# US 10,501,381 B2 · Composting device with funnel assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,501,381 B2 - Document ID: US10501381B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/158,958 - Filed: 2016-05-19 - Published: 2017-11-23 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2016-05-19 - Assignees: Whirlpool Corporation - Applicants: Whirlpool Corporation - Inventors: Abhishek P. Buzruk; Christopher C. Wilcox; Michael S. Seeley - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10501381B2 ## CPC - C05F 17/907: Small-scale devices without mechanical means for feeding or discharging material, e.g. garden compost bins - C05F 17/964: Constructional parts, e.g. floors, covers or doors - Y02P 20/145: the feedstock being materials of biological origin - Y02W 30/40: Bio-organic fraction processing; Production of fertilisers from the organic fraction of waste or refuse - C05F: ORGANIC FERTILISERS NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C05B, C05C, e.g. FERTILISERS FROM WASTE OR REFUSE - Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS - Y02W: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT ## Abstract The disclosure relates to a composting device including a housing defining an interior with an access opening providing access to the interior, a composter bin located within the interior and in communication with the access opening, and a funnel assembly integrated with the access opening. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A food composter comprising: a housing defining an interior, and having a top wall defining an access opening providing access to the interior; a bin located within the interior and having a fill opening in communication with the access opening; a door moveable relative to the access opening between open/closed positions to selectively open/close the access opening; and a removable trim bezel located between the door and the access opening and surrounding the access opening; wherein the trim bezel is removable from the housing while the door remains affixed to the housing. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The food composter of claim 1 further comprising a funnel carried by the housing and aligned with the access opening, with the trim bezel overlying at least a portion of the funnel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The food composter of claim 2 wherein the funnel is integrally formed with the housing and defines the access opening. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The food composter of claim 3 wherein the housing has an end wall and the funnel is integrally formed in the end wall. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The food composter of claim 4 wherein the door is slidably mounted to the end wall. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The food composter of claim 5 wherein the trim bezel is made of dishwasher-safe material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The food composter of claim 6 wherein the dishwasher-safe material can retain its shape after being exposed to temperatures greater than 65° C. for at least 180 mins. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The food composter of claim 6 wherein the dishwasher-safe material has a static friction coefficient of less than 0.3. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The food composter of claim 2 wherein the funnel comprises a converging portion and a tube, with the trim bezel overlying at least a portion of the converging portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The food composter of claim 9 wherein the trim bezel overlies all of the converging portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The food composter of claim 9 wherein the converging portion and the trim bezel have a rectilinear perimeter. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The food composter of claim 1 wherein the trim bezel is made of dishwasher-safe material. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The food composter of claim 12 wherein the dishwasher-safe material can retains its shape after being exposed to temperatures greater than 65° C. for at least 180 mins. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The food composter of claim 1 wherein the trim bezel is made of material having a static friction coefficient of less than 0.3. ### Claim 15 A food composter comprising: a housing defining an interior and having an end wall having an access opening providing access to the interior; a bin located within the interior and having a fill opening in communication with the access opening; a door moveable relative to the access opening between open/closed positions to selectively open/close the access opening; and a funnel assembly located in the end wall and comprising a removable portion located between the door and the access opening. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The food composter of claim 15 wherein the removable portion is made of dishwasher-safe material. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The food composter of claim 16 wherein the dishwasher-safe material can retains its shape after being exposed to temperatures greater than 65° C. for at least 180 mins. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The food composter of claim 17 wherein the dishwasher-safe material has a static friction coefficient of less than 0.3. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The food composter of claim 15 wherein the removable portion comprises a trim bezel. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The food composter of claim 19 wherein the funnel assembly further comprises a converging portion and the trim bezel overlies at least a portion of the converging portion. ### Claim 21 A food composter comprising: a housing defining an interior, and having a top wall defining an access opening providing access to the interior; a bin located within the interior and having a fill opening in communication with the access opening; a door moveable relative to the access opening between open/closed positions to selectively open/close the access opening; and a removable trim bezel separated from and located between the door and the access opening surrounding the access opening; wherein the trim bezel is removable from the housing while the door remains affixed to the housing.