GB2272692A - Worm composter - Google Patents

Abstract

A worm composter consisting of one or two containers 1 made of water permeable material, with a covering lid 2 and a lid 3 which rests on the surface of the waste inside the container. <IMAGE>

Description

WORM COMPOSTER The present invention relates to a worm corn poster primarily for use in processing domestic kitchen waste.

Worm composters consist of a covered container for kitchen waste, provided with the right conditions for a colony of Eisenia Fetida worms to thrive and thereby eat and digest the waste. In time a much reduced volume of high-grade worm compost is produced.

The optimum condition for the worms is a damp. warm, aerobic environment. As the waste matter has a high water content there is a surplus of water generated from the waste. If the waste is allowed to stay wet, it becomes anaerobic and starts to smell. becomes unattractive to the worms, and it is not eaten by them.

Known worm composters are usually plastic containers similar in appearance to a dustbin or domestic waste container. They either have a base of gravel or sand, or have an insert to keep the waste above the bottom of the container, creating a sump, and have a drain-tap to remove the liquid.

In practice it is easy for the contents to become too wet, either because the liquid rises above the gravel, or the drain tap has not been opened often enough to remove the excess liquid.

When the composter is full the top portion which contains mainly unprocessed waste must be temporarily put aside whilst the compost underneath is removed. If a gravel base type has been used it is difficult to avoid contamination between the two, leaving the compost with unwanted gravel in it and the likelihood that the gravel in the container will have to be replaced.

There is some evidence that the worms dislike plastic materials and the fumes emanating from the plastic surface.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a worm composter which automatically removes the excess moisture as it is formed, without the need for a gravel base or a sump and tap.

The construction material of the invention is of a natural material which is preferred by the worms and is of a shape and colour which is aesthetically pleasant.

For ease of use, and to retain as large a worm colony as possible, two containers can be used. When the first container is full, the second container is started by transferring the top worm-rich layer from the first container. The second container is stacked on top of the first temporarily.

In time, the worms in the lower container will move to the surface, when they can be easily moved to the upper container.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container for a worm composter made of a water permeable substance such that the surplus moisture from the waste and the waste processing passes through the container wall and evaporates from the outer surface of the container.

Optionally the container incorporates in the base and the lower parts of the side a reinforcing mesh made of flexible netting. This gives additional strength to the container when damp.

Preferably a floating lid, made with a surface of moisture absorbing material, is provided for the surface of the waste. This helps to produce the damp dark conditions preferred by the worms and encourages them to move up into the fresh waste.

A covering lid may also be provided to keep out the rain and to preserve the dark, warm environment for the worms.

Optionally there is a flexible means of connection between the floating lid and the covering lid such that when the covering lid is in position the floating lid rests on the surface of the waste and when the covering lid is removed the floating lid is also lifted away.

Preferably the base of the container is corrugated in such a manner as to maximise the natural air flow over the base of the container.

Optionally there is a spacer supporting the container. This consists of a sheet material corrugated in such a manner as to maximise the natural air flow over the base of the container. The spacer could optionally be made of a water permeable material in order to draw moisture from the container where the spacer and container are in contact.

According to another aspect of the present invention two identical containers as described above are used, temporarily positioned one above the other.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shows in perspective the worm composter, utilising a single container, and showing the covering lid and the floating lid lifted off..

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a working worm composter utilising one container.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the container showing the approximate position of the reinforcement.

Figure 4 shows how two containers are utilised.

Figures 1 and 2 show the worm composter. It comprises a container 1 of relatively conventional construction. The base of the container 1 is corrugated to give additional structural strength. A covering lid 2 fits over the container 1 and is coupled to the floating lid 3 by cords 4 such that the floating lid 3 rests on the surface of the waste 7. whatever the depth of waste. The container 1 stands on the optional spacer 5. The spacer 5 is circular, the diameter of the base of container 1. with corrugations in it in two dimensions similar to a standard egg tray.

The container 1, covering lid 2, floating lid 3. and spacer 5 are made of a rigid fibre material made from recycled paper pulp impregnated with bonding agents and preservatives. The spacer 5 can alternatively be moulded from plastic.

The container 1 has reinforcement 8 added to the base and lower parts of the side as shown in Figure 3.

To use, a worm colony and bedding is put in the container 1. Once the worms are established. waste is added as it is generated. After several months, when the container 1 is full, the top 150 - 300 mm of the contents 7 is temporarily removed and the semi-mature compost 6 below is removed.

Contents 7 are then replaced in the container 1 and waste is added as before, repeating the cycle.

Figure 4 shows the alternative version of the worm composter using two containers 1A and lB temporarily mounted one above the other.

In use, initially only one container is used as described above. When the container 1A is full, the top 150 - 300 mm of the contents 7 is transferred to the second container lB. leaving the semi-mature worm compost 6 behind in container 1A. The second container 1B is placed on top of the original container 1A temporarily.. Waste can now be continued to be added as generated to the upper container lB. As the worms finish processing the compost 6 they will, in time, move to the upper surface of container lA and may be manually moved to container 1B. When the major'it of worms have been transferred the containers are separated and container lA is emptied for use as compost or for further maturation.

Claims (10)

1 A worm composter comprising a container made of a water permeable substance such that the surplus moisture from the waste and the waste processing passes through the container wall and evaporates from the outer surface of the container.

2 A worm composter as claimed in claim 1 with a reinforcing mesh made of flexible netting incorporated into the base and the lower parts of the side.

3 A worm corn poster as claimed in claim 1 or 2 with a floating lid, made with a surface of moisture absorbing material, dimensioned such that it fits on the surface of the waste.

4 A worm composter as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, with a covering lid to keep out the rain.

5 A worm composter as claimed in claim 4, provided with a flexible means of connection between the floating lid and the covering lid.

The length of the connection is such that when the covering lid is in position the floating lid always sits on the surface of the waste in the container. When the covering lid is removed the floating lid is also lifted away.

6 A worm composter consisting of a worm composter as claimed in claim

1 or 2 and a worm composter as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the two containers are positioned one above the other.

7 A worm composter as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein there is a spacer underneath the container consisting of a sheet material corrugated in such a manner as to maximise the natural air flow over the base of the container.

8 A worm composter as claimed in claim 7 wherein the spacer is of a water permeable material.

9 A worm composter as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the base of the container is corrugated in such a manner as to maximise the natural air flow over the base of the container.

10 A worm composter substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

10 A worm composter substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

CLAIMS 1 A worm composter comprising a container made of a water permeable substance such that the surplus moisture from the waste and the waste processing passes through the container wall and evaporates from the outer surface of the container.

2 A worm composter as claimed in claim 1 with a reinforcing mesh made of flexible netting incorporated into the base and the lower parts of the side.

3 A worm corn poster as claimed in claim 1 or 2 with a floating lid, made with a surface of moisture absorbing material, dimensioned such that it fits on the surface of the waste.

4 A worm composter as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, with a covering lid to keep out the rain.

5 A worm composter as claimed in claim 4, provided with a flexible means of connection between the floating lid and the covering lid.

The length of the connection is such that when the covering lid is in position the floating lid always sits on the surface of the waste in the container. When the covering lid is removed the floating lid is also lifted away.

6 A worm composter consisting of a worm composter as claimed in claim

1 or 2 and a worm composter as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the two containers are positioned one above the other.

7 A worm composter as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein there is a spacer underneath the container consisting of a sheet material corrugated in such a manner as to maximise the natural air flow over the base of the container.

8 A worm composter as claimed in claim 7 wherein the spacer is of a water permeable material.

9 A worm composter as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the base of the container is corrugated in such a manner as to maximise the natural air flow over the base of the container.