GB2364532A

GB2364532A - Composting toilet

Info

Publication number: GB2364532A
Application number: GB0010348A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Basil Lea Higgins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-04-28
Filing date: 2000-04-28
Publication date: 2002-01-30
Anticipated expiration: 2020-04-28
Also published as: GB2364532B; GB0010348D0

Abstract

A composting toilet comprises an outer container (2), an inner container (3) and a toilet seat (4). The inner container is biodegradable and porous such that liquid and solid waste are separated allowing the liquid content to filter through the inner container and be drained off at (5). An additive to aid decomposition may be added to the inner container.

Description

2364532 CoMosting Toilet This invention relates to a toilet system wherein

solid waste material is disposed of in biodegradable sacks.

Numerous toilet systems in which waste material is decomposed chemically are well known. In the most common of these, the resulting product has to be tipped into a main drainage system for ultimate disposal.

According to the present invention the faeces are collected in a biodegradable sack which allows urine to filter into a container or to a soak-away. If desired, an eco-friendly composting accelerator substance may be added to the faeces in the sack. The sack is then 15 removed to a compost heap to complete the process of decomposition into a natural fertiliser.

The invention is intended primarily, though not exclusively, for situations in which main drainage is not available or as an alternative 20 to main drainage, for example in remote areas, on camping sites, or at any field events such as agricultural shows.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows the invention in its most basic form Figure 2 shows the invention fitted with a drainage filter Figure 3 shows a section of a variant of the invention with improved drainage arrangements Figure 4 shows a further variant of the drainage arrangements.

40 Figure 1 illustrates the invention 1 in its most basic form. It comprises an outer container 2 which may be made for example of plastic or metal, and an inner container in the form of a biodegradable sack 3. The said sack 3 is attached and held open at the top by an attachment means (not shown). The material from which the sack is made is such 45 that it allows urine to filter through its sides or through holes in its base into the container 2 and from there to drain away through a pipe (1) to a collection vessel or a soak-away. The assembly is surmounted by a conventional lavatory seat 4.

Figure 2 illustrates a variant of the invention wherein a filter grid 7 5 supports the base of the sack above the base of the container 2. If required a valve 8 may be fitted to the effluent pipe 5. In this arrangement the space between the filter grid 7 and the bottom of the container 2 may be used as a storage reservoir which contains the urine until it can be decanted through the valve 8 into a suitable 10 vessel.

Figure 3 is a sectional view illustrating two further variants. An effluent drainage pipe 10 is mounted in the base of the container 2, the point of exit from the container being covered by a filter device 9 to 15 prevent any solids entering the drainage pipe. In the illustration the base of the container 2 is attached to its sides by a smoothly curved chanifer 11 to facilitate cleaning the container.

Figure 4 illustrates a variant in which the base 12 of the container 2 is 20 curved to improve drainage to the effluent pipe 10.

In all of the variants additives to improve decomposition may be added to the contents of the sack. When it is full the sack 3 may be removed from the container 2 and placed on a compost heap where 25 decomposition continues until the resulting fertiliser is suitable for use on the land.

(2)

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A composting toilet wherein liquids and solids enter a disposable biodegradable sack and are separated by allowing the liquid content to filter through the sides of the said sack.

2. A composting toilet as described in Claim I wherein the biodegradable sack is partially or completely impervious to liquids but in which holes are provided for liquids to drain away.

3. A composting toilet as described in Claim 1 wherein the liquids are drained off to a container or soak-away.

4. A composting toilet as described in Claim 1 wherein the base of the said sack is supported by a filter grid above the base of the main container thus allowing the sack to drain more fully into a reservoir section of the main container and to be decanted when convenient through a control valve in the effluent pipe.

5. A composting toilet as described in Claim 3 wherein the exit to the effluent pipe is protected by a filter device.

6. A composting toilet as described in Claim 1 wherein the base of the main container is attached to the side of the said container by a smoothly chamfered joint to facilitate cleaning the container.

7. A composting toilet as described in Claim 1 wherein the base of the main container is smoothly curved to improve drainage of the liquids and to facilitate cleaning the container.

8. A composting toilet substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 4 attached hereto.

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