Abstract: An organic waste disposer 10 such as is commonly mounted to a kitchen sink 12 has mounted next to it a device 14 for injecting a predetermined quantity of bio-enzyme material into the disposer's grinding chamber each time the motor of the disposer is turned on.

Abstract: Water contained in raw garbage introduced through a throw port is drained off by a filter member and a water-draining gate, and is drained into a drainpipe, the water having good quality. The raw garbage from which water is drained off to a sufficient degree is dry-pulverized by a pulverizer unit and is smoothly blown into the microorganism decomposition chamber through a carrier duct having a flared end, utilizing the impact force of the impeller revolving in the pulverizer unit. The dry-pulverized raw garbage that is thus conveyed is decomposed by a microorganism carrier in the microorganism decomposition chamber.

Abstract: An improved garbage disposal assembly with an apparatus and related method for selectively varying the sink-side appearance of the garbage disposal assembly. In its preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention includes a decorative flange mask for covering a sink flange of a garbage disposal. A sink flange includes an open cylindrical body portion for insertion through a drainage hole of a sink bottom and an annular lip portion extending radially outward from one end of the cylindrical body portion for location above the sink bottom. The decorative flange mask, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, includes an open cylindrical mask body for insertion into the cylindrical body portion of the sink flange and an annular mask lip connected to and extending radially outward from one end of the cylindrical mask body for covering the annular lip portion of the sink flange.

Abstract: A sink drain guard is formed of an annular sleeve of flexible, resilient plastic material having a central cylindrical annular wall portion connected at its bottom to an inwardly extending shoulder. The shoulder is provided on its outer perimeter with a peripheral outwardly facing annular groove adapted to receive a flat elastomeric washer encircling its outside. The annular cylindrical central portion is connected at its top to a plurality of outwardly flared segments defined by a plurality of slots extending through a portion of the central cylindrical section and being open at its top. The guard is adapted to be installed in the drain opening of a sink equipped with a garbage disposal unit with the shoulder portion and gasket seated in a shoulder in the drain structure. The slots provide for drainage of liquid from the sink while preventing entry therein of tableware, and the outwardly flared portions provide a gripping surface for removal of the guard from the drain.

Abstract: A self-cleaning garbage disposal utilizes a spray ring which is located below the splash guard. A control valve is connected to the cold water pipe and controls the flow of water from the cold water line into the spray ring. The control valve is engaged simultaneously with the disposal when the disposal is activated, which also initiates a timer control circuit on the control valve. The spray ring, using standard water pressure, forces the food debris directly into the disposal blades in a counterclockwise direction for faster and more efficient grinding of the food debris. When the disposal is switched off, water continues to flow through the spray ring for approximately fifteen seconds, thoroughly flushing any remaining debris down the drain.

Abstract: A waste collection device for accumulating solid waste downstream of a kitchen garbage grinder includes a separator for settling solid material from waste water and a removable waste accumulating container into which household garbage is collected. The waste accumulating container is removable and a cap, including a carrying handle, is fastenable over the opening for carrying to and emptying onto a compost heap. A pressure release valve is provided in the waste accumulating container to prevent damage from the build-up of gases.

Abstract: A two-piece stopper is provided for insertion into the mouth of garbage disposal units. The first piece inserts snugly into the open disposal mouth and has rather large apertures through which water can pass, when the disposal unit is not in use and the sink in which it is mounted is to be used as an ordinary sink. The apertures are large enough to pass small bits of food and waste, but small enough to keep out popsicle sticks, bottlecaps, silverware, and the like. The second piece is a plug which inserts into a cylindrical wall or bore in the first piece to cover the drain apertures of the first piece so that the sink's drain opening is entirely covered and the sink can be filled with water for washing dishes and similar purposes.

Abstract: A safety device for protecting ones' hands while stuffing waste material into the comminuting chamber of a powered disposer having its comminuting chamber aligned with a drain passage enclosed by a flanged sleeve depending from the sink basin through its drain opening and from which the powered disposed is suspended. An axially elongated plunger body of the safety device extends through the drain passage into the comminuting chamber while supported by its apertured cover plate resting on the flange of the sleeve thereby spacing the lower impaction end from the disposer cutter blades.

Abstract: Built-in sink with a waste opening which is adjoined downwardly by a drop shaft terminating above a waste bin. The latter is guided in horizontal guide rails supported by a holding device which is attached to the underside of the built-in sink and also supports the drop shaft. In order to eliminate cleaning of the latter, there is inserted into the waste opening from above a removable protective shaft which is closable by a removable cover.

Abstract: A removable clamping device is disclosed for firmly holding a drain flange within the drain hole of a sink, so that one can assemble around the depending body of the flange which body is disposed below the sink one or more rings and a split spring type ring or Cee-shaped keeper so that the rings are maintained around the body of the flange and in turn a garbage disposal may be mounted to the rings.

Abstract: A disposer mount assembly includes a non-rotatable plastic sink flange having a tubular portion extending downwardly through and beneath the drain opening and terminating in a lip resiliently embraced by an elastomeric cushion mount, a mounting ring with inclined camming slots rotatably mounted on the tubular portion by the cushion mount, and a disposer hopper having an upper flange with lugs projecting radially outwardly therefrom into the camming slots. Selective rotation of the mounting ring cams the lugs upwardly along the inclined camming slots to a final locked position therein in which the correspondingly elevated hopper flange is connected to the mount ring and compresses the cushion mount, thereby to provide a tight resilient seal between the disposer and sink flange to absorb vibration and sound.

Abstract: A sewage system for handling human waste provides for comminution of excrement and other material processed therein. The system is primarily of use in a system wherein the toilets empty into sewage pipe leading to a septic field and avoids the need for frequent reaming of the sewage pipe. In this system, an electrically powered grinder of a size small enough to fit within the sewer pipe is fitted in said pipe at the outlet from the toilet. The grinder is supported in the sewer pipe and sealed in place so that all of the effluent from the toilet passes therethrough. The housing of the grinder has a supporting flange that supports it by being sealed between the bottom flange of the toilet and the sealing gasket on the floor.

Abstract: Mounting apparatus for installing a food waste disposer in a sink in a bottom opening thereof wherein the disposer is moved downwardly through the opening and is clamped to the sink about the edge of the opening. A water inlet connector is mounted to the disposer subjacent the sink and a waste discharge conduit is mounted to the disposer below the water inlet connection. An improved clamp ring and locking ring structure are provided for effecting the clamping of the disposer to the sink opening edge. The water inlet connector is installed by movement downwardly through the upper end of the disposer and subsequently urging it outwardly through a horizontal opening of the disposer. The water discharge conduit includes a tubular element secured to the disposer by a strap clamp encircling the disposer.

Abstract: A waste disposal device includes a receptacle for holding liquid and waste materials, a liquid drainline secured to the receptacle, a collecting tank connected in the drainline to collect the liquid and waste materials from the receptacle, a waste disintegrator extending into the collecting tank, drive means for operating the waste disintegrator, and control means in the drainline for actuating the drive means upon collection of liquid over a given level in the collecting tank and upon the flow of the liquid out of the tank through the drainline. The waste disintegrator is a rotatable impact knife, the drive means is a motor coupled to the knife, and the control means includes a siphon tube directing the flow of the liquid over a given level out of the tank, and pressure sensitive switching means for sensing a change in pressure in the siphon tube upon the occurrence of the flow of liquid to actuate the motor.

Abstract: An improved waste material handling system includes a plurality of waste food disposer units which are operable to disintegrate waste food materials to form a slurry. The system also includes a pulper unit which is operable to disintegrate solid waste materials, such as paper, cardboard boxes, plastic bags, etc., to form a slurry. The waste material slurry is conducted from the waste food disposer units and pulper unit to a press which extracts water from the slurry. To prevent the discharge of waste material slurry from an active one of the waste food disposer units to an inactive one of the waste food disposer units and/or the pulper unit, check valves are associated with each of the waste food disposer units and the pulper unit. A pump is also associated with each of the waste food disposer units and the pulper unit to promote a flow of slurry from the units to the press.