U.S. patent application number 12/290504 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-21 for toilet ventilation system.
Invention is credited to Lyle Smith.
Application Number | 20090126089 12/290504 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40640415 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090126089 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smith; Lyle |
May 21, 2009 |
Toilet ventilation system
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.
Inventors: |
Smith; Lyle; (Indianapolis,
IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
INDIANO VAUGHAN LLP
ONE N. PENNSYLVANIA STREET, SUITE 1300
INDIANAPOLIS
IN
46204
US
|
Family ID: |
40640415 |
Appl. No.: |
12/290504 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60983951 |
Oct 31, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/213 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03D 9/05 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/213 |
International
Class: |
E03D 9/04 20060101
E03D009/04 |
Claims
1. A ventilation system for a toilet comprising: a tank and a base
portion, the tank including a bottom wall having a flush valve
aperture in said bottom wall the base portion including a toilet
bowl having a bowl portion and a rim that encircles the bowl
portion, the base portion defining a rim chamber extending
generally along the rim of the toilet bowl, the base portion also
including a plurality of ports in fluid communication with the rim
chamber for conveying water from the rim chamber to the bowl of the
base portion, wherein the ventilation system comprises a vent
collar mountable between said tank and said base portion, said
comprising a housing and a baffle, said housing including a
generally cylindrical housing wall with an outer surface and an
inner surface defining a passageway, a reduced diameter first
aperture, an enlarged diameter intermediate passageway, a reduced
diameter second aperture, and a ventilation port extending between
said outer surface and inner surface of housing cylindrical wall, a
baffle comprising a generally cylindrical baffle wall with an outer
surface and inner surface of the baffle wall including a plurality
of ports extending between said inner surface and said outer
surface of the cylindrical baffle wall, wherein the outer surface
of the baffle and inner surface of the housing define an annular
air chamber when the baffle is disposed within the housing a
ventilation fan in communication with the baffle, and wherein the
vent collar is mounted between said toilet tank and said
toilet-base with the housing first aperture in communication with
the tank flush valve aperture and with having second aperture in
communication with the toilet base portion aperture
2. The ventilation system of claim 1 wherein the annular air
chamber is disposed the enlarged diameter intermediate
passageway
3. The ventilation system of claim 1 further comprising a pipe
member extending between the ventilator fan and the vent collar for
placing the ventilation fan in communication with the baffle
4. The ventilation system of claim 1 further comprising a seal ring
mounted between the housing first aperture and tank flush valve
aperture
5. The ventilation system of claim 1 further comprising a seal ring
mounted between the housing second aperture and the toilet base
portion aperture
Description
I. CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to provisional application
No. 60/983,951 filed Oct. 31, 2007 entitled Toilet Ventilation
System and incorporates by reference the provisional application in
its entirety.
II. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a ventilation system for
toilets. More particularly, the present invention relates to toilet
systems having a ventilation system designed for venting
odoriferous air from a toilet.
II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Many ventilation systems have been employed to minimize and
dissipate foul bathroom odors within lavatory facilities. Fans such
as ceilings are commonly used. However, ceiling fans only ventilate
unpleasant odors after they have already diffused throughout the
lavatory facility. Consequently, even with operable ceiling fans,
objectionable odors are still present in lavatories. Furthermore,
ceiling fans are relatively inefficient because they continuously
ventilate large volumes of air from the entire lavatory.
[0004] Ventilation systems that are built into the toilet itself
have been invented. Some of these systems can perform their
function in a workmanlike manner. However, ventilation systems that
are built into the toilet can be difficult to assemble and
expensive to install. Some such systems are not made to be
removable, and generally cannot be easily retrofitted to existing
toilets.
[0005] The present invention provides a simple, removable
ventilation system designed for use in new or existing toilets. The
ventilation system of the present invention is inexpensive and can
be installed by a person of minimal mechanical aptitude.
V. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention relates generally to a ventilation
system for use with a typical household or commercial toilet. The
typical toilet includes a tank for holding water, and passageways
for transporting the water from the tank to the bowl in the base
portion of the toilet. The base portion of the toilet defines a
plurality of ports for directing water into an interior of the
toilet bowl, and an interior passageway for conveying water from
the tank to the ports of the toilet bowl.
[0007] Water flowing from the tank into the bowl causes a surge in
the bowl. The surge causes water in the bowl to push into a
U-shaped pipe, upwards around the apex of the "U" in the pipe,
pushing the air pocket down into the sewer. This creates a siphon
which draws a continuous flow of water from the bowl and through
the pipe. When the tank empties so that there is no more water in
the bowl, air fills the "U" in the pipe, stopping the siphon. Once
the siphon is interrupted, water fills the tank and re-fills the
bowl. The water stops flowing into the bowl when a float in the
tank raises with the water level in the tank to a high enough level
which allows a tank valve to close.
[0008] The present invention comprises a vent collar mountable
between the tank portion and the base portion of the typical
toilet. A vent collar is placed between the tank and bowl portions
of a toilet and secured by conventional means, such as by replacing
the original equipment bolts that attach the toilet tank to the
toilet base with elongated bolts. The ventilation collar includes a
ventilation port that can be connected to a ventilation line or
pipe. The line or pipe can then be connected to a ventilation fan
to pull odoriferous air from toilet. The ventilation line and pipe
can be placed in any suitable location to directs odoriferous air
outside of the restroom or lavatory facility, such as into an attic
or to the exterior of the building in which the restroom or
lavatory is situated
[0009] The vent collar includes a passageway that is in the water
flow path between the tank and base portion of a conventional
toilet. When water is not in the water flow path, the ventilation
fan can draw air from the toilet bowl through the ports of the bowl
and through the vent collar. Air drawn through the vent collar
exits the toilet structure through a ventilation port. If water is
in the passageway, the vent collar baffle and an annular air space
defined by the vent collar baffle and the vent collar housing
prevents water from being extracted by the ventilation fan into the
ventilation line. During testing, it was found that the ventilation
system of the present invention was successful in removing
essentially all of the foul odor present in the normal use of
bathroom facilities. The ventilation system provides inexpensive,
easy to install ventilation in a manner unforeseen in the prior
art.
[0010] A variety of advantages of the invention will be set forth
in part in the description that follows, and in part will be
apparent from the description, or may be learned by practicing the
invention. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as
claimed.
V. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 are a schematic cross-sectional view of an entire
toilet featuring the ventilation system of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the ventilation system of
the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the vent collar housing of
the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 is an exploded cross-sectional side view of the vent
collar housing and vent collar baffle with vent collar seals and
ventilation pipe that can be used with the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional top view of the vent collar of
the present invention.
I. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a toilet ventilation system 20
constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention. The toilet ventilation system 20 includes a toilet 10
having a base portion 12 (i.e., a stool) and a tank 16. Toilet base
portion 12 typically includes a toilet bowl 14. The base portion 12
includes a circumferencial rim portion 74 defining a
circumferencial rim chamber 76.
[0017] The tank 16 supplies water to the toilet 10 through a water
input system 18. The water input system 18 is located within tank
16, and includes an inlet end 19 and an outlet end 22. Inlet end 19
is attached to a source of water, such as a city water pipe or a
well system that is pressurized. The tank includes a bottom wall 71
which includes a flush valve aperture 72. Flush valve controls 32
water flow through flush valve aperture 72.
[0018] A conventional float arrangement 21 is used to control the
water level in tank 16. For example, when the toilet 10 is flushed,
the water level in the tank 16 drops causing the float arrangement
21 to also drop. When the float arrangement 21 drops, a valve (not
shown) is caused to open flow between the inlet line 19 and the
tank 16. As the water level in the tank 16 rises, the float 21 also
rises. When the float 21 reaches a predetermined level (shown in
FIG. 1), the valve (not shown) closes and flow is stopped between
the inlet line 19 and the tank 14.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, the flush valve aperture 72 is used to
discharge water through the bottom of the tank 16 when the toilet
10 is flushed. The flush valve aperture 72 is opened and closed by
a conventional flush valve 32 such as a flapper or plunger valve. A
conventional flush control such as a handle 33 and chain
arrangement 35 is used to open and close the flush valve 32. To
flush the toilet 10, the handle 33 is pressed downward causing
lever 34 and chain 35 to lift the flush valve 32 to an open
position.
[0020] With the flush valve 32 in the open position, the water in
the tank 16 is discharged through the flush valve aperture 72.
After the water has been discharged through the flush valve
aperture 72, the flush valve 32 moves to a closed position (shown
in FIG. 1) such that the tank can be refilled with water.
[0021] The bowl 14 of the toilet 10 includes a siphon system 64.
The siphon system 64 controls and maintains the level of water in
the bowl. The siphon system 64 of the toilet begins with the drain
portion of the toilet 66 of the toilet 16. Gravity will force water
through the drain portion 66, through a u-shaped drain pipe 68.
There is a peak portion 70, where the force of gravity is not great
enough to force water to leave the system absent the flush. When a
flush occurs, a large volume of water enters the bowl 14, forcing
the contents of the tank over the peak portion 70 and into a sewer
or septic system (not shown).
[0022] Toilet base portion 12 includes a circumferential rim
portion 74 encircling bowl 14. Rim portion 74 includes a rim
chamber 76. The toilet rim portion 74 defines a plurality of ports
78 in fluid communication with the rim chamber 76. The toilet base
portion 12 includes a base aperture 73 that is in communication
with intermediate chamber 79. Intermediate chamber 79 and the rim
chamber 76 cooperate to form an interior passageway that provides
fluid communication between base aperture 73 and ports 78. When the
toilet is flushed, water flows from tank 10, through flush valve
aperture 73 through vent collar 36, into intermediate chamber 79
and rim chamber 76 before exiting through port 78 into bowl 14.
[0023] The ventilation system 20 of the present invention comprises
a vent collar 36 connected to a fan 60 and is designed to be
installed into a standard household toilet 10, shown in FIG. 1. The
toilet 10 includes all of the features of any commercial toilet,
including a base portion 12, which includes the bowl 14, and a tank
portion 16.
[0024] The vent collar 36 comprises a housing 80 and a baffle 46.
As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 80 is generally cylindrical and
made of a water resistant material, such as PVC. The housing 80
includes a top end 38, a bottom end 40, and wall 81 with outer
surface 42 and an inner surface 44 defining passageway 45.
[0025] FIGS. 3-5 illustrate the vent collar housing 80. The housing
80 is generally cylindrical in shape with a wall 81 having a
reduced diameter first aperture 82, an enlarged intermediate
diameter passageway 84, and a reduced second aperture 86. The
housing wall 81 has an inner surface 44 and an outer surface 42.
The housing 80 also includes a ventilation port 88. As shown in the
embodiment depicted, the ventilation port 88 has female threads 54
for receiving male threads 56 of adapter 58 which can be connected
to ventilation line 23.
[0026] The reduced first diameter 82 of the housing can include a
lip 50 for receiving a flange 51 on the baffle 46. The baffle 46 is
generally cylindrical with a wall 90 having an inner surface 94 and
an outer surface 92. The baffle wall includes a plurality of
generally radically extending ports 49 that allow air to push
through the baffle wall. Baffle fitted portion 53 is accepted into
housing second aperture 86.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 4, disposed within housing 80 is baffle
46. Baffle 46 is a generally cylindrical with a plurality of
openings 49 which allow fan 60 to draw fouled air through
passageway 45, while at the same time minimizing the extrusion of
water from ventilation port 88 during the flush cycle. The baffle
46 is one of the most important features of the present invention.
Because the toilet vent collar 36 is designed to allow installation
in an ordinary toilet without any major structural changes to the
toilet, the system is at risk of water entering the fan. Baffle 46
discourages water from exiting through ventilation port 88.
[0028] Vent collar 36 is designed to be retrofitted into the tank
of any existing toilet. Another embodiment would include a version
of the vent collar 36 pre-manufactured into a toilet.
[0029] Baffle 46 is disposed within the vent collar housing 80;
thereby forming an annular air chamber 96 defined by the baffle
outer surface 92 and the housing inner surface 44, which is best
seen in FIG. 5. The baffle ports 49 are angled in the embodiment
shown. The angling of the baffle ports 49 aids in resisting the
flow of water out of the ventilation port 88. An important feature
of the vent collar 36 is the annular air chamber 96 defined by the
baffle outer surface 52 and the housing inner surface 44. Water
that escapes from the baffle 46 will be trapped by the housing wall
inner surface 44 and flow back into the inner diameter of baffle 46
through baffle ports 48.
[0030] Returning to FIG. 1, first seal ring 52 assists in making
water-tight the union between the tank 16 and the vent collar 36.
Second seal ring 48 assists in making it water tight the union
between the baffle 46 and toilet base 12.
[0031] As those skilled in the art appreciate the vent collar
housing 80 and baffle 46 combination as can be configured as a
single component instead the two-piece configuration shown in FIGS.
4 and 5. arrangements 52 and 48.
[0032] In the preferred embodiment, the ventilation port 88 is
connected to ventilation line 23 which is in then connected to a
fan 60 that can be motor operated and powered by batteries or by
building electricity. The fan 60 exhaust can be located to direct
air to an area where the effect of odoriferous air and
inconsequential, such as into an attic, and or outside of the
building.
[0033] In use of the toilet ventilation system 20, the ventilation
line 23 functions to evacuate or withdraw air from the interior of
the bowl 14 through the ports 78 as shown in FIG. 1. For example,
when the flush valve 32 is closed and no water is in the rim
chamber 76, the fan 60 can be used to draw air from the toilet bowl
14 through the ventilation line 23. Specifically, air is drawn from
the bowl into the rim chamber 76 through the ports 78 from bowl 12.
From the rim chamber 76, the air is drawn into the intermediate
chamber 79 and exits the base portion 12 through the ventilation
port 88. From the ventilation port 88, the air is drawn through the
ventilation line 23 by fan 60. Ventilation line 23 and fan 60 can
be advantageously routed to direct odoriferous air out of the
restroom or lavatory facility.
* * * * *