US3563384A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic macerator unit
Assignee: Kidde Inc
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Filing: 1968-10-03
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Granted: 1971-02-16
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Expires: 1988-10-03
Abstract
Abstract A treatment unit for use on toilets such as used in small ships including a housing having separate holding chambers with a treatment chamber disposed therebetween. A macerator reduces the size of solids in the first chamber from where the effluent flows into the treatment chamber containing a plurality of chemical tablets for purifying the effluent. The effluent then passes into the second holding chamber from which it is discharged from the unit. Sensing apparatus is provided to inactivate the macerator when the level of tablets is below a preset minimum, and a pressure operated time delay switch is utilized to initiate operation of the macerator upon an increase in pressure in the inlet to the unit.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald E Delaney
- 👤 William H Smyers Jr
- 👤 Robert C Helke
- 👤 Ronald D Russo
- 👤 Gordon R Carlson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:55
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/68; C02F1/685; C02F1/688; B; B01; B01F; B01F21/00; B01F21/20; B01F21/22; B01F25/00; B01F25/40; B01F25/42; B01F25/421; B01F25/423; B01F25/4233; E; E03; E03D; E03D9/00; E03D9/10; C02F2103/00; C02F2103/005; C02F2201/00; C02F2201/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A treatment unit for the effluent from a flushing toilet, comprising a housing having partitions therein to divide the interior into separate chambers including a first chamber, a treatment chamber adapted to receive the flow from said first chamber, an inlet to said first chamber, an outlet from said treatment chamber, macerator means associated with said first chamber for reducing solid particles in the effluent to a preset small size, said treatment chamber adapted to receive and hold solid treatment chemicals for purifying the effluent, and automatic means for sensing when the quantity of treatment chemicals is below a predetermined safe level to then inactivate said macerator means and provide a signal that the supply of treatment chemicals requires replenishing, said automatic means including a member urged into contact with the treatment chemicals to sense the level thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A treatment unit for the effluent from a flushing toilet, comprising a housing having partitions therein to divide the interior into separate chambers including a first chamber, a treatment chamber adapted to receive the flow from said first chamber, an inlet to said first chamber, an outlet from said treatment chamber, macerator means associated with said first chamber for reducing solid particles in the effluent to a preset small size, said treatment chamber adapted to receive and hold solid treatment chemicals for purifying the effluent, and automatic means for sensing when the quantity of treatment chemicals is below a predetermined safe level to then inactivate said macerator means and provide a signal that the supply of treatment chemicals requires replenishing, said automatic means including a member urged into contact with the treatment chemicals to sense the level thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
89 words
A treatment unit for the effluent from a flushing toilet as defined in claim 1 wherein said automatic means includes an electrical switch in series with the drive motor for said macerator means, a weight member adapted to rest on the treatment chemicals when the level of the chemicals is above a said predetermined level, and link means connecting said weight member to said switch so that said weight member actuates said switch when the treatment chemicals fall below said predetermined level to provide a signal to the operator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
89 words
A treatment unit for the effluent from a flushing toilet as defined in claim 1 wherein said automatic means includes an electrical switch in series with the drive motor for said macerator means, a weight member adapted to rest on the treatment chemicals when the level of the chemicals is above a said predetermined level, and link means connecting said weight member to said switch so that said weight member actuates said switch when the treatment chemicals fall below said predetermined level to terminate operations of said drive motor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
A treatment unit for the effluent from a flushing toilet as defined in claim 1 wherein means define a relatively large inlet through said housing to said treatment chamber, cap means adapted to cover and seal said opening, and said electrical switch being mounted on said cap means for removal from said housing with said cap means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
A treatment unit for the effluent from a flushing toilet as defined in claim 4 wherein a flexible diaphragm is provided to seal said Switch in said cap means to isolate said switch from contact with the effluent, said link means and said switch actuator attached to said diaphragm for actuation of said switch by said weight means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
122 words
A treatment unit for the effluent from a flushing toilet, comprising a housing, macerator means associated with said housing for reducing solid particles in the effluent to a preset small size, an electrical drive motor for said macerator means, a treatment chamber in said housing adapted to receive the flow from said macerator means, an outlet from said treatment chamber, automatic means for sensing when the quantity of treatment chemicals is below a predetermined safe level to then inactivate said macerator means and provide a signal that the supply of treatment chemicals requires replenishing, and pressure-sensing means for energizing said drive motor when pressure is above a preset level and said automatic means senses that said predetermined level exists or is exceeded.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
122 words
A treatment unit for the effluent from a flushing toilet, comprising a housing, macerator means associated with said housing for reducing solid particles in the effluent to a preset small size, an electrical drive motor for said macerator means, a treatment chamber in said housing adapted to receive the flow from said macerator means, an outlet from said treatment chamber, automatic means for sensing when the quantity of treatment chemicals is below a predetermined safe level to then inactivate said macerator means and provide a signal that the supply of treatment chemicals requires replenishing, and pressure-sensing means for energizing said drive motor when pressure is above a preset level and said automatic means senses that said predetermined level exists or is exceeded.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A treatment unit as defined in claim 6 wherein said pressure-sensing means includes time delay means for maintaining said motor in operation a preset time after the pressure in said inlet falls below said preset level.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
88 words
A treatment unit for the effluent from a flushing toilet as defined in claim 6 wherein said automatic means includes an electrical switch in series with said drive motor for said macerator means, a weight member adapted to rest on the treatment chemicals when the level of the chemicals is above a said predetermined level, and means connecting said weight member to said switch so that said weight member actuates said switch when the treatment chemicals fall below said predetermined level to terminate operations of said drive motor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
A treatment unit for the effluent from a flushing toilet as defined in claim 8 wherein means define a relatively large inlet through said housing to said treatment chamber, cap means adapted to cover and seal said opening, and said electrical switch being mounted on said cap means for removal from said housing with said cap means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
123 words
A treatment unit for the effluent from a flushing toilet, comprising a housing having partitions therein to divide the interior into a plurality of separate chambers including a macerator chamber, a treatment chamber adapted to receive the flow from said first macerator chamber, an inlet to said macerator chamber, a discharge outlet from said treatment chamber, macerator means associated with said macerator chamber for reducing solid particles in the effluent to a preset small size, said macerator means having a restricted outlet providing for discharge flow therefrom containing only particles of the preset small size or less, and pressure-sensing means for sensing when the pressure in said inlet reaches a preset level to energize said macerator means to process effluent through the unit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
123 words
A treatment unit for the effluent from a flushing toilet, comprising a housing having partitions therein to divide the interior into a plurality of separate chambers including a macerator chamber, a treatment chamber adapted to receive the flow from said first macerator chamber, an inlet to said macerator chamber, a discharge outlet from said treatment chamber, macerator means associated with said macerator chamber for reducing solid particles in the effluent to a preset small size, said macerator means having a restricted outlet providing for discharge flow therefrom containing only particles of the preset small size or less, and pressure-sensing means for sensing when the pressure in said inlet reaches a preset level to energize said macerator means to process effluent through the unit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A treatment unit as defined in claim 10 wherein said pressure sensing means is separated from the effluent by a flexible diaphragm.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-15 | 1974-08-17 | 1975-02-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-15 | 1978-08-17 | 1979-02-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-15 | 1982-08-17 | 1983-02-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |