GB2525017A

GB2525017A - Self venting toilet

Info

Publication number: GB2525017A
Application number: GB1406458.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tim Elsdale
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-04-08
Filing date: 2014-04-08
Publication date: 2015-10-14
Also published as: GB201406458D0

Abstract

A ventilation system for a toilet bowl for the extraction of the air from the toilet bowl via the existing flushing apertures and part of the pipe connecting the toilet bowl to the toilet cistern, where the air is diverted to the ventilation point, the air is sucked to the ventilation point via a motor such as a ventilation fan. The ventilation point can be either the outside/exterior, ventilation soil stack or toilet waste pipe. The system is activated when the user sits on the toilet, and is activated prior to the toilet being flushed and turned off after a set period of time via a timer. The motor of the ventilation system may be protected from water damage by a valve, and a valve prior may be positioned prior to the ventilation point to prevent soiled air from backing into the system. The system may include a filter to clean the air.

Description

UK Patent Application Title: Self Venting Toilet

Background

Normal human usage of toilets leaves the room or area it is in with unpleasant smells.

Typically a bathroom with a WC toilet will have an air extract system high up near the ceiling, often at the other side of the roam. This means smells produced from the toilet saturate the whole bathroom before they are removed. This creates an unpleasant environment for subsequent occupants and potential embarrassment for the toilet user.

My invention extracts all smells produced in the toilet before the smells leave the toilet and ensures a constant clean atmosphere in the room.

Statement of invention

My invention is a system which extracts smells by utilising the existing ring of flush holes while they are redundant prior to flushing. As the occupant sits on the WC he triggers a switch which starts the suction motor. Air is sucked back into the toilet around and through the legs of the user, drawn down and back through the flush ring holes inside the toilet and out through the lower part of the flush pipe before being branched off and either vented into the outside air, typically through a wall vent, or returned into the top of the pan connector where it joins the rear of the WC.

My system utilises the opportunity provided by both the flush system and the waste system being unused until the toilet is flushed. During this down time all toilet odours can be expelled directly into the soil stack or waste system or the outside atmosphere.

The act of flushing terminates the extract system which is then sealed until it is triggered again by subsequent utilisation of the toilet.

Advantages Rooms and areas with a constantly utilised WC can become totally free of unpleasant odours, which are normally generated by the toilet and dispelled only after they have permeated the entire room space. The foul air is completely removed and is not cleaned or re-cycled. By removing the foul air the system also acts to encourage replacement fresh air being drawn into the room or area.

Introduction to drawings

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a schematic layout of the system, as fitted to a concealed cistern unit and venting into the soil stack or waste pipe.

Figure 2 shows the system venting to the outside atmosphere. 2.

Figure 3 shows a finished unit with the cover removed and a close-coupled toilet modified to take the system.

Detailed description

The standard flush pipe is equipped with a junction. Pipe work, fixed or flexible is taken to the inlet of a suction device, typically driven by an electric motor. A valve is incorporated in the pipe work to prevent ingress of water when the toilet is flushed. The pipe work, fixed or flexible, is now continued from the outlet of the suction device either directly to, say, an outside wall or chimney vent or to the main waste pipe. Typically the waste pipe connection is done by utilising an existing waste connection on the top of the pan connector. The second set of pipe work, when using the waste pipe, may include an additional valve to prevent ingress of foul air from the waste pipe blowing back up the system.

The electric system would all be at a safe voltage, typically 12-30 volt. It would typically be powered from an electric mains power supply stepped down to the required voltage so no part of the system exceeded a safe voltage.

The system would typically incorporate a push switch which would start the system and an internal switch, activated by the normal flush, which turns the system off. The system also incorporates an adjustable timer system which would turn the system off after a set period of time, typically 20-300 seconds. This would function in the event of the flush not being used. The switch-off function could also be triggered by a second press on the start switch. Switches could also be remote sensing proximity types, typically photo-electric sensors which could be triggered by a presence on the WC, or a switch activated by a load on or movement of the toilet seat.

Valves would typically be default closed solenoid valves which would be opened by the safe voltage electric system only when the system was turned on. In the event of a power failure they would always remain shut. Pressure operated spring valves or a water trap system or other types of valve could also be used.

The system shown would typically be as used on a concealed system' toilet. Close coupled toilets could also utilise the system by incorporating a custom made coupling to replace the standard one between the pan and the cistern. Custom made pipe work could allow high level cisterns and any other WC to incorporate the system.

Claims

SClaims 1. An extraction system to remove air, foul air, smells and odours generated in or close to the WC by passing them directly from the pan into the outside air or to the soil stack or toilet waste pipe.
2. An extraction system according to claim I in which an extraction device sucks smells and odours through the flush ring apertures already in the WC pan and passes them into the pan connector.
3. An extraction system according to claim 1 where an electric motor similar to that used in a vacuum cleaner is used to suck foul air from the toilet pan and expel it to the outside atmosphere or into a soil stack or waste pipe.
4. An extraction system according to claim 1,2 and 3 where the motor draws air through the pan flush ring, through part of the flush pipe, typically through a solenoid valve, through, round or is otherwise propelled by the motor out into the outside atmosphere or a suitable extraction area.
5. An extraction system according to claim 1,2 and 3 where the motor draws air through the pan flush ring, through part of the flush pipe, typically through a solenoid valve, through, round or is otherwise propelled by the motor out to a suitable smell removing filter.
6. An extraction system according to claim 1,2 and 3 where the motor draws air through the pan flush ring, through part of the flush pipe, through a solenoid valve, through, round or is otherwise propelled by the motor, out via another solenoid valve and into the top of the pan connector.
7. An extract system according to claimi 2,3 and 4 where the extract system is started with a push switch and stopped by flushing the toilet, pressing a second switch, re-pressing the first switch or by a pre-set timing device.
8. An extraction device according to claim 1 and 2 which modifies any connecting device between the WC pan and the cistern to provide access for an extraction device.
9. An extraction system according to claim 1 which utilises valves, electric energy and electronics at a safe voltage to operate an extract mechanism.
10. An extraction system according to claim 1 which utilises spring valves, one way valves, water trap type valves, electric solenoid valves to control air movement within the system.
11.An extract system according to claim I where default closed position solenoid valves are used to stop any back pressure feeding soiled air back into the system.
12.An extraction system according to claim I which utilises manual or electric switching, electronic or proximity switching or photo electric sensing to control the system.
1 3.An extraction system according to claim 1 which utilises a timer circuit to control the system.
14.An extraction system according to claim I in which the extract system is started by a push switch and can be stopped by the act of flushing the toilet, or by a second push on the same switch, or a push on an additional off switch. (A push' switch is ment as any switch activated by finger pressure.)
1 5.An extraction system according to claim 1 where the extract system is on a fixed or adjustable timer so if the extract system is used but the toilet is not flushed the extract system will automatically shut down after a set period of time.
16.An extraction system according to claim 1 and subsequent claims which will be an integral part of a complete new toilet to be offered as a total new concept self venting toilet.
17.An extraction system according to claim I and subsequent claims which will be an add-on unit or retro-fit on existing close coupled, remote cistern or concealed toilets.