CA2551705A1 - Ventilating apparatus for a toilet - Google Patents
Ventilating apparatus for a toilet Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2551705A1 CA2551705A1 CA 2551705 CA2551705A CA2551705A1 CA 2551705 A1 CA2551705 A1 CA 2551705A1 CA 2551705 CA2551705 CA 2551705 CA 2551705 A CA2551705 A CA 2551705A CA 2551705 A1 CA2551705 A1 CA 2551705A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- water
- bowl
- toilet
- water closet
- duct
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
- E03D9/00—Sanitary or other accessories for lavatories ; Devices for cleaning or disinfecting the toilet room or the toilet bowl; Devices for eliminating smells
- E03D9/04—Special arrangement or operation of ventilating devices
- E03D9/05—Special arrangement or operation of ventilating devices ventilating the bowl
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Epidemiology (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
- Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
- Sanitary Device For Flush Toilet (AREA)
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to ventilating apparatus and more particularly to apparatus for venting noxious odours from within the bowl of a toilet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Noxious odours from a toilet are usually removed by means of a exhaust fan mounted in the ceiling or wall of a bathroom. The fan directs the malodorous air into a duct where the air flows to an opening in an exterior wall and discharges into the atmosphere.
Such fans commonly activate when a door is opened or a light in the bathroom is turned on.
A shortcoming of an exhaust fan for this purpose is that the malodorous air must leave the toilet bowl and enter the bathroom before it can be removed by the fan.
Thus the fan only exhausts odours from the room and not directly from the toilet. If the toilet is only occasionally used, an exhaust fan is usually suitable for ridding a bathroom of unpleasant odours but if the toilet is in constant use, the fan may be only marginally effective in doing so.
Another shortcoming of an exhaust fan is that it tends to be become increasingly noisy as it ages. Such fans tend to be left running for long periods of time and are particularly bothersome to persons who occupy rooms adjacent to the bathroom where the fan is running.
Examples of various means for removing noxious odours from a toilet are to be found in the following U.S. patents: no. 6,983,491; 5,715,543; 6,823,532; 3,735,429;
6,588,025;
6,795,980; and 6,701,538, .,,., ..
. . ,a , ,,. . . . .. . ., . . . . , SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
I have invented an apparatus for removing noxious odours from a toilet that has few, if any, of the shortcomings of many known odour-eliminating devices. My apparatus removes the odours within the toilet and before the odours can foul the air surrounding the toilet. Further-more, the apparatus of my invention makes little or no noise in the vicinity of the toilet. Any noise occurs at a location remote from the toilet such as in a cellar where the noise is not bothersome to persons who are near the bathroom where the toilet is located.
Briefly, the apparatus of my invention includes a duct which extends from the overflow pipe of a conventional toilet to a location remote from the toilet. A control valve controls the flow of air from the overflow pipe to the duct. The control valve opens when the level of water within the water closet of the toilet is above a predetermined value and closes when the level is below that value. The apparatus includes means for causing air within the duct to flow with resulting evacuation of air from within the toilet bowl and discharge thereof at the remote location. Means is also provided for preventing the air from flowing within the duct at times when the toilet bowl is being flushed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS & PHOTOGRAPHS
The ventilating apparatus of the invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings and photographs in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional toilet;
This invention relates to ventilating apparatus and more particularly to apparatus for venting noxious odours from within the bowl of a toilet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Noxious odours from a toilet are usually removed by means of a exhaust fan mounted in the ceiling or wall of a bathroom. The fan directs the malodorous air into a duct where the air flows to an opening in an exterior wall and discharges into the atmosphere.
Such fans commonly activate when a door is opened or a light in the bathroom is turned on.
A shortcoming of an exhaust fan for this purpose is that the malodorous air must leave the toilet bowl and enter the bathroom before it can be removed by the fan.
Thus the fan only exhausts odours from the room and not directly from the toilet. If the toilet is only occasionally used, an exhaust fan is usually suitable for ridding a bathroom of unpleasant odours but if the toilet is in constant use, the fan may be only marginally effective in doing so.
Another shortcoming of an exhaust fan is that it tends to be become increasingly noisy as it ages. Such fans tend to be left running for long periods of time and are particularly bothersome to persons who occupy rooms adjacent to the bathroom where the fan is running.
Examples of various means for removing noxious odours from a toilet are to be found in the following U.S. patents: no. 6,983,491; 5,715,543; 6,823,532; 3,735,429;
6,588,025;
6,795,980; and 6,701,538, .,,., ..
. . ,a , ,,. . . . .. . ., . . . . , SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
I have invented an apparatus for removing noxious odours from a toilet that has few, if any, of the shortcomings of many known odour-eliminating devices. My apparatus removes the odours within the toilet and before the odours can foul the air surrounding the toilet. Further-more, the apparatus of my invention makes little or no noise in the vicinity of the toilet. Any noise occurs at a location remote from the toilet such as in a cellar where the noise is not bothersome to persons who are near the bathroom where the toilet is located.
Briefly, the apparatus of my invention includes a duct which extends from the overflow pipe of a conventional toilet to a location remote from the toilet. A control valve controls the flow of air from the overflow pipe to the duct. The control valve opens when the level of water within the water closet of the toilet is above a predetermined value and closes when the level is below that value. The apparatus includes means for causing air within the duct to flow with resulting evacuation of air from within the toilet bowl and discharge thereof at the remote location. Means is also provided for preventing the air from flowing within the duct at times when the toilet bowl is being flushed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS & PHOTOGRAPHS
The ventilating apparatus of the invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings and photographs in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional toilet;
2 ,,,, ...., __. . , . ..,_* . ,. _. ,. ,. _. .,.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the upper rim of a conventional toilet bowl;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a water closet of a conventional toilet;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the water closet and ventilating apparatus of the invention;
Figures 5 and 6 are other perspective views of the water closet and venting apparatus;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a compartment for the venting apparatus together with a conventional toilet; and Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of the interior of the control valve.
Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the description of the drawings and photographs.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
Figure 1 illustrates a conventional toilet which has a bowl 10 and a water closet 12. Water within the water closet is used to flush the bowl as is conventional. In Figure 2 the bowl has a rim 14 which bounds an upwardly opening mouth 16. A tubular passageway 18 is formed in the rim for receipt of water from the water closet. Water in the passageway discharges into the bowl through a number of downwardly opening nozzles 20 which are spaced along the length of the passageway.
With reference to Figure 3 a flush valve assembly 30 is actuated by a handle 32 on the outer wall of the water closet. Actuation of the assembly opens a stopper plug 34 over a
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the upper rim of a conventional toilet bowl;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a water closet of a conventional toilet;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the water closet and ventilating apparatus of the invention;
Figures 5 and 6 are other perspective views of the water closet and venting apparatus;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a compartment for the venting apparatus together with a conventional toilet; and Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of the interior of the control valve.
Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the description of the drawings and photographs.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
Figure 1 illustrates a conventional toilet which has a bowl 10 and a water closet 12. Water within the water closet is used to flush the bowl as is conventional. In Figure 2 the bowl has a rim 14 which bounds an upwardly opening mouth 16. A tubular passageway 18 is formed in the rim for receipt of water from the water closet. Water in the passageway discharges into the bowl through a number of downwardly opening nozzles 20 which are spaced along the length of the passageway.
With reference to Figure 3 a flush valve assembly 30 is actuated by a handle 32 on the outer wall of the water closet. Actuation of the assembly opens a stopper plug 34 over a
3 .,,, ....,, .
.. . ....., r.._ .v.YA . ......irdrin.. . .
discharge tube 36 thereby allowing water to flow from the water closet to passageway 18 (Figure 2).
Fresh water enters the water closet through pipe 40. The flow of the water is controlled by an inlet valve 42. The valve in turn is controlled by a float 44 which causes the water to fill the water closet. When the water closet is filled to a predetermined level, the float prevents further water from flowing into the water closet. An overflow tube 46 bypasses the flush assembly and empties any excess water into the toilet bowl if the inlet valve fails to shut off. A refill tube 48 serves to provide a passage for water to flow into the toilet bowl for a period after flushing to maintain a waterlock in the drain trap so that sewer gas cannot enter the toilet.
With reference to Figures 4 - 6 and 8, a control valve, generally 50, is mounted within a housing 51 and the housing is seated on the top of the overflow tube 46. As illustrated in Figure 8, the housing is composed of two compartments, an upper compartment 50a and a lower compartment 50b. The two compartments are separated by a partition 52. The lower compartment is air-tight except for the openings described below.
There is an opening 53a at the top of the upper compartment, a second opening 53b at the bottom of the lower compartment and a third opening 53c in the side wall of the lower compart-ment. There is also an opening 54 in the partition and a ball float 55 is seated in that opening.
Tabs 55a allow the float to move freely vertically up and down but not sideways.
The float normally prevents the passage of water and air through the opening unless there
.. . ....., r.._ .v.YA . ......irdrin.. . .
discharge tube 36 thereby allowing water to flow from the water closet to passageway 18 (Figure 2).
Fresh water enters the water closet through pipe 40. The flow of the water is controlled by an inlet valve 42. The valve in turn is controlled by a float 44 which causes the water to fill the water closet. When the water closet is filled to a predetermined level, the float prevents further water from flowing into the water closet. An overflow tube 46 bypasses the flush assembly and empties any excess water into the toilet bowl if the inlet valve fails to shut off. A refill tube 48 serves to provide a passage for water to flow into the toilet bowl for a period after flushing to maintain a waterlock in the drain trap so that sewer gas cannot enter the toilet.
With reference to Figures 4 - 6 and 8, a control valve, generally 50, is mounted within a housing 51 and the housing is seated on the top of the overflow tube 46. As illustrated in Figure 8, the housing is composed of two compartments, an upper compartment 50a and a lower compartment 50b. The two compartments are separated by a partition 52. The lower compartment is air-tight except for the openings described below.
There is an opening 53a at the top of the upper compartment, a second opening 53b at the bottom of the lower compartment and a third opening 53c in the side wall of the lower compart-ment. There is also an opening 54 in the partition and a ball float 55 is seated in that opening.
Tabs 55a allow the float to move freely vertically up and down but not sideways.
The float normally prevents the passage of water and air through the opening unless there
4 . ... .,., ....7... õ...,. . , ... . ...
. . . . . _ , . _. , -~1, , . 1 ... , . CA 02551705 2006-07-05 is excess water in the water closet resulting from the failure of the inlet valve to shut off. In such event, the excess water in the water enters the upper compartment through opening 53a and lifts the float. There is then an open passage for the excess water to flow into the lower compartment and to discharge through the lower opening 53b.
The lower opening opens into a downwardly extending conduit 56 into which the upper portion of overflow tube 46 extends. Accordingly, excess water in the water closet flows into the housing and exits through conduit 56 and the overflow tube.
Opening 53c on the side wall of the housing is in registry with the opening of a duct 60.
The duct extends to a conventional vacuum cleaner 62 such as a central vacuum cleaner in the building in which the toilet is located.
The operation of the ventilating apparatus of the invention is as follows:
When the toilet is not in use, ball float 55 of the control valve is seated on the opening in partition 52 of the control valve. Should the inlet valve malfunction, excess water in the water closet will lift float 55 so that excess water will flow into the upper compartment, through the lower compartment and discharge into the overflow tube.
When the toilet is in use, the vacuum cleaner can be activated by throwing a switch 64.
The switch is located in the vicinity of the toilet for ready access by the user of the toilet. At this time, air, contaminated by noxious odours in the toilet bowl, will be sucked out of the bowl, will flow upwardly through the overflow tube, through the lower opening 53b of the control __.. , ,.,., . ... .
,...... ,,. a, valve and into the lower compartment. From there, the air will flow into the duct and will flow through the duct and be released into the atmosphere far from the vicinity of the toilet. Float 55 will be sucked downward and will firmly close opening 54 and thereby prevent the air from flowing into the upper compartment.
Before the toilet is flushed, the vacuum cleaner must be turned off because if it does operate at this time, water from the toilet, and not air, will be sucked through duct 60 by the vacuum cleaner. This is obviously undesirable.
Activation of the vacuum cleaner can occur automatically by various means. A
sensor may be used to detect the flow of water from the water closet to the bowl of the toilet. When the toilet is flushed, the sensor detects the flow of water and opens a switch thereby de-activating the vacuum cleaner. Later, when the sensor detects no further movement of water, it causes the switch to close and thereby re-activates the vacuum cleaner. Other means for the automatic activation of the vacuum cleaner will readily occur to those familiar with electrical apparatus.
A fan can be used instead of a vacuum cleaner to cause the air to move. The fan is mounted within the duct and causes the air within the duct to move in the same way as the vacuum cleaner does.
With reference to Figure 7, a box 70 is interposed between the water closet 72 and the lid 74 of the toilet. The duct enters the water closet through an opening in the box and not through the water closet or the lid. The box can be used where the venting apparatus of the subject . . . ..., ... ,YI ...,1. rr.. . õ . . .
invention is to used in conjunction with an existing toilet. Where the box is used, no modificat-ions need be made in either the water closet or the lid of the toilet.
Installation of the venting apparatus involves simply removing the lid of the toilet, inserting box 70 and attaching the control valve within the box to the overflow tube of the existing toilet, then placing the lid over the box.
It will be understood that modifications can be made in the structure of the ventilating apparatus of the subject invention without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
.., , .,,.õ,.,... ,.. ... _
. . . . . _ , . _. , -~1, , . 1 ... , . CA 02551705 2006-07-05 is excess water in the water closet resulting from the failure of the inlet valve to shut off. In such event, the excess water in the water enters the upper compartment through opening 53a and lifts the float. There is then an open passage for the excess water to flow into the lower compartment and to discharge through the lower opening 53b.
The lower opening opens into a downwardly extending conduit 56 into which the upper portion of overflow tube 46 extends. Accordingly, excess water in the water closet flows into the housing and exits through conduit 56 and the overflow tube.
Opening 53c on the side wall of the housing is in registry with the opening of a duct 60.
The duct extends to a conventional vacuum cleaner 62 such as a central vacuum cleaner in the building in which the toilet is located.
The operation of the ventilating apparatus of the invention is as follows:
When the toilet is not in use, ball float 55 of the control valve is seated on the opening in partition 52 of the control valve. Should the inlet valve malfunction, excess water in the water closet will lift float 55 so that excess water will flow into the upper compartment, through the lower compartment and discharge into the overflow tube.
When the toilet is in use, the vacuum cleaner can be activated by throwing a switch 64.
The switch is located in the vicinity of the toilet for ready access by the user of the toilet. At this time, air, contaminated by noxious odours in the toilet bowl, will be sucked out of the bowl, will flow upwardly through the overflow tube, through the lower opening 53b of the control __.. , ,.,., . ... .
,...... ,,. a, valve and into the lower compartment. From there, the air will flow into the duct and will flow through the duct and be released into the atmosphere far from the vicinity of the toilet. Float 55 will be sucked downward and will firmly close opening 54 and thereby prevent the air from flowing into the upper compartment.
Before the toilet is flushed, the vacuum cleaner must be turned off because if it does operate at this time, water from the toilet, and not air, will be sucked through duct 60 by the vacuum cleaner. This is obviously undesirable.
Activation of the vacuum cleaner can occur automatically by various means. A
sensor may be used to detect the flow of water from the water closet to the bowl of the toilet. When the toilet is flushed, the sensor detects the flow of water and opens a switch thereby de-activating the vacuum cleaner. Later, when the sensor detects no further movement of water, it causes the switch to close and thereby re-activates the vacuum cleaner. Other means for the automatic activation of the vacuum cleaner will readily occur to those familiar with electrical apparatus.
A fan can be used instead of a vacuum cleaner to cause the air to move. The fan is mounted within the duct and causes the air within the duct to move in the same way as the vacuum cleaner does.
With reference to Figure 7, a box 70 is interposed between the water closet 72 and the lid 74 of the toilet. The duct enters the water closet through an opening in the box and not through the water closet or the lid. The box can be used where the venting apparatus of the subject . . . ..., ... ,YI ...,1. rr.. . õ . . .
invention is to used in conjunction with an existing toilet. Where the box is used, no modificat-ions need be made in either the water closet or the lid of the toilet.
Installation of the venting apparatus involves simply removing the lid of the toilet, inserting box 70 and attaching the control valve within the box to the overflow tube of the existing toilet, then placing the lid over the box.
It will be understood that modifications can be made in the structure of the ventilating apparatus of the subject invention without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
.., , .,,.õ,.,... ,.. ... _
Claims (2)
1. In a toilet provided with a water closet having an inlet for water, an inlet valve which allows water from the inlet to flow into said water closet until the level of water within the water closet reaches a predetermined value at which time the inlet valve prevents further water from flowing into the water closet, an outlet through which water within said water closet discharges;
a toilet bowl having an inlet through which water which discharges from said water closet flows into said bowl for flushing said bowl; an overflow pipe for discharging any excess water in said water closet into said bowl, the improvement comprising means for ventilating said bowl between flushes, said means including: a duct which extends from said overflow pipe to a location remote from said toilet; a control valve for controlling the flow of air from said overflow pipe to said duct, said control valve opening when the level of water within said water closet is above said predetermined value and closing when said level is below said value; means for causing air within said duct to flow with resulting evacuation of air from within said bowl and discharge thereof at said remote location; and means for preventing said air from flowing within said duct at times when said bowl is being flushed.
a toilet bowl having an inlet through which water which discharges from said water closet flows into said bowl for flushing said bowl; an overflow pipe for discharging any excess water in said water closet into said bowl, the improvement comprising means for ventilating said bowl between flushes, said means including: a duct which extends from said overflow pipe to a location remote from said toilet; a control valve for controlling the flow of air from said overflow pipe to said duct, said control valve opening when the level of water within said water closet is above said predetermined value and closing when said level is below said value; means for causing air within said duct to flow with resulting evacuation of air from within said bowl and discharge thereof at said remote location; and means for preventing said air from flowing within said duct at times when said bowl is being flushed.
2. In a toilet provided with a water closet having an outlet through which water within said water closet discharges; a toilet bowl having an inlet through which water which discharges from said water closet flows into said bowl for flushing said bowl, said bowl having a rim bounding an upwardly opening mouth and having at least one nozzle through which water from said water closet discharges into said bowl; an overflow pipe for discharging any excess water in said water closet into said bowl, the improvement comprising means for ventilating said bowl between flushes, said means including a duct which extends from said overflow pipe to a location remote from said toilet; a control valve for controlling the flow of air from said overflow pipe to said duct, said valve opening when the level of water within said water closet is above said predetermined value and closing when said level is below said value; vacuum means for causing air within said duct to flow with resulting evacuation of air from within said bowl and discharge thereof at said remote location; and means for preventing said air from flowing within said duct at times when said bowl is being flushed.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2551705 CA2551705A1 (en) | 2006-07-05 | 2006-07-05 | Ventilating apparatus for a toilet |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2551705 CA2551705A1 (en) | 2006-07-05 | 2006-07-05 | Ventilating apparatus for a toilet |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2551705A1 true CA2551705A1 (en) | 2008-01-05 |
Family
ID=38878489
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2551705 Abandoned CA2551705A1 (en) | 2006-07-05 | 2006-07-05 | Ventilating apparatus for a toilet |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2551705A1 (en) |
-
2006
- 2006-07-05 CA CA 2551705 patent/CA2551705A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |