Device and method for maintaining bacterial levels within an organic waste collection container

A method of maintaining effective bacterial levels within an organic matter collection system, said system comprising a collecting container having a bottom and a liquid to air interface-surface, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a bacterial incubator comprising:
• i) a housing having an exterior surface, a first interior chamber and a second interior chamber, said first and second interior chambers being separated by a common wall, said first interior chamber being partially defined by a first wall having a plurality of first apertures therethrough connecting said first interior chamber with said exterior surface of said housing, said common wall separating said first and second interior chambers having a plurality of second apertures therethrough connecting said second interior chamber with said first interior chamber said housing being positioned in said collecting container so as to be below said liquid to air interface-surface;
• ii) an elongated feed tube having a passageway therethrough that terminates in first and second passageway openings, said first passageway opening being in connection with said second interior chamber of said housing, said elongated feed tube being of a length sufficient to allow a section thereof containing said second passageway opening to extend above said liquid to air interface-surface;
• and
• iii) a plurality of high surface area members contained within said first interior chamber, said high surface area members having exterior dimensions sufficient to prevent said high surface area members from passing through said first and second apertures
• b) positioning said housing in said collecting container so that said housing is below said liquid to air interface-surface and so that a section of said elongated feed tube containing said second passageway opening extends above said liquid to air interface-surface;
• and
• c) periodically adding bacterial cultures to said second interior chamber through said passageway of said elongated feed tube via said second passageway opening in amounts effective to degrade organic matter in said organic matter collection system.

A bacterial incubator for use in an organic matter collection system comprising a collecting container having a bottom and a liquid to air interface-surface, said bacterial incubator comprising:

• a) a housing having an exterior surface, a first interior chamber and a second interior chamber, said first and second interior chambers being separated by a common wall, said first interior chamber being partially defined by a first wall having a plurality of first apertures therethrough connecting said first interior chamber with said exterior surface of said housing, said common wall separating said first and second interior chambers having a plurality of second apertures therethrough connecting said second interior chamber with said first interior chamber of said housing;
• b) an elongated feed tube having a passageway therethrough that terminates in first and second passageway openings, said first passageway opening being in connection with said second interior chamber of said housing, said elongated feed tube being of a length sufficient to allow a section thereof containing said second passageway opening to extend above said liquid to air interface-surface, said elongated feed tube having sufficient rigidity to allow said section of said elongated feed tube containing said second passageway opening to remain above the air to liquid interface-surface supported only by the connection of said elongated feed tube with said second interior chamber;
• c) a plurality of high surface area members contained within said first interior chamber, said high surface area members having exterior dimensions sufficient to prevent said high surface area members from passing through said first and second apertures;
• d) weight means, connected to the housing at a location near a bottom portion of the housing, for lowering the center of gravity of the housing containing said plurality of high surface-area members;
• said housing containing said high surface area members and including said weight means;
• said weight means having a mass to displacement ratio sufficient to cause said housing to rest on the bottom of said collecting container to be positioned below said liquid to air interface of said collecting container, and to remain there unanchored when in use.