TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a rest station device for composting feces and urine. BACKGROUND

Handling of human waste in the form of urine and feces is a growing problem worldwide, which is linked to sanitary risks as many areas lack the necessary facilities for an efficient and safe disposal thereof. For instance, many areas lack sewage treatment facilities or even a functioning sewage system. Also for boats this is a growing problem. Thus, often human waste materials risk being disposed of in an uncontrolled manner leading to a sanitary problem and a health risk for the people living in the area. Taking care of feces and urine may pose a problem also in other situations, for instance whenever a temporary rest facility is needed, e.g. on a construction site or during an intense tourist season in more or less remote areas where a proper sewage system is not available and water supply is restricted. Known temporary rest facilities normally consist of a toilet positioned over a single, sealed vessel wherein urine and feces are collected until the vessel needs to be emptied. Such conventional temporary rest facilities are very space demanding and are hard to move around as well as they are unpleasant to empty.

A known portable system for treating human waste is disclosed in W09218442, wherein a transportable rest station is described where feces and urine are treated to be composted. However, it has been shown that the composting rate of the system in W09218442 is unsatisfactory, and thereby a new more efficient system is desired.

Moreover, from WO2013100840 there is known a system improving in relation to the problem mentioned above. However, also this latter system may be of need of

improvements in order to present a system that may be more easily accepted by users. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide which may present significant advantages for a user. Other objects of the invention will become clear from the following description and drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objects of the invention are essentially achieved by means of a toilet device for composting feces and for treating urine according to claim 1.

Thanks to the invention there is provided a device for composting feces and urine which provides many advantages.

The system according to the invention is a better alternative than flush toilets, sewers and sewage treatment. Thanks to the invention there is achieved an easy way of providing a sanitary safe and well functioning rest facility, which means the system provides both logistic as well as economic advantages in one solution.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a schematically illustrated view of an assembled prior art rest station according to

WO201300840 which is hereby introduced by way of reference and, which may form a basic frame work for a device according to the invention, and

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the rest station in Fig. 1, presenting a first solution in accordance with the invention,

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a rest station device in

accordance with the invention,

Fig. 4 shows a flow chart of a sustainable rest station technology according to an example of the invention, and,

Figs. 5 and 6 show perspective views of a sustainable rest station according to a further embodiment according to the invention,

Figs.7 and 8 show perspective views of two different modular fitting systems for easy and cost efficient production of feces and liquid compartment units,

Figs. 9A-9C show different views of a feces and liquid compartment unit according to further embodiments of the invention, Fig. 9D shows a side view of a further embodiment of a rest station according to the invention,

Figs. 10A-10B show side views of a toilet seat according to a further embodiment

according to the invention, including an interior cover arrangement,

Figs. 11 A-l IB show a further embodiment according to the invention with a modified arrangement for a cover arrangements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following description, and with reference to Figs. 1 -2, a rest station is generally referred to as 1. As seen in the schematically illustrated view of Fig. 1, said rest station generally comprises essentially vertical side walls 11, 13, 16, a roof 12, a floor 3 and a door 10 together forming a housing and enclosing an interior space which is of sufficient size for a sitting person. A toilet opening 2 in a toilet base surface 4 defining a toilet seat 6 is disposed in the enclosed space and a step surface 5 is arranged in front of the toilet seat 6.

The rest station 1 is further provided with a composting system schematically illustrated in Fig. 2. According to one embodiment of the invention a composting system comprises in a non-limiting way the following features: a feces compartment inlet 6, a feces compartment 7 (also referred to as "composting unit " or "composting compartment"), a lower base 70 of the feces compartment 7, a liquid compartment 8 and an air vent 18.

Furthermore Fig.2 shows a rest station device T with improvements in accordance with the invention. Firstly there is shown that there is arranged a leveling device 9, having the object to facilitate leveling of the solid material within the upper compartment 7 of the rest station device. The leveling arrangement 9 comprises a handle 90 and a lever 93 that protrude above the upper surface 4 of the rest room device. The lever 93 is fixedly attached to a rod/shaft 92 that extends substantially vertical downwards through a hole 96 in the upper wall of the feces compartment 7, into the interior of the upper compartment 7, to terminate at distance above the floor 70 of the upper compartment 7. From the end of the lower end of the rod 92 there extends substantial horizontally a leveling member 94. Preferably the leveling member 94 is positioned within a range of 200-450 mm above the floor 70 and preferably it has a length that is in the range of 300-700 mm. The length is preferably such that it at least reaches across the opening of the toilet seat 6. The rod/shaft 92 of the flushing member 9 preferably penetrates a hole 96 in the upper wall 4 at a position behind the seat 6. Here a bearing and a fixation member 95 is arranged within the hole 40 in the upper wall 4 to enable swinging of the leveling member 94 by means of movement of the handle 90. The member 95 preferably is arranged with an arrangement (not shown) to allow adjustable positioning of the rotatable shaft 92 to allow desired positioning of the height of the leveling member 94. Furthermore Fig.2 shows that the ventilation tube 18 preferably extends all the way through the upper compartment 7 (preferably perforated to evacuate from the upper compartment 7), through a first upper hole 40 and then a second lower hole 87 down into the lower compartment 8 to enable ventilation from both compartments 7, 8. Also there is shown a ventilation hole 86 at the upper limit of the liquid compartment 8 and a fan.

Moreover Fig. 2 shows that there is a hole 83 arranged in a side wall of the lower compartment 8, at a level preferably near the dividing member 70 between the two compartments 7, 8. This hole 83 is intended for introduction of a tube enabling connection to a pump for emptying of liquid in the lower compartment 8, e.g. by means of a manually operated pump or an electric operated pump.

In Fig. 3 there is shown a preferred embodiment of a rest room device T in accordance with the invention, wherein the different parts of the basic rest room device T are joined together to form an integrated unit, e.g. produced in polymeric material, e.g. FRP or a thermoplastic (e.g. polyethylene) by means of blow moulding and rotational moulding and/or injection moulding. Accordingly the lower compartment 8 is integrated with the upper compartment 7, preferably in a manner where the extension of the lower compartment 8 is larger than the upper compartment 7, i.e. the width in at least one transversal extension exceeds the width of the upper compartment 7. Accordingly the lower compartment will present a roof portion 84 that extends further than one vertical wall 53 limiting the upper compartment 7. In Fig. 3, a leveling device 9 is arranged in a modified manner in accordance with what is shown in Fig. 2, by means of an arrangement having a handle protruding through the front wall 74 of the rest room device, T, wherein the leveling member 94 (not shown) may be moved horizontally by means of moving the handle along a groove 97. Further the unit T is shown to have a hole 40 for a ventilation tube 18. The upper compartment 7 may preferably have a first inner front wall 74 and a second outer front wall 53, to enable arrangement of, at least one, preferably plural foot rest surfaces 50, 51, 52, wherein preferably there is arranged a central foot rest surface 50 at a lower level and a pair of foot rests 51, 52 on a higher level on each side of the central surface 50. Also it is shown that the device T may be equipped with inspection means 85, enabling control of the liquid level.

The rest station 1 and its composting function is now to be described by reference mainly to Fig. 2 wherein there is shown in a schematic way the components which are comprised in the rest station 1 and the composting system according to one embodiment of the invention. It is to be understood that the invention is not restricted in any way to the dimensions of the components seen in Fig. 2, and that the Figure is to be seen as illustrating the mere principle of the function of the system.

The composting toilet according to the invention uses aerobic decomposition to efficiently break down both urine and feces into stable compounds within the feces compartment unit 7. According to the invention urine is separated from feces ensuring that feces remain in an aerobic environment. Organisms rapidly break down feces into a compost material that has chemical, biological and aesthetic characteristics similar to topsoil and reduces its volume by over 90%. Consequently, there is no need for frequent removal of solid waste.

At bottom of the feces compartment 7 there is arranged a liquid drain outlet 71 through which urine is transferred out of the feces compartment 7 to separate urine from feces. Preferably the liquid drain outlet 71 is provided with a filter (not shown) which allows for passage of liquid. The liquid drain outlet 71 leads to a liquid compartment 8 positioned underneath said feces compartment 7. Preferably the lower base surface 70 of the feces compartment 7 is sloped (preferably at an angle between 2-7°, preferably 5°) creating a declination in a direction towards the liquid drain outlet 71 to promote efficient transfer of liquid by means of gravity out of the feces compartment 7 and into the liquid compartment 8.

Feces air outlet is achieved by means of an air vent 18 and a fan, in the form of a tube having its lower end disposed somewhere within the feces compartment 7. It is to be understood that said air outlet is not limited to the exact position shown in Fig. 2, but can vary somewhat. Air vent 18 is of sufficient size and shape to enable sufficient ventilation of feces compartment 7 to compost feces in feces bed inside the compartment 7. Air vent 18 may include an air vent outlet device 19 above roof 12. Air vent 18 allows ventilation of air from feces bed and liquid compartment. The feces retained in the feces compartment 7 is arranged to compost therein whereby a decomposed organic waste is formed. "Compost", as that term is used herein, means decomposition of feces, to form decomposed organic waste which is suitable for sterilization and subsequent use as fertilizer or mixture with soil to form topsoil. Once initiated, composting of solid waste in feces bed building up inside the feces compartment 7 is continuous during exposure of feces bed to conditions sufficient to maintain composting of feces. Composting can be initiated spontaneously or can be initiated by combination of feces collected within feces retainer with a suitable filler, such as wood chips, to allow sufficient aeration and drainage of feces bed to cause composting. Preferably, the bacteria content of feces bed is reduced in feces compartment 7 by about ninety-five percent before removal from feces bed. Preferably the composting of solid waste is further supported by means of introducing colonies of micro organisms, which feed on the solid waste, into the compartment 7. Suitable additive include "biobacteria fragrance" which comprises a combination of micro organisms, enzymes and biologically degradable fragrances. Other additional micro organisms which may be introduced into the feces bed are black soldier fly larvae and the worm "Eisenia Foetida". The different micro organisms may be introduced in combination or separately into the feces bed. The micro organisms may be re-filled into the feces bed whenever needed. Thanks to the presence of micro organisms the composting rate may be increased.

In one embodiment according to the invention the active composition is in the form of a stable liquid and/or dry powder product that contains specifically developed bacteria spores, i.e. a formulation that is free of pathogenic bacteria. Further it does not preferably contain any carcinogenic or hazardous compounds and is non-corrosive. The density may be about 1190 kg/m3, containing spores of Class-I (American Type Culture Collection Classification and Swedish Workers Protection Agency AFS1988: 12) microorganisms of the Bacillus family. The pH will be about 7.0 to 7.5. The stability thereof in room temperature (<25oC) is a minimum 2 years and if refrigerated (3-5oC), minimum 3 years.

The collection and treatment of urine waste is now to be described.

Liquid waste consists mainly of composted urine and possibly some water, so-called "compost tea", nutritious and practically free from bacteria and odor. The compost tea is stable and can be stored for a considerable time in said liquid compartment 8 and/or in connected storage spaces. As urine moves by gravity to the lowest point of the composting unit 7 through the feces bed, bacterial action causes a chemical transformation that converts the chemically unstable components of urine (urea and ammonia) into a liquid end-product containing nitrite and nitrate. This liquid is biologically and chemically stable and contains nutrients valuable for fertilizer for different kinds of vegetation.

Nitrification bed is disposed within waste compartment 7 and is sufficiently dense to prevent uneven distribution or channeling of urine throughout nitrification bed.

Nitrification bed may include a substrate which can support aerobic nitrifying bacteria and which is relatively stable. Also, suitable substrates can maintain a sufficient moisture content and allow sufficient aeration to support aerobic nitrifying bacteria for nitrifying a significant portion of ammonium ions in the urine collected in urine retainer. Examples of suitable substrates include loam, wood shavings and other cellulosic materials, etc. In a preferred embodiment, nitrification bed comprises peat moss. The amount of aerobic nitrifying bacteria supported by the substrate in nitrification bed is sufficient to nitrify a significant portion of ammonium ions in urine collected under expected use-conditions of rest station 1. Nitrification of the ammonium ions causes the ammonium ions to form, for example, nitrites and nitrates. Aerobic nitrifying bacteria can be introduced to nitrification bed by indigenous bacterial growth or by artificially introducing aerobic nitrifying bacteria into nitrification bed. Examples of suitable aerobic nitrifying bacteria include nitrobacter, Nitrosomonas, etc.

Although not shown in the figures the toilet device may comprise an arrangement for dry flushing the solid waste by flattening it with a special built-in mechanical device.

Fig. 4 presents a flow chart representing an overview of the sustainable rest station technology according to the invention. In one embodiment the rest station is arranged with water for hygiene purposes (e.g.

washing hands etc). Preferably such a water supply system is a closed loop system A as is schematically described in the flow chart of Fig. 4. According to one embodiment a fresh water tank and a separate grey water tank are connected to each other via water conduit means comprising a purification unit. For instance fresh water can be supplied to the fresh water tank to be used for water supply to a hand bidet or to a hand wash basin.

The grey water produced from the washing station can be transferred to the grey water tank by means of gravity and from the grey water tank through the conduit means back to the fresh water tank via the purification unit. The water can be treated and purified in said purification unit using an ecological purification technology known in the art. For instance such water treatment may include mechanical purification for removing particles and microorganisms and/or disinfection in UV filter. Having passed the purification unit the water is then transported (e.g. pumped) back to the fresh water tank, which preferably is located above the grey water tank in order to use the power of gravity to supply water to the hand bidet and hand wash basin.

In figure 5 and figure 6, there is shown a perspective view of a further embodiment according to the invention, which in many aspects is similar to what is shown in Fig. 4. As a consequence it is referred to the description in relation to Fig. 4 regarding similar features. A first main difference is the division 700 of the feces compartment 7 into an upper part 78 and a lower part 79. Thanks to the division, the upper and lower parts respectively may be handled separately. For instance it may be possible to first divide the two parts 78-79, by lifting the upper part 79 upwards, and thereafter remove the lower part 78, e.g. in order to exchange a lower filled part 78 with a new fresh, unfilled lower part. The division 700 between the two parts preferably extends substantially horizontally, preferably in a horizontal plane, wherein the division line 700 is positioned underneath the upper surface of the foot rests 51, 52. Moreover another main difference is the arrangement of legs 701 at the bottom of the feces compartment 7. The legs 701 will provide for an open space 702 underneath the feces department 7, which space 702 preferably is used to position a liquid container 8 (not shown) by having the width of the liquid container 8 adapted to the width between the legs 701, the liquid container 8 may easily be slid into and out of the space 702 underneath the feces compartment 7. A hole 71 in the bottom of the feces compartment 7 (se Fig. 5) will arrange for liquid to drain out from the feces compartment 7 into an upper opening (not shown) in the liquid container 8. By this arrangement the liquid compartment 8, with its liquid, may easily be emptied in a flexible manner in accordance with different needs and desires. In Fig. 7 there is schematically shown a perspective view of one embodiment for a modular assembly of units comprising a liquid compartment 8 and a feces compartment 7. In the most left hand view it is shown that the lowermost part of the module is the liquid compartment 8. On its upper face, the liquid compartment 8 is preferably arranged with inter fittings 890 that form one part of a male and female inter fit to the next part of the model. This principle may preferably be applied in a relation to a plurality of the parts in the model, preferably all of them. The next part 79 A, inter fitting on top of the liquid container 8, is the lowermost portion of the feces compartment 7. This lowermost part 79A is arranged with inter fitting elements 790 that match the inter fittings of 890 of the liquid compartment 8. In this embodiment the inter fittings of the lower portion 79A of the feces compartment 7, are in the form of hollow, sealed off members 790 that protrude upwardly, that are sealed off to not provide any communication downwards. The inter fittings 890 on the liquid compartment 8 have a corresponding form to inter fit within the hollow part formed within, inter fitting members 790 of the lower portion 79A of the feces compartment 7. The lower portion 79A is arranged with watertight upstanding edges/sidewalls that preferably protrude slightly below the same level of the top of the inter fitting members 790. Preferably at least 6 inter fitting members are used, 3 belong each side, but more preferred there are also arranged three inter fitting members 890 in a center row, to provide a total of nine inter fitting members, 790 which of course is not limiting, i.e. more than nine may be used.

In a next stage an upper portion 78A of the feces compartment is put on to the lower portion 79 A, wherein corresponding inter fitting members (not shown) match with protruding inter fitting members 790 of the lower portion 79 A. The rear wall of the upper portion 78A, and it's side walls are fitted to the be in line with the corresponding walls of the lower portion 79A, whereas the front wall of the upper portion 78A does not extend all the way to the front wall of the lower portion 79A, to leave a front row of inter fitting members 790 exposed. In a third step a top cover 78B for the feces compartment 7 is put on top of the upper portion 78A, provided with a front most portion extending all the way to the front edge of the lower portion 79 A, to thereby inter fit with the front row of the inter fitting members 790 and being in line with all walls with the walls of the lower portion In the final step a seat part 78C is positioned on to the top cover 78B, thereby forming an assembled unit comprising feces compartment 7 and liquid compartment 8. The function of the units, generally correspond to what has been described above and will therefore not be described more in detailed. Preferably the different parts are produced in a thermoplastic material, whereby form molding and/or rotation molding and or blow molding may be used to produce the different parts.

In Fig. 8 there is shown a further embodiment of a modular principle that may be used in connection with the invention. The first step in the assembly process is preferably exactly the same as for what is described in Fig. 7.

In the second step merely sidewalls 780A, 780B are attached to the lower portion 79A, whereby the sidewalls extend all the way along the sides of the lower portion 79A. In a third step a front wall 780C is put into a place, transversally joining substantial portions of the sidewalls 780A, 780B. In the next step an interior feces compartment 780D is put into place into the space between the sidewalls 780A, 780B and the front wall 780C. In a fifth step the rear wall 780E is put into place and in a final step seat part 78C is put on the top, to present a unit comprising a feces compartment 7 and liquid compartment 8. In the preferred embodiment the seat part 78C is the same as the one used in the module in Fig.7.

In Figs. 9 A, B, C there are shown different views of a feces- and liquid compartment 7, 8 according to a further embodiment of the invention. In Fig. 9A there is a view from above within indications for cross-sectional views shown in Figs. 9B and 9C. In Fig. 9B there is shown a cross-sectional view according to A in Fig 9A. In general, the same features are shown in Figs. 9B and 9C as in Fig.2, and therefore merely differing aspects will be attended to. An important major difference is the application of an inner cover 100, that is schematically shown in Figs. 9B and 9C and that will be more explained in detail in connection with Figs. 10 and 11. Furthermore it is shown that the level arrangement 9 according to this embodiment preferably is connected to a rod device, extending down into the liquid compartment 8, thereby using the top portion of liquid compartment 8 to easily fix a pivot point for the rod 92 with the level arrangement 94. In Fig. 9C it is shown that the ventilation arrangement 18 preferably may be arranged with a further ventilation hole 87A that has its inlet within the feces compartment 7 in Fig. 9D there is shown a side view of a rest station according to one embodiment of the invention, having a feces- and liquid compartment 7, 8 according to the basic design described in Figs. 9A-9C. Here, it is shown that it may be preferred to have a hole 18A in the rear wall 16 of the housing for leading the tubing 18 of the ventilation out from the rest station sideways, thereby avoiding any holes in the roof 12. Furthermore it is shown that there may be use of a bidet arrangement 180, 181, 182. i.e. a hand shower 180 connected to a water connection 181 via a flexible tube 182.

In Figs. 1 OA and B there is shown a view from behind of a first embodiment for a seat 6 having a moveably cover arrangement 100 connected thereto. In Fig. 1 OA the cover mechanism is in its closed position and in Fig. 10B it is in an open position. The purpose of the cover 100 is to prevent the user to see into the feces compartment, when opening the lid of the toilet seat 6, and to provide an automatic mechanism that removes the cover 100 when the user actually is going to use the toilet. In the embodiments shown in Figs. 10 and 11 it is presented how this may be achieved by means of mechanism connected to the seat ring 6A. It is to be understood that very same mechanism may preferably also be connected to one or more moveable parts on one or both of the footsteps 51, 52 to thereby also obtain the same function for user that squat.

The cover mechanism 100 of Fig. 10A comprises two plates 101, 102 connected to pivoting member 103, 104. The pivoting members 103 are connected to one end of a transmission arrangement (not shown), which has its other end connected to vertically moveable rods 105, 106, connected to the seat ring 6A. When pressure is put on top of the seat ring 6 A the rods 105, 106 will move downwardly and the transmission arrangement will thereby cause the pivoting members 103, 104 to pivot around a horizontal axis, thereby moving the cover plates 101, 102 away from their covering position, e.g. from the view in Fig. 10B. The transmission arrangement is fitted to a plate having vertical grooves 107, wherein a limit stop element 108 provide for control between fully open and fully closed position of the cover plates 101, 102. A spring action (not shown) urges the rods 105, 106 upwardly into the position shown in 10A. In Figs. 1 1A, 1 IB there are shown side views of a further cover mechanism 100 according to the invention. In this embodiment the cover plates do not move in a curved manner as in Fig 10A and 10B, but move in a horizontal plane around a pivot axis C. As in the other embodiment there is at least one rod 105 connected to the seat ring 6A. Further it is shown that the spring force that urges the rod and the seat ring 6A upwards preferably may be applied by means of a helical spring 108 arranged around a rod 105, i.e. underneath the seat ring 6A and between a fixed lower part 6C of the toilet seat or the top 4 of the feces compartment 7.

The invention is not limited by what has been described above but by the appended claims. For instance, it is evident that a skilled person will be able to choose between many well- known solutions, to produce a single unit toilet device, e.g. centrifugal moulding, glass fibre forming welding, etc. Furthermore it is evident to the skilled person that many modifications may be performed regarding a possible use of the wall structures for creating a liquid containing space. Moreover it is evident that many variations exist for achieving an inner cover arrangement 100, deviating from what is described above, e.g. using a single moveable plate and/or having a single or divided plate/s moving downwards, etc.

Furthermore it is foreseen that a heating arrangement may be arranged at the feces compartment 7, having heating devices (e.g. tubes) extending into the lower portion of the feces compartment 7, preferably extending horizontally at a level below a possible levelling device 9. The main purpose of the heating arrangement is to enable heating of the feces compartment in order to eliminate freezing of feces, i.e. to keep up the microbiological process.