GB2126263A - Ventilating water closets - Google Patents

Abstract

An air extraction system for a lavatory having a flush pipe 3 comprises an extractor fan 15 connected to the lavatory pan 13 via ducting 8 and the flush pipe 3 to extract air from within the pan 13, the air being expelled through pipe 10. A flap valve 5 is opened by suction from the extractor fan, but will shut as the system 1 is flushed. In a modification for close coupled pan/cistern units air is extracted via a collar interposed between the pan and cistern. The pan 15 may be operated from a light switch incorporating a time delay unit, or from a seat pressure switch. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Ventilation system The present invention relates to a ventilation system for a lavatory.

One aspect of the invention provides a method of extract ventilation for a lavatory, which method comprises extracting air from the lavatory via the lavatory pan.

Another aspect of the invention provides a lavatory pan, and air extraction means comprising an extractor fan and ducting from the pan to the extractor fan so that in use the fan will extract air from within the pan.

In lavatory pans where the associated cistern is spaced from the pan it has been found particularly advantageous to extract air via the flush pipe connecting the cistern and pan. This obviates the need to provide an access in the pan for ducting or running ducting over the rim of the bowl.

Accordingly, another aspect of the invention provides an extract ventilation unit for a lavatory, comprising a pipe for connection between a cistern and a lavatory pan and an air extraction unit connected with the pipe to extract air from the pan through the pipe.

With close coupled lavatory pan/cistern units a collar may be provided between the cistern and the pan, the collar having an aperture or fitting for extraction of air from within the pan.

The invention also provides an extraction unit adapted to be connected to a flush pipe.

It will be appreciated that a single extraction unit or fan may be coupled to several lavatory pans, for example, when providing ventilation in a public lavatory.

Preferably, extracted air from the lavatory is expelled directly outside, although it may be filtered or otherwise treated to remove or mask any unpleasant smell.

In a preferred form of the invention a valve, preferably a one-way valve such as a flap valve is provided between the air extraction unit and the lavatory pan. This may prevent air coming into the pan via the extraction unit, also it is particularly useful where the extraction unit is connected to the flush pipe to prevent suction noises as the pan is flushed, since the extraction unit may be left running whilst the pan is flushed.

A single flap valve is preferred, which will open whilst the extraction unit is running.

A paraticular advantage of the invention is that much undesired lavatory smell may be extracted at source.

The invention will be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention in which an extraction unit is connected to a flush pipe; Fig. 2 shows a preferred arrangement for connecting a valve box to a flush pipe.

Fig. 1, a lavatory pan 13 has a soil pipe 14 to carry away soil. A cistern 1 for flushing the pan 13 is connected to the pan by a flush pipe 3. An air extraction unit 9 is connected to the flush pipe 3 by a pipe 8 and valve box 6. The extraction unit expels air through lavatory wall 12 via an outlet 10. Outlet 10 has a cover 2. Valve box 6 connects to flush pipe 3 through a hole 7 in the wall of the pipe 3. A flap valve 5 is adapted to lift while the extraction unit 9 is operating and to close when the unit is not operating or under the suction effect which may be caused by water passing down the flush pipe 3 when the pan is flushed.

Valve box 6 can be bonded or clamped to flush pipe 3. Preferably valve box 6 and flush pipe 3 are of plastics material and may be solvent welded together. Valve box 6 has a removable air tight top 4 for access to the flap valve. The extractor unit 9 contains an extraction fan 1 5. Fan 1 5 may be operating, for example, from a light switch incorporating a time delay unit, from a pressure operated switch connected to the lavatory pan seat, etc.

It is considered that air extraction is particularly efficient when a user is sitting on the pan, which may reduce the need for a high rate of air change in the lavatory as a whole, and hence the invention is particularly advantageous in bathrooms incorporating a lavatory pan.

Fig. 2 shows a detail of another embodiment of the invention. The valve box 6 is connected to the flush pipe 3 by an intermediate pipe 1 6 which is at an acute angle to the flush pipe. This aims to reduce turbulence which may occur in the flush pipe when the pan is being flushed with water.

Claims

1. A method of extract ventilation for a lavatory, which method comprises extracting air from the lavatory pan, the air being expelled from the lavatory and/or treated to remove unpleasant smell.

2. An extract ventilation apparatus for a lavatory, comprising a pipe or collar for connection between a cistern and a lavatory pan, and an air extraction unit connected to the pipe or collar to extract air therethrough from the pan.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein a valve is provided upstream of the extractor fan.

4. A lavatory and air extraction means comprising an extractor fan and ducting from the pan to the fan so that in use the fan will extract air from within the pan.

5. A collar for connection between a lavatory pan and close coupled cistern, adapted to enable the extraction of air from within the pan.

6. A method of extract ventilation for a lavatory, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7. An extract ventilation unit for a lavatory, substantially as hereinbefore described with

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Ventilation system The present invention relates to a ventilation system for a lavatory. One aspect of the invention provides a method of extract ventilation for a lavatory, which method comprises extracting air from the lavatory via the lavatory pan. Another aspect of the invention provides a lavatory pan, and air extraction means comprising an extractor fan and ducting from the pan to the extractor fan so that in use the fan will extract air from within the pan. In lavatory pans where the associated cistern is spaced from the pan it has been found particularly advantageous to extract air via the flush pipe connecting the cistern and pan. This obviates the need to provide an access in the pan for ducting or running ducting over the rim of the bowl. Accordingly, another aspect of the invention provides an extract ventilation unit for a lavatory, comprising a pipe for connection between a cistern and a lavatory pan and an air extraction unit connected with the pipe to extract air from the pan through the pipe. With close coupled lavatory pan/cistern units a collar may be provided between the cistern and the pan, the collar having an aperture or fitting for extraction of air from within the pan. The invention also provides an extraction unit adapted to be connected to a flush pipe. It will be appreciated that a single extraction unit or fan may be coupled to several lavatory pans, for example, when providing ventilation in a public lavatory. Preferably, extracted air from the lavatory is expelled directly outside, although it may be filtered or otherwise treated to remove or mask any unpleasant smell. In a preferred form of the invention a valve, preferably a one-way valve such as a flap valve is provided between the air extraction unit and the lavatory pan. This may prevent air coming into the pan via the extraction unit, also it is particularly useful where the extraction unit is connected to the flush pipe to prevent suction noises as the pan is flushed, since the extraction unit may be left running whilst the pan is flushed. A single flap valve is preferred, which will open whilst the extraction unit is running. A paraticular advantage of the invention is that much undesired lavatory smell may be extracted at source. The invention will be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention in which an extraction unit is connected to a flush pipe; Fig. 2 shows a preferred arrangement for connecting a valve box to a flush pipe. Fig. 1, a lavatory pan 13 has a soil pipe 14 to carry away soil. A cistern 1 for flushing the pan 13 is connected to the pan by a flush pipe 3. An air extraction unit 9 is connected to the flush pipe 3 by a pipe 8 and valve box 6. The extraction unit expels air through lavatory wall 12 via an outlet 10. Outlet 10 has a cover 2. Valve box 6 connects to flush pipe 3 through a hole 7 in the wall of the pipe 3. A flap valve 5 is adapted to lift while the extraction unit 9 is operating and to close when the unit is not operating or under the suction effect which may be caused by water passing down the flush pipe 3 when the pan is flushed. Valve box 6 can be bonded or clamped to flush pipe 3. Preferably valve box 6 and flush pipe 3 are of plastics material and may be solvent welded together. Valve box 6 has a removable air tight top 4 for access to the flap valve. The extractor unit 9 contains an extraction fan 1 5. Fan 1 5 may be operating, for example, from a light switch incorporating a time delay unit, from a pressure operated switch connected to the lavatory pan seat, etc. It is considered that air extraction is particularly efficient when a user is sitting on the pan, which may reduce the need for a high rate of air change in the lavatory as a whole, and hence the invention is particularly advantageous in bathrooms incorporating a lavatory pan. Fig. 2 shows a detail of another embodiment of the invention. The valve box 6 is connected to the flush pipe 3 by an intermediate pipe 1 6 which is at an acute angle to the flush pipe. This aims to reduce turbulence which may occur in the flush pipe when the pan is being flushed with water. Claims

1. A method of extract ventilation for a lavatory, which method comprises extracting air from the lavatory pan, the air being expelled from the lavatory and/or treated to remove unpleasant smell.

2. An extract ventilation apparatus for a lavatory, comprising a pipe or collar for connection between a cistern and a lavatory pan, and an air extraction unit connected to the pipe or collar to extract air therethrough from the pan.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein a valve is provided upstream of the extractor fan.

4. A lavatory and air extraction means comprising an extractor fan and ducting from the pan to the fan so that in use the fan will extract air from within the pan.

5. A collar for connection between a lavatory pan and close coupled cistern, adapted to enable the extraction of air from within the pan.

6. A method of extract ventilation for a lavatory, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7. An extract ventilation unit for a lavatory, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 1, or Fig. 1 a modified by Fig. 2, of the accompanying drawings.

8. The features hereinbefore disclosed or their equivalents in any novel combination.