IN A PORTABLE TOILET

This application is being filed on 29 August 2012, as a PCT International Patent application in the name of Dustin Abel, a citizen of the U.S., applicant for the designation of all countries.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/530,308, filed September 1, 2011, entitled "Device to Increase Waste Degradation and Efficiency in a Portable Toilet," the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

INTRODUCTION

[0002] Portable toilet units are typically used at construction sites, outdoor events, and disaster relief efforts to provide sanitary toilet facilities to persons where such facilities are either impractical or where existing facilities are inadequate. For example, portable toilets may be used on remote construction sites where toilet facilities may not be available. Portable toilets are also used at large outdoor events (concerts, charity runs, etc.) where large numbers of toilets are needed but sufficient facilities may not be located nearby. Regardless of location, portable toilets that see heavy usage can often be easily overwhelmed, requiring excessive pumping out of waste and the fluid solution that is designed to contain and degrade the waste.

[0003] Typically, state and local regulations require that the tanks of portable toilet units be emptied ("pumped out") on a regular basis, which is often based on the expected use over time, or which may be determined based on the level of waste in the tank (for example, if the tank becomes one-third full). However, even in view of these regulations, portable toilet vendors (who provide, service, and pump out the toilets) often are called back to a site earlier than scheduled due to excessive use issues. These excessive use issues may include excess waste or toilet paper introduction into the tank. Every time a portable toilet is pumped out, clean fluid solution and water must be introduced into the portable toilet tank. The solution aids in covering waste left in the tank, which helps control odor, reduce attraction of flies and other vermin, and assists in the degradation of the waste. Additionally, since the solution/water mixture typically has a lower freezing point than pure water, waste surrounded by the solution/water mixture is prevented from freezing in cold climates. Excessive use may necessitate increased pumping when waste piles in the portable toilet, forming a mound of solid waste that projects above the level of the solution. Since the standard solution depth in portable toilets is about ½ inch, piling of waste can occur after only a few uses. This increases odors, is unsightly, and compels vendors to return to the site to service the tank and provide new solution and water. This all increases costs and is a waste of resources.

SUMMARY

[0004] In one aspect, the technology relates to a well for a portable toilet, the well including a base; a wall extending from the base, wherein the base and wall at least partially define a well volume; and a projection extending from the base within the well volume. In an embodiment, the wall is an annulus. In another embodiment, the wall is a plurality of walls. In yet another embodiment, the projection is removably secured to the base. In still another embodiment, the wall includes a wall height and wherein the projection defines a projection height less than the wall height. In certain embodiments, the projection is at least one of a cone, a wedge, a spire, a pyramid, a cylinder, and a frustum. In another embodiment, the projection defines an internal chamber and wherein the well further includes an agitator located within the internal chamber.

[0005] In another aspect, the technology relates to a tank for a portable toilet, the tank including: a tank base; a plurality of tank walls, the plurality of tank walls and the tank base at least partially defining a tank volume; and at least one well wall extending from the tank base, wherein the at least one well wall and the tank base at least partially define a well volume less than the tank volume. In an embodiment, the at least one well wall is integral with the tank base. In another embodiment, the tank includes a projection extending from the tank base, the projection located substantially within the well volume. In yet another embodiment, the tank includes a tank top defining an opening, wherein the projection is positioned substantially below the opening. In still another embodiment, the plurality of tank walls include a front tank wall and a rear tank wall, and wherein the at least one well wall comprises a plurality of well walls, each well wall extending from the front tank wall to the rear tank wall. In certain embodiments, the ratio of tank volume to well volume is about 4.5 : 1. In another embodiment, the projection defines an internal chamber that may include an agitator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] There are shown in the drawings, embodiments which are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the technology is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a front cross-sectional view of a prior art portable toilet tank.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view of a portable toilet tank.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of a portable toilet tank.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a top view of a portable toilet tank.

[0011] FIG. 5 is an enlarged front cross-sectional view of a projection of a portable toilet tank.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] A typical prior art portable toilet tank 100, such as that depicted in FIG. 1, is constructed of molded rigid plastic and includes two side walls 102, a front wall (not shown), a rear wall 104, a bottom wall or base 106, and a top wall 108 or cover. The 108 cover defines an opening 110, proximate to which is secured a toilet seat 112 and a lid 114. A vent pipe 116 penetrates the cover 108 to passively vent gas and odor out of the tank 100. Additionally, a urinal drain 118 may penetrate one of the tank walls or the cover for direction of fluid waste from an associated urinal to the tank 100. A fluid solution 120 (depicted by a dotted line running generally parallel to the base of the tank 100) is located in the tank 100 and spreads toward the walls. In general, solid waste is deposited through the tank opening 110 and tends to fall in the fall area 122 depicted in FIG. 1. In this regard, it is easy to see how waste may mound in this area of the tank 100 and may extend above the top of the fluid solution 120 after only several uses. One or more connection points 124, for connecting the tank 100 to external walls of a portable toilet unit, are depicted near the bottom of the tank side walls 102, though their locations can vary. These connection points 124 are used to secure the tank 100 to walls of the toilet unit, such that a damaged or old tank may be removed and replaced without having to replace the entire portable toilet unit. [0013] The disclosed technology relates to an improved waste storage system for a portable toilet, and is described in conjunction with FIGS. 2-4. As with the prior art portable toilet described above, the present technology includes a portable toilet tank 200 having two side 202 walls, a front wall 204', a rear wall 204, a bottom wall or base 206, and a top wall 108 or cover. The cover 108 defines an opening 1 10, proximate to which is secured a toilet seat 212 and a lid 214. A vent pipe 216 penetrates the cover 208 to passively vent gas and odor out of the tank 200. A urinal drain 218 may penetrate one of the tank walls or the cover for direction of fluid waste from an associated urinal to the tank 200. In the depicted embodiment, the urinal drain 218 is extended via an extension 218 such that fluid waste therefrom drains to a well 250, which is described in more detail below. One or more connection points 224, such as those described above, are also included.

[0014] The improved portable toilet tank 200 depicted in FIGS. 2-4 includes a well 250 generally centrally located below the opening 210 in the top 208 of the tank 200. This well 250 is located substantially below the fall area 222. The well 250 is filled with a fluid/water mixture (referred to herein as the "fluid solution" 220).

Because the well 250 decreases the area over which the fluid solution 220 spreads along the base 206 of the tank 100, a similar volume of fluid used in the prior art configuration may form a deeper pool within the well 250 of the present technology. The well 250 assists in submerging and mixing waste and other material (for example, toilet paper), thereby improving appearance, reducing odor, and increasing waste degradation. As the well 250 fills with solid waste, the fluid solution 220 in the well 250 cascades over the well walls 252, aerating the fluid solution 220 and reducing odor. In the depicted embodiment, the well 250 has a substantially rectangular footprint on the base 206 of the tank 200, with a first well wall 252a and a second well wall 252b each extending from the front tank wall 204' to the rear tank wall 204. Other embodiments of the well 250 may include walls forming an annulus or other shape. The well 250 may also have an elliptical or oval footprint on the base 206 of the tank 200. Additionally, the bottom of the well 250 may be located above or below the base 206 of the tank 200 as required or desired for a particular application. By locating the bottom of the well 250 below the base 206 of the tank 200, however, the effective height of the well walls 252 increases, thus increasing the volume of the well 250. A well 250 with a larger volume need not be pumped out as frequently. [0015] The well walls 252 are depicted as vertical projections integral with the base 206 of the tank 200, but a well having its own discrete base may be used. This may be particularly advantageous for improving the functionality of existing portable toilet tanks until those tanks are replaced with new tanks having integral wells. The well walls 252 are connected to the base 206 and tank walls 202, 204, 204' along curved integral joints. Although sharp corners may be used, curved joints are easier to manufacture and reduce areas in which waste may become trapped. Trapped waste complicates tank pump-out. Additionally, the well walls 252 may be tapered

(increasing width from top to bottom) or have a triangular or other shaped cross section that reduces even further areas in which waste may become trapped and difficult to extract.

[0016] A projection 254 is located within the well 250. The projection 254 serves at least two purposes, including deflection of solid waste as it enters the well 250 and reducing splash associated with the waste. Any shape of projection 254 may be used, although a cone, a wedge, a spire, a pyramid, a cylinder, or a frustum may be particularly desirable. By deflecting waste, the projection 254 helps reduce the opportunity for the waste to mound in the center of the well 250, thus keeping the solid waste below the level of the fluid solution 220 and spreading the waste within the well 250. Additionally, the projection 254 slows the fall of the waste into the liquid solution 220, and at the same time deflects the waste as it enters the solution 220. This helps reduce splash associated with dropping waste from the height of the opening 210. The projection 254 may be integral with the tank base 206 or may be fixed thereto.

Exemplary fixing mechanisms include male/female connections, screw/thread connections, interference fit connections, and other types of connections. Additionally, a washer 256 or other sealing implement may be used to prevent fluid solution and/or waste from entering the connection mechanism while the toilet is in use. Although an integrally formed projection may be desirable due to ease of manufacture, a removable projection also may be desirable in that the projection may be made out of a harder material than the other tank and well elements, thus improving robustness and lengthening life. Other advantages to a removable projection are described below. More robust materials should prevent the build-up of waste and therefore help control odors. [0017] FIG. 5 depicts an enlarged front cross-section view of a projection 254 used in a well 250 of a portable toilet tank. A base portion 300 of the projection 254 is integrally formed with the tank base 206, with curved joints. A top portion 302 of the projection 254 defines a substantially conical shape. The two portions 300, 302 of the projection 254 are joined at a threaded connection 304 and may include a washer (such as the type described above) to seal the connection. The base portion 300 and top portion 302 define an internal chamber 306. An agitator 308 may be inserted into the internal chamber 306. In one embodiment, the agitator 308 is a battery-operated vibration element. The vibrations produced by the agitator 308 are transferred to the base 206 of the well 250 and, depending on amplitude, may project out to the walls of the well 250. The vibrations further assist in keeping the waste submerged in the fluid solution, by breaking up piles of waste and increasing the natural degradation of the waste. The agitator 308 may operate constantly or on a predetermined schedule. In one embodiment, the agitator may be connected by a wireless or wired communications link to a switch located on the door, lid, or seat of the portable toilet, such that it may operate after each use. Alternatively, the agitator 254 may operate on a timer or other control sequence as required or desired for a particular application. One such agitator that may be utilized in the present application is an encapsulated vibration motor, manufactured by Precision Microdrives, of London, United Kingdom.

[0018] Typical dimensions of prior art portable toilet tanks, as well as the improved tanks and wells described herein, are included below. These dimensions are exemplary and should not be considered limiting. Indeed, a portable toilet tank of virtually any dimensions would benefit from the technologies disclosed herein. Typical portable toilet tanks have a width W, a height H, and a depth D. Often, portable toilets are manufactured such that the tanks have volumes of about 40, about 50, and about 60 gallons. Note, however, this tank volume is significantly greater than the maximum effective volume, which may be defined not by the tank dimensions, but by the depth of the fluid solution in the tank itself.

[0019] The well walls of one embodiment may be about 6 1/2 inches high h, and the projection may terminate about 5 1/2 inches above the base. Although not required, keeping the height of the projection below the level of the fluid solution will help reduce splash and keep the projection, which is designed to be directly impacted by waste, within the solution. The well may be about 20 inches wide w (if rectangular) and occupy the central half of the tank. In that regard, total dimensions of a rectangular well could define a well having a maximum effective volume of about 7 gallons, but this well volume is located entirely below the opening in the top of the tank, and is configured to receive virtually all the waste that may be directed into the tank. In this embodiment, then, the ratio of the total tank volume to the well volume is about 4.5:1. Other ratios, such as 3:1, 7: 1, 9: 1, and others are also contemplated.

[0020] The materials utilized in the manufacture of the well may be those typically utilized for portable toilet tank manufacture, i.e., robust, generally non-porous plastics. The projection may also be formed of plastic or metal, for example, bronze, steel, stainless steel, etc. Typically, materials such as those that may be formed by injection molding are desired. The terms first, second, front, rear, etc., as used herein, are relative terms used for convenience of the reader and to differentiate various elements of the improved portable toilet tank from each other. In general, unless otherwise noted, the terms are not meant to define or otherwise restrict location of any particular element.

[0021] While there have been described herein what are to be considered exemplary and preferred embodiments of the present technology, other modifications of the technology will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings herein. The particular methods of manufacture and geometries disclosed herein are exemplary in nature and are not to be considered limiting. It is therefore desired to be secured in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the technology. Accordingly, what is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is the technology as defined and differentiated in the following claims, and all equivalents.

[0022] What is claimed is: