AU2017261521A1 - Improvements to portable toilets - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to portable toilets of the type that include a toilet bowl that is supported on a base and which is at least partially enclosed by a screen, and a holding tank that is adapted to receive and store bodily emissions deposited in the toilet bowl. The portable toilet further includes a portable, freestanding, urinal that can be positioned on the outside of the screen and wherein the urinal includes a trough having a drainage outlet that is connected to, and in fluid communication with, the holding tank.

Description

Improvements to Portable Toilets

This invention relates to portable toilets of the type that are available for hire and which are commonly provided at public events, such as sporting events, outdoor concerts and public meetings, for persons to dispose of their bodily emissions, and wherein reference will be made to same.

Portable toilets typically include a toilet bowl or pan having a bowl like receptacle that includes an enlarged upper inlet that is adapted to receive bodily emissions, such as faeces and urine, as well as paper that has been used to clean the person's bottom, and a lower outlet that is in fluid communication with a holding tank that is used for the collection and storage of waste products and any fluids used to convey the waste products through said lower outlet. Most portable toilets also include a toilet seat that is adapted to provide support for a person's bottom above the upper opening of the toilet bowl.

The toilet bowl and/or the holding tank are typically supported on a base and, for reasons of privacy, the toilet bowl is typically contained within a cubicle, comprising one or more walls that extend upwardly from said base, in which there is formed an access opening that is selectively closed by a door, and a roof to provide shelter from falling rain.

Portable toilets of the type described above are typically supported on either a pallet or a skid that may be used to in conjunction with a forklift to move the toilet from one location to another.

Portable toilets are typically transported to and from public events on a tray of a motor vehicle in an upstanding attitude, and wherein it is often possible to carry ten toilets contained in two rows side by side on some motor vehicles .

Organisers of public events are usually required to provide toilet facilities for the use of persons attending the event and whereby legal requirements might dictate that there be at least one toilet for every 100 patrons. The portable toilets are usually positioned either individually or grouped together in one or more rows where needed at public events.

Unfortunately the number of persons in ques waiting to use portable toilets at public events can at times be quite large and whereby the need to que can detract from the personal experience of attending the public event. Further, it has been observed that not all persons who utilize portable toilets need to defecate and that most males are content to urinate in sight of other males. Accordingly, in an effort to reduce the size of ques for public toilets, at public events there are often provided urinals for male patrons.

Portable urinals typically include a trough in which persons may deposit urine and a holding tank for the storage of urine. The trough has at least one drainage outlet that is in fluid communication with the holding tank for the collection and storage of urine. Most portable urinals also include a base that is adapted to provide support for the trough and the holding tank, and whereby the trough is generally partially surrounded by a plurality of side walls that extend upwardly from the trough and which provide the user with some privacy.

The provision of portable toilets and portable urinals can be quite costly and wherein during a public event the holding tanks of both the toilets and the urinals need to be drained at regular intervals.

Typically waste products contained in the holding tank of a portable toilet are removed using an elongate wand having a free end portion that is inserted into the holding tank via the lower outlet of the toilet bowl. The free end of the wand is usually connected to, and in fluid communication with, a storage tank mounted on a waste removal vehicle by a flexible hose and whereby access to service the toilet can only be gained via the access opening. Accordingly, it is only possible to remove waste products from a toilet that is not in use and wherein it has been observed that some patrons do get annoyed and impatient when made to wait to use a toilet because it is closed for servicing.

At events where there is provided a plurality of toilets arranged in a row, the cleaner will most likely remove waste products from each of the toilets one after the other. This may necessitate dragging the hose connecting the wand to the waste storage tank past the front of several toilets, which some patrons may find a little unpleasant. Further, the hose represents a potential hazard that patrons may trip over when entering, leaving, or generally walking in the vicinity of the toilets .

It has also been observed that when extracting the wand from the holding tank waste products may dribble from the end of the wand onto the toilet bowl and/or the toilet floor.

This is not very hygienic and whereby a cleaner is then required to clean the toilet preferably before patrons are allowed to use it.

The supply of fresh water that is used to flush the toilets also needs to be replenished from time to time.

Again, this can only be achieved by obtaining access to the toilet via the access opening. Accordingly, the supply of water can only be topped up when the toilet is not occupied by a patron.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a portable toilet which will alleviate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art and which will be reliable and efficient in use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, this invention relates to a portable toilet including: a base; a toilet bowl supported on said base, said toilet bowl including a first receptacle having an upper first receptacle inlet that is capable of receiving bodily emissions and a lower first receptacle outlet through which the bodily emissions may pass; a screen extending upwardly from said base so as to at least partially form an enclosure around said toilet bowl, said screen having at least one side wall having an interior face that faces said toilet bowl and an opposing exterior face ; a holding tank for the collection and storage of bodily emissions, said holding tank being in fluid communication with said lower first receptacle outlet, said holding tank having a first holding tank inlet that is accessible via an opening in said side wall, and a freestanding urinal that is locatable adjacent said external face of said side wall, said urinal having a trough that includes a drainage outlet that is connected to, and in fluid communication with said first holding tank inlet.

Preferably the urinal includes a supporting structure that supports the trough above a foundation and wherein a conduit, such as a flexible hose, that is used to connect the drainage outlet to the first holding tank inlet is concealed from view, or otherwise protected from being tampered with, behind said supporting structure.

Further, it is preferred that there be provided a cavity or recess in a lower front portion of the supporting structure adjacent the foundation that is large enough to receive therein the front portion of a user's feet. The inclusion of the cavity or recess it is believed will permit the user to stand close to the trough when urinating.

It is also preferred that the overall size of the urinal is such that the urinal can be stored within the confines of the screen.

Preferably there is also provided aligned access openings in the screen and the holding tank through which a user may extend the free end of a wand for the purpose of extracting waste products from the holding tank.

In some embodiments the toilet may also include a flushing fluid storage tank for the storage of a suitable fluid to be used to flush the contents of the receptacle through the lower receptacle outlet into the holding tank. Preferably the toilet includes aligned apertures in the screen and the flushing fluid storage tank which allow for the volume of fluid stored in said tank to be replenished.

For example, the screen may include an external side wall in which there is formed a flushing fluid inlet aperture and a waste extraction outlet aperture. Preferably these apertures are located on opposing side portions of the wall such that in use the urinal may be positioned against said wall and not block access to either aperture.

In another aspect, this invention relates to a portable toilet including: a base; a toilet bowl supported on said base, said toilet bowl including a first receptacle having an upper first receptacle inlet that is capable of receiving bodily emissions and a lower first receptacle outlet through which the bodily emissions may pass; a screen extending upwardly from said base so as to at least partially form an enclosure around said toilet bowl, said screen having at least one side wall having an interior face that faces said toilet bowl and an opposing exterior face ; a holding tank for the collection and storage of bodily emissions, said holding tank being in fluid communication with said lower first receptacle outlet, said holding tank having a first holding tank outlet, and an inlet formed in said screen that is aligned with said first holding tank outlet whereby for the purpose of extracting waste products from said holding tank a free end portion of a waste extraction wand may be extended through said aligned apertures.

In some embodiments the toilet may also include a tank for the storage of a fluid to be used to flush the contents of the receptacle through the lower receptacle outlet into the holding tank. Preferably the toilet includes aligned apertures in the screen and the tank which allow for the volume of fluid stored in the tank to be replenished.

In yet another aspect, this invention relates to a portable toilet including: a base; a toilet bowl supported on said base, said toilet bowl including a first receptacle having an upper first receptacle inlet that is capable of receiving bodily emissions and a lower first receptacle outlet through which the bodily emissions may pass; a screen extending upwardly from said base so as to at least partially form an enclosure around said toilet bowl, said screen having at least one side wall having an interior face that faces said toilet bowl and an opposing exterior face; a holding tank for the collection and storage of bodily emissions, said holding tank being in fluid communication with said lower first receptacle outlet, said holding tank having a first holding tank outlet; a flushing fluid storage tank for the storage of a fluid to be used to flush bodily emissions contained in said receptacle through said lower receptacle outlet into said holding tank, said flushing fluid storage tank including a first flushing fluid storage tank inlet, and an inlet aperture formed in said screen that is aligned with said first flushing fluid storage tank inlet whereby for the purpose of replenishing fluid stored in said tank a hose may be extended through said aligned apertures.

Preferably the holding tank includes a first holding tank outlet and the screen includes an inlet formed in said screen that is aligned with said first holding tank outlet whereby for the purpose of extracting waste products from said holding tank a free end portion of a waste extraction wand may be extended through said aligned apertures.

The toilet may also include a urinal of the type previously described

In order that this invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a pictorial front view of a portable toilet with a freestanding urinal that have been constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a pictorial cutaway view from above of the portable toilet and urinal shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a pictorial cutaway view from the rear of the portable toilet and urinal shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a pictororial cutaway view from the rear of the portable toilet shown in figure 1;

Fig. 5 is a pictorial front view of a portable urinal as shown in Fig. 1, and

Fig. 6 is a pictorial rear view of the urinal shown in Fig. 5.

Figures 1 to 6 show a portable toilet 10, including a toilet bowl 11 and a portable urinal 12.

The toilet bowl 11 includes a bowl like receptacle 13 having an upper inlet 14 that is defined by the bowl's peripheral lip 15, and which is large enough to receive bodily emissions, namely urine and faeces, and a lower outlet 16.

The toilet bowl 11 is supported on a substantially square shaped base 17 that rests on a pair of opposed skids 18. The base 17 also provides support for a holding tank for the collection and storage of bodily emissions. The holding tank is hidden behind a coverl9 and includes an inlet, not shown, that is connected to, and in fluid communication with, the lower outlet 16 of the toilet bowl.

The portable toilet 10 also includes a reservoir, not shown, for the storage of a suitable fluid, such as water, to be used to flush bodily emissions and toilet paper contained in the receptacle 13 through the outlet 16 and into the holding tank. The reservoir, is also hidden behind the cover 19, and is connected to and in fluid communication with the receptacle 13 and whereby, in use, discrete amounts of the fluid contained in the reservoir may be selectively released into the receptacle 13.

The toilet bowl 11, the holding tank, and the reservoir, for various reasons, including privacy, are hidden from view behind a screen 20 that includes a front wall 21, an opposing rear wall 22, and two spaced apart side walls 23 located between said front and rear wall. The front wall 21, rear wall 22 and side walls 23 each extend upwardly from the base 17. Further, the front wall 21 includes an access opening 24 that may be selectively closed by a door 25.

The portable toilet 10 also includes a roof 26 that is attached to the upper ends of the front wall 21, rear wall 22 and the side walls 23.

The holding tank includes a first inlet 27 that is accessible via an opening 28 that is formed in the rear wall 22. The inlet 27 includes a hose end connector 29 fitted thereto .

The holding tank also includes an outlet 30 that is accessible via a second opening 31 that is formed in the rear wall 22. The outlet 30 is selectively closed by a screw cap 50.

The reservoir also includes a first inlet 32 that is accessible via an opening 33 that is formed in the rear wall 22. The inlet 32 includes a hose end connector 51 fitted thereto .

The urinal 12 includes a long, narrow, receptacle 34 that resembles a trough, having an upper opening 35, defined by the receptacle's lip 36, and an outlet 37.

The urinal 12 also includes a flexible hose 38 having a first end portion 39 that is attached to, and in fluid communication with, the outlet 37, and a second, or free, end portion 40 to which there is attached a hose end connector 41 that is capable of being operatively connected to the hose end connector 29.

The receptacle 34 is supported in an elevated position above a foundation, such as the ground, by a pair of spaced apart legs 42 having upper ends that are joined together by a skirt 43 that depends from a front edge of the receptacle 34 and which is located therebetween. Further, there exists a gap 44 between the lower ends of the legs 42 and between a lower edge portion 55 of the skirt 43 and the foundation.

The urinal 12 also includes two opposing side walls 45, that extend upwardly from the receptacle 34, and a rear wall 46 located between said side walls.

In use, the hose connector 41 may be connected to the hose connector 29 such that the outlet 37 of the receptacle 34 is in fluid communication with the holding tank. Further, the rear wall 46 of the urinal 12 may be placed up against the rear wall 22 of the toilet 10, as shown in figures 1, 2 and 4, such that the hose 38, the inlets 27 and 32, and the outlet 30, are all hidden from view behind the skirt 43, which in use shall inhibit members of the public tampering with the inlets and outlet.

It will be appreciated that males who only wish to urinate may elect to use the urinal 12 and that they will urinate into the receptacle 34 rather than the toilet bowl 11, Further, by placing the front end of their feet in the gap 44 males will be able to stand closer to the receptacle 34 and whereby the side walls 45, that extend upwardly from the receptacle 34, shall offer them some privacy. Their urine, having passed through the outlet 37, will be conveyed by the hose 38 into the holding tank where it shall be stored along with waste products that previously have passed through the outlet 16 of the toilet bowl.

When it is necessary to empty the holding tank, instead of inserting the end of a wand into the outlet 16, a cleaner may move the urinal 12 out of the way thereby allowing them to remove the cap 50 so that they can extend the end of the wand through the outlet 30 and into the holding tank. Further, because the hose is flexible, and the length of the hose, it will not be necessary to disconnect the urinal 12 from the holding tank.

The cleaner if necessary can also refill the reservoir with fluid by removing any cap used to close inlet 32 and connecting a hose that is in fluid communication with a supply of fluid to the hose end connector 33.

When the toilet 10 and the urinal 12 are no longer required, the urinal 12 may be disconnected from the holding tank and stored inside the toilet between the toilet bowl 11 and the door 25.

It is believed that a portable toilet that includes an internal toilet bowl and an externally located urinal will greatly reduce the size of ques of persons wanting to use the toilet because potentially more than one person may use the toilet at a time.

It will of course be realised that while the foregoing description has been given by way of example of the invention, all other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as herein defined in the appended claims.

Claims (3)

1. THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

   1. A portable toilet including: a base; a toilet bowl supported on said base, said toilet bowl including a first receptacle having an upper first receptacle inlet that is capable of receiving bodily emissions and a lower first receptacle outlet through which the bodily emissions may pass; a screen extending upwardly from said base so as to at least partially form an enclosure around said toilet bowl, said screen having at least one side wall having an interior face that faces said toilet bowl and an opposing exterior a. ^— e*, a holding tank for the collection and storage of bodily emissions, said holding tank being in fluid communication with said lower first receptacle outlet, said holding tank having a first holding tank inlet that is accessible via an opening in said side wall, and a freestanding urinal that is locatable adjacent said external face of said side wall, said urinal having a trough that includes a drainage outlet that is connected to, and in fluid communication with said first holding tank inlet.
2. 2. A portable toilet including: a base; a toilet bowl supported on said base, said toilet bowl including a first receptacle having an upper first receptacle inlet that is capable of receiving bodily emissions and a lower first receptacle outlet through which the bodily emissions may pass; a screen extending upwardly from said base so as to at least partially form an enclosure around said toilet bowl, said screen having at least one side wall having an interior face that faces said toilet bowl and an opposing exterior face ; a holding tank for the collection and storage of bodily emissions, said holding tank being in fluid communication with said lower first receptacle outlet, said holding tank having a first holding tank outlet, and an inlet formed in said screen that is aligned with said first holding tank outlet whereby for the purpose of extracting waste products from said holding tank a free end portion of a waste extraction wand may be extended through said aligned apertures.
3. 3. A portable toilet including: a base; a toilet bowl supported on said base, said toilet bowl including a first receptacle having an upper first receptacle inlet that is capable of receiving bodily emissions and a lower first receptacle outlet through which the bodily emissions may pass; a screen extending upwardly from said base so as to at least partially form an enclosure around said toilet bowl, said screen having at least one side wall having an interior face that faces said toilet bowl and an opposing exterior face ; a holding tank for the collection and storage of bodily emissions, said holding tank being in fluid communication with said lower first receptacle outlet, said holding tank having a first holding tank outlet; a flushing fluid storage tank for the storage of a fluid to be used to flush bodily emissions contained in said receptacle through said lower receptacle outlet into said holding tank, said flushing fluid storage tank including a first flushing fluid storage tank inlet, and an inlet aperture formed in said screen that is aligned with said first flushing fluid storage tank inlet whereby for the purpose of replenishing fluid stored in said tank a hose may be extended through said aligned apertures.