GB2616913A

GB2616913A - Improvements to urine-diverting toilets

Info

Publication number: GB2616913A
Application number: GB2204297.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Richard
Original assignee: Compo Closet Ltd
Current assignee: Compo Closet Ltd
Priority date: 2022-03-25
Filing date: 2022-03-25
Publication date: 2023-09-27
Also published as: GB202204297D0

Abstract

A desiccant dryer 10 for a urine-diverting toilet 1. The dryer has a desiccant container 20, with front 22 and back 24 ends, a lower portion 26 that contains a base 27 and an upper portion 28 that contains apertures 30 so air can circulate around a desiccant. The lower portion is impermeable to fluid and includes an outlet 40 which is connectable to a fluid collector 4 of a fluid diverting toilet, to drain captured fluid from the desiccant container. The dryer may have a fixing element to attach the dryer to the toilet and may have a basket with apertures which is located within the container. The fluid outlet may be positioned towards the front of the container so that fluid does not escape from the container when it is rotated into a position where its rear end is lowermost, such as while the toilet is being opened and emptied. The drier may also include passive and active air ducts. A urine-diverting toilet comprising the desiccant dryer is also claimed.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS TO URINE-DIVERTING TOILETS

Field

The present invention relates to urine-diverting toilets. More particularly, the present invention relates to a desiccant dryer for use in a urine-diverting toilet and urine-diverting toilets containing a desiccant dryer.

Background

Urine-diverting Toilets or separating toilets separate solids from liquids to facilitate the aerobic decomposition of faecal matter and also reduce water consumption. In the west, these toilets typically comprise a seat that positions the user above a urine-diverter linked to a fluids collector and a solids collection area. The urine collection area diverts urine into a fluid receiver, this may be a fluid collection container or a fluid drain. A fluid drain includes pipework that transports urine to a storage tank or external drainage (soak away'). Solids are typically collected in an open topped bucket-like, solids collection container and may feature apparatus to agitate the contents to mix in a carbon-rich substrate that assists in reducing both moisture and odour.

Urine-diverting toilets typically don't require any water or chemicals. They can be used in any situation, however, are most often found in locations where mains drainage is not available, or water is in short supply such as in remote locations or in mobile installations such as camper vans, motor homes, and boats. They are also often adopted by users having environmental concerns where they wish to recycle their waste, as the decomposed faecal matter can be composted and used as fertiliser.

The disadvantages of a urine-diverting toilet include that they must be emptied and there can be odour released during the period that the faeces are drying.

Some current urine-diverting toilets feature a fan that continuously vents air from within the unit to facilitate drying, however this can release unwanted odours unless externally vented. Fresh damp faeces have a strong odour and often it is not possible to vent air from the toilet as there is not access to the outside when the toilet is being stored. Those toilets that do not vent externally can suffer from internal condensation which causes mess, can rehydrate the solid matter, delaying decomposition, and promoting anaerobic decomposition which results in a strong odour. Condensation can also result in degradation of the structure of the toilet if made from natural materials such as wood or cardboard. High internal humidity caused by the drying faeces can also cause oxidation of metal components such as hinges or any electrical components resulting in premature failure.

Currently, the only solution to passively remove moisture within a toilet requires venting externally, ideally with an extended vertical pipe, possibly with the top portion painted black and/or featuring a cowl to promote drawing air upwards. Such a solution is not suitable in many applications Accordingly, the current invention provides solutions to reduce the frequency that the solids collection container must be emptied and reduce the odour that is produced by the solids during decomposition.

is Summary of Invention

Aspects and/or embodiments seek to provide solutions to the aforementioned problems.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a desiccant dryer for expediting the drying of faeces collected in a urine-diverting toilet. The urine-diverting toilet comprises a body, a solids collection container, a fluid collector, and said desiccant dryer.

The desiccant dryer includes a desiccant container having a front end, a rear end, a lower portion including a base and an upper portion. The container including one or more apertures in the upper portion for allowing air to circulate about said desiccant, the lower portion being impermeable to fluid for capturing fluid and directing captured fluid. The lower portion including a fluid outlet, connectable to the fluid collector for draining captured fluid from the desiccant container into the fluid collector.

A desiccant dryer dries the air in the urine diverting toilet to expedite the drying and therefore the decomposition of faecal matter in the solids collecting container by promoting aerobic conditions. Wien air cannot circulate within faecal matter because it is wet, anaerobic decomposition may occur which is not preferable due to an increase in bad odour and the resultant product is not easy to dispose of. Dried faecal matter also requires less volume and therefore occupies less space within the solids collection container. This increases the amount of faecal matter that can be stored within the solid collection container and reduces the frequency that the solids collection container must be emptied. Condensation can be created on the inside of the desiccant container and if a soluble desiccant is used this will form a liquid as it absorbs water from the air. The fluid outlet prevents fluid collecting in the lower portion of the desiccant dryer which removes the need for the user to empty fluid from the desiccant dryer and prevents the desiccant being submerged in collected fluid and no longer being effective.

Optionally the desiccant dryer, further including a fixing element attachable to the urine-diverting toilet for attaching the desiccant dryer to the urine-diverting toilet. Thus, allowing the desiccant dryer to be positioned in an optimum location in the toilet body to dry the air in the solids collection container.

Optionally the desiccant dryer, including a fluid director wherein the fluid outlet further comprises an attachment point for attaching said fluid director to the desiccant dryer for directing collected fluid into the fluid collector.

The fluid director fluidly connects the desiccant dryer with the fluid collector to drain the desiccant dryer into the fluid collector ensuring simple and clean disposal of any captured fluid.

Optionally the desiccant dryer further including a desiccant basket having a plurality of air permeable apertures for allowing air to circulate around and through desiccant contained within the desiccant basket and the desiccant basket located within the desiccant container. The desiccant container may have a depth Li and, the desiccant basket have a depth L2 with depth Li being greater than depth L2. The desiccant basket may further include a first basket locating member and the desiccant container include a second basket locating member complementary to the first basket locating member for locating the desiccant basket relative to the desiccant container, in particular in the direction of Li and L2 such that the desiccant basket is suspended above the base of the desiccant container to provide clearance between the base and desiccant contained within the basket to prevent contact with any fluid collected in the base.

The desiccant basket is suspended above the base of the desiccant container therefore the desiccant held within the basket is held clear of any captured fluid allowing air to move freely around the desiccant and ensure the desiccant remains fully effective. The basket also ensures that the fluid outlet is not blocked by the desiccant.

Optionally the desiccant dryer, wherein the base is inclined toward the fluid outlet when in use for directing captured fluid to the fluid outlet and draining captured fluid from the desiccant container. The inclined base ensuring rapid and complete drainage of captured fluid.

Optionally the desiccant dryer wherein the desiccant container further includes a rear portion without apertures that is impermeable to collected fluid, the rear portion including and extending from the rear end of the desiccant container for containing fluid when the desiccant dryer is orientated with rear end lower most.

Optionally the desiccant dryer, wherein the fluid outlet is positioned toward the front end of the desiccant container to prevent captured fluid escaping when the desiccant container is rotated rear end lowermost.

Therefore, advantageously, if the desiccant container is tipped rear end down no captured fluid will escape. This is particularly advantageous if the desiccant dryer is fixed to a hinged opening portion of the body such as a hinged seat section that causes the desiccant dryer to be rotated rear end downwards when the opening portion of the body is opened.

Optionally the desiccant dryer, wherein the fluid outlet includes a sediment catcher for preventing solid particles entering the fluid outlet. Therefore, preventing solid particles blocking the fluid outlet, or polluting the contents of the fluid collector. Solid particles may include small particles of desiccant which may still be effective if not lost.

Optionally the desiccant dryer, wherein the fluid outlet comprises a first end inside the container, a second end outside the container and a passage through which fluid can pass extending from said first end to said second end and the sediment catcher comprises said first end located above the lowest point of the base when the front end and rear end are at the same level.

Optionally the desiccant dryer, wherein the sediment catcher comprises a lip at the first end of the fluid outlet, extending from the base into the container for raising the first end of the fluid outlet and said passage above the lowest point of the base.

Optionally the desiccant dryer, wherein the first basket locating member includes a horizontally extending flange and the second basket locating member includes a horizontally extending surface, wherein the horizontally extending surface is engaged by said horizontally extending flange for restraining the desiccant basket in the vertical direction.

A function of the basket is to separate the desiccant from any captured fluid by suspending the desiccant above the base of the desiccant container, the locating members maintain this location and function. The locating members may also serve to align the basket apertures with the apertures of the desiccant container.

Optionally the desiccant dryer, further including a passive air duct with a first end, located, in use, proximal to the solids collecting container, for exchanging air between the desiccant container and the solids collecting container, and a second end connected to the desiccant container. The passive air duct ensures that damp air from the solids collecting container is exchanged with air dried by the desiccant dryer improving expediting drying of the faeces.

Optionally the desiccant dryer, further including a fan for moving air over the desiccant.

Moving air within the body advantageously improves the rate of water transfer to the air from the faeces and from the air to the desiccant by maintaining a dry air around the faeces and damp air around the desiccant.

Optionally the desiccant dryer, further including an active air duct with a first end proximal the solids collection container for exchanging air with the solids collection container and the second end connected to the desiccant container and the duct further connected to the fan for moving air within the active air duct.

Optionally the desiccant dryer may include a passive air duct and an active air duct. Such an arrangement can provide an air drying circuit for receiving damp air from the solids collection container passing the air through the desiccant dryer and returning dry air to the solids collection container to rapidly dry the faecal matter contained therein.

Moving air maintains a concentration gradient or humidity gradient between air surrounding the faecal matter and the faecal matter to promote both faster drying of faeces by exposing them to drier air and greater absorption of vapour by the desiccant by replacing dried air with damp or wet air from outside the desiccant container.

Optionally the desiccant dryer, wherein the desiccant container is enclosed within the passive air duct and/or active air duct to ensure optimum exposure of the desiccant to the air moved within the duct.

Optionally the desiccant dryer, further including a desiccant contained within the desiccant container and/or desiccant basket. Said desiccant may be a soluble desiccant such that absorbing water will liquify the desiccant and allow it to drain via the fluid outlet removing the need for the user to dispose of saturated desiccant.

Optionally the desiccant dryer, wherein the desiccant container further includes an opening for replenishing desiccant and a lid for closing the desiccant container.

A urine-diverting toilet including a body, a fluids collector, a solids collection container and a desiccant dryer.

Optionally, the urine-diverting toilet, wherein the desiccant dryer is as described above.

Optionally the urine-diverting toilet, wherein the fluid collector includes one or more fluid inlets for receiving fluid, and the desiccant dryer includes a fluid outlet connected to a fluid director which is fluidly connected to said fluid inlet.

Optionally the urine-diverting toilet, wherein the one or more fluid inlets of the fluid collector include a one way valve for preventing fluid or air escaping from the fluid collector. The one way valve advantageously preventing spillage in the event the toilet is overturned and preventing odour escaping from the fluid collector in normal use. Urine smelling as bad or worse than faeces.

Optionally the urine-diverting toilet, wherein the one-way valve is a duckbill valve. A duckbill valve requiring little or not positive pressure to allow fluid to pass into the fluids container whilst providing a strong non-return seal.

Optionally the urine-diverting toilet, further including a hinged seat section movable about, a seat section hinge from a horizontal closed position to a vertical open position, wherein the desiccant dryer includes a fixing element for fixing to the seat, the desiccant dryer movable with the seat to allow clear access to the fluid collector and the solids collection container when the seat is in the open position. This arrangement allows the desiccant dryer to be placed in closer proximity to faecal matter, and preferably within the solid collection container when the urine-diverting toilet is in use with the hinged seat section in the closed position, whilst maintaining obstruction free access to the solid collection container. By the desiccant dryer being located in or near the solid collection container drying of the faecal matter is further accelerated.

Optionally the urine-diverting toilet, wherein the rear end of the desiccant container is proximal the hinge of the seat section and the front end is distal said hinge, and the fluid director positioned to direct fluid to one of the one or more fluid inlets of the fluids collector when the seat section is in the closed position.

Optionally the urine-diverting toilet, wherein the desiccant dryer further includes a passive air drying dud having a first end and a second end, the first end located proximal to or within the solids collection container for exchanging air with the solids collection container and the one or more apertures of the desiccant container including a duct aperture connected to the second end of the passive air drying duct. Advantageously, the passive duct ensures exchange of air in the solids collection container more directly with the desiccant drier.

Optionally the urine-diverting toilet, wherein the desiccant dryer further includes an active air drying duct having a first end and a second end, the first end proximal or within the solids collection container for exchanging air with the solids collection container and the one or more apertures of the desiccant container including a duct aperture connected to the second end of the active air drying duct and the active air drying dud further connected to the fan for moving air through the active air duct.

Optionally the urine-diverting toilet, wherein the desiccant dryer includes an active air drying duct and a passive air drying duct and a plurality of duct apertures for exchanging air with the solids collection container. In some embodiments the combination of an active air drying duct and a passive air drying duct can combine to create an air drying circuit which may receive wet air from proximal or within the solid collection container, pass it through the desiccant dryer to dry the air and return dried air to the solids collection container further accelerating the drying of faecal mater therein.

Brief Description of Drawings

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings having like-reference numerals, in which: Figure 1 shows a urine-diverting toilet according to the current invention; Figure 2 shows the urine-diverting toilet of figure 1 with the body of the urine-diverting toilet removed to expose the internal components; Figure 3 shows a desiccant dryer according to the current invention; Figure 4 shows a section view of a desiccant dryer according to the current invention further including a desiccant basket.

Figure 5 shows a schematic layout of a urine-diverting toilet according to the current invention; Figure 6 shows an alternative schematic arrangement of a urine-diverting toilet according to the current invention; and io Figure 7 shows a composting toilet according to the current invention with the hinged seat section in the open position

Specific Description

Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of urine-diverting toilet 1. The urine-diverting toilet 1 includes a toilet body 2 which includes a seat section 8 and a lid 2a which opens to show the seat 7 attached to the seat section 8. The seat section 8 includes a front side 8a and a rear side 8b and may further include a hinge 9, connecting the hinged seat section 8 to the body 2, at the rear side 8b of the seat section 8, about which the seat section may rotate from a closed position 8d as shown in Figure 1 to an open position 8c shown in figure 7. Wherein in the open position 8c, the front side 8a is above the rear side 8b. In the open position Sc the seat section 8 allows access to and or removal of the solids collection container 6 for disposal of dried faecal matter collected in the solids collection container. Below the seat is a urine diverter 3. Figure 1 shows the hinged seat section 8 in the closed position 8a with the lid 2a open. It will be understood that the hinged seat section 8 is one of many possibilities that could be used by the designer to allow access to the solids collection container 6 for removal of collected faecal matter such as a door in the side of the body or simply a removable seat section 8.

Referring to Figure 2 the urine-diverting toilet 1 of Figure 1 is shown with part of the toilet body 2 removed. The urine-diverter 3 can be seen connected to a fluid collector 4. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2 the fluid collector 4 is a fluid collection container 4a, however, It will be understood that where external disposal of fluids is possible, for example where drainage facilities are available, the fluid collector 4 may be a fluid drain pipe 4b for directing fluids for remote disposal outside of the urine-diverting toilet 1. The fluids collector 4 includes one or more fluid inlets 5 for receiving fluids. The urine-diverter 3 is fluidly connected to the fluid collector 4. It is advantageous for the one or more fluid inlets 5 to include a one way valve to prevent fluid escaping in the event of the toilet 1 over turning over and to prevent odours escaping. A number of known one way valves 5a may be used and in particular a duck bill valve 5b is effective as such a valve requires little pressure to allow fluids to pass through the valve whilst achieving good sealing. The urine-diverting toilet 1 also includes a solids collection container 6 for receiving faeces and any substrate that may be used. It will be appreciated that whilst a separate solids collection container 6 is shown in Figure 2, which allows easy removal of the solids collection container 6 for disposal of faecal matter therein, the solids collection container 6 may be integrated as part of the body 2 and therefore not removable.

Figure 2 shows a desiccant dryer 10 attached to the urine-diverting toilet 1 by a fixing element 21. The fixing element 21 may be a clip, a latch or a rotating cam to reversibly secure the desiccant dryer 10 to the body 2. In figure 2 the desiccant dryer 10 is mounted on and movable with the hinged seat section 8. Wien in the open position 8b the fluid collector 4 and the solid collection container 6 are exposed to allow easy removal for disposal of their contents. In alternative embodiments the desiccant dryer may not be secured to the body, it may be secured to the solids collection container 6 or loose in the body.

Desiccant 12 comes in a number of forms. It may be in the form of beads, granules or a solid block depending on the type of desiccant 12. Desiccant 12 may be insoluble or soluble. A soluble desiccant 12 is known as a deliquescent 12. The desiccant dryer 10 of the current invention may be used with any of these types of desiccant but in the preferred embodiment a soluble desiccant 12 will be used, further preferably a granular soluble desiccant 12.

In its simplest form a desiccant dryer 10 for expediting the drying of faeces collected in a urine-diverting toilet 1, may include a desiccant container 20 for housing desiccant 12. Said container including one or more air permeable apertures 30 to allow air to be exchanged with the environment within the toilet 1. The container 20 may be a textile bag. However, a preferred embodiment of the desiccant dryer 10 is shown in figures 3 and 4.

In figure 3 the desiccant dryer 10 includes a desiccant container 20 having apertures 30 for exchanging air between the desiccant container 20 and the body 2 of the urine diverting toilet 1. Said apertures 30 may include one or more intake apertures 30a for moist air to enter the desiccant drier 10 and one or more outlet apertures 30b for dryer air to exit the desiccant drier 10. The desiccant container 20 includes an aperture 29, closed by a lid 29a, for adding or removing desiccant, and a fluid outlet 40 for draining any fluid captured by the desiccant container 20. The lid 29a may include lid apertures 31 to further improve exchange of air. The embodiment of figure 4 further includes a desiccant basket 50 within the desiccant container 20 for holding desiccant 12 there within. The desiccant basket 50 includes air permeable apertures 52 which may be aligned with the apertures 30 of the desiccant container 20 to improve exchange of air between the desiccant container 20 and the body 2.

The desiccant container 20 includes a front end 22 or first end 22, a rear end 24 or second end 24, a lower portion 26 and an upper portion 28. The lower portion 28 further including a base 27 forming the lower surface of the container 20. The upper portion 28 comprising one or more apertures 30 for exchanging air between the desiccant container 20 and the environment within the urine-diverting toilet 1 to allow moist air from within the toilet 1 to circulate about the desiccant 12 in order to dry said air. The apertures 30 may be circular, or perforations but are preferably elongate to increase area for exchange of air whilst sized for containing desiccant 12. The lower portion 26 may have no apertures 30 and be impermeable to fluid for containing and/or directing fluid. A fluid outlet 40 is located in the lower portion 26 for draining fluid that collects in the desiccant container 20. Collected fluid may be condensate or it may be dissolved desiccant 12 if a soluble desiccant 12 is used. The base 27 of the container is inclined towards the fluid outlet 40 to direct collected fluid to the fluid outlet 40. The container also includes an opening 29 for replenishing and/or replacing desiccant 12. The opening 29 may be closed by a lid 29a. The container 20 includes a lip 29b for receiving and securing said lid 29. The opening 29 is shown in the upper portion 28 of the desiccant container 20, forming an upper face 28a of the desiccant container 20 and includes further apertures 30. It will be understood that the opening 29 may be in another location on the container 20 and the lid 29a may not include further apertures 30 in particular if a portion of the opening 29 is in the lower portion 28 of the desiccant container 20. It will be appreciated that whilst an oblong desiccant container 20 is shown in the figures with front end 22 and rear end 24 on the short sides, the desiccant container 20 may be square, circular or another shape suitable to fit in the body of a urine diverting toilet 1 with first and second ends 22, 24 on opposite sides.

The fluid outlet 40 includes a first end 40a inside the container 20 and a second end outside the container and a passage 46 through which fluid can pass extending from the first end 40a to the second end 40b. The fluid outlet 40 also includes a sediment catcher 44. In a preferred embodiment as displayed in figure 2 the sediment catcher 44 is located at the first end 40a of the outlet 40 and preferably within the desiccant container 20. The sediment catcher 44 displayed in figure 1 comprises a lip 48, in the form of a cylindrical protrusion, protruding from the base 27 and extending the passage 46 into the container. Therefore, solid particles on the base 27 may not pass the lip 48 and enter the fluid outlet 40. The sediment catcher 44 may alternatively comprise a mesh filter or the first end 40a of the outlet may be located slightly above the base 27 when the unit is in use with the front end 22 and the rear end 24 at the same level for example the first end 40a may extend perpendicular to the base 27 into the desiccant container 20 or the first end 40a may be located on the wall 36. The outlet 40 may further include an attachment point 42 for attaching a fluid director 49. The fluid director 49 having a first end 49a connected to the attachment point 42 of the fluid outlet 40 and a second end 49b connectable to one of the one or more fluid inlets 5 of the fluid collector 4.

The desiccant dryer 10 displayed in figure 4 also includes a desiccant basket 50 for containing desiccant 12 located within the desiccant container 20. The desiccant basket 50 includes a plurality of air permeable apertures 52 for allowing air to circulate around the desiccant 12. Preferably the apertures 52 in the basket 50 are aligned with the apertures 30 in the desiccant container 20 to promote exchange of air between the body 2 and any desiccant 12 contained within the desiccant basket 50. The apertures 52 are sized to prevent solid desiccant 12 from escaping from the desiccant basket 50 for example the apertures 52 are smaller in at least one dimension than the solid desiccant 12 in that orientation. The apertures 52 may be circular, perforations or preferably elongate to maximise area for exchange of air whilst still preventing desiccant 12 escaping. The basket may also include one or more fluid drain holes 53 in the base 57 of the basket 50 for allowing fluid, for example condensate or dissolved desiccant 12 to drain from the desiccant basket 50 into the lower portion 24 of the desiccant container 20.

It will be understood that in embodiments that the desiccant dryer 10 does not include a desiccant basket 50 the one or more air permeable apertures 30 in the desiccant container 20 must be small enough to contain solid desiccant 12. In embodiments where the desiccant dryer 10 includes a desiccant basket 50 the one or more apertures 30 in the container 20 may be larger as the desiccant 12 is contained by the desiccant basket 50.

The desiccant container 20 has a depth L1 and the desiccant basket 50 has depth L2. Depth L1 is greater than depth L2 for providing clearance between the base 27 of the desiccant container 20 and the desiccant basket 50. Therefore, any fluid contained in the lower portion of the desiccant container 20 will not be in contact with the desiccant 12 within the desiccant basket 50. The position of the desiccant basket 50 is maintained within the desiccant container 20 by a first basket locating member 54 on the desiccant basket 50 and a complementary second basket locating member 34 on the desiccant container 20. In figure 2 the first basket locating member 54 is two or more tapered walls 58 of the basket 50 and the second basket locating member 36 is two or more tapered walls 36 of the container 20. The tapered walls 36 of the container 20 spaced a distance apart to engage the two or more tapered walls 58 of the desiccant basket 50 for suspending the desiccant basket 50 above the base 27 of the desiccant container 20. The first basket locating member 54 may alternatively be a horizontally extending flange 56 (not shown) or horizontally projecting protrusion 57 (not shown) and the second basket locating member 34 a horizontally extending surface 35. The horizontally extending flange 56 or horizontally projecting protrusion 57 being located to engage the horizontally extending surface 35. The basket 50 io may be secured in place by the lid 29. The first basket locating member 54 thereby engaging the second basket locating member 34, preventing movement of the desiccant basket 50 and in particular vertical movement of the desiccant basket 50 within the desiccant container 20 for maintaining clearance between the base 27 and the desiccant basket 50 and/or alignment of basket apertures 52 with apertures 30 of the desiccant container 20.

Figure 7 shows the urine diverting toilet 1 with the hinged seat section 8 in the open position 8c. In the open position 8c the desiccant drier 10 is rotated with the front end 22 uppermost to provide clearance for a user to access the solids collection container 6.

In figure 3 it can be seen that the desiccant container 40 further includes a rear portion 25 extending a distance D from the rear end 24. Wherein the rear portion of the desiccant container 20 does not include apertures 30 and is impermeable to fluid. In a preferred embodiment the fluid outlet 40 is also positioned toward the front end 22 of the desiccant container 20. Therefore, if the orientation of the desiccant container 20 is rotated to place the front end 22 higher than the rear end 24, for example as shown in figure 7, no collected fluid will leak from the desiccant container 20. The location of the fluid outlet 40 toward the front means sufficiently distanced from the rear end to prevent collected fluid escaping from the desiccant container 20 when the desiccant container 20 is rotated as described above. This may include the fluid outlet 40 located greater than the distance D from the rear end 24, greater than 25% of the distance between the rear end 24 and the front end 26 from the rear end 24, and is preferably greater than 50% or greater than 75% of the distance between the rear end 24 to the front end 26 from the rear end 24. In the preferable embodiment shown in figure 2 and figure 7 it can be seen that the desiccant container 20 is installed attached to the hinged seat section 8 with the front end 22 distal the seat section hinge 9 and the rear end 24 proximal the seat section hinge 9 such that when the hinged seat section 8 is rotated from the closed position 8d shown in Figure 2 into the open position 8c shown in figure 7 to access the fluids collector 4 and the solids collection container 6 no collected fluid is released. In figure 7 it can be seen that when orientated in or towards the open position 8c the fluid director 49 may be disconnected from the fluid collector inlet 5, therefore it is advantageous to position the fluid outlet 40 as described above toward the front end 22 of the desiccant container 20 to prevent escape of any collected fluid when the desiccant drier 10 is orientated with the front end 22 uppermost.

Referring to figure 5 a schematic view of the components of a urine-diverting toilet similar to that of figures 1 and 2 will be described. Reference numerals are the same for like features. In addition to the features discussed by reference to figures 1 and 2 the urine-diverting toilet 1 further includes a fan 14 for circulating air around the inside of the body 2 and/or to exchange air within the solids collection container 6. The fan 14 can be located anywhere within the housing 2 but preferably is arranged to direct air toward the desiccant dryer 10 to move air over the desiccant 12 or to direct air preferably dry air from the desiccant drier 10 toward the faecal matter within the solids collection container 6. Figure 5 shows two passive air ducts 60 for exchanging air between the solids collection container 6 and the desiccant container 20, however it will be understood one or more passive air ducts 60 are possible in particular if there is no active air duct 70 in the system. A passive air duct 60 includes a first end 62, located, in use, proximal to the solids collecting container 6, for exchanging air with the solids collecting container 6, and a second end 64 connected to the desiccant container 20. The second end 64 of the passive air duct may be connected to the intake aperture 30a or the outlet aperture 30b of the desiccant drier 10 according to the desired flow of the air.

The fluid collector 4 displayed in figure 5 differs from the embodiment of figures 1 and 2. The fluid collector 4 of figure 5 is a fluid drain pipe 4b and includes a fluid inlet 5 from the urine diverter 3 and a fluid inlet 5 connected to the fluid director 49 from the desiccant container 20. The fluid inlet 5 includes a one way valve 5a. The one way valve is located after the fluid inlet 5 from the fluid director 49 and the fluid inlet from the urine diverter 3 join one another. It will be understood that in an alternative embodiment a one way valve 5a could be located in each of the fluid inlet 5 connected to the fluid director 49 and the fluid inlet 5 connected to the urine diverter 3. A further embodiment may not include a non-return valve 5 if for example the fluid drain pipe 4b is open to the environment rather than being connected to a drain.

Referring to figure 6 a further embodiment will now be described. Figure 6 shows a schematic view of the components of a urine-diverting toilet similar to that of figures 1 and 2.

Reference numerals are the same for like features. In addition to the features discussed by reference to figures 1 and 2 the urine-diverting toilet 1 may also include an active air duct 70 including a first end 72, located, in use, proximal to the open top of or preferably inside the solids collecting container 6, for exchanging air between the solids container 6 and the desiccant container 20, a second end 74 connected to the desiccant container 20 and a fan 14 arranged to direct air through the active air duct 70. The second end 74 of the active air duct may be connected to the intake aperture 30a or the outlet aperture 30b of the desiccant container 20 according to the desired flow of the air and the direction of the air directed by the fan 14.

In the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 6 a single active air duct 70 is shown with a single passive air duct 60 to form an air drying circuit 80 for receiving damp air from the solids collection container 6 passing it through the desiccant dryer 10 and returning dry air to the solids collection container 6 for expediting drying of faecal matter.

It will be understood that one or more active air ducts 70 could be used alone or with one or more passive air ducts 60. For maximum exposure of desiccant 12 to the air moved in the duct the desiccant container 20 may be an extension of the one or more air ducts 60, 70 or may be located within the one or more airducts 60, 70. The fan 14 may be located in the active duct 70 as displayed in Figure 6 or may be attached to either the first end 72 or the second end 74 of the active duct 70 for moving air through the duct. In an embodiment including one or more air ducts 60, 70 the one or more apertures 30 of the desiccant container 20 may be aligned with the second end 64, 74 of each duct 60, 70 to allow exchange of air with said one or more ducts 60, 70. Preferably the apertures 30 may all be aligned with the second end 64, 74 of the one or more ducts 60, 70 to ensure air follows the desired path through the one or more ducts 60, 70 and/or about the air drying circuit 80. In such an arrangement active ducts 70 may be connected to the inlet apertures 30a and the passive ducts to the outlet apertures 30b or vice versa. It will be understood another arrangement may be possible in order to create an air drying circuit 80 depending on the number of active and passive airducts 70, 60.

The fan 14 is connectable to a power source 82. That may be an internal power source 82, or an external power source 82. The composting toilet may include an internal power source 82. Such an internal power source 82 may be a rechargeable battery 82.

The fluid collector 4 of figure 6 is a fluid collection container 4a and includes a fluid inlet 5 connected to the urine diverter 3 and a fluid inlet 5 connected to the fluid director 49 of the desiccant dryer 10. Each fluid inlet 5 includes a one way valve 5a. Any suitable one way valve known to the skilled person can be used but in a preferable embodiment the one way valve 5a is a duck bill valve 5b.

In use the desiccant dryer 10 is filled with desiccant 12. A user may use the urine-diverting toilet 1 as normal by lifting the lid 2a and making a deposit of faeces or urine and faeces.

The urine will be kept separate from the faeces by the urine separator 3 and passed to the fluid collector 4. Faeces will enter the solids collection container 6 where the user may add a substrate to the faeces. Once finished the lid 2a may be closed to prevent odour escaping from the fresh moist faeces. Thereafter the faeces must be dried, this can take time and io results in the air within the body 2 of the urine-diverting toilet 1 becoming more humid slowing drying. However, with the current invention the desiccant dryer 10 maintains a low humidity within the urine-diverting toilet 1 expediting drying and therefore decomposition of the faecal matter. This prevents the need to exchange the air from within the urine-diverting toilet 1 with the outside air, allowing the odour released to be reduced. The fan 14 if included moves moist air from within the solids collection container 6 to the desiccant dryer 10 and/or moves dry air from the desiccant dryer 10 to the solids collection container 6 to expedite drying by improving the moisture gradient between the faeces and the air surrounding them in the solids collection container 6. The ducts 60,70 if fitted direct air between the desiccant container 20 and the solids collection container 6 further improving efficiency of drying of the faecal matter. Once dried the user can open the body, by the hinged seat section 8 if fitted to access and remove the dried faecal matter. If fitted to the seat section 8 the desiccant dryer 10 including any ducts 60,70 that may be included, will be moved clear of the solids collection container 6, with the seat section 8 to provide access to the solids collection container 6. Similarly, The fluid director 49 and the urine diverter 3 may move with the hinged seat section 8 to provide access to the fluid collector 4 to allow cleaning and/or removal of the fluid collector if a fluid collection container 4a is present.

Any system or apparatus feature as described herein may also be provided as a method feature, and vice versa. As used herein, means plus function features may be expressed alternatively in terms of their corresponding structure.

Any feature in one aspect or embodiment may be applied to other aspects or embodiments, in any appropriate combination. In particular, method aspects may be applied to system or apparatus aspects, and vice versa. Furthermore, any, some and/or all features in one aspect or embodiment can be applied to any, some and/or all features in any other aspect or embodiment, in any appropriate combination.

It should also be appreciated that particular combinations of the various features described and defined in any aspects can be implemented and/or supplied and/or used independently.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A desiccant drier (10) for expediting the drying of faeces collected in a urine-diverting toilet (1), the urine-diverting toilet (1) comprising a body (2) , a solids collection container (6), and a fluid collector (4); the desiccant drier (10) including a desiccant container (20) having a front end (22), a rear end (24), a lower portion (26) including a base (27) and an upper portion (28); the container (20) including a one or more apertures (30) in the upper portion (28) for allowing air to circulate about said desiccant (12), the lower portion (26) being 113 impermeable to fluid for capturing fluid and directing captured fluid, and the lower portion (26) including a fluid outlet (40), connectable to the fluid collector (4) for draining captured fluid from the desiccant container (20).
2. A desiccant drier (10) according claim 1, further including a fixing element (21) attachable to the urine-diverting toilet (1) for attaching the desiccant drier (10) to the urine-diverting toilet (1).
3. A desiccant drier (10) according to any preceding claim, including a fluid director (49) wherein the fluid outlet (40) further comprises an attachment point (42) for attaching said fluid director (44) for directing collected fluid into the fluid collector (4).
4. A desiccant drier (10) according to any preceding claim, further including a desiccant basket (50) having a plurality of air permeable apertures (52) for allowing air to circulate and the desiccant basket (50) located within the desiccant container (20); wherein the desiccant container (20) has a depth L1, the desiccant basket (50) has depth L2 and depth L1 is greater than depth L2, the desiccant basket (50) including a first basket locating member (54) and the desiccant container (20) including a second basket locating member (34) complementary to the first basket locating member (54) for locating the desiccant basket (50) within the desiccant container (20) and suspending the desiccant basket (50) above the base (27) of the desiccant container (20).
5. A desiccant drier (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the base (27) is inclined toward the fluid outlet (40) for directing captured fluid to the fluid outlet (40) and draining captured fluid from the desiccant container (20).
6. A desiccant drier (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the desiccant container further includes a rear portion (25) without apertures (30) that is impermeable to collected fluid, the rear portion (25) including and extending from the rear end (24) of the desiccant container (20) for containing fluid when the desiccant drier (10) is orientated with rear end (24) lower most.
7. A desiccant drier (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the fluid outlet (40) is positioned toward the front end (22) of the desiccant container (20) to prevent captured fluid escaping when the desiccant container (20) is rotated rear end (24) io lowermost.
8. A desiccant drier (10) according claim 7, wherein the fluid outlet (40) includes a sediment catcher (44) for preventing solid particles entering the fluid outlet (40).is
9. A desiccant drier (10) according claim 8, wherein the fluid outlet (40) comprises a first end (40a) inside the container (20), a second end outside the container and a passage (46) through which fluid can pass extending from the first end (40a) to the second end (40b) and the sediment catcher (44) comprises said first end (40a) located above the lowest point of the base (27) when the front end (22) and rear end (24) are at the same level.
10. A desiccant drier (10) according claims 8 or 9, wherein the sediment catcher (44) comprises a lip (48) at the first end (40a) of the fluid outlet (40), extending from the base (27) into the container (20) for raising said passage (46) above the lowest point of the base (27).
11. A desiccant drier (10) according any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein the first basket locating member (54) includes a horizontally extending flange (56) and the second basket locating member (34) includes a horizontally extending surface (35) on which the radially extending flange sits and a wall (36) perpendicular to the radially extending surface (35) for engaging the outer perimeter (58).
12. A desiccant drier (10) according to any preceding claim, further including a passive air duct (60) with a first end (62), located, in use, proximal to the solids collecting container (6), for exchanging air between the desiccant container 20 and the solids collecting container (6), and a second end (64) connected to the desiccant container (20).
13. A desiccant drier (10) according to any preceding claim, further including a fan (14) for moving air over the desiccant (12).
14. A desiccant drier (10) according claim 13, further including an active air duct (70) with a first end (72) proximal the solids collection container (6) for exchanging air with the solids collection container (6) and the second end (74) connected to the desiccant container (20) and the duct further connected to the fan (14) for moving air within the active air duct (70).
15. The desiccant drier (10) according to claim 14 including a passive air duct (60) and an active air duct (70).
16. The desiccant drier (10) according to any one of claims 12 to 15 wherein the desiccant container (20) is enclosed within the passive air duct (60) and/or active air duct (70).
17. The desiccant drier (10) according to any preceding claim, and further including a desiccant (12) contained within the desiccant container (20) or desiccant basket (50).
18. The desiccant drier (10) according to claim 17 wherein said desiccant is a soluble desiccant (12).
19. The desiccant drier (10) according to any preceding claim, and the desiccant container (20) further including an opening (29) for replenishing desiccant (12) and a lid (29a) for closing the desiccant container (20) and the desiccant container (20).
20. A urine-diverting toilet (1) including a body (2), a fluids collector (4), a solids collection container (6) and a desiccant drier (10).
21. The urine-diverting toilet according to claim 20 wherein the desiccant drier (10) is as claimed in any one of claims 0 to 19.
22. The urine-diverting toilet according to claim 20 or 21 wherein the fluids collector (4) includes one or more fluid inlets (5) for receiving fluid, and the desiccant drier (10) includes a fluid outlet (40) connected to a fluid director (49) which is fluidly connected to said fluid inlet (5).
23. The urine-diverting toilet according to any one of claims 20 to 22 wherein the one or more fluid inlets (5) of the fluid collector (4)including a one way valve (5a) for preventing fluid or air escaping from the fluids collector.
24. The urine-diverting toilet according to claim 23, wherein the one way valve (5a) is a duckbill valve (5b).
25. The urine-diverting toilet according to any one of claims 20 to 24 further including a hinged seat section (8) rotatable about, a seat section hinge (9) from a horizontal closed position (8a) to a vertical open position (8b), wherein the desiccant drier (10) includes a fixing element (21) for fixing to the seat (8), the desiccant drier (10) movable with the seat (8) to allow clear access to the fluids collector (4) and the solids collection container (6) when the seat (8) is in the open position (8a).
26. The urine-diverting toilet according to claim 25 wherein the rear end (24) of the desiccant container (20) is proximal the hinge (9) of the seat section (8) and the front end (26) is distal said hinge (9), and the fluid director (49) positioned to direct fluid to one of the one or more fluid inlets (5) of the fluids collector in the closed position.
27. The urine-diverting toilet according to any one of claims 20 to 26 wherein the desiccant drier (10) further includes a passive air drying duct (60) having a first end (62) and a second end (64), the first end (62) proximal to or within the solids collection container (6) for exchanging air with the solids collection container (6) and the one or more apertures (30) of the desiccant container (20) including a duct aperture (32) connected to the second end (64) of the passive air drying duct (60).
28. The urine-diverting toilet according to any one of claims 20 to 27 wherein the desiccant drier (10) further includes an active air drying duct (70) having a first end (72) and a second end (74), the first end (72) proximal the solids collection container (6) for exchanging air with the solids collection container (6) and the one or more apertures (30) of the desiccant container (20) including a duct aperture (32) connected to the second end (74) of the active air drying duct (70) and the active air drying duct further connected to the fan (14) for moving air through the active air duct (70).
29. The urine-diverting toilet according to claim 28 wherein the desiccant drier (10) includes an active air drying duct (70) and a passive air drying duct (60) and a plurality of duct apertures (32) for exchanging air with the solids collection container (8).