WO2008134907A2

WO2008134907A2 - Device and method for ventilating a toilet bowl

Info

Publication number: WO2008134907A2
Application number: PCT/CH2008/000186
Authority: WO
Inventors: Colin Litten-Brown; Guy Edward Naish
Original assignee: Givaudan Sa
Priority date: 2007-05-04
Filing date: 2008-04-23
Publication date: 2008-11-13
Also published as: WO2008134907A3; GB0708583D0

Abstract

An odour-counteracting apparatus adapted to be mounted on a toilet bowl (1) in a room, the apparatus comprising a suction tube (5) with one end (6) located within the toilet bowl and the other end (7) located adjacent to an electrically-driven means (8) of forced air current adapted, when driven, to suck air through the tube and expose it to air-freshening means (12) prior to disposal, the electrically-driven means being actuated by the completion of an electrical circuit by flush water. The apparatus is easily and inexpensively manufactured, and may be combined with a toilet cleaner in a single unit.

Description

DISSEMINATING DEVICE

This invention relates to apparatus for disseminating a volatile liquid into an atmosphere, the dissemination being triggered automatically.

It is well known to add fragrance to the water in a toilet by means of a liquid dispenser, a block of fragrant material or a gel element hung in the toilet bowl in the path of the flushing water, such that fragrance dissolves in this water and runs into the bowl. However, the fragrancing effect of such means on the air above the water surface takes time to develop, and until it does, there can remain an unpleasant smell both in the bowl and in the room in which the toilet is situated.

It has now been found that this problem can be alleviated, and in some instances even completely eliminated, by the use of a simple apparatus. There is therefore provided an odour-counteracting apparatus adapted to be mounted on a toilet bowl in a room, the apparatus comprising a suction tube with one end located within the toilet bowl and the other end located adjacent to an electrically-driven means of forced air current adapted, when driven, to suck air through the tube and expose it to air-freshening means prior to disposal, the electrically-driven means being actuated by the completion of an electrical circuit by flush water.

There is additionally provided a method of freshening the air in a toilet bowl in a room, comprising causing the air to be sucked from the_, bowl and exposed to an air- freshening means prior to disposal by means of an electrically-driven forced air current, the forced air current being actuated by the completion of an electrical circuit by flush water.

The suction tube is any suitable tube made from any suitable material, which can be mounted on a toilet bowl. There can be more than one such tube. The nature of the tube will depend on the nature of the apparatus. For example, the tube may form part of a fitting that secures the apparatus to the toilet bowl. Any such fitting should have the necessary physical properties, for example, the necessary degree of strength and rigidity, to accomplish its function. In the case where the toilet seat sits directly on the rim of the bowl and is not spaced therefrom by cushioning elements, the fitting needs to be sufficiently strong to prevent the tube from being crushed by the weight of a person sitting thereon. The skilled person can readily determine a necessary form and the appropriate materials with which it may be achieved. The tube may be formed integrally with any such fitting, or it may be fitted separately to a fitting.

Alternatively, the tube may itself perform both the tasks of suction and fitting, that is, tube and fitting are one and the same thing. The tube must thus be constructed so as to perform both functions. Again, this is easily within the ability of the skilled person.

One end of the tube is positioned within the toilet bowl, the other end being outside it and positioned adjacent to an electrically-driven means of forced air ventilation. This may be any such means, one particular example being a fan or blower, turning in such a direction that it draws air through the tube and blows it into the atmosphere. Such fans or blowers are common items of commerce, being widely used, for example in laptop computers. They are available in small sizes, so that the size of the apparatus can be minimised. The electricity may be provided by any suitable means, such as mains current, batteries or solar panels.

The air sucked from the toilet bowl is exposed to an air-freshening means. This is a means that fragrances, neutralises, removes or masks any undesirable odour. Any such means may be used. For example, the means may comprise a reservoir of volatile liquid, such as a fragrance or an odour-masking material, and extending from the reservoir a liquid transport means adapted to convey liquid from the reservoir into the path of the air current, which evaporates it and conveys it into the atmosphere. One typical example of a liquid transport means is a porous wick, of the type commonly found in air fresheners. However, as the skilled person will realise, there are many other possibilities, for example screens of fabric or cellulosic material. In addition, the air-freshening means may comprise filtering or absorbent elements, such as activated charcoal, zeolites, molecular sieves and finely- divided metals, optionally and where possible/desirable with an electrical heat source to increase efficacy. A further air-freshening means comprises an aerosol container containing a liquid air- freshening material, which comprises a valve activatable by a solenoid switch. When switched on, the valve is depressed and the material is sprayed. It may be sprayed, for example, directly into the atmosphere in such a way that it mixes with the air sucked from the toilet bowl. Alternatively, it may be sprayed on an absorbent material, past which or through which the sucked air must pass, thus freshening it. The absorbent material may be any suitable material, such as a mesh, a plate or a pad.

After air- freshening, the air then undergoes disposal, by which is meant moving the air to any desired end location. For example, it can be disposed of in the atmosphere of the room in which the toilet is situated. Another possibility is that it is circulated back into the toilet bowl, there to provide a pleasant odour. In this case, there leads from the air-freshening element to the toilet bowl at least one return tube.

The electrically-driven means is actuated by the flush water, that is, by water released from a cistern associated with the toilet when the toilet flush is operated. This involves a switching element that is acted upon by the flow of flush water and which actuates the electrically-driven means. Any convenient means may be used for this, and the skilled person will readily be able to envisage the possibilities. For example, the switching element may comprise electrodes that are so spaced that, when an electrical potential is applied to them, their immersion in water will allow an electrical current to pass between them. Another possibility is spaced electrodes with an associated spring-loaded bridging element, so positioned that a flow of water will push the bridging element into contact with both electrodes, against the force of the spring, and thus permit an electrical current to flow between them. When the flow diminishes, the spring will break the contact.

The switching element may be positioned anywhere where it will be impinged upon by the flow of flush water. This can be anywhere downstream of the cistern, but in the case of a small, easy-to-fit apparatus, it is generally inside the toilet bowl under the rim where the flush water comes in. The electrical circuit may be configured to function for as long as the switching means is in operation. Alternatively, it may be configured to work for a set time, regardless of the time the switching means is in operation. This may be achieved by control circuitry that allows the electrically-driven means of forced air ventilation to function for as long as desired. This may be a regulable circuitry, so that a preferred time may be set. Such circuitry is readily and cheaply available.

In another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus may additionally comprise a water- cleaning or fragrancing element of the type well known to the art, so that it forms part of a single unit. This may include, for example, a fragranced solid block, a gel element or a fluid dispenser. The cleaning/fragrancing element may be held in place by any convenient means, adjacent to the toilet bowl end of the suction tube. In a particular embodiment, the cleaning/fragrancing element may be held in place in a cage or holder to which the tube is attached. Alternatively, the tube may be built into the structure of the cage, for example, by making at least one cage member hollow.

The apparatus of the invention may be cheaply and simply made from known components and materials. It is easily fitted and easily refilled, and is effective in use.

The invention is further described with reference to the drawing, which depicts a preferred embodiment and which is not in any way limiting on the scope of the invention.

Figure 1 is a schematic, side elevation cross-section of the upper rim of a toilet bowl with an apparatus according to the invention in place.

A toilet bowl 1 has a folded-over rim 2, giving it in cross-section essentially an inverted U- shaped channel 3. Flush water enters through the channel 3 through conduits (not shown).

The apparatus comprises a supporting structure 4, which is of moulded plastics material, has the form of an inverted U, and is adapted to fit over the rim 2, such that one end of the U is within the toilet bowl and located such that it lies in the path of the flush water, and the other end is outside the bowl. Formed within the structure 4 is a suction tube 5. The end of this tube within the toilet bowl 6 is located level with the rim 2, such that it is clear of the flushing water, and it is angled downwards, so that it remains clear.

The tube 5 is terminated at it end outside the bowl by a chamber 7 within which is a fan 8 driven by an electric motor 9. When the fan revolves, it draws air from the toilet bowl through the end 6 of the tube 5 and blows it into the atmosphere. Placed in the path of the airflow from the fan is an air-freshening unit, comprising a reservoir 10 of volatile malodour counteracting liquid 11 and, conveying the liquid from the reservoir to the airflow of the fan, a porous wick 12. The air thus treated exits the chamber 7 into the atmosphere through a series of apertures 13.

Electricity for the fan 8 is supplied by a battery 14. The switch for the fan comprises two wires 15 and 16, located within the supporting structure 4 and terminating at the bowl end of the structure. These wires terminate in contacts 17,18, placed adjacent to the side of the bowl in the path of the flush water, these contacts being spaced such that the presence of flush water will complete the circuit formed by battery 14, motor 9 and wires 15,16 and cause the motor to commence. The circuit additionally comprises control circuitry 19 that includes timing components and ensures that the fan will continue to operate for a set time, even when the connection made by the flush water is broken. This time may be regulated to any desired length.

The apparatus additionally comprises a toilet cleaner, generally indicated as 20. This consists of a reservoir 21 in the form of a bottle with a neck 22, filled with cleaning liquid (not shown). It fits inverted into a holder 23, the neck 22 screwing into a corresponding, upwardly-protruding neck 24 that spaces the neck sufficiently from a diffuser plate 25, placed in the path of the flushing water, such that liquid can run on to the diffuser plate and be washed into the toilet. Also upstanding from the diffuser plate is a spike 26, this being adapted to break a seal that blocks the neck 22 prior to use, as the reservoir 21 is being put in place.

Thus, in operation, when the toilet is flushed, the flush water enters the toilet bowl via the channel 3. It runs over the electrical contacts 17, 18, completing the circuit and starting the fan 8, which sucks air from the toilet bowl through the tube 5 and blows it past the wick 12, which counteracts any odour therein. It then passes into the atmosphere. At the same time, the flush water runs over the diffuser plate 25, washing any liquid thereon into the toilet bowl.

The skilled person will readily appreciate that there are many possible variations all of which fall within the skill of the art. For example, the air- freshening element may be equipped with one or more filtering and absorbing elements, better to remove undesirable odours from the air. In such a case, these elements may remove all or substantially all of the odour, and the liquid supplied by the wick may be a fragrance, there for purely hedonic reasons.

Claims

Claims:

1. An odour-counteracting apparatus adapted to be mounted on a toilet bowl in a room, the apparatus comprising a suction tube with one end located within the toilet bowl and the other end located adjacent to an electrically-driven means of forced air current adapted, when driven, to suck air through the tube and expose it to air- freshening means prior to disposal, the electrically-driven means being actuated by the completion of an electrical circuit by flush water.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , in which the tube forms part of a fitting that secures the apparatus to the toilet bowl.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, in which the tube also forms the fitting.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 , in which the air- freshening means comprises a reservoir of volatile liquid, and extending therefrom, a liquid transport means adapted to convey liquid from the reservoir into the path of the air current.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, in which the liquid transport means is a porous wick.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which the air-freshening means comprises an aerosol container containing a liquid air-freshening material, and having a valve activatable by a solenoid switch.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1 , in which the electrically-driven means comprises a switching element comprising spaced electrodes to which an electrical potential is supplied and which are connected to complete an electrical circuit by means selected from

(i) water running over electrodes that are so spaced that the water completes the circuit; and (ii) there being associated with the electrodes a spring-loaded bridging element, so positioned that a flow of water will push the bridging element into contact with both electrodes, against the force of the spring, and thus complete an electrical circuit.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1, additionally comprising a water-cleaning or -fragrancing element.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1, additionally comprising a timing switch which maintains the working of the air-freshening means for a pre-set time.

10. A method of freshening the air in a toilet bowl in a room, comprising causing the air to be sucked from the bowl and exposed to an air-freshening means prior to disposal by means of an electrically-driven forced air current, the forced air current being actuated by the completion of an electrical circuit by flush water.