US3845939A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Composting apparatus
Assignee: Waste-Treat Inc
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Filing: 1972-12-06
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Granted: 1974-11-05
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Expires: 1992-12-06
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for controlled compost processing of waste materials to provide rapid and complete reduction to compost material. The apparatus consists of a ground-supported enclosure which includes slidecovered access openings; the enclosure further including a longitudinally arrayed, rotatable agitation assembly and material wetting assembly, each of which is periodically actuatable to provide the requisite mixing and wetting functions. Further, the apparatus is particularly adaptable to novel shredder-grinder apparatus which is attachable through access opening to the composting apparatus, and which serves to receive waste material through a hopper input for introduction to an input cylinder which includes a plurality of axially arrayed, rotationally driven cutting elements operating in coaction with alternating screening discs which provide final forced entry of chopped waste material into the interior of the composting apparatus enclosure.
Inventors
- 👤 D Waldenville
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:24
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01F; B01F27/00; B01F27/60; B01F27/62; C; C05; C05F; C05F17/00; C05F17/90; C05F17/964; C05F17/971; B01F27/05; B01F27/11; B01F27/112; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P20/00; Y02P20/141; Y02P20/145; Y02W; Y02W30/00; Y02W30/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
Composting apparatus comprising: enclosure means of generally elongated shape and including side walls and end walls defining a generally cylindrical internal space, said enclosure means having at least one closeable access aperture; agitation means consisting of a shaft and a plurality of plates secured to extend perpendicularly from said shaft, said shaft being journally supported by said enclosure means end walls axially through said cylindrical internal space; wetting means including a water delivery pipe having a plurality of spray nozzles attached in communication therewith, said pipe being secured across the upper extremity of said cylindrical internal space; a water supply connected to said wetting means; rotary drive means connected to said agitation means shaft; an a-c source; a solenoid valve connected in said water supply to control flow therefrom; electrical relay means connected to said a-c source and being energizable to provide output electrical energization to said solenoid valve means and said rotary drive means; and temperature sensor means in communication with said enclosure means internal space and energizable upon sensing of less than a pre-determined temperature to cause energization of said electrical relay means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
Composting apparatus comprising: enclosure means of generally elongated shape and including side walls and end walls defining a generally cylindrical internal space, said enclosure means having at least one closeable access aperture; agitation means consisting of a shaft and a plurality of plates secured to extend perpendicularly from said shaft, said shaft being journally supported by said enclosure means end walls axially through said cylindrical internal space; wetting means including a water delivery pipe having a plurality of spray nozzles attached in communication therewith, said pipe being secured across the upper extremity of said cylindrical internal space; a water supply connected to said wetting means; rotary drive means connected to said agitation means shaft; an a-c source; a solenoid valve connected in said water supply to control flow therefrom; electrical relay means connected to said a-c source and being energizable to provide output electrical energization to said solenoid valve means and said rotary drive means; and temperature sensor means in communication with said enclosure means internal space and energizable upon sensing of less than a pre-determined temperature to cause energization of said electrical relay means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
Composting apparatus as set forth in claim 1 which is further characterized to include: ground support means consisting of frame support members secured to each end wall of said enclosure means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
Composting apparatus as set forth in claim 1 which is further characterized in that: said enclosure means side walls include a first loading access aperture coverable by a sliding plate closure disposed at an upper surface of said enclosure means side walls, and an unloading access aperture covered by a sliding plate closure disposed at a bottom location of said enclosure means side walls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
Composting apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of agitation means plates comprises: a planar plate having one end formed linearly for affixture to said shaft and having the other end formed as a fork-like structure having a plurality of tines.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
Composting apparatus as set forth in claim 4 which is further characterized in that: each successive one of said plates as secured along said shaft is secured on the opposite side from the preceding plate across the length of said shaft within the cylindrical internal space.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
Composting apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said rotary drive means is an electric motor mechanically linked to provide Rotational drive output to said shaft.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-04 | 1978-05-06 | 1978-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-04 | 1982-05-06 | 1982-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-04 | 1986-05-06 | 1986-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |