Electric-motor Pump Patents (Class 4/213)
  • Patent number: 7818822
    Abstract: Electrically energized apparatus mounted within the water tank of a conventional flush toilet draws air from the toilet bowl into a plenum to expose the air to UV radiation to produce ozone molecules that have an oxidizing effect on organic matter and to serve as a germicide and a virucide. The ozone enriched air is entrained in the water present in the toilet tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Zuvo Water, LLC
    Inventor: Ronald Martin
  • Publication number: 20100235974
    Abstract: A toilet bowl odor removing device and method therefor capable of being coupled to a toilet and capable of effectively collecting air proximate the toilet bowl, thereby preventing the escape of toilet bowl odor into the surrounding environment, and thereafter filtering the collected air, isolating odor causing agents, and then releasing the collected air back into the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventor: David Reed
  • Patent number: 7797766
    Abstract: A toilet odor exhaust device for a toilet having a toilet bowl with a rim portion and a hinged seat. The device comprises an air intake nozzle and a vacuum filtering unit. A conduit connects the air intake nozzle to the vacuum filtering unit. A structure is for removably attaching the vacuum filtering unit to the rim portion of the toilet bowl, so that the air intake nozzle will fit between the rim portion of the toilet bowl and the seat. A mechanism is for activating the vacuum filtering unit, when a person sits upon the seat on the toilet bowl. Foul air in the toilet bowl will be sucked through the air intake nozzle, the conduit and into the vacuum filtering unit, in which clean air will exit from the vacuum filtering unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Inventor: Robert W. Ellinger
  • Patent number: 7788740
    Abstract: The present invention encompasses a lavatory bowl rim-block comprising: a) a container holding a liquid, perfume-containing composition; b) a dispensing means for dispensing said composition from under the rim of a lavatory bowl; and c) a fragrance delivery component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Gian De Belder, Veronique Sylvie Metrot, Maria Papadaki, Neil John Rogers, Karl Patrick Ronn, Vincenzo Tomarchio, Michael Jakob Reynen
  • Patent number: 7780222
    Abstract: The folding camping trailer includes a trailer body having partial height sidewalls and end walls, a vertically extendable roof section, an expandable enclosure connecting the sidewalls and end walls to the roof section, and a flush toilet disposed in the trailer body. The toilet includes a waste holding tank for storing sewage waste, a toilet bowl attached to the holding tank, a drain outlet situated on the holding tank for draining the sewage waste and a vent conduit extending from the holding tank to either the roof section or the expandable enclosure connecting the sidewalls and end walls to the roof section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: FTCA, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Podgorney, Dana K. Gehman
  • Publication number: 20100199413
    Abstract: An odor removal system and device are provided for removing odors from standard gravity fed and water pressure operated toilets. The system includes a fan assembly for directing air from the toilet bowl and overflow tube through a filter containing an appropriate filter material. It operates upon instruction from a mechanism designed to determine when the toilet is in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: Calgon Carbon Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas R. Pollack, William J. Aldridge
  • Patent number: 7730559
    Abstract: A toilet seat is provided for mounting on a toilet bowl (1) and is configured to be placed in communication with a mechanical air extraction system. The toilet seat includes a seat (4) that can be applied in a sealed manner on the toilet bowl. The toilet seat (4) has an air inlet (6) at the front and an air outlet (7) at the rear. The outlet (7) is connected by ducts (8, 9, 10) to the air extraction system (14, 15). A cover (11) is hinged in proximity to the seat (4). The cover (11) is configured to prevent the toilet bowl (1) from being flushed when the cover (11) is in the open position and seals the front air inlet (6) when the cover is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Alain-Dominique Gallizia
  • Patent number: 7730560
    Abstract: The present invention provides an odorless toilet comprising an adapter ring compressed between a toilet horn and a sewer pipe flange and having a hollow core, an adapter inlet and an exhaust vent; a seat having at least one intake port, a gas cavity and a gas cavity exhaust port; a fan having a fan inlet and a fan exhaust, the fan inlet connected to the gas cavity exhaust port and the fan exhaust connected to the adapter inlet, wherein when the fan is operating, a negative pressure develops in the seat gas cavity, and the odor is pulled into the seat gas cavity through at least one intake port and exhausted from the gas cavity exhaust port to the adapter inlet and then channeled into a sewer pipe through the exhaust vent, wherein the exhaust vent of the adapter ring extends below the sewer pipe flange, wherein the adapter ring has an opening through the center to allow unobstructed passage of waste matter from the toilet horn to a sewer pipe when the toilet is flushed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Viktor Markaj
  • Patent number: 7685653
    Abstract: Odor extraction system having a fluid tank valve, for extracting malodorous air from a toilet bowl and preventing discharge into the environment, a fan connected to the shaft of an electric motor disposed in a pipe chamber that is located between the free end of a suction piece and an outlet piece, where said suction piece is adapted for connecting to the flush pipe of the toilet bowl and where said outlet piece is joined to the sewer pipe, with said pipe chamber fluid tank valve adapted for airtight closure. The fluid tank valve is part of the pipe chamber, the fluid tank of the fluid tank valve having a suction opening and an outlet opening, with a closing mechanism joined to said suction opening, having a free end at the downstream extremity thereof, with said free end submerging into the fluid in the fluid tank with the free end rising from said fluid under the effect of pressure difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Inventor: Gyorgy Kovacs
  • Publication number: 20100043128
    Abstract: A suction system which comprises an extractor element which is functionally connected in input to a flushing pipe of a flusher of a toilet bowl and in output to a space located outside the room in which the bowl is provided. The extractor element comprises a box-like container, which is provided with an inspection cover and inside which there is a compartment for accommodating an extractor in which the intake port is connected to the flushing pipe of the flusher and the discharge port is connected to a pipe for connection to the space outside the room or other vents; electrical and electronic means for supplying power and managing the system are provided within the box-like container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Ugo Soldera, Tranquillo Volpato
  • Publication number: 20100024106
    Abstract: A bathroom air-conditioner includes a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor, a radiator, a decompressing mechanism and a heat absorber are connected with one another through a pipe, a circulating air-course, and a ventilating air-course. In the circulating air-course, the radiator and a circulating fan for circulating the air of the bathroom are placed. In the ventilating air-course, the heat absorber and a ventilating fan for discharging the air from the bathroom to the outside are placed. The heat absorber makes the refrigerant absorb heat from the air of the bathroom, and the radiator makes the refrigerant dissipate heat to the air of the bathroom for heating the bathroom. During the heating of the bathroom, when a temperature of the bathroom becomes higher than a given temperature, a controller reduces an air-blow amount from the ventilating fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Katsumi, Yoshihiro Nishizuru, Kazuhiro Saitou, Mitunori Matubara, Masafumi Tsubouchi, Yuuji Sugata, Hiroshi Tsuihiji
  • Patent number: 7644450
    Abstract: A premium ventilated toilet having an automated toilet ventilation system for removing noxious fumes from a bowl area of the toilet is disclosed. The ventilation system is mostly built-in to the toilet (e.g., ventilation ducts, and sensors) so that it is unobtrusive and attractive looking, however the active parts (e.g., a blower unit containing a blower impeller, a backflow shutoff valve, and electronic control circuitry) are contained in an simple housing that is unobtrusively and removably attached to the surface (preferably on the side) of the toilet base for simplified installation, maintenance, and replacement as needed. Automated operation is enabled by a non-contact occupancy (proximity) sensor and a flush sensor, both preferably built into a flush handle of the toilet. Detection of occupancy causes the ventilation system to operate and flushing turns it off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Lapossy
  • Patent number: 7596818
    Abstract: A disposable air exhaust system for eliminating aerosol effect in a toilet. The disposable air exhaust system includes first apparatus, second apparatus, and a suction device. The first apparatus disposably attaches to a rim of a bowl of the toilet and imparts a suction thereat to remove odorous particles and odorous air therefrom. The second apparatus disposably attaches to a seat of the toilet and imparts a suction thereat to remove odorous particles and odorous air therefrom. The suction device fluidly communicates with both the first apparatus and the second apparatus to create the suctions thereat to remove the odorous particles and the odorous air thereat, thereby eliminating the aerosol effect in the toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Inventor: Bernard Sutton
  • Publication number: 20090235441
    Abstract: An automatic control and battery power supply for a bathroom odor removal unit, the automatic control and battery power supply comprising: a housing, the housing comprising: a top face in generally orthogonal communication with a toilet tank face; a toilet tank face in generally orthogonal communication with a bottom face; an away face in generally orthogonal communication with the bottom face and top face; a back face in generally orthogonal communication with the toilet tank face, top face and away face; a front face in generally orthogonal communication with the toilet tank face, top face, and away face; a bottom face in generally orthogonal communication with the back face; front face, toilet tank face, and away face; a sensor face in communication with the front face, top face, bottom face, and toilet tank face, and where the angle between the sensor face and the toilet tank face is obtuse; a hanger connectable to the housing, and configured to hang from the upper edge of a toilet tank with the housing o
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Joseph Spadola, Joseph Damianoe, John Orris, Brian Bernberg, Vladmir Yakhnich
  • Publication number: 20090229045
    Abstract: A toilet ventilation system which includes a toilet seat that defines an inlet and passage way that has a means for quick attachment to a manifold. The manifold is connected by a pipe to an exhaust vent located on the outside of the building. The pipe includes an exhaust fan that urges odorous gases collected at the toilet seat to be expelled at the exhaust vent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventor: Ramon Ramos
  • Publication number: 20090188026
    Abstract: A toilet seat cover for a toilet having an internal compartment located within the toilet seat cover and an inlet aperture located in a bottom surface of the toilet seat cover. A filtration component is accommodated within the internal compartment and an air moving device for drawing in air from the toilet into the internal compartment and directing the air through the filtration component such that as the air passes through the filtration component, any noxious air, fumes and toilet odors in the air are removed prior to the treated air being discharge, from a discharge outlet of the toilet seat cover, into the surrounding environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas Rosswaag
  • Publication number: 20090126089
    Abstract: A toilet ventilation system that includes a ventilation collar mountable between a toilet tank and a toilet base. The ventilation collar cooperates with the toilet base for removal of odoriferous air from the toilet bowl via ports in the toilet rim through the ventilation collar. A fan extracts the air from the ventilation collar. A baffle disposed within the ventilation collar prevents water from being extracted from the vent collar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Lyle Smith
  • Patent number: 7503081
    Abstract: A toilet having improved flush capabilities, an electrical system for foul air evacuation including bacterial filtration, a storage compartment, a night light, improved waste disposal, and optional accessories for converting the toilet into a medical work-station for ease of use by patients and/or the handicapped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Inventor: Robert D. Montgomery
  • Publication number: 20090044320
    Abstract: An improvement to standard toilet bowls implemented during manufacturing at almost no additional cost, whereby malodor can be vented directly from the toilet bowl into the drainage system. A dedicated auxiliary duct is incorporated in the toilet bowl connecting a circular opening at its top behind the seat with the inside air pocket behind and above the siphon. The opening is blocked with a replaceable tight-fitting plastic plug if the self-venting feature is not required. A low voltage electric fan (6-12V) is retrofitted behind the toilet seat and secured thereto at the seat anchor holes, with a flat intake nozzle fitting under the rear end of the toilet seat, and a discharge tube connected to the aforementioned opening behind the toilet seat. Malodors are sucked by the air fan directly from the toilet bowl through the intake nozzle, and are vented through the discharge tube into the drain system behind the siphon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventor: Hani A. Abunameh
  • Patent number: 7485166
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device for detection, collection, containment, neutralization, and elimination of aerosolized contaminants, comprising a lid that fully covers an edge of a container for containment of exiting aerosolized contaminants, with the lid having housing for accommodating an article. The housing comprising a top vent aligned along atop of a bottom vent, with the top vent optionally smaller in size than the bottom vent, and with the housing, the top vent, and the bottom vent located normal to a natural vertical upward move of the aerosolized contaminants. The aerosolized contaminants are detected, collected, contained, neutralized, and eliminated and sanitized by the article within the housing, allowing only uncontaminated air out of the top vent through a natural upward movement of the aerosolized contaminants via the force of the flush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Inventor: Joseph Safuto
  • Publication number: 20080307570
    Abstract: A toilet odor elimination device that can be retrofitted to existing toilets and adapted for new toilets includes a toilet intake vent located at the rear of the toilet bowl and which is in flow registration with an odor flow tunnel mounted to the inside front wall of the toilet tank for conveying noxious odors to a filter assembly enclosed within the toilet lid, noxious odors also being conveyed through odor intake vents disposed in odor intake channels extending within the lid, for odor purification and filtering by the filter assembly before release back into the room as freshened and scented air with the filter assembly driven by a fan and motor assembly controlled by a cpu unit, and the actuation of the fan and motor assembly from a program setting button on the toilet lid or from a remote control unit with the running time of the fan and motor assembly being set to various time increments from the program setting button or by time setting buttons on the remote control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventor: Howard Marks
  • Patent number: 7461410
    Abstract: A toilet odor ventilating assembly (TOVA) (10) that is designed to be produced either as a kit for modifying a standard toilet assembly or to be integrated on to an original equipment manufacture (OEM) toilet assembly. When produced as a kit, the TOVA (10) can be easily installed onto a standard toilet assembly (160). The TOVA (10) kit is comprised of three major elements: a lower air-flow conduit (12), an upper air-flow conduit (56), and an electrical activation unit (120). The three elements function in combination to effectively eliminate or substantially reduce toilet odors emanating from the toilet bowl (168). The OEM design of the TOVA 10 requires that the toilet bowl (168) include an air inlet opening (200) that has attached an air inlet flange (204) and an air outlet opening (202) that has attached an air outlet flange (214). Between the two flanges is attached a flexible air hose (130) that passes the air flowing from the toilet bowl (168) into the sewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Inventor: Gene P. Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20080256692
    Abstract: The invention comprises a novel device for circulating and treating odorous air inside a toilet bowl without the need for external venting of the treated air. The invention comprises a toilet air treatment device that has an air treatment member. The air treatment member has an inlet port leading from the toilet bowl to an air pathway and an outlet port leading from the air pathway to the toilet bowl. A means for treating air is located along the air pathway of the air treatment member. A means for moving air, located inside the air treatment member, causes air to be moved under pressure from the toilet bowl, through the inlet port, along the air pathway, into contact with the means for treating air, and through the outlet port into the toilet bowl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventor: Bruce Edward Barton
  • Publication number: 20080222784
    Abstract: The present invention provides a toilet and/or a toilet and bidet combination having immediate reflush capability. Preferred embodiments comprise a tankless toilet and/or toilet and bidet combination and a bowl ventilation apparatus integrated therein. The tankless nature of the invention saves space over conventional toilets, allowing closer mounting to the wall and a lower vertical profile. More specifically, certain embodiments of the present invention comprise a motorized flush mechanism with an infrared sensor having immediate reflush capability, a on-demand motorized water spray cleansing system integrated therein and an integrated bowl ventilation apparatus with a proximity sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventor: Derrick Ware
  • Patent number: 7424752
    Abstract: A toilet system comprising: a cistern for containing flush water; a toilet having a bowl, the bowl having one or more apertures which are in fluid communication with a water intake aperture of the toilet and through which flush water flows when the toilet is flushed; a conduit for transporting flush water from the cistern to the water intake aperture; and a gas removal device positioned around the conduit and defining an inner aperture through which the conduit passes, there being a peripheral space between the exterior of the conduit and an inner surface of the inner aperture, and the gas removal device being operable to suck gas into the device through the inner surface of the inner aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Odourbuster Limited
    Inventor: Peter Antoniou
  • Publication number: 20080216220
    Abstract: The present invention provides an odorless toilet comprising an adapter ring compressed between a toilet horn and a sewer pipe flange and having a hollow core, an adapter inlet and an exhaust vent; a seat having at least one intake port, a gas cavity and a gas cavity exhaust port; a fan having a fan inlet and a fan exhaust, the fan inlet connected to the gas cavity exhaust port and the fan exhaust connected to the adapter inlet, wherein when the fan is operating, a negative pressure develops in the seat gas cavity, and the odor is pulled into the seat gas cavity through at least one intake port and exhausted from the gas cavity exhaust port to the adapter inlet and then channeled into a sewer pipe through the exhaust vent, wherein the exhaust vent of the adapter ring extends below the sewer pipe flange, wherein the adapter ring has an opening through the center to allow unobstructed passage of waste matter from the toilet horn to a sewer pipe when the toilet is flushed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventor: Viktor Markaj
  • Publication number: 20080127403
    Abstract: A bathroom-ventilating fan with grille having a fan hosing, fan scroll, inlet ring, outlet collar, fan grille, sound insulation and electrical box. The external motorized assembly backwardly inclined type impeller is used. The bathroom-ventilating fan with grille has multiple speeds controlled by multiple capacitor and has the performance with 100 CFM airflow rate at or higher than 1 inches static pressure, 5 Sones or lower than 5 Sones of HVI (Home Ventilating Institute) certified sound ratings and 3.08 or higher than 3.08 CFM per watt power consumption at 0.1 inch static pressure as well as the fan has the performance with 50 CFM at 0.4 or higher than 0.4 inches static pressure, 1 Sone or lower than 1 Sone of HVI certified sound ratings and 1.36 or higher than 1.36 CFM per watt power consumption at 0.1 inch static pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: AIREX, Inc.
    Inventors: Tony Iantorno, Enzo Iantorno
  • Patent number: 7380292
    Abstract: A modular multifunction device designed to take full advantage of its strategic placement as mounted on a toilet's water tank to automate various toilet area functions of which any one or number of its capabilities can be utilized. The apparatus can either be attached to an existing toilet in a structure as an aftermarket product or manufactured in combination with a toilet. The modular nature of this invention allows a wide range of configuration options which helps make it universally applicable to virtually any toilet and any bathroom. One primary function of its modular case is to function as an automatic toilet ventilator, which vacuums objectionable odor from the toilet bowl and exhausts it to the sewer discharge line or to other optional depositories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Inventor: Robert Marion Harris
  • Patent number: 7376982
    Abstract: Apparatus 10 discloses a venting apparatus for a toilet bowl 12 using a gasket 18 that is positioned between a toilet seat 14 and toilet bowl rim 16 forming a gasket-like seal therebetween. The toilet bowl gasket 18 is comprised of a pliable oval-like housing having an interior cavity 20 therein. Located remotely to the venting apparatus is a motorized exhaust fan 22 connected to conduit 24 extending between the toilet seat venting apparatus and discharge vent 26. The exterior walls have a plurality of apertures 28, 30 therein serving to draw air from the toilet bowl 12 and exterior ambient air through the cavity 20 to an aperture having an exteriorly extending nipple 32 with the aforementioned conduit attached thereto whereby activating the pump 22 causes air to be drawn into the cavity 20 and discharged at the point of discharge 26.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Inventor: Vance Pencheon
  • Publication number: 20080109950
    Abstract: An air filtration device for intake of toilet bowl air, removal of contaminants from the toilet bowl air. The device consisting of an air intake body, conduit and Air Filtration housing that contains the impeller, motor, filter. A motion sensor on the air intake body or a pressure sensor on the toilet seat activates the on and off function of the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventor: Maximiliano Exiga
  • Publication number: 20080086799
    Abstract: Ultra Fresh Way Toilet consists of a toilet seat having an inner seat rim with a plurality of vents located on the inner seat rim, a vent fan attached to the toilet seat via a vent hose and a toilet bowl having inner bowl rim with at least one bowl vent located on the inner bowl rim. When a motion activated switch or another mechanism is activated, the vent fan starts sucking gas odors through the plurality of vents on the inner seat rim of the toilet seat through an exhaust manifold and into a vent hose and away from the toilet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventor: Granush Bakhchadzyan
  • Publication number: 20080083056
    Abstract: A bathroom odor removal system comprising: a toilet bowl; a toilet seat located adjacent to the toilet bowl; flush holes located in the toilet bowl; a fluid channel located in the toilet bowl and in fluid communication with the flush holes; a flush valve in fluid communication with the fluid channel, the flush valve comprising a flapper and an overflow pipe conduit; an overflow pipe in fluid communication with the overflow pipe conduit; a toilet tank in fluid communication with the flapper and the overflow pipe conduit; a toilet tank lid attached to the top of the toilet tank via a seal that provides for a generally air tight seal between the toilet tank and the toilet tank lid; a lid conduit located within the toilet tank lid; at least one air opening located in the toilet tank lid and in fluid communication with the lid conduit; a make up air tube, with an outlet, in fluid communication with the lid conduit and the interior of the toilet tank, where the outlet is configured to be between about ½ inch to abo
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: Joseph Damianoe, Joseph Spadola, Vladmir Yackhnich
  • Publication number: 20080066219
    Abstract: This is how the Toilet Ventilator works. First turn on switch. It's located next to the light switch. Once you do that the 12 volts vacuum comes on. It will start pulling the odor through a 7 air chamber that is located inside the seat. The odor will travel through two plastic tubes that runs through the wall and goes straight to the vacuum. The vacuum will pull all the odor air out of the bathroom into the atmosphere. When the odor smell is gone, turn switch off to stop vacuum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventor: Victor Lynn Jones
  • Patent number: 7337476
    Abstract: The invention comprises a toilet seat that forms a hollow inside chamber that runs within the toilet seat. The bottom surface of the toilet seat also forms a plurality of linear, elongated louvers to allow a sweeping motion of air across the underside surface of the toilet seat and into the hollow inside chamber. These openings are oriented to establish a horizontal movement of the air inside the perimeter of the toilet seat to minimize the escape of odors from the toilet bowl. The toilet seat also forms a rear opening that a fan that withdraws air from the hollow inside chamber. The exhaust air passes through an odor adsorbing chamber adsorbing odors. The air is then expelled into the room back and downward, away from the user. Alternatively, the exhaust is channeled ventilation piping in the structure to be exhausted to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Inventor: Donald L. Green
  • Publication number: 20080040842
    Abstract: The toilet ventilation system includes at least one toilet seat having an interior air channel disposed through the entire circumference of the seat and a plurality of apertures disposed through the bottom surface communicating with the interior channel. A vacuum pump is connected to the channel by tubing. A plurality of microswitches are attached to the bottom of the toilet seat, including a standby switch that turns the pump on when the seat is lowered onto the bowl, a pressure switch that activates the pump when a person is seated on the toilet, and a water switch that shuts the pump off in the event of a toilet overflow. The pump features microcontroller operation, has an activated charcoal filter for removing odors from air pumped away from the mouth of the toilet bowl, and is powered either by a wall transformer with built-in GFCI protection or by rechargeable batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventor: James S. Sanabria
  • Patent number: 7331066
    Abstract: Separate air evacuation opening and a separate manifold are formed in the toilet bowl rim for full and separate air evacuation of the toilet bowl before, during or after flushing. The exhaust assembly includes and is activated by a fan and motor exhaust assembly comprising an activation switch, one way valve, and control circuit. A piping network provides exhaust from one or more connected dwelling toilets to the dwelling exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Inventor: Angel B. Ramos
  • Publication number: 20080034482
    Abstract: A ventilated toilet with ventilation orifices, ventilation channel terminating in a ventilation port, ventilation duct, exhaust duct and exhaust device, all in fluid communication. Ventilation orifices are at an elevation above the toilet rim. The exhaust device is external to the structure housing the ventilated toilet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: Glen A. Lehman
  • Publication number: 20080022444
    Abstract: A toilet is provided which transports malodorous air from the bowl to the sewer line. The tank of the toilet is equipped with a fan which draws air from the bowl through the flush holes, located in the rim of the bowl, into a sealed fan box. An intake tube is used to channel air from the water inlet to the fan box, which leaves the overflow tube unobstructed. Air is diverted out of the fan box through an exit tube which attaches to the siphon at a point behind the water trap. A damper door disposed between the exit tube and intake tube prevents stale air from the siphon or sewer from entering the bowl or tank and escaping. The toilet is powered by a simple fan, such as a 12 v/DC fan connected to a power source. The load required to operate the fan is small and can be supplied by a battery to obviate the need for a hard-wired electrical connection. The fan is activated by a switch positioned to be activated when the flush handle is moved upward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Robert I. Smith
  • Publication number: 20080010731
    Abstract: Electrically energized apparatus mounted within the water tank of a conventional flush toilet draws air from the toilet bowl into a plenum to expose the air to UV radiation to produce ozone molecules that have an oxidizing effect on organic matter and to serve as a germicide and a virucide. The ozone enriched air is entrained in the water present in the toilet tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: VORTEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ronald Martin
  • Publication number: 20080000017
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for adjustably sizing a ventilator assembly to toilets of various size to remove malodorous air during use. The assembly includes three modular components fitted with one another about the toilet bowl, neck and water tank. The first component includes holes that mate with the seat fastener holes of the neck to substantially immovably overhang an air intake into the bowl. The second component rests on the neck and adjustably engages the air intake with an air conduit path. The third component engages the second component outside the neck and tucks fairly underneath the water tank. A fan assembly fluidly communicates with both the air intake and the air conduit path to draw odors from the bowl. In other aspects, fragrance traps, charcoal filters, battery operations, rechargeable battery arrangements, operator switches and timers, clean air exhausts, and balanced weight are contemplated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: Chestser Gayle Littrell, Calvin Ray Mitchuson
  • Publication number: 20070294809
    Abstract: A bathroom ventilating device includes one or more air inlet openings formed in a ceiling of a bathroom for introducing an air into the bathroom, and an air evacuating device disposed on a floor of the bathroom for evacuating odour and moisture from the bathroom. An air drawing device is attached to the ceiling of the bathroom and includes a fan aligned with the air inlet opening of the ceiling for drawing the air into the bathroom for effectively circulating and drawing the air out of the bathroom and for effectively circulating and introducing the fresh air into the bathroom and for effectively removing the odour and the moisture from the bathroom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Inventors: Ching Shou Yin, Yu Kuei Cho, Ming Hui Cheng
  • Publication number: 20070289053
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a toilet odor removal system are disclosed. In general, the toilet odor removal system includes a sealed seat that forms a substantial seal between the user and the rim of the toilet bowl. A gas removal system is in fluid communication with the bowl and operates to substantially remove any offensive odors in the bowl. The offensive odors may be removed from the bowl through any suitable solution, including an integrated conduit in the toilet, an intake ring, or through an annulus and orifices in a gasket of the sealed seat. An advantage of at least one embodiment is a reduction in offensive odors escaping the toilet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventor: Allan J. Tolbert
  • Publication number: 20070289052
    Abstract: This subject apparatus is an odor dispersal unit structured primarily for toilets to function to capture odors emanating from the vicinity of the toilet bowl for purposes of eliminating obnoxious odors during and after usage, comprising in general an intake member for drawing gaseous odors from the toilet area with means to disperse such odors outside the room in which such toilet is located.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventor: Donald H. Buck
  • Patent number: 7284285
    Abstract: A combined toilet and bidet system that may be manufactured with a toilet or mounted and adapted to the design of an existing toilet comprising a first adjustable nozzle mountable near the front end of a toilet bowl, second adjustable nozzle mountable near the back end of the toilet bowl, faucet/valve system for receiving and controllably combining multiple water sources in a manner that controls the temperature of water outputted, conduit for delivering water from the selected water source(s) to the faucet/valve system, conduit for delivering water from the faucet/valve system to a splitter that outputs the water received to the nozzles, conduit for delivering the water from the splitter to the first and second nozzles, at least one directional control system for controllably adjusting the angle of at least one of and preferably all of the nozzles to dictate the direction(s) water is ejected therefrom and exhaust system for removing odors from the area of the toilet-bidet system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Inventor: Saverio Scalzi
  • Patent number: 7275271
    Abstract: A ventilation system for a toilet which functions by drawing air from around the bowl through the original flush holes into the existing overflow-pipe and then into a fan compartment. The fan is activated by manipulating the flush handle upward. Malodorous air is then forced through an exhaust pipe into the sewage line downstream of the gas trap. The fan is deactivated when the flush handle is pressed downward and the toilet is flushed. A water-trap between the fan and the toilet tank prevents the malodorous air from escaping into the tank. The water in the water trap is changed with each flush by redirecting the refill tube into the water trap. This prevents the water in the water trap from becoming stagnant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Inventor: Robert I. Smith
  • Patent number: 7226115
    Abstract: The folding camping trailer includes a trailer body having partial height sidewalls and end walls, a vertically extendable roof section, an expandable enclosure connecting the sidewalls and end walls to the roof section, and a flush toilet disposed in the trailer body. The toilet includes a waste holding tank for storing sewage waste, a toilet bowl attached to the holding tank, a drain outlet situated on the holding tank for draining the sewage waste, and a vent conduit extending from the holding tank to the roof section. The vent conduit includes a vent pipe connected to the holding tank and a vent hose connected between the vent pipe and a vent opening in the roof section. The vent hose is extendable from a first length when the roof section is in a retracted position to a second longer length when the roof section is in a raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Fleetwood Folding Trailers, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Podgorney, Dana K. Gehman
  • Patent number: 7165274
    Abstract: A system for removing odorous air from a toilet bowl into a sewer line includes a toilet seat defining a plurality of air inlets spaced apart along a bottom side and an air outlet at a rear side with an internal channel connecting the air inlets and outlet. The system includes an air pump suitable for mounting to a rear of the toilet for connection to the toilet seat with tubing. A pressure sensor on the seat actuates the pump to draw air through the inlets to the pump upon sensing the pressure of a user thereon. Additional tubing extends from the pump through the toilet wax ring for exhausting the air into a sewer line. A check valve on the additional tubing prevents return of sewer gas into the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Inventor: Clarence G. Vilhauer
  • Patent number: 7162751
    Abstract: A ventilated toilet system with a toilet bowl, a toilet tank and a ventilation system. The ventilated toilet system has a vacuum system motor to expel odors from the ventilated toilet system via odor exhaust piping of varying widths, with an impeller and a housing for the vacuum system motor, that include a time delay contact relay, a flush lever button switch, a ground fault circuit interrupter with an on/off switch, a float switch and a contact relay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Inventor: Fred S. Mundt
  • Patent number: 7120942
    Abstract: A toilet ventilation system for efficiently removing odors from a toilet. The toilet ventilation system includes a ventilating unit attachable to a toilet having a front opening and a passage fluidly connected to the front opening, and one or more connector tubes fluidly connected to the ventilating unit for removing the odors from the toilet. The connector tubes are fluidly connected to a fan for drawing the odors through the connector tubes. The ventilating unit preferably includes a receiver opening that receives a cover opening for allowing cleaning of the passage within the ventilating unit. The cover member has a front lip that extends downwardly to prevent fluids from entering the passage within the ventilating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Inventors: Zane O. Kline, Billy L. Freitag
  • Patent number: 7117548
    Abstract: A toilet ventilation system comprising a seat mounted atop a typical toilet bowl and pivoting about a seat swivel mount, the seat with vacuum intake holes disposed on the lower side, the intake holes communicating with a vacuum canal within the seat; the vacuum canal terminating in a flexible vacuum outlet of the seat, the vacuum outlet communicating with a vacuum hose connected to a conical vacuum pump with integral electric motor, a check valve atop the pump, the pump installed in the toilet base cavity, the check valve connecting to exhaust exiting via sewer pipe below the toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Inventor: Horacio Reyes