US3921227A

US3921227A - Catalyst container in incinerator toilet

Info

Publication number: US3921227A
Application number: US484953A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ernest Bayne Blankenship
Original assignee: RES PRODUCTS INCINOLET CORP
Current assignee: RES PRODUCTS INCINOLET CORP; RESEARCH PRODUCTS/INCINOLET Corp
Priority date: 1974-04-15
Filing date: 1974-07-01
Publication date: 1975-11-25
Anticipated expiration: 1992-11-25

Abstract

The specification discloses a catalyst container for use in an incinerator toilet for reducing or eliminating odors during incineration and which comprises an inlet to be coupled to an exhaust vent extending from the incinerator chamber of the toilet, a diffusion chamber, a catalyst chamber section for holding a catalyst, a collection or diffusion chamber downstream of the catalyst chamber section leading to an outlet to be located in communication with a blower for drawing gases from the incinerator chamber and through the catalyst container by way of the catalyst located in the catalyst chamber section. In one embodiment the catalyst container is formed from five pieces which may be readily assembled and disassembled and which comprises a cylindrical housing; a front perforated plate and a rear perforated plate to be located within the housing for holding the catalyst; a front cap, having an inlet, to be fitted around the front end of the cylindrical housing; and a rear cap, having an outlet, to be fitted around the rear end of the cylindrical housing.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 [1.11 3,921,227 Blankenship 1 Nov. 25, 1975 [54] CATALYST CONTAINER IN INCINERATOR 3,633,220 1/1972 Lagstrom 4/131 TOILET 3,675,250 l/1972 Bengtsson 3,752,090 8/1973 Frankel et al 4/131 X [75] Inventor: Ernest Bayne Blankenship, Dallas,

Primary ExaminerI-Ienry K. Artis [73] Assignee: Research Products/Incinolet Corporation, Dallas, Tex. [57] ABSTRACT Filed: J y 1974 The specification discloses a catalyst container for use Appl. No.: 484,953

Related US. Application Data in an incinerator toilet for reducing or eliminating odors during incineration and which comprises an inlet to be coupled to an exhaust vent extending from the incinerator chamber of the toilet, a diffusion chamber, a catalyst chamber section for holding a catalyst, a collection or diffusion chamber downstream of the catalyst chamber section leading to an outlet to be located in communication with a blower for drawing 2] US. Cl; 4/131; 4/118; 110/9 E gases from the incinerator chamber and through the [51] Int. Cl. A47K 11/02 catalyst container by way of the Catalyst located in the [58'] Field of Search 4/131 213; catalyst chamber section. In one embodiment the cat- 110/9 9 E alyst container is formed from five pieces which may be readily assembled and disassembled and which [56] References C'ted comprises a cylindrical housing; a front perforated UNITED STATES PATENTS plate and a rear perforated plate to be located within 2,771,553 11/1956 Osberg et al..... 110/9 E the housing for holding the catalyst; a front cap, hav- 3,020,559 2/1962 Blank nship 1 4/131 ing an inlet, to be fitted around the front end of the 3,230,551 1/1966 PP 4/213 cylindrical housing; and a rear cap, having an outlet, 335L070 5/1966 Blankenship" H131 to be fitted around the rear end of the cylindrical 3,366,979 2/1968 Johnston 4/213 housing. 3,474,468 /1969 Blankenship..... 4/131 3,600,724 8/1971 Stamper et al 4/217 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures Sheet 3 of 4 US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 CATALYST CONTAINER IN INCINERATOR TOILET This application is a continuation-in-part of US. patent application Ser. No. 460,924, filed Apr. 15, 1974, now abandoned which is a continuation-in-part of US. patent application Ser. No. 445,661, filed Feb. 25, 1974, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to incinerator toilets and more particularly to a catalyst container to be located outside of an incinerator chamber employed in such toilets.

Incinerator toilets have been developed for use in facilities or locations where the water supply is limited or where sewer connections are not available. From a practical standpoint, these toilets must employ an odor control means for reducing or eliminating the odors generated during incineration. One effective type of odor control means in use comprises a catalyst such as aluminum oxide pellets. For proper operation, the catalyst normally must be elevated to a temperature appropriate for the necessary chemical reaction. Thus, the catalyst must be located in close proximity to a source of heat in order to reach the necesary temperature level for operation. In the case of the incinerator toilet, a logical source of heat is that from the incinerator chamber. Most catalysts require occasional replacement or replenishment, depending upon the type of catalyst and nature of the chemical reaction. Some catalysts are also quite expensive so that the volume of such catalysts needs to be minimized, consistent, of course, with the amount actually required for performance.

For a catalyst to be effective in the removal of odors, such odors must necessarily pass through or over the catalyst in sufficiently close proximity to assure proper chemical reaction. Equally obvious is the requirement that no odors bypass the catalyst and hence, enter the exhaust in the unaltered state, i. e., as odor. In the latter regard, only a trace amount of odor bypassing the catalyst is necessary to be clearly detectable as odor within the exhaust stack.

The design of the incinerator toilet is always affected .by limited space requirements because of the types of facilities into which the toilet may be installed; because of human engineering requirements; and because of cost consideration. Lack of space within the toilet cabinet restricts the design of the catalyst container. Therefore, the catalyst container must be highly efficient in order that the catalyst do its job within the limited space.

Working against the restriction of space is the concept of dwell time, i. e., the time required for the odor to dwell within the catalyst in order to undergo the necessary chemical reaction. Any time shorter than this would be insufficient for the job. The total effect calls, therefore, for a catalyst container that occupies a minimum of space yet is highly efficient, inexpensive, and easily removed for servicing.

Finally, if the toilet is force vented by a blower located within the toilet cabinet, the effect of the blower is to draw odors through any cracks or openings existing between parts of the incinerator chamber and, for example, the catalyst container. If this occurs, the odors will bypass the catalyst and remain odorous. Moreover, any connection between the catalyst container and the incinerator chamber must be reasonably tight and free of effect of vibration, yet, remain easily removable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 0 for servicing.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a catalyst container for positively directing the gases and odors through the catalyst, preventing any odors bypassing the catalyst, and which assures adequate dwell time of the odor molecules within the catalyst for effective odor reduction.

In one aspect, the catalyst container is adapted to be located to one side of the incinerator chamber of the toilet and comprises an inlet and an outlet, a catalyst chamber section located between the inlet and outlet for holding a heat activated catalyst for reducing odors, a diffusion chamber located between the inlet and the catalyst chamber section, and a gas collection chamber located between the catalyst chamber section and the outlet. The diffusion chamber and the catalyst chamber section are separated by front means having a plurality of small inlet apertures located within a given area for allowing the passage of gas from the diffusion chamber into the catalyst chamber section. The catalyst chamber section and the collection chamber are separated by rear means having a plurality of small outlet apertures within a given area for allowing the passage of gas from the catalyst chamber section to the collection chamber. In the preferred embodiment, the catalyst is in pellet form having a size greater than the size of the inlet and outlet apertures such that the catalyst is held within the catalyst chamber section.

In a further aspect, the front and rear means each comprise front and rear plates respectively. The inlet apertures are formed through the front plate within an area spaced inward from its outer edges such that the front plate has a solid wall surrounding the inlet apertures and which extends inward from the walls of the catalyst chamber section. The outlet apertures are formed through the rear plate within an area spaced inward from its outer edges such that the rear plate has a solid wall surrounding the outlet apertures and which also extends inward from the walls of the catalyst chamber section.

In one embodiment, the catalyst container comprises a cylindrical housing member; a front insert comprising a front circular plate and a rear insert comprising a rear circular plate which are adapted to be removably inserted within the front and rear ends of the cylindrical housing for forming the catalyst chamber section. A removable front cap having a front wall and extending cylindrical side walls is adapted to be fitted around the front end of the cylindrical housing member. The inlet is formed through the front cap and is adapted to be removably coupled to the vent conduit of the incinerator chamber. The diffusion chamber is formed between the front wall of the front cap and the front plate of the front insert when the front insert and front cap are located in place. A removable rear cap having a rear wall and extending cylindrical side walls is adapted to be fitted around the rear end of the housing member. The outlet is formed through the rear cap and is adapted to be in fluid communication with the gas removal means.

The collection chamber is formed between the rear plate of the rear insert and the rear wall of the rear cap when the insert and rear cap are located in place. The front plate and rear plate have a plurality of small inlet and outlet apertures formed therethrough within circular areas spaced inward from the outer edges of the front and rear plates respectively for holding the pellets within the catalyst chamber section and for allowing the passage of gas from the diffusion chamber to the collection chamber by way of the catalyst pellets located in the catalyst chamber section. The outer portions of the front and rear plates between the small inlet and outlet apertures and their outer edges are solid such that the front and rear plates have solid annular walls surrounding their inlet and outlet apertures and which extend inward from the walls of the housing member. The inlet has a cross sectional area less than the area of the front plate within which are located the outlet apertures.

In a further aspect, the inlet is formed through the front wall of the front cap and comprises an extending conduit adapted to be removably coupled to the vent conduit extending from the incinerator chamber. In addition, at least one tension spring is adapted to be secured to the rear cap and to the incinerator chamber for holding the catalyst container in place against the incinerator chamber with the inlet conduit coupled to the vent conduit of the incinerator chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a cross sectional side view of an incinerator toilet employing a catalyst container of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the catalyst container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional side view of the catalyst container of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional side view of another embodiment of a catalyst container;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the container of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top or rear view of the catalyst container of FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 7 is a front or lower view of the catalyst container of FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional side view of another embodiment of a catalyst container; and

FIG. 9 is a partial cross sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 9 with certain modifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. 1, the incinerator toilet comprises a housing 11 formed by a rear wall 13, an arcuate front wall 15, two side walls, one of which is identified at 17, a bottom wall 19 and a top 21. The front, rear, sides and bottom walls are preferably formed of stainless steel while the top 21 is a molded heat resistant plastic such as fiberglass. The forward portion of the top 21 includes a recessed upper bowl portion 23 forming an upper opening 25 which extends downward from the top 21. The top 21 and the bowl 23 are molded from fiberglass as one integral unit. Located above and around the bowl 23 is a hinged seat 27 adapted to be located in the position shown or moved to an upward position. A hinged lid 29 is adapted to fit over the seat 27. The lid 29 also may be moved to an upward position independently of the seat. Both the seat 27 and the lid 29 are hinged to the top 21 by way of a hinge arrangement illustrated at 31. A lower bowl portion 33 is located below the upper bowl portion 23 and is transversely divided into two halves 33a and 33b which are pivotally mounted on the outer surfaces of the upper bowl portion 23 by way of hinges 35. When the toilet is being used, the halves 33a and 33b will be in their closed position whereby a cone shaped paper insert may be located within the bowl formed by the upper portion 23 and the lower portion 33.

The incinerator toilet comprises an open ended incinerator chamber member 41 located below the bowl and which has a circular electrical heating coil 43 removably supported in its central opening 42 by brackets 91. The terminal ends of the coil 43 extend through the walls of the chamber 41 where they are connected to electrical leads and a switching arrangement for controlling the flow of current to the coil 43. The chamber 41 is mounted on a semi-circular metal support 44. An ash pan 45 is slidedly mounted on a metal step support 47 formed on the housing bottom 19 within the chamber support 44 and below the central opening of the chamber member 41. Heat insulation material 47a is located between support 47 and the bottom 19. The ash pan 45 has a handle 49 on its front side which is accessible by means of a removable panel 51 located beneath the arcuate front wall 15. A blower wheel 61 and a motor 63 are provided for drawing gases and odor from the interior of the chamber 41 and then blowing the odor and gases out of a rear vent 65 which is connected to the rear wall 13 of the housing 11 by way of a collar 67. An incinerator chamber lid 69, which fits into a recessed seat formed at the upper end of the chamber 41, is provided for closing the upper end of the chamber 41 while the heter 43 is being energized for disposing of the waste received in the pan 45. The outer walls of the lid 69 are formed of stainless steel with heat insulation material 69a located within the walls.

When the incinerator toilet is being used by a person, the lower bowl halves 33a and 33b will be located in their closed position as shown in FIG. 1 and a cone shaped paper insert located within the upper bowl portion 23 and lower bowl portion 33. When it is desired to deposit the waste in the paper cone within the pan 45,

the chamber lid 69 will be raised upward and out of its recessed seat and then swung to the side and out of the way to allow the hinged halves 33a and 33b to swing open to allow the paper cone and waste to drop through the central opening 42 of the chamber 41 and into the pan 45. A linkage mechanism controlled by a foot pedal for allowing the bowl halves 33a and 33b and the chamber lid 69 to operate in this manner is disclosed and claimed in my co-pending application Ser. No. 87,413, filed Nov. 6, 1970 and entitled Incinerator Toilet Having a Vertically Movable Incinerator Chamber Lid. After the paper cone and waste has been deposited in the pan 45, the foot pedal again will be actuated to return the chamber lid 69 to its closed position and to return the bowl halves 33a and 33bto their closed positions. A switch then may be actuated to complete a circuit to the electrical coil 43 and to the blower motor 63. Suitable electrical circuits for electrically controlling the coil 43 and the blower motor 63 are disclosed in my previously issued US. Pat. No.

3,020,559, dated Feb. 13, 1962 and US. Pat. No. 3,251,070, dated May 17, 1966.

The incinerator chamber 41 is formed by cylindrical inner and

outer members

71 and 73. These members are single piece members drawn and shaped from stainless steel. As illustrated, inner and

outer members

71 and 73 have inward extending flanges 71a and 73a located at their top ends and outwardly extending flanges 71b and 73b located at their lower ends. In assembly, the inner member 71 is inserted within the outer member 73 and inwardly extending flanges 71a and 73a are welded together while outward extending flanges 71b and 73b are welded together. Thus, only two primary seams are employed in forming the chamber thereby facilitating construction. Due to the shape of the two

members

71 and 73, the intermediate wall portions 71c and 730 between the upper and lower flanges will be spaced apart forming an enclosed annular insulating chamber 75. During assembly of the inner and

outer members

71 and 73, a heat insulation material 77 will through perforations in plate 129, into diffusion chamber 131, through outlet 133 and then forced by the be located within this chamber 75 to provide insulation w against the heat generated by the electrical heating coil 43. In one embodiment, the heat insulation material 77 may be fibrous or hair-like material such as fiberglass. It is noted that the inwardly extending upper flanges 71a and 73a extend downwardly forming a recessed seat 79 for supporting the chamber lid 69. Seat 79 mates withthe annular bottom surface 6% of the lid 69 to prevent or minimize the leakage of gases or odor therebetween. The half cylindrical wall plate 44 is welded to the bottom flange 71b for providing the desired support for the incinerator chamber 41. The upper end 45a of the pan 45 flanges outward forming a flat, annular surface which will be in contact with the bottom flange 71b of the chamber 41 to prevent or minimize the leakage of gas or odor therebetween.

During incineration by the coil 43, gases and odor are drawn from the chamber 41 and through and across a heat activated odor reducing catalyst 81 located in a container 83 which is positioned outside of the walls of the incinerator chamber 41. In the preferred embodiment the catalyst is in pellet form and which preferably are formed of aluminum oxide (A1 0 It is to be understood however, that other types of heat activated catalysts may be used or mixed with the aluminum oxide. The gases are drawn through the catalyst 81 within the container 83 by way of a vent line or exhaust tube 85 and an exhaust fan or blower wheel 61 driven by the motor 63. The inner and outer walls of the incinerator chamber have circular apertures formed therethrough and which are located to be in alignment when the inner and outer walls are assembled together. After assembly, the exhaust tube 85 is inserted through these -apertures and welded to the inner and outer walls thereby providing a flow path from the interior of the interior of the container 83 through an inlet 121 which ,leads .to a diffusion chamber 123. The catalyst pellets 81 are located in a catalyst chamber section 125 formed between front and rear

perforated plates

127 and 129. Downstream of the rear plate 129 is a gas collection or diffusion chamber 131 which leads to an outlet 133. The outlet 133 is in fluid communication with blower 61. Vent 65 is coupled to blower 61 by way of a collar 67 and connection 87. Thus, when the blower 61 is driven by motor 63, odors and gases will be drawn from the interior of the chamber 41 through the exhaust line 85 into inlet 121 and diffusion chamber 123 and then through the perforations in plate 127 and through and across the catalyst pellets 81 located between

perforated plates

127 and 129 for effective odor blower 61 outward through the vent lines 65. Since the catalyst is located outside of the

walls

71 and 73 of the incinerator chamber 41, differences'in expansion and contraction of the incinerator chamber walls will not effect the catalyst thereby prolonging its effectiveness as an odor reducing means. It is noted further that vent line 85 has slots 85a formed in its forward end and which are located within the annular insulating chamber 75. Thus, any gases or odors which may have leaked or passed into annular chamber 75 also will be drawn out through the exhaust line 85 and across the catalyst 81 in the container 83.

The incinerator chamber 41 and an arrangement including removable brackets 91 for removably supporting the coil 43 in chamber 41 are disclosed in more detail and claimed in my co-pending US. patent application entitled Incinerator Toilet, Ser. No. 445,662, filed Feb. 25, 1974.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, there will be described in detail the catalyst container 83. The container is formed by a cylindrical housing 141; a front insert 143 comprising the front or upstream plate 127 reduction. From the catalyst, the gases will be drawn adapted to be removably inserted into the front end 141a of the housing; and a rear insert 145 comprising the rear or downstream perforated plate 129 adapted to be removably inserted into the rear end 1411) of the cylindrical housing formingthe catalyst chamber section between the front and rear

perforated plates

127 and 129. A front cap 147 through which is formed the inlet 121 is adapted to be fitted around the front of the cylindrical housing 141 while a rear cap 149 in which is formed the outlet 133 is adapted to be fitted around the rear end of the housing 141. r

The front insert 143 is a pan or cup-shaped member having cylindrical walls 143a extending from the front circular plate 127. Formed through the plate 127 are a plurality of small apertures or perforations 127a located in a circular area spaced inward from the outer edges of the plate 127 thereby forming a solid, non-perforated annular wall 127b around the perforations 127a. The perforations 127a have a size smaller than the size of the pellets thereby holding the pellets in the chamber section 125 but allowing gases to pass inward. The rear insert is a pan or cup-shaped insert having cylindrical walls 145a extending from the perforated circular plate 129. Form ed in the plate 129 are a plurality of small apertures or perforations 129a located in a circular area spaced inward from the outer edges thereof. Thus, the plate 129 has a solid non-perforated annular wall 12% which surrounds the inner perforations 129a. The perforations 129a have a size smaller than the catalyst pellets thereby holding the pellets within the chamber section 125 but allowing gas to pass outward through the perforations 129a. The outside diameters of the cylindrical walls 143a and 145a of the front and rear inserts are slightly less than the inside diameter of the cylindrical housing 141 whereby the inserts may be inserted into the cylindrical housing and removed therefrom.

The front cap 147 comprises cylindrical walls 147a extending from a front wall 147b. The front wall 147b has a short circular conduit 147C extending therefrom forming the inlet 121. The inside diameter of the cylindrical walls 147a is slightly greater than the outside diameter of the cylindrical housing 141 such that the front cap may be fitted around the front end of the cy- 7 lindrical housing and removed therefrom. When fitted in place, the space between the front wall 147 and the front perforated plate 127 form the diffusion chamber 123.

The rear cap 149 comprises forward cylindrical walls 149a having a front facing wall 14% and side walls 1490 and 149d extending upward from the top portion thereof. A rear portion comprising a rear wall 149e having a circular bottom wall 149f and side walls 149g and 14911 is welded to the inside of walls 149a, 149a, and 149d to form the complete rear cap having the outlet 133 located at the top. The inside diameter of cylindrical walls 149a is slightly greater than the outside diameter of cylindrical housing 141 such that the rear cap may be fitted around the rear end of the cylindrical housing and removed therefrom. When fitted in place, the space between the rear wall 149e and the rear perforated plate 129 form the collection or diffusion chamber 131.

In assembly, the rear insert 145 may be inserted within the rear end of the cylindrical housing as shown. The housing 141 then may be turned to locate its front end upward and the chamber section 125 filled with the catalyst pellets. The front insert 143 then may be inserted as shown whereby the front plate 127 is spaced from the front edges 141a of the cylindrical housing to form the diffusion chamber 123. The front and rear caps then may be fitted in place. After assembly, the inlet conduit 1470 is inserted into the exhaust line 85 and two tension springs are employed for holding the container 83 in place against the chamber 41 with its outlet 133 directly under the inlet of the exhaust fan 61. The tension springs are coupled to slots 151 formed at the rear of the rear cap on opposite sides and to slots 153 formed on the outside wall 73 of the chamber 41 on opposite sides of the exhaust line 85. In FIG. 3, a tension spring is illustrated in dotted line 155 coupled to

slots

151 and 153 on the opposite side of the assembly shown. The tension springs will hold the container 83 in place with its inlet conduit 1470 in exhaust line 85 in an effective air-tight relationship and moreover, will hold the removable component parts of the container 83 together in an effective air-tight relationship yet will allow the container 83 to be readily removed for disassembly and servicing when desired.

By forming the catalyst container from a cylindrical housing, the space occupied by the catalyst container is minimized. By use of the

diffusion chambers

123 and 131, the dwell time of the gases within the catalyst pellets is maintained sufficiently long for effective odor reduction even though the inlet 121 and outlet 133 are made relatively small which is desirable for efficient withdrawal of the gases using a given minimurn size exhaust fan and motor. In this respect, the diffusion chamber 123 presents a relatively large entrance area for passage of the gases into the catalyst chamber section through perforations 127a. Similarly, the diffusion chamber 131 presents a relatively large exit area for passage of the gases out of the catalyst chamber section through perforations 129a. As the gases pass through the smaller inlet 121, they will diffuse throughout the entire cross-sectional area of the diffusion chamber 123 thereby allowing the gases to pass or flow into essentially the entire cross-sectional area of the pellets 81. Since the diffusion chamber 131 is as large in cross section as the chamber 123, the gases will flow through essentially the entire cross-sectional areas of the pelets before passing into diffusion chamber 131. Thus, the

8 dwell time of the gases in the catalyst pellets is increased and moreover, effectively all of the pellets are able to contribute to odor reduction.

Since the annular walls 12711 and 12% extend inward from the walls of the cylindrical chamber, the gas furthermore will be forced to pass through catalyst pellets located within the chamber section even though there may be some settling or compacting of the catalyst pellets. In this respect, even though the catalyst chamber section will be filled completely with catalyst pellets during assembly, compaction or settling may occur, thereby resulting in a small void space at the top of the catalyst chamber section 125 next to the inside top wall portion of the cylindrical housing 141. If even a small amount of gas were allowed to bypass the catalyst through the void space, undesirable odors would be allowed to pass through the outlet 133 and hence through the exterior vent 65. The solid annular walls 127b and 129b, however, extend inward a distance sufficient to insure that their inward edges always will be lower than possible void spaces that may form in the catalyst chamber section next to the inside cylindrical walls. Thus, even though void spaces next to the inside cylindrical walls of the catalyst chamber section may form, all of the gas will be forced to pass through catalyst pellets upon entering and leaving the catalyst chamber section insuring that no odors bypass the catalyst and hence enter the exhaust 65 in the unaltered state.

From the above description, it can now be understood that the catalyst container can be readily assembled and disassembled for servicing; it provides an effective air-tight chamber for holding the catalyst pellets; it occupies a minimum of space yet is constructed to provide sufficient dwell time of the gases in the catalyst for effective odor reduction.

In one embodiment, the outside diameter of cylindrical housing 141 is 3% inches and its length from end to end is 2 /2 inches. The diffusion chamber 123 has a depth of one half of an inch while the diffusion chamber 131 has a depth of about 1 inch. The diameters of the circular areas in

plates

127 and 129 in which the perforations 127a and 129a are located are 2% inches whereby the annular walls 127b and 12% extend inward three-eighths of an inch. The forward minimum diameter of outlet conduit l47c is, 1% inches while the outlet 133 has dimensions of 1 inch by 3% inches.

In a further embodiment, the front and

rear plates

127 and 129 may have their inlet and outlet apertures 127a and 129a formed over essentially their entire diameters thereby eliminating the solid annular walls 127b and 12%. At least one intermediate annular plate, illustrated in dotted form at 201 may be welded or secured to the inside of the cylinder 141 between its ends at a position inward of the front and

rear inserts

143 and 145. The intermediate annular plate has a central circular opening 203 formed therethrough which may have a diameter of 2% inches whereby its solid annular wall 205 extends inward three eighths of an inch. This intermediate annular plate thus will perform the same function as annular walls 127b and 12% to insure that no gas bypasses the catalyst through void spaces which may form next to the inside wall of cylinder 141.

FIGS. 4-7 disclose another embodiment of a catalyst container wherein the front and rear diffusion chambers of FIG. 2 are not employed. The catalyst container of FIGS. 4-7 is identified at 149 and comprises a cylindrical housing 161 having a front or lower wall 163 and a removable rear cap 165 adapted to be fitted around the rear or top end of the housing 161. The front wall 163 has an inlet 167 formed therethrough while the rear cap 165 has an outlet 169 formed therethrough. Inlet 167 is formed by a circular conduit 171 while outlet 169 is formed by a short circular conduit 173. The inlet conduit 171 will be coupled to the exhaust line or vent of the incinerator chamber of a toilet or the like while the outlet conduit will be located to be in fluid communication with the blower or exhaust fan. Secured against the inside wall of the front wall 163 over the inlet 167 is a wire screen 175. A wire screen 177 also is secured or located against the inside wall of the rear cap 165 over the outlet 169. Two spaced apart

annular deflector plates

179 and 181 are located within the housing 161 at positions spaced inward from the front wall 163 and rear cap 165. These plates have

central openings

183 and 185 formed therethrough and have their outer edges located adjacent and secured to the inside wall of the housing 161. Thus, the

plates

179 and 181 define annular walls which extend inward from the wall of the cylindrical housing 161. The housing 161, its front wall 163, and rear cap 165 and

wire screens

175 and 177 define a catalyst chamber which is filled with heat activated catalyst pellets 187. It is noted that the pellets are located between the

annular plates

179 and 181 as well as between plate 179 and front wall 163 and between plate 181 and the rear cap 165. The

screens

175 and 177 hold the pellets in the chamber but allow gas to flow from inlet 167 to outlet 169 by way of the pellets in the chamber.

The container of FIGS. 4-7 has advantages in that the gas must always pass through catalyst pellets upon entering and leaving the catalyst chamber. Moreover, the two

annular plates

179 and 181 present an increased flow path for gases following the inside wall of the chamber thereby assuring sufficient contact of the gases with the catalyst pellets to effectively reduce odor. In addition, since the rear cap 165 is removable, the container may be readily disassembled and assembled for repair or servicing.

For use in the toilet of FIG. 1, the exhaust line 85 may be ell shaped having its outward end pointed upward around which the inlet conduit 171 will be removably fitted. In this position, wall 163 and cap 165 will form the bottom and top respectively of the container 149. The blower 61 and motor 63, as well as the ex- .haust vent 65 will be raised whereby the inlet 171 may .be fitted around the top end of the ell and the outlet 169 placed directly under the blower 61; to allow the blower or exhaust fan to draw odors and gases from the chamber, through the catalyst pellets in the container 149 for the reduction of odor and then out through the vent 65. Since the container 149 will be resting on the vertical end of the ell, the springs 155 will not be needed or employed.

In one embodiment, the cylindrical housing 161 has a height of 2% inches and an outside diameter of 6 inches. The inside diameter of the inlet 167 is 1% of an inch while the inside diameter of the outlet 169 is 3% inches. The diameter of the

apertures

183 and 185 formed through the

plates

179 and 181 are 4 inches. As shown in FIG. 4, the

plates

181 and 179 have cylindrical flanges 181a and 179a respectively which fit within the cylindrical housing 161. These flanges may be welded to the inside wall of the housing. Screen 175 also is welded to the wall 163 over the inlet 167.

FIGS. 8 and 9 disclose other embodiments of a catalyst container which are similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3 but have modified diffusion and collection chambers Referring first to FIG. 8, the catalyst container is identified by reference numeral 211 and is formed by a cylindrical housing 213; a removable front wall insert 215 to which are connected outer and inner

perforated cylinders

217 and 219 respectively; a removable front cap 147; a removable rear wall 221; and a removable rear cap 149. The front and

rear caps

147 and 149 are similar to the front and rear caps of the embodiment of FIG. 2. As illustrated cap 147 comprises an inlet 121 formed therethrough and is adapted to have its cylindrical wall 147A fitted around the front of the cylindrical housing 213. The front wall insert 215 comprises a front wall 215A having a circular inlet aperture 215B formed centrally therethrough and a rearward extending cylindrical wall 215C which is adapted to be removably inserted into the cylindrical housing 213. The outer perforated cylindrical member 217 has its front end 217A welded to the inside of the wall 215A at a position such that cylinder 217 is spaced radially inward from the cylindrical housing 213. Member 217 has a cylindrical wall portion 217B which extends rearward from wall 215A a short distance with no perforations formed therein. Perforations 217C are formed through member 217 rearward of the wall portion 217B. The inner cylindrical member 219 has its front end 219A welded to the front wall 215A around the central aperture 215B at a position spaced radially inward from the outer perforated cylinder 217. Member 219 has a cylindrical wall portion 219B extending rearward from wall 215A a short distance with no perforations formed therein. Perforations 219C are formed through the member 219 rearward of the wall portion 219B. Connected to the rear of the perforated member 219 is a solid rear wall 219D. The rear wall 221 comprises a central solid portion 221A and an outer annular portion through which are formed a plurality of apertures 221B. A cylindrical wall 221C extends from the rear wall 221 and which is adapted to be removably fitted around the rear end of the cylindrical housing 213. In this position, the front side of the solid wall portion 221A will abut against the rear end of the outer perforated cylindrical member 217 as illustrated. The cylindrical wall 149A of the rear cap 149 is adapted to be removably fitted, around cylindrical walls 221C of rear wall 221 to form an outlet chamber 223.

When the components of the container are assembled as illustrated in FIG. 8, there is formed an annular catalyst chamber portion 225A between the inner and outer perforated

cylindrical members

219 and 217 and a rear catalyst chamber portion 225B between

rear walls

219D and 221 for holding heat activated catalyst pellets illustrated at 224. Perforations 217C and 219C have a size smaller than the catalyst pellets thereby holding the pellets within the

chamber

225A, 225B but allowing gas to pass therethrough. In addition there is formed an open annular chamber 227 between outer perforated cylindrical member 217 and the cylindrical housing 213 defining a gas collection chamber which is in fluid communication with chamber 223 through apertures 2215. The inlet diffusion chamber comprises the interior of the inner perforated cylindrical member 219 and is identified at 229. As in the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, the inlet conduit 147C is adapted to fit within the vent line of an incinerator chamber while the outlet 133 is adapted to be located next to a blower effluent gas is illustrated by the arrows. In this respect the gas will flow through the inlets 121 and 2158 and into the diffusion chamber 229. From the chamber 229* the gas will flow through perforations 219C, through the heat activated catalyst 224 located in the

chamber

225A, 225B, through the perforations 217C to the collection chamber 227. From chamber 227 the gas will flow through the perforations 221B into the outlet chamber 223 and then through the outlet 133.

The embodiment of FIG. 8 has advantages over-the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3 in that the cross-sectional area of the diffusion chamber to the flow of effluent gases is larger than that on the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3 even though the outside diameter of the cylindrical housing 213 is the same as that of housing,

141. With increased flow area, the rate of flow into and through the catalyst is decreased which increases the dwell time within the heat activated catalyst and hence optimizes the reduction of odor. Moreover the container of the embodiment of FIG.8 has less resistance to flow of gas drawn therethrough which has advantages for example in the event the blower becomes dirty or inefficient. Y

In one embodiment, the outside diameter of the cylindrical housing213 is 3 /2 inches and its length from end to end is 4% inches. The diameter of the outer or downstream perforated cylindrical member 217 is about 2% inches while the diameter of the inner or upchamber 225A, 2253 with fresh catalyst. Suitable means may be provided for holding the container inan operative position the incinerator toilet is illustrated in FIG. 1.

Although

rear walls

219D and 221A were described as being solid, they could be perforated if desired. In a further modification, cylinder 219 could extend rearward to solid wall 221A, eliminating wall 219D and allowing wall 221A to form the rear end of cylinder 219 when the components of the container are assembled. In this modification catalyst chamber portion 225B will be eliminated.

The catalyst container of FIG. 9 is similar to that of FIGS except that the cylindrical housing 213 is longer and has a portion extending rearward of the rear end of the outer perforated cylindrical member 217. In addition the rear wall 221 comprises a solid annular outer portion 221D extending radially inward from the cylindrical wall 221C defining a large central aperture 221E formed through the rear wall 221. The rear end of the outer perforated cylindrical member 217 has a removable cap 231 fitted thereover as illustrated. Since the rear end of the cylindrical housing 213 extends rearward of the cap 231 a space 233 is formed between the rear cap 231 and the rear wall 221 whereby the gases from the collection chamber 227 may flow through this space and through the aperture 221E into the outlet chamber 223 and then up through the outlet 133.

' 12 As mentioned-above, the toilet disclosed employs a recessed seat 79 formed at the top of the incinerator chamber41 to support the chamber lid 69. The use of there'cessed seat to support the lid has advantages in thatfit will allow liquid 'to'drain inward and down into the pan 45 rather than on the floor of the toilet in the event that the paper insert leaks or the toilet is improperly used and moreover, results in a reduction of the height of the total toilet system. It is noted that US. Pat. No. 3,020,559 disclosestwo semi-circular chamber lid sections which may be moved by linkages and a foot pedal for opening and closing the two hinged halves of a conical shaped bowl. Although such anarrrangement does not employ a recessed seat for its chamber lid and hence does not have the advantages mentioned above, the arrangement of US. Pat. No. 3.020,559 may be employed in the present toilet to control the opening and closing of the bowl halves 33a and 33b. In such an arrangement, the lid 69 will be formed in two sections which will seat on the top of the chamber 41. i

It is to be understood further that the lower bowl 33 may be a solid, conical shaped member with a lower aperture formed therethrough whereby the incinerator toilet will be used only as a urinal. In this embodiment, at least one of the flanges 71a or 73a will extend inward an amount further than that shown in FIG. 1 to form or define a much smaller central aperture through the flange. A top metal plate with a small central opening will be welded to the top of the chamber 41 and heat insulation material located between this top plate-and the flange 71a or 73a defining the much smaller opening. A metal tube will extend from the lower aperture formed in the conical shaped bowl; through the aperture formed in the top plate; through the central openings formed in flanges 71a and 73a; and into chamber I The lid 69 will not be employed and the linkage mechanism and foot pedal for raising and lowering the lid and for controlling bowl halves will not be needed.

I claim:

1. In an incinerator toilet having an incinerator chamber; heating means for incinerating waste products; and a flow path extending from said incinerator chamber toa gas removal means for removing gases from 'said incinerator chamber, a catalyst container adapted to be located in said flow path between said incinerator chamber and said gas removable means and containing a heat activated catalyst for removing odors, said catalyst container being adapted to be located to one side of said incinerator chamber and comprising;

an inlet and an outlet,

a catalystchamber section located between said inlet and outlet for holding a heat activated catalyst for reducing odors,

' a diffusion chamber located between said inlet and said catalyst chamber section,

a gas collection chamber located between said catalyst chamber section and said outlet,

said diffusion chamber and said catalyst chamber section being separated by an upstream wall means having a plurality of small inlet apertures for allowing the passage of gas from said diffusion chamber into said catalyst chamber section and for holding said heat activated catalyst in said catalyst chamber section,

said catalyst chamber section and said collection chamber being: separated by a downstream wall means having a plurality of small outlet apertures for allowing the passage of gas from said catalyst chamber section to said collection chamber and for holding said heat activated catalyst in said catalyst chamber section.

2. The catalyst container of claim 1 wherein:

said inlet and outlet apertures are located wiithin given areas of said upstream and downstream wall means,

said catalyst chamber section from said upstream wall means to said downstream wall means has a cross-sectional area greater than said areas of said upstream wall means and said downstream wall means within which are located said inlet apertures and said outlet apertures respectively.

3. The catalyst container of claim 1 wherein:

said inlet and outlet apertures are located within given areas of said upstream and downstream wall means,

said area of said upstream wall means within which are located said inlet apertures is greater than the cross-sectional area of said inlet.

4. The catalyst container of claim 3 wherein:

said area of said downstream wall means within which are located said outlet apertures is greater than the cross-sectional area of said outlet.

5. The catalyst container of claim 2 wherein:

6. The catalyst container of claim 5 wherein:

the area of said downstream wall means within which are located said outlet apertures is greater than the cross-sectional area of said outlet.

7. The catalyst container of claim 1 wherein:

said upstream wall means and said downstream wall means comprise front and rear plates respectively,

said small inlet apertures being formed through said front plate within an area spaced inward from its outer edges thereof such that said front plate has a solid wall surrounding said inlet apertures and which extends inward from the walls of said catalyst chamber section,

said small outlet apertures being formed through said rear plate within an area spaced inward from its outer edges thereof such that said rear plate has a solid wall surrounding said outlet apertures and which extends inward from the walls of said catalyst chamber section.

8. The catalyst container of claim 7 wherein at least one of said plates is removable.

9. The catalyst container of claim 7 wherein:

said area of said front plate within which are located said inlet apertures is greater than the cross-sectional area of said inlet.

10. The catalyst container of claim 9 wherein:

said area of said rear plate within which are located said outlet apertures is greater than the cross-sectional area of said outlet.

11. The catalyst container of claim 10 wherein both of said front and rear plates are removable.

12. The catalyst container of claim 11 wherein:

said inlet comprises an inlet conduit adapted to be removably coupled to an exhaust conduit extending from said incinerator chamber.

13. The catalyst container of claim 12 wherein:

said catalyst chamber section is cylindrical in crosssection with the axis thereof extending through said inlet and outlet apertures.

14. In an incinerator toilet having an incinerator chamber; heating means for incinerating waste products; a vent conduit extending from said incinerator chamber; and a gas removal means for removing gases from said incinerator chamber by way of said vent conduit,the combination therewith of a catalyst container adapted to be located between said vent conduit and said gas removal'means and containing a heat activated catalyst for removing odors from gases drawn through said vent conduit by said gas removal means, saidcatalyst container comprising:

a housing member having side walls and an opening, extending therethrough from a front end to a rear end,

a front insert comprising a front plate,

a rear insert comprising a rear plate,

said front and rear inserts being adapted to be removably inserted into front and rear ends of said member forming a catalyst chamber section between said front and rear plates for holding pellets of heat activated catalyst for reducing odor,

a removable front cap having a front wall and extending side walls adapted to be fitted around the front end of said housing member,

an inlet formed through said front cap and adapted to be removably coupled to saidvent conduit of said incinerator chamber,

a diffusion chamber, in communication .with said inlet and downstream thereof, being formed between the front wall of said front cap and said front plate of said front insert when said front insert and front cap are located inplace,

a removable rear cap having a rear wall and extending side walls adapted to be fitted around the rear end of said housing member,

an outlet formed through said rear cap and adapted to be in fluid communication with said gas removal means,

a collection chamber, in communication with said outlet and upstream thereof, being formed between said rear plate of said rear insert and the rear wall of said rear cap when said rear insert and said rear cap are located in place,

said front plate and said rear plate having a plurality of small inlet and outlet apertures formed therethrough within areas spaced inward from the outer edges of said front and rear plates respectively for holding said pellets within said catalyst chamber section and for allowing the passage of gas from said diffusion chamber to said collection chamber by way of the catalyst pellets located in said catalyst chamber section,

the outer portions of said front and rear plates between their small inlet and outlet apertures and their outer edges being solid such that said front and rear plates have solid walls surrounding their inlet and outlet apertures and which extend inward from the walls of said housing member.

15. The catalyst container of claim 14 comprising at least one tension spring adapted to be secured to said rear cap and to said incinerator chamber for holding said catalyst container in place against said incinerator chamber with said inlet coupled to said vent conduit of said incinerator chamber.

16. The catalyst container of claim 14 wherein:

said housing member comprises a cylindrical housing member,

said front and rear inserts comprise circular plates,

said small inlet and outlet apertures being formed through said front and rear plates within circular area spaced inward from their outer edges such that said front and rear plates have solid annular walls surrounding their inlet and outlet apertures and which extend inward from the walls of said cylindrical housing member.

17. The catalyst container of claim 16 wherein:

said inlet has a cross sectional area less than the area of said front plate within which are located said inlet apertures,

said outlet has a cross-sectional area less than the area of said rear plate within which are located said outlet apertures.

18. The catalyst container of claim 17 wherein:

said front insert comprises said front circular plate having cylindrical side walls extending therefrom with an outside diameter less than the inside diameter of said cylindrical housing member,

said front insert being adapted to be inserted within the front end of said cylindrical member such that said front plate is spaced from the front end of said cylindrical member to define said diffusion chamber,

said rear insert comprising said rear circular plate having cylindrical side walls extending therefrom,

the cylindrical side walls of said rear insert having an outside diameter less than the inside diameter of said cylindrical housing member whereby said rear insert may be inserted in the rear end of said cylindrical housing member.

19. The catalyst container of claim 18 wherein:

said inlet is formed through the front wall of said front cap and comprises an extending conduit adapted to be removably coupled to the vent conduit extending from said incinerator chamber, and

at least one tension spring adapted to be secured to said rear cap and to said incinerator chamber for holding said catalyst container with said inlet conduit coupled to said vent conduit of said incinerator chamber.

20. The catalyst container of claim 1 comprising:

an intermediate plate located in said catalyst chamber section between said front and rear means,

said intermediate plate having an opening formed therethrough between its outer edges forming a solid wall surrounding its opening and which extends inward from the walls of said catalyst chamber section.

21. In an incinerator toilet having an incinerator chamber; heating means for incinerating waste products; and a flow path extending from said incinerator chamber to a gas removal means for removing gases from said incinerator chamber, a catalyst container adapted to be located in said flow path between said incinerator chamber and said gas removal means and containing a heat activated catalyst for removing odors, said catalyst container comprising:

an inlet and an outlet,

a catalyst chamber section located between said inlet and outlet for holding a heat activated catalyst for reducing odors,

said catalyst chamber being separated from said inlet and outlet by front and rear means having a plurality of small inlet and outlet apertures respectively for holding said heat activated catalyst in said catalyst chamber section and for allowing the flow of gas from said inlet to said outlet by way of the heat activated catalyst in said catalyst chamber section, said inlet and outlet each having a cross sectional area less than the maximum cross sectional area of said catalyst chamber section,

at least one deflector plate means located in said catalyst chamber section at a position spaced inward from said front and rear means and having its outer edges in contact with the surrounding walls of said catalyst chamber section, and

an aperture formed through said plate means at a position spaced inward from its outer edges thereof such that said plate means has a solid wall surrounding its aperture and which wall extends inward from the walls of said catalyst chamber section.

22. The catalyst container of claim 21 which comprises:

a housing member having cylindrical side walls and a front wall,

said inlet being formed through said front wall and adapted to be removably coupled to a vent conduit extending from said incinerator chamber,

said outlet being formed through said rear cap and adapted to be located in fluid communication with said gas removal means, and

two spaced apart deflector plate means located in said catalyst chamber section at a position spaced inwardfrom said front and rear means and having their outer edges in contact with the surrounding walls of said catalyst chamber section, and

an aperture formed through each of said plate means at a position spaced inward from 'its outer edges thereof such that each of said plate means has a solid wall surrounding its aperture and which wall extends inward from the walls of said catalyst chamber section.

23. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said catalyst container comprises:

a housing member having surrounding walls,

a front wall coupled to one end of said housing member and having an opening formed therethrough defining said inlet,

outer perforated surrounding walls located at a position spaced inward from said walls of housing member and having a front end connected to said front wall,

inner perforated surrounding walls located at a position spaced inward from said outer perforated walls and having a front end connected to said front wall around said opening,

rear wall means coupled to the rear ends of said outer and inner perforated walls,

the space between said inner perforated walls and said outer perforated walls defining a catalyst chamber section for holding a heat activated catalyst for reducing odors,

the interior of said inner perforated walls forming a diffusion chamber which is in fluid communication with said inlet,

the space between said outer perforated walls and said walls of housing member forming a gas collection chamber, and

means comprise separate rear walls coupled to the rear ends of said inner and outer perforated walls.

25. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said rear wall means com rises a common rear wall coupled to the rear ends 0 said inner md ouier perforated walls.

Claims

1. In an incinerator toilet having an incinerator chamber; heating means for incinerating waste products; and a flow path extending from said incinerator chamber to a gas removal means for removing gases from said incinerator chamber, a catalyst container adapted to be located in said flow path between said incinerator chambEr and said gas removable means and containing a heat activated catalyst for removing odors, said catalyst container being adapted to be located to one side of said incinerator chamber and comprising; an inlet and an outlet, a catalyst chamber section located between said inlet and outlet for holding a heat activated catalyst for reducing odors, a diffusion chamber located between said inlet and said catalyst chamber section, a gas collection chamber located between said catalyst chamber section and said outlet, said diffusion chamber and said catalyst chamber section being separated by an upstream wall means having a plurality of small inlet apertures for allowing the passage of gas from said diffusion chamber into said catalyst chamber section and for holding said heat activated catalyst in said catalyst chamber section, said catalyst chamber section and said collection chamber being separated by a downstream wall means having a plurality of small outlet apertures for allowing the passage of gas from said catalyst chamber section to said collection chamber and for holding said heat activated catalyst in said catalyst chamber section.

2. The catalyst container of claim 1 wherein: said inlet and outlet apertures are located wiithin given areas of said upstream and downstream wall means, said catalyst chamber section from said upstream wall means to said downstream wall means has a cross-sectional area greater than said areas of said upstream wall means and said downstream wall means within which are located said inlet apertures and said outlet apertures respectively.

3. The catalyst container of claim 1 wherein: said inlet and outlet apertures are located within given areas of said upstream and downstream wall means, said area of said upstream wall means within which are located said inlet apertures is greater than the cross-sectional area of said inlet.

4. The catalyst container of claim 3 wherein: said area of said downstream wall means within which are located said outlet apertures is greater than the cross-sectional area of said outlet.

5. The catalyst container of claim 2 wherein: said area of said upstream wall means within which are located said inlet apertures is greater than the cross-sectional area of said inlet.

6. The catalyst container of claim 5 wherein: the area of said downstream wall means within which are located said outlet apertures is greater than the cross-sectional area of said outlet.

7. The catalyst container of claim 1 wherein: said upstream wall means and said downstream wall means comprise front and rear plates respectively, said small inlet apertures being formed through said front plate within an area spaced inward from its outer edges thereof such that said front plate has a solid wall surrounding said inlet apertures and which extends inward from the walls of said catalyst chamber section, said small outlet apertures being formed through said rear plate within an area spaced inward from its outer edges thereof such that said rear plate has a solid wall surrounding said outlet apertures and which extends inward from the walls of said catalyst chamber section.

9. The catalyst container of claim 7 wherein: said area of said front plate within which are located said inlet apertures is greater than the cross-sectional area of said inlet.

10. The catalyst container of claim 9 wherein: said area of said rear plate within which are located said outlet apertures is greater than the cross-sectional area of said outlet.

12. The catalyst container of claim 11 wherein: said inlet comprises an inlet conduit adapted to be removably coupled to an exhaust conduit extending from said incinerator chamber.

13. The catalyst container of claim 12 whErein: said catalyst chamber section is cylindrical in cross-section with the axis thereof extending through said inlet and outlet apertures.

14. In an incinerator toilet having an incinerator chamber; heating means for incinerating waste products; a vent conduit extending from said incinerator chamber; and a gas removal means for removing gases from said incinerator chamber by way of said vent conduit,the combination therewith of a catalyst container adapted to be located between said vent conduit and said gas removal means and containing a heat activated catalyst for removing odors from gases drawn through said vent conduit by said gas removal means, said catalyst container comprising: a housing member having side walls and an opening, extending therethrough from a front end to a rear end, a front insert comprising a front plate, a rear insert comprising a rear plate, said front and rear inserts being adapted to be removably inserted into front and rear ends of said member forming a catalyst chamber section between said front and rear plates for holding pellets of heat activated catalyst for reducing odor, a removable front cap having a front wall and extending side walls adapted to be fitted around the front end of said housing member, an inlet formed through said front cap and adapted to be removably coupled to said vent conduit of said incinerator chamber, a diffusion chamber, in communication with said inlet and downstream thereof, being formed between the front wall of said front cap and said front plate of said front insert when said front insert and front cap are located in place, a removable rear cap having a rear wall and extending side walls adapted to be fitted around the rear end of said housing member, an outlet formed through said rear cap and adapted to be in fluid communication with said gas removal means, a collection chamber, in communication with said outlet and upstream thereof, being formed between said rear plate of said rear insert and the rear wall of said rear cap when said rear insert and said rear cap are located in place, said front plate and said rear plate having a plurality of small inlet and outlet apertures formed therethrough within areas spaced inward from the outer edges of said front and rear plates respectively for holding said pellets within said catalyst chamber section and for allowing the passage of gas from said diffusion chamber to said collection chamber by way of the catalyst pellets located in said catalyst chamber section, the outer portions of said front and rear plates between their small inlet and outlet apertures and their outer edges being solid such that said front and rear plates have solid walls surrounding their inlet and outlet apertures and which extend inward from the walls of said housing member.

16. The catalyst container of claim 14 wherein: said housing member comprises a cylindrical housing member, said front and rear inserts comprise circular plates, said small inlet and outlet apertures being formed through said front and rear plates within circular area spaced inward from their outer edges such that said front and rear plates have solid annular walls surrounding their inlet and outlet apertures and which extend inward from the walls of said cylindrical housing member.

17. The catalyst container of claim 16 wherein: said inlet has a cross sectional area less than the area of said front plate within which are located said inlet apertures, said outlet has a cross-sectional area less than the area of said rear plate within which are located said outlet apertures.

18. The catalyst container of claim 17 wherein: said front insert comprises said front circular plate having cylindrical side walls extending therefrom with an outside diameter less than the inside diameter of said cylindrical housing member, said front insert being adapted to be inserted within the front end of said cylindrical member such that said front plate is spaced from the front end of said cylindrical member to define said diffusion chamber, said rear insert comprising said rear circular plate having cylindrical side walls extending therefrom, the cylindrical side walls of said rear insert having an outside diameter less than the inside diameter of said cylindrical housing member whereby said rear insert may be inserted in the rear end of said cylindrical housing member.

19. The catalyst container of claim 18 wherein: said inlet is formed through the front wall of said front cap and comprises an extending conduit adapted to be removably coupled to the vent conduit extending from said incinerator chamber, and at least one tension spring adapted to be secured to said rear cap and to said incinerator chamber for holding said catalyst container with said inlet conduit coupled to said vent conduit of said incinerator chamber.

20. The catalyst container of claim 1 comprising: an intermediate plate located in said catalyst chamber section between said front and rear means, said intermediate plate having an opening formed therethrough between its outer edges forming a solid wall surrounding its opening and which extends inward from the walls of said catalyst chamber section.

21. In an incinerator toilet having an incinerator chamber; heating means for incinerating waste products; and a flow path extending from said incinerator chamber to a gas removal means for removing gases from said incinerator chamber, a catalyst container adapted to be located in said flow path between said incinerator chamber and said gas removal means and containing a heat activated catalyst for removing odors, said catalyst container comprising: an inlet and an outlet, a catalyst chamber section located between said inlet and outlet for holding a heat activated catalyst for reducing odors, said catalyst chamber being separated from said inlet and outlet by front and rear means having a plurality of small inlet and outlet apertures respectively for holding said heat activated catalyst in said catalyst chamber section and for allowing the flow of gas from said inlet to said outlet by way of the heat activated catalyst in said catalyst chamber section, said inlet and outlet each having a cross sectional area less than the maximum cross sectional area of said catalyst chamber section, at least one deflector plate means located in said catalyst chamber section at a position spaced inward from said front and rear means and having its outer edges in contact with the surrounding walls of said catalyst chamber section, and an aperture formed through said plate means at a position spaced inward from its outer edges thereof such that said plate means has a solid wall surrounding its aperture and which wall extends inward from the walls of said catalyst chamber section.

22. The catalyst container of claim 21 which comprises: a housing member having cylindrical side walls and a front wall, said inlet being formed through said front wall and adapted to be removably coupled to a vent conduit extending from said incinerator chamber, a removable rear cap having a rear wall and extending side walls adapted to be fitted around the rear end of said housing member, said outlet being formed through said rear cap and adapted to be located in fluid communication with said gas removal means, and two spaced apart deflector plate means located in said catalyst chamber section at a position spaced inward from said front and rear means and having their outer edges in contact with the surrounding walls of said catalyst chamber section, and an aperture formed tHrough each of said plate means at a position spaced inward from its outer edges thereof such that each of said plate means has a solid wall surrounding its aperture and which wall extends inward from the walls of said catalyst chamber section.

23. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said catalyst container comprises: a housing member having surrounding walls, a front wall coupled to one end of said housing member and having an opening formed therethrough defining said inlet, outer perforated surrounding walls located at a position spaced inward from said walls of housing member and having a front end connected to said front wall, inner perforated surrounding walls located at a position spaced inward from said outer perforated walls and having a front end connected to said front wall around said opening, rear wall means coupled to the rear ends of said outer and inner perforated walls, the space between said inner perforated walls and said outer perforated walls defining a catalyst chamber section for holding a heat activated catalyst for reducing odors, the interior of said inner perforated walls forming a diffusion chamber which is in fluid communication with said inlet, the space between said outer perforated walls and said walls of housing member forming a gas collection chamber, and an end cap coupled to the other end of said housing member forming said outlet and defining an outlet chamber in fluid communication with said outlet and with said collection chamber.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said rear wall means comprise separate rear walls coupled to the rear ends of said inner and outer perforated walls.

25. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said rear wall means comprises a common rear wall coupled to the rear ends of said inner and outer perforated walls.