This invention relates to sanitation. More particularly, it relates to a toilet unit. It further relates to a toilet installation.

The Inventors are aware of two primary types of sanitation, namely wet sanitation, and dry sanitation. In wet sanitation, excreta deposited into a toilet is conveyed from the toilet by flushing the toilet. This results in a volume of water being discharged into the toilet bowl which conveys the excreta out of the bowl into a conventional water borne sewage system. In contrast, a dry sanitation system makes use of a toilet pedestal positioned over a pit which is typically recessed into the ground. Excreta passes through the toilet pedestal into the pit.

Ideally with dry sanitation, excreta deposited into the pit should dry as quickly as possible. This reduces the volume of the excreta in the pit which, in turn, reduces the frequency with which collected excreta must be removed from the pit. Further, it reduces odours associated with the excreta and, in addition, it substantially reduces the pathogens associated with the excreta, thereby reducing the risk associated with handling the excreta when it is removed from the pit.

With a view to accelerating the rate at which the excreta dry, it is desirable that the quantity of liquid entering the pit be kept a low as possible.

With conventional dry sanitation, the toilet pedestal defines a passage therethrough and excreta passes through the passage into the pit below. However, the interior of the pit below the pedestal and its contents may be visible through the passage. In addition, excreta which adheres to a side of the passage through the toilet pedestal needs to be removed. Normally this would be done by cleaning the pedestal by rinsing with a liquid, e.g. water and/or a cleaning solution, which would flow into the pit effectively increasing the moisture content of the pit and increasing the drying time of the excreta contained therein. It is an object of this invention, to provide means which the Inventors believe will lead to an improvement in the dignity of a user making use of a dry sanitation system and at the same time reduce the volume of liquid entering the pit of a dry sanitation system.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a toilet unit which includes a toilet pedestal which has a body having a top, a bottom and a passage extending through the body and opening out of the top and the bottom; a closure member which is displaceable between a closed position in which it closes the passage and an open position in which it is clear of the passage such that excreta passing through the passage in use does not come into contact with the closure member; and a displacement mechanism whereby the closure member is displaceable between its open and closed positions.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a toilet unit which includes a toilet pedestal which has a body having a top, a bottom and a passage extending through the body and opening out of the top and the bottom; a closure member which is displaceable between a closed position in which it closes the passage and an open position in which it permits excreta to pass through the passage and be discharged therefrom; and a manually operable displacement mechanism whereby the closure member is displaceable between its open and closed positions.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a toilet unit which includes a toilet pedestal which has a body having a top, a bottom and a passage extending through the body and opening out of the top and the bottom; a closure member which is displaceable between a closed position in which it closes the passage and an open position in which it permits excreta to pass through the passage and be discharged therefrom; and a displacement mechanism whereby the closure member is displaceable between its open and closed positions, the displacement mechanism being operated to displace the closure member to its open position by a person sitting on the toilet. In its closed position, the closure member serves as a partition between the passage through the toilet pedestal such that the contents of the pit are not visible through the passage. In addition, it reduces the risk of odours from the pit entering the pedestal. The closure member may be configured such that in the open position it is clear of the passage or a downward extension thereof such that excreta passing through the passage, in use, does not come into contact with the closure member.

The displacement mechanism may, in addition, be manually operated.

The toilet unit may include bias means configured to urge the closure member towards its closed position such that the displacement mechanism is configured to displace the closure member against the urging of the bias means from its closed to its open position. Naturally, after use, the closure member will return to its closed position under the influence of the bias means. The bias means may include at least one and preferably two springs.

The closure member may be pivotally displaceable about a pivot axis between its open and closed positions.

The displacement mechanism may include at least one drive gear which drivingly engages a driven gear which is connected to the closure member. The drive gear may be in the form of a gear rack. In a preferred embodiment of the invention two drive gears and two complementary driven gears are provided.

The toilet may include a seat which is mounted to the pedestal and the displacement mechanism may include a displacement member which is drivingly connected to the gear rack and which is operable by a person sitting on the seat. To this end, the seat may be displaceable relative to the pedestal between a rest position towards which it is biased and a displaced position in which the displacement member drives the drive gears to displace the closure member to its open position.

The or each displacement member may be connected to the associated rack by a slide element which is slidably mounted to the pedestal. The pedestal may include an inner member and an outer member and the slide element may be positioned in a space defined between the inner member and the outer member.

The displacement mechanism may include a manually operable actuator whereby the closure member is displaceable to its open position. The actuator may include a foot operated pedal which protrudes from the pedestal and is drivingly connected to the slide.

The slide and the pedestal may be provided with complementary guide formations.

The toilet unit may include a collector at or towards the bottom of the pedestal for collecting liquid. The collector may include an upwardly open channel which extends at least part way around a lower end of the passage to collect liquid running down an inner surface of the pedestal. The collector may include a liquid collection sump into which the channel feeds and an outlet leading from the sump through which liquid can be discharged remote from the pedestal and a pit associated therewith. In the closed position of the closure member it may be inclined downwardly towards the sump such that liquid deposited on the closure member flows into the sump.

The toilet unit may include a feed arrangement for feeding water onto an interior surface of the pedestal at or near the top thereof. The feed arrangement may include a fluid inlet which is connectable to a water supply and a discharge arrangement which is connected in flow communication with the inlet and which is configured to discharge water onto an interior surface of the pedestal.

The discharge arrangement may include a plurality of spaced apart discharge openings opening out of an interior surface of the pedestal.

The toilet pedestal may include a flow path defining means defining a flow path whereby the discharge openings are in flow communication with the inlet.

The toilet unit may include a lid. The invention extends to a toilet installation which includes a pit and a toilet unit of the type described above positioned in register with the pit such that excreta passing through the pedestal is deposited in the pit.

A discharge pipe may be connected to the outlet of the sump and configured to discharge liquid at a position remote from the sump.

A discharge pipe may be connected to the outlet of the sump and configured to discharge liquid at a position outside the pit.

The pit may be formed of panels of cementitious material and include a base, sides and a top having a hole therethrough, the pedestal being positioned such that the passage through the pedestal is in register with the hole. A seal ,e.g., an elastomeric seal, may be provided between the pedestal and the pit.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a toilet unit in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 shows a side view of the toilet unit of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a front view of the toilet unit of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 shows a top view of the toilet unit;

Figure 5 shows a bottom view of the toilet unit;

Figure 6 shows a three-dimensional view of an outer member of a toilet pedestal forming part of the toilet unit of Figure 1 ;

Figure 7 shows a three-dimensional view of. an inner member of the toilet pedestal;

Figure 8 shows a front view of the inner member of Figure 7;

Figure 9 shows a top view of the inner member of Figure 7;

Figure 10 shows a side view of the inner member of Figure 7;

Figure 11 shows a sectional view taken at XI XI in Figure 8;

Figure 12 shows a sectional view taken at XII XII in Figure 10; Figure 13 shows a three-dimensional view of a displacement mechanism forming part of the toilet unit with a closure member in a closed position;

Figure 14 shows a side view of the displacement mechanism of Figure 13;

Figure 15 shows a three-dimensional view, similar to Figure 13, with the closure member in an open position;

Figure 16 shows a side view of the displacement mechanism of Figure 15;

Figure 17 shows a three-dimensional view of the displacement mechanism mounted to the inner member of the toilet pedestal;

Figure 18 shows another three-dimensional view of the displacement mechanism mounted to the inner member;

Figure 19 shows a three-dimensional view of components forming the displacement mechanism;

Figure 20 shows an enlarged view of part of the mechanism shown in Figure 19;

Figure 21 shows a three-dimensional view of a gear rack forming part of the displacement mechanism;

Figure 22 shows another three-dimensional view of the displacement mechanism;

Figure 23 shows a three-dimensional enlarged view of part of the mechanism of Figure 22;

Figure 24 shows a three-dimensional view of a collector forming part of the toilet unit of Figure 1 ;

Figure 25 shows another three-dimensional view of the collector of Figure 24;

Figure 26 shows a three-dimensional view of part of the collector of Figure 24;

Figure 27 shows a three-dimensional view of another part of the collector of Figure 24;

Figure 28 shows another three-dimensional view of the part of the collector of Figure 27;

Figure 29 shows a three-dimensional view of the closure member of the toilet unit;

Figure 30 shows another three-dimensional view of the closure member of Figure 29;

Figure 31 shows a three-dimensional top view of part of a lid of the toilet unit;

Figure 32 shows a three-dimensional view from below of the part of Figure 31 ;

Figure 33 shows a three-dimensional view of another part of the lid of the toilet unit;

Figure 34 shows a three-dimensional view from below of the part shown in Figure 33;

Figure 35 shows the sectional elevation of Figure 1 1 indicating dimensions;

Figure 36 shows a sectional elevation similar to Figure 12 on which dimensions of an embodiment of the inner member are indicated; Figure 37 shows a three-dimensional view of part of a toilet installation in accordance with the invention; and

Figure 38 shows a sectional side view of the part of the installation shown in Figure 37.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT

The following description of the invention is provided as an enabling teaching of the invention. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognise that many changes can be made to the embodiments described, while still attaining the beneficial results of the present invention. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present invention can be attained by selecting some of the features of the present invention without utilising other features. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognise that modifications and adaptations to the present invention are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present invention. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present invention and not a limitation thereof.

In the drawings, reference numeral 10 refers generally to a toilet unit in accordance with the invention. The toilet unit 10 includes a toilet pedestal, generally indicated by reference numeral 12, a closure member, generally indicated by reference numeral 14 and a displacement mechanism, generally indicated by reference numeral 16 whereby the closure member 14 is displaceable between an open position and a closed position, as described in more detail herebelow.

The pedestal 12 includes an outer member or shell, generally indicated by reference numeral 18 which is moulded from a synthetic plastics material and an inner member or shell 20 which is moulded from a synthetic plastics material. The inner member 20 is positioned in the outer member 18 and is secured by fasteners which extend through spaced apart holes 22 (Figure 7) in a flange 24 of the inner member 20 and into screw threaded engagement with complementary holes 26 (Figure 6) provided on the outer member 18. The outer member 18 and inner member 20 together define the pedestal 12. A passage 30 defined by an inner surface of the inner member 20 extends through the pedestal 12 and opens out of the top and bottom thereof.

The toilet unit 10 includes a collector, generally indicated by reference numeral 32 connected to the bottom of the pedestal 12 and configured to collect liquid as described in more detail herebelow.

As can best be seen in Figures 24 to 28 of the drawings, the collector 32 includes a lower part or separator 34 and an upper part 36 which is secured to the lower part 34.

The lower part defines, towards a rear thereof, a liquid collection sump 38 and a peripherally extending upwardly open channel 40 (Figure 27) which extends around an inner edge of the lower part 34. A base of the channel 40 is inclined downwardly towards the sump 38 such that, in use, liquid entering the channel 40 is fed under gravity into the sump 38. An outlet 42 leads from the sump in order to discharge liquid collecting therein at a remote location. The upper part 36 is generally u-shaped and defines an upwardly open channel 44 around part of an inner periphery thereof, the channel 44 being inclined such that liquid collected therein is discharged into the channel 40.

The assembled collector 32 defines a peripheral recess 46 within which a lower edge of the inner member 20 is snuggly receivable such that an inner surface of the inner member 20 defining the passage 30 is positioned such that liquid running down the surface is discharged therefrom into the channels 40, 44 and fed into the sump 38 and through the outlet 42. A pair of transversely spaced apart flanges 48 is provided on the lower part 34 adjacent to the sump 38. A closure member support block 50 (Figures 15 and 16) is secured to each of the flanges 48 by screw threaded fasteners.

As can best be seen in Figures 13, 15, 16, 29 and 30 the closure member 14 includes a planar panel 52 which is generally oval in shape and conforms to the shape of the passage 30 at or adjacent a lower end thereof. The closure member 14 further includes a downwardly inclined guide 54 which extends from a rear edge of the panel 52. An upwardly directed flange or lip 56 extends along each side edge of the guide 54 forwardly and around part of the panel 52. A trunnion 58 protrudes laterally outwardly from the flange 56 adjacent the guide 54. A plurality of gear teeth 60 (Figure 30) is provided on each trunnion for part of the length of the trunnion 58 such that a portion of the trunnion 58 protrudes beyond an outer edge of the gear teeth 60. The protruding portion of each trunnion 58 is supported in a complementary hole in one of the support blocks 50 so as to permit pivotal displacement of the closure member 14 relative to the pedestal 12 between a closed position (shown in Figures 13 and 14) and an open position shown in Figures 15 and 16. Each trunnion functions as a driven gear as described in more detail below.

Referring now also to Figures 17 to 23 of the drawings, the displacement mechanism 16 includes a slide element, generally indicated by reference numeral 62. The slide 62 includes a pair of vertically extending transversely spaced apart sides 64 and a pair of longitudinally spaced apart transverse connecting members 66, 68 which are connected to and extend between the sides 62. A pair of longitudinally spaced apart inwardly open channel-shaped guides 70 (Figures 22 and 23) is provided on each of the sides 64 and slidingly engage with complementary laterally extending flanges 72 (Figure 18) provided on the inner member 20 such that the slide 62 is vertically displaceable in a space or cavity defined between the outer member 18 and the inner member 20. A pair of transversely spaced apart rods 74 are connected to the connecting member 68 at transversely spaced apart positions and extend downwardly therefrom through complementary holes 76 (Figs 24 and 26) extending through the collector 32. A drive gear in the form of a gear rack 78 is screw threadedly mounted on a lower end of each rod 74 with gear teeth of each gear rack 78 engaging the gear teeth 60 of one of the trunnions. Accordingly, vertical displacement of the slide 62 is converted into pivotal displacement of the closure member 14. A pair of actuator rods 80 are connected to the connecting member 68 at transversely spaced apart positions by screw threaded fasteners such that the actuator rods 80 protrude upwardly from the slide 62 through complementary holes 82 in the flange 24. A coil spring 84 is mounted around each of the rods 80 and is configured to urge the rod 80 upwardly which in turn urges the slide 62 upwardly and displaces the closure member 14 to its closed position. The toilet unit 10 includes a toilet seat 86 which includes a pair of transversely spaced apart generally c-shaped clips 88 towards a front thereof. The clips 88 each engage with a complementary formation 90 provided on the flange 24. A rear portion of the toilet seat 86 rests on upper ends of the rods 80. Hook elements 91 (Figure 16) are pivotally connected to the seat 86 and are configured to engage with complementary slots 93 (Figure 6) in the outer member 18 in order to retain the seat in position on the pedestal and at the same time to permit a degree of movement of the seat 86 relative to the pedestal as described in more detail below.

The displacement mechanism 16 further includes a foot pedal, generally indicated by reference numeral 92.

The foot pedal 92 includes a pad 94 which has a generally horizontal surface and which is provided outside the pedestal 12 and a connecting member 96 which extends, with clearance, through a hole 98 (Fig 6) in the outer member 18. The connecting member 96 is secured to the connecting member 68 by means of spaced apart opposed inwardly open pairs of channel-shaped guides 100 provided on the connecting member 68 and within which edge portions of the connecting 96 are slidably receivable. A generally c-shaped clip 102 (Fig 20) is provided at an inner end of the connecting member 96, i.e. the end remote from the pad 94 and engages cliplocking ly with a complementary lug 104 on the connecting member 68.

If desired, the toilet unit 10 may include a liquid feed arrangement or discgarge arrangement, generally indicated by reference numeral 106 which is configured to feed liquid onto an inner surface of the pedestal 12. As can best be seen in Figure 7 of the drawings, the liquid feed arrangement includes flow path defining means including a continuous outer flange 118 which protrudes upwardly from an upper surface of the flange 24 generally perpendicular thereto. An inner flange 120 protrudes upwardly from the flange 24 at a position spaced from the outer flange 118 such that an upwardly open channel 122 is defined therebetween. An intermediate member or partition 124 extends from the inner flange 120 in a front portion of the channel 122 thereby dividing the front portion of the channel 122 into an outer section 126 defined between the outer flange 1 18 and the partition 124 and an inner section 128 defined between the inner flange 120 and the partition 124. A plurality of spaced apart recesses 130 extend downwardly from an upper edge of the partition 124 at spaced apart positions along the length thereof. A plurality of spaced apart discharge openings 132 lead from the inner section 128 through the inner flange 120 and open to the inner surface of the pedestal.

A fluid inlet in the form of a pipe 134 is connected to the outer flange 118 and is connectable in flow communication with a water source such as a washbasin and/or a cistern in order to feed water from the water source into the channel 122.

In use, when water flows through the pipe 134 into the channel 122 it flows around the channel 122 until the level of water in the channel 122 reaches the recesses 130. At this stage, water flows through the recesses 130 into the inner section 128 of the channel 122. When the water within the inner section 128 reaches the level of the discharge openings 132 it flows therethrough onto the inner surface of the pedestal which serves to rinse the pedestal. It will be appreciated, that by varying the depth and number of the recesses 130 the rate of flow of water into the inner section 128 and hence through the discharge openings 132 and into the pedestal can be accurately controlled.

It is also desirable that water which flows onto the inner surface of the pedestal remains in contact therewith and accordingly the curvature of the inner surface of the pedestal is selected to minimize the risk of water separating therefrom. In this regard, Figures 35 and 36 show an illustrative embodiment of the curvature of the inner surface of the pedestal. The water accordingly separates from the pedestal at the lower end thereof and passes into the collector 32 as described below.

Further, the toilet unit may include a lid 1 10 which consists of two parts 112, 1 14 which are hingedly connected together and displaceable relative to the toilet seat 86.

With reference now to Figures 37 and 38 of the drawings, the toilet unit 10 typically forms part of a toilet installation in accordance with the invention and generally indicated by reference numeral 130. The toilet installation 130 includes a subterranean pit, generally indicated by reference numeral 132. The pit 132 is typically formed of precast cementitious panels and includes a base 134, sides 136,138,140,142 and a top 144. A hole 146 is provided in the top and the toilet unit 10 is positioned on the top 144 such that the passage 30 is in register with the hole 146 in the top 144. If desired, an elastomeric seal 148 may be provided between a lower edge of the pedestal and an upper surface of the pit. The toilet unit 10 may be secured in position by fasteners extending through complementary holes into engagement with the top of the pit. The toilet installation typically includes a cubicle (part of which is shown in broken lines in the drawings and is generally indicated by reference numeral 149) which is erected on the pit 132 and within which the toilet unit 10 is contained. The cubicle will typically have a lockable door in order to provide the user with privacy.

One end of a feed pipe 150 is connected to the pipe 134 in order to convey water from a water source, e.g., a cistern or a mains supply or the like, to the toilet unit.

One end of a discharge pipe 152 is connected to the outlet 42. The discharge pipe extends through the side 142 in order to discharge liquid into the ground outside the pit 132.

Many of the components of the toilet unit 10 are formed as mouldings of synthetic plastics material and the invention extends to moulds for moulding the components.

As can be seen in Figures 2 and 14, when the toilet is not being used a rear part of the toilet seat 86 will be slightly elevated by virtue of the fact that it rests on the rods 80. The upward displacement of the rear of the toilet seat is limited by the hooks 91 . When a person sits on the seat 86, the weight of the person urges the rods 80 downwardly against the bias of the coil springs 84. This in turn displaces the slide and the gear racks 78 downwardly. The teeth of each gear rack engage with the complementary gear teeth 60 on the associated trunnion 58 which serves to pivot the closure member 14 from its closed position to its open position. As can best be seen in Figure 16 of the drawings, in its open position, the closure member 14 is displaced through more than 90° such that it is completely clear of the passage 30 thereby reducing the risk that excreta will be deposited onto the closure member 14. When the person is finished using the toilet and stands up, the slide 62 will be displaced upwardly towards its rest position under the influence of the springs 84 which returns the closure member 14 to its closed position. Alternatively, the closure member may be displaced to its open position by a person pressing downwardly on the pad 94 of the foot pedal 92 with his foot. This serves to displace the slide 62 downwardly, in the manner described above such that the closure member 14 is displaced to its open position. When the load on the foot pedal is removed, the closure member will be returned to its closed position.

If liquid is introduced into the pedestal 12, e.g. during use or during cleaning whilst the closure member 14 is in its closed position, liquid which runs down the side of the pedestal will be discharged into the channels 40, 44 and fed into the sump 38 from where it is discharged through the outlet 42 and typically through the pipe 152 connected to the outlet which discharges the liquid at a position remote from the pit. The discharge point could be an underground dispersion system and the liquid could be used to cultivate plants. Further, liquid deposited onto the closure member 14 when in its closed position, e.g. by someone urinating in the toilet, will be retained on the closure member 14 by the flange or lip 56 and will be fed rearwardly off the back of the panel 52 and through the guide 54 into the sump 38 for dispersion in the manner described above.

The Inventors believe that a toilet unit 10 will not only improve the efficiency associated with the use of a dry toilet by limiting the liquid matter entering the pit but will also enhance the dignity of a person using the toilet unit 10 since the closure member will normally be in a closed position which blocks off the pit so that the contents of the pit are not visible through the pedestal.

In addition to limiting the moisture entering the pit to a minimum, a further advantage of a toilet unit 10 in accordance with the invention is that the closure member 14 limits the flow of air through the toilet pedestal 12 into the pit. This not only reduces the risk of malodorous gasses permeating the cubicle in which the toilet unit 10 is housed but in addition, it enables the temperature within the pit to increase which accelerates the drying of matter contained within the pit. In addition, the raised temperature assists in the reduction of pathogens associated with matter contained in the pit.