ODOURLESS TOILET

Abstract: An apparatus for removing odoriferous air from a flushable toilet (1) comprises air passage means (17) having an inlet (18) for disposing in or adjacent to the toilet bowl, support means (26) for maintaining the inlet in position, coupling means (25) for coupling an outlet (23) of the air passage means to a drain or sewer pipe (6) so as to bypass a U-bend (4) of the toilet, air extractor means (22) for drawing air from the toilet bowl along the air passage means to the drain or sewer pipe, and air flow control means, conveniently in the form of a variable liquid seal in a U-shaped portion (20) of the air passage means, piston and cylinder means being provided for enabling the air passage means to be alternated between a closed condition in which air is prevented from flowing from the outlet to the inlet and an open condition in which air may flow freely from the inlet to the outlet. A toilet (1) incorporating such apparatus for removing odoriferous air is also claimed. In a preferred embodiment the action of the air flow control means is linked to the action of the toilet lid.

Description: of the main waste outlet of the toilet, the drain or sewer pipe, and the outlet of the air passage means. The support means may be in the form of attachment means for directly affixing the air passage means to part of the toilet or alternatively in the form of a base portion which rests on a floor or surface on which the toilet is situated in proximity thereto. The apparatus may be retro-fitted to a conventional flushable toilet or may, alternatively be integrally incorporated within a flushable toilet. According to a second aspect the invention comprises a flushable toilet having a toilet bowl which is connected to a main waste outlet by a generally U-shaped passage, wherein the toilet further includes air passage means having an inlet disposed in or substantially adjacent to an odour holding space substantially within the toilet bowl, so that an induced air flow exhausted through said inlet is drawn substantially from within said odour holding space, and an outlet connected to the main waste outlet so that the air passage means effectively by-passes the generally U-shaped passage, air extractor means for drawing air from the odour holding space into the inlet, along the air passage means and out of the outlet thereof, and air flow control means for enabling the air passage means to be alternated, in use of the toilet, between a closed condition in which air is substantially prevented from flowing from the outlet of the air passage means to the inlet and an open condition in which air may flow substantially freely from the inlet to the outlet of the air passage means. In use, the main waste outlet of the toilet is connected to a drain or sewer pipe such that air which flows from the inlet to the outlet, in the open condition of the air passage means, is expelled directly to the drain or sewer. The air extractor means is preferably located within the air passage means, most preferably between the inlet and the outlet. The air extractor means may conveniently comprise a fan, driven by a motor. Extractor control means may also be provided for enabling a user to control operation of the air extractor means . The extractor control means may be in the form of a manual switch for enabling the user to switch the fan motor on and off. Preferably, though, the air extractor control means is formed and arranged for automatically controlling operation of the extractor for activation thereof in response to odour generating events . Thus for example sensor means may be provided in a seat of the toilet for sensing a user sitting on the seat and generating a control signal in response thereto. Alternatively, the sensor means may be disposed on a lid which may rest on a seat of the toilet and the sensor means may generate a control signal when the lid is lifted up off the seat. The sensor means may be connected to a micro switch which switches the extractor motor on in response to the signal generated by the sensor means . Preferably the extractor control means is formed and arranged so that the extractor fan motor remains on until after the toilet has been flushed. A timer device and/or further sensor means may be provided for the fan motor, the further sensor means being adapted to detect a suitable event such as the toilet being flushed and to generate a signal in response thereto, which signal may be used to start a timer for providing a predetermined delay before the fan motor is switched off after flushing of the toilet. Another advantage of the invention is that a relatively low- voltage fan may be used for the air extraction means since the power necessary to extract air from the toilet bowl is much less that that which would be required for a room ventilation or extraction system to perform effective odour extraction. This is particularly advantageous in view of the safety restrictions often placed on the use of electrical equipment in bathrooms and washrooms . The air flow control means may comprise a mechanical device such as a valve or shutter means for enabling the air passage means to be closed. Conveniently the air flow control means comprises liquid seal means in the form of a U-bend or like formation in the air passage means, into which varying levels of liquid may be introduced for alternatively providing sealing and non-sealing of the air passage means by means of, for example, a fluid displacement device such as a piston and cylinder means. This allows the liquid level to be controlled remotely from the air passage means via a suitable fluid line between the U-bend and the piston and cylinder means. The odour holding space is generally defined substantially by the toilet bowl and the posterior of a user seated on the toilet so as to substantially seal an upper open end of the toilet bowl. In one preferred form of the invention a seat of the toilet may be provided with wall or flange means for defining an air channel between the seat and an upper rim of the toilet bowl. The air channel may constitute an extended fluid communication means between the interior of the toilet bowl and the inlet of the air passage means . In this embodiment the odour holding space is defined between the toilet bowl, the seat of the toilet, and a user seated on the toilet seat. In use, during operation of the air extractor means, air in the toilet bowl may be drawn into the channel, along the channel, and into the inlet of the air passage means. Air in the toilet bowl may continue to be drawn into the channel even when the user is no longer seated on the toilet . The piston means may be moved between a retracted position in which the piston and cylinder means define a first chamber and an extended position in which the piston and cylinder means define a second, smaller, chamber. Preferably, with the piston means in its extended position, the level of liquid in the U-bend of the air passage means is set at or above a predetermined minimum level. By retaining the piston means in the extended position when the fan is not in use, air flow between the inlet and the outlet of the air passage means may be blocked by liquid in the U-bend so that foul air, i.e. containing unpleasant and unhygienic odours, from the drain or sewer cannot pass from the outlet of the air passage means, to the inlet, and hence into the toilet bowl and its surrounding atmosphere. The U-bend of the air passage means and the liquid therein may thus provide an air-trap between the drain or sewer to which the main waste outlet of the toilet is connected, and the inlet of the air passage means. Preferably with the piston means in its retracted position the level of liquid in the U-bend of the air passage means is set below the predetermined minimum level . By retaining the piston means in the retracted position during operation of the fan, air may flow substantially freely between the inlet and the outlet of the air passage means . The piston means may be manually controlled. Optionally, electrical connection means may be provided between the air extractor means and the piston means for automatic control of the piston means. The electrical connection means may include drive means for moving the piston means between its extended and retracted positions and/or means which operate to ensure that the piston is automatically returned to its extended position when the motor driven fan is switched off. Alternatively, linkage means may be provided between the piston means and the lid of the toilet, the linkage means being formed and arranged so as to move the piston means to its retracted position when the lid is lifted off the seat and moved to a substantially upright position and to move the piston means to its extended position when the lid is closed i.e. replaced on the seat. This arrangement encourages the user to close the lid after use of the toilet which procedure is known to be more hygienic, particularly when the lid is closed prior to flushing of the toilet. Conveniently, means may be provided which render the toilet incapable of being flushed unless the lid is closed. The liquid introduced into the air passage means for sealing thereof may be water from a tank of the toilet . A tube or pipe may be provided for introducing liquid to the air passage means . The tube or pipe may have one end which is connected to the fluid line between the piston and cylinder means and the U-bend of the air passage means, and another end which is formed and arranged for connection, in use, to a section of the toilet through which water flows from the tank when the toilet is flushed. Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Fig. 1 is a rear view of a toilet showing, in cross-section, an apparatus for removing odours ; Fig. 2 is a side view of the toilet of Fig. 1, where a main body of the toilet is shown as a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2A of Fig. 1 and the apparatus for remaining odours is shown as a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2B of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a detailed view of a ringed portion X of the toilet of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a rear view of a toilet according to a further embodiment of the invention; Fig .5 is a detailed view of an arrangement for driving a pulley incorporated in the toilet of Fig.4; Fig.6 is a detailed view of a U-bend portion of an odour removing apparatus for a toilet according to a further possible embodiment; and Fig.7 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of Fig.4, incorporating a modification to the apparatus. A toilet 1 incorporating odour-removing apparatus is shown in Figs . 1 and 2. A main body 2 of the toilet includes a toilet bowl 3 having a lower portion which integrally incorporates a conventional "U-bend" section 4 leading to a main outlet 5 which is connected to a drain pipe 6 built into a building in which the toilet is installed, as shown in Fig. 2. The toilet bowl 3 has an upper rim 7 and an orifice 8 towards which a pipe section 9 of the toilet leads, through which pipe section 9 water from a tank (not shown) of the toilet flows when the toilet is flushed, said water passing through the orifice 8 into the toilet bowl 3. A generally annular seat 10 is provided on the toilet and is hingedly connected to the main body 2 by a hinge 13 at a rear portion 15 of the seat. A flange 11 is provided on an underside of the seat, radially outwardly of an overhanging lip 12 of the seat, as shown in detail in Fig. 3. The flange 11 extends towards the upper rim 7 of the toilet bowl when the seat 10 rests upon the toilet bowl 3, a small clearance of approximately 1 to 2 millimetres being provided between the upper rim 7 and the flange. The flange 11 extends partially around the generally annular seat 10 so as to form an open- sided channel 14 between the upper rim 7 of the toilet bowl, the overhanging lip 12 of the seat, and the flange 11, as shown in Fig. 3. When a user is seated on the toilet seat an odour holding space is defined by the toilet bowl 3 , the seat 10 with flange 11, and the user's posterior. A gap in the flange 11 is provided adjacent the rear, hinged portion 15 of the seat 10 thus forming a channel exit 16. Air passage means is provided in the form of ducting 17. An inlet 18 is located in an upper end 19 of the ducting and is disposed directly adjacent the channel exit 16. A lower portion 20 of the ducting is of substantially U-shaped side cross-section, forming a U-bend in the ducting, as shown clearly in Fig. 1. The ducting 17 extends from the inlet 18 in the upper end 19, down into the lower U-bend 20 and up towards a box section 21 in which is housed a motor-driven fan 22, the box section 21 incorporating an outlet end 24 of the ducting housing having an outlet 23 which opens into the hollow interior of a connecting pipe section 25 which connects the main outlet 5 of the toilet bowl to the drain pipe 6. A base portion 26 of the U-shaped portion 20 of the ducting rests on a floor or surface S on which the toilet is supported, and incorporates a first orifice 27. A generally horizontal tube or duct 28 links the first orifice 27 to a second orifice 29 in a side wall of a hollow housing 30, as shown in Fig. 1. A piston or plunger in the form of a float 31 connected to a screw-threaded shaft 32 is provided with the housing. The float 31 is slidable within the housing 30, a clearance of approximately 1mm being provided between the float and the sides of the housing. The screw-headed shaft is mounted in a corresponding threaded portion of a roof of the housing and an upper end of the shaft is provided with a handle 33 for enabling a user to rotate the shaft so as to cause the float 31 to be moved up or down. In -loan alternative embodiment the shaft may be driven by an electric motor. A generally tubular vessel 35 is provided for enabling water 5 to be introduced into the ducting 17. The vessel 35 has an upper open end 36 connected to the pipe section 9 of the toilet through which water flows into the toilet bowl when the toilet is flushed, and a lower, narrowed, open end 37 connected to the generally horizontal tube 28. When the 10 toilet is flushed by a user, the vessel 35 fills with water which gradually flows out of the narrowed end 37 into the generally horizontal tube 28, and hence into the U-bend 20 via the orifice 27 and into the hollow housing 30 via the orifice 29. The level of water W in the U-shaped portion will rise 15 until it reaches a maximum level L_ at which level an overflow outlet 38 is provided in one arm 39 of the U-bend having its upper end in communication with the box section 21 containing the fan 22. The overflow outlet 38 is linked to the connecting pipe section 25 so that excess water flowing into 20 the ducting thereafter will flow to the drain (until the vessel 35 is empty) . As shown in Fig. 1, at the maximum water level LI the water in the U-bend effectively blocks the ducting so as to prevent air flow from the outlet 23 (connected to the drain pipe) to the inlet 18 at the upper end 2519 of the ducting, thus preventing unpleasant and unhygenic odours from the drain from escaping into the toilet bowl and the surrounding environment . Before performing odour extraction a user must ensure that the float 31 of the piston is positioned in a predetermined depressed position, in which 30 the piston and the hollow housing define a chamber 40 of volume VI and the lower surface 41 of the float is positioned at a level L3 , as shown in Fig. 1. A sensor (not shown) is fixed to an underside of the toilet lid (not shown) which is hingedly connected to the toilet and the sensor is electronically connected to an electric motor (not shown) which drives the fan 22. When a person raises the lid from a resting position on the toilet seat, the sensor generates a signal which activates a microswitch (not shown) to switch the fan on. To perform odour extraction the user must move the float to a fully retracted position, indicated in dotted lines in Fig. l, so as to increase the volume of the chamber 40 to a larger volume V2. Water previously displaced by the float is now no longer displaced and so the water level in the U-bend (and the chamber 40) drops. The predetermined depressed position of the piston, and also the volume of the float, are chosen so as to ensure that when the float is moved to its fully retracted position the water level in the U-bend drops below the "arms" of the U-bend to a level L2 (indicated in dotted lines in Fig. l) so as to open the ducting to allow air to flow from the inlet 18 to the outlet 23. With the fan rotating, air in the toilet bowl 3 is drawn upwardly into the channel 14, along the channel, through the channel exit 16 into the ducting 17 (via the inlet 18 therein) , down the ducting, round the U-bend of the ducting and upwardly towards the fan, from where the air passes to the outlet 23 and hence to the drain pipe 6, as shown by the arrows in Figs. 1 and 2. Odour extraction can be halted at any time by returning the float 31 to its predetermined depressed position so as to displace the water in the housing and the U-bend in order to re-close the ducting 17 to air flow between the inlet and outlet . A timer (not shown) is electrically connected to the motor which drives the fan 22 and a sensor is also provided for sensing when the toilet is flushed by the user and activating the timer which operates to switch off the fan motor after a predetermined period. In an alternative embodiment, the position of the float 31 is automatically controlled by an electric motor which drives the piston shaft 32 and which is electrically linked to the drive motor of the fan and/or the sensor on the toilet lid, so that the float is raised to its retracted position when the fan is on and lowered to its extended position when the fan is off. The capacity of the vessel 35 is sufficiently large that, should a user forget to return the float 31 to its depressed position after use, or should the automatic electrical control (where provided) of the float position fail, there is enough water in the vessel to ensure that the water level in the U- bend 20 of the ducting will always return to its maximum level LI. The apparatus thus incorporates an integral safety mechanism to ensure that the air-trap provided by the U-bend of the air passage means (and liquid therein) is operational when the air extractor means is not in use, even if the user forgets to reset the piston to its extended position. A further modified embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. Similar parts to the parts shown in the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 3 are labeled with like reference numerals. In this embodiment the hollow housing 30 contains a plunger 50 which is mechanically connected to a hinge 52 connecting a lid (not shown) of the toilet to the main body 2 of the toilet. The plunger 50 is shown in Fig. 4 in its lowermost position in which the water in the U-bend 20 of the ducting 17 is at its maximum level Ll. This is the position of the plunger when the toilet lid is in its closed position. The plunger 50 is of hollow, generally tubular form with a base 51 incorporating a first steel plate 53 on an inner surface thereof. As in the Figs.1-3 embodiment, there is a clearance of approximately 1mm between the plunger and the sides of the housing 30. As shown in Fig.4, a first electromagnet 54, while in an activated or v on' condition, magnetically links the plunger 50, via the first steel plate 53, to one end of a toothed pulley belt 55 which belt passes over a pulley 56, the other end of the belt 55 being connected (by means of a screw 56) to a pulley-driving arrangement 57, illustrated in detail in Fig. 5, for lifting and lowering the plunger 50. The pulley-driving arrangement 57 comprises a cam 58 fixed to the toilet lid hinge 52 so as to rotate therewith. The cam 58 drives a pivoting quadrant 59 which guides the pulley belt 55 over the pulley 56. The invention operates as follows. When the toilet lid is raised initially, the cam 58 rotates to a position in which it contacts a microswitch 60 (shown in Fig.5) attached to the toilet body 2 and electrically connected to the fan motor for driving the fan 22, the microswitch thereupon switching on the fan motor at a low speed setting and activating the electromagnet 54. Further rotation of the cam 58 as the toilet lid is raised to its fully open position causes the quadrant 59 to pivot about its pivot point 62 so as to pull the pulley belt 55 upwardly so as to raise the plunger 50, thus allowing the water level in the U-bend 20 to lower sufficiently to allow air flow therethrough. A second steel plate 63 fixed to an upper end of the plunger 50, contacts a second electromagnet 64 (also activated when the toilet lid is raised initially) attached to an interior surface of the housing 30 when the toilet seat reaches its fully open position. The fan motor remains on as long as the toilet lid is open. The toilet is designed so that it cannot be flushed until the toilet lid has been closed. (It will be appreciated that this can be achieved in various ways, for example a mechanical stop which prevents the toilet flushing handle from being depressed unless the lid has been closed) . When the toilet lid is closed, the cam 58 loses contact with the microswitch 60, and the fan motor is electrically configured or adapted so that this action switches the fan motor to a full power, higher speed setting. The fan motor remains on in this full power setting until the toilet has been flushed and the toilet cistern (not shown) has refilled. A water level sensor (not shown) is located in the toilet cistern and is linked electrically to the fan motor, the sensor being arranged electrically to switch off the fan 22 when the cistern has refilled to a predetermined water level. The electrical system is also designed so that when the fan motor is switched off, the power to the second electromagnet 64 is also switched off. The second electromagnet 64 therefore de-activates and releases the plunger 54 which drops back down to its lowermost position, the U-bend consequently being returned to its sealed condition with the water at the maximum level LI. The plunger may incorporate one or more lead weights to ensure that it will drop back down to its lowermost position shown in Fig. 4. The importance of having the two electromagnets 54 and 64 is so that, should an electrical power failure occur and the toilet lid has been left in its raised, open condition (with the undesirable result that the fan stops working while the U-bend 20 of the ducting is open and "unsealed"), both electromagnets are de-activated and the plunger 50 thus drops back down to its lowermost position, so as to seal the U-bend 20. In order to compensate for any water evaporation which takes place over time, the amount of water in the ducting 17 is automatically topped up as necessary every time the toilet is flushed. This is achieved by means of a thin pipe 65 connecting the horizontal tube 28 (instead of the vessel 35 in Fig.l) of the ducting to the pipe section 9 through which water passes from the cistern when the toilet is flushed. Excess water drains to the main outlet 5 of the toilet via the overflow outlet 38, as in the previously described embodiment. A further, alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Fig.6 which shows an alternative arrangement in the ducting 17 for providing an air trap between the toilet bowl and the main outlet 5, connected to the drain, when the fan 22 is not switched on. As shown in Fig.6, instead of the water-seal air trap and piston/plunger arrangements as used in the embodiments of Figs. 1-5, a mechanical sealing means in the form of a movable flap 70 is disposed in the ducting 17. The flap 70 is mechanically linked to the toilet lid 72, via a rod 71 connected to the toilet lid hinge 73 as shown, so that when the lid 72 is closed the flap is disposed in sealing engagement with the walls of the ducting 17, at the U-bend 20 therein, as shown in Fig.6, so that the ducting is sealed against free air flow therethrough. A rubber seal 74 may be provided on the flap 70, adjacent the edges thereof, to assist in achieving the necessary sealing engagement . When the toilet lid is opened, the rod 71 moves the flap 70 (by pivoting the flap about a pivotal mounting 75 thereof on the ducting 17) to its open position, shown in broken lines in Fig.6, in which air can flow freely through the ducting 17 from the toilet bowl to the drain pipe 6. The movable flap arrangement thus acts as a valve means for controlling air flow through the ducting 17. Again, the toilet is designed so that it cannot be flushed until the lid 72 has been closed. On/off operation of the fan motor is controlled by microswitches and/or other electrical sensors linked to the lid hinge 72 and in the cistern of the toilet, in a similar manner to the embodiments of Figs. 5 and 6. As a safety precaution, the arrangement may also include a return spring attached between the flap 70 and the ducting 17 and the rod 71 may incorporate an electromagnetic clutch device or catch arranged so that, should a power failure occur which stops the fan while the toilet lid is up, the electromagnetic clutch device or catch is deactivated, allowing the rod 71 to bend and the flap 70 to be returned to its closed position under the action of the return spring. A possible variation of the embodiment of Fig.6 would be to use a compressible, resilient flap, for example a "sponge" flap in the ducting 17 which is arranged so as to seal or open the U-bend 20 in the ducting 17 against air flow therethrough when the toilet lid is closed or opened respectively. It will no doubt be appreciated that the odour removing apparatus in the above-described embodiments, illustrated in Figs.1-6, is designed for retro-fitting to a conventional flushable toilet. However, the toilet could, alternatively, be manufactured with the odour removing apparatus integrally incorporated therein. It will be appreciated that further modifications and variations to the above described embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, a problem could occur with the embodiment of Fig.4 if a power cut takes place (for any reason) while the toilet lid is up and as a result both the electromagnets 54 and 64 are de-activated, causing the plunger 50 to drop down inside the housing 30 (so as to "seal" the U-bend as above-described) . If the power then comes back on, a user may not realise that a power cut has occurred since he/she will hear the fan motor working and may assume everything is working normally (and therefore odour extraction is being carried out) when in fact the U-bend 20 of the ducting 17 is blocked by water. In order to avoid this problem the apparatus may incorporate an additional microswitch 80 (illustrated in Fig.7) between the first electromagnet 54 and the first steel plate 53 on the plunger, which is incorporated in the electrical circuit via which power is supplied to the fan motor. The microswitch 80 5 is arranged such that any separation of the first electromagnet 54 and the first steel plate 53 thus breaks the electrical circuit supplying power to the fan motor. When the power cut is over, the user must replace the toilet lid on the bowl 3 (thus restoring contact between the first electromagnet 1054 and first steel plate 53, which in turn causes the microswitch to restore the power supply to the fan) and then lift it up again in order to re-activate the odour extraction apparatus. (It will be appreciated that all the electromagnets and microswitches in this and the above-described embodiments 15 are powered from the mains supply, preferably via a transformer e.g. a 12V transformer.) In a further possible embodiment of the invention, the hollow housing 30 and plunger 50 arrangement, and the horizontal tube 2028 connecting the hollow housing 30 to the ducting 17, are effectively replaced by a movable chamber and flexible tube, the chamber being movable up and down with respect to the ducting 17 in order to change the water level in the U-bend of the ducting 17. The movable chamber is designed to be lifted 25 up and down by a user, or alternatively by a suitable electrical or mechanical driving arrangement , which may be linked to movement of the toilet lid. The chamber is sealed, with only a single inlet/outlet which is connected to one end of the flexible pipe the other end of which is connected to an 30 outlet in the U-bend portion 20 of the ducting 17. The ducting 17 is formed and arranged such that said inlet/outlet of the chamber can be lowered sufficiently below the height of this outlet in the ducting that enough water will flow from the ducting, via the flexible pipe, into the movable chamber, to cause the water level in the U-bend 20 of the ducting to fall low enough to allow air flow therethrough to the main outlet 5 connected to the drain pipe 6. The movable chamber can then be raised up by a sufficient amount to cause the water level in the U-bend 20 to rise up sufficiently to block the U-bend to prevent air flow therethrough. It will be appreciated that where the chamber is to be moved manually by a user, the chamber may have a handle or other means for lifting it and may, for example, be mounted on a screw-threaded shaft in a housing or other support so that the user may move the chamber up and down in a similar manner to the way the float 31 is moved up and down in the Fig.l embodiment. The housing or other support may have visual markings thereon indicating to the user the required positions to which the chamber needs to be moved to block or un-block the U-bend in the ducting 17. (In this embodiment the function of the vessel 35 in Fig.l or the pipe 65 in Fig.4 would be performed by a similar vessel or pipe having its lower end connected directly to a suitable portion of the ducting 17.) In another possible embodiment, similar to the embodiment described with reference to Fig.6, a mechanical valve means in the form of a so-called "durgo" valve (commonly used in many plumbing applications) could be used to open and close the ducting 17 to air flow therethrough. The durgo valve comprises a rubber flap approximately l/8th inch thick which is disposed in the ducting 17 at a position between the inlet 18 and outlet 23 thereof, and which has a normally closed position in which the ducting 17 is blocked such that air cannot flow therethrough. When the fan 22 is turned on, the pressure arising due to the flow of air created thereby is sufficient to force the rubber flap into an open position in which air may flow freely to the outlet 23. When the fan is turned off the durgo valve returns to its normal closed position. In a further modification to any of the above-described embodiments, the fan 22 may be positioned at a different location in the ducting 17, which may itself be of a different shape to that shown in Figs. 1-2 and Fig.4. The downstream arm of the U-bend in the ducting 17 might, for example, extend further up towards the toilet lid and the fan may be disposed towards the top of this arm, the ducting having a portion extending from there back down to the pipe section 25 connecting the main outlet 5 of the toilet bowl 3 to the drain pipe 6. Furthermore, the ducting could be formed and arranged such that the inlet 18 thereof is disposed lower down in relation to the toilet bowl. The inlet 17 may, for example, be located just behind or underneath the rim 7 of the bowl 3. This would minimise, or substantially avoid, the possibility of any undesirable liquids or foreign matter entering the ducting 17 via the inlet 18 thereof in use of the toilet. International Bureau INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERAΗON TREATY (PCT) (51) International Patent Classification 6 (11) International Publication Number: WO 98/41702 E03D 9/052 Al (43) International Publication Date: 24 September 1998 (24.09.98) (21) International Application Number: PCT/GB98/00755 (81) Designated States: AU, CA, GB, US, European patent (AT, BE, CH, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, (22) International Filing Date: 12 March 1998 (12.03.98) NL, PT, SE). (30) Priority Data: Published 9705328.4 14 March 1997 (14.03.97) GB With international search report. (71)(72) Applicant and Inventor: TOPEN, John, Swan [GB/GB]; Saddler's Cottage, Inchture, Perthshire PH14 9RN (GB). (74) Agents: McCALLUM, William, Potter et al.; Cruikshank & Fairweather, 19 Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow Gl 3AE (GB). (54) Title: ODOURLESS TOILET (57) Abstract An apparatus for removing odoriferous air from a flushable toilet (1) comprises air passage means (17) having an inlet (18) for disposing in or adjacent to the toilet bowl, support means (26) for maintaining the inlet in position, coupling means (25) for coupling an outlet (23) of the air passage means to a drain or sewer pipe (6) so as to bypass a U-bend (4) of the toilet, air extractor means (22) for drawing air from the toilet bowl along the air passage means to the drain or sewer pipe, and air flow control means, conveniently in the form of a variable liquid seal in a U-shaped portion (20) of the air passage means, piston and cylinder means being provided for enabling the air passage means to be alternated between a closed condition in which air is prevented from flowing from the outlet to the inlet and an open condition in which air may flow freely from the inlet to the outlet. A toilet (1) incorporating such apparatus for removing odoriferous air is also claimed. In a preferred embodiment the action of the air flow control means is linked to the action of the toilet lid. FOR THE PURPOSES OF INFORMATION ONLY Codes used to identify States party to the PCT on the front pages 3f pamphlets publishing international applications under the PCT. AL Albania ES Spain LS Lesotho SI Slovenia AM Armenia FI Finland LT Lithuania SK Slovakia AT Austria FR France LU Luxembourg SN Senegal AU Australia GA Gabon LV Latvia SZ Swaziland AZ Azerbaijan GB United Kingdom MC Monaco TD Chad BA Bosnia and Herzegovina GE Georgia MD Republic of Moldova TG Togo BB Barbados GH Ghana MG Madagascar TJ Tajikistan BE Belgium GN Guinea MK The former Yugoslav TM Turkmenistan BF Burkina Faso GR Greece Republic of Macedonia TR Turkey BG Bulgaria HU Hungary ML Mali T Trinidad and Tobago BJ Benin IE Ireland MN Mongolia UA Ukraine BR Brazil IL Israel MR Mauritania UG Uganda BY Belarus IS Iceland MW Malawi US United States of America CA Canada IT Italy MX Mexico UZ Uzbekistan CF Central African Republic JP Japan NE Niger VN Viet Nam CG Congo KE Kenya NL Netherlands YU Yugoslavia CH Switzerland KG Kyrgyzstan NO Norway ZW Zimbabwe CI Cδte d'lvoire KP Democratic People's NZ New Zealand CM Cameroon Republic of Korea PL Poland CN China KR Republic of Korea PT Portugal CU Cuba KZ Kazakstan RO Romania CZ Czech Republic LC Saint Lucia RU Russian Federation DE Germany LI Liechtenstein SD Sudan DK Denmark LK Sri Lanka SE Sweden EE Estonia LR Liberia SG Singapore CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for removing odoriferous air from a flushable toilet (1) having a toilet bowl (3) which is connected to a 5 main waste outlet (5) of the toilet by a generally U-shaped passage (4) , said main waste outlet (5) being connected to a drain or sewer pipe (6) , the apparatus comprising air passage means (17) having an inlet (18) and outlet (23) , the inlet (18) being formed and arranged so as to be disposable, in use, 0 in or substantially directly adjacent to an odour holding space substantially within the toilet bowl (3) so that an induced air flow exhausted through said inlet is drawn substantially from within said odour holding space, support means (26) for maintaining the inlet (18) in position in or 15 substantially adjacent to the odour holding space, coupling means (25) for coupling the outlet of the air passage means to the drain or sewer pipe so as to effectively by-pass the generally U-shaped passage (4) of the toilet (1) , air extractor means (22) for drawing air from the odour holding 0 space into the inlet (18) , along the air passage means (17) and out of the outlet (23) thereof, into the drain or sewer pipe, and air flow control means (20,30,31) for enabling the air passage means (17) to be alternated, in use of the apparatus, between a closed condition in which air is 5 substantially prevented from flowing from the outlet (23) of the air passage means to the inlet (18) and an open condition in which air may flow substantially freely from the inlet to the outlet of the air passage means. 302. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the coupling means is in the form of a pipe connector means (25) having three orifices for connection to respective ones of the main waste outlet (5) of the toilet, the drain or sewer pipe (6) , and the outlet (23) of the air passage means (17) . 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the support means is in the form of a base portion of the air passage means, for resting on a surface in proximity to the toilet. 4. A flushable toilet (1) having a toilet bowl (3) which is connected to a main waste outlet (5) by a generally U-shaped passage (4) , wherein the toilet further includes air passage means (17) having an inlet (18) disposed in or substantially adjacent to an odour holding space substantially within the toilet bowl (3), so that an induced air flow exhausted through said inlet is drawn substantially from within said odour holding space, and an outlet (23) connected to the main waste outlet (5) so that the air passage means effectively by-passes the generally U-shaped passage (4) , air extractor means (22) for drawing air from the odour holding space into the inlet (18) , along the air passage means (17) and out of the outlet (23) thereof, and air flow control means (20,30,31) for enabling the air passage means to be alternated, in use of the toilet, between a closed condition in which air is substantially prevented from flowing from the outlet (23) of the air passage means to the inlet (18) and an open condition in which air may flow substantially freely from the inlet to the outlet of the air passage means. 5. A flushable toilet according to claim 4, wherein the toilet includes a toilet seat (10) provided with flange means (11) defining an air channel (14) between the seat and an upper rim (7) of the toilet bowl (3) , said air channel constituting an extended fluid communication means between the interior of the toilet bowl and said inlet (18) of the air passage means (17) . 6. A flushable toilet according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein said extractor control means comprises sensor means disposed on a lid which rests on a seat (10) of the toilet (1), the sensor means being adapted to generate a control signal when the lid is lifted up off the seat, for activating the air extractor means (22) . 5 7. Apparatus, or a flushable toilet, according to any preceding claim, further including extractor control means for enabling a user to control operation of the air extractor means . 10 8. Apparatus, or a flushable toilet, according to any preceding claim, wherein said air extractor means (22) is located within the air passage means (17) between the inlet (18) and the outlet (23) thereof. 15 9. Apparatus, or a flushable toilet, according to any preceding claim, wherein the air extractor means comprises a motor-driven fan (22). 2010. Apparatus, or a flushable toilet, according to any preceding claim, wherein said air flow control means comprises mechanical valve means (70) . 11. Apparatus, or a flushable toilet, according to any of 25 claims 1 to 9, wherein said air flow control means comprises liquid seal means (20) . 12. Apparatus, or a flushable toilet, according to claim 11, wherein said liquid seal means is in the form of a U-bend (20) 30 in the air passage means (17) into which varying levels (L1,L2) of liquid may be introduced for alternatively providing sealing and non- sealing of the air passage means. 13. Apparatus, or a flushable toilet, according to claim 12, further including fluid displacement means (30,31) for controlling the level of fluid in the U-bend (20) in the air passage means . 14. Apparatus, or a flushable toiler, according to claim 13, wherein said fluid displacement means comprises a movable container in fluid communication with, and movable relative to, the U-bend in the air passage means. 15. Apparatus, or a flushable toilet, according claim 13, wherein said fluid displacement means comprises a piston (31,50) and cylinder means (30) for controlling remotely the liquid level in said U-bend (20) of the air passage means via a suitable fluid line (28) provided between the U-bend and the piston and cylinder means. 16. Apparatus, or a flushable toilet, according to claim 15, wherein said piston means (31,50) may be moved between a retracted position in which the piston and cylinder means sets the level of liquid in the U-bend (20) of the air passage means at at least as high as a predetermined minimum level at or above which air is unable to flow substantially freely between the inlet (18) and the outlet (23) of the air passage means, and a retracted position in which the piston and cylinder means sets the level of liquid in the U-bend of the air passage means below said predetermined level whereby air may flow substantially freely between the inlet and the outlet of the air passage means. 17. Apparatus, or a flushable toilet, according to claim 16, wherein linkage means (52,57,55) is provided for linking the piston means (50) and a lid of the toilet (1) , the linkage means being formed and arranged so as to move the piston means to its retracted position when the lid is lifted off a seat (10) of the toilet and moved to a substantially upright position, and to move the piston means to its extended position when the lid is closed by replacing it on the seat. 18. Apparatus, or a flushable toilet, according to claim 17, wherein said piston means (50) comprises a plunger portion (50) linked, in use, to a pulley means (57) by activated electromagnetic means (54) whereby if said electromagnetic means is de-activated said plunger portion (5) separates from the pulley means . 19. Apparatus, or a flushable toilet, according to any of claims 11 to 18, further including conduit means (35,65) for introducing water into the U-bend (20) of the air passage means (17) .

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for removing odoriferous air from a flushable toilet (1) having a toilet bowl (3) which is connected to a main waste outlet (5) of the toilet by a generally U-shaped passage (4), said main waste outlet (5) being connected to a drain or sewer pipe (6), the apparatus comprising air passage means (17) having an inlet (18) and outlet (23), the inlet (18) being formed and arranged so as to be disposable, in use, in or substantially directly adjacent to an odour holding space substantially within the toilet bowl (3) so that an induced air flow exhausted through said inlet is drawn substantially from within said odour holding space, support means (26) for maintaining the inlet (18) in position in or substantially adjacent to the odour holding space, coupling means (25) for coupling the outlet of the air passage means to the drain or sewer pipe so as to effectively by-pass the generally U-shaped passage (4) of the toilet (1), air extractor means (22) for drawing air from the odour holding space into the inlet (18), along the air passage means (17) and out of the outlet (23) thereof, into the drain or sewer pipe, and air flow control means (20,30,31) for enabling the air passage means (17) to be alternated, in use of the apparatus, between a closed condition in which air is substantially prevented from flowing from the outlet (23) of the air passage means to the inlet (18) and an open condition in which air may flow substantially freely from the inlet to the outlet of the air passage means. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the coupling means is in the form of a pipe connector means (25) having three orifices for connection to respective ones of the main waste outlet (5) of the toilet, the drain or sewer pipe (6), and the outlet (23) of the air passage means (17). <Desc/Clms Page number 21> 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the support means is in the form of a base portion of the air passage means, for resting on a surface in proximity to the toilet. 4. A flushable toilet (1) having a toilet bowl (3) which is connected to a main waste outlet (5) by a generally U-shaped passage (4), wherein the toilet further includes air passage means (17) having an inlet (18) disposed in or substantially adjacent to an odour holding space substantially within the toilet bowl (3), so that an induced air flow exhausted through said inlet is drawn substantially from within said odour holding space, and an outlet (23) connected to the main waste outlet (5) so that the air passage means effectively by-passes the generally U-shaped passage (4), air extractor means (22) for drawing air from the odour holding space into the inlet (18), along the air passage means (17) and out of the outlet (23) thereof, and air flow control means (20,30,31) for enabling the air passage means to be alternated, in use of the toilet, between a closed condition in which air is substantially prevented from flowing from the outlet (23) of the air passage means to the inlet (18) and an open condition in which air may flow substantially freely from the inlet to the outlet of the air passage means. 5. A flushable toilet according to claim 4, wherein the toilet includes a toilet seat (10) provided with flange means (11) defining an air channel (14)between the seat and an upper rim (7) of the toilet bowl (3), said air channel constituting an extended fluid communication means between the interior of the toilet bowl and said inlet (18) of the air passage means (17). 6. A flushable toilet according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein said extractor control means comprises sensor means disposed <Desc/Clms Page number 22> on a lid which rests on a seat (10) of the toilet(1), the sensor means being adapted to generate a control signal when the lid is lifted up off the seat, for activating the air extractor means (22). 7. Apparatus, or a flushable toilet, according to any preceding claim, further including extractor control means for enabling a user to control operation of the air extractor means. 8. Apparatus, or a flushable toilet, according to any preceding claim, wherein said air extractor means (22) is located within the air passage means (17) between the inlet (18) and the outlet (23)thereof. 9. Apparatus, or a flushable toilet, according to any preceding claim, wherein the air extractor means comprises a motor-driven fan (22). 10. Apparatus, or a flushable toilet, according to any preceding claim, wherein said air flow control means comprises mechanical valve means (70). 11. Apparatus, or a flushable toilet, according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein said air flow control means comprises liquid seal means (20). 12. Apparatus, or a flushable toilet, according to claim 11, wherein said liquid seal means is in the form of a U-bend (20) in the air passage means (17) into which varying levels (L1,L2) of liquid may be introduced for alternatively providing sealing and non-sealing of the air passage means. <Desc/Clms Page number 23> 13. Apparatus, or a flushable toilet, according to claim 12, further including fluid displacement means (30,31) for controlling the level of fluid in the U-bend (20) in the air passage means. 14. Apparatus, or a flushable toiler, according to claim 13, wherein said fluid displacement means comprises a movable container in fluid communication with, and movable relative to, the U-bend in the air passage means. 15. Apparatus, or a flushable toilet, according claim 13, wherein said fluid displacement means comprises a piston (31,50) and cylinder means (30) for controlling remotely the liquid level in said U-bend (20) of the air passage means via a suitable fluid line (28) provided between the U-bend and the piston and cylinder means. 16. Apparatus, or a flushable toilet, according to claim 15, wherein said piston means (31,50) may be moved between a retracted position in which the piston and cylinder means sets the level of liquid in the U-bend (20) of the air passage means at at least as high as a predetermined minimum level at or above which air is unable to flow substantially freely between the inlet (18) and the outlet (23) of the air passage means, and a retracted position in which the piston and cylinder means sets the level of liquid in the U-bend of the air passage means below said predetermined level whereby air may flow substantially freely between the inlet and the outlet of the air passage means. 17. Apparatus, or a flushable toilet, according to claim 16, wherein linkage means (52,57,55) is provided for linking the piston means (50) and a lid of the toilet (1), the linkage means being formed and arranged so as to move the piston means <Desc/Clms Page number 24> to its retracted position when the lid is lifted off a seat (10) of the toilet and moved to a substantially upright position, and to move the piston means to its extended position when the lid is closed by replacing it on the seat. 18. Apparatus, or a flushable toilet, according to claim 17, wherein said piston means (50) comprises a plunger portion (50) linked, in use, to a pulley means (57) by activated electromagnetic means (54) whereby if said electromagnetic means is de-activated said plunger portion (5) separates from the pulley means. 19. Apparatus, or a flushable toilet, according to any of claims 11 to 18, further including conduit means (35,65) for introducing water into the U-bend (20) of the air passage means (17).

Inventors: TOPEN JOHN SWAN, TOPEN, JOHN, SWAN
Applicants: TOPEN JOHN SWAN, TOPEN, JOHN, SWAN
Application year: 1998
Main classification: E03D9
IPC codes: E03D9