Construction arrangement applied in a dry toilet.

Abstract

This utility model pertains to the individual sewage treatment sector and refers more specifically to a dry ecological toilet, a waterless sanitation system that eliminates the need for permanent collective sewage treatment infrastructure. It prevents insects and unpleasant odors during use, and its natural process provides a biological cycle independent of any artificial energy source, making it self-sufficient and non-polluting. The toilet's operation begins when liquid and / or solid waste falls by gravity during physiological needs. Liquid waste is drained by gravity to the bottom of the reservoir, while solid waste remains in the separator.The waste is exposed to a continuous flow of air along with the addition of two sachets of organic material, which are placed only once during the installation of the tank and cabin. A continuous flow of air is generated, promoting the dehydration of solid waste and evaporating the liquid at the bottom of the reservoir. Along with air circulation, the increase in temperature causes evaporation, the absorption of sunlight in the form of heat radiated by convection inside the tank lid, drawing in oxygen-rich air through the basin with the lid down and through the air inlets of the side vent tubes, assisting the aerobic process of biological decomposition of feces and urine. The result is an inert powder with no biological risk to human health or living beings.

Description

1 / 10 Construction arrangement applied in a dry toilet. Technological sector of the Utility Model

[001] This Utility Model pertains to the individual sewage treatment sector and refers, more specifically, to a dry ecological toilet which is a dry sanitation system, without the use of water, which does not require collective sewage treatment infrastructure with permanent installation, and prevents insects or bad odors when used, and its natural process provides a biological cycle that is not dependent on any artificial energy source to function, being self-sufficient and non-polluting. State of the art

[002] A dry toilet is an ecological alternative for treating human feces. Despite its aesthetic similarity to a conventional toilet, feces are separated from urine. Feces are stored in a location without contact with the external environment, where, generally after each defecation, the person throws a handful of sawdust over the feces to keep them dry and prevent bad odor. Urine is directed to a closed greywater treatment system (evapotranspiration basin), where, through semi-aquatic plants, the water from the urine is evaporated by the leaves and its nutrients are also used by the plants.

[003] As an alternative sanitation system, dry toilets are known to improve health, as they guarantee access to basic services, generating savings in water resources (due to the non-use of water) as well as financial savings (they have a lower construction cost) and the waste generated provides compounds that can be used in both agriculture and urban gardening as they are good fertilizers, where it has already been possible to identify secondary macronutrients vital for agricultural use, possessing technical simplicity and easy replication.

[004] There is a difficulty that can be evidenced by the lack of knowledge for the effective use of the dry toilet system, as users apply an excessive amount of additives or are confused about where they should be placed when the toilet has a separator, placing them in the Petition 870220032700, dated 04 / 18 / 2022, page 8 / 32 2 / 10 of the compartment is designated for urine instead of being inserted into the feces compartment, something that could be improved.

[005] The operation of the steps in a conventional dry toilet can also be difficult. One of the steps is the need to retain and add dry organic material (such as sawdust) and then transport containers with excrement to composting sites in operational dry toilet systems, requiring time and knowledge; thus, it becomes a limiting factor, as people often have an aversion to their own waste. The composting stage can be considered a complex process, influenced by a series of variables, which does not allow determining a fixed time for the process to be completed. Therefore, it is necessary that the technology be used with great caution, in which several conditions must be observed, as various biological risks of contamination and spread of diseases can be unconsciously practiced.Therefore, it is necessary that the communities receiving a dry toilet have sufficient knowledge, as well as the interest in participating in the implementation stages of the technology, which could be avoided by a new arrangement that prevents users from having to deal with waste.

[006] Some solutions can be found in patent documents, such as MU 8900379-9, which refers to an ecological toilet designed to eliminate water use and utilize waste, feces, and urine as compost and fertilizer. It consists of a room equipped with a door and window, a toilet bowl with two holes—one for feces and the other for urine—which are transported to urine and feces collection containers, and ventilation piping to expel odors. It is important to note that the feces deposited in the collection container should be covered with a mixture of lime, sawdust, and soil in a 1:2:0.5 ratio. The formation of compost and fertilizer from the collected feces and urine begins as the waste is deposited in the respective containers, and after 15 days, the following appearance is observed. Petition 870220032700, dated 04 / 18 / 2022, p. 9 / 32 If 3 / 10 of the fertilizer is odorless and has the appearance of black soil, it is ready for use.

[007] Document US4922557 refers to a waste holding tank located inside an outdoor portable toilet that is vented to the atmosphere by a vent pipe extending upwards from the tank to the toilet's roof. A small electric fan is mounted at the open upper end of the vent pipe to draw air from the holding tank and blow the air to the outside atmosphere. A solar panel is mounted on the toilet's roof near the fan and is electrically connected to the fan. The panel generates electrical power in response to a predetermined level of sunlight to power the fan. Thus, the fan circulates air through the holding tank while the sun is illuminating the toilet.

[008] The basic sanitation deficit in Brazil is driving a growing demand for new alternative ecological technologies aimed at reducing the cost of conventional waste treatment systems, ensuring the universalization of these services, in order to bring quality of life to the population lacking conventional sanitation, whether rural or urban. Despite this need, it has been observed that dry toilet technology is still not widely used in the country, creating a gap for new models. Utility Model Updates

[009] This patent presents a dry toilet with a complete solution for the treatment of human waste without the use of water, with particularly suitable use in locations with difficult or no access to water and sewage treatment. The toilet is constructed in parts with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic material; the design meets the requirements of impermeability to the soil, biological safety, chemical resistance, weather resistance, with easy installation on site and normal use as a home toilet. Its layout also provides privacy for the user, odor-free natural ventilation, and natural daytime and nighttime lighting with LEDs in a photovoltaic system with automatic presence activation. Petition 870220032700, dated 04 / 18 / 2022, page 10 / 32 4 / 10

[010] The operating process begins when liquid and / or solid waste falls by gravity during physiological needs. Liquid waste is drained by gravity to the bottom of the reservoir while solid waste remains in the separator. The waste is exposed to a continuous flow of air along with the addition of two sachets of organic material, which are placed once during the installation of the tank and cabin. A continuous flow of air is generated, promoting the dehydration of solid waste and evaporating the liquid at the bottom of the reservoir.Along with air circulation, the increase in temperature causes evaporation, the absorption of sunlight in the form of heat radiated by convection inside the tank lid, drawing in oxygen-rich air through the basin with the lid down and through the air inlets of the side vent tubes, aiding the aerobic process of biological decomposition of feces and urine, resulting in an inert powder with no biological risk to human health and living beings.

[011] In this sense, the dry toilet proves to be a good alternative, despite the need for training for its use. When the final cost and benefit are analyzed, the advantages stand out, as the technology's potential to contribute to sustainable development was observed, respecting the natural nutrient cycle, reducing water waste and contamination of water resources (contributing to the reduction of intestinal diseases). In addition, the toilet has accessible and low-cost construction and maintenance; a system adaptable to the particularities of communities; as well as the generation of inputs through the composting process, which can be used as fertilizer in gardening, reforestation, among others.

[012] Furthermore, some advantages can be highlighted such as: • It does not emit any odor; • No flushing; • Flow of liquids by gravity; • It keeps water resources untouched; Petition 870220032700, dated 04 / 18 / 2022, page 11 / 32 5 / 10 • No chemicals are used; • Quick, safe and permanent installation; • Anchoring the cabin and tank in place; • Easy to clean, as it is not affected by cleaning products; • Totally safe in the environment; • Health and protection of fauna and flora; • Low implementation cost; • Simple to maintain; • Visual identification of use when a user is present; • Daytime and nighttime lighting indicating user presence; • Visual design integrated into the family environment.

[013] It respects the natural decomposition cycle, uses zero water, prevents contamination of water resources, and contributes to the reduction of diseases resulting from lack of basic sanitation. All parts of the toilet were designed in modules and are fully demountable. Assembly is carried out with self-drilling screws, and the required tools are manual. Considering two qualified people to assemble the toilet, it is estimated that the cabin will take 15 minutes plus 10 minutes for the tank.

[014] In addition, the toilet has accessible and low-cost construction and maintenance; the system is adaptable to the particularities of the communities, and its final product is an inert powder with no biological risk that can be disposed of in the soil. Description of the attached drawings

[015] In order for the present Utility Model to be fully understood and put into practice by any technician in this technological sector, it will be described in a clear, concise and sufficient manner, based on the attached drawings, which illustrate and support it, listed below: Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the dry toilet; Figure 2 represents an exploded perspective view of the cabin structure; Figure 3 represents the exploded perspective view of the tank structure; Petition 870220032700, dated 04 / 18 / 2022, page 12 / 32 6 / 10 Figure 4 represents a side view of the dry toilet, demonstrating its operation, highlighting the empty reservoir; Figure 5 represents a side view of the dry toilet, demonstrating its operation, highlighting the liquid waste that passes through the inclined separator and is stored in the space below; Figure 6 represents a side view of the dry toilet, demonstrating its operation, highlighting the separation of liquid and solid waste, keeping the solid waste in the upper part of the inclined separator and the liquid waste in the lower part of the separator; Figure 7 represents a side view of the dry toilet, demonstrating its operation, highlighting the solid waste moving through the collection area of ​​the inclined separator, aided by gravity; Figure 8 represents a side view of the dry toilet, demonstrating its operation, highlighting the solid waste moving through the collection area of ​​the inclined separator, while the liquid waste is oxygenated; Figure 9 represents a side view of the dry toilet, demonstrating its operation, highlighting the heating of the air inside the lid, which is heated by convection, creating an upward airflow. Figure 10 represents a side view of the dry toilet, demonstrating its operation, highlighting the fresh air that is continuously sent into the system by the toilet bowl and side vents, eliminating odors and promoting the aerobic cycle; Figure 11 represents a side view of the dry toilet, demonstrating its operation, highlighting the fresh air sent into the system by the toilet bowl through the side vents, oxygenating the liquid waste and promoting evaporation; Figure 12 represents a side view of the dry toilet, demonstrating its operation, highlighting the exhaust pipe where odors and vapors eliminated from solid and liquid waste are drained and removed. Petition 870220032700, dated 04 / 18 / 2022, page 13 / 32 7 / 10 Figure 13 represents a side view of the dry toilet, demonstrating its operation, highlighting the solid waste that is decomposed into a stabilized, dry material through the proper flow of oxygen. Detailed description of the Utility Model

[016] The present Utility Model consists of a cabin structure (CB) formed by three walls (PF)(PD)(PE) and a door (PT) with a frame (BT), a roof (TL) that has a fixed support (SF) and a movable support (SM) attached to its back side, an automatic presence-activated LED lighting system (SL) and a subfloor (CT) that receives the toilet bowl (VS). The structure now called the tank (TQ) is constructed from a reservoir (RS), equipped with an outlet (SS), which receives the perforated inclined separator (SP) and is closed by a support cover (TP) — whose function is to make the air circulation system airtight and pump fresh air by generating negative pressure to carry out the biological cycle of the waste — equipped with an anchoring structure (AC) that is arranged on the sides of the reservoir (RS), and which receives the cabin (CB) in the recessed part of the cover (TP) with the nozzle resting on the subfloor (CT), being directly connected to the toilet outlet (VS);The tank (TQ) has two vent tubes (TR) connected to its lid (TP) lengthwise to oxygenate the urine below the separator (SP), and the exhaust tube (TB) is attached to the lid (TP) at the top, with an exhaust fan (EX) mounted at its upper end to eliminate odors and vapors. The reject box (CR) is fitted to the lid (TP), with the inspection cover (TI) being closed and connected to the lid (TP) by means of a hinge, allowing for the regular collection of dry waste from the separator (SP) and its placement in the reject box (RP).

[017] All bathroom parts are fully demountable and assembly is done with self-drilling screws. The required tools are hand tools and, considering two qualified people to assemble the bathroom, it is estimated that it will take 15 minutes for the cabin (CB) plus 10 minutes for the tank (TQ). Petition 870220032700, dated 04 / 18 / 2022, p. 14 / 32 8 / 10

[018] At the installation site, a trench is opened to fit the tank (TQ) where 6 cross tubes (TT) are placed perpendicularly in its reservoir (RS); the separator (SP) is fitted, the two vents (RP) are fitted into the separator (SP) and subsequently the lid (TP) is closed; before fixing with screws, double-sided rubber is applied to the reservoir contact nozzle (RS), and anchors (AC) are fixed together to the lid (TP) to prevent movement and / or unevenness of the tank (TQ) and the cabin (CB); then the reject box (CR) is fitted and mounted on the articulation with two French-type screws to the inspection cover (TI); the exhaust fan (EX) is fixed with self-drilling screws to the exhaust pipe (TB) which is similarly fixed to the top of the lid (TP).

[019] After the tank (TQ) is properly ground, a cement slab approximately 100 mm thick is constructed for the coupling of the subfloor (CP) of the cabin (CB). On the subfloor (CP) are mounted the right wall (PD), left wall (PE) and back wall (PF), the door (PT), the door frame (BT), toilet (VS), roof (TL), fixed support (SF), mobile support (SM) and automatic presence-activated LED lighting system (SL).

[020] Using the constructive arrangement presented herein, of the toilet bowl (VS), the solid / or semi-solid waste falls by gravity and is retained by the inclined perforated drying separator (SP). The liquid waste passes through the separator and goes to the space below the reservoir (RS), which separates the liquid from the solid, where aerobic conditions are reached and maintained by the evaporation process. The solid waste, aided by gravity, moves through the area of ​​the inclined separator (SP), while being subjected to continuous ventilation of the airflow, naturally created by the heating and negative pressure generated by the flow of renewed and heated air, contributing to the action of aerobic bacteria that decompose the waste.

[021] The air occupying the internal volume of the lid (TP) is heated by the sun, generating an upward flow towards the exhaust pipe (TB) which undergoes the same Petition 870220032700, dated 04 / 18 / 2022, page 15 / 32 9 / 10 process. This process together generates negative pressure that, even with the toilet lid (VS) down, draws fresh air into the system.

[022] Fresh air is continuously “pumped” into the tank (TQ) either through the toilet (VS) or the side vents (RP), passing through solid, semi-solid and liquid waste. All this oxygen contributes to the natural processes of biological decomposition, eliminating odors and stabilizing the treated elements evaporated through the exhaust pipe (TB) by drying them.

[023] The dry toilet is a closed unit, completely hermetically sealed in the reservoir and does not allow leakage to the outside, nor does it allow water from the outside to penetrate the unit. If an excess of liquid occurs, that is, if it exceeds the lowest part of the separator, the maximum liquid level is automatically maintained by an overflow pipe. Sealed inside the system, the correct aerobic environment is created to prolong the stabilization of waste through the dehydration and evaporation process. The negative pressure naturally created inside the tank prevents odors from escaping through the toilet bowl or side vents; odors are vented to the atmosphere through the ventilation pipe. With adequate oxygen flow, solid waste decomposes into a stabilized, dry, and biologically inert material. After the reduction processes are carried out, a 100% inert, odorless, disease-free material remains.

[024] The toilet shown requires only minor periodic inspections to check waste levels; the inspection schedule depends on usage volume. Heavily used units require more frequent maintenance and waste removal, while less frequently used units require, on average, a check every 2 years. Waste removal is simple and can be performed by the unit owner: the inspection cover behind the unit is opened, the dry waste is collected into the waste container, where it becomes an inert powder, killing any pathogens. The final residue removed from the system is odorless and free of any disease. Petition 870220032700, dated 04 / 18 / 2022, page 16 / 32 10 / 10

[025] Every aspect of the dry toilet has been designed for ease and simplicity, including its installation. It can be installed on-site simply by following the assembly instructions in the manual.

[026] The toilet becomes a sanitary unit with a complete solution for the treatment of human waste without the use of water, with particularly suitable use in locations with difficult and / or no access to water and sewage treatment. It is ideal for installation in ecologically sensitive areas, areas near water tables, housing projects, schools, clinics, national parks, chalets, places with humanitarian needs, remote and drought-stricken areas.

[027] Made in parts from High-Density Polyethylene - HDPE, the project meets the requirements of impermeability to the soil, biological safety, chemical resistance, weather resistance, with easy on-site installation and normal use as a home bathroom. Its design also provides privacy for the user, odor-free natural ventilation, natural daytime and nighttime lighting with LEDs in a photovoltaic system with automatic presence activation.

[028] It is important to emphasize that the figures and descriptions provided do not limit the ways in which the inventive concept now proposed can be implemented, but rather illustrate and make understandable the conceptual innovations revealed in this solution. Thus, the descriptions and images should be interpreted in an illustrative and not limiting way, and there may be other equivalent or analogous ways of implementing the inventive concept now revealed that do not fall outside the scope of protection outlined in the proposed solution. Petition 870220032700, dated 04 / 18 / 2022, page 17 / 32

Claims

1 / 1 CLAIM 1- CONSTRUCTIONAL ARRANGEMENT APPLIED IN A DRY TOILET consisting of a cabin structure (CB) formed by three walls (PF)(PD)(PE) and a door (PT) with a frame (BT), a roof (TL) that has a fixed support (SF) and a movable support (SM) attached to its back side, an automatic presence-activated LED lighting system (SL) and a subfloor (CT) that receives the toilet bowl (VS), and characterized by comprising a tank structure (TQ) constructed from a reservoir (RS), equipped with an outlet (SS), which receives the perforated inclined separator (SP) and is closed by a support cover (TP) equipped with an anchoring structure (AC) that is arranged on the sides of the reservoir (RS), and which receives the cabin (CB) in the recessed part of the cover (TP) with the nozzle resting on the subfloor (CT), being directly connected to the toilet bowl outlet (VS);The tank (TQ) has two vent tubes (TR) connected to its lid (TP) lengthwise to oxygenate the urine below the separator (SP), and the exhaust tube (TB) is attached to the lid (TP) at the top, with an exhaust fan (EX) mounted at its upper end to eliminate odors and vapors. The reject box (CR) is fitted to the lid (TP), with the inspection cover (TI) being closed and connected to the lid (TP) by means of a hinge, allowing for the regular collection of dry waste from the separator (SP) and its placement in the reject box (RP). Petition 870220032700, dated 04 / 18 / 2022, page 18 / 32

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