Abstract: A garden composter has a longitudinally extending cylindrical drum which is mounted to a support frame and can be rotated relative to the support frame about an axis of rotation of the drum. The drum has at least two load openings formed in a cylindrical wall portion between two end wall portions and removable closure caps for selectively closing the load openings. At least one partition divides the drum into a number of chambers disposed side by side along the longitudinal axis. Each chamber communicates with a respective load opening. The partition has a fixed portion coupled to the drum and a relatively movable portion. Each portion has at least one flow control partition opening and the movable portion can be moved so that its associated flow control partition opening may be selectively brought into and out of registration with corresponding flow control partition openings in the fixed portion.

Abstract: A garden composter for decomposing garden waste in which the composter has a longitudinally extending cylindrical outer drum which is mounted to a support frame. Tumbling means are provided for coupling the drum to the support frame for rotation of the drum relative to the support frame about an axis of rotation of the drum. The drum has at least one load opening formed in a cylindrical wall portion for receiving organic waste into an outer chamber and a closure cap for selectively closing the load opening. An inner drum is fixed to the interior of the outer drum for rotation with the outer drum and has waste inlet means in communication with the outer chamber for receiving decomposing organic waste into an inner chamber before being discharged through a waste outlet. In this way, the garden composter can receive organic waste through the load opening for decomposition in the chambers and the waste can be aged in the inner chamber to prolong its residence time before being discharged from the composter.

Abstract: A garden composter for decomposing garden waste in which the composter has a longitudinally extending cylindrical outer drum which is mounted to a support frame. Tumbling means are provided for coupling the drum to the support frame for rotation of the drum relative to the support frame about an axis of rotation of the drum. The drum has at least one load opening formed in a cylindrical wall portion for receiving organic waste into an outer chamber and a closure cap for selectively closing the load opening. An inner drum is fixed to the interior of the outer drum for rotation with the outer drum and has waste inlet means in communication with the outer chamber for receiving decomposing organic waste into an inner chamber before being discharged through a waste outlet. In this way, the garden composter can receive organic waste through the load opening for decomposition in the chambers and the waste can be aged in the inner chamber to prolong its residence time before being discharged from the composter.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention, there is provided a garden composter for decomposing garden waste in which the composter has a longitudinally extending cylindrical drum which is mounted to a support frame which is adapted to space the drum from a supporting surface. Tumbling means are provided for coupling the drum to the support frame for rotation of the drum relative to the support frame about an axis of rotation of the drum. The drum has at least two load openings formed in a cylindrical wall portion between two end wall portions and removable closure caps for selectively closing the load openings. At least one partition is provided in the drum to divide the drum into a number of chambers disposed side by side along the longitudinal axis. Each chamber communicates with a respective load opening. The partition has a fixed portion which is coupled to the drum and a relatively movable portion.

Abstract: A mixing drum for a composting toilet has an auger for transporting mixed material from a back end of the mixing drum to the front end of the mixing drum in order to increase the residence time of material mixed in the drum. The auger is enclosed in an auger tube and the auger rotates about an axis which is radially spaced from the longitudinal axis for the mixing drum, about which the mixing drum itself rotates.

Abstract: Vegetable matter is composted in an outer drum having an axis for rotation which is disposed horizontally for rotation inside an outer housing. The outer drum and the housing have respective waste inlets which are in communication with each other for receiving waste so that waste which is introduced into the housing is received inside the outer drum. An inner drum having an axis for rotation which is disposed horizontally for rotation of the inner drum is disposed inside the outer drum, and receives waste from the outer drum. A waste outlet in the inner drum discharges decomposing waste into a finishing drawer. The configuration of the outer drum with the inner drum disposed inside, allows for a two-stage decomposition of waste matter, thereby maximizing the capacity of the composter while occupying a minimum of space which is customarily at a premium in the kitchen environment.

Abstract: An aeration drum is rotatably-mounted for rotation about a longitudinal axis oriented horizontally inside a housing which has an air inlet and air outlet for venting the unit. A removable receptacle receives decomposed solid waste matter from the aeration drum for periodic removal from the unit. The aeration drum has a narrow end, and a wide end extending radially outwardly from the narrow end. In a preferred construction of the aeration drum, the narrow end has a constant diameter over a short length of the drum and the wide end has a constant diameter over a greater length of the drum. A perforated collar on an intermediate portion of the drum between the narrow end and the wide end allows liquid to drain from the narrow end into the wide end while retaining the solid waste in the narrow end where it decomposes. The wide end has a liquid discharge in fluid communication with the housing and the narrow end has a solid waste discharge for radial discharge into the receptacle.

Abstract: A composting toilet comprising a housing having a seat disposed about an opening communicating with an aeration drum for receiving human waste matter. The drum is rotatably-mounted for rotation about a longitudinal axis oriented horizontally inside the housing. A removable receptacle adapted to receive decomposed solid waste matter from the aeration drum for periodic removal from the toilet is also provided. The aeration drum has a narrow front end for receiving and discharging waste, and a wide rear end extending radially outwardly from the front end. The rear end has liquid outlets in fluid communication with the housing and a gas outlet is disposed opposite the liquid outlets to cause an airflow through the composting solid waste and for venting any gases which enter the aeration drum or are formed through decomposition inside the drum.