VENTILATED TOILET SYSTEM AND METHOD
According to some embodiments, a ventilated toilet has an airflow path through an overflow tube to an air space above a water level in a tank, and an air vent path leading from the air space. In some embodiments, the air vent path includes an air duct or conduit leading to an exhaust fan. In some embodiments, the device further includes a dip tube for providing ventilation to the air space upon lowering of the water level in the tank.
The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 to U.S. provisional application No. 60/601,170, entitled Ventilated Toilet System and Method filed on Aug. 13, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to toilets and, more particularly, to systems and methods for providing ventilation for toilets.
2. Discussion of the Background
A variety of toilet ventilation systems are known. A number of toilet ventilation systems are shown in the following United States patents, the entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference: (1) U.S. Pat. No. 6,279,173 B1, issued on Aug. 28, 2001, entitled Devices and Methods for Toilet Ventilation Using a Radar Sensor; (2) U.S. Pat. No. 6,219,853 B1, issued on Apr. 24, 2001, entitled Toilet Ventilation System, (3) U.S. Pat. No. 5,369,813, issued on Dec. 6, 1994 entitled Self-Contained Toilet Venting System, (4) U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,276, issued on Feb. 5, 1991, entitled Ventilated Toilet, (5) U.S. Pat. No. 3,740,771, issued on May 12, 1971, entitled Air Venting Device for a Toilet.
While these systems may constitute improvements over the use of existing devices such as ceiling ventilation fans, these devices have various problems. For example U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,369,813 and 6,279,173 B1 contain electrical components within the toilet tank. These devices may pose serious fire hazards and are potentially dangerous to toilet users. Further, other systems like U.S. Pat. No. 3,740,771 cannot be easily retrofitted and require specially designed toilets and contain a complex system.
Another problem with existing toilet ventilation systems is that due to their design when toilets with a ventilation system such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,369,813 are flushed, the fan creates a suction that can cause a weaker and slower flush. In contrast, the preferred embodiments of the invention avoid this problem allowing for a faster, stronger flush.
SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSThe preferred embodiments of the present invention can significantly improve upon existing methods and/or apparatuses.
According to some embodiments, a ventilated toilet has an airflow path through an overflow tube to an air space above a water level in a tank and an air vent path leading from the air space. In some embodiments, the air vent path includes an air duct or conduit leading to an exhaust fan. In some embodiments, the device further includes a dip tube for providing ventilation to the air space upon lowering of the water level in the tank.
In some embodiments, one or more of the following advantages can be achieved:
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- The fumes emitted from the user of the toilet can be readily removed before mixing with room air due to the close proximity to the source of emission (e.g., the zone of interest) during use.
- The system can have a very quiet operation. For example, since the air withdrawal is applied at the zone of interest, a lower level of airflow may be required (i.e., less CFM of airflow can be used since, e.g., a complete air-change within a room or facility is not needed).
- The system can advantageously be configured such that a smaller volume of conditioned air (e.g., whether heated or cooled) is removed from the living space using the internal venting from the zone of interest as opposed to typical room exhaust fan.
- The design of the side flush valve on the overflow tube helps result in a stronger and faster flush.
- The production cost can be approximately the same as that of existing toilets.
- The installation cost and complexity would be approximately the same as that related to installing a standard toilet and a room exhaust fan.
- The system can be readily adapted to and applied to multi-toilet systems, such as, e.g., multiple toilets located within a common room or facility or multiple toilets located in separate rooms within a home, office or establishment. In some examples, a single vacuum mechanism can be used to exhaust air from multiple toilets. For example, in some embodiments a multi-port vacuum can be configured to handle a plurality of or all of the toilets in a residential home or commercial bathroom.
The above and/or other aspects, features and/or advantages of various embodiments will be further appreciated in view of the following description in conjunction with the accompanying figures. Various embodiments can include and/or exclude different aspects, features and/or advantages where applicable. In addition, various embodiments can combine one or more aspects or features of other embodiments where applicable. The descriptions of aspects, features and/or advantages of particular embodiments should not be construed as limiting other embodiments or the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown by a way of example, and not limitation, in the accompanying figures.
FIGS. 13(A), 13(B) and 13(C) show illustrative standard fittings (e.g., a restricted opening just under the flapper valve, which would inhibit air flow from the bowl to the tank).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSWhile the present invention may be embodied in many different forms, a number of illustrative embodiments are described herein with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as providing examples of the principles of the invention and such examples are not intended to limit the invention to preferred embodiments described herein and/or illustrated herein.
The preferred embodiments include an internally vented toilet which creates a slight vacuum in the toilet bowl which extracts fumes from the bowl into the tank via existing water distribution holes in the bowl. In this regard, exemplary distribution holes are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,219,853 (see, e.g.
Before the flush cycle begins, the waterways in the tank and bowl remain open and function as air passageways (see, e.g.,
The preferred embodiment of the invention can operate with a very low noise level (such as, e.g., inaudible or virtually inaudible). In addition, some preferred embodiments can be either continuously operated or switched on and off using a wall switch or sensor which can be located in the bathroom. Once turned on, the system operates automatically and can function through repeated use and flush cycles. In commercial applications, the device could run indefinitely or for prolonged periods of time.
Moreover, some preferred embodiments can be adapted for commercial use where a similar ventilation system can be used in multiple toilets within the same room. This may benefit other users of the toilet facilities because obnoxious odors may not travel between toilets, etc. Additionally, in some preferred embodiments multiple toilets can be connected through a common ventilation tube. This may allow for multiple toilets to be ventilated using one air removal means (e.g. a turbo vacuum motor).
The preferred embodiment may also apply to a commercial toilet that does not have a tank (see, e.g.,
Further, in some embodiments, an existing non-ventilated toilet can be retrofitted to contain features according to the preferred embodiment. To retrofit a non-ventilated toilet, in some embodiments, where necessary, a hole can be drilled (preferably with a diamond drill bit) to increase the size of the overflow tube from its existing size to, e.g., about 2 inches (2″) in diameter. However, in some typical embodiments, the original hole may already be 2 inches (see discussion below). Then, if a dip tube is desired, a hole can be drilled in the side of the bowl large enough to accommodate the dip tube (see, e.g.,
Additionally, in the most preferred embodiments, it is only necessary to drill two (2) holes in the toilet, one for the dip tube and one for the exhaust port. That is, in some embodiments, the hole in the bottom of the tank for the flush/overflow is already sized for a 2″ fitting. In that regard, typical standard flush/overflow devices are 2″ at the bottom where they go thru the tank. However, they typically neck down to about 1″ for the overflow tube. Thus, in preferred embodiments, no additional drilling is needed at the bottom of the tank. However, in some embodiments, if the hole in the bottom of the tank is less than that desired for the overflow tube, additional drilling may be employed. FIGS. 13(A), 13(B) and 13(C) show illustrative standard fittings, showing, e.g., a restricted opening just under the flapper valve, which would inhibit air flow from the bowl to the tank.
BROAD SCOPE OF THE INVENTIONWhile illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described herein, the present invention is not limited to the various preferred embodiments described herein, but includes any and all embodiments having equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., of aspects across various embodiments), adaptations and/or alterations as would be appreciated by those in the art based on the present disclosure. The limitations in the claims are to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed and not limited to examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. For example, in the present disclosure, the term “preferably” is non-exclusive and means “preferably, but not limited to.” In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this application, means-plus-function or step-plus-function limitations will only be employed where for a specific claim limitation all of the following conditions are present in that limitation: a) “means for” or “step for” is expressly recited; b) a corresponding function is expressly recited; and c) structure, material or acts that support that structure are not recited. In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this application, the terminology “present invention” or “invention” may be used as a reference to one or more aspects within the present disclosure. The language “present invention” or “invention” should not be improperly interpreted as an identification of criticality, should not be improperly interpreted as applying across all aspects or embodiments (i.e., it should be understood that the present invention has a number of aspects and embodiments), and should not be improperly interpreted as limiting the scope of the application or claims. In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this application, the terminology “embodiment” can be used to describe any aspect, feature, process or step, any combination thereof, and/or any portion thereof, etc. In some examples, various embodiments may include overlapping features. In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this case, the following abbreviated terminology may be employed: “e.g.” which means “for example.”
Claims
1. A ventilated toilet comprising: an airflow path through an overflow tube to an air space above a water level in a tank, and an air vent path leading from said air space.
2. The ventilated toilet of claim 1, wherein said air vent path includes an air duct or conduit leading to an air removal means.
3. The ventilated toilet of claim 2, wherein said air removal means is an exhaust fan.
4. The ventilated toilet of claim 2, wherein said air removal means is a turbo vacuum motor.
5. The ventilated toilet of claim 2, wherein said air removal means is encased in about a 4 inch (4″) diameter metal flexible exhaust tube.
6. The ventilated toilet of claim 2, wherein said air removal means can be stopped and started by a control means.
7. The ventilated toilet of claim 6, wherein said control means is a switch.
8. The ventilated toilet of claim 6, wherein said control means is a sensor.
9. The ventilated toilet of claim 1, wherein said overflow tube is a tube with a diameter of about 2 inches (2″).
10. The ventilated toilet of claim 1, wherein said overflow tube is a tube with a diameter of about 1½ inches (1.5″)-2½ inches (2.5″).
11. The ventilated toilet of claim 1, wherein said overflow tube is a tube with a diameter of about 1 inch (1″)-3 inch (3″).
12. The ventilated toilet of claim 1, wherein said overflow tube is a tube with a diameter greater than 1 inch (1″).
13. The ventilated toilet of claim 1, wherein said overflow tube is a tube with a diameter greater than 1½ inches (1.5″).
14. The ventilated toilet of claim 1, wherein said overflow tube is a tube with a diameter greater than 1¾ inches (1.75″).
15. The ventilated toilet of claim 1, wherein said overflow tube is a tube with a diameter greater than 2 inches (2″).
16. The ventilated toilet of claim 1, wherein said overflow tube is a tube with a diameter greater than 2¼ inches (2.25″).
17. The ventilated toilet of claim 1, wherein said overflow tube is a tube with a diameter greater than 3 inches (3″).
18. The ventilated toilet of claim 1, wherein said ventilated toilet is retrofitted on a non-ventilated toilet.
19. The ventilated toilet of claim 1, further including a dip tube for providing ventilation to said air space upon lowering of the water level in said tank.
20. The ventilated toilet of claim 1, wherein said air vent path leading from said air space comprises a pipe from the tank exhaust port and a flexible exhaust tube which leads to said air removal means.
21. The ventilated toilet of claim 20, where said pipe from the tank exhaust port and said flexible exhaust tube have a transition means to connect them.
22. A method for ventilating a toilet comprising: establishing an airflow path through an overflow tube to an air space above a water level in a tank and through an air vent path leading from said air space.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein said air vent path includes an air duct or conduit leading to an air removal means.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein said air removal means is an exhaust fan.
25. The method of claim 23, wherein said air removal means is a turbo vacuum motor.
26. The method of claim 23, wherein said air removal means is encased in about a 4 inch (4″) diameter metal flexible exhaust tube.
27. The method of claim 23, wherein said air removal means can be stopped and started by a control means.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein said control means is a switch.
29. The method of claim 27, wherein said control means is a sensor.
30. The method of claim 22, wherein said overflow tube is a tube with a diameter of about 2 inches (2″).
31. The method of claim 22, wherein said overflow tube is a tube with a diameter of about 1½ inches (1.5″)-2½ inches (2.5″).
32. The method of claim 22, wherein said overflow tube is a tube with a diameter of about 1 inch (1″)-3 inch (3″).
33. The method of claim 22, wherein said overflow tube is a tube with a diameter greater than 1 inch (1″).
34. The method of claim 22, wherein said overflow tube is a tube with a diameter greater than 1½ inches (1.5″).
35. The method of claim 22, wherein said overflow tube is a tube with a diameter greater than 1¾ inches (1.75″).
36. The method of claim 22, wherein said overflow tube is a tube with a diameter greater than 2 inches (2″).
37. The method of claim 22, wherein said overflow tube is a tube with a diameter greater than 2¼ inches (2.25″).
38. The method of claim 22, wherein said overflow tube is a tube with a diameter greater than 3 inches (3″).
39. The method of claim 22, wherein said ventilated toilet can be retrofitted on a non-ventilated toilet.
40. The method of claim 22, further including a dip tube for providing ventilation to said air space upon lowering of the water level in said tank.
41. The method of claim 22, wherein said air vent path leading from said air space comprises a pipe from the tank exhaust port and a flexible exhaust tube which leads to said air removal means.
42. The method of claim 41, where said pipe from the tank exhaust port and said flexible exhaust tube have a transition means to connect them.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 10, 2005
Publication Date: Aug 17, 2006
Inventor: Daniel Carr (Naples, FL)
Application Number: 11/161,626
International Classification: E03D 9/04 (20060101);