WO2005035886A1

WO2005035886A1 - Ventilation system, kit and method for odor removal from sanitary plumbing fixtures

Info

Publication number: WO2005035886A1
Application number: PCT/IL2004/000937
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yehezkel Shahar
Original assignee: Yehezkel Shahar
Priority date: 2003-10-13
Filing date: 2004-10-13
Publication date: 2005-04-21
Also published as: IL158374A; IL158374A0

Abstract

A ventilation system for exhausting odorous gases from the vicinity of a sanitary plumbing fixture having a water source, the ventilation system comprising: a blower assembly (12) with a blower (30) for evacuating the odorous gases; a ducting system (16) leading to an odor exhaust location; and a controllable hydraulic powering mechanism (14) for propelling the blower assembly (12). Also disclosed are a sanitary plumbing fixture, a method and a kit for exhausting the odorous gases.

Description

VENTILATION SYSTEM, KIT AND METHOD FOR ODOR REMOVAL FROM SANITARY PLUMBING FIXTURES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to odor removal systems, particularly a ventilation system for the removal of bathroom related odors, a toilet and urinal adapted for incorporating such a ventilation system and a method of removing such odors. 5 Although the ventilation system can be used to remove odors in a variety of fixtures, situations and settings, for simplicity, the system will be described mainly in regard to bathroom toilets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A variety of devices have been devised over the years for removing odorous l o gases associated with the use of a toilet. One method of mitigating toilet odor is the use of deodorants. This can take the form of locating solid deodorant bars within or nearby the toilet or employing any of a variety of devices for periodically releasing a deodorizing liquid or spray into the air. Commonly, the latter concept comprises simply using a disposable

15 spray can of room deodorizer. Although deodorizers do help mask the undesirable odor, the odor may still be detectable in the air and many people find the deodorant objectionable. Another approach involves the use of powered devices, the most common of which being the ceiling exhaust fan which is typically wired to operate when the 0 bathroom light is turned on or controlled by a switch to suction malodorous gases out of the bathroom. However, the fan, which is often difficult to install, requires ducting to the outside or attic and has a flow rate that is generally too low to evacuate the odors as fast as most users would like. In addition, odorous gases are allowed to circulate throughout the air in the bathroom prior to being removed and exhausted, thus exposing the person using the toilet to the odor in the air which can be quite unpleasant. Further, this requires removing large quantities of the air from the bathroom which may be wasteful as the air in the bathroom might be heated, if winter-time, or cooled by air conditioning if in summer. Yet another means of removing odor in bathrooms is the use of toilets having air suction devices such as electrically powered blowers. The more effective odor control systems remove odorous gases directly from the toilet bowl and exhaust the gases to the sewer system. An example of such a toilet venting system is disclosed in US Patent No. 6,173,453 issued to the present applicant. Alternatively, some systems merely blow the odorous gases over a deodorizer (e.g. charcoal filter and/or scent), which need be replaced periodically, and return the gas to the room. A one-way valve is typically positioned in the exhaust conduit to prevent the backflow of sewer gases into the toilet. Using either system, an electrically powered blower within the room, possibly within the water tank itself, is used to withdraw the odorous gases from the vicinity of the toilet bowl by suction through an intake port or manifold and blows these gases out via a suitable exhaust conduit. Using an electric suction blower requires an electrical wall socket or another source of electricity - such as batteries, which require periodic replacement. In some circumstances it may be preferable to preclude the need for an outside source of electricity. Examples of designs for toilets with odor removal systems not requiring outside electricity are described in US Patent Nos. 2,603,797, 5,257,421, 5,689,837, 6,073,273 and 6,526,598.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates, according to one aspect thereof, to a ventilation system for removing odorous gases particularly from a toilet area via a ventilation system installable within a standard flush toilet although the ventilation system can be used to remove odors in a variety of sanitary plumbing fixtures, situations and settings. Hereinafter in the specification and claims the terms sanitary plumbing fixture(s), plumbing fixturefs) snά fixture (s), denotes toilets, urinals, bidets and other such plumbing devices. The ventilation system is typically designed to exhaust the odorous gases present in the vicinity of the fixture into an odor exhaust location - generally a sewer drain-pipe associated with the discharge outlet of the fixture or a ventilation conduit. For this purpose, the ventilation system comprises a blower assembly with a blower for evacuating the odorous gases; a ducting system leading from the flush pipe to the odor exhaust location; and a hydraulic powering mechanism for propelling the blower assembly, wherein the powering mechanism uses water to directly operate the blower assembly. According to a particular embodiment, the powering mechanism is designed to be activated just prior to using the fixture and automatically ceases upon completion of the flushing process. However, it is appreciated that according to variations of the invention, the powering mechanism is activated per demand, i.e. manually at will of a user. The ventilation system can be actuated manually, or automatically, wherein it further includes a detector/sensor and a power source. The detector is adapted to detect a person about to use the plumbing fixture to thereby actuate the ventilation system. Advantages of the ventilation system of the present invention include: - Auxiliary electricity is not required for its operation, which precludes the need for an electrical socket in the vicinity and associated wiring. - The ventilation system is designed for easy integration with standard toilets or other plumbing fixtures during manufacture. - The ventilation system can be designed as a retrofit or add-on for existing plumbing fixtures. - The ventilation system exhausts odorous gases before tiiey disperse into the bathroom and surrounding areas, thereby providing a more pleasant atmosphere for the user of the toilet and those in the vicinity. - The required quantity of air exhausted, together with the odorous gases, is relatively small thereby eliminating the waste associated with the exhaust of a large volume of heated or air conditioned air from the bathroom as the ventilation system exhausts gases in the close vicinity of the fixture and not from the vicinity of the fixture plus the air in the area. - The ventilation system substantially does not diminish the aesthetics or space within the bathroom. - The ventilation system is designed to operate from the time just before use of the toilet, up until the end of the flushing process. Thus, the system operates when desired. - The ventilation system is adapted to automatically end when the flushing process ends. - The ventilation system does not require any integration with, or redesign of, the toilet bowl of the toilet. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sanitary plumbing fixture incorporating the above-described ventilation system whereby it is adapted for exhausting odorous gases from its vicinity. For this purpose, the fixture of the present invention has associated therewith an activating device for initiating operation of the ventilation system, which may be a manually activated device or an automatically activated device. According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for exhausting odorous gases from the vicinity of a fixture comprising: - providing a ventilation system; - activating the ventilation system prior to using the fixture; and - providing means whereby the ventilation system automatically ceases operation upon completion of a flushing process of the fixture. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit for converting a fixture such as a toilet, urinal or any other suitable fixture in which the removal of odor is desired, into a fixture for exhausting odorous gases from its vicinity; the kit comprising a ventilation system as described above, and installation instructions.

BRTEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic of a cross-section of a toilet ventilation system according to a first aspect of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a view of a portion designated LI in Fig. 1, showing an enlargement of a blower assembly and powering mechanism of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a toilet in accordance with another aspect of the present invention; and Fig. 4 is a schematic of a cross-section of a toilet ventilation system according to a modification of the first aspect of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a schematic view of a section through the horizontal plane of a cover of a toilet water tank consistent with the modification illustrated in Fig. 4; and Fig. 6 is a schematic of a cross-section of another modification of the embodiment present invention.

DETAD ED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring first to Fig. 1, there is shown a toilet ventilation system 10 according to the present invention being almost completely contained within a tank T, of an essentially standard flush toilet (discussed in relation to Fig. 3). The tank T has side walls SI and S2 and a bottom B wherethrough a flush-pipe FP passes. A typical flush toilet further includes an inlet water valve W, an associated float F and rod R, and a flushing mechanism FM; its connector hardware not shown for the sake of clarity. The side walls SI and S2 typically have apertures Al and A2, respectively - one in which a water supply valve W is located (aperture Al in this case) and one of which is a spare (aperture A2 in this case); depending upon which side of the tank T is more convenient for locating the water valve. The ventilation system 10 comprises a blower assembly 12 with an associated water-propelled powering mechanism 14 and ducting system 16. The ducting system 16 comprises an intake pipe 18, with a sewer back-flow trap mechanism, represented by a flap 20, which prevents back flow of odor from the sewer system, and an exhaust tube 22. The exhaust tube 22 is shown exiting the tank T via aperture A2, however it may alternately exit in other locations as convenient, and as an example, a tube section 23 is shown in phantom lines exiting via the bottom B of the tank. The exhaust tube 22 (or tube section 23) then connects to a sewer drain-pipe D typically associated with such toilets. For further description of the blower assembly 12 and powering mechanism 14, attention is directed to Fig. 2, which shows an enlargement of the area designated II in Fig. 1. The blower assembly 12 comprises a blower 30 connected to a rotatable pin

32 extending between and supported by a pin seat member 34 and a nut 36 both of which are designed for low friction contact with the pin. Also connected to the pin 32 is a finned wheel 38 aligned with a spray nozzle 40, which will be discussed further in connection to the powering mechanism 14. The components of the blower assembly 12 are housed in a housing 44, having an annular portion 46 designed to closely surround pin 32 and be adjacent drainage apertures 48. Although the pin 32 is shown in a vertical orientation, the blower assembly 12 can be designed such that the rotating pin 32 is horizontal or at any convenient angle for manufacture and operation, mutatis mutandis. The powering mechanism 14 comprises a water valve 50 connected to the water supply valve W via tubing 52, which extends to the spray nozzle 40. The water valve 50 is actuated by an activating arm 54 analogously to the manner in which the rod R actuates the water supply valve W. At the free end of the arm 54 is a tab 56 which is adapted to be reversibly engage-able with rod R. Turning attention now to Fig. 3, a toilet 80 adapted for use with the ventilation system 10 of the present invention is shown. The toilet 80 is essentially a standard flush toilet with the ventilation system 10 added thereto, however, the tank T of the toilet 80 is adapted to integrate an activating device 82. The activating device 82 comprises a manually operated component such as a button, handle, lever, or the like, as well as a component, such as a suitably designed and aligned arm member (unseen), designed to disengage the tab 56 from the rod R (Fig. 2) thereby initiating operation of the ventilation system 10, as described below. As consistent with typical toilets, toilet 80 includes a tank cover C and a toilet bowl TB with a flush manifold M which is connected via the flush pipe FP to the tank T. It is seen that for convenience of installation, the exhaust tube 22 can comprise a flexible tube section 22' connecting it to the drain-pipe D. In order to save water, the water valve W can be adjusted such that the normal fill level of water in the tank T is lower. When the water used to operate the blower assembly 12 drips into the tank T, via drainage apertures 48, the water level is increased thus allowing for a normal water level in the tank for flushing. It should be understood that many other arrangements for utilizing the water that operates the blower assembly 30 can be implemented; for example auxiliary cisterns and so forth. Operation: Prior to using the toilet 80, the user (not shown) presses the activating device

82 causing the tab 56 to disengage from the rod R associated with the water supply valve W. This allows the arm 54 and tab 56, being of an appropriate weight, to drop downward in the direction of arrow 60. The water valve 50 is thus opened, sending water via the tubing 52 to the nozzle 40. A water-jet sprayed from the nozzle 40 impinges the finned wheel 38 thereby rotating the pin 32 and in turn rotating the blower 30. Without the need for special design, these components can be fashioned to result in a significantly rapid rotation of the blower 30 and thereby a very satisfactory suction/blowing effect. The sprayed water drops into the tank T via drainage apertures 48 precluding liindrance of the blower 30. The annular portion 46 is preferably angled to more efficiently direct sprayed water toward the apertures 48. Suction produced by the rapid rotation of the blower 30 raises flap 20 - which serves to prevent the back flow of gases from the sewer system into the bathroom - and suctions malodorous air thereby. The odorous gases are drawn out of the bathroom by first entering a flush manifold M (Fig. 3) then rising into the flush-pipe FP continuing into the intake tube 18 to be exhausted via exhaust tube 22 to the sewer drain-pipe D. When the toilet 80 is flushed, the float F and rod R of the water supply valve

W are lowered. Upon the refilling of the water in the tank T, at the end of a normal flushing process, the float F and rod R ascend. While ascending, the rod R engages with the tab 56, which is adapted for such engagement, and pulls it and the arm 54 upward. This shuts the water valve 50 of the powering mechanism 14 stopping the flow of water to the nozzle 40 and hence ending the operation of the blower 30. Thus, the ventilation system 10 efficiently evacuates the malodorous gases from the vicinity of the toilet 80 and operates precisely at the appropriate time, from just before use of the toilet until the end of the flushing process, without the need for the supply of electrical power, and ceases operation automatically. Reverting to Fig. 1, the ventilation system 10 can further include an optional enhancement wherein a one-way gas flow means 70, such as a check-valve, flap, etc., is -installed at the flushing mechanism FM for preventing the suction of air from the tank T. At the time of flushing there is potentially a passage at the flushing mechanism FM allowing air to be suctioned from the tank T in addition to via the flush-pipe FP. Regardless, the ventilation system 10 can operate quite satisfactorily without this optional enhancement. Referring now to Fig. 4, another embodiment of a ventilation system 10' of the present invention is shown. This ventilation system 10' is similar to the system of Figs. 1 and 2, and for clarity, similar parts are designated with the same reference number. However, the ventilation system 10' has a blower assembly 12' that further comprises an electrical dynamo 92 which is attached to the pin 32 and is propelled by the same water-jet from nozzle 40 that causes the blower 30 to rotate when evacuating odorous gases. The dynamo 92 is electrically connected to rechargeable batteries 94 (Fig. 5) to thereby recharge them. The rechargeable batteries 94, seen in Fig. 5, power a proximity detector 96, which is adapted to detect the presence of a person commencing use of the toilet 80 in order to actuate the ventilation system 10'. When the detector 96 detects the user, it activates a contactor 98 and power from the batteries 94 activates an electric water valve 99 and the ventilation system 10' operates as described above. The batteries 94, detector 96 and contactor 98 can be conveniently attached to the cover C of the tank T. Reverting to Fig. 4, it is noted that arm 54 and rod 56 are not necessary for ending the functioning of the ventilation system 10' and thus need not be included in this embodiment. Rather, just as the detector 96 controls the actuation/initiation of the system 10', it can control the ending thereof as well. The detector 96 can be designed to end ventilation when the user moves out proximity thereof or may include a time delay feature whereby ventilation continues for a predeteπnined time after the user has departed. Furthermore, the detector 96 can include a timer to allow the user to set an operation time and/or a time wherein the ventilation continues after the user departs. Referring now to Fig. 6, another embodiment of a ventilation system 10" of the present invention is shown. This ventilation system 10" is similar to above- described systems, and for clarity, similar parts are designated with the same reference number. However, in this embodiment, the ventilation system 10" dispenses with intake tube 18. Thus, when in operation, malodorous air is drawn up through flushing mechanism FM, passed the one-way gas flow means 70 and into the water-propelled powering mechanism 14 as a result of the operation of the blower 30. An aspirating or intake valve (not shown) may be employed to avoid a vacuum in the tank T upon flushing of the toilet 80. The toilet ventilation system 10, 10' and toilet 80 of the present invention are suitable for situations in which the toilet tank T is within the bathroom or where the tank is hidden. Although the ventilation system 10, 10' of the present invention has been hereinabove mainly described in relation to flush toilets, the system is also adaptable, mutatis mutandis, for use with non-flush toilets (e.g. faucet-type toilets wherein the toilet is flushed by opening a water tap valve), urinals, bidets and in other fixtures, settings and situations in which odor removal is desired. It should be understood that the above descriptions are merely explanatory and there exist a variety of modifications devisable for the ventilation system, the fixture incorporating it, kit for installing it in the fixture and method for odor removal, falling within the scope of the present invention, mutatis mutandis.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A ventilation system for exhausting odorous gases from the vicinity of a sanitary plumbing fixture having a water source, the ventilation system comprising: a blower assembly with a blower for evacuating the odorous gases; a ducting system leading to an odor exhaust location; and a controllable hydraulic powering mechanism for propelling the blower assembly.

2. The ventilation system according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation system is activate-able prior to using the fixture and automatically ceases upon completion of a flushing process of the fixture.

3. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein the fixture is a toilet.

4. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein the fixture is a urinal.

5. The ventilation system of claim 3, wherein the toilet comprises a water tank with a water supply system for introducing water into the water tank including a water supply valve actuated by a rod attached to a float; a toilet bowl with a flush manifold; and a flush pipe connecting the water tank and the flush manifold of the toilet bowl.

6. The ventilation system of claim 5, wherein the water directly operates the blower assembly.

7. The ventilation system of claim 5, wherein the system operates independently of outside electric power.

8. The ventilation system of claim 5, wherein the system is adapted such that the flushing process of the toilet automatically ceases operation of the system.

9. The ventilation system of claim 5, wherein the system is essentially internal to the water tank.

10. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein the blower assembly comprises a housing designed to essentially preclude the water propelling the blower assembly from contact with the blower.

11. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein the blower assembly comprises a finned wheel adapted to rotate when impinged by a water jet.

12. The ventilation system of claim 11, wherein the finned wheel is connected to the blower by a pin. 5

13. The ventilation system of claim 12, wherein the pin is disposed in an essentially vertical orientation.

14. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein the powering mechanism comprises a water nozzle.

15. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein the powering mechanism 10 comprises a water valve.

16. The ventilation system of claim 15, wherein the water valve is a mechanically operated valve.

17. The ventilation system of claim 16, wherein the mechanically operated valve is actuated by an activating arm.

15 18. The ventilation system of claim 17, wherein the activating arm comprises a tab adapted to reversibly engage with a rod associated with the water source.

19. The ventilation system of claim 14, wherein the water valve is an electrically operated valve.

20. The ventilation system of claim 19, wherein the electrically operated valve is 20 actuated by an automatic activating device.

21. The ventilation system of claim 20, wherein the automatic operating device is a proximity detector adapted to detect a user of the fixture.

22. The ventilation system of claim 21, wherein the proximity detector receives power from rechargeable batteries.

25 23. The ventilation system of claim 22, wherein the rechargeable batteries are recharged using kinetic energy of the water source.

24. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a trap means to prevent odor backflow and the trap means comprises a flap adapted to seal the ducting system when the blower system is not operating

30 and to unseal the ducting system when the blower system is operating.

25. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein the odor exhaust location is a sewer drain-pipe.

26. The ventilation system of claim 1, wherein the water source is activated by a water faucet or tap. 5

27. A sanitary plumbing fixture adapted to exhaust odorous gases from its vicinity, the fixture having a water source and incorporating a ventilation system comprising: a blower assembly with a blower for evacuating the odorous gases; a ducting system leading to an odor exhaust location; and 10 a hydraulically powering mechanism for propelling the blower assembly.

28. A sanitary system according to claim 27, wherein the ventilation system is designed to be activated prior to using the fixture and to automatically cease upon completion of a flushing process of the fixture.

29. The fixture of claim 28, wherein the fixture is a toilet. 15

30. The fixture of claim 28, wherein the fixture is a urinal.

31. The fixture of claim 29, wherein the toilet comprises a water tank with a water supply system for introducing water into the water tank including a water supply valve actuated by a rod attached to a float; a toilet bowl with a flush manifold; and a flush pipe connecting the water tank and the flush

20 manifold of the toilet bowl.

32. The fixture of claim 31, wherein the water directly operates the blower assembly.

33. The fixture of claim 28, wherein the system operates independently of outside electric power.

25 34. The fixture of claim 31, wherein the system is essentially internal to the water tank.

35. The fixture of claim 28, wherein the blower assembly comprises a housing designed to essentially preclude the water propelling the blower assembly from contact with the blower.

36. The fixture of claim 28, wherein the blower assembly comprises a finned wheel adapted to rotate when impinged by a water jet.

37. The fixture of claim 36, wherein the finned wheel is connected to the blower by a pin. 5

38. The fixture of claim 37, wherein the pin is disposed in an essentially vertical orientation.

39. The fixture of claim 28, wherein the powering mechanism comprises a water nozzle.

40. The fixture of claim 39, wherein the powering mechanism comprises a water 10 valve.

41. The fixture of claim 40, wherein the water valve is a mechanically operated valve.

42. The fixture of claim 41, wherein the mechanically operated valve is actuated by an activating arm.

15 43. The fixture of claim 42, wherein the activating arm comprises a tab adapted to reversibly engage with a rod associated with the water source.

44. The fixture of claim 43, wherein the water valve is an electrically operated valve.

45. The fixture of claim 44, wherein the electrically operated valve is actuated by 20 an automatic activating device.

46. The fixture of claim 45, wherein the automatic operating device is a proximity detector adapted to detect a user of the fixture.

47. The fixture of claim 46, wherein the proximity detector receives power from rechargeable batteries.

25 48. The fixture of claim 47, wherein the rechargeable batteries are recharged using kinetic energy of the water source.

49. The fixture of claim 28, wherein the ventilation system further comprises a trap means to prevent odor backflow and the trap means comprises a flap adapted to seal the ducting system when the blower is not operating and to

30 unseal the ducting system when the blower is operating.

50. The fixture of claim 28, wherein the odor exhaust location is a sewer drainpipe.

51. The fixture of claim 29, wherein the toilet further comprises a manual activating device for activating the ventilation system. 5

52. The fixture of claim 31, wherein a portion of the water in the water tank, available for flushing the toilet, is water that was used to operate the blower system.

53. The fixture of claim 28, wherein the water source is activated by a water faucet or tap. 10

54. A method for exhausting odorous gases from the vicinity of a sanitary plumbing fixture comprising: providing a ventilation system; activating the ventilation system prior to using the fixture; and providing means whereby the ventilation system automatically ceases 15 operation upon completion of a flushing process of the fixture.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein initiating activation of the ventilation system is performed manually.

56. The method of claim 54, wherein initiating activation of the ventilation system is performed automatically. 0

57. A kit for converting a sanitary plumbing fixture, to one capable of exhausting odorous gases from its vicinity, the fixture having a water source; the kit comprising a ventilation system comprised of: a blower assembly with a blower for evacuating the odorous gases; a ducting system leading to an odor exhaust location; and5 a hydraulic powering mechanism for propelling the blower assembly.

58 The kit of claim 57, wherein the fixture is a toilet.

59. The kit of claim 57, wherein the fixture is a urinal.

60. The kit of claim 57, wherein the kit further comprises -installation instructions.

61. The kit of claim 54, wherein the kit further comprises operating instructions.