AU744434B2 - Worm composter - Google Patents

Description

WO 00/23400 PCT/AU99/00925 WORM COMPOSTER The WORM COMPOSTER described in this statement is designed to enable people of all ages, able-bodied or partially disabled to compost household wastes utilizing worms to convert organic matter into worm castings.

Until recently, the only other purposely designed system utilizes a series of trays to enable the separation of worms and castings. These trays are messy and quite heavy making it awkward and sometimes impossible for old, young or disabled people to lift and rotate the trays.

The invention is a WORM-COMPOSTER comprising a chamber with an elongated inverted section located in the lower half of the chamber creating a void in the chamber beneath. Access to the void is via an openning in the side of the chamber immediately below one or both ends of the elongated inverted section.

Horizontal and vertical gaps between the elongated sides of the inverted section and the chamber allow castings to fall on either side of the elongated inverted "V" section but not into the void created by it.

The elongated inverted section is fixed at opposing ends by a mounting plate to the sides of the chamber by suitable fasteners such as rivets, screws or bolts.

A suitable projection at opposing ends may be located in a slot in the chamber wall and would also be suitable.

The elongated inverted section can be fitted to any standard, non-rotating composting bin with or without a bottom or lower chamber to facilitate the collection of liquid residues (liquid castings).

The elongated inverted section can be manufactured from any durable, non-corroding materials such as but not restricted to plastic or aluminium, zinc-plated or stainless steel sheeting.

WO 00/23400 PCT/AU99/00925 2 The elongated inverted section can be perforated or be open mesh to facilitate increased aeration of the compost.

To assist with understanding the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings depicting one example of the application of the invention.

In the drawings: FIG. I shows a cross sectioned front elevation of the elongated inverted section fitted to a chamber with a perforated drain plate and lower chamber to collect liquid residues.

FIG. 2 shows a side elevation of the invention as depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the elongated inverted section with mounting plates fitted.

Referring to FIG. 1, it can be seen that organic waste material is placed in through the upper openning of the compost chamber 1. As the waste is converted to worm castings, the elongated inverted section 2 diverts the castings to the gaps on either side of the chamber 3 and 4. Castings is then removed from either side of the void 5 via the access openning at one or both ends 6.

A perforated drain plate 7 where fitted extends the full width and depth of the chamber. A tap 8 facilitates the removal of liquid residues from the lower chamber.

Figure 2 shows the same application in a side elevation.

The elongated inverted section 9 is fixed above the access openning/s 10 and 11 with the perforated drain plate 12 where fitted imediatly below the openning/s.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the elongated inverted section 13 before fitting to a chamber.

Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU 4 C S. WO 00/23400 PCT/AU99/00925 3 The section can be perforated as depicted but is not neccessary.

Mounting plates 14 are fixed at both ends. These may be integral with the elongated inverted section or separate components.

The internal angle of the inverted is not critical but 90° is preferable.

Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU ri-i i~P~

Claims (6)

1. A WORM-COMPOSTER device comprising an elongated inverted section of non-corroding material fitted inside the lower part of any composting chamber above an access openning/s in the outer wall of the chamber creating a void to facilitate the removal of worm castings from both sides of the chamber.

2. The WORM-COMPOSTER device of claim 1 wherein the elongated inverted section can be manufactured from any non-corroding material such as plastic, zinc-plated, aluminium or stainless steel sheeting or open mesh.

3. The WORM-COMPOSTER device of claim 1 wherein the internal angle of the section is not critical but where 90° is preferable.

4. The WORM-COMPOSTER device of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the elongated inverted section can be adapted to any new or existing non-rotating compost chamber by increasing or decreasing the length and width of the elongated inverted section to suit.

The WORM-COMPOSTER device of claim 3 wherein the elongated inverted section can be manufactured from any non-corroding perforated material.

6. The WORM-COMPOSTER device of claim 1 wherein the void created by the elongated inverted section improves aeration of the compost and thus increases worm activity throughout the chamber. IAN DOUGLAS ERSKINE 15 OCTOBER 1999 I r -1 -rr