US3846847A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Marine toilet
Assignee: Nautron Corp
•
Filing: 1972-12-07
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Granted: 1974-11-12
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Expires: 1992-12-07
Abstract
Abstract A marine toilet having a bowl connected to a decontamination tank and a combination pump, macerator and valve operable to take clean water into the system, flush the water and effluent into the decontamination tank and at the end of a predetermined interval discharge the innocuous mixture of water and effluent from the tank overboard. A control circuit and flush button therein provide for initiating a flush cycle, a dispenser is connected into the circuit operable in response to initiation of a flush cycle to deposit chemical decontamination tablets into the water and effluent leaving the bowl at the time of flushing, and there are controls for preventing flushing in the event that the decontamination tank is filled and/or the dispenser is partially or completely empty.
Inventors
- 👤 W Tufts
- 👤 J Albertassi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:29
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D11/00; E03D11/02; E03D11/11; B; B63; B63B; B63B29/00; B63B29/16; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S4/00; Y10S4/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
233 words
In a marine toilet, a bowl open at the top and bottom, a trap connected to the bottom opening, a decontamination tank, a combination pump, maserator and valve, a conductor interconnecting the trap and tank, intake and discharge conductors connected respectively to the intake and discharge sides of the pump so that clean water entering the intake conductor passes through the valve and is delivered to the bowl by the intake side of the pump and the mixture of clean water and effluent is withdrawn from the trap into the maserator and delivered into the decontamination tank by the discharge side of the pump, said valve comprising flat plates containing parts aligned by shifting of one of the valve plates relative to the other to provide for the aforesaid introduction of clean water into the bowl and delivery of the mixture of clean water and effluent to the decontamination tank, said plates being arranged to have sliding engagement with each other and so that the edges of the ports have shearing engagement with each other and a solenoid operated plunger connected to the moveable one of the plates, said solenoid when energized being operable to slide the moveable one of the valve plates on the fixed one of the valve plates in a direction to initiate a flushing cycle and a flush button electrically connected to the solenoid operable to energize the solenoid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
233 words
In a marine toilet, a bowl open at the top and bottom, a trap connected to the bottom opening, a decontamination tank, a combination pump, maserator and valve, a conductor interconnecting the trap and tank, intake and discharge conductors connected respectively to the intake and discharge sides of the pump so that clean water entering the intake conductor passes through the valve and is delivered to the bowl by the intake side of the pump and the mixture of clean water and effluent is withdrawn from the trap into the maserator and delivered into the decontamination tank by the discharge side of the pump, said valve comprising flat plates containing parts aligned by shifting of one of the valve plates relative to the other to provide for the aforesaid introduction of clean water into the bowl and delivery of the mixture of clean water and effluent to the decontamination tank, said plates being arranged to have sliding engagement with each other and so that the edges of the ports have shearing engagement with each other and a solenoid operated plunger connected to the moveable one of the plates, said solenoid when energized being operable to slide the moveable one of the valve plates on the fixed one of the valve plates in a direction to initiate a flushing cycle and a flush button electrically connected to the solenoid operable to energize the solenoid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein there is a control circuit in which the flush button is electrically connected for initiating the flush cycle, and a switch adapted to be actuated when the decontamination tank fills to a predetermined level to disable the flush button.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
84 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, comprising a timer in the control circuit operable to de-energize the solenoid at the end of a predetermined length of time whereupon the movable valve plate is moved relative to the fixed valve plate to a position such that clean water is supplied to the decontamination tank and to the discharge conductor and simultaneously a mixture of water and effluent is withdrawn from the decontamination tank through the valve into the pump and discharged therefrom through the discharge conductor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein there is an agitator supported in the decontamination tank for keeping the water and effluent mixed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein there is a spray head mounted in the decontamination tank and a conductor connected to the pump delivers clean water to the spray head during the discharge part of the flush cycle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a tablet dispenser is interposed between the discharge side of the trap and the macerator in the line conducting the mixture of clean water and effluent from the trap to the macerator and from there through the pump to the decontamination tank by means of which decontamination tablets are dropped into the stream of mixed water and effluent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus accordiNg to claim 1, wherein there is a tablet dispenser interposed between the trap and the decontamination tank for introducing decontamination tablets into the water and effluent as it leaves the trap on its way to the decontamination tank, a control circuit in which the flush button is electrically connected for initiating a flush cycle, and switch means adapted to be actuated when the dispenser is depleted to disable the flush button.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein there is a control circuit containing a flush button for initiating a flush cycle and a recycling switch operable to effect a second flushing cycle in the event that the flush button is depressed a second time before the first flush cycle has been completed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein there is a spring seated valve element in communication with the intake conductor which blocks reverse flow of fluid in the system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein there is a flexible member interposed between the bowl and trap embodying displaceable fingers which, when undeflected, extend across the opening between the bowl and trap, forming a seal and antisplash guard.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the combination pump, macerator and valve are mounted as a unit exteriorly of the decontamination tank so as to be accessible without dismantling the toilet unit from the decontamination tank.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a cover plate mounts the combination pump, macerator and valve to the tank so as to enable removing the pump, macerator and valve from the tank to provide access to the 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) | 1977-11-11 | 1978-05-13 | 1978-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-11 | 1982-05-13 | 1982-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-11 | 1986-05-13 | 1986-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |