WO2005115946A1

WO2005115946A1 - A device for manufacturing organic compost from excrement

Info

Publication number: WO2005115946A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/001548
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gil Yong Lee
Original assignee: Gil Yong Lee
Priority date: 2004-05-31
Filing date: 2005-05-26
Publication date: 2005-12-08
Also published as: KR100595742B1; US20070199140A1; EP1784372A1; CN1964933A; CN100460363C; KR20050113994A; EP1784372A4

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a device for manufacturing organic compost from human excrements in a toilet to automatically transform human excrements into organic compost. More particularly, the present invention comprises a transport belt installed under a seat disposed on a main body of a toilet, capable of transporting excrements; a stirring room mixing with a stirring blade the excrements transported by the transport belt; a microorganism hopper installed on the upper side of the stirring room, feeding microorganisms into the excrements stirred in the stirring room; a muck collector receiving and storing the excrements crushed in the stirring room; a liquid collector receiving and evaporating urine fallen from the transport belt; an air purifying room drying excrements and urine in the main body, purifying and discharging air through an exhaust pipe; and a controller installed at a side of the main body, controlling electrical operation of the above components. The device for manufacturing organic compost from human excrements in a toilet according to the present invention has advantages that water consumption in the toilet is reduced, contamination of water and environment is reduced since excrement treatment/purifying facility is not required, and organic compost for planting crops is also supplied.

Description

Description A DEVICE FOR MANUFACTURING ORGANIC COMPOST FROM EXCREMENT Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates generally to a device for manufacturing organic compost from excrement in a toilet to automatically transform human excrements into organic compost and, more particularly, to a device for manufacturing organic compost from human excrements, by installing an excrement transporting device, a stirring room and a microorganism feeding hopper. The device according to the present invention transports human excrements automatically to the stirring room without using water after a toilet is used, and produces organic compost by stirring with microorganisms.

[2] The present invention has advantages that water consumption in a restroom and contamination of water and environment are reduced because excrement treatment and purification devices are not required, and organic compost for planting crops is manufactured. Background Art

[3] After a toilet is used, human excrements are generally flushed by using water to a purification device, stored therein for a predetermined period and delivered to an excrement treatment device to be treated in various ways.

[4] A restroom should be generally equipped with at least a water tank, a toilet paper and a purification tank. In most restrooms, human excrements are treated by water and nationwide water consumption in Korea is estimated to increase by several tens of thousand tons every year. Korea is likely to run short of water resources in the near future. Therefore, effective countermeasures should be devised urgently.

[5] Artificial fertilizers are used more often than organic composts for planting crops because they are easily available and convenient. However, any special coun- termeasure to prevent soil acidification is not provided yet.

[6] Human excrements discarded from vessels are regarded as a cause of contamination in the ocean, and improper discarding of human excrements is prohibited by the law. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[7] The present invention is provided to solve the above-mentioned problems. The present invention provides a device for manufacturing organic compost from human excrement, which is equipped with a transport belt under the bottom of a seat of a stationary toilet, movable toilet, vessel toilet or airplane toilet, and includes the steps of: transporting the human excrements to a stirring room by the transport belt; mixing them with microorganisms fed from a microorganism hopper during stirring to produce organic compost; and drying the organic compost. The present invention has advantages that human excrements are treated without using water after a restroom is used, organic compost is produced, water consumption is reduced and soil acidification is prevented. Technical Solution

[8] To transform excrements into organic compost, a transport belt 5 is installed under a seat 4 disposed on a main body 2 in a toilet 1 to transport the excrements to a stirring room 7, and a stirring blade 8 is installed in the stirring room 7 to mix the excrements.

[9] A microorganism hopper 10 is installed on the upper side of the stirring room to feed microorganisms to excrements in the stirring room, and a discharge blade 9 is installed in a discharge hole to discharge the excrements crushed in the stirring room to a muck collector 15.

[10] A liquid collector 16 is formed to receive and evaporate urine fallen from the transport belt, and an air purifying room 18 is formed to discharge, through a exhaust pipe 17, air that have dried urine and excrements inside the main body.

[11] A device for manufacturing organic compost from excrement is installed in a toilet to transform excrements to organic compost, and thereby additional excrement treatment facilities are not required, and cost for excrement treatment and water used in a restroom is saved. Advantageous Effects

[12] The device for manufacturing organic compost is applied to a restroom and has following advantages.

[13] Firstly, installation cost for waste water treatment facilities and a purification tank are saved because additional facilities for waste water treatment or a purification tank is not required. Secondly, soil acidification is prevented because organic compost is used, and grains and vegetables good for the health are supplied because crops are planted by using organic compost. Thirdly, ocean contamination is prevented because the device may be applied to an airplane toilet and vessel toilet. Fourthly, a clean toilet is maintained without any special management, and cost for excrement treatment is saved because the device may be applied to toilets in a resting room, campsite and highway. Fifthly, water resources are saved and reserved in a country short of water resources. Brief Description of the Drawings

[14] Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a device for manufacturing organic compost from excrement according to the present invention. [15] Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing a microorganism hopper and a stirring room according to the present invention. [16] Fig. 3 is a schematic view showing a transport belt according to the present invention, transporting excrements to the stirring room. [17] Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing a microorganism hopper according to the present invention. [18] FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a connection between a cover and an activation switch according to the present invention. [19] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a connection between a stirring blade drive gear and a discharge blade drive gear according to the present invention. [20] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a connection between a sprocket and a hook lever for feeding microorganisms according to the present invention. [21] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a connection between a sprocket and a feeding blade for feeding microorganisms according to the present invention. [22] Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a seat and a door for loading and unloading a muck collector according to the present invention. [23] Fig. 10 is a plan view showing a feeding blade for feeding microorganisms and a seat according to the present invention. [24] Fig. 11 is a sectional view showing a stirring blade for mixing excrements and a discharge blade for discharging excrements according to another embodiment of the present invention. [25] Fig. 12 is a sectional view of a stirring room having a stirring blade and a discharge blade according to another embodiment of the present invention. [26] Fig. 13 is a schematic view showing a handle to operate a transport belt manually according to an embodiment of the present invention. [27] Fig. 14 is a sectional view of a device installed in a restroom for manufacturing organic compost according to an embodiment of the preset invention. [28] <Description of the elements in the drawings>

[29] 1 : toilet 2: main body

[30] 4: seat 5: transport belt

[31] 6: roller 7: stirring room

[32] 8: stirring blade 9: discharge blade

[33] 10: microorganism hopper 11 : hook lever

[34] 12: rod 13: stopper

[35] 14: sprocket 15: muck collector

[36] 16: liquid collector 17: exhaust pipe

[37] 18: air purifying room

[38] 20: feeding blade 21 : heater [39] 22: fan 23: ozone generator

[40] 24: knife blade 25: spring

[41] 26: door 27: packing

[42] 28: activation switch 29: handle

[43] 30: insertion hole 31 : transmission gear

[44] 32: discharge blade drive gear 33: stirring blade drive gear

[45] 40: controller Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[46] Hereinafter, structures of a device for manufacturing organic compost from excrement and exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[47] A device for manufacturing organic compost from excrement comprises a transport belt 5 installed under a seat 4 disposed on a main body 2 in a toilet 1, capable of transporting excrements; a stirring room 7 mixing with a stirring blade 8 the excrements transported by the transport belt; a microorganism hopper 10 installed on the upper part of the stirring room, feeding microorganisms into the excrements stirred in the stirring room; a discharge blade 9 installed in a discharge hole, discharging into a muck collector 15 the excrements crushed in the stirring room; a liquid collector 16 receiving and evaporating urine fallen from the transport belt; an air purifying room 18 drying the excrements and urine inside the main body, purifying and discharging air through an exhaust pipe 17;and a controller 40 installed at a side of the main body, capable of electrically controlling the device.

[48] The device for manufacturing organic compost from excrement includes a plurality of stirring blades 8 in the stirring room to mix the excrements sequentially.

[49] The stirring room has at least one discharge blade on the bottom thereof to crush and discharge excrements from the stirring room to the muck collector.

[50] The microorganism hopper has a feeding blade for feeding microorganisms on the bottom thereof to feed a predetermined quantity of microorganism to the stirring room.

[51] The microorganism hopper has a hook lever 11 on a side thereof, and feeds microorganisms to the stirring room by driving a sprocket 14 formed on a side of a feeding blade 20, via a stopper 13 connected to the hook lever.

[52] The air purifying room has a heater on a side thereof to dry excrements and urine.

[53] The air purifying room has an ozone generator 23 on a side thereof to remove odor generated inside the main body.

[54] The air purifying room has a fan 22 for air suction on the ceiling thereof and a heater 21 on a side of the fan.

[55] The transport belt has rollers 6 at its both ends and at least one knife blade 24 supported by springs 25 at a side thereof to remove excrements placed on the transport belt.

[56] The main body has a door 26 with a sealed packing on the front surface thereof to load or unload a muck collector.

[57] The main body has an activation switch 28 for driving a transport belt on the top surface thereof to contact with a lower part of the rear side of the seat cover.

[58] In another embodiment of the present invention, the transport belt has an insertion hole 30 for a handle 29 on a side of a transport roller to operate the transport belt manually.

[59] A thermostat 34 is provided to control the operation of the fan, and a muck overflow preventer 36 is provided on a side thereof.

[60] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[61] Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a device for manufacturing organic compost from excrement according to the present invention. A toilet 1 includes a cover 3 and a seat 4 formed on the left top of a main body 2, and a microorganism hopper 10 on the right top of the main body 2.

[62] If a user lifts the cover 3 of the seat 4 to use the toilet, a lower part of the cover presses an activation switch 28 of a transport belt 5 installed at the main body under the seat, and operates rollers of the transport belt 5 to drive the transport belt 5 towards a stirring room 7.

[63] A stirring blade 8 installed in the stirring room 7 rotates with the operation of the transport belt 5 simultaneously.

[64] In the case that a user seats on the toilet and relieve himself after lifting up the cover 3, excrements are transported to the stirring room 7 by the rotation of the transport belt 5, and the stirring blade mixes excrements 200 in the stirring room.

[65] A plurality of knife blades 24 are installed under the transport belt 5, and remove the excrements 200 remaining on the transport belt 5 to drop them into the muck collector 15.

[66] If the toilet user rotates the hook lever 11 installed on the front surface of the microorganism hopper 10,the hook lever 11 lifts up a rod 12 that is movable up and down. A stopper 13 disposed at the lower end of the rod 12 pulls, by a stroke, a sprocket 14 connected to an axis of a feeding blade 20 which is placed at the lower part of the microorganism hopper 10, and the feeding blade 20 is rotated by 90 degrees to feed microorganisms 100 placed on the feeding blade 20 into the stirring room 7 to mix and stir with the excrements 200.

[67] An exhaust pipe 17 is attached on the ceiling of an air purifying room 18, and an air inlet 17b is disposed at a side of the exhaust pipe 17. A fan 22 is installed in the air inlet to supply air to the air purifying room, and a heater 21 is placed under the fan 22 to dry the excrements 200 stored in the muck collector 15 and urine stored in a liquid collector 16.

[68] An ozone generator 23 is attached on a side of the air purifying room 18 to remove odor and sterilize urine and excrements in the main body.

[69] The stirring room 7 and the air purifying room 18 are not separated and a space in the stirring room belongs also to the air purifying room 18.

[70] A discharge blade 9 is formed in a discharge hole 9 'under the stirring room and controlled at a predetermined time interval by a controller 40 which is formed on a side of the stirring room 7. The excrements 200 stirred with the microorganisms 100 are discharged to the muck collector 15 by the operation of the discharge blade 9.

[71] Driving mechanism of the discharge blade 9 will be described later.

[72] The excrements fallen into the muck collector 15 are stored for a predetermined period, decomposed by microorganisms, dried after the microorganisms are activated into aerobes by warm air from a heater 21, and finally organic compost is produced.

[73] The muck collector 15 is placed under the stirring room 7, and the length of the muck collector is the same as that of the bottom of the stirring room plus a half of that of the transport belt 5 to accommodate excrements and urine. The muck collector 15 may be loaded or unloaded through a door 26 formed on the front surface of the main body 2 if necessary.

[74] Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing a microorganism hopper and a stirring room according to the present invention. The microorganism hopper 10 is installed on the upper side of the stirring room 7 and the feeding blade 20 is formed in a microorganism inlet 20'on the bottom of the microorganism hopper 10 to feed microorganisms to the stirring room 7. The stirring blade 8 is installed in the stirring room 7 to mix the excrements with microorganisms.

[75] The discharge blade 9 is installed in the discharge hole 9'of the stirring room 7 to discharge the excrements 200 to the muck collector 15.

[76] An air outlet 17a is formed at a side of the ceiling in the air purifying room to discharge internal air to the outside. An air inlet 17b is formed at another side of the ceiling in the purifying room to flow air into the stirring room through an induction pipe 17c, and a fan 22 and a heater 21 are installed in the air inlet 17b.

[77] Fig. 3 is a schematic view showing a transport belt transporting excrements to the stirring room according to the present invention. The transport belt is driven by two rollers 6 disposed at its both ends and is inclined to convey the excrements to the stirring room smoothly.

[78] The muck collector 15 is installed under the rear side of the transport belt 5, and a plurality of knife blades 24 are disposed on the bottom surface of the transport belt 5 to remove completely excrements left on the transport belt 15.

[79] Springs 25 are installed to supporters supporting knife blades, corresponding to the rotation of the transport belt.

[80] The knife blades have the same width as that of the transport belt, and the springs 25 supporting the knife blades are installed at the outside of the main body.

[81] Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing a microorganism hopper according to the present invention. A protection cover is provided on the top of the microorganism hopper 10 and the microorganism inlet 20' is formed horizontally under the bottom of the microorganism hopper 10. A feeding blade 20 is installed in the microorganism inlet 20'in a full width of the microorganism inlet along the horizontal direction. A hook lever disposed on a side of the microorganism hopper moves up and down a stopper to drive a sprocket. The microorganism is fed by rotating a feeding blade connected to a side of the sprocket.

[82] FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a connection between a cover and an activation switch according to the present invention. In the case that a user opens the cover 3 to use a toilet, the activation switch 28 of the transport belt is pressed, operates a driving motor installed at a side of a roller, and the driving motor operates the transport belt.

[83] As already described, the stirring blade in the stirring room is rotating, stirring and crushing excrements, while the discharge blade in a discharge hole is not operating.

[84] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a connection between a stirring blade drive gear and a discharge blade drive gear according to the present invention. Excrements are stirred with microorganisms by the stirring blade in the stirring room, and discharged into the muck collector 15 by the operation of the discharge blade disposed in a discharge hole 9 'which is driven by connecting a transmission gear 31 between a stirring blade drive gear 33 and a discharge blade drive gear 32.

[85] The transmission gear 31 is movable in a guide hole 35 formed on an outer wall of the main body and the movement of the transmission gear is performed by an electrical operation (not shown) controlled in a control box, and the movable transmission gear 31 conveys the driving force of the stirring blade drive gear 33 to the discharge blade drive gear 32.

[86] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a connection between a sprocket and a hook lever for feeding microorganisms according to the present invention. If a toilet user pulls the hook lever 11 installed on the front surface of the microorganism hopper 10 during or after use, the hook lever 11 lifts up the rod 12 connected thereof. The stopper 13 disposed at the lower end of the rod 12 pulls, by a stroke, the sprocket 14 connected to the axis of a feeding blade 20, and the feeding blade 20 is rotated by 90 degrees to feed microorganisms placed on the feeding blade 20 into the stirring room.

[87] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a connection between a sprocket and a feeding blade for feeding microorganisms according to the present invention, and shows a perspective view of the connection between the feeding blade and the sprocket for driving the feeding blade, operating as explained in Fig. 7.

[88] Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a seat and a door for loading and unloading a muck collector according to the present invention. A door 26 is provided in the front surface of the main body, and has a conventional lock system at a side thereof and a packing 27 for air sealing at the internal periphery of the door 26. The muck collector 15 is loaded or unloaded through the door 26. Excrements in the muck collector has already been transformed into organic compost by microorganisms and completely dried.

[89] Fig. 10 is a plan view showing a feeding blade for feeding microorganisms and a seat according to the present invention. A feeding blade is formed in a microorganism hopper. An activation switch and a seat are shown, by omitting the cover.

[90] Fig. 11 is a sectional view showing a stirring blade for mixing excrements and a discharge blade according to another embodiment of the present invention. A plurality of discharging blades 9 are installed in a discharge hole 9 'under a stirring blade 8 in the stirring room, and excrements stirred with microorganisms in the stirring room are crushed between the discharge blades while the excrements are discharged into a muck collector 15 through the discharge hole.

[91] Inclination of the transport belt depends on the type of toilet.

[92] Fig. 12 is a sectional view of a stirring room having a stirring blade and a discharge blade according to another embodiment of the present invention. A stirring blade is located close to the wall of the stirring room, and a plurality of discharge blades 9 are provided in the discharge hole under the stirring blade to discharge excrements downwards.

[93] Fig. 13 is a schematic view showing a handle to operate a transport belt manually according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the case that electrical operation is stopped due to electric power failure while a toilet is used, the transport belt is operated manually by a handle 29 installed in an insertion hole 30 located at a roller 6 of the transport belt 5.

[94] Namely, even in the case that electrical operation is not possible, a toilet user can operate the transport belt by the handle to transport excrements to the stirring room, and the toilet may be used without any problem.

[95] An electric drive device of the present invention may be modified to use a battery, and the battery may be used in the case of electric power failure.

[96] Since the present invention utilizes conventional methods for activating sensors and drive circuits, a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[97] Fig. 14 is a sectional view of a device installed in a restroom for manufacturing organic compost according to another embodiment of the preset invention. A plurality of stirring blades are provided in the stirring room to mix excrements with microorganisms, and the excrements mixed with microorganisms are discharged to the muck collector by a discharge blade.

[98] The device for manufacturing organic compost from excrement according to the present presentation may be applicable to a stationary toilet, a toilet temporarily installed in a resting room, park, playground and highway, a vessel toilet, an airplane toilet and a train toilet, and thereby contamination of both water and air may be prevented.

[99] The device for manufacturing organic compost from excrement according to the preset invention may be installed in an airplane toilet, an ocean-going vessel, a coastwise vessel, a fishing vessel and a sightseeing vessel, and thereby prevents ocean contamination due to excrements disposal without permission.

[100] At least one heater may be installed inside the main body of the toilet according to the present invention corresponding to the capacity of a toilet.

[101] In the present invention, an ozone generator is installed in an air purifying room of a toilet, removes odor generated from excrements, sterilizes and discharges air to the outside to prevent air contamination.

[102] The organic composts manufactured from excrements are collected separately, used for planting crops and thereby prevents acidification of the soil.

[103] In the case that the device for manufacturing organic compost from excrement according to the present invention is installed in a public toilet, hotel toilet and school toilet, a substantial quantity of organic compost may be produced, sold for planting crops and thereby electric cost for the operation of the device may be compensated.

[104] Urine collected in a liquid collector 16 is not treated separately because it is evaporated by a heater and discharged through an exhaust pipe.

[105] Although the invention has been described in detail herein, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments herein disclosed. Various changes, substitutions and modifications may be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as described and defined by the appended claims. Industrial Applicability

[106] A device for manufacturing organic compost from excrement according to the preset invention may be installed at home or hotel toilet, a public toilet and toilets of airplane and vessel.

[107] The present invention may be applied to toilets installed temporarily at a resting room, construction site, performance place and all other toilets, and organic compost may be manufactured from excrements without using any other treatment devices.

Claims

[1] A device for manufacturing organic compost from excrement in a toilet, the device comprising: a transport belt 5 installed under a seat 4 disposed on a main body 2 of a toilet 1, capable of transporting excrements; a stirring room 7 stirring with a stirring blade 8 the excrements transported by the transport belt 5; a microorganism hopper 10 installed on the upper side of the stirring room 7, feeding microorganisms to the excrements stirred in the stirring room; a discharge blade 9 installed in a discharge hole 9' discharging into a muck collector 15 the excrements crushed in the stirring room; a liquid collector 16 receiving and evaporating urine fallen from the transport belt; an air purifying room 18 having an air outlet and an air inlet on a the top of the main body; and a controller 40 installed at a side of the main body.

[2] The device for manufacturing organic compost from excrement in a toilet of claim 1, wherein at least one stirring blade is installed in the stirring room to stir the excrements sequentially.

[3] The device for manufacturing organic compost from excrement in a toilet of claim 1, wherein at least one discharge blade is installed in a discharge hole at the bottom of the stirring room.

[4] The device for manufacturing organic compost from excrement in a toilet of claim 1, wherein a feeding blade for feeding microorganisms is installed in a microorganism inlet at the bottom of the microorganism hopper.

[5] The device for manufacturing organic compost from excrement in a toilet of claim 1, wherein an activation switch 28 for operating the transport belt is installed on the top surface of the main body to contact the lower part of the rear side of a seat cover on the main body.

[6] The device for manufacturing organic compost from excrement in a toilet of claim 1, wherein a heater is installed in the air purifying room.

[7] The device for manufacturing organic compost from excrement in a toilet of claim 1, wherein an ozone generator 23 is installed in the air purifying room to sterilize and disinfect the inside of the main body.

[8] The device for manufacturing organic compost from excrement in a toilet of claim 1, wherein a fan 22 is installed in an air inlet on the ceiling of the air purifying room, the fan being installed with a heater 21 at a side thereof.

[9] The device for manufacturing organic compost from excrement in a toilet of claim 1, wherein rollers 6 are installed at both ends of the transport belt, and at least one knife blade supported by a spring 25 is installed on a side of the transport belt.

[10] The device for manufacturing organic compost from excrement in a toilet of claim 1, wherein a door 26 with a sealed packing is installed at the front surface of the main body to load and unload the muck collector in the main body.

[11] The device for manufacturing organic compost from excrement in a toilet of claim 1, wherein the toilet is a movable toilet.

[12] The device for manufacturing organic compost from excrement in a toilet of claims 1 or 4, wherein an hook lever 11 installed at a side of the microorganism hopper is connected to a rod having a stopper at its lower end, the stopper driving a sprocket 14 formed at a side of a microorganism feeding blade 20 to feed microorganisms into the stirring room.

[13] The device for manufacturing organic compost from excrement in a toilet of claims 1 or 9, wherein an insertion hole 30 of a handle 29 is formed at a side of the roller in the transport belt to operate the transport belt manually.