GB2234191A - Centrifugal separator for garbage - Google Patents

Abstract

Domestic garbage is dried, prior to disposal, in a centrifugal separator located beneath a sink 3, which has a lid 5 in its floor providing access to the separator. The garbage 42 is placed in an impervious bag 29 inside a rotary drum 25, and when the drum is rotated the water content is expelled through gaps 34, 35 between the drum and its lid 30 and runs down the drain outlet 17. <IMAGE>

Description

METHOD OF GARBAGE DISPOSAL AND GARBAGE DISPOSER THEREFOR This invention relates to a method of garbage disposal and garbage disposer therefor wherein garbage produced in places such as a kitchen is dehydrated in a centrifugal manner.

The following arrangement for garbage disposal in the centrifugal dehydration has been conventionally conceived.

That is, a container is provided beneath a basin or garbagedisposal compartment of a sink. A net bag is placed in a container having an upper opening and a number of dehydrating perforations in a circumferential wall thereof.

Garbage is put into the net bag through the upper opening of the container and then, the container is rotated at a high speed by an electric motor so that water contained in the garbage in the net bag is drained outwards through meshes of the net bag and the dehydrating perforations of the container, thereby dehydrating the garbage. Thereafter, the net bag containing the garbage is taken out of the container to be dumped away.

In the above-described arrangement for the garbage disposal, however, when the garbage includes a relatively soft or small substance such as bread dough, noodle or boiled rice grains, the garbage is caused to scatter out of the net bag through the meshes thereof during the dehydration. Furthermore, when the net bag is taken out of the container after the dehydration or carried away to be thereby dumped away, the remaining water drops through the meshes of the net bag onto the floor, which soils the floor and hands of a user.

On the other hand, Japanese Published Patent Application (Kokoku) No. 63-50062 discloses a centrifugal dehydrating apparatus comprising a cup-shaped rotating cylinder having an upper opening and a rotating lid for closing the upper opening. An object to be dehydrated, such as garbage is contained in the rotating cylinder and the rotating lid is attached to the cylinder to close the upper opening thereof. Then, the rotating cylinder is rotated by a motor so that water in the cylinder is discharged through a dehydrating gap defined between the opening edge of the cylinder and the lid. This Japanese application also discloses that in the case where a containing member such as a vinyl bag is previously put in the rotating cylinder so as to contain the garbage to be dehydrated, the garbage dehydrated may be taken out of the cylinder with ease after the dehydrating operation.The centrifugal dehydrating apparatus disclosed by the Japanese application is directed to the industrial use and not to the domestic use.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method of garbage disposal and garbage disposer therefor wherein the garbage including the noodle or boiled rice grains can be disposed in the centrifugal dehydration manner in the domestic sink without soiling the kitchen or other room floors and the user's hands.

The present invention provides a method of garbage disposal comprising steps of placing an imperforate bag for containing garbage in a container having an upper open end, the container being disposed beneath a basin compartment of a sink, attaching a container lid to the upper open end of the container to close the same, the container lid having an annular wall portion providing a dehydration gap between the same and inner risen peripheral surface of the container when attached to the container, and rotating the container by drive means in the state that garbage is contained in the imperforate bag and the container lid is attached to the upper open end of the container so that water contained in the bag is discharged through the dehydration gap, thereby dehydrating the garbage.

To carry out this method, the invention provides a garbage disposer which is provided in a sink having a basin compartment having a garbage feed opening in the bottom thereof. The garbage disposer comprises container means disposed beneath the basin compartment for containing an imperforate bag, the container means having an upper open end and an inner risen peripheral surface at the upper open end thereof, a container lid attached to the upper open end of the container to close the same, the lid having an opening through which the garbage from the garbage feed opening of the basin compartment of the sink is put into the bag, the lid having annular wall means formed so as to be opposite to the inner risen peripheral surface of the container means, the annular wall means defining a dehydration gap together with the inner risen peripheral surface of the container means, and drive means for rotating the container.

In accordance with the above-described method and apparatus, the garbage is contained in the imperforate bag and accordingly, the garbage may be prevented from scattering out of the bag during the dehydration.

Consequently, even when the garbage includes noodle, boiled rice grains or the like, the garbage may be disposed with ease. Furthermore, when the bag containing the garbage is taken out of the container after the dehydration or carried away to a suitable place to be dumped away, the garbage may be prevented from scattering out of the bag and the water may be prevented from dropping from the bag. Consequently, the kitchen or other room floors and user's hands are not soiled.

It is preferable that a water reservoir be provided so as to enclose the container means for receiving water discharged from the container means during the dehydration and that the water reservoir have a drain hole in the bottom thereof.

It is also preferable that valve means be provided for closing and opening the drain hole of the water reservoir.

The drain hole is closed by the valve means so that water is reserved in the water reservoir and container means. In this state, the container means is rotated, thereby cleaning the container means and water reservoir.

It is further preferable that switch means be provided in the sink and that control means be provided for controlling the drive means and valve means based on operation of the switch means. The control means is provided with a dehydration mode in which the garbage is dehydrated, rinse mode in which the container means and the like are cleaned, low speed mode in which the container means is rotated at a low speed, and pre-dehydration mode in which the container means is rotated for a short period of time prior to the dehydrating operation.

The invention will be described, merely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a garbage disposer of an embodiment in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sink in which the garbage disposer is disposed; FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the major part of the garbage disposer; FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the major part; FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical arrangement of the garbage disposer; FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing a dehydration mode; FIG. 7 is also a timing chart showing a rinse mode; FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating the garbage disposer of a second embodiment of the invention;; FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the lower portion of a container employed in the garbage disposer of a third embodiment; FIG. 10 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the major part of the garbage disposer of a fourth embodiment; FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the garbage disposer of a fifth embodiment; FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the container employed in the garbage disposer of the fifth embodiment; FIG. 13 is transverse sectional view of the container shown in FIG. 12; FIG. 14 is an electric circuit diagram of the garbage disposer of the fifth embodiment; FIGS. 15(A), 15(a), 15(A') and (a') are voltage waveform charts for explaining the operation of the garbage disposer in the fifth embodiment; FIG. 16 is a fragmentary enlarged transverse section of the container;; FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 13 showing the garbage disposer of a sixth embodiment; and FIG. 18 is an electric circuit diagram of the garbage disposer of a seventh embodiment.

The garbage disposer of a first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a kitchen sink 1 has a cabinet 2 and a basin or garbage-disposal compartment 3 provided on the top of the kitchen sink 1. A generally rectangular opening 4 is formed in the bottom of the basin compartment 3 and a sink lid 5 closing the opening 4 is rotatably mounted on a hinge 6. The sink lid 5 has a central garbage feed opening 7 through which garbage is put and a small lid 8 is detachably attached for closing and opening the garbage feed opening 7. The lid 5 has slit-like water outlets 9 in the peripheral edge thereof.

A water reservoir 10 is provided beneath the basin compartment 3. The bottom of the water reservoir 10 is held on the floor face 13 via a support 11 and bottom plate 12.

A drain hole 14 is formed in the bottom of the water reservoir 10 and a filter 15 is attached to the drain hole 14. A drain valve 16 comprising an electromagnetic valve is also provided for closing and opening the drain hole 14. A drain hose 17 is coupled to the drain valve 16. The drain hole 14 is usually opened by the drain valve 16 so that water reserved in the water reservoir 10 is drained through the hose 17 to the sewerage. An annular buffer member 18 formed of an elastic material such as rubber is attached to the upper end of the water reservoir 10. The peripheral edge of the opening 4 is fitted in the upper peripheral end of the buffer member 18. The buffer member 18 thus connects the water reservoir 10 to the basin compartment 3 and also provides the sealing therebetween.

An electric motor 19 as drive means is mounted on the bottom plate 12 via a support 20. A drive shaft 21 is coupled through a coupling member 21a to a motor rotational shaft 19a directed upwardly. Bellows 23 formed of an elastic material is provided on the central bottom of the water reservoir 10. The bellows 23 has a bearing 22 through which the upper end of the drive shaft 21 is extended to the interior of the water reservoir 10. A coupling 24 is secured to the upper end of the drive shaft 21 thus extended.

A container 25 serving as container means for containing an imperforate bag described later is disposed in the water reservoir 10. The container 25 has an upper opening. Another coupling 26 mounted on the bottom of the container 25 is detachably coupled with the coupling 24 so that the container 25 is put into and taken out of the water reservoir 10. The container 25 is rotated by the motor 19 as drive means. When thus disposed in the water reservoir 10, the container 25 is encompassed by the water reservoir 10 and positioned such that the upper end thereof is opposite to the middle portion of the buffer member 18. A frame 27 formed by combining two metallic plates is provided along the open peripheral edge of the container 25, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.The frame 27 has, for example, four engagement convex portions 28 and the top surfaces 28a of the convex portions 28 are higher than top surfaces 27a of the portions between each convex portion 28 and its adjacent one. An imperforate bag 29 formed from vinyl is detachably disposed in the container 25. The upper end of the bag 29 is folded outward in the state that the bag 29 is disposed in the container 25. A string 29a is provided along the upper end of the bag 29, as shown in FIG. 3.

A container lid 30 is detachably attached to the top of the container 25. The container lid 30 has an annular recess 31 formed so as to fit with the upper opening of the container 25. A generally circular garbage inlet 32 is formed in the central bottom of the annular recess 31. The container lid 30 has four generally L-shaped engagement claws 33 formed on the outer peripheral edge thereof. The claws 33 are projected downward and the number and positions of the claws 33 correspond to those of the engagement convex portions 28. The container lid 30 is placed on the top of the container 25 and then rotated so that the engagement claws 33 are engaged with the convex portions 28 respectively, thereby attaching the container lid 30 to the container 25.In the state that the container lid 30 is attached to the container 25, the upper surfaces of the convex portions 28 are pressed by the peripheral underside of the container lid 30 with the bag 29 held therebetween and the outer peripheral surface of an annular peripheral wall 31a of the recess 31 as annular wall means for defining a dehydration gap is opposite to the inner risen peripheral surface 27b of the container 25 with a predetermined gap therebetween, as is shown in FIG. 4. As a result, a first dehydration gap 34 is formed diametrically or transversely between the peripheral underside of the container lid 30 and the upper surface 27a of the frame 27. Furthermore, a second vertical dehydration gap 35 is defined between the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 31a and the risen peripheral surface 27b of the container 25.The upper end of the second dehydration gap 35 communicates to the first dehydration gap 34. The first dehydration gap 34 is opposite to the middle portion of the buffer member 18.

Each of the gaps 34, 35 has the width of approximately 1 millimeter. In the state that the container lid 30 is attached to the container 25, the garbage feed opening 7 of the sink lid 5 faces the garbage inlet 32 so that garbage in the basin compartment 3 is put through the opening 7 and inlet 32 into the imperforate bag 29.

FIG. 5 illustrates an electrical arrangement of the above-described garbage disposer. A microcomputer-based control circuit 36 is employed as means for controlling the operation of the garbage disposer. The motor 19 and drain valve 16 are connected to the control circuit 36.

Furthermore, a dehydration switch 37, rinse switch 38, start switch 39 and stop switch 40 are connected to the control circuit 36. The control circuit 36 is provided with an operational program of dehydration and rinse modes. In the dehydration mode, the motor 19 is controlled as shown in FIG. 6 where each oblique line block denotes a motor energization period. The motor 19 and drain valve 16 are controlled as shown in FIG. 7 in the rinse mode. The switches 37 to 40 are mounted in an operation panel 41 provided on the front side of the sink 1.

The operation of the garbage disposer thus constructed will now be described. When the basin compartment 3 is used with no garbage to be disposed, the lid 8 is attached to the sink lid 5. Since the garbage feed opening 7 is closed by the lid 8, articles may be prevented from falling through the opening 7 to the container 25 side. Water in the basin compartment 3 flows through the water outlets 9 into the water reservoir 10 and then, the water is drained through the drain hole 14 and drain hose 17 to the drainage. In this case, the drain valve 16 is opened.

When garbage is disposed or the dehydration mode is selected in the control circuit 36, the bag 29 is placed in the container 25 and the container lid 30 is attached to the container 25 to close the top thereof. Then, the container 25 is set in the water reservoir 10, as shown in FIG. 1. In this state, the lid 8 is detached and an amount of garbage 42 is put through the garbage feed opening 7 and garbage inlet 32 into the bag 29. A certain amount of water sometimes flows into the bag 29 together with the garbage 42. When the bag 29 is filled with a suitable amount of garbage 42, water is fed into the bag 29, if necessary, so that the garbage 42 in the bag 29 is prevented from being impartial. The above-described water feed is done for preventing unbalance of the container 25 at the initial stage of rotation thereof.The water feed may not be done when the garbage 42 is well-balanced in the bag 29.

Subsequently, the dehydration switch 37 and then, the start switch 39 in the operation panel 41 are operated so that the motor 19 is energized. With energization of the motor 19, the container 25 is rotated via the couplings 24, 26. Rotation of the container 25 causes a centrifugal force to act on the garbage 42 and water in the bag 29. Subjected to the centrifugal force, the garbage 42 and water rise along the inner surface of the container 25. Then, only the water is discharged through the second and first gaps 35, 34 between the container 25 and container lid 30, thereby dehydrating the garbage 42.

Pressure caused by the garbage 42 and water forces the container lid 30 upward during the dehydrating operation.

Consequently, the first dehydration gap 34 between the peripheral edge 30a of the lid 30 and the container frame 27 is enlarged while the second dehydration gap 35 between the annular wall 31a of the lid 30 and the inner risen peripheral surface 27b of the container 25 scarcely changes, thereby preventing the garbage 42 from being discharged with the water through the enlarged dehydration gap 34. The water, after passing through the first dehydration gap 34, strikes against the rubber buffer member 18. A sound produced with striking is relatively small. Furthermore, the vibration produced with rotation of the container 25 is transmitted to the water reservoir 10.However, since the water reservoir 10 is coupled with the basin compartment 3 of the sink 1 via the buffer member 18, the vibration is absorbed by the buffer member 18, thereby preventing the vibration from being transmitted to the sink 1.

The motor 19 is controlled so as to be energized and deenergized during the dehydration operation so that the revolution thereof is varied, as is shown in- FIG. 6. With this, the rotational speed of the container 25 is varied.

The garbage 42 and water in the container 25 risen along the inner surface of the container 25 during high rotational speed thereof while the garbage 42 and water descend the container inner surface as the container rotational speed is reduced. Thus, the garbage 42 and water move up and down in the container 25. Consequently, for example, when the bag 29 has some creases or masses of garbage 42 are contained in the bag 29, directions of water paths for the dehydration are frequently changed so that the water paths are prevented from being obstructed by the creases or garbage masses, thereby performing a reliable dehydration.

The dehydration operation is completed with final deenergization of the motor 19. As the result of the dehydration operation performed as described above, the quantity of water contained in the garbage 42 and the cubic volume of the garbage 42 are reduced. Since the bag 29 containing the garbage 42 is imperforate, noodle or boiled rice grains may be prevented from scattering out of the bag 29 even when the garbage 42 contains them. Thus, the garbage 42 may be dehydrated regardless of kinds of materials composing it.

After completion of the dehydration operation, the sink lid 5 is detached and the container 25 is lifted up out of the water reservoir 10 so that the couplings 24, 26 are disengaged. The container lid 30 is then detached. The upper end of the bag 29 is stretched and the bag 29 is lifted up with the string 29a held, thereby taking the bag 29 containing the dehydrated garbage 42 out of the container 25. In this case, the garbage 42 in the bag 29 is pressed by the underside of the recess 31 of the container lid 30 during the dehydration such that the garbage 42 is positioned lower than the top of the container 25.

Consequently, when the bag 29 containing the garbage 42 is taken out of the container 25, the garbage 42 is not caused to scatter onto the kitchen or other room floor or soil the user's hands. The upper opening of the bag 29 is closed by the string 29a when the bag 29 is taken out of the container 25. The bag 29 containing the dehydrated garbage 42 is carried away to a suitable place to be damped away. Since the bag 29 is imperforate, the garbage 42 may be prevented from scattering out of the bag 29. Furthermore, even when the water is left in the bag 29, the water may be prevented from dropping down onto the floor. Consequently, the floor and the user's hands may be prevented from being soiled when the bag 29 containing the garbage 42 is taken out of the container 25 after the dehydration. The string 29a of the bag 29 may or may not be provided.

When the container 25 and water reservoir 10 are soiled after several times of execution of the dehydration, these members need to be cleaned. When these members are cleaned or the rinse mode is selected in the control circuit 36, the container 25 with the lid 30 attached thereto is first set in the water reservoir 10. When the rinse switch 38 in the operation panel 41 is operated, the drain valve 16 is closed. In this state, a suitable amount of water is supplied through the outlets 9 into the water reservoir 10 and another suitable amount of water is supplied through garbage feed opening 7 into the container 25. Then, a suitable amount of detergent is fed into each of the water reservoir 10 and container 25. Thereafter, when the start switch 39 is operated, the motor 19 is energized to run in the manner as shown in FIG. 7, thereby rotating the container 25. Upon rotation of the container 25, the inner side of the container 25 is cleaned and the water therein is discharged through the second and first gaps 35, 34. With rotation of the container 25, movement of the water in the water reservoir 10 cleans the outer surface of the container 25 and inner surface of the water reservoir 10. The motor 19 is once deenergized about two minutes after energization and the drain valve 16 is opened, thereby discharging the water in the water reservoir 10 through the drain hole 14.

Thereafter, the motor 19 is energized for about one minute to rotate the container 25 with the drain valve 16 remaining open. As a result, bubbles and water adherent to the container walls are blown off. The rinse operation is thus performed to clean the container 25 and water reservoir 10.

In the garbage disposer such as described above, the water flowing into the imperforate bag 29 together with the garbage 42 is reserved therein and not discharged.

Consequently, when the water in the bag 29 is increased such that the water overflows the garbage inlet 32 of the container lid 30, there is the possibility that the garbage 42 may flow with the water out of the container 25. In order to solve the problem, the present invention provides the following construction as a second embodiment shown in FIG. 8. In the second embodiment, an annular wall 45 is provided on the upper surface of the container lid 43 of the container 25 so as to encompass the garbage inlet 44. The annular wall 45 has a number of drain slits 45a.

In accordance with the second embodiment, when the water is about to overflow, it flows through the drain slits 45a out of the container 25 but the garbage 42 is prevented from flowing out of the container 25 with the water.

Alternatively, the annular wall 45 may be formed of a net so that the water is allowed to flow out through meshes of the net.

FIG. 3 illustrates the garbage disposer of a third embodiment of the invention. A plurality of apertures 46 are formed in the bottom of the container 25 and the lower peripheral wall thereof in the vicinity of the bottom. Air is enhanced to flow through the apertures 46 into the space between the bag 29 and container 25 when the bag 29 is taken out of the container 25 after the dehydration.

Consequently, even when the bag 29 formed from vinyl materials adheres closely to the inner surface of the container 25 during the dehydration, the bag 29 may be taken out of the container 25 with ease. Furthermore, even if water flows into the container 25, the water is discharged through the apertures 46 and not left therein.

FIG. 10 illustrates the garbage disposer of a fourth embodiment. A recessed attachment portion 48 is formed in the container lid 47 attached to the container 25 so that the lid 8 attached to the sink lid 5 may also be attached to the portion 48. A suitable packing 8a is provided on the lower end of the peripheral edge of the lid 8. The garbage inlet 44 may be closed by attaching the lid 8 to the attaching portion 48 of the container lid 47 so that the container 25 is almost sealed up tightly. Consequently, when the garbage 42 is left in the container 25 after the dehydration, odor produced from the garbage 42 may be prevented from leaking out of the container 25.

The garbage disposer of a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 16. Referring to FIG. 11, the kitchen sink has a basin compartment 51 provided on the top thereof. An opening 52 is formed in the bottom of the basin compartment 51. A mounting frame 53 is inserted in the opening 52. A water reservoir 54 is provided beneath the basin compartment 51. The water reservoir 54 comprises a receptacle-like base 55 and top cover 56. The top cover 56 is threadably mounted on the outer periphery of the mounting frame 53 such that the peripheral edge of the opening 52 of the basin compartment 51 is held between the top cover 56 and mounting frame 53 with a packing 57 interposed therebetween. An upper end flange 55a of the water reservoir base 55 and a lower end flange 56a of the top cover 56 are connected by a bolt 59 and nut 60 via a packing 58.A drain hole 61 is formed in the bottom of the water reservoir base 55. A filter 62 is attached to the drain hole 61 and a drain hose 63 is coupled thereto.

An electric motor 64 as drive means is mounted on the bottom of the water reservoir 54 via a vibration proof spring 65. A rotational shaft 64a of the motor 64 is directed upward. Bellows 67 formed of an elastic material is provided on the central bottom of the water reservoir 54.

The bellows 67 has a bearing 66 through which the upper end of the rotational shaft 64a is extended to the interior of the water reservoir 54. A rotation transfer member 68 is secured to the extended shaft end.

A container 69 having an upper opening is disposed in the water reservoir 54 so that the rotation transfer member 68 is fitted in a recess formed in the underside of the container 69. Furthermore, a knob 70 is fastened to the distal end of the rotational shaft 64a extended through an opening formed in the bottom of the container 69 such that the container 69 is coupled -to the rotational shaft 64a. A plurality of grooves 71 vertically extending from the upper end to the bottom are formed in the inner surface of the container 69. An imperforate bag 72 for containing garbage is placed in the container 69 so as to be taken in and out of the container. In the state that the bag 72 is enclosed in the container 69, the upper peripheral end thereof is folded outward.

A container lid 73 detachably attached to the top of the container 69 has the same construction as the container lid 30 in the first embodiment. That is, the container lid 73 has an annular recess 74 so as to fit with the upper opening of the container 69. A generally circular garbage inlet 75 is formed in the central bottom of the annular recess 74. The container lid 73 has engagement claws 77 formed on the peripheral edge thereof so as to be projected downward. The container lid 73 is placed on the top of the container 69 and then rotated so that the engagement claws 77 are engaged with convex portions 76 respectively, thereby attaching the container lid 73 to the container 69.

In the. state that the container lid 73 is attached to the container 69, a dehydration gap 78 is defined between the annular peripheral wall 74a of the recess 74 and the inner risen peripheral surface and further between the peripheral edge of the container lid 73 and the upper end of the container 69.

A sink lid 79 is detachably attached to the top of the mounting frame 53. The sink lid 79 has a garbage feed opening 80 formed so as to face the garbage inlet 75 and an outlet 81 formed in the periphery thereof. A lid 82 is detachably attached to the sink lid 79 so as to close the garbage feed opening 80. A reed switch 83 is mounted on a suitable portion of the underside of the sink lid 79. A permanent magnet 83a is mounted on the lower end of the lid 82 so as to correspond to the reed switch 83 which is turned on when the lid 82 is attached to the sink lid 79.

FIG. 14 shows an electric circuit in connection with the motor 64. The control circuit 84 as control means for controlling the motor 64 is arranged as follows. A triac 85 is connected between both bus bars of the AC power supply via the motor 64. One terminal of a phototriac 86 is connected to the gate terminal of the triac 85 and the other terminal thereof is connected to the common junction of the motor 64 and triac 85 through a resistance 87. A zero-cross signal generating circuit 88 is connected between both bus bars of the AC power supply. The zero-cross signal generating circuit 88 outputs a zero-cross signal to the microcomputer 89 every time the output voltage of the AC power supply reaches the zero level. An output side terminal of the dehydration switch 90 is connected through the reed switch 83 to the microcomputer 89. An output side terminal of a garbage feed switch 91 is connected to the microcomputer 89. A photodiode 93 composing a photocoupler 92 with the phototriac 86 is connected, at an output side terminal, through a resistance 94 to the collector terminal of a transistor 95. The base terminal of the transistor 95 is connected through a resistance 96 to an output terminal of the microcomputer 89. The dehydration switch 90 and garbage feed switch 91 are provided in the front surface of the sink.

When the dehydration switch 90 is momentarily turned on in the condition that the reed switch 83 has been turned on, the micrdcomputer 89 delivers a control signal synchronized with the output of the zero-cross signal generating circuit 88, as shown in FIG. 15(a). Based on the control signal, the firing of the triac 85 is controlled through the transistor 95 and photocoupler 92 such that a full wave voltage is applied to the motor 64 as shown in FIG 15(A), thereby running the motor 6-4 at high speed. On the other hand, when the garbage feed switch 91 is momentarily turned on, the microcomputer 89 delivers a control signal synchronized with the output of the zero-cross signal generating circuit 88, as shown in FIG. 15(a').Based on the control signal, the firing of the triac 85 is controlled through the transistor 95 and photocoupler 92 such that an intermittent half wave voltage is applied to the motor 64 as shown in FIG. 15(A'), thereby running the motor 64 at low speed.

In operation, the bag 72 and container lid 73 are previously attached to the container 69 when the garbage is to be disposed of, as shown in FIG. 11. Furthermore, the sink lid 79 is previously attached to the mounting frame 53 of the basin compartment 51, too. Then, garbage is put into the bag 72 with the lid 82 detached. In this case, when the garbage feed switch 91 is turned on, if necessary, the motor 64 runs at the low speed so that the container 69 is rotated at the low speed. Consequently, a centrifugal force acts on the garbage and water contained in the bag 69 such that the water surface 97 assumes a conical shape with the water surface risen in the vicinity of the inner peripheral wall of the container 69 as shown in FIG. 11.Accordingly, the central portion of the water surface 97 is lower than the other portion thereof as compared with the case where the container 69 is not rotated, in which case the water surface 97' is approximately flat. As a result, since the water surface 97 is away from the garbage inlet 75 with the central water surface lowered, it is difficult for the user to view the garbage on the water surface 97 and it becomes easy to put the garbage into the bag 72. Furthermore, when a large amount of water is contained in the bag 72, a part of the water is discharged through the dehydration gap 78.

As a result, an excessive amount of water may be discharged and it becomes easy to put a large amount of garbage into the bag 72. Upon completion of the garbage feed, the garbage feed switch 91 is turned off.

In the case where the garbage is dehydrated, the lid 82 is attached to the sink lid 79 and then, the reed switch 83 is turned on. When the dehydration switch 90 is turned on in this state, the motor 64 runs at the high speed to thereby rotate the container 69 at the high speed. Upon rotation of the container 69, the centrifugal force acts on the garbage and water in the container 69 such that the water is discharged through the dehydration gap 78, thereby dehydrating the garbage. Since the groove 71 formed in the inner surface of the container 69 guides the water in the container 69 upward, the water is discharged efficiently.

Furthermore, although the vinyl bag 72 tends to adhere closely to the inner surface of the container 69 during the dehydration, a space 98 is defined between the grooves 71 and the bag 72 as shown in FIG. 15, thereby reducing the degree of adherence.

Upon completion of the dehydration, the sink lid 79 is detached and container lid 73 is detached from the container 69. The upper end of the bag 72 is stretched and lifted up with the upper end held, thereby taking it out of the container 69. Since air is allowed to enter a space between the bag 72 and container 69 along the grooves 71, the bag 72 may be taken out of the container 69 with ease.

Although the grooves 71 are formed in the inner surface of the container 69 in the fifth embodiment, projections 99 may be formed on the inner surface of the container 69, instead of the grooves 71, as shown in FIG. 17 as a sixth embodiment. Furthermore, both of the grooves 71 and projections 99 may be extended obliquely vertically.

Furthermore, a coating providing water repellency such as fluorine-container resin may be applied to the inner surface of the container 69 so that remaining water can be removed with ease and the bag 72 can be taken out of the container 69 further more easily after the dehydration.

FIG. 18 illustrates the garbage disposer of a seventh embodiment. The arrangement of the control circuit for controlling the motor 64 differs from that in the fifth embodiment. The motor 64 is connected between both bus bars of the AC power supply via a relay switch 100a. A diode 101, resistance 102 and capacitor 103 are series connected between the bus bars.

The arragement of a control circuit 104 for controlling the motor 64 will now be described. A dehydration timer circuit 105 comprises a time constant circuit comprised of a resistance 106a and capacitor 106b, a reference voltage generating circuit 107 comprised of resistances 107a and 107b, and comparator 108. A normally open dehydration switch 109 is connected to both ends of the capacitor 106b.

Upon momentary turn-on of the dehydration switch 109, an output signal from a comparator 108 is turned from the high level to the low level and the output signal is maintained at the low state for a predetermined period of time, for example, for two minutes. Upon lapse of two minutes, the output signal form the comparator 108 is turned from the low level to he high level.

Similarly, a pre-dehydration timer circuit 110 comprises a time constant circuit comprised of a resistance 111a and capacitor 111b, a reference voltage generating circuit 112 comprised of resistances 112a and 112b, and a comparator 113. A normally-opened pre-dehydration switch 114 is connected to both ends of the capacitor 111b. The time constant of the time constant circuit 111 is so set as to be smaller than that of the time constant circuit 106 in the dehydration timer circuit 105. When the pre-dehydration switch 114 is momentarily turned on, an output signal from the comparator 113 is turned from the high level to the low level and the output signal is maintained at the low level for a predetermined period of time, for example, for ten seconds. Upon lapse of ten seconds, the output signal from the comparator 113 is turned from the low level to the high level.

Both input terminals of an AND circuit 115 are connected to output terminals of the comparators 108 and 113 and an output terminal of the AND circuit 115 is connected through a resistance 116 to the base terminal of the transistor 117. A relay coil 100b composing the relay 100 with the relay switch 100a is connected to the collector terminal of the transistor 117. The transistor 117 is turned off while the output signal from the AND circuit 115 is at the low level and turned on when the output signal is at the high level. Based on such an operation of the transistor 117, the relay coil 100b causes the relay switch 100a to be turned on, thereby driving the motor 64.

When the dehydration switch 109 is turned on, the motor runs at the high speed for two minutes to rotate the container 69, thereby executing the dehydration. When the pre-dehydration switch 114 is turned on, the motor 64 runs at the high speed for a period shorter than that in the dehydration mode, for example, for ten seconds, thereby rotating the container 69. Consequently, the predehydration mode in which excessive water in the container 69 is discharged is executed. Accordingly, where a lot of water is contained in the bag 72, the pre-dehydration switch 114 is suitably turned on so that the pre-dehydration is executed, thereby reducing an amount of water in the bag 72.

Consequently, it becomes difficult for the user to view the garbage in the container 69 and a large amount of garbage can be put into the bag with ease.

The foregoing disclosure and drawings are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention and are not to be interpreted in a limiting sense. The only limitation is to be determined from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (18)

WE CLAIM:

1. A method of garbage disposal comprising steps of: a) placing an imperforate bag for containing garbage in a container having an upper open end, the container being disposed beneath a basin compartment of a sink; b) attaching a container lid to the upper open end of the container to close the same, the container lid having an annular wall portion providing a dehydration gap between the same and inner peripheral risen surface of the container when attached to the upper open end of the container; and c) rotating the container by drive means in the state that garbage is contained in the imperforate bag and container lid is attached to the upper open end of the container so that water contained in the bag is discharged through the dehydration gap, thereby dehydrating the garbage.

2. A garbage disposer which is provided in a sink having a basin compartment having a garbage feed opening in a bottom thereof, the garbage disposer comprising: a) container means disposed beneath the basin compartment for containing an imperf orate bag, the container means having an upper open end and an inner risen peripheral surface at the upper open end thereof; b) a container lid attached to the upper open end of the container means, the lid having an opening through which the garbage fed from the garbage feed opening is put into the bag, the lid having annular wall means formed so as to be opposite to the inner risen peripheral surface of the container means, the annular wall means defining a dehydration gap together with the risen inner peripheral surface of the container means; and c) drive means for rotating the container means.

3. A garbage disposer according to claim 2, which further comprises an imperforate bag detachably disposed in the container means.

4. A garbage disposer according to claim 2, which further comprises a water reservoir provided beneath the basin compartment of the sink so as to enclose the container means, the water reservoir having a bottom and an upper end, the water reservoir having a drain hole in the bottom.

5. A garbage disposer according to claim 4, which further comprises a buffer member provided on an upper end of the water reservoir so as to be opposite to the dehydration gap between the container means and the lid, the buffer member being formed from an elastic material, the buffer member being connected to the sink.

6. A garbage disposer according to claim 2, which further comprises an annular wall formed on an upper side of the container lid so as to encompass the garbage feed opening, the annular wall means having a plurality of drain slots.

7. A garbage disposer according to claim 2, which further comprises control means for controlling the drive means so that the number of revolutions of the container means is varied.

8. A garbage disposer according to claim 2, wherein the container means has a plurality of holes formed in the wall thereof in contact with the imperforate bag.

9. A garbage disposer according to claim 2, wherein the sink has a lid closing and opening the garbage feed opening of the basin compartment.

10. A garbage disposer according to claim 9, wherein the lid closing and opening the garbage feed opening of the basin compartment of the sink has such a configuration that the lid may also be attached to the container lid to thereby close the garbage feed opening of the container lid.

11. A garbage disposer according to claim 2, wherein the container means has a number of grooves or projections formed in or on the inner surface of the container means so as to be vertically extended, respectively.

12. A garbage disposer according to claim 2, which further comprises switch means provided in the sink and control means for controlling the drive means based on the operation of the switch means.

13. A garbage disposer according to claim 12, wherein the control means is provided with a low speed mode in which the drive means is controlled so that the container means is rotated at a low speed and a high speed mode in which the drive means is controlled so that the container means is rotated at a high speed.

14. A garbage disposer according to claim 12, wherein the control means is provided with a pre-dehydration mode in which the drive means is driven for a short period.

15. A garbage disposer which is provided in a sink having a basin compartment having a garbage feed opening in a bottom thereof, the garbage disposer comprising: a) container means disposed beneath the basin compartment for containing an imperforate bag, the container means having an upper open end and an inner risen peripheral surface at the upper open end thereof; b) a container lid attached to the upper open end of the container means, the lid having an opening through which the garbage fed from the garbage feed opening is put into the bag, the lid having annular wall means formed so as to be opposite to the inner risen peripheral surface of the container means, the annular wall means defining a dehydration gap together with the risen inner peripheral surface of the container means; c) drive means for rotating the container means; ; d) a water reservoir disposed so as to encompass the container means, the water reservoir having a bottom, the water reservoir having a drain hole in the bottom; and e) control means for controlling the rotating means in both dehydration and rinse modes.

16. A garbage disposer according to claim 15, which further comprises valve means closing the drain hole of the water reservoir in the rinse mode.

17. A garbage disposer according to claim 16, which further comprises switch means provided in the sink so that the control means controls the rotating means and the valve means, based on the operation of the switch means.

18. A method of garbage disposal and a garbage disposer therefor, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.