CROSS-REFERENCE This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/123,291 filed May 19, 2008 which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The embodiments of the present invention relate to air circulation systems, more specifically, to an air ventilation device for controlling odors and airborne feces near a toilet.
BACKGROUND Various systems and devices have been proposed to treat foul odors associated with a conventional toilet. Although generally effective in operation, such systems and devices have relatively complex structures or cannot be easily and properly attached to the toilet. Moreover, such systems and devices may not effectively address the foul air surrounding the toilet when the toilet is in use. Other systems are also ineffective handling airborne feces which can accumulate in and around toilets including accompanying rooms.
As such, there exists a need for an air ventilation device for use with a toilet to effectively control odors and airborne feces near a toilet.
SUMMARY Accordingly, a first embodiment of the present invention is an air ventilation apparatus comprising: one or more ducts disposed about a toilet, said ducts configured to receive one or more gases and airborne feces; and a motorized means, said motorized means operable to direct said one or more gases and airborne feces through said one or more ducts. In one embodiment, the one or more ducts are integrated within said toilet's under rim and pan regions. The motorized means may include a fan, blower or suction devices, wherein the one or more gases include, but are not limited to air, oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and ammonia.
A second embodiment of the present invention discloses an air ventilation system comprising: a toilet having under rim and pan regions; one or more ducts integrated within said under rim and pan regions, said ducts configured to receive one or more gases and airborne feces; and a motor operable to direct one or more gases and airborne feces near said toilet through said one or more ducts.
The motorized means may include a fan, blower or suction devices, wherein the one or more gases include, but are not limited to, air, oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and ammonia.
Another embodiment may further include a pressurized means coupled to said motorized means, said pressurized means operable to actuate said motorized means. The pressurized means can include an on/off switch or a pressurized switch disposed about a toilet seat of said toilet. Depending on the embodiment, one or more filters may be disposed about said one or more ducts, said filters adaptable to control the odor and capture airborne feces around said toilet.
Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates an upper view of a toilet rim having a plurality of apertures and openings;
FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a toilet incorporating an air ventilation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the toilet of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 illustrates another side view of the toilet of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of an urinal incorporating an air ventilation apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate front and rear views of a portable toilet incorporating an air ventilation apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate two different types of vent tubes for the portable toilet of FIGS. 6A-6B;
FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-section view of the vent tubes of FIGS. 7A-7B;
FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-section view of a filter for the vent tubes of FIGS. 7A-7B;
FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a toilet with a fan and air vents according to the embodiments of the present invention; and
FIG. 11 illustrates another cross-sectional view of a toilet with a fan and air vents according to the embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential character thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive.
FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a toilet bowl 10 including an under rim region 12 having a plurality of apertures 14 and openings 16 disposed thereabout. The apertures 14 and openings 16 can be uniformly or randomly situated about the under rim region 12 as desired. In one instance, the apertures 14 are capable of serving as drain holes or water outlets 14, which allow water to be released into a body 18 of the toilet bowl 10 during flushing/rinsing. Additionally, the apertures 14 can also prevent the unit 10 from overflowing. The openings 16 are capable of serving as input holes or air inlets 16 that are capable of receiving air, and other gases, and airborne feces around the toilet bowl 10 as represented by the arrows. The types of gas include oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and ammonia. The purposes of the apertures 14 and openings will become more apparent in subsequent figures and discussion. It will be appreciated that the apertures 14 and openings 16 can be formed by drilling, boring or milling techniques as known by one skilled in the art. In the alternative, the apertures 14 and openings 16 may be formed by molding said apertures 14 and openings 16 into the toilet bowl 10 during the manufacturing process.
FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a toilet 40 incorporating an air ventilation apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The toilet 40 includes a toilet bowl 10 similar to that shown in FIG. 1, the toilet bowl 10 having a central body 18 that can be coupled to a toilet pan 20 for passing waste and other materials collected by said central body 18. The waste byproduct can accordingly be expelled from the toilet pan 20 via a central duct 22 out to a drain pipe 24 as commonly understood. Like above, the toilet bowl 10 includes a plurality of water outlets 14 and air inlets 16 for dispensing water and receiving air and other gases and airborne feces, respectively, as described above. Although the plurality of apertures 14 and openings 16 are integrated within the under rim region 12 of the toilet bowl 10, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the apertures 14 and openings 16 can be fabricated as extensions and externally coupled to the toilet bowl 10. In other words, external pipes and ducts (not shown) having corresponding apertures 14 and openings 16 may be coupled to the sides of the toilet bowl 10 for serving the same functions as those described above.
In this embodiment, one or more channels 26 can be fabricated within the toilet pan 20 by drilling, boring or other techniques similar to those described above. The plurality of channels 26 correspond to the plurality of air inlets 16 such that a left channel 26a leads to a left air inlet 16a, a right channel 26b leads to a right air inlet 16b, and front/back channels 26c, 26d lead to front/back air inlets 16c, 16d, respectively. The channels 26 and inlets 16 can be configured with more or fewer channels 26 and inlets 16 as desired. In other instances, the channels 26 and inlets 16 may be integrated or coupled as separate standalone components. In one example, the channels 26 converge on a central duct 22 such that any material that enters the inlets 16, e.g., air or other gases and airborne feces, can be expelled out of the central duct 22. The channels 26 may wrap around or be offset from the central duct 22 as necessary. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the channels 26 can be configured or oriented as necessary within the toilet pan 20.
FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the toilet 40 of FIG. 2. As shown from this angle, the flow of air or other gases and airborne feces through the openings 16 and channels 26 can be facilitated by a motorized means 28 encased within a housing 30 fabricated of ceramic, metal or plastic. Although the motorized means 28 can be situated within a pathway of the central duct 22 as illustrated, it is understood that the motorized means 28 and associated housing 30 can be disposed about other areas of the toilet pan 20 as feasible. The type of motorized means 28 can include fans, blowers and air suction devices capable of being powered by an external source. The fan, blower or suction device 28 can also be powered by batteries. Other mechanical devices 28 capable of air suction or air discharge can also be incorporated. The housing 30 helps to ensure that the motorized means 28 does not come in contact with water or other waste byproduct as such material travels down the central duct 22. Additionally, a hingeable door 32 can be positioned adjacent to the housing 30 to allow access to the motorized means 28 and to also ensure that water and other waste byproduct do not make contact with the motorized means 28 should such material back up within the central duct 22.
In another embodiment, the housing 30 may not be necessary and a recess or cavity may be molded within the toilet pan 20 for housing said motorized means 28. In another example, an access panel (not shown) can be situated on the side of the toilet pan 20 as to provide access to the motorized unit 28 for repair, replacement or other diagnostic work when needed.
FIG. 4 illustrates another side view of the toilet 40 of FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the motorized means 28 is coupled to a pressurized means 44, the pressurized means 44 being integrated about a toilet seat 42 of the toilet 40. In one example, the pressurized means 44 is coupled to the rim of the toilet seat 42. In another example, the pressurized means 44 is a pressurized switch (e.g., pressurized springing means) disposed about the bottom of the toilet seat 42 such that when a person sits on the toilet seat 42, the weight of the user on the toilet seat 42 actuates the pressurized means 44 thereby activating the air suction device 28. When the user raises off of the toilet seat and the corresponding weight is removed from the toilet seat 42, the pressurized means 44 is accordingly released thereby deactivating the air suction device 28. In the alternative, the pressurized means 44 can be an on/off switch (not shown) for manually turning on and off the motorized means 28, the on/off switch 44 being situated on the toilet 40 or a wall of the restroom. In other embodiments, motion sensors (not shown) can be incorporated about the restroom or surrounding areas of the toilet 40 for activating the motorized means 28.
In operation, the air ventilation apparatus of the present invention provides a down draft that pulls air from around the toilet bowl 10 into the channels 26. The air, including air having bad odor associated with waste, and airborne feces, enter the one or more openings 16 disposed about an under rim region 12 of the toilet bowl 10, into the channels 26, out the central duct 22 and subsequently the external sewer line 24. The ventilation process can be further facilitated by the air suction device 28, which provides additional suction power and can be automatically or manually triggered as described above. The air ventilation apparatus is able to keep the bathroom area smelling clean without the use of chemicals, which are considered by many to be harmful to persons and pets with respiratory problems, as well as to the environment. It also protects persons against the accumulation of unhealthy airborne feces. Although described as a down draft system, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the air ventilation apparatus can also be an up draft system such that an air blower can be incorporated as a motorized means 28 for dissipating any foul odor and airborne feces that may linger around the toilet bowl 10, the air being blown and discharged from the one or more openings 16 disposed about the under rim region 12 in a reverse manner as described above.
FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of a urinal 50 incorporating another embodiment of the air ventilation apparatus according to the present invention. The urinal 50 includes a body 52 for depositing urine, water and other byproducts. A plurality of air inlet apertures 54 are disposed about the border of the body 52 for the passage of air and other gases similar to those described above. Although airborne feces is not necessarily generated at the urinal, the system and filter may still be employed to capture any airborne feces which may escape the toilet area. The apertures 54 can be interconnected via a plurality of internal passageways 56 that are formed within the body 52 using molding techniques as can be appreciated by one skilled in the art. The inner passageways 56 can also be formed via drilling, milling or boring methods. Air and other gases and airborne feces are drawn toward the bottom of the urinal 50 via a motorized means 58 in a similar fashion as that described above. In other instances, the motorized means 58 can be situated elsewhere about the urinal 50 as desired or feasible to control the odor about the urinal 50. The captured air is then directed through the sewer line associated with the urinal 50.
FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate perspective and side internal views of the system according to the embodiments of the present invention. Fan housing cover 90 provides access to the fan 88 for maintenance if required. Wire 99 provides power to the fan 88. As shown, a fan 88 is installed in the exhaust duct 89 positioned and configured to force the air received from openings 16 into the exhaust duct 89 which carries the air from the area in which the toilet is installed. Duct 91 carries water and solids into a sewage drain 92 while air flow, represented by arrows A, rises naturally and/or is pulled into elongated vent 95 by the fan 88 (or blower or suction device). The elongated vent 95 runs substantially parallel to the duct 91 and includes an opening in communication with the duct 91. The vent 95 may incorporate one or more filters to capture particulates. An electronic eye switch 93 as known in the art is shown installed on a wall proximate the toilet and acts to automatically flush the toilet. Thus, the fan 88 is the only moving part in one embodiment. IN another embodiment, a spring-based flapper valve 97 (movable in direction B) prevents gases, water and/or solids from backing up into the toilet from duct 91. Advantageously, the toilet may be molded as a single unit with the ducts 89 and 91 and vent 95 in place.
In one embodiment, the system uses a 12V fan with a supply line that runs under the floor up through the wall to a GFI outlet, where a 110V converter supplies 12V power to the 12V fan. In one embodiment, the GFI outlet and converter be placed under a sink or counter top proximate the toilet. In this embodiment, repair or replacement of the GFI outlet and converter is simplified.
FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate front and rear views of a portable toilet 60 (also known as a port-apotty) incorporating another embodiment of the air ventilation apparatus according to the present invention. The portable toilet 60 may be found at sporting events, music concerts, auto races, political rallies, construction sites and other events/venues. The port-apotty 60 includes a housing 62 that can be accessed via a door 64, the housing 62 being configured to house a toilet (not shown) similar to that described above. Because of its portability, the toilet within the port-apotty 60 usually does not have a sophisticated plumbing system. As such, to facilitate circulation of the foul air or odor and airborne feces surrounding the port-apotty 60, a motorized means 82 (best shown in FIG. 8) can be situated within a vent tube 70 of the port-apotty 60. In other examples, the motorized means 82 can also be disposed about the roof of the housing 62 or the door 64. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the motorized means 82 can be situated elsewhere about the port-apotty 60 as feasible and convenient. In this embodiment, the motorized means 82 can be powered by a battery situated within a compartment 66 near the base of the port-apotty 60. Solar power may also be utilized to drive the motorized means 82 as port-apotties are situated outside.
FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate two different types of vent tubes 70 for the port-apotty 60 of FIGS. 6A-6B. In general, the vent tube 70 includes a pipe 72 that extends away from the housing 62 of the portable toilet 60, the apex of the pipe 72 terminating with a weather guard cap having two openings 76 for allowing air or other gases and airborne feces to be exchanged between the atmosphere within the housing 62 and outside ambient atmosphere. In one embodiment, the motorized means 82 (best shown in FIG. 8) is housed within the pipe 72 and accessed via a door panel 74. In another example, the pipe 72 includes a filter 78 to facilitate filtration of the foul air or odor and airborne feces.
FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the vent tubes 70 of FIGS. 7A-7B. As discussed above, the motorized means 82 can be situated within a pipe 72 of the vent tube 70 to facilitate circulation of air or foul odor within the housing 62. When activated, the motorized means 82 is able to draw air or other odor and airborne feces within the housing 62 upward and out to ambient atmosphere as shown by the arrows (best illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7B). In this example, the motorized means 82 may be sandwiched by a pair of filters 78. The types of filters 78 that can be used include charcoal fiber filters or crystal filters with impregnated fragrances. The filter 78 may incorporate paper-like fibers with webbing for greater air flow. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that other suitable types of filters 78 may be incorporated. By venting through these filters 78, the surrounding area within the housing 62 of the port-apotty 60 will smell fresher and be more sanitary without the airborne feces. Although two filter stacks 78 are shown, there can be more or fewer filters 78 as desired.
In operation, when the motorized means 82 is activated, a suction force is provided within the vent tube 70 such that any foul air or odor and airborne feces are drawn upward from the housing 62 and into the pipe 72 of the vent tube 70 as best shown by the arrows in FIGS. 7A-7B. The air or foul odor and airborne feces continue to be drawn upward by the motorized means 82 until it exits the housing 62 and dissipates into the external environment via the external openings 76 of the weather guard cap, once again best shown by the arrows in FIGS. 7A-7B. The filter 78, generally situated within the pipe 72 adjacent the motorized means 82, can facilitate the circulation process by providing fragrance and improving the smell within the housing 62 as desired. The motorized means 82 can be manually activated by a switching means located within the housing 62 or automatically by a motion sensor (not shown). In another embodiment, a pressurized means (not shown) may be disposed about the door 64 of the port-apotty 60 such that the motorized means 82 is automatically triggered when the door 64 opens and closes and remains activated for the duration of a user's presence within the port-apotty 60. The motorized means 82 can subsequently be automatically deactivated when the door 64 of the port-apotty 60 opens and closes once again when the user exits the port-apotty 60.
FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a filter 78 having a plurality of openings 92 for allowing air or other gases and airborne feces to freely flow through the filter 78. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the function of a filter 78 is commonly understood and will not be discussed in further detail.
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.
