EP3190239A1

EP3190239A1 - Toilet ventilation apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP3190239A1
Application number: EP17150160.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gary Jon Crisp; Stephen Hugh Crisp
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-01-05
Filing date: 2017-01-03
Publication date: 2017-07-12
Also published as: US20170198465A1; AU2016277635A2; AU2016102427A4; AU2016277635A1

Abstract

A toilet ventilation system for use with a toilet (12) having a pan (14), a cistern (16) and an overflow pipe (18) connecting the cistern to the pan is presented. The toilet ventilation system (10) comprises a conduit (20) arranged so that a proximal end thereof is located within an air space above a water level in the cistern when the cistern is full; and a means (22) to draw air through the conduit away from said air space so that air is drawn from within the toilet pan, through the overflow pipe, into the air space in the cistern and then out through the conduit.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to ventilation of toilets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many systems have been designed for removal of odours from toilet areas. Such systems include ventilation fans provided in the room above or near the toilet and ventilation fans in the toilet itself.
The systems proposed for providing ventilation connected directly to the toilet through openings in the seat or pan have often proved to be relatively complex and difficult to install.
The present invention attempts to provide an improved method of ventilating toilets whereby the installation of the ventilation apparatus is inexpensive and simple to fit to existing toilets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a toilet ventilation system for use with a toilet having a pan, a cistern and an overflow pipe connecting the cistern to the pan, the toilet ventilation system comprising a conduit arranged such that an end thereof is located within the air space above the water in the cistern when the cistern is full and a means to draw air through the conduit away from said air space such that air is drawn from within the toilet pan, through the overflow pipe, into the air space in the cistern and then out through the conduit.
In accordance with second aspect of the present invention there is provided a toilet ventilation system for use with a toilet having a pan, a cistern and an overflow pipe connecting the cistern to the pan, the toilet ventilation system comprising a conduit arranged so that an end thereof is located within the air space above the water in the cistern when the cistern is full, a means to draw air through the conduit away from said air space so that air is drawn from within the toilet pan, through the overflow pipe, into the air space in the cistern and then out through the conduit, and a one way valve to prevent return of air from the conduit into the air space in the cistern.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus and method of ventilating a toilet having a pan, a cistern and an overflow pipe connecting the cistern to the pan. The apparatus comprising a conduit housing an exhaust fan, one way valve and solenoid connected to a switching means, and the method comprising the steps of fitting the conduit through an opening in the cistern such that an end of the conduit is located in the air space above water in the cistern when the cistern is full and the exhaust fan providing a means to draw air through the conduit such that air is drawn away from said air space.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus and method of ventilating a toilet having a pan, a cistern and an overflow pipe connecting the cistern to the pan. The apparatus comprising a conduit housing and exhaust fan, one way valve, solenoid connected to a switching means and, a rubber end cap arranged to fit the end of the conduit, the rubber end cap having an inner conduit of smaller diameter that the conduit, wherein the rubber end cap is arranged to reduce noise levels caused by the exhaust fan and the airflow into the conduit, and the method comprising the steps of fitting the conduit through an opening in the cistern such that an end of the conduit is located in the air space above water in the cistern when the cistern is full and the exhaust fan providing a means to draw air through the conduit such that air is drawn away from said air space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a toilet ventilation system in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a front view of the toilet ventilation system; and
Figure 3 is a top view of the toilet ventilation system.
Figure 4 is a detail section view of the toilet ventilation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a detail section view of the toilet ventilation system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the Figures, there is shown a toilet ventilation system 10 for use with a toilet 12 having a pan 14, a cistern 16 and an overflow pipe 18 and a flush pipe 19 connecting the pan 14 to the cistern 16.
It is usual for toilets to be provided with an overflow pipe 18 in a manner similar to that shown in the Figures. The overflow pipe 18 is arranged such that an open end of the overflow pipe 18 is positioned just above what is determined to be the maximum water level in the cistern 16. The overflow pipe 18 is connected to the pan 14 via the flush pipe 19 such that if the water level in the cistern 16 rises above the top of the overflow pipe 18, the excess water flows through the overflow pipe 18 to the flush pipe 19 and into the pan 14.
The ventilation system 10 includes a conduit 20 and a means for drawing air through the conduit 20 in the form of an exhaust fan 22. The conduit 20 further comprises a means for preventing backflow of air in the form of a one way valve 24, nominally held in the closed position by a spring 26, until opened by the activation of a solenoid 28, activated by a switching means 34.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the one way valve 24 is nominally held in the closed position by a spring, wherein the bias imparted by the spring is such that it can be overcome by the pressure differential resulting from the operation of the exhaust fan 22, and does not require the activation of a solenoid to open the valve 24.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the one way valve 24 is nominally held in the closed position by gravity, wherein the gravitational force can be overcome by the pressure differential resulting from the operation of the exhaust fan 22, and does not require the activation of a solenoid to open the valve 24.
The conduit 20 is arranged to extend into the cistern 16 via an opening 30 such that the conduit 20 engages with the opening 30 in a sealing manner. The conduit 20 would preferably enter the cistern 16 via one of the entry ports commonly provided on conventional cisterns. Cisterns are generally provided with two entry ports which may be used for entry of the water pipe into the cistern. It is common for one to be provided on each side of the base of the cistern 16 to allow the water pipe to enter from whichever is the most convenient side. The unused port is then blanked off. This unused port may be used as the opening 30 for entry of the conduit 20 as shown in the Figures.
Where no existing port is available, a port can be created by forming a hole in the wall of the cistern 16, for example by using an appropriate hole cutter.
The conduit 20 is arranged such that a first end 25 of the conduit 20 is located in the air space 17 within the cistern 16, above the level of the water when the cistern 16 is full. A second end 27 is located at a region where the air drawn from the toilet 12 is to be expelled, for example on the outside of the wall 50 against which the toilet 12 is mounted.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the second end 27 is directed to the pan 14, downstream of a gas trap 31, and is installed in an opening 32.
The exhaust fan 22 is connected to the conduit 20 in a manner which allows the exhaust fan 22 to draw air along the conduit 20 from within the air space 17 in the cistern 16. In the embodiment shown, the exhaust fan 22 is mounted within the conduit, reducing the level of noise within the toilet area from the operating exhaust fan 22 due to the confinement under water and within the cistern 16.
In use, the exhaust fan 22 is activated as required by a suitable switch means 34. The solenoid 28 is activated to open the valve 24 at the same time, by using the same switch means 34.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the conduit 20 further comprises an end cap 40 having an inner conduit 41 of smaller diameter than the conduit 20. The inner conduit 41 and end cap 40 provide a narrowed section for airflow, and a partial barrier to noise, thus enabling quieter operation of the invention.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the switch means 34 may be activated by a switch in the toilet area, or by a pressure switch attached to the toilet seat which is activated when someone sits on the toilet seat.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the switch 34 may be activated by a movement sensor within the room, arranged to be activated when a person reaches the toilet.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the switch 34 may be connected to an existing switch in the bathroom, for example the exhaust fan or the light switch.
When the exhaust fan 22 is activated, air is drawn out through the conduit 20, creating a negative pressure region in the air space 17 within the cistern 16. The cistern 16 would require to be reasonably well sealed but need not be completely air tight for the ventilation system 10 to function.
The negative pressure within the air space 17 in the cistern 16 causes air to be drawn up the overflow pipe 18 from within the pan 14. Unwanted odours are therefore drawn from the pan 14, up the overflow pipe 18 into the cistern 16 and then out through the conduit 18 to be expelled. The exhaust fan 22 is arranged to provide a suitable negative pressure in the air space 17 such that water is not drawn upwardly through the overflow pipe 18.
Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

A toilet ventilation system for use with a toilet (12) having a pan (14), a cistern (16) and an overflow pipe (18) connecting the cistern to the pan, the toilet ventilation system (10) comprising:
a conduit (20) arranged so that a proximal end thereof is located within an air space above a water level in the cistern when the cistern is full, and

a means (22) to draw air through the conduit away from said air space so that air is drawn from within the toilet pan, through the overflow pipe, into the air space in the cistern and then out through the conduit.
A toilet ventilation system according to claim 1, wherein the conduit is housed within the cistern.
A toilet ventilation system according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the means to draw air through the conduit is provided by an exhaust fan (22).
A toilet ventilation system according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the toilet ventilation system further comprises a one way valve (24), arranged to permit air flow from the cistern through the conduit, but prevent air flow in the opposite direction.
A toilet ventilation system according to claim 4, wherein the one way valve is biased toward a closed position, but wherein the bias may be overcome by a pressure differential resulting from the air being drawn through the conduit, forcing the valve into an open position.
A toilet ventilation system according to claim 4, wherein the one way valve is biased toward the closed position, but wherein the valve is opened by actuating a solenoid (28).
A toilet ventilation system according to claim 6, wherein the solenoid is connected to the means to draw air through the conduit, so that the solenoid and the means to draw air are actuated simultaneously.
A toilet ventilation system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the conduit comprises an end cap (40) mounted to the proximal end, the end cap having an inner conduit (41), so that the combination of the end cap and the inner conduit provides a reduction in noise levels caused by air flow and the operation of the means to draw air through the conduit.
A toilet ventilation system according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the toilet ventilation system further comprises a control means, arranged to activate and deactivate the means to draw air.
A toilet ventilation system according to claim 9, wherein the control means is activated by a switch near the toilet, so that the means to draw air is able to be manually activated.
A toilet ventilation system according to claim 9, wherein the controls means is activated by a pressure switch (34) connected to a seat of the toilet, so that the means to draw air is activated when a person sits on the seat.
A toilet ventilation system according to claim 9, wherein the control means is connected to a movement sensor, so that the means to draw air is activated when a person enters a room where the toilet is situated.
A toilet ventilation system according to claim 9, wherein the control means is connected to an existing switch in a room, so that the means to draw air is activated when the existing switch is activated.
A toilet ventilation system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein a distal end of the conduit is sealingly connected to a gas trap (31) downstream of the pan of the toilet, so that the conduit directs air from the air space within the cistern to the gas trap.
A toilet ventilation system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein a distal end of the conduit is connected to an external wall, so that the air drawn from the air space in the cistern may be expelled to the exterior of a building.