Patent Application
20240376700
Toilet odors have long been a pervasive problem, causing discomfort and embarrassment in both residential and commercial settings. Traditional methods of odor control, such as air fresheners and deodorizing sprays, often provide only temporary relief. Some solutions involve the use of mechanical or electronic air fresheners that either release fragrances periodically into the toilet bowl, infuse the bowl with ozone or other chemicals in an attempt to overwhelm odors without removing noxious gasses, or evacuate and transport the noxious gasses to a remote location where the noxious gasses are released to ambient air.
The Detailed Description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The use of the same reference numbers in different instances in the description and the figures may indicate similar or identical items.
Aspects of the disclosure are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, example features. The features can, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the combinations set forth herein; rather, these combinations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
Referring generally to
The odor removal device 100 includes a housing 102, a conduit 104, a fan 106, an ozone generator 108, a battery 110, a switch 112, and a controller 114.
As described, the odor removal device 100 includes the housing 102 which includes an inlet 116 and an outlet 118 that is defined by the housing 102. The inlet 116 and the outlet 118 are further in fluid communication with each other such that the housing defines an air passage 120 for airflow 121 between the inlet 116 and the outlet 118.
As described, the odor removal device 100 includes the conduit 104 which includes a first end 122 and a second end 124 that are in fluid communication with each other. In embodiments, the conduit 104 is made of a pliable or flexible material. For example, the conduit can be made of a rubber material. As described, the conduit 104 is configured to fit between a toilet bowl 127 and a toilet seat 131 (see
As described, the odor removal device 100 includes the fan 106 which is housed by the housing 102 and is in fluid communication with the air passage 120 for impelling air through the air passage 120 and is primarily responsible for drawing air from the cavity 125 of the toilet bowl 127. It should be appreciated that the fan may be positioned anywhere along the air passage 120. In some embodiments, the fan 106 is positioned proximate to the inlet 116. In other embodiments, the fan 106 is positioned proximate to the outlet 118, such as depicted in
As described, the odor removal device 100 includes the ozone generator 108 which is housed by the housing 102 and is further in fluid communication with the air passage 120 so as to generate ozone to the air passage 120. In embodiment, the ozone generator 108 is an ozone generator bulb, disinfection lamp, or sterilizer lamp that emits electromagnetic radiation capable of converting ambient molecular oxygen (O2) into ozone (O3). However, it should also be appreciated that alternative forms of ozone generators besides the ozone generator bulb described herein may also be contemplated. As the ozone generator 108 generates ozone, the ozone combines with and neutralizes noxious gasses passing through the air passage 120 to produce a non-noxious gas, which is then expelled at the outlet 118 into ambient air. In one embodiment, the ozone generator 108 is located within the air passage 120. In another embodiment, the housing 102 defines a second air passage 126 that draws air 123 from a second inlet 128 that combines with the airflow 121 within the air passage 120. In this embodiment, the ozone generator 108 is in fluid communication with the second air passage 126 where ozone produced by the ozone generator 108 is drawn from the second air passage 126 into the air passage 120. In this arrangement, either the fan 106 would need to be located downstream where the second air passage 126 combines with the air passage 120, or a second fan impels air from the second air passage 126 to the air passage 120.
As described, the odor removal device 100 includes the battery 110 which is housed by the housing 102. The battery 110 is electrically coupled and is configured to provide power to the fan 106 and the ozone generator 108. In embodiments, the battery 110 is a rechargeable battery. In embodiments, the battery 110 is electrically coupled to a transformer 129 that steps up or down corresponding voltages and currents supplied by the battery 110. In other embodiments, transformer 129 is a direct current (DC) voltage and/or current regulator. In this embodiment, transformer 129 is electrically coupled to the ozone generator 108 where the transformed voltages and currents are supplied to the ozone generator 108. In other embodiments, the battery 110 is a power supply configured to connect to mains electricity.
As described, the odor removal device 100 includes the switch 112 coupled to the housing 102 that is configured to actuate in response to a user. In embodiments, the switch 112 is a pressure switch that actuates in response to a user sitting on the toilet seat. In other embodiments, the switch 112 is a pressure switch that is actuated by a hand or finger (i.e., a button). In other embodiments, the switch 112 is a touch sensor or a motion sensor.
As described, the odor removal device 100 includes the controller 114 that is housed by the housing 102 and is operatively coupled to the switch 112, the fan 106, and the ozone generator 108. In response to the actuation of the switch 112, the controller 114 is configured to activate the fan 106 to impel air through the air passage 120 and the ozone generator 108 to generate ozone. In embodiments, the controller 114 is configured to deactivate one or both of the fan 106 and the ozone generator 108 after a predetermined amount of time. In embodiments, the predetermined amount of time is measured from when the switch 112 is actuated. In an alternative embodiment, the predetermined amount of time is measured from when the switch 112 is no longer actuated.
Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or process operations, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.
While the subject matter has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the subject matters are desired to be protected. It should be understood that while the use of words such as preferable, preferably, preferred, or more preferred utilized in the description above indicate that the feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and embodiments lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope of the subject matter, the scope being defined by the claims that follow.
In reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” or “at least one portion” are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63501907 | May 2023 | US |
