Toliet system

Abstract

A toilet system includes a toilet ( 10 ) and a waste bin ( 12 ) adapted to receive waste from the toilet ( 10 ). An auger ( 30 ) is arranged to operatively cooperate with the waste bin ( 12 ) whereby at least some of the waste collected in the bin ( 12 ) can be extracted via the auger ( 30 ). The waste bin ( 12 ) includes a floor ( 14,16 ) which is sloped inwardly to form a channel ( 18 ). The floor ( 14,16 ) has a plurality of perforations which allow passage of liquid therethrough. Walls ( 24,26 ) extend upwardly from a perimeter of the floor ( 14,16 ) and the auger ( 30 ) is positioned at a lower portion ( 32 ) of the channel ( 18 ).

The claims defining the invention are as follows:  
     
         1 . A toilet system including: 
 a waste bin arranged to receive waste from a toilet and including a floor being sloped inwardly to form a channel and having a plurality of perforations which allow passage of liquid therethrough; and    solid waste extraction means positioned at a lower portion of the channel and being arranged to operatively cooperate with the waste bin whereby at least some of the waste collected in the bin can be extracted.    
     
     
         2 . A toilet system according to  claim 1  wherein the waste bin has walls extending upwardly from a perimeter of the floor.  
     
     
         3 . A toilet system according to either  claim 1  or  claim 2  wherein the waste bin further includes a removable cover through which organic material may be introduced.  
     
     
         4 . A toilet system according to any preceding claim wherein the waste bin includes ventilation means to allow gas to escape from the waste bin.  
     
     
         5 . A toilet system according to any preceding claim wherein the solid waste extraction means extends through an opening in the waste bin, and is operable to extract waste collected in the bin through the opening.  
     
     
         6 . A toilet system according to  claim 1  further including a receptacle for receiving the liquid which passes through the perforations, and means for moving the liquid received in the receptacle to a cistern.  
     
     
         7 . A toilet system according to  claim 6  wherein the receptacle is divided into two chambers by a baffle.  
     
     
         8 . A toilet system according to either  claim 6  or  claim 7  wherein the receptacle includes a sump.  
     
     
         9 . A toilet system according to any preceding claim further including heating means for heating waste in the bin.  
     
     
         10 . A toilet system according to  claim 9  wherein the heating means includes a heating element disposed within the waste bin.  
     
     
         11 . A toilet system according to either  claim 9  or claim wherein the heating means includes a heating element arranged to heat an outer surface of the waste bin.  
     
     
         12 . A toilet system according to any of  claims 9  to  11  wherein the heating means is operable to periodically heat at least some of the waste in the bin to a temperature of at least about 72 degrees centigrade.  
     
     
         13 . A toilet system according to any of  claims 9  to  12  wherein the heating means is operable to maintain the waste in the waste bin at around 32 degrees centigrade.  
     
     
         14 . A toilet system according to any of  claims 9  to  13  wherein the heating means is powered by a solar panel or solar collector.  
     
     
         15 . A toilet system according to any of  claims 9  to  13  wherein the heating means is powered by mains electricity.  
     
     
         16 . A toilet system according to any preceding claim further including a rainwater tank for collecting rainwater, the collected rainwater being useable in the system.  
     
     
         17 . A toilet system according to  claim 16  wherein the rainwater is collected from a roof of a building housing the toilet system.  
     
     
         18 . A toilet system according to any preceding claim wherein the solid waste extraction means is an auger.