Device for Conserving Water and Repurposing Liquid Human Waste

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to devices for water conservation and urine repurposing. In particular, devices that filter and collect urine that is deposited into a toilet bowl are described.

As global temperatures continue to rise and many parts of the world are stricken with severe drought, water conservation is becoming increasingly important. Whether voluntarily or as required by law, individuals, businesses, and organizations are doing what they can to contribute meaningfully to water saving efforts. This can be something as simple as decreasing irrigation water for non-agricultural plants, to less frequent water-based cleaning, to installation of water-saving technology such as low-flow toilets and no-flow urinals.

When using a conventional toilet, a user will stand or sit to deposit liquid waste (e.g., a stream of urine) into a bowl filled with water. The urine-containing water is then flushed down into a sewage system. This is tremendously wasteful, especially when one considers the increasing numbers of droughts worldwide, as well as the scarcity of fresh drinking water in developing countries. For example, a typical 1.6 gallon-per-flush toilet can result in a use nearly 3,000 gallons of water per person per year. Further, it can be prohibitively expensive for communities to convert waste water back into clean, drinkable water. Further, a healthy human's urine contains Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium, all of which are essential components of plant fertilizer. In addition to gallons of wasted water, these vital nutrients are simply lost because individuals and businesses cannot, or will not, adopt a urine recycling and reuse program. This is because the current technology and recycling programs available to not accommodate their needs, or is too expensive and cumbersome to install.

Many homes, offices, and public facilities are not equipped with water-saving methods and technologies. Upgrades such as those mentioned above are costly and time consuming to install, thus water continues to be wasted at an alarming rate. More than 45% of water use in the average American home occurs in the bathroom, with nearly 27% being used by toilets. Older toilets can use 3.5, 5, or even up to 7 gallons of water with every flush. Federal plumbing standards now specify that new toilets can only use up to 1.6 gallons per flush (GPF), and there are high efficiency toilets that use up to 1.28 GPF.

The average adult human produces approximately 1.4 L of urine per day. Adult human urine is approximately 91% to 96% water, and contains a number of dissolved salts, proteins, hormones, and other organic matter, depending on certain biological factors such as a person's gender and diet. Organic matter makes up between 65% and 85% of urine dryr solids, with volatile solids comprising 75-85% of total solids. Irl many instances, these compounds may be used as an effective fertilizer for plant life.

In conventional toilets having a tank and a bowl, water is used to deliver liquid and solid waste into a sewage system. After a user deposits waste into the bowl, he or she activates the toilet's flushing mechanism. A flush lever depresses and water empties from the tank into the bowl which creates a vacuum and depressurizes a trapway located underneath the bowl. This depressurization creates a suction force that pulls the wastewater from the bowl into the trapway initiation a siphoning effect into the bowl. As the water empties from the tank, it carries the waste with it through an “S” trap underneath the bowl and into the sewage system. Water then fills the tank and forces air to the top of the tank and down into a transfer tube. As air is forced through the transfer tune into the trapway exerting positive pressure on the water in the bowl. This pressurizes the trapway and creates a larger water surface in the bowl.

Many attempts to create a device that conserves water and repurposes liquid human waste have been made. Known water conservation devices that are designed to work with modern toilets are not entirely satisfactory for the range of applications in which they are employed. For example, existing water conservation devices are not ideal for use in the home use and require significant retrofitting to existing plumbing and fixtures. They also do not take into account the user's gender and can be uncomfortable and cumbersome to use. In addition, most conventional urine collectors do not contemplate both water conservation and urine recycling and/or water reuse. Further, such collectors are not popular with the casual user, as they require a fair amount of handling, and due to their unsecured nature, spillage is quite common.

Thus, there exists a need for device for conserving water and repurposing liquid human waste that improves upon and advances the design of known water conservation devices. Examples of new and useful devices that conserve water and repurpose liquid human waste relevant to the needs existing in the field are discussed below.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a device that conserves water and repurposes liquid human waste for use in a toilet is described herein. In some examples, the device includes a funnel and urine collection hat with a drainage hole. In some further examples, the collector includes a gravity filter and a collection receptacle. In still further examples, the device includes a collection hat and a tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front view of a conventional toilet employing a device that conserves water and repurposes liquid human waste according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is an exploded view of a first example of a device that conserves water and repurposes liquid human waste according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a side view of the device that conserves water and repurposes liquid human waste shown in FIG. 1 that shows the components to accommodate a standing user.

FIG. 2B is a side view of the device that conserves water repurposes liquid human waste shown in FIG. 1 that shows the components to accommodate a seated user.

FIG. 3A is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the invention shown and described in FIG. 1 the device that conserves water and repurposes liquid human waste that shows the components to accommodate a seated user.

FIG. 3B is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the invention shown and described FIG. 1 that shows the components to accommodate a seated user.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the invention shown and described in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5A is a side view of a device that conserves water in a closed system according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5B is an exploded view of a first example of a device that conserves water in a closed system according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6A is side view of the invention according to the embodiment in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6B is side view of the invention according to the embodiment in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6C is side view of the invention according to the embodiment in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6D is side view of the invention according to the embodiment in FIG. 5A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed water conservation and urine conservation device become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, h and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description.

Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various water conservation and urine conservation devices are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example.

The present invention is directed to a device that conserves water and repurposes liquid human waste. It comprises a uniquely designed collection and conservation system that is designed to work with a conventional toilets, thus no retrofitting or customization is required. It comprises a filter, appropriate collection devices (in number and type) with a requisite number of funnels and tubing. It may also have at least one replaceable storage container that urine is deposited into.

The device is designed to work with the seat, bowl, and tank of a conventional toilet and may also be adapted to work with the building's plumbing and sewage system. In alternative embodiments, the device may be used with toilets that do not require water, such as outdoor chemical toilets and the like. In essence, one embodiment of the invention is a water conservation and urine repurposing system and the second embodiment of the present invention is a flush modification system, which greatly reduces the requirement of water in disposal of liquid human waste. Thus, the benefits of the present invention are twofold—the first is water conservation, the second is fertilizer creation, as the disposed salts in healthy human urine are tremendously beneficial to plant life. The present invention is quite beneficial to households wishing to reduce the negative impact they have on the environment by having a home garden and a sustainable living lifestyle.

With reference to FIGS. 1-8, first and second examples of a device that conserves water and repurposes liquid human waste, conservation device 100 and conservation device 200, will now be described. Conservation device 100 and conservation device 200 function with liquid human waste for the purposes of water conservation and fertilizer generation. The reader will appreciate from the figures and description below that conservation device 100 and conservation device 200 address shortcomings of conventional urine-related water conservation and conservation devices.

As can be seen in FIG. 1A, conservation device 100 is for use in a conventional toilet 150. In the present figure, toilet 150 includes a tank 151 having a tank lid 152, a bowl 153 having a rim 154, a seat 159 having a seat rest 158, a lid 157, and a pedestal 156. As shown in FIG. 1, then, conservation device 100 includes a first receptacle 105, a second receptacle 107, a filter 115, and at least one receptacle 120. In other examples (discussed in further detail below), conservation device 100 includes additional or alternative features, such as additional receptacles and a pump.

FIG. 1B is an exploded view of conservation device 100. As can be seen, first receptacle 105 comprises a plurality of adhesive strips 108 by which it is affixed to the underside of toilet seat 159. In alternative embodiments (not shown) first deposit collector 105 may be attached to the underside of toilet seat any permanent, nonpermanent, or semi-permanent means, including but not limited to, glue, epoxy, hook and loop fasteners, brads, hooks, nails, suctioncups, male-female couplers, nuts and bolts, or any other attaching means suitable for the purpose of securing first receptacle 105 to the underside of toilet seat 159.

As can be seen, first receptacle 105 has tapered sides and an open top that is wider than its bottom. In the present embodiment, first receptacle 105 is substantially funnel-shaped herein the bottom portion is narrower than the top portion and tapers into a duct 106 and ends in a first receptacle aperture 110 (farther shown and described in further detail FIGS. 2A and 2B). In this manner, liquid travels downward through first receptacle 106 into duct 106 and through first receptacle aperture 112 via gravity. The present figure shows the number of adhesive strip 108 to be four, however, it should be understood that this by way of example only. The number of adhesive strip 108 may vary depending on the type of toilet and need for sufficient attachment of first receptacle 105. It should further be understood that the funnel configuration of first receptacle 105 is also by way of example only. It is contemplated in the present invention for first receptacle 105 to be of any three dimensional shape sufficient to receive liquid (e.g., a stream of urine) and, via gravity, permit that liquid to travel downward through the remaining components of conservation device 100 (discussed in further detail below).

Conservation device 100 further comprises a second deposit collector 107 having a second duct 111. In a preferred embodiment, second deposit collector 107 attached to toilet rim 154 via a plurality of clamp 109. The present figure shows the number of clamp 109 to be four, however, it should be understood that this by way of example only. The number of adhesive clamp 109 may vary depending on the type of toilet and need for sufficient attachment of second receptacle 107. It should further be understood that the funnel configuration of second receptacle 107 is also by way of example only. It is an object of the present invention that second receptacle 107 may be attached to toilet rim 154 via alternative means such any permanent, nonpermanent, or semi-permanent means, including but not limited to, glue, epoxy, hook and loop fasteners, brads, hooks, nails, suction cups, male-female couplers, nuts and bolts, or any other attaching means suitable for the purpose of securing second receptacle 107 to toilet rim 154.

As can be seen, and similar to first receptacle 105, second receptacle 107 has tapered sides and an open top that is wider than its bottom. In the present embodiment, second receptacle 107 is substantially funnel-shaped wherein the portion is narrower than the top portion and tapers into a second duct 111 and ends in a second receptacle aperture (shown and described in further detail in FIGS. 2A and 2B). In this manner liquid travels downward trough second receptacle 107 into second duct 111 and through second receptacle aperture 112 via gravity. It should be understood that the funnel configuration of second receptacle 107 is by way of example only. It is contemplated in the present invention for first receptacle 105 to be of any three dimensional shape sufficient to receive liquid (e.g., a stream of urine) and, via gravity, permit that liquid to travel downward through the remaining components of conservation device 100 (discussed in further detail below).

In the present embodiment, the shape and dimensions of first receptacle 105 are similar to the shape and dimensions of second receptacle 107. It is an object of the present invention that the measurements for volume and surface area of first receptacle 105 are somewhat less than the measurements for volume and surface area of second receptacle. Thus, first receptacle 105 is capable of nesting within second receptacle 107 (shown in further detail below). Further, the dimensions of first deposit collector 105 are smaller than that of second deposit collector 107 such that first deposit collector 105 may rest within second deposit collector 107 when toilet seat 153 is lowered (discussed in further detail in FIGS. 2A and 2B). In this manner, when liquid is deposited into first deposit collector 105, it easily travels downward via gravity into second deposit collector 107 in the manner described above. It should be understood that the shapes of first deposit collector 105 and second deposit collector 107 are shown to be complementary, but this is not a necessary feature, nor is a perfect nesting relationship required. Conservation device 100's functionality is accomplished when first receptacle 105 is above second receptacle 107 on a vertical plan and as long as first receptacle aperture 110 is substantially above second receptacle aperture 112 on a vertical plane and positioned in a manner that liquid may travel downward.

Conservation device 100 further comprises a filter 115, a second receptacle tube 114, and a filter tube 116. In the present embodiment, filter 115 comprises any filtration means to remove residual salts and other bioorganic impurities commonly found in urine. Such filters are known in the art and it is an object of the present invention to work with different makes and models of common filters with minimal customization or retrofitting. It is a further object of the present invention that filter 115 is attached or otherwise connected to second receptacle tube 114 at the top end and filter tube on the lower end 116 as shown. It should be understood that duct 105 and second duct 111 occupy substantially the same vertical plane within conservation device 100 such that a channel for liquid to travel through is formed through the apertures and the tubes.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, conservation device 100 further comprises at least one container 120 and an optional box 125. Filter 115 is attached to a filter tube 116 which is inserted a container 120. In this manner, liquid waste travels through the components of conservation device 100 in the manner described above and is deposited into container 120 in such a way as to decrease the chance for spilling, splashing, or otherwise contact with a human after it has left the body. Thus, when the user wishes to repurpose the liquid waste, such as for example, fertilizing a garden, it is sequestered in an easily sealable and transportable means. In the present example, conservation device 100 comprises at least two container 120, however it should be understood that any number of container 120 may be used alone or in connection with box 125. By way of example, FIG. 1a shows the number of container 120 to be three and FIG. 1B shows the number of container to be 2. In some embodiments, container 120 may be stored in a decorative box 125 to disguise the contents of container 120. It should be understood that it is an object of the present invention that the location of box 125 may either be on the floor (as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2A) or attached to the back of tank 151 (as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B).

Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the reader will appreciate from the present disclosure that it is an object of the present invention to be able to collect and repurpose urine regardless of the manner in which it is deposited into conservation device 100 (e.g., whether the user stands or sits when urinating). FIG. 2A depicts conservation device 100 as it is used by a person who stands to urinate and FIG. 2B depicts conservation device 100 as it is used by a person who sits to urinate.

A user who sits to urinate typically lifts the toilet lid and lowers the toilet seat. Thus, according to the embodiment in FIG. 2A, lid 155 is raised and rests against the front of toilet tank 151 while toilet seat 159 is lowered and rests on toilet rim 154 via seat rest 158. As mentioned above, first receptacle 105 is attached to the underside of toilet seat 159 and rests substantially inside of second receptacle 107 when toilet seat 159 is lowered. In this mariner, first receptacle aperture 110 is substantially over second receptacle aperture 112 as shown. Thus, a sitting user will deposit urine into first receptacle 105, where it will flow immediately into second receptacle 107 and travel via gravity through second aperture 112. The urine will then continue into second duct 111 through second receptacle aperture 112 and then flows to second receptacle tube 114 as shown in FIG. 2B. From there, urine passes through filter 115 into filter tube 116 where it is finally deposited into container 120.

A user who stands to urinate typically lifts the toilet seat and lid up. Thus, according to the embodiment in FIG. 2B, toilet seat 159 and lid 155 are in a raised position and resting against the front of tank 151 as shown. As mentioned above, first receptacle 105 is attached to the underside of toilet seat 159 and when toilet seat 159 is raised, first receptacle 105 is similarly raised. In this manner, first receptacle 105 becomes separated from second receptacle 107. As mentioned above, second receptacle 107 is attached to toilet rim 154 via clamp 109. Thus, a standing user will deposit urine directly into second receptacle 107 which then travels via gravity through second aperture 112. The urine will then continue into second duct 111 through second receptacle aperture 112 and then flows to second receptacle tube 114 as shown in FIG. 2B. From there, urine passes through filter 115 into filter tube 116 where it is finally deposited into container 120.

In alternative embodiments, the user may wish to utilize a pump to facilitate urine traveling through conservation device 100 into container 120. Thus, FIG. 3A demonstrates conservation device 100 in use with a mechanical pump 140 and FIG. 3B depicts conservation device 100 in use with an electric pump 145. As shown in FIG. 3A, conservation device 100 comprises first receptacle 105, second receptacle 107, second receptacle tube 114, pump tube 117, and mechanical pump 118. The manner in which urine is deposited into first receptacle 105 and/or second receptacle 107 is in the same manner as described in the preceding figures. However, in the present embodiment, when urine reaches second receptacle tube 114, the user may actuate mechanical pump 118 to facilitate its movement through a pump tube 117 and up through filter 115, filter tube 116, and into container 120. In the present figures, box 125 may attached to the back of tank 151. In the present embodiment, mechanical pump 118 is depicted as a foot pump, however, it is an object of the present invention that any type of mechanical pump known in the art may be utilized.

Similarly, and referring now to FIG. 3B, the user may wish to employ an electric pump 119. Thus, urine will be moved through conservation device 100 in the manner described in FIG. 3A, however, the user will actuate electric pump 119 with, for example, a switch or a button. Such pumps are known in the art and it should be understood that it is an object of the present invention that electric pump 119 may be any kind of known electric pump sufficient to accomplish the purpose of moving urine through the components of conservation device 100 and into container 120.

It should be appreciated that it is an object of the present invention that the user is not required to repurpose liquid human waste. In alternative embodiments, second tube may be inserted directly through the bowl's drain and into the s strap to deposit urine directly into the toilet's trapway without the need for flushing. Thus, with attention to FIG. 4, an alternative embodiment of conservation device 100 is shown. In this embodiment, liquid waste is not deposited into container 120 and is instead deposited directly into the sewage system. Thus, the embodiment according to FIG. 4 comprises first receptacle 105, second receptacle 107 and a deposit tube 131. As can be seen, second receptacle 107 is substantially elongated into deposit tube 131. Thus, when a user deposits urine into conservation device 100 in either manner described in FIGS. 2A and 2B, urine travels downward via gravity through deposit tube 131 through the toilet's internal trap 130 and into the sewage system. In this manner, rather than repurposing the urine for fertilizer, urine is deposited directly into a waste pipe thus eliminating the need to flush altogether.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, a second example of a conservation device, conservation device 200, will now be described. Conservation device 200 includes many similar or identical features to conservation device 100. Thus, for the sake of brevity, each feature of conservation device 200 will not be redundantly explained. Rather, key distinctions between conservation device 200 and educational tool 100 will be described in detail and the reader should reference the discussion above for features substantially similar between the two conservation devices.

In addition to components shown and described in the preceding figures, conservation device 200 comprises a collection bag 210 further comprising a bladder 215 and a drainage tube 220. Thus, collection bag 210 is connected to filter tube 116, which is connected to alter 115, which is connected to second receptacle tube 114, which is connected to second receptacle 107, in which first receptacle 105. Urine is deposited into conservation device 200 by a standing or sitting user in the same manner as described in the preceding figures. However, unlike conservation device 100, conservation device 200 requires the user to flush the toilet and functions to decrease the amount of water used per flush (described in further detail in FIG. 6).

In the present embodiment, bladder 215 and suction tube 215 comprise a semi-pliant, heavy duty, waterproof material such as rubber, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, silicone elastomers, or other natural or synthetic materials treated with the appropriate laminate or coating. It should be understood that it is an object of the present embodiment to function as an airtight, closed system. Thus, when in use conservation device 200 functions to reduce the amount of water needed when flushing the toilet after the user has deposited liquid waste.

Finally, FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate an embodiment of conservation device 200 in use. By way of example, the present figure depicts use with a sitting user However, it should be understood that, as discussed in the preceding figure, conservation device 200 works regardless of whether the user is standing or sitting. As mentioned above, in a preferred embodiment, conservation device 200 is a closed system. That is, it is an object of the present invention that once installed in toilet 150, conservation device 200 does not require the user perform any additional tasks to accomplish water conservation other than to use the toilet as he or she normally would. In the present embodiment, collection bag 210 is placed substantially within tank 151 such that suction tube 220 is at least partially submerged beneath the water level of tank 151 as shown.

Thus, in the embodiment described in FIGS. 6A-6D, after a user deposits waste into the bowl in the manner described above, he or she activates the toilet's flushing mechanism. As can be seen in FIG. 6A, a stream of urine 230 is deposited from a sitting user into first receptacle 105, whereby it travels via gravity into second receptacle 107 in the manner describe above. Urine 230 travels via second receptacle tube 114 into filter 115 and into suction tube 116. It should be understood that conservation device 200 does not rely on gravity for moving liquid. Rather, when the toilet is flushed, conservation device 200 acts as a siphon and, via hydrosuction, the amount of water used in the flush is lessened by the amount of urine the user has deposited. In this manner, conservation device significantly reduces the amount of water used per flush.

After the user flushes toilet 150, a flush lever (not shown) depresses and water empties from tank 151 into bowl 153, which creates a vacuum and depressurizes a trapway located underneath bowl 153. This depressurization creates a suction force that pulls the wastewater from the bowl into the trapway initiation a siphoning effect into the bowl. As the water empties from the tank, it carries the waste with it through an “S” trap underneath the bowl and into the sewage system. Water then fills the tank and forces air to the top of the tank and down into a transfer tube. As air is forced through the transfer tune into the trapway exerting positive pressure on the water in the bowl. This pressurizes the trapway and creates a lager water surface in the bowl.

It should be understood that conservation device 200 does not have a minimum or maximum volume of liquid waste that may displace the amount of water in tank 151. That is to say, while the average human voids about 500 cubic centimeters (ccs) of liquid per toilet visit, the amount of liquid deposited into conservation device 200 per use will depend on the user's age, body type, gender, diet, overall health, and other biological factors. Thus, by way of example, FIGS. 6B-D depict an embodiment of conservation device 200 whereby the user deposits 500 ccs of liquid waste into conservation device 200.

In the example according to FIGS. 6A-6D, then, if the volume of urine (V) is equal to 0.5 liters (L), and the volume of water in tank 151 is 1.6 L, when the toilet is flushed, the amount of water flushed will be decreased by the amount equal to the volume of urine deposited, or 1.1 L (1.6 flush volume−0.5 L of urine). Thus, the amount of water saved per flush is equal to the amount of water deposited by the user. In the present example, 0.5 L water was saved.

In alternative embodiments (not shown), conservation device 200 may include sensor that detects the exact amount of urine deposited into collection bag for more accurate measurements and control of amount of water actually dispensed per flush. This sensor may be placed in first receptacle 105, second receptacle 107, bladder 215 or suction tube 220. The sensor is configured to send a signal to a receiver within conservation device 200 for the purpose of determining the amount of liquid waste deposited. Thus, the sensor functions to more accurately determine the correlating amount of water to be used per flush. In this manner, conservation device 200 is capable of maximizing the amount of water conserved.

The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring or excluding two or more such elements.

Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein.

Device for Conserving Water and Repurposing Liquid Human Waste

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