Liner toilet

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11974703-B2
Application number	US-202017121334-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 14, 2020
Priority date	Jan 4, 2020
Publication date	May 7, 2024
Grant date	May 7, 2024

Abstract

An apparatus for a portable toilet includes a film storage compartment and a plurality of transport wheels. The film storage compartment is configured to store a liner having a tubular shape. The plurality of transport wheels is configured to transport the liner through a serpentine space. At least one of the plurality of transport wheels includes a high friction area and a hollow area.

First claim

We claim:

1. An apparatus for a portable toilet, the apparatus comprising:
a film storage compartment configured to store a liner having a tubular shape; and
a plurality of transport wheels configured to transport the liner through a serpentine space,
wherein the plurality of transport wheels includes a left upper transport wheel, a left lower transport wheel, a right upper transport wheel, and a right lower transport wheel,
wherein each of the plurality of transport wheels includes a high friction area and a hollow area, wherein the high friction area of the left upper transport wheel contacts the liner at the same time the high friction area of the right upper transport wheel contacts the liner.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the high friction area advances the liner through the serpentine space.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the hollow area provides a space for waste as the liner advances through the serpentine space.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of transport wheels includes at least one high friction area and at least two separated hollow areas.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a handle coupled to drive at least one of the plurality of transport wheels.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a spring to bias the left upper transport wheel and the right upper transport wheel together or the left lower transport wheel and the right lower transport wheel together.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the high friction area of the left lower transport wheel contacts the liner at the same time the high friction area of the right lower transport wheel contacts the liner.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the high friction area of the left lower transport wheel contacts the liner at a different time that the high friction area of the left upper transport wheel contacts the liner.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
an end plate including a slot, wherein the slot guides at least one of the plurality of transport wheels to separate from the liner.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the left upper transport wheel and the left lower transport wheel are meshed with a left pinion gear, and the right upper transport wheel and the right lower transport wheel are meshed with a right pinion gear.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein at least one of the left upper transport wheel and the right upper transport wheel are movable along a first path or at least one of the left lower transport wheel and the right lower transport wheel are movable along a second path.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the first path or the second path is curved.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the first path is concentric with the left pinon gear or the second path is concentric with the right pinion gear.

14. An apparatus for a portable toilet, the apparatus comprising:
a seat;
a film storage compartment positioned under the seat and configured to store a liner having a tubular shape; and
a plurality of transport wheels positioned under the seat configured to transport the liner through a serpentine space, wherein the plurality of transport wheels includes a left upper transport wheel, a left lower transport wheel, a right upper transport wheel, and a right lower transport wheel,
wherein at least the left upper transport wheel and the right upper transport wheel includes a drum with a high friction area and a hollow area,
wherein the high friction area of the left upper transport wheel contacts the liner at the same time the high friction area of the right upper transport wheel contacts the liner.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the hollow area is recessed into the drum.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 , further comprising:
a handle coupled to drive at least one of the plurality of transport wheels.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 , further comprising:
a spring to bias the left upper transport wheel and the right upper transport wheel together or the left lower transport wheel and the right lower transport wheel together.

18. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein at least one of the plurality of transport wheels includes at least one high friction area and at least two separated hollow areas.

19. A toilet comprising:
a seat;
a bowl;
a liner pinching system;
a plurality of transport wheels positioned under the seat configured to transport a liner through a serpentine space, wherein the plurality of transport wheels includes a left upper transport wheel, a left lower transport wheel, a right upper transport wheel, and a right lower transport wheel,
wherein at least one of the plurality of transport wheels includes a drum with a high friction area and a hollow area.

20. The toilet of claim 19 , wherein the at least one of the plurality of transport wheels includes at least one high friction area and at least two separated hollow areas.

21. The toilet of claim 19 , further comprising:
a handle coupled to drive the at least one of the plurality of transport wheels.

22. The toilet of claim 19 , further comprising:
a spring to bias the left upper transport wheel and the right upper transport wheel together or the left lower transport wheel and the right lower transport wheel together.

Assignees

• Kohler Co

Inventors

• Luettgen Michael
• Pansare Yogesh
• Borade Swapnil

Classifications

• A47K11/026 Primary

  with continuous tubular film for receiving faeces · CPC title

• A47K11/02 Primary

  Dry closets, e.g. incinerator closets · CPC title

• A47K11/04

  Room closets; Chairs with toilet conveniences or specially adapted for use with toilets, e.g. night chairs {; Closets for children, also with signalling means, e.g. with a music box, or the like} · CPC title

• Y02A50/30

  Against vector-borne diseases, e.g. mosquito-borne, fly-borne, tick-borne or waterborne diseases whose impact is exacerbated by climate change · CPC title