US3593345A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Recirculating toilet
Assignee: Thetford LLC
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Filing: 1970-01-09
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Granted: 1971-07-20
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Expires: 1990-01-09
Abstract
Abstract A self-contained recirculating toilet system requiring no pressure water connection or holding tank installation. The system includes a toilet bowl, a tank for holding the liquid of the system and a self-cleaning pump-and-filter apparatus for circulating a quantity of relatively clear liquid to the bowl for return to the tank. The pump is adapted to be operated by a 12volt DC electrical circuit. The filtering system includes a strainer basket which is vibrated during operation of the pump in order to remain clog free.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles B Wells
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:34
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D5/00; E03D5/016
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
In a self-contained toilet system that includes a toilet bowl and a tank for holding the liquid of the system, self-cleaning pump-and-filter apparatus for circulating a quantity of relatively clear liquid from the tank to the bowl for return to the tank comprising pump means having an inlet in communication with said tank and an outlet in communication with said bowl, a strainer basket enclosing said inlet mounted for eccentric movement about an axis, and actuating means operatively associated with said pump means for moving said strainer basket eccentrically about said axis to cause vibration thereto when said pump means is circulating liquid from said tank to said bowl.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a self-contained toilet system that includes a toilet bowl and a tank for holding the liquid of the system, self-cleaning pump-and-filter apparatus for circulating a quantity of relatively clear liquid from the tank to the bowl for return to the tank comprising pump means having an inlet in communication with said tank and an outlet in communication with said bowl, a strainer basket enclosing said inlet mounted for eccentric movement about an axis, and actuating means operatively associated with said pump means for moving said strainer basket eccentrically about said axis to cause vibration thereto when said pump means is circulating liquid from said tank to said bowl.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
In a self-contained toilet system, apparatus as is defined in claim 1, wherein said pump means includes a rotary impeller adjacent to said inlet and a rotary shaft for turning said impeller, said strainer basket being mounted for eccentric movement about the axis of said shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
In a self-contained toilet system, apparatus as is defined in claim 3, wherein an eccentric is mounted on said shaft, and said strainer basket is coupled to said eccentric for movement eccentrically about said axis in response to turning of said shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
In a self-contained toilet system, apparatus as is defined in claim 3, wherein said tank has a bottom wall and said axis is inclined to said bottom wall, and said strainer basket has a circular cross section with its bottom wall perpendicular to said axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
In a self-contained toilet system, apparatus as is defined in claim 3, wherein said tank has a bottom wall and said axis is inclined to said bottom wall, and said strainer basket has a circular cross section with its bottom wall generally parallel to the bottom wall of said tank.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
In a self-contained toilet system, apparatus as is defined in claim 3, wherein said pump means has a radially inwardly opening channel adjacent to said inlet, and said strainer basket has a radially outwardly projecting lip extending into said channel for mounting said basket, said channel having an internal depth of sufficient magnitude so that said lip can move eccentrically therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
In a self-contained toilet system, apparatus as is defined in claim 6, wherein bearing rings are positioned on the upper and lower surfaces of said lip between the lip and channel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
In a self-contained toilet system, apparatus as is defined in claim 3, wherein said strainer basket has a spider at its upper end containing a central bore, and said eccentric is fitted into said bore for moving said strainer basket eccentrically during rotation of said shaft.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
In a self-contained toilet system, apparatus as is defined in claim 8, wherein said bore is aligned with said inlet to said pump and is open at opposite ends to provide a passageway for flow of filtered liquid over the surface of said eccentric.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
In a self-contained toilet system, apparatus as is defined in claim 8, wherein said strainer basket is keyed to said pump means so as to be held against relative rotation with respect thereto.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
In a self-contained toilet system, apparatus as is defined in claim 1, wherein said strainer basket defines inlet apertures which have their greatest effective cross-sectional areas at the outer surfaces of the basket and which converge inwardly to have lesser effective cross-sectional areas at the inner surfaces of the basket.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
In a self-contained toilet system, apparatus as is defined in claim 11, wherein some of said inlet apertures are longitudinal slots in the sidewalls of said strainer basket.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
In a self-contained toilet system, apparatus as is defined in claim 11, wherein some of said inlet apertures are radial slots in the bottom wall of said strainer basket.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
115 words
In a self-contained toilet system that includes a toilet bowl and a tank for holding the liquid of the system, self-cleaning pump-and-filter apparatus for circulating a quantity of relatively clear liquid from the tank to the bowl for return to the tank comprising pump means having an inlet in communication with said tank and an outlet in communication with said bowl for circulating said liquid, a strainer basket enclosing said inlet, said basket having a wall defining inlet apertures through which liquid flows continuously from the tank to the bowl while said pump means is operating, and means for vibrating the basket when the liquid flows through said apertures to impede clogging of said apertures.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
115 words
In a self-contained toilet system that includes a toilet bowl and a tank for holding the liquid of the system, self-cleaning pump-and-filter apparatus for circulating a quantity of relatively clear liquid from the tank to the bowl for return to the tank comprising pump means having an inlet in communication with said tank and an outlet in communication with said bowl for circulating said liquid, a strainer basket enclosing said inlet, said basket having a wall defining inlet apertures through which liquid flows continuously from the tank to the bowl while said pump means is operating, and means for vibrating the basket when the liquid flows through said apertures to impede clogging of said apertures.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
56 words
In a self-contained toilet system, apparatus as is defined in claim 14, wherein the means for vibrating the basket comprises a drive mechanism driven by said pump means and connected to said basket for reciprocating said wall in a path generally in alignment with the axis of the apertures during the continuous flow of the liquid.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
In a self-contained toilet system, apparatus as is defined in claim 15, wherein said apertures have a throat reduced in cross section adjacent to the inner surface of said wall.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
In a self-contained toilet system, apparatus as is defined in claim 16, wherein said apertures are slots extending longitudinally of said basket in its sidewall and radially of said basket in its bottom wall.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
In a self-contained toilet system, apparatus as is defined in claim 17, wherein the bottom wall of said basket is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said basket.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
In a self-contained toilet system, apparatus as is defined in claim 17, wherein the bottom wall of said basket is generally parallel to the bottom wall of said tank.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-19 | 1975-01-18 | 1975-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-19 | 1979-01-18 | 1979-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-19 | 1983-01-18 | 1983-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |