US3885254A

US3885254A - Incinerating commode

Info

Publication number: US3885254A
Application number: US250232A
Authority: US
Inventors: James I West
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-04-16
Filing date: 1972-05-04
Publication date: 1975-05-27
Anticipated expiration: 1992-05-27

Abstract

An incinerating commode for use in disposing of human waste, including a commode body having seat means operatively associated therewith whereby the commode can be used for receiving waste deposited by a human. A combustion chamber is located below the commode body whereby human waste can be transferred by gravity from the commode body into the combustion chamber. Closure means is operatively supported between the commode body and the combustion chamber for effecting a closure of the combustion chamber during an incinerating operation. Cyclically operable heat source means is operatively associated with the combustion chamber during an incinerating operation. Cyclically operable heat source means is operatively associated with the combustion chamber for developing a combustion flame through and beneath the combustion chamber to cause human waste deposited therein to be incinerated. Blower means is provided for cooling the combustion chamber and purging the ash by-products of combustion from the combustion chamber in response to completion of an incinerating operation. The combustion chamber includes comminuting means for reducing the particle size of waste material being incinerated. The incinerating commode included control means for initiating and for controlling the length of the combustion chamber operation, including incinerating, cooling and purging.

Description

United States Patent [191 West [451 May 27, 1975 INCINERATING COMMODE [76] Inventor: James I. West, 7856 Feilder Road,

J onesboro, Ga. 30230 [22] Filed: May 4, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 250,232

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 134,650, April 16,

[52] US. Cl 4/131; 110/9; 110/9 E [51] Int. Cl A47k 11/02 [58] Field of Search 4/131, 118; 110/9, 9 E

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,230,913 1/1966 La Mere 110/9 3,320,907 5/1967 Duncan 110/9 3,474,468 10/1969 Blankenship... 4/131 3,522,613 8/1970 Botsford 4/131 3,694,825 10/1972 Kufrin 4/131 3,733,617 5/1973 Bennett 4/131 X Primary Examiner-Henry K. Artis Attorney, Agent, or Firm.loe 0. Bolt, Jr.

[5 7] ABSTRACT An incinerating commode for use in disposing of human waste, including a commode body having seat means operatively associated therewith whereby the commode can be used for receiving waste deposited by a human. A combustion chamber is located below the commode body whereby human waste can be transferred by gravity from the commode body into the combustion chamber. Closure means is operatively supported between the commode body and the combustion chamber for effecting a closure of the combustion chamber during an incinerating operation. Cyclically operable heat source means is operatively associated with the combustion chamber for developing a combustion flame through and beneath the combustion chamber to cause human waste deposited therein to be incinerated. Blower means is provided for cooling the combustion chamber and purging the ash by-products of combustion from the combustion chamber in response to completion of an incinerating operation. The combustion chamber includes comminuting means for reducing the particle size of waste material being incinerated. The incinerating commode included control means for initiating and for controlling the length of the combustion chamber operation, including incinerating, cooling and purging.

15 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTEBHAYZYIQYS SHEET 8 (if 6 FIG INCINERATING COMMODE CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part application of prior U. S. application, Ser. No. 134,650 for INCIN- ERATING COMMODE, filed Apr. 16, 1971.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to an apparatus for use in disposing of human waste. More particularly, this invention includes an incinerating commode wherein incineration converts solid waste to an ash and removes the water content of the waste.

In the field of human waste disposal, a number of methods have been employed for disposing of the solid and liquid waste. Commonly, sewage treatment plants are provided which are connected via sewage pipelines to domestic and commerical facilities. As population has increased, the capabilities of the sewage treatment plants have been severely strained and many such plants have been unable to satisfactorily process the increased waste of the community. Such inadequacy of sewage plant facilities has necessitated the expansion of facilities at great expense to the taxpayers. In addition, the inadequacy of the sewage treatment facilities has also led to the pollution of streams and rivers normally used for water supply and recreation facilities.

In remote areas where sewage treatment facilities are not available. septic tank means are often employed to dispose of the human waste. A septic tank utilizes bacterial action in the tank to dispose of solid waste and utilizes a subterranean drainage field for disposing of the liquid waste. However, in certain areas where the soil conditions are not satisfactory, utilization of septic tanks creates unhealthy conditions in their use. A number of municipalities have adopted strict codes to regulate the use of septic tanks.

In remote areas where a sewage treatment facility is not available and wherein septic tanks are not feasible, oxidation ponds are employed to dispose of human waste. In utilizing oxidation ponds, a fungus is utilized to dispose of the solid waste with the liquid waste being disposed of through evaporation or surface drainage means. The use of oxidation ponds requires a large ground area and is unattractive in appearance.

A number of attempts have been made to devise chemical and incinerating commode facilities for use in disposing of human waste. However, the prior art chemical and incinerating human waste disposal apparatus are extremely complex in construction and operation, uneconomical to manufacture and unreliable in performance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above disadvantages of the prior art have been overcome by the present invention which basically includes an upwardly open commode body disposed above an incinerating combustion chamber wherein the human waste can be deposited in the commode body and transferred by gravity into the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber includes waste comminuting means for reducing the particle size to human waste to be incinerated and includes heat source means operative for incinerating the comminuted human waste.

LII

An important feature of the present invention includes the shape of the combustion chamber and the location of the heat source means whereby an incinerating flame is directed through and beneath the combustion chamber during an incinerating operation.

Fluid flushing means is connected to the commode body and controlled by selectively operable means for dispensing a predetermined amount of cleansing fluid into the commode body.

An additional feature of the present invention includes control means operable for effecting an automatic cycle of an incinerating operation.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide an incinerating commode effective for disposing of human waste.

Another object of this invention is to provide an incinerating commode whereby the human waste can be transferred from the commode body to a combustion chamber by gravity.

A further object of this invention is to provide means for cooling the combustion chamber during an incinerating operation.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an incinerating commode having means for reducing the particle size of waste to be incinerated.

A further object of this invention is to provide an incinerating commode having means for trapping liquid waste adjacent a combustion chamber whereby intense heat developed in the combustion chamber will evaporate the liquid waste material.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an incinerating commode having selectively operable closure means operable for initiating an incinerating operation. 5

Another object of this invention is to provide an incinerating means operatively associated with a commode body and including means for automatically purging combustion chamber of both gas and ash byproducts of combustion in response to completion of an incinerating operation.

An additional object of this invention is to provide an incinerating commode operable for the disposal of human waste which is simple in construction and operation, economical to manufacture and reliable" in performance.

These and other objects and advantages in the details of construction will become apparent upon reading the following description of the ilustrative embodiments embodying the principles of the present invention,with reference to the attached drawings wherein like reference numerals have been used to refer to like parts throughout the several figures, and wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an incinerating commode embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along lines 22 of FIG. 4, with certain parts omitted and certain parts added thereto for purpose of clarity;

FIG. 3 is a vertical'sectional view taken along lines 33 of FIG. 2, with certain parts omitted and certain parts added thereto for purpose of clarity;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the incinerating commode, with certain parts broken away and shown in section for purpose of clarity;

FIG. 5 is a top plain view showing the combustion pot and comminuting plate support and drive means;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 2, with certain parts omitted for purpose of clarity;

FIG. 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 2, with certain parts omitted for purpose of clarity;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a comminuting plate and combustion pot side wall construction;

FIG. 10 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along line 10-10 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 11 is an electrical schematic diagram showing the control circuitry.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing, the incinerating commode embodying the principles of the present invention is shown and generally represented by the reference numeral 10. The incinerating commode 10 includes a base support frame means 11 having upright rear wall means 12, front wall means 13 and a pair of side wall means 14, 15. The commode 10 includes a horizontal top surface 16 defining an opening 17 formed by a down turned flange 18.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a waste receiving commode body 20 is supported from the horizontal top wall 16 by conventional means such as welding (not shown) and include downwardly converging side walls 21, 22 (FIG. 3), a downwardly, inwardly sloping rear wall 23 and a downwardly sloping outwardly curved front wall 24. The bottom edges of commode body walls 21-24 defines a discharge opening 25, through which waste can be transferred to a combustion chamber as will be described below.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the commode 10 includes a commode seat 30 having a pair of rearwardly extending

pivot support brackets

31, 32 which are rotatably supported on a transverse hinge pin 33. The commode seat 30 is provided with an annular seal member 34 which is attached to the bottom surface of the commode seat and is adapted to be supported in abutting contact with the top horizontal supporting surface 16 of the housing to provide an effective seal therebetween/A commode closure lid 35 is supported above 1' seat means 30 in a conventional manner and includes a rearwardly extending support bracket 36.

Support bracket 36 isfixed to hinge pin 33 whereby angular movement of lid 35 will effect corresponding angular movement of hinge pin 33. Hinge pin 33 is pivotally supported by a support block 37 which includes a pair of horizontally spaced

upstanding support members

38, 39.

Support members

38, 39 are provided with coaxially aligned openings complementary to hinge pin 33 and are adapted to pivotally support hinge pin 33. The

support members

38, 39 are horizontally spaced to provide a sufficient space to receive the seat

pivot support brackets

31, 32 with the seat

pivot support brackets

31, 32 detailed in horizontal spacing to provide an area for receiving the lid pivot support bracket 36. The

seat brackets

31, 32 are pivotally carried by hinge pin 33, with the lid support bracket 36 being fixed to the hinge pin by conventional locking screw means (not shown) so that angular displacement of lid 35 will effect corresponding angular displacement of hinge pin 33 for controlling a combustion chamber actuating mechanism as will be described below. The commode closure lid 35 is also provided with annular sealing member 40 which is adapted to contact and effect a sealed relationship with the upper surface of seat 30 when in a closed position.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the commode body is provided with an annular cleansing fluid dispensing manifold 50 which is supported beneath the housing downwardly turned flange l8 and the commode body walls 21-24 and includes a number of openings (not shown) for dispensing a cleansing fluid downwardly along the surface of the commode body walls 21-25 so that they can be effectively cleansed after use. The dispensing manifold 50 is operatively connected by a supply line 51 to fluid pump means 52. The fluid pump means 52 includes a conventional electrical motor means operable for dispensing a predetermined quantity of fluid in response to each cyclic operation. Fluid is supplied to the pump means 52 through a supply line 53. Supply line 53 is connected in fluid flow communication with a fluid reservoir 54.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a conventional switch actuator 55 is provided for effecting cyclic operation of the pump means 52 whereby a predetermined quantity of cleansing fluid is dispensed from the reservoir means 54 through supply lines 53 and input supply line 51 to the dispensing manifold 50. The sequence of operation of the fluid dispensing means will be described in detail below in the description of the operation of the incinerating commode.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 2-4, the incinerating commode 10 includes a combustion chamber generally represented by the reference numeral 100. The combustion chamber is supported on the base frame 11 below the commode body discharge opening 25 whereby waste deposited in the commode body can be transferred by gravity to the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber includes a pair of horizontally spaced parallel

vertical side walls

101, 102. The combustion chamber is provided with a bottom wall 103 which includes a rearwardly extending horizontal portion 103a, a downwardly recessed liquid trap portion 10312, and an upwardly angled front wall portion 1036. As shown in FIG. 2, a horizontal top wall 104 is connected between

side walls

101, 102 in vertically spaced parallel relationship with horizontal bottom wall portion 103a to define a discharge conduit portion 105. The discharge conduit portion 105 is adapted to be connected in fluid flow communication with conventional vent exhaust and filter means as described in applicants above mentioned eo-pending application and reference is made to applicants above mentioned co-pending application for details of construction of the discharge conduit and filter means. The discharge conduit 105 includes a conventional damper means 105a which is pivotally supported by shaft 105!) journaled in

side walls

101, 102.

The combustion chamber 100 includes a combustion and waste receiving pot 110. The combustion pot is supported within the combustion chamber defined by

side walls

101, 102 and bottom wall 103. Combustion pot 110 includes a pair of parallel vertically extending side walls 111, 112 and a curved bottom wall structure 113. The curved bottom wall structure 113 includes an upwardly curved rear wall portion 113a, a concave bottom portion 113b and an upwardly angled front wall portion 113v. The concave bottom wall portion 11312 and upwardly angled front wall portion 1130 are supported in vertically spaced relationship relative to the combustion chamber wall portion 103b, 1030, respectively, to define an airflow passageway 114.

As shown in FIG. 3, the combustion chamber waste receiving pot sidewalls 111, 112 are provided with a plurality of horizontally extending lug projections 120. The horizontal lug projections are provided for cooperation with aligned complementary openings 121 formed in a pair of reciprocal

operable comminuting plates

122, 123. Each of the

comminuting plates

122, 123 is provided with a plurality of the openings 121. The

comminuting plates

122, 123 includes a pair of

upstanding support rods

126, 127 and 128, 129, respectively. The upper end of

rods

126, 127, are fixed to horizontal laterally extending

rod members

130, 131, respectively. with rod elements 128, 129 being connected to horizontal laterally extending

rod members

132, 133, respectively. The rod members 130-133 are extended through complementary openings formed in the combustion pot side walls 111, 112 and combustion

chamber side walls

101, 102. The outer ends of

rod members

130, 131 are connected together by connecting member 136 and are supported by a pair of forwardly and downwardly extending

rod members

137, 138, which are provided with inwardly directed parallel arranged

horizontal rod portions

139, 140, respectively. The

horizontal rod portions

139, 140 are slidably received within complementary openings formed in bearing block means 141. A connecting rod member 142 is provided between horizontal rod portions 139,

140 with an intermediate portion of rod 142 supporting a universal connecting element 143. The universal connecting element 143 is connected by a spring biased rod and piston means 144 to a rotary crank member 145. The rotary crank member 145 is fixed to a drive shaft 146 which extends from a conventional motor drive means 147. Crank member 145 is provided with a radially off-set drive pin 148 which is connected to the member 144 such that rotary movement of crank pin 148 will provide reciprocating movement to the universal connecting element 143 which will in turn provide a reciprocating movement to the comminuting plate 122.

As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the horizontally

rod support members

132, 133 are fixed to each other by a horizontal connecting element 156 which is supported by a pair of

rod members

157, 158 fixed to a pair of horizontal inwardly extending

parallel support rods

159, 160, respectively.

Rods

159, 160 are supported within complementary openings formed in a bearing block support means 161.

Rod elements

159, 160 are connected by a vertically extending rod member 162. An intermediate portion of rod member 162 is provided with a universal connection 163 which is connected by a rod and piston spring biased connecting link 164 to a crank pin 165. Crank pin 165 is fixed to rotary crank member 145. Crank pins 148 and 165 are oriented at substanitally 180 angularly displaced relative to the axis of drive shaft 146 so that an angular rotation of the crank member 145 will effect reciprocating operation of the

comminuting plates

122, 123 such that theymove inwarldy into substantially abutting contact ith each other and are then advanced laterally outward to a position adjacent the combustion pot side walls 111, 112. During the inward movement of the

comminuting plates

122, 123 material supported therebetween would be broken up and force out through the plate openings 121. During an outward displacement of the

comminuting plates

122, 123 the plates will be advanced to aposition whereby the horizontal lug members 120 will project through the openings 12] and will remove any material lodged within the openings. During an incinerating operation, the

comminuting plates

122, 123 are continually reciprocated inwardly and outwardly relative to each other to effectively break up waste material deposited in the combustion pot 110 whereby the waste material can be more effectively burned during an incinerating operation. A sequence of operation of the wsate comminuting

plates

122, 123 will be described in more detail hereinbelow in the description of the operation of the incinerating commode.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the combustion pot 110 is provided with a lid 170. Lid is supported for pivotal movement from an open position, as shown in dotted lines of FIGS. 2, to a closed position by a cross support shaft 171. Cross support shaft 171 is pivotally supported by complementary openings formed in the combustion

chamber side walls

101, 102. The combustion pot lid 170 is provided with plurality of transversely extending downwardly formed flanges 172, each of which defines an elongated opening 172a detailed in size to permit airflow therethrough without permitting the waste material contained in the comsution pot from being blown from the combustion pot when the lid is in a closed position. In the open position the flanges will aid in directing air flow downwardly into combustion pot 110 to aid in flushing the ash byproducts of combustion movement of lid 170 to the closed position will operate to force any toilet paper solution of combustion pot 110 downwardly into the pot.

The lid is moved from the open to the closed position by means of a camming element 173 which is supported on the upper surface of the lid. Camming element 173 is operatively associated with the a second closure lid means as will be described in more detail hereinbelow for effecting movement of lid 170 to a combustion pot closed position. Lid 170 is moved to an upwardly extending open position by means of a counterweight 175 which is connected by a link member 176 to the pivot support shaft 171 so that the lid will automatically pivot to the opened position when not held in the closed position by the second closure lid.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the combustion chamber 100 is provided with a burner nozzle 180 which is supplied with a gas and pressurized air mixture through conduit means 181. The conduit means 181 is operatively associated with a mixing valve 182 which receives an input of air pressure through conduit means 183 which is detailed to span the width of the combustion chamber so that a flame developed by the burner nozzle will be directed across the width of an around the sides of the combustion pot. The burner nozzle and flared housing 185 is detailed in angular location relative to the combustion pot bottom wall 113 such that approximately 80 percent of the flame developed by the burner nozzle will be directed downwardly into the combustion pot and approximately twenty percent of the flame will be directed around and downwardly through the passageway 114 fromed between the combustion chamber bottom wall portion 103( and the combustion pot wall portion 113C. The angular location of the burner nozzle 180 such that the flame is directed both into the combustion pot wall portion 1130. The angular location of the burner nozzle 180 such that the flame is directed both into the combustion pot 110 and beneath the surface of the combustion pot is important in effecting a quick and efficient incineration of waste products contained in the combustion pot. The bottom of the burner nozzle housing 185 is aligned with combustion chamber bottom wall portion 103C and is spaced from and parallel to combustion pot bottom wall portion 113C to provide optimum direction of the flame relative to the combustion pot.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 2-4, 7 and 8, the incinerating commode includes additinal closure lid 190 which is supported between the combustion chamber 100 and the commode body discharge openings 25. The additional closure lid 190 is horizontally oriented and is supported along its lateral side edges by a pair of inwardly directing guide tracks 191, 192, as shown in FIG. 3, and above combustion chamber top wall 104. Lid 190 is operable for movement from an open position in which the material transferred through commode body discharge opening 25 can fall by gravity into the combustion pot 110 and is movable to a forwardly closed position wherein the forward edge of the lid is in sealing contact with the upper surface of the burner nozzle flared housing 185, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. When the lid 190 is in the forwardly advanced closed position, the combustion chamber will be effectively sealed so that the flame or heat source means developed by nozzle 180 will be confined within the area of the combustion chamber and the combustion pot. Lid 190 is spring biased to an open position by an elongated tension spring 194 which is connected adjacent one end to an upstanding pin 195 on lid 190 and is connected at its opposite end to an upstanding pin 196 of the housing structure. Lid 190 is moved to a forward closed position by means of an actuator linkage mechanism which is operatively associated with the commode closure lid 135.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 7 and 8, the actuator linkage mechanism is generally represented by the reference numeral 200 and includes a first lever member 201 which is fixed to an extended end of hinge pin 33 such that angular movement of lid 35 will effect corresponding angular movement of lever 201. An extended end of lever 201 is connected by a conventional pin means 202 to a pair of

link members

203, 204. Opposite ends of

link members

203, 204 are connected by pin 205 to a control lever 206. Control lever 206 is pivotally supported at an intermediate position by a pin 207 which is supported between a pair of

housing wall members

208, 209. An opposite end of control lever 206 is provided with a spring loaded actuator member 210. Actuator member 210 is slidably supported within a sleeve 211 and is spring biased to an outwardly displaced operable position by a compression spring 212.

Actuator member 210 is operatively associated with an upstanding bracket 190a which is fixed to the upper surface and adjacent the rear edge of lid 190. When the lid 35 is in a raised position, the control lever 206 is pivoted to a rearwardly extending position with the actuator member 210 located in abuting contact with the rear edge of bracket 190a. Movement of lid 35 to a closed position will effect a clockwise angular displacement of control lever 206 so that the actuator member 210 will contact the rear edge of bracket a and will slide lid 190 forward to a closed position. A complete closure of lid 35 will effect an angular displacement of actuator member 210 to a position slightly above bracket 190a so that the actuator member 210 is not in aubtting contact with the rear edge of bracket 190a.

When lid 190 is advanced to a forward closed position. the lid is latched in the closed position by a latch mechanism generally represented by the reference numeral 220. The latch mechanism 220 includes an elongated link member 221 which is supported for vertical translating movement in a pair of vertically spaced

support members

222, 223. Latching link 221 includes a bottom edge 224 which is supported on the upper surface oflid 190 and will permit lid 190 to slide therebeneath during movement to the forward closed position. When lid 190 is advanced to a complete closed position, elongated link 221 is spring biased into position behind the rear edge of the lid 190 to maintain the lid in a closed latched position. Latching link 221 is moved to an unlatched position by means of an elongated lever 230. Lever 230 is pivotally supported by a stud shaft 231 provided on housing wall structure 209 with one end of lever 230 being provided with an elongated slot 232 which receives a horizontal pin means 234 formed on latching link 221. An opposite end of lever 230 is pivotally connected by pin means 235 to a solenoid plunger element 237. Solenoid plunger 237 is operatively supported for reciprocating movement within a conventional electrically operable solenoid means 238, with the plunger 237 being biased outwardly by a conventional compression spring means 239. The compression spring 239 will operate to effect counterclockwise biasing movement of lever 230 which will provide a biasing pressure on latching link 221 such that the latching link will automatically move downward to a latched position behind the rear edge of closure lid 190 when the lid is moved to the forward closed position by control lever 206 and actuator member 210.

When solenoid 238 is energized, lever 230 will be angularly dispaced in a clockwise direction causing the latching link 221 to be lifted to a position above the rear edge of closure lid 190 allowing the tension spring 194 to bias the closure lid 190 to the rearwardly displaced open position.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3, the incinerating commode 10 includes a vertically oriented transfer conduit means 250 supported between the discharge openings 25 formed in the commode body 20 and the receiving opening formed in the combustion chamber above combustion pot 110. The vertically oriented transfer conduit means 250 includes a pair of

side wall structures

251, 252, a front wall structure 253 and a rear wall structure 254. The rear wall structure 254 includes an opening 255 which is in flow communication with a discharge conduit 256 of a blower means 260.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the blower means 260 is supported and driven by a conventional electric motor means 265. The motor means 265 includes conventional drive shaft means (not shown) extending from opposite ends thereof, with one shaft being operatively associated with blower 260 and with the other end of the shaft being operatively associated with air blower means 270. The air blower means 270 includes a discharge conduit means 271 which is connected in flow communication with the burner nozzle mixing valve 182.

In operation, the blower 270 will develope air pressure through conduit 271, mixing valve 182, conduit 181 and to the burner nozzle 180. When the burner nozzle 180 is ignited and supplied with fuel, the burner nozzle will develope a pressurized heat source means within the combustion chamber and combustion pot to effectively incinerate any waste products contained within the combustion pot. The air blower means 270 is cyclically controlled such that after the waste contained within the combustion pot 110 has been effectively incinerated, the burner nozzle 180 will operate to extinguish the flame, with the blower continuing to operate to purge the waste by-products of combustion, including combustion ash and unburned fumes, outwardly through the discharge conduit means 105 and will continue to operate to cool the combustion chamber to a predetermined temperature.

Since the air blower means 260 is operated by the same shaft from electric motor 265, blower 260 will also be operated during an incinerating operation to develope a supply of cooling air which is discharged through conduit 265, opening 255 into the vertically oriented passageway 250. The coolinjg air forced into the passageway 250 will be allowed to excape around the upper edges of

side walls

251, 252 and front wall 253. The cooling air developed by blower 260 will then flow through a passageway defined between combustion

chamber side walls

101, 102 and additional horizontally spaced upright wall means 101a, 102a (FIG. 3). The passageway formed between

walls

101 and 101a and 102 and 102a will allow the cooling air developed by blower 260 to be discharged out and around the combustion chamber discharge conduit 105 to aid in maintaining the area surrounding the combustion chamber sufficiently cooled during an incinerating operation.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6, 10 and 11, the incinerating commode includes a number of electrically operable control elements for use in controlling cyclic operation ofthe incinerating commode. FIGS. 2, l and 11 shows a latch mechanism 300 for use in maintaining the commode closure lid 35 in a closed latched position during an incinerating operation. Latch mechanism 300 includes a latching block 301 slidably supported by a pair of

angle track elements

302, 303 beneath housing top 16. Latchingblock 301 is adapted to be moved from an unlatched position horizontally displaced relative to control lever 206, to a latch position supported in alignment with and operable for blocking counter-clockwise movement of central lever 206. Movement of latching block 301 is controlled by a pair of

solenoids

304, 305 which supports a common reciprocatically operable plunger 306. Plunger 306 is connected to a bracket 307 which is fixed to latching block 301. Operation of solenoid 304 will effect movement of latching block 301 to the aligned control lever blocking position and operation of solenoid 305 will effect movement of latching block 301 to an unlatched position.

As shown in FIGS. and 11, the solenoid plunger 306 is operatively associated with a double pole switch means 310, such that when solenoid 304 is operated to move the latching block to a latching position, switch 310 will be moved to an on current conducting position and operation of solenoid 305 will effect movement of switch 310 to an of nonconducting position. One pole of switch 310 is operatively connected to blower motor 265 and a second pole of switch 310 is operatively connected to the comminuting drive motor 147. Cornminuting drive motor 147 also includes a second switch means 311 (FIGS. 4, 6 and 11) which is located adjacent housing side wall 15 and in alignment with comminuting plate support rod 158. Switch 311 is moved to an of nonconducting position when contacted by rod 158 and will ensure that the

comminuting plates

122, 123 are always stopped in an outermost horizontally spaced position after completion of an incinerating cycle of operation.

Operation of solenoid 304 is controlled by switch means 312 (FIGS. 2 and 11) which is supported above a rightmost extended end of latch control lever 230 and is operable for sensing when the latching link 221 has moved to a latching position after closure of lid 190. Operation of solenoid 305 for moving the latching block to an unlatched position is controlled by a low temperature sensing switch means 313 which is located of the outside of combustion pot wall 113. Low temperature sensing switch 313 is a conventional pulse operable switch and is operable for conducting an operating pulse to solenoid 305 when the temperature of the combustion pot has droped to a predetermined temperature after an incinerating operation.

The incinerating commode control means includes a conventional fire box control means 315 (FIGS. 2 and 11) which is operatively connected to mixing valve 182 and burner nozzle for controlling the input of fuel and the ignition of burner nozzle 180 during an incinerating operation. As shown in FIG. 11, fire control box 315 is electrically connected in series with an air flow operating switch 316 and a high temperature sensing switch 317. The air flow sensing switch 316 is located in the discharge conduit 105 and is operable for sensing operation of the blower means 260, 270 and ensures that the burner nozzle cannot be operated without the blower means operating. High temperature sensing switch 317 is located on the outside combustion pot wall 113 adjacent low temperature sensing switch 313 and is operable to sense a high temperature of the combustion pot which would be set to ensure that all the waste contained in the combustion pot had been completely incinerated and after a predetermined high temperature had been sensed, would operate to stop the operation of burner nozzle 180. High temperature sensing switch 317 is operatively associated with solenoid 238 and will operate when a predetermined high temperature is sensed to conduct an operating pulse to solenoid 238 for effecting movement of latching link 221 to an unlatched position to allow spring 194 to move lid to an open position. Movement of lid to an open position will permit both of the

blowers

260, 270 to direct air flow through the combustion chamber for cooling and purging the combustion chamber.

As shown in FIG. 11, the control circuitry includes an on and of master control switch 320 and a lamp means 325. Lamp means 325 is on anytime the blower means 260, 270 are operating to direct air flow through discharge conduit 105 for operating air flow sensing switch 316.

OPERATION In utilizing the incinerating commode embodying the principles of the present invention, the commode lid 35 is raised to an upwardly opened position, the closure lid 190 is in a rearwardly retracted position and the combustion pot lid 170 is in a pivoted upwardly open position to permit human waste deposited in the commode body to be transferred by gravity through the transfer conduit means 250 into the combustion pot 110. After waste has been deposited in the combustion pot 110 a waste incinerating operation is initiated by first effecting operation of the cleansing fluid dispensing control switch 55 to cause a predetermined amount of cleansing fluid to be dispensed through manifold 50 to effectively cleanse the side walls 21-24 of the commode body with the cleansing fluid being discharged through opening 25, downwardly through transfer conduit means 250 into the combustion pot 110.

After the cleansing fluid actuating switch 55 has been operated, the closure lid 35 is moved to a horizontal commode closed position. During movement of lid 35 to the closed position, the actuator linkage 200 will cause control lever 206 to be pivoted in a clockwise direction (FIG. 2) so that the actuator member 210 will contact the rear edge of lid bracket 190a, causing lid 190 to be advanced forward to a closed position. After lid 190 reaches a closed position, the latching link 221 will be spring biased by solenoid compression spring 239, control lever 230 to a downwardly displaced lid latching position to hold lid 190 in a forwardly displaced latched position during an incinerating operation. When latching link 221 moves to a latching position, lever 230 will effect operation of switch 312 to energize solenoid 304, causing the lid latching block 301 to move to a latching position and moving switch 310 to an on' conducting position. Operation of switch 310 will supply power to blower motor 265 and comminuting plate drive motor 147. After

blowers

260, 170 have been started air flow sensing switch 316 will operate to allow fire control box to effect operation of the mixing valve 182 and ignition of burner nozzle 180 such that a pressurized flame source will be directed into the combustion chamber as described above.

The burner nozzle 180 will continue to operate until the high sensor switch 317 senses a predetermined high temperature which would indicate that the solid and liquid waste contained in the combustion pot 110 has been effectively incinerated. When the high temperature sensor switch 317 senses a predetermined temperature which would indicate that the solid and liquid waste contained in the combustion pot 110 had been effectively incinerated. When the high temperature sensor switch 317 senses a predetermined temperature, a control signal will be supplied through fire control box 300 to cause the mixing valve 182 to stop the flow of fuel to the burner nozzle 180, thus allowing the burner nozzle 180 to be distinguished. The control signal produced by high sensor switch 317 will also control a supply of input power to solenoid 238 which will energize the effect clockwise angular displacement of lever 230 to lift the latching link 221 upwardly to an unlatched position so that tension spring 194 will return closure 190 to an open position. Simultaneously with the movement of closure lid 190 to an opened position, the counterweight 224 will effect angular displacement of lid 170 to an upwardly extended open position.

The blower means 260, 270 will continue to operate after the flame developed in the burner nozzle has been distinguished causing the air forced through the burner nozzle 180 and the air from blower 260 to cool the combustion chamber 100. The combustion chamber will be cooled to a predetermined low temperature which is sensed by low temperature sensing element 314. When low temperature sensing switch 314 is operated, a pulse will be supplied to solenoid 305 causing the latching block 301 to be displaced to an unlatching position and moving switch 310 to an off" position to stop operation of

motors

147, 265. When the blower motor 265 is stopped, airflow through discharge conduit will stop to open air flow sensing switch 316 and turning off lamp means 325 to indicate that an incinerating operation has been completed.

It now becomes apparent that the incinerating commode embodying the principles of the present invention is capable of obtaining the above stated objects and advantages. It is obvious that those skilled in the art may make modifications in the details of construction without departing from the spirit of the invention which is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An incinerating commode for use in disposing of human waste comprising, in combination:

a. a commode body defining means permitting human waste to be introduced therein;

b. a combustion chamber operatively associated with said commode body, said combustion chamber including a liquid and solid waste confining combustion pot for receiving and confining said waste introduced into said commode body;

cylically operable heat source means operatively associated with said combustion chamber for incinerating waste contained therein, said heat source means detailed for developing an incinerating flame into and beneath said combustion pot;

means operatively associated with said combustion pot for reducing the particle size of waste to be incinerated, said waste reducing means includes a pair of comminuting plates reciprocally supported within said combustion pot and reciprocally operable with respect to each other for effecting a reduction of the particle size of waste supported in said pot between said plates; and,

. means for initiating a cycle of operation of said heat source means and said waste reducing means.

2. An incinerating commode as defined it claim 1 further characterized in that said combustion pot includes a downwardly and rewardly sloping bottom wall means curving upwardly to form a rear wall, with a pair of horizontally spaced vertically oriented side walls extending between side edges of the bottom and rear wall, said comminuting plates having longitudinal dimensions complimentary to the curvature of said bottom and rear wall, and wherein said heat source means is supported in a position for directing an incinerating flame above and below said pot bottom wall means.

3. An incinerating commode as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that said commode includes means operatively associated with said combustion chamber for automatically purging said combustion chamber of the gas and ash by-products of combustion in response to completion of an incinerating operation.

4. An incinerating commode as described in claim 3 further characterized in that said automatic purging means includes blower means operatively associated with said combustion chamber and including means for directing a flow of air from said blower means through said combustion chamber after a predetermined cycle of incinerating operation.

5. An incinerating commode as described in claim 4 further characterized in that said combustion chamber includes means establishing an air flow passageway surrounding said combustion chamber and wherein blower means is operatively associated with said combustion chamber for directing a flow of air through said passageway to cool the combustion chamber during an incinerating operation and wherein means is operatively associated with said blower means and said combustion chamber for directing a flow of air from said blower means through said combustion chamber to perform said automatic purging operation in response to completion of a predetermined cycle of operation of said heat source means.

6. An incinerating commode as described in claim 5 further characterized in that purging operation is operable in response to means sensing a predetermined high temperature of said combustion chamber and wherein an incinerating cycle of operation is completed in response to sensing a predetermined low temperature in said combustion chamber.

7. An incinerating commode as described in claim 1 further characterized in that said combustion chamber includes means for trapping liquid waste material introduced therein and for holding said liquid waste material at a location whereby the intense heat developed in said combustion chamber during an incinerating operation will evaporate said liquid waste.

8. An incinerating commode as described in claim 1 further characterized in that said combustion chamber includes means defining an air flow passageway surrounding said combustion chamber, a first blower means operatively associated with said combustion chamber for directing a flow of cooling air in said passageway surrounding said combustion chamber, a second blower means operatively associated with said combustion chamber for directing the heat source means into said combustion chamber and wherein said first blower means and said second blower means are cyclically controlled and collectively operable for directing a flow of air through said combustion chamber after a predetermined cycle of operation of said heat source' means whereby said flow of air will purge said combustion chamber of gas and ash by-products of combustion, and wherein an automatic purging operation is initiated in response to control means sensing a predetermined high temperature in said combustion chamber and is stopped in response to sensing a predetermined low temperature in said combustion chamber.

9. An incinerating commode for use in disposing of human waste comprising, in combination:

a. a commode body defining means permitting human waste to be introduced therein and including first closure means supported above said commode body and selective movable between opened and closed position;

b. a combustion chamber located below and operatively associated with said commode body, said combustion chamber including a combustion pot for receiving and confining said waste introduced into said commode body;

c. cyclically operable heat source means operatively associated with said combustion chamber for incinerating waste contained therein;

waste confining lid means operatively associated with said combustion pot and moveable between opened waste receiving and closed waste confining positions and operable when moved to said closed waste confining position for forcing paper used in a waste depositing operation into said combustion pot. said first closure means including means for effecting movement of said waste confining lid means between said opened and closed positions; and g e. control means for initiating a cycle of operation of said heat source means in response to movement of said additional closure means to said closed position.

10. An incinerating commode as defined in claim 9 further characterized in that said commode includes additional closure means operable between opened and closed positions and operatively associated with said commode between said waste confining lid and said first closure means, said additional closure means being operable in response, to closing said first closure means to effect movement of said waste confining lid to said closed position, and wherein said commode includes means operable for latching said additional closure means in said closed position, and means for latching said first closure means in a closed position, and wherein said first closure latching means is operable in response to movement of said additional closure latch means to a latched position.

11. An incinerating commode as defined in claim 10 further characterized in that said commode includes blower means operable for developing a pressurized heat source and for cooling and purging said combustion chamber after an incinerating operation, and wherein operation of said blower means is initiated in response to movement of said first closure latching means to said latched position.

12. An incinerating commode as defined in claim 11 further characterized in that said commode include means for sensing operation of said blower means, and wherein a cycle of operation of said heat source means is initiated in response to sensing operation of said blower means.

13. An incinerating'commode as defined in claim 12 further characterized in that said combustion chamber includes means for sensing a predetermined high temperature and means for sensing a predetermined low temperature, and wherein operation of said heat source means is stopped and a cooling and purging cycle is initiated in response to said means sensing a predetermined high temperature within said combustion chamher, with said cooling and purging cycle being stopped in response to said means sensing a predetermined low temperature. I

14. An incinerating commode as defined in claim 13 further characterized in that said additional closure latching means is moved to an unlatched position in response to said means sensing a predetermined high temperature.

15. An incinerating commode as defined in claim 14 further characterized in that said first closure latching means is moved to an unlatched position in response to said means sensing said predetermined low temperature.

Claims

1. An incinerating commode for use in disposing of human waste comprising, in combination: a. a commode body defining means permitting human waste to be introduced therein; b. a combustion chamber operatively associated with said commode body, said combustion chamber including a liquid and solid waste confining combustion pot for receiving and confining said waste introduced into said commode body; c. cylically operable heat source means operatively associated with said combustion chamber for incinerating waste contained therein, said heat source means detailed for developing an incinerating flame into and beneath said combustion pot; d. means operatively associated with said combustion pot for reducing the particle size of waste to be incinerated, said waste reducing means includes a pair of comminuting plates reciprocally supported within said combustion pot and reciprocally operable with respect to each other for effecting a reduction of the particle size of waste supported in said pot between said plates; and, e. means for initiating a cycle of operation of said heat source and said waste reducing means.

2. An incinerating commode as defined n claim 1 further characterized in that said combustion pot includes a downwardly and rewardly sloping bottom wall means curving upwardly to form a rear wall, with a pair of horizontally spaced vertically oriented side walls extending between side edges of the bottom and rear wall, said comminuting plates having longitudinal dimensions complimentary to the curvature of said bottom and rear wall, and wherein said heat source means is supported in a position for directing an incinerating flame above and below said pot bottom wall means.

8. An incinerating commode as described in claim 1 further characterized in that said combustion chamber includes means defining an air flow passageway surrounding said combustion chamber, a first blower means operatively associated with said combustion chamber for directing a flow of cooling air in said passageway surrounding said combustion chamber, a second blower means operatively associated with said combustion chamber for directing the heat source means into said combustion chamber and wherein said first blower means and said second blower means are cyclically controlled and collectively operable for directing a flow of air through said combustion chamber after a predetermined cycle of operation of said heat source means whereby said flow of air will purge said combustion chamber of gas and ash by-products of combustion, and wherein an automatic purging operation is initiated in response to control means sensing a predetermined high temperature in said combustion chamber and is stopped in response to sensing a predetermined low temperature in said combustion chamber.

9. An incinerating commode for use in disposing of human waste comprising, in combination: a. a commode body defining means permitting human waste to be introduced therein and including first closure means supported above said commode body and selective movable between opened and closed position; b. a combustion chamber located below and operatively associated with said commode body, said combustion chamber including a combustion pot for receiving and confining said waste introduced into said commode body; c. cyclically operable heat source means operatively associated with said combustion chamber for incinerating waste contained therein; d. waste confining lid means operatively associated with said combustion pot and moveable between opened waste receiving and closed waste confining positions and operable when moved to said closed waste confining position for forcing paper used in a waste depositing operation into said combustion pot, said first closure means including means for effecting movement of said waste confining lid means between said opened and closed positions; and e. control means for initiating a cycle of operation of said heat source means in response to movement of said additional closure means to said closed position.

10. An incinerating commode as defined in claim 9 further characterized in that said commode includes additional closure means operable between opened and closed positions and operatively associated with said commode between said waste confining lid and said first closure means, said additional closure means being operable in response to closing said first closure means to effect movement of said waste confining lid to said closed position, and wherein said commode includes means operable for latching said additional closure means in said closed position, and means for latching said first closure means in a closed position, and wherein said first closure latching means is operable in response to movement of said additional closure latch means to a latched position.

13. An incinerating commode as defined in claim 12 further characterized in that said combustion chamber includes means for sensing a predetermined high temperature and means for sensiNg a predetermined low temperature, and wherein operation of said heat source means is stopped and a cooling and purging cycle is initiated in response to said means sensing a predetermined high temperature within said combustion chamber, with said cooling and purging cycle being stopped in response to said means sensing a predetermined low temperature.