Abstract: A poke-in terminal includes a main body, a tab terminal socket at a mating end, and a wire socket at a terminating end. The tab terminal socket includes walls forming a tab terminal receptacle configured to receive a tab terminal. Upper and lower beam contacts extend into the tab terminal receptacle to interface with the tab terminal. The wire socket includes walls forming a wire receptacle configured to receive a wire. Poke-in retention beams extend into the wire receptacle to interface with the wire when poked into the wire socket. The wire socket includes a wire release element configured to be actuated to release the poke-in retention beams from the wire.

Abstract: A disposal assembly includes a motor coupled to operate a grinding mechanism of a food waste disposer. A first switch is coupled to selectively inhibit the supply of power from a power source to a main winding of the motor, and a second switch is coupled to selectively inhibit the supply of power from the power source to a start winding of the motor. A control circuit is configured to close the first and second switches during an initial startup time period, detect a voltage of at least one of the windings, and open the second switch in response to detection of the voltage above a start voltage threshold value. The control circuit is also configured to subsequent to opening the second switch, close the second switch in response to detection of the voltage below a low voltage threshold value indicative of an excess load condition of the motor.

Abstract: Sink assemblies and food waste disposers for installation under a sink, can include a baffle configured to be located in the sink drain. Such baffles of the present technology can include a first baffle above a second baffle. The first baffle layer can include a plurality of upper flaps and a plurality of gaps between the upper flaps. The plurality of upper flaps can be attached to the outer rim and spaced apart from each other such that one of the gaps is located between each set of two upper flaps. The second baffle layer can include a plurality of lower flaps, and the plurality of lower flaps can be circumferentially offset compared to the plurality of upper flaps such that a portion of each lower flap is directly beneath at least one of the gaps of the plurality of gaps between the upper flaps.

Abstract: Disposer systems having antimicrobial lighting, lens assemblies for use in disposer systems, and methods of installing antimicrobial lighting into disposer systems are provided. The lens assemblies include a lens that forms an inner wall of the lens assembly and faces into an interior area of the disposer system, at least one LED board including at least one LED that emits violet light. Lens assemblies may be secured to at least one of a waste disposer, a sink flange or a mounting gasket of the waste disposer system.

Abstract: Food waste disposer systems and related systems for coupling food waste disposer systems having permanent magnet (PM) motors to electrical power sources, and related coupling and configuration methods, are disclosed herein. In at least one example embodiment, a food waste disposer system includes a PM motor, an AC-to-DC converter having AC input and DC output ports, a housing, a power cord connection structure supported at least indirectly upon the housing, an adapter, and a power cord including a first plug configured to be coupled to the connection structure. The disposer system can be selectively implemented either in a first installation environment including a wall outlet by way of coupling the first plug to the connection structure, or in a second installation environment including a hardwired power cable by coupling additional lead wires of the hardwired power cable to the adapter and further coupling the adapter to the connection structure.

Abstract: Grinding sections for food waste disposers, food waste disposers having grinding sections, and methods of manufacturing food waste disposers having grinding sections are disclosed herein. The grinding sections include an internal wall having a plurality of projections extending into the food receiving area. Grinding inserts are attached to each projection. The grinding sections may be made by molding the grinding section housing with the projections and attaching the grinding inserts into the projections.

Abstract: Mounting systems for waste disposers such as food waste disposers, waste disposers employing such systems, and related methods are disclosed herein. In one example embodiment, a mounting system includes a tubular structure extending between first and second ends, and an enclosure structure having an additional end, where the enclosure structure is configured to be able to support, at least indirectly, the waste disposer. Further, the mounting system includes an elastomeric member extending between the second end and the additional end, where the elastomeric member is coupled to each of, and serves to couple, the tubular structure and the enclosure structure. Additionally, the mounting system includes a plurality of backup linkage members, where each of the plurality of backup linkage members couples at least indirectly, and is integrally formed or molded with at least one of, the tubular structure and the enclosure structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an operational status of a waste disposer are disclosed herein. In one example embodiment, a waste disposer assembly includes a waste disposer, a sprayer mechanism, and a switching system. The waste disposer is configured to be supported in relation to a sink. The sprayer mechanism is configured to be supportable in relation to the sink, is coupled at least indirectly to the sink by way of an extendable and retractable linkage, and includes an actuator mechanism that, upon being actuated, causes generation of a control signal. The switching system is supported in relation to the sink, is coupled at least indirectly to each of the sprayer mechanism and disposer, and is configured to operate so that, upon receiving the control signal from the actuator mechanism, a related signal is provided to the disposer causing the disposer to change or take on operational status.

Abstract: Grinding mechanisms for food waste disposers, and food waste disposers having grinding mechanisms are disclosed herein. The grinding mechanisms include a stationary grinding ring that includes a plurality of grater teeth, and a rotating shredder plate that includes at least one lug. The at least one lug may have at least a portion that is movable with respect to the top surface of the rotating shredder plate, or may be fin shaped.

Abstract: Food waste disposer systems and related systems for coupling food waste disposer systems to electrical power sources, and related coupling and configuration methods, are disclosed herein. In at least one example embodiment, a food waste disposer system includes a motor, a switch module, a housing, and an appliance inlet power cord connection structure supported at least indirectly upon the housing, where the connection structure is either connected to or integrally formed with the switch module. Further, the food waste disposer system also includes a power cord including a first end with a first plug and a second end with a second plug, where the first plug is configured to be coupled to the connection structure. Additionally, the food waste disposer includes an adapter or first lead wires that are coupled at least indirectly to the connection structure.