles
from falling through the separator cup.
[0018] In some embodiments of the first system, the separator cup
is configured to be nested inside a cup basin such that water that
drains through the drainage holes in the separator cup falls onto a
wall of the cup basin.
[0019] In some embodiments of the first system, the cup basin is
configured to be coupled to a drainage pipe such that the water
that falls into a wall of the cup basin drains into the drainage
pipe.
[0020] In some embodiments of the first system, the system further
comprises a valve configured to control flow of water to the
turbine.
[0021] In some embodiments of the first system, the water turbine
comprises a turbine chamber containing a plurality of turbine
blades, wherein the turbine blades drive the separator cup to
rotate.
[0022] In some embodiments of the first system, the turbine blades
are formed as part of the separator cup, and wherein the separator
cup defines a wall of the turbine chamber.
[0023] In some embodiments of the first system, the chamber is
separate from the separator cup, and wherein the turbine blades
drive a spindle that drives the separator cup.
[0024] In some embodiments of the first system, the chamber is
fluidly connected to a water inlet that is configured to be fluidly
connected to the water supply of the sink.
[0025] In some embodiments of the first system, one or more
drainage holes in the separator cup is configured to allow water to
pass between the chamber and the separator cup.
[0026] In some embodiments of the first system, the system further
comprises a housing comprising an upper shroud and a lower
shroud.
[0027] In some embodiments of the first system, the upper shroud
defines an opening above the separator cup configured to be mounted
below the drain of the sink.
[0028] In some embodiments of the first system, the lower shroud
defines an opening in the side of the housing configured to allow
the waste bin to slide into and out of the housing of the
system.
[0029] In some embodiments of the first system, the lower shroud
comprises a sloped side wall configured to direct falling waste
particles toward the waste bin.
[0030] In some embodiments of the first system, the lower shroud is
configured to slide horizontally away from the upper shroud to be
removed from the system.
[0031] In some embodiments of the first system, the lower shroud
comprises a slot allowing it to slide around the cup separator as
it is slid horizontally away from the system.
[0032] In some embodiments of the first system, the system further
comprises a cleaning agent supply configured to cause cleaning
agent to flow into the system.
[0033] In some embodiments of the first system, the cleaning agent
supply is fluidly connected to the water turbine and configured to
cause cleaning agent to flow into the water turbine.
[0034] In some embodiments of the first system, the cleaning agent
supply is fluidly connected to the interior of a cup basin and is
configured to cause cleaning agent to flow into the cup basin.
[0035] In some embodiments, a second garbage separator system for
separating waste particles from water in the drain of a sink is
provided, the system comprising: a screw conveyor configured to be
mounted beneath the drain of a sink, the screw conveyor comprising:
a screw drive configured to rotate to convey waste particles
laterally away from the drain of the sink; a tube encasing the
screw drive, wherein the tube comprises a plurality of drainage
holes configured to allow water to drain out of the screw conveyor
and to retain waste particles inside the screw conveyor; and a
removable waste bin configured to receive waste particles conveyed
by the screw conveyor.
[0036] In some embodiments of the second system, the screw drive of
the screw conveyor is configured to rotate about an axis of
rotation that intersects a central axis of the drain of the
sink.
[0037] In some embodiments of the second system, the axis of
rotation is perpendicular to the axis of the drain of the sink.
[0038] In some embodiments of the second system, the axis of
rotation forms an acute upward angle with the axis of the drain of
the sink.
[0039] In some embodiments of the second system, the screw conveyor
comprises a proximal portion beneath the sink drain and a distal
portion above the removable waste bin.
[0040] In some embodiments of the second system, the tube comprises
a waste opening at the distal portion of the screw conveyor above
the removable waste bin.
[0041] In some embodiments of the second system: the screw conveyor
comprises a middle portion between the proximal portion and the
distal portion; and some or all of the plurality of drainage holes
in the tube are located at the middle portion.
[0042] In some embodiments of the second system, the system further
comprises a return manifold configured to catch water draining from
some or all of the plurality of drainage holes.
[0043] In some embodiments of the second system, the return
manifold is configured to be coupled to a drainage pipe such that
the water caught by the return manifold drains into the drainage
pipe.
[0044] In some embodiments of the second system, the system further
comprises a housing defining an opening above the screw conveyor
configured to be mounted below the drain of the sink.
[0045] In some embodiments of the second system, the housing
defines an opening configured to allow the removable waste bin to
slide into and out of the housing.
[0046] In some embodiments of the second system, the housing is
configured to direct falling waste particles toward the waste
bin.
[0047] In some embodiments of the second system, the tube comprises
a removable end portion configured to be removed to allow removal
of the screw drive from the screw conveyor.
[0048] In some embodiments of the second system, the garbage
separator is configured to be installed in an enclosure beneath a
sink.
[0049] In some embodiments of the second system, the garbage
separator is configured such that, when installed, the removable
waste bin faces in a direction toward an area in front of the sink,
and is removable by sliding in the direction toward the area in
front of the sink.
[0050] In some embodiments of the second system, the second system
further comprises a movable seal configured to move between an open
position in which waste particles may pass through an opening
between the tube and the waste bin and a closed position in which
the opening is sealed.
[0051] In some embodiments, any one or more features of the first
or second systems recited above may be combined with one another
and/or with any other features disclosed herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0052] The invention will now be described, by way of example only,
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0053] FIG. 1 shows a garbage separator system in accordance with
some embodiments.
[0054] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a garbage separator
system in accordance with some embodiments.
[0055] FIG. 3A shows a garbage separator system in accordance with
some embodiments.
[0056] FIG. 3B shows a garbage separator system in accordance with
some embodiments.
[0057] FIG. 3C shows a cross-sectional view of garbage separator
system in accordance with some embodiments.
[0058] FIG. 3D shows a cross-sectional view of a garbage separator
system in accordance with some embodiments.
[0059] FIG. 3E shows a garbage separator system in accordance with
some embodiments.
[0060] FIG. 3F shows a garbage separator system in accordance with
some embodiments.
[0061] FIG. 3G shows a cross-sectional view of a garbage separator
system in accordance with some embodiments.
[0062] FIG. 3H shows a cross-sectional view of a garbage separator
system in accordance with some embodiments.
[0063] FIG. 3I shows a garbage separator system in accordance with
some embodiments.
[0064] FIG. 3J shows a cross-sectional view of a garbage separator
system in accordance with some embodiments.
[0065] FIG. 3K shows a detail view of a garbage separator system in
accordance with some embodiments.
[0066] FIG. 4A shows a garbage separator system in accordance with
some embodiments.
[0067] FIG. 4B shows a garbage separator system in accordance with
some embodiments.
[0068] FIG. 4C shows a garbage separator system in accordance with
some embodiments.
[0069] FIG. 4D shows a garbage separator system in accordance with
some embodiments.
[0070] FIG. 4E shows a cross-sectional view of a garbage separator
system in accordance with some embodiments.
[0071] FIG. 4F shows a cross-sectional view of a garbage separator
system in accordance with some embodiments
[0072] FIG. 5 shows a garbage separator system, in accordance with
some embodiments.
[0073] FIG. 6 shows a garbage separator system, in accordance with
some embodiments.
[0074] FIG. 7 shows a cutaway view of garbage separator system, in
accordance with some embodiments.
[0075] FIG. 8 shows a garbage separator system, in accordance with
some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0076] As explained above, there is a need for improved systems,
methods, and techniques for processing food waste that is poured
into sinks. Accordingly, provided herein are garbage separator
systems that may address that need.
[0077] A garbage separator system may be integrated into the drain
of a sink to automatically separate food waste from the flow of
drainage water. A rotating separator cup driven by a water turbine
powered by water taken from the plumbing system of the integrated
sink may use a plurality of helical blades to lift and push food
particles upward and outward and into a waste bin, while drainage
holes in the separator cup may allow drainage water to pass through
the cup and into the plumbing drainage system. Alternately or
additionally, a screw conveyor comprising a rotating helical blade
may push food particles sideways and/or upward toward and into a
waste bin, while drainage holes in the bottom and/or sides of a
tube encasing the helical blade may allow drainage water to pass
through the tube and into the plumbing drainage system. The waste
bin may then be periodically manually emptied by a user. Examples
or various embodiments of garbage separator systems are discussed
below.
[0078] FIG. 1 shows a garbage separator system in accordance with
some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 1, garbage separator system 100
may include upper shroud 106 and lower shroud 108 that may together
form a housing for the main body of the garbage separator system.
Upper shroud 106 may define or may be attached to an intake opening
102 formed on a top surface of the garbage separator system 100
that is configured to open to the drain of a sink when the system
is installed below the drain of a sink. As shown, opening 102 may
have one or more bars, guards, or obstructions covering the
opening; these guards may be configured to prevent particles above
a certain size from passing through the opening. For example,
particles larger than one or more openings or passageways defined
by the internal components of system 100 may be prevented from
passing through opening 102. Lower shroud 108 may define or may be
attached to an water outlet opening 104 that connects to a pipe
through which drainage water may flow to a septic or sewer system.
In some embodiments, a check-valve downstream of opening 104 may be
included in order to prevent water from backing up into the system
due to a clog. In the example of FIG. 1A, the drainage pipe
connected to the bottom of garbage separator system 100 includes a
trap formed by the bend in the pipe.
[0079] When system 100 is installed between a drain of a sink and
the pipe leading to the septic or sewer system, the system may be
configured to separate drainage water from food waste and other
waste particles by directing food particles and other waste
particles into removable waste bin 110, which may be any bucket,
bin, basin, or receptacle that may he configured to collect waste
particles and to be removed from the system, emptied, washed, and
replaced. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, removable waste bin 110 may
be slid away from lower shroud 108 to be temporarily removed from
system 100. Unlike waste food particles directed to removable waste
bin 110, drainage water may be allowed to pass through system 100
and out of the drainage pipe and into the septic or sewer system.
Manners in which this separation may be achieved are discussed in
further detail below with reference to the other figures and
exemplary embodiments of this application.
[0080] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a garbage separator
system in accordance with some embodiments. Garbage separator
system 200 has upper shroud 206 and lower shroud 208, which may
share any or all characteristics with the respective shrouds 106
and 108 described above with reference to FIG. 1. Upper shroud 206
forms intake opening 202, which is an opening in the top of system
200 and is configured to be aligned underneath the drain of a sink
to receive drainage water and waste particles to be processed and
separated by the system. As shown in the example of FIG. 2, intake
opening 202 is aligned with sink drain 212 such that water and/or
waste food particles may be washed down sink drain 212 and fall
into intake opening 202 for processing by system 200.
[0081] After water and/or waste food particles enter system 200
through intake opening 202, the water and/or particles may fall
into a separator cup disposed below the opening. The separator cup
may be any cup-shaped or bowl-shaped or generally concave-shaped
receptacle configured to sit below an intake opening of a garbage
separator system and to operate to separate water and waste
particles. Namely, a separator cup may be configured to separate
water from waste particles by allowing water to pass through one or
more drainage holes or water openings in the separator cup; these
holes may be configured to be large and numerous enough (e.g., they
may account for a sufficiently large percentage of the surface area
of the separator cup) to allow all water directed into the
separator cup to pass through the separator and into the septic or
sewer system.
[0082] Food and waste particles too large to pass through the
drainage holes in the separator cup, however, may be caught by the
cup as the water passes through, and may be lifted and moved
upwards and outwards by helical blades disposed on the inner/upper
surface of the separator cup. That is, the separator cup may be
configured to rotate about an axis which may be aligned or
substantially aligned with (or may be parallel or substantially
parallel to and offset from the center a central axis of the drain
of the sink under which the separator system is installed. The
separator cup may be driven by an electric motor, a water turbine,
or any other means that may cause it to rotate about its axis. As
the separator cup rotates, the helical blades of the separator cup
may push/lift food and waste particles up the inside walls of the
separator cup, ultimately lifting the food and waste particles
upward and outward over the top edge of the separator cup, where
they may fall downward into a removable waste bin or other
receptacle for food and waste particles.
[0083] In the example of FIG. 2, separator cup 214 is disposed
below intake opening 202 and is configured to rotate along an axis
aligned with the center of intake opening 202. Drainage holes 218
allow water to pass through separator cup 214 and continue to flow
downward under the force of gravity. Separator cup 214 is nested
inside cup basin 220, which may be any funnel-shaped receptacle,
basin, cup, and/or piping segment configured to hold separator cup
214 and to direct the flow of drainage water that passes through
separator cup 214 toward the opening at the bottom of system 200
that leads the drainage water to the plumbing system. For example,
cup basin 220 may be a funnel-shaped portion that mates with the
top of a pipe and opens upward, and that further mates with
separator cup 214 such that separator cup 214 may sit inside the
funnel portion of cup basin 220 and may rotate about its axis while
inside cup basin 220. Cup basin 220 may thus catch water that
passes through the sides of separator cup 214 and direct the water
downward and toward a drainage pipe, while cup basin 220 may
further serve to separate the water flow path inside system 200
from the rest of the space inside the housing of system 200 (e.g.,
inside upper shroud 206 and lower shroud 208). A chamber for the
passage of waste/food particles ejected by separator cup 214 may be
formed by the interior walls of upper shroud 206 and lower shroud
208 and by the exterior walls of cup basin 220 and any piping
attached thereto, such that food/waste particles ejected by
separator cup 214 may fall downward through the chamber and into a
removable waste bin without being able to re-enter the flow path of
the drainage water and therefore without being able to fall or flow
into the septic or sewer system. As shown in FIG. 2, the space
between separator cup 214 and cup basin 220 may be small enough
such that food particles and/or water may not effectively fall or
pass through any such opening.
[0084] FIGS. 3A-3K show various views of garbage separator system
300, which may share some or all characteristics in common with
other garbage separator systems discussed herein, including garbage
separator systems 100 and/or 200 and their corresponding components
as discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0085] FIG. 3A shows a garbage separator system in accordance with
some embodiments. Garbage separator system 300 may include an upper
shroud and a lower shroud, which are shown in FIG. 3A as a
continuous housing body. System 300 may include removable waste bin
310, which is shown in an inserted position 310a and a removed
position 310b. System 300 may include separator cup 314 nested in
cup basin 320. As shown in the illustration of FIG. 3A, system 300
may be configured to allow water to pass through separator cup 314
and cup basin 320 and into a drainage pipe and out of system 300,
while food/waste particles (as shown by the circles in the
illustration), may be ejected from separator cup 314 and caused to
fall down inside the housing of system 300 and into removable waste
bin 310 for later disposal, such as periodic manual disposal by a
user.
[0086] As shown in FIG. 3A, system 300 may include water turbine
water inlet 322, which may be an inlet for water that is in fluid
connection with a water turbine chamber of a water turbine that
drives rotation of separator cup 314. Inlet 322 may further be in
fluid connection with water turbine water line 324, which may pass
water from a main water line of the plumbing system associated with
the sink toward and into inlet 322. The flow of water through water
line 324 and into water inlet 322 may in some embodiments be
controlled by a valve such as water turbine control valve 326,
which may be any manually or electrically controllable valve that
may allow or disallow the full and/or partial flow of water to a
water turbine of system 300. By opening and/or closing valve 326, a
user may therefore control whether water flows to the water turbine
of the system and may therefore control whether separator cup 314
is caused to rotate (or control how fast separator cup 314
rotates). This may allow a user to functionally turn system 300 on
and off, such that water may be run down the drain and through
system 300 without separator cup 314 rotating when the system is
off (such as when no food or waste particles are being passed down
the drain). In some embodiments, inlet 322 may include one or more
attachment mechanisms or attachment means for attaching inlet 322
to any associated pipe or water line. The attachment means or
attachment mechanisms may include, for example, crimps or
threading; in some embodiments, inlet 322 may include threading in
accordance with American National Pipe Thread Standards, such as
1/4'' NPT threading, 3/8'' NPT threading, or 1/2'' NPT
threading.
[0087] In some embodiments, one or more check valves may be used to
prevent water and contaminants from flowing backward from the
turbine chamber toward and/or into turbine water line 324.
[0088] In some embodiments, turbine control valve 326 may be
replaced by or may work in conjunction with a pressure-assist
valve, such as the one described below in greater detail with
reference to FIG. 11.
[0089] FIG. 3B shows garbage separator system 300 in accordance
with some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 3B, garbage separator
system may include upper shroud 306, which may have a portion of
its upper surface that is configured to be placed adjacent to the
underside of the sink. In some embodiments, the upper portion of
upper shroud 306 may be flat or substantially flat; in some other
embodiments, the upper portion may have any shape that contours to
the shape of the underside of the sink. In some embodiments, upper
shroud 306 may be attached to the underside of the sink by any
suitable mounting hardware, such as screws or bolts or the like, or
such as any mounting system suitable for mounting a garbage
disposal system to the underside of a sink. In some embodiments,
upper shroud 306 may additionally or alternately be attached to cup
basin 320, such as by any suitable mounting hardware such as
screws, bolts, or the like. The connection between upper shroud 306
and cup basin 320 may create a vertical space between the two such
that food and waste particles ejected from separator cup 314 may
have enough room to pass up and over the edges of separator cup 314
and cup basin 320 while passing below the underside of upper shroud
306.
[0090] FIGS. 3C and 3D show cross-sectional views of garbage
separator system 300 in accordance with some embodiments. FIG, 3C
shows a view of garbage separator system 300 in attachment with a
sink, as depicted in FIG. 3B, while FIG. 3D shows a detail
cross-sectional view of certain internal components of system 300.
As shown in FIG. 3D, separator cup 314 may have a convex portion
332 that is located at the bottom of the cup and is configured to
cause food and waste particles to fall down the sides of the convex
part toward the helical blades 316 at the wall of separator cup
314. Thus, rather than having a flat or concave floor, separator
cup 314 may have a dome-shaped or cone-shaped floor that prevents
waste particles from sitting in the middle of the floor of the cup;
by nature of the floor of cup 314 slanting outward towards the
walls of the cup, gravity and centrifugal force may combine to
cause the waste particles to move toward helical blades 316 at the
edge of cup 314.
[0091] FIG. 3D further depicts how helical blades 316 of separator
cup 314 may have one or more helical blade ribs 336. Ribs 336 may
be small protrusions located on helical blades 316 that may create
additional friction driving food and waste particles sitting on top
of the helical blades. In some embodiments, ribs 336 may be
regularly spaced on helical blades 316. In some embodiments, ribs
336 may be located on top of, on the edge of, and/or on the bottom
of helical blades 316. In some embodiments, ribs 336 may have a
triangular cross-sectional shape, a rounded cross-sectional shape,
a square cross-sectional shape, or any other suitable
cross-sectional shape. In some embodiments, ribs 336 may form a
straight line that may be radial to separator cup 314, may be
angled from an axial orientation to separator cup 316, or may form
a curved shape. In some embodiments, in place of or in addition to
raised ribs 336, helical blades 316 may have one or more ridges or
indentations in one or more surfaces of the blades configured to
increase friction exerted on food/waste particles.
[0092] FIG. 3D further depicts how helical blades 316 may, in some
embodiments, have a raised lip around an interior edge of one or
more of the blades. The raised lip may have any suitable
cross-sectional shape and may serve to prevent food/waste particles
from sliding off of the helical blades, allowing the helical blades
to exert greater outward force on food/waste particles.
Furthermore, separator cup 314 may have a downwardly extending lip
that protrudes downward from its outer rim; this lip may help
prevent food/waste particles from entering the space above
separator cup 314 and cup basin 320.
[0093] As shown in FIG. 3D, drainage holes 318 in separator cup 314
may be located at any suitable location on separator cup 314,
including on the side walls near, through, or between helical
blades 316. Drainage holes 318 may alternately or additionally be
located on the floor of separator cup 314. In this way, water may
drain out of the sides of separator cup 314 and run down the inside
surface of funnel-shaped cup basin 320, or may alternately drain
directly down through the floor of separator cup 314 and may fall
directly into a drainage pipe without being further directed or
diverted by cup basin 320.
[0094] As shown in FIG. 3D, cup basin 320 may itself contain one or
more cup basin drainage holes 334. In the example shown, cup basin
drainage holes 334 are formed through a portion of cup basin 320
that connects a lower portion of cup basin 320 and a drainage pipe
of system 300 to an upper portion of cup basin 320 and an element
that sits atop cup basin 320. In the example shown, water turbine
chamber lower part 328 sits atop cup basin 320, while in some other
embodiments separator cup 314 may sit directly atop cup basin 320.
In the example shown, the portion of cup basin 320 at which holes
334 are located forms a circular pipe-like structure that connects
a drainage pipe below to the opening of various drainage holes 318
formed in the bottom of separator cup 314 above. Drainage holes 334
may allow water to run from the funnel portion of cup basin 320
into a center portion of cup basin 320 and to fall down into the
drainage pipe below, while still allowing cup basin 320 to support
elements of system 300 that sit atop cup basin 320, such as water
turbine chamber parts or a separator cup or elements attached
thereto.
[0095] FIG. 3D also depicts water turbine chamber lower part 328,
which may be a component of system 300 that forms all or part of a
chamber for housing a water turbine. In some embodiments, as
discussed above, a water turbine may be used to drive rotation of a
separator cup under the force of water provided from the water
supply associated with the sink. Blades of the water turbine may be
located inside a chamber (e.g., a ring- or torus-shaped chamber)
and may be formed as part of the separator cup or configured to
engage the separator cup, such that driving the blades under force
of flowing water may cause the separator cup to rotate. In the
embodiment shown, the chamber has a square ring shape (e.g., a
square cross-sectional shape that rotates in a ring around the
center axis of rotation of the water turbine and the separator cup)
and is defined on its upper half by a channel in the underside of
separator cup 314 and on its lower half by a channel formed in
water turbine chamber lower part 328.
[0096] In some embodiments, water turbine chamber lower part 328
may be ring-shaped or collar-shaped such that it may define a
vertical channel or tube through the middle, through which water
may pass after draining from separator cup 314 and before calling
downward toward a drainage pipe. As shown in FIG. 3D, water turbine
chamber lower part 328 may be configured to sit atop and engage cup
basin 320 and to sit below and engage separator cup 314. Separator
cup 314 may rotate while sitting atop water turbine chamber lower
part 328, while water turbine chamber lower part 328 may in some
embodiments not rotate.
[0097] The chamber formed in part by water turbine chamber lower
part 328 may be in fluid connection with water turbine water inlet
322, such that water flowing into water turbine water inlet 322 may
then flow to the water turbine chamber defined in part by water
turbine chamber lower part 328. A fully enclosed channel or tube in
fluid connection with water turbine water inlet 322 may, for
example, open to the ring-shaped partial-channel or half-channel
configured to contain the water turbine blades. Water turbine
chamber lower part 328 may, in some embodiments, have one or more
drainage holes through which water may drain after driving the
turbine blades.
[0098] FIGS. 3E and 3F show different views of garbage separator
system 300 in accordance with some embodiments. As shown in FIGS.
3E and 3F, water turbine chamber lower part 328 may include a
tubular portion that extends from the chamber portion (ring
portion) outward towards the edge of the system 300 in order to
join in fluid connection with water turbine water inlet 322. In
order to provide efficient water pressure to the water turbine, the
tubular portion of water turbine chamber lower part 328 may be
aligned in a straight line with the opening of water turbine water
inlet 322 and may align tangentially to the circular turbine
chamber formed in part by the chamber portion of water turbine
chamber lower part 328, such that water may flow into water turbine
chamber inlet 322 and may enter the turbine chamber without being
directed around a curve or a corner. As shown in FIG. 3F, the
tubular portion of water turbine chamber lower part 328 may be
positioned slightly below the turbine chamber such that the tubular
portion may curve or bend slightly upward in order for the water
flowing through the tubular portion to reach the turbine
chamber.
[0099] FIGS. 3G and 3H show cross-sectional views of garbage
separator system 300 in accordance with some embodiments. FIGS. 3G
and 3H illustrate the hollow center of the tubular portion of water
turbine chamber lower part 328 which may carry water from water
turbine water inlet 322 to the turbine chamber. In the illustrated
embodiment, the tubular portion of water turbine chamber lower part
328 has a circular channel for the flow of water, while the turbine
chamber is rectangular.
[0100] As shown in FIG. 3G, separator cup 314 may be configured to
rotate about spindle 330, which may be any rod or axis. Spindle 330
may in some embodiments be formed of a metal resistant to rusting
and wear, such as stainless steel. In some embodiments, spindle 330
may be mounted at its bottom end in a cavity of water turbine
chamber lower part 328, may pass through a center portion of
separator cup 314, and may be mounted at its top end in a cavity of
upper shroud 306, such as a cavity formed on the underside of a bar
or guard centered on opening 302, thereby allowing separator cup
314 to rotate about an axis aligned with the center of opening
302.
[0101] As further shown in FIG. 3G, system 300 may comprise thrust
washer 340, or any other suitable type of rotary bearing. In some
embodiments, thrust washer 340 may be disposed around spindle 330
and configured to support the weight of separator cup 314 as it
sits atop thrust washer 340. In some embodiments, any other
suitable bearing or mechanism configured to allow rotation of the
separator cup and/or to support some or all of the weight of the
separator cup may be used in addition to or in place of thrust
washer 340.
[0102] As shown in FIG. 3H, water turbine chamber lower part 328
may include a central portion which may mate or couple with spindle
330, a series of spoke portions that extend radially outward from
the central portion, a chamber portion that forms the housing for
the lower portion of the turbine chamber, and a tubular portion
that extends tangentially from the chamber portion to water turbine
water inlet 322. Connecting the central portion to the chamber
portion that surrounds it via one or more spokes, rather than by a
large or continuous connection, may create one or more open spaces
between the chamber portion and the central portion through which
drain water may fall from separator cup 314 down toward a drainage
pipe.
[0103] FIG. 3I shows a garbage separator system in accordance with
some embodiments. FIG. 3I illustrates how separator cup 314 may
have one or more drainage holes 318 that are positioned on the
separator cup 314 such that they may open into the turbine chamber.
In some embodiments, the top of the turbine chamber may be open at
some or all portions such that water may flow between the turbine
chamber and separator cup 314. In some embodiments, water passing
through these holes may allow for food/waste particles that are
stuck to become unstuck.
[0104] FIGS. 3J and 3K show an example of a garbage separator
system. The garbage separator system and subcomponents thereof
shown in these figures may share some or all properties with
systems 100, 200, and/or 300 (and their subcomponents) as discussed
above.
[0105] In the embodiment of FIGS. 3J and 3K, separator cup 314 may
have helical blades 316 having a pitch (e.g., vertical offset) of
14 mm, and a width of 8 mm. Helical blades 316 may protrude from
the wall of separator cup 314 and create an underhang underneath
the blades. Drainage holes 318 may be circular in shape and are
spaced apart horizontally by a distance greater than the width of
the holes themselves, and may account for less than 50%, less than
25%, or less than 10% of the surface area of separator cup 314.
[0106] In other embodiments, garbage separator systems may have
separator cups having one or more properties that are different
from the separator cup of the system shown in FIGS. 3J and 3K. The
separator cups discussed in the embodiments below may be integrated
into garbage separator systems that may share some or all
properties with systems 100, 200, and/or 300 (and their
subcomponents) as discussed above.
[0107] In some embodiments, a separator cup may have helical blades
having a pitch (e.g., vertical offset) of 18 mm, and a width of 5
mm. The overall shape (e.g., the wall angle, width, height, etc,)
of the separator cup may be similar to the shape of separator cup
314. The helical blades may be wedge-shaped, such that they do not
create any underhang space beneath them. In some embodiments,
elimination of an underhang space may prevent food/waste particles
from becoming trapped beneath the blades and may reduce buildup of
grime on the separator cup. Drainage holes may be rectangular in
shape and may be spaced apart horizontally by a distance
approximately equal to the width of the holes themselves. Drainage
holes may account for more than 10%, more than 25%, or more than
50% of the surface area of the separator cup.
[0108] In some embodiments, a separator cup may have helical blades
having a pitch (e.g., vertical offset) of 18 mm, and a width of 3
mm. The overall shape (e.g., the wall angle, width, height, etc.)
of such a separator cup and the arrangement and shape of drainage
holes in such a separator cup may be similar to the shape and
drainage hole arrangement of other separator cups discussed
herein.
[0109] In some embodiments, a separator cup may have no helical
blades. In garbage separator systems having no helical blades, the
outward forces exerted on waste/food particles by the sloped floor
of the separator cup and by the rotation (e.g., centrifugal forces
exerted on the waste food particles) of the separator cup may be
the only forces acting to expel waste/food particles upwards and
outwards and to eject them from the separator cup. The overall
shape (e.g., the wall angle, width, height, etc.) of a separator
cup having no helical blades and the arrangement and shape of
drainage holes in such a separator cup may be similar to the shape
and drainage hole arrangement of other separator cups discussed
herein.
[0110] In some embodiments, a garbage separator system may include
an intake opening, a water outlet, an upper shroud, a lower shroud,
a removable waste bin, a separator cup, helical blades, separator
cup drainage holes, a cup basin, a water turbine water inlet, a
spindle, separator cup convex portion, cup basin drainage holes,
and a thrust washer. Such a garbage separator system and its
components may share some or all characteristics in common with
other garbage separator systems discussed herein, including garbage
separator systems 100, 200, and/or 300 and their corresponding
components as discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1-3; in some
embodiments, such a garbage separator system may differ from other
garbage separator systems discussed herein, including garbage
separator systems 100, 200, and/or 300, in that the turbine of
systems 100, 200, and/or 300 may be molded into the separator cup,
whereas the turbine of such a garbage separator system may be a
separate part in a separate chamber. In some embodiments, an
integral turbine molded into the separator cup may be more
economical in that it requires fewer separate parts, but it may in
some embodiments be more difficult to seal.
[0111] A separator cup of such a garbage separator system may have
a lesser height, a shallower side-wall angle, and/or a shallower
convex portion as compared to separator cup 314 and its convex
portion 332. In further differentiation from the embodiment of
garbage separator 300, a spindle may only extend to the top of a
separator cup convex portion, rather than extending through the
space above the floor of the separator cup and up toward the upper
shroud, inlet opening, and sink drain as in system 300. In some
embodiments, a spindle not extending above the floor of a separator
cup may make it less likely that food or waste particles become
clogged in the system by colliding with the spindle.
[0112] In some such embodiments, a separator cup sits atop a water
turbine chamber. Whereas in the embodiment of system 300 described
above with reference to FIG. 3, separator cup 314 sits directly
atop water turbine chamber lower part 328 (which joins directly to
water turbine water inlet 322), some embodiments include a distinct
element between a water turbine water inlet and a separator cup. In
some embodiments, the blades of the water turbine may be located in
a turbine chamber separated from (rather than defined in part by)
the body of the separator cup; thus, rather than the turbine blades
being attached directly to separator cup 314 as in system 300, the
turbine blades of some such systems may be separate from a
separator cup and may be contained within a turbine chamber that is
separate from the separator cup. The turbine blades may drive an
axis (e.g., a spindle) or another component that is attached to or
engages with the separator cup to cause rotation of the separator
cup. Having the separator cup being distinct from the water turbine
chamber may help, in some embodiments, to prevent the leakage of
water from water turbine chamber.
[0113] In some such embodiments, a lower shroud may guide
food/waste particles into a removable waste bin. A lower shroud may
have a slanted wall portion that slants inward. toward the center
of the garbage separator system to form a downward slope toward the
opposite side of the system. This downward inward slope may allow
food/waste particles to fall down the slope and be guided toward
the side of the system in which the removable waste bin is located.
The removable waste bin may be configured to be inserted and
removed from the lower shroud, such that the bin may slide in and
out of a cavity in the lower shroud. The lower shroud may be
internally open to the removable waste bin such that food/waste
particles ejected over the top rim of a separator cup and cup basin
tray fall downward inside the upper shroud and lower shroud and
fall into the open top side of the removable waste bin\. The
removable waste bin and lower shroud may have side walls that are
shaped to form an easily grippable portion for easy manual removal
of bin by a user. For example, two indentations may form a handhold
by which the user can grab the bin to slide it out. The side walls
of the bin and lower shroud may align with one another such that
food/waste does not escape when falling and such that odors do not
escape the waste bin.
[0114] FIGS. 4A-4F show various views of garbage separator system
400, which may include intake opening 402, water outlet 404, upper
shroud 406, lower shroud 408, removable waste bin 410, separator
cup 414, helical blades 416, separator cup drainage holes 418, cup
basin 420, water turbine water inlet 422, spindle 430, separator
cup convex portion 432, and cup basin drainage holes 434. Garbage
separator system 400 and its components may share some or all
characteristics in common with other garbage separator systems
discussed herein, including garbage separator systems 100, 200,
and/or 300 and their corresponding components as discussed above
with reference to FIGS. 1-3.
[0115] FIGS. 4A and 4B depict views of garbage separator system 400
that demonstrate how lower shroud 408 may in some embodiments be
removable from and/or able to be fully or partly disengaged from
one or more other components of the system 400. In some
embodiments, separation or disengagement of the lower shroud may
allow for it to be periodically cleaned by a user. In the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, lower shroud 408 may slide
horizontally away from system 400 to be removed; lower shroud 408
may be shaped such that a notch (e.g., a cut-out) extends from one
side of shroud 408 to the center of shroud 408, such that shroud
408 may slide around centrally located components of system 400
such as cup basin 420 and a vertical drainage pipe of system 400.
When shroud 408 is engaged with system 400, a central drainage
column of system 400 may sit at the centermost portion of the notch
formed in shroud 408. In some embodiments, system 400 (or other
garbage separator systems herein) may be configured such that a
separator cup, return manifold and impeller motor may all slide out
for removal for cleaning together, and such that the various
components may be able to be separated from one another for
cleaning once they have been slid out from the system.
[0116] In some embodiments, including those with removable
components, connections between fluid-carrying components may be
made with gaskets, press-in tube, o-rings, and/or retaining
latches; this may prevent operating pressure of the system from
pushing connections apart from one another, in some embodiments
(such as electrically-powered embodiments of the system),
connections between components may be made using receptacles
similar to those in rechargeable batteries for power tools.
[0117] In some embodiments in which shroud 408 includes a slot or
notch allowing it to be slid off of system 400 around central
components of system 400 such as cup basin 420, cup basin 420 may
form a partial seal against the outer rim of upper shroud 406. For
example, cup basin 420 may join or touch upper shroud 406 for a
portion of the circumference of cup basin 420 and/or upper shroud
406 such that food particles ejected from separator cup 414 may not
fall over the edge of separator cup 414 and down through the open
notch/slot of lower shroud 408 and out of system 400 entirely.
Thus, the portion of cup basin 420 that approaches, joins with, or
touches upper shroud 406 may align with the notch/slot in lower
shroud 408 in order to prevent food/waste particles from being
ejected in the direction of the notch/slot.
[0118] FIGS. 4C and 4D show how, in some embodiments, garbage
separator system 400 may include cleaning agent supply 442. In some
embodiments, cleaning agent supply 442 may be a supply of any soap,
detergent, chemical, solution, or cleaner configured to be used to
clean a garbage separator, sink, or any associated component. In
some embodiments, cleaning agent supply 442 may comprise a bottle,
bag, cartridge, or other container of liquid cleaning solution.
[0119] As shown in FIG. 4E, in some embodiments, separator cup 414
may be configured to catch and prevent water from being pushed over
the top of the edge of the separator cup, such as by including one
or more protrusions and/or indentations configured to interrupt the
flow of water toward and/or over the edge of the separator cup.
[0120] In some embodiments, cleaning agent supply 442 may include a
concentrated cleaning solution or cleaning fluid configured to be
mixed with water provided from the water source of a sink system
and to accordingly be diluted to an appropriate concentration for
cleaning of the sink or of an associated garbage separator system.
Using a concentrated cleaner may be advantageous because it may
decrease the burden in refilling or otherwise repeatedly providing
larger volumes of diluted cleaning solution. For example, a user of
garbage separator system 400 may simply need to periodically
replace a small, lightweight bottle, cartridge, bag, or other
container of concentrated cleaner. Thus, concentrated cleaner
configured to be automatically diluted from water provided by a
sink system may substantially lower the physical burden on users
cleaning garbage separator components and, further, may decrease
the inconvenience of needing to perform frequent manual operations
to apply cleaner directly or to refill or replace containers of
dilute cleaner or water.
[0121] In some embodiments, cleaning agent supply 442 may comprise
a bottle, bag, cartridge, or other container configured to be
attached to one or more other components of garbage separator
system 400. In some embodiments, a container of concentrated
cleaning liquid may be configured to be inserted into an opening on
a pipe or other component of a garbage separator system. For
example, a container of cleaning liquid may have an opening, such
as an opening at a top of a bottle or an opening joined to a bag,
that is configured to be joined to an opening of a component of a
garbage separator system. In some embodiments, the opening may have
threads along an outer or inner edge such that the opening may be
threaded onto and attached securely to the component. In some
embodiments, other techniques may be used to attach the opening,
including, but not limited to, mechanical attachment (clasps,
buckles, snaps, clamps, etc.), suction, magnetic attachment, or any
other suitable attachment device, system, or technique. In some
embodiments, attachment systems and/or techniques may be configured
to allow simple and repeated attachment, detachment, and
re-attachment such that a user may replace or refill the container
as necessary.
[0122] In some embodiments, the container may be a bottle or bag
containing cleaner liquid. In some embodiments, the container may
have a round opening having threads configured to attach to a
threaded opening on a component of the separator system such that
the container may be screwed onto the separator system to attach
into place in fluid connection with the attached component. In some
embodiments, the container may be configured to attach to garbage
separator system 400 such that the opening faces downward and such
that gravity may cause the liquid in the container to flow out of
the container. In some embodiments, such as those in which the
container is configured to attach such that the opening on the
container is not facing downward, other techniques may be used to
cause flow of liquid out of the container. For example, suction may
be created to cause flow of liquid out of the container; in some
embodiments, suction may applied via a pump powered by electrical
power and/or by a Venturi pump system creating suction due to the
flow of water through the pipes associated with the garbage
separator system.
[0123] In some embodiments, the container of cleaning agent supply
442 may be partially or substantially inflexible, such as when the
container is a bottle. In some such embodiments, an air outlet may
be included in the container such that, as suction is applied to
the container or as gravity operates to move liquid out of the
container, the container may refill with air as the liquid exits.
For example, a second opening may be provided in the container to
allow air to enter the container; the second opening may be
configured or positioned such that liquid may not flow out of it.
In some embodiments, the second opening may be configured to be
closed until the container is attached to the system, at which time
the opening may be automatically opened, such as by being punctured
or pressed into an open position by the force applied by the user
in attaching the container (e.g., the second opening may be covered
by foil or plastic that is punctured when the container is placed
into the attached position). In some embodiments, the primary
opening of the container (e.g., the opening configured to allow
liquid to flow out of the container), may similarly (e.g.,
additionally or alternatively) be configured to be closed or sealed
before attachment and to be automatically opened when the container
is attached.
[0124] In some embodiments, rather than being configured to be able
to fill with air as liquid exits the container, the container may
be configured as a substantially flexible and collapsible bag such
that the container may compress and/or collapse under the suction
force applied to it so that it has substantially no volume when
completely collapsed under the section force (e.g., less than 20%,
less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 2%, or less than 1% of the
volume when full). In these embodiments, there may be no need to
allow the container to fill with air. In some such embodiments, the
container may be a plastic bag, which may optionally be contained
inside a substantially inflexible outer container (e.g., bottle or
cartridge).
[0125] In some embodiments, in order to allow for liquid to be
drawn from the container when the opening is positioned at the top
of the container (e.g., when liquid is drawn from the container by
suction rather than by gravity), a straw or other tube may be
positioned inside the container in order to allow a suction force
to be applied to the bottom of the container and to draw liquid
upward from the bottom of the container, even when an upper portion
of the container adjacent to the opening is filled only with air.
In some embodiments, the straw may be an integrated part of the
container itself, such as a straw attached to the underside of a
cap of the container, configured such that the opening at the top
of the straw may be punctured or otherwise opened when the
container is attached to a component of garbage separator system
400. In some embodiments, the straw may be a part of the component
of garbage separator system 400 to which the container attaches,
such that the container opening slides around the straw as the
container is attached to the component.
[0126] In some embodiments, such as those shown in FIGS. 4C-4F,
cleaning agent supply 442 may be fluidly connected to water turbine
water line 424 such that cleaning fluid or detergent may enter
water turbine water line 424 and flow separator cup 414. In some
embodiments, cleaning fluid or detergent may enter water turbine
water line 424 and flow directly into the water turbine, such that
the water turbine blades and the inside of the water turbine
chamber may be cleaned.
[0127] In some embodiments, water turbine water line 424 may be
fluidly connected to another water line, such as cup basin cleaning
water line 448, that splits from water turbine water line 424 and
directs water into the inside of cup basin 420. Cup basin cleaning
water line 448 may, as shown in FIGS. 4C-4F, have a smaller
diameter than water turbine water line 424. In some embodiments,
cup basin cleaning water line 448 may direct a flow of water and
cleaning fluid/detergent to the inside of cup basin 420 such that
the inside of cup basin 420 may be automatically cleaned when
system 400 is used.
[0128] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 4C-4F, cup basin
cleaning water line 448 may be attached to valve 450, which may in
some embodiments be physically or electrically controllable to
block or allow the flow of water and cleaning fluid from cup basin
cleaning water line 448, such that a cup basin cleaning function of
system 400 may in some embodiments be activated and/or deactivated
separately from the water turbine driving the primary garbage
separation function of system 400. In some embodiments, cup basin
cleaning water line 448 may terminate at valve 450 at a tangential
orientation to the edge of cup basin 420, such that water may be
sprayed along the interior circular surface of cup basin 420. In
some embodiments, water may be sprayed in the opposite direction of
rotation of separator cup 414 in order to be most effective at
cleaning off stuck debris on cup basin 420.
[0129] In the examples of FIGS. 4C-4F, cleaning agent supply 442 is
shown as attaching to water turbine water line 424 upstream of the
connection of water turbine water line 424 and cup basin cleaning
water line 448; however, in some embodiments, cleaning agent supply
442 may attach directly to cup basin cleaning water line 448
downstream of the connection of water turbine water line 424 and
cup basin cleaning water line 448, such that cleaning
fluid/detergent may be directed solely into cup basin 420 and not
into the turbine chamber.
[0130] In some embodiments, cleaning agent supply 442 may be
fluidly connected to a pump that may cause cleaning agent to flow
into the attached water lines. In some embodiments, such a pump may
be powered by electrical power and may be configured to apply
suction force to draw in liquid from cleaning agent supply 442 and
to output the liquid toward and/or into the flow path. Upon being
drawn into the flow of water, the liquid of cleaning agent supply
442 may be mixed into and diluted in the water flow. In some
embodiments, alternately or in addition to the arrangement
including a pump as described above, cleaning agent supply 442 may
be fluidly connected to a Venturi, which may be downstream from
cleaning agent supply 442. In some embodiments, a Venturi may be
any valve configured to create suction due to the Venturi effect.
In some embodiments, a Venturi may be positioned in the flow path
such that a primary flow of water may flow through the Venturi
along water turbine water line 448 and such that the flow of water
may create a pressure difference that applies suction to an inlet
that is fluidly connected to cleaning agent supply 442 such that
cleaning agent is drawn into the primary flow of water by the
suction force. Upon being drawn into the flow of water, the liquid
of cleaning agent supply 442 may be mixed into and diluted in the
water flow. In some embodiments, a Venturi may be controlled by
and/or positioned adjacent to a solenoid such that current
delivered to the solenoid may cause the inlet of the Venturi to be
selectably opened and closed so that cleaner may flow to or be
blocked from flowing to the inlet.
[0131] In some embodiments, a user may inject cleaning fluid into
the system via one or more primer bulbs. For example, a user may
create pressure and/or suction by pressing a primer bulb, and the
pressure or suction may cause cleaning agent to flow toward and/or
into the flow path terminating at the water turbine chamber and/or
valve 450.
[0132] In some embodiments, a garbage separator system may be
configured to be self-cleaning. For example, the garbage separator
system may be configured to be able to perform a cleaning cycle
without the need for a user to manually disassemble and/or manually
clean one or more components of the system. In some embodiments,
the system may be configured such that a cleaning cycle may be
performed on a regular basis (e.g., a timer or calendar), may be
performed in accordance with a user command, and/or may be
performed in accordance with the system detecting one or more
trigger conditions causing the system to determine that the cycle
should be performed.
[0133] In some embodiments, a self-cleaning garbage separator
system may be configured to automatically cause water and/or
cleaning fluid to flow through and/or over one or more components
the system in the absence of waste and or ink water flowing over or
through the one or more components of the system. In some
embodiments, performing a cleaning cycle may comprise dispensing
more cleaning fluid than would be used during regular operation of
the system, or cleaning fluid may only be dispensed during a
cleaning cycle and not used at all during regular operation of the
system. In some embodiments, one or more valves of the system may
be controlled such that higher or lower water pressure may be used
during a cleaning cycle as compared to during regular operation of
the system.
[0134] In some embodiments, the system may include one or more
covers that engages the system during a cleaning cycle. For
example, a cover may be configured to cover the drain opening
during a cleaning cycle such that water and/or cleaning solution
does not flow out of the system during the cleaning cycle. In some
embodiments, a cover may be configured to engage the system through
mechanical attachment (e.g., latches, hooks, screws), magnetic
attachment, suction attachment, or through any other suitable
engagement or attachment mechanism or technique. Using a cover may
prevent water, cleaning fluid, steam, and/or waste from being
ejected from the system during a cleaning cycle, and may therefore
improve safety and cleanliness during performance of a cleaning
cycle.
[0135] In some embodiments, a garbage separator system may include
an intake opening, a water outlet, an upper shroud, a lower shroud,
a removable waste bin, a separator cup, a cup basin, a water
turbine chamber, an attachment ring, and a fixed housing. In some
embodiments, such a garbage separator system and its components may
share some or all characteristics in common with other garbage
separator systems discussed herein, including garbage separator
systems 100, 200, 300, 400 and their corresponding components as
discussed above with reference to FIGS. 1-4.
[0136] In some embodiments of such a garbage separator, the lower
shroud, upper shroud, collection bin, and various other components
of the system may be separable from one another, such as by being
configured to be able to be fully or partly disengaged from one or
more other components of the system. In some embodiments,
separation or disengagement of various components may allow them to
be cleaned by a user. In some embodiments, the lower shroud and bin
may slide horizontally away from the system to be removed; the
upper shroud may be upwardly removable from the fixed housing; and
the separator cup, cup basin, and water turbine chamber may be
upwardly removable (together and/or separately from one another)
from the lower shroud.
[0137] In some embodiments, a garbage separator system may include
an upper shroud, a removable waste bin, a fixed housing, a water
turbine chamber, a water turbine water inlet, a water turbine water
outlet, a water turbine water inlet connection, a water turbine
water outlet connection, and a handle. In some embodiments, such a
garbage separator system and its components may share some or all
characteristics in common with other garbage separator systems
discussed herein, including garbage separator systems 100, 200,
300, and/or 400 and their corresponding components as discussed
above with reference to FIGS. 1-4.
[0138] In some embodiments, such a garbage separator system may
have both a water turbine water inlet and a dedicated water turbine
water outlet. That is, rather than all water that runs through the
water turbine draining directly into the same drainage system into
which food particles and drain water flows, some or all of the
water from the water turbine chamber may instead be directed to
flow out of a dedicated outlet. In some embodiments, the dedicated
water turbine water outlet may direct the flow of water from the
water turbine chamber to an air gap, which may prevent water from
being forced back toward the inlet source in the event of a clog or
blockage and which may be required for code compliance in some
jurisdictions. In some embodiments, after flowing to and through an
air gap, the water that has flowed through the water turbine may
thereafter be directed toward and into the drain itself. In some
embodiments, an air gap associated with the system may be mounted
on top of a sink and/or countertop associated with the system.
[0139] For example, water may flow into the water turbine chamber
through the water turbine water inlet, and may flow out of the
water turbine chamber through the water turbine water outlet. The
outlet may in some embodiments share any one or more
characteristics in common with the inlet of the system (or other
water turbine inlets described herein), except that it may be
configured such that water flows out of it rather than into it.
After flowing out of the outlet, the water may be directed to flow
through an air gap and then into a drain.
[0140] Furthermore, such a garbage separator system may have a
water turbine inlet and/or water turbine outlet that is removable
from a connector, such that the water turbine chamber (along with
the inlet and outlet) may be removed from a water source and/or a
water outlet destination. For example, in systems in which one or
more components may be removed from a fixed housing and/or
separated from one another, a water turbine inlet may be detachable
from a water turbine water inlet connection, and a water turbine
outlet may be detachable from a water turbine water outlet
connection. In some embodiments, an inlet connection and/or outlet
connection may be a port or other connection configured to be
fluidly connectable to a water turbine inlet and/or outlet. In some
embodiments, an inlet connection and/or outlet connection may be
smaller in diameter than its corresponding connecting component or
alternately may be larger in diameter than its corresponding
connecting components, such that one may slide into the other in
order to be connected. In some embodiments, an inlet connection
and/or outlet connection may be connectible by threads, o-rings,
force seals, or any other suitable connection mechanism(s).
[0141] For example, the water turbine water inlet connection and
the water turbine water outlet connection may be connectible to the
inlet and the outlet, respectively, by o-ring seals. In this way,
the water turbine chamber may be pulled away from a fixed housing
such that the inlet and the outlet detach from the respective
connections, and the chamber may then be forced back in the other
direction such that the inlet and the outlet reattach to the
connections. In some embodiments, o-ring connection mechanisms may
allow for simple linear movements to be used for disconnection and
reconnection, such that more than one connection may be
disconnected and/or reconnected at once by a simple linear motion
of the overall water turbine chamber, which may not be possible in
certain embodiments if the connections rely on threaded connection
mechanisms in which each connection must be rotated
independently.
[0142] In some embodiments, attachment and detachment of inlet
components and outlet components for the flow of water to and from
a water turbine chamber may require one or more mechanisms to
ensure that sufficient force is applied to hold one or more
components in an attached position. For example, one or more
components may need to be locked into place in order for the
connections to hold under the force of water pressure being applied
to them. In some embodiments, one or more components may be held in
place by latches, hooks, cams, handled, or some combination
thereof. In some embodiments, locking one or more components into
place with one or more cams may be advantageous because it may
enable the application of sufficient linear pressure when in the
locked position to hold the component firmly in place while under
water pressure, while it may nonetheless be actuable by a user by
hand.
[0143] In some embodiments of a herbage separator system having a
handle and an integrated latching mechanism, one or more handle
mechanisms of a garbage separator system may be used in connecting
and disconnecting inlets and/or outlets for an water turbine
chamber. For example, a handle may be configured such that it may
be used by a user to pull a water turbine chamber away from its
connections and to push the water turbine chamber toward its
connections. A handle may further be configured such that it may
have one or more integrated latch/cam mechanisms configured to
apply force to an water turbine chamber when the integrated
latch/cam mechanism is forced into the locked position; this force
may press the water turbine chamber toward the inlet/outlet
connections in order to create a watertight seal when the system is
in a locked position.
[0144] For example, a handle may be attached to an upper shroud and
may comprise an integrated latching mechanism. In some embodiments,
a user may move the upper and lower portions of the handle apart
from one another to place the handle into an unlocked position, and
may force the upper and lower portions of the handle toward one
another to place the handle into a locked position. In the locked
position, the latching mechanism of the handle may apply force
against the separator cup, cup basin, and/or water turbine chamber,
which may sit inside the upper shroud. When the upper shroud and
the attached handle are seated securely in the fixed housing, the
inward force applied by the latching mechanism may force the water
turbine inlet and the water turbine outlet toward and securely into
their respective outlets, creating a water-tight seal when the
handle is forced into a locked position by a user. In this way, the
handle and latching mechanism may allow a user to easily attach and
detach water turbine water inlets and outlets from fixed
connections by hand and without the use of tools in such a way that
water-tight connections are reliably achieved.
[0145] In some embodiments, a flush-mounted pressure-assist valve
is provided. In some embodiments, a turbine control valve of a
garbage separator system may be replaced by or may work in
conjunction with a pressure-assist valve. In some embodiments, the
pressure-assist valve may include a button, which may be a flush
button mounted on a countertop, configured to be pressed by a user.
Pressing the button with minimal force, or otherwise actuating a
low-pressure valve in any manner that may require minimal force,
may cause a channel to be opened to allow for water to fill a
chamber (e.g., a chamber located below the button) and to in turn
open a high pressure valve. The opening of the high-pressure valve
may then allow water to flow at a sufficient pressure to drive a
turbine and cause a garbage separator system to operate. Using a
flush-mounted button to control operation of a garbage separator
system may be advantageous in that the flush-mounted button may
take up less counter-space than other control mechanisms, and may
be more inconspicuous and/or less likely to aesthetically clash
with existing kitchen fixtures. Using a pressure-assist valve to
control operation of a garbage separator system may be advantageous
in that it may allow use of a flush-mounted button and may allow
use with minimal force required to be applied in order to actuate
the control mechanism.
[0146] FIG. 5 shows a garbage separator system in accordance with
some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 5, garbage separator system 500
may include inlet 502, which may be an inlet configured to be
disposed beneath the drain of a sink and to receive flow of water
and waste/food particles from the sink drain. In some embodiments,
inlet 502 may include one or more attachment mechanisms or
attachment means for attaching inlet 502 to the underside of a
drain of a sink. The attachment mechanisms may include, for
example, screws, bolts, threading, crimps, a quarter-turn
mechanism, any garbage-disposal attachment-mechanism(s), or any
other suitable attachment mechanism. In some embodiments, system
500 may be configured to be mounted beneath and used with a
household kitchen sink, and may have an overall size configured for
mounting beneath a household kitchen sink. In some embodiments,
system 500 may be configured to be mounted beneath and used with a
commercial or industrial kitchen sink, and may have an overall size
configured for mounting beneath a commercial or industrial kitchen
sink. Garbage separator system 500 and its components may share one
or more features in common with other garbage separator systems
discussed herein and their corresponding components.
[0147] In some embodiments, inlet 502 may have one or more bars,
guards, or obstructions covering the opening; these guards may be
configured to prevent particles above a certain size from passing
through the inlet, and/or to reduce the risk of injury by
preventing a user from reaching into the sink drain. For example,
particles larger than one or more openings or passageways defined
by the internal components of system 500 may be prevented from
passing through inlet 502.
[0148] System 500 may further comprise a water outlet 504 that may
connect to a pipe through which drainage water may flow to a septic
or sewer system. In some embodiments, a check-valve downstream of
opening 504 may be included in order to prevent water from backing
up into the system due to a clog. In some embodiments, the drainage
pipe connected to the bottom of garbage separator system 500 may
include a trap formed by the bend in the pipe.
[0149] When system 500 is installed between a drain of a sink and
the pipe leading to the septic or sewer system, the system may be
configured to separate drainage water from food waste and other
waste particles by directing food particles and other waste
particles into removable waste bin 518, which may be any bucket,
bin, basin, or receptacle that may be configured to collect waste
particles and to be removed from the system, emptied, washed, and
replaced. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, removable waste bin 518 may
be slid away from housing 518 to be temporarily removed from system
500. Unlike waste food particles directed to removable waste bin
518, drainage water may be allowed to pass through system 500 and
out of opening 504 and into the septic or sewer system. Manners in
which this separation may be achieved are discussed in further
detail below.
[0150] As shown by FIG. 5, water draining into system 500 through
inlet 502 may pass essentially directly downward toward and out of
outlet 504, as illustrated by the blue arrows. Outlet 504 may be
located essentially directly below inlet 502, such that water
falling under the three of gravity may fall from inlet 502 to
outlet 504.
[0151] System 500 may comprise screw conveyor 506, which may be
configured to intersect the pathway between inlet 502 and outlet
504. In some embodiments, screw conveyor 506 may be any conveyor
mechanism configured to convey water arid/or food/waste particles
by use of one or more helical screw drives, such as screw drive
508. As shown in FIG. 5. conveyor 506 may comprise screw drive 508
disposed inside tube 510. Screw drive 508 may he any helical drive
and/or helical blade configured to be rotated along a rotational
axis and to thereby convey water and/or food/waste particles in a
direction parallel to the rotational axis by pushing the water
and/or food/waste particles with the rotating helical blades. In
the example of system 500, screw drive 508 may force food/waste
particles from the right side of conveyor 506 (where it intersects
with the drainage path below opening 502) to the left side of
conveyor 506, where food/waste particles may fall down through
housing 520 and into waste bin 518. In some embodiments, conveyor
506 may convey food/waste in a direction perpendicular or
substantially perpendicular a central axis of the drain of the sink
under which the separator system is installed.
[0152] In some embodiments, screw drives such as screw drive 508
may comprise a core and flutes. The core may be a cylindrical
center portion that runs along a primary axis of rotation of the
screw drive, and the flutes may protrusions helical blades) that
extend outwardly from the core and are configured to push food
waste perpendicularly to the core when the flutes are rotated
during operation of the garbage separator.
[0153] In some embodiments, a distance from an outer surface of the
core to an outer edge of one or more of the flutes may be less than
22 mm, 30 mm, 38 mm, 46 mm, or 52 mm. In some embodiments, a
distance from an outer surface of the core to an outer edge of one
or more of the flutes may be greater than 22 mm, 30 mm, 38 mm, 46
mm, or 52 mm.
[0154] In some embodiments, a screw drive such as screw drive 508
may fit snugly inside a tube such as tube 510. In some embodiments,
an average distance between an outside edge of one or more of the
flutes and an inside surface of the tube may be less than 0.25 mm,
0.5 mm, 0.75 mm, 0.9 mm, 1 mm, 1.1 mm, 1.2 mm, 1.3 mm, 1.45 mm, 1.7
mm, or 1.95 mm. In some embodiments, an average distance between an
outside edge of one or more of the flutes and an inside surface of
the tube may be greater than 0.25 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.75 mm, 0.9 mm, 1
mm, 1.1 mm, 1.2 mm, 1.3 mm, 1.45 mm, 1.7 mm, or 1.95 mm.
[0155] Tube 510 may be any tubing or encasing structure that fully
or partially surrounds screw drive 508. Tube 510 is shown in FIG. 5
as having a circular cross-sectional shape, though it may have
different cross-sectional shapes, including having a varying
cross-sectional shape along its length in the direction of the axis
of rotation. In some embodiments, tube 510 may be approximately 3
inches, 4 inches, 6 inches, or 8 inches in diameter. In some
embodiments, tube 510 may be approximately 6 inches, 8 inches, 10
inches, 12 inches, 14 inches, 16 inches, or 18 inches in
length.
[0156] Tube 510 may comprise one or more drainage holes 512 or
perforations disposed on the side and/or bottom of tube 510,
including directly below inlet 502, such that food and waste
particles may be prevented from falling through the bottom of tube
510 and toward outlet 504, but water may drain out of the bottom
and/or side of tube 510 and toward outlet 504. In some embodiments,
holes 512 may be configured to be large and numerous enough (e.g.,
they may account for a sufficiently large percentage of the surface
area of the bottom and/or sides of tube 510) to allow all or
substantially all water directed into tube 510 to pass through tube
510 and into the septic or sewer system. In some embodiments,
including a number of drainage holes along a distance running the
parallel to the axis of rotation of conveyor 506 may improve
drainage capabilities of conveyor 506 by allowing water to drain
out of tube 510 at more locations that just directly below opening
502. Thus, when water is pushed by screw drive 508 along part of
the distance of conveyor 506, it may nonetheless have the
opportunity to drain out of tube 510. Furthermore, as food/waste
particles are agitated by screw drive 510 as they are forced along
the length of conveyor 506, the particles may be dried and water
that is shaken from the particles may fall through holes 512 and
out of tube 510.
[0157] As shown, holes 512 may be located above return manifold
514, which may be a slanted wall configured to catch water falling
through holes 512 and direct the water laterally toward outlet 504
as the water runs down the inside of the wall under the force of
gravity.
[0158] While tube 510 may be closed on its bottom side (with the
exception of holes 512) along some or most of its length, tube 510
may be open on its bottom and or sides at a distal end from inlet
502. That is, at the far end of tube 510 opposite opening 502, tube
510 may have one or more large openings on its bottom and/or sides,
configured to be large enough to allow food and waste particles
conveyed along conveyor 506 to fall through the bottom of tube 510
and down toward waste bin 518. As shown in FIG. 5, tube 510 may
have a single large opening (or a plurality of large openings)
above housing 520, such that particles may fall down out of tube
510, through housing 520, and into the open top side of bin 518. In
some embodiments, tube 510 may be sufficiently long such that a
majority of water will drain through holes 512 before being forced
the length of tube 510 to reach the opening above waste bin 518;
accordingly, a minimal amount of water may be caused to drain into
waste bin 518, minimizing the frequency with which waste bin 518
needs to be emptied and the labor involved with emptying waste bin
518.
[0159] As shown, waste bin 518 may be configured to be inserted and
removed from housing 520, such that bin 518 may slide in and out of
a cavity in housing 520. Housing 520 may be internally open to
waste bin 518 such that food/waste particles may fall downward
inside housing 520 and fall into the open top side of waste bin
518. Removable waste bin 518 and housing 520 may, in some
embodiments, have one or more walls that are shaped to form an
easily grippable portion for easy manual removal of bin 518 by a
user. For example, two indentations may form a handhold by which
the user can grab bin 518 to slide it out. The side walls of bin
518 and housing 520 may align with one another such that food/waste
does not escape when falling and such that odors do not escape bin
518.
[0160] In some embodiments, bin 518 may be provided with one or
more sensors (e.g., Hall effect sensors, optical sensors, IR
sensors, or the like) configured to detect its position, such that
system 500 may be prevented from being turned on if bin 518 is not
secured in its place in system 500. In some embodiments, one or
more sensors may be configured to detect whether bin 518 is in
place and/or whether one or more sealing devices (e.g., handles,
latches, cams, etc.) are secured, such that system 500 may be
prevented from being turned on otherwise. In some embodiments,
system 500 may also be configured such that it will automatically
deactivate if bin 518 becomes unsecured and/or is removed from its
position in system 500 during operation.
[0161] As shown in FIG. 5, system 500 may further comprise motor
516, which in some embodiments may be disposed at an end of tube
510 opposite cap 522. Motor 516 may be mechanically coupled to
screw drive 508 and configured to drive rotation of screw drive
508. In some embodiments, motor 516 may be coupled to screw drive
508 (e.g., a hexagonal axis element) by a slip-on connection, such
that a cavity in the axis of screw drive 508 may slide onto a
protruding axis element of motor 516, and rotation of the
protruding axis element may drive corresponding rotation of screw
drive 508. In some embodiments, motor 516 may be an electrical
motor configured to draw power from a battery or from a wall
outlet, and may he configured to drive rotation of screw drive 508
with sufficient torque to convey food/waste particles and water
along the length of conveyor 506. In some embodiments, motor 516
may be disposed at another location of system 500, or remotely from
system 500, and may be coupled to screw drive 508 by one or more
axles and/or gears.
[0162] In some embodiments, a user may be able to turn system 500
on by activating motor 516 and causing screw drive 508 to rotate,
and a user may be able to turn system 500 off by deactivating motor
516 and causing screw drive 508 to cease rotating. In some
embodiments, system 500 may be configured to be able to be turned
on and off in accordance with a user actuating a switch, a voice
command, detecting presence of food/waste particles by one or more
sensors, and/or detecting a control signal conveyed from a remote
electronic device. When system 500 is off, water may be run down
the drain and through system 500 without screw drive 508 rotating
(such as when no food or waste particles are being passed down the
drain).
[0163] In some embodiments, system 500 may comprise one or more
safety mechanisms configured to prevent system 500 from being
turned on when inlet 502 is not covered. For example, in some
embodiments, system 500 may only be turned on in accordance with
detecting that a cover is placed over inlet 502. In some
embodiments, a cover may be configured to engage the system through
mechanical attachment (e.g., latches, hooks, screws), magnetic
attachment, suction attachment, or through any other suitable
engagement or attachment mechanism or technique. In some
embodiments, a user may place a cover over and/or into inlet 502
(or in a drain to which inlet 502 is attached), and system 500 may
detect that the cover is present. In some embodiments, a user may
activate a switch or input another command when a cover is inserted
into/over inlet 502, and system 500 may turn on. In some
embodiments, a user may execute a press or a turn (e.g., a
quarter-turn) on the cover when the cover is inserted into/over
inlet 502, and this action may itself activate one or more physical
sensors or buttons and cause system 500 to turn on. By requiring
the presence of a cover in order to turn on, system 500 may be made
safer by mitigating the risk that a hand or arm is injured by screw
drive 508.
[0164] As shown in FIG. 5, system 500 may further comprise tube cap
522, which may be any cap or seal or end portion located at the
distal end of tube 510 and configured to seal the end of tube 510
shut and prevent food/waste and/or water from spilling out of the
end of tube 510. In some embodiments, cap 522 may be secured to
tube 510 by any suitable attachment mechanism, including threading,
a quarter-tum mechanism, one or more latches, a press-fit seal,
and/or any other suitable attachment mechanism. In some
embodiments, system 500 may be configured such that cap 522 may be
removed in order to facilitate removal of screw drive 508. In some
embodiments, cap 522 may be configured to be removable and
replaceable on system 500, and may be held in place in system 500
by one or more threaded connections, cams, latches, clips, or the
like. In some embodiments, cap 522 may be provided with one or more
sensors (e.g., Hall effect sensors, optical sensors, IR sensors, or
the like) configured to detect its position and/or the position of
one or more associated attachment mechanisms, such that system 800
may be prevented from being turned on if cap 522 is not secured in
place (and will deactivate if cap 522 becomes unsecured and/or is
removed during operation).
[0165] After removing cap 522, a user may be able to manually pull
screw drive 508 out of tube 510 through the open end exposed by the
removal of cap 522. In some embodiments, screw drive 508 may be
configured such that it may be able to be washed after removal, or
such that it may be washed in a dishwasher after removal. In some
embodiments, screw drive 508 may be configured such that manually
pulling it out of tube 510 may cause it to decouple from motor 516
(e.g., by sliding out of engagement with an axis drive element of
the motor), and such that manually pushing it into tube 510 may
cause it to couple to motor 516 (e.g., by sliding into engagement
with an axis drive element of the motor). In some embodiments,
screw drive 508 may be configured to slide onto and off of a drive
element of the motor and/or to snap into and out of attachment with
motor 516.
[0166] In some embodiments, system 500 may be fully or partially
enclosed (with the exception of the inlets and outlets discussed
herein, such that food/waste, water, moisture, and odors may be
prevented from escaping the interior of system 500.
[0167] System 500 may be configured to be disposed underneath a
sink such as inside a cabinet enclosure beneath a kitchen sink. In
some embodiments, system 500 may be configured such that it may fit
inside an enclosure beneath a sink. In some embodiments, system 500
may be configured such that, when attached to the underside of a
sink, collection bin may face the opening of an under-sink
enclosure, such as by facing the inside of a cabinet opening to the
under-sink enclosure. Conveyor 506 may thus move food/waste
particles forward toward a cabinet door, and collection bin 518 may
be disposed close to the back side of the cabinet door for
convenient and easy access by a user. Positioning system 500 such
that motor 516 is disposed near the back of an under-sink enclosure
may additionally reduce noise experienced by
[0168] In some embodiments, including those with removable
components, connections between fluid-carrying components may be
made with gaskets, press-in tube, o-rings, and/or retaining
latches; this may prevent fluid in the system from pushing
connections apart from one another. In some embodiments, electrical
connections between components may be made using receptacles
similar to those in rechargeable batteries for power tools.
[0169] FIG. 6 shows a garbage separator system 600, in accordance
with some embodiments, which may include inlet 602, water outlet
604, screw conveyor 606, screw drive 608, tube 610, drainage holes
612, return manifold 614, motor 616, waste bin 618, and housing
620. Garbage separator system 600 and its components may share some
or all characteristics in common with other garbage separator
systems discussed herein, including garbage separator system 500
and its corresponding components as discussed above with reference
to FIG. 5.
[0170] In some embodiments, system 600 may differ from system 500
in that screw conveyor 606 may be disposed at an upward angle, such
that the intersection point with the path below opening 602 may be
lower than the distal end of tube 610 where food/waste particles
may be dropped toward waste bin 618. Accordingly, as food/waste
particles and/or water are conveyed along conveyor 606, they may be
moved horizontally as well as upward with respect to gravity. By
angling conveyor 606 upward, water may be prevented from running
along the bottom of tube 610 toward and into basin 618; instead,
gravity may ensure that water cannot easily run toward the distal
end of screw conveyor 606, and water may thus be caused to more
effectively drain through holes 612 in the bottom and/or sides of
tube 610, in some embodiments, the angle of tube 610 may be more
than 5 degrees, 9 degrees, 12 degrees, 17 degrees, 21 degrees, 25
degrees, 29 degrees, 33 degrees, 37 degrees, 41 degrees, 45
degrees, or 49 degrees from parallel with the ground. In some
embodiments, the angle of tube 610 may be less than 5 degrees, 9
degrees, 12 degrees, 17 degrees, 21 degrees, 25 degrees, 29
degrees, 33 degrees, 37 degrees, 41 degrees, 45 degrees, or 49
degrees from parallel with the ground.
[0171] In some embodiments, angling screw conveyor 606 upward may
also conserve space in an area beneath a sink by allowing waste bin
618 to be located in a more elevated position; that is, by taking
advantage of the space that would otherwise be above screw conveyor
606, waste bin 618 may be positioned in a more elevated position,
and space below system 600 may be made available for under-sink
storage, or the like.
[0172] As shown in FIG. 6, system 500 may further comprise handle
624 (which may in some embodiments be any suitable release
mechanism alternately or in addition to a handle). In some
embodiments, handle 624 may be configured to serve as a mechanism
for gripping one or more components of system 600 and also as a
mechanism for securing and/or releasing one or more removable
components of system 600 to and from the rest of system 600.
[0173] In some embodiments, one or more handle mechanisms of a
garbage separator system, such as handle 624, may be used in
inserting, securing, un-securing, and/or removing from system 600
waste bin 618 and/or any associated components such as a housing
component and/or a cap component. For example, handle 624 may be
configured such that it may be used by a user to pull a component
away from the system and to the component toward the system. Handle
624 may further be configured such that it may have one or more
integrated latch/cam mechanisms configured to apply force to the
component when the integrated latch/cam mechanism is forced into
the locked position; this force may press the component toward the
system in order to secure it tightly into the installed/inserted
position.
[0174] In some embodiments, handle 624 may be configured to have
integrated upper and lower handle portions, and a user may be able
to move the upper and lower portions of handle 624 apart from one
another to place the handle into an unlocked position, and force
the upper and lower portions of handle 624 toward one another to
place handle 624 into a locked position. In some embodiments,
handle 624 may have only one handle portion (rather than having an
upper and lower portion), and that single handle portion may be
lifted upward or downward (or side to side) about a rotational axis
to move in/out of a locked position. In some embodiments, a handle
and integrated latching mechanism may allow a user to easily attach
and detach garbage separator components by hand and without the use
of tools.
[0175] FIG. 7 shows a cutaway view of garbage separator system 700,
in accordance with some embodiments, which may include inlet 702,
tube 710 for retaining a screw drive (not shown) as part of a screw
conveyor, drainage holes 712, waste bin 718, and cap 722. Garbage
separator system 700 and its components may share some or all
characteristics in common with other garbage separator systems
discussed herein, including garbage separator systems 500 and 600,
and their corresponding components, as discussed above with
reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0176] FIG. 8 shows a garbage separator system 800, in accordance
with some embodiments, which may include inlet 802, water outlet
804, tube 810 for retaining a screw drive (not shown) as part of a
screw conveyor, drainage holes 812. return manifold 814, waste bin
818, bin liner 819, cap 722, and movable seal 826. Garbage
separator system 800 and its components may share some or all
characteristics in common with other garbage separator systems
discussed herein, including garbage separator systems 500, 600, and
700, and their corresponding components, as discussed above with
reference to FIGS. 5-7.
[0177] In some embodiments, system 800 may differ from systems 500,
600, and/or 700 in that system 800 may comprise a liner (e.g., bin
liner 819) configured to facilitate removal of waste from a
collection bin (e.g., bin 818), and in that system 800 may comprise
a movable seal (e.g., seal 826) configured to seal odors inside a
collection bin and/or to prevent water from entering the collection
bin. These features are discussed below in greater detail.
[0178] System 800 may comprise liner 819, which may be any bag,
liner, removable interior container, or the like configured to be
disposed inside bin 818 and to collect waste deposited into bin
818. Use of a liner such as liner 819 may prevent waste from
touching and/or adhering to the inner walls of bin 818, and may
allowing a user to dispose of the waste in bin 818 simply manually
remove liner 919, dispose of liner 819, and replace it with a new
liner. This may ease the process of disposing waste by eliminating
the need to remove or manipulate bin 818 entirely, and may also
prevent or reduce the need to wash bin 818 by preventing bin 818
from becoming soiled by waste particles over time. As shown in FIG.
8, bin 818 may include one or more ridges, hooks, or lips for
securing liner 819.
[0179] System 800 may comprise movable seal 826, which may be any
physical component configured to provide a movable barrier between
bin 818 and tube 810. In some embodiments, seal 826 may be a
semi-cylindrical flap configured to fit around the end portion of
the outside bottom surface of tube 810, and to provide an airtight
and/or watertight seal between the interior of bin 818 and the
interior of tube 810. In some embodiments, seal 826 may comprise a
rubber gasket or other flexible and/or compressible component
configured to effectively form an airtight and/or watertight seal
when pressed against tube 810.
[0180] In some embodiments, seal 826 may be configured to be
selectably movable such that passage of waste between tube 810 and
bin 818 may be permitted. In some embodiments, seal 826 may be
disposed on one or more hinges (as shown), slide tracks, rollers,
movable arms, or the like. In some embodiments, movement of seal
826 between an open position and a closed position (both positions
are shown in FIG. 8) may be automated and controlled by one or more
motors and/or springs. In some embodiments, seal 826 may be
automatically closed when garbage separator system 800 is not in
use, and may be automatically opened when garbage separator system
800 is in use. In some embodiments, seal 826 may be provided with
one or more sensors (e.g., Hall effect sensors, optical sensors, IR
sensors, or the like) configured to detect its position, such that
system 800 may be prevented from being turned on if seal 826 is not
in the opened position.
[0181] In some embodiments, in addition to sealing odors inside
waste bin 818 and preventing those odors from entering the area
above the sink, seal 826 may also serve to seal water inside tube
810 during a self-cleaning operation of system 800, thereby
preventing water sprayed inside tube 810 during a self-cleaning
mode from entering waste bin 818.
[0182] In some embodiments, a garbage separator may be configured
to operate in various modes. For example, a garbage separator may
be configured to operate alternately in an on mode, an off mode,
and a self-cleaning triode. In on mode, the separator may cause one
or more rotatable elements (e.g., a screw drive and/or a separator
cup) to rotate in order to move waste particles toward a waste bin.
In off mode, the separator may cause the one or more rotatable
elements to cease rotating. In self-cleaning mode, the separator
may cause water and/or cleaning agent to be sprayed onto one or
more components of the garbage separator system in order to remove
waste particles, grime, and other contaminants from surfaces of the
system.
[0183] As discussed above with reference to self-cleaning functions
of garbage separators, a garbage separator in a self-cleaning mode
may perform one or more self-cleaning operations, such as by
spraying pressurized water and/or cleaning agent onto one or more
surfaces of the garbage separator in order to remove waste
particles and other contaminants and clean the surface.
[0184] In some screw-conveyor-style garbage separator systems, one
or more nozzles may be provided on interior side walls or a screw
tube, such as nozzles being provided in the holes shown in the side
of screw tube 810 in system 800 in FIG. 8. Nozzles for
self-cleaning may be connected to one or more water sources (e.g.,
a main water line of the plumbing system associated with the sink)
and/or to one or more sources of cleaning fluid or agent. In some
embodiments, nozzles for self-cleaning may be configured to deliver
water at sufficient pressure for effective self-cleaning of the
system using water pressure of the main water line of the
associated sink, such that a dedicated water pump for the
self-cleaning functionality is not required. In some embodiments,
the one or more nozzles may be angled inside the screw tube toward
the drainage holes, such that water flows effectively toward the
drainage holes during self-cleaning. In some embodiments, the one
or more nozzles may be pointed toward and/or angled about
perpendicularly with respect to the primary axis of a screw drive
of the system, e.g., so as to direct the spray of water straight
toward the screw drive. In some embodiments, the one or more
nozzles may be pointed toward one or more of the flutes/blades of
the screw drive, so as to direct the spray of water towards the
flutes/blades of the screw drive.
[0185] In some embodiments, the system may be configured such that
a rotatable element of the system (e.g., a separator cup and/or
screw drive) is rotated during self-cleaning mode. This may improve
the effectiveness of self-cleaning by causing allowing more
surfaces to be impacted by water and/or cleaning agent spray at
different angles.
[0186] In some embodiments, movement of a seal component (e.g.,
seal 826 in system 800 in FIG. 8) may be controlled in accordance
with a mode of the system. For example, in some embodiments, a seal
blocking access to a collection bin may be caused to automatically
open when the system is in an on mode, and may be caused to
automatically close (e.g., to prevent leaking of odors) when the
system is in an off mode. In some embodiments, a seal may he caused
to automatically close when a system is in a self-cleaning mode,
for example in order to prevent water from entering a collection
during a self-cleaning mode.
[0187] In some embodiments, modes of a system may be manually
selected by a user, such as by controlling one or more switches or
other input devices to cause the system to turn on and/or off
and/or to operate in a desired mode. In some embodiments, operation
of the system in various modes may be automated. For example, one
or more sensors may detect the presence of waste particles and/or
water in the drain of the sink and may automatically activate the
system into an on mode. In some embodiments, one or more sensors
may detect the absence of waste particles and/or water in the drain
of the sink and may automatically deactivate the system into an off
mode. In some embodiments, a self-cleaning mode may be configured
to automatically run at predefined intervals, at one or more
predefined times, and/or automatically following operation of the
system an on mode. In some embodiments, automatically running a
self-cleaning mode after operation of the system in an on mode may
improve the effectiveness of self-cleaning operations, because
contaminants may be removed by the self-cleaning operation before
drying and durably adhering to surfaces of the system.
[0188] In some embodiments, a garbage separator system may comprise
one or more sensors to detect when a waste bin should be emptied.
For example, a garbage separator system may include a sensor to
detect when the waste bin is full or nearly full. In some
embodiments, a sensor configured to detect when the bin should be
emptied may comprise a level sensor configured to detect a level of
waste inside the bin, a weight sensor configured to detect a weight
of waste inside the bin, an optical sensor, an IR sensor, and/or
any other suitable sensor configured to detect the presence of
waste (e.g., a predetermined threshold amount of waste) inside the
bin. The system may further comprise one or more speakers
configured to generate an audible indicator that the bin should be
emptied, one or more display or light elements configured to
generate a visual indicator that the bin should be emptied, and/or
one or more wireless communication devices configured to transmit
an electronic signal comprising an indicator that the bin should be
emptied.
[0189] In some embodiments, system components may be fabricated
from metal materials, plastic materials, ceramic materials,
composite materials, organic materials, or any combination thereof.
The foregoing description, for the purpose of explanation, has been
described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the
illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or
to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many
modifications and variations are possible in view of the above
teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to
best explain the principles of the techniques and their practical
applications. Others skilled in the art are thereby enabled to best
utilize the techniques and various embodiments with various
modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
[0190] Although the disclosure and examples have been fully
described with reference to the accompanying figures, it is to be
noted that various changes and modifications will become apparent
to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to
be understood as being included within the scope of the disclosure
and examples as defined by the claims. Finally, the entire
disclosure of any pate and publications referred to in this
application are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
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