With Recirculating Means Patents (Class 4/317)
  • Patent number: 11608015
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to fill, transport and discharge up to 50 or more gallons of waste water while the device remains in the bed of a pickup truck or like vehicle. Innovation is accomplished through the design of the waste water tank which incorporates a main body with a lower side mounted inlet/outlet port, and uniquely designed drain hose management structure comprising a friction grip trough and hose rest, with locking slots. Further innovation is achieved by a method of using the invention in the vehicle thus eliminating lifting and pulling a filled tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventor: Michael Lewis Mann
  • Patent number: 10920408
    Abstract: The antimicrobial toilet includes one or more pairs of electrodes positioned below a water line when the hydraulic circuit is at equilibrium. The pairs of electrodes may be connected to a power source by electrical wires. In some embodiments, the electrodes are positioned on the inner wall of the toilet bowl and in some embodiments, the electrodes are positioned within the siphon tube. In some embodiments, the electrodes are metal strips and in others they are circular. When actuated, an electrical current passes through the toilet water between the electrode pairs resulting in disinfected water. Some embodiments include a pump and water conduit which transfers disinfected water to areas above the water line and emits the water to wash areas of the toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Hall Labs LLC
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Steven J. M. Butala, Joshua Larsen, Jared Reynolds
  • Patent number: 10721917
    Abstract: A pet waste disposal apparatus comprising a funnel shaped receptacle with a top open end for receiving pet waste and a bottom open end connectable to a sewage line via one or more plumbing adapters for discharging the pet waste. The apparatus further comprises a lid closure removably attached to the top open end of the receptacle and a water inlet on the exterior receptacle to receive from a hose supplying water from a water source and discharge pressurized water into the receptacle for flushing the pet waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Inventor: Lawrence Fernandez
  • Patent number: 10605717
    Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing urine, including: a feeding and discharging device that delivers a quantity of urine into an analysis chamber of a urine test strip and discharges a quantity of urine from an analysis chamber of a urine test strip, the analysis chamber having an analysis zone. The feeding and discharging device includes a movably mounted feeding and/or discharging element for delivering a quantity of urine into a delivery zone in the analysis chamber and/or discharging a quantity of urine from a discharge zone in the analysis chamber. A detection device detects an at least sectoral variation of an optically detectable parameter, which varies in an optically detectable manner in accordance with the composition of a quantity of urine that contacts the analysis zone and produces detection data describing at least one optically detected parameter in the analysis zone or a variation of such a parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: DURAVIT AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Bernd Spangenberg, Dirk Jansen, Bernd Kaiser
  • Patent number: 10557256
    Abstract: A holding tank for a sanitary installation carrying a sanitary fixture receives fecal matter or wastewater from the sanitary fixture of the sanitary installation and has at least one inlet and at least one outlet. At least one suction float in the holding tank floats on the liquid therein and forms with at least one suction chamber opening downward through a suction screen into the tank. An extraction line connected to at least one suction pump opens into the liquid in the suction chamber for withdrawing the liquid from the holding tank through the suction float and for recycling the extracted water for use as a flushing fluid for the sanitary fixture of the sanitary installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: ADCO UMWELTDIENSTE HOLDING GMBH
    Inventors: Norbert Steigerwald, Andre Bonewitz
  • Patent number: 10465368
    Abstract: An obstruction clearing assembly for clearing an obstruction from the P-trap to the waste outlet of the toilet. The assembly is positioned inside the toilet is accessible and controlled outside the fixture by a foot pedal which is connected to a flexible cable, which are aligned diagonally by a plurality of at least a dozen threads located outside of the assembly. A cable is connected to a chain with multiple joints and rotates the pulley wheels and rotors inside the assembly. The rotors move in conjunction with the obstruction inside the pipeline. A sleeve provides a rigid frame for the cable. A tensioner connects the cable and the cross bar. The pulley rollers change the direction of the cable from a diagonal to a vertical position and vice versa while the cross bar holds the tensioner that is connected to the chain and toilet base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Inventor: Aries M. Rosal
  • Patent number: 10458108
    Abstract: A toilet has a first bowl connected via internal passages to a water tank having a hand-operable valve, one or more remotely-operable spray openings, directed upward, and a connected passage to a sewer line, and a second bowl, rotatable and joined to the first bowl, and operable by a lever in a manner that the second bowl maintains an upright position, or an inverted position facing downward into the first bowl, Urine or feces in the second bowl at a time of moving the lever from the first position to the second position, as the second bowl is moved to the inverted position, is dropped into the first bowl, the second bowl, inverted, is spray-cleaned by operation of the spray openings, and the cleaned second bowl is returned to upright position by moving the lever back to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Inventor: Michael Lawrence Gann
  • Patent number: 10280604
    Abstract: In a tri-flush toilet, three operational flush modes may be provided to enable water conservation. The toilet may include a third mode operating a peristaltic pump to reduce the water consumption per flush. The peristaltic pump is operably connected to evacuate fluids and/or solids form the toilet bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Inventor: Joseph D Maresh
  • Patent number: 9925932
    Abstract: The invention it in a private portable toilet system for mounting on a vehicle for transport to the scene of an emergency where it is hydraulically lowered to the ground, and its component panels are out folded to an erected attitude, forming a cubical for containing a toilet platform that is hydraulically moved outwardly from its stowed attitude into which cubical, readying the toilet system for use, where, after use, the toilet platform is moved back to its stowed attitude, and the erection steps are reversed to collapse the toilet system by infolding the component panels to a flat vertical attitude and lifting the toilet system back to it's stowed position to the vehicle for travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Inventor: Vincent Julian
  • Patent number: 9057187
    Abstract: A toilet fixture includes a bowl, a primary drain fluidly connected to the bowl, a supply water plenum providing water to the bowl to flush the fixture, and a secondary drain inlet located to the plenum. The secondary drain inlet includes a secondary drain hole permitting water to flow from the plenum into the secondary drain inlet. The secondary drain inlet is fluidly connected to a drain permitting water to exit the fixture and water flowing through the secondary drain inlet can bypass a clog in the primary drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Inventors: Patrick Gerard Stack, Lawrence Allen Trowbridge
  • Patent number: 9038205
    Abstract: A flush toilet including a seat; a stirring device; and a control unit. The stirring device includes a stirring chamber, a mixer, and a drain outlet. The stirring device is disposed below the seat. The stirring chamber communicates with the seat. The drain outlet is disposed at the lower part of the stirring device and communicates with the stirring chamber. A closing device is disposed on the drain outlet to control the opening and closing of the drain outlet. The mixer and a motor for driving the mixer are disposed in the stirring chamber. The control unit controls the operation of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Inventor: Guangmin Zheng
  • Patent number: 8904571
    Abstract: A portable toilet system is provided having an enclosed housing and including a tank upon which a toilet seat and bowl is positioned. The tank has two sections divided by a wall. Waste drops into the first section where it is accumulated for collection. The dividing wall does not extend to the top of the tank. The second section is initially filled with fresh water. A pump draws water through a hose or pipe submersed in the second section. That water is flushed into the toilet bowl to rinse waste into the first section. As the water in the second section is depleted, the liquid waste deposited in the first section overflows the dividing wall into the second section of the tank to recycle the liquid waste and extend the period before servicing of the system is necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: Jeffrey O. Moore
  • Publication number: 20140157502
    Abstract: Toilet apparatus for disposing waste including a compartment containing an oxidizing agent that contacts waste and causes an exothermic reaction that results in water evaporation, sterilization, and bad odor elimination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Oded Shoseyov, Oded Halperin
  • Publication number: 20140007337
    Abstract: A flush toilet including a seat; a stirring device; and a control unit. The stirring device includes a stirring chamber, a mixer, and a drain outlet. The stirring device is disposed below the seat. The stirring chamber communicates with the seat. The drain outlet is disposed at the lower part of the stirring device and communicates with the stirring chamber. A closing device is disposed on the drain outlet to control the opening and closing of the drain outlet. The mixer and a motor for driving the mixer are disposed in the stirring chamber. The control unit controls the operation of the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventor: Guangmin ZHENG
  • Patent number: 8079096
    Abstract: A portable, self-contained, toilet and sanitation system is disclosed. The system utilizes gravity and non-mechanical means to actually “flush” human bodily waste into a septic storage tank for later removal and disposal and contains sufficient water supply and storage capacity to allow the system to be used continuously for over eight hours. The system is a closed design and operates substantially as a permanent toilet wherein waste odors are trapped and then vented to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventor: R. Brett Roberts
  • Publication number: 20100125938
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an installation for recycling waste water coming from a sanitary equipment (22,23) and for reusing it to flush at least one toilet bowl (1), equipped with a system for saving flushing water fitted above the toilet and comprising a tank (3), a water-flushing mechanism (25A,24,17,14) positioned in the tank (3), a first pipe (21,7,15) to supply said waste water to the tank (3), a second pipe (13A) to supply running water to the tank, a filter (18,20) and a pump (19) positioned in the first pipe, a water-level sensor (11) and a controlled stop valve (13), wherein the flushing mechanism comprises a vertical-action drain valve (25A) positioned inside a flow-control tube (27) that extends over the entire height of the tank (3) and only connected to the rest of the tank (3) by one or more apertures (35) drilled in the side of said tube (27).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventor: Michel Billon
  • Publication number: 20090100585
    Abstract: A portable, self-contained, toilet and sanitation system is disclosed. The system utilizes gravity and non-mechanical means to actually “flush” human bodily waste into a septic storage tank for later removal and disposal and contains sufficient water supply and storage capacity to allow the system to be used continuously for over eight hours. The system is a closed design and operates substantially as a permanent toilet wherein waste odors are trapped and then vented to the atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventor: R. Brett Roberts
  • Patent number: 7449107
    Abstract: A self-contained dehydration toilet having an odor-capturing steam and water recovery system. The dehydration toilet comprises a toilet bowl, a dehydration engine connected to the toilet bowl, a steam, gas and vapor conduit from the dehydrating engine, a water supply infusion tank which receives steam, gases and vapor from the dehydration engine to the infusion water tank, an ozone generator which supplies ozone to the water supply, a vacuum pump connected to the infusion water tank, and a power source supplying power to the dehydrating engine, the ozone generator, a control circuit and the vacuum pump. The dehydrating engine has a heating device and helical paddles to aid in the dehydration process. The dehydrating toilet reuses steam and captures odors and vapors with diffusion chambers in the infusion water tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Inventor: Steven Lumbert
  • Patent number: 7111332
    Abstract: A waterless urinal that can be flushed with liquid consists of a urinal with a flushing liquid and urine separator and a flushing liquid recycling system; the flushing liquid and urine separator having three flow barriers which can guide urine to down-and-up type flow paths to a drain; two of the three flow barriers being able to serve as weirs; the flushing liquid recycling system being able to send flushing liquid from the lower portion of the urinal to the upper portion of the urinal; the flushing liquid recycling system being optionally a foot-operated pumping system which optionally having a paddle which connects to a bucket which can be tilted up or down by operations of the paddle; the foot-operated pumping system of the flushing liquid recycling system optionally having two paddles; the flushing liquid recycling system optionally being a pump, motor and piping system which has sensors, timer and power control and supply system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Inventor: Chih-Yu Hsia
  • Patent number: 7014778
    Abstract: A method and device are provided for treating a waste water waste-product mixture from a toilet by coupling the toilet to a waste product mixture to a waste product holding tank, connecting the tank with a vacuum container having a stirring member for breaking up the waste product and a heating system for drying the waste product to an ash, introducing water from a water holding tank that communicates with the toilet to the ash to form a gel, separating the water from the gel, returning the water to the water holding tank, and discharging the gel residue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Fuchigami
  • Patent number: 6766822
    Abstract: Water is supplied to a water user outlet facility by maintaining a tappable flow of water in a recirculating loop that includes a pump such as a centrifugal pump driven by a substantially constant speed motor to establish the flow, a water delivery path that extends from the pump to the outlet facility, and a water return path that extends from the outlet facility back to the pump. The flow is permitted to be controllably tapped at the facility by a water user while directing any untapped portion of the flow into the water return path. Such recirculation avoids stagnation and thereby impedes deterioration in the potability of the water. Further such recirculation makes the recirculating loop and water within the loop less sensitive to the temperature of the surrounding environment. The recirculating loop may include a water purifier such as an ultra-violet lamp source to kill organic contaminants and, as well, may include a filter to remove inorganic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: International Water-Guard Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Walker
  • Patent number: 6523186
    Abstract: A water treatment and recycling system is provided having an aeration chamber, a reaction chamber, a water tank, and a plurality of pumps. The water tank houses the treated water and is the supply source for supplying water to different water needs. The first pump receives waste water from a waste source, such as a toilet, and pumps it into the aeration chamber. The aeration chamber initially treats the water and passes the contents therein via a second pump to the reaction chamber. The water is secondarily treated by the reaction chamber and thereafter pumped into the water tank. The first pump also receives a continual supply of treated water from the water tank. The aeration chamber and reaction chamber contains therein a plurality of specially treated wood chips, and a bio-colony consisting of different microbes and bacteria introduced into the wood chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventor: Juen S. Kim
  • Patent number: 6519787
    Abstract: A water treatment and recycling system is provided having an aeration chamber, a reaction chamber, a water tank, and a plurality of pumps. The water tank houses the treated water and is the supply source for supplying water to different water needs. The first pump receives waste water from a waste source, such as a toilet, and pumps it into the aeration chamber. The aeration chamber initially treats the water and passes the contents therein via a second pump to the reaction chamber. The water is secondarily treated by the reaction chamber and thereafter pumped into the water tank. The first pump also receives a continual supply of treated water from the water tank. The aeration chamber and reaction chamber contains therein a plurality of specially treated wood chips, and a bio-colony consisting of different microbes and bacteria introduced into the wood chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Inventor: Juen S. Kim
  • Patent number: 6496988
    Abstract: A self-contained toilet that has no water consumption and does not use chemicals. A toilet bowl cleaned by combining compressed air and liquid through jets to reduce flush volume. The flush liquid supply reclaimed through distillation. The dehydration chamber cleaned by scraping and blowing of the waste. The dehydration process coming from a highly efficient heat, air and grinding chamber. The air compressor pressurizing the tank to clean the bowl and/or empty and dehydrate the chamber contents. The compressor intake used to eliminate odors from the bowl and vent the humidity from the dehydration process. The dehydration process controlled through temperature sensors that detect relative humidity. A toilet wherein it will operate while being used, flush within two minutes and the dehydration process able to be interrupted repeatedly with other deposits of human waste then resume operation until fully dehydrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Inventor: W. Scott Hammond
  • Patent number: 6412121
    Abstract: In fuller detail, the present invention relates to a thermo-evaporative type toilet system designed so that the excrement collected from the toilet is treated with effective microorganisms and heated for evaporation to generate vapors, with the stench being removed from said vapors and the water recovered from the vapors being purified for reuse as purified water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: MTEKS Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Teizo Motoyama
  • Patent number: 6178566
    Abstract: A toilet housing and waste collection and treatment system purify wastewater to a satisfactory level. When solid wastes are conveyed from individual toilets (31)-(33) into an active circulation chamber (16) in a toilet housing (10), the solid wastes are subjected to air exposure treatments in the active circulation chamber (16). The wastewater exposed to air in the active circulation chamber (16) is then purified through a three-phase flowing structure in first and second active water chambers (51) and (52), with the three-phase flowing structure including water, air, and carrier particles containing aerobic microorganisms. The wastewater so treated flows into first and second sediment separation chambers (53) and (54) where solid wastes are settled down and separated from the wastewater. The treated water is then supplied to a water reservoir (56) which in turns supplies the water to the respective toilets (31)-(33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Nihon Shinko Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Yagi
  • Patent number: 6143185
    Abstract: A system is described for the treatment of aircraft toilet waste water to permit discharge of the treated water to the atmosphere during flight, utilizing the pressure differential that is created between the aircraft's cabin pressure and the external atmosphere. The system includes a filter to remove suspended solids and other contaminants from the waste water, and may also include means to purify the water to potable water standards and means to recirculate the treated water for reuse on the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Thomas R. Tracy
    Inventors: Thomas R. Tracy, H. Ed Hohrein
  • Patent number: 6081935
    Abstract: A technologically advanced portable toilet has a purifying agent producing/supplying device built into a periphery of a toilet bowl. Due to an ozone producing mechanism, a tank assembly, and a bubble generating tank, which are provided by this purifying agent producing/supplying device, when an upper cover of the toilet is opened, a purifying agent that is an aggregate of ozone-containing bubbles is supplied to an inside of the toilet bowl. As a result, a superior odor-extinguishing effect can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Coderadynax
    Inventors: Tomomi Kishi, Hisashi Nakano, Katuyoshi Kodera
  • Patent number: 6066293
    Abstract: A method for deodorizing toilets, and in particular the flushing fluid in a closed toilet system, comprises the use of phospholipids and 5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol in the fluid to kill or inhibit odor-causing microbes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Chemia Corporation
    Inventor: Norman A. Van Rees
  • Patent number: 5913610
    Abstract: A portable flush toilet and enclosure comprises an operating mode and a storage mode. In the operating mode, a flush toilet inside a personnel enclosure or cabana is connected to a first waste tank external to the enclosure. A second waste tank external to the enclosure receives liquid waste from the first waste tank. The second waste tank provides flush fluid to the flush tank. In the storage mode, the first waste tank and the second waste tanks are disconnected from the flush toilet and flush tank and stored within the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: PolyPortables, Inc.
    Inventor: Howard M. Duck
  • Patent number: 5711038
    Abstract: A toilet system comprising a toilet including a flushing device and a toilet bowl, further comprising a faecal tank for receiving sewage from the toilet, the faecal tank including a separating device for separating liquid and solid components of the sewage, and the liquid components being withdrawable as grey water from the separating device through a first outlet, and further comprising a hygienization tank receiving the grey water separated off in the faecal tank through a grey water inlet and including a device for hygienizing the grey water which is then withdrawable as hygienized grey water from a second outlet is proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Niethammer GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Niethammer, Karl Schafer
  • Patent number: 5080797
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for disposing of fecal matter from a toilet system in a fast moving vehicle during travel of the vehicle. The liquid components of the fecal matter are dehydrated to recover water. The water is disposed of by either discharging the water to the environment of the vehicle or by re-using the water in systems of the vehicle. The remainder of the fecal matter is introduced into a collection vessel of in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Telefunken Systemtechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Volkner
  • Patent number: 5035011
    Abstract: A drain valve is provided for connection to a water supply line for draining water in a vacuum flush aircraft sanitation system. The valve comprises a housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The housing also includes a pressure chamber with a diaphragm that is normally biased to a first position by a spring when the chamber is depressurized. This allows water to flow from the fluid inlet to the drain outlet and ultimately to drain mast of the aircraft. When the chamber is pressurized, however, the diaphragm moves to a second position which operates a linkage mechanism that moves a plug against a seat in the drain outlet to close the drain outlet so that rinse water does not drain from the valve's fluid inlet. A sanitation system also is disclosed, in which grey water from the aircraft lavatory sink is collected and transferred under pressure through a rinse line to flush a toilet bowl when the drain valve is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: MAG Aerospace Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike M. Rozenblatt, Andrew L. Volpe
  • Patent number: 4947491
    Abstract: A pump comprising a flexible member defining at least part of a variable volume pumping chamber, an inlet valve to permit of liquid to enter the chamber thereby and an outlet valve to permit of liquid to leave the chamber thereby, and an operating member to deform the flexible member to vary the volume of the pumping chamber to pump liquid into and out of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: Portasilo Limited
    Inventors: Brian Parkinson, Angus J. Bishop, Richard L. Tagg
  • Patent number: 4734943
    Abstract: A self-contained compact pedestal sized marine head comprised of a conventional marine or household size toilet bowl connected to a base which houses an electric motor drivingly connected to a self priming fluid pump. The pump has a single suction water inlet and a first and a second pump outlet. The first pump discharge outlet is fluidly connected via a first pump discharge conduit to the inside of the bowl to act as a rim feed. The second pump discharge outlet is fluidly connected via a second pump discharge conduit to a bowl discharge conduit which is sealingly connected to an opening in the lowermost portion of the bowl. A small nozzle is disposed coaxially within the pump discharge outlet conduit at the point where the end of said outlet conduit joins in fluid communication with the bowl discharge conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Inventors: Melvyn W. Mellinger, Robin McPhail
  • Patent number: 4713847
    Abstract: A vacuum toilet system comprises a waste-receiving bowl having an outlet, a sewer pipe that can be placed at a pressure that is lower than that in the interior of the waste-receiving bowl, and a discharge valve connected between the sewer pipe and the outlet of the waste-receiving bowl for controlling passage of material from the waste-receiving bowl to the sewer pipe. The discharge valve comprises a valve housing and a closure member. The closure member is movable relative to the valve housing between an pen position and a closed position. A drive mechanism is connected to the closure member for bringing about movement thereof relative to the valve housing. A sensing device provides a control signal in the event that the drive mechanism is not able to cause the closure member to attain its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1987
    Assignee: Oy Wartsila Ab
    Inventors: Sven Oldfelt, Sigvard Soderstrom
  • Patent number: 4615810
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating human waste by solidification. The method performed by the disclosed embodiment comprises receiving the waste in a toilet or receptacle, liquidizing the waste with a macerating pump, adding to the liquidized waste a solidification agent, mixing the liquidized waste and the solidification agent, and transferring the mixture of waste and solidification agent to a disposable container. The disposable container can be discarded through conventional solid waste handling procedures or discarded in sanitary landfills. The disclosed apparatus introduces a quantity of solidification chemicals into a liquidized waste provided from a holding tank of a recirculating toilet, and directs the mixture of waste and solidification agent into the disposable container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Assignee: Chem-Technics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jesse R. Conner
  • Patent number: 4547917
    Abstract: A water closet system comprising a lavatory which is connected to a collection tank or mouldering chamber (2) over a discharge piping (3), and a liquid separator (4) interconnected in said discharge piping (3) adjacent and above the tank or chamber (2). The liquid separator (4) comprises an inlet pipe (8) having a widened bottom portion (13), an outlet pipe (9) preferably having a widened top portion (14) and a liquid container which sealingly encloses at least the end portions (13, 14) of said inlet and outlet pipes (8, 9). The diameter (D2) of the top end (14) of the outlet pipe (9) is equal to of larger than the diameter (D1) of the non-widened portion of the inlet pipe (8), and the said diameter (D3) of the bottom end (13) of the inlet pipe (8) is larger than said diameter (D2) of the top portion (14) of the outlet pipe (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1985
    Inventor: Torsten Akesson
  • Patent number: 4519103
    Abstract: A self-contained sewage waste disposal system including a housing structure and a toilet bowl adapted to receive human waste and fluid for diluting the waste, transporting the waste and rinsing the bowl. A removable filter cassette is in the housing in communication with the toilet bowl. The bowl is flushed and the contents are dumped into the filter cassette and the bowl is subsequently refilled. Filters in the cassette separate the coarse and fine particles of solid material from the fluid received from the bowl. The solid material is stored in the cassette in a compact manner for subsequent disposal upon removal of the cassette. Fine filtering and decoloring is accomplished by a carbon canister. A reservoir is provided for storage of fluid after removal of solid material therefrom in the cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1985
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. De Graw, William R. Bocchini, Brian Wilcockson, Armen Bogossian, Robert J. Ulh, Earl E. Nause, Ernest R. Ramirez
  • Patent number: 4454613
    Abstract: A self-contained, compact towable facility having sanitary components and electrical, water and gas distribution systems with minimum weight, optimum balance and a maximum volume of water adapted to be stored therein and including a frame having an axle and a tow bar adapted to be coupled to a towing vehicle, a multistage potable water storage and drain and waste water collection and isolation system which includes a potable water storage system, adapted to be filled by an exterior source, comprising tanks having a predetermined geometrical shape nad balance over the wheels of a single axle or tandem axle of the trailer or over substantially the midway point between front and rear wheels of a four-wheeled trailer and wherein the tanks are positioned to have the collective center of gravity thereof located at approximately the collective center of gravity of the drain and waste water collection and isolation system, a grey water collection system adapted to receive and collect drain water having a low impurity
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1984
    Inventor: William A. Palmer
  • Patent number: 4433443
    Abstract: A self-contained sewage waste disposal system including a housing structure and a toilet bowl adapted to receive human waste and fluid for diluting the waste, transporting the waste and rinsing the bowl. A removable filter cassette is in the housing in communication with the toilet bowl. Structure is provided for flushing the bowl and dumping the contents into the filter cassette and for subsequent refilling of the bowl. A filter is in the cassette for separating the particles of solid material from the fluid received from the bowl. The solid material is stored in the cassette in a compact manner for subsequent disposal upon removal of the cassette. Pumps and interconnected conduits are in the housing to transport fluid directly from an external source to fill the bowl after a flush, to transport and recirculate filtered fluid through the system for further waste disposal treatment, and to direct the effluent fluid from the system thereafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1984
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. DeGraw, Brian Wilcockson, Earl W. Nickerson, William R. Bocchini, Armen Bogossian, Steve Proios
  • Patent number: 4393524
    Abstract: A self-contained sewage waste disposal system is provided including a housing structure and a toilet bowl adapted to receive human waste and fluid for diluting the waste, transporting the waste and rinsing the bowl is provided in the housing structure. A removable filter cassette is placed in the housing structure in communication with the toilet bowl. The bowl is adapted to be flushed to dump the contents into the filter cassette and to be subsequently refilled. The coarse and fine particles of solid waste material are separated from the fluid received from the bowl by filter material in the cassette. The solid material is stored in the cassette in a compact manner for subsequent disposal upon removal of the cassette from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1983
    Assignee: American Standard, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifton F. Briner, William R. Bocchini, Brian Wilcockson
  • Patent number: 4332040
    Abstract: A self-contained, compact towable facility having sanitary components and electrical, water and gas distribution systems with minimum weight, optimum balance and a maximum volume of water adapted to be stored therein and including a frame having an axle and a tow bar adapted to be coupled to a towing vehicle, a multi-stage potable water storage and drain and waste water collection and isolation system which includes a potable water storage system, adapted to be filled by an exterior source, comprising tanks having a predetermined geometrical shape and balance over the wheels forming the axle of the trailer and wherein the tanks are positioned to have the collective center of gravity thereof located at approximately the collective center of gravity of the drain and waste water collection and isolation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1982
    Inventor: William A. Palmer
  • Patent number: 4313233
    Abstract: A waterless flush toilet system comprising a toilet and a gravity fed waste holding tank. The system utilizes a recirculating nonaqueous flushing fluid which is stored within the holding tank. The fluid, which is lighter than the waste material and insoluble therein, forms a stratified layer on the surface of the material. A float having a flushing fluid inlet floats within the layer of fluid, separated from solid waste matter by a tubular screen member, the float being suspended from the top of the tank by a flexible coiled hose which is coupled to the fluid inlet. The coiled hose contracts as the waste level in the tank rises, thereby permitting the float to remain within the flushing fluid layer regardless of the waste material level. When the toilet is flushed, an air-powered pump draws a fraction of the fluid into the fluid inlet of the float, through the flexible hose and finally to the toilet. The fluid serves as a medium for transporting the waste material from the toilet to the holding tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1982
    Assignee: Inca-One Corporation
    Inventor: George C. Roberts
  • Patent number: 4222130
    Abstract: A waterless flush toilet system comprising at least one toilet and a gravity fed waste holding tank. The system utilizes a recirculating nonaqueous flushing fluid which is stored within the holding tank. The fluid, which is lighter than the waste material and insoluble therein, forms a stratified layer on the surface of the material. A float having a flushing fluid inlet floats within the layer of fluid, the float being suspended from the top of the tank by a flexible coiled hose which is coupled to the fluid inlet. The coiled hose contracts as the waste level in the tank rises, thereby permitting the float to remain within the flushing fluid layer regardless of the waste material level. When the toilet is flushed, an electric or air-powered pump draws a fraction of the fluid into the fluid inlet of the float, through the flexible hose and finally to the toilet. The fluid serves as a medium for transporting the waste material from the toilet to the holding tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1980
    Assignee: Inca-One Corporation
    Inventor: George C. Roberts
  • Patent number: 4202061
    Abstract: In an airplane having a pressurized passenger section, with a lavatory sink. The waste water from the lavatory sink is directed either to a toilet tank where it is stored, or to a drain mast line where it is discharged overboard during in-flight operation. A particular fluidic diverting system is used so that when the pressure differential between the passenger compartment and ambient atmosphere is above a certain level, air from the passenger compartment passes through a vent line to cause the fluidic system to operate in a manner that substantially all the waste water is directed through the drain mast line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1980
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Waters
  • Patent number: 4170797
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for treating waste matter in aerobic digestion apparatuses, such as closets. In the method a frother means is disposed in the circulation path of the liquid between the pump and the receptacle means, the frother means being arranged to convert a portion of the liquid to froth for the purposes of accommodating matter particles in the wall of the froth bubbles, the froth being at least to a certain extent supplied to the aerobic digestion compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1979
    Inventor: Hardy M. Sundberg
  • Patent number: 4162549
    Abstract: A back-washable filtering element, especially for use with pumps, and more particularly for use with pumps that handle liquids with solid material entrained therein, consists of a helical coil spring disposed in a flow path for the liquid to be filtered. A movable element in the flow path is mechanically connected to the spring and compresses it axially under the effect of the back washing liquid to automatically reduce the flow capacity. The resultant "shrugging" of the spring also permits it to clear itself of filtered material to facilitate the back-washing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1979
    Assignee: Royal Flush (1979) Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. S. Charles, Frederic D. M. Williams
  • Patent number: 4117560
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating fluids especially fluids in a recirculating toilet system wherein recycled flush water is chemically treated with a sanitizing material just prior to delivery to the toilet bowl. This system is designed so that the recycled flush water must flow by a predetermined volume of soluble sanitizing tablets which resuts in a rather uniform residual of sanitizing agent in the flush water which insures complete coliform kills. The sanitizing tablets consist of buffered hypochlorite materials to which may be added a suitable coloring agent so as to make the flush water more aesthetically pleasing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1978
    Assignee: Diamond Shamrock Corporation
    Inventors: William E. Kidon, Neil W. Stillman
  • Patent number: 4115876
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a self-contained recirculating toilet system which includes a toilet bowl having a built-in flush pump and a waste-discharge macerator pump with the discharge of the macerator pump being connected to a holding tank unit for delivering raw waste into a raw-waste compartment thereof. The raw waste is periodically pumped from the raw-waste compartment to a combined sterilization and flocculation cell unit after which the treated liquid is returned to the holding-tank unit and after solids float over weir by virtue of gaseous suspension from the treatment in the cells and aided by the outward flow through a discharge slit the remaining clarified and sterilized liquid is directed into a flush-water compartment of the holding-tank unit for use in the next flushing of the toilet. The system provides for repeated use of the same water for multiple toilet flushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1978
    Assignee: Cole Resdevel Corp.
    Inventors: William Cole, Jr., William R. Preis