US20080034482A1

US20080034482A1 - Ventilated toilet

Info

Publication number: US20080034482A1
Application number: US11/891,094
Authority: US
Inventors: Glen A. Lehman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-08-09
Filing date: 2007-08-09
Publication date: 2008-02-14

Abstract

A ventilated toilet with ventilation orifices, ventilation channel terminating in a ventilation port, ventilation duct, exhaust duct and exhaust device, all in fluid communication. Ventilation orifices are at an elevation above the toilet rim. The exhaust device is external to the structure housing the ventilated toilet.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/821,850 filed Aug. 9, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to ventilated toilets and, more particularly, this invention relates to toilets with integral odor venting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, as is generally well known in the prior art, to ventilate toilets with orifices integral to the toilet rim. Other ventilated toilets have ventilation ducts that are subject to fouling with an overflow of the toilet. Another problem is the activation of the ventilation either constant operation of an exhaust fan or the intermittent operation dependent on the detection of a user. Other methods of ventilation require ventilation of the entire room within which the toilet is installed requiring the movement of a greater volume of air.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a ventilated toilet with ventilation orifices above the toilet rim. The ventilation orifices are in communication with and are connected to a ventilation channel. The ventilation channel is in fluid communication with and is connected to a ventilation duct. The ventilation duct is in fluid communication and connected to an exhaust duct. The exhaust duct is disposed within a wall adjacent to the toilet. The exhaust duct terminates outside of the structure housing the toilet. An exhaust device is connected to and in fluid communication with the exhaust duct. The exhaust device produces negative pressure removing odors from the toilet and exhausting the odors outside the structure housing the toilet.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide ventilated toilet that has ventilation orifices at an elevation greater than the rim of the toilet
Another object of the present invention is to provide a system in which the exhaust device is at an elevation greater than toilet rim so as to avoid fouling of the device.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an exhaust system in which a plurality of ventilated toilets are ventilated through a single exhaust duct.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a ventilated toilet in which the toilet is vented passively.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide ventilation system that requires a lower volume of air to be moved to remove odors.
In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ventilated toilet.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a ventilated toilet showing the ventilation orifices.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view with cut away view of the adjacent wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components that have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.
Reference is now made, more particularly, to FIGS. 1 and 2. A toilet is illustrated with a plurality of ventilation orifices 1 are positioned at a predetermined elevation above the rim of such toilet and under the hinge of a conventional toilet seat. The bottom of such ventilation orifices 1 are disposed at a higher elevation than the rim of such toilet so that in the event of an overflow of such toilet water will not get into the ventilation orifices 1.
FIG. 3 shows ventilation channel 6 that terminates in ventilation port 2. Ventilation duct 3 is attached and is in fluid communication with ventilation port 2. Exhaust duct 4 is disposed within a generally adjacent wall. Exhaust duct 4 has a top and bottom. The bottom of exhaust duct is attached and is in fluid communication with ventilation duct 3.
An exhaust device 5 is attached to and is in fluid communication with exhaust duct 4. In the preferred embodiment, the exhaust device is a wind driven turbine. A wind driven exhaust turbine operates passively removing odors. Another embodiment is an electric exhaust fan.
In another embodiment, not shown, a system of a plurality of ventilated toilets is attached to an elongated collection duct with a plurality of openings connected to each ventilated toilet. In the preferred embodiment, the collection duct is generally horizontal. The collection duct is in fluid communication with said ventilation ducts. The exhaust duct is attached to and is in fluid communication with said collection duct. Exhaust duct 4 is disposed within a generally adjacent wall. Exhaust duct 4 has a top and bottom. The bottom of exhaust duct is attached and is in fluid communication with ventilation duct 3.
An exhaust device 5 is attached to and is in fluid communication with exhaust duct 4. In the preferred embodiment, the exhaust device is a wind driven turbine. A wind driven exhaust turbine operates passively removing odors. Another embodiment is an electric exhaust fan.
It should be noted that the present invention is applicable to toilets which have a water tank and those toilets without a water tank.
In the preferred embodiment the exhaust device is position above the roof of the structure housing the toilet.
The exhaust duct may be manufactured of metal or plastic. The plastic may be rigid or flexible.
While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. In a toilet having at least a rim and a bowl comprising:

a plurality of ventilation orifices spaced at and elevation above said toilet rim;

a ventilation channel above said rim in fluid communication with said ventilation orifices terminating in a ventilation port in the rear of the toilet;

a ventilation duct having a proximal and distal end, said proximal end is attached and in fluid communication with said ventilation channel.

an exhaust duct having a top end and a bottom end, said bottom end attached to said distal end of said ventilation duct, said exhaust duct disposed within a generally adjacent wall and terminating external to the structure in which said toilet was installed; and

an exhaust means attached to said top end of said exhaust vent and in fluid communication with said exhaust vent, producing negative pressure; said ventilating means removing odors from such toilet.

2. A ventilated toilet according to claim 1 where in said ventilation port is within the rear surface of said toilet.

3. A ventilated toilet according to claim 1 wherein said ventilation means is a wind driven exhaust turbine.

4. A ventilated toilet according to claim 1 wherein said ventilation means is an electric fan.

5. A ventilated toilet according to claim 1 wherein said proximal end of said ventilation duct is attached to said ventilation port and said distal end terminates at the surface of such wall upon which such toilet is mounted and said bottom portion of said exhaust duct is attached to said distal end of said ventilation duct.

6. A ventilated toilet according to claim 1 wherein the said distal end of said ventilation duct terminates within such wall upon which such toilet is installed.

7. A system of a plurality of ventilated toilets according to claim 1 further having an elongated collection vent within such wall upon which such toilet is mounted, generally horizontal, with a plurality of openings extending from said collection vent each attached to said ventilation ducts and an opening attached to said exhaust duct.

8. A ventilated toilet according to claim 1 wherein said ventilating means is a turbine exhaust fan.

9. A ventilated toilet according to claim 1 wherein said ventilating means is an electrical exhaust fan.

10. A ventilated toilet according to claim 1 wherein said predetermined material of said ventilating duct is of the group of plastic or metal.

11. A ventilating toilet according to claim 10 wherein said predetermined material of said ventilating duct is a plastic of a group that is rigid or flexible.

12. A ventilated toilet according to claim 1 wherein said toilet further includes a water tank.