Improvements to a urine diverting toilet

Abstract

Urine diverting toilet 1 including a body 2 having a housing 21 and a seat 22, said body defining an interior 23; a urine diverting means 3 for separating urine from solid waste; a urine collection me

Description

Field The present invention relates to urine-diverting toilets. More particularly, the present invention relates to a urine-diverting toilet equipped with a containment system for containing solid waste. Background Portable toilets facilitate travel of users to remote locations while maintaining a safe sanitary environment. Such toilets are functional without connection to external plumbing networks and as such can be used on boats, RVs, or cabins, for example, where plumbing is not available or practical. Various types of portable toilet exist and differ in their approach to waste treatment. For example, chemical toilets are a well-known solution for providing sanitation in remote environments. In such toilets, faeces and urine are stored in a container with chemicals to mask the smell. Some of these chemicals can be damaging to the environment and require disposal at specific disposal facilities. Such toilets require emptying every 2-3 days under normal usage and may require additional water and chemicals to be added after emptying, in order to be reused. Composting dry toilets present a more environmentally friendly alternative, operating without chemicals or water. Composting dry toilets store bodily waste until a later time that is more convenient for its disposal or treatment. During storage, the contents, in particular solid wastes, are often agitated with a dry, carbon rich substrate material to facilitate drying, reduce odour, balance nitrogen-carbon ratios and trap oxygen to promote aerobic decomposition. Portable toilets including composting dry toilets have been improved by the implementation of urine separation normally by urine diverting surfaces, which typically feature an aperture for receiving solid waste and a sloping surface which diverts urine to a urine collection means. Separation of solid waste from urine facilitates the aerobic decomposition of faecal matter, reducing odour and also reducing water consumption and therefore providing a more environmentally friendly solution. The urine collection means typically diverts urine to a removeable container for storage or via pipework to external plumbing systems or treatment apparatus. Solids are typically collected in an open topped, bucket-like solid waste container and may feature apparatus to agitate the contents with a carbon-rich substrate as in composting toilets. Both the urine and decomposed faecal matter can subsequently be used as fertiliser, therefore providing the most environmentally friendly solution currently available with little or no single use synthetic products required. However, conventional urine diverting surfaces do not necessarily facilitate total segregation of urine from solid waste. In some use cases urine may enter the solid waste receiving aperture, slowing down decomposition, making the solid waste more difficult to dry, and odour more difficult to prevent. For example, users may stand to use the toilet or the urine stream be directed toward the and are therefore more likely to direct or splash some urine into the solid waste container. Bagging toilets are another variety of toilet, these use a sealing mechanism to catch and seal solid waste in a pocket of a sleeve in order to contain pathogens and odours. Sleeve materials are generally impervious plastics with or without a foil layer for odour retention. Such toilets produce sealed pockets or bags of waste which can be stored safely for long periods and then disposed of appropriately. Like urine-diverting toilets, bagging toilets generally do not require water to operate, making them well suited for portable use. The waste captured by bagging toilets is conveniently packaged for transport. However, it requires further treatment to be used subsequently as a fertiliser. Containment of urine as well as solid waste requires a significant amount of plastic. To illustrate this, the average human produces between 100 to 250 grams of faeces per day1 but 1 to 2 litres (1 to 2 kg) of urine. The disadvantage of bagging toilets is that the bags may leak. Material used for bags in bagging toilets must be thin for storage capacity and passing through the mechanism in the toilet. Thus bags can fail once filled with urine with or without solid waste. Some existing bagging toilets use super absorbent polymers (SAPs) to solidify liquid waste, which are highly damaging to the environment. 1 The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1 July 2024, "faeces", Encyclopaedia Britannica, [online], Available from https: / / ww.bntannica.com / science / feces [Accessed 2 August 2024], Summary of Invention Aspects and / or embodiments seek to provide a urine-diverting toilet that solves the aforementioned problems. According to a first aspect, there is provided a urine diverting toilet including a body having a housing and a seat, said body defining an interior; a urine diverting means for separating urine from solid waste; a urine collection means; solid waste container, situated in the interior; a sleeve holder for storing a sleeve and for aligning said sleeve to receive solid waste introduced at the seat; a sealing mechanism; a feed mechanism for drawing the sleeve to the sealing mechanism; the sealing mechanism for sealing the solid waste in a sealed pocket created from the sleeve. Advantageously, the urine diverting means allows urine to be separated from solid waste. Urine can then be treated independently, and / or subsequently used for fertiliser if desired. Separate treatment of urine may also reduce or negate the need for chemicals to treat the urine, by eliminating the need to transform the urine to a gel using SAPs for storage. Without the need to bag and seal urine the amount of sleeve required is also greatly reduced, lessening the environmental impact of the toilet. Additionally, less sleeve refill storage is required by the user, which is advantageous in a remote setting. The user also benefits from having to replace the sleeve less frequently and lower running costs. Energy efficiency is also improved, the present invention decreasing the frequency where the sealing mechanism is required. Optionally, the urine diverting means may include a urine diverting surface, a solid wastereceiving opening, and a urine diverting cover moveable from; a first closed position for obturating the solid waste-receiving opening and for conveying urine to the urine collection means; to a second open position for allowing solid waste to enter the solid waste container. Advantageously, this configuration allows urine to be diverted for collection without entering the solid waste container regardless of the direction of application. Conventional urine diverting surfaces without any cover over the solid waste receiving opening do not entirely prevent urine from entering the solid waste container, some users unable to direct urine away from the solid waste receiving opening or unintentionally splash urine into the solid waste container. The present configuration allows said opening to be closed and urine to flow over the urine diverting cover to be collected by the urine collection means. Optionally, the urine diverting surface and / or urine diverting cover may include a seal for preventing urine from entering the solid waste container when the urine diverting cover is in the first closed position, optionally wherein the urine diverting cover further includes a drain at a lowest point of the urine diverting cover and a first channel to direct urine to the drain, and wherein said drain is connected to the urine collection means. Advantageously, the seal prevents any urine from entering the solid waste container. This negates any need to flush the bag to remove any excess urine, mitigating against odour whilst saving water and plastic. The channel and drain collects any excess urine that may have otherwise entered the solid waste container to be diverted and collected also. This also allows maximum urine capture for subsequent use or treatment. Optionally, the urine collection means may include a removable container and / or an outlet connectable to plumbing or treatment apparatus. Advantageous, a removable container or connection to external treatment means allows urine to be collected for later use as fertiliser. Optionally, the sealing mechanism may further include a separating mechanism for separating the sealed pocket from the sleeve. Advantageously, the separating mechanism allows the sealed pocket to be separated from the remainder of the sleeve, allowing the collection of individual sealed pockets in the solid waste container. This allows more efficient storage of sealed pockets, and discrete packaging of solid waste deposits for later use as fertiliser. Optionally, the sealing mechanism may have a first side at which the sleeve is received, a second side at which sealed pockets are deposited in the solid waste container, a heating assembly and a gathering assembly. Optionally, the feed mechanism may be positioned on the first side of the sealing mechanism for feeding the sleeve between the heating assembly and the gathering assembly. Optionally, the gathering assembly may include a heat resistant bar; and the heating assembly and / or the gathering assembly are moveable from a first rest position distal from one another to a second active position wherein the heat resistant bar is adjacent the heating assembly, wherein in the second active position the heat resistant bar is positioned to press the sleeve against the heating assembly for sealing thereof. Optionally, the gathering assembly and / or the heating assembly may be moved by one or more linear actuators, wherein the one or more linear actuators each comprise one or more lead screws driven by one or more electric actuators. Optionally, the one or more lead screws may have an axis of rotation Y and the one or more electric actuators have an axis of rotation X, at 90 degrees to the axis of rotation Y or offset from the axis Y with the electric actuator adjacent the lead screw. Advantageously, the lead screw or screw thread mechanism is more compact than prior art belt drive and scissor jack mechanisms. Specifically, the claimed mechanism requires less depth allowing a more compact toilet. Lead screws are inherently compact and can be driven by compact electrical motors , preferably arranged as above, saving space. Optionally, the heating assembly may be connected to the housing via a spring mechanism that is compressed in the second active position. In this configuration the spring mechanism is compressed in the second active position, the gathering assembly pressing the heating assembly against the housing. Advantageously, when the sealing mechanism resets by moving from the second active position to the first rest position the spring mechanism is decompressed and the heating assembly moves away from the housing, helping to release the sleeve from the sealing mechanism once a sealed pocket has been formed. This mitigates against the sleeve sticking to the heating assembly and inhibiting the sealing mechanism. Optionally, the heating assembly may include a heating element with a heating surface of a length L extending laterally. The lateral direction is defined herein as perpendicular to the longitude of the sleeve, which is defined as the length between opposite ends of the sleeve. Optionally, the heating assembly may further include a non-stick sheath that covers the heating surface to prevent the sleeve from sticking to the heating assembly during use, preferably wherein the non-stick sheath comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) material. Advantageously, the non-stick sheath prevents melted parts of the sleeve from accumulating on the heating assembly or other components of the solid waste container, where they could hamper the mechanism of action. Optionally, the gathering assembly and / or the heating assembly may include a plurality of guide protrusions for ensuring that in the second active position a width W of sleeve to be sealed does not exceed the length L of the heating surface. Advantageously, guide protrusions ensure that the full width of the sleeve is captured by the sealing means and makes contact with the heating surface of the heating assembly, preventing pockets being formed without being fully sealed. Maintaining the integrity of the sealed pocket advantageously improves hygiene by preventing solid waste from escaping the pocket inside the solid waste container. Optionally, the heat resistant bar may comprise silicone material or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Optionally, the urine diverting toilet may further include a mechanism case for accommodating the feed mechanism and the sealing mechanism; the mechanism case including a first side proximal the seat and a second side proximal the solid waste container, wherein the first side includes a first opening for receiving the sleeve and the second side includes a second opening for deposition of sealed pockets to the solid waste container. Advantageously, containment of the feed mechanism and sealing mechanism in a mechanism case mitigates against damage and allows for easier servicing of these complex components. Optionally, the first side of the mechanism case may include the sleeve holder and / or the second side includes a first solid waste container connection for reversibly attaching the mechanism case to or within the solid waste container for removal therewith. Advantageously, the first solid waste container connection allows the feed mechanism and sealing mechanism to be removed from the toilet with the solids waste container and removed from the solid waste container, facilitating ease of maintenance and allowing the solid waste container to be emptied without obstruction. Optionally, the separating mechanism may include a rib extending between a first portion and a second portion of the heating surface of the heating element, or a blade with a cutting edge extending between a first portion and a second portion of the heating surface of the heating element, preferably wherein the rib or blade extends the length L of the heating surface. Advantageously, the rib, or blade with a cutting edge, on the heating surface of the heating element allows the formation of sealed pockets and their separation from the rest of the sleeve simultaneously. Optionally, the sleeve may comprise a polymer material, a compostable polymer material, and / or a foil material. For example, the sleeve may be made from a foil-backed polymer material. Optionally, the sleeve holder may further include a tensioning device to direct the sleeve to the feed mechanism. Optionally, the tensioning device may be a tensioning plate including an outer perimeter and an aperture, wherein the aperture is located below the seat for receiving solid waste deposited at the seat and / or located below the solid waste receiving opening for receiving solid waste deposited there through. Beneficially, in use, solid waste can therefore fall from the seat through the solid waste receiving opening and the solid waste receiving aperture to be captured by the sleeve as they are sufficiently aligned. Optionally, the outer perimeter of the tensioning plate is 70-99% of a cross-sectional perimeter of the sleeve, preferably wherein the outer perimeter is 90-99% of the cross-sectional perimeter of the sleeve. Advantageously, the tensioning plate aligns the sleeve as it leaves the sleeve holder and is passed to the feed mechanism, minimising sleeve usage, preventing snarling and misalignment of the sleeve in the feed mechanism and sealing mechanism below. The cross-sectional perimeter of the sleeve is defined herein as the distance around the edge of an open end of the sleeve when it is cut in the lateral direction. Optionally, the sleeve may comprise an inner surface and an outer surface and the inner surface of the sleeve is coated in urea. Advantageously, addition of urea sanitises the solid waste. Urea breaks down into ammonia, increasing the pH of the waste to kill pathogens and stop microbial activity. This mitigates against the anaerobic production of gases by microbes, which could cause the bag to burst. The addition of urea also adds nitrogen to the waste, enhancing its use as a fertiliser. Optionally, the solid waste container may be removeable. Advantageously, a removable solid waste container facilitates easy servicing of the feed mechanism and sealing and separating mechanism, allowing easier access to these components. Optionally, the urine diverting toilet may further include an opening in the housing to facilitate removal of the solid waste container and a closing panel for covering said opening in the housing when shut. Optionally, the housing may include a base, and the opening in the housing may be situated in the base. Optionally, the seat may be removable or attached to the housing via hinges to facilitate removal of the solid waste container. Advantageously, said configuration allows extraction of the solid waste container where minimal space is available, negating the need to relocate the urine diverting toilet to a space where the housing can be accessed. Optionally, the feed mechanism may comprise one or more pairs of feed wheels. Optionally, each pair of feed wheels may comprise a drive wheel and a roller, wherein the roller is spring loaded to bring the drive wheel and the roller together and press the sleeve therebetween, and the drive wheel is driven by a drive wheel motor or manually via a lever situated external to the body. Optionally, the urine diverting toilet may further include a battery and a controller for controlling the feeding mechanism and the sealing mechanism. Optionally, the drain may be connected to the urine collecting means via the urine diverting surface; preferably the urine diverting surface includes a second channel having a first end at the drain and a second end fluidly connected to the urine collection means, preferably said second channel extends under the urine diverting surface. Optionally, the urine diverting cover may comprise one or more door panels moveable from the first open position to the second closed position using hinges, pivots, or sliding tracks. Optionally, the urine diverting cover may include a first doorand a second door, each rotatable about a pivot; preferably said pivots are engaged to counter rotate relative to the other from the first closed position to the second open position. Optionally, the first door may include a first edge, and the second door may include a second edge located adjacent the first edge of the first door when the doors are in the first closed position; wherein the first door includes a seal and / or a gutter extending along and from the first edge; optionally the gutter extending underneath the second edge when the doors are in the first closed position for collecting urine that may have passed between the first edge and the second edge. Advantageously, said seal and / or gutter configuration prevents entry of urine to the solid waste container via the doors. Optionally, the urine diverting toilet may further include a cover actuating mechanism for moving the urine diverting cover from the first closed position to the second open position. Optionally, the cover actuating mechanism may include a knob connected to a shaft rotatable about an axis A, the cover actuating mechanism further including a linkage or a rack and pinion arrangement for transferring rotation between the knob and shaft and the one or more pivots. Advantageously, the knob controls the cover actuation mechanism, allowing easy manual opening and closing of the urine diverting cover whilst in use, allowing access to the solid waste container when required. According to a second aspect, there is provided a urine diverting toilet including a body having a housing and a seat, said body defining an interior; a urine diverting means for separating urine from solid waste; a urine collection means; solid waste container, situated in the interior; wherein the urine diverting means includes a urine diverting surface, a solid waste-receiving opening, and a urine diverting cover moveable from; a first closed position for obturating the solid waste-receiving opening and for conveying urine to the urine collection means; to a second open position for allowing solid waste to enter the solid waste container. Optionally, the urine diverting surface and / or urine diverting cover may include a seal for preventing urine from entering the solid waste container when the urine diverting cover is in the first closed position, optionally wherein the urine diverting cover further includes a drain at a lowest point of the urine diverting cover and a first channel to direct urine to the drain, and wherein said drain is connected to the urine collection means. Optionally, the urine collection means may include a removable container and / or an outlet connectable to plumbing or treatment apparatus. Optionally, the drain may be connected to the urine collecting means via the urine diverting surface; preferably the urine diverting surface includes a second channel having a first end at the drain and a second end fluidly connected to the urine collection means, preferably said second channel extends under the urine diverting surface. Optionally, the urine diverting cover may comprise one or more door panels moveable from the first open position to the second closed position using hinges, pivots, or sliding tracks. Optionally, the urine diverting cover may include a first doorand a second door, each rotatable about a pivot; preferably said pivots are engaged by a gear or linkage to counter rotate relative to the other from the first closed position to the second open position. Optionally, the first door may include a first edge, and the second door may include a second edge located adjacent the first edge of the first door when the doors are in the first closed position; wherein the first door includes a seal and / or a gutter extending along and from the first edge; optionally the gutter extending underneath the second edge when the doors are in the first closed position for collecting urine that may have passed between the first edge and the second edge. Optionally, the urine diverting toilet may further include a cover actuating mechanism for moving the urine diverting cover from the first closed position to the second open position. Optionally, the cover actuating mechanism may include a knob connected to a shaft rotatable about an axis A, the cover actuating mechanism further including a linkage or a rack and pinion arrangement for transferring rotation between the knob and shaft and the one or more pivots. Brief Description of Drawings Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings having I ike-reference numerals, in which: Figure 1 shows a urine diverting toilet according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-section view of a urine diverting toilet according to the present invention; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the mechanism case; Figure 4 shows a schematic top view of the sealing mechanism; Figure 5 shows a top view of the urine diverting toilet equipped with a urine diverting means, with the urine diverting cover in the first closed position; Figure 6 shows a cross-section view of the urine diverting means; and Figure 7 shows a cutaway view of the urine diverting toilet with the urine diverting cover in the second open position. Specific Description Referring to Figure 1, a first embodiment will now be described. Figure 1 shows an exterior view of a urine diverting toilet 1 according to the present invention. The urine diverting toilet 1 includes a body 2 which includes a housing 21 and a seat 22. The toilet has a front 11 and a back 12. The seat 22 comprises a closing panel which may be opened or removed for providing access to the housing 21. Attached to the seat 22 can be seen an optional lid 25 hinged toward the back 12 of the toilet 1. Urine diverting toilet 1 herein refers to a toilet equipped with a urine diverting means 3 or urine separating means 3 for separating urine from solid waste for separate continent or disposal of each. Referring to Figure 2, a schematic cross-section view of the urine diverting toilet of Figure 1 is shown. The body 2 of the urine diverting toilet 1 defines an interior 23, which accommodates a urine diverting means 3, a urine collection means 31 and a solid waste container 4. In the embodiment shown, the urine diverting means 3 includes a urine diverting surface 34 toward the front 11 and a solid waste receiving opening 35 toward the rear 12 of the toilet. The solid waste receiving opening 35 is also equipped with a urine diverting cover 36 moveable from a first closed position for obturating the solid waste receiving opening 35 and conveying urine to a urine collection means 31 to a second open position for allowing solid waste to be received and conveyed to a solid waste container 4. Urine incident on the urine diverting surface 34 or the urine diverting cover 36 when closed is conveyed to the urine collection means 31 as both are inclined or angled toward the urine collection means 31. In the embodiment shown, the urine collection means 31 is a removeable container 32a. The urine diverting surface 34 includes a urine opening 34a located toward the front 11 of the toilet 1 for directing diverted urine to the urine collection means 31. The urine collection means 31 may alternatively or additionally include an outlet 32b connectable to plumbing or treatment apparatus situated external to the urine diverting toilet 1. The urine diverting means 3 is shown in more detail in Figures 5 and 6. The urine diverting toilet 1 also includes a solids capture mechanism 50 located in the interior 23 for capturing solid waste in pockets 52 or bags 52 formed in or from a sleeve 51. The sleeve 51 has a cross-sectional perimeter P defined as the distance around the edge of an open end of the sleeve 51 when it is cut in the lateral direction. The capture mechanism 50 includes a sleeve holder 5 or sleeve dispenser 5 for storing the sleeve 51 and aligning said sleeve 51 to receive solid waste introduced at the seat 22, a feed mechanism 6 for drawing the sleeve 51 through the capture mechanism 50 and a sealing mechanism 7 for forming sealed pockets 52 from sections of the sleeve 51. The sleeve holder 5 is located below and about the solid waste receiving opening 35. The sleeve holder 5 comprises a section of tube 8 extending between a first end 8a and a second end 8b and having a perimeter PS and an aperture 9 extending therethrough. Perimeter PS is less than the perimeter P of the sleeve 51 to allow the sleeve 51 to fold or concertina along the tube 8 in order to store a length of sleeve 51 many times longer than the length of the tube 8. Preferably PS is 50-90% of P, most preferably PS is 80-90% of P. The first end 8a is proximal the solid waste receiving opening 35 and the second end 8b is distal the solid waste receiving opening 35. A sealed pocket 52 is defined herein as a section of sleeve 51 sealed at a first position and a second position in the lateral direction across a full width W of the sleeve 51 to create the pocket 51 therebetween. Solid waste is captured in the sealed pocket 52 therebetween for later disposal. The sleeve holder 5 further includes a tensioning device 55 to meter the length of sleeve dispensed and to direct the sleeve 51 to the feed mechanism 6. In the embodiment shown, the tensioning device 55 is a tensioning plate 56. The tensioning device 55 is located at the first end 8a of the tube 8 and preferably fixed thereto. The tensioning plate 56 extends across the first end 8a of the tube 8 extending beyond the perimeter PS. The tensioning plate 56 is shown in more detail in Figure 3 and discussed in more detail with reference to Figure 3 below. The feed mechanism 6 is located within the tube 8 of the sleeve holder 5 or below the tube 8 for drawing a single layer of the sleeve 51 from the top of the sleeve holder 51 tensioned by the tensioning device 55 to the sealing mechanism 7 for forming sealed pockets 52. This arrangement is shown in cross-section in Figure 2. In the embodiment shown, the feed mechanism 6 comprises two pairs of feed wheels 61 (shown in more detail in Figure 3). In other embodiments, one or more pairs of feed wheels 61 may be used. In the embodiment shown, the pairs of feed wheels 61 comprise a roller 63 and a drive wheel 62 driven by a drive wheel motor 64. The feed mechanism 6 includes a spring loading mechanism 65 for bringing the roller 63 and drive wheel 62 together (not shown), in order to press or hold the sleeve 51 therebetween. The skilled person will appreciate that movement of the drive wheel 62 will thus draw a section of the sleeve 51 between the drive wheel 62 and the roller 63, drawing the sleeve 51 through the feed mechanism 6 to the sealing mechanism 7. In other embodiments, the drive wheel 62 may be driven manually instead by a lever or handle (not shown) situated external to the body 2. In the embodiment shown, the urine diverting toilet 1 also includes a battery 801 and a controller 802 for controlling the feeding mechanism 6 and the sealing mechanism 7. Referring to figure 4 the sealing mechanism is shown in more detail. The sealing mechanism 7 has a first side 701 proximal the feed mechanism 6 and the solid waste receiving opening 35, a second side 702 proximal the solid waste container 4, a heating assembly 71, and an optional gathering assembly 81. At the first side 701 the sleeve 51 is received and at the second side 702 the sealed pockets 52 are released and deposited in the solid waste container 4. In the embodiment shown, the feed mechanism 6 is positioned on the first side 701 of the sealing mechanism 7 for feeding the sleeve between the heating assembly 71 and the gathering assembly 81. The urine diverting toilet 1 may further include a mechanism case 77, which accommodates the feed mechanism 6 and the sealing mechanism 7 and preferably the sleeve holder 5 or sleeve dispenser 5. The mechanism case 77 has a first side 701 proximal the seat 22 and a second side 702 proximal the solid waste container 4. The first side 701 includes a first opening 703 for receiving the sleeve 51 from the sleeve holder 5. The second side 702 includes a second opening 704 for deposition of sealed pockets 52 to the solid waste container 4. In the embodiment shown, the first side 701 of the mechanism case 77 includes the sleeve holder 5 and the second side 702 includes a first solid waste connection 705 for reversibly attaching the mechanism case 77 to a complementary connection at a top end of the solid waste container 4. In other embodiments, the mechanism case 77 may be reversibly attached within the solid waste container 4. In yet other embodiments, the sleeve holder 5 may be accommodated for separately to the first side 701 of the mechanism case 77 and / or the second side 702 may not include a first solid waste container connection 705. The capture mechanism 50 and / or mechanism case 77 may be instead reversibly attached to the seat 22. The solid waste container 4 may be removable. The skilled person will appreciate that in embodiments when the solid waste container 4 is removable the mechanism case 77 may be removable therewith by virtue of said first solid waste connection 705. In the embodiment shown, the seat 22 is attached to the housing 21 via hinges 24 to facilitate opening of the seat 22 and removal of the solid waste container 4. In other embodiments, the seat 22 may instead be removable to facilitate removal of the solid waste container 4. In yet other embodiments, the urine diverting toilet 1 may further include an opening in the housing 2 to facilitate removal of the solid waste container 4 and a closing panel for covering said opening in the housing 2 when shut. The opening may be in the side or back of the toilet 1. In some embodiments, the housing 2 may include a base, and the opening in the housing 2 may be situated in the base. Referring to Figure 3, an isometric view of the mechanism case 77 is shown. Figure 3 shows an alternative view of the mechanism case 77 of Figure 2, including the tensioning device 55 accommodated at the first side 701. In the embodiment shown, the tensioning device 55 is a tensioning plate 56 with an outer perimeter 57 and an aperture 58 positioned for receiving solid waste deposited through the solid waste receiving opening 35, such that the sleeve 51 may capture said solid waste received at the aperture 58. The skilled person will appreciate that said aperture 58 is thus also below the seat 22, so that the sleeve 51 may capture incident solid waste as it is deposited there from. The outer perimeter 57 of the tensioning plate 56 is 70-100% of the cross-sectional perimeter of the sleeve 51. Preferably, the outer perimeter 57 of the tensioning plate 56 is 90-99% of the cross-sectional perimeter of the sleeve. The outer perimeter 57 is always greater than the perimeter PS of the tube 8 of the sleeve holder 5. Preferably the outer perimeter 57 is 10% greater than PS. Referring to Figure 4, a schematic top view of the sealing mechanism is shown. Figure 4 shows the sealing mechanism 7 of Figure 2 in more detail, including a cross section of the sleeve 51 as it passes through the sealing mechanism 7. In the embodiment shown, the gathering assembly 81 includes a heat resistant bar 82. The gathering assembly 81 is moveable from a first rest position distal the heating assembly 71 to a second active position adjacent the heating assembly 71, wherein in the second active position the heat resistant bar 82 presses the sleeve 51 against the heating assembly 71 to be sealed. In other embodiments, the heating assembly 71 may be moveable from a first rest position distal the gathering assembly 81 to the second active position, or both the heating assembly 71 and gathering assembly 81 may be moveable from a first rest position distal to each other to the second active position. In the embodiment shown, the gathering assembly 81 is moved by two linear actuators 83. The linear actuators 83 are shown each comprising a lead screw 84 and an electric actuator 86. In other embodiments, such an actuation mechanism may be implemented to move the heating assembly 71 instead, or to move both the gathering assembly 81 and the heating assembly 71. In other embodiments, one or more linear actuators 83, comprising one or more lead screws 84 driven by one or more electric actuators 86, may be used in any appropriate combination. In the embodiment shown, the lead screws 84 each have an axis of rotation Y and the electric actuator 86 has an axis of rotation X at 90 degrees to the Y axes with the electric actuator 86 adjacent the lead screws 84. The lead screws 84 are driven by the electric actuator 86 via a drive means 87, for example a gear or flexi drive, most preferably a bevel gear. In other embodiments, the axis or axes X may be offset from the axis or axes Y at angles other than 90 degrees. In a preferable alternative the axis X may be parallel to axis Y and the electrical actuator 86 connected to the lead screw 84 using a drive mechanism for example a gears or a belt drive. The heating assembly 71 may be connected to the housing 21 via a spring mechanism 803 that is compressed in the second active position. In the embodiment shown, the heating assembly 71 includes a heating element 74 with a heating surface 75 of a length L extending laterally. As defined herein, the lateral direction of the heating surface 75 corresponds to the lateral direction of the sleeve 51. The skilled person will appreciate that the sleeve 51 is sealed on contact with the heating surface 75, which is set to a temperature sufficient to cause the material of the sleeve 51 to bond and / or at least partially melt the sleeve 51 or adhesive thereon for sealing the sleeve across the full width W. In the embodiment shown, the heating assembly 71 further includes a non-stick sheath 76 that covers the heating surface 75 to prevent the sleeve 51 from sticking to the heating assembly 71. Preferably, the non-stick sheath 76 comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) material. In the embodiment shown, the heating assembly 71 and gathering assembly 81 both include guide protrusions 85. In other embodiments, only the heating assembly 71 or only the gathering assembly 81 may include guide protrusions 85. The guide protrusions 85 act as a guide for the sleeve 51 as it is received by the sealing mechanism 7, compressing the sleeve 51 in the lateral direction to ensure that in the second active position the width W of the sleeve 51 to be sealed does not exceed the length L of the heating surface. Thereby guaranteeing that the sleeve is sealed across the full width W and that a sealed pocket 52 is created that contains the solid waste. The heat resistant bar 82 may comprise silicone material or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) material. In the embodiment shown, the sealing mechanism 7 also includes a separating mechanism 72 for separating the sealed pocket 52 from the remainder of the sleeve 51. In other embodiments, a separating mechanism 72 may not be included. The skilled person will appreciate that without a separating mechanism 72 a string of sealed pockets 52 may be accumulated in the solid waste container 4, whereas using a separating mechanism 72 discrete sealed pockets 52 may be deposited. When deposited individually, sealed pockets 52 may alternately be referred to as bags 52. Advantageously, bags 52 may distribute themselves more evenly in the solid waste container 4 improving capacity. In the embodiment shown, the separating mechanism 72 includes a rib 73a extending from the heating surface 75 of the heating element 74. In another embodiment, the separating mechanism may instead include a blade 73b with a cutting edge extending from the heating surface 75 of the heating element 74. As defined herein, a rib 73a differs from a blade 73b by the absence of a cutting edge. The skilled person will appreciate that in these two alternative embodiments the separating mechanism 72 may separate a sealed pocket 52 from the sleeve 51 in different ways. Using a rib 73a, a separation is made by melting the sleeve 51 over the heating surface 75 aided by stretching the sleeve 51 over the rib 73a. Using a blade 73b with a cutting edge, the separation can be made without a contribution from heat, severing the sleeve 51 on the cutting edge of the blade 73b. The skilled person will understand that a blade 73b may be heated in a similar fashion to a rib 73a to improve its efficacy. Preferably, the rib 73a or blade 73b may extend the length L of the heating surface 75, thus allowing separation across the entire width W of the sleeve 51 to be sealed. Both the rib 73a and / or blade 73b are located between a first portion 75a and a second portion 75b of the heating surface 75, each extending the length L of the heating surface 75, such that the pocket 52 being sealed closed is sealed by the first portion 75a and the new end of the sleeve 51 is sealed by the second portion 75b to create the first seal of what will be the next pocket 52. The sleeve 51 comprises an elongate tube of material, optionally comprising a polymer material, compostable polymer, and / or foil material. The material of the sleeve 51 is thin and flexible. The sleeve 51 has a length in a longitudinal direction defined as the distance between opposite ends of the tube, and a width in a lateral direction defined as perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The skilled person will appreciate that the width W may change depending on whether the sleeve 51 is pulled taut in the lateral direction or compressed in the lateral direction. For example, when in use the sleeve 51 has a width W to be sealed. This width W of sleeve to be sealed may be considerably less than the width when taut as the sleeve is constrained by the available space within the urine diverting toilet 1 and optionally by guide protrusions 85. This characteristic of the sleeve is shown in more detail in Figure 4. In the embodiment shown, the sleeve has an inner surface 53 and an outer surface 54, the inner surface 53 defined herein as the part of the sleeve 51 which comes into contact with solid waste and goes on to form the inside of sealed pockets 52. The outer surface 54 is correspondingly defined as the opposite surface of the sleeve 51 and therefore does not come into contact with solid waste, going on to form the outside of sealed pockets 52. In some embodiments, the inner surface 53 of the sleeve 51 is coated in urea. Referring to Figure 5, a top view of the urine diverting toilet 1 equipped with a urine diverting means 3 is shown. Figure 5 thus shows the urine diverting means 3 of Figure 2 in more detail. In the embodiment shown, the urine diverting surface 34 and urine diverting cover 36 include a seal 37 therebetween for preventing urine from entering the solid waste container 4 in the first closed position. In other embodiments, only the urine diverting surface 34 or only the urine diverting cover 36 may include such a seal 37. The skilled person will appreciate that when included in combination with the urine diverting surface 34 the seal 37 may comprise a seal between the surface 34 and the seat 22 for example. Additionally or alternatively, the seal 37 may comprise a seal between the urine diverting cover 36 and the urine diverting surface 34. In the embodiment shown, the urine diverting cover 36 includes a drain 38 at a lowest point 39 of the urine diverting cover 36 and a first channel 301 to direct urine to the drain 38. Said drain 38 is connected to the urine collection means 31. The skilled person will appreciate that urine incident on the closed cover 36 will accumulate at the lowest point 39 of said cover 36, and that said drain 38 will therefore allow collection of any urine incident on the closed cover 36. The first channel 301 may be in the form of a lip or protrusion on, or recess in, a urinefacing surface of the urine diverting cover and suitable for directing urine to the drain. In order to direct urine to the urine collection means 31 the urine diverting surface 34 and urine diverting cover 36 are inclined toward the urine collection means 31. The Urine diverting surface 34 includes an opening 34a fluidly connected to the urine collection means 31. In the embodiment shown, the urine diverting cover 36 includes a first door 36a and a second door 36b each mounted at and rotatable about a pivot 303 and actuated by a cover actuating mechanism 307. Preferably said pivots 303 are connected by a linkage of the cover actuating mechanism 307 causing the pivot 303 of the first door 36a to counter rotate relative to the pivot 303 of the second door 36b when moved from the first closed position to the second open position. In other embodiments, the urine diverting cover 36 may instead comprise one or more door panels moveable from the first open position to the second closed position using hinges, pivots, or sliding tracks. The two door 36a, 36b arrangement provides packaging benefits over a single door arrangement allowing a smaller body 2. The pivots 303 allow rotation about a vertical axis causing the one or more doors 36a, 36b to rotate in a horizontal plane between the open and closed positions. This has the advantage of maintaining the angle of the one or more doors 36a, 36b such that any urine captured there on is not lost. The pivots 303 are shown at the urine diverting cover 36 to the rear 12 of the toilet and proximal the first and second edges 304, 305 as this provides the most compact packaging arrangement and the smallest body 2 of the toilet 1. However, the skilled person would understand that alternative positions would be possible. A knob 308 is shown connected to the urine diverting cover 36 by the cover actuating mechanism 307 for moving the one or more doors 36a, 36b from the first closed position to the second open position. Figure 5 shows the urine diverting cover 36 in the first closed position. In the embodiment shown, the first door 36a includes a first edge 304 and the second door 36b includes a second edge 305 adjacent the first edge 304 when the doors are in the first closed position. Referring to Figure 6, a cross-section view of the urine diverting means 3 is shown. Figure 6 shows an alternative view of the urine diverting means 3 also shown in Figure 5. In the embodiment shown, the urine diverting surface 34 includes a second channel 302 extending under the urine diverting surface 34, having a first end 302a positioned to receive fluid from the drain 38 and a second end 302b fluidly connected to the urine collection means 31. In other embodiments, said second channel 302 may not extend beneath the urine diverting surface 34, the drain 38 may be located to drain urine onto the urine diverting surface 34 or the drain 38 may be connected to the urine collection means 31 via the urine diverting surface 34 by an alternative configuration. The first door 36a includes a seal 37 and / or a gutter 306 extending along and from the first edge 304 so that the gutter 306 extends under the second edge 305 when the doors 36a, 36b are in the first closed position. The gutter 306 is a specific embodiment of the channel 301. The skilled person will appreciate this allows any urine that passes through any gap between the doors 36a, 36b to be collected and directed to the urine collection means. Accordingly, urine is prevented from combining with solid waste. In other embodiments, the first door 36a may only include a seal 37 or a gutter 306 for this purpose. In a preferable embodiment the gutter 306 may be made of a resiliently deformable material such that it is also the seal 37. In the embodiment shown, the urine diverting toilet 1 includes a cover actuating mechanism 307 for moving the urine diverting cover 36 from the first closed position to the second open position. The cover actuating mechanism 307 further includes a knob 308 connected to a shaft 309 rotatable about an axis A. The cover actuation mechanism 307 further includes a linkage for transferring rotation between the knob 308 and the shaft 309 to the pivots 303. Alternatively, the knob 308 may be referred to as and / or take the form of a handle 308.The shaft 309 may be one of the pivots 303 such that the knob 308 directly acts upon one of the doors 36a, 36b. A linkage as disclosed herein may take the form of a rigid link rotatably attached to a door, shaft or pivot offset from an axis of rotation for transferring rotation thereto or may be an alternative means of transferring rotation such as a rack and pinion or a gear arrangement. In particular the linkage causing counterrotation of the pivots 303 may be a pair of interlocking gears. Any combination of the aforementioned may be combined within the scope of the invention. Figure 7 shows a cutaway view of the urine diverting cover 36 in the second open position. For clarity, the seat 22 has been omitted so as not to obstruct the view of the doors 36a, 36b and the cover actuation mechanism 307. A clear view of the actuation mechanism 307 can be seen. The linkage 307a joining the two pivots 303 is a gear on each positioned to engage the other. The actuation mechanism 307 also includes a linkage 307b between the knob 308 and the one or more covers 36, 36a, 36b. As shown this linkage 307b comprises a rack and pinion arrangement engaging a gear fixed to the knob 308 and one of the gears of the first linkage 307a on one of the pivots 307 for transferring rotational movement thereto. The covers 36a, 36b shown in figure 7 each include a rib 33 of the first channel 301 about its external perimeter (i.e. not meeting edges 304, 305 for directing any fluid incident thereon toward the gutter 306 for passing the fluid to the urine diverting surface 34 and on to the urine collection means 31. Any system feature as described herein may also be provided as a method feature, and vice 5 versa. As used herein, means plus function features may be expressed alternatively in terms of their corresponding structure. Any feature in one aspect may be applied to other aspects, in any appropriate combination. In particular, method aspects may be applied to system aspects, and vice versa. Furthermore, io any, some and / or all features in one aspect can be applied to any, some and / or all features in any other aspect, in any appropriate combination. It should also be appreciated that particular combinations of the various features described and defined in any aspects can be implemented and / or supplied and / or used independently. 15

Claims

:

1. A urine diverting toilet (1) including:a body (2) having a housing (21) and a seat (22), said body (2) defining an 5 interior (23);a urine diverting means (3) for separating urine from solid waste;a urine collection means (31);a solid waste container (4), situated in the interior (23);a sleeve holder (5) for storing a sleeve (51) and for aligning said sleeve (51) to io receive solid waste introduced at the seat (22);a sealing mechanism (7);a feed mechanism (6) for drawing the sleeve (51) to the sealing mechanism (7);the sealing mechanism (7) being for sealing the solid waste in a sealed pocket is (52) created from the sleeve (51).

2. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to claim 1 wherein the urine diverting means (3) includes a urine diverting surface (34), a solid waste-receiving opening (35), and a urine diverting cover (36) moveable from; a first closed position for obturating the solid 20 waste-receiving opening (35) and for conveying urine to the urine collection means(31); to a second open position for allowing solid waste to enter the solid waste container (4).

3. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to claim 2 wherein the urine diverting surface (34) 25 and / or urine diverting cover (36) includes a seal (37) for preventing urine from enteringthe solid waste container (4) when the urine diverting cover (36) is in the first closed position.

4. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to claim 3 wherein the urine diverting cover (36) 30 further includes a drain (38) at a lowest point (39) of the urine diverting cover (36) anda first channel (301) to direct urine to the drain (38), and wherein said drain (38) is connected to the urine collection means (31).

5. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to any preceding claim wherein the urine collection 35 means (31) includes a removable container (32a) and / or an outlet (32b) connectableto plumbing or treatment apparatus.25 06 256. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to any preceding claim wherein the sealing mechanism (7) further includes a separating mechanism (72) for separating the sealed pocket (52) from the sleeve (51).5 7. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to any preceding claim wherein the sealingmechanism (7) has a first side (701) at which the sleeve (51) is received, a second side (702) at which sealed pockets (52) are deposited in the solid waste container (4), a heating assembly (71) and a gathering assembly (81);the feed mechanism (6) is positioned on the first side (701) of the sealing mechanism io (7) for feeding the sleeve (51) between the heating assembly (71) and the gatheringassembly (81).

8. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to claim 7 wherein the gathering assembly (81) includes a heat resistant bar (82); and15 the heating assembly (71) and / or the gathering assembly (81) are moveable from afirst rest position distal from one another to a second active position wherein the heat resistant bar (82) is adjacent the heating assembly (71), wherein in the second active position the heat resistant bar (82) is positioned to press the sleeve (51) against the heating assembly (71) for sealing thereof.

209. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to claim 8 wherein the gathering assembly (81) and / or the heating assembly (71) is moved by one or more linear actuators (83), wherein the one or more linear actuators (83) each comprise one or more lead screws (84) driven by one or more electric actuators (86).2510. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to claim 9 wherein the one or more lead screws (84) have an axis of rotation Y and the one or more electric actuators (86) have an axis of rotation X, at 90 degrees to the axis of rotation Y or offset from the axis Y with the electric actuator (86) adjacent the lead screw (84).3011. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to claims 8 to 10 wherein the heating assembly (71) is connected to the housing (21) via a spring mechanism that is compressed in the second active position.35 12. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to claims 8 to 11 wherein the heating assembly(71) includes a heating element (74) with a heating surface (75) of a length L extending laterally.25 06 2513. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to claim 12 wherein the heating assembly (71) further includes a non-stick sheath (76) that covers the heating surface (75) to prevent the sleeve (51) from sticking to the heating assembly (71) during use, preferably5 wherein the non-stick sheath (76) comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) material.

14. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to claims 8 to 13 wherein the gathering assembly (81) and / or the heating assembly (71) include a plurality of guide protrusions (85) for ensuring that in the second active position a width W of sleeve (51) to be sealed doesio not exceed the length L of the heating surface (75).

15. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to claims 8 to 14 wherein the heat resistant bar (82) comprises silicone material or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) material.is 16. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to claims 7 to 15 further including a mechanism case (77) for accommodating the feed mechanism (6) and the sealing mechanism (7); the mechanism case (77) including a first side (701) proximal the seat (22) and a second side (702) proximal the solid waste container (4), wherein the first side (701) includes a first opening (703) for receiving the sleeve (51) and the second side (702)20 includes a second opening (704) for deposition of sealed pockets (52) to the solidwaste container (4).

17. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to claim 16, wherein the first side (701) of the mechanism case (77) includes the sleeve holder (5) and / or the second side (702)25 includes a first solid waste container connection (705) for reversibly attaching themechanism case (77) to or within the solid waste container (4) for removal therewith.

18. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to claims 12 or 13 when dependant on claim 6 wherein the separating mechanism (72) includes a rib (73a) extending between a first30 portion (75a) and a second portion (75b) of the heating surface (75) of the heatingelement (74), or a blade (73b) with a cutting edge extending between a first portion (75a) and a second portion (75b) of the heating surface (75) of the heating element (74).35 19. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to claim 18 wherein the rib (73a) or blade (73b)extends the length L of the heating surface (75).25 06 2520. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to any preceding claim wherein the sleeve (51) comprises a polymer material, a compostable polymer material, and / or a foil material.

21. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to any preceding claim wherein the sleeve holder 5 (5) further includes a tensioning device (55) to direct the sleeve (51) to the feedmechanism (6).

22. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to claim 21 wherein the tensioning device (55) is a tensioning plate (56) including an outer perimeter (57) and an aperture (58), wherein io the aperture (58) is located below the seat (22) for receiving solid waste deposited atthe seat (22) and / or below the solid waste receiving opening (35) for receiving waste deposited through the solid waste-receiving opening (35).

23. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to claim 22 wherein the outer perimeter (57) of theis tensioning plate (56) is 70-99% of a cross-sectional perimeter of the sleeve (51).

24. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to claim 23 wherein the outer perimeter (57) is 90-99% of the cross-sectional perimeter of the sleeve (51).20 25. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to any preceding claim wherein the sleeve (51)comprises an inner surface (53) and an outer surface (54) and the inner surface (53) of the sleeve (51) is coated in urea.

26. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to any preceding claim wherein the solid waste 25 container (4) is removeable.

27. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to claim 26 wherein the seat (22) is removable or attached to the housing (21) via hinges (24) to facilitate removal of the solid waste container (4).3028. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to any preceding claim wherein the feed mechanism (6) comprises one or more pairs of feed wheels (61).

29. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to claim 28 wherein each pair of feed wheels (61) 35 comprises a drive wheel (62) and a roller (63), wherein the roller (63) is spring loadedto bring the drive wheel (62) and the roller (63) together and press the sleeve (51)25 06 25therebetween, and the drive wheel (62) is driven by a drive wheel motor (64) or manually via a lever situated external to the body (2).

30. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to any preceding claim further including a battery 5 (801) and a controller (802) for controlling the feeding mechanism and the sealingmechanism.

31. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to claim 3 wherein the drain (38) is connected to the urine collecting means (31) via the urine diverting surface (34); preferably the urine io diverting surface (34) includes a second channel (302) having a first end at the drain(38) and a second end fluidly connected to the urine collection means (31).

32. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to claim 31 wherein the second channel (302) extends under the urine diverting surface (34).1533. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to any one of claim 2 or claims 3 to 32 when dependant on claim 2 wherein the urine diverting cover (36) includes a first door (36a), and a second door (36b) each rotatable about a pivot (303).20 34. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to claim 33 wherein the pivots (303) are engagedto counter rotate relative to the other from the first closed position to the second open position.

35. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to claims 33 or 34 wherein the first door (36a) 25 includes a first edge (304), and the second door (36b) includes a second edge (305)located adjacent the first edge (304) of the first door (36a) when the doors are in the first closed position; wherein the first door (36a) includes a seal (37) and / or a gutter (306) extending along and from the first edge (304).30 36. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to claim 35 wherein the gutter (306) extendsunderneath the second edge (305) when the doors (36a, 36b) are in the first closed position for collecting urine that may have passed between the first edge (304) and the second edge (305).35 37. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to any one of claim 2 or claims 3 to 36 whendependant on claim 2 including a cover actuating mechanism (307) for moving the urine diverting cover (36) from the first closed position to the second open position.

38. A urine diverting toilet (1) according to claim 37 wherein the cover actuating mechanism (307) includes a knob (308) connected to a shaft (309) rotatable about an axis A, the cover actuating mechanism (307) further including a linkage or a rack and 5 pinion arrangement for transferring rotation between the knob (308) and shaft (309)and the one or more pivots (303).25 06 25

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