CA2174146A1

CA2174146A1 - Paper and food waste processor

Info

Publication number: CA2174146A1
Application number: CA002174146A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Albert Briggs Eggen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-04-15
Filing date: 1996-04-15
Publication date: 1997-10-16

Abstract

The processing apparatus described herein was developed for chopping and mixing paper and food waste. Biodegradable organics are fed into an enclosure from an inlet in the top. A rotating propeller chops up the biodegradable organics and creates turbulence inside an enclosure which mixes the biodegradable organics. When the biodegradable organics have been chopped and mixed to the desired consistency a door on the outlet, on the side of the lower portion of the enclosure is manually opened and the biodegradable organic mixture is expelled by the propeller's motion. The biodegradable organic mixture is then dispensed automatically through a blower.

Description

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SPECIFICATION

This invention relates to a processing apparatus for chopping, mixing and dispensing paper and food waste (biodegradable organics). Paper waste is obtained from paper hand towels used in public washrooms. Food waste is obtained from cafeterias, restaurants or other eateries.

2 Resulting from the invention of the Vermi Organic Digester there was a need to process food and paper waste (biodegradable organics) into a mixture of suitable consistency to feed the worms living in the Vermi Organic Digester. Consistent particle size and proper mixture proportions are required so that the digesting ability of the worms can be optimi7e~1 An inconsistent mixture and improper particle size will result in variable rates of digestion within the Vermi Organic Digester resulting in decreased productivity and poor quality c~tings which are marketed as a usable byproduct used as a growing medium for plants.

3 The procçscing app~atus described herein was developed for chopping and mixing paper and food waste to the consistency required for the said Vermi Organic Digester. Similar ~par~Lus have been developed that:
~ chop up or shred waste paper;
~ chop, grind and mix dry granular material;
~ chop, puree, blend and mix food (household blender or food processor).

4 These existing apparatus have only been able to process specific wet or dry materials or are unable to dispense m~teri~l Additionally, existing apparatus process material that is generally uncont~min~te~l with other materials, however, food waste can contain stainless steel cutlery which can cause damage to a material specific processor.

5 The present applicant has addressed the problems inherent in existing apparatus as this processing apparatus will chop up both dry and wet material simultaneously to a desired particle size and mix the m~t~ri~l to a desired consistency and expel the mixture as required into the Vermi Organic Digester. This apparatus can also accept the occasional foreign steel object without damage.

6 In the drawings which illustrate the embodiments of the invention, figure 1 is an isometric breakaway view of the appalalus showing the inlet, the hopper, the inlet door. the enclosure, the propeller, the outlet, outlet door, the duct to the blower, the blower, the chute and the deflector. Figure 2 is a diagram of the mixing motion turbulence created by the revolving propeller in the enclosure, the rotating paddles of the blower, the blower power unit, the chute and the deflector. Figure 3 is a diagram of the flow of the mixture out of the enclosure.

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7 The a~a ~tus illustrated comprises a propeller rotating in a horizontal plane located at the bottom of a vertically oriented cylindrical enclosure. Biodegradable organics are introduced into a hopper on the top of the apparatus where gravity feeds the material through an inlet in the top of the enclosure. The paper and food waste must be added in proper proportions in order to achieve a desirable mixture. The propeller rotates for a certain duration and at a desirable speed to chop and mix the biodegradable organics to the desired consistency. An ohm meter monitors the consistency of the ~ ulc; by detecting the resistance from a resistor in the line power to the electric propeller motor. As material is mixed it becomes less viscous and as a result creates a greater reaction against the propeller causing the motor to work harder and draw more current. This reaction causes an increase in the electrical resistance.

8 The height of the enclosure is relative to the height that the propeller can successfully throw the mixture and create the required mixing turbulence and to provide enough volume for a sufficient amount of material to be processed at one time. The ~i~meter of the enclosure must provide suitable distance between the propeller and the enclosure wall foroptimal mixing conditions and prevent m~t~ri:~l build up. The enclosure must also be durable enough to prevent m~t~.ri~l and foreign objects from escaping and possibly causing injury. The enclosure must be cylindrical so that the apparatus will operate effectively providing the optimal geometry required to create the turbulence. Unnecessary voids may cause an undesirable build up of improperly mixed material.

9 A hopper (1) for guiding paper and food waste into the enclosure (2) is provided on the inlet in the top of the apparatus. The inlet may have a sliding door (3) to prevent the mixture from escaping through the outlet as a result of the turbulence or from the direct force of the propeller. When the inlet door is closed it will provide a space for air movement into the apparatus so that the mixture can be expelled without creating a vacuum in the enclosure.

10 The propeller (4) is connected to a shaft from a power unit (5) and rotates in a direction that the propeller will direct the m~t~ri~l upward. The speed of propeller rotation must sufficient to propel the mass of m~t~ri~l up to the top of the enclosure where it is forced to the center of the enclosure. As the material meets in the center (figure 2) it loses velocity and falls to the center of the propeller and the cycle is repeated until the m~t~ri~l iS mixed to the desired consistency. The ends of the propeller must be sharpened to facilitate cutting and chopping.
The propeller must rotate in the direction so that raised side of the airfoil (6) follows the sharpened side.

11 When it is determined that both particle size and mixture consistency is optimal the outlet door (7) is opened and the mixer is expelled into the blower duct (8) by the force of the rotating propeller. The rnixture passes through the duct to the blower. The blower consists of paddles (9) rotating in a vertical plane. The paddles are connected to shaft from a power unit ( l l ). As the mixture is feed into the blower the rotating paddles blow the mixture through a chute (10) where a deflector on the chute (12) directs the mixture as required into the Vermi Organic Digester .

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Drawing list figure 1 isometric breakaway view figure 2 diagram of the mixing motion turbulence gure 3 diagram of the flow of the mixture out of the enclosure hopper 2 enclosure 3 inlet door 4 propeller S motor 6 airfoil 7 outlet door 8 duct 9 rotating blower paddle 10 chute 11 blower motor 12 deflector

Claims

1. An automated apparatus to chop, mix and dispense paper and food waste (biodegradable organics) comprising:
~ an enclosure to contain the chopping and mixing process;
~ an inlet in the upper enclosure for introducing mixing food and paper waste (biodegradable organics);
~ a hopper to guide material into the inlet;
~ a door on the inlet to prevent the escape of material and provide an air space;
~ a propeller to chop, mix and expel the mixture;
~ an outlet in the side of the bottom of the enclosure;
~ a door on the outlet to allow the mixture to exit the enclosure;
~ a duct to direct the mixture from the enclosure to the blower;
~ a blower to blow the mixture through a chute into the Vermi Organic Digester;~ a chute to direct the mixture away from the blower;
~ a deflector to direct the mixture as desired.

2. A apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the enclosure is cylindrical in shape.

3. A apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the enclosure has an inlet in top of the apparatus.

4. A apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and 3 in which the inlet has a sliding door.

5. A apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which a hopper is provided to guide material through the inlet.

6. A apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which a rotating propeller is provided to chop up biodegradable organics.

7. A apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and 6 in which airfoils are provided on the ends of the propeller. As the propeller rotates the airfoils create a turbulence inside the enclosure to mix the material.

8. A apparatus as claimed in claim 6 and 7 where the airfoils provide a surface to hit the particles and throw the mixture out the outlet.

9. A apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which an outlet is provided in the side of the bottom of the enclosure to allow the mixture to be expelled.

10. A apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and 9 in which the said outlet has a sliding door.

11. A apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which a duct guides the mixture to the blower.

12. A apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which a blower blows the mixture through a chute.

13. A apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the chute guides the mixture to a deflector.

14. A apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the deflector directs the mixture into the Vermi Organic Digester.