SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR A VENTILATING TOILET

Abstract

A toilet apparatus comprises a base including a bowl and a rim. The bowl retains water and waste material. The water and the waste material emitting an odor. The rim extends inwardly from an upper periphery of the bowl, wherein the inwardly extending rim includes an upper surface, a lower surface, and an inner surface. The inner surface of the rim including one or more ventilation ports providing fluid communication between an interior of the bowl and a ventilation chamber. The ventilation chamber is connected to a ventilation pipe. An exhaust fan ventilates the odor through the ventilation chamber and the ventilation pipe from the interior of the bowl.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a toilet apparatus, under an embodiment.

FIG. 2A shows a toilet apparatus, under an embodiment

FIG. 2B shows a cross sectional view of a toilet apparatus rim, under an embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of a toilet rim inner surface comprising ventilation ports, under an embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a ventilation port, under an embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows a top down view of a toilet apparatus, under an embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a front view of a toilet rim inner surface comprising a ventilation port, under an embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows ventilation system connected to an air chamber of a toilet apparatus, under an embodiment.

So that the manner in which the systems, methods, and apparatus for a ventilating toilet described herein can be better understood, certain illustrations, charts and/or flow charts are appended hereto. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only selected embodiments of the systems and methods described herein and are therefore not to be considered limiting of scope, for the systems, methods, and apparatus for a ventilating toilet described herein may admit to other equally effective embodiments and applications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

Systems, methods, and apparatus for a ventilating toilet are herein described.

A typical flush toilet is a vitreous, ceramic bowl containing water plus plumbing. FIG. 1 shows a toilet apparatus 100, under an embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a water tank 102 and a base 104. The base comprises a bowl 106, a rim 108, and a siphon 110. A lid 112 is rotatably coupled with rim 108 at point 114. FIG. 1 shows the lid 112 in closed position lying over an opening into the interior of the bowl 106.

The tank 102 dispenses water into the bowl 106. The water in the toilet bowl is under one embodiment connected to a hollow drain pipor siphon 110 shaped like an upside-down U connecting the bowl with a drain. One side of the U channel is arranged as a hollow siphon tube longer than the water in the bowl is high. The siphon tube connects to the drain. The bottom of the upside-down U-shaped drain pipe limits the height of the water in the bowl 106 before it flows down the drain. The water in the bowl acts as a barrier to sewer gas entering and as a receptacle for waste. Sewer gas is vented through a vent pipe attached to the sewer line. When a toilet 100 is flushed, the water should flow into a septic tank or into a sewage system with a sewage treatment plant. The toilet 100 is designed to be rapidly filled with more water once flushed.

Toilets are of course designed to eliminate human waste. It has been designed and redesigned countless times but still presents one major flaw. Flush toilets have a bowl where waste is captured and disposed of with the aid of water. Water floods the bowl and then flushed water pushes the waste and water out of the bowl and into the plumbing below.

The odor from the waste however is left in the bowl and the bathroom housing the toilet. Ventilation fans are typically installed in the ceiling or sometimes in the wall. Ventilation fans help remove the odor from the room. In so doing it actually pulls more odor out of the toilet bowl into the room. A new design directly combines the toilet bowl to a ventilation system. A ventilation fan is placed in the attic and is then attached to the toilet with a piping system. This system vents and all but eliminates the unwelcome odor resulting from use of the bathroom.

Existing toilets may have ports of entry that introduce water into the bowl. Such water is necessary to flush the toilet. These ports are located just under and around the top rim of the toilet. A new design introduces under one embodiment an extra set of ports in addition to the water entry ports. These additional ports are not entry ports but exit ports under an embodiment. The additional ports may comprise vacuum or ventilation ports. They may be placed in many places inside the bowl as long as they do not impede the flow of water and waste in the toilet.

Under an embodiment these ports are coupled together either internally or externally. The connection may lead to a union that attaches to a pipe or hose that is then piped into a wall behind the toilet. The pipe may lead upward through the wall into an attic. Inside the attic the pipe is under one embodiment connected to a ventilation fan. Another pipe may leave the ventilation fan and exit through the roof the way plumbing vents are situated. The odor/scent is then expelled to the outside through the pipe that exits the ventilation fan under one embodiment.

Under an alternative embodiment, the ventilation pipes may also be piped through an exterior wall with the ventilation fan mounted outside said wall. Under yet another embodiment, the ventilation fan may simply expel the odor into the attic. This practice mirrors the operation of many ventilation fans in service that simply transfer air within a bathroom to the attic.

Under an embodiment, the ventilation pipe may run up and along the wall behind or to the side of the toilet inside the bathroom without being placed inside the wall. Multiple toilets may be piped into one central ventilation fan or each toilet may be independently ventilated. The vents may be controlled by a simple light switch which under an embodiment is wired through the wall as any other electrical switch would. Under an embodiment, the electrical switch may be operated with timer switches or any type of automated switch configured to turn on or off when the toilet/bathroom is in use.

FIG. 2A shows a toilet apparatus 100 with lid removed under an embodiment. The apparatus comprises a base 104. The base comprises a bowl 106 and a rim 108. The bowl 106 comprises an exterior surface 122 and an interior surface 124. The rim 108 comprises an upper surface 132, a lower surface 134, an inner surface 138, and an outer surface 140. The bowl further comprises holes or ports 142 that introduce water into the bowl from tank 102 under an embodiment. The surface 150 provides support for the apparatus tank or cistern (not shown) which collects and dispenses water in operation of the toilet.

FIG. 2B shows a cross sectional view of a toilet apparatus rim 108, under an embodiment. FIG. 2B shows an upper surface 132, a lower surface 134, and an inner surface 138 of the rim.

The inner surface 138 of the rim 108 may comprise ventilation ports or air ports under an embodiment. FIG. 3 shows a front view 300 of the rim inner surface 138. FIG. 3 shows air port 302 and air port 304. Each port features a lower portion 314, 316 and an upper portion 310, 312. The lower portion 314, 316 comprises an opening in the inner surface 138 allowing communication of air between an interior of the bowl 106 and an air chamber (FIG. 5, 520) within an interior of the rim 108. The upper portion 310, 312 comprises a hood extending outward and over the lower portion as further described below.

FIG. 4 features a side view of the of ports 302, 304 seen in FIG. 3. The cover portion or the lid 410 extends inwardly from inner surface 138. The lid also extends downwardly over the opening 412. The lid 410 may under one embodiment comprise a spherical shaped hood. The lid 410 covers and protects the opening 412 from entry of materials or substances from above. The lid shields the port while allowing communication of air between an interior of bowl and an air chamber (FIG. 5, 520) within an interior of the rim 108.

FIG. 5 shows air ports 502, 504, 506, 508, Each port allows communication of air between an interior of bowl 106 and an interior air chamber 520 within the rim 108. The air chamber travels along an interior of rim 108 along a first portion from port 508 past port 506 to point 522. The air chamber travels along an interior of rim along a second portion from port 504 past port 502 to point 522. The air chamber may under an embodiment travel from the interior space 522 of the rim 108 to the exit point 530 through a third portion. The third portion may comprise any path through the apparatus base and/or apparatus tank as long as the chamber moves air through a continuous enclosure without interfering with operation of the tank or base in (i) holding water, (ii) introducing water into the apparatus bowl, and/or (iii) removing or expelling water from the bowl. Under an embodiment, the air chamber 520 provides a continuous enclosure that vents air from each ventilation port 502, 504, 506, 508 to exit point 530.

An embodiment is described herein which locates the air chamber within the rim of a toilet apparatus. However, it should be understood that the air chamber may be located anywhere within the toilet apparatus so long as the chamber provides a continuous enclosure that vents air from ventilation ports to one or more exit points exiting the toilet apparatus.

FIG. 6 shows a front view of rim inner surface 138. Air port 502 allows communication of air between an interior of the bowl and air chamber 520. The port 502 and air chamber 520 reside above the water chamber 614 within apparatus bowl. Port 502 is exemplary of ports 504, 506, 508 which exist in similar configurations along the inner surface 138 of rim 108.

FIG. 7 shows one configuration of the ventilation system piped through a wall into an attic through a fan and out the roof, under an embodiment. FIG. 7 shows the apparatus base 712, the apparatus rim 714, and the apparatus tank 716. The water inlet 718 is attached to a water source to provide water to the apparatus 700. The air chamber (FIG. 5, 522) connects to a ventilation pipe at exit point 530. The pipe 730 may then connect to pipe 732 which extends upward inside a stud wall 722. An exhaust fan housing 724 rests upon a ceiling joist 726 and just below roof line 728. The exhaust fan inside the housing operates to move air from the chamber 520 in the apparatus through ventilation pipe 730, and then upward through ventilation pipe 732. The exhaust fan 724 then vents air out of the entire housing structure through ventilation pipe 734.

FIG. 7 shows an electrical switch 750 located on the wall behind the toilet. The switch may of course be located anywhere within the room containing the toilet or elsewhere in a corresponding building, house, or structure. The switch may control the exhaust fan and ventilation system in general. As indicated above, the electrical switch may be operated with timer switches or any type of automated switch configured to turn on or off when the toilet/bathroom is in use.

A toilet apparatus is described herein that comprises under an embodiment a base comprising a bowl, a rim, and a siphon. The apparatus includes the bowl retaining water and waste material, wherein the apparatus dispenses the water and the waste material through the siphon, wherein the apparatus is located in a room. The apparatus includes the water and the waste material emitting an odor. The apparatus includes the rim extending inwardly from an upper periphery of the bowl, wherein the inwardly extending rim includes an upper surface, a lower surface, and an inner surface. The apparatus includes the inner surface of the rim including one or more ventilation ports. The apparatus includes the one or more ventilation ports providing fluid communication between an interior of the bowl and a ventilation chamber, wherein the ventilation chamber is connected to a ventilation pipe. The apparatus includes an exhaust fan ventilating the odor through the ventilation chamber and the ventilation pipe from the interior of the bowl.

The fluid communication comprises communication of air, under an embodiment.

The ventilation chamber is located within the rim, under an embodiment

The ventilation chamber extends under an embodiment to a point of exit from the apparatus.

The ventilation chamber comprises under an embodiment a continuous enclosure from the one or more ventilation ports to the point of exit.

The ventilation chamber connects to the ventilation pipe at the point of exit, under an embodiment.

The ventilation pipe extends from the exit point to an exhaust fan, under an embodiment.

The extending from the exit point to the exhaust fan includes under an embodiment the ventilation pipe travelling through one or more of the room, an attic and an interior of a stud wall.

The exhaust fan ventilating the odor includes under an embodiment ventilating the odor to one or more of an attic and an exterior of a building comprising the room.

A ventilation port lid covers each of the one or more ventilation ports, under an embodiment.

Each ventilation port lid extends inwardly from the upper periphery, under an embodiment.

Each ventilation port lid extends under an embodiment downwardly from the upper periphery.

Each ventilation port lid comprises under an embodiment a spherically shaped hood covering the upper half of a corresponding ventilation port.

A tank contains additional water, under an embodiment.

The dispensing the water and the waste material through a siphon includes under an embodiment the tank introducing the additional water into the bowl through a plurality of ports.

The plurality of ports located in the bowl under and around the lower surface, under an embodiment.

The bowl, the base, the ventilation chamber, the one or more ventilation ports and corresponding ventilation port lids are preformed, under an embodiment.

The systems and methods for the ventilation of a toilet apparatus can be a component of a single system, multiple systems, and/or geographically separate systems. The systems and methods for the ventilation of a toilet apparatus can also be a subcomponent or subsystem of a single system, multiple systems, and/or geographically separate systems. The components can be coupled to one or more other components (not shown) of a host system or a system coupled to the host system.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in a sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “hereunder,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, when used in this application, refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. When the word “or” is used in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and any combination of the items in the list.

The above description of embodiments of the systems and methods for the ventilation of a toilet apparatus and corresponding systems and methods is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the systems and methods to the precise forms disclosed. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the systems and methods for the ventilation of a toilet apparatus and corresponding systems and methods are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the systems and methods, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The teachings of the systems and methods for the ventilation of a toilet apparatus and corresponding systems and methods provided herein can be applied to other systems and methods, not only for the systems and methods described above.

The above description of embodiments of the toilet apparatus itself is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the apparatus to the precise forms disclosed. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the toilet apparatus are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope this disclosure as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The teachings of toilet apparatus and corresponding systems and methods provided herein can be applied to other toilet apparatus, devices and structures.

The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the systems and methods for the ventilation of a toilet apparatus and corresponding systems and methods in light of the above detailed description.

Claims

1. A toilet apparatus comprising, a base comprising a bowl, a rim, and a siphon;

the bowl retaining water and waste material, wherein the apparatus dispenses the water and the waste material through the siphon, wherein the apparatus is located in a room;

the water and the waste material emitting an odor;

the rim extending inwardly from an upper periphery of the bowl, wherein the inwardly extending rim includes an upper surface, a lower surface, and an inner surface;

the inner surface of the rim including one or more ventilation ports;

the one or more ventilation ports providing fluid communication between an interior of the bowl and a ventilation chamber, wherein the ventilation chamber is connected to a ventilation pipe;

an exhaust fan ventilating the odor through the ventilation chamber and the ventilation pipe from the interior of the bowl.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid communication comprises communication of air.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ventilation chamber is located within the rim.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the ventilation chamber extends to a point of exit from the apparatus.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the ventilation chamber comprises a continuous enclosure from the one or more ventilation ports to the point of exit.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the ventilation chamber connects to the ventilation pipe at the point of exit.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the ventilation pipe extends from the exit point to an exhaust fan.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, the extending from the exit point to the exhaust fan including the ventilation pipe travelling through one or more of the room, an attic and an interior of a stud wall.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, the exhaust fan ventilating the odor including ventilating the odor to one or more of an attic and an exterior of a building comprising the room.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a ventilation port lid covers each of the one or more ventilation ports.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein each ventilation port lid extends inwardly from the upper periphery.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein each ventilation port lid extends downwardly from the upper periphery.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein each ventilation port lid comprises a spherically shaped hood covering the upper half of a corresponding ventilation port.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a tank containing additional water.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, the dispensing the water and the waste material through a siphon including the tank introducing the additional water into the bowl through a plurality of ports.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, the plurality of ports located in the bowl under and around the lower surface.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bowl, the base, the ventilation chamber, the one or more ventilation ports and corresponding ventilation port lids are preformed.