Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Dry closets
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-04
2001-07-17
Phillips, Charles E. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Dry closets
C004SDIG001
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260216
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to improvements in a biological toilet or composting toilet for composting toilet waste, which toilet comprises a composting chamber, in which the toilet waste is received and when needed is mixed with a decomposition-boosting material in order to decompose this compost into humus, as well as a container, which is located underneath the composting chamber for collection and employing of the humus progressively forming in the composting chamber, and also a support, which is formed with perforations and which is located between the composting chamber and the humus-collection container to support the compost and the allow fall-through of humus from the composting chamber to the humus-collection container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In a composting toilet the toilet waste, i.e. urine, faeces, and toilet paper, is composted into humus with the aid of biological microorganisms and evaporation of liquids. To accelerate the decomposition process, controlled supply of heat and air and stirring of the compost at regular intervals may be resorted to.
For various reasons, primarily the frequency of use of the composting toilet, the times of use and the number of users, the compost often tends to be either too moist or too dry. In both cases, the decomposition process is decelerated and may even stop completely. The compost is too moist when it is no longer able to absorb liquid; the liquid remains on top of the compost and slowly seeps into the humus-collection container. As a result, the humus-collection container risks being filled with liquid and liquid may even spill over, which may result in damage due to damp and cause bad odours. Reversely, the compost is too dry, when lumps form or when toilet paper remains on top and is not soaked-through or mixed with the rest of the material upon stirring. The composting or decomposition process can then be slowed down or stop completely. If this happens, liquid must be supplied, for example by water being sprayed thereon one or several times until the compost becomes sufficiently moist for the decompostion process to proceed as intended.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to provide a unique solution to the problem of maintaining the moisture content or moisture balance of the compost as constant as possible and at an optimum value.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This object is achieved in a way, which is as ingenious as it is simple, by providing adjacent the support a regulating means, which regulates the degree of openness of the perforations in the support and the passage-through of the humus in order thus to control the decomposition in the composting chamber by regulation of the moisture balance in the compost contained in the composting chamber.
The support preferably is configured as an essentially flat grid while at the same time the regulating means may be configured as an essentially flat sliding damper, which is arranged for sliding translatory motion essentially in parallel with the grid.
The grid as well as the sliding damper are formed with bars and elongate openings, preferably arranged in alternate positions, said bars and openings extending transversely across a lower outlet opening in the composting chamber and arranged to cooperate in order to completely or partly expose and obstruct the grid openings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3859672 (1975-01-01), Modig
patent: 4096592 (1978-06-01), Clark
patent: 4313234 (1982-02-01), Stewart
patent: 4521304 (1985-06-01), Yount
patent: 5345620 (1994-09-01), Sundberg
patent: 1444244 (1976-07-01), None
patent: 131228 (1975-01-01), None
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