WO2018188886A1

WO2018188886A1 - Public dry toilets

Info

Publication number: WO2018188886A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/056460
Authority: WO
Inventors: Laurent Pinto; Alexis PINTO
Original assignee: L.A.V.I International
Priority date: 2017-04-14
Filing date: 2018-03-14
Publication date: 2018-10-18
Also published as: FR3065161A1; FR3065161B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to dry toilets (1) which are intended to be installed outdoors, comprising: • a platform (3), • a cabin (5), and • a toilet block (7) configured to enable the dry toilets (1) to be used in particular in the squatting position, the toilet block (7) having at least a first opening (71) configured to discharge liquid expulsions, and a second opening (72) configured to discharge solid expulsions, the first opening (71) being connected to a first evaporation tank (9), and the second opening (72) being connected in a reciprocating manner by a steerable pipe means (11) to a first tank or to a second tank, one of the two tanks (13) corresponding to a collection tank configured to receive solid expulsions, and the other of the two tanks (13) corresponding to a dehydration tank wherein the solid expulsions that are collected are dehydrated.

Description

Public dry toilets

The present invention relates to the field of public toilets and more particularly to dry toilets, also called evaporation and dehydration toilets, intended to be arranged outdoors.

Currently in some countries, public toilets are dry toilet systems. The human excrements, both urine and feces, are mainly composed of water and it is necessary to evaporate this water in order to limit maintenance operations on such installations in order to reduce the operating costs of these installations. . In addition, faeces can be used for compost, for example. However, it is necessary to dehydrate these feces to obtain compost.

Document US 4,546,502 discloses a dry toilet system using the heating value of the sun coupled to an electric incinerator in order to dehydrate and evaporate the liquids contained in the human excrement. Furthermore, the system described in this document also implements a excrement aeration system disposed inside the dry toilet to facilitate the dehydration of feces and the evaporation of liquids.

However, these dry toilets require the use of electricity to allow the dehydration of feces. Thus, the use of these dry toilets independently seems difficult because of the need for a power source near this facility. Moreover, the dehydration of faeces described in this document can be optimized.

Also known from US 4,174,371, a dry toilet system using the heat capacity of the sun coupled to a thermal mass such as microorganisms to allow the dehydration and evaporation of liquids contained in human excrement. The dry toilets described in this document also implement an air circulation system including a deflector to improve dehydration and evaporation of human excreta. In addition, the dry toilets described in this document have a hatch arranged on the front to allow the evacuation of compost obtained after dehydration. However, the use of a thermal mass such as microorganisms imposes minimum and maximum temperatures of use. Indeed, the microorganisms can be degraded if the temperature inside the dry toilet exceeds a certain temperature (71 ° C according to this document). Furthermore, the process of dehydration of faeces described in this document can be optimized.

On the other hand, it is known from EP 0879576, a dry toilet system having a blade disposed at the inlet of a recovery chamber for stirring the excrement to spread them on a tray inclined in the to facilitate their dehydration. The dry toilets in this document also use the heat capacity of the sun as well as a ventilation system in order to improve the dehydration of the feces in order to obtain compost.

However, the installation described in this document can be improved to reduce costs. On the other hand, the presence of the blade to facilitate the dehydration of excrement may require long and complex maintenance operations. In addition, the dehydration process described in this document can also be improved.

Finally, there is known from WO 2012/153006, a system of dry toilets with mobile baskets inside dry toilets intended to receive human excrement. Mobile baskets according to this document have openings at the lower level so as to allow the evacuation of urine by gravity and improve the dehydration of feces. The dry toilets described in this document also implement a ventilation system and the heat capacity of the sun to allow the evaporation of liquids contained in human excrement.

However, the manufacture of these dry toilets seems to be quite complex. On the other hand, the fecal dehydration process described in this document can be optimized. Moreover, such dry toilets seem to require frequent maintenance to shift the different baskets and to empty them once dehydration is complete. The present invention aims to at least partially overcome the problems of the prior art described above by providing a dry toilet system that can operate independently and whose maintenance is limited.

Another object of the present invention, different from the previous objective, is to provide a dry toilet system for more effectively evaporating and dehydrating human excreta.

Another object of the present invention, different from the previous objectives, is to provide a dry toilet system that can be installed at any outdoor location regardless of the maximum temperature at the location where it is installed.

For this purpose, to achieve at least one of the aforementioned objectives at least partially, the present invention relates to dry toilets intended to be installed outdoors comprising:

• a platform,

A cabin arranged in contact with the platform, and

• a toilet block located on the floor of the cabin at an opening of the platform and configured to allow use of the dry toilet including squatting position by the user,

the sanitary block has at least a first opening configured to receive and evacuate the liquid ejections, and a second opening configured to receive and evacuate the solid ejections,

the first opening is connected to a first evaporation vessel, said first evaporation vessel being for evaporating the liquid ejections,

and the second opening is connected by an alternatively steerable conduit means to a first or second tray, in turn one of the two trays corresponds to a collection tray configured to receive the solid ejections, and the Another of the two bins corresponds to a solid ejection dewatering tank in which the collected solid ejections are dehydrated and then evacuated.

The presence of first and second openings ensures the separation of the solid and liquid ejections at the level of the sanitary cbb, which in particular makes it possible to limit the mixing of these ejections, thus contributing to the improvement and acceleration of the dehydration of solid ejections. Indeed, they are not moistened by liquid ejections such as urine for example. Moreover, dry toilets do not require the presence of microorganisms, chemical substances, or an electrical system to allow the dehydration or evaporation of ejections, which contributes to their operation independently and their installation to any place without taking into account the outside temperature, and more particularly the maximum temperatures.

On the other hand, the presence of a dirigible driving means makes it possible to change the collection tank easily and quickly in order to allow the full collection tank to enter a process of dehydration and settling in order to obtain compost. while the other bin is filled to limit the frequency of maintenance operations and maintain the use of dry toilets during any maintenance operations, such as the extraction of compost obtained after decantation and dehydration of ejections solid.

Dry toilets according to the present invention may further have one or more of the following characteristics taken alone or in combination.

According to a particular embodiment, the sanitary block also has a third opening configured to receive and discharge rinsing water, said third opening being connected to a second evaporation vessel for evaporating the rinsing water, said second container being evaporation being distinct from the first evaporation vessel.

Advantageously, each evaporation vessel has evaporation perforations configured to allow evaporation of the liquids.

Optionally, the first and second evaporation vessels have drain valves.

According to a preferred embodiment, the platform comprises an outer structure covering the first and second evaporation vessels and the first and second tanks, said external structure comprising an evaporation chimney including a mechanical extractor configured to promote the air circulation at the bins and first and second evaporation vessels. According to this preferred embodiment, the outer structure has an outside air intake opening at the base of the first and second tanks, to ventilate these tanks so as to facilitate the dehydration of solid ejections.

Also according to this preferred embodiment, the outer structure comprises two inspection hatches arranged to allow access to the first and second tanks, to ensure the evacuation of the solid ejections once dehydrated, said inspection hatches being in a transparent material so as to focus the light rays on the first and second bins to facilitate the dehydration of solid ejections.

Advantageously, the first and second bins each have a perforated basket having a convex bottom, said perforated baskets being configured to facilitate the dehydration and decantation of solid ejections and being intended to allow the evacuation of dehydrated solid ejections.

According to a particular embodiment, the dirigible driving means is moved by means of a lever disposed at the level of the external structure.

Alternatively, the interior of the cabin has a handle connected to a pivoting shaft having a container for containing water for the intimate rinsing of the user, said container being arranged so that the rinsing water trickles into the third opening.

According to a particular embodiment, at least the outer structure and the cabin are made of a plastic material, and preferably a fiber-reinforced polymer.

According to this particular embodiment, the fiber-reinforced polymer comprises a polymer matrix consisting of an epoxy resin, a polyester or a thermosetting vinylester, or phenol-formaldehyde resins, and fibers making it possible to reinforce the matrix, said fibers being composed of glass, carbon, aramid or basalt.

Preferably, the first and second evaporation containers each have a capacity of between 300 L and 700 L, and in particular 500 L, and the first and second bins each have a capacity of between 800 L and 1200 L, and especially of 1000 L.

According to a first particular embodiment, the first and second tanks and the first and second evaporation vessels are buried. According to a second particular embodiment, the first and second tanks are buried and the first and second evaporation vessels are arranged under the external structure at ground level.

According to a preferred embodiment, the dry toilet comprises a staircase attached to the outer structure configured to allow access to the cabin.

According to this preferred embodiment, the staircase allowing access to the cabin comprises a ramp.

Advantageously, the evaporation chimney comprises one or more nanoporous filters.

Ideally, the dry toilets are installed outside so as to be exposed to the sun.

According to a particular embodiment, the cabin has a corrugated roof and inclined towards a gutter to allow the evacuation of rainwater.

Alternatively, the cabin has ventilation openings disposed on side panels of the cabin near the roof, said ventilation openings being configured to allow ventilation of the interior of the cabin.

Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description, given by way of illustration and not limitation, and the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation in section of the dry toilets according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a partial diagrammatic representation of the dry toilets having a collection container during filling and a dewatering container filled,

FIG. 3A is a diagrammatic representation in perspective of an external structure of a platform of dry toilets according to the invention,

FIG. 3B is a schematic top view of the outer structure of FIG. 3A,

FIG. 3C is a diagrammatic perspective view from above of an outer structure of a platform according to a particular embodiment,

FIG. 4A is a schematic top view of a dry toilet cabin according to the invention, FIG. 4B is a schematic representation in side section of the cabin of FIG. 4A,

FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of a toilet block of dry toilets according to a particular embodiment,

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation in perspective of an evaporation vessel of liquid ejections according to a particular embodiment, and

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic representation in perspective of a vessel for evaporation of rinsing water according to a particular embodiment. In these figures, the identical elements bear the same numerical references.

The following achievements are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not necessarily mean that each reference relates to the same embodiment, or that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Simple features of different embodiments may also be combined or interchanged to provide other embodiments.

In the following description, reference is made to first, second, and third openings for the sanitary block, first and second evaporation vessels, first and second tanks, a first and second first and second ends for the evaporation stack, or at first and second ends for the pipe. It is a simple indexing to differentiate and name close but not identical elements. This indexing does not imply a priority of one element with respect to another and it is easy to interchange such denominations without departing from the scope of the present description. This indexing does not imply either an order in time for example to appreciate the functioning of dry toilets.

In the following description, the term "solid ejections", fecal matter, and more generally substantially solid materials intended to be dehydrated to form a vabrisable product. On the other hand, in the following description is meant by "liquid ejections" urine, and more generally liquid excrement intended to be evaporated and can not be recovered.

Moreover, "recoverable" means a waste that can be used as a raw material, more precisely in the following description the waste corresponds to the solid ejections and the raw material, also called valuable product, obtained corresponds to compost.

Then, the term "horizontal" is defined in the following description as a direction parallel to the horizon. Similarly, the term "vertical" is considered in the following description as a direction perpendicular to the horizon.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown dry toilets 1 to be installed outdoors. The dry toilet comprises a platform 3, a cabin 5 disposed in contact with the platform 3, and a sanitary bbc 7 disposed on the floor of the cabin 5 at an opening 36 of the platform 3 (visible in Figures 3A and 3B). The sanitary block 7 allows the use of dry toilets 1 including squatting position by the user. Indeed, in some countries such as India for example, toilets are generally toilets intended to be used in particular squatting position, that is to say that these toilets do not have a bowl.

The platform 3 has a base 33 intended to be secured to concrete pads 35 buried in the ground to ensure the stability of the assembly, and an outer structure 31 intended to accommodate in particular the cabin 5.

The sanitary block 7 has at least a first opening 71 configured to receive and evacuate liquid ejections, and a second opening 72 configured to receive and evacuate solid ejections. Such a sanitary block 7 can directly separate solid ejections and liquid ejections to improve and accelerate the dehydration of solid ejections. Indeed, they are not in contact with liquid ejections which accelerates their dehydration.

The first opening 71 is connected to a first evaporation container 9 by a liquid ejections evacuation conduit 92. The first evaporation container 9 is intended to evaporate the liquid ejections by the action of the heat of the sun. Indeed, liquid ejections are not recoverable. In addition, these liquid ejections may pose a risk to the environment and pollution problems. ground or groundwater. Thus, it is necessary to recover and eliminate them as and when they accumulate to limit the frequency of maintenance and also expenses related to the treatment of these liquid ejections. This elimination by evaporation of liquid ejections thus contributes to the autonomy of dry toilets 1.

On the other hand, the second opening 72 is connected by an airship conduit means 11 alternatively to a first tank 13a or a second tank 13b. In turn, one of the two tanks 13 corresponds to a collection tank 13a for receiving the solid ejections, and the other of the two tanks 13 corresponds to a dewatering tank 13b solid ejections, in which the solid ejections collected are dehydrated and then evacuated. The implementation of these two tanks 13 allows the collected solid ejections to dehydrate and settle to form a vabrisable product in the dewatering tank 13b while the collection tank 13a fills, and this alternatively, as shown according to the particular embodiment of Figure 2. Once the first tray 13a, corresponding to the collection tank 13a, is full, an operator can come to empty the second tray 13b, corresponding to the dewatering tank 13b, and recover the vabrisable product formed by dehydrated solid ejections. Moreover, the use of a dirigible driving means 11 makes it possible to move easily from the first tank 13a to the second tank 13b, without impairing the use of the dry toilets 1, when the collection tank 13a is full for example.

In addition, in some countries, the use of toilet paper is not customary. Thus, toilets users (dry, chemical or traditional) perform an intimate rinsing with water. For this purpose, the sanitary block 7 has a third opening 73 configured to receive and discharge rinsing water. This third opening 73 is connected to a second evaporation vessel 15 by means of a flushing water discharge duct 94. The second evaporation vessel 15 is intended to evaporate the rinsing water, this second vessel Evaporation 15 is distinct from the first evaporation vessel 9. In fact, the rinsing water is not recoverable, as previously, it is necessary to eliminate them in order to limit the maintenance operations of these dry toilets. indeed, the compositions of liquid ejections and rinsing waters are different. Mixing these two liquids may possibly affect the efficiency of their evaporation. Moreover, the shape of the first 9 and the second evaporation vessel can be different in order to improve the efficiency of the evaporation of the liquid contained inside or for architectural reasons for example.

According to another embodiment not shown here, the first evaporation vessel 9 and the second evaporation vessel 15 may be combined and form only one evaporation vessel.

Each of the first 9 and second 15 evaporation vessels has evaporation perforations 17 (best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7). These evaporation perforations 17 allow the circulation of air inside the first 9 and second 15 evaporation containers towards the inside of the outer structure 31 so as to promote the evaporation of the liquids contained in the first 9 and second 15 evaporation vessels.

Optionally, the first 9 and second 15 evaporation vessels may have drain valves to be emptied in the event that evaporation of the liquids in these first 9 and second evaporation vessels is too slow.

Moreover, in order to improve the efficiency of dehydration and evaporation, dry toilets 1 are ideally exposed to the sun in order to improve the temperature rise inside the outer structure 31 and therefore to increase the temperature. interior of the first 13a and second 13b tanks and the first 9 and second 15 evaporation vessels.

According to the particular embodiment of Figures 1 to 3B, the outer structure 31 covers the first 9 and second 15 evaporation vessels and the first 13a and second 13b bins. The outer structure 31 has an edge 32 having openings 34 intended to allow the fixing of the outer structure 31 on the base 33. This attachment may for example be made by bolting the edge 32 of the outer structure 31 on the base 33. In in this case, the base may have screws (not shown) intended to pass through the openings 34 and to cooperate with bolts (not shown) so as to ensure the fixing of the outer structure 31 on the base 33 to form the platform 3.

Furthermore, the outer structure 31 has a location 35 for accommodating the cabin 5. This location 35 has openings 38 at its side walls to allow the attachment of the cabin 5. The attachment of the cabin 5 may for example be made by bolting. Location 35 also shows an opening 36 intended to accommodate the sanitary block 7. According to this particular embodiment, the opening 36 has a shape substantially identical to the shape of the sanitary block 7 and has edges projecting from the surface of the location 35 and intended to to cooperate with the sanitary snap bbc for example to ensure its fixation. According to a variant not shown here, the sanitary block 7 is made of material with the outer structure 31.

According to another embodiment not shown here, the cabin 5 may consist of a skeleton composed of four metal bars disposed at each corner of the location 35 and side walls disposed between the side bars. The metal bars pass through openings provided at each corner of the location 35 and cooperate with the base 33. According to this other embodiment, the metal bars can be connected to concrete pads arranged under the base 33. Moreover , the walls can be bolted to the outer structure 31 at the openings 38.

Referring to Figure 1, the outer structure 31 comprises an evaporation chimney 21 extending perpendicular to the base 33 of the platform 3. The evaporation chimney 21 has a first end 21a fixed to the outer structure 31 at a support 37 having an opening for allowing evacuation of the air containing vapors from the evaporation liquids contained in the outer structure 31 (visible in Figures 3A and 3B). The evaporation chimney 21 also has a second free end 21b. The second end 21b free of the evaporation chimney 21 has in particular a mechanical extractor 23 configured to promote the circulation of air at the first and second tanks 13, and the first 9 and second 15 evaporation vessels. According to this embodiment, the evaporation chimney 21 may comprise one or more nanoporous filters (not shown) in order to absorb the odors that may emanate from the air evacuated by this evaporation chimney 21.

According to the particular embodiment of Figures 1 to 3B, the outer structure 31 has an external air intake 25 connected to a first end 19a of a pipe 19, a second end 19b is connected to the base of the first 13a and second 13b bins, to ventilate these first 13a and second 13b bins so as to facilitate the dehydration of solid ejections. According to the particular embodiment of FIG. 1, the pipe 19 is a flexible pipe equipped with a T in order to ensure the connection to the base of each of the bins 13. According to a variant not shown, the pipe 19 may be rigid. According to yet another variant, the pipe 19 may be provided with a Y to ensure the connection of the second end 19b of this pipe 19 to the base of each of the tanks 13. This external air intake 25 allows aspirating air to compensate for the vacuum evaporation depression that occurs within the outer structure 31. The various air movements occurring within the outer structure 31 are detailed later. .

Referring to Figures 2 to 3B, the outer structure 31 has two inspection doors 27 arranged side by side and to allow access to the collection tank 13a and the dewatering tank 13b, to ensure the evacuation of solid ejections once dehydrated. The collection tank 13a and the dewatering tank 13b are advantageously arranged side by side. The operation of dry toilets 1, and in particular the extraction of solid ejections dehydrated, is described in more detail later. According to the particular embodiment described here, the inspection hatches 27 are made of a transparent material, such as plexiglass or glass, for example. The use of transparent materials for the inspection doors 27 makes it possible to concentrate the light rays on the first 13a and second 13b tanks in order to facilitate the dehydration of the solid ejections contained in these bins 13, since these inspection hatches 27 are disposed of above the collection tank 13a and the dewatering tank 13b.

According to the particular embodiment described here, the outer structure 31 comprises a lever 41 configured to allow the displacement of the steerable conduit means 11 of the first tray 13a to the second tray 13b for example.

According to the particular embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the collection tank 13a and the dewatering tank 13b are buried under the base 33 of the platform 3 and the first 9 and second 15 evaporation vessels are arranged under the outer structure 31 in contact with the base 33. According to this embodiment, the first 13a and second 13b bins each have a perforated basket 29 having a convex bottom 29a. The perforated baskets 29 are configured to facilitate the dewatering and decantation of solid ejections and are also intended to allow the evacuation of dehydrated solid ejections. The presence of perforations allows the evacuation of the liquids contained in the solid ejections partly by gravity. Moreover, these perforations ensure good aeration solid ejections throughout the height and around the baskets 29, which contributes to the effectiveness of the dehydration of these solid ejections. The use of a convex bottom 29a for the perforated basket 29 also improves the dehydration of the solid ejections when the tray 13 corresponds to the collection tray 13a because the latter are spread by sliding in the perforated basket 29. Moreover, the presence of a convex bottom 29a also makes it possible to improve the settling of the solid ejections during dehydration because they are pushed towards the edges of the perforated basket 29. According to the embodiment of FIG. 1, each perforated basket 29 comprises an attachment system 28 configured to allow extraction of the perforated basket 29 of the tray 13 in which it is arranged to empty it and thus recover the valued product. According to this particular embodiment, the fastening system 28 corresponds to at least one pair of loops disposed on either side of the perforated basket 29. Advantageously, the fastening system 28 consists of two pairs of loops arranged according to orientations perpendicular to each other so as to ensure the stability of the perforated basket 29 when it is extracted from the dewatering tank 13b for example. The extraction of perforated baskets 29 is developed in more detail later.

According to a variant, the baskets 29 are arranged in a metal structure comprising the attachment system 28. Advantageously, the metal structure is in the form of four metal rods connected to an optionally perforated base on which the basket 29 rests. The metal members are held together by two straps, one being disposed substantially at half height of the metal rods and the other being disposed at the upper part of the metal rods. According to this variant, the attachment system 28 is disposed at the ends of the metal rods. The use of such a metal structure makes it possible to directly recover the basket 29 and to replace it with an empty basket to facilitate the possible transport of the recoverable product.

According to another embodiment not shown here, the first 13a and second 13b tanks and the first 9 and second 15 evaporation vessels are buried under the platform 3.

On the other hand, according to the particular embodiment of Figure 1, the dry toilet 1 comprises a staircase 43 configured to allow access to the cabin 5. The staircase 43 is attached to the outer structure 31 and the base 33 by boubnnage by example. Advantageously, the staircase 43 is connected to the outer structure 31 at the location 35 intended to receive the cabin 5 so as to allow direct access to the cabin 5. However, according to other embodiments not shown here , the staircase 43 can be attached to any other location of the outer structure 31 that can allow access to the cabin 5. In addition, in order to secure access to the cabin 5, the staircase 43 comprises, according to this mode particular embodiment, a ramp 45.

In addition, according to the particular embodiment of Figure 3C, the staircase 43 can be integrated directly to the outer structure 31. According to this particular embodiment, the staircase can be directly molded with the outer structure 31 for example. Moreover, according to this particular embodiment, the cabin 5 may have a metal skeleton whose angles or feet may be bolted to studs previously arranged under the outer structure 31. The cabin may then be arranged on this skeleton and fixed on this one by means of screws and bolts, or by snapping the walls of the cabin 5 on the skeleton for example.

Referring to Figures 4A and 4B, the interior of the cabin 5 may have a handle 51 disposed on a wall of the cabin 5 and connected to a pivot axis 53 having a container 55 for containing water for the thorough rinsing of the 'user. The container 55 is arranged in such a way that the rinsing water trickles into the third opening 73 (better visible in FIG. 4B, which corresponds to a sectional view of the cabin 5 along a cutting axis A shown in FIG. 4A). . According to the particular embodiment shown here, the handle 51 is connected to the pivoting axis 53 by a driving element 52. This driving element 52 may for example be a fixed bar or a rack allowing the pivoting of the pivoting axis 53 to tilt the container 55 so that it pours the rinsing water that it contains to allow the user to perform his intimate rinsing when it actuates the handle 51. According to a Alternatively, the handle 51 may comprise a mechanism with springs configured to return the container 55 to a vertical position in which the water contained therein no longer flows when the user releases the handle 51.

Referring to Figures 1 and 4B, the cabin 5 further comprises a corrugated roof 47 and inclined to a gutter 49 to allow the evacuation of rainwater. According to an embodiment not shown here, the channel 49 may be connected to a tank configured to recover and store rainwater. Furthermore, the cabin 5 has ventilation apertures 57 arranged on the side panels of the cabin 5 near the roof 47. In other embodiments not shown here, the ventilation openings 57 can be disposed of at any location. Place of the cab sections 5. The ventilation openings 57 are configured to ventilate the interior of the cabin 5 so as to refresh the interior of this cabin 5 for example. Advantageously at least two parallel sections of the cabin 5 have the ventilation openings 57 in order to allow good circulation of the air inside this cabin 5.

With reference to Figures 1 to 4B, at least the outer structure 31 and the cabin 5 are made of a plastic material, and preferably a fiber-reinforced polymer. Advantageously, the fiber-reinforced polymer comprises a polymer matrix constituted by an epoxy resin, a polyester or a thermosetting vinylester, or phenol-formaldehyde resins, and fibers making it possible to reinforce the matrix, said fibers being made of glass, carbon, aramid or basalt. The use of a fiber-reinforced polymer makes it possible to obtain elements that have a good compromise between their mass and their mechanical resistance to the different forces that they can undergo. Furthermore, the use of such materials allows easy formatting of these elements, including the cabin 5 and the outer structure 31, for example by roto-molding or injection. Advantageously, all the constituent elements of the dry toilet 1 are made of fiber reinforced polymer. Indeed, fiber-reinforced polymers are generally inexpensive and allow additive manufacturing or manufacturing by molding, which makes it possible to obtain dry toilets 1 at a lower cost.

Moreover, in order to improve the temperature rise inside the outer structure 31, it may be dark in color, and preferably black, in order to absorb the maximum amount of radiation from the sun in order to improve evaporation of the liquids contained in the first 9 and second 15 evaporation vessels and the dehydration of the solid ejections both in the collection tank 13a and in the dewatering tank 13b. Referring to Figure 5, there is shown the sanitary cb 7 according to a particular embodiment. According to this embodiment, the sanitary block 7 optionally has placement zones 75 intended to receive the feet of the user. Advantageously, the placement zones 75 have a grooved surface in order to have anti-slip properties. According to a variant not shown here, the placement zones 75 may be made of a non-slip material.

According to the embodiment of FIGS. 5A and 5B, the first 71, second 72 and third 73 openings are aligned. Advantageously, with such an arrangement of the third opening 73, the user must just move back in order to be able to carry out his or her intimate rinsing. Moreover, according to this particular embodiment, the first 71 and second 72 openings are juxtaposed, the second opening 72 being disposed between the first opening 71 and the third opening 73. Indeed, whether the user is male or female the liquid ejections in a squatting position are expelled forwards towards the first opening 71 and the solid ejections fall vertically in the second opening 72. The separation of the liquid and solid ejections is therefore carried out directly at the level of the sanitary bbc. 7, which contributes to the improvement of the dehydration process of solid ejections by limiting their water content.

According to this embodiment, the sanitary block 7 has a base 76 intended to cooperate with the edges of the opening 36 (visible in FIGS. 3A and 3B) in order to allow the fixing of the sanitary block 7 to the outer structure 31. According to this particular embodiment, the fixing of the sanitary block 7 is by snapping. However, according to other embodiments, the fixing of the sanitary block 7 can be done by bolting for example in the outer structure 31. In addition, the base 76 contributes to the stability of the toilet block 7 installed in the cabin 5.

According to the particular embodiment of FIG. 5B, the sanitary block 7 has a length L of between 70 cm and 90 cm, for example 808 mm, and a total width 1 of between 50 cm and 60 cm, for example 521 mm. According to this example, the sanitary block 7 has a width without the base 76 between 30 cm and 40 cm, for example 386 mm. Such a width allows the use of dry toilets by adults as well as by children. Furthermore, the second opening 72 has a diameter D2 of between 17 cm and 20 cm, for example 192 mm, and the third opening 73 has a diameter D3 of between 22 cm and 27 cm, for example 255 mm. In addition, the first opening 71 according to this particular embodiment is substantially in the form of a half-ellipse. Referring to Figures 6 and 7, there is shown the first evaporation vessel 9 (Figure 6) and the second evaporation vessel 15 (Figure 7). Each of these evaporation vessels 9, 15 has evaporation perforations 17 to allow the evacuation of the liquids in the form of steam to the evaporation stack 21.

Referring to Figure 6, the first evaporation vessel 9 has a cylindrical structure. The cylindrical structure has an opening 91 intended to cooperate with the discharge duct of the liquid ejections 92 at an upper face of the cylinder intended to be disposed closer to the cabin 5 than the lower face of the cylinder, filling the first evaporation container 9 being run off by the upper face of the cylinder. In this embodiment, the evaporation perforations 17 are located on the face presenting the opening 91. According to this particular embodiment, the cylindrical structure has recesses at the side walls of the cylinder. These recesses facilitate the decantation of the various constituent elements of the liquid ejections, thus facilitating their evaporation. According to this embodiment, the first evaporation container 9 has a capacity of between 300 L and 700 L, and in particular 500 L. According to other embodiments not shown, other methods of filling this first container Evaporation 9 can be envisaged.

Referring to Figure 7, the second evaporation container 15 has a substantially parallelepipedal structure, and preferably corresponds to a block. The second evaporation vessel 15 has an opening 93 disposed at one of the larger surface areas of this block, this face corresponding to an upper face disposed closer to the cabin 5 than its opposite face. The opening 93 is intended to cooperate with the flushing water discharge duct 94. According to this embodiment, the evaporation perforations 17 are disposed on the same face of the second evaporation vessel 15 as the opening 93. Advantageously, the use of a paver shape for the second evaporation vessel makes it possible to distribute the rinsing water over a large area, which facilitates their evaporation. According to the embodiment described here, the filling of the second evaporation vessel 15 is done by trickling the rinsing water into it. On the other hand, according to this particular embodiment, the second evaporation container 15 also has a capacity of between 300 L and 700 L, and in particular 500 L. According to other embodiments not shown, other Types of filling of this second evaporation vessel 15 can be envisaged. However, the arrangements of the second evaporation vessel 15 within the outer structure 31 will remain the same with the larger faces disposed horizontally. Whatever the arrangement of the opening 93, the evaporation perforations 17 remain on the upper face of the block in order to allow the evaporation of the rinsing water.

According to the particular embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the first and second tanks 13 has a cubic structure and have a capacity of between 800 L and 1200 L, and in particular 1000 L, each. The use of such volumetric capacities for the various tanks 13 and the first and second evaporation vessels makes it possible to limit the maintenance operations of the dry toilets 1 and thus promotes their autonomy.

Method of installation of dry toilets 1

In order to install the dry toilets 1 previously described, an excavation having at least the dimensions of the collection tank 13a and the dewatering tank 13b is made in the ground. In order to stabilize the excavation, the vertical walls of this excavation can be consolidated by bricks or wooden planks. The soil of this excavation can remain in natural soil, such as soil or sand. The first 13a and second 13b tanks, previously connected level of the second end 19b of the pipe 19 at their base, are placed in this excavation. According to the particular embodiment of Figure 1, the second end 19b is connected at the level of at least one side wall of the first 13a and second 13b bins. Advantageously, the second end 19b is in the form of a T to allow the connection of the pipe 19 to each of the tanks 13. According to a preferred embodiment, the excavation has a width of 3.20 m, a bngueur 1.80 m and one depth of 1.45 m. According to this preferred embodiment, the excavation can accommodate the collection tank 13a and the dewatering tank 13b arranged side by side.

Concrete pads 35 intended to allow anchoring of the platform 3 are buried in the ground and have an apparent face intended to allow the bolting of the platform 3, and more particularly the base 33 of this platform 3, in these concrete pads 35. The base 33 of the platform 3 is then bolted to these concrete pads 35. Sebn a variant, additional concrete pads for cooperating with the metal bars of the skeleton of the cabin 5 can also be buried in the ground before bolting the base 33 on the pads 35. The additional concrete pads also have an apparent face intended to cooperate with one end of the metal bars of the skeleton to improve the rigidity of the cabin 5 .

The first 9 and second 15 evaporation vessels are then placed on the base 33 of the platform 3 or in the excavation if it has sufficient dimensions to accommodate these first 9 and second 15 evaporation vessels.

The sanitary block 7 is arranged and then fixed on the outer structure 31 at the opening 36. The dirigible driving means 11 is then fixed at the second opening 72 of the sanitary cbc 7. This dirigible driving means 11 is connected to the lever 41 to allow its subsequent movement between one or the other of the tanks 13. The liquid ejections evacuation duct 92 is fixed at the first opening 71 and the flushing water discharge duct 94 is fixed at the level of the third opening 73. The first end 21a of the evaporation chimney 21 is fixed to the support 37 of the outer structure 31 in order to allow the installation of this chimney 21 on the outer structure 31. the first end 21a of the evaporation chimney 21 may be made by any means known to those skilled in the art.

The outer structure 31 is then disposed on the base 33 and the exhaust ducts 92, 94 are connected to their respective evaporation vessels 9, 15. The dirigible driving means 11 is arranged to communicate with one of the two tanks 13 which in this case corresponds to the collection tank 13a. The first end 19a of the pipe 19 is connected to the external air intake 25 to allow the suction of an outside air flow inside this outer structure 31. The outer structure 31 is then secured to the base 33 in order to form platform 3. This fixing the outer structure 31 on the base 33 may for example be made by bolting through the openings 34 present at the edges 32 of the outer structure 31 as described above.

The cabin 5 is then disposed on the outer structure 31, and more particularly at the location 35 intended to receive the cabin 5. The cabin 5 may optionally comprise a skeleton composed of four metal bars arranged at each corner of the location 35 and allowing the connection of the different walls of the cabin between them. The metal bars are intended to cooperate with openings disposed at the location 35 and with the additional concrete pads disposed under the base 33. For this purpose, the base 33 has openings configured to allow the passage of these metal bars . The walls forming the booth 5 are then placed between the metal bars and secured to the outer structure 31 by locking at the zone of contact with the outer structure 31 in the openings 38 (visible in Figure 3A) for example. For this purpose, the metal bars have a hollow portion configured to allow the passage of the walls of the cabin 5 by sliding for example. Alternatively, the cabin 5 can be constituted in a single element and secured to the outer structure 31 by bolting the zones in contact with the outer structure 31 at the openings 38. The staircase 43 can then be arranged and attached to the outer structure 31 and base 33 to allow access to the cabin 5 if necessary. In the case where the first 9 and second 15 evaporation vessels are buried under the base 33, the presence of this staircase 43 is not necessary. This step of fixing the staircase 43 is also not necessary if this staircase 43 is directly molded with the outer structure 31, as shown with reference to Figure 3C. Once these different operations are completed, the dry toilets are operational.

Operation of dry toilets 1 Referring to Figure 1, it describes the operation of dry toilets 1.

According to this embodiment, the air inside the outer structure 31 is heated by the sun. The temperature of the air inside this outer structure is greater than 50 ° C. This rise in temperature makes it possible to evaporate the liquids collected in the first 9 and second 15 evaporation vessels and dehydrate the solid ejections contained in the collection tank 13a and in the dewatering tank 13b. The heated and vapor-laden air of the liquids to be evaporated inside the outer structure 31 rises mechanically along the arrows Fl towards the evaporation chimney 21. This mechanical elevation creates a vacuum inside the structure The depression thus created creates a draft and the outside air intake draws air from the outside of the dry toilet 1 through the pipe 19 according to the arrows F2 in response to this call for air. 'air. The second end 19b of this pipe 19 is connected to the base of the first 13a and second 13b tanks thus allowing air to be injected at the base of these first 13a and second 13b tanks in order to improve the dehydration of the ejections solid possibly contained in these first 13a and second 13b bins. In addition, the first 71, second 72, and third 73 openings of the sanitary block 7 also suck air towards the inside of the outer structure 31, according to the arrows F3, in response to this air call caused by the mechanical elevation of the air. This aspiration by the first 71, second 72, and third 73 openings of the sanitary cb 7 allows in particular to limit the rise of odors in the cabin 5.

In addition, the mechanical extractor 23 fixed at the second end 21b of the chimney 21 can be rotated under the effect of wind. This rotation of the mechanical extractor 23 contributes to the creation of the depression inside the chimney 21 thus favoring the suction of the air according to arrows Fl present inside the outer structure 31.

In order to check the state of filling of the collection tank 13a and possibly the evaporation vessels 9, 15, an operator can pass regularly, as for example once a month, in order to carry out such a check. The state of filling of the collection tank 13a can be easily controlled through the hatches 27 which are made of a transparent material. The state of filling of the collection tank 13a can also be verified by opening the inspection hatch 27 disposed above this collection tank 13a. In the case where the collection tank 13a is full, the operator moves the steerable conduit means 11 to the second tank 13b if it is empty with the lever 41 disposed at the outer structure 31 (visible in FIGS. 3A to 3C). Advantageously, with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3C, the lever 41 is arranged between the two inspection hatches 27. The second empty bin 13b initially or previously emptied becomes the collection tank 13a and the first tank 13a corresponding to the collection tank 13a becomes the dewatering tank 13b, that is to say that the solid ejections are no longer directed in the first tray 13a but in the second tray 13b and solid ejections in the first tray 13a can dehydrate and decant to form a valued product.

After a predetermined time (about 2 years), the solid ejections are dehydrated and form a valuable product. The operator can empty this dewatering tank 13b by opening the inspection hatch 27 disposed above this dewatering tank 13b. In order to facilitate this emptying, the operator can use a hoisting machine, such as a mini-crane for example, in order to lift the perforated basket 29 or the metal structure in which the basket 29 is placed and to extract it from the container. dehydration 13b. For this purpose, the hoist has a metal cross equipped with carabiners, for example, intended to be hooked to the attachment system 28 of the perforated basket 29 or the metal structure which is in the form of loops for example . Advantageously, the attachment system 28 has two pairs of loops disposed on either side of the perforated basket 29 and in perpendicular directions to each other. The use of such a fastening system ensures the stability of the perforated basket 29 during its extraction. The operator extracts the perforated basket 29 from the dewatering tank 13b and can then empty it into a bucket or at a location provided for recovery of the recoverable product for example. Once this perforated basket 29 emptied, it is replaced in the tray 13 where it was initially.

According to a variant, the basket 29 is extracted from the metal structure in which it is arranged, an empty basket 29 is placed inside this metal structure and the assembly is placed back into the tank 13 where it was initially located. . According to this variant, the recoverable product can be transported directly in its basket 29 to a point of storage of valuable products for example.

Furthermore, depending on the filling state of the collection tank 13a, the operator can move the airship conduit means 11 as previously using the lever 41 so that the collection tank 13a becomes the dewatering tank 13b. The embodiments described above are given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example. Indeed, it is quite possible for those skilled in the art to replace the fiber-reinforced polymers used for the manufacture of the various elements of the dry toilet 1 by any other material having technical characteristics, including resistance to stress mechanical, close to those of fiber-reinforced polymers without departing from the scope of the present invention. Similarly, it can adapt the manufacturing method of the different components of the dry toilet 1 as for example print these different elements in 3D. On the other hand, those skilled in the art can modify the fastening or coupling systems of the outer structure 31 to the base 33, the sanitary block 7 to the outer structure 31, the cabin 5 to the outer structure 31 or the staircase 43 to the outer structure 31 or the base 33 without departing from the scope of the present invention. Moreover, one skilled in the art can adapt the displacement means of the dirigible driving means 11 or their location without departing from the scope of this description. Then, the pivoting means of the container 55 may be modified without departing from the scope of the present invention. On the other hand, the method of installation of dry toilets 1 can be adapted without departing from the scope of the present invention. On the other hand, the second end 19b of the pipe 19 for ventilating the tanks 13 may have a shape different from that of a T or Y as long as this shape allows the connection of this pipe 19 to at least the base of each of the bins 13. Finally, the dimensions of the sanitary cb 7 or the first 71, second 72 and third 73 openings, the volume capacities of the various bins 13 and evaporation containers 9, 15 and their shapes can also be modified by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of this description.

Thus, obtaining dry toilets 1 that are autonomous and require limited maintenance as well as improving the dehydration process of solid ejections in dry toilets 1 is possible thanks to the use of the sanitary cb 7 as described above allowing the separation of solid ejections, liquid ejections and optionally rinsing waters.

Claims

claims

1. Dry toilets (1) intended to be installed outdoors comprising:

• a platform (3),

A cabin (5) arranged in contact with the platform (3), and

• a sanitary block (7) arranged on the floor of the cabin (5) at an opening of the platform (3) and configured to allow use of the dry toilet (1) in particular in a crouched position by the user ,

characterized in that the sanitary block (7) has at least a first opening (71) configured to receive and discharge the liquid ejections, and a second opening (72) configured to receive and discharge the solid ejections,

in that the first opening (71) is connected to a first evaporation vessel (9), said first evaporation vessel (9) being adapted to evaporate the liquid ejections,

and in that the second opening (72) is connected by a steerable conduit means (11) alternatively to a first tank (13a) or a second tank (13b), in turn one of the two tanks (13) corresponds to a collection tank (13a) configured to receive the solid ejections, and the other of the two tanks (13) corresponds to a dewatering tank (13b) of the solid ejections in which the collected solid ejections are dehydrated then evacuated.

2. dry toilet (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the toilet block (7) further has a third opening (73) configured to receive and discharge rinse water, said third opening (73) being connected to a second evaporation vessel (15) for evaporating the rinsing water, said second evaporation vessel (15) being distinct from the first evaporation vessel (9).

3. Dry toilet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each evaporation vessel (9, 15) has evaporation perforations (17) configured to allow the evaporation of liquids.

4. Dry toilet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the platform (3) comprises an outer structure (31) covering the first (9) and second (15) evaporation vessels and the first and second tanks (13), said outer structure (31) comprising an evaporation stack (21) including a mechanical extractor (23) configured to promote the circulation of air at the bins (13a, 13b ) and first (9) and second (15) evaporation vessels.

5. Dry toilet (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the outer structure (31) has an outside air intake (25) opening at the base of the first (13a) and second (13b) tanks, to ventilate these trays (13) so as to facilitate the dehydration of solid ejections.

6. Dry toilet (1) according to any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the outer structure (31) comprises two inspection hatches

(27) arranged to allow access to the first (13a) and second (13b) tanks, to ensure the evacuation of solid ejections once dehydrated, said inspection hatches (27) being made of a transparent material of in order to concentrate the light rays on the first (13a) and second (13b) tanks in order to facilitate the dehydration of the solid ejections.

7. Dry toilets (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first (13a) and second (13b) bins each have a perforated basket (29) having a convex bottom (29a), said perforated baskets (29) being configured to facilitate dehydration and decantation of solid ejections and being intended to allow the evacuation of dehydrated solid ejections.

8. dry toilet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interior of the cabin (5) has a handle (51) connected to a pivoting shaft (53) having a container (55) for to contain water for the intimate rinsing of the user, said container (55) being arranged so that the rinsing water trickles into the third opening (73).

9. dry toilet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the outer structure (31) and the cabin (5) are made of a plastic material, and preferably made of a reinforced polymer of fiber.

10. Dry toilet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first (9) and second (15) evaporation vessels each have a capacity of between 300 L and 700 L, and in particular 500 L, and the first (13a) and second (13b) tanks each have a capacity of between 800 L and 1200 L, and in particular 1000 L.