US2185037A

US2185037A - Waste disposal apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2185037A
Application number: US110489A
Authority: US
Inventors: James H Powers
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: General Electric Co
Priority date: 1936-11-12
Filing date: 1936-11-12
Publication date: 1939-12-26
Anticipated expiration: 1956-12-26

Description

26,1939.I J H POWERS 2,185,037

WASTE DISPOSAL APPARATUS Filed Nov. 12, 195e 3 sheets-sheet 1 MUNI! lim/enter James H; Pom/e115 His tbovneg.

Dec. 26, 1939. J, POWERS 2,185,037

wAsTE DISPOSAL APPARATUS Filed Nov. 12, v193; 3 sheets-sheet' 2 1YR/enten z James H. POV/evs,

His Abbou/*neg Dec. 26, 1939. J. H. POWERS WASTE DISPOSAL APPARATUS Filed Nov. 12, 195s s sheets-sheet 5' l lvm/enten l James H. Powers His AUG owne g.

Patented Dec. 26, 1939 UNITED STATES 2,185,037 WASTE DISPOSAL' APPARATUSA James H. Powers, Fort Wayne, Ind.,y assignor to General Electric Company, a porporation of New York Application November 12, 1936, Serial No. 110,489

19 Claims.

The present invention relates to apparatus for disposing of waste material and has for a general object the provision of an improved apparatus for the comminution, by grinding, crushing -or cutting, of garbage in the form oi' vegetable matter, meat, bones and the like and of other forms of waste material, and for the flushing of the comminuted material into a sewer system or the like with the aid of water supplied to the apparatus.

A more specific object of the invention is the provision of improved means for controlling the operation of a power driven waste disposal appliance or similar device.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved closure or stopper means for a drain opening in a sink or like structure.

For an understanding of other objects of the invention and the details of the manner in which the invention is carried out, attention is directed to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation partially in section, of an exemplary form of waste disposal apparatus embodying the present invention and incorporating an electric motor driven grinding machine connected'with the drain opening of a kitchen sink for receiving therefrom water and material to the ground, and having also an improved stopper or closure device arranged for controlling the ow of water from the sink through the drain opening and for controlling the operation of the electric motor; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the sink and the grinding machine Ashowing the improved closure device seated in the drain opening ofthe sink; Fig. 3 is an exploded View showing the details of construction of one form of the improved stopper or closure device; Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are plan views, partially cut away, illustrating successive steps in the operation of the closure device; Fig. '7 is a rear quarter view of the grinding machine showing the control switch for the electric driving motor and the actuating mechanism for the switch; Figs. 8 and 9 are plan views of a modified formiy of the improved stopper or closure device and respectively show two different steps in the operation of the device; Fig. 10 is a sectional side elevation of a portion of the waste disposal apparatus incorporating the modified form of closure device and its cooperating control mechanism; Fig. 11 is a rear quarter view of the portion of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 10 and showing the mounting of the control switch and the actuating mechanism therefor; Fig. 12 is a, sectional view oi? the modified form of closure device showing certain deetails of the construction thereof, and Fig. 13 is an exploded view illustrating a protective guard which is incorporated in the apparatus of Fig. 10.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, I0 designates a portion of a kitchen sink or like structure of the basin type adapted to have water supplied thereto from a faucet II or other suitable water supply means and having a drain opening in which is seated an adapter ring I2. To this ring the casing or housing I3 of an electric motor driven appliance, or grinding machine, is connected, as' best shown in Fig. 1, by means of a ilanged ring I4, which engages a flange on the adapter ring, and screw bolts I5 which extend through a flange on the upper end of the casing I3 into screw threaded engagement with the flanged ring I4. A gasket I6 of resilient material is provided between the adapter ring and the rim of the sink drain opening and a similar gasket I1, held in place by means of metal ring I8, is provided between the screw bolts I5 and the sink, while a third gasket I9 of resilient material is inserted between the upper end of the casing and the adapter ring I2 and the flanged ring I4. These three gaskets serve not only for sealing purposes but also to prevent the transmission of vibration from the grinding machine i to the sink structure.

Casing I3 is adapted to serve as a receptacle for the deposit of waste material'to be ground and has a lower portion of frustro-conical form providing a grinding chamber while the upper.

portion of the casing is of cylindrical form to facilitate the feeding of material into the grinding chamber. The lower end of the casing is closedI by means of a bottom plate 20 which is secured to a flange 2| on the lower end of the casing by means of bolts 22. Bottom plate 20 and flange 2| are so formed as to provide a drain or discharge conduit 23 which is adapted to be connected in any suitable manner, as by means of a pipe 24, to a sewer system or the like, thus providing forthe flushing of water and comminuted material from the casing into the sewer system or the like.

' In the bottom of the casing I3 are provided a rotatable cutter and crusher element, generally designated 21, and a stationary cutter element, generally designated 26, which are arranged for cooperation to grind, cut or crush material in the lower or grinding chamber portion of the casing. Rotatable cutter 21 is mounted upon a supporting disk 26 and a strainer disk 29 and is connected by means of drive shaft 39 for rotation by electric motor 3i which may be supported in any suitable manner as by means of a pedestal 32 mounted on either a floor or wall structure. The details of the construction and mounting of the rotatable cutter and crusher element and the connections and mounting of the motor are not essential to an understanding oi' the present invention, but a full description thereof is to be found ii' desired in the copending application of Adalbert Alexay, Serial- No. 71,156, tiled March 27, 1936, which became Patent No. 2,156,075 on April 25, 1939, and is assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Stationary cutter element 26 in the illustrated` embodiment is arranged in a lateral recess in the side wall of the lower portion of casing IS, the 'outer wall of the recess being formed by a removable cover plate 83. This cutter comprises a toothed cutting member or knife 34 secured in any suitable. manner to a movable holder plate 35. A pair of compression springs 33 and 3l, disposed in recesses in the back of the plate 35 and pressing against the cover plate 33, serve to force the toothed face of member 34 into cooperative relation with the rotatable cutter 2T in the grinding chamber. Forward movement of the cutter is limited at the top by the pressure of the upper end of plate 35 against a flange 36 formed on the wall of casing I3 and at the bottom by means of adjusting screw si) which extends through the cover plate 33 and has a iianged head engaging a iianged recess in the back of the plate 35. Due to the cooperative action of the flange 33, adjusting screw 40 with its head 4I, and springs 36 and 37, the toothed cutting face of member 34 is maintained substantially parallel with a generatrix of the inner surface of the frustro-conical grinding chamber portion of the casing in order to facilitate the grinding operation in the manner described in detailin the previously referred to Alexay patent. Springs 33 and 37 serve not only to maintain the cutting face in proper relation to rotatable cutter 21 but also to substantially absorb any vibration of the plate 35 during operation of the apparatus and thereby to minimize the transmission of such vibration to the casing. In order further to insure against transmission of vibration from plate 35 to the casing, the upper end of the plate is provided with one or more inserts 42 of resilient material which bear against the ange 33 and act as shock absorbers to minimize transmission of vibration at this point. Adjusting screw 40 provides for adjustment of the outward movement of the cut' ter element 26 if desired for any reason, as, for example, to compensate for wear on the teeth of member 34.

The comminution of material by the apparatus illustrated is accomplished in a manner substantially the same as that described in detail in connection with the apparatus forming the subject matter of the previously referred to patent of Adalbert Alexay and will not be reviewed herein except to point out that upon energization of motor 3l in a manner to be described hereinafter, the cutter element 21 is set in rotation through drive shaft 30 and cooperates with stationary cutter 26 to grind, cut and crush materials supplied thereto and to reduce the material to a fineness which will pass the strainer disk 29 and be suitable for discharge vthrough the conduit 23 and pipe 24 to the sewer system or the like. 'Ihe grinding, cutting and crushing operations and the discharge of the comminuted material'into the sewer system are greatly facilitated by water supplied to the grinding chamber.

Energization of motor 3| is controlled by means of a suitable switching mechanism, the details of which are not essential to an understanding of the present invention. accommodated in a box 45 mounted on the side of the casing I3. In Figs. 1 and 7, 48 designates a conduit for proper wiring connections to the motor and to a source of electric supply. The switching mechanism includes a switch arm 41 which upon movement intothe position illustrated in solid lines in' Fig. 7 and designated "Off is effective to cause deenergization of motor 3i and which upon movement into the position illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 7 and designated On is effective to cause the switching mechanism to energize motor 3 I. Arm 4l is arranged for actuation by a lever 48 which is connected through pivot shaft 49 for actuation by trip lever 50. Lever 56 is disposed on the inside `of the cylindrical portion of casing I3 and is shielded from material fed through the sink opening by means of an inwardly projecting flange I formed on the upper end of casing I3. Pivot shaft 49 extends through the wall of the casing and is effectively sealed by means of suitable packing 52 and packing nut 53. At the upper end of lever 53 are provided two

ears

54 and 65 for a purpose to be pointed out hereinafter. It will be evident from an inspection of Fig. 7 that movement of the upper end of trip lever 50 with its ears 54 and 55 to the right causes movement of the lower end of lever 48, and thereby of switch arm 4l, to the left thus causing energization of motor 3| to rotate the cutter element 21.

In accordance with a feature of the present invention, an improved closure or stopper device is provided for the sink drain opening. As will be seen most clearly from Fig. 3, this device comprises a cylindrical cup-shaped plug member 56 having apertures 51 in the bottom thereof spaced approximately 90 from each other, a bailie plate 58 mounted on the bottom of the plug member, and an operating handle 5S. Member 56 is adapted to seat removably in the opening provided by the adapter ring I2 and is provided with a guide recess 60 in one side thereof which is arranged to cooperate with a lug 6I formed on the inner surface of the adapter ring to insure the proper seating of the member 56 in the opening and to prevent rotation of the member when in the opening. Cup-shaped member 56 has also an outwardly slanting ange or rim 62 which is arranged toseat snugly upon a ledge 62 formed in the adapter ring I2. Adjacent the center of the cup-shaped member there is provided an upwardly projecting circular boss 63 for the support of the handle 59 and having a central opening 64 in the top thereof for the accommodation of the partially circular extension 65 projecting downwardly from the handle. The handle is adapted to rotate with respect to the cup-shaped member and the rotation thereof is limited by the engagement of pin 66, carried by the handle, with the slot 61 formed on one side of the opening 64 in the cup-shaped member.

Baille plate 58 is arranged to be mounted on the bottom of cup-shaped `member 56 and has an upwardly projecting boss 63 arranged to t rotatably in the boss 63 of the cup-shaped member and provided with an opening 69 having two ilat sides arranged to engage the iiat sides 'I0 of the extension 65 of handle 59. Plate 58 is secured rigidly to handle 59 by means of a ring 1| which ts over the lower end oi' extension l5 and snugly engages the interior of boss 88 and which is held tightly in place by means ot a'washer 12, which in turn is fastened in any suitable manner as by means of a screw or, as indicated at 18 in Fig. l, by means of riveting or spinning over of the lower end of extension 85. Thus, the haine plate is constrained to move wtih handle Il and is rotatable with respect to the cup-shaped member 56. The rim 82 has marked thereon the legends Drain, Seal" and Unit", respectively, spaced approximately 45 from each other. and handle 58 has a pointer 14 which, upon rotation of the handle. and thereby the bai'lie plate 58, indicates the position of the baille plate. This last mentioned plate is provided with apertures 15 spaced 90 from each other and arranged to register with the apertures 51 in the cup-shaped memberV 58 when pointer 14 indicates either Drain" or Unit, while the plate is arranged to close apertures 51 when the pointer .indicates Seal.

` Batllel plate 58 is provided also with a notch 15 arranged to be in alinement with the recess 5|) in the cup-shaped member 55 only when pointer 14 indicates Drain. By this means it is insured that the stopper device can be inserted into the opening in adapter ring I2 only when pointer 14 is turned to Drain since otherwise the rim of baille plate 58 will engage the lug 8| and prevent seating of the cup-shaped member in the opening. Moreover, if while the cup-shaped member is seated in the opening, the handle is turned so that the pointer indicates either "Seal" or Unit, a portion od the rim of the baille plate engages the underneath surface of lug 8| and prevents removal of the stopper device from the opening. Also, as will be seen best from Fig. 4, the bathe plate is mounted eccentrically for rotation about a center a which is oiset withrespect to the true center b of the .plate and the cylindrical cupshaped member so that upon rotation of the handle andbaie plate in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4, a portion of the rim of the baille plate will swing outwardly into engagement with the underneath surface of the flange 5| on the upper end of casing I3 to thereby aid the lug 6| in effectively locking the stopper device in the opening in the adapter ring. Thus it is rendered impossible to remove the stopper device when the plate is in the positions illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 wherein the pointer 14 indicates Seal and Unit respectively.

As will be seen from Figs. 1 and 4, when the cup-shaped drain plug 56 is properly seated in the opening in adapter ring I2 and pointer 14 indicates Drain, the edge of baille plate 58 is in close proximity to the upper end of lever 50 but does not engage the lever since the rim of the baille plate, when the latter is in lDl'ain position, does not project beyond the rim of the cup-shaped plug. A portion of the rim of the baille plate, extending from a point substantially opposite lever 50 when the plate is in "Drain position to a point approximately 90 therefrom in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4, is cut back spirally with respect to the true center b of the plate or, in other words. is formed as an arc of a circle having the point a as its center. By reason of this cutting back, the rim of the plate is not brought into engagement with the lever 50 during rotation of the plate 90 in a counterclockwise direction from its Drain position, in spite of the eccentric mounting oi.'4 the plate. However. the spirally cut-back portion of the rim of the plate is provided with an arm 11 projecting outwardly therefrom and arranged to engage one or the other of the ears 54 and 55 of lever 58 after rotation of the plate approximately Normally ear 55 of the lever 5|! extends vertically upward, as best shown in Fig. 7, so that lever 48 is in position to maintain switch arm 41 in "Off" position. Rotation of handle 59 from the position wherein pointer 14 indicates "Drain through approximately 45 to the position wherein the pointer indicates Seal, as illustrated in Fig. 5, does not bring any part of the baille plate into engagement withthe ear 55.

However, rotation of the handle a further 45 until pointer 14 indicates Unit, as illustrated, in Fig. 6, causes projection 11 to engage ear 55 and move the upper end of lever 50 to the right to the position illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 7, thus effecting movement of the lower end of lever 48 to the left, to its position also illustrated causes the projection 11 to engage ear 54, which vhas been brought into vertical position by previous movement of ear 55 out of vertical position, to thereby effect movement of lever 50 to the left as viewed in Fig. '1, causing the lower end oi.' lever 48 to move to the right and operate switch arm 41 into Off position to cause deenergization of motor 3|. Hence, the motor 3| and rotatable cutter 21 are inoperative when pointer 14 indicates either Drain or Seal and are rendered operative upon movement of the pointer to indicate Unit,

In the operation of the device for the disposal of garbage in the form of vegetables, meat, bones,

vand the like, papers or other waste material, the

'disposed of is deposited in the grinding chamber o1 the casing or receptacle I3. The stopper device is then replaced in the adapter ring opening, care being taken that the notch 16 in baffle plate 58 is in alinement'with the recess 60 in the cup-shaped plug 56 so as to pass the lug 6| and permit proper seating of the stopper device. Water may then be supplied to the sink, as by means of faucet and permitted to flow through the apertures 51 in the cup-shaped drain plug and through the apertures 15 in baffle plate 58 into` the grinding chamber to wet the material therein, it being remembered from previous description that when notch 16 is in alinement with recess 60 the apertures 15 in the baille plate are in alinement with the apertures 51 in the plug to permit'flow of water therethrough. Then in order to start the operation of the apparatus, handle 59 is turned in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4, from the position wherein pointer 14 indicates Drain to the position wherein the pointer indicates Unit". By this means the projection 11 on baiile plate 58 is rotated into engagement with ear 55von lever 5D to thereby effect operation of the

levers

50 and 48 to actuate switch arm 41 into On" position and cause energization of motor 3| to rotate the cutting element 21.

plate 58 are again in registry with apertures 51 in the cup-shaped plug to permit theflow of water from the sink into the grinding chamber to aid the cutting elements 26 and 21 in comminuting the material in the grinding chamber and also to aid in flushing the comminuted material out of the grinding chamber and into the sewer system through discharge conduit 23 and pipe 26. Also, as previously pointed out, the stopper device is securely locked in the adapter ring opening when the pointer is turned to the position designated Unit to effect operation of the cutting, grinding and crushing means since the rim of baille plate 58 is then in engagement with lug 6I and ange 5I, thereby insuring against removal of the stopper device from the opening and protecting the operator or anyone else from accidentally or carelessly reaching into the'grinding chamber during rotation of the rotatable cutter 2l.

If. during operation of the apparatus, handle 59 is turned so that its pointer 14 indicates Seal with the result that apertures 51 are closed by means of baffle plate 58 to prevent the new of water into the grinding chamber, the motor 3i is immediately deenergized through the engagement of projection 'il with ear 5B to cause the levers 58 and 8 to actuate switch arm ai into Off position. Thus it is insured that the elements 26 and 2l. are rendered inoperative to perform their grinding, cutting and crushing functions when no water is being supplied thereto to facilitate these functions.

A further advantage of the Seal" position of the baffle plate 58 is that by means thereof the drain opening of the sink may be eectively closed to prevent drainage of water'therethrough and permit the iilling of the sink with water for any 'desired purpose.

Turning of handle 59 to the position in which its pointer lil indicates Drain permits the removal of the closure device from the adapter ring opening, if desired, or permits the use of the cup-shaped plug simply as a strainer plate to allow the ilow of water from the sink to the sewer system while preventing the accidental passage of any articles or materials from the sink into the casing I3.

A further advantage of the apparatus hereinbefore described is that it is possible to render the motor operative without employing the improved closure device due to the accessibility of the lever 5i) through the opening in the adapter ring I2. Under certain circumstances, such as servicing of the apparatus by a competent service man, this may prove to be highly advanta geous. However, due to the positioning of the lever 50 there is little likelihood of its being operated carelessly or tampered with by children. On the other hand, if it is desired to render the lever 50 more inaccessible and to better protect it from material fed through the opening in housing or casing I0, this may be accomplished by means of a safety guard member such as that designated in Fig. 13 and which is shown in Figs. 9, l0 and 11 as being applied to the modied form of the apparatus thereinillustrated. In the exemplary form illustrated, the guard member is constructed of sheet metal and has two upwardly projecting arms 8| which have V-shaped portions 82 on the upper ends there of arranged to be wedged into V-shaped slots 83 oi' recesses 84 provided in the inwardly projecting flange 5I at the top of casing I3. 'Thus provision is made for rmly holding the upper end of the guard member in place while the lower end of the guard member Iis provided with a hook-shaped portion 85 arranged to engage a `flanged projection 86 on the inner wall of the housing below lever 50 to rmly hold the lower end 'of the guard member in place. A space 81 is left between the arms 8| in order that the upper end of the lever may be engaged by the actuating mechanism of the improved stopper vor closure device. It wlllfbe evident, therefore, from the drawings that the solid portions of the guard member in cooperation with the overhanging rim 5I renders manual access to the lever relatively diiicult and also effectively shields the lever from material fed through the casing opening.

In Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive are illustrated certain modifications of the closure or stopper'device and the control mechanism hereinbefore described. An adapter ring 80 is provided in the drain or like opening of the sink structure I8 for the attachment thereto of the casingl I8 of the waste disposal apparatus in a manner similar to that described in connection with the adapter ring I2 of the first embodiment. IRing Q is adapted to form a seat for the modled form of closure or stopper device which comprises essentially a cylindrical cup-shaped plug member 9i, a circular plate member 92 and an actuating handle 93. Two opposite sides of the plug member are beveled inwardly at the bottom as shown at St, these beveled portions have substantially plane surfaces arranged to engage inwardly slanting substantially plane surfaces of ledges 95 formed on two opposite sides of the f inner wall of adapter ring 90. By reason of the cooperative engagement of the beveled portions 913 and the ledges 85, proper positioning of the plug member is insured and rotation of the plug member is prevented when it is seated in the adapter ring opening. A

The circular flat baille plate 92 is held in contact with the fiat bottom wall of the plug member SI by means of pins 98 which extend downwardly from handle 93 through arcuate slots 91 in the bottom wall of the plug member and which are suitably fastened to the plate as for example by riveting over of the ends of the pins as shown at S8. Handle 83 has a pivot pin |00 engaging an opening in the center of the bottom wall of the plug member, and the handle as well as the circular plate are arranged to rotate about the axis of the cup-shaped plug member and not eccentrically with respect thereto as in the previously described embodiment. Compression springs IUI are placed in depressions surrounding pins 96 and by their engagement with the seats of the depressions and with washers IU2 which in turn bear against the bottom wall of the cup-shaped member, serve to maintain the plate member 92 in firm engagement with the bottom surface of the bottom wall of the plug member while at the same time providing for free rotation of the handle and plate without binding thereof against said bottom wall.l

Slots 91 extend over a suilicient arc to provide for rotation of the handle 45 in either a clock- ,wise or a counterclockwise direction from its midposition, illustrated in Fig. 8, Whereat the handle indicates "Seal. Movement of the handle beyond the 45 limit in each direction is pre.. vented by engagement of the pins 96 with' the respective ends of the slots 91. The bottom wall of the plug member has also four apertures I 03 respectively arranged apart upon acircle having a radius less than that of the slots 91 and two of the apertures |03 are disposed on two opposite sides of the center of the vplug member and on a line which passes through this center and midpoints of the two slots 81. Plate member 92 also has four similarly disposed apertures |04 which are arranged to be in non-alinement with the apertures |03 whenythe handle is in its midposition indicating fSeal, as shown in Fig. 8, and to be in alinement with the apertures |03 when the handle and plate member are turned 45 in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction, as for example, to the position wherein the handle indicates Unit oridrain as illustrated in Fig. 9. Plate member 92 has also two arcuate slots |05 respectively disposed attwo opposite sides of the plate and substantially the same radial distance from the ,center of the plate as are the slots l|11 in the plug member. Slots |05 are so arranged that -when the handle and plate are in the midposition illustrated in Fig.. 8, they are in non-alinement vwith the slot 91 while uponv rotation of the handle and plate in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction from this midposition, as for example to the Unit on--drain" position illustrated in Fig. 9, portions of the slots |05 come into alinement with portions of the slots 91.

illustrated in Fig. 8, solid portions of the plate are in alinement with apertures |03 and slots 91 to block or seal the same and thereby prevent drainage of water therethrough while upon rotation of the handle and plate to either the Unit on--drain or Unit oi-drain positions the apertures |04 are brought into alinement with the apertures |03 and portions of the slots |05 are brought into alinement with portions of the slots 91 so as to permit drainage of water through the bottom of the cup-shaped drain plug from the sinkor like structure into the casing of the waste disposal appliance.

In order that the operation of the drlvingmotor oi' the appliance as well as the ow of water through the drain plug may be controlled by rotation of handle 93 and plate 92, arcuate recesses |06 are provided in the rim of the plate at two opposite sides thereof. These recesses are so arranged that when handle 93 is in its midpositlon, the midpoints oi the recesses are in substantial alinement with the midpoints of the beveled portions 94 of .drain plug 9| so that they will pass the ledges 95 on the inner surface of the adapter ring 90 and permit proper seating of the drain plug in the adapter ring opening. Also when the handle is in its midpositlon the midpoint of one of these recesses is substantially directly opposite lever which in the presently described modiiled embodiment has only one prong or ear |01 rather than two prongs or ears as in the ilrst described embodiment. At both ends of each of the recesses |06 there are provided downwardly projecting lugs |08. These lugs are so arranged that upon rotation of the handle and the plate 45 in a counterclockwise direction to the position designated Unit on-drain, the portion of the plate at the right-hand end, as viewed in Fig. 9, of the recess |06 which is opposite lever 50, projects through the open space 81 in guard member 80 so that the lug |08 on this projecting portion of the plate engages the ear |01 of lever 50 to move causing movement of the lower end of lever 48 `to the left to actuate switch arm 41 to its On position and effect energization of motor 3| to drive the grinding mechanism in casing 3. Under these circumstances the elements of the improved closure or stopper device are in their Hence it will be seen that when the handle and plate are in their midpositlon positions illustrated in Fig. 9 wherein portions of the rim of plate 92 are shown as engaging they sition described in the preceding paragraph,

wherein the closure device is locked in the drain opening, but also for operation of the apparatus with the handle turned back to the Seal position so that the closure device may be removed from the drain opening. This is accomplished in that when the handle is turned 45 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 8 to the Seal position, subsequently to its having been turned in the counterclockwise direction to the Unit on-drain position, 4no portion of plate 02 is brought into engagement with ear |01 of lever 50 to operatethe lever to effect deenergization of motor 3|. With the handle in the midpositlon the closure device may be removed from the adapter ring opening since, as previously pointed out the recesses |06 are then opposite the ledges 95 so that they do not lock the closure device in the adapter ring opening. Under these conditions waste material to be disposed oi' by the apparatus may be fed continuously into the casing i3 through the adapter ring or drain opening,jcare being taken not t`o overload the grinding mechanism, and water for aid in the comminuting and flushing of the material may then pass from the sink or like structure directly into the casing through the drain opening. It is to be understood that this latter may be accomplished only after the handle has iirst been turned in a counterclockwise direction to the Unit on-drain" position and subsequently turned back to the Seal position. Such operation of the apparatus with continuous feeding of material to be ground thereto may under certain conditions prove highly advantageous but in such case care must be exercised by the operator that he does not reach into the casing i3 and come in contact with the grinding and cutting mechanism.

When the stopper or closure device is seated in the adapter ring opening and the apparatus is in operation, the driving motor 3| may be deenergized by rotation of handle 93 in a clockwise direction, either 90 from the Unit ondrain position illustrated in Fig. 9 or 45 from the Seal position illustrated in Fig. 8, to the Unit oil`drain" position. By this means the lug |08 at the left-hand end of the slot |06 which is opposite lever 50 as viewed in Fig. 9, is brought into engagement with the ear |01 of lever 50 to move the lever to the left to its position illustrated in Fig. 11, thereby eiecting movement of switch arm 41 to its Off position to deenergize the motor. Also, with the handle in "Unit oil-drain position, the closurel device may be used simply as a drain plate in the manner hereinbefore described. Then subsequent rotation of the handle back to Seal permits removal of the closure device or, if desired, permits the use oi the device simply as avstopper for closing the drain opening in the sink or like structure as pointed out in connectim with the rst embodiment described, since when the handle is in Seal posltionthe drain apertures |03 and slots 91 in the drain plug are closed by solid portions of the baillle plate 92.

The modified form of the closure device has, in addition to the advantages previously pointed out, the advantage that due to the construction of the 4baiiie plate 02 including a reinforcing rib ll0 disposed around the bottom thereof and passing in proximity to the inner edges of the recesses I 06 and including also the reinforced lugs |08 for engaging lever 50, and due to the manner of attaching the plate to the handle at two spaced apart points on opposite sides of the center of the plate, great rigidity is secured and the chances of buckling of the baille plate so that it would not properly engage lever 50 are rendered negligible. The manner of attaching the plate to the handle has also the advantage thatl it insures good leverage end renders very easy the turning of the plate to actuate the lever 50. A further advantage of the modlfled form of the closure device is that, due to the symmetry of arrangement of its various parts, it may be installed in the adapter ring opening in either of two positions, displaced apart with respect to each other, and the closure device will operate equally effectively in either of the two positions to performthe functions for which it is designed. l

From the foregoing description it will be evident that the present invention provides an improved form of waste disposal'apparatus having control means which is extremely flexible for accomplishing the desires of an operator and which effectively minimizes the chances of injury to an operator or anyone else due to careless or ignorant manipulation, and which at the same time is simple in construction and arrangement and most conveniently located for ease in controlling the operation of the apparatus. It will be evident also that the invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments illustrated and ydescribed herein but on the contrary is subject to modification to adapt the apparatus for various installation conditions which may be encountered, and that certain features of the invention lend themselves with advantage to other than kitchen or domestic applications with sinks or like structures. Hence, such other modications or applications as do not depart from the true spirit and scope of the' invention are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. A waste disposal apparatus comprising a sink or like structure adapted to have water supplied thereto and having a drain opening, a receptacle connected to the sink and having a passage in communication with said opening for admitting water and waste material to the receptacle, power driven means operable for comminuting material in the receptacle, means for the discharge of comminuted material and water from the receptacle, control means for rendering said power driven means operative and inoperative, a removable stopper device for said opening operable selectively for closing the opening to prevent drainage of water therethrough from said sink and for affording a passage for said drainage of water, means carried by said stopper device and selectively operable, when the stopper device is in said opening, for effecting operation alsace? of said control means to render said power driven means operative and inoperative. and means operative automatically to lock said stopper deviceagainst removal from said opening upon operation of said control means to render said ,5'

- to seat removably in said housing opening and having means selectively operable. when the stopper device is seated in the housing opening, for controlling the flow vof water through the housing openinginto said receptacle, and actuating means carried by said stopper device and operable. when the stopper device is seated in said housing opening. to a plurality of positions for eifecting selective operation of said control .25 means to render said power driven means operative and inoperative andfor selectively operating said ow controlling means.

3. In combination, a housing providing a receptacle for material to be ground and having .30 an opening providing access to the interior of said receptacle, power driven means operable for grinding material in said receptacle. a closure device adapted to be disposed removably in position to close said opening, control mechanism for said power driven means including a part disposed adjacent said opening. and a control actuating element carried by said closure deviceand cooperatively engageable with said part only when the closurev device is in position to close said opening. said actuating element being movable to a plurality of diierent positions relative to the closure device for cooperation with said part. when the closure device is in position to close said opening. to eect selective operation of said control mechanism to render said power driven means operative and inoperative.

4. In combination.l a housing providing a rel ceptacle for material to be ground and having an opening providing access to the interior oi said .o receptacle, power driven means operable for grinding material in said receptacle, a removable closure device for said opening, an actuating element carried by said closure deviceand movable relative thereto, and control mechanismI for said power driven means including a control element disposed in said housing adjacent said opening for engagement by said actuating element when the closure device is in lposition to close said opening, said control element being operable to two dierent positions for rendering said power driven means operative and inoperative respectively, and said actuating element being movable, when said closure device is in position to close said opening, for selectively enecting operation of said control element to render the power driven means operative and inoperative.

5. In combination, a housing providing a receptacle for material to be ground and having a material admission opening providing access to 70 the interior oi' said receptacle. power drivenl means operable for grinding material in said receptacle. a removable closure device for said opening, control mechanism for said power driven means including a control element disu' /afi'emovable closure device for said opening, control means including an element of said closure posed in said housing adjacent said opening and tion -of/sid controlling means to render the operable selectively for rendering said power power/driven means operative. driven means operative and inoperative, an actu- /1/0. In combination, a housing defining a grindating element carried by said closure device ene/lng chamber having an opening for affording gageable with said control element and operabl= access thereto; power` driven means for grinding when the closure device is in position to cl/ose material in said chamber; control means opersaid opening, for eiecting selective operaon of able to render said power driven means operative the control element to render said wer driven and inoperative; a removable closure device for means operative yand inoperative, and guard said'openlng having means cooperative with said means positioned to shield said control element control means and selectively operable, when the from accidental contact by/n operator or material passing through/said opening when said to render said power driven means operative and closure device is re/mo/ved from the opening. inoperative; and locking means operative de- 6. In a wast/e "disposal apparatus, a casing pendently upon operation of said selectively ophaving power/driven means for grinding waste erable means, positively to lock said closure dematerial therein, means providing an opening vice and prevent removal thereof from closing affording/access to the interior of said casing for position relative to said opening upon operation the/feeding of material to be ground. thereinto, of said selectively operable means to render said power driven means operative; said locking means being operative to release said closure device, which said element is selectively operdevice dependently upon operation of said selecable, when the closure device is in closing relation tively operable means to render said power driven to said opening, for rendering said power driven means inoperative. means operative and inoperative,- and means co- 11. In combination, a casing having pOWer operative with said control means automatically driven means therein and having an opening to iock said closure device against removal from `arranged to be connected in substantial registry said opening upon operation of the control means with a drain opening in a sink or like structure to render said power driven means operative. for admitting water from the sink or like struc- 7. In combination, a casing having means ture to said casing, control mechanism for said operable for grinding material therein and havpOWer driVen Ineens including e COntrOl ectuating ing means providing an opening affording access element disposed adjacent said casing Opening, to the interior of the casing, a removable closure an apertured member arranged to seat removably device for said opening, controlmeans .for said in said casing Opening, e baffle plate Carried by grinding means including a control actuating said member and movable relative thereto into element supported adjacent said opening and e plurality f pOSitiOnS including e pOSitiOn fOr operable selectively for rendering the grinding clOSlng the apertures ln Seid member. means means operative and inoperative, an element supcarried by Said member fOr InOVing Seid baille ported by said closurev device for movement relaplate and Ineens mcunted for movement with tive thereto and arrangedto engage said control Said baille plate and engegeeble With Said conactuating element for operating the same when trOl actuating element fOr Operating the same said closure device is in position to close said upon movement 0f the baffle plate relative to opening, and means arranged t0 cooperate with Said member into predetermined ones of its Said said second mentioned element automatically to positions. lock said closure device in said opening when said 12- In a waste disposal apparatus. the comcontrol actuating element is operated by said blnaticn With d receptacle having an Opening second eiement to render the grinding means providing for access to Vthe interior thereof, operative. grinding means in the receptacle, a motor for 8. In combination, al sink or' likestructure driving the grinding means and control mechahaving a drain opening, a power operated device niSIn fOr the InctOr, 0f a InOVeJble element diS- having a chamber connected with said opening POSed adjacent Said casing Openlngend ccnfor receiving water from said sink or like strucnected fOr actuating Seid COntrOl mechanism. a ture through said opening, control means for said closure member adapted to seat removably in power operated device and a removable stopper Said casing Opening and having apertures therein. device for said drain opening having means en apertured plate member carried by Said closelectively operable,`when said stopper device is Sure member and movable relative thereto into in said opening, for effecting operation of said a plurality 0f pOSitiOnS including at least one control means to render thepower Operated de.. position wherein the plate member is operative vice operative and noperative to close the apertures in the closure member and 9. In combination a sink or like structure havat least one other position Wherin the 9439.1" ing a drainfopening therein, a casing connected tures in the platemembel are m Substantlal to said sink or like structure and having power registry with the apertures in the closure mem' driven means therein, means including said ber and means earned by sind plate member en' l gageable with said control actuating element for opening providing for access to the interior of ti th t f 1 said casing and for the admission of water from opera rig e same upon movemen o sa d plate th k 1k t t t ,d d member relative to said closure member into pree Sm or l e s rflc ure o sal p owelf nven determined ones of its said plurality of positions. means, means carried by said casing operable 13. In a waste disposal apparatus, the comfor controlling the operation of said power driven bination of a sink or like structure adapted to means, a removable stopper device for said openhave water supplied thereto and having a drain ing having `means operable, when "the Stopper opening, means providing a receptacle for waste device iS li Said Opening, fOr selectively effecting material and a, passage communicating with said operation of said controlling means to render Said pOWer drVenmeenS Operative and incperafrom said structure to said receptacle, power tive, and means operative automatically to lock driven means for comminuting waste material in said stopper device in said opening upon operasaid receptacle, an apertured strainer element closure device is in position to close said opening,

opening for conducting wat'er and waste material selectively operable means is in another of its adapted to seat removably in said opening. control mechanism for said power ,driven means including a control element disposed in said -passage adjacent said opening and operable selectively for rendering the power driven means operative and inoperative, and an actuating element carried by said strainer element engageable with said control element and operable, when the strainer element is seated in said opening, rfor actuating said control element.

14. A waste disposal apparatus including in combination a sink or like structure adapted to have water supplied thereto and having a drain opening. a receptacle connected with said drain opening for receiving water from said sink or like structure. power driven means for comminuting waste material in said receptacle, a closure device for said drain opening having means operable selectively vinto at least. one position for preventing drainage of water through said opening from said sink or like structure and into at least two other positions for permitting such drainage of water, and control means for said power driven comminuting means cooperas tive with said selectively operable means for rendering the comminuting means operative when the selectively operable means is in one of its said ow permitting positions and for rendering the comminuting means inoperative when the said flow permitting positions.

15. A waste disposal apparatus including in combination a sink or like structure adapted to have water supplied thereto and having a drain opening, a receptacle connected withv said drain opening for receiving water from said sink or like structure, vpower driven means for comminuting waste material in said receptacle, control means for said power driven means. an apertured drain member in said drain opening, a baille member cooperatively associated with said drain member for movement into a plurality o! positions including at least one position for closing the apertures in the drain member and at least two other positions for opening the apertures in the drain member, and means' movable with said baille member for operating said control means to render said comminuting means operative upon movement of the baille member into a predetermined one of its said aperture opening positions and for operating the control means to render the comminuting means inoperative upon movement of the baille member into another predetermined one of its said plurality of positions.

16. The combination with a sink or like struc- .ture adapted to have water supplied thereto and I drainage of water through the opening from said sink or like structureand ior permitting said drainage of water, actuating means for said closure means movable into a plurality of positions including at least one position for operating the closure means to prevent drainage of water through said opening and at least two other positions for operating the closure means to permit drainage oi' water through said opening, and control means tor said power driven means conaisaosv l nected for operation by 'said actuating means to render thefpower driven means operative when the actuating means is in one oi its said other positions andato render the power driven means\\ inoperative when theiactuating means is in another oi its said other positions.

17. In combination, s sink or like structure adapted to have water supplied thereto, means providing s. passage ior drainage oi water from said structure, a waste disposal appliance including a chamber connected for receiving water through said passage from said structure and power 'driven means operable for comminuting waste material in said chamber, valve means in saidpassage including an element movable to two dierent positions in the passage, each of which positions permits drainage oi water `from said strecture, and control means for the power driving means oi said appliance operative to render said power driving means operative in response to movement oi' said element to one of its said two positions. said control means ,being inoperative to render said power driving means oper- 'ative upon movement of said element to the other oi its said two positions.

18. The combination with a sink or like structure adapted to have water supplied thereto and having a drain opening, and a power driven appliancev connected for receiving water through said drain opening -from said sink or like structure, of control mechanism for the power driving means oi said appliance including a control element disposed adjacent said drain opening and y operable for rendering said power driving means operative and inoperative, 'an apertured strainer element disposed in said drain opening, a baille element supported for movement relative to said strainer element to a plurality of positions including positions for selectively controlling the flow oi water through the apertures in said strainer element, and control actuating -means operatively associated with said baille element for movement therewith and engageable with said control element i'or eiiecting selective yoperation of the control element in response to movement of the baile element, to certain of its said plurality oi' positions. Y

19. A combined drain closure and control actuating device i'or use with a' power operated appliance which is adapted to be connected'- with the drain opening oi' a sink or the like for receiving water therefrom and which appliance has control means including a control operating ele-v ment arranged to be located adjacent such drain opening; said device comprising an apertured strainer member adapted to seat removably in a drain opening of a sink or the like, a handle disposed on the upper side of said member to be accessible from such sink or the like and having spaced apart projections respectively extending through substantially concentric arcuate slots in said member, a baille plate disposed on the lower side of said member and attached to said proiections, and means for maintaining said baiiie plate in iirm slidable engagement with the underneath surface of said member, said plate being rotatable by said handle selectively to operate the plate into and out of closing relation to the apertures in said member and having means engageable with said control operating element for selective actuation of said element. i

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