GB2328454A - Toilet odour extraction apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An odour extraction apparatus (18) for a toilet (10) comprises extraction means (20), inlet ducting (22) having an intake (24) located between the toilet bowl and cistern and outlet ducting (26) for the discharge of the extracted odours. The odour extraction apparatus can be supplemented by a washing and drying means.

Description

ODOUR EXTRACTION APPARATUS The present invention relates to an odour extraction apparatus particularly for toilets.

It is well known that offensive odours occur in toilets. The present invention seeks to provide an apparatus which can be used to remove offensive odours from toilets.

The present invention also seeks to provide an odour extraction apparatus which can be incorporated as part of the original equipment or retro-fitted to existing toilets.

The present invention further seeks to provide a toilet having an odour extraction apparatus, and a washing and drying facility for the toilet user.

Accordingly the present invention provides an odour removal apparatus for a toilet, the apparatus comprising odour extraction means, inlet ducting connected to the extraction means and having an intake located between the bowl and cistern of a toilet and outlet ducting from the extraction means to conduct the extracted odours away from the toilet.

The intake of the inlet ducting can be in the form of a gland in which the downy lush pipe of a cistern is located.

The gland can comprise a closed top and a partially open under surface, together with sealing means between the gland and the bowl of the toilet, and means to secure the gland to the bowl of the toilet.

The odour extraction means can comprise a suction fan or pump which can be driven by an electric motor.

The electric motor can have a variable speed control.

The motor can be operated by a switch which is actuated when the seat of the toilet is lowered or by the user of the toilet when the seat is sat upon.

The outlet ducting can be connected to atmosphere through an opening in the toilet wall.

Alternatively the outlet can exhaust into the overflow pipe of the toilet.

The apparatus can include a deodorising filter positioned at a convenient location in the odour removal apparatus.

Sealing strips, e.g. of rubber, can be attached to the underside of the toilet seat, so as to increase the suction airflow and minimise the size of the fan or pump.

The apparatus can include means for the supply of heated water for the purpose of washing the toilet user, while the toilet user remains seated on the toilet, and drying means to dry the toilet user after washing.

The present invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a typical toilet, together with one form of odour extraction apparatus according to the present invention, Figure 2 shows a sectional elevation of part of the toilet show in Figure 1 illustrating the construction of the intake to the odour extraction apparatus, Figure 3 shows a sectional plan view of the apparatus as shown in Figure 2, Figure 4 shows a partial sectioned front elevation of a modified form of odour extraction apparatus according to the present invention, Figure 5 shows a side elevation of the apparatus shown in Figure 4, Figure 6 shows a side elevation of a modified form of an apparatus according to the present invention, Figure 6A shows a diagrammatic representation of the apparatus shown in Figure 6, Figure 7 shows a sectional elevation of part of the toilet shown in Figure 6 illustrating the construction of the intake to the odour extraction apparatus, Figure 8 shows a plan view of the apparatus as shown in Figure 2, Figure 9 shows a discharge nozzle forming part of the apparatus according to the present invention, and Figure 10 shows a view on arrow A in Figure 9.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings there is shown a toilet (10) comprising a bowl (12), a cistern (14) and a hinged seat (16).

The toilet (10) includes an odour extraction apparatus generally indicated at (18) arranged to extract offensive odours from the toilet.

The apparatus (18) comprises odour extraction means (20), for example, a suction fan, having inlet ducting (22), terminating in an intake (24) and outlet ducting (26).

Referring more particularly to Figures 2 and 3, the intake (24) of the ducting (22) is in the form of a gland which is located between the cistern (14) and the bowl (12) of the toilet. The cistern (14) has a downy lush pipe (14A) which is located in a central opening (24A) of the gland (24). The gland (24) is bolted to the bowl (12) by means of bolts (28) and nuts (30) which pass through openings (24B) in the gland.

A soft rubber '0' ring (30) is located between the gland (24) and the bowl (12) in order to prevent leakage of water.

The lower surface of the gland (24) has an opening to allow offensive odours to be drawn to the interior of the gland and to be drawn through inlet ducting (22).

The gland can be provided with two inlet ducts (22) or two positions for a single inlet duct (22) enabling the odour extraction apparatus to be located either to the left or right of the toilet (10). Whichever opening for the inlet ducting (22) in the gland (24) is not used is blanked off.

The inlet ducting (22) is arranged to be inclined at a slight angle in order to allow drainage after the toilet is flushed.

Also the interior lower surface of the gland is provided with a slope also to allow drainage after flushing.

Referring again to Figure 1, the outlet ducting (26) from the suction fan (20) is exhausted to the exterior of the toilet, for example, through a hole in the wall of the toilet or, if necessary, through a glazed opening of the toilet.

The electric motor which operates the suction fan (20) can be operated by a manual switch by the user. Alternatively the motor can be operated by means of a switch which is actuated when the seat of the toilet is lowered or when a person sits upon the seat. If required, a timer can be fitted to switch off the electric motor. The electric motor can also have a variable speed control.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, which show an alternative arrangement, there is shown a toilet together with an overflow pipe (32). In the embodiment shown the outlet ducting (26) from the suction fan (20) exhausts into the overflow pipe (32).

Normally, as will be appreciated, the overflow pipe passes through an opening in the wall of the toilet and thus the arrangement shown avoids the need for making a separate opening for the outlet ducting of the odour extraction apparatus.

The outlet ducting is configured by the provision of a number of bends (34 and 36) to prevent water from entering the pump from the overflow pipe.

The overflow pipe itself is provided with an opening (38) in order to prevent siphoning.

It will be appreciated that there will be a resistance to the odorous fumes from entering the interior of the cistern (14) because of a head of water in the system.

The embodiments of the present invention can be readily fitted to existing toilet installations and can also be fitted as part of original toilet apparatus.

The odour extraction apparatus can also be provided with a disinfecting and/or deodorising filter located at a convenient point either in the inlet or the outlet ducting of the extraction apparatus.

The odour extraction means which has been shown in the form of a centrifugal type air pump can take many forms and is not restricted to the form shown.

In order to increase the suction airflow, and to minimise the size of the fan or pump, a seal or seals, e.g. in the form of a rubber strip or strips can be attached to the underside of the toilet seat.

Referring to Figures 6 to 10, there is shown a toilet incorporating an odour extraction apparatus as described above but also including a washing and drying facility. Identical reference numerals have been used in respect of components in the apparatus shown in Figures 6 to 10 which are identical with the corresponding components in the previous figures and will not be described again.

The apparatus shown in Figures 6 to 10 inclusive also includes a washing and drying means (40) which, referring to Figure 6A in particular, includes a water heater (42), an air heater (44), an air extraction pump and hot air blower (46) and three remotely electrically operated valves (48, 50, 52).

A mains water supply is connected to the inlet of the heater (42) and the outlet of the water heater is connected via the valve (52) by means of a conduit (54) which is connected to a nozzle (56) (see Figures 9 and 10), the nozzle being connected to the conduit (54) by means of a flexible pipe (58).

The outlet of the air heater (54) is also connected to the conduit (54) and the air heater receives air from the pump (46) via the valve (50).

The apparatus illustrated in Figures 6 to 10 is used in the following way. In order to remove odour valve (48) is opened and valve (50) is closed and the air extraction pump (46) is operated as described with reference to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 5.

The toilet cistern is flushed and the toilet user remains seated.

In order to operate the washing sequence the water heater is switched on and valve (52) is opened and warm water then flows under mains pressure through the conduit (54) to the nozzle (56).

In order to operate the drying sequence the valves (48, 52) are closed whilst the valve (50) is opened. The air heater (44) and the pump (46) are switched on so that a flow of warm air then passes through the conduit (54) to the nozzle (56).

The valves (48, 50, 52) are operated by switches (60). These switches can be manually operated or can operated in a timed automatic sequence.

The advantages of the apparatus described above are that: (1) The toilet bowl does not fill with odour before the odour is extracted.

(2) A minimal volume of air is extracted which saves on heating.

(3) On vacating the toilet there is no lingering odour.

(4) The number of air changes is reduced as compared with a conventional extractor.

(5) No additional openings in the toilet wall are required as the discharge uses the existing overflow pipework.

(6) The provision of the washing and drying means avoids the need for toilet paper.

(7) The toilet user will leave the toilet hygienically clean.

(8) The provision of the washing and drying facility replaces the need for a separate bidet.

Claims (15)

1. Odour removal apparatus for a toilet, the apparatus comprising odour extraction means, inlet ducting having an intake located between the bowl and cistern of the toilet, an outlet ducting for the discharge of the extracted odours.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the intake is in the form of a housing which is located between the bowl and the cistern of a toilet.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which the housing is in the form of a gland which is sealingly located between the bowl and cistern of a toilet, the gland having an inlet to receive odorous fumes to be extracted in communication with the inlet ducting of the odour removal apparatus.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which sealing means are provided between the gland and the bowl of the toilet and the downy lush pipe of the system is sealingly located in an opening in the gland.

5. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the odour extraction means comprises an electrically driven suction fan.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which the electric motor can be operated either by a manual switch or by a switch which is actuated when the seat of the toilet is lowered or by a person sitting upon the seat.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which the motor has a variable speed control.

8. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the outlet ducting exhausts to atmosphere by means of the outlet ducting extending through an opening in the toilet.

9. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1-7 in which the outlet ducting is connected to the overflow pipe of the toilet.

10. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a disinfecting and/or a deodorising filter.

11. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including sealing means attached to the undersurface of the seat of a toilet.

12. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including means for washing and drying the toilet user whilst the toiler user remains seated.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 in which the washing and drying apparatus includes a water heater and an air heater having at least in part a common conduit which terminates in a discharge nozzle.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13 and which also includes an air pump and valve means to control the flow of extracted air and the flow of washing water and drying air.

15. Odour removal apparatus constructed and arranged for use and operation substantially as herein described, and with reference to Figures 1 to 5, and 6 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.