Subsurface sewage disposal and wastewater treatment system

Abstract

A modular subsurface sewage disposal and wastewater treatment system is presented for treating effluent from a septic tank. The system includes an elongated member, leach field medium and at least one pipe. The elongated member is arranged in one of a serpentine or a ladder-shaped configuration and includes a core wrapped in a fabric. The medium is disposed about open areas in the configuration. The pipe uniformly distributes effluent from the septic tank to the elongated member. In one embodiment, the core is a pliable plastic membrane and the fabric wrap is a non-woven fabric. In one embodiment, the elongated member is disposed in a box and retained by an adhesive to permit ease of manufacture, shipping, and installation. In another embodiment, the elongated member is disposed in a rigid or semi-rigid frame defining channels retaining the elongated member. The frame is detectable by a non-invasive above surface detector.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This patent application claims priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of copending, U.S. Provisional Patent Applications, Ser. Nos. 60 / 992,762, filed Dec. 6, 2007, and 61 / 092,420, filed Aug. 28, 2008. The disclosures of these U.S. patent applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.COPYRIGHT NOTICE[0002]A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]1. Field of the Invention[0004]The present invention relates generally to septic systems for the treatment of sewage and wastewater and, more particularly, relates to a modular, self-contained subsurface sewage disposal / ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Due in part to excavation needed to reach subsurface components as well as associated material and labor costs, the installation, repair and re-installation of the components of the septic system can be relatively expensive.

The inventors have found that the conventional use of stone as a treatment medium can result in premature failure of a septic system leach field as the stone may be “dirty,” for example, contain contaminants or fine particles that may obstruct proper flow within the system and reduce percolation into the surrounding soil.

Images