Portable toilet

Abstract

A portable toilet comprising: a waste collection tank;an upper tank that is lockable to the waste collection tank and selectively in fluid communication therewith such that waste deposited into the upper tank can be flushed into the waste collection tank, the upper tank having an upper tank width;one or more seat portions that are deployable to form a toilet seat having a width that is greater than the upper tank width; and a lid for closing the upper tank, wherein the toilet is configurable between: a stowed configuration wherein the lid is closed and the or each seat portion is stowed; and a deployed configuration wherein the lid is open and the or each seat portion is deployed to form the toilet seat.

Description

[0001] Portable toilet

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] Disclosed herein is a portable toilet.

[0004] Backq round

[0005] Portable toilets can provide a more comfortable and convenient toilet experience when a more standard toilet is not available, such as during a camping or caravanning trip, boating, on a construction site, remote working etc. However, existing portable toilets are relatively large and can thus be relatively difficult to stow and transport, particularly if one is seeking to be space and weight-efficient when planning campervan adventures and the like.

[0006] There is a need to address the above, and / or at least provide a useful alternative.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable toilet comprising: a waste collection tank; an upper tank that is lockable to the waste collection tank and selectively in fluid communication therewith such that waste deposited into the upper tank can be flushed into the waste collection tank, the upper tank having an upper tank width; one or more seat portions that are deployable to form a toilet seat having a width that is greater than the upper tank width; and a lid for closing the upper tank, wherein the toilet is configurable between: a stowed configuration wherein the lid is closed and the or each seat portion is stowed; and a deployed configuration wherein the lid is open and the or each seat portion is deployed to form the toilet seat.

[0008] The lid may have a lid width that is substantially similar to the upper tank width, and in the stowed configuration, the or each seat portion may be stowed beneath the closed lid.

[0009] The toilet may comprise a central seat portion which, together with the one or more seat portions, form the toilet seat. In certain examples, the toilet comprises two seat portions configured to be deployed from respective sides of the upper tank.

[0010] In the stowed configuration, the or each seat portion may be pivoted to lie over the upper tank, and in the deployed configuration, the or each seat portion may be pivoted to extend outwardly from the upper tank to at least partially define a perimeter of the toilet seat.

[0011] The toilet may further comprise a respective support member for supporting the or each deployed seat portion against loading thereon.

[0012] In at least one embodiment, the toilet further comprises one or more stabilising legs, wherein: in the stowed configuration, the or each leg is stowed relative to the waste collection tank; and in the deployed configuration, the or each leg is deployed so as to extend outwardly from the waste collection tank.

[0013] It is envisaged that the toilet may further comprise a toilet roll holder, wherein: in the stowed configuration, the holder sits relatively flush within an exterior of the upper tank; and in the deployed configuration, the holder extends outwardly from the upper tank for reception of a toilet roll thereon. The waste collection tank may have an outlet via which waste collected therein can be disposed. In certain examples, at least a portion of a base of the waste collection tank is sloped toward the outlet to facilitate disposal of waste through the outlet.

[0014] In certain embodiments, the waste collection tank has a waste collection tank width that is substantially similar to the upper tank width. It is envisaged that in the stowed configuration, the upper tank width is approximately between 15cm to 30cm. In an example embodiment, in the stowed configuration, the upper tank width may be between approximately 15cm to 20cm.

[0015] Brief description of the drawinas

[0016] An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0017] Figs. 1 and 2 are, respectively, rear and front perspective views of a portable toilet in a stowed configuration according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0018] Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of the portable toilet of Fig. 2 in a partially deployed configuration;

[0019] Fig. 4 is a front perspective view of the portable toilet of Fig. 3 in a deployed configuration;

[0020] Fig. 5 is a close-up of a deployed seat portion of the portable toilet of Fig. 4;

[0021] Fig. 6 is a rear perspective view of the deployed portable toilet of Fig. 4;

[0022] Fig. 7 is a front close-up view of deployed stabilising legs of the portable toilet of

[0023] Fig. 4.

[0024] Detailed

[0025] Disclosed herein is a portable toilet that can be conveniently and effectively stowed and transported. In particular, the toilet is configured such that its footprint is smaller than that of commonly available portable toilets. Prior art portable toilets provide a toilet seat upon which a user can sit, and thus the size and footprint of such toilets are typically dictated by the minimum width of the toilet seat. Given this design constraint, prior art toilets can be relatively wide, and thus they can be relatively bulky and difficult to stow and transport.

[0026] The presently disclosed portable toilet is configurable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration. As will be discussed, a maximum width of the present toilet in its stowed configuration is smaller than its width when in the deployed configuration. The present toilet, when stowed, is configured to have a smaller maximum width as compared with prior art toilets, and yet still provide a seat upon which users can sit when in the deployed configuration. In this way, the presently disclosed toilet can achieve a reduced footprint size while still providing seating functionality for users.

[0027] In certain embodiments, the width and depth of the portable toilet are substantially similar to that of commonly available jerry cans. In this way, the presently disclosed portable toilet can be readily stowed, for example, via commonly available jerry can holders. Advantageously, such jerry can holders are often fitted to an exterior of vehicles such as campervans; as such, the stowed portable toilet can be conveniently stowed and transported via an exterior of the vehicle, thereby allowing the portable toilet and any waste therein to be desirably stored and transported outside of the vehicle rather than within.

[0028] Figs. 1 and 2 show a portable toilet 2 according to embodiments of the present invention. The toilet 2 is shown in a stowed configuration and has a generally rectangular footprint having a depth and a width that is similar to that of commercially available jerry cans. Of course, jerry cans and holders therefor can vary in size, and the footprint of the portable toilet 2 can indeed vary to correspond with standard jerry can sizes so as to be readily stowed via standard jerry can holders. The disclosed portable toilet 2 comprises a lower waste collection tank 4 in which waste can be collected. The lower tank 4 comprises an outlet via which waste can be disposed therefrom, the outlet being selectively closed by a screwcap 6. The depicted waste tank 4 is generally in the form of a rectangular prism, wherein lower corners thereof are provided respective stabilising legs 8 which, as will be discussed, can be deployed to stabilise the toilet 2 when deployed and loaded with a user's weight. An upper rear side of the waste tank is also provided with a groove or recess via which one can manually tip the waste tank 4 to dispose of waste through the outlet thereof.

[0029] In one example, the waste tank 4 receives chemical additives so as to operate as a chemical toilet. In other examples, a bag may be received in the waste tank 4 so that the toilet 2 operates as a bagged waste toilet.

[0030] The portable toilet 2 also comprises an upper tank 12 that is lockable to the waste collection tank 4 (e.g., via manually operable lateral clips 13) and selectively in fluid communication therewith. When connected together, the upper tank 12 and waste collection tank are seal ing ly engaged.

[0031] The collection tank 4 may have a lid which is integrated into the upper tank 12, which allows the bottom tank lid to be completely removed, greatly assisting with emptying and cleaning.

[0032] The upper tank 12 is hingedly and lockably closed by a lid 14 via, respectively, a rearward hinge 16 and a forward clipping lock 18, the lid 14 being pivotably openable to reveal the upper tank 12 therebeneath when the toilet 2 is to be used in the deployed configuration. The lid 14 is removable, greatly assisting with usage & cleaning. The lid 14 is provided with a carry handle 20 for convenient carriage of the portable toilet 2. A front face 22 of the upper tank 12 is fitted with a toilet paper holder which, in Fig. 2, is in the form of an L-shaped arm 24 that is received flush in a correspondingly shaped recess formed in the front face 22 of the upper tank 12. In the deployed configuration, the holder 24 is pivoted outwardly away from the front face 22 of the upper tank 12, the length of the L-shaped holder 24 defining an arm via which a roll of toilet paper can be held. The front of the upper tank 12 also comprises a handle 26 that can be pulled to place the lower and upper tanks 4, 12 in fluid communication with one another, thereby allowing waste and water collected in the upper tank 12 to be flushed into the waste tank 4 for collection therein.

[0033] In some embodiments, the toilet 2 operates as a chemical toilet and the upper tank 12 includes a liquid reservoir for flushing the toilet. In other embodiments, the toilet 2 may operate as a composting toilet whereby solids and liquids are separated due to the design of the bowl, with solid waste being received in the waste tank 4 and liquid waste being received in the upper tank 12. It will be appreciated that in such an embodiment, flushing water is not required in the upper tank 12.

[0034] It can be seen that in the stowed configuration, the upper tank 12 has a first width which extends between its lateral side walls 28. In preferred embodiments, this first width is about the width of a standard jerry can and / or jerry can holder. The waste tank and lid also have respective widths that are similar if not identical to that of the upper tank 12, resulting in a portable toilet which, in a stowed configuration, is compact and easily portable and stowable as though it were a jerry can.

[0035] The portable toilet 2 may be formed of different commercially available materials. In one example, the portable toilet 2 is formed of plastics and via a moulding process. In another example, the portable toilet 2 is formed of stainless steel.

[0036] Fig. 3 shows the portable toilet 2 in a partially deployed configuration, wherein the L-shaped stabilising legs 8 have been pivoted outwardly to increase the effective width of the portable toilet 2. The legs 8 help to keep the portable toilet 2 stable on the ground, particularly when the weight of a user is supported by the toilet 2 during use. The lid 14 has also been opened away from the upper tank 12, revealing therebeneath a pair of seat portions 30 that are pivotally associated with an upper end 32 of the upper tank 12. In the depicted embodiment, each seat portion 30 is folded so as to lie over and against an upper end 32 of the upper tank 12 so that each stowed seat portion 30 can fit beneath the lid 14 when closed.

[0037] It will be appreciated that the stabilising legs may take other forms and may, for example, slide out from the waste collection tank 4.

[0038] Fig. 4 shows the portable toilet 2 in a fully deployed configuration, wherein the lateral seat portions 30 have been pivoted so as to extend outwardly from each side 28 of the upper tank 12. In this way, the upper end 32 of the upper tank 12, along with the two deployed seat portions 30 extending outwardly from opposite lateral sides thereof, together define a toilet seat 34 upon which a user can sit to use the toilet 2. In other words, an upper end 32 of the upper tank 12 defines a central seat portion of the toilet seat 34, while each deployed seat portion 30 defines a respective lateral side of the toilet seat 34. In this way, when the portable toilet 2 is in the deployed configuration, the deployed toilet seat 34 thereof spans a width that is greater than the width of the portable toilet 2 when in the stowed configuration. As such, the portable toilet 2 is configurable between a smaller width configuration for easy storage and transport, but still provides a toilet seat 34 having a width that is larger than that of the stowed toilet 2 so that a user can readily sit on the deployed toilet seat 34 during use.

[0039] Referring also to Figs. 3 and 5, it can be seen that a bottom surface of each seat portion 30 comprises a support member 36 to help support the seat portion 30 against loading thereon. In the depicted embodiment, each support member is in the form of a metal bracket 36 secured to the bottom surface of a respective seat portion 30, wherein when each seat portion 30 is deployed, a free shelf end 38 of each bracket 36 is configured to brace against the lateral walls 28 of the upper tank 12, thereby supporting each respective seat portion 30 in the deployed configuration so as to prevent the seat portions 30 from pivoting therebeyond under the weight of a user.

[0040] Fig. 6 shows features of the portable toilet 2 which are common in prior art toilets, including a manually operable pump 40 for pumping water into the upper tank 12 to aid with flushing thereof, along with a cap 42 that can be screwingly removed from an upper tank inlet via which water can be added into the upper tank 12.

[0041] Referring to Fig. 7, it can be seen that a front end 44 of the base of the waste tank 4 slopes upwardly toward the waste tank outlet closed by the 6; the slopage of the sloped end 44 helps direct contents within the waste tank 4 up and out the outlet, particularly as the waste tank 4 is tipped fowardly so as to bias contents therein toward the outlet.

[0042] Many modifications of the above embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, while the figures show a toilet seat formed from seat portions that pivot out from the upper tank, other means for forming a toilet seat that is wider than the upper tank are within the scope of the present specification. For example, the toilet may comprise upper lateral wing portions that move between a stowed configuration, wherein they slide over the opening of the upper tank, to a deployed configuration, wherein they slide outwardly to reveal the opening of the upper tank and define lateral portions of the seat; the end of each wing may have a stopper for engaging, respectively, the inner and outer walls of the upper tank to assume the deployed and stowed configurations, respectively.

[0043] In other examples, the seat portions are separate parts that are removable and simply clip on when not in use. When not is use, the seat portions may be stored in the bowl or a carry case.

[0044] It is envisaged that a width of the present toilet, when stowed, is between approximately 15cm and 30cm. For example, the width of the upper and / or lower tank, when in the stowed configuration, may be less than 20cm. In at least one embodiment, the upper tank and lower tank are approximately of equal size, each 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). Lateral clips 13, which are provided on sides of the toilet 2, may be latches formed on the front and rear of the toilet 2.

[0045] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A portable toilet comprising: a waste collection tank; an upper tank that is lockable to the waste collection tank and selectively in fluid communication therewith such that waste deposited into the upper tank can be flushed into the waste collection tank, the upper tank having an upper tank width; one or more seat portions that are deployable to form a toilet seat having a width that is greater than the upper tank width; and a lid for closing the upper tank, wherein the toilet is configurable between: a stowed configuration wherein the lid is closed and the or each seat portion is stowed; and a deployed configuration wherein the lid is open and the or each seat portion is deployed to form the toilet seat.

2. The toilet of claim 1, wherein the lid has a lid width that is substantially similar to the upper tank width, and in the stowed configuration, the or each seat portion is stowed beneath the closed lid.

3. The toilet of claim 1 or 2, comprising a central seat portion which, together with the one or more seat portions, form the toilet seat.

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

5. The toilet of any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the stowed configuration, the or each seat portion is pivoted to lie over the upper tank, and in the deployed configuration, the or each seat portion is pivoted to extend outwardly from the upper tank to at least partially define a perimeter of the toilet seat.

6. The toilet of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a respective support member for supporting the or each deployed seat portion against loading thereon.

7. The toilet of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more stabilising legs, wherein: in the stowed configuration, the or each leg is stowed relative to the waste collection tank; and in the deployed configuration, the or each leg is deployed so as to extend outwardly from the waste collection tank.

8. The toilet of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a toilet roll holder, wherein: in the stowed configuration, the holder sits relatively flush within an exterior of the upper tank; and in the deployed configuration, the holder extends outwardly from the upper tank for reception of a toilet roll thereon.

9. The toilet of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the waste collection tank has an outlet via which waste collected therein can be disposed, and wherein at least a portion of a base of the waste collection tank is sloped toward the outlet to facilitate disposal of waste therethrough.

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

11. The toilet of any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the stowed configuration, the upper tank width is approximately between 15cm to 30cm.

12. The toilet of claim 11, wherein in the stowed configuration, the upper tank width is between approximately 15cm to 20cm.

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