CA2088225A1

CA2088225A1 - Waste collection unit

Info

Publication number: CA2088225A1
Application number: CA 2088225
Authority: CA
Inventors: Jackie Mactaggart
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-01-27
Filing date: 1993-01-27
Publication date: 1994-07-28

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A novel waste collection unit is provided herein. It includes the combination of a receptacle for waste disposal. The receptacle has an upper access opening and a lower liquid discharge opening. The upper access opening may be fitted within an aperture in a work table or may be fitted within an aperture in a countertop adjacent a kitchen sink, or may be fitted within an aperture in a shelf or drainboard forming part of a sink unit. The lower liquid discharge opening may be provided with a fitting for securement to a temporary liquid storage vessel (e.g. a Mason jar) or to an outlet drain directly or indirectly to a sewer. An inner nestable colander having a handle and a perforated bottom is adapted to be manually inserted into, and removed from, the receptacle. A reversible cover is provided. The cover in one orientation is adapted to cover, and to seal, the opening of the receptacle. In another orientation, it is adapted to clamp to the bottom of the colander to seal the apertures in the perforated bottom thereof.

Description

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This invention relates generally to food or other similar waste disposal receptacles. These waste disposal receptacles may be used for household waste, e.g., in the form of a food or similar waste receptacle that is recessed into a counter-top, or for commercial or institutional food or other similar waste disposal uses.
Food or other similar waste is generally placed in a free-standing waste receptacle or in a unit located in the ; cupboard under the sink. In both cases, food or other similar waste must be removed ~rom the counter-tops or the sink and carried to the waste receptacle. The waste material is often wet or sticky, and spills frequently occur leaving a mess on the kitchen floor.
In order to avoid spills during the transfer of food or other similar waste to the disposal unit, food or other similar waste receptacles have been disclosed which may be associated with the kitchen counter near to the sink.
Another manner of avoiding spills is to dispose of food or other similar waste within the sin]c by macerating it in a grinding unit which discharges dirsctly to a sewer. Still another manner of disposing of such food or other similar waste is by placing in bags which are disposed within a receptacle, the bags then being disposed of as garbage or by composting. The latter is the preferred means.
Recently, many municipalities and communities have instituted recycling programs which depend on households to separate garbage into degradable and non-degradable portions. The degradable portion generally comprises food 208822~

or other similar waste, e.g., leftover food, bones, fruit rinds and the like. The non-degradable portion generally comprises glass, aluminum cans, paper and the like. The non-biodegradable portion may be further separated and recycled as appropriate. Unfortunately, a disposal problem ::
; still exists for the degradable portion.
Such disposal problem has been solved in the past by the use of bacterial activity to decompose biodegradable ;
waste. Generally, the bacteria require a food source to decompose the biodegradable waste. Certain types of biodegradable waste inherently contain such food source.
Such bacterial activity may be carried out in compost heaps. Compost heaps are disposal areas into whlch vegetable waste i5 placed for decomposition to create an organic fertilizer, or compost. The use of the decomposed vegetable matter provides a rich growing medium for both edible and ornamental garden plants. There are some patents which address the problem of disposing of household waste by means of composting. -U.S. Patent No. 4,761,235 patented August 2, 1988 by K.S. Haentjens, provided a food or other similar waste collection device connectable between a household garbage grinder and a sewage system, and including a solid waste separator and a waste accumulator. The solid waste separator was connected in a waste water transmittal system, e.g., at an outlet of a kitchen garbage grinder.
The separator, by reducing the flow velocity of the waste water and by preventing flush-through, caused solid waste '`

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material to settle from the waste water. The separator had two outlets, a first connected to the waste accumulator into which the solid material settles, and a second through which excess waste water flowed to a sewage transmittal system. The waste accumulator container was removable and a cap, including a carrying handle was fastenable over the opening for carrying to, and emptying onto a compost heap.
The solid material settled into the waste accumulator and remained there until the waste accumulator was removed for emptying at a compost heap. Thus, the rich organic material contained in food or other similar waste could be used to enrich the composting material.
U.S. Patent No. 4,813,087 patented March 21, 1989 by A. Spenka, provided a household kitchen sink unit, having a refuse disposal opening adjacent the sink unit, connect-able by a chute to a refuse receptacle. The sink unit included a collar or ring which surrounded the refuse disposal opening, thus insuring that water running into the sink bowl or basin itself did not run over into the refuse opening. A cover or closure element was provided to insure that no splashing or spray water reached the opening.
The chute element, as well as the basket or receptacle element, were readily removable from the auxiliary opening and, as required, selectively reinsertable from the top through the auxiliary opening. The refuse receptacle containing food or other similar waste could be taken to the compost heap.

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Many patents teach the accumulation of household waste which was to be flushed into the sewer system.
U.S. Patent No. 2,317,693 patented April 27, 1943 by S. Nyboer, provided what is referred to as a waste vault.
This patent provided a receptacle for food or other similar waste which could be located in a cellar within reach of a window and which was adapted to contain a pail with a paper bag therein closed by funnel-shaped pivoted covers which deflected water away from the pail into the receptacle for .
disposal through a sewer trap to the sewer of the dwelling.
A bowl on a conventional kitchen sink was normally sealed tight but was adapted to be unsealed to permit the food or other similar waste to be dropped into a hollow pedestal from which it gravitated through an inclined chute which separated the water from the food or other similar waste.
Doors of the receptacle could be opened so that food or other similar waste could drop into the paper bag in the -pail. A ventilating pipe extended upwardly through the wall of the building and communicated with the receptacle through which all odours could escape.
U.S. Patent No. 2,498,502 patented February 21, 1950 by V. R. O'Brien, provided a food or other similar waste receiver well built integral with a sink body which permitted the storage of food or other similar waste out of sight. The food or other similar waste well was formed in a central partition which divided the sink into two sink compartments. The water faucet was located centrally of the ends of the sink so that the goose neck of the faucet ,, 2 ~ 2 ~

could swing directly over the central partition to allow water to be passed through the food or other similar waste well. A basket was normally positioned within the garbage disposal well to hold large particles of food or other similar waste which would not ordinarily wash down the sink. The food or other similar waste well could be connected to a food or other similar waste drain to the outside wall of the building, which in turn could be connected with the sewage drain to permit small or fine food or other similar waste to be washed directly down the sewer.
U~S. Patent No. 2,524,204 patented October 3, 1950 by V. R. O'Brien, provided a food or other similar waste disposal means in combination with a sink. The sink had two basins or sink wells with a partition or shelf formed between the same, the partition having an opening formed therein. A hopper within the opening was adapted to receive food or other similar waste which was washed from a receptacle by means of the flow of water from a water faucet positioned over the hopper. A gasket was provided around the outer edge of the hopper to maintain a tight seal between the flanged edge of the hopper and the surface of the shelf. An outlet was provided at the bottom of the hopper to be connected with the drain outlets formed in the bottom of the sink basins. A substantial amount of food or other similar waste could be washed into the hopper, thus eliminating odours from a container placed in the sink basin. The hopper was adapted to receive a perforated 208~2~S

basket into which food or other similar waste could be washed from a receptacle placed above the hopper. The remaining food or other similar waste could be further done away with by means of a food or other similar waste disposal unit secured to one of the sinh drains or to the drain formed on the hopper.
U.S. Patent No. 2,630,918 patented March 10, 1953 by A. Janous, provided a salvaging device for use in restaurants and eating establishments in association with a garbage disposing unit of the comminuting or maserating type which was usually installed below a work table adjacent the dishwashing maahine or sink. The ~ood or other similar waste material was scraped Erom the plates into a swill block or equivalent entry to the disposal unit. A compartment or basin was provided through which water was continually circulated and vigorously agitated.
All materials and objects fell into the compartment.
Agitation of the body of water in the compartment flushed the relatively lighter food or other similar waste over a spillway formed by one wall of the compartment, while silverware, etc. dropped to the bottom of the compartment, and remained there until removed by hand. Adjacent the spillway a funnel-like member was provided for directing the flushed-over food or other similar waste toward the grinding mechanism.
U.S. Patent Mo. 4,689,840 patented September 1, 1987 by M. Muck et al provided a built-in sink including a waste opening and a holding device arranged beneath the built-in 2~8822~

sink and held by it for a food or other similar waste container which may be fitted beneath the waste opening.
The waste opening was adjoined downward:Ly by a drop shaft terminating above a food or other similar waste bin. The waste bin was guided in horizontal guide rails supported by a holding device which was attached to the underside of the built-in sink and also supported the drop shaft. In order to eliminate cleaning of the drop shaft, a removable protective shaft which was closable by a removable cover was inserted into the waste opening from above.
U.S. Patent No. 4,847,927 patented July 18, 1989 by W.
~ Blanc, provided a garhage collection device for a built-ln ; sink. The patented unit included a garbage discharge opening which was integrated into its top surface and below which a holder was arranged for several waste containers.
One such container could be loaded with food or other . .
similar waste through the discharge opening. To enable ~ easy sorting of the food or other similar waste to be ;'l disposed of through the food or other similar waste discharge opening, the holder included a food or other similar waste container support in the form of a merry-go-round and an actuating means for the support in order selectively to bring one of several waste containers into the position below the discharge opening.
Other patents merely provided for the disposal of such ` `--food or other similar waste by the use of garbage bags.
U.S. Patent No. 4,531,246 patented July 30, 1985 by J.
J. Earley. This patentee provided by plastic food bags.

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The patentee provided a removable garbage bag holder for holding garbage bags, e.g., the plastic food bags used in bringing food home from grocery stores, open in kitchen sinks, for receiving food or other similar waste, e.g., peelings of fruit and vegetables being peeled above it, and for receiving leftover food from dinner plates. The garbage bag holder included a cylindrical ring, a first mounting bracket with a first suction cup, and a second mounting bracket with a second suction cup, with the first suction cup facing 90 away from the second cup so as to attach to adjacent walls in a corner of a sink.
U.S. Patent No. 4,839,931 patented June 20, 1989 by J.
A. Portland ~and lts corr~sponding Canadian Patent No.
1,272,706 issued August 14, 1990), provided a counter-top food or other similar food or other similar waste disposal unit. The invention included a receptacle for waste disposal which could be recessed into a counter-top. The-receptacle included an outèr rectangular container having an open top with a flange extending outwardly and upwardly in a step-like manner and then outwardly again. ~he upper flange rested on the counter-top, and was made of thicker material than the rest of the container. A cla~ping mechanism was attached to the walls of this container which clamped the container to the counter-top. A removable inner container rested in the outer container. Resting within the inner container was a disposable plastic bag.
The top portion of the bag folded over the edge of the inner container providing enough excess material for 20~8225 closure of the bag for disposal. The receptacle was closed by a rectangular lid which rested on the handles of the inner container and which lay flush with the upper flange and counter-top. The lid had a central :indentation with a handle standing up along the length of it.
U.S. Patent No. 5,073,997 patented December 24, 1991 by W. Robe provided an improvement in built-in sinks. The patented improvement was in the form oE a built-in sink including at least one wash basin and at least one garbage chute provided with a cover plate which is fastened to the sink so as to be laterally displaced or folded into a position next to t.he sink. The cover plate may be divided into two halves which are pushed together toward the centre over the sink and the garbage chutes~ In the base cabinet two garbage containers are disposed on a pull-out in an arrangement one behind the other, when pull-out is pushed in, the garbage containers lie below garbage chutes.
In spite of these prior patents, it is still desirable to provide a food or other similar waste receptacle which could also be used as a means to enable the disposal of organic biodegradable waste in a compost pile.

Accordingly, it is an object of a broad aspect of the ' present invention to provide a device for accumulating food or other similar waste so that it can be used in a compost -heap.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a means for separating and accumulating solid waste 2~88225 ., 10 material from a liquid flow in a waste water transmittal system.
Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a food or other similar waste disposal system which facilitates food preparation and cleaning.
~ By one broad aspect of the present invention, a waste ; collection unit is provided comprising: a receptacle for r waste disposal, the recaptacle having an upper access : opening and a lower liquid discharge lower opening; an inner nestable colander including a handle and a perforated bottom, the inner colander being adapted to be inserted into, and removed from, the main receptacle; and a reversible cover, the cover in one orientation being adapted to cover and seal the upper access opening, and, in a reverse orientation, being adapted to clamp to the bottom of the colander to seal the apertures in the perforated bottom thereof.
By another broad aspect of this invention, a waste collection unit is provided comprising: a receptacle for ~ 20 waste disposal, the receptacle having an upper access `!~ opening adapted ~or fitting to a horizontal work surface adjacent a sink or a dishwasher, and a lower liquid ~ discharge opening; an inner nestable colander including a - handle and a perforated bottom, the inner colander being ; 25 adapted to be manually inserted into, and removed from, the receptacle; and a reversible cover, the cover in one orientation being adapted to cover and seal the upper ; access opening, and, in a rev~rse orientation, being :' 20~8225 .,, ~
11 , adapted to clamp to the bottom of the colander to seal the : apertures in the perforated bottom thereof.
By still another broad aspect of this inv~ntion, a waste collection unit is provided compri~3ing: a receptacle for waste disposal, the receptacle having an upper access opening adapted for sealed fitting in a horizontal work surface forming part of, or adjacent to, a kitchen sink unit, and a lower liquid discharge opening adapted for connection to an outlet drain or to a liquid storage vessel; an inner nestable colander including a handle and a perforated bottom, the inner colander being adapted to be manually inserted into, and removed from, the receptacle; ~ :~
and a reversible cover, the cover in one orientation being - ;~
adapted to cover and seal the upper access opening, and, in a reverse orientation, being adaptPd to clamp to the bottom of the colander to seal the apertures in the pexforated bottom thereof. --By a still further aspect of this invention, a sink is provided comprising: a body portion, a central partition integral with the body portion dividing the body portion into two sink compartments, a garbage hopper formed in the partition, an outlet at the bottom of each of the sink compartments, an outlet at the bottom of the hopper, and means for directing a stream of water into the sink compartments and the hopper, whereby garbage may be washed from dishes and the like .into the hopper prior to the washing of such dishes; the garbage disposal hopper being fitted with a waste collection unit comprising: a 20~822~
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receptacle for waste disposal, the receptacle having an upper access opening sealed into the upper opening of the garbage disposal hopper, and a lower liquid discharge opening connected to an outlet drain of the sink; an inner 5 nestable colander including a handle and a perforated bottom, the inner colander being adapted to be manually inserted into, and removed from, the ma:in receptacle; and a reversible cover, the cover in one orientation being adapted to cover and seal the upper access opening, and, in a reverse orientation, being adapted to clamp to the bottom of the colander to seal the apertures in the perforated bottom thereof.
By yet another aspect of this invention, a built-in sink unit is provided comprising: a built-in sink with a shaped plate within which adjacent sink basin and a waste disposal openings are provided, the unit having a drop shaft extending downwardly from the shaped plate and encompassing the waste disposal opening, and holding means for carrying a waste container beneath the drop shaft; the waste container comprising a receptacle for waste disposal, the receptacle having an upper access opening and a lower liquid discharge opening for connection to an outlet drain of the sink unit; an inner nestable colander including a handle and a perforated bottom, the inner colander being adapted to be manually inserted into, and removed from, the main receptacle; and a reversible cover, the cover in one orientation being adapted to cover and seal the upper access opening, and, in a reverse orientation, being 20~8225 adapted to clamp to the bottom of the colander to seal the apertures in the perforated bottom thereof.
By a further aspect of this invention, a built-in sink unit is provided comprising: a wash basin, a faucet assembly mounted on the wash basin, and a garbage chute mounted near to the wash basin; the garbage chute being fitted with a waste collection unit comprising: a receptacle for waste disposal, the receptacle having an upper access opening permanently sealed into the upper ; 10 opening of the garbage chute and a lower liquid discharge opening connected to an outlet drain of the wash basin; an inner nestable colander including a handle and a perforated bottom, ~he lnner colander being adapted to be manually inserted into, and removed from, the main receptacle; and a reversible cover, the cover in one orientation being adapted to cover and seal the upper access, and, in a ` reverse orientation, being adapted to clamp to the bottom ! of the colander to seal the apertures in the perforated` bottom thereof.
By a still further aspect of this invention, a three compartment sink is provided comprising two sink wells virtually uniformly spaced apart by a wide shelf portion, a hole formed in the shelf portion, a waste collection unit inserted in the hole, and gasket means for sealing the waste collection unit to the surface of the shelf portion;
the waste collection unit comprising: a receptacle forwaste disposal, the receptacle having an upper access opening sealed into the upper opening of the hole by thP

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gasket means; and a lower liquid discharge opening connected to an outlet chain of the wash basin, an inner nestable colander including a hand].e and a perforated bottom, the inner colander being adapted to be manually inserted into, and removed from, the main receptacle; and a reversible cover, the cover in one orientation being adapted to cover and sal the upper access opening, and, in a reverse orientation, being adapted to clamp to the bottom ~-~
of the colander to seal the apertures in the perforated ~ :
bottom thereof.
By another aspect of this invention, a kitchen sink unit is provided for installation in a cabinet comprising:
a unitary structure having at least one sink bowl or basin, a shelf region adjacent the sink bowl or basin, a refuse opening formed in the shelf region, a refuse container beneath the refuse opening, and a chute fitting into and leading from the refuse openings to the container, the container being a waste collection unit comprising: a receptacle for waste disposal, the receptacle having an upper access opening fitted with the chute, and a lower liquid discharge opening connected to an outlet chain of the wash basin; an inner nestable colander including a handle and a perforated bottom, the inner colander being adapted to be manually inserted into, and removed from, the ~-main receptacle; and a reversible cover, the cover in one orientation being adapted to cover and seal the upper access opening, and, in a reverse orientation, being -, 208822~

adapted to clamp to the bottom of the colander to seal the .~ . .
~- apertures in the perforated bottom thereof. -In variants of these aspects the receptacle and the colander each are hollow cylindrical in shape and/or the receptacle is hollow cylindrical in shape and terminates in a hollow cone.
The present invention thus provicles a novel waste collection unit. Such unit includes a receptacle for waste -~ disposable. The receptacle has an upper access opening and ; 10 a lower liquid discharge opening. The upper access opening may be fitted within an aperture in a work table or may be fitted within an aperture in a countertop adjacent a kitchen slnk, or may be fitted within an aperture in a shelf or drainhoard forming part of a sink unit. The lower liquid discharge opening may be provided with a fitting for securement to a temporary liquid storage vessel (e.g. a - Mason jar) or to an outlet drain directly or indirectly to a sewer. An inner nestable colander having a handle and a perforated bottom is adapted to be inserted into, and ;~
removed from, the receptacle. A reversible cover is provided. The cover in one orientation is adapted to ~` cover, and to seal, the opening of the receptacle. In another orientation, it is adapted to clamp to the bottom ,.......................................................................... ..
of the colander to seal the apertures in the perforated bottom thereof.

` In the accompanying drawings, ~ ;

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Fig. l is a side elevational view of the receptacle of the combined unit of one embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the colander of the combined unit of one embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the colander of Fig.
2;
Fig. 4 is a plan view of the cover of the combined unit of one embodiment of this invention; and Fig. 5 is a central longitudinal section through which is assembled and installed waste collection unit of one embodiment of the present invention.
Turning now to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows the recept-acle 10 which, in this embodiment, is of cylindrical shape 11 provided with a conical lower end 12 leadin~ to an outlet spout 13. The upper edge 14 is provided with a perimetral rim 15. The rim 15 is such that a gasket 53 or any suitable sealant (see Fig. 5) may be placed between the rim 15 and the counter-top 52.
While the receptacle 10 is shown as being cylindrical it can be the shape of any three-dimensional geometrical figure, e.g., a hollow, rectangular-parallelepiped, or a ! hollow inverted pyramid.
Figs. 2 and 3 show the colander 2n. The colander 20 is of cylindrical shape 21 to match the shape of the receptacle 10. However, any shape of the colander 20 to match the shape of the receptacle 10 may be used. The .3.
,. .

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bottom 22 of the colander 20 is formed with a central bowed-out region 23 provided with a plurality of perfora-tions 24 therein. However, it is not necessary to have this central bowed out region, provided there is a plurality of perforations therein. The upper rim 25 of the colander 20 is provided with a handle 26.
Fig. 4 shows the cover 40. Cover 40 is shown as a circular disc shape 41. However, any geometrical shape of the cover 40 to match the shape of the colander 20 may be provided. The perimetral rim 42 is provided with means 43 to accommodate a sealing gasket (not shown). In addition, the central area 44 of the cover is provided with means (not shown) to secure the cover to the bottom to seal the bottom of the colander 20. The cover includes ~uitable gripping means, e.g., a countersunk grip (not seen).
Fig. 5 shows thP assembled unit comprising the receptacle 10, the colander 20 and the cover 40. The receptacle 10 is mounted within a suitable opening 51 in a counter-top 52 with a suitable sealant compound or a suitable gasket 53 or other suitable sealant therearound for sealing purposes. The outlet spout 13 is attached to an outlet pipe 54 to be flushed to a sewer line (not shown).
In one specific structure this embodiment of the invention consists of a cylinder installed in a countertop, the cylinder having a drain to the drain of the kitchen sink in the fashion of a dishwasher installation. It has - , -:

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2~8~225 a sealed lip over the kitchen counter. As one example its size was 8" in diameter by 12" in depth.
A pail with a handle which may be of the wire-type fits into the cylinder. The bottom of the pail is perforated over the drain and is reinforced with a ridge of plastic.
The lid fits the pail and preferably rests in such a manner as to be level with the counter-top. The lid has a gasket around its edge, and a counter-sunk grip.
While the invention has been described in the form of an installation in the countertop adjacent the kitchen sink, other variants are possible. The waste collec:tion unit may be a free standing unit not connected to any drain, but provided with a temporary liquid storage vessel.
It may be in the form of a portable unit which can be temporarily connected to a drain.
Furthermore it may be in the form of a unit installed in a food preparation table in a commercial or institu-tional locale, beside a sink or a dishwasher.
It may also be mounted in a sink unit which includes a shelf adjacent one sink, or between two sinks. It could furthermore be mounted below a hole in such shelf, e.g., on the door of a counter below such sink.
In use, the household garbage is flushed down the receptacle, the solid material being retained within the perforated colander. When it is desired to bring the garbage to a compost heap, the colander is removed from the .

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receptacle and the cover applied to the bottom perforations to provide a closed carrying basket. : .
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Claims

1. A waste collection unit comprising: a receptacle for waste disposal, said receptacle having an upper access opening and a lower liquid discharge lower opening; an inner nestable colander including a handle and a perforated bottom, said inner colander being adapted to be inserted into, and removed from, said main receptacle; and a reversible cover, said cover in one orientation being adapted to cover and seal said upper access opening, and, in a reverse orientation, being adapted to clamp to the bottom of said colander to seal the apertures in the perforated bottom thereof.

2. The waste collection unit comprising: a receptacle for waste disposal, said receptacle having an upper access opening adapted for fitting to a horizontal work surface adjacent a sink or a dishwasher, and a lower liquid discharge opening, an inner nestable colander including a handle and a perforated bottom, said inner colander being adapted to be manually inserted into, and removed from, said main receptacle; and a reversible cover, said cover in one orientation being adapted to cover and seal said upper access opening, and, in a reverse orientation, being adapted to clamp to the bottom of said colander to seal the apertures in the perforated bottom thereof.

3. A waste collection unit comprising: a receptacle for waste disposal, said receptacle having an upper access opening adapted for sealed fitting in a horizontal work surface forming part of, or adjacent to, a kitchen sink unit, and a lower liquid discharge opening adapted for connection to an outlet drain or to a liquid storage vessel; an inner nestable colander including a handle and a perforated bottom, said inner colander being adapted to be manually inserted into, and removed from, said recept-acle; and a reversible cover, said cover in one orientation being adapted to cover and seal said upper access opening, and, in a reverse orientation, being adapted to clamp to the bottom of said colander to seal the apertures in the perforated bottom thereof.

4. A sink comprising: a body portion, a central partition integral with said body portion dividing said body portion into two sink compartments, a garbage hopper formed in said partition, an outlet at the bottom of each of said sink compartments, an outlet at the bottom of said hopper and means for directing a stream of water into said sink compartments and said hopper, whereby garbage may be washed from dishes and the like into said hopper prior to the washing of such dishes; said garbage disposal hopper being fitted with a waste collection unit comprising: a receptacle for waste disposal, said receptacle having an upper access opening sealed into the upper opening of said garbage disposal hopper, and a lower liquid discharge opening connected to an outlet drain of said sink; an inner nestable colander including a handle and a perforated bottom, said inner colander being adapted to be manually inserted into, and removed from, said receptacle; and a reversible cover, said cover in one orientation being adapted to cover and seal said upper access opening, and, in a reverse orientation, being adapted to clamp to the bottom of said colander to seal the apertures in the perforated bottom thereof.

5. A built-in sink unit comprising: a built-in sink with a shaped plate within which adjacent sink basin and a waste disposal openings are provided, said unit having a drop shaft extending downwardly from the shaped plate and encompassing the waste disposal opening, and holding means for carrying a waste container beneath said drop shaft, said waste container comprising a receptacle for waste disposal, said receptacle having an upper access opening and a lower liquid discharge opening for connection to an outlet drain of said sink unit; an inner nestable colander including a handle and a perforated bottom, said inner colander being adapted to be manually inserted into, and removed from, said main receptacle; and a reversible cover, said cover in one orientation being adapted to cover and seal said upper access opening, and, in a reverse orientation, being adapted to clamp to the bottom of said colander to seal the apertures in the perforated bottom thereof.

6. A built-in skin unit comprising: a wash basin, a faucet assembly mounted on said wash basin, and a garbage chute mounted near to said wash basin, said garbage chute being fitted with a waste collection unit comprising: a receptacle for waste disposal, said receptacle having an upper access opening permanently sealed into the upper opening of said garbage chute and a lower liquid discharge opening connected to an outlet drain of said wash basin, an inner nestable colander including a handle and a perforated bottom, said inner colander being adapted to be manually inserted into, and removed from, said main receptacle; and a reversible cover, said cover in one orientation being adapted to cover and seal said upper access, and, in a reverse orientation, being adapted to clamp to the bottom of said colander to seal the apertures in the perforated bottom thereof.

7. A three compartment sink including two sink wells virtually uniformly spaced apart by a wide shelf portion, a hole formed in said shelf portion, a waste collection unit inserted in said hole, and gasket means for sealing said waste collection unit to the surface of said shelf portion; said waste collection unit comprising: a receptacle for waste disposal, said receptacle having an upper access opening sealed into the upper opening of said hole by said gasket means, and a lower liquid discharge opening connected to an outlet chain of said wash basin, an inner nestable colander including a handle and a perforated bottom, said inner colander being adapted to be manually inserted into, and removed from, said main receptacle; and a reversible cover, said cover in one orientation being adapted to cover and sal said upper access opening, and, in a reverse orientation, being adapted to clamp to the bottom of said colander to seal the apertures in the perforated bottom thereof.

8. A kitchen sink unit, for installation in a cabinet, comprising: a unitary structure having at least one sink bowl or basin, a shelf region adjacent the sink bowl or basin, a refuse opening formed in the shelf region, a refuse container beneath said refuse opening, and a chute fitting into and leading from said refuse openings to the container; said container being a waste collection unit comprising: a receptacle for waste disposal, said receptacle having an upper access opening fitted with said chute, and a lower liquid discharge opening connected to an outlet chain of said wash basin; an inner nestable colander including a handle and a perforated bottom, said inner colander being adapted to be manually inserted into, and removed from, said main receptacle; and a reversible cover, said cover in one orientation being adapted to cover and seal said upper access opening, and, in a reverse orientation, being adapted to clamp to the bottom of said colander to seal the apertures in the perforated bottom thereof.

9. The waste collection unit of claims 1 or 2 wherein said receptacle and said colander each are hollow cylindrical in shape.

10. The waste collection unit of claims 3, 4 or 5 wherein said receptacle and said colander each are hollow cylindrical in shape.

11. The waste collection unit of claims 6, 7 or 8 wherein said receptacle and said colander each are hollow cylindrical in shape.

12. The waste collection unit of claims 1 or 2 wherein said colander is hollow cylindrical in shape and wherein said receptacle is hollow cylindrical in shape and terminates in a hollow cone.

13. The waste collection unit of claims 3, 4 or 5 wherein said colander is hollow cylindrical in shape and wherein said receptacle is hollow cylindrical in shape and terminates in a hollow cone.

14. The waste collection unit of claims 6, 7 or 8 wherein said colander is hollow cylindrical in shape and wherein said receptacle is hollow cylindrical in shape and terminates in a hollow cone.