Portable toilet

Abstract

A portable toilet includes: a waste collection canister; an upper canister lockable to and selectively fluidly connected to the waste collection canister, such that waste deposited in the upper canister can be flushed into the waste collection canister, wherein the upper canister has an upper canister width; one or more seat portions deployable to form a toilet seat with a width greater than the width of the upper canister; and a lid for closing the upper canister; wherein the toilet is configurable between: a retracted configuration, wherein the lid is closed and the seat portions or each seat portion is retracted; and an extended configuration, wherein the lid is open and the seat portions or each seat portion is extended to form a toilet seat.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This article discloses a portable toilet. Background Technology

[0002] Portable toilets can provide a more comfortable and convenient toilet experience when a more standard toilet is not available, such as during camping or trailer trips, boating, construction sites, or remote work. However, existing portable toilets are relatively large, so they can be relatively difficult to store and transport, especially if people are looking to save space and weight when planning campervan expeditions or similar activities.

[0003] The above problems need to be addressed and / or at least a useful alternative needs to be provided. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a portable toilet is provided, comprising:

[0005] Waste collection bins;

[0006] The upper tank is capable of locking onto the waste collection tank and selectively fluidly communicating with the waste collection tank, so that waste deposited in the upper tank can be flushed into the waste collection tank, wherein the upper tank has an upper tank width;

[0007] One or more seat portions that can be unfolded to form a toilet seat with a width greater than the width of the upper canister; and

[0008] The lid used to seal the upper part of the can;

[0009] The toilet can be configured between the following configurations: A retractable configuration, wherein the cover is closed, and the seat portion or each seat portion is retracted; and An unfolded configuration in which the lid opens and the seat portion or each seat portion unfolds to form a toilet seat.

[0010] The lid may have a lid width substantially similar to the width of the upper can, and in the folded configuration, the seat portion or each seat portion may fold under the closed lid.

[0011] A toilet may include a central seat portion that, together with one or more other seat portions, forms a toilet seat. In some examples, the toilet includes two seat portions configured to extend from respective sides of the upper canister.

[0012] In the folded configuration, the seat portion or each seat portion may pivot to be positioned above the upper canister, while in the unfolded configuration, the seat portion or each seat portion may pivot to extend outward from the upper canister to at least partially define the perimeter of the toilet seat.

[0013] Toilets may also include corresponding support components for supporting the unfolded seat portion or each unfolded seat portion against the load thereon.

[0014] In at least one embodiment, the toilet further includes one or more stabilizing legs, wherein:

[0015] In the retracted configuration, the stabilizing leg, or each stabilizing leg, retracts relative to the waste collection container; and

[0016] In the deployed configuration, the stabilizing leg, or each stabilizing leg, deploys to extend outward from the waste collection tank.

[0017] It's conceivable that a toilet could also include a toilet paper holder, where:

[0018] In the collapsed configuration, the toilet paper holder is positioned flush with the outside of the upper can; and

[0019] In the unfolded configuration, the toilet paper roll holder extends outward from the upper canister to accommodate toilet paper rolls.

[0020] Waste collection tanks may have an outlet through which waste collected in the waste collection tank can be disposed of. In some examples, at least a portion of the bottom of the waste collection tank is inclined toward the outlet to facilitate waste disposal through the outlet.

[0021] In some embodiments, the waste collection container has a width substantially similar to that of the upper container. It is conceivable that, in the folded configuration, the upper container width is between approximately 15 cm and 30 cm. In one exemplary embodiment, in the folded configuration, the upper container width may be between approximately 15 cm and 20 cm. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0023] Figure 1 and Figure 2 These are rear and front perspective views of a portable toilet in a stowed configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 It is in a partially unfolded configuration. Figure 2 Front perspective view of a portable toilet;

[0025] Figure 4 It is in an unfolded configuration. Figure 3 Front perspective view of a portable toilet;

[0026] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A close-up view of the unfolded seat section of a portable toilet;

[0027] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 Rear perspective view of an unfolded portable toilet;

[0028] Figure 7 yes Figure 4 A close-up view of the front of the portable toilet with its stabilizing legs extended. Detailed Implementation

[0029] This article discloses a portable toilet that can be conveniently and efficiently stored and transported. In particular, the toilet is configured to occupy less space than common portable toilets.

[0030] Portable toilets in the present technology provide a toilet seat on which a user can sit, so the size and footprint of such toilets are usually determined by the minimum width of the toilet seat. Given this design limitation, toilets in the present technology can be relatively wide, and therefore they can be relatively bulky, difficult to store and transport.

[0031] The portable toilet disclosed herein can be configured between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration. As will be discussed, the toilet of the present invention has a smaller maximum width in the folded configuration than in the unfolded configuration. When folded, the toilet of the present invention is configured to have a smaller maximum width compared to prior art toilets, while still providing a seat for the user when in the unfolded configuration. Thus, the toilet disclosed herein achieves a reduced footprint while still providing a seat for the user.

[0032] In some embodiments, the width and depth of the portable toilet are substantially similar to those of common jerry cans. In this way, the portable toilet disclosed herein can be easily stored, for example, using a common jerry can holder. Advantageously, such a jerry can holder is typically mounted on the exterior of a vehicle such as a travel trailer; thus, the loaded portable toilet can be conveniently stored and transported outside the vehicle, allowing for ideal storage and transport of the portable toilet and any waste contained therein outside the vehicle rather than inside.

[0033] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A portable toilet 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The toilet 2 is shown in a folded configuration and has a generally rectangular footprint, the depth and width of which are similar to those of a commercially available Jerry can. Of course, the dimensions of the Jerry can and its stand can vary, and the footprint of the portable toilet 2 can indeed be varied according to the dimensions of a standard Jerry can so as to be easily stored using a standard Jerry can stand.

[0034] The disclosed portable toilet 2 includes a lower waste collection tank 4 capable of collecting waste. The lower waste collection tank 4 includes an outlet through which waste can be disposed of, the outlet being selectively closed by a nut 6. The waste tank 4 shown is generally in the form of a rectangular prism, with corresponding stabilizing legs 8 at its lower corners; as will be discussed, the stabilizing legs 8 can be deployed to stabilize the toilet 2 when it is unfolded and bears the user's weight. A recess or groove is also provided on the upper rear side of the waste tank, through which the waste tank 4 can be manually tilted to dispose of waste through its outlet.

[0035] In one example, waste container 4 receives chemical additives, thus functioning as a chemical toilet. In other examples, bags can be contained in waste container 4, making toilet 2 function as a bagged waste toilet.

[0036] The portable toilet 2 also includes an upper canister 12 that can be locked to a waste collection canister 4 (e.g., via a manually operated lateral clamp 13) and is selectively in fluid communication with the waste collection canister 4. When connected, the upper canister 12 and the waste collection canister are sealed together.

[0037] Collection tank 4 may have a lid integrated into the upper tank 12, which allows for complete removal of the bottom tank lid, greatly facilitating emptying and cleaning.

[0038] The upper canister 12 is hinged and lockably closed by the lid 14 via a rear hinge 16 and a front latch 18, wherein the lid 14 can be pivotally opened to expose the upper canister 12 beneath the lid 14 when the toilet 2 is used in an unfolded configuration. The lid 14 is removable, greatly facilitating use and cleaning. The lid 14 is provided with a handle 20 for convenient carrying of the portable toilet 2. The front surface 22 of the upper canister 12 is fitted with a toilet paper holder; as... Figure 2 As shown, the toilet paper holder is in the form of an L-shaped arm 24, which is flush-received in a correspondingly shaped recess formed in the front surface 22 of the upper canister 12. In the unfolded configuration, the toilet paper holder 24 pivots outward away from the front surface 22 of the upper canister 12, wherein the length of the L-shaped toilet paper holder 24 defines an arm by which a roll of toilet paper can be held. The front of the upper canister 12 also includes a handle 26, which can be pulled to fluidly communicate between the lower canister 4 and the upper canister 12, thereby allowing waste and water collected in the upper canister 12 to be flushed into the waste canister 4 for collection.

[0039] In some embodiments, toilet 2 serves as a chemical toilet, and the upper tank 12 includes a reservoir for flushing the toilet. In other embodiments, toilet 2 can serve as a composting toilet, where solid and liquid waste are separated due to the design of the bowl, with solid waste received in waste tank 4 and liquid waste received in the upper tank 12. It should be understood that in this embodiment, flushing water is not required in the upper tank 12.

[0040] As can be seen, in the folded configuration, the upper can 12 has a first width extending between its lateral sidewalls 28. In a preferred embodiment, this first width is approximately the width of a standard Jerry can holder and / or a Jerry can support. The waste container and lid also have their own widths, which, even if different from, are similar to the width of the upper can 12, thus forming a portable toilet that, in the folded configuration, is compact, easy to carry and store, much like a Jerry can.

[0041] The portable toilet 2 can be formed from various commercially available materials. In one example, the portable toilet 2 is formed from plastic using a molding process. In another example, the portable toilet 2 is formed from stainless steel.

[0042] Figure 3 A portable toilet 2 in a partially unfolded configuration is shown, wherein the L-shaped stabilizing legs 8 are pivoted outward to increase the effective width of the portable toilet 2. The stabilizing legs 8 help to keep the portable toilet 2 stable on the ground, especially when the user's weight is supported by the toilet 2 during use. The lid 14 is also opened away from the upper canister 12, revealing a pair of seat portions 30 beneath the lid 14, which are pivotally associated with the upper end 32 of the upper canister 12. In the depicted embodiment, each seat portion 30 is folded so that it is positioned above and abuts the upper end 32 of the upper canister 12, such that each folded seat portion 30 can be mounted beneath the lid 14 when the lid 14 is closed.

[0043] It should be understood that the stabilizing leg can take other forms, such as sliding out of the waste collection tank 4.

[0044] Figure 4A portable toilet 2 in its fully extended configuration is shown, wherein the lateral seat portions 30 have been pivoted to extend outward from each side 28 of the upper canister 12. Thus, the upper end 32 of the upper canister 12, together with the two extended seat portions 30 extending outward from the opposite lateral sides of the upper canister 12, defines a toilet seat 34, on which a user can sit to use the toilet 2. In other words, the upper end 32 of the upper canister 12 defines the central seat portion of the toilet seat 34, while each extended seat portion 30 defines a corresponding lateral side of the toilet seat 34. Thus, when the portable toilet 2 is in its extended configuration, the width of the extended toilet seat 34 is greater than the width of the portable toilet 2 in its folded configuration. Therefore, the portable toilet 2 can be configured in a smaller width configuration for easy storage and transport, while still providing a toilet seat 34 wider than the folded toilet 2, allowing the user to easily sit on the extended toilet seat 34 during use.

[0045] See also Figure 3 and Figure 5 As can be seen, the bottom surface of each seat portion 30 includes a support member 36 to help support the seat portion 30 against the load thereon. In the depicted embodiment, each support member is in the form of a metal bracket 36 fixed to the bottom surface of the corresponding seat portion 30, wherein when each seat portion 30 is unfolded, the free shelf end 38 of each bracket 36 is configured to abut against the transverse wall 28 of the upper canister 12, thereby supporting each corresponding seat portion 30 in the unfolded configuration to prevent the seat portion 30 from pivoting further under the user's weight.

[0046] Figure 6 The portable toilet 2, common in prior art toilets, is shown, comprising: a manually operable pump 40 for pumping water into an upper tank 12 to aid flushing; and a lid 42 that can be screwed off from the upper tank inlet, through which water can be added to the upper tank 12.

[0047] Reference Figure 7 As can be seen, the front end 44 of the bottom of the waste container 4 is inclined upward toward the waste container outlet sealed by the nut 6; the inclination of the inclined end 44 helps to guide the contents of the waste container 4 upward and out of the outlet, especially when the waste container 4 is tilted forward to bias the contents therein toward the outlet.

[0048] Numerous modifications to the above embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, while the accompanying drawings show a toilet seat formed by a seat portion pivotally extending from the upper canister, other methods for forming a toilet seat wider than the upper canister are also within the scope of this specification. For instance, the toilet may include upper transverse wing portions that move between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration, wherein in the retracted configuration they slide over the opening of the upper canister, and in the extended configuration they slide outward to expose the opening of the upper canister and define a transverse portion of the seat; each transverse wing portion may have a stop at its end for engaging the inner and outer walls of the upper canister, respectively, to present the extended and retracted configurations.

[0049] In other examples, the seat is a detachable, separate component that can be easily clipped on when not in use. When not in use, the seat can be stored in a toilet bowl or suitcase.

[0050] It is conceivable that the width of the toilet of the present invention when folded up is between approximately 15cm and 30cm. For example, in the folded configuration, the width of the upper canister and / or the lower canister may be less than 20cm. In at least one embodiment, the upper and lower canisters are approximately equal in size, with each canister having a height of approximately 20cm to 25cm (e.g., 23cm), a length of approximately 30cm to 40cm (e.g., 34cm), and a width of approximately 15cm to 20cm (e.g., 17cm).

[0051] The lateral clamp 13 provided on the side of the toilet 2 can be a latch formed at the front and rear of the toilet 2.

[0052] In this specification and the appended claims, unless the context otherwise requires, the word “comprising” and variations such as “including” and “containing” shall be understood to imply inclusion of the said integer or step, or group of integers or steps, but not to exclude any other integer or step, or group of integers or steps.

[0053] Any prior publications (or information derived therefrom) or any known matter mentioned in this specification are not, and should not be construed as, an acknowledgment or endorsement or, in any way, an implication that such prior publications (or information derived therefrom) or known matter constitutes part of the general common knowledge in the relevant field to which this specification pertains.

Claims

1. A portable toilet, comprising: Waste collection bins; An upper tank, which is lockable to the waste collection tank and selectively fluidly communicates with the waste collection tank, such that waste deposited in the upper tank can be flushed into the waste collection tank, wherein the upper tank has an upper tank width; One or more seat portions, said seat portions being deployable to form a toilet seat with a width greater than the width of the upper canister; and The lid used to seal the upper can; The toilet can be configured between the following configurations: A stowed configuration, wherein the cover is closed and the seat portion or each seat portion is stowed; as well as An unfolded configuration in which the lid opens and the seat portion or each seat portion unfolds to form the toilet seat.

2. The toilet according to claim 1, wherein, The lid has a lid width substantially similar to the width of the upper can, and in the retracted configuration, the seat portion or each seat portion retracts under the closed lid.

3. The toilet according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a central seat portion, the central seat portion and the one or more seat portions forming the toilet seat.

4. The toilet according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising two seat portions configured to unfold from respective sides of the upper tank.

5. The toilet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, In the folded configuration, the seat portion or each seat portion pivots to be positioned above the upper canister, while in the unfolded configuration, the seat portion or each seat portion pivots to extend outward from the upper canister to at least partially define the perimeter of the toilet seat.

6. The toilet according to any one of the preceding claims further includes a corresponding support member for supporting the unfolded seat portion or each unfolded seat portion against the load thereon.

7. The toilet according to any one of the preceding claims further includes one or more stabilizing legs, wherein: In the retracted configuration, the stabilizing legs, or each stabilizing leg, retract relative to the waste collection container; and In the deployed configuration, the stabilizing leg, or each stabilizing leg, deploys to extend outward from the waste collection tank.

8. The toilet according to any one of the preceding claims further includes a toilet paper holder, wherein: In the retracted configuration, the toilet paper roll holder is positioned flush with the outside of the upper can; and In the unfolded configuration, the toilet paper roll holder extends outward from the upper canister to accommodate toilet paper rolls thereon.

9. The toilet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The waste collection tank has an outlet through which waste collected in the waste collection tank can be disposed of, and wherein at least a portion of the bottom of the waste collection tank is inclined toward the outlet to facilitate the disposal of waste through the outlet.

10. The toilet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The waste collection tank has a width that is substantially similar to that of the upper tank.

11. The toilet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, In the collapsed configuration, the width of the upper can is between approximately 15cm and 30cm.

12. The toilet according to claim 11, wherein, In the collapsed configuration, the width of the upper can is between approximately 15cm and 20cm.

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