STANDING SECONDARY AND ERGONOMIC TOILETS

Abstract

A secondary standing toilet includes a back wall, a water dispenser for providing a waterfall feature along the back wall, doors configured to open and close relative to the back wall, and a floor configured to raise and lower. An ergonomic toilet including a base rotatably supported about a drain tube, and a seat supported by the base and vertically adjustable.

Description

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates generally to toilets and, more particularly, to a standing secondary and ergonomic toilets for residential use.

While many consumers desire a residential urinal, they do not wish for the extra cleaning or negative associations with present urinal designs. More particularly, consumers often associate urinals with dirty, ugly, difficult to clean public urinals. In fact, many consumers despise even the term urinal.

The standing secondary toilet of the present disclosure is designed to meet consumers' unmet needs. For example, men typically stand and urinate, yet the standing secondary toilet remains much cleaner because the splatter from urine is diminished, thereby reducing one of the primary causes of angst in cleaning. More particularly, a waterfall in the standing secondary toilet prevents splash back from the urination stream. The waterfall also provides a pleasing sound. The design of the secondary standing toilet is aesthetically pleasing and does not look like a standard toilet or urinal. The secondary standing toilet is configured to be essentially invisible and to reduce residual urine on the toilet and surrounding area.

The standing secondary toilet may be mounted into the wall of a bathroom or into a separate box where the remainder of the box may double as a cabinet on the backside to be used as a storage area. Potentially, this back area may also be equipped with a towel warming cabinet for the shower area.

There is also a requirement for stylish, high market sector, height adjustable toilets. Many hours are spent each year by a typical individual sitting on a toilet. As such, it would be advantageous to provide for a toilet that may rotate on its axis such that the user may perform functions while supported thereon. For example, the user may rotate to a first position to review a television or computer monitor, then rotate to another position to lean on a pad mounted on a wall. Moving to another position could provide access to a computer desk pad mounted on another wall.

The ergonomic toilet of the present disclosure is designed for both comfort and style. Conventional toilet functions are configured to operate in accordance with current standards (e.g., flushing waste with a minimum water usage). The toilet seat illustratively has an infinitely adjustable height operated by automatic control. This may be electronically controlled via a user interface, such as a simple keypad device or microphone. The toilet may also be programmed for different users' comfort settings at the touch of a button or in response to other inputs, such as a voice command. For example, a desired seat height may be preprogrammed and recalled with the touch of a button. In certain embodiments, when the user approaches the toilet, a seat cover opens, and the toilet seat height may be moved to the preselected setting. The seat cover may be used for arm or hand rests when the toilet is open and ready for use. The seat cover may close and the toilet cleaned when the user leaves the area.

According to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a standing toilet includes a vertically extending back wall, a water dispenser positioned at an upper end of the back wall, a drain positioned at a lower end of the back wall, and a door including an actuator to pivot the door between an open position and a closed position. In an inactive or stand-by mode, the door is closed to cover the back wall, and in an active or operating mode the door is open to expose the back wall. A moveable floor may be positioned adjacent the bottom of the back wall and is moveable between a raised position in the inactive mode and a lowered position in the active mode.

According to another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a standing toilet includes a vertically extending back wall, and a drain positioned at a lower end of the back wall. At least one door is supported in front of the back wall and is configured to move between open and closed positions. A door drive mechanism is configured to move the at least one door between the open and closed positions. A movable floor is supported in front of the back wall and is configured to move between lowered and raised positions. A floor drive mechanism is configured to move the movable floor between the lowered and raised positions. A cleaning device is configured to clean the inside surface of the at least one door, the upper surface of the movable floor, and the front surface of the back wall.

In a further illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a standing toilet includes a vertically extending back wall, a water dispenser positioned at an upper end of the back wall to dispense water in a waterfall along a front surface of the back wall, and a drain positioned at a lower end of the back wall. At least one door is supported in front of the back wall and is configured to move between open and closed positions. A door drive mechanism is configured to move the at least one door between the open and closed positions. A controller is configured to control operation of the door drive mechanism. A user interface is configured to provide input from a user to the controller, the controller being in an active mode or a stand-by mode based upon input from the user interface. The door is in the open position in the active mode, and the door is in the closed position in the stand-by mode.

According to another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of operating a standing toilet includes the steps of detecting a user within a detection zone, opening a door to expose a back wall, lowering a floor proximate a drain below the back wall, and dispensing water down a front surface of the back wall to create a waterfall. The method continues with the steps of no longer detecting the user within the detection zone, raising the floor, closing the door to cover the back wall, and activating a cleaning device to clean the inside surface of the door, an upper surface of the floor, and the front surface of the back wall.

According to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, an ergonomic toilet includes a bowl configured to rotate about a vertical axis. A seat is supported on the bowl and is configured to be raised and lowered.

According to a further illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, an ergonomic toilet includes a base having a bowl, and a waste outlet in fluid communication with the bowl and in fluid communication with a drain, the waste outlet defining a vertical axis. A bowl rotation mechanism supports the base for rotation about the vertical axis. A seat is supported by the bowl, and a seat height mechanism is operably coupled to the base for adjusting the height of the seat.

In another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, an ergonomic toilet includes a bowl supported above a drain, and a seat supported by the bowl. The angular position of the seat may be adjusted by rotating the bowl about a vertical axis, and the height of the seat may adjusted by vertically moving the bowl relative to the drain.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description of the drawings particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a standing secondary toilet of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is another front perspective view of the standing secondary toilet of FIG. 1 in a stored mode;

FIG. 2B is s perspective view similar to FIG. 2A, showing the standing secondary toilet in an active mode;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an illustrative control system of the standing secondary toilet of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of the standing secondary toilet of FIG. 1, showing an illustrative door and associated door drive mechanism, and an illustrative movable floor and associated floor drive mechanism;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the movable floor and associated floor drive mechanism of the standing secondary toilet of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the movable floor and associated floor drive mechanism of the standing secondary toilet of FIG. 1, illustrating a composite of the actuators in lowered and raised positions;

FIG. 7A is a side elevational view of the movable floor of FIG. 6 in a lowered position;

FIG. 7B is a side elevational view of the movable floor of FIG. 6 in a raised position;

FIG. 8A is a front perspective view of an illustrative embodiment ergonomic toilet of the present disclosure, with the seat cover in a closed position;

FIG. 8B is a front perspective view of the ergonomic toilet of FIG. 8A, with the seat cover in an open position;

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of the ergonomic toilet of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 10A is a side elevational view, in partial cross-section, of the ergonomic toilet of FIG. 8A, with the toilet bowl and seat in a raised position;

FIG. 10B is a side elevational view, in partial cross-section, of the ergonomic toilet of FIG. 10A, with the toilet bowl and seat in a lowered position;

FIG. 10C is a side elevational view, in partial cross-section, of the ergonomic toilet of FIG. 10B, with the toilet bowl and seat in a rearward tilted position;

FIG. 11A is a front view, in partial cross-section, of the ergonomic toilet of FIG. 10B, with the seat in a level lowered position;

FIG. 11B is a front view, in partial cross-section, of the ergonomic toilet of FIG. 11A, with the seat in a rightward tilted position;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the ergonomic toilet of FIG. 10B; and

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an illustrative control system of the ergonomic toilet of FIG. 8A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of the invention described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to precise forms disclosed. Rather, the embodiments selected for description have been chosen to enable one skilled in the art to practice the invention.

With reference initially to FIGS. 1-3, a standing secondary toilet 10 illustratively includes a base 12 including a movable floor or horizontal panel 14, a back wall 16 extending vertically upwardly from the base 12, and a water inlet or dispenser 18 positioned at an upper end 20 of the back wall 16. A drain 22 is positioned at a lower end 24 of the back wall 16. The drain 22 is illustratively supported within a trough 26 positioned at floor height. The trough 26 and drain 22 may empty into a plumbing system and flow out eventually to a conventional sewer system.

Water dispensed from the dispenser 18 (which may include a water storage tank) is configured to flow along a front surface 28 of the back wall 16 to produce a waterfall 29. A waterfall valve 30 may control the flow of water from the dispenser 18. In certain illustrative embodiments, an air system, such as air curtain or suction zone, may be provided where urine is captured and directed toward the drainage system. This air system may be used in combination with, or instead of, the waterfall 29. Further, the back wall 16 may be formed of a material, or include a special coating, configured to reduce urine splatter and facilitate collection into the trough 26, thereby eliminating the need for the waterfall 29.

Left and right side walls 32 and 34 extend forwardly from the back wall 16. Left and right doors 36 and 38 are pivotably supported by forward edges of the left and right side walls 32 and 34. More particularly, hinges 40 and 42 may define vertical axes 44 and 46 about which the doors 36 and 38 pivot.

While two doors 36 and 38 pivotable about vertical axes 44 and 46 are illustrated, other configurations may be substituted therefor. In certain illustrative embodiments, a single door may be mounted for pivoting movement about a vertical or horizontal axis. In other illustrative embodiments, an upper door may pivot upwardly and a lower door may pivot downwardly for the user to step onto during use. Additionally, the door height may vary from low to the ground to proximate the ceiling. Grab bars (not shown) may be mounted to the standing secondary toilet 10 to assist in stabilizing a user.

With reference to FIG. 4, left and right door drive mechanisms 48 and 50 are configured to pivot the doors 36 and 38 between open and closed positions. Each drive mechanism 48, 50 is substantially identical and illustratively includes a piston actuator 52, a bellcrank 54, and a push-pull rod 56. The piston actuator 52 may comprise any conventional electro-magnetic, pneumatic or hydraulic mechanism. The bellcrank 54 is illustratively mounted behind respective side wall 32, 34 and transfers force from actuator 52 to open and close door 36, 38 via the push-pull rod 56. The push-pull rod 56 is attached to the door 36, 38 via a bracket 58 and exits through an opening in side wall 32, 34.

The movable floor or panel 14 is supported in front of the back wall 16 and is configured to pivot between lowered and raised positions. More particularly, the floor 14 extends forwardly from the trough 26 and pivots about a horizontal axis 62. Seals 64 extend along opposite sides of the floor 14 to provide a movable seal against doors 36 and 38. The movable floor 14 is shown to pivot about axis 62 and rest upon the adjacent floor for the user to step onto when using the standing secondary toilet 10. In an alternative embodiment, a protruding panel (not shown) may slide out from the standing secondary toilet 10 above a user's feet and through the use of pressure sensors rest at or very close to the user's legs. Therefore, when using the device the user's feet may be protected from moisture that may fall toward him during use.

With reference to FIGS. 5-7B, a floor drive mechanism 66 is configured to pivot the floor 14 between lowered and raised positions. The floor drive mechanism 66 illustratively includes substantially identical left and right piston actuators 68a and 68b. The piston actuator 68a, 68b may comprise any conventional electro-magnetic, pneumatic or hydraulic mechanism mounted behind side wall 32, 34 for moving the floor 14.

With reference to FIG. 3, a controller 70 may be in electrical communication with the waterfall valve 30, the door drive mechanisms 48 and 50, and the floor drive mechanism 66. The controller 70 may be a microprocessor of conventional design including an internal clock 71. Door sensors 72 may be in electrical communication with the controller 70 and are configured to detect the positions of the doors 36 and 38. Similarly, a floor sensor 74 may be in electrical communication with the controller 70 and is configured to detect the position of the floor 14.

A cleaning device 76 may be in electrical communication with the controller 70. The cleaning device 76 is configured to clean and/or sanitize the interior of the standing toilet 10 when in the stand-by mode. The cleaning device 76 may include an array of nozzles inside the standing toilet 10 so that when the doors 36 and 38 are shut and the floor 14 is raised, the exposed interior surfaces that are directed at the user are then sprayed clean. There are several mediums that may be dispensed by the nozzles of the cleaning device 76, including water, cleaning chemicals added to water, and steam. In other embodiments, ozone and/or ultraviolet (UV) light may be used instead of, or in combination with the nozzles. Similarly, a deodorizer system may be incorporated into the cleansing device 76.

In an alternative embodiment, a water treatment system 80 may be added in which the water flows into the trough 26, is treated with filtration for separating solid particles from the fluid and for sanitizing (biological process) the water. A combination of filtering may be utilized, such as hard filters for solid particle removal, and ultraviolet (UV) light and/or ozone for sanitizing/purifying the water. After the water treatment, the water may be circulated to the top of the secondary toilet 10 to the dispenser 18 and continues in a cycle until the standing toilet 10 is inactive or in the stand-by mode. The water treatment system 80, particularly with the use of ozone technology and/or filtration, could permit the standing secondary toilet 10 to be self-contained, only requiring that the trough 26 be periodically emptied.

The pair of doors 36 and 38 are closed to conceal the back wall 16 in the inactive or stand-by mode through operation of the drive mechanisms 48 and 50, respectively. Similarly, the floor 14 is raised to a position behind the doors 36 and 38 in the inactive or stand-by mode through operation of the drive mechanism 66. As a user approaches the standing toilet 10, the doors 36 and 38 open, the floor 14 lowers, and a free stream of water or waterfall 29 cascades from the dispenser 18, flowing down the full width of the back wall 16 to the bottom trough 26. After the floor 14 raises or retracts, and the doors 36 and 38 close automatically, the cleaning device 76 is activated to clean and/or sanitize all the interior surfaces of the walls 16, 32, 34, doors 36, 38, floor 14, and trough 26 so that the standing toilet 10.

A user interface 82 may be in electrical communication with the controller 70 to activate and deactivate the standing toilet 10. More particularly, input to the user interface 82 activates the standing toilet 10 (e.g., opening of the doors 36, 38, raising the floor 14, and activating the cleaning device 76 and/or water treatment system 80). The user interface 82 may comprise at least one of infrared (IR) sensors, motion detectors or capacitive sensors. When the user approaches a detection zone proximate the standing toilet 10, the standing toilet 10 may be activated (i.e., in the active mode).

When the user is finished and walks away from the detection zone proximate the standing toilet 10, the doors 36, 38 automatically close and the floor 14 elevates to its storage position (i.e., in the stand-by mode). In certain illustrative embodiments, the standing toilet 10 may continue to dispense water from the dispenser 18, as the sound of running water is pleasing and provide an aesthetically pleasing feature for the bathroom.

A light system 84 may be in electrical communication with the controller 70 and includes a plurality of light sources (such as light emitting diodes (LED), which may define a night light. Different light sources may be activated and deactivated based upon the mode of the standing toilet 10. For example, the light system 84 may be provided so that when the standing toilet 10 is in the stand-by mode (e.g., doors 36, 38 are closed), ambient light sources on the top, front and/or bottom of the standing toilet 10 are activated. When the standing toilet 10 is in an active mode (e.g., doors 36, 38 are open), light sources on the top of the standing toilet 10, on the floor 14 and/or within the back wall 16 behind the flow of water may be activated.

In certain illustrative embodiments, the standing toilet 10 may be supported adjacent a vertical wall of the building. In other illustrative embodiments, the standing secondary toilet 10 may be a self-supported unit defining a free standing cabinet. The cabinet may include storage, for example the back side of the cabinet may include a towel warmer. While the illustrative standing secondary toilet 10 may be mounted to a wall, in alternative illustrative embodiments the standing secondary toilet 10 may be free-standing.

In operation, the standing toilet 10 operates by initially detecting a user within a detection zone of the user interface 82. The controller 70 then causes the standing toilet 10 to enter the active mode. More particularly, the controller 70 opens the doors 36 and 38 via operation of the door drive mechanisms 48 and 50, to expose the back wall 18. The controller 70 also lowers the floor 14 proximate the drain 22. The waterfall valve 30 is opened by the controller 70 to dispense water down the front surface of the back wall 18 to create a waterfall 29. When the user is no longer detected within the detection zone of the user interface 82, the controller 70 then causes the standing toilet 10 to enter the stand-by mode. More particularly, the controller 70 raises the floor 14 via operation of the floor drive mechanism 66. The doors 36 and 38 are then closed via operation of the door drive mechanisms 48 and 50, to cover back wall 18. The controller 70 then activates the cleaning device 76 to clean the inside surfaces of the side walls 32 and 34, the inside surfaces of the doors 36 and 38, the upper surface of the floor 14, and the front surface of the back wall 18.

The standing toilet 10 of the present disclosure provides for an all-inclusive unit for standing urination that also cleans itself, provides for a waterfall feature, includes automatic door opening and floor lowering, fluid filtering and/or recycling, etc.

With reference now to FIGS. 8A-9, an illustrative embodiment ergonomic toilet 110 of the present disclosure is shown as including a base 112 including an upper portion 114 and a lower portion 116 telescopingly received within the upper portion 114, thereby facilitating vertical adjustment as further detailed herein. The upper portion 116 supports a bowl 118 including an upper opening 120.

With reference to FIGS. 10A-12, a conventional trapway 122 provides fluid communication between the bowl 118 and a waste outlet 124. The waste outlet 124 is in fluid communication with a drain 126 supported within a floor 128. The waste outlet 124 includes a vertical portion 130 defining a vertical axis 132. The vertical portion 130 includes a lower member 134 and an upper member 136 configured to be telescopingly received within the lower member 134, thereby facilitating vertical adjustment as further detailed herein. A first seal 138 is provided between the upper member 134 and the lower member 136 to seal against sewer gas escaping from the drain 126. A second seal 140 may also be provided between the lower member 136 and the drain 126 to seal against leaking sewer gas. The illustrative seals 138 and 140 may be reusable seals (e.g., elastomeric).

With reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B, a seat 142 may be supported by the bowl 118 around the upper opening 120. An upright 144 defining a backrest 146 extends upwardly from the bowl 118 and may include a head rest 148. A water tank 149 may be supported by the upright 144 and configured to supply water to the bowl 118 during a flush cycle.

A seat cover 150 illustratively includes first and second seat covers 152a and 152b cooperating to cover the upper opening 120 of the bowl 118 in a closed position (FIG. 8A), and exposing the upper opening 120 of the bowl 118 when in an open position (FIG. 8B). The first seat cover 152a is supported for pivoting movement in a clockwise direction about a first horizontal axis 154a, and the second seat cover 152b is supported for pivoting movement in a counterclockwise direction about a second horizontal axis 154b. Actuators, such as electro-magnetic pistons, may be operably coupled to the seat covers 152a and 152b to pivot the seat covers 152a and 152b between the closed and open positions. In the open position, the seat covers 152a and 152b may be used as arm or hand rests.

With reference to FIGS. 10A-13, a seat height adjustment mechanism 160 may be operably coupled to the base 112 to adjust the vertical position of the seat 142 relative to the floor 128. The seat height adjustment mechanism 160 may comprise front and rear actuators 162a, 162b, 162c, illustratively electro-magnetic pistons. The actuators 162 include lower ends (cylinders 164) operably coupled to the lower portion 116 of the base 112, and upper ends (pistons 166) operably coupled to the upper portion 114 of the base 112. As such, when the pistons 166 are extended, the upper portion 114 and the seat 142 are raised relative to the lower portion 116. It should be appreciated that the type, number and relative locations of the actuators 162 may vary.

With reference to FIG. 10C, 11B and 12, the actuators 162a, 162b and 162c may tilt the upper portion 114 and the seat 142. By different movement of the front actuator 162a relative to the rear actuators 162b and 162c, the toilet seat 142 could tilt forward and rearward therefore lifting the user's knees relative to his or her back, or lifting the user's back relative to his or her knees. FIG. 10C illustrates the bowl 118 and the toilet seat 142 in a rearward tilted position by the front actuator 162a being further extended than the rear actuators 162b and 162c. Similarly, by different movement of the left rear actuator 162b relative to the right rear actuator 162c, the toilet seat 142 could tilt right and left. FIG. 11B illustrates the bowl 118 and the toilet seat 142 in a right tilted position by the left rear actuator 162b being further extended than the left rear actuator 162c. Adjusting the height and tilt angle of the toilet seat 142 can help a person evacuate his or her bowels.

With reference to FIG. 13, a controller 170 is in electrical communication with the seat height adjustment mechanism 160 for controlling operation of the actuators 162. The controller 170 illustratively includes a memory 172 that may store preselected preferences (e.g., heights for the seat 142) for difference users.

A user interface 174 is illustratively in electrical communication with the controller 170 and is configured to receive input from a user. The user interface 174 may include a control panel or keypad. The keypad may include up and down buttons to control the actuators 162 for raising and lowering the seat 142. Pre-set buttons may be provided on the user interface 174 for selecting pre-defined user preferences (e.g., seat heights for different users). While a keyboard may be used as the illustrative user interface 174, other devices may be substituted therefor, such as a microphone to receive voice commands.

A bowl rotation mechanism 180 illustratively supports the base 112 for rotation about the vertical axis 132. More particularly, the base 112 is mounted on a large diameter bearing 182 and is centered about drain tube 126. As noted above, the drain 126 may be sealed with automotive style lip seals 138 and 140 to contain sewer vapors. The base 112 may rotate about the vertical axis 132 defined by the drain tube 126. In certain illustrative embodiments, the bowl rotation mechanism 180 may include actuators, illustratively electro-magnetic pistons, in electrical communication with the controller 170 to drive the base 112 in rotation.

With reference to FIGS. 10A, 10B, 11A, 1 lB and 13, a proximity sensor 186 (such as an infrared (IR) sensor, motion detector or capacitive sensor) may be operably coupled to the controller 170 and used to detect a user within a detection zone proximate the toilet 110. Upon detecting the user, the controller 170 illustratively causes the seat covers 152a and 152b to open. When the user is no longer detected within the detection zone, the controller 170 may close the seat covers 152a and 152b. The controller 170 may also activate automatic cleaning of the bowl 118.

In certain illustrative embodiments, the proximity sensor 186 may also check the height of an approaching user. The proximity sensor 186 may be supported by the toilet 110, such as by the backrest 146, or adjacent to the toilet. If the user is not known to the controller 170, it automatically sets the height of the toilet seat 142 based upon an estimate from data stored within memory 172. The user can then accept this position through the user interface 174. During each successive use by that user, the controller 170 will set this predetermined height. The user may also modify the height and store the new setting in memory 172 by input provided to the user interface 174.

A flush system 190 is illustratively operably coupled to the water tank 149. The flush system 190 may be of conventional design as including a flush valve for causing water to be dispensed from the water tank 149 to the bowl 118, and thereby cause waste to be flushed through the trapway 122 and into the drain 126. In certain embodiments, the flush system 190 may be electronically monitored by the controller 170 to deliver the least amount of water to efficiently flush waste from the bowl 118. If more water is required, then the controller 170 may control a flush valve of the flush system 190 to deliver such additional water.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the spirit and scope of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A standing toilet comprising: a vertically extending back wall;a water dispenser positioned at an upper end of the back wall to dispense water in a waterfall along a front surface of the back wall;a drain positioned at a lower end of the back wall;at least one door supported in front of the back wall, the at least one door configured to move between open and closed positions;a door drive mechanism configured to move the at least one door between the open and closed positions;a movable floor supported in front of the back wall, the movable floor configured to move between lowered and raised positions;a floor drive mechanism configured to move the movable floor between the lowered and raised positions; anda cleaning device configured to clean the inside surface of the at least one door, the upper surface of the movable floor, and the front surface of the back wall.

2. The standing toilet of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to control operation of the door drive mechanism, the floor drive mechanism, and the cleaning device.

3. The standing toilet of claim 2, further comprising a door sensor to detect a position of the at least one door, and a floor sensor to detect a position of the floor, the door sensor and the floor sensor in communication with the controller.

4. The standing toilet of claim 2, further comprising a light system in communication with the controller to illuminate different areas when the at least one door is open and when the at least one door is closed.

5. The standing toilet of claim 2, further comprising a user interface in communication with the controller, the controller being configured to move the at least one door to the open position and the floor to the lowered position in response to input to the user interface.

6. The standing toilet of claim 5, wherein the user interface comprises at least one of an infrared sensor, a motion sensor, and a capacitive sensor, such that the controller opens the at least one door and lowers the floor when a user is detected, and the controller closes the at least one door and raises the floor when no user is detected.

7. The standing toilet of claim 1, wherein the at least one door includes a left door pivotable about a first vertical axis, and a right door pivotable about a second vertical axis.

8. The standing toilet of claim 7, wherein the door drive mechanism includes a left door piston actuator operably coupled to the left door, and a right door piston actuator operably coupled to the right door.

9. The standing toilet of claim 1, wherein the movable floor is pivotable about a horizontal axis from the lowered position to the raised position.

10. The standing toilet of claim 9, wherein the floor drive mechanism includes a floor piston actuator operably coupled to the movable floor.

11. The standing toilet of claim 1, wherein the cleaning device includes at least one of a plurality of disinfecting spray nozzles configured to directing disinfecting liquid at the inside surface of the at least one door, the upper surface of the movable floor, and the front surface of the back wall.

12. The standing toilet of claim 1, wherein the cleaning device includes an ozone generator.

13. The standing toilet of claim 1, further comprising a waterfall valve in fluid communication with a source of water and configured to control water flow to the water dispenser and providing the waterfall along the back wall.

14. The standing toilet of claim 1, further comprising a water treatment system in fluid communication with the drain, the water treatment system configured to treat liquid supplied to the drain and provide the treated water to the water dispenser for reuse in the waterfall.

15. A standing toilet comprising: a vertically extending back wall;a drain positioned at a lower end of the back wall;at least one door supported in front of the back wall, the at least one door configured to move between open and closed positions;a door drive mechanism configured to move the at least one door between the open and closed positions;a controller configured to control operation of the door drive mechanism; anda user interface configured to provide input from a user to the controller, the controller being in an active mode or a stand-by mode based upon input from the user interface, the door being in the open position in the active mode, and the door being in the closed position in the stand-by mode.

16. The standing toilet of claim 15, further comprising a cleaning device configured to clean the inside surface of the at least one door and the front surface of the back wall, wherein the controller activates the cleaning device when changing from the active mode to the stand-by mode.

17. The standing toilet of claim 16, wherein the cleaning device includes at least one of a plurality of disinfecting spray nozzles configured to directing disinfecting liquid at the inside surface of the at least one door, the upper surface of the movable floor, and the front surface of the back wall.

18. The standing toilet of claim 16, wherein the cleaning device includes an ozone generator.

19. The standing toilet of claim 15, wherein the at least one door includes a left door pivotable about a first vertical axis, and a right door pivotable about a second vertical axis.

20. The standing toilet of claim 19, wherein the door drive mechanism includes a left door piston actuator operably coupled to the left door, and a right door piston actuator operably coupled to the right door.

21. The standing toilet of claim 15, further comprising: a movable floor supported in front of the back wall, the movable floor configured to move between lowered and raised positions; anda floor drive mechanism configured to move the movable floor between the lowered and raised positions,wherein the floor is in the lowered position in the active mode, and the floor is in the raised position in the stand-by mode.

22. The standing toilet of claim 21, wherein the movable floor is pivotable about a horizontal axis from the lowered position to the raised position.

23. The standing toilet of claim 22, wherein the floor drive mechanism includes a floor piston actuator operably coupled to the movable floor.

24. The standing toilet of claim 15, wherein the user interface comprises at least one of an infrared sensor, a motion sensor, and a capacitive sensor, such that the controller opens the at least one door and lowers the floor when a user is detected, and the controller closes the at least one door and raises the floor when no user is detected.

25. The standing toilet of claim 15, further comprising a water dispenser positioned at an upper end of the back wall to dispense water in a waterfall along a front surface of the back wall.

26. The standing toilet of claim 25, further comprising a waterfall valve in fluid communication with a source of water and configured to control water flow to the water dispenser and providing the waterfall along the back wall.

27. The standing toilet of claim 25, further comprising a water treatment system in fluid communication with the drain, the water treatment system configured to treat liquid supplied to the drain and provide the treated water to the water dispenser for reuse in the waterfall.

28. A method of operating a standing toilet comprising the steps of: detecting a user within a detection zone;opening a door to expose a back wall;lowering a floor proximate a drain below the back wall;dispensing water down a front surface of the back wall to create a waterfall;no longer detecting the user within the detection zone;raising the floor;closing the door to cover the back wall; andactivating a cleaning device to clean the inside surface of the door, an upper surface of the floor, and the front surface of the back wall.

29. An ergonomic toilet comprising: a base including a bowl;a waste outlet in fluid communication with the bowl and in fluid communication with a drain, the waste outlet defining a vertical axis;a bowl rotation mechanism supporting the base for rotation about the vertical axis;a seat supported by the bowl; anda seat height mechanism operably coupled to the base for adjusting the height of the seat.

30. The ergonomic toilet of claim 29, further comprising a controller in communication with the seat height mechanism, and a user interface in communication with the controller wherein user input to the user interface causes the controller to activate the seat height mechanism for adjusting the height of the seat.

31. The ergonomic toilet of claim 30, wherein the controller includes a memory, wherein preset seat heights may be input by a user through the user interface and stored within the memory.

32. The ergonomic toilet of claim 29, wherein the base includes an upper portion supporting the bowl, and a lower portion in a telescoping relationship with the upper portion.

33. The ergonomic toilet of claim 32, wherein the seat height mechanism includes at least one piston actuator configured to move the upper portion of the base relative to the lower portion of the base.

34. The ergonomic toilet of claim 29, wherein the bowl rotation mechanism includes a bearing to guide the base in rotation about the vertical axis.

35. The ergonomic toilet of claim 29, wherein the waste outlet is in a telescoping relationship with the drain.

36. The ergonomic toilet of claim 35, further comprising a seal intermediate the waste outlet and the drain to arrest gas odor.

37. The ergonomic toilet of claim 29, further comprising an upright extending upwardly from the bowl, a first seat cover supported for pivoting movement in a clockwise direction about first horizontal axis, and a second seat cover supported for pivoting movement in a counterclockwise direction about a second horizontal axis, the first seat cover and the second seat cover cooperating to cover an upper opening to the bowl in a closed position, and the first seat cover and the second seat cover exposing the upper opening in the bowl when in an open position.

38. An ergonomic toilet comprising: a bowl supported above a drain;a seat supported by the bowl; andwherein the angular position of the seat may be adjusted by rotating the bowl about a vertical axis, and the height of the seat may be adjusted by vertically moving the bowl relative to the drain.