Urine-diverting dry toilet

Abstract

A device for collecting and hygienically degrading human solid human waste using the black soldier fly larvae (Fig 1 and Fig 2), comprising of a portable toilet frame (21); said toilet frame fitted with a urine-diverting device (22), a urine receptacle pod (29), a urine receptacle (27), a faecal receptacle pod (30), faecal receptacle Fig 4 (28), and a wood dust shaker operating device (26); said urine-diverting device (22) connected to urine receptacle (27) through a urinal spout Fig 3 (33) and pivotally connected flap valve Fig 5 (34) for the purpose of controlling urine odour, wherein the urine receptacle pod (29) is further fitted with a pod locking device (31) for concealing and securing the collected urine; said faecal receptacle(28) fitted with inverted gutter barrier ring (35) for preventing the escape of the larvae from the receptacle (28) and fine fenestration Fig 4 (36) and (37) for facilitating air flow and reducing the humidity within the frame (21) and faecal receptacle (28); said toilet frame (21) further incorporating a vent (38) as a means of engaging vent pipe Fig 10 (39) for improving air circulation and reducing humidity in indoor locations with poor ventilation; said wood dust shaker operating device (26) fitted with means of operating the wood dust shaker (25 ); said toilet frame (21) further fitted with a toilet seat (23) and toilet seat cover (24) connected through a hinge device (40) on the toilet frame (21).

Description

[0001] Urine-Diverting Dry Toilet

[0002] Field of Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a urine-diverting dry toilet and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a portable urine -diverting dry toilet that incorporates the black soldier fly larvae as the main agent for processing fresh human excreta.

[0004] Background Information

[0005] Urine-diverting dry toilets are a well-known type of dry toilet that incorporates a urine-diverting devise that diverts urine away from faecal matter at the point of discharge from the human body, in such manner that both urine and faecal matter are subsequently collected separately into designated urine and faecal receptacles respectively.

[0006] Additionally, the black soldier fly also known scientifically as hermetia illucens, is a well-known cosmopolitan and ubiquitous fly, the larval form of which is a voracious consumer of decaying organic matter (also known as biowaste), and is commonly used in the biowaste management industry, whereby the waste is fed to the larvae in receptacles also known as larvero, wherein the larvae transform the waste matter to frass (a valuable soil conditioner) while the mature larvae are harvested as a valuable animal feed or as pre -pupa to perpetuate the rearing of the black soldier fly

[0007] Two main types of urine-diverting dry toilets exist. The first type is the composting urinediverting dry toilet, which is almost exclusively constructed in latrine format, and consists of a unit in which 2 separate but adjacent urine-diverting devices are fixed on a floor above 2 correspondingly-sited cavities or vaults in which faecal matter is alternatively collected and contained for periods lasting between 6 to 12 months in order to allow natural composting by micro-organisms.

[0008] The second type is the non-composting urine-diverting dry toilet which consists of a single unit, which may be portable or fixed in which a receptacle is used to collect and transfer relatively fresh faecal matter from the toilet to an off-site location wherein the faecal matter is processed through artificial or natural means, including using black soldier fly larvae.

[0009] Examples of other relevant and well known previous arts are the flush toilet and the pit latrine.

[0010] In locations where none of these previous art exist, populations are known to resort to open field defaecation or “flying toilets” whereby persons especially in poor urban informal dwellings relieve themselves in assorted containers which are then flung away, preferably in the dark. Problems with the existing toilets:

[0011] The composting urine-diverting dry toilet is generally expensive to construct, has a prolonged period of composting and is obligatorily wasteful because, at any one time, one vault cannot be used as a toilet, but only as a composting space. It is difficult to absolutely protect from adverse weather impacts, and frequent accidental leakages occur leading to foul odour. It can only be constructed on limited specific soil types, and only in outdoor locations, hence rendering it generally unavailable and unusable at night or in adverse weather. Vault doors are known to frequently corrode and collapse before composting is complete, leading to premature abandonment. All these factors compromise its capacity as a tool in diarrhoeal disease control.

[0012] The non-composting urine-diverting dry toilet must be emptied more frequent, and involves translocation of relatively raw faecal matter to off-site processing facilities using elaborate and expensive equipment and transportation facilities. This increases the risk of environmental contamination and likelihood of spread of communicable diseases.

[0013] The flush toilet is very expensive to acquire and maintain, uses excessive amounts of expensive drinking-quality treated water, requires connection to an even more expensive and elaborate sewerage treatment system that is difficult to efficiently maintain and sustain, and is prone to frequent malfunction and consequent environmental and hygiene catastrophes. As an entity, the flush toilet is now globally recognized as a major threat to marine life due to discharge of toxic cleaning chemicals, and eutrophication of water bodies as a result of the large amounts of nitrogen and phosphorous in the discharged effluence.

[0014] The major disadvantages of the pit latrine are persistent and difficult-to-control foul odour, fly infestation, frequent filling up and overflow, and threat of contamination of underground and adjacent water bodies.

[0015] Open-field defaecation and other forms of un-organised faecal matter disposal are recognized as a major perpetuators of diarrhoeal diseases and associated mortalities

[0016] In the decaying biowaste management industry, the larvero as used, focuses primarily on the gross feeding of the larvae, without specific attention on eliminating the emigration of the larvae from the said larvero. Without modifications, this specific larvero is therefore unusable for processing faecal matter as it may potentially allow the black soldier fly larvae unfettered emigration out of the larvero.

[0017] Summary of the invention:

[0018] It is an object of the present invention to ameliorate these disadvantages through hybridization of the concepts of portable urine -diverting dry toilet without vault device, and that of the black soldier fly biowaste management through incorporation of a black soldier fly larvae feeding receptacle, hereafter known as a faecal receptacle, into the portable urine-diverting dry toilet, the said receptacle modeled along the biowaste industry variety, but purposely designed and modified to integrate an inverted gutter ring barrier on all four walls, and fine fenestration on the said walls above the said inverted gutter ring barrier for the purpose of improved ventilation and humidity control within the receptacle and the toilet as a whole. Additionally, a wood dust dispenser and a wood dust dispenser-operating device have been incorporated in the invention to efficiently and uniformly disperse wood dust over the faecal matter, in order to improve the aesthetic attraction and further enhance the efficiency of the toilet, through desiccation and covering of fresh faecal matter. Additionally, a terminal flap valve has been mounted at the tip of the urine-diverting device spout to prevent back flow of foul urine odour. The ultimate objective of these innovations is to eliminate foul odour that is generally associated with latrines and toilets, and to reduce the risk of black soldier fly larval emigration from the faecal receptacle and to enhance the aesthetic attractiveness, appeal and usability of the toilet, which would in turn promote control of communicable intestinal and diarrhoeal diseases.

[0019] The invention and the said incorporation of black soldier fly is also applicable in urinediverting dry latrines as well as portable biowaste management devices, where emigration of black soldier fly larvae is undesirable.

[0020] Summary of the solution:

[0021] According to the present invention, there is provided a urine-diverting dry toilet comprising a portable frame, a urine-diverting device, a toilet seat, a toilet seat cover, a wood dust shaker, a wood dust shaker operating device, a urine receptacle, a faecal receptacle, a urine receptacle pod for accommodating the urine receptacle, a faecal receptacle pod for accommodating the faecal receptacle, a urine receptacle pod locking device, a faecal receptacle pod locking device, wherein the urine-diverting device is pivotally connected to the upper rim of the frame whereby it diverts urine into the urine receptacle through a urinal spout in order to maintain the faecal matter within the faecal receptacle in a perpetually dry state, wherein a terminal flap valve is pivotally connected through a hinge device to the urine-diverting device specifically at the tip of the urinal spout, said flap valve being capable of allowing urine into, but preventing back-flow of foul urine odour out of the urine receptacle, wherein an inverted gutter barrier ring is pivotally fixed to the inner surface of all 4 walls of the faecal receptacle for the purpose of preventing emigration of the black soldier fly larvae, wherein fine fenestration are integrally incorporated above the said inverted gutter barrier ring for the purpose of improving air circulation and reducing humidity in order to reduce risk of emigration of black soldier fly larvae, the said wood dust shaker operating device is pivotally connected to the frame to accommodate and operate the wood dust shaker from without the frame through an integral elongated handle, the said seat is pivotally connected by a hinge mechanism at the rear aspect of the upper rim of the frame so as to provide comfortable support for users of the device, the said seat cover pivotally connected by a co-located hinge mechanism as the toilet seat so as to be flipped down after use of the device in order to allow concealment of the urine-diverting device and contents of the faecal receptacle, the said urine matter receptacle pod locking device pivotally connected to the frame through a hinged device for concealment and securing of the urine matter receptacle, the said faecal receptacle pod locking device detachable and securable to the frame for concealment and securing of the faecal matter respectable.

[0022] Preferably, fine fenestration are integrally incorporated onto the frame to facilitate better airflow and reduce humidity, in order to eliminate foul odour and reduce risk of black soldier fly larval emigration.

[0023] Preferably, the wood dust shaker is detachable from and securable to the wood dust dispenser operating device in order to facilitate refilling of wood dust.

[0024] Preferably, the urine matter receptacle is detachable from and securable to the urine receptacle pod in order to facilitate replacement of a full receptacle with an empty one.

[0025] Preferably, the faecal receptacle is detachable from and securable to the faecal receptacle pod in order to facilitate replacement of a full receptacle with an empty one. Optionally a vent is provided on the frame with a means to fix a ventilation pipe to be connected outdoors for the purpose of ventilating and reducing humidity and any foul odour from within the frame, in case a device located in a space with limited ventilation.

[0026] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the same may be put into effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which: -

[0028] Figure 1 is an oblique projection of the front view of embodiments of the invention.

[0029] Figure 2 is an oblique projection of the rear view of the preferred embodiments, shown in Figure 1, with the toilet seat, toilet seat cover and the hinged support for the object not shown to enhance visibility.

[0030] Figure 3 is a front elevation view of the embodiments shown in Figure 1.

[0031] Figure 4 is a rear elevation view of the embodiments shown in Fig 2.

[0032] Figure 5 is an oblique projection of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0033] Figure 6 is a side elevation view of the embodiment shown in Figure 5

[0034] Figure 7 is an oblique projection of 2 preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0035] Figure 8 is a (cut-out) oblique projection of the embodiments shown in Figure 7

[0036] Fig 9 is a (cut-out) side elevation view of the embodiments shown in Figure 7 and Figure 8

[0037] Figure 10 is a plan view showing a preferred embodiment of the invention

[0038] Figure 11 is an oblique view of a preferred embodiment of the invention also shown in Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4

[0039] Figure 12 is an oblique view of an optional attachment to the device.

[0040] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0041] The urine-diverting dry toilet shown in the drawings comprises a frame 21 that in turn comprises of pivotally fixed components, detachable components, designated pods (also known as portals) and multiple orifices (also known a fenestration, also known as openings). The pivotally fixed components are a urine-diverting device 22 which is pivotally fixed to the edge of and partially covers the toilet hole and extends into a urinal spout 33 upon whose tip a flap valve 34 is pivotally fixed, a toilet seat 23, a toilet seat cover 24 both pivotally fixed at a toilet seat / toilet seat cover hinged support 40, and a wood dust shaker operating device 26. The detachable but securable components comprise of a urine receptacle 27, a faecal receptacle 28, a wood dust shaker 25 which is detachable from and temporarily securable to the wood dust shaker operating device 26, a faecal receptacle pod locking device 32, and an optional detachable flexible vent pipe 39. The orifices comprise of 2 major orifices namely, a urine receptacle pod 29 and a faecal receptacle pod 30, one minor orifice namely a vent 38 for connecting to a detachable flexible vent pipe 39, and a band of multiple fine fenestration 37 completely or partially circumscribing the wall of the frame 21. The urine receptacle pod 29 is concealed and secured by means of a detachable and securable urine receptacle pod locking device 31 , and the faecal receptacle pod 30 is covered and secured by means of a detachable and securable faecal receptacle pod locking device 32.

[0042] In normal usage, once all the components are assembled and are in place, and black soldier fly larvae have been introduced into the faecal receptacle 28, a user sits on the toilet seat 23 for comfort, facing the direction away from seat / seat cover hinged support 40 and proceeds in that posture to discharge excreta, namely urine matter and faecal matter, into the toilet hole.

[0043] The embodiment shown in Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 3 shows an arrangement whereby urine ejected from the user’s body is captured by the urine-diverting device 22 and diverted through the urinal spout 33, into the urinary receptacle 27.

[0044] In the embodiment shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the flap valve at the tip of the urinal spout 33 allows urine to flow only towards the urinary receptacle 27 and prevents back-flow of the foul odour from the receptacle 27 into the urine-diverting device 22, thereby eliminating any foul smell of urine in the environs.

[0045] Notably black soldier fly larvae poorly tolerate high moisture content in faecal matter with consequent tendency to immediately emigrate out of such wet faecal matter. Notably mature black soldier fly larvae at the pre -pupal stage abhor movements and disturbances and hence naturally tend to emigrate away from the actively mobile and less mature larvae. Significantly both these activities of black soldier fly larval emigration are absolutely undesirable for the success of the invention as that would significantly reduce the aesthetic attraction, appeal and usability of the invention

[0046] The embodiment shown in Figure 4, Figure 7, Figure 8 and Figure 9 includes an arrangement to receive and contain faecal matter and to contain and restrict the black soldier fly larvae strictly within the confines of the faecal receptacle 28 by the incorporation on all walls of the receptacle 28 a physical barrier in the form of an inverted gutter barrier ring 35 which is insurmountable by the black soldier fly larvae whereby the larvae immediately tumble back into the receptacle 28 at any attempt to emigrate.

[0047] In normal usage, dry faecal matter expelled from a user’s body drops into the faecal receptacle 28 wherein the black soldier fly larvae immediately embark on a rapid and continuous process of consuming and transforming the pathogen -laden faecal matter into sterile frass which is a soil conditioner. The process normally takes about 4 days for an isolated single-user faecal matter discharge to be completely processed. However, for convenient household or institutional usage, accumulation of faecal matter is allowed for up to 2 weeks or when the depth of the faecal matter exceeds 6 inches (whichever event occurs earlier) before a fresh receptacle 28 with new population of black soldier fly larvae is introduced in exchange.

[0048] Notably the foul odour associated with faecal matter is mainly a consequence of coliform bacterial activity on the faecal matter specifically in the presence of excess humidity or wetness. The processing of decaying biological matter or faecal matter by black soldier fly larvae in confined spaces generates significantly high levels of humidity locally , which may in turn promote coliform bacterial activity and foul odour production.

[0049] Significantly the foul odour noted in most toilets and latrines is absent in this invention as a result of the combined effects of various design components, which same components also have the effect of reducing or eliminating black soldier fly larval emigration from the faecal receptacle 28. Firstly, freshly voided faecal matter emit foul odour for only a few minutes before a thin dry crust forms on the surface to restrict and eliminate further emission of foul odour, and the urine-diversion mechanism therefore assists in sustaining the faecal matter within the receptacle 28 in the desired dry state. Secondly, the transformation process of faecal matter by the bacteriophagic (bacteria-eating) black soldier fly larvae and subsequent elimination of faecal pathogens further reduces emission of foul smell from the faecal matter. Thirdly, the wood dust sprinkled by the wood dust shaker 25 rapidly desiccates the faecal matter and further immediately eliminates any accumulating humidity. Fourthly, the multiple ventilation orifices, namely the fine fenestration 36 and 37 facilitate better air flow and effectively reduce the humidity within the frame 21 and the faecal receptacle (28) respectively. Fifthly, in a preferred embodiment, the flexible vent pipe 39, when fixed to the vent 38 on the frame 21, improves air circulation to reduce humidity, in case the invention is sited in a poorly ventilated location .

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the toilet is made from recycled materials in keeping with it’ s eco-friendly theme.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment the toilet is designed to enhance the visual appeal, dignity to the user, portability and versatility in placement in diverse situations.

[0052] In use, the toilet is capable of producing frass which is the byproduct of black soldier fly larval processing of biowaste and faecal matter, and is a well known soil conditioner.

[0053] Additionally the mature black soldier fly larvae are capable of being harvested and either used to perpetuate the fly population and / or used as valuable animal feed.

[0054] Additionally the by-products have a significant value-addition potential.

[0055] Additionally, if adopted and used in large scale, the invention has the promise of substituting expensive and often ineffective sewerage systems and networks.

[0056] Additionally, the device may potentially aid in restoration of marine ecosystems, especially where contamination and eutrophication are major challenges, by eliminating the massive inoculation of nitrogen and phosphorous in respective water bodies through discharge of sewer effluent.

Claims

Urine-Diverting Dry ToiletClaims1.A urine-diverting dry toilet comprising of a portable toilet frame (21) wherein the toilet frame is fitted with a urine receptacle (27), faecal receptacle (28) and a wood dust shaker operating device (26) and further optionally fitted with a vent (38) as a means of engaging the vent pipe (39); said urine receptacle (27) linked to a urine-diverting device (22) through a pivotally fixed urinal spout(33) and a flap valve (34), said urine receptacle (27) accommodated within a urine receptacle pod (29) which is saleable by a urine pod locking device (31); said faecal receptacle comprising of inverted gutter barrier ring (35) and fine fenestration (36) for controlling air flow and reducing humidity; said wood dust shaker operating device (26) fitted with means of operating a wood dust shaker (25).

2. A urine-diverting dry toilet as in claim 1 wherein the flap valve (34) is pivotally connected through a hinge device to the urine-diverting device (22) specifically at the tip of the urinal spout (33); said flap valve (34) fitted with means of allowing urine into, but preventing back-flow of foul urine odour out of urine receptacle (27).

3. A urine-diverting dry toilet as in claim 1 wherein an inverted gutter barrier ring (35) is pivotally fixed to the inner surface of all 4 walls of the faecal receptacle (28); said inverted gutter barrier (35) fitted with means for restricting the emigration of the black soldier fly larvae.

4. A urine-diverting dry toilet as in claim 1 and 3 wherein fine fenestration (36) are integrally incorporated above the said inverted gutter barrier ring (35) for the purpose of improving air circulation5. A urine-diverting dry toilet as in claim 1 wherein the wood dust shaker operating device (26) comprises of elongated handle and a spiral cage; said elongated handle pivotally connected to the toilet frame (21) and fitted with means of operating the wood shaker (25) from without the frame.

6. A urine-diverting dry toilet as in claim 1 and 5 where in the wood dust shaker (25) comprises of a cylinder with fine perforations; said cylinder having means of holding wood dust which wood dust is dispersed through the fine perforations; said wood dust shaker (25) having means of detaching from the wood dust dispenser operating device (26) in order to facilitate refilling of wood dust.

Images