Waste removal system

A waste removal system is provided that includes a pipe structure of a building and a portable waste receptacle. The pipe structure has an end that forms a roof vent and another end opening toward a sewer. The portable waste receptacle is in removable fluid communication with the pipe structure of the building structure via the roof vent. The system optionally includes a privacy apparatus that has a curtain capable of at least partially surrounding the waste removal device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to waste removal systems. Specifically, the present invention is for a human waste removal system for use by construction workers.

2. Background Information

Construction work on a new building or remodel work on an existing building can be strenuous. Often the work requires heavy lifting, climbing, bending, and kneeling in all types of weather, including extremely hot and humid summer weather.

In some instances, the construction workers must exert a great amount of effort just to reach the actual location where the work is to be performed (a job site). For example, workers may have to climb ladders or scaffolds or, on high-rise projects, take cargo elevators to reach the actual job site as the building structure progresses upwards. Because of the characteristics of the job site, e.g. a scaffold or residential roof, and the difficulty involved in reaching the job site, leaving and returning to the job site may require an inordinate amount of time and subject the worker to danger. Additionally, construction workers will often work overtime in the summer to complete a job before forecasted rain or cooler months arrive. The worker that is trying to complete a job in a limited amount of time will lose time using ladders, scaffolds and/or elevator(s) to reach the restroom or outhouse. Thus, going to a restroom or outhouse as the need arises at a location, which may actually be at ground level, removed from the actual job site is inconvenient, inefficient and potentially hazardous.

Others have attempted to bring human waste removal apparatuses closer to workers. However, the prior art waste removal apparatuses are cumbersome. Specifically, the prior art waste removal apparatuses generally include a tank or the like to hold waste until emptied. The tanks are typically sized so that the waste removal apparatus can be used numerous times before requiring emptying. As a result, the necessarily increased size reduces the portability of the tanks. The increased size may also prevent locating the waste removal apparatus at the actual job site in the vicinity of the worker, by way of example, on the roof of a residential or commercial building.

In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that there exists a need for a light weight, convenient waste removal system that may be located on a job site. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a waste removal system that allows the worker to avoid time-consuming and dangerous travel to and from the job site.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object and other objects of the present invention, a waste removal system is provided that comprises a pipe structure of a building and a portable waste receptacle. The pipe structure has an end that forms a roof vent and another opening toward a sewer. The portable waste receptacle is in removable fluid communication with the pipe structure of the building structure via the roof vent.

A portable waste receptacle is also provided that comprises a housing and an outlet pipe. The housing has an outlet and forms a receiving area that is adapted to receive human waste and direct it towards the outlet. The outlet pipe is connected to the outlet and extends away from the housing. The outlet pipe is configured to mate with a roof vent to position the housing at a desired height above a roof.

A waste removal system is also provided that comprises a drainage, waste and vent (DWV) system having a roof vent, and a portable waste removal device coupled to the roof vent.

A waste removal system is also provided that is coupled to a building structure having a waste stack operatively connected to drainpipes for fluid communication with plumbed appliances, the waste stack being fluidly connected with a roof vent, wherein the improvement comprises a portable waste receptacle fluidly connected to the roof vent to receive human waste and direct the waste into the roof vent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following description of the embodiment of the present invention is provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Referring initially toFIG. 1, a waste removal system for workers1and a drainage, waste and vent (DWV) system2, which is one example of a pipe structure of a building structure, are illustrated. As discussed in greater detail below, the waste removal system1is operatively connected to the DWV system2, which, in turn, is coupled to a sewer line8. Thus, one or more elements of the DWV system2are for receiving waste material.

Waste from plumbed appliances6located throughout a structure, by way of example, house H, must flow to the sewer8via a network of drainpipes10. The drainpipes10are connected (e.g. via other drainpipes10) so as to descend towards the sewer8located below the house H. “Plumbed appliances6” as used herein is intended to include any device or structure that outputs waste, including, for example, sinks, toilets, tubs, showers and electrical appliances, such as dishwashers and washing machines. “Sewer8” as used herein constitutes a receiving container for the waste and can include, for example, a main sewer, sewer line, septic tank or septic line. Typically, waste in the sewer8produces unpleasant sewer gases. Because of this, each plumbed appliance6has a trap12to prevent the gases from flowing backward through the drainpipes10and into the house H. The trap12typically includes a U-shaped pipe that traps a small amount of water inside it every time the plumbed appliance6is used. The trapped water acts as a barrier to prevent the gases from entering the house H. Because the trap12successfully contains the sewer gases within the DWV system2, sewer gas pressure builds up inside the DWV system2and needs to be vented.

To vent the sewer gas pressure, each drainpipe10connected to the trap12is also connected to a vent pipe14that can connect to other possibly larger vent pipes14and that eventually connects to a roof vent18, that extends through and projects above a roof R of the house H. The vent pipe14is joined at each point where a plumbed appliance6is joined to a drainpipe10. The vent pipes14, which are connected at the junctions where the traps12run into the drainpipes10at a lower end, are connected to the roof vent18at an upper end thereof. Since every plumbed appliance6must be vented, the DWV system2may include two or more roof vents18. Referring to the double arrows20inFIG. 1, the roof vents18serve a twofold purpose. Firstly, the roof vents18provide a route for the sewer gas pressure to escape. Secondly, the roof vents18provide a route for air to enter the DWV system2and facilitate the flow of wastewater to the sewer8.

The drainpipes10are generally located inside interior walls of the house H and slope substantially downward to eventually join a larger, substantially vertical waste stack16. The waste stack16is operatively connected to drainpipes10from throughout the house. The waste stack16includes a lower end portion17that is connected to the sewer8below the house. The waste stack16ascends vertically to the roof vent18which extends through roof R and vents sewer gas pressure to the atmosphere.

Referring now toFIG. 2, one embodiment of a waste removal device that collects human waste fluids from workers and directs it into the roof vent18is illustrated generally at4. The waste removal system1advantageously provides a means for the workers to relieve themselves and thereby avoid time-consuming and dangerous travel to and from the job site by conducting human waste fluid directly into the sewer8via the waste stack16without first sending the waste material to a collection tank. Typically, collection tanks are large, cumbersome and require removal for servicing and cleaning. In accordance with the present invention, the waste removal device4advantageously provides a portable waste receptacle that allows a worker to easily carry it to and from the job site because there is no collection tank.

As shown inFIG. 2, the waste removal device4includes a waste receptacle22, which by way of example, is illustrated in the form of a urinal. However, it is to be understood that other configurations may be employed with equal efficiency without departing from the scope of the present invention. The waste receptacle22includes a housing or body member26having a back portion28, a top portion30and a bottom portion32, which form a generally open area34that is adapted to receive human waste. The bottom portion32extends outwardly from the back portion28and includes an outlet36substantially centrally located therein. As shown inFIG. 2, the housing22is configured to receive human waste fluid and direct the waste into the outlet36. Preferably, the bottom portion32has sloped walls38that are inclined such that the waste flows toward the outlet36. The waste receptacle22further includes an outlet pipe40connected to the outlet36and extending out of and projecting away from the bottom portion32. The outlet pipe40is sized and configured to fit into the roof vent18. Preferably, the outlet pipe40has a diameter that causes an outer circumference along the outlet pipe30to mate with an inner circumference of the roof vent18.

In one embodiment of the outlet pipe30, illustrated inFIG. 3, the outlet pipe40has a tapered section42that decreases in diameter as distance from the bottom portion32increases. The tapered section42advantageously facilitates insertion into the roof vent18and ensures proper positioning of the waste receptacle22. Specifically, the increasing diameter of the tapered section42as distance from the bottom portion32decreases ensures that a proper portion of the outlet pipe40remains out of the roof vent18such that the waste receptacle22is at a desired height above the roof R. The outlet pipe40is further arranged and configured at the bottom portion32such that when the outlet pipe40is disposed in the roof vent18, the waste receptacle22is at a position, location or angle so as to easily receive human waste fluid. That is, the waste receptacle22utilizes the roof vent18as a stand or leg to project from the roof vent18at a height and angle suitable for receiving waste fluid from the worker. The waste receptacle22of this embodiment is advantageous because it is solely supported by the roof vent18and outlet pipe40. In other words, the waste receptacle22is free standing and not connected to a wall or the like.

The boxes44and46represent advertising sections provided in one possible embodiment of the waste receptacle of the present invention. During construction, many different contractors, engineers, consultants, etc. work in or pass by the job site. This presents an advertising opportunity to reach a specific audience. Thus, the waste receptacle22presents an advantageous mechanism to advertise. Advertising sections44and46are but two examples of locations where a sign or display may be located. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure that the size and location of the advertising sections can be altered to suit the desired advertising effect.

Referring now toFIGS. 4A,4B and5, a waste receptacle in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated generally at122. The waste receptacle122is configured to allow use by both squatting (e.g. female workers) or standing (e.g. male workers). The waste receptacle122is in the form of a urinal with a housing126that has a lower profile to accommodate squatting or standing. The housing126is disposed on a stand128that supports both the waste receptacle122and a worker during use. Preferably, at least a portion of the stand128is hollow to accommodate the roof vent18. A bottom portion129of the stand128is at an incline to compensate for an incline of the roof R. Thus, the bottom portion129of the stand128causes an upper portion131of the stand128to be substantially level so that the user can stand or squat on the upper portion131. The stand128is configured to have a gradually varying height to accommodate the projection of the roof vent18above the roof R and to provide the level upper portion131. The upper portion131optionally includes a plurality of grooves137on both sides of the housing126to provide traction while using the waste receptacle122. The outlet pipe30of the waste receptacle122connects to an outlet142and extends from a bottom portion of the waste receptacle122into the hollow portion of the stand128. Referring toFIG. 5, the hollow portion of the stand128accommodates the roof vent18as well as the outlet pipe30inserted into the roof vent18.

Referring toFIGS. 6 and 7, the waste removal system1may further include a privacy apparatus46attached to the waste removal device4. The privacy apparatus46provides a structure between the user of the waste removal device4and the outside and, preferably, at least partially surrounds the user. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, the privacy apparatus46is in the form of a curtain48and a pole50. The pole50attaches to the back portion28and extends upwardly above the waste receptacle22. An upper portion of the pole50is bent to form a generally circular section52that loops around an area surrounding the waste receptacle22. The curtain48is installed on the circular section52via rings49. Thus, the curtain48can selectively surround the user by sliding the rings49along the circular section52of the pole50. The box54shown on the curtain48represents an advertising section, which may be optionally provided. Thus, the privacy apparatus46presents an advantageous mechanism to advertise. Advertising section54is but one example of a size and location for a sign or display on the curtain48. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure that the size and/or location of the advertising section54can be altered to suit the desired advertising effect.

In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term “comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, and/or groups, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, and/or groups. The foregoing also applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and their derivatives. The terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximate” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. For example, these terms can be construed as including a deviation of at least ±5% of the modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word it modifies.

While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the size, shape, location or orientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/or desired. Components that are shown directly connected or contacting each other can have intermediate structures disposed between them. The functions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa. The structures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in another embodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in a particular embodiment at the same time. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.