AU740893B2

AU740893B2 - Compost Bin Insert

Info

Publication number: AU740893B2
Application number: AU80925/98A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ian Phillip Hodgson
Original assignee: HODGSON ANNE ELIZABETH
Current assignee: Hodgson Anne Elizabeth
Priority date: 1997-07-04
Filing date: 1998-06-24
Publication date: 2001-11-15
Anticipated expiration: 2018-06-24
Also published as: AU8092598A

Description

TITLE

COMPOST BIN INSERT FIELD OF THE INVENTION THIS INVENTION relates to improvements in devices for production of household compost within commercially available domestic compost bins which are usually anaerobic within their hollow interior.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION For many people it is difficult to maintain the correct environment for the production of quality compost in commercially available domestic compost bins. Unless regular maintenance is given to maintain aeration of the compost and correct moisture levels the compost may become odorous and too wet encouraging the establishment of compost fly maggots. This environment also creates an unsuitable habitat for compost worms whose presence is desirable as they aerate and eeeee consume the compost leaving worm castings.

S: It is therefore desirable to provide an alternative compost bin, or insert therefore which address problems associated with aeration and moisture level maintenance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one form, the present invention provides an insert for a compost bin comprising: upper and lower centrally located hubs; a plurality of frames secured to and extending radially from the hubs, the frames shaped to fit a compost bin; and 3 fluid pervious material attached to each of the frames; wherein the material and the frames form vertical barriers to divide an internal space of a compost bin into substantially equal compartments.

In order to maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of operation of a compost bin which houses said compost bin insert, and enable the insert to be free standing within the compost bin, the plurality of frames preferably comprises three frames.

The Compost Bin Insert is designed to fit independently, 10 freestanding and self supporting within commercially available domestic compost bins, which are usually anaerobic within their hollow interior.

I O Suitably, the fluid pervious material creates three vertical barriers which allow the free passage of air so that when the material for composting is placed within it a vertical column of compost will be formed. By maintaining columns of compost at varying heights, airflow and drainage via the barriers is increased within the compost creating an improved habitat for compost worms which may be added to the compost.

.0 In one form of the invention the centrally located hubs would be made of moulded resin or plastic having suitable metal or plastic threaded studs moulded within them and protruding from the base thereof with lugs on either side of the securing point to provide additional support.

In the case of plastic hubs, the studs are positioned so as to arrange "C" shaped frames to radiate from the hub and form three equally sized open sided sections, the three shaped frames being constructed of suitable metal having sections of appropriate length and having angles of appropriate size to create the shape necessary to neatly fit the compost bin for which the Compost Bin Insert is being manufactured. The two ends of each shaped frame will be suitably flattened, with holes, probably two, to accommodate the studs which protrude from the top and bottom hubs. The shaped frames and hubs will be secured to each other by means of suitable metal or plastic nuts to suit the threaded studs and the framework design is such that it supports and tensions a suitably manufactured material to form independent compartments within the 10 compost bin. The material mentioned may be shade cloth stitched correctly so that it wraps around the framework sufficiently to be stitched onto itself forming an outer sleeve. The inside junction point where the oooo material would join may only need stitching as a means of support due to the tension at opposing angles created by the framework and no measures need be taken for the external support of the compost itself, as this is provided by the compost bin into which the Compost Bin Insert will be inserted.

In another form of the invention the entire product, the hubs, frame and barriers may be made of moulded plastic, the hubs each having three hollow sections designed to accommodate and key in the profile of the framework and retain the framework in a perpendicular position when assembled. The framework in the moulded plastic form of this invention would need further reinforcement. Firstly, the framework would be constructed in the form of a shape to provide reinforcement to the moulded plastic barrier, secondly as the barrier in this form of the invention is also constructed of moulded plastic it too would require reinforcement and would require a suitable number of correctly sized holes to provide suitable airflow and drainage.

In yet another form of the invention the hubs and frame would be made of moulded plastic and the barriers would be of suitable woven material, possibly shade cloth, suitably attached to the shaped frames by means of the frames being made in two parts which would sandwich the shade cloth between them securing it with moulded studs 10 and nuts.

In another form, the present invention provides a compost

O.V.

bin incorporating said insert for a compost bin.

BRIEF DESCRITION OF THE DRAWINGS o A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 shows one example of a Compost Bin Insert according to this Invention; FIG. 2 shows the application of such Compost Bin Insert actually inserted into a compost bin; FIG. 3 shows the detail of a framework attachment to the hub as seen from underneath.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. 1 it can be seen that the Compost Bin Insert according to this invention comprises a frame 1 being constructed of suitable metal of appropriate length 2, 3 and 4 and having angles 5 and 6 of appropriate size to create the shape necessary to neatly fit the compost bin for which it is being manufactured. The frame is attached to the hub 7 and a similar hub assembly is provided at the base 8. A suitably manufactured material 9, possibly shade cloth wraps around the flame at 10,11 and 12 and is attached by sewing at 13, 14 and 15. A suitably stitched junction is formed where the cloth joins and forms a perpendicular seam in the centre 16, when assembled.

10 The design is repeated in frames 17 and 18.

o Referring to FIG. 2 shows the Compost Bin Insert for Compost Bins 1 positioned within a compost bin 2.

~Referring to FIG. 3 it can be seen that the detail of a framework attachment to the hub as seen from underneath according to this invention comprises a hub 1 comprised of a moulded resin or plastic having suitable metal or plastic threaded studs 2 and 3, 9 and 10, 11 and 12 moulded within them and protruding from the base thereof. The studs 2 and 3, 9 and 10, 11 and 12 are positioned so as to arrange the "C" shaped frames to radiate from the hub and form three equally sized open sided sections. The framework 4 is positioned to allow the protruding studs to pass through the holes 5 and 6 neatly and be secured by suitable metal or plastic nuts 7 and 8.

A similar hub attachment is provided at the base of the framework.

7 By use of the Compost Bin Insert the maintenance of the correct environment for the production of quality compost in commercially available domestic anaerobic style compost bins becomes significantly simplified. The environment then created becomes an improved habitat for compost worms which when added to the compost aerate and consume the compost'leaving worm castings.

It will be realised the Compost Bin Insert is not restricted to the form of a suitable metal or plastic frame and hub with a suitably manufactured material, possibly shade cloth forming barriers as shown in 10 the example, but may be formed entirely from moulded plastic or moulded plastic and shade cloth.

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Claims

2. The compost bin insert as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Sframes are generally shaped.
3. The compost bin insert as claimed in claim 1, further .:comprising: at least three screw-threaded studs protruding from a base of each of the hubs; two flattened ends on each of the frames, the flattened ends each having at least one hole to receive a corresponding screw-threaded stud; and a plurality of nuts each engaging a corresponding screw- threaded stud to thereby secure the frames to the hub.
4. The compost bin insert as claimed in claim 3, wherein the hubs are formed from molded plastic. The compost bin insert as claimed in claim 3, wherein the hubs are formed from molded resin. 9
6. The compost bin insert as claimed in claim 3, further comprising: a plurality of sleeves each receiving a part of a corresponding frame and having been formed from the fluid pervious material, wherein the fluid pervious material is secured to the frame by the sleeve.
7. The compost bin insert as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid pervious material comprises shadecloth.
8. The compost bin insert as claimed in claim 1, further S. 10 comprising: i a central junction formed by stitching a material covering one of the frames to a corresponding material covering each of the frames.
9. The compost bin insert as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frames are formed from metal.
10. The compost bin insert as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hubs and barriers are formed from molded plastic, said barriers having a plurality of penetrating holes to provide airflow and drainage passages.
11. The compost bin insert as claimed in claim 7, further comprising: three hollow section in each of the hubs, the hollow sections each dimensioned to receive and key in a frame member for thereby supporting a corresponding barrier in a substantially vertical position.
12. The compost bin insert as claimed in claim 8, wherein the frames are generally D-shaped.
13. The compost bin insert as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frames are generally C-shaped.
14. The compost bin insert as claimed in claim 6, wherein the fluid pervious material comprises shadecloth. The compost bin insert as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of frames comprises three frames.
16. A compost bin insert substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
17. A compost bin incorporating the insert of any one of claims i1 to o "DATED this Twelfth day of September 2001. ANNE ELIZABETH HODGSON IAN PHILLIP HODGSON By their Patent Attorneys FISHER ADAMS KELLY *g•