NL2027676B1 - Vermicomposting device, method for producing vermicompost, compost. - Google Patents

Abstract

A vermicomposting device comprising a housing with inlet, outlet and inner volume, the inner volume of the housing in use being filled with: o compostable biomass; o a worm mass; and 0 vermicompost; the compostable biomass arranged near the inlet, the vermicompost arranged near the outlet, and the worm mass arranged in between the compostable biomass and the vermicompost, the worm mass infiltrating into at least a portion of the compostable biomass, and feeding upon said compostable biomass to produce vermicompost; the vermicomposting device further comprising a feed screw, arranged in the inner volume of the housing and rotatable with respect to said housing, the feed screw for transporting the compostable biomass from the inlet to the outlet upon rotation thereof, and the feed screw defining a helical transportation path between blades of the screw, the helical transportation path forming a habitat of the worm mass.

Description

Title: Vermicomposting device, method for producing vermicompost, compost. Description: The present invention relates to a vermicomposting device for the production of vermicompost from compostable biomass, wherein use is made of a worm mass comprising compostworms or other suitable annelids. The present invention also relates to a method for the production of vermicompost. The present invention further relates to compost obtained by the method for the production of vermicompost.

Composting is a generally known method and refers to the recycling process of “waste” material such as weeds, pl7nt prunings, domestic organic waste, vegetal organic waste, etc. for the production of compost. It involves the decomposing of organic materials into simpler organic and inorganic compounds. This decomposing is effected by microorganisms. The resulting compost is used for growing crops, trees, and other agricultural or horticultural products, is typically rich in plant nutrients, and has organisms beneficial for plant growth. Compost improves soil fertility in all sorts of grounds, including gardens, agricultural grounds and horticultural grounds and is widely and readily available.

Traditional composting is an aerobic process in which bacteria, yeast and fungi break down the compostable material, over a period that may take up to 6 — 9 months.

When use is made of worms to speed up and improve the composting process, this is called vermicomposting. Vermicomposting is a generally known method, too. The compost resulting from a vermicomposting process is called vermicompost. Vermicompost has properties that are different from compost, i.e. the product obtained by “general” composting, without using worms. Very briefly summarized, when composting using worms, the worms eat the compostable material, and their castings or faeces remain as vermicompost. When this is done for the purpose of breaking down the organic material into vermicompost, it is called vermicomposting. When this is done for the purpose of increasing the worm mass, this is called vermiculture. The present invention is — mainly — related to vermicomposting.

Currently, vermicompost is mostly made by a technique comprising the stacking of trays (at least 2) in a way that allows the worms to travel from one tray to the other(s). The organic waste / organic matter to be transformed into vermicompost is placed in the top tray, towards which the worms travel from the below tray in search for food. While doing so, they leave behind them the compost that they had produced using the previous batch of organic waste. Once all the worms have reached the top tray, the user can then open the device, collect the compost, take out the top tray, place it at the bottom of the stack and place a new tray on top of the one now containing the worms and the organic matter. This new tray can then be filled with new organic matter, and once the worms will have consumed all the food in the tray where they reside, they will move towards this upper tray, starting a new cycle of rotation of the trays.

Different devices based on this principle have been described with sometimes improvements, such as described in US 7,018,831 B2, where trays or drawers having holes are used. The worms reside in a tray or drawer, and compostable material is provided in said tray or drawer. The worms digest the compostable material, and their castings or faeces are able to fall through holes in the tray or drawer under the action of a mechanical force. These holes are large enough to allow the castings or faeces to fall through, but are small enough to prevent the worms from escaping the drawer. The vermicompost is collected in a receptacle arranged below the tray or drawer. Several trays or drawers may be stacked on top of each other, with only one receptacle at the very bottom of the stack.

A first disadvantage of such a vermicomposting device is that it requires a relatively large amount of space to compost a certain amount of compostable material. A second disadvantage of such a vermicomposting device is that harvesting the vermicompost is relatively cumbersome, as it involves opening the box around the trays, removing the receptacle, and somehow collecting the vermicompost from the receptacle. In this process, quite some vermicompost is likely to be spilled. On top of that, it makes the vermicomposting process rather complicated. A third disadvantage of the known device described in the above is that both the worms and the organic matter in decomposition are well visible when opening of the device, as a result of which the system may produce strong smells and generally attracts flies, all of which makes it less appealing for certain users, mainly domestic users.

It is an aim of the present inventions to provide a vermicomposting device wherein at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages is at least partially overcome.

Accordingly, a vermicomposting device is provided for vermicomposting a compostable biomass with the use of a worm mass that comprises compost worms or other suitable annelids, the vermicomposting device comprising a housing having an inlet, an outlet and an inner volume, the inlet for introducing the compostable biomass in the inner volume of the housing and the outlet for harvesting vermicompost from the inner volume of the housing, the inner volume of the housing in use being filled with: o compostable biomass; o a worm mass; and o vermicompost; the compostable biomass in use predominantly being arranged near the inlet of the housing, the vermicompost in use at least being arranged near the outlet of the housing, and the worm mass in use being arranged predominantly in between the compostable biomass and the vermicompost, the worm mass infiltrating into at least a portion of the compostable biomass, and feeding upon said compostable biomass to produce vermicompost; wherein the vermicomposting device further comprises a feed screw, arranged in the inner volume of the housing and rotatable with respect to said housing, the feed screw for transporting the compostable biomass from the inlet to the outlet upon rotation thereof, and the feed screw defining a helical transportation path between blades of the screw, the helical transportation path forming a habitat of the worm mass.

According to the present invention, a compostable biomass is composted using a worm mass that comprises compost worms or other suitable annelids. In principle, any compostable biomass can be used in the device as presented herein. For example, the compostable biomass may be one or more of the following types of material: cardboard, paper, mowed grass, plant prunings, flowers, flower cuttings, vegetal waste, and domestic organic waste, although other compostable biomass types are certainly not ruled out as “input material” for the worms to feed upon. As such, the compostable biomass may be a processed biomass (examples including paper and cardboard), or a non-processed biomass (examples including mowed grass, plant prunings, flowers, flower cuttings, vegetal waste, and domestic organic waste).

The worm mass may comprise any type / species of worm or other annelid suited for the purpose of vermicomposting. In particular, two kinds of worm species are well known for this purpose: the species Eisenia Foetida and the species Eisenia Andrei. These worms, or a mixture thereof, may for example be used. However, the use of other worms or other annelids is also very well possible.

The vermicomposting device, or vermicomposter, according to the present invention includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet and an inner volume defined by the housing. Through the inlet, the compostable biomass may be introduced in the inner volume of the housing. As will be described in the below in more detail, the spatial orientation of the inlet may in principle be anywhere: on top of the device, in the bottom of the device, to the left of the device, on the right, or anywhere in between. Through the outlet, the vermicompost produced by the worm mass may be harvested. Preferably, the outlet is arranged opposite of the inlet, but this is not necessary per se. As described in the below in more detail, a transportation path is defined between the inlet and the outlet. The inlet e.g. defines the start of the transportation path, whereas the outlet e.g. defines the end of the transportation path.

The inner volume of the housing is, among other things, filled with compostable biomass, i.e. biomass which is compostable and is yet to be composted or is partially composted but not yet fully composted. For example, the biomass may be pre-composted, as will be described in more detail in the below. For example the compostable biomass may comprise peelings, fruit or vegetables with smaller or larger mould spots, and other “waste”. The inner volume is further filled with a worm mass, as described, to do the vermicomposting. As is known to one skilled in the art, the vermicomposting takes place in parallel to composting by micro-organisms. The inner volume is further filled with vermicompost, i.e. composted biomass.

In a process that is known per se, the worm mass is arranged at a certain position in the housing, e.g. near the middle thereof. Compostable biomass is introduced in the housing, which is digested by the worm mass and turned into vermicompost. The vermicompost, when processed, is behind (downstream of) the worms (when seen in the direction of transportation), so nearer to the outlet. The compostable biomass, when freshly introduced in the housing and not yet eaten by the worm mass, when seen in the direction of transportation, is arranged in front (upstream) of the worm mass and so nearer to the inlet of the housing. When seen in 5 time, the worm mass on average continuously progresses towards the inlet, towards the not yet fully composted compostable biomass.

To allow efficient harvesting as well as efficient digesting of the compostable biomass by the worms, a feed screw is arranged in the inner volume of the housing. The feed screw has blades, in between which blades a helical transportation path between inlet and outlet is defined. When following the transportation path between the blades from inlet to outlet, initially freshly introduced biomass will be found, followed by a mixture of partially composted biomass and the worm mass, with varying mixture ratio’s as one moves from inlet to outlet, and finally near the outlet there will mainly be vermicompost and very few worms and very little remaining compostable biomass. The worms of the worm mass, as described, gradually move towards the inlet, as more and more of the compostable biomass is composted.

By rotating the feed screw to a higher or lower degree, the content of the inner volume is pushed downwards. If the housing is completely filled, by rotating the feed screw the vermicompost at the bottom is harvested through the outlet, and near the inlet space is made available to introduce compostable biomass. Depending on the magnitude of the rotation, more or less vermicompost will be harvested / more or less space is made available near the inlet space. For example, the feed screw may be rotated up to 90 degrees and/or up to 180 degrees and/or up to 270 degrees and/or up to 360 degrees and/or more than 360 degrees at a time. Also the worm mass is moved towards the outlet upon each rotation of the screw, after which it can gradually move upstream again, i.e. towards the inlet and towards the freshly introduced biomass. In other words, the biomass and the vermicompost will move from the inlet to the outlet in a more or less stepped manner, a certain amount every time the screw is rotated — assuming the screw is operated in a stepped manner; of course, the screw may also be operated continuously in e.g. industrial applications, in which case the compostable biomass and the vermicompost are continuously moved towards the outlet. The worm mass also moves towards the outlet in a stepped manner when the screw is rotated, to move gradually and continuously towards the inlet again as it searches for food to digest. In doing so, the worm mass “transforms” the compostable biomass into vermicompost. A habitat of the worm mass is defined by the helical transportation path in between the blades of the screw. In other words, preferably the worms live inside the screw, in between the blades thereof. As explained in the above, the worms are free to move upstream and downstream in the transportation path, towards and away from the inlet, substantially unrestrictedly. However, the nature of the worms and the operational principle of the device as presented herein will naturally draw the worm mass towards the inlet, towards the freshly inserted compostable biomass.

Advantageously, by providing a feed screw inside the housing, it becomes highly convenient to harvest the vermicompost: simply rotating the feed screw will result in an output of vermicompost. As a result, operation of the present vermicomposting device can be very clean, with very low spillage and with easy processing steps. Pungent odours can be avoided.

Advantageously, by providing a feed screw in the housing, a highly controlled vermicomposting process is guaranteed. A pre-defined transportation path from inlet to outlet is defined, the worms living in the transportation path. When moving the compostable biomass from the inlet to the outlet, at some point the compostable biomass has to move past the worms, to be digested by the worms. A quantity of biomass introduced at one point in time is processed in substantially the same way, in a controllable, continuous and gradual manner, as the entire quantity moves along the same transportation path in substantially the same way. Although the worms are free to move wherever they want to go, the compostable biomass they reach in practice will always be inside the housing for approximately the same amount of time. This is in stark contrast to a known device employing a tray filled with worms, where it is very well possible that some areas of the tray have way more worms than other areas, as a result in some areas of the known devices the biomass rots (and: smells, as it is a more open device) more than in other areas and the process is less controlled.

Advantageously, especially when the housing is made of a non-transparent material, the worms in the housing will hardly ever be visible as there is no need to open the device at any time, which makes the present vermicomposting device highly suited for domestic use.

Advantageously, when the device is used for domestic use at room temperature, this temperature will represent an optimal living condition of the worms in all seasons.

Advantageously, the device is relatively efficient and compact, in that the inner volume can be completely filled at all times, and that no separate trays are needed for the worms and the biomass on the one hand and the vermicompost on the other hand.

Advantageously, by arranging the feed screw in the housing and defining a transportation path for the compostable biomass, the is no need to perform any other processing steps. In particular, there is no need to mix the contents of the housing to speed up the vermicomposting process.

Advantageously, as worms (in conjunction with micro-organisms) are used to perform the vermicomposting process, a minimal amount of heat is produced while using the device, and in embodiments there is no need for external cooling.

In an embodiment, the housing is stationary and the vermicomposting device further comprises a drive for driving the feed screw. Preferably the drive is operable by hand. In an alternative embodiment, the screw may be stationary, while the housing is movable, e.g. rotatable and/or axially. In yet an alternative embodiment, both the screw and the housing may be able to rotate with respect to the outer world, e.g. in opposite directions or with different rotational speeds.

In one embodiment, the drive for driving the screw and/or the housing may be operable by hand, e.g. for driving the screw and/or housing in discrete steps. This may for example be the case when the vermicomposting device is for domestic use and has relatively small dimensions. In such embodiments the device is advantageously easy to operate, cheap to manufacture, robust and easily repaired when necessary.

In other embodiments, the screw and/or housing may be driven automatically, e.g. in discrete steps and/or continuously. This may for example be convenient when the technical principle as explained herein is used in an industrial setting, to allow even more control on the vermicomposting process. However, even when the screw is driven automatically it may be desirable to allow operation by hand, e.g. by operating the drive manually or by pressing a button to control the drive.

In an embodiment the housing, when seen in a cross-sectional plane, is circular and a diameter of the feed screw is substantially the same as an inner diameter of the housing. This advantageously leads to as few “dead spots” as possible, a dead spot being a spot in the inner volume of the housing where material can gather without being transported by rotation of the screw, and thus without being controlled by rotation of the screw with respect to the housing. By matching the dimensions of the screw and the housing to each other, and by making the housing circular in cross- section, such dead spots are avoided and the vermicomposting process is as reliable and predictable as possible.

In an embodiment, the vermicomposting device has a height of at least 18 cm, and/or a width of at least 10 cm, and/or a depth of at least 10 cm (e.g. when circular a diameter of at least 10 cm). For domestic applications, preferably the device fits within a “standard” kitchen cabinet, making the preferred upper limit dimensions approximately 85 cm x 60 cm x 60 cm. However, for e.g. use outdoors and use on an industrial level, in principle there is no upper limit to the dimensions. For instance, when using the principle as explained herein in an industrial setting housings having an inner diameter of up to 2, 3, 4 meters or even more may be used and the height is in principle unbounded.

In an embodiment, the vermicomposting device further comprises a closing member for closing the outlet and/or a closing member for closing the inlet, the closing member(s) being operable to open up the outlet resp. the inlet for harvesting vermicompost from the housing resp. for introducing compostable biomass in the housing. For example, when using closing members for closing the outlet and the inlet and thereby providing a “closed” system, this advantageously may prevent flies from being attracted towards the vermicomposting device, as well as avoid smells produced by the vermicomposting process. This again makes the vermicomposting device more suitable for domestic use. More specifically, using a closing device for the outlet may prevent so-called “worm tea” (to be described in more detail in the below) from dripping out unrestrictedly — although other features may be implemented to achieve the same effect. Further advantageously a closable inlet and outlet help to prevent the worms from escaping the inner volume of the housing.

In a specific embodiment, where the vermicomposter has a closing member for closing the inlet, at least the closing member for closing the inlet can be rigidly attached to an inlet-defining wall of the housing, e.g. using screw thread, clamps, click fingers, or other attachment elements. The inventors have found that, when compostable biomass is inserted in the inner volume of the housing and when following that step the feed screw is rotated, the compostable biomass near the inlet wants to come out of the vermicomposting device when the inlet is left open. To keep the biomass in the device, some external pressure from the outside is preferably applied on the contents of the housing, to retain the biomass in the vermicomposter. A lid rigidly attached to the wall that defines the inlet retains the biomass in the housing — provided the lid is closed after inserting biomass in the vermicomposter. In one embodiment the transport path from inlet to outlet is helical with respect to a generally vertical central axis. For example, the inlet may in that case be arranged in a top wall of the housing and the outlet may in that case be arranged in a bottom wall of the housing. This may perhaps be the most intuitive setup of the vermicomposter, as both extraction of vermicompost and introduction of compostable biomass in this way “follows” the direction of gravity.

However, in an alternative embodiment the inlet may be arranged in a bottom wall of the housing and the outlet may be arranged in a lower wall of the housing. This may for example be advantageous when very dry vermicompost is desired, as any worm tea produced by the worm mass with such an orientation moves towards the inlet and is not contained in the vermicompost harvested through the outlet.

In a yet further alternative embodiment, the transport path from inlet to outlet is helical with respect to a generally horizontal central axis, the inlet being arranged in one side wall of the housing and the outlet being arranged in another, opposite, side wall of the housing. In this case, preferably the housing is stationary with respect to the surroundings. For example, the transport path may in such a case be “from left to right” or, just the other way, from “right to left”.

Of course, the transportation path may in yet further embodiments also be helical with respect to a central axis that is inclined with respect to the horizontal and the vertical axis.

Irrespective of the orientation of the central axis, a bottom wall or portion of the vermicomposter may be made of a liquid-permeable material, to allow worm tea produced by the worm mass to drip out of the vermicomposter.

Worm tea is a second product of vermicomposting, and like the vermicompost comprises many fertilizers that are advantageous when growing plants. Preferably and advantageously, the vermicomposter allows for the collection of such worm tea, e.g.

separately from the vermicompost. As an alternative and/or in addition to a liquid- permeable material, for example a natural outlet drain for the worm tea may be integrated in the device. In one embodiment therefore, the housing comprises two outlets: one for harvesting vermicompost and one for harvesting worm tea.

In an embodiment, the vermicomposting device further comprises a receptacle for the collection of worm tea, the receptacle being arranged below the housing and preferably being releasably coupled with the housing. For example, the receptacle may normally be arranged below the housing, to be removed from its position below the housing when the vermicompost is harvested by rotating the feed screw. This allows easy collection of the vermicompost and, at the same time, when available, collection of the nutrient-rich and beneficial worm tea without the worm tea being wasted. In an embodiment the housing and/or the screw are made of either a porous or a non-porous material. When the material of the housing is porous, advantageously supply of e.g. oxygen to the worms and bacteria inside the housing is plenty., From preliminary test it is observed for some porous materials that production of worm tea is absent or minor when the housing is made of a porous material, which may be advantageous if a very simple device is desired. On the other hand, if it is desirable that worm tea is produced a non-porous material may be preferred for the housing. Examples of suitable materials include but are not limited to PLA, PETG, PET, TPC, polyamide, TPU, ABS, polystyrene, polyethylene, metals, wood, carbon fibre, enamel. For example, the housing and/or the screw may be made by a 3D printing process, allowing large flexibility in shape and size, and/or by an injection moulding process, for large series production at relatively low cost. In a specific embodiment the vermicomposting device is a domestic vermicomposting device, i.e. a vermicomposting device for domestic use. Due to the specific design of the presented vermicomposter, in embodiments it does not produce any smell, it does not attract flies, and the worms are invisible. This makes the vermicomposter highly advantageous for use indoors, in households. For example, the vermicomposter may be placed in a kitchen, e.g. in a kitchen cabinet. For example, the vermicomposter may be placed in a living room. For example, the vermicomposter may be placed on a balcony. However, in other specific embodiments the vermicomposting device is an industrial vermicomposting device, for use in vermicompost producing factories. The overall technical principle for use on an industrial scale does not change, however the dimensions will typically be larger and some features of the vermicomposting design may be altered to better control some of the process parameters involved in producing vermicompost.

In an embodiment the vermicomposting device further comprises a pulveriser arranged, when seen in the direction of transportation, before the inlet of the housing. Advantageously, the pulveriser reduces the net volume of the compostable biomass inserted in the inlet of the housing. For example, the pulveriser may grind, chop or cut the biomass in small pieces, e.g. until a pulp or paste of biomass results. This pre- processing step is sometimes referred to as pre-composting. It helps to fill the housing with as much biomass as possible, and also eases digestion of the biomass by the worm mass, as the organic feedstock becomes more accessible to the worms. When a pulveriser is used in combination with the vermicomposter, surprisingly the dimensions of the pulveriser and vermicomposter in combination may be smaller than when ‘only’ a vermicomposter is used to process a same amount of biomass in the same amount of time. Further advantageously, by pulverizing the biomass, blockage of the screw due to large pieces of biomass is prevented when implementing a pulveriser.

In an embodiment a continuous, i.e. uninterrupted, helical path from the inlet to the outlet of the housing is defined between the blades of the screw. Advantageously, this provides the most control over the digestion and vermicomposting process.

In an embodiment, the screw is an Archimedes screw. An Archimedes screw is especially suited for transport of the contents of the inner housing, in a pre-defined direction.

A second aspect of the present invention relates to a method for the production of vermicompost, wherein use is made of a vermicomposting device as described in the above, the method comprising at least the steps of: - arranging a worm mass in the housing; - arranging compostable biomass in the housing, e.g. through the inlet; - waiting until the worms of the worm mass have digested the compostable biomass into vermicompost; - harvesting the vermicompost by rotating the screw.

Advantages obtained with a method according to the second aspect of the present invention are the same or similar to the advantages obtained with the vermicomposting device according to the first aspect of the present invention.

A third aspect of the present invention relates to compost obtained or obtainable by the method according to the second aspect.

These and other implementations of the present invention will now be elucidated further, with reference to the attached drawings.

In these drawings: Figures 1A, 1B and 1C show different schematic views of an example embodiment of the outside of the vermicomposting device; Figure 2 shows the handle of the vermicomposting device of Figures 1A — 1C in isolation; Figure 3 shows the closing member at inlet or outlet of the vermicomposting device of Figures 1A — 1C in isolation; Figure 4 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the vermicomposting device of Figures 1A — 1C in an empty state; Figure 5 schematically shows the vermicomposting device of Figure 4 in a filled state; Figure 6 schematically shows an example of the feed screw of the vermicomposting device of Figures 1A — 1C in isolation.

Shown with respect to Figures 1A, 1B and 1C, to be described in conjunction, is a vermicomposting device 1 for vermicomposting a compostable biomass into vermicompost.

This process makes use of a worm mass that comprises compost worms or other suitable annelids.

As here shown, the vermicomposting device 1 comprises a housing 11, a feed screw (not visible in Figures 1A — 1C), a handle 13 for driving the feed screw, a closing member 14 for closing an outlet of the housing 11 (view of outlet blocked by closing member 14), a closing member 15 for closing an inlet of the housing 11 (view of inlet blocked by closing member 15), a receptacle 16 for the collection of worm tea 16 and legs 18 on which the vermicomposting device 1 stands.

As shown here, the handle 13, shown in more detail in Figure 2, is operable by hand, and may be rotated in a rotation direction R.

Rotation of the handle 13 results in a rotation of the feed screw, the housing 11 of the vermicomposting device 1 remains stationary in the shown embodiment.

As shown here, the housing 11 has a circular cross-section.

It has a bottom wall 116 in which an outlet is present and a top wall 115 in which an inlet is present.

The inlet in the top wall 115 is covered by a closing member 15, which can be grabbed with a hand of a user and may be rotated to open up the inlet to allow the insertion of compostable biomass into the housing.

The closing member 15, shown in more detail in Figure 3, is arranged around a central axis of the handle-screw- combination and can preferably be rigidly fixed with respect to the top wall 115 of the housing 11. The outlet in the bottom wall 116 is covered by closing member 14, the closing member 14 being arranged inside of the housing 11, which a grip protruding from the housing 11. The grip may be grabbed by a hand of a user, and allows rotation of the closing member to open up the outlet to allow harvesting of the vermicompost produced in the vermicomposting device 1. The vermicomposting device 1, e.g. for domestic use, may further comprise a second outlet, below which a receptacle 16 is arranged (second outlet not visible because of receptacle 16) — represented highly schematically here.

The second outlet may be open constantly, or e.g. be covered by a liquid-permeable membrane, so that worm tea can drip out of the housing 11 at all times and may be collected in the receptacle 16. Turning now to Figures 4, 5 and 6, to be discussed in conjunction, an embodiment of the vermicomposting device 1 is shown in its empty state in Figure 4; in its filled state in Figure 5 — highly schematic — and screw 12 of vermicomposting device 1 in isolation in Figure 6. Recognizable in Figure 4 are again the housing 11, handle 13 and legs 18. Also indicated is inlet 111, in the uppermost wall of the housing 11, and outlet 112 in the lowermost wall of the housing 11. In between the inlet 111 and the outlet 112 is defined a helical transportation path T, along which helical transportation path T the contents of the housing 11 travel from inlet 111 to outlet 112. The helical transport path T, shown most clearly in Figure 6, is defined between blades 121 of the screw 12.

The screw 12, then, is coupled to the handle 13, so that it rotates upon rotation of the handle 13. The screw 12 is arranged inside the inner volume 113 of the housing 11, the blades 121 of the screw 12 extending in a continuous and uninterrupted path from the top of the inner volume 113 to the bottom of the inner volume 113. A diameter 122 of the blades 122 approximately corresponds to an inner diameter 114 of the housing 11. Further visible in Figure 4 — highly schematically — is a pulveriser 17, connected to the inlet 111 of the housing 11. Before a biomass is introduced into the inner volume 113 of the housing 11 it may optionally be reduced in volume by pulverising it.

In the shown embodiment the pulveriser 17 is a separate component from the vermicomposting device 1, connected to the inlet of the housing . Of course, the two components may be integrated in a single device.

Turning to Figure 5, in a highly schematic manner the contents of the inner housing 11 are shown.

Near the top of the housing 11, and thus near the inlet thereof, a compostable biomass B is present.

Here the biomass B is schematically illustrated as a few leaves, but of course the biomass may be any compostable biomass B including but not limited to domestic organic waste, vegetal waste, flower cuttings, plant prunings, mowed grass, paper, and cardboard.

The biomass B is entered into the housing 11 through the inlet.

A bit further along the transportation path T, the housing contains a worm mass W.

The worm mass W is infiltrated partially in the biomass B and eats and digests the biomass B.

After digestion of the biomass B by the worm mass W, the castings of the worm mass W remain in the housing 11, the castings forming vermicompost V.

The vermicompost is then, naturally, arranged behind the worm mass (when seen in the direction of transportation), and closest to the outlet.

Assuming a situation where the inner volume 113 of the housing 11 is completely filled with vermicompost V, near the outlet 112, compostable biomass B, near inlet, and a worm mass W, in between the compostable biomass B and the vermicompost V, rotation of the screw 12 will push everything downwards.

If this is done while the outlet 112 is open, this then allows the vermicompost V to leave the inner volume 113 of the housing 11, while simultaneously freeing up space to insert new compostable biomass B into the housing 11. In this way, when the screw 12 is rotated often enough and in a pace which allows full processing of the biomass B, the worm mass W will fully digest and process the biomass B into vermicompost V, and the contents of the inner volume 113 of the housing 11, notably the biomass B and biomass B turned into vermicompost V will move along the entire transportation path T, from inlet 111 to outlet 112. The worm mass W also moves towards the outlet when the screw 12 is rotated, but the worm mass W gradually moves back towards the inlet again, in search of biomass to compost. As such, the worm mass W lives in the transportation path T defined between the blades 121 of the screw 12, so that substantially all material inserted into the housing 11 through the inlet 111 and moved to the outlet 112 by rotation of the screw has to “pass” the worm mass W.

Worms especially suitable for the vermicomposting process are the species Eisenia Foetida and/or Eisenia Andrei.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 1 vermicomposting device 11 housing 111 inlet 112 outlet 113 inner volume housing 114 inner diameter housing 115 top wall 116 bottom wall 12 screw 121 screw blade 122 diameter screw 13 drive 14 outlet closing member 15 inlet closing member 16 receptacle 17 pulveriser 18 legs

B compostable biomass R direction of rotation T transportation path V vermicompost W worm mass

Claims (15)

CONCLUSIESCONCLUSIONS 1. Een vermicomposteer inrichting (1), voor het vermicomposteren van een composteerbare biomassa (B) met het gebruik van een wormenmassa (W) die compostwormen of andere geschikte ringwormen omvat, waarbij de vermicomposteer inrichting (1) een behuizing (11) omvat met een inlaat (111), een uitlaat (112) en een binnenvolume (113), de inlaat (111) voor het introduceren van de composteerbare biomassa (B) in het binnenvolume (113) van de behuizing (11) en de uitlaat (112) voor het oogsten van vermicompost (V) uit het binnenvolume (113) van de behuizing (11), waarbij het binnenvolume (111) van de behuizing (11) in gebruik gevuld is met: o composteerbare biomassa (B); o een wormenmassa (W); en o vermicompost (V); waarbij de composteerbare biomassa (B) in gebruik voornamelijk aangebracht is nabij de inlaat (111) van de behuizing (11), waarbij de vermicompost (V) in gebruik ten minste aangebracht is nabij de uitlaat (112) van de behuizing (11) en waarbij de wormenmassa (W) in gebruik in hoofdzaak tussen de composteerbare biomassa (B) en de vermicompost (V) in aangebracht is, waarbij de wormenmassa (W) geïnfiltreerd is in ten minste een gedeelte van de composteerbare biomassa (B), en zich voedt met de composteerbare biomassa (B) om vermicompost (V) te produceren; met het kenmerk, dat de vermicomposteer inrichting (1) verder een voedingsschroef (12) omvat, aangebracht in het binnenvolume (113) van de behuizing (11) en roteerbaar ten opzichte van de behuizing (11), waarbij de voedingsschroef (12) geschikt is voor het transporteren van de composteerbare biomassa (B) van de inlaat (111) naar de uitlaat (112) wanneer deze geroteerd wordt, en waarbij de voedingsschroef een helisch transportpad (T) definieert tussen bladen (121) van de schroef (12), waarbij het helische transportpad (T) een leefomgeving van de wormenmassa (W) vormt.A vermicomposting device (1), for vermicomposting a compostable biomass (B) using a worm mass (W) comprising compost worms or other suitable annelids, the vermicomposting device (1) comprising a housing (11) with an inlet (111), an outlet (112) and an inner volume (113), the inlet (111) for introducing the compostable biomass (B) into the inner volume (113) of the housing (11), and the outlet (112 ) for harvesting vermicompost (V) from the inner volume (113) of the housing (11), the inner volume (111) of the housing (11) being filled in use with: o compostable biomass (B); o a worm mass (W); and o vermicompost (V); wherein the compostable biomass (B) is in use located mainly near the inlet (111) of the housing (11), the vermicompost (V) in use being located at least near the outlet (112) of the housing (11) and wherein the worm mass (W) is in use substantially placed between the compostable biomass (B) and the vermicompost (V), wherein the worm mass (W) has infiltrated at least part of the compostable biomass (B), and is located feeds on the compostable biomass (B) to produce vermicompost (V); characterized in that the vermicomposting device (1) further comprises a feed screw (12) disposed in the inner volume (113) of the housing (11) and rotatable with respect to the housing (11), the feed screw (12) being suitably is for transporting the compostable biomass (B) from the inlet (111) to the outlet (112) when rotated, and wherein the feed screw defines a helical transport path (T) between blades (121) of the screw (12) , where the helical transport path (T) forms a habitat of the worm mass (W). 2. De vermicomposteer inrichting volgens conclusie 1, waarbij de behuizing (11) stationair is, en waarbij de vermicomposteer inrichting (1) verder een aandrijving (13) omvat voor het aandrijven van de voedingsschroef (12), waarbij de aandrijving (13) bij voorkeur met de hand te bedienen is.The vermicomposting device according to claim 1, wherein the housing (11) is stationary, and wherein the vermicomposting device (1) further comprises a driver (13) for driving the feed screw (12), the driver (13) at preferably operated manually. 3. De vermicomposteer inrichting volgens conclusie 1 of 2, waarbij de behuizing (11), gezien in een doorsnedevlak, cirkelvormig is en waarbij een diameter (122) van de voedingsschroef (12) in hoofdzaak gelijk is aan een binnendiameter (114) van de behuizing (11).The vermicomposting device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing (11) is circular when viewed in a cross-sectional plane and wherein a diameter (122) of the feed screw (12) is substantially equal to an inner diameter (114) of the housing (11). 4. De vermicomposteer inrichting volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de vermicomposteer inrichting een hoogte heeft van ten minste 18 cm, en/of een breedte van ten minste 10 cm, en/of een diepte van ten minste 10 cm.The vermicomposting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vermicomposting device has a height of at least 18 cm, and/or a width of at least 10 cm, and/or a depth of at least 10 cm. 5. De vermicomposteer inrichting volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, verder omvattende een sluitelement (14) voor het sluiten van de uitlaat (112) en/of een sluitelement (15) voor het sluiten van de inlaat (111), waarbij het sluitelement of de sluitelementen (14, 15) bedienbaar zijn om de uitlaat (112) resp. de inlaat (111) te openen voor het introduceren van composteerbare biomassa (B) in de behuizing (11) resp. voor het oogsten van vermicompost (V) uit de behuizing (11).The vermicomposting device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a closing element (14) for closing the outlet (112) and/or a closing element (15) for closing the inlet (111), the closing element or the closing elements (14, 15) are operable to close the outlet (112) resp. opening the inlet (111) for introducing compostable biomass (B) into the housing (11) resp. for harvesting vermicompost (V) from the housing (11). 6. De vermicomposteer inrichting volgens conclusie 5, waarbij ten minste het sluitelement (15) voor het sluiten van de inlaat (111) vast verbonden kan worden met een inlaat-definiérende wand (115) van de behuizing (11), bij voorbeeld door het gebruik maken van schroefdraad, klemmen, klikvingers, of andere bevestigingselementen.The vermicomposting device according to claim 5, wherein at least the closing element (15) for closing the inlet (111) can be fixedly connected to an inlet-defining wall (115) of the housing (11), for example by use threads, clamps, snap fingers, or other fasteners. 7. De vermicomposteer inrichting volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, verder omvattende een opvangeenheid (16) voor het verzamelen van wormenthee, waarbij de opvangeenheid (16) onder de behuizing (11) is aangebracht en bij voorkeur losneembaar gekoppeld is met de behuizing (11).The vermicomposting device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a collection unit (16) for collecting worm tea, the collection unit (16) being arranged below the housing (11) and preferably being releasably coupled to the housing (11). ). 8. De vermicomposteer inrichting volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de composteerbare biomassa (B) ten minste een omvat van: huishoudelijk organisch afval, plantaardig afval, bloemafsnijdingen, snoeimateriaal van planten, gemaaid gras, papier, en karton.The vermicomposting device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the compostable biomass (B) comprises at least one of: household organic waste, vegetable waste, flower trimmings, plant trimmings, grass clippings, paper, and cardboard. 9. De vermicomposteer inrichting volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de behuizing (11) en/of de schroef (12) gemaakt zijn van ofwel poreus ofwel niet-The vermicomposting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (11) and/or the screw (12) are made of either porous or non-porous poreus materiaal, zoals PLA, PETG, PET, TPC, polyamide, TPU, ABA, polystyreen, polyethyleen, metalen, hout, carbonvezelmateriaal, email, b.v. door een 3D-print en/of een spuitgietproces.porous material, such as PLA, PETG, PET, TPC, polyamide, TPU, ABA, polystyrene, polyethylene, metals, wood, carbon fiber material, enamel, e.g. through a 3D print and/or an injection molding process. 10. De vermicomposteer inrichting volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de compostwormen van de soort Eisenia Foetida en/of Eisenia Andrei zijn.The vermicomposting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the compost worms are of the species Eisenia Foetida and/or Eisenia Andrei. 11. De vermicomposteer inrichting volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de vermicomposteer inrichting {1} een huishoudelijke vermicomposteer inrichting is, d.w.z. een vermicomposteer inrichting voor huishoudelijk gebruik.The vermicomposting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vermicomposting device {1} is a domestic vermicomposting device, i.e. a vermicomposting device for domestic use. 12. De vermicomposteer inrichting volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de vermicomposteer inrichting (1) verder een verpulver (17) omvat die, gezien in de richting van het transport, vóór de inlaat (111) van de behuizing (11) is aangebracht.The vermicomposting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vermicomposting device (1) further comprises a pulverizer (17) arranged in front of the inlet (111) of the housing (11) in the direction of transport . 13. De vermicomposteer inrichting volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij een doorlopend helisch transportpad (T) van de inlaat (111) naar de uitlaat (112) van de behuizing (11) gedefinieerd is tussen de bladen (121) van de schroef (12).The vermicomposting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a continuous helical transport path (T) from the inlet (111) to the outlet (112) of the housing (11) is defined between the blades (121) of the screw ( 12). 14. Een werkwijze voor het produceren van vermicompost, waarbij gebruik gemaakt wordt van een vermicomposteer inrichting volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de werkwijze ten minste de stappen omvat van het: - aanbrengen van een wormenmassa (W) in de behuizing (11); - aanbrengen van composteerbare biomassa (B) in de behuizing (11), b.v.A method of producing vermicompost, using a vermicomposting device according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising at least the steps of: - placing a worm mass (W) in the housing (11) ; - applying compostable biomass (B) in the housing (11), e.g. door de inlaat (111); - wachten totdat de wormen van de wormenmassa (W) de composteerbare biomassa (B) tot vermicompost (VV) hebben verteerd; en - oogsten van de vermicompost (VV) door het roteren van de schroef (12).through the inlet (111); - wait until the worms of the worm mass (W) have digested the compostable biomass (B) into vermicompost (VV); and - harvesting the vermicompost (VV) by rotating the screw (12). 15. Compost verkrijgbaar door de werkwijze volgens conclusie 14.15. Compost obtainable by the method of claim 14.