Sewer and septic tank venting device

Abstract

A venting device configured to attach to a vent and to reduce malodors emitted from a vent includes a first end, a second end, and a center portion. The second end includes two holes into which a barrier is inserted. The second end also includes a protrusion and a ball configured to rest on the protrusion. When a disruption in air pressure occurs within the venting device, the ball moves upward from the protrusion to allow air to exit the device. The barrier prevents the ball from moving upward beyond the barrier.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. The Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to vents and venting systems. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to devices for reducing odors emitted from vents.

2. Related Technology

Roughly one quarter of households in the United States use septic tank systems to treat wastewater from the home. Septic tank systems include a large tank typically buried in the yard of the homeowner. The tank holds a large amount of water and receives wastewater from the home. Wastewater from sinks, bathtubs, showers, toilets, and so forth is collected in the tank. The wastewater enters through one end of the tank and then separates into three basic layers within the tank. Effluent leaves the tank into a drainage field or other area.

While septic tanks provide beneficial wastewater treatment to many homes, septic tanks also naturally produce gases which can have a strong odor and a foul smell. In order to prevent odors from flowing back into the house, household plumbing systems include p-traps, or pipe configurations that prevent gases and malodors from flowing back into the house. Instead, malodors flow into a vent pipe, which is normally located on the roof of the home.

Many septic tank systems, therefore, are configured to prevent malodors from flowing back into the house. Preventing malodors from entering the home through the pipes does not, however, eliminate the problem of foul smells associated with septic tanks systems. For example, odorous gases that are emitted from the home through a vent pipe located on the roof of the home can still be bothersome to residents and others.

In order to reduce foul smells and malodors emitted from vent pipes, certain manufacturers have created vent filters to help control the smell. Such vent filters have a variety of designs. For example, vent filters may include chemicals which help reduce malodors emitted from the vent. Chemicals and other compounds or materials used in manufacture of such vent filters neutralize malodors as gases are emitted from the vent through the filer. Such filters are, however, complex in their fabrication and expensive to buy. In addition, many vent filters or other systems for reducing malodors emitted from vents, are ineffective and/or inefficient.

What is needed are effective devices for reducing malodors emitted from vents that are efficient in their design, easy to manufacture, and inexpensive to produce and purchase.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention include devices for reducing malodors emitted from vents, such as sewer vents and vent associated with septic systems. A venting device attaches at a first end to a vent. A second end of the venting device, joined to a center portion that also joins the first portion, includes an opening for emitting air. The second end includes a protrusion, a ball, and a bar. When the air pressure within the venting device is substantially stable, the ball is maintained in a resting position on the protrusion. When a disruption in air pressure occurs within the venting device, such as, for example, the flush of a toilet, the ball moves from the resting position and fresh air is allowed to flow around the ball and into the venting device. The bar prevents the ball from moving beyond the second end of the venting device into other portions of the venting device.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify the above and other aspects of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The drawings are not drawn to scale. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a cut-away isometric view of a venting device;

FIG. 2 shows a cut-away view of a second end of a venting device; and

FIG. 3 shows a method for reducing malodors emitted from a vent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention include devices for reducing the odor emitted from vents. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention reduce the odor emitted from vents associated with sewers and septic tanks. In one embodiment of the invention, a device is attached to a sewer or septic system vent. The device includes a first end, a center portion, and a second end. In one embodiment of the invention, the second end includes two holes positioned on opposite sides of the second end into which a bar is inserted. The second end further includes a protrusion and a ball having a resting position on the protrusion. The ball is further configured to be located beneath the bar, or in a position closer to an opening of the second end than to the bar. When the air pressure within the device is disturbed, the ball moves from a resting position on the protrusion and allows fresh air to enter into the device. After the fresh air has entered the device and the air pressure within the device again becomes constant, the ball returns to a resting position, thus preventing air and foul odors in the air from exiting the device.

With attention now to FIG. 1, a front view of a septic tank venting device 100 is shown. In one embodiment of the invention, venting device 100 is configured of one or more pieces, while in other embodiments of the invention venting device 100 is configured of one piece of material. First end 102 of venting device 100 includes opening 104. In one embodiment of the invention, first end 102 joins center portion 106 at first corner 108. Center portion 106 also joins second end 110. In one embodiment of the invention, center portion 106 joins second end 110 at second corner 112. In another embodiment of the invention, first corner 108 and second corner 112 form orthogonal angles, or 90° angles. In such an embodiment center portion 106 is configured to be perpendicular to first end 102 and second end 110, with first end 102 and second end 110 being positioned substantially parallel to each other.

Moreover, in one embodiment of the invention, first end 102, center portion 106, and second end 110 are configured of cylindrical pipe. The cylindrical pipe of first end 102, center portion 106, and second end 110, is, in one embodiment of the invention, configured of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or any other plastic. In other embodiments of the invention the cylindrical pipe of first end 102, center portion 106, and second end 110 is made of metal, such as aluminum, galvanized steel, or any other metal or other suitable material. Further, first end 102, center portion 106, and second end 110 may be configured to have any size or shape. In an embodiment of the invention where first end 102, center portion 106, and second end 110 have a substantially cylindrical shape, the cylindrical shape may have a diameter of any length and may be configured having any length.

While second end 110 may be configured of cylindrical pipe in one embodiment of the invention, second end 110 includes an opening 114, a first hole 116 and a second hole (not shown), and a horizontal component 118. In one embodiment of the invention, horizontal component 118 is a barrier. In another embodiment of the invention, horizontal component 118 is a bar, as shown in FIG. 1.

In addition to horizontal component 118, or bar 118, second end 110 also includes a blockage 120. In one embodiment of the invention, the blockage is a ball. FIG. 1 shows ball 120 located in the interior of second end 110. Further, in one embodiment of the invention second end 110 includes protrusion 122. In one embodiment of the invention protrusion 122 is one or more of a circular lip extending from the interior side of second end 110, and/or a gasket. Moreover, protrusion 122 is configured such that ball 120 is unable to pass beyond protrusion 122. In one embodiment of the invention, ball 120 may rest on protrusion 122 when ball 120 is in a rest position.

In operation, septic tank venting device 100 is attached to a vent, such as a sewer vent or other vent, when first end 102 is attached to the vent, with opening 104 engaging an end of the vent. Thus, air leaving the vent enters first end 102 of septic tank venting device 100 through opening 104. In one embodiment of the invention, opening 104 is threaded to engage a threaded end of a vent.

In addition to attaching to a vent, first end 102 joins center portion 106 of septic tank venting device 100. Air entering venting device 100 through opening 104 may travel through center portion 106 and into second end 110. Second end 110 further includes first hole 116 and a second hole (not shown) into which bar 118 is inserted. In one embodiment of the invention, a first end 124 of bar 118 passes through the second hole and first hole 116, while a second end 126 of bar 118 does not pass through the second hole or the first hole 116. In one embodiment of the invention, second end 126 of bar 118 includes an obstruction 128 that prevents second end 126 of bar 118 from passing through the second hole. Thus, bar 118 traverses substantially an entire width of second end 110 of venting device 100.

When ball 120 is in a resting position, or a position such that ball 120 rests on protrusion 122, air is prevented from exiting venting device 100 through opening 112. In one embodiment of the invention, ball 120 prevents air from exiting venting device 100, but allows air to enter venting device 100 when a disruption in air pressure within the venting device occurs. A disruption in air pressure may be caused by such occurrences as a toilet being flushed. More particularly, when continuing with the example of a toilet being flushed, the flush of the toilet creates a disruption in air pressure in a sewer vent to which the venting device is attached, thus also creating a disruption in air pressure within the venting device 100. It is to be appreciated that any number of occurrences may create a disruption in air pressure in the venting device 100.

When a disruption in air pressure within the venting device 100 occurs, ball 120 may move from the resting position on protrusion 122 such that ball 120 travels upward away from protrusion 122 and toward center portion 106 of venting device 100. When ball 120 moves in this manner, bar 118 prevents ball 120 from passing beyond bar 118. The configuration of bar 118 across the width, or spanning the width, of second end 110 prevents ball 120 from passing beyond bar 118. Configured in this way, ball 120 moves enough to allow air to enter second end 110 without ball 120 passing through venting device 100 and into an attached vent. Thus, the configuration of the venting device 100, including the configuration of ball 120 with protrusion 122 and bar 118, prevents foul odors from being emitted by a vent while at the same time allowing air to enter opening 112 of second end 110 only when a disruption in air pressure within venting device 100 occurs. Thus, fresh air enters venting device 100 through opening 112 and air from the sewer or septic system flows into the sewer or septic tank and is unable to exit through the venting device.

Stated differently, venting device 100 prevents foul smelling air from exiting venting device 100. Instead, venting device 100 allows fresh air to enter into venting device 100, and thus the vent to which venting device 100 is attached, when a disruption in air pressure occurs. As a result, malodorous air is forced into the sewer or septic tank of the sewer or septic system instead of being allowed to exit through the vent to which the venting device is attached.

Although septic tank venting device 100 may be used with the vent of a septic tank, it is to be appreciated that the venting device 100 may also be used with any number of other vents. For example, venting device 100 may be used with a sewer vent, such as a sewer vent attached to the roof of a house, the vent of a recreational vehicle configured to vent odors that may be emitted from the sewer system of the recreational vehicle, and any other vent or venting system.

Moreover, septic tank venting device 100 may also provide numerous other benefits to a vent or venting system. For example, the configuration of septic tank venting device 100 prevents small animals from entering and becoming lodged in a vent or venting system. In addition, other unwanted matter that may be able to enter a vent or venting system having an open end is prevented from so doing by venting device 100.

With attention now to FIG. 2, a cut-away view of the second end 200 of a venting device is shown. In one embodiment of the invention, second end 200 has a generally cylindrical shape and is made of pipe configured of one or more of PVC, ABS, or any other plastic. Second end 200 includes opening 202, which, in one embodiment of the invention where second 200 has a generally cylindrical shape, is circular in shape.

In addition to opening 202, second end 200 includes protrusion 204 which extends from the interior wall 206 of second end 200. In one embodiment of the invention where second end 200 has a generally cylindrical shape, protrusion 204 is one continuous protrusion extending from the interior wall of second end 200, with protrusion 204 extending from interior wall 206 to form a substantially circular shape. Moreover, in other embodiments of the invention protrusion 204 may include a gasket 208. Finally, second end 200 also includes a ball 210 and a bar 212.

In operation, ball 210 rests on protrusion 204 and/or gasket 208 when the air pressure within the second end 200 is constant, thus substantially forming a seal between the ball 210 and the protrusion 204 and/or gasket 208. When ball 210 is in this resting position, air from a vent to which a venting device is attached is unable to exit the venting device through opening 202. Thus, odors, such as sewer odors, are prevented from exiting the venting device. Disruptions in air pressure within the vent, and subsequently, the venting device, cause ball 210 to move from a resting position on protrusion 204. In one embodiment of the invention, disruptions in air pressure cause ball 210 to move in a direction upward from protrusion 204 toward bar 212 in a position shown by dotted outline 214. Bar 212 prevents ball 210 from moving beyond bar 212 and into other portions of the venting device.

When ball 210 moves from the resting position on protrusion 204, fresh air enters the venting device and the vent through opening 202 of second end 200 by flowing around ball 210. As the disruption in air pressure ceases, ball 210 drops back into a resting position on protrusion 204 of second end 200. In this way, malodorous air is prevented from exiting a vent to which a venting device of the present invention is attached, while fresh air is allowed to enter the venting device. Thus, foul smells associated with septic systems, sewer vents, and other systems and vents can be greatly reduced by embodiments of the present invention. In addition, embodiments of the present invention prevent small animals and other unwanted objects or matter from becoming lodged in a vent.

Directing attention now to FIG. 3, a method 300 for reducing malodors emitted from a vent is shown. At stage 302, a first end of a device is configured to attach to a vent. The device is also configured to have a second end, which includes a barrier, as shown at stage 304. At stage 306, a center portion is positioned between the first and second ends of the device. At stage 308, a protrusion is configured within the device. Then, as shown at stage 310, a blockage is placed on the protrusion. The blockage is configured to move upwards away from the protrusion when a disruption in air pressure occurs within the device, as shown at stage 312. Finally, as shown at stage 314, the barrier is configured to prevent the blockage from moving upwards beyond the barrier when the disruption in air pressure occurs. Thus, the method of the present invention provides a way for fresh air to enter the vent and the device attached to the vent but prevents the malodors emitted from the vent from exiting the venting device.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A venting device comprising:

a first end configured to attach to a vent;

a second end having a barrier;

a center portion positioned between the first and second ends;

a protrusion extending from an interior side of the second end; and

a blockage located on an interior of the second end, wherein the blockage is configured to respond to changes in air pressure within the venting device.

2. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the first end, second end, and center portion are configured of cylindrical pipe comprised of one or more of: polyvinyl chloride; acrylonitrile butadiene styrene; or, any other plastic.

3. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the baffler is a bar.

4. The device as recited in claim 3, wherein the bar further comprises:

a first end configured to pass through two holes of the second end of the venting device; and

a second end including an obstruction, wherein the obstruction prevents the second end from passing through the two holes of the second end of the venting device.

5. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the blockage is a ball.

6. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the ball is one or more of: plastic; and, rubber.

7. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the ball is a ping-pong ball.

8. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the center portion joins the first end at a first corner and the center portion joins the second end at a second corner.

9. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the second end includes an opening.

10. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the blockage allows fresh air to enter the device when a disruption in air pressure occurs within the device.

11. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the barrier prevents the blockage from passing beyond the barrier when a disruption in air pressure occurs within the device.

12. A vent device for use with septic tank systems comprising:

a first end configured to attach to a vent pipe;

a second end, wherein the second end includes two holes on opposite sides of the second end;

a center portion positioned between the first end and the second end;

a bar configured to be inserted through the two holes of the second end such that a first end of the bar extends through each of the two holes of the second end and a second end of the bar does not extend through either of the two holes of the second end;

a protrusion extending along an interior side of the second end; and

a ball positioned in an interior of the second end such that the ball rests on the protrusion when air pressure within the device is substantially constant.

13. The device as recited in claim 10, wherein the first end, second end, and center portion have a substantially cylindrical shape.

14. The device as recited in claim 10, wherein the first end, second end, and center portion are comprised of one or more of: polyvinyl chloride; acrylonitrile butadiene styrene; or, any other plastic.

15. The device as recited in claim 10, wherein the ball is comprised of one or more of: plastic; and, rubber.

16. The device as recited in claim 10, wherein the ball is a ping-pong ball.

17. The device as recited in claim 10, wherein the second end further includes an opening.

18. The device as recited in claim 10, wherein the protrusion further includes a gasket.

19. The device as recited in claim 10, wherein the bar prevents the ball from passing beyond the bar when a disruption in air pressure occurs within the device.

20. The device as recited in claim 10, wherein the ball allows fresh air to enter the device when a disruption in air pressure occurs within the device.

21. A method for reducing malodors emitted from a vent, the method comprising:

configuring a first end of a device to attach to a vent;

configuring a barrier within a second end of the device;

positioning a center portion between the first end and the second end of the device;

configuring a protrusion to extend from an interior side of the second end of the device;

placing a blockage on the protrusion such that the blockage rests on the protrusion;

configuring the blockage such that the blockage moves upward from the protrusion when a disruption in air pressure occurs within the device; and

configuring the barrier such that the barrier prevents the ball from moving past the barrier when the disruption in air pressure occurs within the device.

22. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein configuring a baffler includes inserting a barrier through two holes of the second end of the device.

23. The method as recited in claim 17, further comprising obstructing a second end of the barrier such that the second end of the barrier is unable to pass through the two holes of the second end of the device.

24. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the placing a blockage on the protrusion further comprises positioning the blockage to prevent air from passing between the ball and the protrusion.

25. A venting device, comprising:

a body portion having a first end and a second end;

a partition attached to the second end, wherein the partition prevents air from exiting the venting device and allows air to enter the venting device.

26. The venting device as recited in claim 21, wherein the first end of the body portion is configured to attach to a vent.

27. The venting device as recited in claim 21, wherein the partition moves in response to changes in air pressure within the venting device.

28. The venting device as recited in claim 23, wherein the movement of the partition in response to changes in air pressure within the venting device allows fresh air to enter the venting device.

29. The venting device as recited in claim 21, wherein the venting device is configured of one or more of: polyvinyl chloride; acrylonitrile butadiene styrene; or, any other plastic.

30. The venting device as recited in claim 21, wherein the partition is configured of one or more of: plastic; rubber; and, sheet metal.

31. The venting device as recited in claim 21, wherein the partition is attached to the second end by a hinge.