WO2006092700A1

WO2006092700A1 - Composter

Info

Publication number: WO2006092700A1
Application number: PCT/IB2006/000411
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ronald Edwin Mos
Original assignee: Planet Waves 34 (Pty) Ltd
Priority date: 2005-03-01
Filing date: 2006-02-28
Publication date: 2006-09-08
Also published as: ZA200703050B; CN101163434A; AP2007004163A0; MA29277B1; TNSN07339A1; AP2505A

Abstract

The invention concerns a composter (10) having a liquid tank (34) through which liquid can be circulated, the liquid tank being coupled to or containing a liquid heater (70). The composter further includes a perforated housing (36) which is located above the liquid tank and into which perforated housing material to be composted can be discharged, a removable container (30) interposed between the perforated housing and the liquid tank in which receptacle composted material from the perforated housing can be discharged and a cover (12) located over the perforated housing. The composter finally includes a closure (18) in the cover through which closure access can be gained to the perforated housing, so that in use of the composter, air heated by liquid in the liquid tank can pass upwardly through the composter and draw fresh air Into the composter to facilitate composting of material In the perforated housing.

Description

COWIPOSTER

FIELD OF THE INVENTTON

This invention relates to a composter. More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention relates to a toiiet

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Waterless toilets are well known. Generally, they are relatively expensive and include moving parts such as fans and rotating drums.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invenilon a composter includes a liquid lank through which liquid can be circulated, the liquid tank being coupled to or containing a liquid heater, a perforated housing located above the liquid tank and into which perforated housing material to be composted can be discharged, a removable container interposed between the perforated housing and the liquid tank in which receptacle composted material from the perforated housing can be discharged, a cover located over the perforated housing, and a closure in the cover through which closure access can be gained to the perforated housing, so that Jn use of the composter, air heated by liquid In the liquid tank can pass upwardly through the composter and draw fresh air into the composter to facilitate composting of material In the perforated housing.

In the preferred form of the Invention the liquid heater is a solar heater, with a closed liquid circuit being formed between the solar heater and the liquid tank. Circulating means is preferably provided between the sofar heater and the liquid tank. The ctrcutating means may be a pump. The pump may be powered by an electricaf solar panel.

The liquid tank may have a capacity of about 10 fitres and the total liquid capacity of the sofar heater and the liquid tank may be in the order of 30 litres. The sofar heater may be about 1 m² fn size. Suitable anfi-freeze may be added to the water to reduce the freeztng temperature of the water to prevent the water from freezing and damaging the liquid tank, the solar heater and associated piping.

Insulating means may be provided below the liquid tank. In one form of the invention the insulating means is a layer of ciosed-cell rubber foam.

The composter is preferably supported on a base which may itself be made of an insulating material. In one form of the invention the base Ss made of solid rubber.

The perforated housing is preferably supported on legs and has perforated sidewails, an open top, and a grid located over an open bottom. The grid may be formed by a plurality of spaced elongate members located at their opposite ends in apertures in opposed sldewalts of the perforated housing. The elongate members may be pipes. Preferably they are 25 mm pipes.

A rake may be provided for raking material in the perforated housing. Preferably tines of the rake locate between the elongate members of the grid, and the handle of the rake projects through the perforated housing and the cover, so that the rake can be manipulated from the outside of the cover to dϊsfodge materiaf caught between the elongate members of the grid. The rake may also include blades extending upwardly from its head for aerating the manure and shredding paper.

In the preferred- form of the invention the composter is a waterless toilet. The waterless toilet preferably includes a chimney connected to the cover to facilitate a draft through the cαmposter. -Z-

The waterless toilet preferably has a toilet seat supported on the cover, and a closure in the form of a toM seat cover.

The removable container may be in the form of a drawer. The drawer is preferably narrower than the perforated housing so that in use fiquid in the form Df urine can be discharged through apertures in the sidewalls of the perforated housing onto the liquid tank without entering the drawer. The drawer preferably contains some perforations through which any liquid entering the drawer can be discharged.

The liquid tank may have circumferentially upwardly extending sidewalls to form a tray within which urine can collect to be heated by hot liquid in the liquid tank and then evaporated from the tray. The liquid circulated through the liquid tank is preferably water-

According to another aspect of the invention a Kit for a composter Includes liquid tank, perforated housing, removable container, and cover as described above.

The compαster may be a waterless toilet, In which event, the ioilet preferably Includes a chimney, solar panel and a pump as described above.

According to yet another aspect of the Invention a method composting material includes the steps of heating liquid in a solar panel, circulating the heated fiquid through a liquid tank located below a perforated housing containing material to be composted thereby causing an inflow of fresh air which is heated and in turn heats ihe material to facilitating the composting of the material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OFTHE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a waterless toilet;

Figure 2 shows a front view of the toifet;

Figure 3 shows a side view of the toiiet;

Figure 4 shows a diagrammatic front view of the hot water tank and drawer of the toilet;

Figure 5 shows a front view of the perforated housing of the toilet;

Figure 6 shows a side view of the perforated housing; and

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a rake for the perforated housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

Referring firstly to Figure 1 , a composter in the form of a waterless toilet 10 includes an outer cover 12 with an opening 14, a toiiet seat 16, a toilet seat cover 18 and a chimney 20.

Referring now to Figures 2 to 4, the outer cover 12 has an opening 22, which contains a drawer 24 siidabiy located in drawer slides and removable from the outer cover 12. A solid rubber baseplate 26 is located below the outer cover 12. The base of the outer cover 12 is located within sidewaiis 28 of a tray 30. The base of the tray 30 Is formed by the upper surface 32 of a liquid tank, here a flat hot water tank indicated with the reference numeral 34.

Referring now to Figures 5 and B, a perforated housing or basket 36 has legs 38, four perforated sidewaiis 40, an open top 42, an open base 44, ancl a grid 46 formed by spaced pipes 48 located above the open base 44. The perforated housing 36 stands in the fray 30 on the hot water tank 34.

Referring now to Figure 7, rake 50 is provided for raking the manure in the perforated housing 36. The rake has a head 52 with tines 54 and sharpened blades 56 extending in the opposite direction to the fines 54. A handle 58 extends from the head 52. A removable knob 60 is located at the end of the handle 58. The fines 54 locate between the pipes 48 of the grid 46, and the handle 58 of the rake 50 extends from the outer cover 12.

The hot water tank 34 is connected to a solar heater 70 via piping 72. The solar heater 70 includes an electrical solar panel 72 and a pump 74. In this embodiment the electrical sσlar panel 72 provides electrical power for the pump 74.

In this embodiment of the invention the hot water tank 34 has a capacity of about 10 litres and the total liquid capacity of the solar heater 70 and the hot water tank is in the order of 30 litres. The solar heater 70 is about 1 m² in size. It is envisaged that a suitable arrti-freeze can be added to the water to reduce Vne freezing temperature of trie water to prevent the water from freezing and damaging the hot water tank, the solar heater 70 and associated piping.

Although not shown in the drawings insulating means can be provided below the hot water tank. In one embodiment of the invention the insulating means is a layer of closed-cell rubber foam.

In use, the solar heater 70 heats water therein, and the hot water is circulated by the pump 74 through the hot water tank 34. Fresh air is drawn into the outer cover 12 as the air Is heated by the hot water. The rising heated air heats manure in the perforated housing 36. The chimney 20 assists in providing a draft and a constant influx of fresh air Into the toilet. The rake 50 is periodically moved to and fro to clear any blockages on the grid 46, to shred paper and to aerate the manure in the perforated housing 36. Composted material falls through the grid 46 into the drawer 24. The drawer 24 is removed from the toilet to discard the composted materia!. Any urine ϊπ the fray 30 is heated and evaporates. The drawer 24 is spaced from the tray 30, and hence any urine in the tray 30, fay drawer slides. This allows the urine to evaporate without hindrance from the drawer 24.

It will be appreciated that many modifications or variations of the invention are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAtMS

1. A composter including a liquid tank through which liquid can be circulated, the liquid tank being coupled to or containing a iiqυid heater, a perforated housing located above the liquid tank and into which perforated housing material to be composted can be discharged, a removable container interposed between the perforated housing and the liquid tank in which receptacle composted material from the perforated housing can be discharged, a cover located over the perforated housing, and a closure in the cover through which closure access can be gained to the perforated housing, so that ϊn use of the composter, air heated by ffquid in the liquid tank can pass upwardly through the composter and draw fresh air into the composter to facilitate composting of material in the perforated housing.

2. A composter according to claim 1 wherein the liquid heater is a solar heater, with a closed liquid circuit being formed between the solar heater and the liquid tank.

3. A composter according to claim 2 wherein circulating means Is provided between the solar heater and the liquid tank.

4. A composter according to claim 3 wherein the circulating means is a pump.

5. A composter according to claim 4 wherein the pump is powered by an electrical solar panel.

6. A composter according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the liquid tank has a capacity of about 10 litres.

7. A composter according to any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein the total liquid capacity of the solar heater is in the order of 30 litres.

8. A composter according to any one of claims 2 to 7 wherein the solar heater is 1 m² in size.

9. A composter according to any one of the preceding eiaims wherein insulating means Is provided below the liquid tank.

10. A composter according to claim 9 wherein the insulating means is a layer of closed-cell rubber foam.

11. A composter according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the composter is supported on a base which itself is made of an insulating material.

12. A composter according to claim 11 wherein the base is made of solid rubber.

13. A composter according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the perforated housing is supported on legs and has perforated sidewalis, an open top, and a grid located over an open bottom.

14. A composter according to claim 13 wherein the grid is formed by a plurality of spaced elongate members located at their opposite ends in apertures in opposed sidewalis of the perforated housing.

15. A composter according to claim 14 wherein the elongate members are pipes.

16. A composter according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the composter is a waterless toilet

17. A composter according to claim 16 including a chimney connected to the cover to facilitate a draft through the composter.

18. A composter according to any one of the preceding claims including a toilet seat supported on the cover, and a closure in the form of a toilet seat cover.

19. A composter according to claim 13 wherein the removable container is in the form of a drawer.

20. A composter according to claim 19 wherein the drawer is narrower than the perforated housing so that in use Vtquid in the form of urine can be discharged through apertures in the sidewalls of the perforated housing onto the liquid tank without entering the drawer.

21. A composter according to either claim 19 or claim 20 wherein the drawer contains some perforations through which any liquid entering the drawer can be discharged.

22. A composter according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the liquid tank has circumferentially upwardly extending sidewalls to form a tray within which urine can collect to be heated by hot Uquid in the liquid tank and then evaporated from the tray.

23. A composter according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the liquid which is circulated through the liquid tank is water.

24. A kit for a composter comprising a liquid tank through which liquid can be circulated, the liquid tank being connectabfe to or containing a Ifquld heater, a perforated housing for location above the liquid tank and into which perforated housing material to be composted can be discharged, a removable container interposable between the perforated housing and the liquid tank in which receptacle composted material from the perforated housing can be discharged, and a cover locatable over the perforated housing, so that in use of the composter, air heated by liquid in the liquid tank can pass upwardly through the composter and draw fresh air into the composter to facilitate composting of material in the perforated houεing.

25. A kit for a composter according to claim 24 wherein the composter is a waterless toilet

26. A kit for a composter according to ciaim 25 including a chimney, an electrical soiar panel and a pump.

27. A method of composting materials Including the steps of heating liquid in a soiar heater, circulating the heated liquid through a liquid tank located below a perforated housing containing material to be composted thereby causing an inflow of fresh air which is heated and in turn heats the material to facilitating the composting of the material.