WO1997010122A1 - Transportable bathroom - Google Patents

Abstract

A mobile ablution and toilet unit with toilet (31) and washing facilities (30, 33, 34) and cold water supply arrangement (16, 37; 36, 44) including means to supply hot and cold water to the facilities, a waste sump and waste pipe (46) from each of the fittings to a waste sump (48) and means associated with the waste sump to break up otherwise solid waste in the waste sump (48) and to pump liquid carrying the broken up material up to a higher waste outlet (50, 51, 52), the waste outlet being located in or adjacent to the structure and at a sufficient height such that the grey and black liquid after it flows from the waste outlet (52) will gravity drain to a disposal outlet.

Description

TRANSPORTABLE BATHROOM

This invention relates to temporary toilet and washing facilities.

At the present time, if a person requires temporary toilet and washing facilities, there is provided a shower cubicle which can be located at any location adjacent the facilities for provision of water.

Water which has been used in the shower is then collected at a common outlet and is let to run onto the ground directly below the cubicle. Water of this type is conventionally referred to as "grey water" in that it is normally not considered to be odiferous carrying mainly soap suds.

In addition however a toilet is usually also located in a close vicinity but because water, if the toilet is a water flush toilet, will normally be considered to be odorous and otherwise generally foul, other alternative arrangements have to be made. Conventionally, a cubicle with a chemical treatment style toilet can be provided.

The first problem with the conventional system then is that it is often either awkward or simply embarrassing to have grey water from a shower issue straight onto the ground.

The water itself carrying as it normally does, soap suds will have the effect of leaving scum and if the water is reasonably hot when it issues, then such water is both unsightly when it is left in pools adjacent the shower cubicle, and it can be fatal to plants or particular trees.

Whilst some sites are totally satisfactory, for others, it is a significant difficulty.

The problem with a toilet is more complex.

There is no doubt that conventional portable toilets are common place. However, those using chemicals are never as pleasant to use as more conventional toilets using a water flush fully plumbed system.

Further however, chemical toilets need to have liquid chemical removed and replaced.

If such a toilet is being used by a larger family on a regular basis, this then becomes a major difficulty and furthermore requires someone prepared and capable of performing the service routine.

There would be value in providing a mobile structure with facilities for showering, bathing, hand sink and toilets but grey and black water is significant problem.

One possibility would be to provide storage tanks beneath the facility with the possibility then that this should be pumped out from time to time.

The problem with this is that in order to have sufficient storage volume this would need to be located beneath the floor and this would implicitly lift the total height of any structure which in turn causes difficulties with clearance both from the point of view from getting the structure into convenient places for instance beneath roof overhangs, trees and beneath carports. Further this makes road stability more of a problem as well as height on an open road.

A further problem is that the unit then needs to be located in a position where there is relatively convenient access for a pump out vehicle to get ready access.

Further, the additional floor height makes it much more difficult for users to gain access to the especially for those who might be handicapped to achieve access.

Further however, a storage tank when filled with liquid can become very heavy indeed and while the structure can have additional support jacks when being immobilised, if these are not fully operational or are not properly located, then all of the weight might have to be taken by the suspension of a mobile vehicle and this then has to be rated for road transport purposes with the full weight to be included of a full tank.

This significantly increases the necessary costs for suspensions, wheels, and support frames and makes the concept of a mobile bathroom very expensive indeed. The problem is then to find some answer to providing mobile washing and toilet facilities which can be convenient and readily easy to use, which can be manufactured economically and which will in practice be reasonable to use.

The answer in accord with this invention is to handle the grey and black water problems in a completely different way. If there is a conventional water flush toilet, the output from a toilet includes solids. If the solids are substantially broken up by mechanical means then the liquid can then be handled and can be directed with components and pipes that are more conventional for use with clean water.

Such an approach then leads to other solutions to the problem and in particular suggests that this liquid can be fed with conventional smaller diameter and flexible piping to a collection point which could be a conventional gully to a sewage system.

This however does not answer all of the problems.

If liquid is simply fed straight into a pipe that will then lay on the ground until it reaches a gully considering that this will have to accommodate instances of being run over by vehicles. Such an action will have the result of potentially causing very high back pressure if the pipe is full of water and if this is predominantly black water, bursting of a pipe will be considered a very serious and noxious problem indeed.

This leads to providing that the liquid is first raised while with or in the immediate vicinity of the building structure and such then that the pipe will thereafter feed the liquid on a downward path to an outlet point which would be conventionally be a gully of a sewage system inlet.

In one form the invention can be said to reside in a mobile ablution and toilet unit comprising a building structure providing a bathroom including fittings comprising a toilet pan, and at least one of a shower alcove, a bath and a vanity basin, a water supply arrangement including means to supply hot and cold water to the or each fitting, a waste pipe from each of the fittings to a tank and means associated with the tank to break up otherwise solid waste and to pump liquid carrying the broken up material up to a higher waste outlet, the waste outlet being located in or adjacent to the structure and at a height such that in use the liquid after it flows from the waste outlet the liquid can then gravity feed to a disposal outlet.

By mechanically breaking up solid waste from a toilet with means associated with the pump a relatively small pipe can be used for the waste disposal hose without substantial problems with blockages.

Further by pumping the now liquid waste up to a higher waste outlet and then allowing this to drain out under gravity means that the pipe will now be normally empty (the liquid will drain away) and the thus empty pipe will be able to accommodate crushing without causing back pressures through retained liquid. For instance if a vehicle drives over the pipe pinning this between the tyres and the ground this may first trap liquid and then apply further compression which can either burst the pipe or return the pressure to the fittings in the structure with a high possibility of fracturing these. With a high waste outlet location this can also be chosen to be sufficiently high that the waste pipe to the sewage disposal can pass above head height of persons walking by the building structure which can also be of significant assistance.

In preference the building structure is integrated with a trailer including ground supporting wheels and a towing frame. By this means the portable bathroom may be transported to a location for use and easily set up for use.

In preference the fittings comprise at least a hot and cold water provided shower and a water flush type toilet. In preference there are also included a vanity basin and a bath. A hot water heating system is mounted with the building structure. Such a hot water heating system in preference is gas fired.

For a better understanding of the invention reference will now be made to a preferred embodiment which will be described with the assistance of accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a first perspective view of a mobile ablution and toilet unit (transportable bathroom) according to the embodiment; FIG. 2 shows a further perspective view of the embodiment from the rear;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the embodiment according to this invention; FIG. 4 shows a cut-away view, particularly showing the intemal components of the embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows a cut-away view from the rear of the embodiment; FIG. 6 shows a floor plan of the embodiment; FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment;

FIG. 8 shows one embodiment of a waste disposal arrangement according to this invention;

FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of a waste disposal arrangement according to this invention; and FIG. 10 is a cross section through a connector to a gully.

Now referring to the drawings a mobile ablution and toilet unit which can also be referred to as a mobile bathroom includes a building structure 1 mounted onto a trailer chassis which includes wheels 2 with appropriate suspension and a towing draft A-frame 3 so that the unit is road worthy and able to be towed on public roads and within appropriate Government regulations. The building structure 1 includes front wall 5, side walls 6 and 7, rear wall 8 and roof 9. A window is provided in each of two walls.

Main entrance door 11 is provided in the rear wall 8.

Ramp 12 with hand rails 13 is provided for personal and wheelchair access into the bathroom.

On an outside of side wall 6 a door 14 controls access to a first compartment in which are stored gas bottles 15 which are connected to a hot water service 16 mounted outside on the front wall 5 which enables hot water to be supplied to the various components.

Door 20 on the side 7 controls access to an outside storage compartment 21 in which water and sewer hoses, electric cords, tools and accessories are stored.

Door 23 on side 7 controls access to another outside compartment 24 in which the ramp 12 and rails 13 are stored during transport of the transportable bathroom.

Within the building structure is a shower alcove 30, a toilet pan 31 with associated cistern 32, a bath 33 and a vanity basin 34. Cold water supply is provided by a connection 36 and pipeline 44 to the shower 30, the system 32, the bath 33, the hot water service 16 and the vanity basin 34. Gas from the gas bottles 15 is passed through pressure regulator 40 to the water heater 16 via line 41. Hot water passes out through line 37 from the hot water service and is supplied to the shower 30, the bath 33 and the vanity basin 34.

Waste in the form of grey water from the vanity basin 34 passes through pipe 46 which passes under the bath 33, connects with the bath waste from line 47 and is passed into a small pump tank 48 which is situated behind the toilet pan 31. Waste which will be in the form of solids and water when flushed from the toilet pan 31 also is directed into tank 48 as does waste in the form of grey water from the shower alcove 30 through line 49. In the tank 48 is a macerator and pump and whenever the pump control (not shown) detects a selected water level in the tank it operates the pump so that water (which includes solids broken up into a slurry form) is pumped out of the tank 48 through a non retum valve, then through waste line 50 which passes to an outlet point 51 high up on the side of the building structure. A hose 52 can be connected to the waste connection 51 to transport sewage waste to a suitable outlet.

As shown in FIG. 8, the suitable outlet is a domestic sewage pipe 53 and riser 54 into which the pipe 52 has been connected at 55. As the sewage outlet is some distance from the portable bathroom 1 a support post 56 has been provided to support the waste pipe 52.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 the waste disposal is by means of a septic tank 57 and the pipe 52 is passed into an access hatch 58 for the septic tank.

In a different arrangement FIG. 10 shows a connection for a gully where there is a sewer pipe riser 59 connecting to a gully the connection including an elbow 60, a cast iron inspection lid 61 to which the elbow 60 is secured by back nut 62 and collar 63 embedded at ground level 64.

There are appropriate stabiliser legs so as to stabilise and support the building structure above the ground when needed.

Further, an exhaust fan in the structure located either in one of the walls or the ceiling can be included where the venting can therefore be to atmosphere and internally there can be two internal wateφroof lights or more.

By effecting a mechanical breaking up of any solids from a water flush toilet and then immediately effecting a pumping to a higher location allows for the significant advantages described. For the first time a bathroom which can be similar in comfort and conditions to conventional bathrooms with water flush toilets and hot and cold running water. These comforts can be used while being the unit is adapted to be located in many different locations including domestic gardens or otherwise environmentally sensitive areas.

The features required in accord with this invention are practical and relatively simple in application but make a very significant contribution to needs that have not hitherto not been met in this area.

It is possible that the means to break up solids from the water flush toilet are the same members that provide the pumping action. This depends upon the style of pump chosen and from a point of view of economy integration of these two functions is normally to be preferred.

Throughout this specification and the claims that follow unless the context requires otherwise, the words 'comprise' and 'include' and variations such as 'comprising' and 'including' will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims

1. A mobile ablution and toilet unit comprising a building structure providing a bathroom including fittings comprising a toilet pan, and at least one of a shower alcove, a bath and a vanity basin, a water supply arrangement including means to supply water to the or each fitting, a waste pipe from each of the fittings to a waste sump and means associated with the waste sump to break up otherwise solid waste and to pump liquid carrying the broken up material up to a higher waste outlet, the waste outlet being located in or adjacent to the structure and at a height such that in use the liquid after it flows from the waste outlet the liquid can then gravity feed to a disposal outlet.

2. A mobile ablution and toilet unit as in the immediately preceding claim further characterised in that the building structure is integrated with a trailer including ground supporting wheels and a draft frame to being drawn by a motor vehicle on roads.

3. A mobile ablution and toilet unit as in either of the preceding claims further characterised in that the fittings in the building structure comprise at least a hot shower.

4. A mobile ablution and toilet unit as in the immediately preceding claim further characterised in that there are also included a non return valve with the pump to stop water from returning into the tank.

5. A mobile ablution and toilet unit as in the immediately preceding claim further characterised in that water is pumped from the tank upon reaching a selected level within the tank.

6. A mobile ablution and toilet unit comprising a building structure which is adapted to be portable or transportable defining a bathroom and including fittings comprising a toilet pan, and at least one of a shower alcove, a vanity basin and a bath, a water supply arrangement including means to supply hot and cold water to the or each fitting as required, a waste pipe from the or each of the fittings to a tank and pump means associated with the waste sump to break up waste in the waste sump and to pump it up to a waste outlet, the waste outlet being at a substantial height on the structure such that in use grey water from the waste outlet may be directed to drain an appropriate outlet.

7. A mobile ablution and toilet unit as in the immediately preceding claim further characterised in that there is included an entrance door provided in the rear wall and a ramp for personal and wheelchair access into the bathroom.

8. A mobile ablution and toilet unit as in any one of the preceding claims further characterised in that there are included means to direct liquid waste from the vanity basin, the bath, the shower alcove and the toilet into a pump tank and there are pump means with a pump controller to effect a pumping to an overflow location above the inlet.

9. An installation including a mobile ablution and toilet unit as in any one of the preceding claims wherein there is an outlet pipe connected from the unit to extend to a sewerage inlet within the ground to provide downward self draining from the elevated waste outlet.

10. An installation including a mobile ablution and toilet unit as in any one of the preceding claims wherein there is an outlet pipe connected from the unit to extend to provide downward self draining from an elevated waste outlet to a domestic sewage pipe and riser into which outlet pipe is connected.

11. A mobile ablution and toilet unit substantially as described in the specification with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying illustrations.

12. A mobile ablution and toilet unit installation substantially as described in the specification with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying illustrations.

13. A mobile ablution and toilet unit comprising a building structure providing a bathroom including fittings comprising a toilet pan, and at least one of a shower alcove, a bath and a vanity basin, a water supply arrangement including means to supply water to the or each fitting, a waste pipe from each of the fittings to a waste sump and means associated with the waste sump to break up otherwise solid waste and to pump liquid carrying the broken up material up to a higher waste outlet.