Sewage effluent distribution means

Abstract

A septic system can include an improved and more reliable apparatus for distributing effluent uniformly to a plurality of portions or fingers of a drain field. In such apparatus, an effluent container, or collection tank, is connected with the outlet of a septic tank, and an effluent-operated valve controls effluent flow from an outlet of the effluent container, or collection tank, to an effluent distribution tank which is connected to a plurality of portions, or fingers, of a sewage drain field to uniformly distribute the effluent from the septic tank to the drain field.

1 .- 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . In a septic system including an effluent-operated valve to control the flow of effluent in the system, the improvement comprising providing the effluent-operated valve with a magnet and a magnet-attractive element to assist in closing the valve. 
     
     
         8 . The improvement of  claim 7 , wherein the effluent-operated valve includes a valve outlet-forming element and a valve closure-forming element, the magnet being attached to the valve outlet-forming element and the magnet-attractive element being attached to the valve closure-forming element. 
     
     
         9 .- 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . In a septic system including an effluent-operated valve with a valve closure assembly including a buoyant element to open and close the effluent-operated valve as effluent accumulates around the valve closure element and is drained from around the valve, the improvement in which the buoyant element comprises two portions, an upper buoyant element, and a lower buoyant element, having sufficient buoyancy and spaced a sufficient distance below the upper buoyant element to extend the valve open period as the effluent drains from around the valve. 
     
     
         14 . The improvement of  claim 13 , further comprising means to stop the upward travel of the valve closure assembly at a pre-selected position as effluent accumulates around the valve closure assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The improvement of  claim 13 , further comprising a magnet and magnetic-attractive element located in the effluent-operated valve to provide a magnetic-attraction therebetween to assist in closing the effluent-operated valve as effluent is drained from around the valve.