WO2007058931A2

WO2007058931A2 - Toilet bowl with ventilating and deodorizing apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2007058931A2
Application number: PCT/US2006/043763
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gregory John Swartz
Original assignee: Gregory John Swartz
Priority date: 2005-11-15
Filing date: 2006-11-09
Publication date: 2007-05-24
Also published as: WO2007058931A3

Abstract

Apparatus for ventilating and deodorizing odoriferous air from a toilet bowl of a toilet includes a housing having an upper end formed with an inlet, a lower end formed with an outlet, and an air flow passage from the inlet to the outlet. The upper end is positioned atop a toilet bowl rim disposing the inlet in proximity to the opening into the waste-receiving region. The housing depends downwardly from the toilet bowl rim alongside the toilet bowl and terminates with the lower end, which is disposed above a support surface onto which the toilet is set. The housing carries a fan, which is operative for drawing odoriferous air through the air flow passage from the inlet to the outlet, and a filter, disposed in the air flow passage for filtering and deodorizing odoriferous air passing through the air flow passage.

Description

TOILET BOWL WITH VENTILATING AND DEODORIZING APPARATUS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for ventilating and deodorizing odoriferous air from toilet bowls.

BACKGROUND ART Odoriferous gas produced by urination and defecation, in addition flatulence that often accompanies the act of defecation, is a normal byproduct of toilet usage. It is for this that the phrase "no deed goes unpunished" applies to no one if not to the inventor of the modern toilet, who moved the acts of defecation and urination from the outhouse to the modern indoor bathroom.

For most people there is nothing more unpleasant and alarming than entering an indoor bathroom permeated with odoriferous gas left by another's use of the toilet. If use of the bathroom is not urgent, one may simply depart the bathroom and wait to use it until the odoriferous gas dissipates. However, for the unfortunate party having an urgent need to use the toilet amidst the stench left by another, he must bear the foul odor and use the toilet. This being a problem since the inception of the modern toilet, skilled artisans have devoted considerable effort and resources toward devices and methods for substantially- reducing, if not eliminating altogether, the foul odors produced by toilet usage. Although tremendous effort has been devoted toward achieving this goal, the results thereof have not provided entirely satisfactory results, thus necessitating continued improvement in the art. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In a toilet including a toilet bowl supported by a pedestal mounted to a support surface, the toilet bowl having an outer bowl surface, an inner bowl surface defining a waste receiving region, and a toilet bowl rim bounding an opening into the waste receiving region, improvements therein according to the principle of the invention including a housing having an upper end formed with an inlet, a lower end formed with an outlet, and an air flow passage through the housing from the inlet to the outlet. The upper end of the housing is positioned atop the toilet bowl rim disposing the inlet in proximity to the opening into the waste receiving region, the housing depends downwardly from the toilet bowl rim alongside the outer bowl surface and terminates with the lower end disposed above the support surface. A fan is carried by the housing, and is operative for drawing odoriferous air from the toilet bowl through the airflow passage from the inlet to the outlet. A filter is carried by the housing and is positioned in the airflow passage for filtering and deodorizing odoriferous air passing through the airflow passage of the housing from the inlet to the outlet. The improvements constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention define a center of gravity extending from the upper end of the housing positioned atop the toilet bowl rim to the outlet. A power source and a switch are carried by the housing, as is an electrical circuit between the power source, the switch, and the fan. The switch is movable between an ON position activating the circuit supplying an electric current from the power source to the fan activating the fan, and an OFF position deactivating the circuit. The upper end of the housing is formed with a finger hooked over the toilet bowl rim at the opening into the waste-receiving region on either side of the inlet. A receptacle is formed in the housing between the inlet and the outlet, a filter opening is formed through the housing leading to the receptacle , and the filter is removably positioned in the receptacle through the filter opening. In a particular embodiment, the housing has a front face, between the inlet and the outlet, having a first contour confronting a portion of the outer bowl surface of the toilet bowl having a second contour, in which the first contour conforms substantially to the second contour.

In a toilet including a toilet bowl supported by a pedestal mounted to a support surface, the toilet bowl having an outer bowl surface, an inner bowl surface defining a waste receiving region, and a toilet bowl rim bounding an opening into the waste receiving region, improvements therein according to the principle of the invention including a housing having an upper end formed with an inlet, a lower end formed with an outlet, an air flow passage through the housing from the inlet to the outlet, and a cavity formed in the housing between the upper and lower ends thereof. The upper end of the housing is positioned atop the toilet bowl rim disposing the inlet in proximity to the opening into the waste- receiving region. The housing depends downwardly from the toilet bowl rim alongside the outer bowl surface and terminates with the lower end disposed above the support surface. According to the principle of the invention, the cavity faces and receives therein a corresponding confronting portion of the outer bowl surface of the toilet bowl. A fan is carried by the housing and is operative for drawing odoriferous air from the toilet bowl through the airflow passage from the inlet to the outlet. A filter is carried by the housing and is disposed in the airflow passage for filtering and deodorizing odoriferous air passing through the airflow passage of the housing from the inlet to the outlet. The improvements constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention define a center of gravity extending from the upper end of the housing positioned atop the toilet bowl rim to the outlet. A power source and a switch are carried by the housing, as is an electrical circuit between the power source, the switch, and the fan. The switch is movable between an ON position activating the circuit supplying an electric current from the power source to the fan activating the fan, and an OFF position deactivating the circuit. The upper end of the housing is formed with a finger hooked over the toilet bowl rim at the opening into the waste-receiving region on either side of the inlet. A receptacle is formed in the housing between the inlet and the outlet, a filter opening is formed through the housing leading to the receptacle, and the filter is removably positioned in the receptacle through the filter opening.

In a toilet including a toilet bowl supported by a pedestal mounted to a support surface, the toilet bowl having an outer bowl surface, an inner bowl surface defining a waste receiving region, and a toilet bowl rim bounding an opening into the waste receiving region, the toilet further including a toilet seat, having a lower surface, mounted to the toilet for movement between an open position relative to the toilet bowl rim and a closed position relative to the toilet bowl rim, improvements therein according to the principle of the invention include a housing having an upper end formed with an inlet, a lower end formed with an outlet, and an air flow passage through the housing from the inlet to the outlet.

The upper end of the housing is positioned atop the toilet bowl rim disposing the inlet in proximity to the opening into the waste receiving region, and the housing depends downwardly from the toilet bowl rim alongside the outer bowl surface and terminates with the lower end disposed above the support surface. A fan is carried by the housing and is operative for drawing odoriferous air from the toilet bowl through the airflow passage from the inlet to the outlet. A filter is carried by the housing and is disposed in the airflow passage for filtering and deodorizing odoriferous air passing through the airflow passage of the housing from the inlet to the outlet. The housing carries a power source and a switch. In this embodiment, the switch is a spring-loaded switch, which is positioned at, and projects away from, the upper end of the housing engaging the lower surface of the toilet seat maintaining the toilet seat in a raised position relative to its closed position. The housing also carries an electrical circuit between the power source, the switch, and the fan. The switch is movable between an OFF position deactivating the circuit and an ON position activating the circuit supplying an electric current from the power source to the fan activating the fan in response to a force applied to the toilet seat sufficient to depress the switch. According to the principle of the invention, the improvements define a center of gravity extending from the upper end of the housing positioned atop the toilet bowl rim to the outlet. The upper end of the housing is formed with a finger hooked over the toilet bowl rim at the opening into the waste-receiving region on either side of the inlet. A receptacle is formed in the housing between the inlet and the outlet, a filter opening is formed through the housing leading to the receptacle, and the filter is removably positioned in the receptacle through the filter opening. A cavity is formed in the housing between the upper and lower ends thereof, which faces and receiving therein a corresponding confronting portion of the outer bowl surface of the toilet bowl.

Consistent with the foregoing summary of preferred embodiments, and the ensuing detailed description, which are to be taken together, the invention also contemplates associated apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective ' view of a toilet bowl ventilating and deodorizing apparatus constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a left side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a toilet shown as it would appear having mounted thereto the apparatus of FIG.^'l forming an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a fragmented perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with portions thereof broken away for illustrative purposes;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmented perspective view of a lower end of the apparatus of FIG. 1 illustrating a filter partially received within a receiving area formed therein;

^• FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmented perspective view of the lower end of the apparatus of FIG. 6 illustrating an outlet formed therein;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a toilet bowl ventilating, deodorizing, and sound suppression apparatus constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a fragmented rear elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 8 shown as it would appear mounted to a toilet; and

FIG. 10 is a fragmented vertical sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 9 shown as it would appear mounted to the toilet.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to FIG. 1 in which there is seen a toilet bowl ventilating and deodorizing apparatus 20 constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention including a housing 21 having opposed upper and lower ends 22 and 23, and opposed front and back faces 28 and 29. Apparatus 20 is an entirely self-contained unit, and housing 21 contains and supports the various appointments of apparatus 20 to be discussed throughout this specification, and is fashioned of plastic, aluminum, fiberglass, or other similar substantially rigid and resilient material or combination of materials . In the preferred embodiment set forth herein, housing 20 is formed with opposed housing modules 24 and 25 and an end cap 26. Modules 24 and 25 are joined together with adhesive and/or a suitable joint structure, such as a tongue-and-groove joint structure, forming the main body of housing 21, and end cap 26 is similarly joined to the lower ends of modules 24 and 25 forming lower end 23 of housing 20. Fasteners, such as nut-and-bolt assemblies, screws, rivets, or the like, may also be used to couple modules 24 and 25 together and end cap 26 to the lower ends of modules 24 and 25. Housing 20 can, if desired, be integrally formed or fashioned of any number of attached parts without departing from the invention.

Housing 21 is hollow and bounds and defines an airflow passage 30 defined by an inner surface 3OA thereof, as shown and referenced in FIGS. 4, 5, and 7. Airflow passage 30 passes through housing 21 from an inlet 31 (FIGS. 1 and 4) formed in upper end 22 to an outlet 32 (FIG. 7) formed in lower end 23.

Referring to FIG. 1, housing 21 is formed with a horizontal component or portion 40 and a vertical component or portion 41. Horizontal portion 40 characterizes upper end 22 of housing, projects forwardly of front face 28, and includes opposed proximal and distal extremities 42 and 43, and opposed sides 44 and 45. Inlet 31 is formed in upper end 22 between proximal and distal extremities 42 and 43 and between opposed sides 44 and 45. Opposed, parallel, downwardly depending fingers 46 and 47 are formed at sides 44 and 45, respectively, of horizontal portion 40 at distal extremity 43. Vertical portion 41 is attached to proximal extremity 42 of horizontal portion 40, and depends vertically downward there from terminating with lower end 23. The upper extremity of horizontal portion 40 depending from horizontal portion is a narrowed neck, which leads to an enlarged head characterizing the lower extremity of vertical portion 41.

Looking now to FIG. 5, apparatus 20 incorporates a motorized fan 50, which is operative for drawing air through housing 21 and, more specifically, through airflow passage 30 from inlet 31 (FIGS. 1 and 4) to outlet 32

(FIG. 7) . Fan 50 is carried by housing 21, is disposed in airflow passage 30 between inlet 31 and outlet 32, and is secured to inner surface 3OA with adhesive, fasteners such as screws, nut-and-bolt assemblies, rivets, or the like. Fan 50 is a conventional motorized fan, the details of which are notoriously well known to those having regard for this and other arts in which motorized fans are used, which is coupled in electrical communication to a power source 51 and a switch 52 with conventional electrical wiring/circuitry 53, which provides and defines a circuit there between.

Power source 51, switch 52, and circuitry 53 are carried by housing 21 and, more specifically, by vertical portion 41. Switch 52 is secured to the interior of housing 21 with fasteners such as screws or rivets or the like, or adhesive, and extends through an opening 49 formed therein housing 21 making it accessible by a user for manual operation. Switch 52 is a conventional manually operated toggle switch, which is movable between an ON position activating or closing the circuit supplying an electric current from power source 51 to fan 50 activating fan 50 drawing air through airflow passage 30 from inlet 31 (FIGS. 1 and 4) to outlet 32 (FIG. 7), and an OFF position deactivating or opening the circuit eliminating the supply of electrical power to fan 50 thereby deactivating fan 50. It is to be understood that any suitable and well-known toggle switch may be used with apparatus 20 for use in activating and deactivating the circuit between power source 51 and fan 50.

Toggle switch 52 is preferred. Without departing from the preferred embodiment of the invention, in other embodiments of the invention switch 52 can be replaced by a proximity switch or the like operative for detecting the presence of a user on the toilet and in response thereto activating the circuit, and deactivating the circuit when the presence of a user on the toilet is no longer detected.

Power source 51, which is carried by housing 21 housed adjacent to lower end 23, is a battery power source, which in this embodiment consists of a plurality of conventional alkaline batteries 54 maintained in a conventional battery pack compartment 55 formed inside housing 21 adjacent to lower end 23 alongside airflow passage 30. Housing 21 has a cover 56 configured with a latch 57 (FIGS. 1, 2, and 7), which can be pushed or raised for removing cover 56 to gain access to battery pack compartment 55 for inserting batteries 54 into battery pack compartment 55 and replacing batteries 54 as needed.

The arrangement of batteries 54, battery compartment 55, and cover 56 including latch 57 is conventional and commonly found in conjunction with batter-powered devices such as remote controls for use with remote-controlled televisions and video cassette recorders and the like, further details of which will readily occur to the skilled artisan. In the immediate embodiment, batteries 54 are AA batteries, and there are three of them, although less or more batteries 54 can be used, and they may be provided in different sizes, such as D, C, etc. Although alkaline batteries are used, other battery forms can be used without departing from the invention, such as nickel- cadmium batteries, etc.

Looking to FIGS. 6 and 7 in relevant part, a filter 62 is carried by vertical portion 41 of housing 21 and is positioned in airflow passage 30, and is operative for filtering and deodorizing odoriferous air passing through airflow passage 30 of housing 21 from inlet 31 (FIGS. 1 and 4) to outlet 32. In the immediate embodiment, a receptacle 60 is formed in vertical portion 41 of housing 21 adjacent to outlet 32, and a filter opening 61 to receptacle 60 is formed through vertical portion 41 of housing 21 to receptacle 60. Filter 62 is positioned in receptacle 60 through filter opening 61, and is held there at airflow passage 30 between inlet 31 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and outlet 32. Filter 62 is entirely conventional in nature and incorporates charcoal and/or other air-filtering media capable of substantially eliminating odor and particulate matter from an air stream passing therethrough. The filter media of filter 62 can be provided with scent of scented material for imparting a pleasing or desired scent to air passing therethrough. Filter 62 is removable from receptacle 60 through filter opening 61 for allowing it to be removed for replacement or cleaning. Receptacle 60 is a groove formed into inner surface 3OA of housing 21 adjacent to outlet 32, which is sized to accept and hold filter 62.

Filter 62 is located adjacent to outlet 32, and is disposed downstream of fan 50. Filter 62 can be located at other locations in airflow passage 30 between inlet 31 and outlet 32, and may even be located upstream of fan 50, if desired.

Apparatus 20 is adapted to be mounted to a toilet and used for filtering and deodorizing odoriferous air from the toilet, in accordance with the principle of the invention. Looking to FIG. 3 there is seen a toilet 70 including a toilet bowl 71 supported by a pedestal 72 mounted to a support surface 73. Toilet bowl 71 has an outer bowl surface 74, and as seen in FIG. 4 an inner bowl surface 75 defining a waste-receiving region 76, and a toilet bowl rim 77 bounding an opening 78 into waste- receiving region 76. Toilet 70 has a toilet seat 80, having a lower surface 81, mounted to toilet 70 in a conventional manner for movement between an open/raised position relative to toilet bowl rim 77 and a closed/lowered position relative to toilet bowl rim 77. In its closed position, lower surface 81 of toilet seat 80 confronts toilet bowl rim 77, opposed bumpers 82 affixed to lower surface 81 of toilet seat 80 come to rest on toilet bowl rim 77 maintaining lower surface 81 of toilet seat 80 in a somewhat spaced-apart and elevated location relative to toilet bowl rim 77 as shown in FIG. 4, and toilet seat 80 is available to be sat upon by a user for supporting the user in defecating and/or urinating into waste-receiving region 76.

To install apparatus 20 with toilet 70, thereby forming an exemplary embodiment of the invention as shown in relevant part in FIGS. 3 and 4 consisting of the combination of toilet 70 and apparatus 20, apparatus 20 is taken up by hand and held upright next to toilet bowl 71 with front face 28 directed toward outer bowl surface 74. In its upright position, it is to be understood that upper end 22 is disposed at an elevated location relative to lower end 23, and that housing 20 is maintained in vertical attitude. The underside of horizontal portion 40 is set onto toilet bowl rim 77 positioning fingers 46 and 47 through opening 78 into waste-receiving region 76 along the inner side of toilet bowl rim 77 and vertical portion 41 along outer bowl surface 74. Fingers 46 and 47 act on the inner side of toilet bowl rim 77 preventing apparatus 20 from dislodging from toilet bowl rim 77 and falling off toilet bowl 71. As clearly seen in FIG. 4, upper end 22 of housing 21 hooks over toilet bowl rim 77.

When toilet seat 80 is disposed in its closed/lowered position as seen in FIG. 4, bumpers 82 maintain lower surface 81 of toilet seat 80 in a somewhat spaced-apart and elevated location relative to toilet bowl rim 77 sufficient to prevent lower surface 81 of toilet seat 80 from engaging horizontal portion 40 crushing or damaging it under weight applied by a user sitting upon seat 80. This is important, because it would certainly be undesirable for toilet seat 80 to rest directly on horizontal portion 40 for risk of crushing or damaging it. If desired, horizontal portion 40 may be constructed of a strong material or combination of materials, or be reinforced with supports, struts or other structural features, for enhancing its strength to the point where it could withstand the weight of a user presented against it via toilet seat 80. .

Horizontal portion 40 of housing 21 rests atop and across toilet bowl rim 77 disposing inlet 31 in proximity to opening 78 into waste-receiving region 76 as shown in FIG. 4. Vertical portion 41 of housing 21 depends downwardly there from alongside outer bowl surface 74 and terminates with lower end 23, which, in accordance with the principle of the invention, is disposed above support surface 73. In response to moving switch 52 into its ON position, the circuit is activated or closed activating fan 50, which draws odoriferous air from waste-receiving region 76 of toilet bowl 71 through airflow passage 30 from inlet 31 to outlet 32. The odoriferous air drawn through airflow passage 30 from inlet 31 to outlet 32 is transmitted through filter 62 before being discharged through outlet 32 thereby filtering and deodorizing it before being ejected outwardly from housing 21 through outlet 32, in accordance with the principle of the invention.

Switch 52 is normally turned to its ON position whilst toilet 70 is being used collecting excrement, namely, feces and/or urine, from a user, filtering and deodorizing odoriferous air from the toilet that is produced by the excrement. Switch 52 is moved to its OFF position after use of the toilet is complete and the toilet is flushed.

When fan 50 is activated drawing odoriferous air there through airflow passage 30 from inlet 31 to outlet 32, fan 50 makes a whirring noise, which is transmitted through airflow passage 30 and outwardly through inlet 31 and into waste-receiving region 76 through opening 78 thereby dampening or otherwise suppressing sound transmitted into waste-receiving region 76 caused by flatulence and excrement falling therein that usually accompanies excremental acts. This sound dampening or suppression function of apparatus 20 reduces others from hearing a user's excremental acts thereby reducing embarrassment that a user may normally experience by- others hearing excremental sounds produced during excremental activities . According to the principle of the invention, apparatus 20 defines a center of gravity G (FIG. 3) extending centrally through housing 21 from an intermediate location of upper end 22 of housing 21 between proximal and distal extremities 42 and 43 positioned atop toilet bowl rim 77 to outlet 32. This is important, because this center of gravity G ensures that vertical portion 41 will depend downwardly alongside outer bowl surface 74 without listing inwardly against outer bowl surface 74.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, outer bowl surface 74 is convex, which is normal for conventional toilet bowls. As seen in FIGS. 1-3, a portion of front face 28 of housing 21 between inlet 31 and outlet 32 has a concave contour that confronts a portion of outer bowl surface 74 of toilet bowl 71, and that conforms substantially to the convex contour of outer bowl surface 74 of toilet bowl 71 as shown in FIG. 3 when mounted to toilet 70 in the manner herein described. The concave contour formed into front face 28 of vertical portion 41 of housing 21 defines a cavity 90 formed in housing 21 at the neck of vertical portion 41 and, moreover, between upper and lower ends 22 and 23 of housing 21, which faces and receives therein the corresponding confronting portion of outer bowl surface 74 of toilet bowl 71. This arrangement of housing 21 relative to toilet bowl 71 allows housing 21 to essentially hug toilet bowl 71 thereby producing an unobtrusive arrangement of apparatus 20 relative to toilet 70, and makes the combination of apparatus 20 and toilet 70 appear small to the eye and aesthetically efficient and streamlined. The structure and arrangement of apparatus 20 relative to toilet 70 making it appear small to the eye and aesthetically efficient and streamlined are important functional advantages provided by the structure of apparatus 20 in accordance with the principle of the invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 8-10, an alternate embodiment of a toilet bowl ventilating and deodorizing apparatus 100 is shown. Apparatus 100 is identical to apparatus 20 and the foregoing discussion of apparatus 20, including the like reference characters indicating corresponding elements thereof, applies to apparatus 100 in every respect, save one. Unlike a conventional toggle switch 52 used in conjunction with apparatus 20, apparatus 100 incorporates a spring-loaded switch 101. Spring-loaded switch 101 is a conventional and readily available item, the details of which are well known in other fields of endeavor and will not be discussed in great detail. The combination of apparatus 100 with switch 101 constitutes a new and different combination not heretofore seen or contemplated in the prior art.

Switch 101 is secured to the interior of housing 21 at horizontal portion 40 with fasteners such as screws or rivets or the like, or adhesive, etc. Spring-loaded switch 101 extends through an opening 102 formed in upper end 22, i.e., horizontal portion 40, of housing 21 and projects away from upper end 22 as shown. Switch 101 is movable between an ON position activating or closing the circuit defined by circuitry 53 (FIG. 10) supplying an electric current from power source 51 to fan 50 activating fan 50 drawing air through airflow passage 30 from inlet 31 to outlet 32 of housing 21, and an OFF position deactivating or opening the circuit eliminating the supply of electrical power to fan 50 thereby deactivating it. Spring-loaded switch 101 is biased into an un-depressed position corresponding to its OFF position, and is ON when depressed.

Apparatus 100 is mounted to toilet 70 exactly as explained in conjunction with apparatus 20. When toilet seat 80 is moved to toward its lowered/closed position, prior to arriving there switch 101 engages lower surface 81 of toilet seat 80, and in its biased OFF position maintains toilet seat 80 in a raised position relative to its closed position as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Spring- loaded switch 101 is movable from its OFF position to its

ON position in response to a force applied to toilet seat 80 sufficient to depress spring-loaded switch 101 into its depressed position, in which the force sufficient to depress spring-loaded switch 101 into its depressed position overcoming the bias that normally biases it in its OFF position is provided by any user of any weight sitting on toilet seat 80 during use of toilet 70. When a user evacuates toilet seat 80 after using toilet 70, the force sufficient to overcome the bias of spring-loaded switch 101 is removed allowing spring-loaded switch 101 to assume its normal OFF position somewhat lifting toilet seat 80 out of its lowered/closed position. When spring- loaded switch 101 is depressed in response to a force applied to toilet seat 80 sufficient to depress spring- loaded switch 101, bumpers 82 interact with toilet bowl rim 77 and maintain lower surface 81 of toilet seat 80 in a somewhat spaced-apart and elevated location relative to toilet bowl rim 77 sufficient to prevent lower surface 81 of toilet seat 80 from engaging horizontal portion 40 and crushing or damaging it under weight applied by a user sitting upon seat 80.

The invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments without departing from the nature and scope of the invention. Various changes and modifications to the embodiment herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof. Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same, the invention claimed is :

Claims

1. In a toilet including a toilet bowl supported by a pedestal mounted to a support surface, the toilet bowl having an outer bowl surface, an inner bowl surface defining a waste receiving region, and a toilet bowl rim bounding an opening into the waste receiving region, improvements therein comprising: a housing including an upper end having an inlet, a lower end having an outlet, and an air flow passage through the housing from the inlet to the outlet; the upper end of the housing positioned atop the toilet bowl rim disposing the inlet in proximity to the opening into the waste receiving region, the housing depending downwardly from the toilet bowl rim alongside the outer bowl surface and terminating with the lower end disposed above the support surface; a fan, carried by the housing, operative for drawing odoriferous air through the air flow passage from the inlet to the outlet; a filter, carried by the housing, in the air flow passage for filtering and deodorizing odoriferous air passing through the air flow passage of the housing from the inlet to the outlet; and the improvements defining a center of gravity extending from the upper end of the housing positioned atop the toilet bowl rim to the outlet.

2. The improvements according to claim 1, further comprising: a power source and a switch carried by the housing; and an electrical circuit, carried by the housing, between the power source, the switch, and the fan; and the switch movable between an ON position activating the circuit supplying an electric current from the power source to the fan activating the fan, and an OFF position deactivating the circuit.

3. The improvements according to claim 1, further comprising the upper end of the housing formed with a finger hooked over the toilet bowl rim at the opening into the waste receiving region on either side of the inlet.

4. The improvements according to claim 1, further comprising: a receptacle formed in the housing between the inlet and the outlet; a filter opening through the housing leading to the receptacle; and the filter removably positioned in the receptacle through the filter opening.

5. The improvements according to claim 1, further comprising: the housing including a front face, between the inlet and the outlet, having a first contour confronting a portion of the outer bowl surface of the toilet bowl having a second contour; and the first contour conforming substantially to the second contour.

6. In a toilet including a toilet bowl supported by a pedestal mounted to a support surface, the toilet bowl having an outer bowl surface, an inner bowl surface defining a waste receiving region, and a toilet bowl rim bounding an opening into the waste receiving region, improvements therein comprising: a housing including an upper end having an inlet, a lower end having an outlet, an airflow passage through the housing from the inlet to the outlet, and a cavity formed in the housing between the upper and lower ends thereof; the upper end of the housing positioned atop the toilet bowl rim disposing the inlet in proximity to the opening into the waste receiving region, the housing depending downwardly from the toilet bowl rim alongside the outer bowl surface and terminating with the lower end disposed above the support surface, and the cavity facing and receiving therein a corresponding confronting portion of the outer bowl surface of the toilet bowl; a fan, carried by the housing, operative for drawing odoriferous air through the air flow passage from the inlet to the outlet; and a filter, carried by the housing, in the air flow passage for filtering and deodorizing odoriferous air passing through the airflow passage of the housing from the inlet to the outlet.

7. The improvements according to claim 6, further comprising the improvements defining a center of gravity extending from the upper end of the housing positioned atop the toilet bowl rim to the outlet.

8. The improvements according to claim 6, further comprising: a power source and a switch carried by the housing; and an electrical circuit, carried by the housing, between the power source, the switch, and the fan; and the switch movable between an ON position activating the circuit supplying an electric current from, the power source to the fan activating the fan, and an OFF position deactivating the circuit.

9. The improvements according to claim 6, further comprising the upper end of the housing formed with a finger hooked over the toilet bowl rim at the opening into the waste receiving region on either side of the inlet.

10. The improvements according to claim 6, further comprising : a receptacle formed in the housing between the inlet and the outlet; a filter opening through the housing leading to the receptacle; and the filter removably positioned in the receptacle through the filter opening.

11. In a toilet including a toilet bowl supported by a pedestal mounted to a support surface, the toilet bowl having an outer bowl surface, an inner bowl surface defining a waste receiving region, and a toilet bowl rim bounding an opening into the waste receiving region, the toilet further including a toilet seat, having a lower surface, mounted to the toilet for movement between an open position relative to the toilet bowl rim and a closed position relative to the toilet bowl rim, improvements therein comprising: a housing including an upper end having an inlet, a lower end having an outlet, and an air flow passage through the housing from the inlet to the outlet; the upper end of the housing positioned atop the toilet bowl rim disposing the inlet in proximity to the opening into the waste receiving region, the housing depending downwardly from the toilet bowl rim alongside the outer bowl surface and terminating with the lower end disposed above the support surface; a fan, carried by the housing, operative for drawing odoriferous air through the air flow passage from the inlet to the outlet; a filter, carried by the housing, in the air flow passage for filtering and deodorizing odoriferous air passing through the airflow passage of the housing from the inlet to the outlet; a power source and a switch carried by the housing; a spring-loaded switch positioned at, and projecting away from, the upper end of the housing engaging the lower surface of the toilet seat maintaining the toilet seat in a raised position relative to its closed position; an electrical circuit, carried by the housing, between the power source, the switch, and the fan; and the switch movable between an OFF position deactivating the circuit and an ON position activating the circuit supplying an electric current from the power source to the fan activating the fan in response to a force applied to the toilet seat sufficient to depress the switch.

12. The improvements according to claim 11, further comprising the improvements defining a center of gravity extending from the upper end of the housing positioned atop the toilet bowl rim to the outlet.

13. The improvements according to claim 11, further comprising the upper end of the housing formed with a finger hooked over the toilet bowl rim at the opening into the waste receiving region on either side of the inlet.

14. The improvements according to claim 11, further comprising: a receptacle formed in the housing between the inlet and the outlet; a filter opening through the housing leading to the receptacle; and the filter removably positioned in the receptacle through the filter opening.

15. The improvements according to claim 11, further comprising a cavity, formed in the housing between the upper and lower ends thereof, facing and receiving therein a corresponding confronting portion of the outer bowl surface of the toilet bowl.