WO2009011467A1

WO2009011467A1 - Drum type waste decomposer

Info

Publication number: WO2009011467A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/003403
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hyung Jong Kim
Original assignee: Hyung Jong Kim
Priority date: 2007-07-13
Filing date: 2007-07-13
Publication date: 2009-01-22

Abstract

A drum type waste disposer (10) decomposes organic waste using microorganisms. The waste disposer (10) includes: a drum unit (20) including a stationary drum (22) and first and second rotatable drums (21A, 21B) placed at both ends of the stationary drum; an open hopper (51) placed on a top end of the stationary drum; a door (50) attached to the hopper; a driving unit (110) for generating a driving force that rotates the rotatable drums; a rotary shaft (33) for rotating the first rotatable drum (21A) using the driving force of the driving unit (110); and a plurality of stirring-mixing tubes (30) attached to opposing inner sides of closed ends of the rotatable drums (21A, 21B) to connect the rotatable drums (21A, 21B) to each other. The stirring-mixing tubes (30) are spaced apart from each other along the outer circumference of the opposing inner sides.

Description

[DESCRIPTION]

[invention Title]

DRUM TYPE WASTE DECOMPOSER

[Technical Field]

The present invention relates to an organic waste disposer, and more particularly, to a waste disposer for decomposing various types of organic waste such as food waste, which are produced in homes, restaurants and catering facilities, and organic scraps, which are discharged from agricultural, fishery and farming facilities or food processing plants.

[Background Art] Various organic waste produced from homes or catering facilities is buried in landfill sites after being transported by collection vehicles, or is thrown away at sea. However, these treatments have drawbacks such as a high treatment cost and adverse effects on the environment. Also, due to concerns about the pollution of surrounding land and sea areas by leachate, these treatments are regulated by law and thus cannot be used any longer. Organic waste can be decomposed into components that can help the growth of plants, and thus can be used as an organic fertilizer or a growth promoting agent. However, the use of organic waste as a fertilizer or a growth promoting agent is limited because forestry, agricultural and farming industries do not need large amounts thereof, and because excessive amounts of salt or only specific nutrients are contained. A large amount of the organic waste can be used as livestock feed after necessary treatments such as drying and decomposition. However, the importance of this approach is gradually decreasing due to problems such as poor sanitary conditions, difficulty in realizing balanced nutrition, and bad odors. Thus, this approach can hardly be regarded as a solution for properly handling organic waste. Accordingly, new technologies and apparatuses that can significantly reduce the amount and the size of organic waste are required. Burning is one of the simplest approaches. However, burning not only consumes a large amount of energy but also produces a large amount of carbon dioxide, which is the main factor contributing to global warming, and toxic gases. In addition, the organic waste should be transported to large size incinerators .

The method of composting organic waste using microorganisms is gaining attention since it can promote the reuse of waste. However, this method needs large size facilities and is expensive since a large amount of microorganisms is used due to their low efficiency in decomposing the organic waste. In addition, if salt is not effectively removed from the organic waste, it causes adverse effects on the growth of plants instead of promoting their growth.

Accordingly, a new technology that has gained attention is the use of microorganism chips having decomposing ability in order to reduce the amount of organic waste through decomposition and to deodorize the same, and a number of advancements to this technology have been made. According to the principle of this technology, the microorganism chips are made by combining a specific type of microorganism with specific materials according to the characteristics of the microorganism, so that the specific materials can create a favorable environment for the growth of the microorganism, followed by the addition of a suitable amount of moisture. Then, the microorganism chips are maintained in conditions suitable to promote the growth of the microorganism. When the organic waste is mixed with the microorganism chips, the microorganism can decompose the organic waste and thus reduce the amount thereof. Since excellent decomposing effects can be expected from a specific type of microorganism, which is active under the condition in which a suitable amount of oxygen is supplied, the organic waste and the microorganism chips should be mixed for a suitable time period so that they can be sufficiently exposed to the air. FIG. 1 illustrates the general structure of an organic waste decomposer 1 using microorganisms. In this structure, however, rotary blades 3 merely mix the microorganism chips with the organic waste in a container. The microorganism chips with the organic waste are not sufficiently stirred or mixed, and a sufficient amount of air necessary for decomposition is not supplied. Accordingly, sufficient decomposition effects are not realized. In addition, since the blades rotate only in specific areas, they fail to stir the entire mixture including the organic waste and the microorganism chips, and some portions of the mixture remain unmixed for a long time period. As time passes, the unmixed portion solidifies due to moisture evaporation, and the solidified portion gradually grows and reaches the portion of the mixture that is stirred by the rotary blades. If the waste has a predetermined size or more, or includes elongated pieces, the solidified portion prevents the rotary blades from rotating any longer. Generally, when the rotary blades cannot rotate in one direction any longer, this problem is recognized by detecting current consumption. Then, the motor is rotated in the opposite direction to turn the blades in the opposite direction. However, this action merely leads to the situation in which the rotary blades become stuck for the same reason described above.

When the rotary blades for stirring and mixing the organic waste cannot rotate any longer, the organic waste is not covered with the woody chips inhabited by the microorganisms, or the mixture solidifies. Then, the organic waste merely decays or becomes dried without going through fermentation or decomposition by the microorganisms. A strong decaying smell is produced during this procedure, and the waste decomposer cannot perform its function.

[Disclosure] [Technical Problem]

The present invention has been made to solve the foregoing problems with the prior art, and therefore an object of the present invention is to promote chemical reactions between inputted organic waste and woody microorganism chips, which are produced to create predetermined conditions suitable for the growth of microorganisms, to efficiently mix the organic waste in an optimum state, so that the organic waste is not solidified, attached or dried even partially, in order to decompose the organic waste at a suitable ratio and speed and reduce its volume. The invention also creates a favorable environment for the growth of aerobic microorganisms in order to optimize the decomposition action of the microorganism. Another object of the invention is to provide a waste disposer for decomposing organic waste, which can use the air, which is heated by any of the operating electric devices, as an additional oxygen source for the aerobic microorganism in order to enhance the decomposing effect, and to introduce the heated air to a deodorizing catalyst in order to save electric energy, which would otherwise be consumed when heating the air up to a predetermined temperature at which the deodorizing catalyst is activated. A further object of the present invention is to provide a waste disposer for decomposing organic waste, which makes it easy to separately treat some waste, which is not decomposed at all or has decomposed only for a short time period, as well as to suppress the creation of bad smells and the cultivation of bacteria.

[Technical Solution]

According to an aspect of the invention for realizing the object, the invention provides a drum type waste disposer for decomposing organic waste using microorganisms. The waste disposer includes a drum unit including first and second drums, each of which has a closed end and an open end, and a third drum having two open ends, in which the first and the second drums are arranged with the open ends facing each other, and the third drum is arranged between the first and second drums, in order to define an enclosed cylindrical structure having a predetermined inner volume; an open hopper placed on the top portion of the stationary drum; a door attached to the hopper; a driving unit for generating a driving force that rotates the rotatable drums; a rotary shaft for rotating the first rotatable drum using the driving force of the driving unit; and a plurality of stirring-mixing tubes attached to opposite inner sides of closed ends of the rotatable drums to connect the rotatable drums to each other. The stirring-mixing tubes are spaced apart from each other along the outer circumference of the opposing inner sides.

The rotatable drums at both sides and the stationary drum in the center overlap each other. Preferably, the diameter of the overlapping portions of the rotatable drums is slightly smaller than that of the overlapping portions of the stationary drum, so that the rotatable drums are inserted, from both sides, into the stationary drum. Round or quadrangular sealing rods, made of a weave of Teflon or low-friction fiber, are inserted into the gaps formed by the different diameters in order to ensure efficient rotation as well as prevent the organic waste from leaking. An annular protruding and recessed structure is provided to both the outer circumference of the stationary drum and the inner circumference of the rotatable drums, so that the sealing rods acting as seals can be seated therein.

The rotatable drums at both sides of the drum unit can be fixed by the stirring-mixing tubes so that the rotatable drums can rotate as one unitary body to rotate at the same rate in response to the driving force from a single motor. The stirring-mixing tubes can enhance the stirring-mixing effect of the organic waste therein by performing movement relative to the central stationary drum. The stirring-mixing tubes have a circular or angular cross section, and holes having a predetermined interval and size are formed, so that the air necessary for aerobic microorganisms can be effectively supplied in stirring and mixing procedures. A scraper plate made of rubber or plastic is attached to a portion of the stirring-mixing tubes along the length thereof, and acts to scrape or touch the inside wall of the stationary drum, thereby preventing the organic waste from accumulating or sticking to the inside wall of the stationary drum. Here, the stirring-mixing tubes are securely fixed to the closed round surface of the rotatable drums by welding or the like, and thus form a unitary structure with the rotatable drums.

A funnel-shaped hopper is provided in the top portion of the central stationary drum, through which various types of organic waste are inputted and the air is introduced into the drum. In addition, a separate air supply unit is provided at one end of the rotary shaft to introduce the air into the drum. The introduced air creates a favorable environment for the activity of aerobic decomposing microorganisms. An automatically openable/closable door is hinged to the top portion of the hopper. The door has a system such that it can automatically open in response to detection of a motion sensor or a photosensor, or in response to a small movement of a person. The door can be provided with a locking device including an electromagnet to prevent the door from being opened and closed during the operation of the waste disposer, and it can be provided with a mechanical locking device to prevent the rotatable drums from rotating with its door open during the operation of the waste disposer, thereby ensuring the safety of the user. A device for repeatedly making audible announcements can be provided in order to prevent the door from being opened by mistake by a user even after the input of the organic waste is finished.

Separate air inlets and air outlets are provided in walls of the hopper in order to efficiently supply the oxygen-containing air even after the door is closed. Preferably, outside air inlet fans and inside air inlet fans are provided to increase the amount of air introduction. In order to ensure a sufficient amount of air current, ducts for exhausting the air are provided, and air filters and catalysts are provided in the air inlet or outlet direction. The catalysts act to deodorize gases after reaction, and the air filters remove impurities from the entering air and absorb bad smells from the exiting air. The driving force can be transmitted from the driving unit, such as a motor, to the rotatable drums in either direct or indirect methods. In the direct driving method, the rotating force of the motor is directly transmitted to the unitary structure, which includes the rotatable drums and the stirring-mixing tubes. In the indirect driving method, a driven side pulley, connected to the rotatable drum, is connected again to a driving side pulley via a belt or a chain in order to transmit the rotating force of the motor. In the indirect driving method, the pulley of the driving motor is connected to the outer circumference of one or both of the rotatable drums via a belt or a chain. This gives advantages in terms of construction and structural stability. On the other hand, the direct driving method has the merit of reduced power loss since it directly transmits the driving force to the rotatable drum.

During the rotation of the unitary structure, which includes the two rotatable drums and the stirring-mixing tubes, an object such as the hand of a person can become caught between the edge of the hopper and the stirring- mixing tubes. Accordingly, a suitable safety space can be provided in the top portion of the stationary drum, and a double safety device includes a mechanical safety device and an electric safety device. The mechanical safety device can be provided with a rotation-stopping device that is attached to a safety bar holder, which is provided outside the rotatable drum, in order to mechanically prevent the rotatable drum from rotating in the case where the door of the hopper is opened during the rotation of the hopper. Also, in the case where the user attempts to open the door of the hopper during the rotation of the drums, a door-locking electromagnet can be operated to prevent the door from being opened. Generally, the drums start and stop rotation at a predetermined interval. At the time point at which the rotation is stopped, the rotation angle sensor measures the location of the stirring-mixing tubes. Based on this measurement, the drum can be rotated further or reversely to a predetermined safe position, which is set by a rotation angle-measuring magnet. After the rotation is completely finished, the door-locking electromagnet can be unlocked so that the door can be opened.

Preferably, a control device is provided to minimize the amount of electric energy that is consumed by a heater. The control device can repeatedly rotate the rotatable drums in the forward or backward direction according to a predetermined rule, or can control the operation of constitutional devices according to a desired logic in order to optimize the original object of the waste disposer, such as the decomposition of the organic waste and the reduction in the amount thereof. In addition, when heat is produced by the operation of the constitutional devices, which are provided in spaces between a housing and the rotatable drums, and the temperature of the air increases, the control device controls the inside air inlet fans to introduce the heated air into the rotatable drums and uses the heated air as a heat source.

Also, it is possible to include at least one of a water content sensor, which measures the amount of water contained in the input organic waste, and a temperature sensor, which detects the temperature inside the drum unit, in order to optimize the temperature and the moisture inside the drum unit, so that the decomposing microorganisms can act as desired.

In the waste disposer of the invention, the microorganism chips for decomposing the waste are composed of wood, activated carbon and decomposing bacteria, and the user can input the microorganism chips through the hopper at a suitable interval according to the environment inside the drums, the type of the microorganism and the type and state of the waste. That is, the microorganism chips can be inputted in accordance with various factors in order to ensure optimum decomposing activity. Examples of the factors include the relative position and the type of the rotating bodies, corresponding to a mechanical structure, the type and amount of air supply, and the control characteristics of temperature and moisture. The decomposing bacteria may include predetermined deodorizing bacteria, and a specific type of microorganism, which is selectively cultivated to have decomposing ability, can be mixed together according to specific factors in order to adjust deodorizing performance. Examples of the factors include a preset amount and size, moisture content, temperature, humidity, and decomposing time.

Preferably, the waste disposer can also include a pedal or a switch to open and close the door, so that the user does not need to open and close the door by hand. A door-locking device includes an electromagnet and a hermetic seal to securely seal the door in the closed position and to ensure safety. Preferably, the waste disposer can also include a tray for collecting a small amount of the microorganism chips, so that leaked microorganism chips can be reused. Here, the microorganism chips are in the form of powder that leaks through the seals between the rotatable drums on both sides and the stationary drum in the center.

[Advantageous Effects]

As set forth above, in the drum type waste disposer for decomposing organic waste using decomposition, the drum is designed so as to rotate. That is, the rotation of the unitary structure, which includes the rotatable drums and the stirring-mixing tubes, produces movement relative to the stationary drum. By the rotation of the rotatable drums and the stirring-mixing tubes, the microorganism chips and the organic waste are lifted up a predetermined height from the bottom of the stationary drum and then drop due to their weight. By repeating these procedures, the effect of mixing the organic waste and the microorganism chips can be maximized. Also, since the air is sufficiently supplied to the organic waste and the microorganism chips through the door, through the air inlets in the walls of the hopper, and through the machined inner diameter portion of the rotary shaft from the separate air supply unit, the decomposition of the organic waste can be promoted. In particular, since the stirring-mixing tubes connecting the two rotatable drums to each other have a tubular shape, and the holes are formed at a predetermined interval, oxygen supply efficiency can be remarkably improved over the prior art. In addition, the scraper, provided at one end in the length of the stirring-mixing tubes, can scrape the inside wall of the drums to prevent organic waste from remaining inside the drums, thereby improving the processing effect of the waste.

This approach of processing the waste by the microorganisms is meaningful since it provides an environment-friendly positive cycle that can prevent the waste from being thrown away in rivers or land in addition to reducing the amount of waste. The deodorizing filters attached to the inside walls of the door can deodorize the waste, and the inlets and the outlets are separately provided to supply a large amount of oxygen in addition to the natural introduction of the air through the door. The inlet and outlet fans are also provided to supply a larger amount of oxygen to the mixture of the organic waste and the microorganism chips, thereby remarkably improving decomposition. Furthermore, the filters can be provided in the inlet and outlet passages of the air in order to enhance the deodorizing and oxygen-supplying effects. Furthermore, unlike the prior art, in which blades are rotated, here, drums are rotated. Even if some types of waste, such as animal bone pieces, which are not decomposed, are inputted into the waste disposer, they do not cause trouble such as damage to internal components. When the inputted bone pieces are mixed with decomposable waste, the bone pieces maintain their original shapes. Thus, the bone pieces can be easily separated from the decomposable waste after the decomposable waste is decomposed, so that the waste can be processed in an environment-friendly fashion.

Moreover, the stirring-mixing tubes are spaced apart from the top of the stationary drum, and the safety unit, the electromagnet, the rotation angle-measuring magnets and the rotation angle sensors are provided, in order to prevent the user from accidents upon operation thereof. [Description of Drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a conventional waste disposer; FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view illustrating a waste disposer according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the waste disposer according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the drum unit and the hopper of the waste disposer according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view illustrating the waste disposer according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating the waste disposer according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view illustrating a first embodiment of part "A" of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view illustrating a second embodiment of part "A" of FIG. 5; FIG. 9 is an enlarged view illustrating a first embodiment of part "B" of FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view illustrating a second embodiment of part "B" of FIG. 5; FIG. 11 is an enlarged view illustrating the stirring-mixing tubes and the scraper according to the invention;

FIG. 12 is another overall perspective view illustrating the waste disposer according to the invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating the safety unit adopted in the invention;

FIG. 14 is a side elevation view illustrating the safety unit adopted in the invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating the stationary drum according to the invention;

FIG. 16 is a bottom view illustrating the waste disposer according to the invention; FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate a first embodiment of the power transmission unit according to the invention;

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate a second embodiment of the power transmission unit according to the invention;

FIGS. 21 to 23 illustrate a third embodiment of the power transmission unit according to the invention;

FIG. 24 illustrates a first embodiment of the rotary shaft of the rotatable drum according to the invention;

FIG. 25 illustrates a second embodiment of the rotary shaft of the rotatable drum according to the invention; FIG. 26 illustrates component parts in a structure in which the driving unit is directly connected to the rotatable drum;

FIG. 27 illustrates a first embodiment of the rotatable drum according to the present invention; and

FIG. 28 illustrates a second embodiment of the rotatable drum according to the present invention.

Major Reference Signs of the Drawings 1 : conventional stirrer

2: conventional motor

3: conventional rotary blades

10: organic waste disposer

20: drum unit 21: unitary rotatable drum

21A, 21B: rotatable drum

22: stationary drum

23: safe space

30: stirring-mixing tube 31: oxygen supply tube

32, 32A, 32B: shaft plate

33: rotary shaft

34: air supply fitting

35: bearing 36: O-ring 37 : gasket

38: housing

40: scraper

50: door 51: hopper

60: deodorizing filter

70: sensor unit

71A, 71B: temperature sensor

72: moisture sensor 73: rotation angle sensor

74: water content sensor

80: duct

90: catalyst

10OA: outside air inlet fan 10OB: inside air inlet fan

101: air outlet fan

102A: outside air inlet filter

102B: inside air inlet filter

110: driving unit 111: bracket

112: coupling

120A: (rounded) seal

120B: (square) seal

121: seal guide 122: spring 123: seal fixing ring

130A, 130B: tray

140: rotation angle-measuring magnet

141: safety bar holder 142: drum rotation-stopping device

143: wire

144: spring

145: safety bar

150: motion sensor 160, 160' : belt

161: belt tension-adjusting device

162: coupling

163: unit bearing

164: driving rotary shaft 170, 171: sprocket

172: chain

180, 181: timing pulley

182: timing belt

[Best Mode]

The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments thereof are shown.

FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view illustrating a drum type waste disposer 10 for decomposing organic waste according to the invention. In the waste disposer, a drum unit 20 includes a stationary drum 22 and a pair of rotatable drums 21A and 21B placed at both axial ends of the stationary drum 22. The rotatable drums 2IA and 21B are open to the stationary drum 22, but are closed at the ends of the waste disposer. A hopper 51 is placed on the top of the drum unit 20, through which the organic waste and the air are supplied. inside air inlet fans IOOB and inside air inlet filters 102B are provided at both lateral ends of the hopper 51 in order to help the inside air more efficiently enter the drum unit 20, so that microorganism can more efficiently decompose the organic waste. The inside air inlet fans IOOB increase the amount of the air entering the drum unit 20, and the inside air inlet filters 102B filter impurities from the entering air. Also, outside air inlet fans IOOA and outside air inlet filters 102A are placed at outer sides to be horizontal with the inside air inlet fans and filters IOOB and 102B, so that the outside air can efficiently enter the waste disposer 10. As in the case of the inside air, the outside air introduction fans IOOA increase the amount of outside air entering the waste disposer 10, and the outside air inlet filters 102A filter impurities from the entering air. The air inside the drum unit 20 is exhausted through ducts 80 in the rear side of the hopper 51, in a direction perpendicular to the entering direction. The two rotatable drums 21A and 21B are driven by a driving unit 110, embodied by a motor or the like. The rotatable drums 21A and 21B are rotated in response to the rotation of shaft plates 32A and 32B, each of which is integrally attached to a respective one of the rotatable drums 21A and 21B. The shaft plates 32A and 32B have a rotary shaft in the center and rotation angle-measuring magnets around the rotary shaft. The angle-measuring magnets are arranged in the outer circumference and, are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval. The stationary drum 22 and the rotatable drums 21A and 21B have seals, each of which is placed in a respective protruding and recessed portion. When some of the organic waste or microorganism chips drops from the drum unit 20 through the seals, trays 130A and 130B provided at the bottom of the drum unit 20 receive the organic waste or microorganism chips, so that the organic waste or the microorganism chips can be processed again without being discarded. Preferably, the stationary drum 22 has stirring rod tubes spaced about 2cm to 3cm apart from the top end adjacent to the hopper 51. This can prevent accidents that might otherwise happen in the hopper 51 during the operation of the waste disposer 10. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the drum type waste disposer for decomposing the organic waste according to the invention. In response to driving force received directly from the motor or the like, the rotatable drums 21A and 21B, rotate clockwise or counterclockwise according to a control logic that uses, as variables, the amount and size of microorganisms, moisture content, temperature, humidity, decomposition time, relative position and type of revolving body, and the method and amount of air supply. Preferably, oxygen supply pipes 31 are arranged at regular angles relative to each other, extending radially around the rotary shaft 33. Of course, the oxygen supply pipes 31 can be placed outside or inside the rotatable drum 21B. This will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. 8. Rotation angle sensors (position sensors) 73 are provided in the shaft plates 32A and 32B of the rotatable drums 21A and 21B in order to collect data, which will be used to optimally control the rotation direction and rotation angle. The hopper 51 is provided in the top of the stationary drum 22, so that the organic waste and the microorganism chips are inputted through the hopper 51 into the drum. A door 50 hinged to the hopper 51 acts as a lid of the hopper 51. An odor-absorbing filter 60 is attached to the inner face of the door 50, which faces the drum. A temperature sensor 7 IA and a water content sensor 74 are provided inside the stationary drum 22 to measure the temperature and the water content of the mixture inside the drums. These sensors also provide data, which are necessary to control the environment inside the drums and to determine whether or not to input the microorganism chips into the drums. The ducts 80 are placed in the rear portion of the waste disposer 10 to exhaust the air which was introduced through the hopper 51 in the top of the drum unit 20. Preferably, each of the ducts 80 is provided with a catalyst 90 for deodorizing the air exiting the waste disposer 10. Each of the ducts 80 extends perpendicular to the air entering direction above the drum unit 20, and has a flow passage vertically extending to the bottom portion of the waste disposer 10, so that the exiting air is directed to the ground under the waste disposer 10. The catalyst 90 is generally a Pt catalyst. In addition, air outlet fans 101 are preferably provided to facilitate the exhaustion of the air.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the drum unit and the hopper of the drum type waste disposer according to the invention. The drum unit 20 has the stationary drum 22 in the center and the rotatable drums 21A and 21B at both ends of the stationary drum 22. The rotatable drums 21A and 21B directly receive a driving force from the driving unit 110, such as motor, or indirectly receive the driving force through a belt or a chain. Here, the rotatable drums 21A and 21B, placed at both ends of the stationary drum 22, are integrally connected to each other by stirring-mixing tubes, which are placed inside the drums 21A, 21B and 22. Hence, the rotatable drums 21A and 21B can rotate along with the actuation of the motor and stop rotating in response to the stopping of the motor. The central stationary drum 22, connecting the rotatable drums 21A and 21B at both ends, occupies the largest volume, that is, the space where most of the microorganism chips and the organic waste are stirred. Although the stationary drum 22 does not itself rotate, the microorganism chips and the organic waste are mixed in the stationary drum 22 in response to the rotation of the two rotatable drums 21A and 21B and the stirring-mixing tubes connecting the rotatable drums to each other. The hopper 51 is provided in the top portion of the stationary drum 22, and the microorganism chips are inputted into the drums through the hopper 51 to be mixed with the organic waste, which are already present in the drums.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view illustrating the drum type waste disposer for decomposing organic waste according to the invention. The temperature sensor 71A and the water content sensor 74 are provided inside the stationary drum 22 to measure the physical properties inside the drum where the reaction takes place. The motor is located in the center of rotation of the drum unit 20 to directly rotate the drum unit 20. Alternatively, the motor can be located at a position other than the center of rotation of the drum unit 20, and a belt or a chain can connect a driving part of the motor to a driven part of the drum unit to transmit driving force. Particularly, this will be described later with reference to FIGS. 14 to 16. The supply of oxygen is important to facilitate the reaction between the microorganism chips and the organic waste. For this purpose, air inlets are provided in opposing side walls of the hopper 51 to operate independently of the opening/closing of the door 50. Also, the outside and inside air inlet fans IOOA and IOOB and the air outlet fans 101 are provided to ensure a sufficient amount of inlet and outlet air. Preferably, the outside and inside air inlet filters 102A and 102B are located at positions at which the air is filtered before the air passes through the outside and inside air inlet fans IOOA and IOOB. The air inlet filters can remove impurities from the entering air, thereby enhancing the efficiency with which oxygen is supplied to the mixture of the organic waste and the microorganism chips.

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating the drum type waste disposer for decomposing organic waste according to the invention. The outside air is introduced into the waste disposer 10 through both side walls of an outside housing. At this time, the outside air inlet filters 102A filter impurities from the air, and the outside air inlet fans IOOA can increase the amount of entering air. Because the air introduced into the waste disposer 10 should be introduced again into the drum unit 20, the inside air inlet fans IOOB increase the amount of air entering the drum unit 20. Prior to this, the inside air inlet filters 102B filter impurities from the air entering the drum unit 20. In this fashion, the air is supplied into the drum unit 20 through both side walls of the hopper 51, and the organic waste and the microorganism chips are supplied with a sufficient amount of the air through separate flow passages in addition to the hopper, which can lead to a more active reaction. After the reaction inside the drum unit 20 is finished, the air exits the drum unit 20 through the ducts 80 located in the rear of the drum unit 20.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are enlarged views of part "A" of FIG. 5. The part "A" indicates one of the portions at which the stationary drum 22 contacts the rotatable drums 21A and 21B. Although the diameter of the stationary drum 22 is larger than that of the rotatable drums 21A and 21B, seals 120A and 120B are inserted into the protruding and recessed portions between the stationary drum 22 and the rotatable drums 21A and 21B in order to maintain a hermetic seal between the stationary drum 22 and the rotatable drums 21A and 21B as well as allow the rotatable drums 2IA and 21B to smoothly rotate. FIG. 7 illustrates a first embodiment of the part "A," in which the seal 120A has a circular cross section. A seal guide 121 for fixing the protruding and recessed portion is vertically fixed in the top portion of the rotatable drum 21, and a spring 122 is provided to extend from the bottom end of the seal guide toward the seal 120A in order to prevent the seal from escaping from the original position according to the abrasion thereof.

FIG. 8 illustrates a second embodiment of the part "A" of FIG. 5, in which the seals 120B have a quadrangular cross section. Preferably, two or three of the seals 120B are arranged in a row. Here, a seal fixing ring 123 fixed to one end of the row of the seals 120B can have positive effects on the seating and shape- maintenance of the seals 120B. A spring 122 can be a general circular spring or a plate spring (i.e., a disk spring) .

FIGS. 9 and 10 are enlarged views illustrating part "B" of FIG. 5. The part "B" is an end of the central axis around which the rotatable drums 21A and 21B turn. The part "B" corresponds to an end of the rotary shaft 33 that rotates in response to the actuation of the driving unit 110, in which the end of the rotary shaft 33 is located opposite the driving unit. An air supply unit (not shown) is placed at the end of the rotary shaft, and supplies the air through the inner space of the rotary shaft, which is formed by machining an inner diameter portion thereof, to the stirring-mixing tubes inside the drums. Since the stirring-mixing tubes also have a hollow structure, the air supplied by the air supply unit enters the hollow portion of the stirring-mixing tubes through the oxygen supply pipes 31. The oxygen supply pipes can extend through the inside of the rotatable drum 21B, or can extend through the outside of the rotatable drum 21B. The air is supplied from the air supply unit through an air supply fitting 34 at the end of the rotary shaft 33, and a gasket 37 and an 0-ring 36 of a housing 38 prevent the air from leaking. Preferably, a bearing 35 is provided around the rotary shaft 33. FIG. 9 illustrates a first embodiment of the location of the oxygen supply pipes 31, which extend through the inside of the rotatable drum. When the air supply fitting 34 is connected to an air supply hose or the like, air is introduced through the inside of the rotary shaft. Then, the air flows into the rotatable drum 21B through the air supply pipes 31, which are connected to the rotary shaft via the air supply fitting.

FIG. 10 illustrates a second embodiment of the location of the oxygen supply pipes 31, which extend outside the rotatable drum. Likewise, when the air supply fitting 34 is connected to an air supply hose or the like, air is introduced through the inside of the rotary shaft, and flows into the oxygen supply pipes 31, which are connected to the rotary shaft via the oxygen supply fitting outside the rotary drum 21B. Preferably, threads are machined in the rotary drum 21B, so that the air from the oxygen supply tube 31 can flow through the air supply fitting into the hollow portion of the stirring-mixing tubes 30, which are fixed to the inside wall of the rotatable drum 21B by welding or the like.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view illustrating the stirring-mixing tubes 30 and a scraper 40 according to the invention. As shown in FIG. 11, an assembly of the stirring-mixing tubes 30 and the scraper 40 is connected to the rotatable drums 21A and 21B, inside the drum unit 20, to connect the rotatable drums 21A and 21B to each other. The assembly also serves to mix the organic waste and microorganism chips and supply oxygen to the mixture of the organic waste and microorganism chips. The stirring-mixing tubes 30 are arranged along the outer circumference of the rotatable drums 21A and 21B, with an equal interval around the rotary shaft 33. The stirring- mixing tubes 30 are connected to the rotatable drums 21A and 21B by welding or the like, so that they can rotate as a unitary body in response to rotation by the driving unit. The air (oxygen) from the air supply unit (not shown) , placed at one end of the rotary shaft 33, is supplied to respective stirring-mixing tubes 30 through the oxygen supply tubes 31, which are placed radially around the rotary shaft 33, inside or outside the drum unit 20. Then, the air is supplied into the mixture inside the drum unit 20 through a plurality of holes formed along the length of the stirring-mixing tubes 30 at a predetermined interval . Accordingly, the mixture of the organic waste and the microorganism chips are supplied with a sufficient amount of oxygen, so that the organic waste can be actively decomposed. Since the rotatable drums 21A and 21B and the stirring-mixing tubes 30, which connect the rotatable drums 21A and 21B together, rotate as a unitary body, the mixture inside the central stationary drum 22 can be stirred efficiently. Also, the scraper 40 can be provided to at least one of the stirring-mixing tubes 30, along the length thereof. The scraper 40 serves to scrape the inside wall of the drum unit, thereby reducing the amount of organic waste that would otherwise remain inside the stationary drum 22. The scraper 40 is preferably made of plastic or rubber.

FIG. 12 is another overall perspective view illustrating the waste disposer according to the invention, seen from the direction opposite that of FIG. 2. The air, which is introduced through both side walls of the hopper 51, is exhausted from the drum unit 20 through the air exhaust ducts 80 in the rear of the hopper 51 after the reaction inside the drum unit 20. Preferably, the catalysts 90 are provided in the exhaust flow passages to deodorize the exiting air. The catalysts 90 can be made of Pt or the like. In addition, the air outlet fans 101 are preferably provided to facilitate the exhaustion of the air. Although FIG. 12 shows ducts 80 provided in the rear of the hopper 51 and the exhaust air exiting the waste disposer at the bottom end thereof through the catalysts 90 and the air outlet fans 101, this is not intended to be limiting. Rather, modifications can be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a safety unit, which is the mechanical locking device adopted in the invention. This safety unit is a device for stopping the rotation of the drums when the door is opened during the rotation of the drums. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the safety unit attached to the outer face of the rotatable drum 21A, and FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of the safety unit. The safety unit includes a safety bar holder 141 placed on the outer face of the rotatable drum 21B and a drum rotation-stopping device 142 inserted into the safety bar holder 141. The safety unit is operated according to the following principle. In the state in which the door is closed, a wire 143 of the rotation-stopping device 142 is pulled, thereby keeping a safety bar 145 detached from the safety bar holder 141. Therefore, this position does not prevent the rotatable drum from rotating. On the other hand, in the position in which the door is open, the wire 143 is not pulled, and the restoring force of the spring 144 causes the safety bar 145 to be inserted into a recess of the safety bar holder 141, thereby preventing the rotatable drum from rotating.

Referring to FIG. 13, at least one of the rotatable drums 21A and 21B is provided with four rotation angle- measuring magnets 140, as an example of an electric safety device that allows the door to be opened only when the rotatable drums 21A and 21B are stopped at a predetermined position. That is, since the rotation angle of the shaft plates 32A and 32B, measured by the four rotation angle-measuring magnets 140, should be identical with a preset angle so that the door 50 can be open, an electromagnetic locking device (not shown) of the door is not unlocked until the rotation angle of the drums 21A and 21B becomes the preset angle, not only during the rotation of the drums 21A and 21B but also after the drums stop. Accordingly, the invention provides double safety means including the mechanical and electric safety devices in order to prevent the door 50 from opening during the operation.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating the stationary drum according to the invention. As described hereinbefore, the sensors 71A and 74 are placed inside the stationary drum 22 to measure the temperature and the water content inside the stationary drum 22, thereby reporting on the physical properties of the mixture including the organic waste, so that the mixture can be maintained in a desired state. In addition to the sensors for detecting the physical properties of the mixture, such as temperature and water content, there can be provided sensors 71B and 72 for measuring physical properties of the air entering the stationary drum 22 through the hopper 51, such as temperature and water content. Accordingly, more precise working conditions can be controlled.

FIG. 16 is a bottom view illustrating the waste disposer according to the invention. A motion sensor 150 can be provided on the bottom of the waste disposer. This means that the door can be automatically opened or closed by the detection of the motion of a foot of a person or the like. Although FIG. 16 shows a motion sensor 150 placed on the bottom of the waste disposer 10 to detect the motion of a foot or a lower limb of a person, this is not intended to be limiting. Rather, modifications can be made, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention.

FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate a first embodiment of a power transmission unit according to the invention. As described above, the waste disposer can adopt both the direct power transmission method and the indirect power transmission method. In the direct power transmission method, the rotary shaft 33 is directly connected to an output shaft of the driving unit 110, such as a motor. In the indirect power transmission method, the rotary shaft 33 is indirectly connected to the shaft of the driving unit 110 via a belt or a chain. According to the first embodiment of the power transmission unit shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the driving force is transmitted from the driving unit 110, such as a motor, to the rotary shaft 33 via one belt 160. That is, the belt 160 is wound around the outer circumference of the rotary shaft 21A to convert the rotation power of the driving unit 110 to the rotation power of the drum 21A. FIG. 17 is a front elevation view of the waste disposer 10 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 18 is a side elevation view of the waste disposer 10 according to the first embodiment. Here, as shown in FIG. 18, a belt tension- adjusting device 161 can be provided to keep the tension of the belt 160 uniform.

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate a second embodiment of the power transmission unit according to the invention. As the second embodiment of the power transmission unit of the invention, the output shaft of the motor 110 is connected to a driving rotary shaft 164, which is separate from the rotary shaft 33 of the waste disposer, via a coupling 162. In this case, the driving rotary shaft 164 is preferably supported by a unit bearing 163, since the driving rotary shaft 164 is under a large amount of load. Respective belts 160 and 160' are wound around the outer circumference of respective rotatable drums 21A and 21B, so that the driving force of the driving rotary shaft 164, connected to the output shaft of the driving unit 110, can be transmitted to the respective rotatable drums 21A and 21B. Since the respective belts 160 and 160' connected to the respective rotatable drums 21A and 21B can separately drive the rotatable drums 21A and 21B, it is possible to raise the efficiency of power transmission as well as enhance the durability of the stirring-mixing tubes 30, which connect the rotatable drums 21A and 21B to each other. FIG. 19 is a front elevation view of the waste disposer 10 according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 20 is a side elevation view of the waste disposer 10 according to the second embodiment.

FIGS. 21 to 23 illustrate a third embodiment of the power transmission unit according to the invention. As the third embodiment of the power transmission unit of the invention, a sprocket A 170 or a timing pulley A 180 is provided to the output shaft of the driving unit 110, and a sprocket B 171 or a timing pulley B 181 is provided to the rotary shaft 33 corresponding to the sprocket 170 or the timing pulley 180. The sprockets 170 and 171 or the timing pulleys 180 and 181 are connected to each other by a chain 172 or a timing belt 182 to transmit the rotating force of the driving unit 110 to the rotatable drum 21A. A merit of this embodiment is that the durability and the power transmission rate are higher than those of the embodiment using the belt. FIG. 21 is a front elevation view of the waste disposer 10 according to the third embodiment, and FIGS. 22 and 23 are side elevation views of the waste disposer 10 according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 22, the sprockets 170 and 171 and the chain 172 are adopted as the power transmission unit, and in FIG. 23, the timing pulleys 180 and 181 and the timing belt 182 are adopted as the power transmission unit. As shown in FIG. 22, in the power transmission unit including the sprockets 170 and 171 and the chain 172, it is more general to adjust the tension of the chain using a slot of a racket, which fixes the driving unit, rather than providing a separate tension-adjusting device.

For the other end of the rotary shaft 33, positioned in the center of the rotatable drum 21A, opposite the driving unit 110, two embodiments can be suggested, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25. FIG. 24 shows a rotatable drum assembly in which the rotary shaft 33 is configured to rotate the shaft plate 32A adjacent to the driving unit but is not connected to the other end, opposite the driving unit. Since the rotatable drum 21A, adjacent to the driving unit, is securely connected to the opposite rotatable drum 21B via the stirring-mixing tubes 30, which are fixed to the rotatable drums 21A and 21B by welding or the like, the rotatable drum assembly 21 can rotate without any difficulty even if the rotary shaft is not connected to the opposite rotatable drum 21B. On the other hand, FIG. 25 shows another rotatable drum assembly, in which the rotary shaft 33 is connected to a shaft plate 32B which is placed opposite the driving unit. In this case, the two rotatable drums 21A and 21B are connected to each other by the rotary shaft 33, so that the rotatable drum assembly 21 can rotate and stop as a unitary body even if the stirring-mixing tubes are not provided. FIG. 26 illustrates component parts in a structure in which the driving unit is directly connected to the rotatable drum. A bracket 111 allows the driving unit 110 to be mounted to the structure of the waste disposer 10, in which the output side of the driving unit 110 is connected to the rotary shaft 33 via a coupling 112. The shaft plate 32A having the output shaft 33 in the center is attached to the closed face of the rotatable drum 21A via welding or the like.

FIGS. 27 and 28 illustrate embodiments of the rotatable drum according to the present invention. FIG. 27 illustrates a first embodiment of the two separate rotatable drums 21A and 21B, which have been described above. FIG. 28 illustrates a unitary structure of the rotatable drum as an alternative embodiment. In the case of the separate rotatable drums, the stationary drum is placed between the two rotatable drums 21A and 21B, and the seals are provided in joints between the rotatable drums and the stationary drum. However, the unitary rotatable drum does not need the stationary drum or the seals, but has the hopper 51 in the top portion thereof.

While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be limited thereto. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can substitute, change or modify the embodiments in various forms without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

[CLAIMS]

[Claim l]

A drum type waste disposer (10) for decomposing organic waste using microorganisms, comprising: a drum unit (20) including a stationary drum (22) and first and second rotatable drums (21A, 21B) placed at both ends of the stationary drum; an open hopper (51) placed on a top end of the stationary drum; a door (50) attached to the hopper; a driving unit (110) for generating a driving force that rotates the rotatable drums; a rotary shaft (33) for rotating the first rotatable drum (21A) using the driving force of the driving unit (110) ; and a plurality of stirring-mixing tubes (30) attached to opposing inner sides of closed ends of the rotatable drums (21A, 21B) to connect the rotatable drums (21A, 21B) to each other, the stirring-mixing tubes (30) spaced apart from each other along an outer circumference of the opposing inner sides.

[Claim 2] The drum type waste disposer according to claim 1, wherein the rotary shaft (33) extends to the inner side of the closed end of the second rotatable drum (21B) .

[Claim 3]

The drum type waste disposer according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising seals for hermetically sealing joints between the stationary drum (22) and the first and second rotatable drums (21A, 21B) .

[Claim 4]

The drum type waste disposer according to claim 3, wherein the seals (120A, 120B) comprise a weave of Teflon or low-friction fiber.

[Claim 5]

The drum type waste disposer according to claim 3, wherein the seals (120A, 120B) have a circular or quadrangular cross section.

[Claim 6]

The drum type waste disposer according to claim 5, wherein two or three of the seals (120B) are arranged in a row. [Claim 7]

The drum type waste disposer according to claim 3, further comprising a tray (130) , which is placed in a bottom of the waste disposer to receive some of the microorganism chips dropping through seals (120A, 120B) .

[Claim 8]

The drum type waste disposer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the stirring-mixing tubes have a tubular structure, which allows air to enter and exit an inner portion thereof, and holes at a predetermined interval, through which the air is supplied to the organic waste.

[Claim 9] The drum type waste disposer according to claim 8, wherein the stirring-mixing tubes (30) have a circular or angled cross section.

[Claim lθ] The drum type waste disposer according to claim 8, further comprising: an air supply unit for supplying the air through an air flow passage, which is formed by machining an inner diameter portion of an end portion of the rotary shaft (33) opposite the driving unit (110); and oxygen supply pipes (31) placed inside or outside the rotatable drum, whereby the air is supplied into the stirring-mixing tubes (30) .

[Claim ll]

The drum type waste disposer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the stirring-mixing tubes (30) has a scraper (40) for scraping an inside wall of the stationary drum (22) .

[Claim 12]

The drum type waste disposer according to claim 11, wherein the scraper (40) is made of rubber or plastic.

[Claim 13]

The drum type waste disposer according to claim 1 or

2, wherein the driving unit (110) drives the rotatable drums (21A, 21B) by a direct drive, in which an output shaft of the driving unit (110) is directly connected to the rotary shaft (33) of the rotatable drum (21A) .

[Claim 14]

The drum type waste disposer according to claim 13, wherein the rotary shaft (33) of the rotatable drum (21A) extends through a central portion of a shaft plate (32A) , and the output shaft of the driving unit (110) is connected to the rotary shaft (33) of the rotatable drum (21A) via a coupling (112) .

[Claim 15]

The drum type waste disposer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the driving unit (110) drives the rotatable drums (2IA, 21B) by an indirect drive, in which: (A) a belt (160) is provided around an outer circumference of the rotatable drum (21A) ,

(B) both ends of a driving rotary shaft (164), which is connected to the output shaft of the driving unit, are connected to respective ones of the rotatable drums (2 IA, 21B) via respective belts (160, 160'), or

(C) respective sprockets (170, 171) or respective timing pulleys (180, 181) are provided to the output shaft of the driving unit and the rotary shaft (33) of the rotatable drum (21A) , and a chain (172) or a timing belt (182) connects the sprockets (170, 171) or the timing pulleys (180, 181) to each other.

[Claim 16] The drum type waste disposer according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an odor-absorbing filter (60) on an inner side of the door (50) .

[Claim 17]

The drum type waste disposer according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising at least one of: a duct for exhausting air from an inside or an outside of the waste disposer; and a fan (10OA, IOOB or 101) for helping the air enter or exit .

[Claim 18]

The drum type waste disposer according to claim 17, further comprising at least one of a filter (102A or 102B) and a catalyst (90) in an inlet or outlet passage of the air.

[Claim 19] The drum type waste disposer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the stationary drum (22) includes, therein, at least one of: a temperature sensor (71A) for measuring a temperature of a mixture, which includes the organic waste and microorganism chips; and a water content sensor (74) for measuring a water content of the mixture .

[Claim 2θ] The drum type waste disposer according to claim 14, wherein the shaft plate (32) has a rotation angle sensor (73) for measuring a rotation angle of the rotatable drums (21A, 21B) .

[Claim 2l]

The drum type waste disposer according to claim 19, wherein the hopper (51) includes, on a wall side thereof, at least one of : a temperature sensor (71B) for measuring a temperature of air inside the stationary drum (22) ; and a moisture sensor (72) for measuring a moisture of the air inside the stationary drum (22) .

[Claim 22] The drum type waste disposer according to claim 19 or 21, further comprising a temperature controller for maintaining the temperature inside a drum unit, acquired by the temperature sensor (71A or 71B) , at a specific value . [Claim 23]

The drum type waste disposer according to claim 20, further comprising a mechanical controller for maintaining the rotation angle of the rotatable drums (21A, 21B) , acquired by the rotation angle sensor (73) , at a specific value .

[Claim 24]

The drum type waste disposer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the stirring-mixing tubes (30) are attached to the rotatable drums (21A, 21B) separated from a top end of the stationary drum (22) by a predetermined interval.

[Claim 25] The drum type waste disposer according to claim 14 or 20, wherein the shaft plate (32A) has four rotation angle- measuring magnets (140) , which are arranged at an equal angular interval around the rotary shaft (33) .

[Claim 26]

The drum type waste disposer according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a door-locking electromagnet in the door (50) .

[Claim 27] The drum type waste disposer according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a safety bar holder (141) in the closed end of the rotatable drum (21A) , wherein the safety bar holder (141) is configured to store a safety bar (145) of a drum rotation-stopping device (142) .

[Claim 28]

The drum type waste disposer according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a motion sensor (150) or a photo sensor at a predetermined position.

[Claim 29]

The drum type waste disposer according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a device for generating an alarm sound when an opening of the door (50) is sensed.

[Claim 3θ]

A drum type waste disposer for decomposing organic waste using microorganism, comprising: a unitary rotatable drum (21) having a lateral rotary shaft ; an open hopper (51) placed on a top end of the unitary rotatable drum (21) ; a door (50) attached to the hopper (51) ; a driving unit (110) for generating a driving force that rotates the unitary rotatable drum; a rotary shaft (33) for rotating the first rotatable drum (21) using the driving force of the driving unit (110) ; and a plurality of stirring-mixing tubes (30) attached to opposing inner ends of the unitary rotatable drum (21) to connect the inner ends to each other, the stirring-mixing tubes (30) spaced apart from each other along an outer circumference of the opposing inner ends.