IP Library › Granted Patent US 12686651

Granted Patent B1

US 12686651 · App. 19/067,699 · Granted Jul 21, 2026

Natural organic reduction system

Inventors: Thomas Henry Harries (San Francisco, CA); Justin Matthews Knowles (Hayden, ID); Marko Oviir (Shoreline, WA); Matthew Lane Moloney (Seattle, WA); Scott James Healy (Seattle, WA); Christopher Paul Harry (Issaquah, WA); Geoffrey Becker Hill (Shoreline, WA); Barrett Estep Krueger (Seattle, WA)

Assignee: Earth Funeral Group, Inc.

C05F17/929 C05F1/02 C05F17/964 C05F17/993

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 12686651
App. No.: 19/067,699
Granted: Jul 21, 2026
Kind: B1

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Abstract

Various systems and methods associated with human composting, such as Natural Organic Reduction (NOR), are described herein. The systems and methods may provide an array of composters, or NOR vessels, that perform composting operations, where the operations are controlled by a composting system that monitors conditions and/or performance to enhance or optimize the composting/NOR operations.

Claims (56)

1 . A composter, comprising:

a cylindrical vessel;

a frame that supports the cylindrical vessel, wherein the frame includes:

multiple trunnions upon which a front end of the cylindrical vessel is supported; and

a rear axle that connects a rear end of the cylindrical vessel to the frames multiple fork pockets within the frame,

wherein the multiple fork pockets are configured to receive tines of a forklift when the composter is moved from one location to another location; and

a protective fin disposed on a top section of a top surface of the cylindrical vessel.

2 . The composter of claim 1 , further comprising:

a gear that is fixed to an outer surface of the cylindrical vessel at the front end of the cylindrical vessel; and

a motor that drives rotation of the cylindrical vessel.

3 . The composter of claim 1 , wherein the multiple trunions are disposed at a front end of the frame.

4 . The composter of claim 1 , further comprising:

a front hatch disposed at the front end of the cylindrical vessel,

wherein the front hatch is configured to be closed and sealed during a running composting operation within an inner area of the cylindrical vessel.

5 . The composter of claim 4 , further comprising:

an amendment hatch disposed within the front hatch,

wherein the amendment hatch is configured to facilitate addition of amendment material during the running composting operation.

6 . The composter of claim 5 , wherein the amendment hatch includes an airlock mechanism.

7 . The composter of claim 1 , further comprising:

a main valve assembly disposed at the rear end of the cylindrical vessel; and

8 . The composter of claim 7 , wherein the rear assembly includes:

a rotary union that is configured to rotate the cylindrical vessel on the frame; and

a rear axle manifold that routes multiple tubes of the main valve assembly to the cylindrical vessel.

9 . The composter of claim 7 , wherein the main valve assembly includes:

a motorized three-way exhaust valve; and

a motorized three-way intake valve coupled to the exhaust valve.

10 . A composter, comprising:

a cylindrical vessel;

a frame that supports the cylindrical vessel, wherein the frame includes:

multiple trunnions upon which a front end of the cylindrical vessel is supported; and

a rear axle that connects a rear end of the cylindrical vessel to the frame;

a front hatch disposed at the front end of the cylindrical vessel;

an amendment hatch disposed within the front hatch;

a main valve assembly disposed at the rear end of the cylindrical vessel; and

a rear assembly connected to the rear end of the cylindrical vessel and configured to facilitate rotation of the cylindrical vessel on the frame and couple the main valve assembly to the cylindrical vessel; and a protective fin disposed on a top section of a top surface of the cylindrical vessel.

11 . The composter of claim 10 , wherein the front hatch is configured to be closed and sealed during a running composting operation within an inner area of the cylindrical vessel; and wherein the amendment hatch includes an airlock mechanism and is configured to facilitate addition of amendment material during the running composting operation.

12 . The composter of claim 11 , wherein the rear assembly includes:

a rotary union that is configured to rotate the cylindrical vessel on the frame; and

a rear axle manifold that routes multiple tubes of the main valve assembly to the cylindrical vessel.

13 . The composter of claim 11 , wherein the main valve assembly includes:

a motorized three-way exhaust valve; and

a motorized three-way intake valve coupled to the exhaust valve.

14 . A composter, comprising:

a cylindrical vessel;

a frame that supports the cylindrical vessel, wherein the frame includes:

multiple trunnions upon which a front end of the cylindrical vessel is supported; and

a rear axle that connects a rear end of the cylindrical vessel to the frame;

a main valve assembly disposed at the rear end of the cylindrical vessel,

wherein the main valve assembly includes:

a motorized three-way exhaust valve; and

a motorized three-way intake valve coupled to the exhaust valve; and

wherein the rear assembly includes:

a rotary union that is configured to rotate the cylindrical vessel on the frame; and

a rear axle manifold that routes multiple tubes of the main valve assembly to the cylindrical vessel; and a protective fin disposed on a top section of a top surface of the cylindrical vessel.