Waste transfer unit
AssigneeMAG Aerospace Industries, LLC
InventorsChristoph Goeschel, Martin Pieramico, Thomas Lee, James W. Pomeroy, Mohan Mittur
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for managing waste (including liquid, solid, and mixed waste) without using a sink, worktop, or countertop disposal feature. Specific examples provide particular use in connection with an aircraft or other vehicle galley, lavatory, or any other location in which waste that requires disposal is generated. The disclosed embodiments may be installed in an initial galley or lavatory, or they may be used to retrofit an existing environment, such that an entire new disposal system or new sink footprint is not required.
Claims30
A waste transfer unit configured to be installed above or below a sink or countertop area, comprising:
- a unit body comprising
- (a) a waste-receiving portion comprising an opening for receiving waste;
- (b) a waste-side conduit in fluid communication with the opening;
- and
- (c) a flush valve in fluid communication with the waste-side conduit when the flush valve is in its open position;
- wherein each of the waste-receiving portion, the waste-side conduit, and the flush valve are housed within the unit body;
- wherein the waste:
- receiving portion is configured to tilt, hinge, or slide away from the unit body in order to receive waste, and
- wherein the received waste is transferred to a main waste tank via vacuum through a vacuum-side conduit that is housed within the unit body or that is positioned outside the unit body,
- wherein closing of the waste-receiving portion automatically activates the flush valve or activates a periodic or delayed flush.
A waste transfer unit configured to be installed above or below a sink or countertop area, comprising:
- a unit body comprising (a) a waste receiving portion comprising an opening for receiving waste;
- and
- (b) a waste-side conduit in fluid communication with the opening and (c) a flush valve in fluid communication with the waste-side conduit when the flush valve is in its open position;
- wherein each of the waste-receiving portion, the waste-side conduit, and the flush valve are housed within the unit body;
- wherein the waste-receiving portion is configured to tilt, hinge, or slide away from the unit body in order to receive waste,
- wherein closing of the waste receiving portion creates an automatic lock between the unit body and the waste receiving portion until a flush has completed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.