Patent GB-1304334-A (GB)
IPC: E03D5/00
Filed: 1971-04-21
Abstract: 1304334 Sanitary closets for boats and other vehicles D U HOWARD 21 April 1971 [28 May 1970] 10324/71 Heading E1C A sanitary closet for a boat or other vehicle comprises a bowl formed by upper and lower bowl portions 11, 12 separated by a slide valve 13, a reservoir 10 for chemically treated flushing liquid 23 which on energisation of electric pump 22 is discharged from a jet 25 to flush the upper bowl portion and is returned via slots 27 to -the reservoir, valve 13 being closed during such flushing, a waste compartment 34 in a receptacle 29 which also includes a compartment 44 for receiving waste water from one or more fittings such as a shower 38, lavatory basin 39 and sink 40, a conduit 33 leading from the lower bowl portion 12 to the waste compartment 34 and closable at its upper end by a second slide valve 18, and an electric pump 28 within a filter bar 45 in the compartment 44 energisation of which, via a conduit 31 and jet 32, flushes the lower bowl portion 12 to discharge waste therein into the compartment 34. The valves 13, 18 are operated simultaneously in opposite senses through mechanism 16, 17, 19 mechanically linked to a lid 15 which is pivoted for swinging upwardly from the horizontal position shown to an upright position in which seat 14 is exposed for use. In the latter position of the lid, valve 18 is arranged to be closed and valve 13 open, so that during use of the closet waste is deposited in the lower bowl portion. After use of the closet, the user closes the lid 15, which closes valve 13 and opens valve 18, whereby the waste drops down conduit 33 into the waste compartment 34. The user then depresses a button 30 which operates a switch to simultaneously energise pumps 22, 28 so that the upper and lower bowl portions 11, 12 are respectively flushed with chemically treated flushing liquid 23 and waste water 37, the former returning via the slots 27 to the reservoir 10 and the latter passing down conduit 33 to the waste compartment 34. The fluid 36 in the waste compartment 34 and the waste water 37 may be drained via valves 49, 50 and a drain pipe 46. An additional outlet 51 may also be provided for drawing off waste water. A valve 53 in partition 35 between the compartments 34, 44 allows waste water to pass from compartment 44 to compartment 34 when the former is full. The apparatus may be modified in that mechanical control of the valves 13, 18 may be replaced by electric operation. In a further modification (Fig. 3, not shown) the upper and lower bowl portions may include additional jets (64, 66) connected by further flushing pipes (60, 65) to a common feed pipe (60) adapted to be connected to a mains water supply, so that when the closet is used at a place where such a water supply is available flushing the lower bowl portion may be effected by the mains water instead of by the waste water used when the vehicle containing the closet is away from mains water facilities, while optional additional flushing of the upper bowl portion with mains water is also provided for. An electrical control circuit (Fig. 2, not shown) is then provided which includes a timer (82) whose operation is initiated by depression of the button 30, a second button (71) being provided which operates a switch to control an electromagnetic valve (63) in the flushing pipe (60) for additionally flushing the upper bowl portion with mains water. The timer, during travel of the vehicle, controls the pumps 22, 28, but a change-over switch is provided to enable it to control an electromagnetic valve (62) in the flushing pipe (65) for the lower bowl portion instead of pump 28, so that when mains water is available simultaneous flushing of the upper and lower bowl portions with chemical fluid and mains water, respectively, occurs. The optional mains water flushing of the upper bowl portion may be subsequently effected by depressing button 71.