Odor dispersal system

Abstract

This subject apparatus is an odor dispersal unit structured primarily for toilets to function to capture odors emanating from the vicinity of the toilet bowl for purposes of eliminating obnoxious odors during and after usage, comprising in general an intake member for drawing gaseous odors from the toilet area with means to disperse such odors outside the room in which such toilet is located.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Odor disposal structures for discharge and cleansing the air in the area of a toilet are generally structured into the ceiling or wall areas in a bathroom. These structures are generally integrated or interconnected to an external venting system using suction means with reverse blowers to draw gaseous odors from the bathroom area.

One of the problems with such conventional exhaust systems is that such gaseous odors are drawn into the larger areas of the bathroom in the suction process, leaving the bathroom more odiferous in the process. In this respect, the subject invention is an improvement in the efficiency of such odor disposal systems.

It is observed that there have been a number of structures adapted to consummate odor disposal from a room or a bathroom, however, these devices have not proven to be efficient and practical for the purposes intended. The following objects are directed accordingly.

OBJECTS

It is an object of the subject invention to provide an improved device for removing odors from the area of a toilet structure or the room housing a toilet;

Still another object of the subject invention is to provide an improved toilet odor removing process;

Another object of the subject invention is to provide an improved odor dispersal system;

Still another object of the subject invention is to provide efficient and effective means for odor removal from a bathroom area;

Yet another object of the subject invention is to provide an improved apparatus for a odor disposal system from a toilet area;

A further object of the subject invention is to provide an improved device that provides optimal odor dispersal from a toilet member and the room in which the toilet is located;

Other further objects of the subject invention will become apparent from a reading of the description taken in conjunction with the claims.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is front an elevational view, in section, a toilet, on which the odor intake member is positioned;

FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of a toilet with the odor intake member installed;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the subject invention, in cross-sectional configuration, showing the toilet in FIG. 1, with the odor intake member positioned, and showing the odor intake member in section;

FIG. 4 is another top elevational view of the device as shown as positioned on a commode;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the odor intake member;

FIG. 6 is a top elevational view of one specific embodiment of the odor intake member;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the subject odor intake member.

DESCRIPTION OF GENERAL EMBODIMENT

This subject apparatus is an odor dispersal unit structured primarily for use in conjunction with toilets to function to capture odors emanating from the vicinity of the toilet bowl for purposes of eliminating obnoxious odors during and after usage and comprising in general an intake member for drawing gaseous odors from the toilet area or bathroom in which the toilet is located.

The subject invention is a centered on an odor dispersal member for a toilet. In the conventional toilet structure, a tank is positioned above the toilet bowl and is adapted to discharge the water contents thereof into the bowl when the flushing action is initiated. For this purpose, when the tank is full of water a stopper ball or flapper covers the tank discharge opening which leads to the tank discharge pipe, which in turn empties the water from the water tank into the toilet bowl. This mechanized process is directed only to the disposing of the waste products in the toilet bowl and is not directed to the process of eliminating odors from the area of the toilet or toilet bowl.

As stated, in situations wherein the water tank is full, the stopper ball or flapper covers the tank discharge opening, which prevents water emptying from the tank before the toilet flushing action is initiated. In order to prevent additional water pouring into the water tank, during the flushing process, an inlet valve covers the opening of the water supply pipe, and affixed to the inlet valve is a float device which rides on the water and activates opening of the inlet valve when the water in the tank reaches a certain level.

When the flush handle is moved downwardly for flushing action, this causes the stopper ball or flapper to be lifted from a position over the discharge opening, thereby permitting the water contents of the tank to be emptied into the bowl. While the water is in the process of emptying from the tank, the ball or flapper will rest on the water, allowing water to rush down over the discharge opening towards the bottom of the tank, and the ball. As the water level goes down, the level of the float device is lowered to its extreme downward position, which in turn causes the inlet valve to be opened to permit a fresh induction of water with the tank for filling same. These process, while not intended to do so, are helpful in eliminating some odor from the area of the toilet bowl, but are only effective for purposes of eliminating the waste products that yield the obnoxious odors that linger in and around the toilet bowl.

Alternately stated, when the water level in the tank falls completely bellow the discharge opening, the stopper ball or flapper drop over the tank discharge opening and the water will pour into the tank from the filler tube to fill same. In this flush process, the waste product in the bowl is removed, but accompanying noxious gases are not removed, fully dispersed, or eliminated in the flushing process, as gases can rise upwardly and pervade the bathroom area. Most venting systems in this regard as affixed in a bathroom when functioning cause the noxious gases to rise upwardly in the bathroom area functioning only to cause a more pervasive spread of the noxious gases.

The subject device is therefore structured as an odor intake member, having an opening that is relatively enlarged or wide to intake gases, and which intake member has a housing container and internal chamber communicating with such opening, and further interconnected to the housing member is a connecting member to hold a hose or pipe leading to a vent system generally directed to areas outside a bathroom or building.

Alternately, the subject device is a dispensing member for dispersing odors from the area of a toilet such subject structure being structured to capture odor emanating and in and around a toilet, same being structured as a housing member on an internal chamber, such dispensing housing member having one or more openings on the frontal portion, with such latter openings of the container will dispose of gas odors and safely convey same to a location outside of the bathroom or outside the building. The gaseous odors from the toilet are directed inwardly throughout the opening in the frontal portion of such housing and thence from such frontal opening or openings into a gradually narrowly channel or opening into the channel, which will generally be adapted to increase the speed and volume of the gaseous flowing into the inner chamber of the housing. As stated a plurality of such channels or opening can be integrally placed on any portion of the housing so that the gaseous odors can quickly and efficiently dissipate into such inner chamber and thence pass to the hollow tubular member and/or openings that are directed away from the housing to areas outside the building or bathroom. For this purpose the hollow chamber will in turn have openings for appropriate structuring to communicate with an upper dispersal opening or which in turn communicates with the external area of the bathroom so that there is a continuous open passage extending from inside the chamber through such exit openings or exit tubular pipes through to the outside of the bathroom. These exit openings can be formed with gradually restricted pipes as they extend away from the bathroom in order to accelerate the outward flow of gases, with a vent structuring to aid in the acceleration of such gaseous flow. Appropriate means are used to seal the housing so that the gases entering throughout the front of the housing not escape from the chamber except through the exit openings and vent pipes. The general embodiment of the invention comprises of:

(a) a housing member with an internal chamber enclosed except for entrance and exit openings such housing have one or more entrances openings to capture odors from the commode area.

(b) a frontally disposed entrance opening on the front of, or some other appropriate positioning such as for example on the bottom. Such openings or drawings adapted to draw in odors from the commode into the chamber in the housing and means are provided for an exit opening on the housing with such openings extending on the upper surface of the housing—although such upper exit opening can be positioned elsewhere, with such openings means adapted to interconnect with piping extending for such housing to areas away from the bathroom or dwelling.

(c) other means thereon accomplishes the purposes of the invention herein. As stated, the subject member can be made applicable to other areas aside from a bathroom above, such as in work or other areas where noxious gases need to be dispersed.

It is also within the scope of the subject invention to utilize a HEPA (trademark) box or other similar self contained unit within the bathroom to be functioning as a device to absorb the odors collected into the housing unit, thereby by passing the need to project the gaseous odors outside the bathroom area.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT OF THE SUBJECT INVENTION

The embodiment of the subject invention as set forth below, is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the subject invention to such description as set forth in the annexed claims. Therefore, the fact that one embodiment is described in the following description does not preclude the inclusion of other embodiments within the scope of the claims. Further, while the subject invention is a housing member for a disposal of gases as described herein, the invention can be structured and deployed other than as an odor dispersal member for toilets. Moreover, the concepts of the invention herein are not simply restricted to biological formed odors. Therefore, it is to be understood that while the subject application is primarily focused on the dispersal of odors from a lavatory area, the usage thereof shall not be so limited.

Generally stated, the subject apparatus is an odor dispersal unit structured primarily for use in conjunction with toilets to function to capture odors emanating from the vicinity of the toilet bowl for purposes of eliminating obnoxious odors during and after usage and comprising in general an intake member for drawing gaseous odors from the toilet area or bathroom in which the toilet is located.

Alternately, the subject invention is a centered on an odor dispersal member for a toilet. In the conventional toilet structure, a tank is positioned above the toilet bowl and is adapted to discharge the water contents thereof into the bowl when the flushing action is initiated. For this purpose, when the tank is full of water a stopper ball or flapper covers the tank discharge opening which leads to the tank discharge pipe, which in turn empties the water from the water tank into the toilet bowl. This mechanized process is directed only to the disposing of the waste products in the toilet bowl and is not directed to the process of eliminating odors from the area of the toilet or toilet bowl.

As stated, in situations wherein the water tank is full, the stopper ball or flapper covers the tank discharge opening, which prevents water emptying from the tank before the toilet flushing action is initiated. In order to prevent additional water pouring into the water tank, during the flushing process, an inlet valve covers the opening of the water supply pipe, and affixed to the inlet valve is a float device which rides on the water and activates opening of the inlet valve when the water in the tank reaches a certain level.

When the flush handle is moved downwardly for flushing action, this causes the stopper ball or flapper to be lifted from a position over the discharge opening, thereby permitting the water contents of the tank to be emptied into the bowl. While the water is in the process of emptying from the tank, the ball or flapper will rest on the water, allowing water to rush down over the discharge opening towards the bottom of the tank, and the ball. As the water level goes down, the level of the float device is lowered to its extreme downward position, which in turn causes the inlet valve to be opened to permit a fresh induction of water with the tank for filling same. These process, while not intended to do so, are helpful in eliminating some odor from the area of the toilet bowl, but are only effective for purposes of eliminating the waste products that yield the obnoxious odors that linger in and around the toilet bowl.

Variously stated, when the water level in the tank falls completely below the discharge opening, the stopper ball or flapper drop over the tank discharge opening and the water will pour into the tank from the filler tube to fill same. In this flush process, the waste product in the bowl is removed, but accompanying noxious gases are not removed, fully dispersed, or eliminated in the flushing process, as gases can rise upwardly and pervade the bathroom area. Most venting systems in this regard as affixed in a bathroom when functioning cause the noxious gases to rise upwardly in the bathroom area functioning only to cause a more pervasive spread of the noxious gases.

The subject device is therefore structured as an odor intake member, having an opening that is relatively enlarged or wide to intake gases, and which intake member has a housing container and internal chamber communicating with such opening, and further interconnected to the housing member is a connecting member to hold a hose orpipc leading to a vent system generally directed to areas outside a bathroom or building.

Further, the subject device is a dispensing member for dispersing odors from the area of a toilet such subject structure being structured to capture odor emanating and in and around a toilet, same being structured as a housing member on an internal chamber, such dispensing housing member having one or more openings on the frontal portion, with such latter openings of the container will dispose of gas odors and safely convey same to a location outside of the bathroom or outside the building. The gaseous odors from the toilet are directed inwardly throughout the opening in the frontal portion of such housing and thence from such frontal opening or openings into a gradually narrowly channel or opening into the channel, which will generally be adapted to increase the speed and volume of the gaseous flowing into the inner chamber of the housing. As stated a plurality of such channels or opening can be integrally placed on any portion of the housing so that the gaseous odors can quickly and efficiently dissipate into such inner chamber and thence pass to the hollow tubular member and/or openings that are directed away from the housing to areas outside the building or bathroom. For this purpose the hollow chamber will in turn have openings for appropriate structuring to communicate with an upper dispersal opening or which in turn communicates with the external area of the bathroom so that there is a continuous open passage extending from inside the chamber through such exit openings or exit tubular pipes through to the outside of the bathroom. These exit openings can be formed with gradually restricted pipes as they extend away from the bathroom in order to accelerate the outward flow of gases, with a vent structuring to aid in the acceleration of such gaseous flow. Appropriate means are used to seal the housing so that the gases entering throughout the front of the housing not escape from the chamber except through the exit openings and vent pipes. The general embodiment of the invention comprises of

(a) a housing member with an internal chamber enclosed except for entrance and exit openings such housing have one or more entrances openings to capture odors from the commode area.

(b) a frontally disposed entrance opening on the front of, or some other appropriate positioning such as for example on the bottom. Such openings or drawings adapted to draw in odors from the commode into the chamber in the housing and means are provided for an exit opening on the housing with such openings extending on the upper surface of the housing—although such upper exit opening can be positioned elsewhere, with such openings means adapted to interconnect with piping extending for such housing to areas away from the bathroom or dwelling.

(c) other means thereon accomplishes the purposes of the invention herein. As stated, the subject member can be made applicable to other areas aside from a bathroom above, such as in work or other areas where noxious gases need to be dispersed.

Attention is addressed to the drawings, and particularly FIGS. 1, and 2. Shown in such drawings is a generally conventional toilet structure 10 comprising a bowl 20 into which solid or liquid waste is deposited. The bowl 20 is conventially structured with an outer shell 30 and an internal basin 40 into which water is flushed from the water storage tank, to an inlet pipe 60 which carries fresh water into basin 40. This water basin 40 is used as a medium to temporarily hold and carry such waste into a discharge pipe to carry same to a sewer system or a septic system. The bowl 20 shown in FIG. 1 is a standard structure used for the purpose described.

As further seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 positioned in a position above and behind the bowl 20 is a water tank 100 having an internal tank chamber 110 adapted to hold fresh water to be carried into the bowl 20 when the toilet bowl contents are emptied into the discharge pipe 50. The tank 100 is also of generally conventional structure and is equipped with means to discharge the water level from the tank.

In order to accomplish the foregoing purposes, the internal chamber of 110 the tank 100 has the following structural attributes, and attention is addressed to the structural members that are adapted to consummate the flushing process. Specifically tank 100 has a discharge opening 150 at the bottom of the internal chamber 110 when opening is adapted to empty and pass fresh water from such tank chamber into the bowl 20. This discharge opening 150 links to the trap in the bowl structure, and allows the toilet bowl to be filled with fresh water in the flushing process. A stopper flap 400 covers the tank discharge opening 150 which prevents water from the tank chamber from passing through the discharge opening until such time as water is to be discharged from tank 100.

When the toilet handle 405 is manipulated, it causes lever arm 408 to rise on the distal end 409 thereof to cause the attached chain 410 to pull the stopper flap 400 upwardly to permit the full water contents in the tank 100 to be drained into the bowl 20. As the water in the tank 100 is lowered, float ball 300 is lowered on top of the water level until it extends to the bottom-most reach thereof, which will cause in turn, the fill valve 310 to open and permit water to refill the tank 100. This process describes the mechanical functioning of the conventional toilet structure, and is adapted to void the entire contents of the toilet tank 100.

In describing the housing structure incorporating the features of the subject invention, the following reference nomenclature is used. First, the word “upper” will be used in reference to the upper part of the housing of the described herein. The word “lower” will refer to those portions opposite to the “upper” part. Further in describing the subject invention, it is to be stressed that while the discussion below is centered housing for dispersal from such housing, the container and the structure described herein can be used for other purposes, as set forth above, consequently. The scope of the invention is not to be construed as being limited the type of application in the following specific embodiment as set forth below.

Referring now to the drawings in which one specific embodiment of the subject invention is shown, and particularly to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, 4, 5, and 6 housing member 500 is shown. Housing member 500 can be any type of container or house made of glass, plastic, or other substances and have any shape or configuration in addition to the specific one described below. The housing 500, as shown, is generally of conventional rectangular or parallelepiped structure, which may vary as stated, which housing 500 is generally an upright member having a relatively flat bottom 20 which is adapted to rest on a horizontal surface. The housing 500 as shown in the specific embodiment described herein is associated a rectangular member having a body portion which is generally flat on its respective ends 530 A and 530 B and flat on its respective sides 540 A and 540 B flat and rectangular on its respective upper and lower surfaces 540 A and 540 B such housing temporarily and briefly hold therein noxious gasses from passing into the said chamber as more fully discussed below. The internal chamber of the housing 560 is formed as a rectangular structure, however it can be of any general shape or configuration as the shape of the chamber may vary. At the lower part of the housing 500 is a neck portion 570, which is formed around an opening 565 that faces downwardly as the exit opening. The exit opening can be positioned elsewhere, which opening is formed on the lowermost portion of the chamber 560. This exit opening 565 has a circumferential perimeter referred to as the neck of the container. The structural configuration for housing 500 is standard.

It must be stressed at this juncture that the housing 500 may be of any shape or configuration on its outer surface, and not just an outer rectangular container structure. Moreover, the inner chamber 560 may be formed in the housing 500 other than as described above. Other variations in the overall housing structure may be utilized, as the exact shape of the outer housing structure is not critical to implementation of the invention herein.

As seen on the frontal part of the housing 500 is an entrance port 600 in the form of a relatively enlarged opening 600 with the outer circumferentially portion of the opening 600 of the container is on the frontal outer portion 610 of the housing and which opening is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of the housing 100. This outer frontal circumferential opening 600 is intentionally formed with a wide mouth, so as to have a relatively lengthy longitudinal extent to capture as much upward and flow of gases as possible. Again, the latter opening can be varied what has been described. Other forms may be used to for the mouth opening 600 in this regard.

Referring now to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, in which one embodiment of the internal structure of the subject housing 500 and the internal chamber therein. The housing 500 has one or more of the additional general elements, as described below. The first basic elements of housing 500 as stated is the entrance opening and part that leads to internal chamber 160. This internal chamber 160 has an upper surface and a lower surface 250, and is generally not generally a parallel shaped chamber

As can be seen in the drawings the base housing member 500 incorporating the chamber has a solid upper surface 300 and a solid surface 310 as a solid side wall 315 and a second solid wall 320 and a front surface 330 and a back surface 340. The front surface 330 is formed with an entrance opening 340, which leads directly into the internal chamber. The internal chamber in the housing is formed to taper or narrow as it extends in such housing member towards as outlet or exit opening 360. As stated the entrance opening and the outlet opening are the only openings communicating with the chamber from the outside thereof.

The outlet opening is formed to be a circular member to accommodate a vent pipe 400 which can extend outside the bathroom area to vent noxious gasses that enter into the opening entrance and hence to the exit opening.

The housing member has two openings in the housing generally formed in recessed portions 710 A and 710 B as seen in the drawings, these openings 405 A and 405 B extend through the recessed potions of the housing and sized and spaced apart the same distance as the fittings on a commode to accommodate a toilet seat.

The housing as thus appended in one embodiment to the upper rear portion of the commode, as seen in the drawings with the entrance opening extended frontally towards the bowel and just slightly over the back rim of the bowl-as seen in the drawings. Noxious gasses vents into the entrance of the housing opening thence the chamber and to the exit opening.

In an alternate arrangement of the subject invention, a self contained container or unit can be placed in the bathroom which is adapted to collect the gaseous odors from the housing 500 and process therein.

Claims

1. An improved structure to disperse odors from a toilet area in a bathroom, comprising:

(a) a housing member with an internal chamber enclosed and adapted to be placed on or near said toilet; said housing having an entrance opening communicating from outside said housing to said chamber to capture and draw gaseous odors into said chamber, and with said housing having an exit opening on the housing with said exit opening communicating from said chamber to areas outside said housing to vent said gaseous odors;

(b) conveyance means and leading to connected to said exit opening on said housing, said conveyance means leading to areas outside the bathroom.

2. An improved structure to disperse odors from a toilet area in a bathroom, comprising:

(a) a housing member with an internal chamber enclosed and adapted to be placed on or near said toilet; said housing having an entrance opening communicating from outside said housing to said chamber to capture and draw gaseous odors into said chamber, and with said housing having an exit opening on the housing with said exit opening communicating from said chamber to areas outside said housing to vent said gaseous odors;

(b) conveyance means connected to said exit opening on said housing, said conveyance means leading to a processing container located in said bathroom.