GB2387855A

GB2387855A - Ventilation system for a toilet bowl

Info

Publication number: GB2387855A
Application number: GB0209150A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steve Trisic
Original assignee: Gary Malcolm
Current assignee: Gary Malcolm
Priority date: 2002-04-22
Filing date: 2002-04-22
Publication date: 2003-10-29
Also published as: GB0209150D0

Abstract

A toilet system comprises a bowl (4) for receiving material to be disposed of and a gas extraction system wherein said gas extraction system comprises a fluid pathway (36, 34, 32, 38) and means (38) for generating a fluid flow along the fluid pathway between an inlet (36) and outlet of the pathway, the inlet (36) being located in the bowl (4) and the outlet being located remote from the bowl (4). The invention thereby provides an effective means for reducing exposure to obnoxious gases.

Description

A TOILET SYSTEM

The present invention relates to toilet systems.

It is well known for toilet systems to comprise a bowl for receiving body waste materials. The bowl of a conventional toilet system is generally partially filled with water which receives waste material deposited in the bowl so as to assist in maintaining acceptable hygiene levels and reduce undesirable odours. A water tank comprised in the toilet system contains a volume of water which may be used to rinse and clean the bowl and to also displace the water within the bowl together with any waste material deposited therein. Thus, by activating a valve associated with the water tank (i.e. by "flushing" the toilet system), waste material deposited in the bowl may be hygienically removed leaving the toilet system clean and ready for further use.

A problem associated with conventional toilet systems is that, despite the use of water within the bowl itself, unpleasant odours emanating from deposited waste material can render use of the toilet system by a subsequent user a somewhat unpleasant experience. This problem has been partially addressed in the past by the provision of one or more extraction fans mounted in the wall of a room housing the toilet system. However, this approach has had limited success since the extraction fan will be generally located some way from the bowl of the toilet system and, accordingly, is exposed to only a small fraction of odious gas at any one time. As a consequence, the extraction fan must be operated for a prolonged period before undesirable odours are removed from the area surrounding the bowl. It will be frequently the case that a subsequent user will require use of the toilet system before unpleasant odours resulting from a previous use of the toilet system are eliminated.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a toilet having improved means for reducing unpleasant odours.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a toilet comprising a bowl for receiving material to be disposed of and a gas extraction system wherein said gas extraction system comprises a fluid pathway and means for generating a fluid flow

along the fluid pathway between an inlet and outlet of the pathway, the inlet being located in the bowl and the outlet being located remote from the bowl.

Thus, in use of a toilet according to the present invention, gases associated with unpleasant odours emanating from the bowl may be confined to and extracted through a fluid pathway by operation of fluid flow generating means. The extracted gas may therefore be directed to a location remote from the bowl (for example, beyond the perimeter of a room housing the toilet) so that any escape of gases generating an upleasant odour can be minimized.

Preferably, the means for generating a flow comprises a fan or pump. It is also preferable for the inlet of the pathway to open onto a surface of the bowl. The inlet may be located between a seat mounted on the bowl and liquid held in the bowl for receiving material to be disposed of.

A portion of the fluid pathway may be located in a tank containing liquid for use in rinsing the bowl and replacing liquid held in the bowl. Furthermore, a seal is ideally provided between said tank and a lid of said tank for preventing a leaking of gas from the gas extraction system. The means for generating a fluid flow may be located in the tank.

The inlet may comprise one or more apertures located beneath a radially inwardly extending rim of the bowl. Also, means are ideally provided in the fluid pathway for treating gas extracted through the pathway. The means for treating extracted gas may act to modify the smell of said gas.

It is also desirable for switch means to be provided for activating the fluid flow generating means when a seat mounted on the bowl is sat on by a user. The switch means preferably deactivates the fluid flow generating means when a user alights from the seat. Also, it is desirable for the switch means to be arranged so as to deactivate the fluid flow generating means a pre-determined period of time after a user alights from the seat.

Furthermore, a portion of the fluid pathway is preferably defined by an overflow passage for draining excess liquid held in the bowl.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a toilet and ventilation system comprising a toilet as described above wherein switch means for activating the fluid flow generating means comprises a FIR sensor.

Thus, by virtue ofthe position ofthe fluid pathway inlet adjacent the source of any odious gases, a toilet according to the present invention is capable of eliminating unpleasant odours more efficiently and effectively than prior art toilet systems.

An embodiment ofthe present invention will now be described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings in which a schematic cross-sectional view of a toilet system according to the invention is shown.

A toilet system 2 according to the present invention is shown in Figure 1 ofthe accompanying drawings. The toilet system 2 is conventional in that a bowl 4 is hydraulically connected via a flapper valve 6 to a water tank 8. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the bowl 4 is partially filled with water 10 which, in use, may be dispensed via a U- bend pipe 12 to a sewer system. An upper surface ofthe bowl 4 is provided with a seat 14 upon which a user may sit in order to assist with use ofthe toilet system 2. The seat 14 is provided with a lid 16. Furthermore, an upper portion of the bowl 4 is provided with a radially inwardly projecting circumferential rim 18.

In use, water from the water tank 8 is released into the bowl 4 under the action of gravity via a generally circular passageway 20 deemed within the rim 18.

Downwardly projecting apertures 22 in the rim 18 allow water from the water tank 8 to flow from the passageway 20 into the bowl 4 and thereby displace the water 10 already in the bowl into the associated sewer system.

The water tank 8 itself comprises a lid 24 and houses a float and chain mechanism 26 allowing activation of the flapper valve 6 by means of a handle/lever 28 mounted on the tank exterior. On pressing the lever, the chain opens the flapper valve 6 and allows water 30 located within the tank 8 to flow through the passageway 20 and into the bowl 4. As the level of water 30 within the tank 8 falls, the position of the float within the tank 8 also falls. When the float falls to a pre-determined level' the flapper valve 6 closes and the tank 8 is refilled with mains water. As the level of

water within the tank rises, the float also rises until a pre-determined position is achieved at which the introduction of mains water into the tank 8 is ceased. Generally

speaking, a substantial air cavity 32 is maintained between the lid 24 and the upper level of the water within the tank.

The toilet 2 shown in Figure 1 differs from a conventional toilet system in that a gas extraction system is provided to remove odious gases from the bowl 4. The gas extraction system comprises a pipe 34 housed within the water tank 8 and the structure of the bowl 4. More specifically, the pipe serves as a fluid pathway for transporting obnoxious gases from the bowl 4 to a remote location and comprises an inlet 36 opening onto a side ofthe rim 18. If necessary, the fluid pathway provided by pipe 34 may comprise a parality of inlets located circumferentially about the bowl 4. The pipe 34 extends through the passageway 20 and through the tank 8 so as to open into the air cavity 32.

A portion ofthe fluid pathway may also define an overflow passage for excess water held within the bowl 4. Such an arrangement will allow a conventional bowl 4 with an overflow inlet to be incorporated into a toilet according to the present invention without modification. The overflow passage inlet and an associated portion ofthe overflow passage will therefore perform the dual role of providing a means for draining excess water from the bowl 4 and also providing a means for extracting obnoxious gases from the bowl 4. Clearly, these roles cannot be performed simultaneously and, in order to prevent an undesirable drop in pressure within the air cavity 32 when the fan is operating simultaneously with a draining of excess water, a ventilation valve may be provided so as to allow air to flow into the air cavity 32 when the pressure therein drops to a predetermined level.

An extractor fan 38 and duct extends through a side ofthe tank 8 and a wall of the room housing the toilet 2. The ducting provides a fluid pathway from the air cavity 32 to a desired remote location where obnoxious gases can be safely dispersed.

The fan (or any other means for generating a fluid flow within the fluid pathway) may be located within the tank 8 or externally thereof. The location of the fan is such that,

upon operation, the fan reduces the pressure within the air cavity 32 and thereby draws in obnoxious gases from the bowl 4 (as indicated by the broken arrows 40). In order to prevent air from being drawn into the air cavity 32 from around the lid 24 and so as to prevent an undesirable escape of obnoxious gases from the tank 8, a seal (not shown) is provided between the lid 24 and an upper portion of the tank walls abutting the lid 24.

The air cavity 32 may be provided with means for treating the obnoxious gases passing therethrough. These means may be in the form of an air freshener. These means 42 may be mounted to the underside of the lid 24. Thus, obnoxious gases drawn into the air cavity through the pipe 34 may be treated within the tank 8 before being expelled from the tank 8 via the ducting/fan 38.

A switch 44 for switching the fan on and off is provided between the seat 14 and the rim 18. The switch 44 is responsive to pressure exerted by a user sitting on the seat 14. Thus, when a user sits on the seat 14, the fan is turned on so as to extract gas in the bowl via the inlet 36. When the user alights from the seat 14, the pressure switch 44 operates to turn off the fan. It will be apparent to any reader skilled in the art that the turning off of the fan may be delayed for a pre-deterrnined period after a user alights from the seat 14.

Although gases may be extracted from the bowl 4 as indicated by arrows 40, the bowl 4 may be simultaneously "flushed" with tank water 30 as indicated by arrows 46. It will be apparent to a skilled reader that the fan/pump is conveniently driven by means of an electric motor supplied by mains current. Adequate installation will be provided so as to prevent undesirable water penetration. It will also be apparent to a skilled reader that the fan/pump may be operated by means of an alternative or supplemental switch for independent use of the gas extraction system separately from use of the toilet 2. The second switch may be a wall mounted switch (for example, integral with a light switch). Alternatively, the fan/pump may be activated by means of a PIR sensor. This sensor may be mounted on the toilet or elsewhere so that the

ventilation function of the gas extraction system may be automatically switched on when a user moves to a predetermined location (for example, when a user enters a toilet cubicle).

The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment described above. Alternative arrangements will be apparent to a reader skilled in the art. For example, the fluid pathway may be provided with a valve (e.g. a flapper valve) for preventing a reverse flow of fluid within the pathway towards the pathway inlet.

Claims

1. A toilet comprising a bowl for receiving material to be disposed of and a gas extraction system wherein said gas extraction system comprises a fluid pathway and means for generating a fluid flow along the fluid pathway between an inlet and outlet ofthe pathway, the inlet being located in the bowl and the outlet being located remote from the bowl.

2. A toilet as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said means for generating a flow

comprises a fan.

3. A toilet as claimed in Claims 1 or 2, wherein the inlet of the pathway opens onto a surface of the bowl.

4. A toilet as claimed in any ofthe preceding claims, wherein the inlet is located between a seat mounted on the bowl and liquid held in the bowl for receiving material to be disposed of.

5. A toilet as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein a portion of the fluid pathway is located in a tank containing liquid for use in rinsing the bowl and replacing liquid held in the bowl for receiving material to be disposed of.

6. A toilet as claimed in Claim 5, wherein a seal is provided between said tank and a lid of said tank for preventing a leaking of gas from the gas extraction system.

7. A toilet as claimed in Claims 5 or 6, wherein said means for generating a fluid flow is located in said tank.

8. A toilet as claimed in any ofthe preceding claims, wherein the inlet comprises one or more apertures located beneath a radially inwardly extending rim of the bowl.

9. A toilet as claimed in any ofthe preceding claims, wherein means are provided in the fluid pathway for treating gas extracted through the pathway.

10. A toilet as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the means for treating extracted gas acts to modify the smell of said gas.

1 1. A toilet as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein switch means are provided for activating the fluid flow generating means when a seat mounted on the bowl is sat on by a user.

12. A toilet as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the switch means deactivates the fluid flow generating means when a user alights from the seat.

13. A toilet as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the switch means is arranged to deactivate the fluid flow generating means a pre-determined period oftime after a user alights from the seat.

14. A toilet as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein a portion of the fluid pathway is defined by an overflow passage for draining access liquid held in the bowl. l S. A toilet and ventilation system comprising a toilet according to any of the preceding claims, wherein switch means for activating the fluid flow generating means comprises a PIR sensor.