US5538860A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for the local composting and drying of organic wastes and relative device
Assignee: Ecomaster Srl
•
Filing: 1995-01-26
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Granted: 1996-07-23
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Expires: 2015-01-26
Abstract
Abstract Method and device for the local composting and drying of organic wastes, which is employed for the collection and aerobic conversion on the spot of organic wastes so as to obtain a finished product, compost, intended for use as an agricultural improvement material. A bag-type container (11) is filled with those organic wastes (19), the container (11) having at least flexible walls permeable to air, the container (11) cooperating in its interior with a tube (13) which is at least partially perforated and is closed at its lower end, the tube (13) being associated outside the container (11) with a fan (18), the fan (18) being activated to create a forced circulation of air within the container (11) in order to achieve conversion of the organic wastes (19) into compost and possible drying thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 Luigi Castelli
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:04
CPC Classifications
C; C05; C05F; C05F17/00; C05F17/90; C05F17/907; C05F17/964; C05F17/971; C05F17/979; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P20/00; Y02P20/141; Y02P20/145; Y02W; Y02W30/00; Y02W30/40; Y10; Y10S; Y10S220/00; Y10S220/908; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/818; Y10S435/819
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
Method for the local composting and drying of organic wastes, which is employed for the collection and aerobic conversion on the spot of organic wastes so as to obtain a finished product, compost, intended for use as an agricultural improvement material, the method comprising filling a bag-type container with the organic wastes, the container having at least flexible walls permeable to air and a tube which is at least partially perforated and closed at its lower end, the lower end of the tube being provided inside the container, and an upper end of the tube being associated outside the container with a fan, and activating the fan to create a forced circulation of air within the container in order to achieve conversion of the organic wastes into compost and drying thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
Method for the local composting and drying of organic wastes, which is employed for the collection and aerobic conversion on the spot of organic wastes so as to obtain a finished product, compost, intended for use as an agricultural improvement material, the method comprising filling a bag-type container with the organic wastes, the container having at least flexible walls permeable to air and a tube which is at least partially perforated and closed at its lower end, the lower end of the tube being provided inside the container, and an upper end of the tube being associated outside the container with a fan, and activating the fan to create a forced circulation of air within the container in order to achieve conversion of the organic wastes into compost and drying thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
Method as in claim 1, wherein activating the fan provides for aspiration of the air by the fan through the relative tube, forcing the air to transit from the exterior of the container towards the inside.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
Method as in claim 1, wherein activating the fan provides for blowing of the air by the fan through the relative tube into the container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
Method as in claim 1 wherein forced circulation of air is carried out with a continuous and substantially constant cycle during a whole period of a cycle of conversion of the organic wastes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
Method as in claim 1, wherein the forced circulation of air is carried out with a periodic cycle and with an adjustable intensity during a whole period of a cycle of conversion of the organic wastes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
Method as in claim 1, further comprising collecting and retaining percolate liquid in a retaining vessel provided at a lower end of the container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
Method as in claim 1, wherein activating the fan creates a forced circulation of air within at least two containers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
Method as in claim 3, further comprising heating the air by means of heating means located downstream of the fan.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
Method as in claim 3, further comprising filtering the air by a filter located downstream of the fan.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
Method as in claim 1, wherein the organic wastes in the container generate foul smells, and further comprising capturing the air circulated through the container and blowing the air containing the foul smells through a second container containing mature but not yet dry compost used as biofilter for removal of the foul smells.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
139 words
Device for the local composting and drying of organic wastes, which is employed for the collection and aerobic conversation on the spot of organic wastes so as to obtain a finished product, compost, intended for use as an agricultural improvement material, comprising at least one container suitable to be filled with the organic wastes, the container having at least flexible walls permeable to air; a tube which is at least partially perforated and closed at its lower end, the lower end of the tube being provided inside the container, and an upper end of the tube being provided outside the container; and a fan operably connected to the upper end of the tube suitable to create a forced circulation of air within the container so as to achieve conversion of the organic wastes into compost and possible drying thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
139 words
Device for the local composting and drying of organic wastes, which is employed for the collection and aerobic conversation on the spot of organic wastes so as to obtain a finished product, compost, intended for use as an agricultural improvement material, comprising at least one container suitable to be filled with the organic wastes, the container having at least flexible walls permeable to air; a tube which is at least partially perforated and closed at its lower end, the lower end of the tube being provided inside the container, and an upper end of the tube being provided outside the container; and a fan operably connected to the upper end of the tube suitable to create a forced circulation of air within the container so as to achieve conversion of the organic wastes into compost and possible drying thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
Device as in claim 11, wherein the fan is arranged so as to be able to aspirate, through the relative tube, the air from the inside of the container towards the exterior.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
Device as in claim 11, wherein the fan is arranged so as to be able to blow, through the relative tube, the air into the container.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
Device as in claim 11, further comprising a retaining vessel to collect and retain percolated liquid, the retaining vessel being placed below the container.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
Device as in claim 11, further comprising, in cooperation at least with the upper and lower sides of the container, an airtight cover.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
Device as in claim 11, wherein the fan is a single fan and the at least one container comprises a plurality of containers, the single fan being provided in cooperation with the plurality of containers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
Device as in claim 13, further comprising heating means provided downstream of the fan for heating air blown into the container.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
Device as in claim 12, further comprising a filter provided downstream of the fan for filtering air aspirated from the container.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
Device as in claim 11, wherein the tube can be withdrawn and re-used.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
Device as in claim 19, wherein the tube has a tapered conformation with its vertex facing downwards.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
Device as in claim 19, wherein the tube has an outer helicoidal conformation.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
Device as in claim 11, further comprising an outer airtight containing means provided around the container.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
Method as in claim 1, further comprising adding a bulking agent to the organic waste before activating the fan.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
11 words
Method as in claim 23, wherein the bulking agent is sawdust.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR753608A
Cited
US5096080A
Cited
WO1993002990A1
Cited
US5417736A
Cited
US5403740A
Cited
US5429945A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-07-23 | 2000-01-22 | 2000-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-23 | 2004-01-22 | 2004-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-23 | 2008-01-22 | 2008-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |