GB2085863A

GB2085863A - Compost container

Info

Publication number: GB2085863A
Application number: GB8041037A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Rietbergwerke & Co KG GmbH
Current assignee: Rietbergwerke & Co KG GmbH
Priority date: 1980-10-20
Filing date: 1980-12-22
Publication date: 1982-05-06
Also published as: GB2085863B; CA1142772A; IT1154897B; AT375630B; DE8027961U1; NO803171L; BE885893A; LU82883A1; FR2492215A1; IT8011891V0; SE8007608L; IT8009599A0; ATA523680A; NL8005975A

Abstract

A set of components for assembly into a compost silo include a plurality of similar, elongated prefabricated parts 1, 2 adapted for interfitting assembly. The parts have grooves 4 in the regions of their ends, these grooves extending at right angles to the length of the parts. The grooves have a width which is slightly larger than the thickness of the material of the prefabricated parts. The depths of each groove is equal to or smaller than one-fourth of the width of the parts 1. Each prefabricated part has at each of its ends an angle part 5 with a free leg 6 extending therefrom. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Compost silo Background of the invention 1. Field of the invention The invention concerns a compost silo of assemblable, similar and elongated prefabricated parts.

2. Description ofthe prior art Compost silos have been known for a long period of time. For example, silos consisting of round timbers, notched at their ends so that they may be assembled in the shape of a log cabin to form a box, have been known. A disadvantage of such known compost silos resides in the fact that the timbers are in contact with putrefactive bacteria which develop in the compost to effect the desired decomposition.

Thus, the timbers are themselves exposed to rotting.

Furthermore, the timbers cannot be stacked. Thus, they require a large volume of space during transportation; and, therefore, large transport capacities must be available.

Compost silos consisting of assemblable, similar and elongated prefabricated parts, wherein the structural elements consist of prefabricated concrete parts, are also known. Such elements are resistant to putrefactive bacteria. Because of their heavy weight, however, handling by a single person is very difficult. For the same reason, the transportation of such compost silos is expensive.

Summary of the invention It is, therefore, the object of the present invention to provide a compost silo made of assemblable, similar and elongated prefabricated parts, which are easily transported and assembled and, further, which are resistant to putrefactive bacteria and the effects of weather.

The object is attained in that the prefabricated parts, which consist of a flat material, are provided with butt straps and base and half elements. The base and half elements in their terminal areas are equipped with grooves extending at right angles to their longitudinal dimension. These grooves have a width that is slightly greater than the material thickness of the prefabricated parts and a depth that is equal to or smaller than one-quarter of the width of a base element of the prefabricated part. Each prefabricated part is provided at its ends with flanging or is designed as an angle piece. The longitudinal dimension of the flanging or leg of the angle piece is parallel to the groove.

In the course of the development of the prefabricated parts according to the invention for the manufacture of a compost silo, it was found that the use of flat sheet metal or the use of synthetic plastic plates was the most favorable. In order to provide these materials with sufficient mechanical strength against buckling, the prefabricated parts, which are constructed of a flat material, have -- as viewed in their transverse cross section -- a U-shaped profile.

The lateral leg portions of this profile extend in the longitudinal direction to the groove located in the terminal area of the prefabricated part. Thus, the lateral leg portions have the same spatial direction, i.e., they extend outwardly in the same direction, as the legs of the angle pieces. Since the grooves in the terminal area of the prefabricated parts are, in particular, exposed to considerable forces, the abovementioned flanging is provided, which may be in the form of angle pieces. In this manner, the forces applied to the terminal areas of the prefabricated parts by way of the grooves are adequately absorbed.

In a further development of the invention, the distance from a groove of a base or half element to the free leg of the angle piece is equal to or slightly larger than the width of the lateral leg portions of the U-shape of the base or half elements. This measure makes it feasible to also use the base elements as the cover of a compost silo. When so used, the terminal pieces of the cover parts overlap the lateral legs of the U-shapes. It is thus possible merely to shift the cover elements along the longitudinal extent of the U profiles in an advantageous manner during use.

According to the invention, the half elements further are of the same length and are of half the width of the base elements. In both terminal areas of each half element there is a groove. Each groove is aligned in and opens in the same direction as the groove in the other terminal area of the same half element.

In a further development of the invention, the width of the free leg of the angle piece is equal to or smaller than the width of the free leg of the U-shape.

This measure assures good stackability of the base and half elements so that only small transport capacities are required.

According to the invention, it is also possible to extend the base and half elements in their longitudinal directions by the fitting together of additional base and half elements in an arbitrary manner. This is effected by means of a butt strap having an open angular C profile, with a length corresponding to the width of the base element and a width equal to or slightly larger than the double distance from a groove of a base element to the leg of the angle piece in the same terminal area. In each of the legs of the C profile adjacent to the base surface, there are grooves of the same dimensions as those of the grooves of the base and half elements. One of the bounding edges of each of these grooves in the legs of the C profile simultaneously form the bounding edge of the base surface from which the legs of the C profile extend.

In orderto also make possible the connection of base elements at right angles to the longitudinal extension of the base and half elements, the base surface of the butt strap is provided with additional grooves at the location and in the direction of its center line, these additional grooves having the same dimensions as the grooves of the base and half elements.

The prefabricated elements and the butt straps are preferably constructed of a synthetic plastic material or of metal.

To partially restate and to elaborate upon the foregoing, a set of components are provided for assembly into a compost silo. The set includesa plurality of similar, elongated prefabricated parts adapted for interfitting assembly. These prefabricated parts, which are constructed of a material having a certain thickness, comprise a plurality of base elements and a plurality of half elements. Each of the base elements has a width transverse to its length. The base and half elements have grooves in the regions of their ends, these grooves extending at right angles to the length of the elements. Each of the grooves has a depth dimension also extending at right angles to the length of the elements. Furthermore, each of the grooves has a width dimension, taken transverse to the depth dimension, which is slightly iarger than the thickness of the material of the prefabricated parts.The depth dimension of each of the grooves is equal to or smaller than one-fourth of the width of the base elements. Each prefabricated part has at each of its ends an angle part with a free leg extending therefrom. Each such angle part has a longitudinal dimension transverse to the length of its associated prefabricated part. This longitudinal dimension is parallel to the depth dimension of the grooves.

The prefabricated parts are constructed of a flat material having a U-shaped profile when viewed in a cross section taken transverse to the length thereof.

The U-shaped profile defines a pair of lateral leg portions connected by a web portion. The lateral leg portions of each prefabricated part extend longitudinally along the prefabricated part from the groove at one terminal and of the prefabricated part to the groove at the other terminal end thereof. The free legs of the angle parts extend outwardly in a direction away from the leg portion of each prefabricated part. The leg portions extend from the web portion in the same direction as that in which the free legs extend.

Each of the lateral leg portions has a width taken transverse to its length. The distance from each groove at one end of each prefabricated part to the flange at the same end thereof is equal to or slightly larger than the width of the lateral leg portions.

The free leg of each of the angle pieces has a width dimension taken transverse to the foregoing longitudinal dimension of the angle piece and in a plahe perpendicular to the web portion of the associated prefabricated part. This width dimension of the free leg is equal to or smaller than the width of the lateral legs.

The web portion of each prefabricated part is planar. The aforementioned grooves open in directions transverse to the length of each prefabricated part, which directions are taken in the plane of the web portion of the prefabricated part. Each of the half elements is of the same length as that of the base element and of a width which is one-half that of the base elements. The groove at one terminal end of each half element opens in the same direction as the groove at the other terminal end of the same half element.

The grooves of each half element comprise a single groove at one end of the half element and a single groove atthe other end thereof. The grooves of each base element comprise a pair of grooves at one terminal end of the base element and a pair of grooves at the other terminal end thereof. Each such pair of grooves in the base element comprises grooves opening in opposite directions.

Butt straps may be provided for coupling the prefabricated parts together in end-to-end relationship. Each butt strap has a center line which will be vertically disposed when the butt strap is used. Each butt strap has an open angular C-shaped profile when viewed along its center line. Each butt strap also has a length dimension taken along its center line which corresponds to, i.e., is approximately equal to, the width of the base elements. The butt straps have a width dimension of their own, which width dimension is taken transversely to the length dimension of the butt straps. This width dimension of the butt straps is equal to or slightly larger than double the distance from a groove of a base element to the free leg of the nearest angle piece of that base element.The C-shaped profile defines a base surface of the butt strap and a pair of spaced legs extending from the base surface. This base surface has a boundary. Each butt strap includes a plurality of grooves therein of the same size and dimensions as those of the grooves of the base and half elements.

Each of the grooves of the butt strap has a depth dimension extending parallel to the center line.

Additionally, each of the grooves of the butt strap has a pair of bounding edges, one bounding edge of each groove of said butt strap being coextensive with the boundary of these base surface of the butt strap.

The base surface of the butt strap is planar and the foregoing center line of the butt strap is located in the plane of the base surface. The butt strap includes additional grooves in the base surface which are aligned with and extend in the same direction as the center line. These additional grooves are of the same size and dimensions as those of the grooves of the base and half elements.

As an alternative to the U-shaped profile for the base and half elements, these prefabricated parts may be constructed of a flat material having an L-shaped profile when viewed in a cross section taken transverse to the length thereof. Of course, the L-shaped profile defines a web portion and a single lateral leg portion extending from the web portion.; To form a compost silo, the prefabricated parts are coupled together in interfitting relationship to define a wall which encloses a four-sided space for holding material to be composted. The wall includes pairs of the base elements, each pair including base elements located in opposed, parallel, spaced relationship with each other on opposite sides of the four-sided space. The wall also includes pairs of half elements. Each pair of half elements includes half elements located in opposed, parallel, spaced relationship with each other on opposite sides of the four-sided space. The base elements and half elements are vertically stacked in the direction of their widths in alternating fashion such that, on a first side of the four-sided space, a half element is disposed above a lowermost base element and is followed by another base element and the arrangement is repeated. On a second side of each space, a base element is disposed above a lowermost half element and is followed by another half element; and again, the arrangement is repeated. On a third side, the same arrangement as used on the first side is repeated. On a fourth side, the same arrangement as usedi on the second side is repeated. The first and third sides are parallel and opposite to each other.The second and fourth sides are parallel to and opposite each other and at right angles to the first and third sides. The grooves of the prefabricated parts interengage each otherto lock the parts together in assembled, interfitting relationship.

Brief description of the drawings The invention shall be explained hereinbelow in more detail with the aid of the drawings in which: Figures la to Ic show a U-shaped prefabricated part as the base element in a side elevation (Figure 1 a), in a top view (Figure 1 b), and in an end elevation (Figure 1c); Figures 2a to 2c show a U-shaped prefabricated part as a half element in side elevation (Figure 2a), in a top view (Figure 2b), and in an end elevation (Figure 2c); Figures 3a to 3c show an assembled compost silo in front elevational view (Figure 3a), in a top view (Figure 3b), and in a partial side elevation (Figure 3c); Figures 4a and 4b show partial views of a compost silo with cover in a front elevation (Figure 4a) and in a top view (Figure 4b);; Figures 5a to 5c show certain elements of the invention in perspective, Figures 5b and 5c, in particular, being partial perspective views; and Figure 6 shows a butt strap and three base elements in an exploded perspective view.

Detailed description In the Figures, like elements are designated by like reference symbols. The prefabricated parts shown in the individual Figures are constructed of a flat material, i.e., galvanized sheet steel. Thus, Figure 1, in the different representations of Figures 1 a, 1 b and 1 c, shows a base element 1. That is, the base element is shown in a side elevation, in a top view and in an end elevation, respectively. The base element 1 is equipped in the area of its ends 3 with an angle piece 5 having a free leg 6, which points in the same direction as the leg portions 7 and 8 of the U-shape. It will be seen that the leg portions 7, 8 of the U-shaped profile extend perpendicularly from a web portion 9. The U-shaped profile is, of course, the profile as viewed in transverse cross section.

Although Figure 1c is an end view, rather than a cross section, the U-shaped profile will be apparent therefrom. At the end of each lateral leg 7 and 8, respectively, there are grooves 4. Grooves 4 have a width that is slightly larger than the material thick- ness S of the prefabricated parts. It is thus possible to key the different prefabricated parts together with each other.

The grooves also have a depth T, which is equal to or smaller than a quarter of the width b of a base element 1 of the prefabricated part. As may be seen in Figure 1 and Figure 2, the longitudinal extent of the legs 6 of each angle piece is parallel to the corresponding groove 4.

It may further be clearly seen in the Figures that the lateral legs 7 and 8 of the U-shape extend only to the corresponding groove 4 of the prefabricated part, so that the area of the angle piece 5 is not covered by a lateral leg.

Figures 2a, 2b and 2c show in their different representations, which correspond respectively to those of Figure 1, a half element 2 having the same length and having one-half of the width b of the base element 1. Half element 2 is provided in each terminal area with a groove 4, each groove being aligned in and opening in the same direction as the groove in the other terminal area of the half element.

The dimensions of the legs of the U-shape and of the angle pieces and the grooves are otherwise the same as those of the base element.

Figures 3a, 3b and 3c show an assembled compost silo in a front elevation (Figure 3a), a top view (Figure 3b) and a side elevation (Figure 3c). It may be seen therefrom that the interfitting connections of the individual base elements are effected at offsets of one-half of the widths of the base elements, In order to equalize these differences in height, half-elements are used alternatingly so that the base surface of the silo, and also the cover surface, are in one plane.

Figures 4a and 4b show that the base elements 1 may also be used as cover elements to cover the compost silo. Thus, Figure 4shows a partial view of the assembled compost silo, wherein the upper base element is arranged horizontally and serves as the cover element. Figure 4b is a top view, wherein three base elements 1 are arranged closely adjacent to each other. Because the distance from a groove 4 of a base or half element 1 or 2 to the free leg 6 of the angle piece 5 is equal to or slightly larger than the width L of the lateral leg 7,8 of the U-shape of the base or half element 1 or 2, the base elements 1, when used as cover elements in their longitudinal direction, cannot be displaced laterally in any direction. This is for the reasons that they are held firstly by the edges of the lateral legs 7 and 8 and secondly by the legs 6 of the angle pieces.Nevertheless, the base elements used as the cover are displaceable transversely to their longitudinal direction in an advantageous manner. This renders it possible, for example, during the shifting of the contents or the filling of the compost within the silo, not to remove all of the cover elements, but to move them in a simple manner, so that all of the internal surface parts of the silo are assessible in a simple fashion.

Figures 5a, 5b and Sc show in their different representations, in an exploded perspective style, the structure of a compost silo. Two half elements 2 are always arranged opposing each other. These half elements are connected by base elements 1, 50 that the base surfaces of all of the elements are in the same plane.

Figure 5b shows clearly that the addition of another base element 1 a by fitting it together with the element 1, causes a difference in height between the lateral legs of the U shapes of the two base elements. Figure Sc indicates how this difference in height is then equalized by the arrangement of further half elements 2 at that end of the structure where elements are being added, so that the upper closure of the compost silo again is one plane.

The depths of the grooves are designed, when used in a compost silo, so that, between the base and half elements, an adequate slit is provided for the aeration of the compost silo. Naturally, for other applications, the grooves may be dimensioned so thatthe lateral legs of the U profiles of elements placed over each other fit tightly.

In the case wherein the length of the base and half elements used are inadequate for the erection of a compost silo of the size desired, a butt strap may be used, which makes it possible to extend the base elements in their longitudinal direction. This is shown in Figure 6, wherein a butt strap 10 is shown with different base elements. The butt strap 10 has an angular, C-shaped profile, whereby a length of the butt strap corresponds to the width b of a base element 1. The width of the butt strap is equal to the double distance from a groove 4 of a base element 1 to the leg 6 of the angle piece 5 located in the same terminal area 3 as the groove. The width may also be slightly larger than the double distance defined hereinabove. In the legs 12 and 13 of the C-profile adjacent to the base surface 11, grooves 14to 17 are arranged.These grooves have the same dimensions as the grooves 4 of the base and half elements 1 and 2, respectively. These grooves are adjacent to the base surface 11 of the butt strap.

The butt strap may be used further to arrange another base element at right angles to the longitu dinal direction of the base elementsforthe purpose of transverse stabilization. For this purpose, the base surface 11 of the butt strap 10 is provided at the height and in the direction of its center line 18 with grooves 19 and 20, which again have the same dimensions as the grooves 4 of the base and half elements 1 and 2.

The compost silo according to the present inven tion results in a compact storage and shipping format so that the sale and transportation of the prefabricated parts is less expensive. The compost silo may be erected in minutes by unskilled labor without tools and connecting elements. Butt straps are required only when it is necessary to extend the base elements in the longitudinal direction. Here again, no tools are needed. The entire structure may be extended and covered by the same elements.

Thus, only in the case of an extension in the longitudinal direction are additional elements in the form of simple butt straps required.

The prefabricated parts according to the invention may naturally be used for other structures, such as silos, protective containers or the like.

By means of a slight modification of the prefabri cated parts, i.e., by providing in place of a U profile, a L shape, the elements may be used as boundaries for beds, such as garden beds or landscape borders, which also provides a measure of protection against various pests, for example, snails.

Another possible application is as tubs for large plants.

Claims

1. A set of components for assembly into a compost silo, the set comprising a plurality of similar elongated prefabricated parts adapted for interfitting assembly; said prefabricated parts being constructed of a material having a certain thickness; said prefabricated parts comprising a plurality of base elements and a plurality of half elements; each of said base elements having a width transverse to its length; said base and half elements having grooves in the regions of their ends; said grooves extending at right angles to the length of said elements; each of said grooves having a depth dimension also extending at right angles to the length of said elements; each of said grooves having a width dimension, taken transverse to the depth dimension, which is slightly larger than the thickness of the material of the prefabricated parts; said depth dimension of each of said grooves being equal to or smaller than one-fourth of the width of said base elements; each prefabricated part having at each of its ends an angle part with a free leg extending therefrom, said angle part having a longitudinal dimension transverse to the length of its associated prefabricated part, which longitudinal dimension is parallel to said depth dimension of said grooves.

2. A set according to Claim 1, wherein said prefabricated parts are constructed of a flat material having a U-shaped profile when viewed in a cross section taken transverse to the length thereof, said U-shaped profile defining a pair of lateral leg portions connected by a web portion, said lateral leg portions of each prefabricated part extending longitudinally along the prefabricated part from the groove at one terminal end of said prefabricated part to the groove at the other terminal end thereof, said free legs of said angle parts extending outwardly in a direction away from said web portion of each prefabricated part, said leg portions extending from said web portion in the same direction as that in which said free legs extend.

3. A set according to Claim 2, wherein each of said lateral leg portions has a width taken transverse to its length and wherein the distance from each groove at one end of each prefabricated part to the flange at the same end thereof is equal to or slightly largerthan said width of said lateral legs.

4. A set according to Claim 3, wherein said free leg of each of said angle pieces has a width dimension taken transverse to said longitudinal dimension of said angle piece and in a plane perpendicularto the web portion of the associated prefabricated part, said width dimension of said free leg being equal to or smaller than said width of said lateral legs.

5. A set according to Claim 2, wherein said web portions of each prefabricated part is planar; where in said grooves open in directions transverse to the length of each prefabricated part, which directions are taken in the plane of said web portion thereof; and wherein each of said half elements is of the same length as that of said base elements and of a width which is one-half that of said base elements, the groove at one terminal end of each half element opening in the same direction as the groove at the other terminal end of said half element.

6. A set according to Claim 5, wherein said grooves of each half element comprise a single groove at one end of said half element and a single groove at the other end thereof and wherein said grooves of each base element comprise a pair of grooves at one terminal end of said base element and a pair of grooves at the other terminal end thereof, each said pair of grooves comprising grooves opening in opposite directions.

7. A set according to Claim 1 including butt straps for coupling said prefabricated parts together in end-to-end relationship, each said butt strap having a center line for vertical disposition during use, each said butt strap having an open angular C-shaped profile when viewed along the center line thereof, each said butt strap having a length dimension taken along its center line which corresponds to said width of said base elements, said butt strap having a width dimension taken transverse to its length dimension which is equal to or slightly larger than double the distance from a groove of a base element to the free leg of the nearest angle piece of the base element, said C-shape profile defining a base surface of said butt strap and a pair of spaced legs extending from said base surface, said base surface having a boundary, each said butt strap including a plurality of grooves therein of the same size and dimensions as those of the grooves of said base and half elements, each of said grooves of said butt strap having a depth dimension extending parallel to said center line and each having a pair of bounding edges, one bounding edge of each groove of said butt strap being coextensive with the boundary of said base surface of said butt strap.

8. A set according to Claim 7, wherein said base surface of said butt strap is planar and wherein said center line is located in the plane of said base surface, said butt strap including additional grooves in said base surface which are aligned with and extend in the same direction as said center line, said additional grooves being of the same size and dimensions as those of the grooves of said base and half elements.

9. A set according to Claim 7, wherein said prefabricated parts and said butt straps are constructed of a synthetic material.

10. A set according to Claim 7, wherein said prefabricated parts and said butt straps are constructed of metal.

11. A set according to Claim 1, wherein said prefabricated parts are constructed of a flat material having an L-shaped profile when viewed in a cross section taken transverse to the length thereof, said L-shaped profile defining a web portion and a single lateral leg portion extending from said web portion.

12. A compost silo comprising a plurality of similar elongated prefabricated parts adapted for interfitting assembly; said prefabricated parts being constructed of a material having a certain thickness; said prefabricated parts comprising a plurality of base elements and a plurality of half elements; each of said base elements having a width transverse to its length; said base and half elements having grooves in the regions of their ends; said n roves extending at right angles to the length of said elements; each of said grooves having a depth dimension also extending at right angles to the length of said elements and a width dimension, taken transverse to the depth dimension, which is slightly larger than the thickness of the material of the prefabricated parts; said depth dimension of each of said grooves being equal to or smaller than one-fourth of the width of said base elements; each prefabricated part having at each of its ends an angle part with a free leg extending therefrom, said angle part having a longitudinal dimension transverse to the length of its associated prefabricated part, which longitudinal dimension is parallel to said depth dimension of said grooves; said prefabricated parts being coupled together in interfitting relationship to define a wall which encloses a four-sided space for holding material to be composted; said wall comprising pairs of said base element; each said pair including base elements located in opposed, parallel, spaced relationship with each other on opposite sides of said four-sided space; said wall further including pairs of half elements; each said pair of half elements including half elements located in opposed, parallel, spaced relationship with each other on opposite sides of said four-sided space; said base elements and half elements being vertically stacked in the direction of their widths in alternating fashion such that, on a first side of said four-sided space, a half element is disposed above a lowermost base element and is followed by another base element and the arrangement is repeated, on a second side of said space a base element is disposed above a lowermost half element and is followed by another half element and the arrangement is repeated, on a third side the same arrangement as used on said first side is repeated, and on a fourth side the same arrangement as used on said second side is repeated; said first and third sides being parallel to and opposite each other; said second and fourth sides being parallel to and opposite each other and at right angles to said first and third sides; said grooves of said prefabricated parts interengaging each other to lock said parts together in assembled interfitting relationship.

13. A set of components for assembly into a compost silo substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.