GB2444057A

GB2444057A - Odourless toilet

Info

Publication number: GB2444057A
Application number: GB0623340A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geoffrey John Weavell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-11-23
Filing date: 2006-11-23
Publication date: 2008-05-28

Abstract

A close coupled toilet unit which contains an air extraction unit constructed within a removable cassette 11 which is located in a separate compartment 10 of the cistern 6. The air extraction system operates automatically when the toilet is in use by means of a proximity sensor 8 which is connected to a simple electronic control module. Air is drawn from a duct 25 in the toilet pan 3 and is discharged together with associated odours into the top of the toilet pan discharge pipe beyond the water trap 2. The air is extracted from the toilet pan at a sufficient rate to prevent the escape of any unpleasant odours into the room in which the toilet is installed. The air may be alternatively drawn through ducts in the seat.

Description

2444057

-1-

ODOURLESS TOILET

This invention relates to a toilet which is odour free during use.

When a toilet is in use unpleasant odours may be created which escape into the room in which the toilet is situated.

To overcome this problem the present invention proposes a toilet unit which incorporates an electrically operated air extraction system which draws air from either a single inlet or multiple inlets located in the space contained between the top water level of the water trap in the bottom of the toilet pan and the top surface of either the toilet pan or the toilet seat if fitted. The foul air is then discharged at a location external to the air space of the room in which the toilet is installed.

The toilet seat if fitted must be a close fit to the toilet pan to prevent air in the room from being drawn into the toilet pan between the pan and the seat.

When the air extraction system is not in operation the airway is automatically closed by a valve which prevents foul air from returning through the system.

The air extraction system removes air from the area of the toilet pan at a rate sufficient to prevent the escape of any foul air from above the top level of the toilet pan, or toilet seat if fitted, into the air space above with the result that the room in which the toilet is installed is free from unpleasant odours.

Preferably the system is installed in a close coupled type of toilet unit but may also be installed in a toilet unit with a separate cistern and connecting flush pipe.

Preferably air is drawn from a single inlet located in the back face of the toilet pan at mid height but may also be drawn from multiple inlets or other locations of the toilet pan. The air inlet arrangement may also be incorporated in the toilet seat.

Air inlets located between the water trap in the toilet pan and the flush water discharge points above are constructed in a configuration which prevents the ingress of flush water into the air extraction system.

Preferably air is discharged into the top of the toilet pan discharge pipe at the drainage side of the water trap but may also be discharged either into a part of the soil and vent pipe system which carries effluent away from the building or through an external wall to the outside air.

Preferably the air extraction unit is located in a separate compartment of the toilet cistern but may also be located adjacent to the toilet unit. Connections to the air inlet and discharge points are by flexible hoses secured with jubilee clips.

-2-

Preferably the air extraction unit is constructed within a removable cassette for ease of maintenance and repair. When removed the air discharge pipe is temporarily sealed to prevent foul air from entering the room.

The air extraction unit comprises a through duct which incorporates an electrically operated in-line fan unit and a means of closing the duct when the fan is not operating, preferably by an electrically operated valve but alternatively by a mechanical non-return valve. For additional security both valves may be installed. In a situation where the air discharge is to the outside air a valve is not necessary. The air extraction unit also incorporates an electrical power source and a system to start and stop operation.

Preferably the air extraction unit is powered by a low voltage rechargeable battery of a cassette type but may also be powered by either disposable alkaline batteries, a low voltage mains transformer or mains voltage.

Preferably the operation of the air extraction system is automatic by means of a sensing device coupled with a control system but operation may also be by a manual switch..

Preferably the sensing device is a proximity sensor located in the front face of the cistern above the level of the seat or seat cover in the raised position which detects the presence of a person sitting on the toilet. The proximity sensor may be located in an alternative suitable position or a pressure sensitive device may be located in the toilet seat area or in the floor area in front of the toilet.

Preferably the control system is able to detect a fault in the operation of either the fan or the valve and is also able to detect a low power condition.

Preferably these fault conditions are indicated by LED's located next to the sensing device in the front face of the cistern. The fault conditions may be indicated by LED's in an alternative location or by a sound producing device.

The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the following drawings:

Figure 1. Shows a front view of a close coupled toilet unit fitted with the air extraction system and the toilet seat cover in the raised position.

Figure 2: Shows a plan view of the toilet unit with the cistern cover removed.

The toilet seat and cover are omitted for clarity.

Figure 3: Shows a cross-section through the centre line of the toilet unit. The toilet seat and cover are omitted for clarity.

Figure 4:

Shows a cross-section through the area of the cistern which contains the air extraction unit.

-3-

Figure 5: Shows a cross-section through the centre line of a toilet pan with an alternative air inlet and air discharge arrangement.

Figure 6: Shows the rear view of the toilet pan with the alternative air inlet and air discharge arrangement.

Figure 7: Shows a toilet seat incorporating an air inlet arrangement.

Figure 8; Shows a cross-section through the toilet seat.

In figure 2 and figure 3 the flush waterways 1 and the water trap 2 in the toilet pan 3 together with the flushing mechanism 4 and the watertight connection 5 between the toilet pan and the cistern 6 are as found in any standard close coupled toilet unit.

In figure 1 the cistern is of greater width and height than a standard cistern. The increase in height enables the toilet seat cover 7 to be in the open position without obstructing the sensor 8.

In figure 2 the cistern is divided into two compartments 9 and 10. Compartment 9 contains the standard flushing mechanism. The increased width and height of the cistern enable this compartment to hold the same volume of water as a standard cistern. Compartment 10 contains the air extraction unit 11 in the form of a removable cassette. The sensor is connected to the air extraction unit by a cable 12 and a plug and socket 13.

In figure 4 the through duct 14 of the air extraction unit connects to the suction pipe 15 and the exhaust pipe 16 through airtight seals 17. The suction and exhaust pipes pass through holes in the bottom of the cistern and are secured by large nuts 18 which run on threaded sections of the pipes.

The air extraction unit is removable for maintenance or repair by removing the cistern cover 19, disconnecting the plug and socket 13 and lifting out the unit by handle 20 which is fixed to the top. While the unit is removed the exhaust pipe 16 is sealed by an airtight cap.

The air extraction unit is powered by a low voltage rechargeable battery 21 which plugs into the top of the unit and is easily changed by removing the cistern cover for access. The unit incorporates an electrically driven in-line fan 22, an electrically actuated valve 23 and a simple electronic control unit 24.

-4-

In figure 3 the toilet pan 3 is constructed to incorporate an air inlet duct 25 which terminates in an air inlet spigot 26 and an air discharge duct 27 which terminates in an air discharge spigot 28. The inlet spigot 26 is connected to the suction pipe 15 and the exhaust pipe 16 is connected to the discharge spigot 28. Connections are made by way of flexible hoses secured by jubilee clips and are omitted from the drawings for clarity. The pipe spigots 26 and 28 are angled slightly to facilitate the connection and crossing of the connecting hoses.

In operation the sensor 8 detects that the toilet is occupied and transmits a signal to activate the control unit 24. The control unit then starts the fan 22 and opens the valve 23 which allows air to flow through the system. Air is drawn from the air inlet duct 25, through the air extraction unit and discharged through the air discharge duct 27. When the toilet is vacated the signal from the sensor ceases and following a timed overrun period the control unit stops the fan and closes the valve.

Figure 5 and figure 6 detail alternative arrangements for air inlet and discharge ducts. The flush waterway 29 and the water trap 30 are as found in a standard close coupled toilet unit. The toilet pan 31 has a top section which is increased in depth to facilitate an air inlet duct 32 with a series of openings around the perimeter of the upper vertical face 33 and above the level of the flush water discharge. The air inlet duct is connected to the air inlet spigot 34 which terminates at the rear of the toilet pan for connection of the flexible hose. The air discharge spigot 35 is angled to facilitate connection of the flexible hose and leads to the air discharge duct 36 which bends into the horizontal and occupies the top section of the toilet pan discharge spigot 37.

Figure 7 and figure 8 detail a toilet seat 38 which incorporates an air inlet duct 39 with a series of openings 40 around the perimeter of the inside vertical face 41. The air inlet duct is connected to the air inlet spigot 42 for connection of the flexible hose. The air inlet spigot may be angled to facilitate the connection of the flexible hose or may rotate on a rubber seal arrangement to enable the toilet seat to be raised on hinges located at the rear edge 43. The underside of the seat 44 is flat to ensure a close fit to the top surface of the toilet pan to which it is fitted.

-5-

Claims

1. A toilet unit which incorporates an electrically operated air extraction system which draws air from at least one inlet located in the space contained between the top water level of the water trap in the bottom of the toilet pan and the top surface of the toilet seat and discharges the air at a location external to the air space of the room in which the toilet is installed.

2. A toilet unit according to claim 1 with a single air inlet located in the back face of the toilet pan below the flushwater outlets.

3. A toilet unit according to claim 1 with multiple air inlets located in the top vertical edge of the toilet pan above the flushwater outlets.

4. A toilet unit according to claim 1 with multiple air inlets located in the toilet seat.

5. A toilet unit according to claims 1 to 4 with the air discharge located at the top of the toilet pan discharge pipe.

6. A toilet unit according to claims 1 to 4 with the air discharge connected to a part of the soil and vent pipe system which carries effluent away from the building.

7. A toilet unit according to claims 1 to 4 with the air discharge passing through an an external wall or roof to the outside air.

8. A toilet unit according to claims 1 to 7 with an air extraction unit located in a separate compartment of the cistern.

9. A toilet unit according to claims 1 to 7 with an air extraction unit constructed in a removable cassette which is located in a separate compartment of the cistern.

10. A toilet unit according to claims 1 to 7 with an air extraction unit located adjacent to the toilet unit.

11. A toilet unit according to claims 1 to 10 with an air extraction unit powered by disposable alkaline batteries.

12. A toilet unit according to claims 1 to 10 with an air extraction unit powered by low voltage rechargeable batteries.

-6-

13. A toilet unit according to claims 1 to 10 with an air extraction unit powered by low voltage from a mains transformer.

14. A toilet unit according to claims 1 to 10 with an air extraction unit powered by mains voltage.

15. A toilet unit according to claims 1 to 14 with an air extraction unit which is activated manually by a switch.

16. A toilet unit according to claims 1 to 14 with an air extraction unit which operates automatically when in use by means of a sensor and electronic control module.

17. A toilet unit according to claims 1 to 16 with an air extraction unit comprising a through duct with an electrically operated in-line fan and a mechanical non-return valve.

18. A toilet unit according to claims 1 to 16 with an air extraction unit comprising a through duct with an electrically operated in-line fan and an electrically actuated valve.

19. A toilet unit according to claims 1 to 16 with an air extraction unit comprising a through duct with an electrically operated in-line fan, an electrically actuated valve and a mechanical non-return valve.

20. A toilet unit according to claims 1 to 4 and claims 7 to 16 with an air extraction unit comprising a through duct with an electrically operated in-line fan.

21 A toilet unit according to claims 1 to 20 which is fitted with a device to detect a fault in the air extraction unit and produce a warning signal.