Patent Abstract:
Embodiments described herein relate to quick release toilet concepts, which can be useful particularly on-board aircraft and other passenger transport vehicles. Further embodiments relate to improved shroud components for toilets that help reduce splash. Further embodiments also relate to flushing systems for use with vacuum toilets.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/729,225, filed Nov. 21, 2012 titled “Toilet Concepts,” the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. This application is also a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 13/804,539 filed Mar. 14, 2013 titled “Two Stage Flush and Grey Water Flush Systems and Devices,” the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments described herein relate to quick release toilet concepts, which can be particularly useful on-board aircraft and other passenger transport vehicles. Further embodiments relate to improved shroud components for toilets that help reduce odor. Further embodiments also relate to improved flushing systems for use with vacuum toilets. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many types of passenger transport vehicles (such as aircraft, ships, buses, trains, and any other passenger transport vehicles) use vacuum toilets. These toilets generally experience a very high service frequency, as there are typically only a few toilets provided that are intended to service hundreds of passengers. Thus, improvements for removing and replacing the toilets, as well as their components, are provided herein. 
     These toilets are also used in a small enclosed space, such as an aircraft lavatory. Although venting and odor-reduction features are provided in lavatories, cleanliness and waste splash may still present issues, particularly around the toilet shroud. 
     Additionally, the use of vacuum toilets can also be noisy. The toilets are used to flush septic waste and deliver it to a septic waste holding tank on-board the vehicle. Improvements for this delivery are also provided herein. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Certain embodiments described herein provide a quick release feature for toilets and their related components. These quick release features find particular use in connection with vacuum toilets, which may need to have various components of the toilet replaced more often than typical residential or other commercial toilets. In addition, maintenance on-board aircraft and other vehicles can be particularly expensive in view of the downtime and lost revenue due to reduced travel time of the vehicle. Accordingly, increased flexibility for replacing worn or damaged parts is a critical improvement to vehicle toilet systems. Nonetheless, although the embodiments described herein find particular use on-board passenger transport vehicles and the embodiments may be described with specific reference to aircraft toilet systems, it should be understood that the features may be translated to other industries if appropriate. 
     Further embodiments provide improvements to the bowl to shroud interface. For example, vacuum toilets work by injecting air and water into the bowl via a rinse ring. Because of the vacuum provided, regulations require that an airflow space be provided between the toilet bowl and the shroud. This airflow space is intended to protect against potential suction creation between the vacuum system via a vacuum toilet flush and a passenger seated on the toilet without any air gaps. The air space provides a pathway for air to enter the toilet bowl to release any suction lock that may otherwise be created. However, this air space also creates a space for liquid and/or solid waste to become lodged, which can create bacterial growth and unpleasant odors. Thus, improvements for toilet/rinse ring/shroud interfaces are provided herein. 
     Further embodiments seek to reduce noise levels by providing a flushing cycle that demands lesser vacuum levels for at least a portion of the flush cycle. There is provided a two-stage flush that uses a single transient tank positioned between nearby lavatories, such that two lavatories can be serviced by a single tank. The single transient tank may be positioned in fluid communication between one or more toilet bowls and the main aircraft waste tank. This reduces the noise level associated with the flush process because a lesser vacuum is demanded for the first stage of the flush. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a rear perspective view of one embodiment of a quick release feature connecting a toilet body to an aircraft lavatory floor. 
         FIG. 2  shows a side perspective blown apart view of the quick release feature of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  show an alternate embodiment of a toilet quick release feature. 
         FIG. 4  shows an alternate embodiment of a toilet quick release feature. 
         FIG. 5  shows a further embodiment of a toilet quick release feature. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  show a further embodiment of a toilet quick release feature. 
         FIG. 7  shows a side view of a prior art toilet to shroud interface, with blocks that separate the toilet body from the shroud. 
         FIG. 8  shows a side perspective view of a toilet rinse ring. 
         FIG. 9  shows a side perspective exploded view of a toilet having a rinse ring and an air diverter. 
         FIG. 10  shows a side sectional view of one embodiment of an improved toilet to shroud interface. 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  show perspective views of a toilet shroud being positioned over a toilet body. 
         FIG. 12  shows a schematic view of an improved flushing configuration with a joint transient tank between lavatories. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and devices for quickly disconnecting toilets and certain related toilet components. For example, aircraft toilets and their various components may need to be easily disconnected from the lavatory space for maintenance or replacement. Rather than requiring multiple bolts or screws that must be individually removed, the present disclosure seeks to provide improved ways for installing toilets and various components with quick release functionality. 
     In one aspect, the toilets are provided with a modular design of components and line-replaceable units that are easily removable with an aim to reduce replacement time and loose hardware that may be lost during line replacement. Quick release of the toilets and/or the related component equipment may be achieved in a reliable and robust manner. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the toilet system  10  can include a toilet body  12 , an air diverter  14 , and a vacuum interface  16  with a flush valve  18 . The flush valve  18  opens and closes to direct and stop vacuum delivery to the toilet system  10  during a flush sequence. There are various reasons why the toilet body  12  may need to be replaced. For example, the toilet bowl and/or the toilet body  12  may be cracked or worn, the integral vacuum pipe  13  maybe damaged, one or more of the components positioned on the toilet body  12  may be damaged, or a newer model may simply need to be installed. 
     There are also various reasons why the vacuum interface  16  may need to be replaced separately from the toilet body  12 . For example, the seals of the flush valve  18  may become worn, the flush valve  18  may need to be replaced with a newer model, or any other reason. In this instance, rather than removing the compete toilet system  10  in order to replace one of the components, embodiments provide a way that just the toilet bowl body  12  and/or just the vacuum interface  16  can be removed and replaced. 
     An aircraft lavatory generally has a structural interface  20 . This structural interface  20  is secured to the aircraft lavatory floor via a mounting plate  22 . The structural interface  20  also has a clamp cooperating surface  24 . This surface is shown as an upper plate  26 , but it should be understood that any surface that can cooperate with a clamp may be provided and is considered within the scope of this disclosure. 
     As shown, in  FIG. 2 , a first clamp feature  28  secures toilet body  12  to the structural interface  20 . A first arm  30  of the clamp feature  28  is configured to cooperate with a first half of the upper plate  26 . A second arm  32  of the clamp feature  28  is configured to cooperate with a second half of the upper plate  26 . The first arm  30  and second arm  32  are hingedly secured via a hinge  34 . In use, the ends of the arms  30 ,  32  may be positioned around the upper plate  26  of the structural interface  20  and secured to one another via a locking feature  36 . 
     The toilet body  12  also has a clamp feature  38 , similar to the first clamp feature  28 . The toilet body clamp feature  38  has a first arm  40  secured to the toilet body  12  or otherwise associated therewith. A second arm  42  is hindegely secured to the first arm  40  via hinge  44 . In use, the ends of the arms  40 ,  42  may be positioned around the vacuum interface  16  and secured to one another via a locking feature  46 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the toilet body  12  is secured to the structural interface  20  via first clamp  28  which is clamped around toilet body base  48  and secured to the clamp cooperating surface  24 . This allows a removable securement of both the toilet body  12  to the structural interface  20 . For example, the toilet body base  48  may be positioned on top of the upper plate  26 , and the clamp feature  28  may be secured around both the plate  26  and the base  48 . 
     The vacuum pipe  13  of the toilet body  12  can be aligned with the opening of the flush valve  18 . This can allow fluid communication between the flush valve and the toilet body  12 . To secure the vacuum interface  16  and the toilet body  12  in place with respect to one another, the toilet body clamp  38  can be secured to the vacuum interface  16 . The arms  40 ,  42  of the toilet body clamp feature  38  can be positioned around an external circumference  50  of the vacuum interface  16 . To secure the vacuum interface  16  and the toilet body  12  in place with respect to one another, the clamp arms  40 ,  42  are secured via locking feature  46 . The toilet body  12  and the vacuum interface  16  are now secured to one another to ensure a strong connection of the components, even under strong vacuum pressure. 
     The clamp features  28 ,  38  allow for easy removal and replacement and securement of the toilet body  12  and/or the vacuum interface  16  to and from the aircraft floor via the structural interface  20 . This helps reduce the possibility of loose hardware that may be lost during line replacement. With the release of the clamp features  28 ,  38  and quick disconnect couplings to the water hose and waste tube, the toilet body  12  is easily installed and removed from the lavatory. It is also possible to remove and replace the vacuum interface flush valve  18  without having to remove the entire toilet body  12 . This disclosure allows the flush valve  18  to be separately removed and replaced, without disassembling entire toilet to remove and replace the flush valve. It should be understood that the clamp features described may be used to secure other items to the toilet system. 
     An alternate quick release design is shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . In these figures, the toilet body  52  has legs  54  with open slots  56 . These open slots  56  may be designed similarly to open forks on bicycles for wheel replacement. A track system  58  may be mounted to the lavatory floor. The track system  58  may include a track body  60  with connecting portions  62  that receive and lock the open slots  56  into place. The track system  58  may also have one or more locking features  64  to prevent release of the open slots  56  from the connecting portions  62 . In use, the legs  54  of the toilet body  52  may be snapped into place and locked with respect to the track system  58 , as shown in  FIG. 3B . 
       FIG. 4  shows an alternate quick release design. This design provides a toilet body  66  with one or more connection interfaces  68  on a rear surface of the toilet body  66 . These connection interfaces  68  are designed to connect with corresponding interfaces on the lavatory wall. The toilet body  66  can be pushed into the wall, and the connections can be made. For example,  FIG. 4  shows a water connection  70 , a power connection  72 , and a waste system connection  74 . Corresponding connections may be provided on the aircraft structure or wall. When the toilet body  66  is pushed into place, one or more pins  76  may fit into receptacles on the lavatory side to secure the toilet body  66  into place. 
       FIG. 5  shows an alternate quick release design. This design provides a toilet body  78  with one or more rear pins  80  that can cooperate with one or more rear pin holes  82  on a pin hole bracket  84 . The rear pins  80  may slide into the rear pins holes  82  and be secured in any appropriate manner, such as via a bolt connection or any other appropriate securement feature. If desired, the pins  80  may be threaded. It is also possible for the pins to be provided on the bracket and for pin holes to be provided on the toilet body. 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  show an alternate quick release design. This design provides a toilet leg  86  with one or more connection feet  88 . The one or more connection feet  88  cooperate with a receiving binding  90  on a bracket  92  that may be secured to an aircraft lavatory floor.  FIG. 6A  shows a side perspective view of a bracket  92  with a receiving binding  90 .  FIG. 6B  shows a connection foot  88  in place in the receiving binding  90 . Referring now more specifically to  FIG. 6A , the receiving binding  90  has a back support  94  and a front support  96 . The back support  94  and front support  96  are sufficiently malleable such that they can flex to receive the connection foot  88  in use, as shown in  FIG. 6B . The bracket  92  also has a second portion  100  with one or more angled receivers  102  that receive a corresponding foot  104 . 
     In use, the corresponding foot  104  is inserted into the angled receiver  102  such that it slides in at a forward angle, shown by arrow A. The connection foot  88  is then snapped into place between the back support  94  and the front support  96 . If the toilet body is to be removed, pressure may be applied to a flange  106  positioned adjacent the back support  94 . This pressure forces the back support  94  in a direction to lessen the pressure applied to the connection foot  88 , such that the connection foot  88  can be removed from the bracket  92 . 
     Another feature that may be provided in order to improve and ease interchangeability of toilet bodies is an improved toilet to shroud interface. Traditionally, integration of the toilet-shroud interface has created gaps that are not easily cleanable. These gaps are necessary for safety reasons. For example, as shown in  FIG. 7 , which illustrates a prior art toilet to shroud interface, blocks  120  have been provided to space the shroud  122  off of the toilet bowl rim  124  in order to create an air gap  126 . This air gap  126  is necessary because if a user makes a complete seal with the toilet rim and there is no space for air flow during a flush, there is a chance of internal damage to the user due to the strength of vacuum created during the flush. However, often this air gap  126  between the toilet rim  124  and the shroud  122  can become a path where waste can splash, collect and drip down the side and the back of the shroud  122 , as shown by the arrows in  FIG. 7 . Cleaning of the shroud  122  is difficult at this location, without tearing out the shroud, which is generally undesirable due to the maintenance, down-time, and the related costs that would be required. However, trapped odors can create an unpleasant experience for passengers. Accordingly, an improved toilet to shroud interface is provided. One example is shown in  FIGS. 8-11 . 
     The concept provides a sealed interface between the toilet and the shroud, but that still allows the required air gap. In one embodiment, a toilet  108  has a rinse ring  110 . The rinse ring  110  can be sealed adjacent the inner surface of the toilet rim  124 . The rinse ring  110  may be sealed directly against the toilet bowl  114  or it may be integrated into the toilet bowl  114 . In an alternate embodiment, the rinse ring  110  may be integrated with the air diverter element  116 , described below. The rinse ring  110  is provided to inject air and water into the toilet bowl  114  during a flush via one or more injectors  118 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . Rinse ring  110  may be manufactured by rotational molding out of ABS or other plastic. Carbon may be wrapped around the ABS part into order to reduce part count, hardware count, and to create a more smooth design for better cleaning 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the rinse ring  110  may be secured, sealed, or otherwise integrated into the toilet bowl  114 . An air diverter element  116  is then positioned over the toilet bowl  114 . In another embodiment, the rinse ring  110  may be secured, sealed or otherwise integrated into the air diverter element  116 . In either embodiment, the rinse ring  110  generally fits against the toilet bowl at or near the toilet rim  124 . 
       FIG. 10  shows a close-up view of an improved air diverter element  116  positioned with respect to the toilet bowl  114  and the shroud  122 . Air diverter element  116  has a skirt  130  that extends down over the rinse ring  110 . The skirt  130  provides a tortuous path for any waste that may attempt to migrate out of the toilet bowl  114  and onto the shroud  122 . For example, in the embodiment shown, the skirt  130  has a lower flap  132 , a rim-like portion  134 , and an upwardly curved face  136 . Upwardly curved face  136  interfaces with the shroud  122  and is secured in place to the shroud  122  via a seal  140 . (This allows elimination of the safety blocks  120  shown by the prior art image of  FIG. 7  and prevents any waste splash from extending up the curved face  136  and/or from migrating behind the curved face  136 .) 
     Additionally, air and water delivered through the rinse ring  110  can help clean any areas on the skirt  130  where any waste splash back may occur. For example, if waste splash migrates onto the toilet-bowl facing surface  142  of the skirt  130  (e.g., onto the back of the flap  132  and/or the rim-like portion  134 ), the air and water delivered through the rinse ring  110  can rinse away the waste splash on the next flush cycle, at the same time that air and water are delivered for the flush sequence. Additionally, air is still introduced through a gap  138  between the air diverter element  116  and the toilet bowl rim  124  to address safety issues. This air gap  138  is protected by the skirt  130  from waste splash. The tortuous path created by the skirt  130  thus prevents waste from splashing up through gap  138  and under the shroud  122 . 
       FIG. 11A  shows a shroud  122  being positioned over a toilet  114  with an air diverter element  116  in place on the toilet  108 .  FIG. 11B  shows a completed assembly, with the shroud  122  secured into place, providing a seat area for the toilet bowl. 
     A further feature provided is a toilet bowl made of a composite material with a hardened surface. In this embodiment, a composite material is used rather than the typical stainless steel or other metal bowls. The toilet bowl may be a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). This material is believed to provide about a 30% weight reduction from conventional stainless steel bowl constructions. A hardened fluoropolymer-infused metallic surface on the composite bowl may provide lubricity necessary for bowl cleaning after each flush. It may also provide a longer lasting surface than a traditional Teflon coating. This surface may be a fluoropolymer infused metal or metal alloy. The fluoropolymer may be any polymer that lends itself to providing lubricity for easier cleaning and to prevent residue from adhering to the bowl surface. 
     In one embodiment, the bowl may include a surface of Teflon impregnated nickel or chrome that is plated onto a CFRP bowl. Other embodiments include but are not limited to a fluoropolymer infused with nickel, titanium nitride, stainless steel, titanium, chromium, or any other appropriate metal, or any combination thereof 
     A further embodiment provides an improvement to the vacuum flushing process. Septic waste holding tanks are typically fluidly connected to vacuum toilets system via a series of conduits, valves, and vacuum pumps in order to flush and route septic waste to the holding tanks The vacuum created for the flushing action may either be via one or more vacuum pumps, or, in the case of an aircraft in flight, via a pressure differential. The suction is generated either by the pressure differential between the pressurized cabin and the reduced pressure outside of an aircraft at high flight altitudes or by a vacuum generator at ground level or at low flight altitudes. Although efficient, vacuum toilets create a loud noise level during the flush cycle, due to the amount of vacuum that needs to be applied in order to cause the septic waste to travel from the toilet basin to the holding tank. 
     Accordingly, the present assignee has sought to reduce the noise associated with vacuum flushing by providing a two stage flush system, described in U.S. Ser. No. 13/804,539, titled “Two Stage Flush and Grey Water Flush Systems and Devices,” incorporated herein by reference. The present inventors have sought various ways to improve the features of the two stage flush system and its related components. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , there is provided a two-stage flush that uses a single transient tank  144  positioned between nearby lavatories. This allows the two lavatories to be serviced by the single transient tank  144 . The single transient tank  144  may be positioned in fluid communication between one or more toilet bowls and the main aircraft waste tank. This tank  144  holds waste from one or more a first stage flushes until the tank  144  becomes so full as to require emptying. This first stage flush reduces the noise level associated with the flush process because a lesser vacuum is demanded for the first stage of the flush, in order to deliver the waste to tank  144 . Once emptying of the tank  144  is necessary, a second stage flush applies vacuum through a transfer valve  146  that delivers the waste to the on-board waste tank. 
     Any of the embodiments described above may be used separately or in combination with one another. 
     Changes and modifications, additions and deletions may be made to the structures and methods recited above and shown in the drawings without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention and the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4