US20220064928A1

US20220064928A1 - Odor Eliminating Toilet

Info

Publication number: US20220064928A1
Application number: US17/402,862
Authority: US
Inventors: Constantin Tenea
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-08-26
Filing date: 2021-08-16
Publication date: 2022-03-03

Abstract

The present invention relates to an odor-eliminating toilet device that is comprised of an integrated ventilation assembly that creates negative pressure within a toilet bowl to extract unwanted bathroom odors and smells via at least one exhaust opening in the toilet bowl surface. The ventilation system of the toilet device begins when the toilet lid is opened, and ends after the flush cycle of the toilet is complete. Thus, the toilet device traps unpleasant odors from the toilet bowel within the trap of the toilet behind water that refills the toilet bowl after a completed flush cycle. Therefore, a user can easily eliminate odors after every toilet flush.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/070,314, which was filed on Aug. 26, 2020 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of toilets. More specifically, the present invention relates to an odor eliminating toilet that is comprised of an integrated ventilation assembly that creates negative pressure within a toilet bowl to extract unwanted bathroom odors and smells via at least one exhaust opening in the toilet bowl surface. The ventilation system of the toilet begins when the toilet lid is opened, and ends after the flush cycle of the toilet has been completed. Thus, the toilet traps unpleasant odors from the toilet bowel within the trap of the toilet behind water that refills the bowl after a completed flush cycle. Therefore, a user can then easily eliminate the odors after every toilet flush. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bathrooms are often prone to unpleasant smells from human waste, which is undesirable for any user that has used or must use a bathroom. In an attempt to combat unpleasant bathroom smells, many users may opt to spray air freshening spray or use a diffuser and/or plug-in air freshener device within a bathroom. However, these devices only mask unpleasant bathrooms smells and odors, and do not completely eliminate them. As a result, the unpleasant smells may linger within a bathroom and/or mix with the aroma of the air freshening devices to create a new smell that is equally as unpleasant. In addition, the devices require manual actuation and replacement from users to continue functioning.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an improved toilet device. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for an odor-eliminating toilet device that eliminates unpleasant bathroom odors and smells. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an odor-eliminating toilet device that is completely passive in operation and does not require any substantial user input to function. Finally, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an odor-eliminating toilet that extracts unpleasant odors and smells from a bathroom instead of masking said odors and smells.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises an odor-eliminating toilet device. The toilet device is comprised of an integrated ventilation assembly that creates negative pressure within a toilet bowl to extract unwanted bathroom odors and smells via at least one exhaust opening in the toilet bowl surface. The ventilation system of the toilet device begins when the toilet lid is opened and ends after the flush cycle of the toilet is complete. In doing so, the toilet device traps unpleasant odors from the toilet bowl within the trap of the toilet behind water that refills the bowl after a completed flush cycle. Therefore, a user can easily eliminate the odors after every toilet flush and does not smell said odors.
In this manner, the odor elimination toilet device of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides an improved toilet device that eliminates unpleasant bathroom odors and smells. Further, the odor eliminating toilet device is completely passive in operation and does not require substantial user input to function apart from otherwise normal toilet operation. Finally, the odor-eliminating toilet device extracts unpleasant odors from the bathroom instead of masking said odors like other prior art devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises an odor eliminating toilet device. The toilet device is comprised of at least one continuous exhaust opening in the interior toilet bowl surface, at least one primary exhaust channel, at least one secondary exhaust channel and a ventilation assembly. In addition to its novel improvements over existing toilets known in the art, the odor-eliminating toilet device comprises all components, functions, structures, and features of a conventional prior art toilet.
The bottom surface of the toilet lid and the bottom surface of the toilet seat are comprised of a seal that creates an odor-tight sealed environment within the toilet bowl when the toilet lid is closed. Within the toilet bowl, the bowl surface is comprised of at least one continuous exhaust opening that is preferably positioned above the water line of the bowl. The at least one exhaust opening is connected to a primary exhaust channel that connects to a ventilation assembly that can be located inside or outside the toilet in differing embodiments. The ventilation assembly is further comprised of a fan that is activated by a lid sensor when the toilet lid is opened. Once activated, the fan runs and creates negative pressure within the toilet, such that the air within the toilet bowl is sucked into the at least one exhaust opening and into the primary exhaust channel.
Once a water sensor within the bowl detects the absence of water within the bowl after a completed flush cycle, the fan stops and a door within the primary exhaust channel seals the channel and air within the channel from the toilet bowl and the at least one exhaust opening. The fan then pushes the air through a secondary exhaust channel that is connected to the trap of the toilet such that the air is then trapped behind the water that has refilled within the toilet bowl and trap after the completion of a flush cycle. In this regard, the unpleasant smelling air has been successfully removed from the toilet bowl and trapped within the toilet in a position wherein the new toilet bowl water blocks the smell of the air from reaching a user, and wherein the air will be flushed down the plumbing assembly when the toilet is flushed next.
Accordingly, the odor-eliminating toilet device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides an improved toilet that eliminates unpleasant bathroom odors. In addition, the odor-eliminating mechanism of the toilet device is completely passive and does not require substantial user input to function apart from otherwise normal toilet operation. Finally, the odor-eliminating toilet device extracts unpleasant odors and smells from a bathroom instead of masking said odors and smells like other prior art devices.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed, and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of one potential embodiment of an odor eliminating toilet device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another potential embodiment of an odor eliminating toilet device of the present invention wherein a ventilation assembly is positioned outside the toilet in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of an odor eliminating toilet device of the present invention showing the interior toilet bowl in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved toilet device. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for an odor-eliminating toilet that eliminates unpleasant bathroom odors and smells. Also, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an odor-eliminating toilet that is passive in operation and does not require substantial user input to function. Finally, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an odor-eliminating toilet that extracts unpleasant odors and smells from a bathroom instead of masking said odors and/or smells.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of an odor-eliminating toilet device. The toilet device is comprised of at least one continuous exhaust opening in the interior of a toilet bowl surface, at least one primary exhaust channel, at least one secondary exhaust channel and a ventilation assembly. In addition to its novel improvements over existing prior art toilets, the odor-eliminating toilet device of the present invention comprises all components, functions, structures, and features of a conventional prior art toilet.
Additionally, the bottom surface of the toilet lid and the bottom surface of the toilet seat are comprised of a seal that creates an odor-tight sealed environment within the toilet bowl when the toilet lid is closed. The interior bowl surface is further comprised of at least one continuous exhaust opening that is preferably positioned above the water line (i.e., the line where water refills to after a flush cycle) of the bowl. The at least one exhaust opening is connected to a primary exhaust channel that connects to a ventilation assembly that can be located inside or outside the toilet in differing embodiments. The ventilation assembly is further comprised of a fan that is activated by a lid sensor when the toilet lid is opened. Once activated, the fan runs and creates negative pressure within the toilet, such that the air within the toilet bowl is sucked into the at least one exhaust opening and into the primary exhaust channel.
Once a water sensor within the toilet bowl detects the absence of water within the toilet bowl after a completed flush cycle, the fan stops and a door within the primary exhaust channel seals the channel and air within the channel from the toilet bowl and the at least one exhaust opening. The fan then pushes the air through a secondary exhaust channel that is connected to the trap of the toilet such that the air is trapped behind the water that has refilled within the toilet bowl after the completion of a flush cycle. In this regard, the air has been successfully removed from the toilet bowl and trapped within the toilet trap in a position wherein the new toilet bowl water blocks the smell of the air from a user, and wherein the air will be flushed down the pipe assembly when the toilet is flushed next.
Accordingly, the odor-eliminating toilet device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides an improved toilet that eliminates unpleasant bathroom odors. In addition, the odor-eliminating mechanism of the toilet device is passive, and does not require substantial user input to function apart from otherwise normal toilet operation. Finally, the odor eliminating toilet device extracts unpleasant odors and/or smells from a bathroom instead of masking said odors like other prior art devices.
Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an odor-eliminating toilet device 100 of the present invention. The toilet device 100 is comprised of at least one continuous exhaust opening 160 in the interior toilet bowl surface 120, at least one primary exhaust channel 162, at least one secondary exhaust channel 164, and a ventilation assembly 170. It is to be appreciated that the odor-eliminating toilet device 100 of the present invention comprises all components, functions, structures and features of a conventional prior art toilet in addition to the novel components, functions, structures and features disclosed in the present invention.
As best shown in FIG. 1, the bottom surface 1300 of the toilet lid 130 and the bottom surface 1400 of the toilet seat 140 are both comprised of a rubber seal 1302, 1402, or any other suitable sealing material as is known in the art. Each seal 1302, 1402 is fixedly or removably-secured to each bottom surface 1300, 1400. Further, each seal 1302, 1402 ensures that any gaps between the toilet lid 130, toilet seat 140, and toilet bowl 120 top surface 124 (shown in FIG. 3) are eliminated in order to create an odor-tight sealed environment within the toilet bowl when the toilet lid 130 is closed and the toilet device 100 is flushed, such that no odor can escape the toilet bowl 120. In addition, each seal 1302, 1402 may have anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, and/or fragrance scented properties, etc., or any other suitable additions as is known in the art.
Any portion of the interior bowl surface 122 (shown in FIG. 3) may be comprised of at least one continuous exhaust opening 160. In the preferred embodiment of the toilet device 100, the at least one opening 160 is positioned in an area of the bowl surface 122 that is always above the water line (i.e., the height to which water returns after a completed flush cycle) within the toilet bowl 120, as best shown in FIG. 3. In differing embodiments, the at least one opening 160 may be any shape, size, and dimensions known in the art but typically is slit-like in shape.
As also shown in FIG. 1, the toilet device 100 is comprised of a ventilation assembly 170 that in one embodiment may be located within any interior space 110 of the toilet such that it is unseen when viewing the exterior of the toilet device 100. The ventilation assembly 170 allows air to be extracted from the toilet bowl 120. The ventilation assembly 170 is preferably comprised of a housing 172 that stores a fan 174 which is powered by a motor 176 (as shown in FIG. 2). The motor 176 may further be powered by a disposable or rechargeable battery 178, and/or may be powered by a power cord 180 with a male head 182 that can be received by any conventional 120V or 240V outlet. Further, the motor 176 may be powered by any other suitable power means as is known in the art. The at least one opening 160 may further be attached to at least one primary exhaust channel 162 that is connected to the housing 172 for expelling the air from the toilet bowl 120.
Furthermore, the fan 174 (shown in FIG. 2) is first activated when a lid sensor 152 (shown in FIG. 3) within the lid 130 detects motion of the lid 130, i.e., when a user opens the lid 130. Once the lid is opened, the fan 174 continues to run and create a negative pressure system within the toilet bowl 120, such that any air within the toilet bowl 120 is sucked out of the toilet bowl 120 through the at least one continuous exhaust opening 160 and into the least one primary exhaust channel 162. Once a water sensor 150 (shown in FIG. 3) located within the toilet bowl 120 detects the absence of water after a completed flushing cycle, the fan 174 then stops. However, after a flush cycle has been completed and before the fan 174 stops, a door 1620 within the at least one primary exhaust channel 162 closes, thus sealing the air that was sucked from the toilet bowl 120 within the exhaust channel 162 and within the housing 172.
Accordingly, the air then exits the housing 172 via at least one secondary exhaust channel 164 is in fluid communication with the trap 112 of the toilet device 100 via an air current that is created by the fan 174. Further, the at least one secondary exhaust channel 164 may comprise a door 1640 within the channel 164 near the trap 112. The door 1640 remains closed during the flushing cycle when the trap 112 is fully filled with water, then the door 1640 opens when the trap 112 is partially filled with water after a completed flush cycle, to allow air from the toilet bowl 120 to be trapped by water (i.e. the water that refills the toilet bowl 120 after a successful flush cycle) within the trap 112. Therefore, the unpleasant air from the toilet bowl 120 can be flushed into the plumbing assembly by the water during the next use of the toilet device 100.
FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an odor-eliminating toilet device 100 of the present invention. As shown in this embodiment, the ventilation assembly 170 and secondary exhaust channel 164 are located outside of the toilet device 100 but otherwise function as described above in earlier embodiments. In this embodiment, the housing 172 is secured to the exterior 114 of the toilet via a mounting arm 190, wherein a portion of the mounting arm 190 that contacts the exterior 114 is comprised of a fastening means 192, such as but not limited to: at least one suction cup, an adhesive with peelable backing, at least one magnet, at least one screw or other fastener, etc., or any other suitable fastening means as is known in the art.
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of an odor-eliminating toilet device 100 of the present invention showing the interior toilet bowl. In operation, the toilet device 100 is activated via a lid sensor 152 positioned within or on the seat 140 or positioned at any suitable position on the seat 140 or the lid 130 as is known in the art. Specifically, the fan 174 (shown in FIG. 2) is first activated when the lid sensor 152 detects motion of the lid 130, i.e., when a user opens the lid 130. Once the lid 130 is opened, the fan 174 continues to run and create a negative pressure system within the toilet bowl 120, such that any air within the toilet bowl 120 is sucked out of the toilet bowl 120 through the at least one continuous exhaust opening 160 and into the least one primary exhaust channel 162. Further, a water sensor 150 is positioned within the toilet bowl 120 at any suitable position within an interior bowl surface 122 as is known in the art. Once the water sensor 150 detects the absence of water after a completed flushing cycle, the fan 174 stops. However, after a flush cycle has been completed and before the fan 174 stops, a door 1620 within the at least one primary exhaust channel 162 closes, thus sealing the air that was sucked from the toilet bowl 120 within the exhaust channel 162 and within the housing 172.
Furthermore, the bottom surface 1300 of the toilet lid 130 and the bottom surface 1400 of the toilet seat 140 are both comprised of a rubber seal 1302, 1402 (as shown in FIG. 1). Each seal 1302, 1402 is fixedly or removably-secured to each bottom surface 1300, 1400. Further, each seal 1302, 1402 ensures that any gaps between the toilet lid 130, toilet seat 140, and toilet bowl top surface 124 are eliminated in order to create an odor-tight sealed environment within the toilet bowl when the toilet lid 130 is closed and the toilet device 100 is flushed, such that no odor can escape the toilet bowl 120.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “odor eliminating toilet device” and “toilet device” are interchangeable and refer to the odor eliminating toilet device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the odor eliminating toilet device 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the odor eliminating toilet device 100 as shown in FIGS. 1-3 is for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the odor eliminating toilet device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the odor eliminating toilet device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the odor eliminating toilet device 100 may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An odor eliminating toilet device comprising:

a toilet bowl comprising a water and a water line;

a toilet lid;

a toilet seat;

at least one exhaust opening positioned above the water line of the toilet bowl;

at least one primary exhaust channel;

at least one secondary exhaust channel; and

a ventilation assembly, wherein the at least one exhaust opening is connected to the at least one primary exhaust channel which connects to the ventilation assembly, wherein a negative pressure is created via sucking air within the toilet bowl into the at least one exhaust opening and into the at least one primary exhaust channel, and further wherein an odor within the toilet bowl is eliminated due to the negative pressure.

2. The odor eliminating toilet device of claim 1, wherein the ventilation assembly comprises a housing, a fan, a motor, and a battery.

3. The odor eliminating toilet device of claim 2, wherein the ventilation assembly is secured within the odor eliminating toilet device.

4. An odor eliminating toilet device comprising:

a toilet bowl, wherein an interior bowl surface of the toilet bowl is comprised of at least one exhaust opening;

a toilet lid;

a toilet seat;

at least one primary exhaust channel;

at least one secondary exhaust channel; and

a ventilation assembly comprising a housing, a fan, a motor and a battery, wherein the at least one exhaust opening is connected to the at least one primary exhaust channel which connects to the ventilation assembly, wherein a negative pressure is created via sucking air within the toilet bowl into the at least one exhaust opening and into the at least one primary exhaust channel, and further wherein an odor within the toilet bowl is eliminated due to the negative pressure.

5. The odor eliminating toilet device of claim 4, wherein the at least one secondary exhaust channel is located outside the odor eliminating toilet device.

6. The odor eliminating toilet device of claim 5, wherein the ventilation assembly is located outside the odor eliminating toilet device.

7. The odor eliminating toilet device of claim 6, wherein the ventilation assembly attaches to an exterior surface of the odor eliminating toilet device via a mounting arm.

8. The odor eliminating toilet device of claim 7, wherein the mounting arm contacts the exterior surface of the odor eliminating toilet device via at least one of a suction cup, an adhesive with a peelable backing, a magnet, and a fastener.

9. An odor eliminating toilet device comprising:

a trap;

a bowl sensor;

a lid sensor;

a toilet lid, wherein a bottom surface of the toilet lid is comprised of a seal;

a ventilation assembly comprising a housing, a fan, a motor and a battery;

a toilet seat, wherein a bottom surface of the toilet seat is comprised of a seal;

at least one primary exhaust channel connected to the at least one exhaust opening, wherein the at least one primary exhaust channel is connected to the housing; and

at least one secondary exhaust channel, wherein the at least one secondary exhaust channel is connected to the housing and to the trap.

10. The odor eliminating toilet device of claim 9, wherein the ventilation assembly is located inside the odor eliminating toilet device.

11. The odor eliminating toilet device of claim 9, wherein the fan is activated when the lid sensor detects motion of the toilet lid when a user opens the toilet lid.

12. The odor eliminating toilet device of claim 11, wherein the fan creates a negative pressure system within the toilet bowl to suck air out of the toilet bowl through the at least one exhaust opening and into the at least one primary exhaust channel.

13. The odor eliminating toilet device of claim 12, wherein the bowl sensor detects absence of water after a completed flushing cycle and stops the fan.

14. The odor eliminating toilet device of claim 13, wherein before the fan stops a door within the at least one primary exhaust channel closes to seal air that was sucked from the toilet bowl within the at least one primary exhaust channel and within the housing of the ventilation assembly.

15. The odor eliminating toilet device of claim 14, wherein air exits the housing via the at least one secondary exhaust channel.

16. The odor eliminating toilet device of claim 15, wherein the at least one secondary exhaust channel is in fluid communication with the trap and comprises a door.

17. The odor eliminating toilet device of claim 16, wherein the door of the at least one secondary exhaust channel is closed during a flushing cycle when the trap is fully filled with water, and wherein the door of the of the at least one secondary exhaust channel opens when the trap is only partially filled with water after a completed flush cycle.

18. The odor eliminating toilet device of claim 17, wherein the opening of the door allows air that was sucked from the toilet bowl and through the at least one primary exhaust channel, the housing, and the at least one secondary exhaust channel to be trapped within the trap behind water.

19. The odor eliminating toilet device of claim 18, wherein the air that is trapped behind the water can be flushed during a next use of the odor eliminating toilet device.

20. The odor eliminating toilet device of claim 19, wherein the ventilation assembly is located outside the odor eliminating toilet device.