U.S. patent application number 15/159180 was filed with the patent office on 2017-11-23 for systems, methods, and apparatus for a ventilating toilet.
The applicant listed for this patent is Randy Carter. Invention is credited to Randy Carter.
Application Number | 20170335556 15/159180 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60329953 |
Filed Date | 2017-11-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170335556 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Carter; Randy |
November 23, 2017 |
SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR A VENTILATING TOILET
Abstract
A toilet apparatus comprises a base including a bowl and a rim.
The bowl retains water and waste material. The water and the waste
material emitting an odor. The rim extends inwardly from an upper
periphery of the bowl, wherein the inwardly extending rim includes
an upper surface, a lower surface, and an inner surface. The inner
surface of the rim including one or more ventilation ports
providing fluid communication between an interior of the bowl and a
ventilation chamber. The ventilation chamber is connected to a
ventilation pipe. An exhaust fan ventilates the odor through the
ventilation chamber and the ventilation pipe from the interior of
the bowl.
Inventors: |
Carter; Randy; (Seminary,
MS) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Carter; Randy |
Seminary |
MS |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
60329953 |
Appl. No.: |
15/159180 |
Filed: |
May 19, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03D 2201/40 20130101;
E03D 11/02 20130101; E03D 9/05 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E03D 9/05 20060101
E03D009/05; E03D 11/02 20060101 E03D011/02 |
Claims
1. A toilet apparatus comprising, a base comprising a bowl, a rim,
and a siphon; the bowl retaining water and waste material, wherein
the apparatus dispenses the water and the waste material through
the siphon, wherein the apparatus is located in a room; the water
and the waste material emitting an odor; the rim extending inwardly
from an upper periphery of the bowl, wherein the inwardly extending
rim includes an upper surface, a lower surface, and an inner
surface; the inner surface of the rim including one or more
ventilation ports; the one or more ventilation ports providing
fluid communication between an interior of the bowl and a
ventilation chamber, wherein the ventilation chamber is connected
to a ventilation pipe; an exhaust fan ventilating the odor through
the ventilation chamber and the ventilation pipe from the interior
of the bowl.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid communication
comprises communication of air.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ventilation chamber is
located within the rim.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the ventilation chamber
extends to a point of exit from the apparatus.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the ventilation chamber
comprises a continuous enclosure from the one or more ventilation
ports to the point of exit.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the ventilation chamber
connects to the ventilation pipe at the point of exit.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the ventilation pipe extends
from the exit point to an exhaust fan.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, the extending from the exit point to
the exhaust fan including the ventilation pipe travelling through
one or more of the room, an attic and an interior of a stud
wall.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, the exhaust fan ventilating the odor
including ventilating the odor to one or more of an attic and an
exterior of a building comprising the room.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a ventilation port lid covers
each of the one or more ventilation ports.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein each ventilation port lid
extends inwardly from the upper periphery.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein each ventilation port lid
extends downwardly from the upper periphery.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein each ventilation port lid
comprises a spherically shaped hood covering the upper half of a
corresponding ventilation port.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a tank containing
additional water.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, the dispensing the water and the
waste material through a siphon including the tank introducing the
additional water into the bowl through a plurality of ports.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, the plurality of ports located in
the bowl under and around the lower surface.
17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bowl, the base, the
ventilation chamber, the one or more ventilation ports and
corresponding ventilation port lids are preformed.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT
[0003] Not applicable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 shows a toilet apparatus, under an embodiment.
[0005] FIG. 2A shows a toilet apparatus, under an embodiment
[0006] FIG. 2B shows a cross sectional view of a toilet apparatus
rim, under an embodiment.
[0007] FIG. 3 shows a front view of a toilet rim inner surface
comprising ventilation ports, under an embodiment.
[0008] FIG. 4 shows a side view of a ventilation port, under an
embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 5 shows a top down view of a toilet apparatus, under an
embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 6 shows a front view of a toilet rim inner surface
comprising a ventilation port, under an embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 7 shows ventilation system connected to an air chamber
of a toilet apparatus, under an embodiment.
[0012] So that the manner in which the systems, methods, and
apparatus for a ventilating toilet described herein can be better
understood, certain illustrations, charts and/or flow charts are
appended hereto. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings
illustrate only selected embodiments of the systems and methods
described herein and are therefore not to be considered limiting of
scope, for the systems, methods, and apparatus for a ventilating
toilet described herein may admit to other equally effective
embodiments and applications.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS
[0013] Systems, methods, and apparatus for a ventilating toilet are
herein described.
[0014] A typical flush toilet is a vitreous, ceramic bowl
containing water plus plumbing. FIG. 1 shows a toilet apparatus
100, under an embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a water tank 102 and a base
104. The base comprises a bowl 106, a rim 108, and a siphon 110. A
lid 112 is rotatably coupled with rim 108 at point 114. FIG. 1
shows the lid 112 in closed position lying over an opening into the
interior of the bowl 106.
[0015] The tank 102 dispenses water into the bowl 106. The water in
the toilet bowl is under one embodiment connected to a hollow drain
pipor siphon 110 shaped like an upside-down U connecting the bowl
with a drain. One side of the U channel is arranged as a hollow
siphon tube longer than the water in the bowl is high. The siphon
tube connects to the drain. The bottom of the upside-down U-shaped
drain pipe limits the height of the water in the bowl 106 before it
flows down the drain. The water in the bowl acts as a barrier to
sewer gas entering and as a receptacle for waste. Sewer gas is
vented through a vent pipe attached to the sewer line. When a
toilet 100 is flushed, the water should flow into a septic tank or
into a sewage system with a sewage treatment plant. The toilet 100
is designed to be rapidly filled with more water once flushed.
[0016] Toilets are of course designed to eliminate human waste. It
has been designed and redesigned countless times but still presents
one major flaw. Flush toilets have a bowl where waste is captured
and disposed of with the aid of water. Water floods the bowl and
then flushed water pushes the waste and water out of the bowl and
into the plumbing below.
[0017] The odor from the waste however is left in the bowl and the
bathroom housing the toilet. Ventilation fans are typically
installed in the ceiling or sometimes in the wall. Ventilation fans
help remove the odor from the room. In so doing it actually pulls
more odor out of the toilet bowl into the room. A new design
directly combines the toilet bowl to a ventilation system. A
ventilation fan is placed in the attic and is then attached to the
toilet with a piping system. This system vents and all but
eliminates the unwelcome odor resulting from use of the
bathroom.
[0018] Existing toilets may have ports of entry that introduce
water into the bowl. Such water is necessary to flush the toilet.
These ports are located just under and around the top rim of the
toilet. A new design introduces under one embodiment an extra set
of ports in addition to the water entry ports. These additional
ports are not entry ports but exit ports under an embodiment. The
additional ports may comprise vacuum or ventilation ports. They may
be placed in many places inside the bowl as long as they do not
impede the flow of water and waste in the toilet.
[0019] Under an embodiment these ports are coupled together either
internally or externally. The connection may lead to a union that
attaches to a pipe or hose that is then piped into a wall behind
the toilet. The pipe may lead upward through the wall into an
attic. Inside the attic the pipe is under one embodiment connected
to a ventilation fan. Another pipe may leave the ventilation fan
and exit through the roof the way plumbing vents are situated. The
odor/scent is then expelled to the outside through the pipe that
exits the ventilation fan under one embodiment.
[0020] Under an alternative embodiment, the ventilation pipes may
also be piped through an exterior wall with the ventilation fan
mounted outside said wall. Under yet another embodiment, the
ventilation fan may simply expel the odor into the attic. This
practice mirrors the operation of many ventilation fans in service
that simply transfer air within a bathroom to the attic.
[0021] Under an embodiment, the ventilation pipe may run up and
along the wall behind or to the side of the toilet inside the
bathroom without being placed inside the wall. Multiple toilets may
be piped into one central ventilation fan or each toilet may be
independently ventilated. The vents may be controlled by a simple
light switch which under an embodiment is wired through the wall as
any other electrical switch would. Under an embodiment, the
electrical switch may be operated with timer switches or any type
of automated switch configured to turn on or off when the
toilet/bathroom is in use.
[0022] FIG. 2A shows a toilet apparatus 100 with lid removed under
an embodiment. The apparatus comprises a base 104. The base
comprises a bowl 106 and a rim 108. The bowl 106 comprises an
exterior surface 122 and an interior surface 124. The rim 108
comprises an upper surface 132, a lower surface 134, an inner
surface 138, and an outer surface 140. The bowl further comprises
holes or ports 142 that introduce water into the bowl from tank 102
under an embodiment. The surface 150 provides support for the
apparatus tank or cistern (not shown) which collects and dispenses
water in operation of the toilet.
[0023] FIG. 2B shows a cross sectional view of a toilet apparatus
rim 108, under an embodiment. FIG. 2B shows an upper surface 132, a
lower surface 134, and an inner surface 138 of the rim.
[0024] The inner surface 138 of the rim 108 may comprise
ventilation ports or air ports under an embodiment. FIG. 3 shows a
front view 300 of the rim inner surface 138. FIG. 3 shows air port
302 and air port 304. Each port features a lower portion 314, 316
and an upper portion 310, 312. The lower portion 314, 316 comprises
an opening in the inner surface 138 allowing communication of air
between an interior of the bowl 106 and an air chamber (FIG. 5,
520) within an interior of the rim 108. The upper portion 310, 312
comprises a hood extending outward and over the lower portion as
further described below.
[0025] FIG. 4 features a side view of the of ports 302, 304 seen in
FIG. 3. The cover portion or the lid 410 extends inwardly from
inner surface 138. The lid also extends downwardly over the opening
412. The lid 410 may under one embodiment comprise a spherical
shaped hood. The lid 410 covers and protects the opening 412 from
entry of materials or substances from above. The lid shields the
port while allowing communication of air between an interior of
bowl and an air chamber (FIG. 5, 520) within an interior of the rim
108.
[0026] FIG. 5 shows air ports 502, 504, 506, 508, Each port allows
communication of air between an interior of bowl 106 and an
interior air chamber 520 within the rim 108. The air chamber
travels along an interior of rim 108 along a first portion from
port 508 past port 506 to point 522. The air chamber travels along
an interior of rim along a second portion from port 504 past port
502 to point 522. The air chamber may under an embodiment travel
from the interior space 522 of the rim 108 to the exit point 530
through a third portion. The third portion may comprise any path
through the apparatus base and/or apparatus tank as long as the
chamber moves air through a continuous enclosure without
interfering with operation of the tank or base in (i) holding
water, (ii) introducing water into the apparatus bowl, and/or (iii)
removing or expelling water from the bowl. Under an embodiment, the
air chamber 520 provides a continuous enclosure that vents air from
each ventilation port 502, 504, 506, 508 to exit point 530.
[0027] An embodiment is described herein which locates the air
chamber within the rim of a toilet apparatus. However, it should be
understood that the air chamber may be located anywhere within the
toilet apparatus so long as the chamber provides a continuous
enclosure that vents air from ventilation ports to one or more exit
points exiting the toilet apparatus.
[0028] FIG. 6 shows a front view of rim inner surface 138. Air port
502 allows communication of air between an interior of the bowl and
air chamber 520. The port 502 and air chamber 520 reside above the
water chamber 614 within apparatus bowl. Port 502 is exemplary of
ports 504, 506, 508 which exist in similar configurations along the
inner surface 138 of rim 108.
[0029] FIG. 7 shows one configuration of the ventilation system
piped through a wall into an attic through a fan and out the roof,
under an embodiment. FIG. 7 shows the apparatus base 712, the
apparatus rim 714, and the apparatus tank 716. The water inlet 718
is attached to a water source to provide water to the apparatus
700. The air chamber (FIG. 5, 522) connects to a ventilation pipe
at exit point 530. The pipe 730 may then connect to pipe 732 which
extends upward inside a stud wall 722. An exhaust fan housing 724
rests upon a ceiling joist 726 and just below roof line 728. The
exhaust fan inside the housing operates to move air from the
chamber 520 in the apparatus through ventilation pipe 730, and then
upward through ventilation pipe 732. The exhaust fan 724 then vents
air out of the entire housing structure through ventilation pipe
734.
[0030] FIG. 7 shows an electrical switch 750 located on the wall
behind the toilet. The switch may of course be located anywhere
within the room containing the toilet or elsewhere in a
corresponding building, house, or structure. The switch may control
the exhaust fan and ventilation system in general. As indicated
above, the electrical switch may be operated with timer switches or
any type of automated switch configured to turn on or off when the
toilet/bathroom is in use.
[0031] A toilet apparatus is described herein that comprises under
an embodiment a base comprising a bowl, a rim, and a siphon. The
apparatus includes the bowl retaining water and waste material,
wherein the apparatus dispenses the water and the waste material
through the siphon, wherein the apparatus is located in a room. The
apparatus includes the water and the waste material emitting an
odor. The apparatus includes the rim extending inwardly from an
upper periphery of the bowl, wherein the inwardly extending rim
includes an upper surface, a lower surface, and an inner surface.
The apparatus includes the inner surface of the rim including one
or more ventilation ports. The apparatus includes the one or more
ventilation ports providing fluid communication between an interior
of the bowl and a ventilation chamber, wherein the ventilation
chamber is connected to a ventilation pipe. The apparatus includes
an exhaust fan ventilating the odor through the ventilation chamber
and the ventilation pipe from the interior of the bowl.
[0032] The fluid communication comprises communication of air,
under an embodiment.
[0033] The ventilation chamber is located within the rim, under an
embodiment
[0034] The ventilation chamber extends under an embodiment to a
point of exit from the apparatus.
[0035] The ventilation chamber comprises under an embodiment a
continuous enclosure from the one or more ventilation ports to the
point of exit.
[0036] The ventilation chamber connects to the ventilation pipe at
the point of exit, under an embodiment.
[0037] The ventilation pipe extends from the exit point to an
exhaust fan, under an embodiment.
[0038] The extending from the exit point to the exhaust fan
includes under an embodiment the ventilation pipe travelling
through one or more of the room, an attic and an interior of a stud
wall.
[0039] The exhaust fan ventilating the odor includes under an
embodiment ventilating the odor to one or more of an attic and an
exterior of a building comprising the room.
[0040] A ventilation port lid covers each of the one or more
ventilation ports, under an embodiment.
[0041] Each ventilation port lid extends inwardly from the upper
periphery, under an embodiment.
[0042] Each ventilation port lid extends under an embodiment
downwardly from the upper periphery.
[0043] Each ventilation port lid comprises under an embodiment a
spherically shaped hood covering the upper half of a corresponding
ventilation port.
[0044] A tank contains additional water, under an embodiment.
[0045] The dispensing the water and the waste material through a
siphon includes under an embodiment the tank introducing the
additional water into the bowl through a plurality of ports.
[0046] The plurality of ports located in the bowl under and around
the lower surface, under an embodiment.
[0047] The bowl, the base, the ventilation chamber, the one or more
ventilation ports and corresponding ventilation port lids are
preformed, under an embodiment.
[0048] The systems and methods for the ventilation of a toilet
apparatus can be a component of a single system, multiple systems,
and/or geographically separate systems. The systems and methods for
the ventilation of a toilet apparatus can also be a subcomponent or
subsystem of a single system, multiple systems, and/or
geographically separate systems. The components can be coupled to
one or more other components (not shown) of a host system or a
system coupled to the host system.
[0049] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout
the description and the claims, the words "comprise," "comprising,"
and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed
to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in a sense of
"including, but not limited to." Words using the singular or plural
number also include the plural or singular number respectively.
Additionally, the words "herein," "hereunder," "above," "below,"
and words of similar import, when used in this application, refer
to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions
of this application. When the word "or" is used in reference to a
list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following
interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of
the items in the list and any combination of the items in the
list.
[0050] The above description of embodiments of the systems and
methods for the ventilation of a toilet apparatus and corresponding
systems and methods is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit
the systems and methods to the precise forms disclosed. While
specific embodiments of, and examples for, the systems and methods
for the ventilation of a toilet apparatus and corresponding systems
and methods are described herein for illustrative purposes, various
equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the
systems and methods, as those skilled in the relevant art will
recognize. The teachings of the systems and methods for the
ventilation of a toilet apparatus and corresponding systems and
methods provided herein can be applied to other systems and
methods, not only for the systems and methods described above.
[0051] The above description of embodiments of the toilet apparatus
itself is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the apparatus
to the precise forms disclosed. While specific embodiments of, and
examples for, the toilet apparatus are described herein for
illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are
possible within the scope this disclosure as those skilled in the
relevant art will recognize. The teachings of toilet apparatus and
corresponding systems and methods provided herein can be applied to
other toilet apparatus, devices and structures.
[0052] The elements and acts of the various embodiments described
above can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and
other changes can be made to the systems and methods for the
ventilation of a toilet apparatus and corresponding systems and
methods in light of the above detailed description.
* * * * *