Odor-Vac attachment for toilets

Abstract

The Odor-Vac is an attachment that can easily be added to an existing toilet to extract odor from the toilet bowl as the user relieves oneself The odor in the toilet is extracted via a fan mounted over a hole in the wall behind the toilet through perforated hoses placed under the toilet seat and connected to the fan housing on the wall. One of the unique features of this invention is that, unlike most other inventions patented to accomplish this task, this attachment can be sold to the general public, who can attach to existing toilets using common tools and skills.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] “Not Applicable”

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] “Not Applicable”

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

[0003] “Not Applicable”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] There exists a problem with odor from the feces in a toilet when a person relieves oneself escaping into the ambient air causing displeasure to the user as well as others who may enter the room shortly after the toilet has been flushed. Bathroom fans that extract odor from a bathroom are normally mounted on the ceiling or wall where the odor must first be drawn from the toilet past the user's nose and into the ambient air before it is extracted from the room.

[0005] A patent search found several patents on inventions to accomplish the same task, but for the most part they required extensive modification or replacement of the toilet. They did not provide a product that the general public would be able to easily attach to an existing toilet.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The object of the Odor-Vac is to provide a mechanism by which odor created from feces in a toilet can be extracted while the toilet is being used directly from the toilet, preventing it from ever entering the ambient air in the room.

[0007] One of the advantages of this invention over previous inventions is its simplicity and the ability for the public to purchase and attach the Odor-Vac to their existing toilets with common tools and skill level. This advantage makes this invention readily marketable to the public.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0008] FIG. 1—Plan and profile views of the Odor-Vac attached to a toilet

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Two spacers 1 shown in the figure on page 3 are added to provide space to place the flexible hose 2 between the seat and the bowl. The flexible hose is perforated on the inside where it wraps around under the seat as shown in the figure on page 3. Velcro holds the hose to the top of the toilet bowl and allows the hose to be detached for cleaning. The hose is shaped as needed so that each end fits into two openings in the fan housing 3. A 2-inch section of oversized hose is fitted firmly over each of the two connections between the perforated hose and the fan housing to provide airtight connections. The fan's housing is secured to the wall with four molly screws. A switch for the fan operation can be placed within convenient reach of the user for manual operation of the fan and/or can be placed between the toilet seat and the bowl, where it will be activated by the weight of the user. Once inside the wall, the odor will dissipate. The odor can be further vented into the attic or through the roof if desired.

Claims

1. The Odor-Vac consisting of a hose (partially solid and partially perforated) connected to a fan housing containing a 110-volt fan that will extract odor from the toilet to between the walls.

2. The apparatus in claim 1 with the hose connected to the bottom of the toilet seat instead of to the top of the toilet bowl with a break in the hose that allows the seat to be raised, but places the two hose sections together when the seat is down.

3. The apparatus in claim 1 with the fan operated via a battery vs. 110-volt current.