Patent US4376702A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4376702A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Waste disposal apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-07-01
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Granted: 1983-03-15
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Expires: 2000-07-01
Abstract
Abstract Waste disposal apparatus suitable for the collection of waste from a vacuum sewer system, which comprises a tank (1) having a waste inlet (2) and a waste outlet (10, 12) and means (4) for reducing pressure in the tank such that, in use, the waste inlet is above the level of waste in the tank and reduced pressure is maintained above the waste level and waste can thereby be drawn through the waste inlet, in which the tank further comprises an air inlet (6) through which air can be caused to pass into, and thereby cause aerobic digestion of, waste in the tank.
Inventors
- 👤 Stuart H. Small
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:54
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03F; E03F1/00; E03F1/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
Waste disposal apparatus suitable for the collection of waste from a vacuum sewer system, which comprises a tank having a waste inlet and a waste outlet, an air inlet, a separate liquid outlet near the top of the tank, and a single vacuum means for reducing pressure in the tank such that, in use, the waste inlet is above the level of waste in the tank and reduced pressure is maintained above the waste level and waste can thereby be drawn through the waste inlet, and such that, in use, the air inlet is below the level of waste in the tank, and air can be caused to pass into, and thereby cause aerobic digestion of, waste in the tank.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
Waste disposal apparatus suitable for the collection of waste from a vacuum sewer system, which comprises a tank having a waste inlet and a waste outlet, an air inlet, a separate liquid outlet near the top of the tank, and a single vacuum means for reducing pressure in the tank such that, in use, the waste inlet is above the level of waste in the tank and reduced pressure is maintained above the waste level and waste can thereby be drawn through the waste inlet, and such that, in use, the air inlet is below the level of waste in the tank, and air can be caused to pass into, and thereby cause aerobic digestion of, waste in the tank.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the pressure-reducing means is connected to the tank in a manner such that gases are removed from the tank or, when the waste reaches a predetermined level, the waste is transferred from the tank.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which there is a plurality of tanks through which the waste can pass, in sequence.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 in which the tanks are connected in a manner such that decreasingly reduced pressure can be maintained in each tank in the sequence, the pressure in the final tank being substantially ambient.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 in which the first tank in the sequence has the smallest included volume.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 in which the tanks are arranged concentrically, the first tank in the sequence being at the centre of the arrangement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in association with a vacuum-flushed lavatory.
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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) | 1986-03-14 | 1986-09-13 | 1987-03-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-03-14 | 1990-09-13 | 1991-03-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-03-14 | 1994-09-13 | 1995-03-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |