Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Dry closets
Patent
1992-08-13
1994-04-19
Recla, Henry J.
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Dry closets
4DIG12, 4DIG19, A47K 1102
Patent
active
053034317
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention concerns a composting toilet comprising an outer shell with a toilet seat adapted to it, and a composting space adapted to the inside of the outer shell, said space being a rotatable drum into which solid toilet waste is collected and from which it is transferred into a collecting container, shaft or similar storage, and means for conducting liquids separately from solid waste, and a venting duct attached to the outer shell.
During composting, the core of the compost actively produces heat, which is prevented from being lost with the help of a thick layer of the compost mass surrounding the core. The compost layer surrounding the compost core also helps slow excessive gas diffusion and thus is capable of reducing the cooling effect of the surrounding air. The superficial layer of the compost on one side continually receives the waste heat emitted by the core and, on the other side, it is cooled and dried by the freely moving air that surrounds the compost.
Simulation of the conditions of a compost pile, particularly those of the superficial layer has been aimed at in such currently known composting toilets, especially in the electrically-powered types, that endeavour to achieve augmented composting. Such toilets use fan-boosted ventilation and electrical heating to enhance composting. These two basically contradictory functions mainly tend to cancel each other. The desired function of composting improvement is thereby hampered. Furthermore, the above-described toilets require externally supplied energy. The composting process is decelerated if the agitation of the compost mass is ineffective or totally lacking (/lacks totally). Resultingly, moisture and the support material may become unevenly dispersed in the bulk. Further, particles which differ in density from the average bulk, such as paper, may remain unmixed in the compost mass. Composting toilets of the above-described type are disclosed, i.a., the following publications: FI-54699, FI-854582, FI-2685/72 and FI-52709.
The same drawbacks are also found in unheated containers of direct-composting toilets and in household waste composting equipment in general. The disadvantages of insufficient agitation are aimed to be compensated for by an over-dimensioned ventilation whose concomitant cooling effect impedes the composting process. This, unfortunately, compels to enlarge the equipment size, thereby leading to increased costs and more complicated toilet use and maintenance. Such a composting toilet is disclosed in, for instance, the Finnish patent FI-58487.
The present invention concerns a novel composting toilet which is capable of overcoming the above-mentioned drawbacks. The composting toilet in accordance with the invention is characterized in that its digester drum is thermally insulated, and that a stationary wall abutting the inlet opening of the drum is adapted to the interior of the toilet shell, said wall having a vent in it, and that in the outer shell, at the wall, there is adapted a toilet seat with liquids separation means so as to allow a free fall of solid waste through a hole in the wall directly onto the inside surface of the drum.
A preferred embodiment of the composting toilet in accordance with the invention is characterized by a recess adapted to its wall, said recess protruding into the drum, and by a discharge hole arranged to that wall of said recess which is opposingly facing the rotational direction of the drum, said hole permitting the discharge of the composted mass into a collecting container placed in said recess, and the container is removable via an opening access hatch placed in the outer shell of the toilet at the location of the recess.
Another preferred embodiment of the composting toilet is characterized by having the toilet seat placed partially to the inside of the inlet opening of the drum.
A further another preferred embodiment of the composting toilet in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the center of the drum bottom has a discharge hole, via which a portion of the com
REFERENCES:
patent: 1383295 (1921-07-01), Gausewitz et al.
patent: 3683425 (1972-08-01), Patterson
patent: 4364130 (1982-12-01), Persson
patent: 4633535 (1987-01-01), Louvo
Eloshway Charles R.
Recla Henry J.
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