WO2018122462A1

WO2018122462A1 - A device for at least temporarily converting a toilet or urinal into a waterless toilet or waterless urinal

Info

Publication number: WO2018122462A1
Application number: PCT/FI2017/050949
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mika Priha
Original assignee: Mika Priha
Priority date: 2016-12-28
Filing date: 2017-12-28
Publication date: 2018-07-05

Abstract

A device (100) for at least temporarily converting a toilet (200) or urinal (700) into a waterless toilet or waterless urinal comprises an adapter (102) configured to be in contact with a toilet bowl (202) or urinal bowl (702) in a detachable manner. The adapter (102) comprises an area (116) defining a top and bottom side (112, 114). The adapter with said area is configured to prevent the passing of odors from the bottom side (114) of the device (100) to the top side (112) when in use. The device comprises also an outlet (104) arranged in the area (116) to allow liquid to flow through the top side (112) of the device (100) to the bottom side and a microbiological element (106) arranged in contact with said area (116) for breaking down the components of urine. Alternatively the device comprises an outlet (104) arranged in the area (116) to allow liquid to flow through the top side (112) of the device (100) to the bottom side, wherein said outlet (104) is arranged to form an opening (110) through which liquid is allowed to pass upon the event of a liquid coming into contact with the outlet (104), while otherwise remaining in a closed position.

Description

A DEVICE FOR AT LEAST TEMPORARILY CONVERTING A TOILET OR URINAL INTO A WATERLESS TOILET OR WATERLESS URINAL

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

5 The invention relates to sewer systems and flush toilets and urinals in general.

Specifically, the invention relates to a device for converting a flush toilet or flush urinal into a waterless toilet or urinal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Means for handling of urine is an issue that is solved in several human 10 societies through utilization of a sewer system. Especially the use of flush toilets consumes large amounts of water, which is a resource that we as a civilization are attempting to save. The prior art discloses various types of urinals that lead to reductions in water use as compared to flush toilets. However, urinals also typically are of flush type urinals. Waterless urinals do, 15 nonetheless exist. Urinals in general do however need to be procured and installed separately and supplementary to facilities that are intended for management of fecal waste. In addition to this possibly being difficult, it may also not be feasible in poor areas due to added expenses. Moreover, urinals are rarely designed for female use and are generally not utilized in private 20 homes.

In the modern world, handling of human waste is aspired to be conducted sanitarily and with little discomfort to individuals, even at the cost of resources such as water. This leads to a need to minimize odors associated with e.g. urine. Solutions for dealing with urine that will lead to odor nuisances will 25 generally not be utilized, leading to flush toilets being used for urine and specifically the flushing of them after use, also when this is only for urine. This entails that large amounts of water are consumed even in situations where it could be saved, leading also to monetary expenses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

30 An object of the invention is to at least alleviate some of the problems relating to the known prior art. Especially the object of the invention is to provide a device for at least temporarily converting a toilet or urinal into a waterless toilet or urinal.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a device for at least temporarily converting a toilet or urinal into a waterless toilet or urinal comprises an adapter configured to be in contact with a surface, such as an inner surface, of a toilet bowl or urinal bowl in a detachable manner. The adapter comprises an area defining a top and bottom side. The adapter with said area is configured to prevent the passing of odors from the bottom side of the device to the top side when in use. The device comprises also an outlet arranged in the area to allow liquid to flow through the top side of the device to the bottom side and a microbiological element arranged in contact with said area for breaking down the components of urine. Alternatively the device comprises an outlet arranged in the area to allow liquid to flow through the top side of the device to the bottom side, wherein said outlet is arranged to form an opening through which liquid is allowed to pass upon the event of a liquid coming into contact with the outlet, while otherwise remaining in a closed position.

It is to be noted that the outlet may be arranged in the center of the area or in the outer rim area of the adapter, but most advantageously in the most lowest point of the area in use even if it is the center or in the outer rim area or in any other location on the area of the adapter and in addition it is to be noted that the adapter may comprise also more than only one outlet.

The present invention offers advantages over the known prior art, such as the possibility to utilize existent toilets or urinals in a manner that can conserve water resources. Substantial amounts of water may be saved if the device is used to reduce the number of times of flushing required. Utilization of the device could lead to reductions in material needs as well, as separate urinals are not needed in the case where a toilet may be converted into a waterless toilet.

According to embodiments of the present invention, flush toilets may be comfortably used in a waterless manner for urinating by all sexes.

The device may be conveniently installed into a toilet bowl by, for instance, a user of the toilet prior to using the toilet for urinary purposes. If or when desired, the device may also be removed from the toilet bowl with ease, as the device is configured to be in contact with the inner surface of the toilet bowl in a detachable manner.

An existing flush type urinal may also be at least temporarily converted into a waterless urinal in a manner that may reduce odor nuisances as compared to other solutions for waterless urinals. Advantageous embodiments of the invention provide means for achieving a waterless toilet or urinal that minimize or at least reduce the odors originating from urine from reaching the users of the toilet or urinal or associated space or accommodation. This may reduce the reluctance of individuals to use waterless toilets or urinals due to odors coming therefrom. The device may be used in any type of toilet. This ensures that also private citizens may have the possibility to temporarily convert a toilet in their home into a waterless toilet. For commercial purposes, a toilet may advantageously be sold with an accompanying device.

In some embodiments, the device is straightforwardly and economically produced. The device may thus also be distributed and/or sold at low costs, and be used in countries, areas, or by individuals or groups that are poverty- stricken.

According to an advantageous embodiment the adapter either as a whole or at least the rim area of it comprises an elastic material in order to fit the rim area and the adapter better to follow the forms of the toilet bowl or urinal bowl and thereby conveniently form the odor sealing contact. In addition the use of the elastic material enables the adapter to form a concavical shape advantageously due to gravity aid so that urine may advantageously flow efficiently toward an outlet. As an example the elastic material may comprise an elastomer, such as silicone, rubber or butyl rubber.

The exemplary embodiments presented in this text are not to be interpreted to pose limitations to the applicability of the appended claims. The verb "to comprise" is used in this text as an open limitation that does not exclude the existence of also unrecited features. The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific example embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Next the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to exemplary embodiments in accordance with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary device according to an embodiment of the invention, Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary toilet with which the device may be used according to an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 3 depicts the device when inserted into a toilet according to an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 4 shows the device when inserted into a toilet and the positioning of an associated removing tool according to an embodiment of the invention, and

Figure 5 illustrates the device with an attached removing tool when inserted into a storage unit according to an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 6 gives an alternative embodiment of the invention, and Figure 7 shows an exemplary urinal with an exemplary device inserted therein according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 gives an exemplary device 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. Recognized from 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D may be an adapter 102, comprising an area 1 16 defining a top and bottom side 1 12 and 1 14 of the device, and an outlet 104 arranged in the area 1 16 and a microbiological element 106 arranged in contact with said area 1 16. It is to be noted that the area 1 16 comprises also the outer rim of the adapter 102.

The adapter 102 is configured to be in contact with the inner surface of a toilet bowl advantageously in an odor sealing manner to prevent the passing of odors from the bottom side 1 14 to the top side 1 12 of the adapter 102. The adapter 102 may comprise an elastic material to conveniently form the odor sealing contact. In some embodiments, the contact may be airtight. The outer rim of the adapter 102 and also any other portion of the area 1 16 may be composed of a material that differs from that of the rest of the adapter 102. An outer rim comprising an elastic material, such as silicone or rubber to name some examples, may be provided. In this case, the rest of the adapter 102 may comprise any material. Alternatively, the adapter 102 may be comprised entirely of one type of material, advantageouly an elastic material. The adapter 102 may be manufacted through injection molding, vacuum forming, or silicone molding, for instance.

Preferably, the adapter 102 and outlet 104 are arranged so that a liquid coming into contact with the top side 1 12 of the adapter 102 will flow in a direction that leads to the outlet 104. The liquid may then flow through the outlet 104 and pass the device 100 to the bottom side 1 14 of the adapter 102. This may for example be achieved through an adapter 102 that has an essentially conical shape with the outlet 104 in the center of the area 1 16 so that the outer rim of the adapter 102 will in use be located on a plane which is higher than that in which the outlet 104 is located. In another example, the adapter 102 may embody a conical shape which is inverted as compared to the previous example, with the outlet located at the outer rim of the adapter 102.

In yet another embodiment, the adapter 102 may be comprised of a flexible material and the thickness of the adapter 102 may additionally possibly be varied along its area. In this case, when the device 100 is installed into its use position, it may be possible for gravity to aid in the adapter 102 forming a concavical shape so that urine may advantageously flow efficiently toward an outlet 104.

The outlet 104 may be arranged to form an opening 1 10, seen in 100A, upon the event of a liquid coming into contact with the outlet 104, while otherwise remaining in a closed position, the closed position being depicted in 100B. In an exemplary embodiment, the outlet 104 comprises elastic material 108, which may be arranged so that in the closed position, at least a portion of a surface of said material 108 is in contact with another surface of said material 108. Advantageously, the elastic material is arranged so that when a liquid exerts a force on the outlet 104 coming from the top side 1 12 of the adapter 102 that exceeds a threshold value, an opening 1 10 will be formed, and upon said force not being present, the closed position being actuated. The aforementioned characteristics may be accomplished for instance by bringing together two sheets of an elastic material or by providing a tube of elastic material that may be flattened. The elastic material 108 may comprise silicone, rubber, or butyl rubber, that creates a membrane/diaphragm valve.

In preferred embodiments, the closed position is configured to be airtight or otherwise sealed in a manner that may prevent or reduce the passing of odors from the bottom side 1 14 to the top side 1 12 of the adapter 102. The closed position may withstand positive and negative pressures exerted by air from the bottom side 1 14 of the adapter 102.

The microbiological element 106 may comprise microbes that are configured to break down the components of urine, which may lead to a reduction of odors being formed. The microbiological element 106 may comprise various different layers or materials or comprise complex structures not disclosed herein, but the microbiological element 106 is advantageously one know by the skilled person in the field.

In the embodiment of Figure 1 , the microbiological element 106 is located substantially close to the outlet 104, but in other embodiments they may reside further away from each other. In an exemplary embodiment, the previously mentioned conically shaped adapter 102 with an outlet 104 at the outer rim may comprise a microbiological element in the center of the area 1 16.

The microbiological element 106 may be separate from the adapter 102 and the outlet 104. The outlet 104 may also be provided separately from the adapter 102. In one embodiment of the invention, an opening is comprised in the area 1 16 into which the outlet 104, which may comprise elastic material 108, may be inserted. In an other embodiment, the microbiological element 106 is provided together with the outlet 104, possibly comprising the elastic material 108, and inserted into an opening in the area 1 16 defined by the adapter 102. Alternatively, the adapter 102 and the outlet 104 may be manufactured simultaneously. However, the adapter 102, outlet 104, and microbiological element 106 may all be produced separately by different manufacturers. A flush toilet 200 is depicted in Figure 2, the toilet 200 comprising a toilet bowl 202 with its inner surface 204. The location 206 where a device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is intended to reside in is also illustrated. The location 206 is situated so that in the idle mode of the toilet 200, the location 206 is above the level of the water 208 that resides in the toilet bowl 202. The idle mode of the toilet 200 is to be understood as a situation where the water 208 is present in the toilet bowl 202 in a quantity that is regular between flushes when the toilet 200 is operating functionally.

In Figure 3, the exemplary device 100 resides in its designated location 206 with respect to the toilet 200. The inner surface 204 of the toilet bowl 202 defines, at the location 206, an area which the device 100 should cover in order to operate as proposed preferentially in the exemplary embodiment. The device 100 may be manufactured to fit a toilet 200 with certain dimensions and level of water 208. In this case the area 1 16 defined by the outer rim of the adapter 102 is essentially equivalent to the aforementioned area defined by the inner surface 204 of the toilet bowl 202. In an embodiment of the invention, the device 100 may be installed into the toilet 200 simply exerting a force on the top side 1 12 allowing the adapter 102 or its possible outer rim to form the odor sealing contact. Alternatively, the device 100 may be manufactured so that it may be inserted into a toilet 200 with varying dimensions. This could be achieved through providing an adapter 102, or possibly an outer rim thereof, that comprises a material and/or shape that is capable of adapting to the desired location 206. In one embodiment with beneficially selected properties regarding materials and/or shape, the device 100 may be installed into various different types of toilets 200 by exerting a force as discussed above. In some embodiments, the manufacturer of a toilet 200 may also manufacture a suitable device 100, which may be provided with the toilet 200 or separately from it.

When the toilet 200 with the device 100 installed as depicted in Figure 3 is used for urinary purposes, the urine will pass through the top side 1 12 to the bottom side 1 14 of the adapter 102 via the outlet 104. Preferred embodiments will prevent the passing of odors originating from the urine from the bottom side 1 14 to the top side 1 12. Thus the toilet 200 may be used for urinary purposes consecutively without flushing the toilet, with essentially no odor nuisances posing limitations to the amount of times the toilet is used for urinating or the amount of time that the toilet 200 may be used for urinary purposes without flushing. The device 100 may then be used to convert a toilet 200 into a waterless toilet. The device 100 may reside in the toilet 200 temporarily. In preferred embodiments, the device 100 is easy to install in the toilet 200 and easy to remove. The device 100 may be inserted into the toilet 200 by, for example, a user of the toilet 200 upon choosing to use the toilet 200 for urinary purposes, while the device 100 may be removed by a user of the toilet 200 at any later time when choosing to use the toilet for defecative purposes. In some cases, a certain stall e.g. in a public lavatory may be designated only for urinary purposes, with a device residing in the toilet bowl 202 for longer periods of time.

Figure 3 also shows a storage unit 300 in which the device 100 may be stored when not in use, i.e. when in some embodiments not inserted into a toilet bowl 202. The storage unit 300 may be used in conjunction with the device 100 to readily provide a designated place to store the device 100. This may add to the ease of use of the device 100. The storage unit 300 may comprise any material and have dimensions so that at least the device 100 can be inserted into it.

Figure 4 shows the device 100 in its designated location 206 with respect to the toilet 200 with a removing tool 400 attached to the device 100. The removing tool 400 preferably comprises a handle and means for swiftly attaching to the device 100 and detaching from it, in order to allow the device to be removed from and installed into the toilet 200 quickly, easily, and sanitarily.

In Figure 5, the device 100 has been removed from the toilet 200 and has been moved to the storage unit 302 with the attached removing tool 400. A manufacturer of the device 100 may also manufacture the removing tool 400 and the storage unit 302 and provide them to consumers together or separately.

Using the removing tool, the device 100 may be temporarily or permanently removed from the toilet 200 by a user of the toilet 200 or for example by a member of the maintenance personnel of a public lavatory for cleaning purposes.

Figure 6 depicts an alternative embodiment of the invention, in which the area 1 16 of the adapter 102 is configured to cover an area defined by the top edge of the toilet bowl 202, preferably in an odor sealing manner. The shape of the adapter 102 is once again advantageously arranged to allow liquid to flow from the top side 1 12 to the bottom side 1 14 of the adapter 102 through the outlet 104. Figure 7 shows an embodiment of the invention where an exemplary urinal 700 with a urinal bowl 702 has an exemplary device 100 inserted therein. As in the case of a toilet 200, the inner surface 704 of the urinal bowl 702 defines, at the location 706, an area which the device 100 should cover in order to operate as proposed preferentially in the exemplary embodiment. In the case of a urinal 700, the location 706 preferably leads to a device 100 residing above a drain pipe 708 of the urinal 700.

It can be understood that the functionality of a device 100 is similar in the case of a toilet 200 and a urinal 700.

The invention has been explained above with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, and several advantages of the invention have been demonstrated. It is clear that the invention is not only restricted to these embodiments, but comprises all possible embodiments within the spirit and scope of the inventive thought and the following patent claims.

Although a device with one outlet 104 and one possible microbiological element 106 has been described, it is to be understood that embodiments of the present invention may comprise any number of outlets, openings, or microbiological elements.

The features recited in dependent claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated.

Claims

1. A device (100) for at least temporarily converting a toilet (200) or urinal (700) into a waterless toilet or waterless urinal,

characterized in that the device (100) comprises:

- an adapter (102) configured to be in contact with a toilet bowl (202) or urinal bowl (702) in a detachable manner, wherein the adapter (102) comprises an area (116) defining a top and bottom side (1 12, 1 14), said adapter with said area being configured to prevent the passing of odors from the bottom side (1 14) of the device (100) to the top side (1 12) when in use, and

- an outlet (104) arranged in the area (1 16) to allow liquid to flow through the top side (1 12) of the device (100) to the bottom side and a microbiological element (106) arranged in contact with said area (1 16) for breaking down the components of urine, or

- an outlet (104) arranged in the area (1 16) to allow liquid to flow through the top side (1 12) of the device (100) to the bottom side and arranged to form an opening (1 10) through which liquid is allowed to pass upon the event of a liquid coming into contact with the outlet (104), while otherwise remaining in a closed position.

2. The device (100) of claim 1 , wherein in the case of a toilet (200), a location (206) that the device (100) is intended to reside in is determined by the dimensions of the adapter (102) so that in the idle mode of a flush toilet (202) the device (100) remains above the level of water (208) residing in the toilet bowl (202).

3. The device (100) of claim 1 , wherein in the case of a urinal (700), a location (706) that the device (100) is intended to reside in is determined by the dimensions of the adapter (102) so that the device (100) remains above a drain pipe (708) of the urinal (700).

4. The device (100) of any previous claims, wherein the outlet (104) is arranged in the center of the area (1 16) or in the outer rim area of the adapter.

5. The device (100) of any previous claims, wherein the outlet (104) comprises elastic material (108), the material (108) arranged so that

- in the closed position of the outlet (104), at least a portion of a surface of said material (108) is in contact with another surface of said material (108), and

- upon the event of liquid coming into contact with the outlet (104) and exerting a force on the outlet (104) that exceeds a threshold value, the material (108) surfaces separate to form the opening (1 10).

6. The device (100) of any previous claims, wherein the microbiological element (106) comprises microbes that are configured to break down the components of urine.

7. The device (100) of any previous claims, wherein the material of the adapter (102) comprises an elastic material.

8. The device (100) of any previous claims, wherein the outer rim of the adapter (102) comprises a sealing member, which is configured to form a contact between the adapter (102) and the inner surface (204) of a toilet bowl (202) in an odor sealing manner.

9. The device (100) of any previous claims, wherein the outlet (104) and the microbiological element (106) are comprised in an entity that is configured to be inserted into an opening in the adapter (102).

10. The device (100) of any previous claims, wherein the device is configured to receive a removing tool in a releasable manner and thereby allowing to remove said device from the toilet bowl (202) or urinal (700) by said removing tool.

1 1. A method for manufacturing a device (100) for at least temporarily converting a toilet (200) or urinal (700) into a waterless toilet or waterless urinal

characterized in that the method comprises:

- providing an adapter (102) configured to be in contact with a toilet bowl (202) or urinal bowl (702) in a detachable manner and so that the adapter (102) comprises an area (1 16) defining a top and bottom side (1 12, 1 14), said adapter with said area being configured to prevent the passing of odors from the bottom side (114) of the device (100) to the top side (1 12) when in use, and

- providing an outlet (104) arranged in the area (1 16) to allow liquid to flow through the top side (1 12) of the device (100) to the bottom side and providing a microbiological element (106) arranged in contact with said area (1 16) for breaking down the components of urine, or

- providing an outlet (104) arranged in the area (1 16) to allow liquid to flow through the top side (1 12) of the device (100) to the bottom side and arranged to form an opening (1 10) through which liquid is allowed to pass upon the event of a liquid coming into contact with the outlet (104), while otherwise remaining in a closed position.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the adapter (102) is manufactured through a method selected from the group of injection molding, vacuum forming, and silicone molding.