Showing papers on "Toilet published in 2003"

Community-designed, built and managed toilet blocks in Indian cities

Abstract: This paper describes the ten-year programme of communitydesigned, built and managed toilet blocks undertaken by urban poor federations and women’s cooperatives, with support from the Indian NGO SPA...

Relationship between age at initiation of toilet training and duration of training: a prospective study.

Abstract: Objective. To study the relationship between age at initiation of toilet training, age at completion of toilet training, and the duration of toilet training. Methods. A total of 406 children seen at a suburban private pediatric practice were enrolled in a study of toilet training between 17 and 19 months of age, and 378 (93%) were followed by telephone interviews with the parents every 2 to 3 months until the child completed daytime toilet training. Information obtained at follow-up interviews included how often parents were asking their child to sit on the toilet or potty and where the child urinated and defecated. Parents were considered to have initiated toilet training when they first took out a potty chair and discussed some aspect of training with the child. Intensive toilet training was defined as asking the child to use the toilet or potty >3 times per day. Results. Age of initiation of toilet training correlated with age of completion of training (r = 0.275). The correlation between age at initiation of intensive training and age at completion was even stronger (r = 0.459). Younger age at initiation of intensive toilet training was not associated with constipation, stool withholding, or stool toileting refusal. However, age at initiation of intensive toilet training was negatively correlated with duration of toilet training (r = −0.481), indicating that initiation of training at younger ages was associated with a longer duration of training. In addition, the correlation between age at initiation of intensive toilet training and age at completion of training was not significant for those who began intensive training before 27 months of age (r = 0.107). Conclusions. Early initiation of intensive toilet training correlates with an earlier age at completion of toilet training but also a longer duration of toilet training. Although earlier toilet training is not associated with constipation, stool withholding, or stool toileting refusal, initiation of intensive training before 27 months does not correlate with earlier completion of toilet training, suggesting little benefit in beginning intensive training before 27 months of age in most children.

Inclusive Urban Design: Public Toilets

Abstract: Preface Acknowledgments PART I THE PROBLEM 1. The Background, Or How we got to where we are Introduction: Background and Context Conceptualising the Problem of Public Toilets The Historical Development of Public Toilets The Development of Toilet provision within its legal context 2. Differing Perspectives on the Problem: Cultural Attitudes: Separating or Mixing Medical Perspectives: Incontinence or Incompetence Environmental Aspects: Global and Local PART II THE SOLUTIONS 3. Design and Policy Change Planning for Toilets: City-wide Macro level Disability or Disenablement? Universal Urban Design: District level Toilet Design Considerations: Micro level 4. Creating Change Management, Maintenance and Finance Change Makers, User and Provider Groups Routeways to Change KEY TO ACRONYMS BIBLIOGRAPHY TOILET LEGISLATION WEB LINKS TOILET ORGANISATION OBJECTIVES INDEX

"Toilet wars" : urban sanitation services and the politics of public-private partnerships in Ghana

Abstract: Introduction This case follows attempts over a period of twenty years to improve urban sanitation in the two largest cities of Ghana Accra and Kumasi by contracting out the management of public toilets to private business and involving community based organisations. It explains why these initiatives have failed, essentially because the franchises were captured by politicians for whom the management and control of public toilets were important sources of revenue and patronage. It suggests that the benefits of market discipline and community participation do not necessarily materialise if the state does not have the capacity to regulate and manage public/private partnerships, and community organisations lack independence. The case underlines the need for any institutional arrangements to be designed to take full account of the political and institutional context.

Palaeoparasitology in Japan: discovery of toilet features

Abstract: The development of palaeoparasitology in Japan has occurred in recent decades. Despite the fact that archaeology in Japan has been slow to develop techniques for excavating ancient toilets, important information about the development of sanitation has been derived from the analysis of a few sites. This shows that the earliest people had very simple methods of sanitation. As populations increased, sanitation became more complex. Ditches surrounding early towns were used for excrement disposal. Eventually distinct toilets were developed followed by cesspit type toilets and flushing toilets. The parasites recovered from these toilets include many species that infect humans today. These parasite spectra reflect local use of aquatic, marine, and land animals. Fecal borne disease was an increasing problem as represented by whipworm and ascarid roundworm eggs. Interestingly, ascarid roundworms were absent in the earliest cultures and only became common with rice agriculture. Finds of pollen and seeds in toilet sediments reveal the use of medicinal plants to control the emerging problem of parasites.

Sanitation and hygiene in urban and rural households in East Africa.

Abstract: Latrine possession, disposal of children's faeces and waste-water in 1015 households in 33 sites in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda were studied in 1997. Assistants conducted interviews and observed the state and use of latrines, disposal of children's faeces, wastewater, and household socio-demographic characteristics. Latrine possession was 92.4% in Uganda, 95% in Kenya and 99.5% in Tanzania. In unpiped sites, 73.5% of Ugandan, 90.5% of Tanzanian and 95% of Kenyan households had latrines. Over 30% of latrines in rural Uganda were contaminated with faeces, compared with 10% in Tanzania. More latrines in urban Kenya and Uganda had contaminated surroundings than in the rural areas. The mean number of people using a toilet in the urban areas (10) was significantly higher than in rural areas (7), (F = 45.5; P < 0.001). Toilets in Kenya and Uganda were more likely to be fouled than in Tanzania. Households where the head was an educated professional or business person, or the toilet had a door, lid or concrete wall or floor or waste water was disposed of in the latrine, were less likely to have fouled toilets. Most households disposed of the faeces safely with a few placing them in the garden or elsewhere. The study emphasises the need to promote appropriate sanitation and hygiene.

Toilet control system

Abstract: A toilet water measuring and flow control system, including leak and overflow detection and prevention elements. The system has inlet and outlet flow sensors operably connected to inlet and outlet control valves and to water level sensors to measure and control water flow to and from the toilet. Water level sensors held in a toilet tank are connected to the system to control the volume of water fed to the toilet tank and passing through the outlet. The toilet tank may be provided with a movable reservoir to more accurately control the amount of water held in the tank and exiting the tank upon flushing.

System for monitoring the health of an individual and method for use thereof

Abstract: A medical analysis system for measuring properties and constituents of urine. The system includes a toilet unit (10) mountable on a toilet bowl (4), readily attachable and detachable therefrom. The toilet unit (10) includes a collection and sampling sub-unit (1) for collecting and measuring the characteristics of urine and an electronics sub-unit (2) for data collection and processing of the measured characteristics. The toilet unit (10) also includes a means for removably fastening the collection and sampling sub-unit (1) inside a toilet bowl (4), permitting ready attachment and removal of the toilet unit (10) from a toilet bowl (4) as desired. The system also contains a wall unit (5) in communication with the toilet unit (10). The wall unit (5) includes means for storing and further processing the data, determining if changes have occurred in the measured characteristics of urine over time.

The Writing on the Stall Gender and Graffiti

Abstract: Research looking at toilet graffiti has focused on topic at the expense of a communication perspective and has also suffered from a number of methodological failings. This study sought to remedy this and integrate the research into the social identity and deindividuation model and communication accommodation theory. Graffiti were collected verbatim from adjacent male toilets, female toilets, and study booths. Strong gender differences were found for topic. Graffiti from the female toilets tended to be more polite and interactive, whereas those from the male toilets were more argumentative and negative. Gender differences in language style were more subtle but generally consistent with those found in other contexts. Gendered language was mitigated in the mixed-gender context. Topics in the mixed-gender context were a composite of the topics found in the men's and women's toilets but also included the only sexist remarks in the data.

Toilet training device

Abstract: A toilet training device has a target sensor for sensing an impact of urine, a first suction cup for securing the target sensor to a toilet, a music box for providing a feedback, and an insulated electric wire for connecting the target sensor with the music box The target sensor can be positioned unobtrusively within the toilet When a user urinates, the target sensor detects an impact of the urine when hit, and the target sensor triggers music in the music box through the insulated electric wire

Ion toilet seat

Abstract: An improved toilet seat is presented that uses an electric generator, powerable by batteries, to generate negative ions that are dispersed into the toilet bowl to achieve odor control. The seat is configured like a standard toilet seat and is designed to be low-cost.

Bowl ventilation apparatus with proximity sensor

Abstract: A toilet bowl ventilation apparatus for treating air from a toilet having an intake duct proximal to the toilet bowl, a hose for connecting the intake duct to a means for generating a vacuum, wherein the means for creating a vacuum creates a vacuum through the intake duct and the hose so as to draw air from the toilet bowl region into the intake duct and then through the hose, means for treating air that receives the air drawn from the toilet bowl by the means for creating a vacuum; and means for activating the apparatus. The toilet bowl ventilation apparatus can have a proximity sensor that can detect the presence of a person proximal to the toilet.

Waterless vacuum toilet system for aircraft

Abstract: A waterless vacuum toilet system for an aircraft includes a toilet bowl connected via a suction valve and a waste collection pipe to a waste collection tank. Waste-contacting surfaces that come into contact with urine and fecal waste are coated with an adhesion-inhibiting or adhesion-reducing nanocoating. The adhesion of waste is significantly reduced, and the need for flushing water is completely eliminated. Instead, an air jet arrangement preferably including an annular ring nozzle or annular air gap directs an airflow into the toilet bowl and along the nanocoated waste-contacting surface thereof, to “air flush” the waste material from these surfaces. The flushing airflow may be induced through the air jet arrangement into the toilet bowl by the suction applied through the suction valve. The “air flushed” toilet system substantially reduces the total system weight and eliminates the need for toilet flushing water to be carried in the aircraft.

Toilet cleaning apparatus and caddy

Abstract: A toilet cleaning apparatus and caddy is provided which includes a tool which may be held in a user's hand. A swab, which is flushable down the toilet after the cleaning process is complete, is provided which is easily attached and detached from the tool. The tool is movable to a number of operative positions which assist in the loading, holding, or removal of the swab. A caddy is also provided which can hold the tool as well as unused swabs.

Disposable toilet cleaning device with extendable handle

Abstract: A disposable toilet cleaning device is provided to clean the surfaces of a toilet which includes a handle and a telescoping arm which extends from the handle for cleaning a toilet. A cleaning head is secured to the free end of the telescoping arm and may include a cleaning chemical to effectuate cleaning of the toilet. The telescoping arm may include a flexible neck for positioning the brush head for cleaning the toilet. The components of the toilet brush may be made of a paper product and/or plastic material suitable for one use.

Toilet rim mounted toilet cleaner with extension plate

Abstract: A device for dispensing liquid toilet bowl treatment preparations from under the rim of a toilet bowl by way of the flow of water during a toilet flush is disclosed The device (10) comprises a bottle (50) that holds a liquid (58) and a base (20) that is suspended from the toilet rim and holds the bottle (50) The base has a piercing post (30) for opening a closure (54) of the bottle A wicking device (60) that is supported by the base conveys the liquid from the bottle to a dispensing position within the flow of flush water An extension plate (80) is removably secured to the base or wicking device The extension plate is dimensioned such that the extension plate is positioned within the flow of water during a toilet flush and such that at least a portion of the flow of water is directed onto the dispensing position of the wicking device during a toilet flush

Sanitary toilet seat protector

Abstract: A toilet seat cover providing sanitary protection having side flaps and a front expansion fold. A toilet seat cover made of a paper material is oversized to cover a toilet seat. Side hand flaps extend below the toilet seat and permit easy grasping of the toilet seat by a user, especially children, in stabilizing or positioning on the toilet seat. A front expansion fold permits the toilet seat cover to accommodate different sized toilets. Adhesive material may also be placed on the bottom of the toilet seat cover to prevent slipping on a toilet seat. The toilet seat cover may be folded and packaged with a disinfectant wipe, providing a convenient package for carrying and use. The present invention is suitable for use by children and adults.

Dual action toilet rim mounted toilet bowl cleaner

Abstract: A device for dispensing toilet bowl treatment preparations, such as a cleaning liquid and a liquid containing a dissolved solid cleaner, from under the rim of a toilet bowl by way of the flow of water during a toilet flush is disclosed. The device comprises a bottle that holds a liquid and a base that is suspended from the toilet rim and holds the bottle. The base has a piercing post for opening a closure of the bottle. A wicking device that is supported by the base conveys the liquid to a dispensing position within the flow of flush water. The container holds a dissolvable solid product, and is configured to permit flush water to enter the container. The container has an exit opening that permits a mixture of water and dissolved product to be released from the container into the toilet bowl.

Children who hide while defecating before they have completed toilet training: a prospective study.

Abstract: Objective To examine the incidence and age at onset of hiding while defecating in children before they have been toilet trained and its association with difficulties in toilet training. Design Prospective study. Setting Suburban private pediatric practice. Subjects Three hundred seventy-eight children aged 17 to 19 months. Methods Children were followed up by telephone interviews with the parents every 2 to 3 months until the child completed daytime toilet training. Children who were described at any follow-up telephone call as always or almost always hiding when defecating prior to completing toilet training were defined as the hiding group. The remainder of the children, who were described as never hiding or only sometimes hiding, was defined as the nonhiding group. Results Two hundred sixty-three children (69.6%) met the criteria for the hiding group. The median age at initiation of hiding for the group was 22 months. Thirty-eight began hiding before toilet training was initiated and 64 started hiding after intensive toilet training had begun. The nonhiders (115 [30.4%]) were significantly less likely to have stool toileting refusal, frequent constipation, or stool withholding. They also completed toilet training at an earlier age than the hiders (34.5 ± 5.9 months vs 38.1 ± 5.9 months;P Conclusions The behavior of hiding while defecating before completion of toilet training is associated with stool toileting refusal, constipation, and stool withholding. These behaviors may make toilet training more difficult.

Challenges of Designing Ablution Spaces in Mosques

Abstract: Followers of the religion of Islam are estimated to constitute 20– 25% of the world population. Islam is the religion of the majority in about 40 countries ~Britannica 2002!. Almost every other country in the world has a minority that follows Islam. As a relatively high percentage of Muslims regularly practice their religious duties, including prayers, there are always needs to design, build, and maintain mosques in various parts of the world. Many designers, who may or may not be Muslims, are assigned the task of designing either a mosque or—as in many Islamic countries—a praying facility that is part of a shopping mall, an exhibition hall, an airport, or other public building. As they do with other building types, those designers use common reference books ~e.g., Neufert 2000! and some specialized books ~e.g., El Gohary 2001! to acquire the needed design data. Authorities in some Islamic countries publish sets of guidelines for mosque design ~e.g., Ibraheem 1979!. These resources help designers make appropriate design decisions and assist in ensuring adequate, efficient, safe, and comfortable use of the facility. Most of these references, however, focus solely on the design of the praying space of the mosque. They typically ignore the supporting spaces for the mosque. These supporting spaces can be required, such as the toilets and ablution spaces, or optional such as a room for body washing for the dead, a library, or a classroom. Within the category of required spaces, toilet design is very much standard and the requirements are well-known to most designers. On the other hand, the ablution spaces ~an example is shown in Fig. 1! are much more challenging in their design, because they are needed for a function that many designers may not be familiar with. Unfortunately, there are no design guidelines that help designers provide users with safe and comfortable ablution spaces. Consequently, the quality of the design depends heavily on the designer’s ability to understand and familiarize himself/herself with the function of the space and his/her willingness to invest time in investigating various design alternatives. As an expected result of such a design environment, there are some well-designed ablution spaces but there are many more badly designed ones. The bad designs not only cause discomfort in using the space but can also constitute a safety hazard ~Hilliard et al. 1999!. There is a definite need to support designers with guidelines that help them provide the minimum acceptable design. This paper focuses on the prerequisite to develop such guidelines, which is the identification of the design challenges. The paper opens doors for interested researchers and designers to address the challenges with appropriate solutions. It is also a starting point for designers until comprehensive guidelines are available. Following this background, there is an explanation for the function performed in the ablution space from a design perspective. A clarification for the important and relevant ‘‘clean zone’’ concept follows. The main section of the paper identifies and discusses the design challenges and critically analyzes some commonly used design solutions. The paper ends with a summary.

Combination adjustable holder to retain premoistened wipes, toilet paper and/or air fresheners and other toilet objects adjacent a toilet

Abstract: A combination holder to be used by a person when the person is using a toilet. The preferred embodiment includes an openable container to retain objects such as premoistened wipes. Beneath the openable container is an openable ring for retaining a roll of toilet paper from which sheets of toilet paper may be dispensed as needed. Beneath the openable ring is a tray for retaining objects such as an air freshener or any other toiletries which are useful for the person while the person is using the toilet. The tray is on an adjustable wall so that the distance between the tray and the openable ring can be increased to facilitate providing more vertical room above the tray. The preferred adjustable means is a ratchet mechanism so that any multiplicity of adjustable distances can be achieved between the openable ring and the tray.

Sanitary, portable and disposable toilet seat cover, with attached wipe

Abstract: The invention is an easy to fold sanitary toilet seat cover for preventing direct contact between an individual's skin and the top and the side surfaces of a toilet seat. When unfolded, the toilet seat cover is sufficiently large to not only cover the entire elongated toilet seat, but also cover the sides of the seat. The disposable toilet seat cover comprises a polygonal annulus that is comprised of a quilted multilayer sheet having a water impervious layer and an absorbent layer, a wipe that is a detachable inner oval section that provides an opening to the toilet, and an adhesive fastening means for temporarily securing the polygonal annulus toilet seat. The water impervious layer comprises a coated layer and/or a filmic layer. The wipe detaches from an inner ovalled edge of the annulus, and is functional as a sanitary wipe or towel.

Portable toilet shelter

Abstract: A portable toilet shelter for providing complete privacy for a user having to use an outdoor toilet. The portable toilet shelter includes a side wall structure including a base sheet of material having longitudinal side edges and also having top and bottom edges and further having first sleeve portions being disposed in the base sheet of material and being adapted to be erected about a toilet; and also includes a side wall structure support assembly for supporting the side wall structure upon a ground; and further includes a roof assembly including a roof member, and also including a frame being attached to the roof member and being removably connected to the side wall structure support assembly; and also includes a fastening assembly including a fastening member being attached to the base sheet of material and roof member for closing the base sheet of material and the roof member about the toilet.

Toilet bowl cleaning apparatus

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning a toilet bowl includes a flexible, deformable conduit having a position memory. Spacers project from the conduit and bear against an inner wall of the toilet bowl to maintain pressurized water exit apertures in the conduit spaced from the inner wall and oriented toward flush water exit holes in the toilet bowl.

Sanitation concepts for separate treatment of urine, faeces and greywater

Abstract: In order to define the experiments for testing new, sustainable sanitatio n concepts a pre-study has been done. This study includes a cost comparison between two new sanitation concepts with gravity and vacuum separation toilets and the conventional system. It could be demonstrated that the new sanitation concepts may have cost advantages depending on the situation. This was a further motivation starting a pilot project in Be rlin/Brandenburg testing the above mentioned toilet systems under realistic conditions. The operation of the gravity separation toilets concept will start in the summer 2003.

Child's disposable toilet seat adaptor with side handles and fold-under flap

Abstract: A barrier comprised of a single sheet of inexpensive, disposable and foldable material, sufficient in width to rest upon the full-size toilet seat, with a central cutout sized and positioned so as to provide a smaller toilet seating surface to accommodate the buttocks of a toddler, and which is capable of supporting a child's weight as a result of such material's natural firmness and folds along the distal edge, comprises a disposable toilet seat cover/adapter. Key innovative features include side handles and a fold-under flap to secure the toilet seat in place.

Toilet seat and lid selective lifting handle

Abstract: A toilet seat lifting device, for use in lifting a toilet seat lid and selectively simultaneously lifting a toilet seat, having a housing, a handle slidably mounted within the housing, a hook attached beneath the handle and an adhesive pad located on the housing. The adhesive pad is affixed to the toilet seat lid. The user slides the handle between an outward position when only the toilet seat lid is being lifted, and an inward position where the hook engages the toilet seat so that when the handle is lifted the toilet seat will be lifted along with the toilet seat lid.