Low flow hygienic apparatus and methods

Abstract

A containment chamber and associated methods for use in, e.g., a toilet or other solid or fluid carrying structure. In one embodiment, the containment chamber comprises input and output portions, and is configured to move liquids and solids between an inlet port and an outlet port. The chamber is further configured to fill to a prescribed volume level, and has at least one shaped portion to prevent backflow (e.g., of odor) associated with the liquids and solids. A first nozzle is disposed in the containment chamber and configured to break-up the solids using a prescribed pressure level to propel the liquids and the solids from an input portion through the output portion of the containment chamber. A velocity increasing structure is disposed between the output portion and the outlet port and configured to increase an effective velocity of the liquids and solids.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a containment chamber having an input portion and an output portion, the containment chamber configured to move liquids and solids between an inlet port and an outlet port, the containment chamber further configured to fill to a prescribed volume level, and having at least one shaped portion to prevent backflow of odor associated with the liquids and solids;   a first nozzle disposed substantially in the containment chamber and configured to break up at least a portion of the solids using a prescribed pressure level to propel the liquids and the solids from the input portion through the output portion; and   a velocity increasing structure disposed substantially between the output portion of the containment chamber and the outlet port configured to increase an effective velocity of the liquids and solids.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the containment chamber further comprises a channel that increases in width from an input channel portion to and an output channel portion, the output channel portion configured to empty into the at least one shaped portion during operation. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the channel is adapted to provide a bead of the inlet liquid to moisten the channel and prevent attachment of the liquids and the solids. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the velocity increasing structure comprises an at least partially hollow structure having at one end an incline ramp to elevate the liquids and solids above the at least one shaped portion. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the velocity increasing structure further comprises a downward winding structure attached to an exit port of the incline ramp that transports the liquids and solids toward the outlet port. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one shaped portion comprises a first cross-sectional area at one end, an second cross-sectional area that is greater than the first cross-sectional area near a mid-section of the at least one shaped portion, and a third cross-sectional area that is less than the second cross-sectional area. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a user sensing unit;   a first set of jets;   a pump to increase pressure of the inlet liquid from the inlet port to the containment chamber; and   a first valve body disposed between the pump and the first set of jets, the first valve body having a first valve member capable of being moved by the user sensing unit between an open and closed position to provide the inlet liquid to the first nozzle.   
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a second valve body disposed between the pump and the first set of jets, the second valve body having a second valve member capable of being moved by the user sensing unit between an open and closed position to provide the inlet liquid to the first set of jets.   
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet port is coupled to a reservoir tank having at least a portion of its contents comprising recycled water. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inlet port is coupled to a reservoir tank having at least a portion of its contents comprising recycled water and a cleaning enzyme. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a second nozzle; and   a third valve disposed between the pump and the second nozzle, the third valve having a third valve member capable of being moved by a user sensing input between an open and closed position to provide the inlet liquid to the second nozzle.   
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first nozzle comprises apparatus capable of producing a pressure that is selected within a range of approximately 30 pounds per square inch (PSI) to 2500 pounds per square inch (p.s.i). 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first nozzle comprises apparatus capable of producing a pressure that is selected within a range of approximately 100 pounds per square inch (PSI) to 2500 pounds per square inch (p.s.i.). 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pump is capable of being selectively activated and deactivated at least partially in accordance with user instructions. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the user sensing unit comprises a switch disposed between a toilet ring and an upper portion of a toilet bowl. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein when the switch is open, the at least one shaped portion fills to a prescribed fill level to prevent odors being emitted from the containment chamber. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein when the switch is closed, the first set of jets and the first nozzle spray water to clear the solids and the liquids through the containment chamber to the outlet port. 
   
   
       18 . A method comprising:
 providing a containment chamber having an input portion and an output portion;   moving liquids and solids between an inlet port and an outlet port of the containment chamber;   filling the containment chamber to a prescribed level associated with at least one shaped portion to at least mitigate backflow of odor associated with the liquids and solids;   breaking up at least a portion of the solids using a first nozzle disposed in the containment chamber and using pressure to propel the liquids and the solids from the input portion through the output portion; and   increasing an effective velocity of the liquids and the solids utilizing a velocity increasing structure disposed substantially between the output portion of the containment chamber and the outlet port.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the containment chamber further comprises a channel that increases in width from an input channel portion to and an output channel portion, and the output channel portion empties into the at least one shaped portion. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising using the channel to provide a bead of the inlet liquid to moisten the channel and prevent attachment of the liquids and the solids. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the velocity increasing structure comprises an at least partially hollow structure having at one end an incline ramp, said ramp being used to elevate the liquids and solids above the at least one shaped portion.