Part of toilet bowl for removing foul odor of excrement

A toilet odor removing device is provided a valve including a spring biased plunger and a water chamber disposed around the plunger; an odor rejection and overflow assembly mounted downstream of the valve and communicating therewith; and a blower mounted downstream of the odor rejection and overflow assembly and communicating therewith. In response to an activation of the blower and sucking odor into the plunger, the plunger slides to increase a volume of the water chamber with the odor being prevented from passing through the odor rejection and overflow assembly.

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Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to bathroom odor removing and air freshening devices and more particularly to a device for removing odor out of a toilet with improved characteristics.

2. Description of Related Art

Toilet odor removing devices are well known. Over the years many patents are disclosed for solving this problem. For example, there is a conventional device which can exhaust foul air or re-circulates it by a blower (or fan). There is another conventional device which is built into the toilet and utilizes the plumbing as an exhaust duct. There is another conventional device which is both installed and cooperates with components of the toilet tank to perform an air freshening function. Further, a mechanical timer is utilized to shut the blower off after a predetermined period of time. There is another conventional device which utilizes vents in the toilet seat to remove air from the toilet bowl. Both air filtration and recirculation of the air as well as exhausting the air to the outside is disclosed. There is another conventional device wherein withdrawn air is forced into the sewer line below the toilet. Alternatively, the withdrawn air is exhausted by a blower into a separate exhaust duct. There is another conventional device having a floor mounted device which includes an inlet disposed at the toilet bowl rim and a deodorizing filter for removing odors from the re-circulated air.

However, a number of drawbacks have been found in the conventional toilet odor removing devices. In detail, many require cooperation with or modification of toilet components as the seat, the water tank or the associated sewer line. Regardless of the device, significant and costly modification to existing equipment is necessary. Further, many of the devices which exhaust air necessitate the construction of an exhaust duct specifically for this purpose. This adds to the overall installation cost and complexity of such a device. Finally, few of the devices include adjustable features which permit their installation and use upon varying toilet configurations. Thus, the need for improvements in the technology of toilet odor removal still exists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a device for removing odors from air in a toilet bowl environment, comprising a valve comprising a spring biased plunger and a water chamber disposed around the plunger; an odor rejection and overflow assembly mounted downstream of the valve and communicating therewith; and a blower mounted downstream of the odor rejection and overflow assembly and communicating therewith; wherein in response to an activation of the blower and sucking odor into the plunger, the plunger slides to increase a volume of the water chamber with the odor being prevented from passing through the odor rejection and overflow assembly.

In a first aspect of the invention the odor rejection and overflow assembly comprises a central passage being upstream of the blower and communicating with the plunger, an annular trough mounted on the valve and communicating with the passage, and a hollow cylindrical member partially disposed in the trough.

In a second aspect of the invention the trough is divided into an inner region and an outer region by the cylindrical member.

In a third aspect of the invention an elevation difference between top of the trough and a water level of the inner region of the trough is about 0 mm to 30 mm.

In a fourth aspect of the invention an elevation difference between bottom of the cylindrical member and a water level of the inner region is about 5 mm to 50 mm.

In a fifth aspect of the invention a cross-section of water in the outer region is greater than 415 mm2.

In a sixth aspect of the invention further comprises a supply line for supplying water to the trough.

In a seventh aspect of the invention the valve comprises the plunger having a central tunnel as an odor removal path, a rubber seal provided for sealing a joining portion of the plunger and a base, a support provided in the plunger and having a top above top of the plunger, a waterproof seal sealingly disposed between top of the support to the top of the plunger, an annular divider plate provided on an intermediate portion of a peripheral surface of the plunger, and a cylindrical outer frame provided on an outer edge of the divider plate to define an upper chamber in cooperation with the divider plate, an upper portion of the plunger, and an upper limit member.

In an eighth aspect of the invention the cylindrical outer frame further defines the water chamber in cooperation with the divider plate, a lower limit member provided on an intermediate portion of the plunger with the plunger slidably passing through, a portion of the plunger below the divider plate, and a lower portion of the outer frame, and further comprising a helical spring biased in the upper chamber.

In a ninth aspect of the invention further comprises a drain on the lower limit member and opposite to an inlet of the water chamber.

In a tenth aspect of the invention the drain comprises a cup-shaped housing having a plurality of ports, a sliding sealing rubber, and a spring having one end anchored on an inner surface of the housing and the other end secured to the sealing rubber to block an outlet of the water chamber so that the sealing rubber slides to compress the spring to open the water chamber for exiting water.

In an eleventh aspect of the invention the drain is operated automatically.

In a twelfth aspect of the invention further comprises an activated charcoal filter above the passage and the odor rejection and overflow assembly and a water suction prevention assembly.

In a thirteenth of the invention the water suction prevention assembly comprises an upper block member including a plurality of port members, and a lower block member having a plurality of port elements communicating with the port members so that water components in the odor is prevented from sucking into the activated blower.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically depicts a toilet odor removing device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1 where the blower activates to draw foul air;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 3 where water pressure in the lower chamber has increased beyond a safe limit to automatically open the drain to exit water, and the plunger lifts due to the creation of negative pressure in foul air removal path;

FIG. 4 is a schematic side elevation of the cylindrical member and the trough;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the drain and adjacent portion of the lower chamber where the drain is closed;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 where the drain is open to relieve excessive water pressure of the lower chamber;

FIG. 11 is a schematic side elevation of a water suction prevention assembly;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line G-G of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F-F of FIG. 11; and

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line H-H of FIG. 11.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 14, a toilet odor removing device in accordance with the invention comprises the following components as discussed in detail below.

A base 11 and a valve 40 on the base 11 are provided. Further, an odor rejection and overflow assembly 4 is provided around a top of the valve 40. A blower 1 is provided over the odor rejection and overflow assembly 4 and communicates with the interior of the channel 1. The odor rejection and overflow assembly 4 comprises an annular trough 29 mounted on the valve 40. A passage 17 is partially surrounded by the trough 29. Two opposite overflow outlets 3 are provided on the peripheral surface of the trough 29 to flow excessive water from the trough 29 to the passage 17. A hollow cylindrical member 28 is partially provided in the trough 29. A passageway 31 is provided in the passage 17. An annular exit 30 is defined between the peripheral surface of the trough 29 and the peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 28. Overflow may flow from the trough 29 into the passageway 31 via the overflow outlets 3 and further into a toilet bowl for drain. The blower 1 thus can completely draw odor in the toilet due to the creation of negative pressure in the passage 17 by the provision of the exit 30. It is envisaged by the invention that the problems of overflow and insufficient odor elimination of conventional toilets are solved.

As shown in FIG. 5, an elevation difference between the water level in the trough 29 and the water level in the cylindrical member 28 is created due to above negative pressure after activating the blower 1. Negative pressure p can be expressed by a hydrostatic pressure equation p=ρgh wherein h is height of a column of liquid, ρ is density of water, and g is local gravity. An elevation difference 32 between the bottom of the cylindrical member 28 and a water level of water contained in the cylindrical member 28 is about 5 mm to 50 mm. Cross-section of water in the exit 30 has an area of greater than 415 mm2. A path from the exit 30 to the passageway 31 has a cross-section of greater than 415 mm2 and preferably, it is between 415 mm2 and 2,000 mm2. An elevation difference 44 between the top of the trough 29 and the overflow outlet 3 is about 0 mm to 30 mm.

A supply line 15 is provided to have one end on the top of the odor rejection and overflow assembly 4. Water can flow to the supply line 15 to the trough 29 when water in the trough 29 is below a predetermined low level. Otherwise, the blower 1 may not function well.

The valve 40 comprises a seat, a plunger 9 having a central tunnel 16 as a downstream of an odor removal path 6, a rubber seal 10 provided for sealing a joining portion of the plunger 9 and the base 11, a support 13 provided in the plunger 9 and having a top above the top of the plunger 9, a waterproof seal 14 sealingly disposed between the top of the support 13 to the top of the plunger 9, an annular divider plate 91 provided on an intermediate portion of the peripheral surface of the plunger 9, a cylindrical outer frame 92 provided on an outer edge of the divider plate 91 to define an upper chamber 34A in cooperation with the divider plate 91, an upper portion of the plunger 9, and an upper limit member 41, and a lower chamber 34B in cooperation with the divider plate 91, a lower limit member 7 provided on an intermediate portion of the plunger 9 (in an inoperative position of the device as shown in FIG.) with the plunger 9 slidably passing through, a portion of the plunger 9 below the divider plate 91, and a lower portion of the outer frame 92, and a helical spring 5 biased in the upper chamber 34A. Water can be supplied to the lower chamber 34B via an inlet 12 thereof. A rubber seal 33 is provided on the bottom of the upper limit member 41 and top of the lower limit member 7 to sealingly engage with the outer surface of the outer frame 92. The plunger 9 may slide upward in response to the air sucking effect of the blower 1. And in turn, the spring 5 is compressed. This in turn creases the volume of the lower chamber 34. Thus, more water may flow into the lower chamber 34B from the inlet 12. And in turn, water pressure in the lower chamber 34B increases due to the increased water therein.

A drain 8 is provided on the lower limit member 7 and opposite to the inlet 12. As shown in FIG. 9, comprises a cup-shaped housing 35, a sliding sealing rubber 37, and a spring 36 having one end anchored on an inner surface of the housing 35 and the other end secured to the sealing rubber 37 to block an outlet of the lower chamber 34B. A plurality of ports 351 are provided on the housing 35. Thus, the sealing rubber 37 may slide to compress the spring 36 to open the lower chamber 34 if water pressure in the lower chamber 34 increases beyond a safe limit. Thereafter, water may flow from the lower chamber 34, the housing 35, and the ports 351 for release. The pressure release operation of the drain 8 will be stopped automatically when the water pressure in the lower chamber 34 drops to a value equal to or below the safe limit. At the same time, the sealing rubber 37 slides in an opposite direction to block the outlet of the lower chamber 34 due to the expansion of the energized spring 36.

An activated charcoal filter 2 is provided above the passage 17 and the odor rejection and overflow assembly 4. There is further provided a water suction prevention assembly 45 including an upper block member 43 including a plurality of port members 431, and a lower block member 44 having a plurality of port elements 441 communicating with the port members 431. The filter 2 can eliminate odor out of air flow 42 when the device activates. The water suction prevention assembly 45 can prevent water from sucking into the blower 1 in operation.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, there are provided an inlet valve 24, an outlet port 23 of the inlet valve 24, a hydraulic switch 20, a control cable 21 electrically connected to the switch 20, two lines 22 in which one line 22 interconnects the outlet port 23 and the switch 20 and the other line 22 interconnects the switch 20 and the inlet 12, a connector 18 extending out of the switch 20, and a cable 19 interconnecting the connector 18 and the blower 1.

While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device for removing odors from air in a toilet bowl environment, comprising:

a valve comprising a spring biased plunger and a water chamber disposed around the plunger;
an odor rejection and overflow assembly mounted downstream of the valve and comprising a central passage communicating with the plunger; and
a blower mounted downstream of the odor rejection and overflow assembly and communicating with the odor rejection and overflow assembly;
wherein in response to an activation of the blower and sucking odor into the plunger, the plunger slides to increase a volume of the water chamber with the odor being prevented from passing through the odor rejection and overflow assembly.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the odor rejection and overflow assembly comprises the central passage being upstream of the blower, an annular trough mounted on the valve and communicating with the passage, and a hollow cylindrical member partially disposed in the trough.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the trough is divided into an inner region and an outer region by the cylindrical member.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein an elevation difference between top of the trough and a water level of the inner region of the trough is about 0 mm to 30 mm.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein an elevation difference between bottom of the cylindrical member and a water level of the inner region is about 5 mm to 50 mm.

6. The device of claim 3, wherein a cross-section of water in the outer region is greater than 415 mm2.

7. The device of claim 2, further comprising a supply line for supplying water to the trough.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the valve comprises the plunger having a central tunnel as an odor removal path, a rubber seal provided for sealing a joining portion of the plunger and a base, a support provided in the plunger and having a top above top of the plunger, a waterproof seal sealingly disposed between top of the support to the top of the plunger, an annular divider plate provided on an intermediate portion of a peripheral surface of the plunger, and a cylindrical outer frame provided on an outer edge of the divider plate to define an upper chamber in cooperation with the divider plate, an upper portion of the plunger, and an upper limit member.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the cylindrical outer frame further defines the water chamber in cooperation with the divider plate, a lower limit member provided on an intermediate portion of the plunger with the plunger slidably passing through, a portion of the plunger below the divider plate, and a lower portion of the outer frame, and further comprising a helical spring biased in the upper chamber.

10. The device of claim 9, further comprising a drain on the lower limit member and opposite to an inlet of the water chamber.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the drain comprises a cup-shaped housing having a plurality of ports, a sliding sealing rubber, and a spring having one end anchored on an inner surface of the housing and the other end secured to the sealing rubber to block an outlet of the water chamber so that the sealing rubber slides to compress the spring to open the water chamber for exiting water.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the drain is operated automatically.

13. The device of claim 1, further comprising an activated charcoal filter above the passage and the odor rejection and overflow assembly and a water suction prevention assembly.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the water suction prevention assembly comprises an upper block member including a plurality of port members, and a lower block member having a plurality of port elements communicating with the port members so that water components in the odor is prevented from sucking into the activated blower.

Patent History
Publication number: 20120311775
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 17, 2011
Publication Date: Dec 13, 2012
Inventors: Hui Li (Wenzhou), Qingyong Cai (Wenzhou)
Application Number: 13/579,563
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Unitary With Flush Supply To Bowl (4/349)
International Classification: E03D 9/05 (20060101);