JP2004526890A - Toilet system - Google Patents

Abstract

The toilet system has a toilet (10) and a waste storage box (12) adapted to receive waste from the toilet (10). The auger (30) operably cooperates with the waste bin (12) such that at least some of the waste collected in the bin (12) can be removed by the auger (30). , Is located. The waste bin (12) has floors (14, 16) which slope inward to form a groove (18). The floor (14, 16) has a number of holes through which liquid can pass. Walls (24, 26) extend upward from the periphery of the floor (14, 16), and the auger (30) is located at the lower portion (32) of the groove (18).
[Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

【Technical field】
[0001]
The present invention relates to a toilet system, and more particularly to a toilet system for recycling or reusing waste introduced into the toilet system.
[Background Art]
[0002]
Several outdoor composting toilet systems are available. For example, one system includes an enclosure that includes a bathroom with a toilet, where human waste discarded in the toilet is directed directly to an underground collection pit below the toilet. Sent by gravity. The pit must be cleaned regularly to remove the waste once it reaches a predetermined volume. And the regenerated solid waste can be used as nutrient-rich compost. Also, such pit toilets rely on rainwater collection to flush the toilet.
[0003]
Australian patent application AU45132 / 97 describes a worm digester toilet for receiving human waste and breaking it down into usable compost. To obtain compost, the casting door on the side of the waste collection box must be opened and the waste must be removed, perhaps using a shovel or other similar means.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0004]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a first aspect of the present invention, a toilet system is provided. The toilet system has a waste bin, the waste bin is arranged to receive waste from a toilet, and has a floor, the floor comprising: Forming a groove inclined inwardly and having a number of holes, allowing a liquid to pass through the holes, and having waste removal means; Is located at the bottom of the gutter and is operatively associated with the waste bin so that at least some of the waste collected in the bin can be removed. I have.
[0005]
Preferably, the waste bin has a wall extending upward from the periphery of the floor.
[0006]
Preferably, the waste storage box further comprises a removable cover, through which organic matter can be introduced.
[0007]
Preferably, the waste bin has ventilation means to allow gas to escape from the waste bin.
[0008]
Preferably, an auger extends through an opening in the waste bin, and the auger is operable to remove waste collected in the bin through the opening.
[0009]
Preferably, the system further comprises a container for receiving the liquid passing through the hole, and means for transferring the liquid received in the container to a cistern.
[0010]
Preferably, the container is divided into two chambers by baffles.
[0011]
Preferably, the container has a sump.
[0012]
Preferably, the system further comprises heating means for heating the waste in the storage box.
[0013]
Preferably, the heating means has a heating element located in the waste storage box.
[0014]
Alternatively or additionally, the heating means has a heating element arranged to heat the outer surface of the waste storage box.
[0015]
Preferably, the heating means is operable to periodically heat at least some of the waste in the storage box to a temperature of at least about 72 ° C.
[0016]
Preferably, the heating means is operable to maintain the waste in the waste storage box at around 32 ° C.
[0017]
Preferably, the heating means is powered by a solar panel or a solar collector.
[0018]
Alternatively, the heating means is powered by mains electricity.
[0019]
Preferably, the system further comprises a rainwater tank for collecting rainwater, and the collected rainwater can be used in the system.
[0020]
Preferably, rainwater is collected from the roof of the building containing the toilet system.
[0021]
Preferably, the waste removal means comprises an auger.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments (only examples) of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a toilet system having a toilet 10 housed in a building 11 and a waste bin 12 arranged to receive waste from the toilet 10, wherein the waste bin is , Above the ground and below the floor 13 of the building 11. The waste storage box has a floor consisting of two parts 14 and 16 which incline inwardly to form a groove 18. The floor has a number of holes 20, allowing liquid to pass through those holes. The liquid passing through the hole 20 is collected in the container 22. Side and rear walls 24 and front wall 26 extend upwardly from perimeter 28 of floors 14 and 16 to help contain waste in waste storage bin 12.
[0023]
The waste removal means in the form of an auger 30 is operatively associated with the waste storage bin 12 such that at least some of the waste collected in the storage bin can be removed by the auger 30. Have been. The auger is located in the lower part 32 of the groove 18. At or near one end 34 of the auger 30, the auger extends through an opening 36 in the front wall 26. The auger is arranged to convey material collected in storage bin 12 through this opening 36.
[0024]
Container 22 is in fluid communication with cistern 38 of toilet 10. The container 22 and the cistern 38 and their fluid communication are tanks in the form of a first liquid storage tank 40. The storage tank 40 also has an overflow conduit 42 for overflowing excess liquid into the tank 40. The overflow from the tank 40 is dispersed in the surrounding open land and permeates there.
[0025]
The solar powered pump 44 pumps water from the liquid storage tank 40 to a second storage tank 46. In another aspect, the pump 44 is powered by an electrical mains. When the water in the toilet 10 is flushed, the second storage tank 46 is provided near the ceiling 47 of the building 11 so that the liquid is immediately supplied to the cistern 38 by gravity and can be replaced by the liquid used in flushing the water. It is arranged at a position above. The float valve 48 is mechanically connected to the pump 44 to ensure that the second storage tank 46 holds a predetermined volume of liquid. Due to the health risks associated with the presence of sewage in tank 46, water in tank 46 should not be piped to a basin for washing purposes.
[0026]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the mechanism for flushing the toilet is activated by the button 50 and is located on the cistern 38 in a position that prevents operation of the button when the toilet lid 52 is in the open position. I have. This ensures that the toilet seat lid 52 must be closed or in a lower position in order for the user to flush the toilet 10. This may help prevent the flushed liquid from bouncing through the toilet opening 54 and thereby fouling the user. In another aspect, the flushing mechanism is automatically activated by lowering the toilet lid 52 onto the toilet 56.
[0027]
In use, the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1 will now be described. The user enters the building 11 that houses the toilet system to use the toilet 10. Once the user has finished using toilet 10, the user closes toilet seat lid 52, thereby allowing the user to access button 50. When the button 50 is pressed, the liquid is released from the cistern 38 and flushes the toilet 10. The feces from use of the toilet 10 are then flushed into the waste bin 12. Both the liquid from the flushed water and the liquid from the liquid portion of the user's stool will pass through any solids already present in the waste bin 12 to the waste bin floors 14 and 16. Flows little by little. The liquid then enters container 22 through holes 20 in floors 14 and 16 of waste bin 12.
[0028]
The liquid collected in the container enters a second container 58 containing worm castings and charcoal. Charcoal helps oxidize the urine components of the user's liquid fecal material.
[0029]
The liquid then enters the liquid storage tank 40 and remains there until it needs to be pumped to the second storage tank 46. The mechanism for determining when and if liquid needs to be pumped from the storage tank to the second storage pipe 46 has been described above. The liquid travels from the storage tank 40 to the second storage pipe 46 through first and second conduits 60 and 62, respectively. If desired, a second solar pump 64 can be used to pump water from the storage tank 40 through the third conduit 66 and directly to the cistern 38.
[0030]
Referring to FIG. 2, a first in-line filter 68 is provided between the container and the liquid storage tank 40, while a second in-line filter 70 is provided in the first conduit 60. The first and second in-line filters 68 and 70 may each include any one of the following filters or sterilization modules: weft knitting filters; charcoal / activated carbon filters; resin deionisers; Sterilization; ozone sterilization; or ceramic filter and the like.
[0031]
Referring to FIG. 5, the waste storage box 12 has an auger 30 for removing waste from the waste storage box 12. The waste bin 12 is configured to substantially filter the liquid through the solids present in the tank and to flow through the holes 20 to the container 22. It is also configured to include a substantial portion of the solid components of the feces from the user. It may also include toilet paper, tissue, etc., flushed by the user. This solid will, at least in part, naturally degrade in the waste bin 12. The waste bin 12 may also include worms to help break down solids in the bin.
[0032]
When the volume of waste in the waste bin 12 reaches a predetermined level, typically three-quarters full, the solids near the auger are passed through the opening 36 in the front wall 26 and the waste bin 12 Activate the auger to take it out of the auger. However, the auger 30 can be operated whenever biodegraded waste, including earthworm dung, is needed. The waste, including earthworm dung, removed from waste storage box 12 through opening 36 can then be used as fertilizer or as a fertilizer component. The biodegraded waste is collected in containers suitable for transport to the location where it will be used.
[0033]
Auger 30 is of standard construction and operates according to standard auger principles.
[0034]
In operation, as described above, the building 11 and at least the waste bin 12 are located above the ground. For example, the building 11 may be on a support. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the waste storage box 12 is itself supported on the ground by its legs 72, or in a container 22 typically also above the ground.
[0035]
A heating means in the form of a heating element 84 is used to heat the contents of the storage box to a predetermined temperature to assist in the decomposition of the waste collected in the storage box 12.
[0036]
The heating element may be periodically heated to a minimum temperature of about 72 ° C. for a short period of time to denature pathogens in the waste product by the action of heat. The element may be heated to higher temperatures, resulting in improved treatment of waste. The highest temperature that can be reached will depend on the heat resistance of the materials selected to fabricate the waste bin 12 and associated components.
[0037]
Alternatively, a heating element may be used to continuously maintain the waste in the storage box at about 32 ° C. This lower temperature allows earthworms to be present in the waste bin. At the higher temperatures mentioned above, earthworms will be killed.
[0038]
The heating device uses a combination of a thermostat and a timer to maintain the heating element at the appropriate temperature for the appropriate time.
[0039]
The heating element can use heat supplied directly from a solar collector panel to heat the storage box, or can use electrical energy converted from sunlight by solar panels. To this end, the solar panel may trickle charge the battery. Mains electrical power may be used.
[0040]
In another aspect, the heating element is a blanket-type surround connected to one or more side walls of the storage box 12 and the outer surface of the back wall 24.
[0041]
FIG. 3 illustrates another aspect of the present invention, wherein like numbers indicate like parts. A major difference of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3 when compared to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 is that the liquid storage tank 40 shown in FIG.
[0042]
The liquid storage tank 40 shown in FIG. 3 is shown in more detail in FIG. Liquid from the container 22 enters the first chamber 76 of the liquid storage tank through a reserve conduit 78. Once the first chamber 76 is filled with liquid to the level of the weir 74, the liquid overflows the upper edge 80 of the weir 74 into the second chamber 82. The liquid in the second chamber 32 is then pumped through a first conduit 60 and by a first solar pump 44 through a second conduit 62 to a second storage tank 46, or It can be pumped directly through the third conduit 66 to the cistern 38 by the second solar pump 64. The overflow of the second chamber 82 is conveyed to the ground through the overflow conduit 42 to penetrate the ground.
[0043]
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, yet another embodiment is shown. Again, the same numbers indicate the same parts. In this embodiment, the waste storage box 12 has a ventilation hole 86, and a ventilation pipe 87 is attached to the ventilation hole 86. This allows for ventilation of gases such as methane gas generated during the decomposition of waste products. The waste storage box 12 further has an access cover 88. By removing this cover, organic matter can be added to the waste storage box. This is useful in home applications where the landlord can add green waste, such as peeled vegetables, to the waste bin. This minimizes the volume of household waste that must be otherwise treated. It may also have a beneficial effect on the breakdown of waste products in storage bins and may be useful against earthworms in storage bins by changing the diet of earthworms.
[0044]
All components of the system are located inside the walls of the building 11. This allows the toilet system to be manufactured as a stand-alone unit. This simplifies the manufacturing process and makes it possible to move the toilet system down to a remote or temporary location by crane or helicopter.
[0045]
Referring to FIG. 7, the system has a container 22 having baffles 94 and 92. Liquid that flows little by little through holes in the floor of the waste bin 12 flows into the container 22. This vessel increases the residence time of the liquid in the system and improves sedimentation of the sediment. This improves the water treatment capacity of the system.
[0046]
The container 22 has a sump 96. These can be opened to remove sedimented sediment and material. This is part of the system's maintenance regime and may be done annually.
[0047]
A pump 90 is provided to pump liquid from the container 22 to the storage tank 40. The pump may be solar powered and is activated by a level switch (not shown) that monitors the level in the second container 98. Liquid enters storage tank 40 through in-line filter 68. The in-line filter in this embodiment is significantly larger than in the other described embodiments. This not only improves the filtration efficiency, but also allows for an interval of providing filter element replacement of up to eight years. Due to the enhanced filtration efficiency provided by filter 68, conduit 60 does not require an in-line filter.
[0048]
In any of the above-described embodiments, the toilet system may include a rainwater tank for collecting rainwater that has fallen on the roof 84 of the building 11 as needed. This rainwater may then be piped to a handwasher for the user to wash. The collected rainwater may also be used to replenish the supply of liquid to the cistern 38.
[0049]
Having described preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the toilet system has at least the following advantages:
[0050]
1 The system provides a self-sufficient supply of liquid to the toilet cistern for flushing the toilet;
2 The arrangement of waste bins allows for the efficient removal of solid waste from the toilet; and 3 The efficacy of solid wastes when used as fertilizer by directly using earthworms in the waste bin. Is improved.
[0051]
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that an existing toilet system can be converted to a system according to the present invention.
[0052]
Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.
[0053]
It is to be understood that any prior references cited herein do not constitute an admission that they form part of the common general knowledge in the art.
[Brief description of the drawings]
[0054]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a preferred embodiment of a toilet system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a detailed view of another embodiment of the storage tank used in the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of a toilet system according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the storage tank of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the waste storage box of FIGS. 1 and 3;
FIG. 6 is a sectional side view of yet another embodiment of a toilet system according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the toilet system of FIG. 6;

Claims (19)

A toilet system,
A waste bin, wherein the waste bin is arranged to receive waste from a toilet and has a floor, the floor being inclined inwardly to form a groove; Forming, and has a number of holes, so that liquid can pass through the holes,
A waste removal means, located at the bottom of the channel and operatively associated with the waste storage bin, thereby at least some of the waste collected in the storage bin; Are arranged so that can be taken out,
The toilet system. The toilet system of claim 1, wherein the waste bin has a wall extending upwardly from a periphery of the floor. 3. The toilet system according to claim 1, wherein the waste storage box further has a removable cover, and the organic matter can be introduced through the cover. 4. A toilet system according to any preceding claim, wherein the waste bin has ventilation means to allow gas to escape from the waste bin. The toilet system of any of the preceding claims, wherein an auger extends through an opening in the waste bin and the auger is operable to remove waste collected in the bin through the opening. The toilet system of claim 1, further comprising a container for receiving liquid passing through the hole, and means for transferring the liquid received in the container to the cistern. 7. The toilet system of claim 6, wherein the container is divided into two chambers by a baffle. The toilet system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the container has a sump. The toilet system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising heating means for heating the waste in the storage box. The toilet system according to claim 9, wherein the heating means comprises a heating element disposed in the waste bin. 11. The toilet system according to any of claims 9 or 10, wherein the heating means comprises a heating element arranged to heat the outer surface of the waste storage box. A toilet system according to any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the heating means is operable to periodically heat at least some of the waste in the storage box to a temperature of at least about 72C. 13. A toilet system according to any of claims 9 to 12, wherein the heating means is operable to maintain the waste in the waste storage box at around 32 <0> C. 14. The toilet system according to any of claims 9 to 13, wherein the heating means is powered by a solar panel or a solar collector. 14. The toilet system according to any of claims 9 to 13, wherein the heating means is powered by an electric mains. The toilet system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a rainwater tank for collecting rainwater, wherein the collected rainwater can be used in the system. 17. The toilet system of claim 16, wherein rainwater is collected from a roof of a building containing the toilet system. A toilet system according to any preceding claim, wherein the waste removal means is an auger. A toilet system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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