Abstract: A sink flange and collar assembly for a food waste disposer includes a sink flange having a tubular body portion and an annular flange transversely extending from the tubular body portion. An outer radial surface of the tubular body portion having at least one first dimple extending outwardly from the outer radial surface. A collar has a dimple attachment recess adapted to slidably receive the at least one first dimple, and a dimple insertion track transversely oriented to the dimple attachment recess to releasably engage with the at least one dimple to releasably engage the collar to the sink flange.

Abstract: A food waste disposer and mount system has a threaded sink flange and a food waste disposer. The threaded sink flange has a tubular body portion and a flange portion extending radially outwardly from a top of the tubular body portion. The tubular body portion has a threaded portion. The food waste disposer has an upper food conveying section that includes a housing having an upper, annular portion having a threaded portion. The upper, annular portion of the housing of the upper food conveying section is threaded to the threaded portion of the tubular body portion of the threaded sink flange when the threaded sink flange is disposed in a draining opening of a sink to mount the food waste disposer to the sink.

Abstract: A waste line connector assembly for a food waste disposer includes a tailpipe member having a first inlet connectable to an outlet of a food waste disposer, a second inlet connectable to a waste water outlet of a dishwasher, and an outlet connectable to a waste or drain line. A one-way valve, such as a duck-bill valve, is in fluid communication with the second inlet. A flexible coupler, may be provided to be connected to the outlet, with one or both ends of the coupler being angled and rotatably connected to the outlet and/or the waste line so that the angular position of the waste line is variable relative to the tailpipe member.

Abstract: A food waste disposer having a fluid recycling device includes a plate disposed for rotation within the food waste disposer. At least one fluid recovery member connects a first side of the plate defining a food grinding cavity to a second side of the plate defining a waste receiving cavity. Rotating the plate forces a portion of a waste water/slurry in the waste receiving cavity to back-flow into the food grinding cavity, to recycle/reuse the water. The fluid recovery member can include a fluid passageway oriented at an angle with respect to the plate. A control device can also be used to recycle the portion of the food waste water/slurry.

Abstract: A food waste disposer and mount system has a threaded sink flange and a food waste disposer. The threaded sink flange has a tubular body portion and a flange portion extending radially outwardly from a top of the tubular body portion. The tubular body portion has a threaded portion. The food waste disposer has an upper food conveying section that includes a housing having an upper, annular portion having a threaded portion. The upper, annular portion of the housing of the upper food conveying section is threaded to the threaded portion of the tubular body portion of the threaded sink flange when the threaded sink flange is disposed in a draining opening of a sink to mount the food waste disposer to the sink.

Abstract: A switching assembly for a food waste disposer includes a housing containing a switch and first and second magnets. An interlock device has third and fourth magnets. The magnets are arranged so that the switch is actuated when the first and third magnets align and the second and fourth magnets align.

Abstract: A grinding mechanism for a food waste disposer includes a grinding ring defining a plurality of window openings therethrough. The grinding ring is received in a housing of a grinding mechanism. The grinding mechanism has a plurality of cavities therein corresponding to the window openings that are disposed outboard of the window openings. A plurality of stacked disks form a rotatable shredder plate that is situated to rotate relative to the grinding ring.

Abstract: A grinding mechanism for a food waste disposer includes a grinding ring defining a plurality of window openings therethrough. A backing member receives the grinding ring and defines a plurality of cavities therein corresponding to the window openings. A plurality of stacked disks form a rotatable shredder plate that is situated to rotate relative to the grinding plate.

Abstract: A shredder plate assembly for a food waste disposer includes a disk with one or more water slinging devices attached, so that water flowing into the disposer flows over the water slinging device and against the inside of the disposer housing as the disk rotates.

Abstract: Various mechanisms for reducing food waste in a food waste disposer are disclosed. In each of the reduction mechanisms, structures are provided for shearing food waste as it passes through or past a rotating shredder plate of the disposer. Each of the reduction mechanism has a rotatable plate having a plurality of lugs positioned for rotation relative to an inner wall of a stationary ring. In one embodiment, the reduction mechanism includes a horizontal toothed ledge positioned above the stationary ring is used to enhance grinding the food waste. In another embodiment, the reduction mechanism includes a vertical rasping surface positioned above the stationary ring. In yet another embodiment, the reduction mechanism includes serrated edges added to the vertical leading edges of the teeth on the stationary ring.

Abstract: Various mechanisms for reducing food waste in a food waste disposer are disclosed. In each of the reduction mechanisms, structures are provided for shearing food waste as it passes through or past a rotating shredder plate of the disposer. Each of the reduction mechanism has a rotatable plate having a plurality of lugs positioned for rotation relative to an inner wall of a stationary ring. In one embodiment, the reduction mechanism includes a horizontal toothed ledge positioned above the stationary ring is used to enhance grinding the food waste. In another embodiment, the reduction mechanism includes a vertical rasping surface positioned above the stationary ring. In yet another embodiment, the reduction mechanism includes serrated edges added to the vertical leading edges of the teeth on the stationary ring.

Abstract: A food waste disposer includes a housing defining an inlet opening and a grinding mechanism driven by a motor for grinding food waste received into the housing through the inlet opening. An annular retaining collar has one end for connecting to a sink opening, via a standard sink mount, for example. An annular elastomeric coupler is situated about the opposite end of the annular retaining collar and connected to the housing for vibrationally isolating the annular retaining collar from the housing. The primary loading on the elastomeric material is in shear. Elastomeric materials in shear are particularly effective in absorbing both vibration and shock loads.

Abstract: A food waste disposer system includes a grinding mechanism. The grinding mechanism includes a stationary grind ring and a rotatable shredder plate assembly. A detector is connected to the grinding mechanism to detect the presence of a foreign electrically conductive object in the grinding mechanism. In an aspect, the detector detects that a foreign electrically conductive object is in the grinding mechanism upon sensing that an electrical circuit has been completed between the stationary grind ring and the rotatable shredder plate.

Abstract: A switching mechanism for a food waste disposer is provided having a plastic one-piece housing that engages an external surface of the food waste disposer by snapping thereto. The switching mechanism also contains a switch capable of enabling operation of the food waste disposer in response to an interlock device positioned within the drain opening. Also provided is a method for converting a continuous feed waste disposer into a batch feed waste disposer.

Abstract: A switching mechanism for a food waste disposer is provided having a plastic one-piece housing that engages an external surface of the food waste disposer by snapping thereto. The switching mechanism also contains a switch capable of enabling operation of the food waste disposer in response to an interlock device positioned within the drain opening. Also provided is a method for converting a continuous feed waste disposer into a batch feed waste disposer. The switching mechanism includes a plug having a male end and a female end that can receive the electrical plug from the continuous feed waste disposer.

Abstract: A food waste disposer mounting assembly uses a stainless steel sink-flange with a screw-on collar system as a primary mounting system to a sink. By connecting the stainless steel sink-flange with a bayonet locking reed collar and screw-on nut collar, a vibration and sound transmission path to the sink is both reduced and rendered indirect. Incorporation of reed switches with a stopper and magnets can modify the unit for use as a batch-feed disposer.

Abstract: A food waste disposer having a fluid recycling device includes a plate disposed for rotation within the food waste disposer. At least one fluid recovery member connects a first side of the plate defining a food grinding cavity to a second side of the plate defining a waste receiving cavity. Rotating the plate forces a portion of a waste water/slurry in the waste receiving cavity to back-flow into the food grinding cavity, to recycle/reuse the water. The fluid recovery member can include a fluid passageway oriented at an angle with respect to the plate. A control device can also be used to recycle the portion of the food waste water/slurry.

Abstract: A grinding mechanism for a food waste disposer includes a grinding ring defining a plurality of window openings therethrough. The grinding ring is received in a housing of a grinding mechanism. The grinding mechanism has a plurality of cavities therein corresponding to the window openings that are disposed outboard of the window openings. A plurality of stacked disks form a rotatable shredder plate that is situated to rotate relative to the grinding ring.

Abstract: A shredder assembly for a food waste disposer that includes an impact mechanism for freeing jams. The impact mechanism uses the stored energy in the rotating portion of the disposer's rotating elements to be transmitted from the rotor shaft via an impact member to a part of the rotating shredder assembly. The shredder assembly includes a rotatable shaft and an impact member fixedly attached to the shaft to rotate therewith. A shredder disk is attached to the shaft via a clutch allowing the shredder disk to slip relative to the shaft when the shredder disk jams, wherein the impact member strikes the shredder disk to transfer rotational energy to the jam.

Abstract: A grinding mechanism for a food waste disposer includes a grinding ring defining a plurality of window openings therethrough. A backing member receives the grinding ring and defines a plurality of cavities therein corresponding to the window openings. A plurality of stacked disks form a rotatable shredder plate that is situated to rotate relative to the grinding plate.