Introduction The invention relates to a disposal unit for disposing of domestic animal waste into a sewage collection system.

Many pet owners are faced with the dilemma of where to dispose of their pet waste. Many people dispose of pet waste through the domestic household waste bin. This is not only bad for the environment as the waste is generally wrapped in plastic bags which takes many years to decompose, but it is also unpleasant and potentially unhygienic and a threat to public health.

There are alternative solutions to pet waste disposal available including several types of composting device. These may be powered and organic as well as including entry point fittings for disposal of the waste into the sewage system. The majority of the composting systems create potential hygiene issues, especially with respect to children, as well as difficult installation and maintenance. There is a need for an alternative means to easily and hygienically dispose of pet waste.

Statements of Invention

According to the invention there is provided an insert for a sewage entry point comprising a rigid cistern or basin comprising an outer section, inner section and a base section, the inner section comprising a splayed funnel shape wherein the neck of the funnel extends into a bowl shaped container on the base of the basin or cistern.

In one embodiment of the invention the splayed portion of the funnel shaped inner section extends upwardly and outwardly toward the outer edges of the outer section. Preferably the insert compri.ses_an opening between the inner and outer sections of the cistern or basin. In one embodiment of the invention the cistern or basin is substantially cylindrical in shape.

In one embodiment of the invention the outer section of the cistern or basin is substantially watertight,

In another embodiment of the invention the base section comprises a hinged trapdoor between the cistern or basin and the bowl shaped container on the base of the container.

In one embodiment of the invention the cistern or basin is in fluid communication with the bowl shaped container on the base of the cistern.

In one embodiment of the invention the bowl shaped container comprises moulded channels along its sides. Preferably the moulded channels on the bowl shaped container are aligned with corresponding apertures in the edge of the trapdoor. Most preferably the moulded channels and apertures provide a turbulent flow of water in the bowl shaped container. In one embodiment of the invention the insert comprises a cover or lid. Most preferably the cover is hingedly attached to the upper rim of the Armstrong Junction (AJ).

In one embodiment of the invention the cover is opened by means of a foot activated latching mechanism. Preferably the cover comprises a twistable foot panel having an extruding lip on its underside which latches under a receiving bridge attached to the upper rim of the AJ. Most preferably a spring activated mechanism is released when the extruding lip is un-latched. In one embodiment of the invention the hinged lid comprises a mechanical linkage to the trapdoor. Preferably closing the hinged lid on the insert results in the trapdoor in the base section opening and water in the outer section of the cistern/basin being flushed into the bowl shaped container on the base of the insert. In one embodiment of the invention the insert is connected to a mains water supply. Preferably the insert comprises means to automatically shut off the supply of mains water when the outer section of the cistern is full. According to the invention there is also provided a method of disposing of domestic pet waste in a sewage collection system comprising the steps of; fitting an insert as claimed in any preceding claim to a sewage entry point; lifting the hinged cover on the insert:

depositing the waste material in the neck of the splayed funnel inner section; closing the lid to actuate the flushing mechanism; and

automatically flushing water in the outer section of the basin or cistern with water to flush the waste into the sewage collection system. Brief Description of the Invention

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a sewer entry system showing the disposal insert of the invention in position above a standard sewage entry point;

Fig. 2 is a side perspective view of the disposal insert of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a side perspective view from the bottom of the insert of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a side perspective view of the disposal insert of the invention

Fig. 5 is a downward view into the disposal insert of the invention;

Fig. 6 is an upward view from the bottom of the disposal insert of the invention; Fig, 7 are views of the insert showing how water is flushed through the insert of the invention;

Fig. 8 are views of the disposal insert showing how mains water is connected to the insert of the invention;

Fig. 9 are views of how the cover operates in combination with the insert of the invention; and Fig. 10 are views of a cover opening mechanism according to one embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description Disposal of pet waste can be a huge problem for pet owners especially those living in built up urban areas where garden space is limited. Pet waste disposal units which access the sewage collection system are commercially available however a major disadvantage with these units is the lack of separation of the user with the open sewage system when using the units. This is extremely hazardous from a health and hygiene point of view. In addition many of the commercially available devices are designed for the American sewage entry point system and are not compatible in particular with the Irish, UK and European systems.

The present invention provides a domestic animal waste disposal system which provides a system simple to install and operate utilising existing collection and disposal facilities. The system provides access to a domestic sewage collecting system yet provides a safer level of separation between the sewage system and the user. The present invention uses the standard Armstrong junction (AJ) as the access point to a main domestic sewage collection system. The present invention provides an environmentally friendly and more hygienic means of disposing of pet waste.

Fig. 1 shows a disposal insert 1 of the invention ready for placement in a sewage entry point commonly known as an Armstrong Junction (AJ) 2. The insert 1 is sized to neatly fit within the confines of conventionally used Armstrong Junctions 2. 'Hie conventional AJ has a circular opening 3 within which the disposal insert 1 of the present invention neatly fits. The disposal insert 1 may be quickly and easily removed for normal maintenance of a domestic sewage collection system or when a blockage in the sewage system needs to be cleared.

Once the insert ! is in place a pet owner simply has to lift the cover or lid 4 on the AJ 2 to deposit pet waste into the insert 1, When the cover 4 is lowered back over the AJ 2 the pet waste is automatically flushed away into the main domestic sewage pipe 5 collection system.

The insert 1 comprises a rigid cistern or basin comprising an outer section 6, inner section 7 and a base section 8. The outer section 6 of the cistern or basin is the widest part of the unit, The inner section 7 has a splayed funnel shape, the chute or neck 9 of the funnel extending into a bowl shaped container 10 mounted on or moulded to the base section 8 of the cistern or basin. The splayed portion of the funnel shaped inner section 7 extends upwardly and outwardly toward the outer edge of the outer section 6 but does not come fully in contact with the edges of the outer section 6. An opening 12 between the inner and outer sections allows water to be filled into the outer section 6 forming a reservoir of water. The upper edge of the splayed funnel shape inner section 7 is lower in height than the upper edge of the outer section 6 (Fig. 4),

When the insert 1 is placed within the circular opening 3 of an AJ 2 the bowl shaped container 10 on the base of the insert dips slightly into the main sewage pipe 5. The container 10 is suspended within the sewage pipe 5 but is sufficiently slim-line in shape and proportionate to avoid adversely affecting the existing flow in the main sewage pipe 5. An opening 1 1 at the end of the bowl shaped container 10 distal to the neck 9 of the splayed funnel allows the waste in the bowl shaped container 10 to be flushed from the bowl 10 into the main sewage pipe 5.

The cistern or basin is substantially cylindrical in shape however the outer edge maybe of any suitable shape compatible with standard entry points into a main sewer system. The base section 8 comprises a hinged trapdoor 13 between the outer section 6 of the cistern or basin and the bowl shaped container 10. The outer section 6 of the cistern or basin is watertight when the trapdoor 13 is in the closed position. The hinged trapdoor 13 creates multiple apertures 14 to allow and control water flow. The bowl shaped container 10 comprises moulded channels 15 along its sides. The moulded channels 15 are aligned with the apertures 14 in the trapdoor 13.

The insert 1 of the invention may comprise a cover 16 which is essentially the same as a standard manhole cover 4 over an AJ. The cover 16 may be hinged for ease of use, one end 16a of the cover 16 is attached to the upper rim 3a of the AJ. Preferably the end 16a is screwed into the upper rim 3a.

The cover 16 may have a lip (not shown) on the underside to receive a trowel or shovel. To open the user simply inserts the tip of a trowel or shovel and opens the lid.

Alternatively as shown in Fig. 10 the cover may be opened using a circular foot activated latching mechanism. The cover 16 comprises a circular panel 40 incorporated into the hinged cover. The underneath of the circular panel 40 has an extracting lip 42 for catching under a receiving bridge 41 to lock the cover closed. A spring mechanism 35 is attached on the flat upper rim 3a of an existing AJ. The spring mechanism comprises a spring 36 and piston 37. The receiving bridge 41 which receives the lip 42 on the underneath of the foot panel 40 is located below the spring mechanism 35. To open the cover 16 the foot panel 40 is pressed and turned by a user's foot to release the extruding lip 42 from the receiving bridge 41, The spring 36 in the spring mechanism is released and the piston pushed upward to push open the cover 16. To close the cover 16 the foot panel 40 is pushed down and turned so that the extruding lip 42 catches securely under the bridge 41, The circular foot activated latching mechanism may have a safety feature making it difficult for children to access the insert within the AJ.

A mechanical linkage 20 between the cover 16 and the insert 1 provides the automatic flushing mechanism flushing the deposited waste down into the sewage pipe. The cover 16 acts as a lever to actuate the flushing mechanism to create a turbulent flow of water in the bowl 10. As shown in particular in Fig. 9 the linkage 20 comprises two pivot points 21, 22 and a fixed point 23 which is fixed to the upper rim 3a of the AJ. The end of the mechanical linkage 20 is attached to the hinged trapdoor 13. Closing the hinged lid 16 of the insert 1 results in the trapdoor 13 in the base of the basin or cistern being lifted open and water in the outer section 6 of the basin/cistern flowing into the bowl shaped container 10.

The insert may be manufactured as a single moulded piece which simply fits into the space provided by an Armstrong Junction (AJ). Alternatively depending on the manufacturing process different parts may be manufactured individually and assembled together. The lid is attached separately and is screwed into place utilising the lugs or nodes which are present on the top of any conventional AJ. The mechanical linkage 20 to the trapdoor 13 is attached by any suitable means.

Once the insert is placed in position within an AJ it is ready for use. To use the user lifts the lid/cover 16.

The outer section 6 of the cistern or basin is filled with water. The water may be directed manually into the opening 12 between the outer and inner section to fill the basin or cistern with water as shown in Fig. 7(c). At this time the trapdoor in the base section of the cistern or basin is closed and the outer section 6 is watertight, The outer section 6 of the cistern or basin holds enough water to clear a large amount of waste in one flush.

Alternatively as shown in Fig. 8 a mains water pipe 30 may be directly connected to the insert 1 to fill the outer section 6 of the cistern. The mains water pipe may have a ball cock type mechanism 31 to control the flow of water into the outer section 6 of the cistern or basin. The ball cock rises with the water level and once the water reaches a sufficient level a stopper automatically closes off the mains water supply. Any suitable mechanism for automatically shutting off the mains water supply may be used.

Gathered pet waste is placed into the chute or neck 9 of the splayed funnel of the inner section 7 of the cistern/basin (container), where it drops/falls into the bowl 10. The bowl 10 normally contains a small amount of water to reduce the chances of blockages. A guide line on the neck 9 of the splayed funnel indicates the maximum amount of waste that may be loaded into the unit to ensure that the flushing mechanism operates efficiently. Once all the waste is placed in the bowl, the user closes the lid on the A.) 2. Closing the lid 16 actuates the flushing mechanism.

As shown in Figs. 7 (b) and (d), as the lid closes, the trapdoor 13 in the base 8 of the cistern or basin opens allowing the water held in the outer section 6 to flow down through the apertures 14 and the molded channels 15 of the bowl 10, creating sufficient turbulence in the bowl 10 to remove the waste matter from the bowl 10 directing and flushing the waste matter into the household waste sewage collection pipe 5. After flushing, a small amount of water remains in the bowl for the next use. Should this water evaporate, the user need only direct a small amount of water down the chute 9 of the splayed funnel when they are next filling the outer section 6 of the basin. The insert may be made of a thermoplastic poly-vinyl chloride or other suitable material. The material should be impervious to water and outdoor conditions, durable and rigid, and moldable.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments herein before described which may be varied in detail.