GB2558948A

GB2558948A - A waste collecting apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2558948A
Application number: GB1701139.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lombard Albert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-01-23
Filing date: 2017-01-23
Publication date: 2018-07-25
Also published as: GB201701139D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a waste collecting apparatus 18 for a pit latrine 20, the apparatus including a receptacle 12 which is configured to receive a bag 14 having a first deployed position for operatively receiving waste and a second closed position for sealing off the waste in the bag, the receptacle being insertable into the pit of the pit latrine for operatively reinforcing the bag. The apparatus may include a removing means (hoist 38) for lifting the apparatus out of the pit. The waste collecting apparatus may be used in agricultural or biogas applications. The invention further relates to a system for removing waste from a pit latrine which utilizes the waste collecting apparatus.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: A waste collecting apparatus

Abstract Title: Waste collection apparatus for a pit latrine (57) The invention relates to a waste collecting apparatus 18 for a pit latrine 20, the apparatus including a receptacle 12 which is configured to receive a bag 14 having a first deployed position for operatively receiving waste and a second closed position for sealing off the waste in the bag, the receptacle being insertable into the pit of the pit latrine for operatively reinforcing the bag. The apparatus may include a removing means (hoist 38) for lifting the apparatus out of the pit. The waste collecting apparatus may be used in agricultural or biogas applications. The invention further relates to a system for removing waste from a pit latrine which utilizes the waste collecting apparatus.

FIGURE 1

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FIGURE 2

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FIGURE 3

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-ΙΑ WASTE COLLECTING APPARATUS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a waste collecting apparatus and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a waste collecting apparatus for use in a pit latrine.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The conventional pit latrine is the most cost effective and basic form of improved sanitation available in many parts of the world. It consists of a square, rectangular or circular pit dug into the ground, covered by a cover slab or floor, with a hole through which excreta falls into the pit. Depending on user preference, a seat or squat hole can be installed together with a lid to cover the hole. Often, the latrine is covered with a shelter and fitted with a door to ensure the privacy of a user.

The use of improved ventilated pit latrines is known. Said pit latrines include a pit which is sunk into the ground, the pit being covered by a concrete slab, a seating arrangement being installed over the access opening, a housing or enclosure being installed on the concrete slab and a further opening adapted to receive an end of a ventilation stack which is in fluid flow communication with the pit.

The art teaches of pit latrines utilizing an alternating twin pit system which increases the average usable lifetime of the pit latrine system. In such twin pit systems the second pit is only used after the first pit has been filled. After the first pit has been filled, it is sealed and excreta are then deposited in the second pit.

Systems for removing the excreta of a filled pit are known. UK Patent Application Number 2131098A describes a pit latrine emptying system having a tank connected via a pipe to a vacuum system. The system further includes another pipe that extends from the tank and is pushed into the pit latrine. The vacuum system then creates a partial vacuum in the tank and excreta are thereby drawn from the pit into the tank.

Despite various improvements and variations to the above systems, they all retain the distinct disadvantage of substantial human contact with the excreta when emptying the pit

-2latrine which not only imparts considerable hygiene concerns but also leads to the spread of severe illnesses.

A further significant disadvantage of the above known pit latrines is that the excreta often contaminates essential, already dwindling, water resources thereby rendering the water unfit for human consumption.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a simple and safe waste collecting apparatus which can be retrofitted to existing pit latrines, which will, at least partially, alleviate some of the abovementioned disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a waste collecting apparatus for a pit latrine including a receptacle which is configured to receive a bag and having a first deployed position for operatively receiving waste and a second closed position for sealing off the waste in the bag, the receptacle being insertable into the pit of the latrine for operatively reinforcing the bag.

There is provided for the receptacle to have an opening means on an at least one face thereof for facilitating the removal of the bag from the receptacle.

In an embodiment of the invention the bag may be impermeable to fluid.

In a further embodiment of the invention the receptacle may be selected from any one of the group consisting of a bag, a rigid container or a frame member.

Further, the invention provides for the bag to be operatively connectable to the receptacle.

There is also provided for the invention to include an elongate member which is connectable to an at least one region of the bag. It is envisaged that the elongate member may facilitate the first deployed position of the bag. It is further envisaged that the elongate member may be a resilient member which may be connectable to opposing regions of the bag.

-3A further feature of the invention provides that the elongate member may be deformed during the transition of the bag from its first deployed position to its second closed position.

A still further feature of the invention provides for the elongate member to be further connectable to opposing regions of the receptacle.

There is provided that the waste collecting apparatus may be connectable to a removing means, wherein the apparatus may be removed from the pit. It is envisaged that the removing means may be a hoist configuration which may lift the apparatus out of the pit. It is further envisaged that the hoist configuration may be connectable to a runner which may, in turn, be connectable to a rail of a gantry, wherein the hoist configuration may be moved on the rail from a first operative position above the pit to a second inoperative position next to the pit.

A yet further feature of the invention provides that the removing means may facilitate the transition of the bag from its first deployed position to its second closed position.

It is envisaged that the bag of the waste collecting apparatus may be manufactured from a biodegradable material.

It is still further envisaged that the waste which has been collected in the waste collecting apparatus may be used in agricultural and biogas applications.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided for a system which includes:

a waste collecting apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the bag of the waste collecting apparatus is in fluid flow communication with an opening in a cover member which covers the pit of the latrine;

an enclosure around the cover member for ensuring the privacy of a user;

at least a portion of the cover member being removable to enlarge the opening between the cover member and the waste collecting apparatus; and a removing means connectable to the waste collecting apparatus for removing the waste collecting apparatus from the pit latrine and for transporting the waste collecting apparatus to a position outside the enclosure.

The at least portion of the cover member may be pivotally connected to the enclosure.

-4According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided for use of a waste collecting apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention in a pit latrine.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided for use of a system according to the second aspect of the invention for removing waste from a pit latrine.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided for a system according to the second aspect of the invention for removing waste from a pit latrine which utilizes a waste collecting apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art in the following detailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

Figure 1	is a perspective view of a waste collecting apparatus;
Figure 2	is a perspective view of a system which includes an enclosure on top of the waste collecting apparatus of Figure 1;
Figure 3	is a perspective view of the system of Figure 2, wherein the waste collecting apparatus of Figure 1 is connected to a removing means which has been inserted into the enclosure;
Figure 4	is a side on view of the system of Figure 3, wherein the waste collecting apparatus of Figure 1 is not connected to the removing means;
Figure 5	is a side on view of the system of Figure 3, wherein the waste collecting apparatus of Figure 1 is connected to the removing means;
Figure 6	is a side on view of the system of Figure 3, wherein the waste collecting apparatus of Figure 1 is in the process of being removed by the removing means from the pit of the pit latrine; and

-5Figure 7 is a side on view of the system of Figure 3, wherein the waste collecting apparatus of Figure 1 has been removed by the removing means from the pit of the pit latrine and transported to a position outside the enclosure.

The presently disclosed subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying examples, in which representative embodiment are shown.

The presently disclosed subject matter can, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the embodiments to those skilled in the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is not limited to the precise details as described herein and it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

As seen in Figure 1, a waste collecting apparatus (10) is shown. In this figure, a receptacle (12) with a bag (14) inserted therein and being in a first deployed position is shown. The bag (14) is secured to the receptacle (12) by means of a fastening means (16).

Figure 2 shows a system (18) for removing waste from a pit latrine. The system (18) includes an enclosure (22) on top of the pit of a pit latrine (not shown in Figure 2) which will ensure the privacy of a user of the pit latrine. The enclosure includes a cover member (24) to cover the pit of the pit latrine (not shown in Figure 2), together with a seating arrangement (28) thereon. Further, as shown in Figure 2, a removing means (32) which may be connected to the waste collecting apparatus (not shown in Figure 2) may be inserted into the system (18). The removing means (32) may be a gantry and may include an elongate member (34) which may have a track thereon. The removing means (32) may, furthermore, include a runner (36) which may be movable on the elongate member (34). The runner (36) may include a connecting means (38) for a hoisting means (not shown).

Figure 3 shows a hoisting means (35) connected via an elongate member (30) to the waste collecting apparatus (only partially shown in Figure 3). As can be seen in Figure 3, the cover member (24) and seating arrangement (28) has been removed from the top of the pit of the

-6pit latrine (not shown) to facilitate ease of access to the waste collecting apparatus (only partially shown in Figure 3).

Figure 4 shows the system for removing waste (18) on top of the pit (20) of a pit latrine. As is clear from this figure, the removing means (34) may be inserted from the outside into the system (18). It is envisaged that the removing means (32) may be connectable to the enclosure (22).

Figures 5, 6 and 7 shows the system for removing waste (18), wherein the waste collecting apparatus (10) is connected to the removing means (34). Figure 5 shows the waste collecting apparatus (10) whilst still in the pit (20) of the pit latrine. Figure 6 shows the waste collecting apparatus (10) as it is being hoisted out of the pit (20) of the pit latrine and Figure 7 shows the waste collecting apparatus (10) after it has been removed from the pit (20) of the pit and after it has been transported from inside the enclosure (22) to a position outside the enclosure (22).

In use, the waste collecting apparatus (10) with the bag (14) being in a first deployed position is inserted into the pit (20) of a pit latrine on top of which an enclosure (22) is provided. The insertion of the waste collecting apparatus (10) into the pit (20) is facilitated by removing the cover member (24) and/or seating arrangement (28) from the top of the pit (20) of the pit latrine. In a preferred embodiment, the cover member (24) and/or seating arrangement (28) is pivotally connected to the enclosure (22).

After the waste collecting apparatus (10) has been inserted into the pit (20), the cover member (24) and/or seating arrangement (28) is returned to a position in line with the pit (20) to separate the pit (20) from a user (not shown).

The bag (14) of the waste collecting apparatus (10) is in fluid flow communication with the cover member (24) and/or seating arrangement (28) during use. The bag (14) ensures that all waste is collected and stored during use so that the waste does not contaminate ground water resources.

After the bag (14) has been sufficiently filled with waste, an operator (not shown) may, again, remove the cover member (24) and/or seating arrangement (28) to facilitate access to the waste collecting apparatus (14). The operator may then insert the removing means (32) into the enclosure (22) and over the pit (20). At this time, the operator may connect the waste collecting apparatus (10) to a hoisting means (35) which, in turn, is connected to the

-7removing means (32) via a connecting means (38) and runner (36) on the elongate member (34). After the waste collecting apparatus (10) has been connected to the removing means (32), the operator may hoist the waste collecting apparatus (10) from the pit (20), as shown in Figure 6 and transport it to a position outside of the enclosure, as shown in Figure 7. The operator may then close the bag (14) to seal off the waste therein and remove the bag (14) from the receptacle (12) to be stored and/or discarded at a different place. A new bag (14) may then be inserted into the receptacle (12), where after the waste collecting apparatus may again be inserted into the pit (20) and the process may be repeated.

A further aspect of the invention relates to the use of the waste collected in the bag (14) in agricultural or biogas applications.

A significant advantage of the waste collecting apparatus (10) and system (18) is that all of the components used in its construction, use and/or installation are simple and robust, yet highly effective in ensuring that all waste is collected and/or stored in a safe and environmentally friendly manner. The waste collecting apparatus (10), by collecting and storing all of the waste, ensures that valuable ground water resources are not contaminated.

Furthermore, the waste collecting apparatus (10) and system (18) has been specifically designed to minimize contact between an operator and the waste, thereby ensuring the safety and dignity of the operator. It is envisaged that the waste collecting apparatus (10) and system (18) will be highly preferably to the prior art in hard to reach and/or secluded places as it does not use complicated and expensive procedures during the servicing of the pit latrine.

Whilst only certain embodiments of the instant invention have been shown in the above description, it will be readily understood by a person skilled in the art that other modifications and/or variations of the invention are possible. Such modifications and/or variations are therefore considered as following within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined herein.

Claims

1. A waste collecting apparatus for a pit latrine, the apparatus including a receptacle which is configured to receive a bag having a first deployed position for operatively receiving waste and a second closed position for sealing off the waste in the bag, the receptacle being insertable into the pit of the pit latrine for operatively reinforcing the bag.

2. The waste collecting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receptacle has an access means on an at least one face thereof for facilitating the removal of the bag from the receptacle.

3. The waste collecting apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the bag is impermeable to fluid.

4. The waste collecting apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacle is selected from any one of the group consisting of a bag, a rigid container or a frame member.

5. The waste collecting apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bag is operatively connectable to the receptacle.

6. The waste collecting apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein an elongate member is connectable to an at least one region of the bag.

7. The waste collecting apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the elongate member facilitates the first deployed position of the bag.

8. The waste collecting apparatus of claim 6, wherein the elongate member is a resilient elongate member connectable to opposing regions of the bag.

9. The waste collecting apparatus of any one of claim 5, claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the elongate member is deformed during the transition between the first deployed position of the bag and the second closed position of the bag.

-910. The waste collecting apparatus of any one of claim 5, claim 6, claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the resilient elongate member is further connectable to opposing regions of the receptacle.

11. The waste collecting apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus is connectable to a removing means for removing the apparatus from the pit.

12. The waste collecting apparatus of claim 10, wherein the removing means is a hoist configuration, configured for lifting the apparatus out of the pit.

13. The waste collecting apparatus of claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the removing means is connectable to a runner of a gantry having a rail, whereby the removing means is thereby moved on the rail from a first operative position above the pit to a second inoperative position next to the pit.

14. The waste collecting apparatus of any one of claim 10, claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the removing means facilitates the transition of the bag from its first deployed position to its second closed position.

15. The waste collecting apparatus of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bag is manufactured from a biodegradable material.

16. Use of the waste collecting apparatus of any one of the preceding claims in agricultural or biogas applications

17. A system for removing waste from a pit latrine, the system including:

- a waste collecting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bag is in fluid flow communication with an opening in a cover member which covers the pit of the pit latrine;

- an enclosure around the cover member for ensuring the privacy of a user;

- at least a portion of the cover member being removable to enlarge the opening between the cover member and the waste collecting apparatus; and

- a removing means connectable to the waste collecting apparatus for removing the waste collecting apparatus from the pit latrine and for transporting the waste collecting apparatus to a position outside the enclosure.

-ΙΟΙ 8. The system of claim 17, wherein at least a portion of the cover member is pivotally connected to the enclosure.

19. Use of a waste collecting apparatus according to claim 1 in a pit latrine.

20. Use of a system according to claim 17 for removing waste from a pit latrine.

21. The waste collecting apparatus of claim 1, substantially as herein described and/or described with reference to the accompanying figures.

22. The use of the waste collecting apparatus of any one of claims 16, 19 and 20, substantially as herein described and/or described with reference to the accompanying figures.

23. The system of claim 17, substantially as herein described and/or described with reference to the accompanying figures.

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GB1701139.6

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