JPH10248749A - Tank made of plastic - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a cost, to save a space, to increase tank strength and to manufacture even a large-sized tank by providing a wavy noncontinuous surface on the tank and eliminating the presence of a continuous plane exceeding a specified area. SOLUTION: This tank 25 is provided with first and second end walls 26 and 27 and first and second side walls 28 and 29, a peak part surface 30 is provided near the side wall 28 and a peak part pump attaching surface 31 and a projection part 32 are provided on the surface 30. The peak part surface 33 is provided on the opposite side of the tank 25 from the surfaces 30 and 32 and the different pump attaching peak part surface 34 is provided between them. On the surface of the tank 25, many irregular surface parts called grooves or channels are provided. The irregular shape parts are provided so as to eliminate the presence of the continuous plane exceeding the area of about 200cm<2> on the tank 25.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vacuum toilet apparatus, and more particularly to a vacuum toilet apparatus suitable for a boat, a recreational vehicle, or a caravan vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Sealand Technology, Inc. of Big Prairie, Ohio.
c. ) Manufacturing boats and recreational vehicles (RV vehicles)
The toilet device, called "VACU-FLUSH (registered trademark) (vacuum flush)", has the function of flushing (vacuum flushing) a vacuum toilet and the need to dispose of the toilet properly or until the occasion arises. A vacuum device having a function of storing waste has been provided for many years. Initially, the device consisted of four main components. A vacuum toilet section, a vacuum tank connected thereto, a vacuum pump connected thereto, and a storage tank connected thereto, as described in US Pat. No. 4,819,279. It is. Subsequently, the number of parts was effectively reduced from four to three by effectively combining the vacuum pump and the vacuum tank, as described in US Pat. No. 5,408,704 and International Publication No. As described in Publication No. 96/41059 (the contents of these patents are incorporated herein by reference). The present invention relates to a device obtained by further developing such a toilet device, and is particularly suitable for use in boats, caravans, or recreational vehicles. In such cases, space is of the utmost importance and appropriate cost factors apply. According to the present invention, there is provided a tank in which a plastic vacuum tank and a storage tank are integrated. This tank is not fortified. That is, it has no reinforcing long fiber integrated with the plastic material, for example, glass fiber or metal fiber (although other materials, for example, talc or glass powder may be used). It is also possible to attach a vacuum pump directly to this tank. This means that the device of the present invention has a minimum number of parts (two), i.e. a vacuum toilet and two integrated vacuum / reservoir and vacuum pumps, or a vacuum pump as a tank. If it is cut away and installed far away, it has three parts. In accordance with the present invention, although fewer parts are required, no significant compromise is made in the functionality of the device. Rather, cost reduction,
Only space savings and operational advantages are obtained.

[0003] The use of a tank in which a vacuum tank and a storage tank are integrated in a waste disposal apparatus is known per se. However, the structure according to the prior art requires expensive tank materials or has a cylindrical shape. Shape (with dome-shaped end)
And there is no advantage of low cost and space saving as in the present invention.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,663,970 relates to an apparatus in which a tank made of glass fiber or glass fiber reinforced material and integrated with a vacuum tank and a storage tank is used, but a pressure is required to discharge waste. Need and such materials are expensive. U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,592 shows a cylindrical (with dome-shaped end) metal tank connected to a blower for storing dirt. On the other hand, US Pat. No. 5,214,807 discloses a double wall tank. The whole plastic tank itself is known for waste treatment equipment for cars, for example:
As described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,408,704, these are relatively small (only applicable to the vacuum of the 5,408,704 patent) and are entirely unreinforced (e.g., rotating). It was completely unknown that large plastic tanks (moulded or injection molded) were possible, such as the integrated vacuum and storage tanks of the present invention.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a tank comprising a substantially unreinforced, all plastic, non-cylindrical (eg, generally parallelepiped) vacuum tank and a storage tank. It is possible to It allows a tank to have a corrugated, discontinuous surface (for example, discontinuities can be made with grooves, channels, or other discontinuity forming means) and about 80 square inches (200 square centimeters). This is done by providing a tank where there are no more continuous planes. The dimensions (internal volume) of the tank of the present invention are typically about 45-65 liters (ie, about 14 gallons).
And usually, but not necessarily in all situations, the vacuum portion of the tank is about 12 liters or more (eg, the minimum volume of liquid /
The waste part is about 43 liters).

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tank in which a vacuum tank and a storage tank comprising the following parts are integrated. First and second (substantially planar) end faces, first and second (substantially planar) side faces, at least one pump mounting surface, first and second outlets, inlets, upper surface A substantially hollow, non-reinforced, non-cylindrical, all-plastic tank having a bottom, and a bottom. A vacuum pump mounted on at least one pump mounting surface outside the tank. A downwardly extending waste transport tube mounted in the tank and connected to the first outlet. A gas inlet tube mounted in the tank and connected to the second outlet, the tube having a top open end adjacent (ie, near) the tank top surface. And a connection between the vacuum pump and a second outlet outside the tank.

[0006] If desired, a sensor for detecting the liquid level in the tank may be provided together with means for stopping the operation of the vacuum pump, and the detected liquid level in the tank may be adjusted with respect to the upper open end of the air inlet pipe. It is possible to detect whether the level is close to a predetermined level, and to have the gas phase portion always exist near the upper surface in the tank. If a means for stopping the operation of the vacuum pump is provided, even if the detected liquid level in the tank becomes too high, it is necessary to prevent sewage from flowing to the vacuum pump (it is usually possible to withdraw liquid). it can. For example, in typical operation, the tank has a waste storage capacity of about 40-50 liters (10-11 gallons) and is operated in a vacuum having a size of a minimum of about 12 liters (3 gallons). The vacuum is formed to be 8 to 10 inches (as is conventional per se). In response to the detection of the level of dirt, a relay can be opened and closed so as to disconnect the vacuum pump from the power supply, and the vacuum pump cannot be operated until the liquid level drops. Alternatively, a controller can be provided to receive information from the sensors and stop the vacuum pump in any known manner. Also, the above sensors may be of any conventional construction, for example, optical,
Any of sonic (including ultrasonic), piezoelectric, fluid, or mechanical sensors may be used. For example, a conventional float-actuated sensor may be used.

[0007] Usually, a gas discharge tube is connected to a vacuum pump to discharge gas from the tank, this tube, for example,
The outer wall of the boat where the tank is mounted (for example,
Through the hull of a boat) or the skin (eg, side panel or bottom) of a caravan or recreational vehicle. Also, a conduit is typically connected to the first outlet, from which dirt is discharged out of the tank. At least one pump mounting surface includes a top surface;
Alternatively, a second pump mounting top surface may be included. In that case, a waste pump can be selectively mounted on this second pump mounting top surface and connected to the first outlet. Preferably, the inlet is provided with a conduit, which is connected to at least one vacuum toilet.

[0008] A substantially unreinforced plastic tank is
Although it can be formed by rotomolding from low density linear polyethylene (with or without additives), a wide variety of other plastics can be used and other manufacturing methods can be used. However, rotational molding is preferred because it is easy, inexpensive, and does not have a seam in the tank (the seam must be sealed if necessary, as in the case of injection molding). If the tank is injection molded (higher sales volumes warrant adoption), a wide variety of other plastics can be used, including ABS resin. The corrugated or discontinuous structure on the tank surface is usually a reinforced groove or channel formed on a convex portion, but it is desirable that a similar groove structure be provided on the entire surface of the tank. Further, the first outlet and the second outlet substantially divide the tank into two, and are on opposite sides of a vertical plane intersecting the first end face and the second end face of the tank, and are directed in opposite directions. Normal.

Preferably, a vacuum switch for detecting the degree of vacuum in the gas volume is mounted on the tank. Conventional vacuum switches or similar can be used, but the details of vacuum detection are not critical. Typically, a vacuum switch is calibrated to start the pump if the degree of vacuum in the gas volume is below a predetermined value (eg, if the vacuum is below about 8 inches of mercury, the vacuum pump is turned on). And the gas volume is evacuated to a vacuum of about 10 inches of mercury). It is common to maintain the tank at a maximum vacuum of about 26 cm of mercury.

Normally, the bottom of the tank is formed with a gradient in the direction of the waste outlet, and the tank is supported on a horizontal surface with plastic integrated legs so that the waste outlet is the lowest point of the tank. Preferably, the downwardly extending tube is provided with a dip tube. The dip tube has an end cut at an angle to form a generally elliptical opening, which is disposed immediately above the waste outlet. In this way, the general structure of the bottom of the tank and the dip tube structure will be similar to that described in WO 96/41059.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a waste disposal assembly for a boat, RV or caravan, airplane or train, which comprises the following parts: That is, at least one toilet having a waste outlet. With an inlet and first and second outlets,
An unreinforced non-cylindrical tank that integrates an all plastic vacuum tank and storage tank. A conduit connecting the inlet of the tank to a toilet waste outlet. Vacuum pump connected to the second outlet. A gas handling conduit exiting a vacuum pump, the terminal end of which passes through the outer wall of a boat, airplane, train or RV. A waste handling conduit operatively connected to the first outlet and having a distal end opening through the outer wall. And a tank having a top and a bottom, so that dirt from the toilet enters the bottom, and the top (usually, but not always required) is at atmospheric pressure A tank where a lower pressure gas is present. The details of this tank and the like are preferably as described above, in particular, with an internal volume of about 45-65 liters, generally parallelepipedal, with a continuous plane of more than 200 square inches (80 square inches). not exist,
The tank has an undulating, discontinuous, wavy surface. A vacuum relief valve may be provided in this tank. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a simple and cost-effective method for handling waste from one or more base toilets, particularly in connection with boats, RVs or caravans, airplanes, trains, and other vehicles. Is to optimize sex. This and other objects of the invention are:
The detailed description of the invention will be more apparent upon closer examination and reading of the appended claims.

The accompanying drawings will now be described in detail.

In the conventional "VacuFlush" .RTM. Apparatus shown in FIG. 1, at least one toilet 10 having a waste outlet at the bottom is connected to a vacuum tank 12 by a conduit 11 (usually a flexible hose). Are linked. A vacuum of about 8 to 10 inches of mercury is maintained in tank 12 by vacuum pump 13. A conventional vacuum switch on tank 12 activates vacuum pump 13 to maintain the appropriate vacuum. Vacuum tank 1
When actuating the pump 13 to create a vacuum of 2,
The waste is pumped via conduit 15 to storage tank 14. The dirt is ultimately discharged from the storage tank 14 via a conduit 16, in which case a dirt discharge pump 17 is probably used selectively. The pump is only activated when there is a suitable drainage mechanism. External partition 18 of FIG.
Indicates the exterior board of a boat, caravan or recreational vehicle, airplane, train, or other vehicle,
For example, what is actually shown in FIG. 1 simulates the shape of the hull of a boat. A terminal port 19 of the conduit 16 from the tank 14 passes through the outer partition 18. When the pump 17 is not used, the terminal port 19 is simply connected to a pump discharge facility in a dock, a campsite, a car operation terminal, or the like. Conventional valves are provided to prevent waste from being discharged from the tank 14 to the conduit 16 unless there is a suitable driving force to discharge the waste to the appropriate location.

A conventional vent 20 exits from the storage tank 14, and in the meantime, US Pat. No. 5,139,655.
Suitable filters can be placed as described in the item. In this case, the terminal port 22 of the conduit 20 penetrates the outer plate 18, and the odor from the storage tank 14 is released to the atmosphere. Another conventional vent 23 also exits the conduit 16 and typically penetrates another partition (eg, a boat deck) of the vehicle to which the toilet 10 is attached.

FIG. 2 shows the apparatus of WO 96/41059. In this device, parts corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals. Note that in this case the vacuum tank 12 and the vacuum pump 13 are integrated and the number of main components is reduced by one compared to the device of FIG.

FIG. 3 schematically shows the apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 3, parts corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals. However, note that in this embodiment, the vent tube 20 'is shown to be slightly different in construction and without a filter (although a filter can be fitted). In the device of FIG. 3, the main parts are one or more toilets 10,
There are only two integrated vacuum tanks / storage tanks 25, and a vacuum pump (such as pump 13) can also be installed.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the tank 25 itself. The tank 25 has first and second end walls 26 and 27, and has first and second side walls 28 and 29.
Note that 8 is also visible in FIG. This includes
Also near the side wall 28 is a top surface 30, which has a top pump mounting surface 31 and a convex portion 32.
On the opposite side of tank 25 from surfaces 30-32 (i.e., on the other side of imaginary vertical plane P that substantially divides tank 25 and intersects end walls 26, 27), there is a top surface 33; The pump mounting top surface 34 is in between.
Also provided is a projection, generally designated by the reference numeral 35, which has an upper surface 36, on which a reinforcing groove 37 is formed. Also seen in FIG. 4 are an inlet 38 into the hollow interior of the tank 25, a first outlet 39, and a second outlet 40. Exit 39, 40
Are located on opposite sides of the plane P and face in opposite directions. The parts 38-40 are preferably substantially circular in cross section and are adapted to be easily coupled to various conduits, pumps, or fluid transport elements.

The non-cylindrical tank 25 has a number of irregularities on its surface (as clearly shown in all the figures), characterized by grooves or channels. That is, the surface is corrugated, discontinuous, and undulating. These irregular portions are provided to prevent the tank 25 from having a continuous plane exceeding an area of about 200 square inches (80 square inches). In this way, the tank 25 will generally be a parallelepiped (saves space compared to a cylindrical structure) and can be made entirely of substantially unreinforced plastic, and still perform its function properly. . For example, tank 25 can be easily and inexpensively manufactured from a wide variety of other types of plastics using conventional rotational molding techniques, and can be blow molded. One particularly desirable plastic is low density linear polyethylene (with or without additives), but other plastics, for example, other polyolefins (eg, polypropylene or other polyethylene) can also be used. Also,
If the sales volume is too high to justify adoption, ABS
The tank can also be made by injection molding, such as by using PVC or PVC. The tank 25 is a vehicle toilet device (eg, the vacuum (only) of US Pat. No. 5,408,704).
Tank), is much larger than all other plastic tanks used in connection with
Has 65 liters. Tank 2 as seen in FIG.
The bottom of 5 is preferably provided with downwardly sloping surfaces 41, 42 that meet at a waste outlet 43, and the reinforcing ribs 44 are also integrally formed with the tank surface forming the bottom. It is preferably provided. Integrally formed legs 45, 46 are preferably provided at the ends 26, 27 of the tank 25, such that the waste outlet 43 is at the lowest bottom of the tank 25 during normal use. The tank 25 is supported on a substantially horizontal surface.

FIG. 7 shows the tank 25, particularly with respect to the vacuum pump and related components. Second entrance 40
Connected to is a gas inlet, generally designated by the reference numeral 48. The gas inlet tube 48 can take on almost any suitable structure. The structure specifically illustrated in FIG. 7 comprises a component 49 extending generally horizontally and a component 50 extending generally vertically therefrom, with the latter projecting upwards and its open end 51. Is a structure near the inside of the upper surface 36 of the convex portion 35 of the tank 25. The open end 51 is as close as possible to the tallest internal surface of the tank 25 (e.g., to reduce the risk of dirt being splashed into or into the open end 51). About 0.25-4.0 cm)
Nevertheless, it is preferable to allow air or other gas to easily flow therein. This distance can be increased if anti-scatter means are used, and can be large if used for non-moving vehicles (such as boats). You can do it.

Mounted on surface 34 is:
It is a vacuum pump 53 of a conventional structure (corresponding to the pump 13 of FIGS. 1 and 2). The vacuum pump 53 is an electric motor 54
, But any suitable conventional vacuum pump drive can be used. Any suitable conventional fitting (a threaded fitting is shown in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 7) 52 can be used to connect outlet 40 to vacuum pump 53, and vacuum pump 53
The outlet conduit 55 from is normally connected to the conduit 20 ', as shown in phantom in FIG. FIG. 7 also shows an inlet 38 which is connected to the conduit 11 also shown in dashed lines.
Is shown. It should be understood that any suitable conduit may be used with the components shown in FIG. For example, the inlet conduit connected to the inlet 38 is described in WO 96/96.
/ 41059 may be used.

FIG. 5 is an opposite cross-section / elevation view of the tank assembly containing the tank 25. In this case, a conventional joint 58 (e.g., a threaded joint, which in the case of a boat leads to the deck outlet 23) is connected to the first outlet 39 of the tank 25, and the outlet pump 59 is optionally connected to the surface 31. Mounted on top of. The pump 59 corresponds to the pump 17 of FIGS.
(For example, an electric motor). When the pump 59 is used, the discharge outlet 61 from the pump is connected to the conduit 16, while when the pump 59 is not used, the conduit 1 is connected.
A suitable conduit such as 6 is provided and is connected directly from outlet 39 (or deck outlet 23) to tube end 19.
The pipe terminal port 19 may be connected to an appropriate pump discharge facility such as a dock or a campsite.

Connected to the first outlet 39 inside the tank 25 is a downwardly extending tube as generally shown in FIG. This tube 63 may be of any suitable construction, and the one shown in FIG. 5 is a preferred construction, but only exemplary. In this configuration the tube 63
Is suitably characterized as a dip tube assembly. This assembly comprises a dip tube 64 and a tube section 6 having a substantially circular cross section, extending about an axis and having an open end 66.
5 is provided. This open end is cut at an angle to the long axis to form a substantially elliptical opening, which is near the waste outlet 43, but just above the bottom of the vacuum tank 25 , A little further away from this. In this way, the dip tube assembly 63 is
/ 41059 is preferably substantially the same.

The assembly of the present invention also includes a conventional pressure switch 70. This can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6 and usually near the inlet 38, the convex surface 3 of the tank 25.
2 attached. Pressure switch 70 may be a conventional suitable vacuum switch or US Pat.
279 can be used, which detects the vacuum in the gaseous phase in tank 25,
If the degree of vacuum is lower than a predetermined minimum value, the vacuum pump 5
Activate 3 As before, the vacuum switch 70 normally detects when the vacuum has dropped to about 20 cm (8 inches) of mercury and then operates the pump 53 to reduce the vacuum to about 25 cm (about 10 inches). ). Typically, the tank 25 is maintained at a maximum vacuum of about 26 cm of mercury.

Also, the assembly of the present invention can
It also has a sensor for detecting the liquid (filtration liquid) level in the inside. A conventional sensor is shown schematically at 72 and 74 in FIGS. In FIG. 6, the sensors 72 and 74 are shown as conventional float-actuated sensors. The floats are shown schematically at 73 and 75. The sensor 72 and its associated float 73 indicate 3/4 of the full level (see operation indicator light 7 in FIG. 9).
9) On the other hand, the sensor 74 and its associated float 75 indicate a full sensor. Although FIG. 6 shows a mechanical sensor, it should be understood that any conventional sensor can be provided, for example, any of optical, sonic, piezoelectric, fluid, etc. . Note that 3/4 of the full level and the level of waste liquid for the full level are indicated by reference lines 76 and 77 in FIG.

The fill shown by line 77 is typically about 24
~ 44 liters (6-11 gallons), about 10
~ 16 liters (21 / 2-4 gallons (e.g., 3.0
~ 3.5 gallons)) of gas volume (mainly convex 35
7) is left in FIG. 7 as indicated by reference numeral 80. When the liquid level becomes full 77, this liquid level is sufficiently below the top opening 51 of the gas inlet 48, so that there is no danger of waste liquid entering the opening 51. Operation of the vacuum pump 53 Is provided so that the gas volume is always present near the upper surface 36 in the tank 25. Such a means is shown schematically at 81 in FIG. Such means may be any suitable conventional means, such as pump 5
The pump 53 can be effectively stopped by opening and closing a relay or other valve that opens and closes to release the power to the 3 (eg, from a battery or other power source). Alternatively, more complex elements such as a controller (eg, a computer controller) can be provided. Also, unlike 3/4 of full, when instructing full,
The indicator light 79 may be lit in a different color, or the indicator light 79 may be provided separately.

FIG. 10 shows a slightly different configuration of the components of the vacuum toilet apparatus of the present invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, parts corresponding to the parts of the embodiments of FIGS. 3 to 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals prefixed with “1”.

Connected to the toilet 110 by a conduit 111 is an integrated vacuum tank / storage tank 125, all made of unreinforced plastic, plus a vacuum differential switch 170 on its surface, and September 1996. A vacuum relief valve 83 as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 717,904, filed on Sep. 23, is also provided in this tank. An actual dome 84 is provided on the top surface of the tank 125, in which the inlet pipe 151 of the vacuum pump 153 is installed.
Contains. The vacuum pump 153 may have a very simple structure, for example, an inefficient air pump (a certain amount of liquid can be flowed when it becomes full), and is attached to the top surface of the tank 125. A conventional check valve 85 can also be provided if desired.

In FIG. 10, the tank 125 is only shown schematically, but in FIG. 11 it is shown in more detail with respect to one of the exemplary embodiments. As shown in FIG. 11, on the outer surface of the tank 125, there are countless grooves and channels 137, and other irregularly shaped portions 87.
This ensures that there are no continuous planes greater than 80 square inches (80 square inches). Discharge coupling joint 15
8 can be connected to conduit 116 and check valve 85
Into the middle of the conduit. The conduit extends from the top surface as shown and connects to the dip tube assembly 163. An inlet coupling 138 may also be provided on the top surface of the tank 125. If both coupling joints 138, 158 are conventionally rotatable, they are easy to connect to other parts of the apparatus of FIG. In the embodiment of FIG. 11, a discharge pump (such as pump 59) is not provided,
Instead, the tank 125 is connected to an external pump or the like to discharge the contents. When the tank of the present invention is used in an RV or caravan, the structure and size may differ from those described above, but are generally parallelepiped, undulating, corrugated, discontinuous. The tank has an outer surface (e.g., provided by grooves, channels, or other discontinuity forming means) so that there is no continuous plane greater than about 200 square centimeters, and the tank (substantially free of Manufactured by rotational or injection molding from (reinforced) plastic.

[0029]

The apparatus of the present invention has a minimum number of parts (2
), That is, two parts: a vacuum toilet and an integrated vacuum tank / reservoir tank and a vacuum pump, or three parts when the vacuum pump is cut away from the tank and installed far away. The cost and space savings are achieved, and the undulating, corrugated, discontinuous outer surface of the tank increases tank strength, making it possible to manufacture large tanks. There is an advantage that the functionality of the device is not impaired.

It should be noted that the present invention has been described and described in terms of the most preferred and preferred embodiments, and it will be understood that many partial modifications and additions may be made. For example, it is possible to provide a device for injecting the deodorant into the tank 25 (automatically or manually) and various filters, and to stabilize the mounting structure. Accordingly, the claims of the present invention should be construed broadly to include all equivalent structures.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a prior art Vacuum Flash® waste handling apparatus used in boats, caravan vehicles, RV vehicles, and the like.

2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1, showing the simplification device of WO 96/41059.

3 and 2 show a further simplified device according to the invention.
FIG.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the tank of the present invention (alone) of the apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4, showing a partial cross section and a partial elevation.

6 is an end view showing a partial cross section and a partial elevation, taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the tank of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is an exemplary control schematic for the apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of another embodiment of the device of the present invention, with the tank and toilet shown in cross section.

11 is a top perspective detail view of a tank of the present invention that can be used in the apparatus of FIG. 10 with a vacuum switch, a vacuum relief valve, a pump, and external fittings shown thereon.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 110 ... toilet, 11, 15, 16, 20, 2
3, 57, 111, 116, 120 ... conduit, 12 ... vacuum tank, 13 ... vacuum pump, 14 ... storage tank, 17 ...
Filth discharge pump, 18 ... outer wall, 19, 22 ... pipe end opening,
21 ... Filter, 25,125 ... Integrated tank, 2
6, 27 ... end wall, 28, 29 ... side wall, 30, 32, 3
3, 41, 42 ... surface, 35 ... convex portion, 36 ... upper surface,
37, 137: groove, 38, 138: entrance, 39, 40
... outlet, 43 ... waste outlet, 44 ... rib, 45, 46 ...
Legs, 49, 50 ... parts, 52, 58, 158 ... joints, 5
3,153 vacuum pump, 54 motor, 55 discharge pipe, 59 extraction pump, 60 motor, 61
Pump discharge, 63, 163 ... dip tube assembly, 64 ...
Immersion pipe, 65 ... pipe part, 66 ... open end, 67 ... immersion pipe end, 70, 170 ... vacuum switch, 72, 74 ... sensor, 73, 75 ... float, 76, 77 ... reference line, 79
... Indicator light, 83 ... Relief valve, 84 ... Dome, 85
... check valve, 87 ... irregularly shaped part

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor James A. Shigler Green Tea Doublypie, Perrysville, 44864, Ohio, USA. Lord 2407 (72) Inventor Edward McKeelnan 978 Douglas Tribe, Worcester, 44691, USA

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. A tank assembly integrating a vacuum tank and a storage tank, comprising: first and second end faces, first and second side faces, at least one pump mounting surface, first and second outlets,
A substantially hollow, substantially unreinforced, all-plastic tank having an inlet, a top surface, and a bottom, the tank comprising:
A tank having a contoured, corrugated, or discontinuous surface of the tank so that the tank does not have a continuous plane greater than about 200 square centimeters; the at least one pump mounting surface outside the tank; A vacuum pump mounted in the tank, connected to the first outlet and connected to the first outlet, a downwardly extending dirt transport pipe; a gas inlet pipe mounted in the tank and connected to the second outlet. A tube having a top open end adjacent to the tank top surface, and a connection between the vacuum pump and the second outlet outside the tank.
Tank assembly that integrates a vacuum tank and a storage tank. 2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the undulating, corrugated, and discontinuous surface of the tank is formed by grooves or channels, is non-cylindrical, and is substantially planar. . 3. The assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a conduit connected to the first outlet for discharging waste from the tank. 4. The dirt attached to the at least one pump mounting surface comprising a top surface and including a second top pump mounting surface, further attached to the second top pump mounting surface, and connected to the first outlet. 4. The assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a discharge pump. 5. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the tank has an internal volume of about 45 to 65 liters and maintains a vacuum of up to about 26 cm of mercury. . 6. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the tank is made of injection molded plastic. 7. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the tank is formed by rotation molding. 8. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the tank is blow molded. 9. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plastic is a polyolefin. 10. A vacuum switch connected to the tank for detecting a degree of vacuum in the gas volume and operating the vacuum pump when the degree of vacuum in the gas volume falls below a predetermined value. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: 11. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a vacuum relief valve connected to said tank.
An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims. 12. The first outlet and the second outlet are on opposite sides of a vertical plane intersecting the first end and the second end substantially of the tank and in opposite directions. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that 13. The tank according to claim 13, wherein the bottom is formed with a gradient in the direction of the waste outlet, and the tank is integrally molded with plastic legs on a horizontal surface so that the waste outlet is the lowest point of the tank. 13. The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly is supported. 14. The downwardly extending tube comprises a dip tube having an end cut at an angle and having a generally elliptical opening formed therein, the dip tube being disposed immediately above a waste outlet. 14. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the assembly is performed. 15. The non-continuous, corrugated surface comprises:
15. Assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a discontinuity in addition to the grooves and channels, wherein the tank is of generally parallelepiped construction. 16. A human waste disposal assembly mounted on a boat, airplane, train, or RV having a skin panel, comprising: at least one toilet having a waste outlet; first and second end faces; A substantially hollow, substantially unreinforced all-plastic tank having two sides, first and second outlets, an inlet, a top surface, and a bottom, wherein the surface of the tank is undulating, corrugated. A tank that is discontinuous so that the tank does not have a continuous plane greater than about 200 square centimeters; a conduit connecting an inlet of the tank to the toilet waste outlet; connecting to the second outlet A vacuum pump, a gas handling conduit exiting said vacuum pump, the terminal end of which passes through the outer wall of a boat, airplane, train or RV, and It is operationally connected to a first outlet, human waste processing assembly, characterized in that it comprises a waste handling conduit having a distal opening extending through the outer wall plate. 17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the corrugated, discontinuous surface of the tank is formed by grooves or channels, wherein the tank is of a generally parallelepiped structure. . 18. The method according to claim 18, wherein the tank has an internal volume of about 45 to 65.
18. An assembly according to claim 16 or claim 17 having a liter. 19. The tank of claim 16, wherein said tank holds a vacuum of up to about 26 cm of mercury.
The assembly according to any one of claims 18 to 18. 20. The non-cylindrical tank for detecting a degree of vacuum in the gas volume, and operating the vacuum pump when the degree of vacuum in the gas volume falls below a predetermined value. A vacuum switch connected to the tank,
20. The assembly according to any one of claims 16 to 19, further comprising a vacuum relief valve connected to the tank. 21. A tank integrating the vacuum tank and storage tank substantially as shown and described below.