KIM, Jung Yeon (7th Floor, Naeoe BuildingEuljiro 2-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul 100-192, KR)
PARK, Myung Jin (104-605, Doosan Apt.Bongcheonbon-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 151-782, KR)
KIM, Jung Yeon (7th Floor, Naeoe BuildingEuljiro 2-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul 100-192, KR)
| Claims
[1] An indirect heating type waste food treatment machine, comprising: a vessel-shaped main body having on a lower surface thereof a first heating unit to heat waste food which is put into the main body; a lid removably mounted to an upper portion of the main body, and having an intake unit and an exhaust unit such that air is circulated; an inner drying container installed in the main body to accommodate the food therein; and a heat transferring unit provided between the main body and the inner drying container to transfer heat from the first heating unit to the inner drying container. [2] The indirect heating type waste food treatment machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a second heating unit mounted to an inner surface of the intake unit, and supplying heat to air which flows through the intake unit into the main body. [3] The indirect heating type waste food treatment machine according to claim 2, wherein the first heating unit or the second heating unit is a heater member. [4] The indirect heating type waste food treatment machine according to claim 1, wherein each of the main body and the inner drying container has the shape of a cylindrical vessel. [5] The indirect heating type waste food treatment machine according to claim 1, wherein a temperature sensor is provided on an inner surface of the main body or an inner surface of the lid, and a display unit is provided to display a temperature measured by the temperature sensor. [6] The indirect heating type waste food treatment machine according to claim 1, wherein the intake unit comprises: an intake perforation formed in the lid; and an intake fan provided at a position around the intake perforation. [7] The indirect heating type waste food treatment machine according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust unit comprises an exhaust pipe which passes from an inner surface of the lid to an outer surface thereof. [8] The indirect heating type waste food treatment machine according to claim 7, wherein the exhaust unit further comprises an exhaust fan which is installed in a path of the exhaust pipe. [9] The indirect heating type waste food treatment machine according to claim 1, wherein the inner drying container is manufactured using aluminum and is coated with Teflon. [10] The indirect heating type waste food treatment machine according to claim 1, wherein the heat transferring unit has the shape of a plate and is made of copper or silver.
[11] The indirect heating type waste food treatment machine according to claim 1, wherein the heat transferring unit is provided between the lower surface in the main body and the inner drying container.
[12] The indirect heating type waste food treatment machine according to claim 1, wherein the main body comprises a power supply unit provided at a center of the lower surface in the main body, the power supply unit being coupled to a lower surface of the inner drying container via a coupling member.
[13] The indirect heating type waste food treatment machine according to claim 1, wherein the main body or the lid is made of a heat-resistant material such as thermosetting resin.
[14] The indirect heating type waste food treatment machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a container detection sensor provided at a predetermined position in the main body to detect whether the inner drying container is mounted or not.
[15] The indirect heating type waste food treatment machine according to claim 1, further comprising: an opening prevention member provided on an outer surface of the lid contacting the main body, and locking the lid to the main body.
[16] The indirect heating type waste food treatment machine according to claim 1, wherein a bimetal is provided between the first heating unit and a electricity supply unit, so that the first heating unit is connected to or disconnected from the electricity supply unit in response to an operation of the bimetal. |
Description INDIRECT HEATING FOOD AND DRINK TREATMENT
Technical Field
[1] The present invention relates generally to an indirect heating type waste food treatment machine and, more particularly, to an indirect heating type waste food treatment machine which enables easy installation, permits efficient space utilization, and shortens treatment time, thus preventing environmental pollution and increasing the efficiency of use. Background Art
[2] Generally, every home or restaurant discharges a certain amount of leftover and waste food every day. The leftover food is used as feed without additional treatment, or is dumped after moisture is removed via a simple filtering net from the leftover food. These leftover food treatment methods increase the amount of waste, and produce a smell when the leftover food is not frequently dumped, thus contaminating surrounding air. In order to solve the problem, waste food treatment machines have been used.
[3] Recently, many homes and restaurants have made many efforts to reduce the amount of waste food. However, people have many difficulties in controlling the gradually increasing amount of waste. Meanwhile, space for burying the waste is limited, and in addition, the damage to the environment due to offensive odors and leachate becomes very serious.
[4] Thus, recently the volume-rate waste disposal system has been used. Further, the government prescribes that a treatment system for fermenting, drying or annihilating waste food should be compulsorily installed in a feeding facility or newly constructed apartment complex.
[5] Waste food contains about 80-90% moisture, and drying and fermenting through heating and microorganism reactions are performed so as to reduce the amount of the waste food. But, at this time, a large amount of moisture is generated and highly concentrated odors are emitted. Thus, the removal of the moisture and odor is required.
[6] The elements of the odor emitted in the waste food treatment machine contain several kinds of gases which vary according to several conditions, for example, the kind of food, the period over which food was left untreated, or the treatment temperature. When the decay or abnormal fermentation of food occurs, that is, anaerobic fermentation occurs, it emits a large amount of gas which is toxic and makes a smell, thus affecting the human body.
[7] When anaerobic conditions occur in patches during the continuous treatment process of waste food, more offensive odor is emitted. The gas which is the cause of the
offensive odor is mainly divided into acidic, neutral, and basic gases. The acidic gas includes hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, etc., the basic gas includes ammonia, trimethylamine, etc., and the neutral gas includes methyl sulfide, methyl disulfide, ac- etaldehyde, etc.
[8] These smelling gases are harmful to the human body, cause air pollution and environmental pollution, and exhibit negative effects on surrounding facilities.
[9] If waste food containing a large amount of water is left untreated, the waste food is apt to decay and emit offensive odor, thus causing damage to the surrounding environment. Thus, in order to treat the waste food, many manufacturers have developed waste food treatment technology, and so in order to treat the waste food at homes and restaurants, waste food treatment machines using a hot air circulation drying method, a hot air circulation drying method having a stirring function, a hot air circulation drying method having a stirring function and a crushing function, a method using a stirring function and microorganisms simultaneously, and a cold storage method have been developed and come onto the market.
[10] As such, many people understand that the waste food must be discharged after being appropriately treated. However, a product which has superior drying performance, prevents water pollution, air pollution and noise, is low in maintenance and manufacturing costs, enables convenient use and installation, and permits the recycling of resources has not been developed yet. Disclosure of Invention
Technical Problem
[11] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an indirect heating type waste food treatment machine which enables easy installation, permits efficient space utilization, and shortens treatment time, thus preventing environmental pollution and increasing the efficiency of use, compared to a conventional waste food treatment machine. Technical Solution
[12] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides an indirect heating type waste food treatment machine, including a vessel-shaped main body having on a lower surface thereof a first heating unit to heat waste food which is put into the main body; a lid removably mounted to an upper portion of the main body, and having an intake unit and an exhaust unit such that air is circulated; an inner drying container installed in the main body to accommodate the food therein; and a heat transferring unit provided between the main body and the inner drying container to transfer heat from the first heating unit to the inner drying container.
[13] The indirect heating type waste food treatment machine further includes a second heating unit which is mounted to an inner surface of the intake unit and supplies heat to air which flows through the intake unit into the main body. [14] The first heating unit or the second heating unit is a heater member.
[15] Each of the main body and the inner drying container has the shape of a cylindrical vessel. [16] A temperature sensor is provided on an inner surface of the main body or an inner surface of the lid, and a display unit is provided to display a temperature measured by the temperature sensor. [17] The intake unit includes an intake perforation formed in the lid, and an intake fan provided at a position around the intake perforation. [18] The exhaust unit includes an exhaust pipe which passes from an inner surface of the lid to an outer surface thereof. [19] The exhaust unit further includes an exhaust fan which is installed in a path of the exhaust pipe. [20] The inner drying container is manufactured using aluminum and is coated with
Teflon.
[21] The heat transferring unit has the shape of a plate and is made of copper or silver.
[22] The heat transferring unit is provided between the lower surface in the main body and the inner drying container. [23] The main body includes a power supply unit provided at a center of the lower surface in the main body, the power supply unit being coupled to a lower surface of the inner drying container via a coupling member. [24] The main body or the lid is made of a heat-resistant material such as thermosetting resin. [25] The indirect heating type waste food treatment machine further includes a container detection sensor which is provided at a predetermined position in the main body to detect whether the inner drying container is mounted or not. [26] The indirect heating type waste food treatment machine further includes an opening prevention member which is provided on an outer surface of the lid contacting the main body, and locking the lid to the main body. [27] A bimetal is provided between the first heating unit and a electricity supply unit, so that the first heating unit is connected to or disconnected from the electricity supply unit in response to an operation of the bimetal.
Advantageous Effects
[28] As described above, an indirect heating type waste food treatment machine according to the present invention is advantageous in that it enables easy installation, permits
efficient space utilization, and shortens treatment time, thus preventing environmental pollution and increasing the efficiency of use, compared to a conventional waste food treatment machine. Brief Description of Drawings
[29] FIG.1 is a perspective view illustrating an indirect heating type waste food treatment machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention,
[30] FIG. 2 is a front sectional view illustrating the indirect heating type waste food treatment machine 100 of FIG. 1,
[31] FIG. 3 is a front sectional view illustrating an indirect heating type waste food treatment machine 200 having a power supply unit 250,
[32] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an indirect heating type waste food treatment machine 300 according to another embodiment of the present invention,
[33] FIG. 5 is a front sectional view illustrating the indirect heating type waste food treatment machine 300 of FIG. 4, and
[34] FIG. 6 is a front sectional view illustrating an indirect heating type waste food treatment machine 400 having a power supply unit 450. Mode for the Invention
[35] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, the indirect heating type waste food treatment machine according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.
[36] FIG.1 is a perspective view illustrating an indirect heating type waste food treatment machine 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front sectional view illustrating the indirect heating type waste food treatment machine 100 of FIG. 1.
[37] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the indirect heating type waste food treatment machine
100 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a vessel-shaped main body 110, a lid 120, an inner drying container 130, and a heat transferring unit 140. A first heating unit 115 is provided on the lower surface in the main body to heat waste food which is put into the main body. The lid 120 is removably mounted to the upper portion of the main body 110 and is provided with an intake unit 124 and an exhaust unit 127 to permit the circulation of air. The inner drying container 130 is installed in the main body 110 to accommodate the food therein. The heat transferring unit 140 is provided between the main body 110 and the inner drying container 130 to transfer heat from the first heating unit 115 to the inner drying container 130.
[38] The main body 110 may be a cylindrical or polygonal vessel. The bottom or sidewall
of the main body 110 is made of a heat-resistant material of a predetermined thickness. The main body 110 is exposed to heat when waste food is heated in order to remove moisture from the waste food. Thus, the main body is preferably made of a heat- resistant material which can endure high temperature, for example, thermosetting resin.
[39] The first heating unit 115 may be installed to the lower surface in the main body 110.
As the heating unit, a heating plate or a heating wire may be provided. According to the embodiment of the present invention, the heating plate is used as the heating unit. The first heating unit 115 may use an electric or gas heater. Particularly, a PTC heater, a coil heater, or a sheath heater may be used. By the operation of the first heating unit 115, the lower surface of the main body 110 is heated, and the heat is transferred to another vessel or material by the heat transferring unit 140 provided in the main body 110.
[40] The first heating unit 115 may be connected to a electricity supply unit (not shown) via a bimetal (not shown). The bimetal is a rod- shaped object which is manufactured by laminating two thin metals with different coefficients of thermal expansion together. When the first heating unit 115 exceeds a predetermined temperature, the bimetal is put into operation, so that the first heating unit 115 is disconnected from the electricity supply unit (not shown). In contrast, when the temperature of the first heating unit 115 is a predetermined temperature or less, the bimetal returns to an original state, so that the first heating unit will be re-connected to the electricity supply unit (not shown). That is, in the case where the temperature of the first heating unit 115 suddenly rises, the bimetal serves to cut off the supply of power to the first heating unit 115.
[41] According to the air convection principle that warm air moves upwards, air heated in the lower surface of the main body 110 moves to the upper portion of the main body 110.
[42] The first heating unit 115 may be mounted to the sidewall of the main body 110. Of course, the first heating unit 115 may be widely formed in accordance with the shape of the main body 110.
[43] A temperature sensor 117 is provided on the inner surface of the main body 110 or the inner surface of the lid 120. A display unit 118 is provided on the outer surface of the main body 110 to display the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 117. As the display unit 118, a liquid crystal display device may be used. A user can check the internal temperature of the main body 110 in real time through the display unit.
[44] Although not shown in FIG. 1 or 2, the waste food treatment machine may be further provided with a control unit (not shown) which is connected to the temperature sensor 117 or the first heating unit 115 to control the internal temperature of the main body 110. That is, the control unit (not shown) compares the internal temperature of the
main body 110 measured by the temperature sensor 117 with a preferable operating temperature, thus operating or turning off the first heating unit 115. Generally, the control unit keeps the temperature of the first heating unit 115 constant. That is, the first heating unit maintains the temperature in a range from 145 0 C to 15O 0 C.
[45] Of course, a manipulation part is preferably provided on the outer surface of the main body 110 so that a user sets a desired temperature through the control unit (not shown).
[46] The lid 120 is mounted to the upper portion of the main body 110 and is provided with the intake unit 124 and the exhaust unit 127 so that air circulates between the inside and the outside of the main body 110.
[47] The intake unit 124 includes an intake perforation 122 formed in the lid 120 and an intake fan 123 provided at a position around the intake perforation 122. The intake unit 124 may be provided on the upper surface or side surface of the lid 120. According to this embodiment, the intake unit 124 is provided on the upper surface of the lid 120.
[48] The intake perforation 122 may comprise a plurality of small holes, as long as the holes ensure the smooth circulation of air. The intake fan 123 is the device for drawing air from the outside into the main body 110. The air introduced into the main body 110 by the intake fan 123 flows to the lower portion of the main body 110. At this time, since the lower surface of the main body 110 is heated by the first heating unit 115, the introduced air is heated and thereafter flows to the upper portion of the main body 110 again.
[49] The exhaust unit 127 includes an exhaust pipe 125 which is formed to pass from the inner surface of the lid 120 to the outer surface thereof, and an exhaust fan 126 which is installed in the path of the exhaust pipe 125. The exhaust pipe 125 serves to discharge air heated in the main body 110 to the outside. The exhaust pipe may comprise several narrow pipes, as long as the pipes allow the heated air to be discharged to the outside. Since the exhaust fan 126 forcibly draws the internal air of the main body 110, the exhaust fan 126 allows the internal air of the main body 110 to easily pass through the exhaust pipe 125 and thereby be discharged to the outside.
[50] Of course, the exhaust unit 127 may be provided on the sidewall of the main body
110 or the lid 120.
[51] Since the intake fan 123 and the exhaust fan 126 come into contact with air flowing at high speed, it is preferable that the intake fan 123 and the exhaust fan 126 be made of an abrasion-resistant material.
[52] The inner drying container 130 of FIGS. 1 and 2 is installed in the main body 110 to accommodate waste food therein. If the waste food is directly put into the main body 110, the waste food heated by the first heating unit 115 provided on the lower surface in the main body 110 may adhere to the inner surface of the main body 110, and the inner surface of the main body 110 may be easily damaged. Thus, the inner drying
container 130 which accommodates and treats the waste food is additionally required. The inner drying container 130 may have the shape of a polygonal or cylindrical vessel, similar to the main body 110.
[53] The inner drying container 130 may be made of aluminum or other metals having good heat conductivity. Further, the inner drying container 130 may be coated with Teflon so as to protect the surface of the inner drying container 130 and prevent food from adhering to the inner drying container 130.
[54] The heat transferring unit 140 is provided between the main body 110 and the inner drying container 130 and serves to transfer the heat from the first heating unit 115 installed to the lower surface in the main body 110 to the inner drying container 130. The shape of the heat transferring unit 140 is changed depending on the shape of the inner drying container 130, and usually has the shape of a copper or silver plate. Both copper and silver have good heat conductivity, but differ from each other in terms of cost.
[55] The heat transferring unit 140 may have the shape of a solid plate or a plate having a hole in the central portion. When parts other than the heat transferring unit 140 are additionally provided between the main body 110 and the inner drying container 130, the plate having the hole in the central portion may be used.
[56] Each of the main body 110 and the lid 120 is preferably made of a heat-resistant material such as thermosetting resin. Since the first heating unit 115 continuously supplies heat, each of the main body 110 and the lid 120 must be made of a material which is not easily deformed by heat.
[57] The indirect heating type waste food treatment machine 100 according to this embodiment may be further provided with a container detection sensor 116 which detects whether the inner drying container 130 is installed in the main body 110 or not. The container detection sensor 116 may be provided at a predetermined position in the main body 110, and sends a signal to the control unit (not shown) so that the indirect heating type waste food treatment machine 100 is operated only when the inner drying container 130 is mounted.
[58] Further, the indirect heating type waste food treatment machine 100 according to this embodiment may be further provided with an opening prevention member 112 on the outer surface of the lid 120 which is in contact with the main body 110. The indirect heating type waste food treatment machine 100 is constructed so that it is operated only when the opening prevention member 112 is locked, and is not operated when the opening prevention member 112 is unlocked. The opening prevention member 112 may be manually or automatically operated, and may be installed to the main body 110.
[59] The operation of the indirect heating type waste food treatment machine 100
according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1. A user opens the lid 120 and puts waste food into the inner drying container 130 which is provided in the main body 110, in which state the indirect heating type waste food treatment machine 100 is operated. Afterwards, the first heating unit 115 is operated, so that the main body 110 and the inner drying container 130 are heated, and the heat is transferred to the waste food accumulated in the inner drying container 130. Thereby, moisture is evaporated from the waste food.
[60] When the interior of the main body 110 is heated to some extent, the intake fan 123 is operated, so that external air flows through the intake perforation 122 into the main body 110. The course of the air introduced into the main body 110 is denoted by reference character A. The harmful gas and offensive odor generated while the waste food in the inner drying container 130 is dried are mixed with the air fed through the intake perforation 122. The temperature of the inflow air rises.
[61] Since the warm air flows upwards, the air containing various kinds of gases and offensive odor flows towards the lid 120. Thereafter, the upwardly flowing air is discharged to the outside along the exhaust pipe 125 by the operation of the exhaust fan 126.
[62] The discharged air contains various kinds of harmful gases and offensive odor. Thus, if the air is discharged to the atmosphere without receiving any type of treatment, environmental pollution may occur and a user's health may be injured. Thus, the process of purifying the air is essential. Especially acidic gases such as hydrogen sulfide and basic acid such as ammonia may produce fatal affects on human bodies.
[63] Thus, a primary deodorizing filter and a secondary deodorizing filter are provided so that air passes through them and they get rid of the harmful gas and offensive odor from the discharged air.
[64] As the deodorizing method, an activated carbon adsorption method, a liquid chemical washing method, a biofiltration method, an ozone oxidization method, etc. may be used. Especially, the deodorizing method using a catalyst is widely used.
[65] The primary deodorizing filter and the secondary deodorizing filter have different constituents and catalysts, thus getting rid of different kinds of harmful gases. The primary deodorizing filter and the secondary deodorizing filter contain a catalyst for increasing deodorizing efficiency at high temperature and a catalyst for increasing deodorizing efficiency at low temperature. The catalyst having high deodorizing efficiency at high temperature includes platinum, palladium, rhodium, manganese, copper, etc., and these also get rid of volatile organic compounds (VOC).
[66] While air passes through the primary deodorizing filter and the secondary deodorizing filter, harmful gases and offensive odors are removed from the air, prior to being discharged to the atmosphere.
[67] FIG. 3 is a front sectional view illustrating an indirect heating type waste food treatment machine 200 having a power supply unit 250. The description of parts common to both FIG. 1 or 2 and FIG. 3 will be omitted herein.
[68] Referring to FIG. 3, the indirect heating type waste food treatment machine 200 according to the present invention includes a vessel-shaped main body 210, a lid 220, an inner drying container 230, and a heat transferring unit 240. A first heating unit 215 is provided on the lower surface in the main body to heat waste food which is put into the main body. The lid is removably mounted to the upper portion of the main body 210 and is provided with an intake unit 224 and an exhaust unit 227 permitting the circulation of air. The inner drying container is installed in the main body 210 to accommodate the food therein. The heat transferring unit is provided between the main body 210 and the inner drying container 230 to transfer heat from the first heating unit 215 to the inner drying container 230.
[69] A power supply unit 250 may be provided on the central portion on the lower surface in the main body 210. The power supply unit 250 is coupled to the bottom of the inner drying container 230 via a coupling member 255.
[70] An electric or other type of motor may be used as the power supply unit 250. The coupling member 255 coupled to the power supply unit 250 is rotated by the rotating force transmitted from the power supply unit 250 to the coupling member. Thereby, the inner drying container 230 attached to one end of the coupling member 255 is also rotated.
[71] In order to rotate the inner drying container 230 provided in the main body 210, both the inner space of the main body 210 and the inner drying container 230 must have the shape of a cylindrical vessel.
[72] The inner drying container 230 is heated by the heat transmitted from the first heating unit 215, and is rotated by the power supplied from the power supply unit 250. Thus, the air fed by the intake fan 223 of the intake unit 224 is more easily circulated and is discharged through the exhaust pipe 225 to the outside. That is, the efficiencies of removing harmful gas and deodorizing are increased.
[73] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an indirect heating type waste food treatment machine 300 according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a front sectional view illustrating the indirect heating type waste food treatment machine 300 of FIG. 4.
[74] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the indirect heating type waste food treatment machine
300 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a vessel- shaped main body 310, a lid 320, an inner drying container 330, a heat transferring unit 340, and a second heating unit 328. A first heating unit 315 is provided on the lower surface in the main body to heat waste food which is put into the main body 310. The
lid 320 is removably mounted to the upper portion of the main body 310 and is provided with an intake unit 324 and an exhaust unit 327 to permit the circulation of air. The inner drying container 330 is installed in the main body 310 to accommodate the food therein. The heat transferring unit 340 is provided between the main body 310 and the inner drying container 330 to transfer heat from the first heating unit 315 to the inner drying container 330. The second heating unit 328 is mounted to the inner surface of the intake unit 324, and supplies heat to the air which is fed through the intake unit 324 into the main body 310.
[75] The detailed description of parts common to both the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3 and the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 will be omitted, and only the second heating unit 328 which is absent from FIGS. 1 to 3 will be described in detail.
[76] The second heating unit 328 may comprise a PTC heater, a coil heater, or a sheath heater. Among them, the PTC heater is the heater using the PTC device (a kind of ceramic device). The PTC device is characterized by the fact that the resistance of the device is suddenly increased at a predetermined temperature amidst rising temperature. Thus, when the PTC heater rises to a predetermined temperature or more, the internal resistance of the PTC device is increased, so that a current is reduced, and thereby the amount of generated heat is reduced. Consequently, the temperature of the PTC heater is dropped. Thereby, when the resistance becomes small, the current is increased, so that the amount of generated heat is increased and the temperature is increased. By repeating such a process, a constant temperature is maintained. The maximum temperature of the PTC heater becomes 23O 0 C or less by virtue of the characteristics of ceramic.
[77] In the case where the PTC heater is used as the second heating unit 328, while the external air passing through the intake unit 324 flows through the PTC heater, a constant amount of heat is always supplied to the air, before the air is supplied to the main body 310.
[78] Of course, the interior of the main body 310 and the inner drying container 330 are heated by the first heating unit 315, so that waste food is heated. However, the upper part of the waste food is relatively less heated, so that the upper part of the waste food may not be completely dried. In this case, if the PTC heater is mounted to the inner surface of the intake unit 324, inflow air is heated to a predetermined temperature prior to being supplied to the interior of the main body 310, so that the waste food is evenly heated.
[79] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the exhaust unit 327 includes an exhaust pipe which is formed to pass from the inner surface of the lid 320 to the outer surface thereof.
[80] FIG. 6 is a front sectional view illustrating an indirect heating type waste food treatment machine 400 having a power supply unit 450.
[81] Referring to FIG. 6, the indirect heating type waste food treatment machine 400 includes a vessel-shaped main body 410, a lid 420, an inner drying container 430, a heat transferring unit 440, and a second heating unit 428. A first heating unit 415 is provided on the lower surface in the main body 410 to heat waste food which is put into the main body 410. The lid 420 is removably mounted to the upper portion of the main body 410 and is provided with an intake unit 424 and an exhaust unit 427 to permit the circulation of air. The inner drying container 430 is installed in the main body 410 to accommodate the food therein. The heat transferring unit 440 is provided between the main body 410 and the inner drying container 430 to transfer heat from the first heating unit 415 to the inner drying container 430. The second heating unit 428 is mounted to the inner surface of the intake unit 424, and supplies heat to the air which is fed through the intake unit 424 into the main body 410.
[82] The second heating unit 428 may use a PTC heater, a coil heater, a sheath heater, etc.
While the external air fed through the intake unit 424 passes through the second heating unit 428, a constant amount of heat is always supplied to the external air, prior to being supplied to the interior of the main body 410.
[83] A power supply unit 450 may be provided on the central portion on the lower surface in the main body 410. The power supply unit 450 is coupled to the bottom of the inner drying container 430 via a coupling member 455.
[84] The power supply unit 450 may use an electric motor or another type of motor. The coupling member 455 coupled to the power supply unit 450 is rotated by the rotating force transmitted from the power supply unit 450. Thereby, the inner drying container 430 attached to one end of the coupling member 455 is also rotated.
[85] The inflow air is heated by the second heating unit 428 mounted to the inner surface of the intake unit 424, and the lower part of the waste food and the internal air of the main body 410 are heated by the first heating unit 415 provided on the lower surface in the main body 410, so that the waste food can be efficiently dried.
[86] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.
[87]
[88]