AU780372B2

AU780372B2 - Compost tumbler and/or mulch maker

Info

Publication number: AU780372B2
Application number: AU14981/01A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Nelson R. Haddock
Original assignee: HADDOCK HOLDINGS Pty Ltd
Current assignee: HADDOCK HOLDINGS Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2000-01-13
Filing date: 2001-01-12
Publication date: 2005-03-17
Anticipated expiration: 2021-01-12
Also published as: AU1498101A

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Compost tumbler and/or mulch maker r The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: Freehills Carter Smith BeadleMELC601012010.3 I..UIJg I luO.J 1 A COMPOST TUMBLER AND/OR MULCH MAKER Field of the Invention This invention relates to improvements in compost tumblers and mulch making devices. Such devices may be suitable for domestic environment, for example where kitchen or garden refuse is decomposed to produce a fertiliser for the garden, or industrially for larger scale commercial compost and mulch making operations.

Background of the Invention Known rotatable compost tumblers consist of a revolving drum fitted with a solid door. The drum is loaded with compostable material usually over a period of several days. Each day the drum is turned a number of times to mix the composting material and assist in the composting process until the compost is ready after several weeks. The addition of further material is preferable so as to 15 provide an ongoing source of compost. Otherwise a continuous source of compost is not produced. Instead the compost from a single tumbler only becomes available at the end of the composting period.

One solution to overcoming the batch-wise production of compost and providing a more continuous source is to have two or more composting devices operating simultaneously with staggered dates when the compost becomes ready for use. However, the supply of compost is not continuous enough and requires larger volumes of organic refuse to get both composting devices to operate appropriately.

The addition of new refuse to an already decomposing mixture would reduce the duration for adequate composting as the necessary temperature, bacteria and bugs would already be present. !f these are not present, it may take several more days, or even longer, before these conditions are reached.

HADDOCK Amended pages 2 3.doc Unfortunately, the problem with intermittently adding extra refuse to the compost device is that the recovered material inevitably iricludes material at various stages of decomposition. For instance, the most recently added material will not be as advanced in its decomposition in comparison to the material which was present when composting began. This means that any compost material removed from the tumbler will usually include an amount of material which has not yet adequately decomposed to be beneficial as compost.

This is further complicated by the fact that different types of organic material require differeht lengths of time in order to decompose. This means that material with a slow decomposition rate which has been added to the compost tumbler at an early stage may not yet be as well decomposed as other material which has been added at a later stage and decomposes rapidly.

It is therefore desirable to provide a compost tumbler and/or mulch maker which at least in part alleviates some of the disadvantages arising with current compost tumblers.

Sumrnmary of the Invention In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided a compost tumbler and/or mulch maker having a vessel wherein a wall of the vessel incorporates an aperture and a grille covering the aperture, which grille is 20 adapted to retain uncomposted material in the vessel and allow through material broken down to a predetermined degree, according to the size of the openings in the grille, and having a stand for rotatably supporting the vessel such that the broken down material that exits the vessel through the grille as the vessel is rotated on the stand is receivable in a receptacle located beneath the vessel.

In preference, the grille comprises an array of substantially parallel HADDOCK Amended pages 2 3.doc elements. In an alternative embodiment, the grille comprises a first array of substantially parallel elements and a second array of substantially parallel elements in perpendicular alignment to the first array.

Preferably, the spacing of adjacent parallel elements of the or each said array is in the range of 10 to 16mm. Most preferably, the adjacent parallel elements of the or each said array are spaced by about 14mm.

In a preferred embodiment, the grille is an integrally cast or moulded component incorporating multiple substantially uniform openings.

The vessel is preferably rotatable about a central axis of the vessel. In another preferred embodiment the vessel is mounted on rollers.

In a preferred embodiment, the vessel is partially received in a cavity in the top of the stand, said cavity defined by funnel means for directing compost material escaping through the grille into a receptacle located at or adjacent the base of the stand. In an alternative embodiment the vessel is disposed above a conveyor which receives the broken down material exiting the vessel.

In another preferred embodiment, the vessel is a drum supported for rotation about a generally horizontal axis. Preferably, the drum defines an axis of symmetry that coincides with said generally horizontal axis of rotation.

It is further preferable that the vessel has on an inside surface at least 20 one baffle or projection means of the like which assists during rotation of tile vessel in mixing therein composted material within the vessel.

Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a compost tumbler and/or mulch maker in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a top view of the compost tumbler and/or mulch maker of

C

CC

C CC C C Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a front view of the compost tumbler and/or mulch maker of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a right hand end view of the compost tumbler and/or mulch maker.

Figure 5 depicts the cross-sectional view along the AA axis of Figure 3.

Description of the preferred embodiment Referring to Figure 1, the compost tumbler and/or mulch maker 1 has a vessel, in the form of a generally cylindrical drum 3. Drum 3 incorporates a curved generally rectangular grille 6 that covers a corresponding aperture in the cylindrical surface of the drum including between its ends. The drum 3 is mounted with its axis 5 horizontal on a stand 2 for rotational movement about axis 5. The stand 2 is generally hollow with an external wall structure 20 and defines a cavity 11, in the form of a downwardly directed funnel 25 of horizontal cross-section, in which the drum 3 is partially received. By virtue of this arrangement compost or mulch material broken down to a predetermined degree, according to the size of the openings in grille 6, exits the drum 3 through grille 6 and is directed by the funnel 25 to a receptacle in the form of a drawer 4 located beneath the lower mouth of funnel 25. In this manner the partly broken down compost or mulch 20 material is conveniently collected in the drawer 4 for removal.

The drum 3 comprises two end portions 30 that taper inwardly toward the respective ends and a centre portion 32 of constant radius. This shape has the advantage of biassing the compost material to collect in the centre portion.

However, any alternative shape may be used to form the drum, provided that it may be mounted on a stand.

A shaft 9 extends along axis 5 and through each end of the drum 3. The ends of the shaft 9 exterior to the drum 3 are mounted in respective ball bearings 7 such that the shaft 9 and drum 3 are horizontal and rotatable around axis Manual rotation of the drum 3 is effected by a handle in the form of a wheel 8 mounted on an end of the shaft 9.

The grille 6 is preferably moulded or cast as a panel from galvanised stainless steel and has a radius of curvature matching that of the centre portion 32 of the drum 3. The grille 6 includes a peripheral edge fitted with means for removably hingably securing the grille 6 to the drum 3, and an array of elongate elements that form a grid defining the openings of the grille. Preferably, means for securing grille 6 comprises apertures located in the edge of the grille 6 which co-operate with lugs on the perimeter of the aperture in the drum 3.

The elongate elements forming the grid are preferably in a substantially orthogonal array. It will be appreciated that alternative arrangements of the grille elements are equally appropriate. In preference, adjacent elongate elements are spaced by 14mm such that, in an orthogonal arrangement, the elements define square openings in the grille 6 of dimensions about 14mm x 14mm, and where each elongate element comprising the grille 6 is about 4mm in width.

In operation, with the drum rotated so that the grille faces laterally outwardly, grille 6 is opened on its hinge to allow full access through the aperture to the interior of the drum 3. After the drum 3 is thereby loaded with organic refuse, the grille 6 is closed and secured and the drum 3 is rotated through a net by the user turning the wheel 8 until the grille 6 is covered by the funnel 25 as o shown in Figure 5. The user may of course rotate the drum through 450 or greater to effect tumbling of the contents.

The stand 2 is formed from moulded plastics and is generally in the form of 25 an oblong and dimensioned to provide a close fit between the drum 3 and an edge surrounding the cavity 11 and funnel 25 in the top surface of the stand 2 (Figure As mentioned previously, the cavity 11 is defined by funnel 25 which exits to the drawer 4 located in or adjacent the bottom of the stand 2. The drawer 4 is mounted in the stand for slidable movement between a first receiving position below funnel 25 and a second extended position externally of the stand whereby UILPJJI I b-JO.J 6 the user may retrieve compost or mulch material from the drawer 4. The drawer may be wholly removed and its contents tipped, onto a garden bed or into a wheelbarrow. The drawer also preferably includes a front handle 5, as depicted in Figure 1, to assist with movement of the drawer.

In an alternative embodiment, the stand may comprise a frame consisting of steel tubing. The cavity 11 may then bed defined by canvas attached to an upper rim of the stand and shaped to form a funnel for directing material escaping through the grille 6 into a receptacle. In this or other embodiments, the receptacle need not be a sliding drawer incorporated into the stand. Instead the receptacle may be a bucket, other similar container, including a wheelbarrow, or there may be no receptacle at all.

Figure 5 depicts a baffle 10 or other projection on an inside surface of the drum 3 which acts to stir the contents of the drum 3 during rotation. Although only one baffle is depicted, two or more baffles may be used to achieve the same 15 stirring effect. The baffle improves aeration of the compost and mulch material and helps to break the material into smaller pieces, thereby aiding the composting processes. The baffle 10 may be substituted or aided by the inclusion of one or several half house bricks or similarly sized rocks.

The illustrated compost tumbler and/or mulch maker can produce either mulch or compost depending on the length of time organic material is retained in the drum 3 to decompose. During decomposition the organic matter breaks down into smaller pieces which can pass through the grille 6. Upon rotation of the drum 3, the broken down compost or mulch material falls through the grille 6 under the influence of gravity to be collected by the cavity 11 and deposited into the drawer 25 4.

In the event that it is necessary to remove all the contents of the drum 3, the grille 6 may be removed and the drum 3 rotated such that the compost and mulch material fall out under the influence of gravity into the drawer 4.

Alternatively, should the drum 3 be required to work as a tumbler by way of full rotation of the drum 3 without any material escaping through the grille 6, a cover UCUNU371U58.3 7 (not shown) may be fitted over the grille 6 while the drum 3 is operated in the normal manner.

Although the above description relates to a compost tumbler and/or mulch maker for domestic use, the present invention is equally applicable to industrial plant where compost and mulch are produced on a commercial scale. For such an application, the drum may be, eg, generally cylindrical, approximately 2 meters in diameter and 6 meters in length and may incorporate more than one grille. The drum may be notably supported on rollers. Preferably, compost or mulch exiting the drum is collected on a receptacle in the form of a conveyor which is position to receive material allowed through the grille and which may convey the compost or mulch to further processing or packaging machinery.

Many modifications may be made to the design of a compost tumbler and/or mulch maker in accordance with the present invention. For example, the tapered ends of the vessel may be substituted by hemispherical domes or the vessel itself may be spherical or the grille may be circular or elliptical in shape. All such modifications which come within the scope of the invention shall be deemed to be within the ambit of the above description.

o.:ooo

Claims

1. A compost tumbler and/or mulch maker having a vessel wherein a wall of the vessel incorporates an aperture and a grille covering the aperture, which grille is adapted to retain uncomposted material in the vessel and allow through material broken down to a predetermined degree, according to the size of the openings in the grille, anc having a stand for rotatably supporting the vessel such that the broken down material that exits the vessel through the grille as the vessel is rotated on the stand is receivable in a receptacle located beneath the vessel.

2. A compost tumbler and/or mulch maker according to claim 1, further having a receptacle for receiving broken down rraterial that exits the vessel through the grille as the vessel is rotated on tie stand.

3. A compost tumbler and/or mulch maker according to claim 2, wherein the receptacle is a drawer incorporated into the st and. 0 i 15 4. A compost tumbler and/or mulch maker according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the vessel is partially received in a cavity in the top of the stand, said cavity defined by funnel means for directing compost material escaping through the grille into a receptacle, which is located ;t or adjacent the base of the stand.

5. A compost tumbler and/or mulch maker according to any one of the S: preceding claims, wherein said stand is generally hollow with an external wall structure. o0

6. A ccmposr tumbler and/or mulch maker according to claim 2, wherein the vessel is included in plant in which the receptacle is a conveyor positioned to receive the material allowed through said grille.

7. A compost tumbler and/or mulch maker according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the grille comprises an array of substantially parallel elements.

8. A compost tumbler and/or mulch maker according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the grille comprises a first array of substantially parallel elements and a second array of substantially parallel elements in perpendicular alignment to the first array.

9. A compost tumbler and/or muich maker in aiccordance with claims 7 or 8, wherein adjacent parallel said elements of the or each said array are spaced apart by a distance in the range of 10 io 16mm. A compost tumbler and/or mulch maker in accordance with claims 7or 8, wherein adjacent parallel said elements of the or each said array are spaced apart by about 14mm.

11. A compost tumbler and/or mulch maker according to any preceding claim 15 wherein said grille is an integrally cast or moulded component incorporating multiple substantially uniform openings.

12. A compost tumbler and/or mulch maker according to any preceding claim wherein the vessel is rotatably supported on rollers.

13. A compost tumbler and/or mulch maker according to any preceding claim, 20 wherein the vessel has on an inside surface at least one baffle or projection means or the like which assists during rotation of the vessel in mixing the uncomposted material within the vessel.

14. A compost tumbler and/or mulch maker according to any preceding claim wherein the vessel is a drum supported for rotation about a generally horizontal axis. 004F97767 A A compost tumbler and/or mulch maker according to claim 14, wherein said drum defines an axis of symmetry that coincides with said generally horizontal axis of rotation.

16. A compost tumbler and/or mulch marker according to claims 14 or 15, wherein the drum has end portions which taper inwardly toward each respective end of the vessel and a central portion of substantially constant radius.

17. A compost tumbler and/or mulch maker substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Haddock Holdings Pty Ltd By Freehills Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Registered Patent Attorneys for the Applicant S 20 January 2005 *~o