Toilet with spinning bowl and water jet

Abstract

A toilet uses very little water to flush waste material. To flush, a lower part of the bowl is lowered from a sealed position against a bowl side to an unsealed position spaced from the bowl side, and spun. Centrifugal force and a jet of water flush the inside of the bowl bottom. Odors are controlled by sealing the bowl bottom to the bowl side.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a toilet with a low gallons-per-flush (GPF) rating.

Toilets, especially those on vehicles such as boats and aircraft, preferably use a small quantity of water for each flush so as to avoid burdening a holding tank for the discharge. Further, smaller GPF ratings result in smaller holding tanks that require less space and add less weight to the vehicle. Toilets with lower GPF ratings also are less burdensome on the environment regardless of where they are used.

Various types of low GPF toilets are available, including those that use a vacuum to remove waste material. However, these toilets are typically expensive and make considerable noise.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel toilet with a low GPF rating that avoids the problems of the prior art.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel toilet with a movable bowl bottom that, when the toilet is flushed, moves from a sealed position to a discharge position and then spins to eject waste material into a waste collection space.

A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a novel toilet with a bowl bottom that is movable between a sealed position abutting a bowl side and an unsealed (flushing) position spaced from the bowl side, where the bowl bottom is rotatable about an axis when in the unsealed position; an arm with one end attached to the toilet and an opposite end rotatably attached to the axis of the bowl bottom; a liquid discharge nozzle that directs a liquid onto the bowl bottom; and a flush switch that moves the arm so that the bowl bottom moves from the sealed position to the unsealed position and operates the liquid discharge nozzle, thereby using less than 0.1 GPF.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those of skill in the art of the present invention after consideration of the following drawings and description of preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view in partial cross section of an embodiment of the present invention showing the bowl bottom in the sealed position.

FIG. 2 is a side view in partial cross section of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing the bowl bottom in the unsealed (flushing) position.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C show alternative embodiments of the liquid discharge nozzle of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view in partial cross section of a further embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view in partial cross section of a yet further embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A toilet of the present invention can be flushed with less than 0.1 gallon of water, thereby offereing a substantial water savings over existing toilets. The amount of water used per flush can be set depending on how far the waste is to be moved; for example, a home toilet connected to a sewer system may be rated at 0.8 GPF (instead of the present 1.6 GPF), while in vehicles with a nearby holding tank the toilet can be rated at less than 0.1 GPF.

With reference now to FIG. 1, toilet 10 may have a conventional exterior, with a bowl support 12, cover 14, and seat 16. Bowl space 18 is defined by a cylindrical bowl side 20 and a movable bowl bottom 22 that provides a seal with respect to bowl side 20 (including an extension of bowl support 12 that abuts bowl side 20 as shown in the figures). With cover 14 lifted, bowl space 18 looks familiar and may or may not have water in it. Toilet 10 may be mounted to a bathroom floor 30 in a conventional manner and connected to waste piping 32. The waste piping may have a vent pipe 34 and may include a blower 36 to vent odors (such as an electric blower). The vent may open to outside a living area, often through a roof 38. As no water tank is needed, toilet 10 can be close to a wall 40, which saves space. With bowl bottom 22 in the sealed position shown in solid line in FIG. 1, odors are trapped in waste collection space 42 beneath bowl bottom 22. A flush switch 44, such as a conventional flushing handle, may be provided.

In toilets that have water in bowl space 18 (typically, those rated to use more water, such as 0.8 GPF) the seal between bowl bottom 22 and bowl side 20 is water-tight. When bowl bottom 22 in the sealed position, bowl space 18 may receive an appropriate amount of water (e.g., two quarts). When bowl bottom 22 is lowered, this water will drain out and take much of the waste with it. Spinning bowl bottom 22 after it has been lowered (as explained below) will remove more of the waste due to centrifugal force.

Alternatively, when less water is to be used (such as 0.1 GPF or less), the seal between bowl bottom 22 and bowl side 20 is loose (such as with defined gaps) so that when bowl bottom 22 is in the sealed position a small amount of air can be drawn by blower 36 through bowl space 18 and waste collection space 42 to allow air-loving bacteria to do decompose material in waste collection space 42 and to prevent escape of odors. In this embodiment, when bowl bottom 22 is lowered, the waste material falls into waste collection space 42. Thereafter, spinning bowl bottom 22, in conjunction with a small amount of liquid from a liquid discharge nozzle (discussed below), cleans bowl bottom 22.

The dashed line in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show bowl bottom 22 in the unsealed (flushing) position in which it is spaced from and below bowl side 20. Bowl bottom 22 is mounted on an arm 46 controlled by a device 48 for moving arm 46 when the toilet is flushed (such as a motor or mechanical connection). Arm 46 has one end that supports a rotational center of bowl bottom 22 and an opposite end that is moved by device 48. Arm 46 is arranged so that when bowl bottom 22 is in the sealed position an entire periphery of bowl bottom 22 is sealed to a bottom of bowl side 20 (water-tight or loose seal depending on the amount of water to be used, as explained above) and so that when bowl bottom 22 is in the unsealed position one sector of the periphery of bowl bottom 22 is closer to the bottom of bowl side 20 than a radially opposite sector. In other words, in this embodiment arm 46 moves in an arc causing bowl bottom 22 to tilt as shown in FIG. 2 to facilitate expelling material deposited thereon.

A separate motor 50 may be provided beneath bowl bottom 22 for rotating bowl bottom 22 when the toilet is flushed and bowl bottom 22 has been moved by device 48 to the unsealed position. Bowl bottom 22 may be mounted on a shaft of motor 50. When bowl bottom 22 is lowered so that bowl bottom 22 is no longer sealed to a bottom of side 20, motor 50 spins bowl bottom 22 to expel material deposited thereon.

A liquid discharge nozzle 52 may be provided for further cleaning bowl bottom 22. As is known, waste material can stick even to smooth surfaces and a liquid jet can help remove stuck material. Nozzle 52 may be connected to a water source and directed toward a rotational center of bowl bottom 22 in the unsealed position. Nozzle 52 may provide a single stream or a fan-shaped spray from a position above a water level of bowl space 18. As bowl bottom 22 rotates, liquid from nozzle 52 sweeps across the surface of bowl bottom 22 to clean bowl bottom 22. The angle at which the liquid strikes bowl bottom 22 should be low to reduce spatter. The nozzle opening may be about ⅛ inch in diameter, which with normal water pressure provides sufficient power. By way of example, water may used as the liquid and may be ON for 15 seconds to use about a quart of water. Rotation of bowl bottom 22 and the cleaning action of the nozzle each helps insure a clean surface. The nozzle may be turned ON and OFF several times in a defined sequence as bowl bottom 22 is lowered and rotated. It is preferable to use a strong jet of liquid for a short period of time, rather than a weak jet for a long period of time.

In an alternative embodiment, motor 50 may be replaced with a different means for rotating bowl bottom 22. Nozzle 52 may be directed to a position offset from a rotational center of bowl bottom 22 to cause bowl bottom 22 to rotate. Alternatively, a second liquid discharge nozzle may be directed near an edge of bowl bottom 22 to cause it to rotate or, with a fan-shaped spray, a majority of the liquid may be offset from the rotational center. Bowl bottom 22 may be mounted on a bearing and may have a speed governor 54 to limit a rotational speed of bowl bottom 22. A conventional governor, where the centrifugal force of an off center weight applies a breaking action, is simple, low cost, and straightforward. Slower speeds are desirable to reduce the turbulence of the odor-laden air and to prevent aerosols forming because of high velocity ejection of the waste material. Tests have shown that a spinning speed of a few hundred revolutions per minute is reasonable.

Embodiments of the liquid discharge nozzle are shown in FIGS. 3A-3C. FIG. 3A shows that liquid discharge nozzle 52 directs a jet of liquid toward a center of bowl bottom 22 in the sealed position (jet strikes at location 62) and that the jet moves across bowl bottom 22 to positions 64, 66, and 68 as bowl bottom 22 is lowered. FIG. 3B shows an alternative embodiment with a movable liquid nozzle 72 whose angle may be adjusted by moving nozzle 72 about a pivot 70 so that the jet therefrom moves across an arc 74 between positions 76. FIG. 3C shows a further alternative with multiple nozzles 82 that each directs a jet 84 to a different location on bowl bottom 22.

Cover 14 may have a seal 56 that seals bowl space 18 closed when cover 14 is closed. This will make it very unlikely that odors can escape and permit the use of a smaller blower 36. A vent 58 may be provided in the space surrounding side 20 and side 20 may be separated from bowl support 12 as shown in FIG. 2 as a relief in the event a flood or clogged line causes waste water to back-up into the toilet. Vent 58 helps prevent waste water from reaching liquid discharge nozzle 52 and contaminating the clean water in the nozzle and line leading thereto.

Bowl bottom 22 may be concave as shown, or may be flat or convex and may include a flat or arched center (W-shape). The concave shape helps keep waste matter from arm 46 and motor 48.

When bowl bottom 22 is lowered for cleaning (flushing), blower 36 in vent pipe 34 may be operated to facilitate the flow of air. The cleaning operation may be interlocked with cover 14 so the toilet cannot be flushed unless cover 14 is sealed over seat 16.

A further embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 4 that is useful to prevent large trash pieces 86 from entering waste collection space 42 and thus into a sewage system. In this embodiment, bowl bottom 22′ is lowered uniformly only a small amount (½ inch or so) on a post 88 (note that, solely by way of explanation, the left half of bowl bottom 22′ is shown in the sealed position while the right half is shown in the unsealed position). Bowl bottom 22′ has a flatter bottom and steeper peripheral sides than the embodiment of FIG. 1. Prior to flushing (the left half of bowl bottom 22′ in FIG. 4), waste material 92 and trash pieces 86 accumulate on bowl bottom 22′. During flushing, arm 46′ lowers a cam 90 to allow bowl bottom 22′ to descend on post 88. Alternatively, a hydraulic mechanism internal to post 88 may lower bowl bottom 22′. Bowl bottom 22′ is rotated by cam 90 or a motor or a liquid jet as described above. The rotation causes waste material 92 to plastically deform and climb the peripheral side of bowl bottom 22′ and seep over the small opening at the top of the peripheral side while preventing trash pieces 86 from entering waste collection space 42 (the right half of bowl bottom 22′ in FIG. 4).

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment that is self-contained and suitable for use on a vehicle, such as a small boat. The embodiment is similar to that of the previous figures, except that a self-contained waste container 51 is provided. Suitable connections for emptying waste container 51 may be provided.

Using a minimum amount of water to flush the toilet is preferred in many applications, such as on a ship that uses a holding tank to hold the waster and the flushing water. When the amount of water needed to flush is reduced, the size of the holding tank may be reduced. In smaller craft, the holding tank may be dispensed with and waste may be stored in the waste collection space for an extended period. The low-water embodiment of the present invention may use as little as 3 ounces of water per flush (0.023 GPF). In other applications that require water to move waste material through a sewage system, such as a home, it is believed that as little as 0.5 to 0.8 GPF is needed.

By way of further explanation, a preferred embodiment of the invention is a toilet with a conventional hinged cover and seat on a container which is connected to waste piping, which in turn is connected to a septic system. The toilet includes a bowl bottom a few inches below the seat that will catch the solid waste, liquid, and paper material. The bowl bottom is sealed in this upper, home position, by being pressed up to the underside of the top of the container, when the toiled is used. When the toilet is to be emptied, as signaled by the user pressing a flushing button, operating a lever, or other means, the bowl is lowered several inches, unsealing its contact with the container and the bowl is rotated about its axis to create centrifugal force on the waste within, urging it toward the outer edge of the bowl, where it is slung free into a container connected to waste piping.

Water may be added in the form of a forceful jet of water aimed near the center of the dipped, spinning bowl, so that the high velocity water cleans the surface of the bowl and aids in expelling the waste material from the bowl.

When the bowl is lowered by pivoting about a point near the top, back of the bowl support, much of the waste material drains from the bowl before the spinning and water jet action is actuated.

After the waste material is out of the bowl the spinning stops, the bowl bottom is raised, and water is added so that there is water in the bowl space with the bowl bottom in its normal, sealed position.

An alternative embodiment provides a toilet where the human waste material drops into a bowl which is sealed in an upper position to block odors, and to flush the waste from the bowl the bowl is lowered and spun to fling the waste material over the edge, where there is a stream or fan shaped jet of water, part of which is directed near the center of the bowl and most of the jet is off center on one side to spin the bowl, where to flush a button or lever actuation starts a controlled cycle which lowers the bowl, spins it, and turns on one or more jets of water to clean the bowl's inner surface, and returns the bowl up to its sealed home position. A speed retarding governor may be added to limit the speed of the bowl's rotation.

While embodiments of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification and drawings, it is to b& understood that the present invention is defined by the following claims when read in light of the specification and drawings.

Claims

1. A toilet, comprising:

a bowl side and a bowl bottom defining a bowl space, wherein said bowl bottom is arranged and adapted to move between a sealed position with respect to said bowl side and an unsealed position wherein said bowl bottom is spaced from and below said bowl side;

means for rotating said bowl bottom when said bowl bottom is in the unsealed position;

a flush switch arranged to move said bowl bottom from the sealed position to the unsealed position and to operate said means for rotating said bowl bottom; and

a waste collection region below said bowl space that is arranged to receive waste from said bowl bottom that has been expelled by movement of said bowl bottom to the unsealed position and by operation of said means for rotating said bowl bottom.

2. The toilet of claim 1, wherein said means for rotating said bowl bottom comprises a liquid discharge nozzle extending from said bowl side in a direction offset from a rotational center of said bowl bottom, and wherein said flush switch causes a liquid to flow from said nozzle onto said bowl bottom to rotate said bowl bottom.

3. The toilet of claim 2, further comprising a governor that limits a rotational speed of said bowl bottom.

4. The toilet of claim 2, wherein said nozzle is arranged to emit a fan-shaped jet of the liquid and a majority of the liquid is offset from the rotational center of said bowl bottom.

5. The toilet of claim 1, wherein said means for rotating said bowl bottom comprises a motor that rotates said bowl bottom.

6. The toilet of claim 1, further comprising an arm with one end that supports a rotational center of said bowl bottom and an opposite end that is pivotally actuated by said flush switch so that said arm moves in an arc between the sealed and unsealed positions.

7. The toilet of claim 6, wherein said means for rotating said bowl bottom comprises a motor that is attached to said arm and that rotates said bowl bottom.

8. The toilet of claim 7, further comprising a liquid discharge nozzle extending from said bowl side adjacent to said one sector in a direction toward a rotational center of said bowl bottom and wherein said flush switch causes a liquid to flow from said nozzle onto said bowl bottom.

9. The toilet of claim 1, wherein said arm is arranged so that when said bowl bottom is in the sealed position a periphery of said bowl bottom is sealed to a bottom of said bowl side and so that when said bowl bottom is in the unsealed position one sector of the periphery of said bowl bottom is closer to the bottom of said bowl side than a radially opposite sector.

10. The toilet of claim 1, further comprising a toilet cover with a seal that seals to an upper part of said bowl side to enclose said bowl space.

11. The toilet of claim 1, wherein said bowl space is water-tight when said bowl bottom is in the sealed position.

12. The toilet of claim 1, further comprising an air gap between said bowl bottom and said bowl side when said bowl bottom is in the sealed position.

13. A toilet, comprising:

a bowl side inside a bowl support;

a bowl bottom that is movable between a sealed position abutting said bowl side and an unsealed position spaced from said bowl side, said bowl bottom being rotatable about an axis when in the unsealed position;

an arm with one end attached to said bowl support and an opposite end to which said bowl bottom is rotatably attached;

a liquid discharge nozzle that directs a liquid onto said bowl bottom;

a flush switch arranged to move said arm so that said bowl bottom moves from the sealed position to the unsealed position and to operate said liquid discharge nozzle; and

a waste collection region within said bowl support below said bowl bottom.

14. The toilet of claim 13, further comprising a motor that is attached to said arm and that rotates said bowl bottom.

15. The toilet of claim 13, wherein said liquid discharge nozzle extends from said bowl side in a direction toward a rotational center of said bowl bottom.

16. The toilet of claim 13, wherein said opposite end of said arm supports a rotational center of said bowl bottom and said one end is pivotally actuated by said flush switch so that said arm moves in an arc between the sealed and unsealed positions.

17. The toilet of claim 13, wherein said arm is arranged so that when said bowl bottom is in the sealed position an entire periphery of said bowl bottom is sealed to said bowl side and so that when said bowl bottom is in the unsealed position one sector of the periphery of said bowl bottom is closer to said bowl side than a radially opposite sector.

18. The toilet of claim 13, wherein said liquid discharge nozzle extends from said bowl side in a direction offset from a rotational center of said bowl bottom, and wherein said flush switch causes a liquid to flow from said nozzle onto said bowl bottom to rotate said bowl bottom.