TOILET CONCEPTS
Embodiments described herein relate to quick release toilet concepts, which can be useful particularly on-board aircraft and other passenger transport vehicles. Further embodiments relate to improved shroud components for toilets that help reduce splash. Further embodiments also relate to flushing systems for use with vacuum toilets.
1 . A toilet bowl system for use on-board a passenger aircraft, the system comprising:
(a) a toilet bowl body comprising a toilet bowl and a shroud, the toilet body configured with a quick release system to and from the passenger aircraft;
(b) the toilet bowl comprising a rim and an air diverter element configured to be positioned between the toilet bowl rim and the shroud, the air diverter element comprising an integrated rinse ring and a skirt configured to extend down over the rinse ring, the skirt comprising a lower flap, a rim-like portion, and an upwardly curved face that interfaces with the shroud, wherein an air gap is provided between the toilet bowl rim and the shroud, the air gap protected from waste splash by the skirt,
(c) the toilet bowl further comprising a hardened fluoropolymer-infused metallic surface plated to the carbon fiber reinforced plastic material.
2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a vacuum interface, wherein the toilet body and the vacuum interface are removably secured to one another via clamp features.
3 - 4 . (canceled)
5 . A toilet bowl to shroud interface, comprising:
(a) a toilet bowl with a rim;
(b) a rinse ring adjacent the toilet bowl rim;
(c) a shroud configured to be positioned over the toilet bowl and to provide a seat area for the toilet bowl;
(d) an air diverter element configured to be positioned between the toilet bowl rim and the shroud, the air diverter element comprising a skirt configured to extend down over the rinse ring, wherein the skirt comprises a lower flap, a horizontal rim-like portion, and an upwardly curved face that interfaces with the shroud, wherein an air gap is provided between the toilet bowl rim and the shroud, the air gap protected from waste splash by the skirt.
6 . The interface of claim 5 , wherein the skirt comprises a lower flap, a rim-like portion, and an upwardly curved face.
7 . A toilet bowl comprising:
a carbon fiber reinforced plastic material; and
a hardened fluoropolymer-infused metallic surface plated to the carbon fiber reinforced plastic material.
8 . The toilet bowl of claim 7 , wherein the hardened fluoropolymer-infused metallic surface comprises a teflon-impregnated nickel surface.
9 . The toilet bowl to shroud interface of claim 5 , further comprising a seal that secures the air diverter element to the shroud.
10 . The toilet bowl to shroud interface of claim 5 , wherein the lower flap, the rim-like portion, and the upwardly curved face of the air diverter element skirt collectively form a tortuous path for any waste that may attempt to migrate out of the toilet bowl and onto the shroud.