Odor removal and air freshener system

Abstract

A portable and adjustable reeled wire dispenser having a base platform with first and second side walls extending upwardly from the base platform and a plurality of adjustable rotatable members for accommodating various reel sizes to assist an individual in the installation of electric, cable wire or other material.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The instant invention relates generally to odor removal systems, and in particular to a portable odor removal and air freshener system preferably for use in conjunction with a toilet, wherein the system removes and filters air from the toilet bowl.

2. Description of the Related Art

The use of odor removal systems is widespread and is available to both residential and commercial applications. There is a variety of odor removal systems currently in the market today designed to remove noxious odors ranging from such places as the residential home to industrial facilities. With respect to residential property, most homeowners desire to have a clean smelling bathroom for repeated use, however without intervention this task proves exceedingly difficult.

The instant invention relates to a portable odor removal system, preferably for use in a bathroom and that works in conjunction with a toilet during use, to maintain fresh air in the room at all times. Many devices have been developed to provide some type of relief to alleviate the odor associated with the use of residential bathrooms. Ultimately, it is the design goal for such a system to provide a portable odor removal system that allows the toilet bowl area to retain and produce fresh air while simultaneously venting the noxious air that is produced during use of the bathroom by an individual, wherein the system is easily carried.

Presently, there are several odor removal systems available, especially for use in the residential bathroom. These systems range from simple spray deodorizers that mask the noxious odor produced during use, to ceiling vents that draw the odor out of the toilet and into the room. One of the most common types of systems includes some type of ventilation system having a fan or some similar apparatus built-in to the toilet structure that suctions the air out of the toilet area. However, these types of apparatus are extremely complicated and require extensive means for installation, in addition to needing external power sources along with complying with electrical and plumbing codes. Furthermore, none of these systems provide any means for portability; rather the system is static and cannot move nor is designed to function as a portable system, thereby negating use in other rooms or areas.

A large number of odor removal systems are known in the art, and in fact are in wide use in the industry. But there exists in the art no portable odor removal system that vents noxious air during use of a bathroom while simultaneously filtering in fresh air.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,365,361 to Sanstrom discloses an air passage structure connected to the upper open end of the interior of a toilet bowl and an outlet opening into a drain outlet for the toilet bowl downstream from the conventional water seal area of a toilet bowl. The drain outlet includes a venturi area into which the outlet end of the air passage structure opens and the normal flushing of the toilet bowl thereby causes air and odors from within the upper portion of the toilet bowl to be educted by venturi action.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,933,996 to Sowards discloses a ventilation system including a blower assembly mounted within the airspace in the upper portion of a toilet flush tank, where the air space is communicated with the upper interior portion of a toilet bowl through an overflow pipe disposed in the water tank, and the blower assembly includes an air outlet with which the inlet end of the conduit structure is sealingly communicated.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,093 to Schaffer discloses a toilet ventilation system which has an intake member located directly adjacent to the toilet bowl. The intake member is coupled with a manifold supported by the toilet which permits odors from the toilet to be transferred from the intake member and manifold to a ventilation pipe located adjacent to the toilet. A fan is located at the remote end of the ventilation pipe for drawing in odors and expelling the odors into a ventilation area.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,983,491 B2 to Curtis et al. discloses an odor removal apparatus for a toilet wherein the apparatus and toilet has a bowl, an outlet from the bowl and a barrier between the bowl and the outlet which substantially prevents odors from the outlet passing to the bowl. A gas extraction apparatus is in communication with an area in the vicinity of the bowl and the outlet whereby operation of the gas extraction apparatus substantially removes odors from the vicinity of the bowl and transfers them to an outlet. The gas extraction apparatus comprises a fan operable to induce a flow of gases and entrained odors for removal of the odors from the vicinity of the toilet.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,103,925 B2 to Toth discloses an odor eliminating system that utilizes an air pump to remove odors from a bowl of a toilet to a trap of the toilet. By moving the odors to the trap, the odors cannot escape back to the bowl and can only proceed out of the toilet through the sewer.

In summary, investigation of these disclosed devices illustrates that presently, there is no single device known in the art or combination thereof that meets the requirements of a portable odor removal system that is not connectable to the toilet bowl itself that allows for the simultaneous removal of noxious odor and replacement with clean fresh air.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention, as described further herein, imparts a novel portable odor removal system preferably for use in conjunction with a toilet located in a residential bathroom, which encompasses the advantages of other odor removal systems, but creates a portable system that does not require permanent connection to the toilet bowl apparatus yet replaces noxious air with fresh air during operation. The instant invention as illustrated herein, is clearly not anticipated, rendered obvious, or even present in any of the prior art mechanisms, either alone or in any combination thereof.

The primary object of the instant invention is to provide an odor removal system, for use preferably in conjunction with a toilet locatable in apparatus capable of removing odorous air in and around the toilet.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide an odor removal system that is portable and lightweight, wherein the system does not require physical connection to the toilet bowl or any structure contained within the toilet bowl.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide an odor removal system apparatus capable of removing noxious air in and around the toilet bowl and simultaneously filtering the air, rather than simply sending the odor to another area.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide an odor removal system apparatus capable of dispensing wire material, wherein the apparatus does not possess a weight limitation regarding different reels since the reels weight is distributed throughout the base platform and rotatable members rather than solely on a support stand.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the odor removal system for use in conjunction with a toilet, in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understand, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof, which description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the odor removal system having an air pump that is attachable to an air filter on one end and to a cylindrical tube, wherein one end of the tube is connectable to a siphon flange that is placeable in the toilet bowl for the removal of noxious air.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the odor removal system in use, wherein the siphon flange is positionable in, the gap between the toilet seat and the toilet bowl to remove noxious air during operation and use by an individual.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the air flow during operation and use of the odor removal system, depicting air moving in and out of the system.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the air pump connectable to the air filter of the odor removal system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates an odor removal system 10 preferably for use in a residential bathroom and workable in conjunction with a standard toilet. The odor removal system 10 includes an air pump 12 that includes a first opening 14 (see FIG. 4), wherein a cylindrical tube 16 having a first end 18A that is connectable to the first opening 14 of the air pump 12. The air pump 12 preferably is powered by a plurality of batteries and wherein the air pump 12 operates by a standard on/off switch. The odor removal system 10 further includes an air filter 20 that is connectable to the air pump 12 through a second opening 14B, locatable on the air pump 12 via a pump adapter 22 and an exhaust tube 24. The pump adapter 22 includes a first end 26A and a second end 26B (see FIG. 4) wherein the first end 24A of the pump adapter 22 is connectable to the second opening 14B of the air pump 12.

The exhaust tube 24 comprising a first end 28A and a second end 28B (see FIG. 4) is connectable to the pump adapter 22 such that the first end 28A of the exhaust tube 24 is receivable by the second end 26B of the pump adapter 22. Thus the exhaust tube 24 surrounds the pump adapter 22 to contain the air transferred from the air pump 12 to the air filter 20. The exhaust tube 24 and pump adapter 22 are connectable to the air filter 20 through an elbow 30 having a first end 32A and a second end 32B. The first end 32A of the elbow 30 is connectable to both the second end 28B of the exhaust tube 24 and the second end 26B of the pump adapter 22, such that air flow is maintained through the air pump 12 to the air filter 20. Lastly, the second end 32B of the elbow 30 is connectable to the air filter 20 through a first opening 34 in the air filter 20. The cylindrical tube 16 further includes a second opening 18B that is receivable in a siphon flange 36, wherein the siphon flange 36 is placeable in the toilet bowl area to remove all noxious odors during use and operation by an individual.

The air filter 20 preferably utilizes a chemical cartridge to filter the air that is removable by the odor removal system 10 for organic vapors. The odor removal system 10 is portable and does not require an external energy source other than the plurality of batteries. In other words, the instant invention does not need to be plugged into an electrical outlet for operation, thereby allowing portability of the odor removal system 10. The instant invention requires no installation to a toilet bowl by an individual, nor does the instant invention operate only by activation of the toilet bowl, instead an individual may turn on or off the odor removal system 10 at the individual's own discretion.

FIG. 2 illustrates the odor removal system 10 in use in conjunction with a toilet bowl, preferably locatable in a residential bathroom. In operation, the siphon flange 36 of the odor removal system 10 is preferably placeable in the gap between the toilet seat and the toilet bowl to remove noxious odors during use of the toilet by an individual. Therefore, when an individual is ready to use the toilet, the odor removal system 10 is positionable to remove the noxious air from the toilet bowl; air is trapped in the bowl during use and the instant invention allows for the air to be drawn out by the air pump 12 and into the air filter 20 thereby removing all noxious odors. Thus, in order to operate the instant invention, a user simply needs to position the odor removal system 10 in the appropriate location and then activate the air pump 12 by moving the switch to the “on” position.

FIG. 3 illustrates the air pump 12 and air filter 20 in greater detail to expand on how each piece is connectable to one another. As described above, the air pump 12 is connectable to the air filter 20 by the exhaust tube 24 and the pump adapter 22. These connections allow for the air to remain inside of the odor removal system 10 from the siphon flange 36 to the air filter 20 at which time the noxious odors are filtered by the chemical cartridge within the air filter 20.

FIG. 4 illustrates the flow of air during operation of the odor removal system 10 in conjunction with a toilet bowl 38. Once the instant invention is positionable in the ideal place by an individual, the odor removal system 10 is turned on and then air flows form inside the toilet bowl 38 out through the air filter 20. Therefore, in greater detail, air that is trapped in the toilet bowl 38 during operation will enter the siphon flange 36 as a result of the suction created by the air pump 12. Once the air enters the siphon flange 36, it will travel through the cylindrical tube 16 and into the air pump 12, where it will then move onto the air filter 20 via the exhaust tube 24 and pump adapter 22 that contain the noxious air within the odor removal system 10 itself. Once the air finally reaches the air filter 12, preferably a chemical cartridge that is locatable in the air filter 12 will separate the organic vapors and release clean air out of the instant invention.

The instant invention as described above is an odor removal system that is portable and does not require external power thereby eliminating the need for compliance with any electrical or plumbing codes. The odor removal system 10 removes the noxious air permanently from the surrounding area rather than shifting the odor to another location. Furthermore, the instant invention is portable and therefore does not require permanent installation with the toilet bowl, thereby allowing an individual to operate the odor removal system 10 only when needed, while removing it from the bathroom during non-use.

While several embodiments of the instant invention have been illustrated by way of example, it is apparent that further embodiments could be developed within the spirit and scope of the instant invention. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the instant invention, as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. An odor removal system coiling comprising:

an air pump having a first opening and a second opening;

a cylindrical tube having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the cylindrical tube is connectable into the first opening of the air pump;

a siphon flange, wherein the siphon flange is receivable in the second opening of the cylindrical tube;

a pump adapter having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the pump adapter is connectable to the second opening of the air pump;

an exhaust tube having a first end and a second end, wherein the exhaust tube is connectable to the pump adapter such that first end of the exhaust tube is receivable by the second end of the pump adapter such that the exhaust tube surrounds the pump adapter;

an elbow having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the elbow is connectable to both the second end of the exhaust tube and the second end of the pump adapter; and,

an air filter having a first opening, wherein the air filter is connectable to the elbow such that the second end of the elbow is receivable in the first opening of the air filter.

2. The odor removal system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured for use in a residential bathroom and workable in conjunction with a standard toilet.

3. The odor removal system of claim 2, wherein the siphon flange is placeable on a toilet bowl.

4. The odor removal system of claim 3, wherein the air filter utilizes a removeably disposed chemical.

5. The odor removal system of claim 4, wherein the air pump contains an on/off switch to enable operation of the system.

6. The odor removal system of claim 5, wherein the air pump utilizes a plurality of power supply mechanisms for providing power to the overall system.

7. The odor removal system of claim 6, wherein the power supply mechanisms is a plurality of batteries.

8. A transportable fluid evacuation system comprising: a fluid pumping apparatus in communication with a flexible cylindrical mechanism and in further communication with an exhaust tube having a first end and a second end, wherein the exhaust tube, said exhaust tube disposed to direct fluid through an air filter.

9. The transportable fluid evacuation system of claim 8 wherein said flexible cylindrical mechanism is disposed for attachment to a toilet.

10. The transportable fluid evacuation system of claim 9 wherein said flexible cylindrical mechanism is disposed for attachment to a rear section of toilet.

11. The transportable fluid evacuation system of claim 10 wherein said flexible cylindrical mechanism is disposed for attachment to a rear section of toilet between a radially inclinable toilet seat and toilet basin.

12. The transportable fluid evacuation system of claim 8 wherein said fluid pumping apparatus comprises a replaceable power supply.

13. The transportable fluid evacuation system of claim 12 wherein said replaceable power supply comprises a disposable power supply.