IL124845A - Method and system for deodorising air contaminated with objectionable odors from a toilet bowl - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for deodorizing air contaminted with objectionable odors from a toilet bowl, the system being free of connections to water tanks, flush lines, sewer lines and other external piping, the system comprises: (a) an air intake port in communication with the interior of said toilet bowl for sucking air therefrom; (b) an air suction fan for providing the suction action from said intake port, said suction fan being fluidically connected to said air intake port downstream thereof; and (c) air filtering means for removing odorous particles from air passing there- through, said filtering means being fluidically connected to said air suction fan downstream thereof, wherein the outlet of said filtering means exhausts filtered air into the bathroom in which said toilet bowl is located. 3011 י' בכסלו התשס" ב - November 25, 2001

Description

-JI I nb Nfc anamft nm N M^¾3 nv»^ w METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DEODORIZING AIR CONTAMINATED WITH OBJECTIONABLE ODORS FROM A TOILET BOWL 05370007.001/GENRL METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REMOVING ODOR FROM TOILET BOWLS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to methods and systems for reducing or removing odors in bathrooms, particularly those associated with evacuating odors from the lavatory seats of bathroom toilets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The deodorizing or withdrawing of odors associated with toilets has long been a problem of interest in the art. An example of the efforts to solve such problems is the use of a water trap by which the outlet pipe from the toilet to the sewer system first rises and then falls so as to ensure that a certain amount of water will always be trapped at the bottom of the toilet bowl. The standing water which constitutes the water trap prevents odors from the sewer line from entering the toilet and the bathroom. However, there have been some attempts to reduce or eliminate odors which do not reach the water in the toilet bowl or which rise up from the water prior to flushing and therefore never reach the sewage. These odors can leave the toilet and pervade the bathroom, which may inconvenience users of the bathroom. Some of these attempts involve inhaling devises that are designed to draw odorous air from the toilet bowl or the bathroom and to convey it to the sewage or the outside of the bathroom. Earlier attempts in the prior art commonly include various vents which are located at one or more convenient points in the bathroom and which use an air fan or blower to move air from the bathroom to the outside of the house. 05370007.001/GENRL A disadvantage of this system is that it allows the odorous air to spread throughout the bathroom prior to venting to the outside, which does little to aid an immediate user of the toilet. An additional disadvantage is that the use of a vent requires expensive installation since a passageway must be made in an exterior wall of the house and since suitable ducting, which is often unsightly or at least aesthetically displeasing, must be installed.

To partially overcome these disadvantages, systems have been proposed to provide air intake ports at or near the toilet bowl itself so as to capture the odors before they have a chance to spread throughout the bathroom. The captured odors are then exhausted to the outside of the bathroom or the sewage. While this may represent an advance over the simple bathroom wall venting system, the problem of expensive and unsightly ducting remains.

Typically, such systems exhaust the captured air into the air-filled portion of the sewer line just downstream of the water trap by tapping the sewer line and connecting thereto the exhaust air line. The difficulty with such a system is that whenever the blower is not operating, it may be possible for odors from the sewer system to enter the exhaust line and thence into the room, effectively bypassing, and reducing the effectiveness of, the water trap which is intended to eliminate precisely this situation. To overcome this disadvantage it may be necessary to equip the system with a suitable one-way valve - such as another water trap or other shutoff means, which would add to the cost and complexity of the system and which would degrade its reliability, especially in case of interruption or cessation of fresh water supply. If such system prevent the back flow of odors by a mechanical valves, such valves are subject to malfunction. Furthermore, a common problem associated with such systems is the requirement of massive operations of altering the toilet or the water flushing conduits or the water sewage piping. 0537OM7.001/GENRL Thence, such systems are adequate only for installment by professional plumbers. In addition, some systems requires the use of a modified toilet bowl in conjunction therewith and are therefore fruitless when conventional toilets are concerned. Moreover, such systems are sometimes disposed just above the sewage ducting and are susceptible to sewage flooding. The use of a modified bowl may be particularly difficult to manufacture and provide little access for maintenance requirement.

There is thus a widely recognized need for, and it would be highly advantageous to have, a method and system for effectively removing toilet odors without the need for air ducting to the outside of the dwelling or to the sewage, and without incurring the risk of introducing sewer odors into the bathroom.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a method and a system for removing odor from toilet bowls without the disadvantages entailed with the prior art.

Further objects of this invention are to provide a method and a system for removing odor from toilet bowls whereby the system is efficient at the time of presence and the location of concentration of odors in the bathroom, durable, easy to manufacture and assemble on the spot by unskilled personnel, adapted to couple to conventional toilet bowls, successfully endurable through water supply interruptions and electricity blackouts without causing any damage or obstruction to the orderly operation of the toilet system, requires little maintenance if any, adapted to use with low voltage DC or AC supply or electric batteries, insensitive to sewage flooding, and free from any danger of back flow of odors and fluids from sewage or other odorous environments. 05370M7.001/GENRL In particular, it is an object of this invention to provide a unitary assembly that can be sold in kit form and assembled as an add-on module by an unskilled householder on a toilet bowl using normal structure and assembly of the toilet.

These and other objects will become more apparent when viewed in light of the accompanying drawings and following detailed description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In its broadest aspects the present invention comprises a system for deodorizing air contaminated with objectionable odors from a toilet bowl, the system comprises an air intake port in communication with the interior of the toilet bowl for sucking air there from, an air suction fan for providing the suction action from the intake port, the suction fan being fluidically connected to the air intake port downstream thereof, and air filtering means for removing odorous particles from air passing there through, the filtering means being fluidically connected to the air suction fan downstream thereof. Preferably, the outlet of the filtering means exhausts filtered air into the bathroom inwhich the toilet bowl is located.

Optionally, the system further comprises a decompression chamber in fluid connection to the suction fan upstream thereof and in fluid connection to the filtering means downstream thereof. The power source of the suction fan may comprises an electric AC or DC power source, as well as electric battery means.

Preferably, the intake port comprises an articulated structure adapted for its installment between the top surface of the toilet bowl and the seat of the toilet. 05370007.001/GE RL Further preferably, the system further comprises switch means for activating and/or deactivating the air suction fan and the switch means may comprise presence or pressure sensitive means such that the presence of a user in the toilet room or the pressure of the user on the stool of the toilet, correspondingly, operates the switch means to activate the suction fan until such a pre-deferred time after the presence or pressure, respectively, is no longer sensed. Alternatively, the switch means for selectively energizing and/or deactivating the air suction fan are switched off or on by the raising and lowering of the toilet seat, respectively.

The invention also comprises a method for deodorizing air contaminated with objectionable odors from a toilet bowl, comprising providing an air intake port in communication with the interior of the toilet bowl for sucking air there from, an air suction fan for providing the suction action from the intake port, the suction fan being fluidically connected to the air intake port downstream thereof, and air filtering means for removing odorous particles from air passing there through, the filtering means being fluidically connected to the air suction fan downstream thereof.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description below, given by way of example only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be further understood and appreciated from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the following enclosed drawings in which like numerals designate correspondingly analogous elements or sections throughout, and in which: 05370007.00 l/GE RL 124,845/2 Fig. 1 is a schematic top across sectional view of one preferable embodiment constructed and operative according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic side cross sectional view the embodiment shown in Figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention is of a method and a system for deodorizing air contaminated with objectionable odors from a toilet bowl. In reference to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown one such system constructed and operative in accordance with the invention, generally designated 1. System 1 comprises an air intake port 3 in communication with the interior of a conventional toilet bowl 5 for sucking air there from. System 1 further comprises an air suction pump or fan 7 for providing the suction action from intake port 3. Suction fan 7 is being fluidicaily connected to air intake port 3, downstream thereof, by means of conduit 9, so that its activation effectively removes air- including any malodorous, noxious and foul air from the interior of toilet bowl 5. System 1 further comprises air filtering means 1 1 for removing odorous particles from air passing there through, filtering means 1 1 are being fluidicaily connected to air suction fan 7, downstream thereof, such as by means of conduit 13. Preferably, the outlet 15 of filtering means 1 1 exhausts filtered air into the bathroom inwhich toilet bowl 5 is located. The simple structure of system 1, clearly requires minimal interference with the toilet or the bathroom. The basic requirement is that air intake port 3 will be in communication with the interior of toilet bowl 5. No other installation, operation of altering or coupling to other piping is necessary. It will be noted that svstem 1 is fluidicaily disconnected from water tanks, flush lines, sewer lines and other external piping.

SPC-02 doc 124,845/3 Furthermore, without coupling to the sewer system or the water flushing piping, there is no danger of penetration of malodorous air from the sewage, no susceptibility to flooding and no necessity of one way valves or water traps.

Filtering means 1 1 may comprise any known filters, such as charcoal filters, that are removable for their replacement when their active ingredients are consumed.

Optionally, system 1 may further comprise a decompression chamber, such as chamber 17. Chamber 17 may be simply formed by the enclosure of casing 19 or by means of any other construction, whereby casing 19 may be merely added for the sake of decorative purposes. In such a case, conduit 13 may be unnecessary and thence eliminated. Chamber 17 is in fluid connection with suction fan 7, upstream thereof, and in fluid connection with filtering means 1 1 , downstream thereof. Thus, Chamber 17 may serve for reducing the gas pressure between suction fan 7 and filtering means 1 1 , so that a more economical low pressure blower or suction fan 7 may still be effective, without hampering the deodorizing function of system 1.

Typically, suction fan 7 may comprise an electric blower. Preferably, suction fan 7 is disposed above air intake port 3, so that water penetrating port 3 drops back to bowl 5 by the force of gravitation, and does not reach fan 7 or filtering means 1 1. The power source of suction fan 7 may comprise an electric AC or DC power source. The power source may comprises electric battery means, such as batteries 21 , which adapt mostly to DC powered blowers, and preferably includes conventional standard batteries, that may be replaced or recharged as necessary.

For locating suction fan 7 above intake port 3, system 1 may include a casing 19 encompassing suction fan 7 and filtering means 1 1 blower for its easy installment on the bathroom wall 23 next to bowl 5.

SPC-03 amend doc 124,845/4 Alternately, system 1 may further comprise attachment means - such as self adhesive surface, for its attachment to the exterior wall 25 of toilet bowl 5, which provides for a particularly easy installment by the unskilled. Such an example is shown in Figure 2 wherein an alternate location of casing 19' with conduit 9' is shown in perforated lines.

For extra assurance that no malodorous air escapes system 1 , system 1 may further comprise a one-way valve, such as valve 27, for prevention of back flow of unfiltered air therefrom, concurrently with the stopping of suction fan 7. Obviously, such a valve may have more significance when substantial amount of non-filtered air accumulates in decompression chamber 17.

Intake port 3 preferably comprises an articulated structure adapted for its installment between the top surface 29 of toilet bowl 25 and seat 31 of the toilet. Attachment means - such as self adhesive surface of the bottom of port 3, may serve for its attachment to toilet bowl 5, and so provide for a particularly easy installment by the unskilled. Port 3 preferably comprises a broad intake mouth 32 for efficient extraction of air from bowl 5.

System 1 may further comprise switch means 33 for activating and/or deactivating air suction fan 7. Switch means 33 may be manually operated or connected to presence sensitive means 35 or pressure sensitive means 37, correspondingly, such that the presence of a user in the toilet room or the pressure of the user on the seat of the toilet, correspondingly, operates switch means 33 to activate suction fan 7 until such a pre-deferred time after presence or pressure, respectively, is no longer sensed. Alternatively, switch means 33 may be designed for selectively energizing and/or deactivating air suction fan 7 as by raising and lowering of toilet seat 31.

SPC-04 amend doc While the invention has been described with respect to a one embodiment, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made.

With the foregoing description, it is believed apparent that the present invention enables the attainment of the objects initially set forth herein.

It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the specifics of the illustrated embodiment, but rather is defined by the accompanying claims. 05370007.001/GENRL 124,845/2

Claims (15)

CLAIMS Ί

1. A system for deodorizing air contaminated with objectionable odors from a r toilet bowl, the system being free of connections to water tanks, flush lines, sewer lines and other external piping, the system comprises: J (a) an air intake port in communication with the interior of said toilet bowl for sucking air there from; (b) an air suction fan for providing the suction action from said intake port, said suction fan being fluidically connected to said air intake port downstream thereof; and 11 (c) air filtering means for removing odorous particles from air passing there through, said filtering means being fluidically connected to said air suction fan downstream thereof, wherein the outlet of said filtering means exhausts filtered air into the bathroom in which said toilet bowl is located.

2. A system as in claim 1 , further comprising a decompression chamber in fluid connection to said suction fan upstream thereof and in fluid connection to said filtering means downstream thereof, for reducing the gas pressure between said suction fan and said filtering means.

3. A system as in claim 1, wherein said suction fan comprises an electric blower.

4. A system as in claim 1, wherein said suction fan is disposed above said air intake port.

5. A system as in claim 1, wherein the power source of said suction fan comprises an electric AC or DC power source. SPC-02 doc 124,845/2

6. A system as in claim 5, wherein said power source comprises electric battery means.

7. A system as in claim 1, further comprising attachment means for its attachment to the exterior wall of said toilet bowl.

8. A system as in claim 1 , further comprising a one-way valve for prevention of back flow of unfiltered air therefrom, concurrently with the stopping of said suction fan.

9. A system as in claim 1, wherein said intake port comprises an articulated structure adapted for its installment between the top surface of the toilet bowl and the seat of said toilet.

10. A system as in claim 1, further comprising switch means for activating and/or deactivating said air suction fan.

11. A system as in claim 10, wherein said switch means comprises presence or pressure sensitive means such that the presence of a user in the toilet room or the pressure of the user on the stool of the toilet, correspondingly, operates said switch means to activate said suction fan until such a pre-deferred time after said presence or pressure, respectively, is no longer sensed.

12. A system as in claim 1, further comprising switch means for selectively energizing and or deactivating said air suction fan as by raising and lowering of the toilet seat. SPC-02 doc 124,845/2

13. A method for deodorizing air contaminated with objectionable odors from a toilet bowl, the system being free of connections to water tanks, flush lines, sewer lines and other external piping, comprising providing: (a) an air intake port in communication with the interior of said toilet bowl for sucking air there from; (b) an air suction fan for providing the suction action from said intake port, said suction fan being fluidically connected to said air intake port downstream thereof; and (c) air filtering means for removing odorous particles from air passing there through, said filtering means being fluidically connected to said air suction fan downstream thereof, wherein the outlet of said filtering means exhausts filtered air into the bathroom in which said toilet bowl is located.

14. A system for removing odor from toilet bowls substantially comprising any and all features of novelty as described, referred to, exemplified, illustrated or shown, hereinabove or in the accompanying drawings.

15. A method for removing odor from toilet bowls substantially comprising any and all features of novelty as described, referred to, exemplified, illustrated or shown, hereinabove or in the accompanying drawings. SPC-02 .doc