GB2211062A

GB2211062A - Wormery

Info

Publication number: GB2211062A
Application number: GB8724684A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Victor Hyman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-10-21
Filing date: 1987-10-21
Publication date: 1989-06-28
Anticipated expiration: 2007-10-21
Also published as: GB8724684D0; GB2211062B

Abstract

There is disclosed a wormery comprising a box like enclosure having a front wall (11), a rear wall (12) and opposite side walls (13, 14), a base (15) in the form of an apertured screen, the front wall being of a transparent sheet material and there being opaque means 17, for removably covering the top of the enclosure and the front wall. <IMAGE>

Description

WORMERY This invention concerns a wormery.

The invention is based on an appreciation of the educational value of study of the behaviour of the earth worm and the need for a wormery enabling observation of such behaviour. The unit in particular demonstrates the conversion by earthworms of organic waste material into a rich, natural fertilizer(i.e. it demonstrates the principals of the recycling of organic waste using biological methods).

Thus, according to the present invention there is provided a wormery comprising a box like enclosure having a front wall, a rear wall and opposite side walls, a base in the form of an apertured screen, said front wall being of a transparent sheet material and there being opaque means for removably covering the top of the enclosure and the front wall.

The opaque means may comprise a dark plastic sheet connected to the upper edge of the rear wall and adapted to extend forwardly therefrom to cover the top of the enclosure and hang downwardly over the upper edge of the front wall to cover same.

The free edge of the plastics sheet may be weighted.

Alternatively the opaque means may be comprised by rigid covers hingedly connected for movement between positions overlying the top and front of the enclosure and positions exposing the top and front of the enclosure.

The invention will be further apparent from the following description with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, which show, by way of example only, two forms of wormery embodying same.

Of the drawings: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first form of wormery; and Figure 2 shows a persepctive view of a second form of wormery, Refering firstly to Figure 1, it will be seen that the wormery, generally indicated at 10, comprises a box-like enclosure having a front wall 11, rear wall 12, opposite side walls 13 and 14 and a base 15.

The front wall 11 is of a transparent material, preferably plastics, whilst the base 15 is in the form of an apertured screen, preferably formed from a wire mesh. Small feet 16 (some 15cm high) are provided at the corners of the enclosure to locate the base 15 a short distance above a supporting surface for reasons which will be apparent hereinafter.

In use, the interior of the enclosure is filled with compostable material and a worm population, whose activity can be observed through the front wall 11.

An opaque plactics sheet 17 is provided and secured to the upper edge of the rear wall 12 and can be extended forwardly over the top of enclosure and downwardly over the front wall 11 when the worms are not being observed. A metal rod 18 is located in a pocket 19 along the free edge of the sheet 17 to weight the sheet into its enclosure covering position.

Composted material can be removed through the base of the enlcosure using a small rake-like tool 20 and fresh material to be composted may be added through the open top of the enclosure at any time.

The wormery shown in Figure 2 is similar to that of Figure 1, like parts being indicated by like reference numerals.

In this embodiment, however, the sheet 17 is replaced by opaque panels 21 and 22 hinged to the enclosure for movement between positions covering and exposing the top and front wall of the enclosure respectively.

It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations, such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art, being possible, without departing from the scope thereof.

Claims

1. A wormery comprising a box like enclosure having a front wall, a rear wall and opposite side walls, a base in the form of an apertured screen, said front wall being of a transparent sheet material and there being opaque means for removably covering the top of the enclosure and the front wall.

2. A wormery according to claim 1, wherein the opaque means comprises a dark plastic sheet connected to the upper edge of the rear wall and adapted to extend forwardly therefrom to cover the top of the enclosure and hang downwardly over the upper edge of the front wall to cover same.

3. A wormery according to claim 2, wherein the free edge of the plastics sheet is weighted.

4. A wormery according to claim 1, wherein the opaque means is comprised by rigid covers hingedly connected for movement between positions overlying the top and front of the enclosure and positions exposing the top and front of the enclosure.