GB2379461A

GB2379461A - Toilet bowl ventilator

Info

Publication number: GB2379461A
Application number: GB0121657A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Kennedy Fletcher; Paul Anthony Rossi; Campbell Lindsay Fletcher
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-09-06
Filing date: 2001-09-06
Publication date: 2003-03-12
Also published as: GB0121657D0

Abstract

Apparatus for ventilating a toilet bowl comprises a module (43) situated between the toilet bowl and the toilet seat through which module odours are drawn from the toilet bowl and passed through the holes securing the seat to the bowl. Ducting, incorporating a fan, is connected to said holes and passes the odours to atmosphere or to a sewer. The seat may incorporate a switch which activates the fan.

Description

ODOUR EXTRACTOR SYSTEM.

The present invention relates to an extractor device for use with a toilet bowl.

The problem of removal of undesirable and unpleasant odours from WCs and toilets arising from the use thereof is not new. Attempts to solve this well recognised problem include use of deodorising materials such as sprays, to mask the unpleasant odours, and use of noisy wall or ceiling-mounted extractors.

Neither of these solutions are particularly effective or satisfactory as they do not address the problem of removal or neutralisation of the offending odours before they escape the toilet bowl.

Additionally, wall and ceiling-mounted extractors generally require the presence of relatively large diameter ducting located in the walls or ceilings. This ducting may be expensive to fit if not already present and may generally require one or more skilled persons to install.

It is an object of the embodiments of the present invention to obviate or minimise one or more of the foregoing problems.

Air extraction is brought about by a rectangular hollow component located on or near the top surface of a toilet bowl.

The said rectangular hollow component may be an integrally tooled feature in a toilet seat securing block or an independent unit held in position by the retaining bolts of a standard toilet seat.

All such devices having no visual pipes or conduits.

The aspects of the present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying

ODOUR EXTRACTOR SYSTEM. drawings in which; Figure 1 is a schematic side view of the system and it's function.

Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the system venting into a water cistern overflow pipe and an atmospheric outlet.

Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the system with a concealed inlet.

Reference is first made to figure 1 of the drawings which illustrates a combined air extract and electric switching module (thereafter referred to as module 43) is sandwiched between bowl 2 and toilet seat 4 and secured together with bolts 20 and nuts 16. When toilet seat 4 sustains weight, module 43 is pressurised at point 64 by mild seat distortion.

This circumstance activates non-latching internal switches at either side of module 43 which in turn energises air extractor 9.

Air is then drawn into inlet 8, continuing down boltholes 10, and through elbow 14 into air extractor 9, to exit at outlet 30 into common sewer 17 or any atmospheric outlet. Wiring 50 from the internal switches 45 in module 43 is concealed in the air conduits, finally emerging at elbow 14 and therefrom to air extractor 9.

Reference is now made to figure 2 of the drawings.

If it is preferred outlet 30 in air extractor 9 may be vented into water cistern overflow pipe 23. Non return valve 19 will permit water to flow down overflow pipe 23 whilst preventing the pressurised contaminated air entering water storage cistern 13.

Alternatively, broken lines 66 indicate a direct vent to atmosphere via a 21mm conduit from air extractor 9.

ODOUR EXTRACTOR SYSTEM.

As outlet 30 is pressurised conduits 23 and 66 have no length restriction and may be diverted to an atmospheric outlet on an upper or lower floor. The internal non-return valve in air extractor 9 will prevent wind turbulence entering the systems when not in use.

Reference is now made to figure 3 of the drawings which is a plan view of toilet seat 4 with a concealed air intake and gasket 46 fitted round the perimeter on the underside of securing block 6. Contaminated air is drawn into inlet 8, conducting internally along hollow securing block 6. It is then drawn through boltholes 10 in bowl 2 and therefrom to a known atmospheric discharge point via a suitable air extractor. Air extractor 9 may be controlled with a heat sensitive non-latching switch internally mounted in inlet 8 or any convenient location.

Alternatively, it may be to advantage to activate the air extractor by means of a suitably located wall or ceiling mounted latching switch.

If it is decided to increase the efficiency of the extractor system still further, it would be to advantage if the space brought about by the union of bowl 2 and seat 4 was eliminated with the application of resilient material affixed to the underside of seat 4 at designated sections.

The present invention provides an easily fitted, cost effective method of removing unwanted odours from washroom and toilet areas and any known area that may benefit from such a device. It is to further advantage that the said odour extractor system can utilise a standard toilet seat or a purpose manufactured seat, visually compatible with all such standard products.

ODOUR EXTRACTOR SYSTEM. ODOUR F This invention is particularly attractive to the D. I. Y. fraternity or unskilled labour as it is easily fitted and requires only the very minimal of household tools.

The scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited by the foregoing detailed description of the embodiments shown herein, but is intended to extend to the variations and modifications which would be apparent to a person skilled in the art.

Claims

Odour Extractor System. CLAIMS.

1.

This extractor system arrests unpleasant odours at the source, namely in the toilet bowl. This eliminates the odour contaminated area between a toilet bowl and wall or ceiling mounted extractor fans.

2.

This system has no visual surface conduits or ducting round the outside of the toilet bowl. Our more advanced model is vandal proof.

3.

It can be fitted by an unskilled person as it discharges directly into the plastic sewer behind the toilet bowl, thus eliminating the traditional wood and masonry drilling in order to reach an atmospheric outlet. The battery model even eliminates the wiring from a transformer.

4.

Unlike wall or ceiling mounted extractors, it does not require large ducting and holes in external walls or roofing.

5.

This system can be operated with a rechargable battery or a mains transformer. Alternatively, it can be energised from vehicles or vessels with standard 12 volt batteries as standard equipment.

6.

This system/invention has been tested and approved by The Scottish Executive in Edinburgh, and is in accordance with all technical standard requirements and Safety and Hygiene regulations.

Part N (Act 1959) Clauses M2.1 and K2.1 of the same act.