WO2016210211A1

WO2016210211A1 - Compositions for in-home waste management

Info

Publication number: WO2016210211A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/039144
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jonathan Javier Calderas
Original assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
Priority date: 2015-06-25
Filing date: 2016-06-24
Publication date: 2016-12-29

Abstract

A composition, article, kits and methods of treating organic waste by administering a composition into an in-home waste management appliance. The composition includes from about 0.1g to about 1,000 g of pelletized coconut coir having a diameter of from about.01mm to about 25mm and from about 0.1g to about 500 g of a salt. The composition is capable of providing a viable output within 24-hours.

Description

COMPOSITIONS FOR IN-HOME WASTE MANAGEMENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to compositions for use in in-home waste management.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In-home waste management appliances have been described. Waste management within a home provides convenience. Food scraps are simply placed in the appliance (versus discarded in the trash). The benefits of waste management appliances include the reduction of waste in landfills and an economical source of soil additives. However, traditional in-home waste management appliances utilize additives that are difficult to effectively dose and are not designed to produce viable output within 24-hours.

There is a need for a product that can easily be administered by the consumer that is simple to use, cost effective, environmentally friendly, and provides viable output within 24- hours.

Output resulting from in-home waste management is great for general purpose fertilizing. However, there is also a need to customize the output for specific fertilizing applications. There is a further need to make customizing easy and convenient to the consumer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention attempts to address these and any other needs. A first aspect of the invention provides a composition including from about O.lg to about 1,000 g of pelletized coconut coir having a diameter of from about .01mm to about 25mm and from about O.lg to about 500 g of a salt. The composition is capable of providing a viable output within 24-hours.

A second aspect of the present invention provides an article, including the aforementioned composition; the pelletized coconut coir is contained by a biodegradable material. A third aspect of the present invention provides a method of treating organic waste; the step of administering an aforementioned composition into an in-home waste management appliance. A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a starter kit comprising: an in-home waste appliance; and/or an aforementioned composition; and optionally instructions for administering the composition to the in-home waste appliance. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Compositions Comprising Pelletized Coconut Coir

Compositions of the present invention comprise pelletized coconut coir. The term "coconut coir" is used herein to describe the natural fiber extracted from the husk of coconuts. Further, as used in the present invention, the coconut coir is then processed by any means known in the art into pellets which have a diameter of from about .01mm to about 25 mm. Without wishing to be bound by theory it is believed that pelletizing the coconut coir produces a material which is easier for the waste-management appliance to process and produces a viable output within 24-hours. The term "viable output" is used herein to describe the final material produced by the waste-management appliance and which may be added directly to soil by a consumer to increase the soil's vitality.

The composition may further comprise from about O.lg to about 500 g of a salt. In one embodiment, the salt is selected from the group consisting of sodium bicarbonate, dipotassium phosphate and mixtures thereof.

In one embodiment, the composition may comprise from about 1% to about 100% activated carbon, alternatively 80 % to 99 %, or 85% to 100%, or 90% to 100%, or 50% to 90%, or 50% to 99% of activated carbon, or combinations thereof. The term "activated carbon" is used here in the broadest sense to include any form of carbon that can absorb odor. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is the porosity that likely is responsible for malodor absorption. Non- limiting examples of activated carbon included activated charcoal, activated coal, and biochar. In one embodiment, the composition contains about 1 g to about 1000 g, alternatively about 25 g to about 500 g, alternatively about 50 g to about 250 g, or combinations thereof of activated carbon.

The composition may also comprises, in some embodiments, about 1 g to about 1000 g, alternatively about 25 g to about 500 g, alternatively about 50 g to about 250 g, or combinations thereof of additional ingredients. Such additional ingredients, as described in more detail herein, may be selected from the group consisting of a customizable fertilizer composition, enzymes, filler, plasticizer, microbes (suitable for waste management), microbe supplements, enzymes, and combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the composition may comprise less than 10%, alternatively less than

1% water. Without wishing to be bound by theory, higher levels of water in the composition may have a detrimental effect on the water soluble materials used to make the articles of the present invention (in those embodiments where such materials are used). In one embodiment, the article may comprise 2, 3, or more compartments such that different compositions may be contained with these compartments. Multiple compartments may provide advantages such as separating incompatible ingredients or ease of dosing. Customizable Fertilizer

One aspect of the invention provides a unit dose article containing a fertilizer composition. Fertilizer compositions typically contain nitrogen (from a nitrogen source) and preferably also phosphate and potassium (from phosphate and potassium sources, respectively). Fertilizers may be designated by the content of one or more these components. The contents of these components in a fertilizer may be indicated by the N-P-K value (wherein N=nitrogen content by weight percentage, P=phosphorous content by weight percentage, and K=potassium content by weight percentage). The appropriate N-P-K value depends upon the fertilizing application, which is in turn generally dedicated by the needs of the plant and/or soil conditions. For example, a general purpose fertilizer will contain a weight ratio of 12 - 12 - 12 of N-P-K respectively, or 12 wt % of nitrogen, 12 wt % phosphorous, and 12 wt% potassium. The remaining components are typically filler.

According to certain non-limiting embodiments, the fertilizer composition of the present invention may have a N component of the N-P-K value ranging from 0 to 20, alternatively from 5-10, or 10-20, or 5-15, or 8-20, or 10-20, or combination thereof.

Non-limiting examples of a nitrogen source include ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, urea, ammonium phosphate, anhydrous ammonium, mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the fertilizer composition of the present invention may contain 0-1000 grams of a nitrogen source, alternatively 0.01-100 grams, or 0.1-10 grams, 0.2-0.5 grams, or combinations thereof of the nitrogen source.

Non-limiting examples of a phosphorus source includes calcium phosphite or a phosphorous-containing acid (e.g., phosphorous-containing acids include phosphorous acid, hypophosphorous acid, polyphosphorous acid, polyhypophosphorous acid, or mixtures thereof), or mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the fertilizer composition of the present invention may contain 0-1000 grams of a phosphorus source, alternatively 0.01-100 grams, or 0.1-10 grams, 0.2-0.5 grams, or combinations thereof of the phosphorus source.

Non-limiting examples of a potassium source include potassium chloride, potash, or mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the fertilizer composition of the present invention may contain 0-1000 grams of a potassium source, alternatively 0.01-100 grams, or 0.1-10 grams, 0.2- 0.5 grams, or combinations thereof of the potassium source.

The fertilizer composition of the present invention may also contain additional nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, and sulfur from respective sources. The fertilizer compositions of the present invention may also contain micronutrients such as boron, copper, and iron - also from respective sources.

Sources of NPK may be organic, or synthetic, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the source of NPK is synthetic, alternatively predominantly synthetic. Without wishing to be bound by theory, synthetic sources of NPK are generally more readily available to plants where organic sources are not. In this embodiment, an ideal balance between organic and synthetic sources of fertilizer may be provided. The output resulting from in-home waste management will act as an organic source of fertilizer. Supplementing the in-home output with the unit doses of synthetic sources of fertilizer will provide the balance of readily available and slow release sources of nutrients to plants.

Another advantage of the present invention is the many commercially available fertilizers, particularly synthetic sources, will contain filler. Use of filler increases manufacturing and transportation costs. In one embodiment, the water soluble unit doses of the present invention are substantially free of fillers. Filler is generally an inert material such as sand, lime, ground corn cobs, etc.

In one embodiment, the fertilizer composition of the present invention comprises a lysine source. Non-limiting examples of a lysine source include lysine monohydrochloride, lyside hydrate, lysine dihydrochloride, lysidine sulfate, or combinations thereof. Lysine sources may be obtained commercially from Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, Decatur, 111.

In one embodiment, the composition contains an alkalinity source or an acidifying source. An alkalinity source includes lime or wood ash. Acidifying source includes sulfur or aluminum sulfate.

Enzymes

One aspect of the invention provides for compositions that comprise one or more enzymes to assist in the waste management process. The enzymes may be used alone or in combination with waste management microbes. Examples of enzymes include: cellulases, hemicellulases, peroxidases, proteases, gluco-amylases, amylases, xylanases, lipases, phospholipases, esterases, cutinases, pectinases, keratanases, reductases, oxidases, phenoloxidases, lipoxygenases, ligninases, pullulanases, tannases, pentosanases, malanases, β - glucanases, arabinosidases, hyaluronidase, chondroitinase, laccase or mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, the enzymes include protease, amylase, lipase, peroxidases, cutinase and/or cellulase in conjunction with one or more plant cell wall degrading enzymes. In another embodiment, the enzymes are at levels from 0.0001% to 2% by weight of the composition. A supplier of enzymes may include Star Engineering Co. Ltd., Japan.

Waste management Microbes and Microbe Supplements

In one aspect of the present invention, the composition may comprise a waste management microbe (e.g., bacteria, yeast, mold fungi/spores/hyphal suspensions, or combinations thereof) and optionally a microbe supplement.

The term "microbe supplement" includes microbes, probiotics, antibiotic, biocide, or combinations thereof. A prebiotic is a chemical that selectively encourages the growth of desired microbes and/or discourages the growth of undesired microbes. Non-limiting examples of a prebiotic include: selective food carbons (sugars such as fructooligosaccharides, certain alcohols (e.g. inositol, mannitol), certain selective essential cations (such as iron, vanadium), or cofactors such as hemin or Vitamin K). A probiotic is a desirable microbe that outcompetes and/or selectively inhibits undesirable microbes. A non-limiting example of a prebiotic is a lactic acid bacteria producing lactic acid that inhibit gram negative pathogens. Antibiotics/Biocides are natural or chemical agents that act directly on undesirable microbes to inhibit their growth or kill them.

The composition containing a waste management microbe may be contained in the unit dose article. Microbes can be added to aid in one or more of the following functions: accelerate the onset of aerobic decomposition of food and vegetative wastes (contained in the pre-output); provide malodor control; potentiate high decomposition activity in terms of rate and spectrum of decomposition on a wide range of organic materials in the pre-output and output, including high cellulose and fibrous plant/paper materials; improve waste management hygiene; reinforce the establishment/colonization of bacteria to fuel high intensity aerobic decomposition; raise the temperature of the organic output material to enable thermophilic decomposition; aid in reducing or eliminating the undesired or pathogenic microbes; increase the quality of the final output (e.g., pH, percentage of humus, moisture retention, bioavailability of micronutrients, and nutrient content); or combinations thereof. Microbes/supplements can be administered as a solution or liquid suspension, or dry form (e.g., powder). In addition to water, the suspension/solution may contain other ingredients including solvents, dispersing agents, stabilizers, toxicity modifiers, pH buffers etc. Generally, about 1 billion microbial cells are contained: per one milliliter of solution/suspension; or one milligram in a dry form. The solution/suspension can be administered via a water soluble unit dose article of the present invention.

A listing of microbes may include the following: bacteria of the Bacillus genus; Bacillus smithii (preferably the Oklin strain); Bacillus sulfolobus (preferably the Oklin strain); Bacillus subtilis; Bacillus licheniformis; Bacillus megaterium; Bacillus polymyxa; Bacillus circulans; Bascillus cereus; bacteria of Lactobacillus genus; Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus &ctinomyces;Lactobascillus casei; Lactobacillus Streptomyces; Lactobacillus frankia; Lactobacillus Azotobacter; and combinations thereof.

Microbes may contain fungi, preferably in combination with bacteria. A listing of microbes may include the following: fungi of the Aspergillus genus; Aspergillus niger; Aspergillus orizae; fungi of the Rhizopus genus, fungi of the Saccaromyces genus; fungi of the Trichondema genus; and combinations thereof.

Examples of supplements may include ingredients to facilitate waste management and/or provide better output. Ingredients that may help facilitate waste management include high nitrogen containing components such as soybean and alfalfa (to encourage microbial growth); sawdust (increase circulation therefore oxygen content); trace minerals; sugars (e.g., molasses to help fuel microbes); enzymes (e.g., proteases, lipases, cellulase, lignase, pectinase, etc.), and mixtures thereof. Ingredients that may help in providing better output include soil conditions (e.g., humus and humic leonardite compounds derived from leonardite), rooting hormones, or combinations thereof.

One aspect of the invention provides for a method of administering a composition to the in-home waste management appliance, wherein the composition comprises a microbe and/or microbe supplement.

The articles and/or compositions of the present invention may contain a perfume, as known in the art. Unit Dose Articles

The present invention provides for containing the aforementioned compositions in desired quantities in a unit dose article. The "unit dose article" may be a packet or a tablet within a packet. The unit dose article comprises one or more of the compositions of the present invention.

Packet

The term "packet" is used in the broadest sense to include a pouch, capsule, bag, sachet, or the like. The packet comprises a compartment which contains a composition, tablet, or combination therein. The contents contained in the compartment are typically separated from the outside environment by a barrier of material. A variety of shapes and sizes of the packet are contemplated. The material that is used to form a compartment of the article may be in the form of a fibrous material, such as wood. In one embodiment, the material is at least 10%, 50% or 99% fibrous material. In another embodiment, the material may at least partially be comprised of a polymer film. The term "film" is used broadly to include a shell, sheet, or the like. The film may be formed by casting, blow-molding, extrusion, or blow extrusion of the material. The material may be non-biodegradable, biodegradable, water soluble, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the material is a fibrous biodegradable material.

Non-limiting examples of polymers, copolymers or derivatives thereof suitable for use as material for encapsulating compositions to form the unit dose articles of the present invention are selected from polyvinyl alcohols, partially hydrolyzed polyvinylacetates, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyalkylene oxides, acrylamide, acrylic acid, cellulose, cellulose ethers, cellulose esters, cellulose amides, polyvinyl acetates, polycarboxylic acids and salts, polyaminoacids or peptides, polyamides, polyacrylamide, copolymers of maleic/acrylic acids, polysaccharides including starch and gelatine, natural gums such as xanthum and carragum, and combinations therein. In one embodiment, polymers are selected from polyacrylates and water-soluble acrylate copolymers, methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, dextrin, ethylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, hydroxybutyl methylcellulose, maltodextrin, and polymethacrylates. In another embodiment, the polymers are selected from polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, partially hydrolysed polyvinylacetates and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), hydroxybutyl methylcellulose (HBMC), and combinations thereof. The polymer can have any weight average molecular weight. In one embodiment, the weight average molecular weight is from about 1,000 to about 1,000,000, alternatively from about 10,000 to about 300,000, alternatively from about 20,000 to about 150,000. Polyvinyl alcohol films are known under the trade reference Monosol and sold by Chris-Craft Industrial Products of Gary, Indiana, U.S.A.

Other non-limiting examples of material that may be suitable for at least partially containing the compositions of the present invention include: gelatin, starch, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, cellulose ethers, gelatin, alginic acid or pectinic acid, or the like, or combinations thereof. The material may optionally contain additives adjusting its elasticity and water solubility. In another embodiment the material comprises a low melting biodegradable polyester (e.g., polycaprolactone) - either as a film or as an extrusion coated on to paper. In yet another embodiment the material comprises a polybutylene succinate or a copolymer containing the same - either as a film or an extrusion coated on to paper.

The unit dose article may have a single compartment or multiple compartments. With a multiple compartment embodiment, the unit dose article may contain different compositions in each compartment. Incompatible compositions may be separated in different compartments. In one embodiment, the compartments of the multi-compartment article may be superposed to one another.

The compositions of the present invention may be enclosed by materials by conventional methods, e.g., by using conventional apparatus with rotating drums. See e.g., US 6,898,921; US 5,617,710; US 5,317,849; US 5,188,688; US 4,940,499; US 4,581,875; US 4,478,658; and US 4,089,152. Thermoforming and injection molding are other conventional methods.

In one embodiment, the article is in the form of a square or rectangle packet. The material is a water soluble biodegradable material and is in the form of a sheet. A single sheet is folded or two sheets are sealed together at the edge region either by means of adhesive or heat- sealing. In one example, a rectangle is formed from a single folded sheet sealed on three sides, with the fourth side sealed after filling the unit dose the composition. Without wishing to be bound by theory, a rectangular-shaped packet is more easily manufactured and sealed than other configurations when using conventional packaging equipment. In another embodiment, the material is a polyvinyl alcohol containing film available from MonoSol, LLC, Merrillville, IN. In yet another embodiment, the thickness of the polyvinyl alcohol containing film is from about 10 μιη to about 1,000 μιη, alternatively from 20 μιη to about 500 μιη, alternatively combination thereof. In yet still another embodiment, the volume contained in a compartment is from 0.1 cm³ to 100 cm³, alternatively from 1 cm³ to 5 cm³, alternatively combinations thereof. A process for making thermo-formed articles is described in WO 00/55045. The film can be made by injection molding as described in WO 02/092456. A pouch making unit, for example, can be a rotator drum, as described in US 3,057,127.

In one aspect of the invention, the article is a multi-compartment article comprising two, three, four, or more compartments. Each compartment may contain different or the same compositions. Without wishing to be bound by theory, multiple compartments allow incompatible compositions to be contained together in one convenient unit dose. Multiple compartment unit dose articles are described, for example, in US 7,125,828. Methods of making multiple compartment unit dose articles are described, for example, in US 2002/0169092 and US 2009/0199877 Al.

In one embodiment, the composition, contained in the water soluble material, comprises a plasticizer. In one embodiment, the plasticizer is a polyhydric alcohol (such as alkylene glycols (e.g., ethylene glycol, propylene glycol)), glycerol, polyols, sorbitol, or combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the composition comprises from about 1% to about 50%, alternatively from about 8% to about 12%, or combinations thereof, of plasticizer by weight of the composition. Without wishing to be bound by theory, plasticizers may improve the flexibility and resistance to cracking of the water soluble materials used herein.

Tablet

One aspect of the invention provides for forming the compositions of the present invention into a tablet. The tablet may then be contained in a compartment of a packet, wherein the packet may be administered to the appliance. One advantage of the packet is that the user does not touch or come into direct contact with the tablet (or other compositions of the present invention).

From the manufacturing viewpoint, multi-compartment pouches containing one or more tablets are very convenient because the filling of pouches with a particulate composition can be complex and prone to inaccuracies. It is often slow and likely to produce dust, such that it can be very difficult to avoid dust deposition on the pouch seal area. This can be detrimental to achieving a strong seal.

The tablet can be formed using any suitable method, but preferably by compression, for example in a tablet press. Preferably, the tablet is a compressed shaped body prepared by mixing together the components of the present invention followed by applying a compression pressure of at least about 10 kg/ cm², alternatively at least about 20 kg/ cm², or 40 kg/ cm², or 80 kg/ cm², or 125 kg/ cm², or about 250 kg/ cm², or at least about 350 kg/cm² (3.43 kN/cm²). In one embodiment, the compression pressure is from about 400 kg/ cm² to about 2,000 kg/ cm², alternatively from about 600 kg/ cm² to about 1200 kg/cm² , or combinations thereof. "Compression pressure" herein is the applied force divided by the cross-sectional area of the tablet in a plane transverse to the applied force - in effect, the transverse cross-sectional area of the die of the rotary press. In another embodiment, the tablet has a Child Bite Strength ("CBS") test of at least about 6kg, alternatively greater than about 8kg, or about 10kg, or about 12kg, and/ or greater than about 14kg, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the tablet has a CBS test of less than 1,000 kg, alternatively less than about 500 kg. CBS being measured per the US Consumer Product Safety Commission Test Specification.

The tablet can take a variety of geometric shapes such as spheres, cubes, etc but preferably has a generally axially- symmetric form with a generally round, square or rectangular cross-section.

In one aspect of the invention, the tablet is prepared such that it comprises at least one mould in its surface. The mould can contain a non-compressed portion. The non-compressed portion of the tablet may be in solid, gel, or liquid form.

The mould or moulds can also vary in size and shape and in their location, orientation and topology relative to the tablet. For example, the mould or moulds can be generally circular, square or oval in cross-section; they can form an internally-closed cavity, depression or recess in the surface of the tablet, or they can extend between unconnected regions of the tablet surface (for example axially-opposed facing surfaces) to form one or more topological 'holes' in the tablet; and they can be axially or otherwise symmetrically-disposed relative to the tablet or they can be asymmetrically disposed. Preferably, the mould is preformed, for example being created using a specially designed tablet press wherein the surface of the punch that contacts the detergent composition is shaped such that when it contacts and presses the composition it presses a mould, or multiple moulds into the tablet. Preferably, the mould will have an inwardly concave or generally concave surface to provide improved housing and physical storage of the non- compressed portion of the tablet. Alternatively, the mould can be created by compressing a preformed body of composition disposed annularly around a central dye, thereby forming a shaped body having a mould in the form of a cavity extending axially between opposing surfaces of the body. Tablets with moulds are very useful from the viewpoint of accommodating the compartment comprising the liquid, gel or paste compositions of the present invention.

In one embodiment, the compressed portion, non-compressed portion, or combination thereof, may contain pelletized coconut coir, activated carbon, fertilizer, waste management microbe, microbe supplement, enzymes, perfume, or combination thereof. Methods of making tablets comprising a compressed portion and a non-compressed portion are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,399,564 Bl (e.g., col. 35, 1. 59 - col. 37, 1. 5). In one embodiment, the non-compressed portion contains a carrier component. A preferred carrier component is an organic polymer, preferably solid at ambient temperatures. An example of a carrier component is polyethylene glycol (PEG). The non-compressed portion may contain other ingredients such as solvents, binding agents, gelling agents, and/or thickening agents, See U.S. Pat. No. 6,399,564 at col. 5, 1. 26 to col. 9, 1. 3. The non-compressed portion may be coated with a coating layer. The coating may be used to affix the non-compressed portion to the compressed portion. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,399,564 at col. 9, 1. 4 - 35.

The compressed portion of the tablet may comprise a disrupting agent. The disrupting agent may be a disintegrating or effervescing agent. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,399,564 at col. 4, 1. 1 - 18.

A tablet of the present invention may comprise a weight from about 1 g to about 1 ,000 g, alternatively from about 100 g to about 2,000g, alternatively from about 250 g to about 1,500 g, alternatively from about 500 g to about l,000g, alternatively combinations thereof.

A tablet of the present invention may comprise a volume from 0.1 cm³ to about 1,000 cm³, alternatively from about 100 cm³ to about 2,000 cm³, alternatively from about 250 cm³ to about 1,5000 cm³, alternatively from about 500 cm³ to about 1,000 cm³, alternatively combinations thereof.

Waste management Appliance

A waste management appliance (preferably for in-home use), in the simplest sense, comprises a reacting container or designated area suitable for containing food scraps and other suitable materials for waste management. The reacting container is typically from about 1 liter to about 100 liters, alternatively from 25 liters to 75 liters, alternatively from 35 liters to 65 liters, alternatively combinations thereof. The appliance may contain a lid or other similar means of enclosing/accessing the reacting container (and the contents contained therein). The lid mitigates the emission of malodor emitting from materials contained in the reacting container. The home waste management appliance typically comprising a mixing means that will mix the contents of the reacting container to facilitate the waste management processes (e.g., improve air flow). The mixing means may be engaged on a periodic basis or a continuous basis or a combination thereof. The appliance may optionally contain a heater means (e.g., electrical heating jacket) to heat the reacting container and/or the contents contained in the container to facilitate the waste management processes since many waste management microbes prefer temperatures above those of ambient (i.e., above about 21° C). Preferably the reacting container is insulated so that heating is more efficient/economical. The lid may serve the function of preventing the contents of the container from being splattered out during the mixing process and/or keeping heat contained in the container/contents (should a heater be used). Non-limiting examples of waste management appliances include those described in JP 3601973 B2; and US 2008/0209967 Al. In one embodiment, the articles of the present invention are administered to a waste management appliance, alternatively specifically to a container of an in-home waste management appliance. In one embodiment, in-home waste management is conducted in a bin, bucket or bag, alternatively without mechanical mixing and/or without external heating.

One aspect of the invention provides for a waste management appliance comprising a dispenser that is in fluid communication with the reacting container (or additional containers the appliance may have). The dispenser further comprises a dispensing container that is capable of containing one or more compositions of the present invention, and preferably dispensing portions of the composition to the container of the waste management appliance. In one embodiment, the volume of the dispensing container is from about 10 ml to about 4,000 ml (or more), alternatively about 100 ml to about 2,000 ml, alternatively from about 500 ml to about 1,000 ml, alternatively combinations thereof. Alternatively, the dispenser is capable of containing a plurality of unit doses, alternatively a plurality of unit dose articles, of the present invention, and preferably dispensing these unit doses or unit dose articles to the container of the waste management appliance. The dispensing of the composition/unit dose/article by the dispenser is actuated by one or more events. The event may be the user opening the lid or pressing a button on the appliance or a pre-determined time interval (e.g., daily) or a sensor detecting a stimulus (e.g., malodor, the weight of pre-output being added to the reacting container, etc).

Kits

One aspect of the invention provides for a kit, wherein the kit comprises at least one unit dose article of the present invention and optionally instructions for use. In one embodiment, the kit comprises a plurality of unit dose articles wherein a first unit dose comprises a first fertilizer composition and a second unit dose comprises a second fertilizer composition, wherein the first fertilizer composition is different from the second fertilizer composition. These compositions are different based on different applications. For example, a first unit dose article may be directed to the spring when annual plants generally need more phosphorous for root growth, whereas a second unit dose article may be directed for use in the summer when plants generally need more nitrogen for leaf growth. In another example, the first unit dose article may be directed to an acid loving plant whereas a second unit dose article is directed to a non-acid loving plant. In yet still another example, a first unit dose article may be directed to a vegetable bearing plant and a second unit dose article be directed to a fruit bearing plant.

In one embodiment, a kit comprising a plurality of articles is provided. The articles may be the same or different. An article may contain only pelletized coconut coir and salt or an article may contain only pelletized coconut coir and a fertilizer composition. In another embodiment, the kit comprises instructions instructing the user to adminster the article to a waste management appliance.

Secondary Packaging

The unit dose article(s) of the present invention may be contained in a secondary package. In one embodiment, a container system is provided comprising: a tub comprising rigid or semi- rigid walls and a lid, wherein the lid is capable of opening to provide access to an interior volume of the tub. Preferably the lid is capable of closing after being opened. The interior volume contains at least one, preferably a plurality of the unit dose articles. The tub and lid may be made from plastic. In one embodiment, the tub comprises a front wall, a back wall (opposite the front wall), side walls (extending between the front wall and the back wall); a bottom (extending between the front wall, back wall, and side walls). In another embodiment, the lid in its closed position, extends between the front wall, back wall, and side wall(s) and is opposite the bottom (i.e., forms the top). The lid may comprise a hinge. See e.g., US 2011/0204087 Al.

In another embodiment, a container system comprises a flexible sealable bag containing at least one, preferably a plurality, of the unit dose articles of the present invention. The bag comprises a front panel and a back panel marginally joined thereto along at least two opposed edges in a confronting relationship to form a closed bag, and the front panel and the back panel being joined at the top by a frangible seal. A bottom panel is between and joins the front panel and the back panel to form an interior volume (to contain the article(s)). In yet another embodiment, the front panel of the bag comprises at least one transparent window portion where one or more of the unit dose articles contained inside the bag are viewable from the outside of the bag. See e.g., U.S. patent publication from U.S. Application Ser. No. 12/885,793, filed Sept. 20, 2010 (P&G Case 11880). In one embodiment, the interior volume of the container of the container system (empty from any contents) comprises a volume from about 50 cm³ to about 4,000 cm³, alternatively from about 500 cm³ to about 2,000 cm³, alternatively from about 1,000 cm³ to about 3,000 cm³, alternatively combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the container of the container system contains from about 1 to about 150 unit dose articles, alternatively from about 6 to about 100, alternatively from about 12 to about 50, alternatively from about 15 to about 25, alternatively combinations thereof. In yet another embodiment, the container of the container system comprises a foot print area from about 25 cm² to about 500 cm², alternatively from about 50 cm² to about 400 cm², alternatively from about 75 cm² to about 300 cm², alternatively from about 100 cm² to about 200 cm², alternatively from about 150 cm² to about 250 cm², alternatively combinations thereof.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm."

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A composition comprising:

a. from about O.lg to about 1,000 g of pelletized coconut coir having a diameter of from about .01mm to about 25mm; and

b. from about O.lg to about 500 g of a salt, wherein the composition is capable of providing a viable output within 24-hours.

2. The composition of any proceeding claim, wherein the salt is selected from the group consisting of sodium bicarbonate, dipotassium phosphate and mixtures thereof.

3. The composition of any proceeding claim, wherein the composition further comprises from about O.lg to about 1,000 g of a nitrogen source.

4. The composition of any proceeding claim, wherein the composition further comprises from about 0.1 g to about 1,000 g of a phosphorous source.

5. The composition of any proceeding claim, wherein the composition further comprises from about 0.1 g to about 1,000 g of a potassium source.

6. The composition of any proceeding claim, wherein the composition further comprises an enzyme.

7. The composition of any proceeding claim, wherein the composition further comprises a component selected from the group consisting of: microbes, microbe supplement, and a combination thereof.

8. An article, comprising the composition of any proceeding claim, wherein the pelletized coconut coir is contained by a biodegradable material.

9. The article of claim 8, wherein the article comprises multiple compartments.

10. The article of claims 8-9, wherein the article is substantially free of filler.

11. The article of claims 8-10, wherein the article comprises a filler.

12. The article of claims 8-11, wherein the biodegradable material is substantially comprised of a fibrous material.

13. A method of treating organic waste comprising the step of administering the composition of claims 1-7 into an in-home waste management appliance.

14. A starter kit comprising:

(a) an in-home waste appliance; and/or

(b) a composition according to claims 1-7;

(c) optionally instructions for administering the composition to the in-home waste

appliance.

15. An article comprising from about O.lg to about 1,000 g of pelletized coconut coir, wherein the pelletized coconut coir is contained by a biodegradable material and is capable of providing a viable output within 24-hours