GB2097029A

GB2097029A - W.C. odour extractor

Info

Publication number: GB2097029A
Application number: GB8107030A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: THORPE LESLIE JOSEPH
Current assignee: THORPE LESLIE JOSEPH
Priority date: 1981-03-06
Filing date: 1981-03-06
Publication date: 1982-10-27

Abstract

Offensive lavatory pan odours are extracted directly from the pan via part of the existing flush pipe, thence via an inserted Tee junction A to an electrically operated suction fan unit B, one-way valve C and silencer D and, either directly to the open air E, or to a soil vent pipe. Switching is either automatic, when seat cover is lifted, using a low voltage system or manual using a mains voltage unit and cord operated ceiling switch. Fresh air to replace the vented vapours is allowed ingress via a 1 DIVIDED 2" gap between the seat and pan. For close-coupled W.C. suites a purpose moulded 3-sided box unit to fit between pan shelf and cistern is used to house and conceal the Tee junction and to support the cistern. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Description of W.C. odour extractor (i) Application The invention allows the gentle and complete removal of offensive W.C. (lavatory pan) odours at source, leaving the room fresh for immediate use by another person without embarassment.

(ii) Background art To date the problem has been partially met by mechanical room ventilators which allow the odours to diffuse throughout the room before extraction and are therefore slow to clear the room OR by masking with more powerful vapours from aerosol sprays (a possible health hazard and banned in some countries) or by tablet or wick type evaporators which again cannot effectively mask the widely diffused odours.

(iii) Disclosure The invention removes the odours before they can permeate the room by venting them directly from the pan via part of the existing flushing pipe either directly to the Soil Vent Pipe (SVP) or through an outside wall to the open air. Drain smells and draughts are prevented from entering by a one-way valve.

(iv) Description of drawing A 5 cm section of the existing flushing pipe is removed: this can be either in the vertical or horizontal part of the pipe. A standard polypropylene 36 mm. Tee fitting is inserted (A). If the horizontal section of the flushing pipe is used, the Tee arm must rise from the flushing pipe. To this the inlet pipe of the fan unit is pushed home (rubber ring seals are incorporated in the fittings as standard) (B) is a 1 2v or 240v car vacuum cleaner unit (in a plastics housing) with dust bag and carrying handle removed. (C) is a one-way air valve (table tennis ball). (D) is a 2.5 cm. thick polystyrene foam pad pierced by 3 cm.

dia. holes, the function of which is to act as a silencer for the motor and as a retainer to the valve ball. (E) is the exhaust pipe -- venting either to the SVP and connecting into the latter above W.C. discharge pipe level, or through an outside wall to the open air.

(v) Manufacture Manufacture is envisaged in two models both of which could also be used with a Close-Coupled suite by the insertion of a three sided glass reinforced plastic box unit (moulded to match suite colour) and fitted between the pan back plate and the base of the cistern - to support the latter and to conceal the Tee fitting.

Model 1:-- Powered by a standard 240v AC motor and controlled manually by a cord operated ceiling switch.

Model 2:-- Powered by a standard 1 2v AC motor via an isolating 240v to 1 2v transformer and controlled by a 1 2v microswitch mounted between the W.C. seat and cover hinges (screwed to the former and using the latter as a cam). This model switches on automatically when the W.C.

cover is lifted and switches off when it is closed.

When both cover and seat are raised the switch does not operate.

(vi) Exploitation Since standard PVC plumbing fittings are used together with fan units and housings already available, the product could be marketed quickly by a manufacturer in either the plumbing or electrical trades. It would be attractive to the building trade in general and to the domestic market where fitting would be well within D.l.Y.

capabilities.

A proto-type model 2, has been operating satisfactorily in my home for some time now. This incorporates a one ohm ballast resistor in the 1 2v circuit to reduce the motor speed.

Operating the flush while the fan is still running does not cause water to enter the Tee arm as the suction in the latter is insufficient.

Claims (Filed 1/3/82).

1. An apparatus to extract offensive lavatory odours directly from the pan via part of the existing flushing pipe, thence via an inserted Tee junction to an electrically powered suction fan with one-way valve and silencer, and thence, either directly to the open air, or to a "Soil Vent Pipe". Switching to be either automatic (Model 2) when the seat cover is lifted, and using a low voltage system OR manual (Model 1) using a mains voltage unit and cord operated ceiling switch. Fresh air to replace the vented vapours is allowed ingress via a 1 cm. gap between the seat and pan rim. For Close-Coupled W.C. suites a purpose moulded plastics 3-sided box unit - to fit between the pan shelf and cistern - is used to house and conceal the Tee junction and to support the cistern.

2. The use of part of the existing flush pipe, as claimed in claim 1, to extract the odours directly from the pan.

3. The insertion of a 36 mm polypropylene Tee junction, as claimed in claim 1, in the flushing pipe so that its branch is pointing upwards and in the reverse direction of the water flow.

4. The connection of the junction, as claimed in claims 1 and 3, to the suction fan unit.

5. A fan unit of car vacuum cleaner type (240v AC for model 1 and 1 2v AC/DC for model 2), as claimed in claims 1 and 4, to provide the air flow.

6. The inclusion, in the body of the fan unit, of a polystyrene noise suppressor and one-way ball valve, as claimed in claims 1 and 4.

7. In the case of model 2 and as claimed in claim 1 the fitting of a sealed micro-switch to the seat hinge.

8. The shaping of the lid hinge to form an operating cam for the switch as claimed in claim 7.

9. A 240 volt to 1 2 volt isolating transformer to power the fan unit for model 2, as claimed in

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Description of W.C. odour extractor (i) Application The invention allows the gentle and complete removal of offensive W.C. (lavatory pan) odours at source, leaving the room fresh for immediate use by another person without embarassment. (ii) Background art To date the problem has been partially met by mechanical room ventilators which allow the odours to diffuse throughout the room before extraction and are therefore slow to clear the room OR by masking with more powerful vapours from aerosol sprays (a possible health hazard and banned in some countries) or by tablet or wick type evaporators which again cannot effectively mask the widely diffused odours. (iii) Disclosure The invention removes the odours before they can permeate the room by venting them directly from the pan via part of the existing flushing pipe either directly to the Soil Vent Pipe (SVP) or through an outside wall to the open air. Drain smells and draughts are prevented from entering by a one-way valve. (iv) Description of drawing A 5 cm section of the existing flushing pipe is removed: this can be either in the vertical or horizontal part of the pipe. A standard polypropylene 36 mm. Tee fitting is inserted (A). If the horizontal section of the flushing pipe is used, the Tee arm must rise from the flushing pipe. To this the inlet pipe of the fan unit is pushed home (rubber ring seals are incorporated in the fittings as standard) (B) is a 1 2v or 240v car vacuum cleaner unit (in a plastics housing) with dust bag and carrying handle removed. (C) is a one-way air valve (table tennis ball). (D) is a 2.5 cm. thick polystyrene foam pad pierced by 3 cm. dia. holes, the function of which is to act as a silencer for the motor and as a retainer to the valve ball. (E) is the exhaust pipe -- venting either to the SVP and connecting into the latter above W.C. discharge pipe level, or through an outside wall to the open air. (v) Manufacture Manufacture is envisaged in two models both of which could also be used with a Close-Coupled suite by the insertion of a three sided glass reinforced plastic box unit (moulded to match suite colour) and fitted between the pan back plate and the base of the cistern - to support the latter and to conceal the Tee fitting. Model 1:-- Powered by a standard 240v AC motor and controlled manually by a cord operated ceiling switch. Model 2:-- Powered by a standard 1 2v AC motor via an isolating 240v to 1 2v transformer and controlled by a 1 2v microswitch mounted between the W.C. seat and cover hinges (screwed to the former and using the latter as a cam). This model switches on automatically when the W.C. cover is lifted and switches off when it is closed. When both cover and seat are raised the switch does not operate. (vi) Exploitation Since standard PVC plumbing fittings are used together with fan units and housings already available, the product could be marketed quickly by a manufacturer in either the plumbing or electrical trades. It would be attractive to the building trade in general and to the domestic market where fitting would be well within D.l.Y. capabilities. A proto-type model 2, has been operating satisfactorily in my home for some time now. This incorporates a one ohm ballast resistor in the 1 2v circuit to reduce the motor speed. Operating the flush while the fan is still running does not cause water to enter the Tee arm as the suction in the latter is insufficient. Claims (Filed 1/3/82).

9. A 240 volt to 1 2 volt isolating transformer to power the fan unit for model 2, as claimed in claims 1 and 5, and housing the speed reducing unit.

1 0. An electronic or resistive speed reducing unit, as claimed in claim 9, for both models 1 and 2.

1 1.The use of a 1 cm gap between the seat and pan rim to allow fresh air to replace vented foul air, as claimed in claim 1.

12. A plastics moulded and colour matching 3sided box unit, as claimed in claim 1 for use with Close-Coupled suites. The unit to be fitted between the pan shelf and cistern, to support the latter and to house and conceal the Tee junction.

13. The combination according to claim 1 substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.