The present invention relates generally to toilet sanitation system. More specifically, the present invention is a vacuum-based toilet sanitation system adapted to remove odors.
Generally, the most difficult room in the house to clean and to maintain a pleasant smell in, is the bathroom. In particular, the main source of this problem comes from the toilet bowl itself. No matter how consciously aware people are about having to use the bathroom, the truth is, there's an on-going problem that continues to linger in the air, and this will always be a great source of embarrassment. Flushing the toilet only helps remove the excrement and fecal matter from the toilet bowl, yet the odor will remain. Other solutions—such as air fresheners—just mask the stench by over-saturating the air with a further stench of heavy fragrances and harsh perfumes that quickly fade with time. Nevertheless, if the problem is allowed to persist, then gases and odors may adhere to the walls of the bathroom, and may eventually adhere to the clothes and body of bathroom occupants, as well.
In order to solve this problem, the present invention incorporates a vacuum system and a tubing system together to remove and transfer the gases and foul odors from the toilet bowl and redirects these odors and gases directly into a sewer, septic system, or other disposal point. The vacuum is coupled to at least one vent placed beneath the toilet seat. The toilet seat may further comprise a gasket to help seal the edges of the seat and prevent odors from escaping. When the vacuum is activated, the vent sucks in air, removing the odors from the air in the toilet bowl, and transmitting those odors through a drainage pipe into the disposal point. In some embodiments, the present invention may further make use of automated features for the convenience of the user, such as momentary buttons adapted to activate the vacuum when a user sits on the toilet, a foot-activated button to raise and lower the toilet seat and lid, and a sound-proofed access panel to shield the sound of the vacuum pump and drainage system while allowing the user easy access to those components for quick and easy maintenance. These automated components may be controlled by a rechargeable battery and a relay or motherboard. The system may be adapted for use in either commercial or residential settings by changing the plumbing mechanism in different embodiments.
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
The present invention is a toilet vacuum system. Referring now to the figures, as seen in
The invention comprises a toilet 100, as is well-known in the art. The toilet 100 may further comprises a toilet lid 108, a toilet seat 110, and a toilet bowl 204. In some embodiments, the toilet seat 110 may further comprise a seat gasket 112. The seat gasket 112 is a seal that seals the gap between the toilet seat 110 and the toilet bowl 204 to help prevent odors from escaping into the air. The toilet may comprise at least one plumbing assembly, ideally being located within the toilet tank 150. The toilet tank 150 may be any shape or configuration well-known in the art, providing a space to house a plumbing assembly or retain water to allow for flushing of the toilet system. For example, the toilet tank 150 may comprise a standard water tank that stores water within the tank to allow for flushing. The plumbing assembly may be either a residential plumbing assembly 102 or a commercial plumbing assembly 104. The residential plumbing assembly 102 is adapted to connect to a residential water supply by exiting through the back of the toilet tank 150. As seen in
The present invention further comprises a vacuum pump 148, as seen in
The first drainage tube 134 may be communicably connected to the vacuum pump 148 at a first end of the first drainage tube 134. A second end of the first drainage tube 134 may be connected to the at least one bowl odor vent 208. In this configuration, when the vacuum pump 148 is activated, the at least one bowl odor vent 208 will create suction through the at least one bowl odor vent 208, and suck in air (and any contained odors) from within the toilet bowl 204. These odors will be transmitted into the first drainage tube 134.
To prevent odors from returning into the toilet bowl 204, the first drainage tube 134 may further comprise a water trap 200, as seen in
In some embodiments, the first drainage tube 134 may further comprise a trap bulb 202. The trap bulb 202 comprises a bulbous section added into the tube, as seen in
As seen in
As seen in
A second drainage tube 136 may further be communicably connected to the vacuum pump 148 and the first drainage tube 134 at a first opening of the second drainage tube 136. A second opening of the second drainage tube 136 may be communicably connected to a disposal point. The disposal point may be the sewer system or other suitable disposal point, such as the outdoors. The second drainage tube 136 is ideally connected opposite the first drainage tube 134. In this configuration, when the vacuum pump 148 is turned on, gases are sucked out through the first drainage tube 134, and communicated into the second drainage tube 136. The second drainage tube 136, being positioned on the opposite side of the vacuum pump 148, receives pressure and exhaust from the vacuum pump 148 instead of suction, further assisting in pushing any odors or gases into the disposal point.
Similar to the first drainage tube 134, the second drainage tube 136 may further comprise at least one second drainage tube 136 opening. The at least one second drainage tube 136 opening may be sealed a second removable cap. The second drainage opening is adapted to give the user access to the second drainage tube 136, allowing a user access to the second drainage tube 136 to manually remove blockages, perform maintenance, or make any other desired fixes or alterations.
In some embodiments, and as seen in
In some embodiments, the toilet 100 may further comprise an automated mechanism for opening and closing the toilet seat 110. In the ideal embodiment, this is done through the use of at least one momentary button 114 positioned beneath the toilet seat 110. In this configuration, the at least one momentary button 114 acts as a pressure sensor, allowing electrical current to flow to the vacuum pump 148 to activate the vacuum pump 148 when the at least one momentary button 114 is depressed. In this way, when a user is seated on the toilet seat 110, the momentary buttons will be depressed and the vacuum pump 148 will be activated for as long as the user is seated on the toilet. The at least one momentary button 114 may be electrically connected to the battery 132 for power, and may be electrically connected to the relay 130 to receive specific instruction or electric management from the relay. In some embodiments, the at least one momentary button 114 may be adapted to send a signal to the relay 130 to flush the toilet when the momentary button is released from the depressed position, such that the toilet automatically flushes when a user stands from the toilet seat 110.
In some embodiments, the toilet may further comprise a lighted push button 128. The lighted push button 128 is ideally located near the base of the toilet, such that a user may depress the button with their foot when they are standing near the toilet. The lighted push button 128 may be electrically connected to the battery 132 for power, and may be electrically connected to the relay 130 to receive specific instruction or electric management from the relay. In the ideal embodiment, the lighted push button 128 is electrically connected to at least one motor assembly.
The at least one motor assembly is ideally located within a seat mechanism housing 116 located towards the rear of the toilet seat 110. The at least one motor assembly may be electrically connected to the battery 132 for power, and may be electrically connected to the relay 130 to receive specific instruction or electric management from the relay. In the ideal embodiment, as seen in
In the ideal embodiment, the lighted push button 128 is electrically connected to at least one motor assembly. The seat mechanism housing 116 provides space for at least one motor assembly to be housed within it, having at least one opening. The at least one opening of the seat mechanism housing 116 may be covered by a removable housing end cap 118. The at least one motor assembly may be functionally connected to the toilet seat 110 and toilet lid 108, such that when the motor assembly is activated, it may either raise or lower the toilet seat 110 and/or the toilet lid 108 selectively depending on the instruction received from the relay. For example, if the lid and seat begin in a closed position, the lid may be raised on a first press of the lighted push button 128, and the seat may be raised on a second press. In some embodiments, the at least one motor assembly may be adapted to close the toilet seat 110 and/or lid after a certain period of time has elapsed, as calculated by the relay.
In some embodiments, the seat mechanism housing 116 may further comprise a lighted lens. The lighted lens may be electrically connected to the battery 132 for power, and may be electrically connected to the relay 130 to receive specific instruction or electric management from the relay. The lighted lens may comprise a light or colored light, such as a colored LED, and may be adapted to produce light or change colors based on the status of the motor, allowing the lighted lens to indicated, for example, whether the at least one motor assembly has power or the at least one motor assembly is in an errored state.
In some embodiments, as seen in
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16974195 | Nov 2020 | US |
Child | PCT/US2021/072382 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/US2021/072382 | Nov 2021 | US |
Child | 18315956 | US |