MOVABLE SANITARY HOUSE

Abstract

Movable sanitary house for use where more permanent facilities are not available. In one embodiment, the movable sanitary house provides running water via a gravity feed, toilet facilities, a sink, waste water disposal, electrical power via solar panels and rechargeable battery, illumination via lamp, and personal sanitary supplies. In another embodiment, the movable sanitation house would provide shower and bathing facilities. An objective is to improve the health of people in remote places, where the lack of adequate toilet and hygiene facilities is a significant cause of disease and death. Locking means prevents access if conditions inside are unsanitary, but prevents user form being trapped inside. The movable sanitary house is further provided with wheels or other means enabling mobility and transportability.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional application No. 62/559,698, filed Sep. 18, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY

The subject technology is in the technical field of movable, or transportable, sanitation facilities. Such facilities would be deployed temporarily or semi permanently as a substitute for more permanent facilities. They may also be deployed for short term usage.

SUMMARY OF THE TECHNOLOGY

In the western world, home access to sanitary facilities are often not a problem as buildings, building codes, and infrastructure are in place, enforced, and maintained by government authorities. Even public areas are generally adequately provided with toilet and other sanitary facilities. This is not the case in other areas in the world, such as rural Africa, rural India and other countries that lack the physical and governmental infrastructure.

The subject technology is targeted at providing access to personal sanitation facilities in environments away from permanent personal sanitation facilities. Such environments include places where people live without convenient sources of water and power needed to provide personal sanitation to their homes, or even to public areas. It also includes places such as concerts, parks, sporting events, and other outdoor activities where large numbers of people are expected occasionally but which lack infrastructure. However, and in particular, the subject technology serves rural areas in parts of the world where such facilities are not common, and where the lack of such facilities contribute to poor health, including death.

Consider research conducted and published by BioMed central online 2016 Jul. 18, [“Sanitation investments in Ghana: An ethnographic investigation of the role of tenure security, land ownership and livelihoods”, Awunyo-Akaba et al. BMC Public Health (2016) 16:594 DOI 10.1186/s12889-016-3283-7]. The research report states that the World Health Association (“WHO”) considers the following sanitation practices as unsafe: open defecation, use of buckets, and shared latrines. And yet, these practices are common among millions of people throughout the world. The research report further concludes that in Ghana, west Africa, in 2015 only “15% of Ghana's population had access to improved sanitation, with a national rate of open defecation pegged at 19%, but much worst rate (34%) in the rural population.” The research finding went on to state that, “this sanitation is worrisome since improved sanitation is essential for health and well-being as well as healthy economic development.”

As reported on Ghanaweb [“Household toilets: The undiscovered gold?”, Feature Article 2015-00-06, Emmanuel Addai, 6 Nov. 2015], another survey done by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) showed pervasive lack of toilet facilities in homes in parts of the Ghana. It further stated that, “91% of households in some districts lacked access to household toilets.”

A publication on the WHO website on Sanitation, [“Sanitation Fact Sheet”, published and reviewed on November 2016, www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs392/en/], outlines some facts about sanitation around the world. Some of which are:

• • 2.4 billion people do not (in 2016) have access to sanitation facilities such as toilets or latrines.
  • 946 million of those people still defecate in open, in places that include for street gutters, behind bushes or into open bodies of water.

The hazards to humans is clear. The health implications are staggering. Diseases such as cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and many more are often preventable, as they are largely the result of poor sanitation practices. As a result of these practices, long-term economic consequences are visited upon individuals and families, as well as the entire countries.

Use of portable toilet facilities is not new. The prior art, at one extreme, includes simple shelters with a waste tank but no sanitizing materials. At another extreme, the prior art discloses elaborate facilities that approach or exceed those available in permanent facilities. Features that distinguish the subject technology from the prior art is that it is designed for semi-permanent deployment; provides water for sanitation, hygiene, and toilet usage; and is designed to promote changes in habit and culture.

What is needed is a movable, transportable, semi-permanent sanitary facility that does not require civil infrastructure, and yet provides shelter from weather, privacy, water for cleaning, and waste disposal. With timely serviced water supply of sufficient capacity, the facility would also provide for hygiene beyond toilet usage, such as providing showers or baths. Societal improvements in sanitation on a permanent basis normally require significant investment in infrastructure to provide laws, enforcement, structures, sanitary sewers, power, and water. They also requires, at times, massive cultural and behavioral changes. Use of the technology proposed here would provide improvement quickly, at low cost, to improve the general health of communities while financing is acquired and longer-term improvements may be developed. Convenient and pleasant access can help change habit and culture.

A side benefit is that the collected waste, as biomass, may have economic value when treated and used to generate household fuel (methane, for example) and fertilizers. The technology disclosed here provides the means for collecting the waste, as opposed to it being scattered about in gutters. bushes, and other places.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front, perspective view of one embodiment of the movable sanitary house.

FIG. 2 shows a rear, perspective view of one embodiment of the movable sanitary house.

FIG. 3 is an internal view of one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an internal view of another embodiment, showing shower facilities.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a door lock system, for preventing access to the facility if conditions are unsanitary.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing the logic and control process for the door lock system.

FIG. 7 is an alternative embodiment with water bearing wing tanks distributed around the primary shelter.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

The following reference numbers apply to the Figures.

• • 100 movable sanitary house
  • 101 primary shelter
  • 102 pipe line
  • 104 clean water tank
  • 106 solar panel
  • 108 ventilation window
  • 109 intake ventilation
  • 110 door
  • 112 elevation base
  • 114 wheel
  • 116 stairway
  • 202 waste disposal pipe line
  • 204 waste collection tank
  • 206 gas escape pipe
  • 300 interior
  • 302 hot water tank
  • 304 partition
  • 306 washing sink
  • 310 urinal
  • 308 commode
  • 400 interior
  • 401 timer
  • 402 shower
  • 404 elevation base
  • 406 washing sink
  • 408 waste collection tank
  • 410 wheel
  • 500 lock control subsystem
  • 502 level sensor
  • 504 water
  • 506 level sensor
  • 508 waste
  • 510 microcontroller
  • 512 lock assembly
  • 514 bolt
  • 516 lock
  • 518 linear actuator
  • 520 manual lock activation
  • 522 manual release activation
  • 532 water level signal
  • 534 waste level signal
  • 600 lock control logic
  • 602 unlock operation
  • 604 manual lock test
  • 606 lock operation
  • 608 test sanitation condition
  • 610 test for manual unlock
  • 618 unlock
  • 614 wait operation
  • 616 delay
  • 702 rain gutter
  • 704 wing tank
  • 706 support structure
  • 708 waste collection tank
  • 710 discharge outlet

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE TECHNOLOGY

A movable sanitary house (100) is intended for use where more permanent facilities are not available. In one embodiment, the movable sanitary house (100) provides running water via a gravity feed, toilet facilities, a sink, waste water disposal, electrical power via solar panels (106) and rechargeable battery, illumination via lamp, and personal sanitary supplies. In another embodiment, the movable sanitation house would provide shower (402) and bathing facilities. An objective of the movable sanitary house (100) is to improve the health of people in remote places, where the lack of adequate toilet and hygiene facilities is a significant cause of disease and death. The movable sanitary house (100) is further provided with wheels or other means enabling mobility and transportability.

FIG. 1 shows a front, perspective view of one embodiment of the movable sanitary house (100). The basic structure of the primary shelter (101) in this embodiment is based on a frame, as would be found in modular outdoor utility buildings in common use at homes and farms in North America. The primary shelter sits upon an elevation base (112), which raises the primary shelter (101) above any waste collection tank (202) (shown in FIG. 2). Ventilation windows (108) assist in allow fresh air to flow into and out of the primary shelter (101). Also shown are wheels (114) as a means for facilitating movement of the mobile sanitary house (100). Such a building can be converted to comprise the indicated embodiment of the movable sanitary shelter. Persons of ordinary skill in the art recognize that other shapes are possible, as long as the shaped provide an enclosed area with sufficient space to proved the services of the movable sanitary house (100). Furthermore, persons of ordinary skill recognize that other means facilitating movement, such as skids, are available.

Intake ventilation (109) near the lower levels of the primary shelter (101) allows cooler, fresh air to enter as warmer air inside rises and leaves through the ventilation windows (108), through what is commonly known as the “stack effect.” In this manner, ventilation is enhanced. However, care is taken to prevent mixing of air and gasses in the wastes collection tank (204)

The primary shelter (101) is raised above the ground by means of an elevation base (112) in order to take advantage of gravity both in enabling running water and in moving waste. A clean water tank (104) is deposed above the primary shelter, and a pipe line channels water to facilities inside the primary shelter. Placement of the clean water tank (104) above the primary shelter (101) allows for the use of gravity to drive delivery of water, obviating the need for pumps and power that would otherwise be associated with pumps. A stairway allows users to approach a door (110), for entry into the primary shelter. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, wheels would allow local, adjustment mobility for final placement of the movable sanitary house (100). In other embodiments, other adjustment mobility means may be employed, such as skids.

The movable sanitary house (100) provides ventilation windows to allow air movement into and out of the movable sanitary house (100). Solar panels (106) and other renewable power supply means, provide electrical power, along with appropriate power inverters for conditioning the generated power for use and storage, and battery means for storing power. By design, use of electrical power is minimal, but useful for certain other functions such as lighting and locking, as more fully discussed below.

FIG. 2 is a rear, perspective view of the movable sanitary house (100), showing the rear of the primary shelter (101). The clean water tank (104) remains visible. A waste collection tank (204) receives waste and used water from inside the primary shelter (101), the waste driven by gravity and being channeled via via associated waste disposal pipe line (202). Also shown is a gas escape pipe (206) connected to the waste collection tank (204), for equalizing air pressure in this gravity powered system, as well as for allow hazardous gasses to vent into the atmosphere. Such gasses are, of course odorous (hydrogen sulfides) and potentially flammable (methane). Intake ventilation (109) is also provided in this view.

The waste collection tank (204), in another embodiment, may be deployed under the primary shelter (101) and within the confines of the elevation base (112).

FIG. 3 is a view of an interior (300) of the primary shelter (101), in an embodiment that includes one or more commodes (308), one or more urinals (310), partitions (304) for privacy where multiple occupants are permitted, washing sink (306) to which clean water is delivered from the clean water tank (104) and pipe line (102), and a hot water tank (302). The hot water tank may be powered by electricity. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the washing sink (306) may be equipped with timers to control amount of clean water delivered, thus avoiding quick depletion of the clean water tank. Waste water for the washing sink (306) and waste from the commodes (308) and urinals flow to the waste collection tank (204).

FIG. 4 is a view on an interior (400) in an alternate embodiment of the movable sanitary house (100), equipment both with a commode (308) and/or urinal (310), washing sink (406), and a shower (402). The shower (402) would receive water from the clean water tank (104) and deliver used water through a drain, and to the waste collection tank (404). Given the relatively larger consumption of water from use of the shower (402) compared to typical use of the washing sink, controlling the amount of water delivered is critical. Thus, in thus embodiment, the shower (402) is equipped with a timer (401) to shut off flow after a certain period. Also shown are wheels (410) as a means for facilitating movement of the mobile sanitary house (100). Furthermore, persons of ordinary skill recognize that other means facilitating movement, such as skids, are available.

In this embodiment, the waste collection tank (404) is deployed under the primary shelter (101) and elevation base (404).

FIG. 5 discloses a lock control subsystem (500), by which access to the movable sanitary house (100) can be denied if it becomes unsanitary. In the embodiment show, if the waste collection tank (204) is full of waste (508), as indicated by a waste level signal (534), or if the water (504) level of clean water tank (104) is too low, as indicated by a water level signal (532), then the movable sanitary house (100) is considered unsanitary and the the door (110) will be locked. A person of ordinary skill in the art may recognize other conditions indicating an unsanitary or unsafe condition (such as failing battery power, lack of supplies, failure of water heater, failure of venting, and others), and thus also trigger the lock control subsystem (500). As a safety feature, the lock control subsystem (500) must prevent a user from being locked inside. Manual lock activation (520) means allows the user to lock the door from inside. Manual release activation (522) means is available inside so that if the lock control subsystem (500) causes the door (110) to be locked while the user is inside, the user inside may still override and exit. This safety feature is common under most building codes. It is particularly valuable in case electrical power or mechanical features fail after the lock (516) becomes engaged.

However, the door (110) would remain locked with respect to the outside until the unsanitary condition is removed.

Level sensors (502) are deployed at the clean water tank (104) and waste collection tank (204). The level sensor at the clean water tank (104) detects when the water (504) level is too low. The level sensor (506) deployed at the waste collection tank (204) detects when the waste level is too high. Both level sensors (502 and 506) are monitored by an electrically powered, but minimally so, microcontroller (510). Upon detection of the appropriate signal from either level sensor (502 or 506), the microcontroller (510) causes the lock assembly (512) to lock the door (110). FIG. 5 shows a typical embodiment of the lock assembly (512), comprising a bold that extends to lock and retracts to unlock, a linear actuator (518) that causes a bolt (514) to extend or to retract, and manual means to lock or unlock the lock assembly (512).

The lock control subsystem (500) is designed to consume minimal electrical power.

FIG. 6 is one embodiment of lock control logic (600) to be implemented by and through the microcontroller (510). On start up, the logic calls for an unlock operation (602) on the door (110), thus allowing users to enter the movable sanitary house (100). In one embodiment, the lock control logic (600) will perform a manual lock test (604), in a loop, to whether the door has been locked from within the movable sanitary house (100). If such a locking occurs, meaning that a person is now inside, the logic then performs a lock operation (606). The logic then performs a check for a manual release from inside. If the lock has been manually released from inside, an unlock operation (618) followed by a wait operation (614) before control returns back to the manual lock test (604). If the lock has been manually released from inside, an unlock operation (618) followed by a wait operation (614) before control returns back to the manual lock test (604). If the lock has not been released from inside, the lock control logic (600) then performs a test sanitation condition (608) test for an unsanitary or unsafe condition as defined previously. If none, then the logic goes back to the check for manual locking after a delay introduced to test the clean water tank (104) and waste collection tank (204) levels. If, however, an unsafe or unsanitary condition is found, then lock control logic (600) returns to the lock operation (606) and subsequent test for manual unlock (610) from inside the movable sanitary house (100).

FIG. 7 is an alternative embodiment of the movable sanitary house (100) which clean water being held in wing tanks (704) deployed around the primary shelter (101). Wing tanks (704) are generally narrow and wide, following the principles of fuel tanks in aircraft wings, where the considerable weight and volume of liquid is distributed across a wide area. Support structure (706) holds the wing tanks (704) in place. Further shown in FIG. 7 is the use of rain gutters (702) to collect rain water which is then channeled into the wing tanks (704) to supplement the clean water supply. Waste collection tank (708) in this embodiment, as would also apply to other embodiments, is deployed under the primary shelter (101). Further shown in FIG. 7, and could be included in other embodiments, is a discharge outlet (710) to be used in emptying the waste tank. In climates where water may freeze, the wing tanks (704) are provided with heating means to prevent freezing.

While the foregoing written description enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. Dimensions shown are not critical, but represent one embodiment. The movable sanitary house technology presented here should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiments, methods, or examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the subject technology.

Claims

1. A movable sanitary house comprising:

a primary shelter;

door means allowing entry and departure into the primary shelter;

hazardous gas ventilation means;

fresh air ventilation means;

fresh water supply;

waste water collection means;

toilet means inside the primary shelter;

washing means inside the primary shelter;

locking means preventing entry upon a set of conditions;

the locking means allowing departure regardless of the set of conditions;

mobility means; and

elevation means raising the primary shelter above ground.

2. (canceled)

3. The movable sanitary house of claim 1, wherein the fresh water supply comprises wing tanks deployed around the primary shelter.

4. The movable sanitary house of claim 1, further comprising heating means for the fresh water supply.

5. The movable sanitary house of claim 1, further comprising means for replenishing the fresh water supply by capturing rain water.

6. The movable sanitary house of claim 1, wherein the fresh air ventilation means further comprises a stack effect.

7. Locking apparatus comprising;

means for denying entry upon a set of conditions; and

means for allowing departure regardless of the set of conditions.

8. A method of controlling entry and departure, comprising:

allowing entry unless one of more conditions exists;

denying entry upon existence of one or more conditions;

allowing departure without regard to existence of the one or more conditions.