BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Organic waste has traditionally been a useful source of materials for the production of fertilizers. By"organic waste"is meant any carbon- containing waste, whether human-, animal-, plant-or microorganism- derived waste, and includes waste that is produced by way of manufacturing and treatment processes. For example, there are a variety of well-known processes and apparatus for converting organic waste such as plant matter, paper-mill waste, mature, abattoir waste, human effluent and brewery waste into fertilizers. These may be industrial scale operations, or as simple as the back-yard compost bin.

Worms are capable of converting a variety of organic waste materials into castings which may be used as an excellent solid fertilizer, or as a liquid"leachate"or"compost tea".

"Castings"or"vermicast"as used herein is particulate material which includes soil, nutrients and bacteria, deposited through the anus of worms. It is considered that the main value of worm castings as fertilizer resides in their microbial activity and nutrients.

Worms from which castings may be obtained include, for example, Lumbricus rubellus, Eisenia fetida, Eudrilus eugeniae and Perionyx excavatus.

The ability of worms to consume a variety of substances, including waste, and convert such substances to castings, together with the value of castings as fertilizer and the"ecologically friendly"nature of this process, has led to a resurgence in vermiculture.

Typical smaller scale apparatus used for composting and

vermiculture are in the form of bins, rotatable drums or raised, bordered beds.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The present inventor has realized that even in a typical domestic situation, prior art apparatus such as compost bins and worm beds consume a considerable amount of space, and are not readily portable, particularly when full of organic waste. Even when not in use, apparatus such as these occupy a considerable amount of storage space. Another disadvantage is that generally, these apparatus provide a source of food and shelter for undesirable vermin such as mice, rats and cockroaches.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an organic waste conversion apparatus which overcomes one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior, or at least provides a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, the present invention resides in an organic waste conversion apparatus having a flexible body which has an inlet and an outlet, whereby in use, organic waste is introduced into the body through the inlet, and converted waste is collected from the body through the outlet.

In another aspect, the present invention resides in a method of converting organic waste comprising the steps of: (i) introducing organic waste into an organic waste conversion apparatus having a flexible body; and (ii) collecting converted organic waste from an outlet of said waste conversion apparatus.

The present invention also contemplates converted organic waste produced according to the method of the second-mentioned aspect.

As used herein,"converted waste"includes compost, worm castings and like materials suitable for use as fertilizers. Also included is a leachate, which is essentially liquid run-off from the converted waste

having excellent liquid fertilizer properties.

Preferably, in use, worms and organic waste are introduced into the body to convert the organic waste into worm castings.

Suitably, the organic waste includes vegetable and fruit scraps, worm castings, peat moss, grass clippings and other garden refuse, paper, sawdust, egg shells, nut shells, manure and other organic matter.

Inorganic materials such as water, sand, soil or bentonite may also be added.

Suitably, a suspension means is provided, which in use, facilitates suspension of the flexible body above ground. In one embodiment, the suspension means is in the form of ropes, cords, cables or chains attachable to the body. In another embodiment, the suspension means is a tripod or frame attachable to the body.

The flexible body may be formed of any flexible, preferably waterproof, natural or synthetic material including canvas, plastic, PVC, polyurethane, nylon and the like.

Suitably, the flexible body is collapsible.

Preferably, the flexible body is bag-like, hemispherical or dome-shaped wherein the inlet and outlet are at opposed ends thereof.

Preferably, the inlet has a removable cover or flap to facilitate introduction of organic waste, worms, water and the like. The removable cover or flap also facilitates prevention of vermin such as mice, rats and cockroaches from entering the body during waste conversion.

More preferably, the inlet has a removable cover.

Suitably, the inlet cover or flap is air-permeable to assist aeration during waste conversion.

Preferably, the inlet cover or flap consists of, or at least includes, a fabric mesh.

The outlet may have a removable cover or flap to facilitate removal of converted waste. Preferably, the outlet is an opening in the

body which can be closed (for example during waste conversion) by a constriction means such as a tie, drawstring, clasp, clamp, velcro, press studs or the like.

More preferably, the constriction means is a drawstring.

In a preferred embodiment, the flexible body is dome- shaped, the inlet formed by a reinforced circumferential edge of the body, said inlet having a removable fabric mesh cover. In use, attached to the reinforced edge are cords which facilitate suspension of the apparatus from an overhead beam, rafter, tree branch or the like. According to this embodiment, in use the outlet is located at the apex of the dome-shaped body opposite the inlet, the outlet facing downward (i. e facing ground) the inlet facing upward. Organic waste, water and worms are added through the inlet when the mesh cover is removed. During waste conversion, a drawstring constricts the outlet to prevent, or at least minimize, leakage of solid organic waste while allowing collection of liquid leachate. To collect solid converted waste, the drawstring is loosened to thereby open the outlet.

It will be appreciated, therefore, that the apparatus of the invention provides a suitable environment for formation of compost or worm castings for use as fertilizer, is readily portable, safe from vermin and collapsible into a compact size for storage when not in use.

Throughout this specification and claims which follow, "comprise","comprises"and"comprising"are used inclusively rather than exclusively, in that a stated integer or group of integers may include one or more non-stated integers or groups of integers.

So that the invention may be understood in more detail, the skilled person is directed to the following non-limiting preferred embodiments and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment wherein the organic waste conversion apparatus is suspended from a support via cords, while leachate is collected from a constricted outlet.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment wherein the organic waste conversion apparatus is suspended from a support via cords, while solid converted waste is collected from an open outlet.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of another embodiment wherein the organic waste conversion apparatus is suspended from a tripod.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the organic waste conversion apparatus wherein the flexible body is collapsed, such as during storage when not in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, apparatus 10 includes flexible body 11, which in this case is substantially dome-shaped, having trunk 12 and sleeve 13, formed of a waterproof synthetic material. Inlet 14 is an opening formed by circumferential edge 15 of body 11, which circumferential edge 15 is reinforced by hoop 16. Fabric mesh cover 17 has cut-outs 18 A, B and C (not shown) which permit flush fitting of mesh cover 17 to body 11. Mesh cover 17 is securable to body 11 through complementary"hook and loop" strips or tabs (such as velcro), press studs or other like means.

Preferably, the mesh cover is securable via velcro strips 19A and 19B respectively located adjacent a peripheral edge of the cover (not shown in FIG. 1) and adjacent circumferential edge 15 of body 11.

Outlet 20 is an opening in sleeve 13 at apex 21 of dome- shaped flexible body 11, opening and closing of which is controlled by drawstring 22 and toggle 23. According to this embodiment, cords 24 A, B and C are secured to hoop 16 at locations alignable with cut-outs 18 in mesh cover 17, and are attachable to an overhanging beam, rafter, tree branch or like support to thereby suspend apparatus 10 above ground. In use, this maintains apparatus 10 in an orientation such that outlet 20 faces downwards (i. e towards ground), while inlet 14 faces upwards (i. e away from ground). Prevention of undue movement of apparatus 10, such as in windy conditions, may be achieved by tying eyelets 25A, B and C of tabs 26A, B and C to bracing means such as ground pegs (not shown).

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, to add organic waste,

worms, water and additional materials via inlet 11, mesh cover 17 is removed, or partly dislodged as in FIG. 2, while drawstring 22 and toggle 23 constricts outlet 20. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the time period during which organic waste is converted to a useful fertilizer (such as worm castings) will be dependent on factors such as the intended use of the fertilizer, the type of organic waste used, whether or not worms are added, humidity, temperature and other environmental factors. For the purposes of vermiculture, a preferred time period is 12-16 weeks.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, liquid leachate 27 may be collected in container 28, given that the closure of outlet 20 by drawstring 22 is, preferably, not a liquid-tight seal and therefore does not prevent flow of liquid 27 therefrom. Referring now to FIG. 2, to remove solid converted waste 29, drawstring 22 is loosened via toggle 23 to open outlet 20 and thereby allow collection of solid converted waste 29 into container 28.

The embodiment of apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 3 operates in an identical fashion to the apparatus shown in FIGS 1 and 2, except that apparatus 10 is supported above ground by tripod 30 having legs 31 A, B and C which support hoop 16 of body 11 via hook-ends 32 A, B and C respectively. In use, legs 31 A, B and C and struts 33 A, B and C are interconnected by connectors 34 A, B and C, each connector having arms 35A, B and C projecting from base 36.

A particular advantage of organic waste conversion apparatus 10 can be seen in FIG. 4, wherein flexible body 11 is collapsible into a relatively compact shape and size to facilitate storage and portability and minimize storage and transport space requirements.

It will be appreciated, therefore, that although the apparatus described in detail herein provides a suitable environment for formation of compost and worm castings for use as fertilizer in solid or liquid form, is readily portable, safe from vermin and collapsible into a compact size for transport and storage, the organic waste conversion apparatus of the invention is not limited to the particular combination of features described in detail herein. Various modifications and adjustments may be made which nevertheless fall within the broad spirit and scope of the present invention.