WO2007029892A1

WO2007029892A1 - Apparatus for processing food waste

Info

Publication number: WO2007029892A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/002945
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chang-Sik Kim
Original assignee: Chang-Sik Kim
Priority date: 2005-09-06
Filing date: 2005-09-06
Publication date: 2007-03-15

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing food waste, and more par¬ ticularly, to an apparatus for processing food waste wherein the food waste can be crushed and kept at a cold state to prevent the crushed food waste from being spoiled. The apparatus for processing food waste according to the present invention is characterized by comprising a case, an input unit installed at a top portion of the case to allow the food waste to be inputted into the apparatus through the input unit, a filtering unit sealably fitted into the input unit, a crushing and pulverizing means for crushing and pulverizing the food waste, a storage space enclosed by insulation and temporarily receiving the crushed and pulverized food waste at a position below a discharge pipe, a storage unit including a takeout drawer slidably installed in the storage space and having a sealing means for sealing a gap with the case, a cooling means for cooling the storage space, and a control unit for controlling the operation of a motor.

Description

APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING FOOD WASTE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing food waste, and more particularly, to an apparatus for processing food waste wherein the food waste can be crushed and kept at a cold state to prevent the crushed food waste from being spoiled. Background Art

[2] Food waste is inevitably generated in human life. More specifically, food waste generated in the Korean civilization in which a soup or pot stew has been well developed contains a great amount of water. Therefore, when the food waste is left at normal temperature, the food waste is likely to be spoiled because the food waste contains a great amount of water.

[3] This conventional food waste has been processed by burying it in the ground.

However, when the food waste is buried, there are problems in that leachate occurs to pollute the soil and underground water of the landfill and to waste resources capable of being recycled into fertilizer or manure. Accordingly, a variety of efforts have been performed to recycle food waste into fertilizer or manure by properly processing the food waste. As a part of the efforts, there is proposed an apparatus capable of processing food waste primarily in the household or food store from which the food waste is generated.

[4] An apparatus for processing food waste proposed in the prior art pulverizes or dewaters the food waste and then puts aside the processed waste, so that the food waste has been dried and then recycled into fertilizer or manure or buried in the ground.

[5] However, the related art apparatus for processing food waste has a problem in that even if the food waste has been well dewatered, water remaining in the food waste will cause the food waste to be spoiled and stink while the food waste is being kept indoor temporarily.

[6] Further, in the related art apparatus for processing food waste, water generated when tableware is washed and water generated when the food waste is pulverized and crushed are discharged through a single common passage. Thus, the water discharged during the dishwashing may overflow into a storage space for the food waste. Further, there is a problem in that the stink produced from the storage space for the food waste is released during the dishwashing, and thus, a user who washes the dishes feels unpleasant due to the stink. Furthermore, the related art apparatus for processing food waste is not provided with a means for sealing a pulverizing unit when pulverizing the food waste. Thus, it is likely that the user hurts his/her hand. [7] In addition, there is a problem in that the related art apparatus for processing food waste cannot completely purify the water discharged during the processing of the food waste, and thus, the environment is polluted. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[8] The present invention is conceived to solve the aforementioned problems in the prior art. An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for processing food waste, comprising a means for allowing the food waste to be kept in a cold state in order to prevent the food waste from being spoiled and simultaneously the stink generated from a storage space for the food waste from being released.

[9] Further, another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for processing food waste, comprising a means for allowing discharged water to be completely purified such that the environment can be protected. Technical Solution

[10] An apparatus for processing food waste according to the present invention comprises a case including an input port formed on a top portion of the case, a drain port formed on a rear surface of the case, a first drain pipe communicating with the drain port, a second drain pipe communicating with the drain port, a storage space enclosed by insulation and formed with an input passage for inputting crushed and pulverized food waste at an upper portion thereof and with an opening portion at a surface of a lower portion of the storage space, and a takeout drawer detachably inserted into and installed to the opening portion of the storage space to receive the crushed and pulverized food waste inputted through the input passage; an input unit taking the shape of a container mounted into the input port of the case and formed with a food waste input port and an overflow drain pipe at an lower portion thereof, the overflow drain pipe being connected to the first drain pipe; a filtering unit including a sealing portion mounted to the input unit for sealing the food waste input port and a filter net installed to extend upward along a peripheral portion of the sealing portion to hold the food waste therein but discharge water therethrough; a crushing and pulverizing means including a housing having a food waste input pipe installed at one side of the housing to communicate with the food waste input port, a food waste discharge pipe installed at the other side of the housing to allow the crushed and pulverized food waste to be discharged to the input passage of the storage space, and a drain port installed to communicate with the second drain pipe and to discharge the water generated when the food waste is crushed and pulverized, a screw rotatably installed to the housing and formed with one side positioned at a lower portion of the food waste input pipe and the other side positioned at an upper portion of the second drain pipe toward the food waste discharge pipe, the screw being formed to have a pitch that is reduced as it goes toward the other side thereof, a screen installed to enclose an outer peripheral portion of the other side of the screw to prevent the crushed food waste from falling down into the drain port but to discharge the water generated when the food waste is crushed, and a motor for rotating the screw; a cooling means for cooling the storage space of the case; and a control unit for controlling an operation of the motor.

[11] According to the present invention, since the food waste is crushed and pulverized and then stored in the storage space at a cold state, it is possible to prevent the food waste from being spoiled. In addition, since water overflowing through the filter net of the filtering unit is discharged through the first drain pipe when while water generated in the crushing and pulverizing process is discharged through the second drain pipe, it is possible to prevent the water used in the dishwashing from overflowing into the food waste storage space. Further, since the water contained in the food waste is almost removed by crushing the food waste, the food waste inputted into the storage space does not almost contain water. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the food waste from being easily spoiled and to reduce the cooling load imposed on the cooling means.

[12] In addition, the apparatus for processing food waste according to the present invention may further comprise packing installed to a contact portion between the takeout drawer and the case to prevent stink from being released from the food waste stored in the takeout drawer, and an O-ring installed to a contact portion between the food waste input pipe and the input unit, wherein the sealing portion of the filtering unit is inserted into the food waste input port of the input unit to be brought into close contact therewith. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the stink, which is generated from the food waste stored temporarily in the food waste storage space, from being released to the outside of the case.

[13] Further, the apparatus for processing food waste according to the present invention may further comprise a washing nozzle installed to the housing to wash the screen of the crushing and pulverizing means. According to the present invention, the screen and screw can be washed by injecting water thereto through the washing nozzle. In addition, when the food waste with high concentration of salt is introduced into the housing, the water can be injected to reduce the concentration of salt in the food waste. Therefore, in a case where the food waste is recycled into fertilizer or manure, it is possible to prevent the soil from being polluted.

[14] Further, the apparatus for processing food waste according to the present invention may further comprise a receiver for receiving an operating signal of the motor from a remote controller, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the motor in response to the operating signal of the motor received from the receiver. According to the present invention, since the operation of the motor is controlled in response to the operating signal transmitted from the remote controller to the control unit through the receiver, it is possible to remotely control the apparatus installed in a sink without opening a door of the sink.

[15] Furthermore, the cooling means of the present invention may include a compressor for compressing refrigerant, a condensing pipe installed on a rear surface of the case, and an evaporating pipe installed at the exterior of the storage space. Alternatively, a cooling means using a thermoelectric element may be used instead of the cooling means using the compressor.

[16] Still furthermore, the present invention may further comprise a purification unit installed to a drain pipe through which the water passing through the drain port of the case is discharged to the outside. The purification unit includes a purification canister installed at below the drain pipe to communicate therewith such that the food waste contained in the water flowing through the drain pipe can be introduced into the purification canister by a weight of the food waste, a purification housing installed to at a downstream side of the drain pipe from the purification canister to communicate with the drain pipe and connected to a purified water discharge pipe at a lower portion thereof, a purification particle layer including charcoal stacked in the purification housing, and a purification filter net installed above the purification particle layer. Therefore, according to the present invention, since the water discharged through the drain port is purified and then discharged to the outside, it is possible to prevent the environment from polluted.

[17] Still furthermore, the present invention may further comprise a dewatering unit installed in the food waste input pipe to dewater the food waste introduced through the input port of the case. Therefore, according to the present invention, since the food waste is dewatered and then inputted into the crushing and pulverizing means, an amount of the food waste is reduced and a load for operating the screw is thus reduced. Accordingly, the power consumption can be reduced. Brief Description of the Drawings

[18] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for processing food waste according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[19] Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of Fig. 1.

[20] Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line B-B of Fig. 1.

[21] Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line C-C of Fig. 1.

[22] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a filter net according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[23] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a purification unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[24] Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the purification unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[25] Fig. 8 is a view showing the operation of the apparatus for processing food waste according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[26] Fig. 9 is a sectional view of an apparatus for processing food waste according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[27] [Explanation of Reference Numerals to Main Portions in Drawings]

[28] 10: Case 20: Filtering unit

[29] 30: Storage space 50: Compressor

[30] 60: Control unit 70: Purification unit

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[31] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an apparatus for processing food waste according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, as follows.

[32] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for processing food waste according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along line A- A of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line B-B of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line C-C of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a filter net according to the embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a purification unit according to the embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the purification unit according to the embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 8 is a view showing the operation of the apparatus for processing food waste according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[33] The apparatus for processing food waste according to the embodiment of the present invention comprises a case 10; a filtering unit 20 for separating input food waste into water and the remaining food waste; an input unit 12 for discharging the water and remaining food waste separated in the filtering unit 20, respectively; a crushing and pulverizing means for crushing and pulverizing the remaining food waste discharged from the input unit 12; a cooling means for cooling a storage space 30 positioned in the case 10; and a control unit 60 for controlling a motor 45 of the crushing and pulverizing means.

[34] An input port 11 is formed on a top portion of the case 10, a drain port 15c is formed on a rear surface of the case, and a takeout drawer 32 is detachably inserted into and installed to the case at a front surface thereof. The drain port 15c communicates with a first drain pipe 19 and a second drain pipe 15a. The storage space 30 is enclosed by insulation 38. An input passage 39 for inputting the crushed and pulverized food waste is formed in an upper portion of the storage space 30, and an opening portion is formed in a side surface of a lower portion thereof. In order to receive the crushed and pulverized food waste inputted in the drawer 323 through the input passage 39, the takeout drawer 32 is detachably inserted into and installed to the opening portion of the storage space 30. Packing 37 is installed to a contact portion between the takeout drawer 32 and the case 10 to prevent the stink from being released through a gap between the takeout drawer 32 and the case 10.

[35] The input unit 12 takes the shape of a container mounted to the input port 11 of the case 10 and is formed with an overflow drain pipe 18a and a food waste input port 12a at a lower portion thereof. The overflow drain pipe 18a is connected to the first drain pipe 19 such that water introduced into the overflow drain pipe 18a is discharged through the first drain pipe 19. A protrusion 13 is formed on the lower portion of the input unit 12 to extend into the case.

[36] The filtering unit 20 includes a sealing portion 23 mounted to the inside of the input unit 12 to seal the food waste input port 12a, and a filter net 22 installed to extend upward along a peripheral portion of the sealing portion 23 to hold the food waste therein but discharge water therethrough. The sealing portion 23 is formed with a downward protruding portion 21. The protruding portion 21 is press-fitted into the protrusion 13 of the input unit 12, so that a contact portion between the filtering unit 20 and the input unit 12 is sealed. In addition, a handle is rotatably installed on an upper portion of the filtering unit 20 such that the filtering unit 20 fitted into the input unit 12 can be easily detached from the input unit 12.

[37] The crushing and pulverizing means includes a housing 43, a screw 44 rotatably installed to the housing 43, a screen 43a installed to enclose an outer peripheral portion of an end of the screw 44, and the motor 45 for rotating the screw 44.

[38] A food waste input pipe 40 is installed at one side of the housing 43 to communicate with the food waste input port 12a, and a food waste discharge pipe 41 is installed at the other side of the housing 43 to allow the crushed and pulverized food waste to be discharged to the input passage 39 of the storage space 30. Further, the housing 43 is provided with a drain port 15b through which water generated when the food waste is crushed and pulverized is discharged, in such a manner that the drain port 15b communicates with the second drain pipe 15a. An O-ring is installed between the food waste input port 12a and the protrusion 13 of the input unit 12 such that the stink can be released to the outside through the input port 11.

[39] One side of the screw 44 is positioned at a lower portion of the food waste input pipe 40, while the other side of the screw 44 is positioned at an upper portion of the second drain pipe 15a toward the food waste discharge pipe 41. In addition, the screw 44 is installed so that a pitch thereof is reduced as it goes toward the other side of the screw 44. Thus, the food waste can be further crushed as it goes toward the food waste discharge pipe 41.

[40] The screen 43a is installed to enclose the outer peripheral portion of the other side of the screw 44 so that the crushed food waste is prevented from falling down into the crush drain port 15b but water generated upon the crushing of the food waste is discharged. Further, in order to wash the screen 43a, a washing nozzle 34 is installed to the housing 43.

[41] The motor 45 is installed to rotate the screw 44. It is preferred that a chain 46 for reliably transmitting a rotational force be provided as a power transmitting member for connecting the motor 45 and the screw 44.

[42] As the cooling means, components of a cooling cycle for use in a refrigerator are generally used. That is, the cooling means includes a compressor 50 for compressing refrigerant, a condensing pipe 52 for condensing the compressed refrigerant, an expansion valve (not shown) for expanding the condensed refrigerant, and an evaporating pipe 54 for evaporating the refrigerant to perform the cooling function. Here, the evaporating pipe 54 is installed at the exterior of the storage space 30, the condensing pipe 52 is installed on a rear surface of the case 10, and the compressor 50 and the expansion valve are installed at the interior the case 10. Although a general cooling cycle is utilized as the cooling means in this embodiment, a thermoelectric element may be used, if necessary. The thermoelectric element may preferably include a Peltier element as a semiconductor thermoelectric element. In such a case, electricity is generated using a solar panel installed on the upper portion of the case, and the cooling means can be operated using the generated electricity.

[43] The control unit 60 controls the operation of the motor 45. The control unit 60 operates in response to an operating signal of the motor 45 received through a receiver thereof (not shown). The receiver receives the operating signal of the motor from a remote controller 62. Here, the receiver may preferably control the operation of the motor using a network such as the Internet or a telephone line as well as using an infrared signal from the remote controller. That is, the apparatus for processing food waste can be used in a Ubiquitous environment.

[44] As shown in Fig. 6 , a purification unit 70 is installed to a drain pipe 71 through which water is discharged from the drain port 15c of the case 10 to the outside, and includes purification canisters 72 that is installed below the drain pipe 71 to communicate with the drain pipe 71, a purification housing 79 that is installed to communicate with the drain pipe 71 and is connected to a purified water discharge pipe 78 at a lower portion thereof, a purification particle layer 73 including charcoal stacked in the purification housing 79, and a purification filter net 80 installed above the purification particle layer 73. [45] The purification canisters 72 is installed below the drain pipe 71 to communicate therewith such that the food waste contained in the water flowing through the drain pipe 71 can be introduced in the purification canisters 72 by the weight of the food waste.

[46] The purification housing 79 is installed at the downstream of the drain pipe 71 from the purification canisters 72 to communicate with the drain pipe 71 and is connected to the purified water discharge pipe 78 at the lower portion thereof. In addition, the purification particle layer 73 including the stacked charcoal is provided in the purification housing 79, and the purification filter net 80 is installed above the purification particle layer 73. The purified water discharge pipe 78 connected to the lower portion of the purification housing 79 is formed in a U shape. The purification particle layer 73 consists of a coarse sand layer, a fine sand layer, a charcoal powder layer, a natural cotton layer, and a cotton fabric layer. However, if necessary, the purification particle layer 73 may consist mainly of the sand layer and charcoal powder layer that are superior in their natural purification power. Alternatively, the stacked materials can be properly packed in the housing such that they can be easily exchanged.

[47] Hereinafter, the operation of the apparatus for processing food waste according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, as follows.

[48] Fig. 7 is a view showing the operation of the apparatus for processing food waste according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[49] When the food waste containing water is inputted in the input unit 12, the food waste is collected on the bottom of the filtering unit 20 and the water overflows and is discharged through the overflow drain pipe 18a and the drain pipe 19.

[50] If an amount of the food waste collected on the bottom of the filtering unit 20 is increased, a user raises and pull up the handle 24 of the filtering unit 20 to detach the filtering unit 20 from the input unit 12, and then overturns the filtering unit 20 such that the food waste collected in the filtering unit 20 can be poured into the input unit 12.

[51] The food waste inputted through the input unit 12 is introduced into the housing 43 through the food waste input pipe 40. When the food waste is introduced into the housing 43, the user transmits the operating signal of the motor to the control unit using the wireless remote controller 62. At this time, the receiver of the control unit 60 receives the transmitted signal such that the control unit 60 controls the motor 45 to rotate. As the motor 45 rotates, the screw 44 also rotates by means of the chain 46. Accordingly, the food waste is transferred between threads of the screw 44 and is simultaneously crushed and pulverized. At this time, the crushed and pulverized food waste is discharged to the storage space 30 through the food waste discharge pipe 41, whereas the water generated when the food waste is crushed is discharged to the outside through the crush drain port 15b.

[52] After the food waste introduced into the housing 43 has been completely crushed and pulverized, the control unit controls the motor 45 to stop rotating in response to the signal transmitted from the wireless remote controller 62 to the received of the control unit.

[53] When the food waste is accumulated in the storage space 30 as described above and the amount of food waste accumulated exceeds a predetermined value, the user opens the takeout drawer 32 and takes out the food waste. Then, the user inserts the takeout drawer 32 such that the crushed and pulverized food waste can be again accumulated on the bottom of the takeout drawer 32. While the food waste is processed as described above, the cooling means will be operated to prevent the food waste from being spoiled.

[54] In addition, the water discharged to the outside through the drain pipe 71 passes th rough the upper portions of the purification canisters 72. The water is purified while passing through the purification particle layer 73, and the purified water is then discharged to the drain pipe 78.

[55] Next, as shown in Fig. 8, an apparatus for processing food waste according to another embodiment of the present invention further comprises a dewatering unit in addition to the apparatus for processing food waste according to the previous embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, in this embodiment, only the dewatering unit will be described and the descriptions of the other components will be omitted.

[56] A dewatering unit 90 is installed in the food waste input pipe 40 to dewater the food waste introduced through the input port 11 of the case 10. The dewatering unit 90 includes a disk 91 rotatably connected to the motor 45, a cutter 92 fixed to the disk 91, a dewatering bin 93 detachably mounted to the disk 91 and formed with a plurality of through-holes on an outer peripheral portion thereof, and a discharge port 94 installed at a side of the dewatering bin 93 to discharge the dewatered food waste. Therefore, the food waste inputted into the input unit 12 is pulverized by means of the cutter 92 rotating together with the disk 91 as the disk 91 rotates, and the water contained in the food waste is discharged to the outside through the through-holes by means of the centrifugal force as the dewatering bin 93 rotates. Accordingly, since the dewatered food waste is supplied to the crushing and pulverizing means, a load of the screw 44 and cooling means can be reduced. Further, it is possible to prevent the housing 43 with the screw 44 installed therein from clogging due to the pulverization of bulky food waste. Industrial Applicability

[57] The apparatus for processing food waste according to the present invention can keep food waste compact by crushing and pulverizing the food waste and can also prevent the food waste from being spoiled by keeping the food waste in a cold state. Therefore, the stink cannot occur until a waste bag is fully filled with the food waste and the food waste can be stored without the propagation of bacteria.

[58] Further, the present invention is configured in such a manner that the water overflowing through the filter net of the filtering unit is discharged through the first drain pipe while the water generated in the crushing and pulverizing process is discharged through the second drain pipe. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the water used in the dishwashing from overflowing into the food waste storage space.

[59] In addition, since the water contained in the food waste is almost removed by crushing the food waste, the food waste inputted into the storage space does not almost contain water. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the food waste from being easily spoiled and to reduce the cooling load imposed on the cooling means.

[60] According to the present invention, since water is injected by means of the washing nozzle, the concentration of salt contained in the food waste can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the soil from being polluted when fertilizer or manure obtained by recycling the food waste is used in the soil.

[61] Also, since the water is purified in the purification unit before it is discharged to sewerage, it is possible to prevent rivers from being polluted.

[62] Further, since the operation of the motor is controlled in response to the operating signal transmitted from the remote controller to the control unit through the receiver, it is possible to remotely control the apparatus installed in a sink without opening a door of the sink.

[63] Furthermore, since the food waste should be supplied to the crushing and pulverizing means after it is dewatered and pulverized, it is possible to prevent the interior of the housing from clogging.

[64] It should be understood that the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments of the present invention described above and illustrated in the drawings. The true scope of the present invention to be protected should be defined only by the appended claims. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made thereto within the technical spirit of the invention. Therefore, the modifications and changes will be included in the scope of the present invention so long as they are apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

[1] An apparatus for processing food waste, comprising: a case including an input port formed on a top portion of the case, a drain port formed on a rear surface of the case, a first drain pipe communicating with the drain port, a second drain pipe communicating with the drain port, a storage space enclosed by insulation and formed with an input passage for inputting crushed and pulverized food waste at an upper portion thereof and with an opening portion at a surface of a lower portion of the storage space, and a takeout drawer detachably inserted into and installed to the opening portion of the storage space to receive the crushed and pulverized food waste inputted through the input passage; an input unit taking the shape of a container mounted into the input port of the case and formed with a food waste input port and an overflow drain pipe at an lower portion thereof, the overflow drain pipe being connected to the first drain pipe; a filtering unit including a sealing portion mounted to the input unit for sealing the food waste input port and a filter net installed to extend upward along a peripheral portion of the sealing portion to hold the food waste therein but discharge water therethrough; a crushing and pulverizing means including a housing having a food waste input pipe installed at one side of the housing to communicate with the food waste input port, a food waste discharge pipe installed at the other side of the housing to allow the crushed and pulverized food waste to be discharged to the input passage of the storage space, and a drain port installed to communicate with the s econd drain pipe and to discharge the water generated when the food waste is crushed and pulverized, a screw rotatably installed to the housing and formed with one side positioned at a lower portion of the food waste input pipe and the other side positioned at an upper portion of the second drain pipe toward the food waste discharge pipe, the screw being formed to have a pitch that is reduced as it goes toward the other side thereof, a screen installed to enclose an outer peripheral portion of the other side of the screw to prevent the crushed food waste from falling down into the drain port but to discharge the water generated when the food waste is crushed, and a motor for rotating the screw; a cooling means for cooling the storage space of the case; and a control unit for controlling an operation of the motor.

[2] The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising packing installed to a contact portion between the takeout drawer and the case to prevent stink from being released from the food waste stored in the takeout drawer, and an O-ring installed to a contact portion between the food waste input pipe and the input unit, wherein the sealing portion of the filtering unit is inserted into the food waste input port of the input unit to be brought into close contact therewith.

[3] The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a washing nozzle installed to the housing to wash the screen.

[4] The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a receiver for receiving an operating signal of the motor from a remote controller, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the motor in response to the operating signal of the motor received from the receiver.

[5] The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cooling means includes a compressor for compressing refrigerant, a condensing pipe installed on a rear surface of the case, and an evaporating pipe installed at the exterior of the storage space.

[6] The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cooling means includes a thermoelectric element.

[7] The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a purification unit installed to a drain pipe through which the water passing through the drain port of the case is discharged to the outside, wherein the purification unit includes a purification canister installed at below the drain pipe to communicate therewith such that the food waste contained in the water flowing through the drain pipe can be introduced into the purification canister by a weight of the food waste, a purification housing installed to at a downstream side of the drain pipe from the purification canister to communicate with the drain pipe and connected to a purified water discharge pipe at a lower portion thereof, a purification particle layer including charcoal stacked in the purification housing, and a purification filter net installed above the purification particle layer.

[8] The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a dewatering unit installed in the food waste input pipe to dewater the food waste introduced through the input port of the case.