Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~ ~o 9s/32659 2 7 9 1 4 3 2 P~l ~.. 'Cl~
SANITARY UNIT
The present invention is ~ r'~ rl with a sanitary unit f or
collecting human wa6te for subsequent ~ pos~l. Such a
sanitary unit may be in the form of a commode or potty
assembly, for example such as may be used by invalids or
inf irm persons or by children .
The majority of potties are a simple bucket shape with a
lo contoured top to fit the child's body. Human waste, i.e.
faeces and urine, is collected at the bottom of the potty
and is subsequently ~ pos~d of, for example by pouring
into a toilet.
A problem with such potties is that there is no control of
noxious odours and with time they can become dif f icult to
clean .
In a similar manner, most . '^- for use by invalids or
infirm persons are a simple bucket shape, sometimes
provided with a top or separate seat for a person to sit
on. Similar problems of odour control and cleaning can
arise with such ~
It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a sanitary unit which can reduce noxious odours
and/or can be easier to clean.
~ J~S~: 120~
W0 95132659 2 1 9 i 4 3 2
According to the present invention there is provided a
sanitary unit comprising a container for receiving human
waste, seat means disposed relative to the container such
that waste from a person sitting on the seat means is
received in the container, a water reservoir communicating
with the container by way of valve means, and valve
actuating means responsive to the weight of a person
sitting on the seat means so as to open the valve means and
release water from the reservoir into the container in
response to a person sitting on the seat means.
The reservoir may be mounted on a base, the seat means
being movable relative to the base and being connected to
the valve actuating means so as to open the valve means and
release water from the reservoir into the container in
response to a person sitting on the seat means.
The valve may incuL~ul~te a closable 1exible tube
communicating between the reservoir and the container for
the passage of water from the reservoir to the container
and the valve actuating means may comprise lever means
secured to the container and biased towards the f lexible
tube for closing the tube. The lever means may comprise an
inlet channel provided on the container for receiving water
from the flexible tube.
Alternatively, the valve means may comprise an outlet
aperture provided in the reservoir and a valve closure
Wo9~l32659 2 1 9 i 4 32 ~ 04
-- 3 --
element movable towards and away from the aperture and the
valve actuating means may comprise lever means secured to
the container and biased in a direction to urge the valve
closure element towards the outlet aperture. The lever
means may comprise an inlet channel provided on the
container for receiving water from the outlet aperture.
j;
The container may be secured to the base and be movable
relative thereto due to flexing between the base and the
o container. The container may be secured to the base in a
region of both thereof remote from the reservoir.
The sanitary unit may include means for limiting r ~,
of the container relative to the base. The limiting means
may comprise stop means provided on the base.
Alternatively, the container may be dimensioned such that
movement of the container relative to the base is limited
by e~ L of the container with a surface on which the
unit is disposed.
For a better understanding of the present invention and to
show more clearly how it may be carried into effect
reference will now be made, by way of example, to the
accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of one
embodiment of a sanitary unit according to the present
invention in use;
2 ~ 9 ~ 4 3 2 PCT~GB9!i/01204
WO 95132659
-- 4 --
Figure 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of another
embodiment of a sanitary unit according to the present
invention;
Figure 3 ~is a diagrammatic cros-sectional view of a
f urther ~rhorl i r -nt of a sanitary unit according to the
present invention;
Figure 4 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of yet a
further embodiment of a sanitary unit according to the
present invention; and
Figure 5 is an elevational view of the sanitary unit shown
in Figure 4 looking in the dir4ction of the arrow A in
Figure 4.
Figure 1 shows a sanitary unit in the form of a child's
potty comprising a water reservoir 10 with a cap 11, a
valve 12 and a container or bowl 13 for receiving human
waste. If desired, perfume or a bactericide can be added
to the water in the reservoir, for example in the form of
a slowly dissolving block which may be held, for example,
in a permeable pocket (not shown) within the reservoir.
In use, the reservoir 10 is filled with water, the cap 11
is put in place and the sanitary unit is placed onto a
suitable surface for use by the user(s).
2191432
o 95l32659 , ~ 7S~
-- 5 --
When the unit i5 sat upon by a user, the weight of the user
opens the valve 12 and water f lows from the reservoir 10
into the bowl 13 so as to provide a prp~lptprmi nPd volume of
water in the bowl.
Once the user has f inished and moved f rom the sanitary
unit, the water and waste in the bowl 13 can be removed and
the bowl 13 cleaned. The water reservoir 10 is then filled
or topped up, the reservoir cap 11 is put in place and the
unit is ready for use once again.
It will be appreciated that account should be taken of the
expected weight of the user. Thus, if the sanitary unit is
to be u6ed as a potty for a child then the weight
activation threshold should be quite low.
The sanitary unit of the present invention may conveniently
be an integrated unit to allow easy transport. I~oreover,
the unit may be weighted or may be appropriately
dimensioned to reduce the likelihood of it tipping over
during use.
Figure 2 shows a sanitary unit in the form of a child's
potty operating on the principles described in relation to
the 6anitary unit of Figure 1 and comprising a reservoir 10
which, in use, is filled with water in the manner described
above and then closed with a cap 11.
Wo9S/32659 .~ srl204 ~
219~432
-- 6 --
The reservoir is mounted above a base 20 by means of a
supporting member 21 and is provided in the lower region
thereof with an outlet tube 22. Also mounted on the base
20 is a bowl 13 which incorporates a seat 24 for the user.
The bowl 13 is secured to the base 20 in a manner which
permits movement of the bowl, and thus the seat, relative
to the base in a manner to be described in more detail
hereinafter. For example, the bowl and the base may be
made of plastics materials secured together, f or example by
lo welding, in a region 26 where they adjoin, the region 26
preferably being remote from the reservoir 10.
The bowl 13 is formed with an inlet channel 28 which
pLuLLudes from the bowl towards the reservoir lo. An upper
surface 30 of the inlet channel engages with the outlet
tube 22, the outlet tube being formed of a flexible
material at least in the region where it is engaged by the
upper surface of the inlet channel, and urges the flexible
tube upwardly against part 32 of supporting member 21 for
the reservoir 10 so as to close the flexible part of the
outlet tube 22 and form a valve 12.
The base 20 is provided with an inclined edge 34 in a
region thereof remote from the region 26 to engage with the
bowl 13 and urge the sides of the bowl apart.
In use of the sanitary unit of Figure 2, the reservoir lo
is f illed with water, the cap 11 is put in place and the
~ Wo95l3~6s9 2 1 9 1 4 3 2 PcrlGB9~/01204
-- 7 --
sanitary unit is placed onto a suitable surface for use by
the user ( s ) .
When a user sits on the seat 24 of the unit, the weight of
the user causes the bowl 13 to flex relative to the base 20
and to pivot about the region 26. Pivoting of the bowl 13
causes the upper surface 30 of the inlet channel 28 to move
away from the part 32 of supporting member 21 and to allow
the f lexible part of the outlet tube 22 to open and water
flows from the reservoir L0 into the bowl 13 so as to
provide a predetermined volume of water in the bowl.
Flexing of the bowl 13 relative to the base 20 i5 limited
becau6e as the bowl flexes the sides of the bowl are urged
L,L~ sively apart by the inclined edge 34 of the base and
this progressive spacing of the sides of the bowl 13
progressively increases resistance to further ,~/~ L.
Thus, resistance to initial flexing of the bowl 13 relative
to the base 20 is relatively low, but increases
progressively as flexing increases and therefore it is
relatively easy for a young child to open the valve 12, but
relatively difficult for an older, and heavier, child to
flex the bowl excessively. In any event, if desired the
base and/or the bowl can be provided with means to limit
relative flexing, for example by engagement between the
bottom 3 6 of the bowl and the base or by engagement between
the sides of the bowl and the surf ace on which the unit is
placed .
~ 1 9 1 4 3 2 TIGB95/0120t
wo 95l3~6s9 PC
-- 8 --
Once the user has finished and moved away from the unit,
the water and waste in the bowl 13 can be removed and the
bowl 13 cleaned. The water reservoir is then filled or
topped up, the reservoir cap 11 is pùt in place and the
unit is ready for u$e once again.
Figure 3 shows a sanitary unit in the f orm of a child ' s
potty similar to that shown in Figure l and comprising a
reservoir 10 which, in use, is filled with water in the
manner described in relation to Figure l and then clo6ed
with a cap ll.
The reservoir is mounted above a base 20 by means of a
supporting member 21 and is provided in the lower region
thereof with an outlet 40. Also mounted on the base 20 is
a bowl 13 which incorporates a seat 24 for the user. As
with the embodiment of Figure 2, the bowl 13 is secured to
the base 20 in a manner which permits movement of the bowl,
and thus the seat, relative to the base. For example, the
bowl and the base may be made of plastics materials secured
together, for example by welding, in a region 26 where they
adjoin, the region 26 preferably being remote from the
reservoir 10.
The bowl 13 is formed with an inlet channel 28 which
protrudes from the bowl towards the reservoir 10. The
region of the end of the inlet channel 28 remote from the
bowl 13 is provided with a flexible seal 42 which is urged
.
204
~ Wo9sl326s9 2 1 9 1 4 3 2 PCTIGB95/01
_ 9
upwardly towards the underside of the reservoir 10 so as to
close the outlet 40 of the reservoir and form a valve 12.
As an alternative to the flexible seal being provided on
the inlet channel 28, the outlet 40 of the reservoir may be
provided with a f lexible valve seat which engages with
valve closure means provided on the inlet channel.
The base 20 is provided with an inclined edge 34 ~ re~Ally
in a region thereof remote from the region 26 to engage
with the bowl 13 and urge the sides of the bowl apart.
In use of the sanitary unit of Figure 3, the reservoir 10
is filled with water, the cap 11 is put in place and the
sanitary unit is placed onto a suitable surface for use by
the user ( 5 ) .
When a user sits on the seat 24 of the unit, the weight of
the user causes the bowl 13 to flex relative to the base 20
and to pivot about the region 26. Pivoting of the bowl 13
causes the flexible seal 42 to move away from the outlet 40
of the reservoir thus allowing the valve 12 to open and
water f lows from the reservoir 10 into the bowl 13 50 as to
provide a predetermined volume of water in the bowl.
Flexing of the bowl 13 relative to the base 20 is limited
because as the bowl f lexes the sides of the bowl are urged
p~ u~L-=s~ively apart by the inclined edge 34 of the base ~md
Wo 95~32659 2 1 9 1 4 3 2 PCr/GBss/0l204
-- 10 --
this progressive spacing of the sides of the bowl 13
yLo-~L~ ively increases resistance to further movement.
Thus, resistance to initial flexing of the bowl 13 relative
to the base 20 is relatively low, but increases
~LvyLessively as ~lexing increases and therefore it is
relatively easy for a young child to open the valve 12, but
relatively difficult for an older, and heavier, child to
flex the bowl excessively. In any event, the base and/or
the bowl can be provided with means to limit relative
flexing, for example by e.. ~ 1 between the bottom 36 of
the bowl and the base or by engagement between the sides of
the bowl and the surface on which the unit is placed.
Once the user has finished and moved away from the unit,
the water and waste in the bowl 13 can be removed and the
bowl 13 cleaned . The water reservoir is then f illed or
topped up, the reservoir cap 11 is put in place and the
unit is ready for use once again.
Fiyures 4 and s show a sanitary unit in the ~orm of a
child ' s potty similar to that shown in Figure 3 and
comprising a reservoir 10 which, in use, is filled with
water in the manner described in relation to Figure 1 and
then closed with a cap 11 provided in a cover 50.
The reservoir is mounted above a base 20 by means of a
supporting member 21 and is provided in the lower region
thereof with an outlet 40. Also mounted on the base 20 is
PCT/GB95/0120.~
~ W095~3'1fiS9 2 1 9 ~ ~ ~ 2
-- 11 --
a bowl 13 which incorporates a seat 24 f or the user . As
with the e-' ~ir-nt of Figure 3, the bowl 13 is secured to
- the base 20 in a manner which permits movement of the bowl,
and thus the seat, relative to the base. In this respect,
the bowl and the base may be made of plastics materials
secured together, for example by welding, in a reyion 26
where they adjoin, the region 26 preferably being remote
from the reservoir lo.
The bowl 13 is formed with an inlet channel 28 which
protrudes from the bowl towards the reservoir 10. The
region of the end of the inlet channel 28 remote from the
bowl 13 is provided with a flexible seal 42 which is urged
upwardly towards the underside of the reservoir lo so a6 to
close the outlet 40 of the reservoir and form a valve 12.
As an alternative to the flexible seal being provided on
the inlet channel 28, the outlet 40 of the reservoir may be
provided with a f lexible valve seat which engages with
valve closure means provided on the inlet channel.
The base 20 is provided with an inclined edge 34 especially
in a region thereof remote from the region 26 to engage
with the bowl 13 and urge the sides of the bowl apart.
The base 20 of the sanitary unit shown in Figures 4 and 5
is incomplete in that it is effectively restricted to a rim
around the periphery of the base of the bowl and does not
Wo9sl326s9 ? 1 9 1 4 3 2 ~ PCT/Cs9~0l204
-- 12 --
extend beneath the bowl. Such an arrangement has the
advantage that it permits 6tacking of the sanitary units
which reduces the storage space requirements.
In use of the sanitary unit of Figures 4 and ~, the
reservoir lo is filled with wàter, the cap 11 is put in
place and the sanitary unit is placed onto a suitable
surface for use by the user(s).
When a user sits on the seat 24 of the unit, the weight of
the user causes the bowl 13 to flex relative to the base 20
and to pivot about the region 26. Pivoting of the bowl 13
causes the flexible seal 42 to move away from the outlet 40
of the reservoir thus allowing the valve 12 to open and
water flows from the reservoir 10 into the bowl 13 so as to
provide a predetPrmin~cl volume of water in the bowl.
Flexing of the bowl 13 relative to the base 20 is limited
because as the bowl f lexes the sides of the bowl are urged
~uLu~L~s~ively apart by the inclined edge 34 of the base and
this L,IoyL~ssive spacing of the sides of the bowl 13
progressively increases resistance to further movement.
Thus, resistance to initial flexing of the bowl 13 relative
to the base 20 is relatively low, but increases
progressively as flexing increases and therefore it is
relatively easy for a young child to open the valve 12, but
relatively difficult for an older, and heavier, child to
flex the bowl excessively. In any event, the bowl is
~ w09sl3~6s9 2 T ~ t 4 3 2 r~l ~ C G,~04
-- 13 --
provided with means to limit relative f lexing by engagement
between the bottom 36 of the bowl and the surface on which
the unit is placed.
Once the user has finished and moved away from the unit,
the water and wa6te in the bowl 13 can be removed and the
bowl 13 cleaned. The water re6ervoir is then filled or
topped up, the reservoir cap 11 is put in place and the
unit i6 ready f or u6e once again .
Thu6, the 6anitary unit according to the pre6ent invention
provide6 a prede~rmi n~cl amount of water in the bottom of
the wa6te-receiving bowl. The water not only ~u~Lesse6
odour6, but al60 make6 the bowl more ea6y to clean.
Although the 6anitary unit of the pre6ent invention ha6
been de6cribed and illu6trated in respect of a child ' s
potty, the present invention is also applicable to, 'e~
for the elderly or infirm and offers the same advantages of
odour control and being more readily cleaned.
.
