Disposable toilet system

A disposable toilet receptacle includes a bag and a funnel made of a sheet-like liquid-impermeable material, such as plastic film. The plastic film of which the bag is made may be a vapor barrier film. The top edge of the bag has a closure. The tapering body of the funnel is connected to the interior of the bag along a line extending between the side edges of the bag that defines a boundary between an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The portion of the funnel having the wide opening or inlet is disposed in the upper chamber, and the portion of the funnel having the narrower opening or outlet is disposed in the lower chamber. The lower chamber may have in it a gellable hydrophilic material that absorbs liquid waste. The portion of the funnel disposed in the upper chamber is, when fully extended, longer than the upper chamber. The outlet end of the funnel may be a flutter valve that prevents backflow of waste. To use the bag, a user opens the closure and extends the funnel. The user can then support the bag in preparation for use as a toilet by draping the inlet end of the funnel over the rim of such a bucket or other support structure. After use, the funnel can be stuffed into the upper chamber. The user can then close the closure, sealing the soiled funnel inside the upper chamber.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates generally to toilet systems for use by 
persons when no permanent toilet facilities are available and, more 
specifically, to such systems that include a bag-like receptacle. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
Portable toilets may be used in locations where no permanent toilet 
facilities are available, such as at outdoor construction or work sites, 
campsites, or outdoor events. A typical portable toilet comprises a 
generally conventional toilet seat mounted above a tank or similar 
receptacle and may be enclosed for privacy. Most portable toilets are 
large, bulky and heavy and therefore inconvenient and costly to transport 
and store. They are also expensive to purchase, limited in their disposal 
options, costly and inconvenient to clean and are subject to residual 
accumulation of noxious odors and dangerous germs. A need exists for 
portable toilets that are more economical, are more readily transported 
and stored, do not require cleaning and do not lead to the accumulation of 
noxious odors and dangerous germs. 
In partial response to this need, disposable toilets that include a 
bag-like receptacle, a foldable receptacle, or similarly compact 
receptacle have been developed. The common concept underlying these 
toilets is that the receptacle functions as a liner for collecting waste 
inside a rigid or collapsible supporting structure. Following use, the 
receptacle can be removed from the structure for disposal. The receptacle 
may have a closure to seal the waste inside it before disposal. Such 
disposable bag-like receptacles suffer from a number of problems. For 
example, because most of these receptacles consist of little more than 
standard light weight garbage bags with or without drawstring closures, 
the bags themselves are highly susceptible to breakage or tearing and the 
resulting unintended discharge of their noxious contents. Even if the bags 
are not torn or broken they are highly susceptible to leakage either 
through the insecure drawstring or other seepage. Such potential for 
leakage or rupture makes these bags inappropriate for disposal in normal 
trash receptacles after use. In addition, even under the most favorable of 
circumstances the migration of odors from such bags makes their storage, 
even for short periods of time, highly problematic at best. It is also 
highly likely for a user's hands to become soiled from waste that rubs off 
from the neck of the receptacle. The use of such toilets is thus largely 
limited to situations in which the user is able to quickly dispose of the 
receptacle after use and does not need to transport it to a disposal site. 
Fluid containment bags that can be used by pilots, workers in the field and 
others who have no immediate access to fixed urinal facilities are known. 
These bags are not designed for admission of fecal waste. One such urinal 
bag is the BRIEF RELIEF.TM. bag sold by American Innotek, Inc. of 
Escondido, Calif. and described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,116,139. 
It has a flattened, rectangular shape with a funnel in the top edge for 
receiving urine. No specific provision is made in such bags for the added 
odor control requirement created by the collection of fecal waste nor is 
subsequent bag security as significant of a concern. The narrow end of the 
funnel extends into the bag and terminates at a flutter valve. The BRIEF 
RELIEF.TM. bag also includes a super absorbent hydrophilic polymer that 
forms a gel upon contact with urine, which combined with the one way valve 
and closure, forms a secure means of sequestering liquids. The 
above-referenced patent also notes that polymer granules may be mixed with 
fragrances to mask odors, enzymes to break down the urine, or biocides to 
minimize growth of bacteria and other microorganisms. 
It would be desirable to provide an economical disposable toilet system for 
receipt of liquid and solid waste that includes a receptacle that can be 
stored compactly and that a user can securely seal and readily transport 
to a disposal location after use without soiling his hands or experiencing 
the unpleasant and unsanitary effects of fluid, vapor or odor leakage. 
These problems and deficiencies are clearly felt in the art and are solved 
by the present invention in the manner described below. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention includes a receptacle for collecting harmful and 
offensive waste and a method for using it. The receptacle includes a 
liquid and odor impermeable bag and a funnel made of a sheet-like 
liquid-impermeable material, such as plastic film. The funnel may have any 
suitable range of tapering dimensions. The bag may have any suitable shape 
and may be constructed in any suitable manner of one or more pieces of 
material. Although the bag is described with respect to top edge, side 
edges and a bottom edge, the term "edges" is used broadly in this patent 
specification for purposes of reference and convenience, and these edges 
may have any suitable shapes and contours. The top edge of the bag has a 
closure for sealing the bag. The bag has an upper chamber and a lower 
chamber. The funnel thus defines a conduit between the chambers. The upper 
chamber can also be used to transport and store ancillary supplies such as 
toilet paper, antiseptic wipes or rubber gloves. 
In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the tapering body of the 
funnel is connected to the interior of the bag along a line extending 
between the side edges of the bag. The connection that defines this line 
may be a heat or pressure seal, an adhesive or other suitable connection. 
Preferably, however, a heat seal between opposing surfaces of the bag and 
between the bag and the funnel defines this line. The line thus defines a 
boundary between an upper chamber and a lower chamber in the bag. The 
portion of the funnel having the wider opening or inlet is thus disposed 
in the upper chamber, and the portion of the funnel having the narrower 
opening or outlet is disposed in the lower chamber. 
The lower chamber may have in it a sorbent hydrophilic material that 
sequesters liquid or semi-solid waste, and may include any suitable 
enzymes, beneficial microorganisms, biocides, fragrances, deodorants, etc. 
In the exemplary embodiment, the portion of the funnel disposed in the 
upper chamber is, when fully extended, longer than the upper chamber. In 
other words, the distance between the line and the inlet end of the funnel 
is greater than the distance between the line and the top edge of the bag. 
These proportions allow the funnel to be extended out of the upper chamber 
for use and to be stored inside the upper chamber before use and after 
use. The outlet end of the funnel may be a flutter valve that prevents 
backflow of waste. 
Accordingly, to use the bag, a user opens the closure to gain access to the 
upper portion of the bag. The user can then use the receptacle as a toilet 
in any suitable manner. In an exemplary embodiment, a user can support the 
bag in a suitable support structure, such as a common five-gallon plastic 
bucket or an office sized waste basket. The user can drape the inlet end 
of the funnel over the rim of such bucket or other support structure 
(which may include a collapsible framework and may include a removable 
toilet seat) so as to form a bowl-like receptacle. In the exemplary 
embodiment, the inlet end of the funnel has a draw tape type closure which 
the user can use to secure the funnel to the rim of the support structure. 
After the receptacle has received waste, the user can pull the draw tape 
to close the opening of the funnel, remove the receptacle from the support 
structure, if any, fold up the upper portion of the funnel into the upper 
chamber and reseal the closure on the receptacle bag.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
As illustrated in FIG. 1, a disposable waste system includes a bag 10 made 
of a sheet-like liquid and odor-impermeable material such as metallized 
vapor barrier film, and a funnel 12, made of lighter weight plastic film. 
Bag 10 has a top edge 14, side edges 16 and 18, and a bottom edge 20. The 
plastic film is preferably impermeable to odors as well as fluids. A 
suitable liquid and odor impermeable material is known as a metallized 
vapor barrier film, such as a SHANNON SHIELD 115/3, manufactured by 
Shannon Packaging Company of Chino, Calif., which is a 3.5 mil thick 
multi-layer film comprising a vapor-deposited aluminum barrier layer 
between polyester and black polyolefin film layers. Although some types of 
plastic film inhibit penetration by vapors to a greater extent than 
others, it should be noted that the term "vapor barrier film" is a term of 
art that refers to a certain category of materials, and the preferred 
embodiment is impermeable to vapors, odors (gases), moisture and light. 
Bag 10 may be made in any suitable manner from any suitable number of 
pieces. Preferably, it is made by heat-sealing together the adjacent edges 
of two parallel sheets of the odor impermeable material, each bounded by 
edges 14, 16, 18 and 20, or by folding a single sheet of material and 
heat-sealing along 10 a subset of those edges. Top edge 14 has a closure 
22, which may be integrally formed in bag 10 or be a separate part 
attached by, for example, heat-sealing it to the remainder of bag 10 along 
top edge 14. Closure 22 may be a ZlPLOC.RTM.-type flexible snap zipper 
having opposing sides with a rib formed in one side that snaps into the 
channel between two parallel ribs formed in the other side. In an 
alternative embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the closure at top edge 
14' of an alternative but otherwise identical bag 10' may include opposing 
pressuresensitive adhesive strips 22' having peelable protective backings. 
Funnel 12 has a wide inlet end 24, a body 26 that tapers from inlet end 24 
to a narrower flutter valve 28 at an outlet end. Between inlet end 24 and 
flutter valve 28 is a foldable and/or compressible stiffener 29, such as 
plastic tubing adhesively attached to funnel 12. (See FIG. 2.) Inlet end 
24 has a draw tape 25 enclosed within an annular channel preferably formed 
by heat-sealing a cuff in the plastic sheet material. As described further 
below, funnel 12 may be made of any suitable number of pieces, including 
integrally forming it with bag 10 or a portion thereof as a unitary 
structure. Preferably, however, funnel 12 is a separate structure with its 
exterior sides attached to the interior opposing surfaces of bag 10 by 
heat-sealing along a line 30 extending between side edges 16 and 18. The 
heat-sealing also seals interior opposing surfaces of bag 10 to one 
another at each point along line 30 at which funnel 12 is not interposed 
between those surfaces. In the illustrated embodiment, such points exist 
near edges 16 and 18 at line 30. Nevertheless, in other embodiments, 
funnel 12 may extend this entire width. Funnel 12 is preferably a separate 
structure joined or attached to bag 10 because in part it would be less 
economical to make funnel 12 from the same vapor barrier material of which 
bag 10 is preferably formed when ordinary (non-vapor barrier) plastic film 
is adequate, and in part because the vapor barrier material being thicker 
and stiffer than ordinary plastic film, would be more difficult to fold 
and would be less efficient as a flutter valve. Although in the 
illustrated embodiment line 30 is straight, is located at approximately 
the midpoints of edges 16 and 18, and is defined by a heat-seal, in other 
embodiments the connection line may have another shape, may be located 
differently, or may be defined by other means of connection between bag 10 
and funnel 12, such as an adhesive line or a line which is integrally 
formed where parts join one another. In other words, in an embodiment in 
which one or more portions of bag 10 and funnel 12 that are shown in the 
illustrated embodiment as separate parts attached by heat-seal lines are 
instead integrally formed together as a unitary structure, e.g., by a 
plastic molding process, the connection line may reflect the boundary 
between the integrally formed portions rather than any discontinuity in 
the plastic material. Persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate 
various other ways of making the above-described dual-chamber receptacle 
structure in view of the teachings in this patent specification. 
Line 30 defines a boundary between an upper chamber 32 and a lower chamber 
34 in the interior of bag 10. When the receptacle is in a stored state 
illustrated in FIG. 1, e.g., before or after use as a toilet, the portion 
of funnel 12 that includes inlet end 24 is gathered or folded up inside 
upper chamber 32. Note that stiffener 29 is folded up along with that 
portion of funnel 12. Another portion of funnel 12 that includes flutter 
valve 28 is disposed in lower chamber 34. Funnel 12 thus defines a conduit 
across line 30 between upper chamber 32 and lower chamber 34. In its 
extended position the portion of funnel 12 which is to be disposed in 
upper chamber 32 in its folded position, extends substantially above the 
top of upper chamber 32. In other words, the distance between line 30 and 
inlet end 24 of funnel 12 is greater than the distance between line 30 and 
top edge 14 of bag 10. These proportions allow the upper portion of funnel 
12 to be extended out of upper chamber 32 during use, as illustrated in 
FIGS. 2-4. They also allow the storage and transport of ancillary items 
(not shown) including antiseptic wipes and toilet paper. 
As illustrated in FIG. 3, lower chamber 34 may have in it a gellable 
material 36 for transforming the fluid entering the bag into a gelatinous 
or semisolid state. Gellable material 36 contains a hydrophilic polymer 
that rapidly gels water based liquids upon contact. Such polymers are 
commercially available and are commonly included in a variety of products, 
including disposable diapers and cleaning compositions. Typical examples 
include the acrylonitrile-based polymers described in Elias, Mega 
Molecules, pp. 157-158 (1987) and the acrylic polymers described in U.S. 
Pat. No. 4,179,367 (Barthell et al.). Gellable material 36 is preferably a 
complex mixture including not only the gellable polymer but also materials 
such as protease, cellulase, lypase and amylase enzymes to attack and 
break down the fecal and similar solid waste as well as any toilet paper 
so as to enhance the operation of the gellable polymer and beneficial 
microbes. Deodorants, fragrances, biocides, antivirals and other 
substances may also be included in gellable material 36. Gellable material 
36 may be in any convenient physical form that can be placed into a bag. 
Granular, powdered, foamed, matted, woven and fibrous forms are all 
suitable. A suitable granular form of hydrophillic polymer is commercially 
available under the trade name CHEMDAL MEDIGEL 100, from Chemdal 
Corporation located at 1530 E. Dundee Rd., Suite 350, Palatine, Ill. 
80087. The manufacturer describes this product as a cross linked acrylic 
polymer super absorbent but its formulation is proprietary, and the exact 
identification of the components and formula is not available to the 
inventors of the present invention. A suitable enzyme mixture, comprising 
cellulase, lypase and amylase enzymes, is commercially available under the 
trade name CELLUBAC 50 from American Laboratories, Inc. located at 4410 S. 
102.sup.nd St., Omaha, Nebr. 68127. Such enzymes can alternatively be used 
separately or in other combinations. For example, a suitable protease 
enzyme is availabe from American Laboratories under the trade name K-ZYME 
AP GRANULAR. Although in the illustrated embodiment of the invention the 
active material is an absorbent gellable polymer, in alternative 
embodiments other suitable sorbent materials may be used, including 
adsorbent materials. 
To use the toilet system, a user opens closure 22 to gain access to upper 
chamber 32 and the upper portion of funnel 12, removes any supplied 
materials such as toilet paper and antiseptic wipes stored therein (not 
shown), and then the user can unfold and extend funnel 12 out of upper 
chamber 32. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the user can support the receptacle 
in a common five-gallon plastic bucket 38 or similar support structure 
such as an office waste basket. The user can drape inlet end 24 of funnel 
12 over the rim of bucket 38 and can tie draw tape 25 to secure it to 
bucket 38. The toilet system is then ready for use. A suitable toilet-type 
seat 39 may be placed on the rim for convenience and comfort as shown in 
FIG. 4. The bag 12 may be draped over the toilet seat for sanitary 
purposes. 
Waste entering through inlet end 24 is funneled through flutter valve 28 
and trapped in lower chamber 34. Flutter valve 28 prevents backflow of 
waste out of lower chamber 34. Flutter valve 28 is a tube of flexible 
plastic sheet material that assumes a flattened or ribbon-like shape when 
in the closed position. When waste enters flutter valve 28, the opposing 
walls spread open to admit the waste as depicted in FIG. 3. When the waste 
has exited flutter valve 28, capillary action and the force of the 
deposited waste against the outside of flutter valve 28 closes said valve. 
In the closed position, the opposing walls of flutter valve 28 are in 
contact with each other, thereby decreasing the tendency of waste to flow 
back into funnel 12. 
The urine or water-based waste gels rapidly upon contact with the gellable 
material 36. The microbial blend enzyme in gellable material 36 
immediately begins to break down the waste. 
After use, the user can close the funnel 12 by pulling the draw tape 25, 
removing the receptacle from bucket 38 and gathering or folding up the 
upper portion of funnel 12. The user then stuffs the gathered upper 
portion of funnel 12 into upper chamber 32, and reseals closure 22. In 
this state, the receptacle and its contained waste may be disposed of in a 
suitable manner. 
As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, in an alternative embodiment, the 
receptacle includes a bag 50 and funnel 52. Bag 50 is identical to bag 10 
described above and is integrated with funnel 52 in the same manner as bag 
10 is integrated with funnel 12. The inlet end 54 of funnel 52 does not 
have a draw tape. Rather, it extends through a circular opening in a board 
56 and is adhesively attached to the upper surface of board 56 around the 
periphery of the opening. Board 56 is made of a suitably stiff, 
lightweight material such as cardboard or FOAMCORE. Board 56 also has 
adhesive strips 58 of pressure-sensitive adhesive covered with peelable 
protective backing strips. Board 56 also has hinge lines 60 scored into it 
or formed in another suitable manner. Board 56 remains folded along lines 
60 prior to use. (See FIG. 6.) This embodiment of the receptacle can be 
used in essentially the same manner as the embodiment described above with 
respect to FIGS. 1-4. In other words, inlet end 54 can be extended out of 
bag 50 and, after unfolding board 56, draped over a bucket or other 
suitable support. After waste is collected, the user removes the backing 
strips to expose adhesive strips 58 and re-folds board 56, folding it 
first in half, and then in half again, as illustrated in FIG. 6. Adhesive 
strips 58 adhere the folded opposing surfaces of board 56 to one another, 
facilitating reinsertion of board 56 into bag 50 and helping to seal in 
noxious odors. As in the above-described embodiment, in this final state 
the receptacle and its contained waste may be disposed of in a suitable 
manner. 
It will be evident that there are numerous embodiments of the present 
invention which, not specifically described above, are clearly within the 
scope and spirit of the invention. Consequently, the above description is 
considered to be exemplary only and the full scope of the invention is to 
be determined solely by the appended claims.