US3713177A

US3713177A - Marine toilet

Info

Publication number: US3713177A
Application number: US00176010A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Tufts; J Albertassi
Original assignee: NANTRON CORP
Current assignee: NANTRON CORP
Priority date: 1971-08-30
Filing date: 1971-08-30
Publication date: 1973-01-30
Anticipated expiration: 1990-01-30

Abstract

A marine toilet having a bowl connected by a trap to a macerator which in turn is connected to a tank, a pump for effecting flow of the intake and discharge fluids and a control circuit provided with switch means, one of which disables the circuit so that the unit cannot be used in areas where discharge is unlawful and another of which is operable in one position to condition the unit for flushing followed by decontamination and automatic discharge and in another position for washing and discharge. During the flush mode, clear water is delivered to the bowl to effect flushing, the effluent is passed through a macerator for reduction to particle size and discharged into a tank together with a decontaminant and deoderant, where it is held for a predetermined period to effect decontamination and then is discharged through an overboard line. During the wash mode, clear water is delivered directly to the tank, flung about therein to effect scrubbing and cleaning of the interior of the tank and then discharged from the tank. There are sensors for disabling the control circuit in the event that the tank is filled to capacity and/or the decontaminant agent is depleted.

Description

United States Patent 11 1 Tufts et al.

1111 3,713,177 1451 Jan. 30, 1973 75 I nven [7 3 Assignee: Nantron Corp., Braintree, Mass. [ZiTFiET ZHEBYiWT MARINE TOILET tors: Wesley Tufts, Holliston; ,lames H. Albertassi, Braintree, both of Mass.

21 Appl. No.: 176,010

[52] U.S. Cl. ..4/95, 4/10, 4/77, 4/78, 4/80, 4/90, 4/115 [51] Int. Cl ..E03d 11/10, E03d 11/11 [58] Field of Search ..4/10, 8,9,71,69,76, 77, 4/78, 80, 89, 90, 93, 95, 115, 222; 210/62 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,794,988 6/1957 Colonna ..4l10 2,879,519 3/1959 Mueller ..4/10 2,886,826 5/1959 2,951,251 9/1960 3,094,707 6/1963 3,472,390 10/1969 3,570,018 3/1971 3,579,646 5/1971 3,587,116 6/1971 Pri r na ry Ea arhinerl-lenry K. Artis Attorney-Sewall P. Bronstein et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A marine toilet having a bowl connected by a trap to a macerator which in turn is connected to a tank, a pump for effecting flow of the intake and discharge fluids and a control circuit provided with switch means, one of which disables the circuit so that the unit cannot be used in areas where discharge is unlawful and another of which is operable in one position to condition the unit for flushing followed by decontamination and automatic discharge and in another position for washing and discharge.

During the flush mode, clear water is delivered to the bowl to effect flushing, the effluent is passed through a macerator for reduction to particle size and discharged into a tank together with a decontaminant and deoderant, where it is held for a predetermined period to effect decontamination and then is discharged through an overboard line. During the wash mode, clear water is delivered directly to the tank, flung about therein to effect scrubbing and cleaning of the interior of the tank and then discharged from the tank. There are sensors for disabling the control circuit in the event that the tank is filled to capacity and/or the decontaminant agent is depleted.

16 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAN 30 1975 sum 1 OF 6 FIG. 2

PATENTEB JAN 30 I975 SHEET 3 OF 6- FIG. 4

PATENTEDJAN 30 I975 SHEET [1F 6 FIG. 6

FIG. 5

PAIENIED m 30 I973 sum s or a FIG. 7

PATENIEDJAN 30 I973 sum 5 UF 5 FIG.8

MARINE TOILET BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are marine and portable toilet units available for use in areas where pollution is a primary consideration. However, the present and proposed legislation with regard to pollution control is such that the aforesaid units do not afford a solution to supplying proper marine toilet facilities to boat owners so that they may operate within the law and yet be flexible enough to satisfy the particular owner according to his location and/or schedule. This invention provides for a marine toilet adapted to fulfill the requirements imposed by the law by providing several modes of operation, to wit, a holding mode which disables the unit in areas where positively no discharge is permitted until after decontamination and a wash mode for purging the unit periodically to keep it in operative condition. There are in the control circuit sensing means for disabling operation of the unit in the event of depletion of the chemical-decontaminants and/or filling of the tank to capacity.

SUMMARY A marine toilet comprising a bowl adapted to be flushed by supplying clear water to the top thereof for gravitational descent into the bowl through a bottom opening into a trap connected thereto, from thence into a retention tank for decontamination and finally for discharge from the tank to an overboard discharge line. A combination macerator and pump and two-position valve operable in one position to effect flushing and in a second position to effect discharge, said pump being operable when the valve is in said one position to deliver clear water to the bowl and when the valve is in the second position to take effluent from the tank, means for starting the pump and means for moving the valve to said one position to effect flushing and delivering of effluent to the tank and means for thereafter moving the valve to said second position to draw the effluent from the tank and discharge it through said overboard discharge line. There is means for delaying movement of the valve to said second position to a predetermined length of time to allow the effluent to remain in the tank for decontamination, and means for delivering a decontaminant and a deoderant to the flushing effluent. The means for moving the valve may be disabled so as to leave the valve in the second position whereby the tank may be purged without flushing the bowl. There is a trap slide situated between the bottom opening of the bowl and the trap movable from a position closing the bottom opening to an open position permitting flow through the bottom opening and from thence into the macerator, the trap slide being designed to move between sealing members disposed in sliding engagement with its upper and lower surfaces to seal the trap from the bowl. The trap slide embodies metering valves in communication with a quantity of decontaminant and a quantity of deoderant such that opening of the trap slide deposits a measured quantity of decontaminant and a measured quantity of deoderant into the system. There is a control circuit provided with means for selecting the mode of operation and a flush button operable in either position for selective operation to initiate operation of the unit. There are sensing devices operable in response to a full tank and/or depletion of the decontaminant to disable the circuit. A nonrefillable receptacle adapted to receive a container of decontaminants of a predetermined shape exclusive of any other shape which in cludes means for preventing reuse of the carton for preventing use of decontaminants not suited for the facility.

The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation in perspective of the marine toilet of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse section taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1; 7

FIG. 4 is an elevation, partly in section, taken from the right-hand side of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4a is a plan view of the trap slide and metering valve slowing the linkage connecting it to the solenoid which operates the multiposition valve;

FIG. 5 diagrammatically shows the discharge cycle;

FIG. 6 diagrammatically shows the flush cycle;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of the electrical control circuitry; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the receptacle in which the decontaminating agent is contained.

Referring to FIG. 1 the toilet unit is comprised of three shell-like, plastic moldings l0, l2 and 14 which encompass and contain a bowl 16 provided at its top with a seat 18 and lid 20 together with a retension tank 22, a combination macerator and pump unit 24, a multistage valve unit 26, piping and electrical means for effecting operation of the flush and discharge cycles according to the selected mode of operation provided by a mode selector 28 (FIG. 3).

The bowl 16 is supported at its rim by a peripheral flange 30 which rests on the upper edge of a circular wall 34 integral with and forming part of a chassis 32 having a flat bottom wall 36 which provides a supporting structure for some of the controls as will be related hereinafter, the bottom wall 36 being spaced from the bottom of the enclosing shells and providing a top for the retention tank 22. The shell 12 has a horizontal web 38 which overlies the flange 30 and which provides a broad support for the seat and a vertically disposed flange 40 at its inner edge which extends downwardly into the top of the bowl and provides a spash guard.

The bottom of the how] 16 has a central opening 46 around which there is a vertical flange 42 and this fits into an upstanding fitting 44 projecting upwardly from an opening 47 in the bottom wall 36. Below the bottom wall 36 there is mounted a trap 48 having a vertical limb 50, FIG. 3, provided with a bell 52 and a horizontal limb 54 provided with an attaching flange 56. Between the upper end of the trap and the opening 47 there is a trap slide 58 supported within a housing 59 for swinging movement in a horizontal plane about the vertical axis of a shaft 60 between an upper sealing ring 62 set into a groove 64 in the underside of the bottom wall 36 and a lower lip seal 66 which fits into the bell 52 at the top of the trap. The flange 56 of the trap is bolted to the wall of the tank 22 over an opening 68 therein (FIG. 3) which is in communication with the macerator chamber 70 of the combination macerator and pump unit 24.

The combination macerator and pump unit 24 is mounted within the shells 12 and 14 (FIGS. 3 and 4) outside the retention tank 22 and comprises in superposed relation the macerator chamber 70 in which there is a macerator blade 74, an intake pump element 76 and a discharge pump element 78. The combination macerator and pump is driven by a motor M provided with a shaft 80 on which the macerator blade 74 and

pump elements

76 and 78 are mounted. The multistage valve unit 26 is attached to one side of the combination macerator and pump unit 24 as shown in FIG. 4. Rotation of the multistage valve to effect the flush and discharge cycle is provided for by a rotary solenoid S mounted on top of the valve housing. The solenoid S is spring loaded so that when it is de-energized the valve occupies a discharge position.

Through suitable pipe connections that will now be described the combination macerator and pump unit 24, when the multistage valve unit 26 is in the flush position, will take clear water into the intake section 76 of the pump and through the valve 26 to the top of the bowl where it flows downwardly therein in a swirling manner, through the trap slide into the trap and from thence through the macerator chamber 70 and valve 26 into the discharge section 78 of the pump and is discharged thereby into the retention tank 22. Referring to FIG."" which diagrammatically illustrates the flow pattern for the flush cycle, clean water is taken into a conductor pipe 84 by the intake section 76 and delivered thereby through a conductor 86, the valve 26 and a conductor 88 to the top of the bowl. A deoderant is induced into the conductor 85 as water is taken into the pipe 84 as will appear hereinafter. The clear water and effluent flow down in the bowl through the trap slide 58 and trap 48 directly into the macerator chamber 70 and from thence through a conductor 90, the valve 26 and a conductor 92 into the discharge section 78 of the pump and'is discharged thereby through a conductor 95, the valve 26 and through a conductor 93 into the tank 22. The flush cycle is initiated by means of a flush button 94 (FIGS. 2 and 3) conveniently located at the top of the unit and provided the mode selector 28 is positioned for the flush cycle just described, actuation of the flush button will energize the solenoids S to position the valve forflushing and open the trap slide. The trap slide is moved to its open position sirn ultaneously with the multiposition valve by means of a mechanical linkage diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 4a. In conjunction with the flush cycle it is desirable to mix a material with the clear water which will serve to promote conversion of the effluent to an innocuous residue and so there is provided a receptacle 96 (FIGS. 3 and 8) supported on a laterally extending shelf 98 forming part of the chassis, situated above the bottom wall 36 which is connected by a conductor pipe 100 (FIG. 2) to a metering valve 104 (FIG 4a) comprising part of the trap slide 58 which operates when it is pivoted to its open position to dump a predetermined quantity of the material into the tank. The metering valve comprises a circular hole 104 forming part of the trap slide 58 which provides a pocket when the trap slide is in the closed position'at the lower end of the conductor pipe 100 so that the material in the receptacle gravitates through the conductor pipe into the pocket where it remains in a predetermined quantity determined by the diameter and depth of the hole until the slide to its open position moves the pocket from beneath the lower end of the conductor pipe across an opening 105 in the bottom wall 36 carrying with it the material and dumping it into the tank. While the hole 104 is travelling laterally the imperforate portion of the trap slide forms a closure at the lower end of the conductor pipe 100 so that no additional material can escape. The trap slide 58 also serves as a metering valve for deoderant from a container 106 (FIG. 3) through a tube 108 connected at one end to the container and at its other endthrough a hole 102 and connector into the conductor 85.

When the toilet is being used in areas where discharge is to be avoided until the effluent is rendered innocuous, the mode selector 28 for the flush cycle is positioned so that each flushing operation results in transfer of the effluent to the retention tank 22.An indicator 112 is mounted at the top of the unit as shown in FIG. 3, illumination of which indicated that the tank is filled and thereis means operable when this condition exists, as will appear hereinafter, to disable the flush button 94 until the retention tank 22 is emptied.

At the end of the flush cycle a decontaminating cycle is automatically initiated during which the efiluent remains within the tank and is agitated by means of a mixer blade 114 (FIGS. 2, 5 and 6) mounted within the tank at the lower end of a vertical shaft 116, the upper end of which is connected by a coupling 118 to a shaft 120 which extends downwardly from a motor M2 mounted on the bottom plate 36 of the chassis. Rotation of the blade 114 comminutes and renders the effluent substantially amorphous and at the same time thoroughly mixes the decontaminating agent and deoderant therewith so as to hasten decomposition. During the decontamination cycle the motor M is not running. However, at the end of the decontaminating cycle the motor M is restarted and since the multistage valve 26 was automatically returned to its discharge position at the end of the flush cycle, operation of the motor M will now effect discharge. When operating on the discharge cycle (FIG. 6) the effluent is drawn out of the tank 22 through a conductor 93a, through the valve 26, through the conductor 92 into the discharged portion 78 of the pump and discharged therefrom through the conductor 95, back through the valve 26 and from thence is ported through a conductor 97 to an overboard discharge line not shown. During the discharge cycle clear water is drawn into the tank as will appear hereinafter in describing the wash cycle.

It is at times desirable to clean the toilet to keep it in proper working order, that is to purge the valve, valve ports, pipes and tank. Hence there is provided a washdischarge cycle initiated by setting the mode selector .28 to a manual position and depressing the flush button swirling motions of the water from the inner surface of the tank is being drawn out of the tank 22 through the conductor 93a, valve 26, conductor 92, pump section 78, conductor 95, valve 26 and conductor 97 to the overboard discharge line.

In order that the unit be effective it is necessary to maintain a sufficient supply of decontaminating agent in the receptacle 96 at all times and so there is provided a sensor 130 in the form of a microswitch located in the pipe 100 (FIG. 2) which illuminates an indicator 132 when the decontaminating agent is nearly depleted and simultaneously disabled the flush button 94 until the receptacle 96 is refilled.

There is also provided a safe discharge switch TRl which if open disables the flush button 94 so that the unit cannot be flushed while the effluent is being discharged. At the same time the indicator 136 will be illuminated showing that the system is on the safe discharge.

The full tank sensor 138 (FIG. 2) illuminates the full tank indicator 112 when the tank is filled as related above and disables the flush button 94 until the tank is emptied. If the unit is used before the safe discharge cycle is completed it is automatically reset and flushes as the end of the next safe discharge cycle.

The amount of decontaminating agent which is metered into the flush water is critical and to be effective must comprise the composition which has been compounded for the flow and capacity of the unit and so the receptacle 96 (FIG. 8) is designed to accept a nonrefillable carton 150 of polygonal cross-section. The receptacle 96 is supported within the covering shells on the shelf 98 within an opening 151 in the top of the shell provided with a cover 154. A guide 152 within the opening supports the carton above the receptacle 96. The carton 150 is filled with hydrochloride granules and is sealed at the top and bottom. At the top of the receptacle 96 there are diametrically disposed, upstanding, lancing and cutting prongs 156-156 and when the carton is dropped into the guide, the prongs penetrate the bottom. The carton-is rotated approximately 120 after it is dropped into the guide so as to cut the bottom away in part thereby to allow the granules to flow through the cut portions into the receptacle and from thence into the upper end of the conductor pipe 100. Rotation of the carton is effected by a cap 148 containing peripheral slots 159-159 open at one end at 160-160 which is adapted to be placed over the upper end of the carton into the open end of the guide and engaged with diametrically disposed locking pins 161-161 extending radially inwardly from the wall of the guide. The inside of the cap 148 corresponds in configuration to that of the carton. A diametrically disposed knob 153 at the top of the cap provides for grasping it to effect its rotation. Before the cap is placed over the upper end of the carton the top of the carton is removed by stripping a sealing tape therefrom. To prevent filling the. guide with the decontaminant, an elongate slot 164 is provided in the wall so that it will not hold loose unpackaged material. After the carton is empty of decontaminating material it is removed and since the bottom and top have been removed the carton cannot be reused.

The electrical circuit for effecting cycling of the unit as related above is shown in FIG. 7. The circuit is adapted to be energized by 12, 32 or 1 10 volt DC current. Referring to the diagram, the flush button 94 is used to initiate every cycle and the motors, solenoid, timer, indicators and the like are designated in this diagram by the reference characters referred to above. If the mode selector 28 is in the automatic position, and the retention tank will accept the quantity of water involved in a flush cycle, and there is sufficient decontaminating agent so that the respective sonsor switches H1 and LO are closed, closing of the flush button 94 will start the timing motor TM. The timing motor controls operation of contacts TRl, TR2, TR3, TR4 and TRS. If both switches H1 and LO are closed when the push button is depressed current will be supplied through the contact TRl to the timer motor TM to initiate the cycle. At the same time the contact TR2 will energize the safe discharge indicator 136 and the contact TR3 will energize the motor M2. The timer operates to close the contacts TR4 and TRS substantially simultaneously to energize the coil C1 of the motor M1 to start the motor Ml which drives the macerator pump unit and the motor and the coil C2 of the solenoid S to rotate the valve to the flush position and open the trap slide. If either of the sensing switches H1 and his open, the push button 94 is disabled. The operational period of the motor M1 and the flush position of the solenoid S are controlled by the timer contacts TR4 and TRS so that following discharge of the effluent material from the bowl into the tank the motor Ml will stop and the solenoid S, will be de-energized thus allowing the valve to return to the discharge position and the trap slide to close. This condition will continue for a predetermined length of time to allow for decontamination and then the motor M1 will be restarted by engagement of the contacts TR4 to effect discharge.

If the mode selector 28 is moved to the manual position, the timer TM is bypassed and the motor M1 which drives the macerator pump unit is started. Simultaneously, the contacts TR3 are closed to energize the agitator motor M2. In this mode of operation the pump operates to pump clear water through the system until shut off. The switch L1 energizes them motor M3 when the lid is raised.

The several

illuminated indicators

112, 132 and 136 respectively indicate a full tank, depleted decontaminant and safe discharge. A circuit breaker B is provided in the circuit which may be removed to disable the unit so that it cannot be used under any circumstances. The circuit breaker is mounted within the shell 10 and a locked cover 166 provides for access thereto.

In addition to the foregoing it is desirable to provide an exhaust fan to evacuate undesirable fumes from the bowl while the unit is inuse. Accordingly an exhaust fan F is mounted in the section 12 at the underside of the shelf 98 (FIG. 3) and is connected to an exhaust tube 168 which in turn is connected to the bowl. The fan is driven by the motor M3 which is energized by the switch L1 actuated each time the seat lid is raised to the upright position for use. The exhaust passes from the bowl through the exhaust tube 168 and through a connector 170 to a suitably provided vent tube (not shown). A check valve, not shown, is installed in the connector 170 to allow a tank vent 176 to be coupled from the exhaust through the same tube.

' In operation of the unit if the mode switch 28 is placed in the automatic position depressing the flush button 94 will effect flushing, followed by decontamination and finally by an automatic discharge from the tank. When the mode switch 28 is placed in the manual position depressing of the flush button 28 will effect flushing of the tank and discharge therefrom. If the circuit breaker B is removed the unit is completely disabled so that it cannot be used in areas where discharge is unlawful. If during the decontamination period, the flush button 28 is depressed the timer TM will automatically reset to permit a second flushing operation and up to the capacity of the tank which is limited by the fill tank switch H1.

The unit as disclosed provides for dispensing the decontaminant from different receptacles, however, it is within the scope of the invention to eliminate the deoderant receptacle and piping and combine the deoderant with the decontaminant. This may be done by mixing the deoderant with the decontaminant or by providing a divided carton containing in one half the decontaminant and in the other half, deoderant.

lclaim: e

1. In a marine toilet, comprising a bowl having top and bottom openings, a trap connected to the bottom opening, a retention tank connected to the trap and an overboard discharge line connected to the retention tank, said bowl being adapted to be flushed by supplying clear water to the top opening thereof for gravitational descent into the bowl through the bottom opening to carry effluent deposited in the bowl into the trap, from thence into the retention tank and finally for discharge from the retention tank to said overboard discharge line; a combination mascerator and pump, a two-position valve operable in one position to effect flushing and in a second position to effect discharge,

, said pump being operable when the valve is in said one position to deliver clear water into the bowl and when the valve is in the second position to take effluent from the tank, means for starting the pump and means for moving the valve to said one position to effect flushing and delivery of the effluent to the tank, mean for thereafter moving said valve to said second position to the effluent from the tank and discharge it through said overboard discharge line, and means for delaying movement of the valve to said second position for a predetermined length of time to allow the effluent to remain in the tank for said time.

2. A marine toilet according to claim 1 wherein there is means for delivering a decontaminate to the flushing effluent as the latter is flushed into the tank, said decontaminant operating during said predetermined period of time -.to effect decontamination of the effluent.

3. A marine toilet according to claim 1 wherein there is means for delivering a deoderant to the flushing effluent as the latter is flushed into the tank.

4.A marine toilet according to claim 1 wherein there is 'means situated in the tank operable during said predetermined time to effect agitation of the effluent.

5. A marine toilet according to claim 1 wherein there is means for disabling the means for moving the valve 6. A marine toilet according to claim 5 wherein when the valve is in the second position, operation of the pump delivers clear water to the tank.

7. A marine toilet according to claim 1 wherein there is a trap slide situated between the bottom opening of the bowl and the trap, movable from a position closing the bottom opening to an open position permitting flow through the bottom opening into the trap and from thence into the macerator, said means for effecting movement of said valve to said one position, operating to move said trap slide from its closed position to its open position.

8. A marine toilet according to claim 7 wherein the trap slide moves between sealing means disposed in sliding engagement with its upper and lower surfaces thereby sealing the trap from the bowl.

9. A marine toilet according to claim 1 wherein there is a trap slide situated between the bottom opening of the bowl and the trap, movable from a position closing the bottom opening to an open position permitting flow through the bottom opening into the trap and from thence into the macerator, said means for effecting movement of said valve to said one position operating to move the trap slide from its closed position to its open position, and wherein there is a control circuit including a motor for effecting operation of the combination macerator and pump and solenoid means for effecting movement of the valve to said one position and opening of the trap slide, a timer in the circuit operable to disable the motor of the combination macerator and pump and said solenoid means following the delivery of effluent to the tank for a predetermined period to allow decontamination and automatically thereafter to enable said motor to the combination macerator and pump to effect discharge of the effluent.

10. A marine toilet according to claim 9 wherein there is means operable to return the valve to said second position and close the trap slide when the solenoid is disabled.

11. A marine toilet according to claim 9 wherein there is an agitator in the tankand a motor for effecting its operation and wherein the timer initiates operation of the motor for the agitator and maintains it in operation during the decontamination cycle.

12. A marine toilet according to claim 9 wherein there is a circuit breaker in the control circuit removable to disable the entire unit.

13. A marine toilet according to claim 9 wherein there is a flush button for initiating operation of the control circuit and a mode switch operable in one position to precondition the control circuit for flushing and discharge and in the other position to precondition the control circuit for discharge.

14. A marine toilet according to claim 1 wherein there is a control circuit including a motor for effecting operation of the combination macerator and pump and solenoid means for effecting operation of the valve and trap slide, and wherein there is a flush button operable to initiate operation of the control circuit and a selector operable in one position to effect operation of the motor and solenoid means and in another position to disable the solenoid means.

15. A marine toilet according to claim 9 wherein there is a sensor operable to disable the control circuit in the event the tank is full.

16. A marine toilet according to claim 9 wherein there is a sensor operable to disable the circuit in the event that the decontaminant is depleted.

Claims

1. In a marine toilet, comprising a bowl having top and bottom openings, a trap connected to the bottom opening, a retention tank connected to the trap and an overboard discharge line connected to the retention tank, said bowl being adapted to be flushed by supplying clear water to the top opening thereof for gravitational descent into the bowl through the bottom opening to carry effluent deposited in the bowl into the trap, from thence into the retention tank and finally for discharGe from the retention tank to said overboard discharge line; a combination mascerator and pump, a two-position valve operable in one position to effect flushing and in a second position to effect discharge, said pump being operable when the valve is in said one position to deliver clear water into the bowl and when the valve is in the second position to take effluent from the tank, means for starting the pump and means for moving the valve to said one position to effect flushing and delivery of the effluent to the tank, mean for thereafter moving said valve to said second position to the effluent from the tank and discharge it through said overboard discharge line, and means for delaying movement of the valve to said second position for a predetermined length of time to allow the effluent to remain in the tank for said time.

2. A marine toilet according to claim 1 wherein there is means for delivering a decontaminate to the flushing effluent as the latter is flushed into the tank, said decontaminant operating during said predetermined period of time to effect decontamination of the effluent.

4. A marine toilet according to claim 1 wherein there is means situated in the tank operable during said predetermined time to effect agitation of the effluent.

5. A marine toilet according to claim 1 wherein there is means for disabling the means for moving the valve to said first position so that operation of said means to start the pump effects discharge from the tank.

6. A marine toilet according to claim 5 wherein when the valve is in the second position, operation of the pump delivers clear water to the tank.

11. A marine toilet according to claim 9 wherein there is an agitator in the tank and a motor for effecting its operation and wherein the timer initiates operation of the motor for the agitator and maintains it in operation during the decontamination cycle.