With Holding Tank Patents (Class 4/321)
  • Patent number: 4653125
    Abstract: A portable sanitary facility is disclosed which, in one embodiment is particularly adapted for use by males needing only to relieve themselves of liquid body wastes. A sanitary unit is carried by a trailer to achieve portability between a use station and a disposal site. The sanitary unit includes a main compartment more or less encompassed by a trough with apertures being provided in the compartment walls to drain liquid introduced into the trough into the compartment interior. The main compartment is divided into a plurality of sub-compartments by transverse vertical baffles which include a series of apertures for establishing liquid communication between the subcompartments. The baffles serve to prevent shifting of the liquid load and thus stabilize the trailer during transport to a disposal site. A valved outlet is provided to permit draining the facility at a disposal site. Removable access covers permit entry into the facility interior during fabrication, maintenance and cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Inventor: Robert M. Porter
  • Patent number: 4641383
    Abstract: A portable toilet comprises a spout via which accumulated waste contents are dumped at a suitable sanitary disposal station. The disclosed embodiment of portable toilet comprises separably mounted seat and holding tank sections which cooperatively define a storage housing for the spout when it is not in use. For dumping the two sections are separated. The spout is rotatably mounted in an aperture in the top wall of the holding tank and is swung from its stored position and a cap at the end of the spout is unscrewed. A vent valve is also provided in the top wall of the holding tank and it is manually operated by the person dumping the holding tank so as to vent the head space during dumping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1987
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: Charles L. Sargent, John M. Antos, John A. Hoffman, John T. Cameron
  • Patent number: 4641680
    Abstract: An assembly for collecting and disposing of waste solvents in a manner to meet safety requirements of municipalities. The assembly includes a waste tank and an open-top container for receiving and supporting the waste tank. The container has a greater internal volume that does the waste tank so that, when the waste tank is in the container, a space surrounds the waste tank. Such space is adapted to receive and trap any leakage or overflow of the solvent from the waste tank during use of the assembly. The waste tank has a first port for receiving waste solvent and a second port for allowing the waste solvent to be pumped out of the waste tank. Liquid level sensors are provided on the waste tank for sensing the solvent therein at different levels. The container has brackets for positioning the waste tank on the bottom of the container, and the container has casters to allow the assembly to be easily shifted from place to place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1987
    Assignee: Process and Cryongenic Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas S. Been
  • Patent number: 4603443
    Abstract: A two-piece portable toilet having sight gauges for the flush water reservoir and holding tank. The sight gauge takes the form of a translucent plastic insert having a highlight formed by a diametral groove which permits the liquid level to be clearly ascertained. The inserts are sealed by induction welding in openings in the wall of the reservoir and holding tank respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1986
    Assignee: Sanitation Equipment Limited
    Inventor: John M. Stewart
  • Patent number: 4584726
    Abstract: A hydraulically operated drain valve is interposed in the cleaning fluid path before the spray/rinse outlet. The fluid under pressure activates a piston which operates the drain valve. A precharge reservoir is also interposed in the supply line before the spray rinse outlet to store a measured precharge which drains into the tank after the drain valve has closed. A manual override is provided to open the drain valve in the event of a failure of the hydraulic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Assignee: Kaiser Aerospace & Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Laurence M. Grills, Eugene F. Colditz
  • Patent number: 4570273
    Abstract: A pourspout accessory kit for use with a portable toilet holding tank to facilitate dumping of the holding tank's contents via an outlet opening in the holding tank. The accessory kit copmrises a pourspout having an inlet end for attachment to the holding tank outlet opening and an outlet end spaced from the inlet end. Respective inlet and outlet end closure caps cover the inlet and outlet ends respectively of the pourspout. The inlet end of the pourspout is configured to fit a holding tank outlet opening having either a partial internal screw thread or a full external screw thread. The attachment to the partial internal screw thread is by means of a pair of bayonets on diametrically opposite sides of the pourspout which engage the partial screw threads on diametrically opposite sides of the holding tank outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Antos, John Selina
  • Patent number: 4561132
    Abstract: This invention relates to toilet equipment that vacuum or heat-dries human waste and dispenses of the dehydrated human waste in a pulverized solid-form by means of pneumatic transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Inventors: Hyok S. Lew, Michael Stranahan
  • Patent number: 4550453
    Abstract: A compact and portable drain having particular application to recreational vehicles such that sewage contained within a holding tank thereof can be relatively easily and efficiently emptied and disposed of at a sewage dump. The drain is connected between a drain hose and a receptacle at the exterior of the recreational vehicle. The flow of sewage through the drain is controlled by a manually operated, reciprocating valve plate which is positioned to either block or open a flow path through the drain. Thus, the valve plate can be opened so that sewage may be drained from the holding tank to a sewage dump by way of the drain and drain hose. A water inlet is also connected to the drain, so as to permit the holding tank to be flushed and cleaned via the drain once the sewage is removed from the holding tank and the valve plate is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1985
    Assignee: Marion E. Norman
    Inventor: Howard M. Norman
  • 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: 4547916
    Abstract: A level indicator for a portable toilet comprises a visible indicator on the exterior of the toilet's holding tank, a float mechanism on the tank's interior operable to sense the level of liquid material in the tank, and a magnetic coupling between the float mechanism and the indicator for causing the indicator to be operated to a position corresponding to the level of liquid material sensed by the float mechanism. The indicator is in the form of a wheel journaled on a receptacle in the top wall of the holding tank. A magnet mounts on the wheel in radially spaced relation to its axis. The float mechanism comprises an arm which is operated along an arc in response to changes in the level of liquid material in the tank. The arm has a magnet which swings in a corresponding arc and which confronts the wheel magnet so that the wheel is rotated about its axis as the float arm is operated about its own axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1985
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur W. Henke, John M. Antos
  • Patent number: 4527295
    Abstract: A tank flushing apparatus designed in particular to be utilized in conjunction with a toilet waste holding tank. The tank flushing apparatus includes a connector assembly to facilitate attachment to a hose which in turn extends from a source of liquid, such as water. The connector assembly is attached to an elongated conduit, the inner end of which is formed into a nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly extends through a hole formed within the holding tank and is constructed also to form a liquid type connection with the tank. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle tip which disperses streams of water at various angles of inclination within the holding tank so as to achieve even dispersement of the liquid for the purpose of the dislodging and moving solid waste matter contained within the tank to then be moved through a drain conduit and discharged exteriorly of the holding tank at a desired location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Inventor: Brian C. Lacore
  • Patent number: 4521925
    Abstract: A lavatory system suitable for use on a commercial passenger aircraft includes at least one toilet bowl for receiving waste and a waste-holding tank in fluid communication with said toilet bowl for receiving waste from said toilet bowl. The waste-holding tank is kept at a pressure less than the ambient pressure surrounding the toilet bowl so that waste from the toilet bowl is drawn to the tank by the difference in pressure. A flush valve is provided in the drain line between the toilet bowl and the waste-holding tank and is selectively operable to pass the toilet bowl contents into the waste-holding tank. Water from the potable water supply system is provided to the toilet bowl to wash the sides of the toilet bowl and to assist in moving the waste material to the drain line. A water inlet valve is provided to selectively control the introduction of water into the toilet bowl and preferably the water inlet valve and flush valve are operated in a timed sequence by actuation of a single flushing switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Tyen C. Chen, Forrest B. Busching, William D. Hale, Bjorn R. Kristoffersen
  • 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: 4516281
    Abstract: A sewage treatment device [10] is disclosed for use with a toilet [12] having a water flush input [16] and a sewage output [22]. The invention incorporates a treatment tank [56] connected for receiving the sewage from the sewage output [22] of the toilet. A disinfectant holding tank [58] is included for holding a disinfectant such as conventional household bleach. A mascerator blade [74] is disposed within the treatment tank [56] for mascerating the sewage to reduce the size of the particulate matter within the treatment tank [56]. An electric motor rotates the mascerator blade [74] and simultaneously pumps a disinfectant from the disinfectant holding tank [58] to the treatment tank [56]. A discharge pump [86] discharges the treated sewage from the treatment tank [56]. A control senses the level of the sewage in the sewage treatment tank and controls the sequence of operation of the mascerator blade [74] and the discharge pump [86].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1985
    Assignee: The Eastern Company
    Inventors: David B. MacPherson, Jay E. Paris, Robert W. Foley, Martin W. Greinier, David N. Pulsifer
  • Patent number: 4516280
    Abstract: A toilet system comprising a bowl, a treating chamber, a trap connecting the bowl to the treating chamber, said trap containing a bypass to a waste pipe, a conductor connecting the treating chamber to the waste pipe, a macerator in the treating chamber for macerating effluent delivered into the treating chamber, a worm pump in the treating chamber for evacuating effluent from the bowl into the treating chamber and discharging the treated effluent into the waste pipe, a valve connected to the bowl for supplying flush water thereto and control means operable to initiate operation of the pump followed by operation of the valve and stop the pump prior to closing of the valve and wherein, in the event the pump is disabled, discharge from the bowl can be effected through the bypass by delivery of fluid into the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1985
    Assignee: Control Fluidics, Inc.
    Inventor: Wesley M. Tufts
  • Patent number: 4504983
    Abstract: A toilet has a soil holding tank which does not require connection to external soil disposal facilities. The toilet may be of a fresh water flush type, in which case the soil is contained within a flexible bag inside the tank, and the fresh water surrounds the bag. As the volume of soil in the flexible bag within the holding tank increases, so the volume of flushing water surrounding the bag decreases. Alternatively, the toilet may be of a recirculating type in which case the drum contains a filter through which flushing water is drawn from the tank. When the flushing water is used up and/or the tank is full of soil, the holding tank is sealed and removed from the toilet to be replaced by a recharged holding tank. In another alternative the toilet has no flushing facilities, and when the tank is full of soil, it is sealed, removed from the toilet and replaced by an empty tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1985
    Inventor: Anthony W. Goodyer
  • Patent number: 4439875
    Abstract: A portable toilet having an improved valve arrangement for minimizing abrasion of the holding tank inlet seal. The valve arrangement includes a valve member which moves generally normal to a sealing plane defined by the seal when the valve is opened or closed. A wiper element is disposed adjacent the holding tank inlet and is positioned to exert a wiping action on the sealing surface of the valve member when the valve is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1984
    Assignee: Sanitation Equipment Limited
    Inventors: John M. Stewart, Clifford B. Hewson
  • 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: 4407025
    Abstract: A water-conserving toilet is disclosed and includes a bowl for receiving waste and a waste outlet extending laterally from the bowl and defining a first, shallow trap arranged so that a relatively shallow body of liquid is normally retained in the bottom of the bowl for preventing gaseous flow through the trap. A flush system is provided and is arranged, when operated, to deliver a charge of flushing liquid into the bowl in a direction to cause said body of liquid to be discharged through said outlet. An enlarged chamber communicates with said bowl outlet for receiving waste from the bowl. An outlet extends outwardly from the chamber and is adapted for connection to a sewer inlet. The chamber outlet defines a second trap of substantial height capable of preventing reverse flow of sewer gas into the chamber in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1983
    Inventors: Arnold Hennessy, John D. Inch
  • Patent number: 4391002
    Abstract: An aerating system for faecal matter collected in a container in a vehicle which includes a pressurized air system for operating brakes, doors, ventilation flaps and the like. The pressurized air system includes a tank and a compressor which operates continuously during operation of the vehicle engine and a regulator which exhausts excess air to a bypass duct when the tank is at its operating pressure. A tube connects the container to the bypass duct so that faecal matter in the container is substantially continuously aerated during vehicle engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1983
    Assignee: Karl Kassbohrer Fahrzeugwerke GmbH
    Inventor: Ernst Marti
  • Patent number: 4377874
    Abstract: In a toilet system wherein the bowl is evacuated by a pump, the intake side of which is connected by a first conductor to the bowl and the discharge side of which is connected by a second conductor to a waste pipe, a bypass conductor connecting the first conductor to the waste pipe and a valve at the junction operable when the pump is disabled to permit the bowl to be flushed through the bypass conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1983
    Assignee: International Water Saving Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Wesley M. Tufts
  • Patent number: 4377875
    Abstract: A self-contained bathroom unit including a rigid L-shaped tank enclosure and a toilet attached thereto, the enclosure having a sewage ejector pump located therein and float level detection mechanism for actuating the sewage ejector pump, and attachable basin mounting mechanism, and connections for water inlets, sewage outlets, vents and attachment to other appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1983
    Inventor: Gardner G. Brubakken
  • Patent number: 4376702
    Abstract: Waste disposal apparatus suitable for the collection of waste from a vacuum sewer system, which comprises a tank (1) having a waste inlet (2) and a waste outlet (10, 12) and means (4) for reducing pressure in the tank such that, in use, the waste inlet is above the level of waste in the tank and reduced pressure is maintained above the waste level and waste can thereby be drawn through the waste inlet, in which the tank further comprises an air inlet (6) through which air can be caused to pass into, and thereby cause aerobic digestion of, waste in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1983
    Inventor: Stuart H. Small
  • Patent number: 4333185
    Abstract: A toilet system comprising a bowl, a valve for supplying flush water to the bowl, an attrition chamber to which the effluent in the bowl is transferred by a motor-driven discharge pump connected to the attrition chamber for inducting the effluent from the bowl into the attrition chamber and discharging the treated effluent from the attrition chamber, a power-driven hydraulic attrition impeller within the attrition chamber for effecting hydraulic attrition of the solid matter in the effluent while in the attrition chamber, and a control circuit for effecting sequential operation such that discharge and attrition are commenced substantially simultaneously, followed by introduction of flush water, termination of the discharge, termination of the flush water and, finally, termination of the attrition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Assignee: International Water Saving Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter O. Heinze, Wesley M. Tufts
  • Patent number: 4332041
    Abstract: A drainage apparatus for an aircraft lavatory system includes a waste holding tank that receives waste from the individual toilet units. The waste holding tank has a pressurization port and a waste drain opening formed in an upper portion thereof. A blower is coupled to the pressurization port to force air into the tank to pressurize it, thereby forcing waste out of the tank through the waste drain opening. The waste travels through an internal waste drain conduit having a first end located at the bottom of the tank below the level of the waste and a second end coupled to the waste drain opening. Preferably, a flow control device is interposed in fluid communication between the blower and the pressurization port and is operable to direct the flow of air from the blower either into the tank for pressurization or out of the tank to create a partial vacuum within the tank to aid in vacuum flush of the toilet units. An auxiliary pressurization source is also provided in the event of blower failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1982
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Bjorn R. Kristoffersen
  • Patent number: 4324007
    Abstract: A macerator/ejector pump within a waste material holding tank on a boat liquefies solid waste material in the tank and pumps the liquefied waste material through a discharge line adapted for connection to an on-shore waste collection system. The macerator/ejector pump comprises a pump and a plurality of cutter blades pitched to direct the liquefied waste to the intake port of the pump, the pump and the cutter blades being driven by a shaft connected to an electric motor mounted on the top of the holding tank. The holding tank may be discharged into the on-shore waste collection system without requiring a shore-based pump-out station. A plurality of rods extend into the holding tank for sensing the level of waste material, and a holding tank monitor displays this level by means of colored indicator lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1982
    Inventor: Nathan Morris
  • Patent number: 4319366
    Abstract: Apparatus for disposing of the waste from a boat head, the apparatus consisting of a flexible container which may be readily connected and disconnected from the discharge of the head, thus allowing selective discharge to storage or to the sea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1982
    Inventors: Roupen Baker, Jr., Michael N. Botvin
  • 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: 4310934
    Abstract: A water-conserving toilet is disclosed and includes a bowl for receiving waste and a waste outlet extending laterally from the bowl and defining a first, shallow trap arranged so that a relatively shallow body of liquid is normally retained in the bottom of the bowl for preventing gaseous flow through the trap. A flush system is provided and is arranged, when operated, to deliver a charge of flushing liquid into the bowl in a direction to cause said body of liquid to be discharged through said outlet. A waste holding tank communicates with said bowl outlet for receiving waste from the bowl and the holding tank has an outlet extending outwardly from the tank and adapted for connection to a sewer inlet. The holding tank outlet defines a second trap of substantial height capable of preventing reverse flow of sewer gas into the holding tank in use and the holding tank and second trap are arranged to contain a volume of liquid substantially in excess of the volume discharged from the bowl at each flush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1982
    Inventors: Arnold Hennessy, John D. Inch
  • Patent number: 4306321
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a closet combined with a sewage tank (7). The closet comprises a stand enclosing the sewage tank (7) and supporting a chair (1) composed of closet bowl (3), closet seat (4) and closet cover (5). A flushing water tank (18) is connected to the closet. The closet bowl (3) is adapted to be closed in a pressure-tight manner by means of the closet cover (5) and is provided with a discharge valve (8) opening at a predetermined overpressure in the closed closet bowl (3). Means (24, 25, 31) comprising an air-pump (24) are provided to empty the closet bowl (3). By means of the air-pump (24) and said means (25, 31) simultaneously both the closet bowl (3) and the flushing water tank (18) are placed under overpressure. A member (21) is provided to supply flushing liquid from the flushing water tank (18) to the closet bowl (3) when the discharge valve ( 8) in the closet bowl (3) has been opened and the overpressure therein has been reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1981
    Inventor: Lars-Olof Norlin
  • Patent number: 4286342
    Abstract: A toilet installation is disclosed which is especially suited for pleasure boats. A discharge tank is disposed under a toilet fixture and connected with it through an inlet orifice. A flexible obturating member comprising a flexible flap member and a downwardly opening cup-shaped float member is fixed at one side of the inlet orifice so that the flexible obturating member hangs in the discharge tank when the latter is not pressurized. Compressed air from an air compressor is carried through a conduit for pressurizing the discharge tank and expelling the effluent from the discharge tank through a drain orifice, the outlet end of the conduit is aimed at the underside of the float member so that compressed air issuing from the conduit thrusts the obturating member against the inlet orifice thereby sealing off the discharge tank from the tiolet fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1981
    Inventor: Alain Anthony
  • Patent number: 4271539
    Abstract: A quick-change toilet system capable of being readily converted between a non-flushing toilet and a recirculating flushing toilet is disclosed. The system includes a waste holding tank with an open frame member mounted on the top thereof. The system utilizes a non-flushing toilet cover and a flushing type toilet cover, both of which have a similar locking pin arrangement which permits either type of cover to be removably secured to a locking bar permanently affixed to the frame member. The non-flushing toilet cover includes an opening having a conventional toilet seat and toilet seat cover disposed thereover. The flushing toilet cover, which is of the recirculating variety, is similar to the non-flushing cover but additionally includes a toilet bowl having a flushing fluid outlet. A manually operated pump draws flushing fluid from the waste holding tank through a filter and delivers a quantity of filtered flushing fluid to the toilet bowl for flushing purposes through the flushing fluid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1981
    Assignee: Inca-One Corporation
    Inventor: George C. Roberts
  • Patent number: 4246665
    Abstract: Apparatus for disposing of human waste comprising in combination a bowl, a treating chamber connected to the bowl for receiving the contents of the bowl together with a predetermined quantity of flush water, a macerator in the treating chamber for effecting hydraulic attrition of the solid matter to a predetermined slurry which is pumpable, and a pump for removing the slurry from the treating chamber, and a method of reducing the solid matter in human waste by hydraulic attrition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1981
    Assignee: International Water Saving Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Albertassi, Walter O. Heinze, Aaron Landsman
  • Patent number: 4242765
    Abstract: A waste disposal system including a toilet receptacle in controlled fluid communication with a holding tank. Just enough fluid is released into the toilet to flush wastes into the holding tank. The holding tank accumulates wastes, flush fluid and waste fluid from other sources until sufficient wastes accumulate to actuate a valve between the holding tank and a sewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1981
    Inventor: Joyce A. Russell
  • 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: 4217668
    Abstract: A portable toilet of the type having two vertically stacked sections, the lower section (12) being a holding tank, and the upper section (14) including a toilet bowl (22), a water tank (26) for storage of water for flush purposes, and flush apparatus (32) for flushing the toilet bowl. Handles (78) and (80) are provided for separately carrying the lower section (12) and the upper section (14), the handles being arranged so that they form a unitary handle for carrying the toilet (10) without the need of a clasping mechanism for holding the sections together. An improved flush apparatus (32) including the flush bulb (84) is provided so that priming of the flushing system is unnecessary. A valve assembly (46) is mounted within the confines of the lower section (12) by providing a planar member (58) that is a part of the valve body (56) and can be inserted through an opening (72) in the top wall of the lower section (12) for attachment to the top wall within the holding tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1980
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: Charles L. Sargent, John A. Hoffman, John M. Antos, Arthur W. Henke
  • Patent number: 4214324
    Abstract: A human waste storage and disposal system for railroads including a toilet bowl, a discharge outlet connected to the bowl, a flushing fluid inlet for flushing the bowl and a vertically disposed receiver coupled to the outlet for receiving the contents discharged from the bowl. A macerator is coupled to both the receiver and a storage tank for withdrawing waste from the receiver, macerating the same and discharging it into the storage tank. Suitable controls are provided for disposing of the macerated waste in the tank in situ or on demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1980
    Assignee: Monogram Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Kemper, William I. Mercer
  • 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: 4199828
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a vacuum toilet apparatus for mobile units, for example trains or buses, having at least one toilet stool from which faeces etc. are conveyed by means of a vacuum to a storage container by the intermediary of a conduit system. A pneumatic ejector is provided for producing the requisite vacuum. The ejector is supplied with compressed air from a compressed air reservoir. The air which is used for producing the vacuum is conveyed further to the storage container for the purposes of oxygenating the liquid in the container. The storage container is under atmospheric pressure and the conduit is connected to the container via a sluice which has a discharge valve in the form of a mechanically balanced flap valve which is opened by the weight of the contents of the sluice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1980
    Assignee: Evak Sanitar AB
    Inventor: Bo G. Hellers
  • Patent number: 4185337
    Abstract: A portable sanitation unit is disclosed of the type having two vertically stacked sections, the lower section being a holding tank and the upper section including a toilet bowl, a water tank for storage of water for flush purposes, and an improved pump apparatus for flushing the toilet bowl, said apparatus comprising an electrically operated pump that can be energized from any suitable electrical source, such as a portable battery, an electrical receptacle in a motor vehicle, a cottage, a marine vessel, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1980
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: Frank T. Sargent, John M. Antos, Arthur W. Henke, James T. Embach, Frederick A. Butler, Erin J. Lindsay
  • Patent number: 4180876
    Abstract: A portable toilet that has a lower holding tank with an inlet port in the top wall, and removably supported thereon an upper unit that contains a toilet bowl with an oulet port in registry with said inlet port, a flush water storage tank and flush means for discharging flush water from the storage tank into said bowl. Improved features include apparatus in the adjacent top and bottom walls of the holding tank and upper unit for releasably clamping them together, a discharge spout for the holding tank located between the adjacent walls so that the outlet of the spout is in a cavity in the bottom wall of the upper unit above the liquid level of the holding tank, and a valve-and-nozzle assembly and associated flexible conduit from the flush pump which is constructed and arranged to press fit all of the components together and mount them in proper location with respect to the toilet bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1980
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: Frank T. Sargent, John M. Antos, Arthur W. Henke, John A. Hoffman, Erin J. Lindsay
  • Patent number: 4170048
    Abstract: A toilet installation is disclosed which is especially suited for pleasure boats. A discharge tank is disposed under a toilet fixture and connected with it through an inlet orifice. A flexible obturating member comprising a flexible flap member and a downwardly opening cup-shaped float member is fixed at one side of the inlet orifice so that the flexible obturating member hangs in the discharge tank when the latter is not pressurized. Compressed air from an air compressor is carried through a conduit for pressurizing the discharge tank and expelling the effluent from the discharge tank through a drain orifice, the outlet end of the conduit is aimed at the underside of the float member so that compressed air issuing from the conduit thrusts the obturating member against the inlet orifice thereby sealing off the discharge tank from the toilet fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1979
    Inventor: Alain Anthony
  • Patent number: 4161792
    Abstract: Disclosed is a portable waste disposal system that is designed primarily for use in marine craft, mobile homes, campers or the like. The system comprises a macerator unit for converting excrement to a liquified effluent, and an incinerator unit for incinerating the effluent. The macerator unit comprises a holding tank which receives the waste material from a toilet. When the level of the excrement within the holding tank reaches a predetermined level, and maintains that level for a predetermined period of time, the system is activated and the excrement from the holding tank is macerated by a macerator and provided to a feed compartment. A circulation pump then pumps the macerated effluent from the feed compartment through a circulation line to the incineration unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1979
    Assignee: The Standard Products Company
    Inventors: John A. Dallen, Harry W. Green
  • Patent number: 4156297
    Abstract: A sewage treatment apparatus for use in a toilet room comprises a casing with an inlet for reception of sewage and a discharge outlet. There are means within a chamber in the casing for the chemical treatment and agitation of the sewage to reduce the sewage to a substantially sterile slurry. There is a series of valves within the casing to control the passage of the sewage after it has been treated to be directly discharged through the casing outlet, or optionally discharged to a connected, remotely located holding tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1979
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventor: Joseph J. Pilolla
  • Patent number: 4145773
    Abstract: Apparatus for venting a sealed holding tank of a portable toilet to equalize the atmosphere and tank pressures before opening and closing the inlet port of the holding tank, said holding tank including a valve assembly for opening and closing the inlet port of the tank, and a vent port means in the tank associated with the valve assembly so that when the valve assembly is moved toward its open position, the vent means will be opened immediately prior to opening of the inlet port and when the valve assembly is moved toward its closed position, the vent port will be closed immediately after closing of the inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1979
    Assignee: Thetford Corporation
    Inventors: Frank T. Sargent, John M. Antos, Erin J. Lindsay
  • 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
  • Patent number: 4114207
    Abstract: A toilet system comprising a collecting tank, a pump extending downwardly into the collecting tank and having an inlet, a drain opening in the bottom surface of the collecting tank a selected distance beneath the pump inlet and having a size sufficient to receive large glass objects therein, a drain conduit extending downwardly from the drain opening, the pump including a recirculating conduit, the recirculating conduit being selectively positioned and having a selected size for discharging pumped liquid across the pump inlet whereby bottles which are being drawn upwardly into the pump opening will be deflected downwardly through the drain opening into the drain conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1978
    Assignee: Koehler-Dayton, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Iwans
  • Patent number: 4107798
    Abstract: A self-contained toilet comprising a collecting tank, means for rinsing the interior of the collecting tank including a rinsing manifold, a rinsing conduit, and a check valve operatively connecting the rinsing manifold and rinsing conduit, and means for preventing liquid contained within the rinsing manifold from being forced through the check valve by a pressure differential thereacross including a second check valve, and check valve conduit means communicating at one end with one end of the second check valve and communicating at the other end with the rinsing means at a location proximate the connection of the rinsing manifold and the first check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1978
    Assignee: Koehler-Dayton, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Lamb, Robert C. Iwans
  • Patent number: 4091475
    Abstract: A two piece portable toilet is described. The toilet includes a bowl unit which defines a toilet bowl having a discharge opening, and a reservoir for a flushing liquid, said reservoir having a normally closed filler opening. A holding tank is normally disposed below and supports the bowl unit. The holding tank has a top wall and defines a waste holding chamber having an inlet opening in said top wall for communication with the discharge opening of the toilet bowl. The chamber also has a normally closed outlet opening. The top wall of the tank is contoured to define a depression around the holding chamber inlet opening and, on opposite sides of the depression, surfaces for supporting said bowl unit. Coupling means normally maintain the bowl unit and holding tank in co-operating relationship when the toilet is in use. The coupling means allow the unit and tank to be separated at appropriate times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1978
    Assignee: Sanitation Equipment Limited
    Inventors: Clifford Bruce Hewson, John M. Stewart