A waste separator for attachment to a sink drain pipe is provided, the waste separator comprising: a transverse pipe, the transverse pipe including a proximal end, a distal end, a sidewall therebetween, a solid waste outlet at the distal end and a flange on the sidewall, the transverse pipe defining a transverse bore; a motor-driven, non-cutting auger which is housed in the transverse bore; a cylindrical filter around the motor-driven, non-cutting auger; a water collector below the cylindrical filter and terminating in a wastewater outlet; a sink wastewater inlet in a vicinity of the proximal end, the sink wastewater inlet normal to the transverse bore and in fluid communication with the transverse bore; a normally-closed flap valve, the normally-closed flap valve hingedly attached to transverse pipe proximate the distal end; a hinge actuator for the normally-closed flap valve; and a microprocessor, the microprocessor in electronic communication with the hinge actuator.

Baffles for food waste disposers, systems employing such baffles, and methods of assembling, manufacturing, fabricating, or operating such baffles or baffle systems are disclosed herein. In one example embodiment, a baffle for implementation in connection with a food waste disposer includes a rim portion, a plurality of flaps, and a plurality of living hinges, wherein the rim portion, living hinges, and flaps constitute a single integrally-formed structure. The respective living hinges permit the respective flaps to be rotatable about respective axes that respectively are substantially tangent to respective locations along or proximate to the rim portion, so that the respective flaps can be rotated to respective closed positions. Either the living hinges or at least one additional component tend to cause the respective flaps to remain at the respective closed positions or to return to the respective closed positions when not at the respective closed positions.

Mounting assemblies for waste disposers such as food waste disposers, waste disposers employing such mounting assemblies, and related methods are disclosed herein. Mounting assemblies include an engagement feature having a first engagement structure located on the body flange and a second engagement structure located on the upper portion of the disposer body. When the engagement feature is in the engaged position, the body flange and the disposer body are engaged, forming a combined disposer and body flange assembly. The combined disposer and body flange assembly can be lifted into alignment with the strainer flange assembly and rotated as a unit to engage the body flange with the mounting flange.

Baffles for food waste disposers, systems employing such baffles, and methods of assembling, manufacturing, fabricating, or operating such baffles or baffle systems are disclosed herein. In one example embodiment, a baffle for implementation in connection with a waste disposer includes a rim portion, a plurality of flaps, and a plurality of living hinges, where the rim portion, living hinges, and flaps constitute a single integrally-formed structure. The respective living hinges permit the respective flaps to be rotatable about respective axes that respectively are substantially tangent to respective locations along or proximate to the rim portion, so that the respective flaps can be rotated to respective closed positions. Either the living hinges or at least one additional component tend to cause the respective flaps to remain at the respective closed positions when already at those respective positions, or to return to those respective positions when not at those respective positions.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Proposed is a food-waste disposal apparatus, in particular, including a housing; a plurality of grinding blades provided inside the housing and grinding food waste put into the housing; a grinding shaft mounted with the plurality of grinding blades at setting intervals and rotatably installed at one side of the housing; a grinding scraper comprising a plurality of scraper projections and preventing food waste from getting stuck between the grinding blades; and a scraper guide provided inside the housing, guiding the grinding scraper to turn to a mounting position, and supporting the grinding scraper in a mounting state, wherein the grinding scraper is mounted at the mounting position as turned along the scraper guide after the grinding scraper is laid on the grinding blades through an upper opening of the housing so that the scraper projections can be disposed between the grinding blades.

Proposed is a food-waste disposal apparatus, in particular, including a housing; a plurality of grinding blades provided inside the housing and grinding food waste put into the housing; a grinding shaft mounted with the plurality of grinding blades at setting intervals and rotatably installed at one side of the housing; a grinding scraper comprising a plurality of scraper projections and preventing food waste from getting stuck between the grinding blades; and a scraper guide provided inside the housing, guiding the grinding scraper to turn to a mounting position, and supporting the grinding scraper in a mounting state, wherein the grinding scraper is mounted at the mounting position as turned along the scraper guide after the grinding scraper is laid on the grinding blades through an upper opening of the housing so that the scraper projections can be disposed between the grinding blades.