Magical Toilet Seat

Abstract

Disclosed is a “magical” toilet seat that draws air from inside a toilet bowl into an air box for filtration and disinfection. The toilet seat operably possesses orifices on its underside that are in fluid communication with the air box when the seat is in a down position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/456,708 (filed Oct. 10, 2009).

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This specification relates to apparatus for removing fumes and gases from toilet bowls and for eliminating bacteria from said fumes or gases. This specification further relates to filtration, cleansing, and odor elimination from gases within a toilet bowl. More particularly, this specification describes apparatus and related methods for the ventilation and germ control of commode seats and seat assembling. That is to say, the described apparatus and related methods were invented and designed to eliminate and minimize offensive odors and bacteria.

2. Background Art

The general and practical uses of commodes invariably and undesirably expose users of such to noxious gases, unpleasant odors, and dangerous germs. While mostly unavoidable, the extent to which said users are exposed to said gases, odors, and germs can be minimized by the apparatus and related methods described in this document.

Many of the prior technologies which pertain to commode ventilation systems, collect and channel noxious odors and gases via channels that are situated inside of a toilet bowl. Such systems have worked with varying degrees of success and cost efficiency, but all of such systems are not retrofitable to existing commodes and, as a result, have required the significant costs of commode replacement (including parts and labor). By contrast, the apparatus and related methods disclosed by this specification may be retrofitted to existing commodes by merely replacing the seat of said commode, which may be done at minimal costs.

Comparing the present invention with related systems, the apparatus and related methods disclosed by this specification are an improvement over prior art commode ventilation systems. For example: referring to the figures of McKinley (U.S. Pat. No. 6,055,677), a ventilation system is shown consisting of: thirteen vents 42 located on the underside of the a hollow toilet seat 44; and an electric single speed motor 28 which is used to draw noxious fumes and gases through the vents for ultimate release into the atmosphere away from the commode. So configured, McKinley's ventilation system affords commode users with some measure of relief from noxious gases and unpleasant odors emitting from the toilet bowl. However, the electric single speed motor 28 within McKinley's system for exhausting the noxious and odorous gasses is: limited to only a single speed so that motor may not be suitable for all users; an expensive waste of electricity; and, is noisy so that when coupled to a light switch, the associated light cannot be used quietly. Furthermore, McKinley's ventilation system features only thirteen air vents 42, which do not provide coverage for a substantial portion of the entire circumference of the toilet seat 18. This design flaw allows noxious gas, bacteria, and offensive odor to escape the toilet bowl. Other design flaws of McKinley's system pose health risks to commode users, like, for instance, no barrier or splash protector is provided in McKinley's system so that water, urine, or other elements associated with commode use may reach the interior of the exhaust system 18,20,26,28. Said configuration is further unsatisfactorily amenable to bacteria or germs in view of McKinley's failure to disclose any method of cleaning the hollow areas of the system's toilet seat. Finally, McKinley's ventilation system lacks any kind of chemical filter that could cleanse the offensive odor and harmful bacteria from gasses in the toilet bowl before the exhaust is released into the atmosphere whereby the germs, bacteria, noxious gases, and offensive odors are just transferred from one place to another, instead of being eliminated.

Entrekin (U.S. Pat. No. 2008/0086800), with reference to its drawings, describes a commode ventilation system where vents 2 on the underside of the a toilet seat vacuum noxious gases and foul odors associated with commode use, and deposit the same said into the commode's plumbing system. Entrekin's ventilation system is controlled by sensors and a time-delayed, pressure sensitive switch 7 that activates when the user sits on the toilet seat 1. Although capable of providing to commode users some measure of relief from noxious and odorous gasses, Entrekin's ventilation system does not provide chemical filters that scrub the exhaust clean of harmful bacteria. Furthermore, Entrekin's ventilation system features vents 2 that exhausts directly into the household plumbing, whereby any type of overflow or back up from the plumbing system into the ventilation system could prove to be a health hazard to commode users and/or the property. Entrekin's system cannot be properly cleaned. Furthermore, the system lacks a water filled “P” trap in between the vents in the toilet seat and the household plumbing 5, which omission could defeat the system's purpose by causing removed noxious gases, foul odors, and harmful bacteria to be released right back into the commode's environment whenever the vacuum is not running. Also, the time-delayed electrical switch 7 may be in close proximity to the water in the commode which could pose an electrical hazard. Finally, Entrekin's ventilation system could be expensive to install, as the parts and labor associated with connecting the exhaust to the household plumbing may be significant.

Prisco (U.S. Pat. No. 6,523,184), also discloses a commode exhaust system. However, the document does not explain the manner in which the noxious gases and foul odors will be dealt.

No past commode ventilation system meets the proprietary specifications described and illustrated herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This application discloses apparatus and related methods for ventilating and cleansing gasses from a toilet bowl. The principle object of this specification is to describe apparatus and related methods for eliminating unpleasant odors, noxious gases, and harmful bacteria from the commode area.

Another object of this disclosure is to provide apparatus and related methods for removing odors, noxious gases, and bacteria from toilet bowls in a cost and energy efficient manner.

In one embodiment, the disclosed apparatus features a hollow toilet seat accompanied with vents on the underside specifically for the purpose of receiving gases from inside a commode wherein said gasses are delivered to an air box via a vacuum, wherein said air box removes odor and kills bacteria in said gasses, before releasing the gasses into the atmosphere. Suitably, the air box may be equipped with chemical filters that scrub the air clean of unpleasant odor, germs, and harmful bacteria. In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a three speed motor with an ON/OFF switch so that a commode user may have flexibility in suction speeds so that the user can vary the amounts of gas removed from the toilet bowl by the system. Suitably, the wires and switches of the vacuum may be separated from the commode's plumbing system. The apparatus may feature a toilet seat with one quarter to one eighth of an inch air vents around the entire circumference on its underside so that gases from a toilet bowl may suitably flow through said vents. The apparatus may further feature a splash protection rim on the lip of the toilet seat to help prevent urine or fecal matter from splashing into the ventilating system. In a preferred embodiment, the air box features a lid so that it may be easily cleaned. Usefully, the air box and seat may be retrofitted to most commodes in a manner that meets fire, electrical and plumbing codes. Preferably, the toilet seat of the apparatus is aesthetically pleasing, durable, temperature sensitive and comfortable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

This invention will be best understood by the references of the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a top view of a toilet seat and a filtered air box, and fitting elbow plus pipe adapter which will be used to connect the system to the vacuum pump.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the toilet seat, which shows the ventilating openings around the circumference of the seat for drawing noxious air.

FIG. 3 is a top and back view which show the rear air vent of the toilet seat, the seat's bolts, nuts, washers, brackets, or hinges for connecting the toilet seat and lid to the filtered air box.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the filtered air box safely secured with its cover plate.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the filtered air box without the top cover plate removed for easy cleaning and disinfecting of the air box.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the toilet seat which shows the upper and bottom part of the toilet seat and illustrates how the two parts connect.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the toilet seat which shows the rear vent and the assembling of the upper and lower parts of the toilet seat.

FIG. 8 is a cross-section of the toilet seat.

FIG. 9 is a side view a toilet with a ventilating toilet seat and air box installed on its planar surface between the water tank and the toilet bowl. The Figure shows a fitting 14 that will be connected through a pipe system to the outside atmosphere.

FIG. 10 is a cross section of the air box.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a hollow commode seat designed to remove noxious gases, foul odors, and bacteria associated with general commode use. Such removal is accomplished via an air box equipped with chemical filters, wherein said air box draws, via a vacuum, the foul, odorous, or bacteria ridden air through vents located on the underside of the toilet seat into contact with air filters and disinfectants before releasing said air into the atmosphere.

FIG. 1 is a top view of a toilet seat 8 and an air box 11. As shown in the drawing the air box 11 features an elbow and pipe 14 extending from one of its sides. The seat 8 and air box 11 may be made of durable plastic material. As discussed further below, the pipe 14 may be connected to a flexible hose and a vacuum.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the toilet seat 8 and the air box 11 shown in FIG. 1. As shown, the toilet seat features orifices 18 (or vents 18) leading to a hollow portion (or channel) within the seat (shown in broken lines), wherein said hollow portion may suitably be in fluid communication with the air box 11. Operably, noxious gases may be drawn, via a vacuum connected to the pipe 14, through the vents 18 and into the air box 11 before being released into the atmosphere. As shown, the toilet seat 8 may be attached by a hinge 9, to the filtered air box 11.

Referring now to FIG. 10, the vacuum pipe 14 may be positioned on the top of the air box 11 so that the air box 11 may be made of multiple small compartments for the installation of filters 1. In one embodiment, the air box 11 features a reservoir of disinfectant 6 or deodorant solution and a spray nozzle 5 for applying the disinfectant to the filters. In another embodiment, the vacuum suction through the air box 11 creates the moisture to soak and wet said filters. The disinfectant may suitably be used to kill bacteria in any gasses passed therethrough the air box 11. Still referring to FIG. 10, the spray nozzle 5 may feature a spray pump that works by hand in the manner of known spray bottles. Operably, two pumps of the nozzle may spray the disinfectant or deodorant liquid on to said filters before or during the filtration of noxious, odorous, or bacteria ridden air. Suitably, the deodorant or disinfectant liquid may be of any type of deodorant or disinfectant liquids known to those of skill in the art. In another embodiment, the spray pump may be mechanically operated (e.g., by an ON/OFF battery powered switch) so that disinfectant or deodorant liquid is provided to to the periodically (e.g., every second, every minute, twice a minute, every other minute and so on) depending the necessities of this system. Thus, the user has three different for applying disinfectant to the filters: (1) vacuum suction; (2) a manual spray pump; or (3) a mechanically operated spray pump. Said spray pumps may be fixedly connected to the air box.

FIG. 3 is a top and rear view of the seat 8 of the present system. FIG. 7 is a rear perspective of the seat 8. FIGS. 4, 5, and 10 are perspective views of an air box. FIG. 8 is a cross section of an embodiment of the seat 8 and air box 11. As shown in the figures, the seat features a vent 10 on its rear and the air box features an opening 17. Operably, the seat 8 is pivotally connected to the air-box so that when it is in a down position, the flanges on the vent 10 interact with the air box 11 and its opening so that the vents 18 of the toilet seat are in fluid communication with the air box 11. Stated differently, the toilet seat 8 with a rear vent 10 connects to the vent 17 of the filtered air box 11. In one embodiment, now shown, the opening 17 may preferably feature a cover for protection from dirt and urine when the toilet seat 8 is in up position.

As shown in FIG. 5, the air box 11 may feature a cover plate 12 so that the inside of the box 11 and its filters 1 may be easily cleaned. The cover plate 12 may be attached to the box 11 via screws 13 in the ordinary manner. Alternatively, said cover plate 12 may be attached by any other attachment mechanism (e.g., a clasp) to seal the air box 11 with or without the screws 13. The air box 11 may feature a front part of box 11 that is declined towards the seat 8 at forty-five degrees and that has holes 15 for an easy installation of hinge 9 of the toilet seat. Such a configuration may provide for easy operation and pivoting of the seat 8 so that the vent 10 and opening 17 align properly.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the toilet seat 8. As shown, the seat 8 features top and bottom halfs. The bottom bottom part of the seat 7 and upper part of seat 8 may fit together to form a hollow cavity therebetween. FIG. 6 illustrates how the two pieces might connect to each other (e.g., by screws). Suitably, the seat may be separated into its parts for easy cleaning and disinfecting. Although shown being connected by screws, the two pieces may instead be designed with a special clasp apparatus to enable the parts to be connected without screws.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a commode with the seat 8 and air box 11 installed thereon the bowl and in front of the water tank. As shown, the air box 11 is positioned on the rear planar portion of the bowl, between the toilet seat 8, and the water tank. Operably, the toilet seat is positioned so that the vents 18 may be positioned over the toilet bowl so that, when the air box 11 is connected at its pipe 14 to a vacuum, air may be drawn from the toilet bowl, through the air box 11 for disinfectant and deodorizing before being released into the atmosphere.

The apparatus described has been dubbed the “magical” toilet seat. Although useful for interpreting any claims to the above described apparatus and related methods, this specification is not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that those of skill in the art may recognize modification or adjustments to the apparatus and related methods herein described without departing from the spirit and intent of this disclosure. Therefore, the Magical Toilet Seat should not be limited to the attached illustrations, but rather to the intent of the summary and detailed description. For these reasons, this system should not be limited by the forgoing illustrations, but only by what is described in our claim.

Claims

1. A commode and toilet seat system comprising:

a bowl with a rim and a planar portion extending from said rim to a water tank;

an air box with a removable lid; wherein said air box is configured to be secured to the bowl at said planar portion; wherein said air box features a first vent and a surface that is shaped at forty-five degrees relative to said planar portion; wherein said air box features an elbow and pipe configured to be connected to a vacuum; wherein said air box features a filter; wherein said air box features a reservoir of disinfectant and a spray pump for applying said disinfectant to said filters;

a hollow toilet seat with a second vent; wherein said toilet seat is defined by an upper portion and lower portion that are secured together by screws, said lower portion featuring a plurality of orifices; wherein said toilet seat is configured to pivotally connect to said air box at said surface that is shaped at forty-five degrees between an up position and a down position; wherein said toilet seat is configured to rest on the rim of the bowl with the orifices unobstructed and in fluid communication with the bowl while the toilet seat is in the down position; wherein the first and second vents are in fluid communication while the toilet seat is in the down position; and, wherein the seat is configured to pass air from the bowl, through the orifices, through the first and second vents, through the filters, and through the elbow and pipe whenever the pipe is connected to the vacuum.

2. A toilet seat venting system comprising:

a toilet seat defined by an upper and lower portion, said lower portion featuring a plurality of orifices leading to defined passageways in said seat that are operably configured to vacuum and move noxious fumes to a filtration device outside of a toilet bowl.

3. The toilet seat venting system of claim 2 further comprising:

an air box with a removable lid; wherein said air box is configured to be secured to the bowl at said planar portion; wherein said air box features a first vent and a surface that is shaped at forty-five degrees relative to said planar portion; wherein said air box features an elbow and pipe configured to be connected to a vacuum; wherein said air box features a filter; wherein said air box features a reservoir of disinfectant and a spray pump for applying said disinfectant to said filters;

wherein said toilet seat features a second vent; wherein said upper portion and lower portion are secured together by screws; wherein said toilet seat is configured to pivotally connect to said air box at said surface that is shaped at forty-five degrees between an up position and a down position; wherein said toilet seat is configured to rest on the rim of the bowl with the orifices unobstructed and in fluid communication with the bowl while the toilet seat is in the down position; wherein the first and second vents are in fluid communication while the toilet seat is in the down position; and, wherein the seat is configured to pass air from the bowl, through the orifices, through the first and second vents, through the filters, and through the elbow and pipe whenever the pipe is connected to the vacuum.

4. The system of claim 2 further comprising a vacuum for said seat with an on/off switch and variable speeds of suction.

5. The system of claim 2 further comprising a seat and ventilation box that may be retrofitted to an existing commode.

6. The system of claim 2 further comprising a seat with variable user controlled temperatures.

7. The system of claim 2 further comprising wherein all wires and switches used with said seat are completely separated from the commode plumbing system.

8. The system of claim 2 wherein said toilet seat has a splash guard whereby dirt and excrement is restricted from entry into said ventilation system.

9. The system of claim 2 with deodorant soaked filters.

10. The system of claim 2 with disinfectant soaked filter.

11. The system of claim 2 with a spray pump for spraying filters with disinfectant fluids.

12. A method of venting a toilet bowl comprising the steps of:

placing an air box with an opening on a planar portion of the toilet bowl; pivoting a hollow toilet seat with orifices on its underside and a vent on its rear so that (a) said seat is positioned over said toilet bowl with said orifices and vent in fluid communication and (b) the vent is in fluid communication with said opening of said air box; drawing air through the orifices, the vent, and the opening into the air box; contacting said air with a filter that has been sprayed with a deodorant; and, releasing said air into the atmosphere.