Disposal of human waste by incineration

Claim 2

Incinerator toilet apparatus for human waste disposal comprising: a combustion and vaporizing first chamber receptive of waste to be incinerated and having a wall; means for producing heat in said chamber to incinerate and vaporize the waste; and an after burner, said after burner comprising duct means of substantial length extending along said wall and providing a second chamber contiguous and in heat exchange relation throughout most of its length to said first chamber into which products of combustion and vapor from the first chamber are further directed for super-heating the vapor and conversion thereof into odorless gases.

Claim 3

Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said means for producing heat comprises a burner nozzle for introducing flame into said first chamber, and means supporting solid waste in spaced generally horizontal alignment with the burner nozzle to be enveloped above and below by flame from the nozzle for incineration of the waste thereon.

Claim 4

Apparatus according to claim 2, including means for containing liquid waste separate from the solid waste and elevated within said chamber below said supporting means for vaporization by heat from the flame and adapted to receive heat thereunder as well as thereabove.

Claim 5

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for producing heat comprises a burner providing a ''''soft'''' flame to substantially fill said first chamber.

Claim 6

Apparatus according to claim 1, including means for supporting solid waste material at an elevation in said first chamber, said means for producing heat comprising a gas flame nozzle aligned in spaced relation in a generally horizontal direction with said supporting means, and deflector structure between said nozzle and supporting means controlling a flame from the nozZle to move upwardly onto and downwardly under said supporting means and envelop said supporting means and thereby the material thereon to be incinerated.

Claim 7

Apparatus for waste disposal comprising: an upwardly opening housing; an upwardly opening fire pot mounted within a lower portion of the housing; a downwardly opening toilet bowl over and discharging into said fire pot; a seat above said bowl; a cover arranged to be moved between closing relation to said seat and open relation; fire door means movable between open and closed position between said fire pot and said seat by respectively opening and closing of said cover; an elevated generally horizontal grate in said fire pot adapted to receive material thereon from said bowl; an atmospheric burner operating on ordinary or tank pressure; and means for mixing air with the gas of the burner and cooperable with said burner for producing a ''''soft'''' flame, said burner being positioned to direct the ''''soft'''' flame toward said one edge to envelop the grate above and underneath and thereby envelop material deposited thereon.

Claim 8

Apparatus for waste disposal comprising: an upwardly opening housing; an upwardly opening fire pot mounted within a lower portion of the housing; a downwardly opening toilet bowl over and discharging into said fire pot; a seat above said bowl; a cover arranged to be moved between closing relation to said seat and open relation; fire door means movable between open and closed position between said fire pot and said seat by respectively opening and closing of said cover; an elevated generally horizontal grate in said fire pot adapted to receive material thereon from said bowl; an atmospheric burner operating on ordinary or tank pressure; and means for mixing air with the gas of the burner and cooperable with said burner for producing a ''''soft'''' flame, said burner being positioned to direct the ''''soft'''' flame toward said one edge to envelop the grate above and underneath and thereby envelop material deposited thereon.

Claim 9

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first chamber has front, rear and side walls, said means for producing heat comprising a flame producing burner extending through an opening in said rear wall, said front wall having an exit opening, said duct communicating with said exit opening and extending on said front wall to one of said side walls and then extending rearwardly on and along said one side wall, and suction and exhaust means communicating with the rear end of said duct.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flame capacity of said afterburner chamber and its heat transfer relation to the combustion chamber are such as to provide for superheating the vapors therein to a temperature on the order of 1,000* F.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized by means for assuring superheating temperature on the order of 1,000* F. in said duct means.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized by the afterburner second chamber having a wall in heat transfer relation to the combustion chamber to provide for temperatures therein in a range from 950* to 1,200* F.

Claim 13

The toilet of claim 1 further characterized by said afterburner including a second heating means to assist in the combustion of gases.

Claim 14

Apparatus according to claim 1, said duct means having a wall which is common with the first chamber wall so that heating of said first chamber wall by said means for producing heat will be directly effective in said second chamber.

Claim 15

An incinerator toilet comprising: a housing including a receptacle for receiving waste; movable door means for providing access to said receptacle and closing said housing during incineration; heating means energized to supply incinerating heat to the waste and exhaust means having a blower means for carrying off products of combustion; and a control circuit including first switching means operated by said door means; a first bistable circuit connected to said first switching means and to said blower means for energizing said blower means when conditioned to one of its bistable states by said first switching means, a second bistable circuit; and second switching means connecting said first and second bistable circuits to said heating means and operated by said first and second bistable circuits to prepare an energizing circuit for said heating means; said first switching means, including first switch contacts, serially connected in said energizing circuit and operated by said door means upon closure thereof to complete said energizing circuit and effect energization of said heating means.

Claim 16

An incinerator toilet comprising: a housing including a receptacle for receiving waste; movable door means for providing access to said receptacle and closing said housing during incineration; heating means energized to supply incinerating heat to the waste and exhaust means having a blower means for carrying off products of combustion; and a control circuit including first switching means operated by said door means; a first bistable circuit connected to said first switching means and to said blower means for energizing said blower means when conditioned to one of its bistable states by said first switching means, a second bistable circuit; and second switching means connecting said first and second bistable circuits to said heating means and operated by said first and second bistable circuits to prepare an energizing circuit for said heating means; said first switching means, including first switch contacts, serially connected in said energizing circuit and operated by said door means upon closure thereof to complete said energizing circuit and effect energization of said heating means.

Claim 17

An incinerator toilet according to claim 13, including a normally closed thermostat switch serially interposed in said energizing circuit of said heating means and disposed to sense the temperature of the exhaust gaSes, said normally closed thermostat switch operated to open said energizing circuit and terminate operation of said heating means upon detection of a predetermined temperature.

Claim 18

An incinerator toilet according to claim 13, comprising an electrical supply conductor connected to said energizing circuit of said heating means, and a manually resettable normally closed heat sensitive switch serially interposed in said conductor and disposed to sense the temperature of the exhaust gases, said heat sensitive switch being operable to disable said control circuit until manually reset upon detection of a predetermined temperature.

Claim 19

An incinerator toilet according to claim 13, comprising an exhaust detection switch having a movable switch operating member disposed to detect the flow effected by said blower means, said exhaust detection switch serially connected in said energizing circuit and normally open to prevent energization of said heating means until such flow has been established.

Claim 20

An incinerator toilet according to claim 13, comprising electrical circuit means connected to said energizing circuit for electrically detecting the opening of said door means, said electrical circuit means connected to said second bistable circuit for reversing the state thereof and deenergizing said heating means upon the opening of said door means.

Claim 21

An incinerator toilet according to claim 13, wherein each of said bistable circuits includes a reset input, and comprising low temperature thermostat switch means connected to said reset inputs and disposed to sense exhaust temperature and operable to reset said bistable circuits upon cooling of the exhaust flow to a predetermined temperature.

Claim 22

An incinerator toilet according to claim 18, comprising electrical circuit means connected to said energizing circuit for electrically detecting the opening of said door means, said electrical circuit means connected to said reset input of said second bistable circuit to effect a state reversal thereof upon the opening of said door means for deenergizing said heating means, and isolation means connected between said two reset inputs to prevent resetting of said first bistable circuit and deenergization of said blower means upon the opening of said door means.

Claim 23

An incinerator toilet according to claim 13, comprising a removable chamber included in said exhaust means for collecting solids in the exhaust flow, and a switch serially connected in said energizing circuit and disposed to be closed by said chamber when said chamber is properly positioned.

Claim 24

An incinerator toilet according to claim 13, wherein said housing includes a removable cover and a cover interlock connected in series in said energizing circuit to prevent energization of said heating means with said cover removed.

Claim 25

An incinerator toilet according to claim 13, including means forming a draft passageway for said heating means and a normally closed thermostat disposed upstream of said heating means in said draft passageway and serially connected in said energizing circuit for disabling said heating means upon detection of a predetermined temperature due to a down draft condition.

Claim 26

An incinerator toilet according to claim 13, comprising a cycle termination thermostat disposed to detect exhaust temperature, said cycle termination thermostat connected to said second bistable circuit and operable to reverse the state thereof and automatically terminate the incineration cycle upon detection of a predetermined exhaust temperature.

Claim 27

An incinerator toilet comprising: an upwardly opening housing; an upwardly opening fire pot mounted within a lower portion of the housing; a toilet seat mounted on said housing over the fire pot; a cover pivotally movable between open and closed positions on said seat; a fire door mounted for movement into and out of protective relation between said seat and said fire pot; a rotary shaft; crank means connecting said shaft with said fire Door; and transmission means operative between said cover and said shaft to effect rotation of said shaft and operation of the crank means to open the fire door when the cover is moved to open position, and to enable rotation of the shaft to operate the crank means to return the fire door to closing position when the cover is closed.

Claim 28

An incinerator toilet comprising: an upwardly opening housing; an upwardly opening fire pot mounted within a lower portion of the housing; a toilet seat mounted on said housing over the fire pot; a cover pivotally movable between open and closed positions on said seat; a fire door mounted for movement into and out of protective relation between said seat and said fire pot; a rotary shaft; crank means connecting said shaft with said fire Door; and transmission means operative between said cover and said shaft to effect rotation of said shaft and operation of the crank means to open the fire door when the cover is moved to open position, and to enable rotation of the shaft to operate the crank means to return the fire door to closing position when the cover is closed.

Claim 29

An incinerator toilet according to claim 24, said transmission means including a vertically reciprocably guided plunger, a pinion corotatively carried by said shaft, a rack on said plunger meshing with said pinion, spring means normally biasing said plunger upwardly whereby to drive said shaft through said rack and pinion to operate said crank to close the fire door, a follower on the upper end of said plunger, and an actuating cam operatively connected with said cover and engaging said follower and operative when the cover is opened to act on said follower to depress said plunger in opposition to said biasing spring for thereby effecting rotation of said shaft by means of said rack and pinion to operate said crank means to open said fire door.

Claim 30

Apparatus for waste disposal comprising: an upwardly opening housing; an upwardly opening fire pot mounted within a lower portion of the housing; a downwardly opening toilet bowl over and discharging into said fire pot; a seat above said bowl; a cover arranged to be moved between closing relation to said seat and open relation; fire door means movable between open and closed position by respectively opening and closing of said cover; an elevated generally horizontal grate in said fire pot adapted to receive material thereon from said bowl; means generally horizontally aligned in spaced relation to one edge of said grate for directing flame toward said one edge to envelop the grate above and underneath and thereby envelop material deposited thereon; a pan under said grate to receive liquid waste; and means supporting said pan spaced above the bottom said fire pot; said means for directing flame being located to direct the flame also against and under said pan to vaporize the liquid waste.

Claim 31

Apparatus for waste disposal comprising: an upwardly opening housing; an upwardly opening fire pot mounted within a lower portion of the housing; a downwardly opening toilet bowl over and discharging into said fire pot; a seat above said bowl; a cover arranged to be moved between closing relation to said seat and open relation; fire door means movable between open and closed position by respectively opening and closing of said cover; an elevated generally horizontal grate in said fire pot adapted to receive material thereon from said bowl; means generally horizontally aligned in spaced relation to one edge of said grate for directing flame toward said one edge to envelop the grate above and underneath and thereby envelop material deposited thereon; a pan under said grate to receive liquid waste; and means supporting said pan spaced above the bottom said fire pot; said means for directing flame being located to direct the flame also against and under said pan to vaporize the liquid waste.

Claim 32

Apparatus according to claim 26, said pan having a diagonal wall sloping from said flame introducing means to facilitate movement of the flame to pass thereunder.

Claim 33

Apparatus for waste disposal comprising: an upwardly opening housing; an upwardly opening fire pot mounted within a lower portion of the housing; a downwardly opening toilet bowl over and discharging into said fire pot; a seat above said bowl; a cover arranged to be moved between closing relation to said seat and open relation; fire door means movable between open and closed position by respectively opening and closing of said cover; an elevated generally horizontal grate in said fire pot adapted to receive material thereon from said bowl; means generally horizontally aligned in spaced relation to one edge of said grate for directing flame toward said one edge to envelop the grate above and underneath and there-by envelop material deposited thereon; said fire pot having a wall provided with an opening; said flame directing means comprising a burner nozzle located at said opening and pointing toward said edge of the grate; and an opposite wall of the fire pot having an outlet opening therein horizontally aligned with said grate.

Claim 34

Apparatus for waste disposal comprising: an upwardly opening housing; an upwardly opening fire pot mounted within a lower portion of the housing; a downwardly opening toilet bowl over and discharging into said fire pot; a seat above said bowl; a cover arranged to be moved between closing relation to said seat and open relation; fire door means movable between open and closed position by respectively opening and closing of said cover; an elevated generally horizontal grate in said fire pot adapted to receive material thereon from said bowl; means generally horizontally aligned in spaced relation to one edge of said grate for directing flame toward said one edge to envelop the grate above and underneath and there-by envelop material deposited thereon; said fire pot having a wall provided with an opening; said flame directing means comprising a burner nozzle located at said opening and pointing toward said edge of the grate; and an opposite wall of the fire pot having an outlet opening therein horizontally aligned with said grate.

Claim 35

Apparatus according to claim 28, including a horizontal duct mounted on and extending along the wall of said fire pot in heat exchange relation and aligned with said outlet opening to receive products of combustion and vapors therefrom and providing a superheating chamber in which the vapors are converted into odorless gases.

Claim 36

Apparatus according to claim 29, in which said duct has an exit end, means providing a mixing chamber having an opening aligned with said exit end, and means providing a draft into said mixing chamber to draw the gases from said exit end and cooling air into the Mixing chamber.

Claim 37

Apparatus according to claim 30, including means supporting said mixing chamber means removably so that it can be removed from the apparatus and cleaned.

Claim 38

Incinerator toilet apparatus for human waste disposal, comprising: a combustion and vaporizing first chamber receptive of waste to be incinerated and having a wall; means for producing heat in said chamber to incinerate and vaporize the waste; duct means extending along said wall and providing a second chamber contiguous and in heat exchange relation to said first chamber into which products of combustion and vapor from the first chamber are directed for superheating the vapor and conversion thereof into odorless gases; said chamber has front, rear and side walls, said means for producing heat comprising a flame producing burner extending through an opening in said rear wall; said front wall having an exit opening; said duct communicating with said exit opening and extending on said front wall to one of said side walls and then extending rearwardly on and along said one side wall; suction and exhaust means communicating with the rear end of said duct; said suction and exhaust means comprising a vertically extending mixing chamber having provision in the lower portion thereof for communication with the rear end of the duct and for entry into the mixing chamber of cooling air; the upper portion of the mixing chamber having an exhaust opening therefrom; and exhaust suction blower fan means communicating with said exhaust opening.

Claim 39

Incinerator toilet apparatus for human waste disposal, comprising: a combustion and vaporizing first chamber receptive of waste to be incinerated and having a wall; means for producing heat in said chamber to incinerate and vaporize the waste; duct means extending along said wall and providing a second chamber contiguous and in heat exchange relation to said first chamber into which products of combustion and vapor from the first chamber are directed for superheating the vapor and conversion thereof into odorless gases; said chamber has front, rear and side walls, said means for producing heat comprising a flame producing burner extending through an opening in said rear wall; said front wall having an exit opening; said duct communicating with said exit opening and extending on said front wall to one of said side walls and then extending rearwardly on and along said one side wall; suction and exhaust means communicating with the rear end of said duct; said suction and exhaust means comprising a vertically extending mixing chamber having provision in the lower portion thereof for communication with the rear end of the duct and for entry into the mixing chamber of cooling air; the upper portion of the mixing chamber having an exhaust opening therefrom; and exhaust suction blower fan means communicating with said exhaust opening.

Claim 40

An incinerator toilet, including: a grate for maintaining solid waste material separate from and above liquid waste; a flame producing atmospheric gas burner operating on ordinary line or tank pressure and having a nozzle horizontally aligned in spaced relation to the grate; means for mixing air with the gas of the burner and cooperable with said burner for producing a ''''soft'''' flame, and means for controlling the flame from the nozzle to envelop the solid waste material on said grate both thereabove and therebelow and to evaporate the liquid waste by heat from the flame applied below the grate.

Claim 41

An incinerator toilet, including: a grate for maintaining solid waste material separate from and above liquid waste; a flame producing atmospheric gas burner operating on ordinary line or tank pressure and having a nozzle horizontally aligned in spaced relation to the grate; means for mixing air with the gas of the burner and cooperable with said burner for producing a ''''soft'''' flame, and means for controlling the flame from the nozzle to envelop the solid waste material on said grate both thereabove and therebelow and to evaporate the liquid waste by heat from the flame applied below the grate.

Claim 42

An incinerator toilet, including: a combustion and vaporizing first chamber receptive of waste for incineration; a flame producing atmospheric gas burner operating on ordinary line or tank pressure and having a nozzle positioned in said first chamber for incineration of wastes; means for mixing air with the gas of the burner and cooperable with said burner for producing a ''''soft'''' flame; means for controlling the flame from the nozzle to incinerate the solid waste material and to evaporate the liquid waste by heat from the ''''soft'''' flame when applied thereto; an afterburner, said afterburner comprising: duct means providing a second chamber into which products of combustion and vapor from the first chamber are further directed for superheating the vapor, and means for controlling the temperature in the second chamber of the afterburner in the range of 950* to 1,200* F. for rendering the gases odorless to the human sense of smell before exhausting such gases from the afterburner to atmosphere.

Claim 43

An incinerator toilet, including: a combustion and vaporizing first chamber receptive of waste for incineration; a flame producing atmospheric gas burner operating on ordinary line or tank pressure and having a nozzle positioned in said first chamber for incineration of wastes; means for mixing air with the gas of the burner and cooperable with said burner for producing a ''''soft'''' flame; means for controlling the flame from the nozzle to incinerate the solid waste material and to evaporate the liquid waste by heat from the ''''soft'''' flame when applied thereto; an afterburner, said afterburner comprising: duct means providing a second chamber into which products of combustion and vapor from the first chamber are further directed for superheating the vapor, and means for controlling the temperature in the second chamber of the afterburner in the range of 950* to 1,200* F. for rendering the gases odorless to the human sense of smell before exhausting such gases from the afterburner to atmosphere.

Claim 44

The toilet of claim 34 further characterized by said afterburner including a second heating means to assist in the combustion of gases.

Claim 45

The toilet of claim 35 further characterized by said heating means including a gas flame nozzle.

Claim 46

Incinerator toilet apparatus for human waste disposal comprising: a combustion and vaporizing first chamber receptive of waste to be incinerated and having a wall; means for producing heat in said chamber to incinerate and vaporize the waste; an afterburner comprising duct means of substantial length extending along said wall and providing a second chamber contiguous and in heat exchange relation throughout most of its length to said first chamber into which products of combustIon and vapor from the first chamber are further directed for superheating the vapor and conversion thereof into odorless gases; means defining a vertically extending mixing chamber; means effecting communication between said duct means and the lower portion of said mixing chamber and with cooling air for mixture of the cooling air with heated gases from said duct means; and suction and exhaust fan means communicating with the upper portion of said mixing chamber.

Claim 47

Incinerator toilet apparatus for human waste disposal comprising: a combustion and vaporizing first chamber receptive of waste to be incinerated and having a wall; means for producing heat in said chamber to incinerate and vaporize the waste; an afterburner comprising duct means of substantial length extending along said wall and providing a second chamber contiguous and in heat exchange relation throughout most of its length to said first chamber into which products of combustIon and vapor from the first chamber are further directed for superheating the vapor and conversion thereof into odorless gases; means defining a vertically extending mixing chamber; means effecting communication between said duct means and the lower portion of said mixing chamber and with cooling air for mixture of the cooling air with heated gases from said duct means; and suction and exhaust fan means communicating with the upper portion of said mixing chamber.

Claim 48

An incinerator toilet comprising: means including a generally horizontally disposed perforated grate for receiving material to be incinerated thereon; means defining a combustion chamber housing said grate; an atmospheric gas burner operating on ordinary line or tank pressure and having a nozzle horizontally aligned in spaced relation to one edge of said grate; and means for mixing air with the gas of the burner and cooperable with said burner for producing a ''''soft'''' flame directed toward said one edge of the grate to envelop it above and underneath and thereby envelop material deposited thereon.

Claim 49

An incinerator toilet comprising: means including a generally horizontally disposed perforated grate for receiving material to be incinerated thereon; means defining a combustion chamber housing said grate; an atmospheric gas burner operating on ordinary line or tank pressure and having a nozzle horizontally aligned in spaced relation to one edge of said grate; and means for mixing air with the gas of the burner and cooperable with said burner for producing a ''''soft'''' flame directed toward said one edge of the grate to envelop it above and underneath and thereby envelop material deposited thereon.

Claim 50

An incinerator toilet according to claim 38, including deflector baffle means on and in front of said nozzle to deflect flame therefrom partially over and partially under the grate.

Claim 51

An incinerator toilet according to claim 38, wherein said means defining a combustion chamber comprises a fire pot having an exit opening spaced from an edge of said grate opposite to the edge toward which the nozzle is directed, and a superheating chamber comprising a duct communicating with said exit opening and extending horizontally in heat-exchange relation along a wall of the fire pot for heat transfer through the wall into the superheating chamber.

Claim 52

An incinerator toilet comprising: an upwardly opening housing; an upwardly opening fire pot mounted within a lower portion of the housing; means for directing material downwardly into said fire pot; electrically controlled means operable to provide heat to incinerate such material in the fire pot; a toilet seat supported by said housing over said directing means; a cover arranged to be moved between closing relation to said seat and an open relation; a pair of fire doors movable between and open spaced apart position and a closed edge-to-edge position between said fire pot and said seat; means normally biasing said fire doors into said closed position; means for effecting movement of the fire doors and including a pair of vertically movable plungers each of which has a follower on its upper end and respective driving apparatus connecting the plunger with its fire door; respective cams connected with said cover and cooperating with said followers for actuating the plungers to open said doors in opposition to said biasing means when the cover is opened and enabling closing of the doors by action of said biasing means when the cover is closed; and respective electrical control switches for said electrically controlled means, one mounted to be operated by one of the doors and the other mounted to be operated by the other of said doors, and said switches being closed by complete closing of the respective doors which therefore must both be in said closed position before said electrically controlled means can operate.

Claim 53

An incinerator toilet comprising: an upwardly opening housing; an upwardly opening fire pot mounted within a lower portion of the housing; means for directing material downwardly into said fire pot; electrically controlled means operable to provide heat to incinerate such material in the fire pot; a toilet seat supported by said housing over said directing means; a cover arranged to be moved between closing relation to said seat and an open relation; a pair of fire doors movable between and open spaced apart position and a closed edge-to-edge position between said fire pot and said seat; means normally biasing said fire doors into said closed position; means for effecting movement of the fire doors and including a pair of vertically movable plungers each of which has a follower on its upper end and respective driving apparatus connecting the plunger with its fire door; respective cams connected with said cover and cooperating with said followers for actuating the plungers to open said doors in opposition to said biasing means when the cover is opened and enabling closing of the doors by action of said biasing means when the cover is closed; and respective electrical control switches for said electrically controlled means, one mounted to be operated by one of the doors and the other mounted to be operated by the other of said doors, and said switches being closed by complete closing of the respective doors which therefore must both be in said closed position before said electrically controlled means can operate.

Claim 54

An incinerator toilet according to claim 41, including respective rotary shafts, crank means carried by the shafts and pivotally connected with the respective fire doors, means effecting respective operative driving connections between the plungers and the shafts, and means operated by the shafts for controlling the control switches in the operation of said fire doors.