APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TREATMENT OF HUMAN EXCREMENT

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to apparatus and a method of treatment of human excrement, and in particular human excrement.

BACKGROUND ART

Apparatus for the treatment of human excrement in rural and other areas includes deep drops, soak pits, and some other types. These are inconsistent in their efficacy because factors such as weather conditions, properties of the soil involved, moisture content of the excrement, degree of use and others influence the breakdown of the solid matter.

These arrangements are generally very odorous due to incomplete degradation of the solid and other matter.

It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus and a method of treating human excrement that is relatively consistent despite variations in the factors mentioned above.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus and method that result in excellent composting of the solid matter and also avoids, or at least greatly decreases the bad odours generally associated with soak pits, long drops and the like.

Yet another object of the invention is the production of a useful fertilising material.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention apparatus is provided for composting of the solid matter of human excrement, including an inclined conduit adapted to move excrement upwardly to an elevated position, from where it drops into a composting chamber adapted to retain the solid material for sufficient time to permit substantially

complete aerobic composting; and outlet means for discharging the composted product.

In a preferred form of the invention a toilet bowl is included, the contents of which are adapted to be led to the inclined conduit - for example by means of a screw conveyor in a conduit linking the toilet bowl and the inclined conduit. The conveyor may be operated by means of a crank handle available to the user. The mechanical movement of the solid matter may be assisted by a hand pump such as a push-pull suction pump.

It is preferred that the liquid phase of the excrement is separated from the solid content prior to the movement of the latter in the inclined conduit. This not only reduces the volume of matter required to be composted but also removes substantially the cause of the major odour problems. This liquid phase may be discharged from the apparatus and used for whatever purpose desired- for example as a fertiliser solution or the recovery of urea.

The inclined conduit and/or the composting chamber may include air vents to ensure that aerobic conditions pertain.

In addition, the conduit and/or chamber may include surface features that permit solar radiation to be used to foster the composting action. Thus, an inspection cover may be provided that can double as an inlet for solar radiation. If the cover is curved, the solar radiation will be concentrated by refraction on to the solid matter.

According to the invention a method of treating human excrement includes the steps of moving the excrement upwardly, allowing it to fall into a composting chamber and to be retained therein for a period sufficient for substantial composting to take place; and removing the product from the chamber.

In the preferred form of the invention the liquid phase is separated from the solid matter prior to the upward movement of the solid matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional side view of one form of apparatus according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a similar view of another form of the invention;

Figure 3 is a similar view of yet another form of the invention;

Figure 4 is a side view of a portion of alternate apparatus; and

Figure 5 is a plan view of a toilet bowl for use in the invention.

BESTMODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In Figure 1 a toilet bowl 10 is mounted on a conduit 12. This conduit leads to an inclined conduit 14 that, in turn, leads to a chamber 16. The excrement is retained in the chamber for a period sufficient for the solid matter to be aerobically composted.

The excrement from the toilet falls into the conduit 12 and is moved to the inclined conduit by means of a screw conveyor 20. This conveyor is connected to a small diameter screw 22 to assist the movement of the matter up the conduit 14 and over the weir 24 into the chamber.

The conveyor 20 is activated by means of a crank handle 30 operable by the user, and a flexible connector 32 transfers the rotation of screw 20 to the conveyor 22.

A vent 32 permits extraction of excess gas.

In Figure 2, the arrangement is similar but includes a push-pull hand pump 34 to assist the user in having the excrement moved to the inclined conduit. In addition, there is a translucent inspection cover 36. This cover is concave so that the sun's rays are concentrated inwardly to provide heat for assistance to the composting reaction .An air vent 37 is provided at a high level.

Turning to Figure 3, the composting chamber has a corrugated zone 38 to collect the solar radiation.

In Figure 4 the toilet bowl includes a shelf 40 with an orifice 42. This shelf collects the urine of a user so that the solid matter is concentrated for treatment in the composting chamber. The urine can be led off for further use or recovery of valuable urea.

Figure 5 is the same as Figure 2 but shows air vents 44. A drainage plug 46 is provided to remove excess liquid phase.