Patent Application
20230110943
The present invention relates to bathroom fixtures, and more particularly to toilet bowls and improvements to the same.
The standard toilet bowl has remained relatively unchanged over time. Apart from modifications to reduce water consumption or improve the flush performance. However, these modifications do little to reduce the emission of odors and the spread of bacteria.
As can be seen, there is a need for improved apparatus and method for toiled bowl ventilation for the reduction of odors and contain the spread of bacteria.
In one aspect of the present invention, an active ventilation system for a toilet bowl is disclosed. The active ventilation system includes a cavity, an upper airflow conduit having a first end and a second end. The first end is in fluid communication with a plurality of apertures disposed in a spaced apart relation in at least a portion of a rim of the toilet bowl. The second end is in fluid communication with the cavity. A lower airflow conduit has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is in fluid communication with the cavity, the outlet is configured for fluid communication with a sewer line connected with a drainpipe of the toilet. A ventilation fan is contained within the cavity, wherein, when activated, the ventilation fan imparts an airflow that is drawn into the plurality of apertures and ejected into the sewer line.
In some embodiments, the cavity is contained within a base of the toilet bowl.
In some embodiments, the upper airflow conduit is contained within the base of the toilet bowl.
In some embodiments, the lower airflow conduit is contained within the base of the toilet bowl.
In some embodiments, the outlet of the lower airflow conduit is in communication with the drainpipe of the toilet in a downstream position from an S-trap in the base of the toilet bowl.
In other aspects of the invention, a toilet bowl adapted for an active ventilation system is disclosed. The toilet bowl includes a cavity dimensioned to contain a ventilation fan. An upper airflow conduit has a first end and a second end. The first end is in fluid communication with a plurality of apertures disposed in a spaced apart relation in at least a portion of a rim of the toilet bowl. The second end is in fluid communication with the cavity. A lower airflow conduit has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is in fluid communication with the cavity and the outlet is configured for fluid communication with a sewer line connected with a drainpipe of the toilet. The upper airflow conduit, the cavity, and the lower airflow conduit are configured to communicate an airflow drawn into the plurality of apertures and ejected into the sewer line.
In some embodiments, the cavity is contained within a base of the toilet bowl.
In some embodiments, the upper airflow conduit is contained within the base of the toilet bowl.
In some embodiments, the lower airflow conduit is contained within the base of the toilet bowl.
In some embodiments, the outlet of the lower airflow conduit is in communication with the drainpipe of the toilet in a downstream position from an S-trap in the base of the toilet bowl.
In some embodiments, each of the cavity, the upper airflow conduit, and the lower airflow conduit are cast with the base of the toilet bowl.
In yet other aspects of the invention, an active ventilation system for a toilet bowl is disclosed. The active ventilation system includes an upper airflow conduit having a first end and a second end. The first end is in fluid communication with one or more air inlet apertures disposed in at least a portion of a rim of the toilet bowl. A lower airflow conduit has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is in fluid communication with second end of the upper airflow conduit. The outlet configured for fluid communication with a drain line servicing the toilet at a downstream position from an S-trap of the toilet. A ventilation fan imparts an airflow that is drawn into the one or more apertures, carried through the upper airflow conduit, the lower airflow conduit, and ejected into the drain line at the downstream position from the S-trap.
In some embodiments, the ventilation fan is interposed between the upper airflow conduit and the lower airflow conduit.
In other embodiments, the ventilation fan is an axial fan.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention.
Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and method for providing active toilet bowl ventilation to reduce the incidence of odors and reduce bacterial spread.
As seen in reference to the drawings of
Water contained within the tank 16 is carried through a water conduit 22 where it is dispensed into the bowl 12b. Typically, at least a portion of the dispensed tank water is distributed about the rim 12a and is delivered to the toilet bowl 12b through a plurality of water apertures to facilitate rinsing an interior surface of the bowl 12b and flushing of the toilet 12. When flushed, the water 14 level in the bowl 12b increases until the water 14 is flushed through the S-trap 20 and a drainpipe 28 and carried into a sewer system.
The active ventilation system 10 of the present invention includes an upper airflow conduit 26a that is in communication with the rim 12a and one or more inlet apertures 32 disposed about the rim 12a. A fan 24 is contained within a cavity 24a that is in communication with the upper airflow conduit 26a and draws an airflow 30 inwardly from the interior of the bowl 12b. A lower airflow conduit 26b is connected with the cavity 24a to allow the airflow 30 to be expelled by the fan 24 into the drainpipe 28. The lower airflow conduit 26b is connected with the drainpipe 28 aft, or in a downstream position of the S-trap 20. Each of the upper airflow conduit 26a, the lower airflow conduit 26b, and the cavity 24a may be cast with the base 12 of the toilet bowl. Alternatively, components of the active ventilation system may be applied to an existing toilet bowl as a modification. In this event, communication of the lower airflow conduit 26b with the drainpipe 28 may be with a mounting flange supporting the toilet or in a downstream position of the drainpipe 28.
In some embodiments, the upper airflow conduit 26a may be routed around the water conduit 22 carrying water from the tank 16 to the rim 12a, such as seen in reference to
The ventilation fan 24 may be connected with a power source, such as a solar panel 24b. Preferably, the ventilation fan 24 is an axial fan, such as an MS1238-H, manufactured by Mechatronics Inc. of Preston, Washington. The gaskets 36 and sleeve 34 would couple with a housing surrounding the fan to provide the airtight airflow pathway 30. In this case, the cavity 24a would include the space occupied by the housing and the ventilation fan 24.
In operation, the ventilation fan 24 is selectively operable to draw the airflow 30 from the space overlying the water level 14 carried within the bowl 12b. The airflow 30 is carried through the cavity 24b and ejected into the sewer line connecting with the drainpipe 28 of the base 12 of the toilet 12. Because the airflow 30 is ejected at a downstream position from the S-trap, the odors and bacterial contained within the airspace overlying the water level 14 of the bowl 12b can be carried away into the sewer system.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
