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STATEMENT OF RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/09,3577, filed on Mar. 8, 2002, currently pending and allowed, and will issue as U.S. Pat. No. 6,550,072 on Apr. 22, 2003. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Technical Field  
           [0003]    The present invention generally relates to a toilet bowl ventilation apparatus, and more particularly relates to a bowl ventilation apparatus that can be mounted on or incorporated within the structure of a toilet bowl for the removal of odors generally from a bathroom environment and specifically from the area immediately proximal to the toilet bowl, and which can be activated by a proximity sensor.  
           [0004]    2. Prior Art  
           [0005]    Bathroom fans are a primary method of removing odors in a bathroom environment arising from toilet usage. Typically, these fans draw air nonspecifically from the bathroom environment and either recirculate the drawn air back into the bathroom, sometimes through a filter, or disperse the drawn air in alternative locations or environments. As these fans are usually in ceilings or high up on the wall, it can take a significant amount of time for odors to travel or be drawn from the toilet bowl region to the fan for removal. During this time, the user and subsequent users of the bathroom are exposed to these odors, which can be unpleasant.  
           [0006]    Because bathroom fans can take a significant amount of time to replace, recirculate and/or cleanse the air in a bathroom environment, the user often is forced to open a window to augment odor removal. Although opening a window can help cleanse the air in a bathroom environment, the opening of a window exposes the bathroom to the external environment, subjecting the bathroom and the user to possible extremes in temperature and humidity, depending on the geographic location and the season. Further, additional resources such as electricity or natural gas may need to be expended to heat or cool the bathroom. Further complicating this situation, opening a window could result in dust and allergens entering into the bathroom environment, which can be harmful to some users and/or require the bathroom to be cleaned more often.  
           [0007]    Often, bathroom fans are electrically connected to the light switch such that when the light switch is activated, the fan is activated. This can result in a waste of electricity for the times when the bathroom light is needed, but the fan is not needed. Alternatively, there may be a second switch for the fan alone. However, this requires the user to both remember that there is a second switch to activate the fan, and to actually activate the switch.  
           [0008]    Thus, there is a need for a more efficient apparatus for removing odors from a bathroom environment. There also is a need for such an apparatus to be effective enough to eliminate the need to open a window to augment its odor removing function. There also is a need for an apparatus that can be placed proximal to the toilet bowl to help remove the odors proximal to the toilet bowl before they disperse into the general bathroom environment. Finally, there is a need for a device that addresses the above issues, and others, that is simple and automatic to operate without much if any user intervention. It is to these needs that the present invention is directed.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    Briefly, the present invention is bowl ventilation apparatus for removing odors or fumes proximal to and from within the toilet bowl. The present invention can be mounted proximal to or on the toilet bowl, or the toilet bowl can be structure to incorporate the present invention. In operation and use, the present invention provides an apparatus that helps remove odors close to their source and to keep such odors from spreading into the bathroom environment. The desired result is maintaining a bathroom that is more pleasant to the human olfactory sense. The preferred device has an automatic switch for activating the fan, preferably a proximity sensor or the equivalent.  
           [0010]    More specifically, the present invention comprises an intake duct, an on/off switch, a powered fan, and a dispersing unit. The intake duct in one embodiment is structured to fit in the space between the toilet bowl rim and the toilet seat then the seat is in the closed position. In another embodiment, the intake duct is structurally formed into the toilet bowl rim when the toilet is manufactured. In another embodiment, the intake duct is structured to rest on the flat area generally found between the toilet seat and the water tank for home commodes or the water inlet pipe for institutional commodes.  
           [0011]    The on/off switch can be manual or automatic or a combination of both. If a manual switch is used, it preferably is placed proximal to or on the intake duct for ease of use. If an automatic switch is used, it preferably is placed on the top of the intake duct or proximal and is activated either when the toilet seat is lowered and the user sits on the toilet seat or when the user is proximal enough to the toilet that the user activates the automatic switch. That is, activation can occur when the combined weight of the user and the toilet seat is on the switch, and when the user stands or other wise takes his or her weight off of the toilet seat, the weight of the toilet seat alone is not enough to activate the switch and deactivation occurs. Alternatively, the switch can be structured so that when only the toilet seat is lowered (that is, when only the weight of the toilet seat is on the switch), the switch is activated. Alternatively, a manual switch or a manual override switch and an automatic switch are used. The manual switch can be used to activate the automatic switch, such that when the manual switch is in the off position, the automatic switch will not operate, and when the manual switch is in the on position, the automatic switch will operate. That is, a manual override switch can be used to turn the device on and off irrespective of the operation of the automatic switch.  
           [0012]    In a preferred embodiment, the on/off switch can be a proximity sensor. The proximity sensor can allow the activation of the ventilation system upon the detection of a person using or sitting on the toilet. More particularly, as the person approaches a preset distance from proximity sensor on the toilet, the proximity sensor will switch to the on position to activate the fan. To keep the fan activated, the person must remain at or within the preset distance from the proximity sensor. Otherwise, the proximity sensor will switch to the off position and deactivate the fan. Preferably, the proximity sensor activates the powered fan when the person gets close to or sits on the toilet. More specifically, the proximity sensor can be located on an inner edge of the intake duct or as a separate unit that communicates with the fan unit.  
           [0013]    The powered fan and associated hardware, such as hoses, can be contained in a stand-alone unit placed on the bathroom floor, mounted on the bathroom wall, or for permanent installations contained in the bathroom wall. The intake duct can removably attached to the stand-alone unit for ease of cleaning and replacement. For such an alternative embodiment, the intake duct is connected to the stand-alone unit via a first connector on the intake duct hose that mates with a second connector on the stand-alone unit. The two connectors preferably have both a physical connection allowing odoriferous air to travel from the intake duct to the dispersing unit and an electrical connection allowing the activation switch or switches to activate the powered fan. The fan can be any of the known fans, such as for illustrative purposes bladed fans, squirrel cage fans, screw thread fans. The motor for the fan preferably is electric and is either plugged into a common electrical socket or is hard-wired into the electrical grid of the building. Alternatively, the fan motor can be battery operated or standard electric current reduced to the equivalency of a battery.  
           [0014]    The dispersing unit and associated hardware, such as filters, fragrances, and exhaust means, preferably is contained in the same stand-alone unit as the fan or for permanent installations contained with the fan in the bathroom wall. Minimally, the dispersing unit comprises an exhaust duct for exhausting the drawn air back into the bathroom or to the exterior through the ceiling or wall. An odor eliminating filter is preferred if the drawn air is to be recirculated back into the bathroom, and various fragrance devices can be used to add a pleasant aroma to the recirculated air.  
           [0015]    In operation and use, the bowl ventilation apparatus draws from within and proximal to the toilet bowl via a vacuum force generated by the fan through the intake duct, through a connecting hose, through and passed the powered fan, and finally through the dispersing unit. Alternatively, the dispersing unit can be located before the fan, that is, between the intake duct and the fan. The fan creates a vacuum drawing the air from the toilet area and then forces the air through the dispersing unit, if the dispersing unit is located behind the fan, or from the toilet area through the dispersing unit, if the dispersing unit is located in front of the fan. The optional filter can remove odors from the drawn air and/or the optional fragrance means can mask the drawn air with fragrance, and is useful for embodiments of the device that recirculate the air back into the bathroom. In alternative embodiments in which the dispersing unit distributes the drawn air to other locations or environments, a fragrance means is less useful.  
           [0016]    These features and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art when the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments is read in conjunction with the appended drawings in which like reference numerals designate like components throughout the several views. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention as placed proximally to a toilet bowl.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 is an exploded side view of one embodiment of the present invention showing its general components.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the intake duct component of the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 is a ghost view of another embodiment of the present invention showing a permanent intake duct manufactured into the toilet bowl.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention as placed proximal to a toilet bowl and showing a proximity sensor.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention coupled to a wall exhaust unit and showing a proximity sensor and a manual override switch.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 6 coupled to a portable exhaust unit.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention as placed proximal to a toilet bowl and showing a remote proximity sensor.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a portable exhaust unit for use with the present invention showing a snorkel exhaust pipe. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0026]    Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a general embodiment of the bowl ventilation apparatus  5  mounted on a toilet  100  is shown. Ventilation apparatus  5  can be attached to common household toilets  100  having toilet bowl  52 , toilet bowl rim  54 , and toilet seat  56  pivotally attached to the rear portion of toilet bowl  52 . Ventilation apparatus  5  is placed proximal to toilet bowl  52  and is intended to remove and/or cleanse the air in the region partially defined by toilet bowl  52 . Intake duct  10  can fit between toilet bowl rim  54  and toilet seat  56  when toilet seat  56  is in the lowered position (as in the common toilet, where the toilet seat  56  is movable between a lowered position that is generally horizontal and proximal to the toilet rim  54  and maintained a spacing distance above the toilet rim  54  by feet or bumpers attached to the underside of the toilet seat  56  and a raised position that is generally vertical and normal to the toilet rim  54 ) without distorting or affecting the lowered position of toilet seat  56 . More specifically, in this embodiment, intake duct  10  is structured to fit over and be supported by toilet bowl rim  54  and to be connected to powered fan unit  30  by hose  15 . As disclosed in more detail below, intake duct  10  and hose  15  can be removably attached to powered fan unit  30  via first connector  77  and second connector  78 .  
         [0027]    Referring to FIG. 2, one preferred embodiment of ventilation apparatus is shown in exploded detail. This embodiment is the portable stand-alone embodiment and is explained for illustrative purposes. However, the basic components for this embodiment are transferable to the other embodiments, including the wall-mounted and wall-contained embodiments. In general, ventilation apparatus  5  comprises intake duct  10 , one or more switches  20 ,  22 , powered fan unit  30 , and dispensing unit  40 . Intake duct  10  is connected to powered fan unit  30  by means of hose  15 . Powered fan unit  30  is connected to dispensing unit  40  with intermediate connectors such flange  37  and seal  36 , is contained within or a common part of dispensing unit  40 , or is co-contained with dispensing unit  40  in a common box.  
         [0028]    Two illustrative examples of dispensing unit  40  are shown in FIG. 2. In the first illustrative example, indicated by flow arrow A, powered fan unit  30  is connected to what is termed an internal dispensing unit  40 . In this example, odoriferous air is recirculated back into the room after being treated with an odor removing filter  42  and/or fragrance introducing means. In the second illustrative example, indicated by flow arrow B, powered fan unit  30  can be connected directly to a vent pipe contained within a wall, which acts as what is termed an external dispensing unit  40 . In this example, odoriferous air is exhausted out of the room and the building through the vent pipe, and a filter  42  and/or fragrance introducing means are not necessary. Flange  37  can be used to provide a connection to the vent pipe and to aesthetically cover any hole necessary in the wall. Both of these illustrative examples are disclosed in more detail below.  
         [0029]    Powered fan unit  30  requires energy to perform its functions. Although the power source for powered fan unit  30  can be derived from numerous sources, preferably the power source is household AC current supplied by adapter plug  35  that fits into a standard electrical outlet, as this power source present in most households. Alternatively, powered fan unit  30  could be directly configured into the standard electric grid of the building or house. Alternatively, the power source could be derived from a battery or standard electric current reduced to the equivalency of a battery. Powered fan unit  30  is activated by one or more switches  20 ,  22  that are electrically connected to powered fan unit by wiring  60 .  
         [0030]    Referring to FIG. 3, intake duct  10  is shown in more detail and comprises air intake  62 , one or more switches  20 ,  22 , hose connecting element  24 , and attachment means  26 . Intake duct  10  has a generally flat hollow box shape and has a height H that is thin enough to allow it to fit between toilet seat  56  in a lowered position and toilet rim  54 . The width W of air intake  62  can be any desired value so long as it allows the drawing of a sufficient volume of air to allow the ventilation apparatus  5  to achieve its purpose. Preferably, intake duct  10  is of such a shape and structure that it can fit between toilet seat  56  and toilet rim  54  without causing toilet seat  56  to be raised or distorted by the placement of intake duct  10 .  
         [0031]    Although the actual shape of intake duct can is not overly important (many different shapes will achieve the desired purpose), a generally tapering shape has been found to be both functionally and aesthetically pleasing. For illustrative purposes, intake duct tapers from wide at air intake  62  end to narrow at hose connecting element  24  end. Functionally, this allows air intake  62  to be wider and have a greater intake cross-section nearest to the source of the odoriferous air, thus allowing a larger area for intake, while being narrower and less obtrusive outside of toilet  100  where it can be seen. Intake duct  10  defines a hollow airflow path from air intake  62  through the interior of intake duct  10  to hose connecting element  24 , thus allowing the drawing of odoriferous air from toilet  100  through air intake  62 , then through intake duct  10  and out through hose connecting element  24  into hose  15 , and then on to dispensing unit  40 . If connectors  27 ,  77  are used, the odoriferous air travels from hose  15  to powered fan unit  30  through cooperating openings in connectors  27 ,  77 .  
         [0032]    The combination of intake duct  10  and its component air intake  62 , hose connecting element  24  and attachment means  26  can define a flattened or squared off upside down U shape, with hose connection element  24  and attachment means  26  serving and the uprights for the U. Groove  27  between hose connecting element  24  and attachment means  26  has approximately the same width as the toilet bowl rim  54  such that when intake duct is placed over toilet bowl rim  54 , hose connecting element  24  fits down about the outside of toilet bowl rim  54  and attachment means  26  fit down about the inside of toilet bowl rim  54 , with groove  27  cooperating with the top of toilet bowl rim  54 . Generally, intake duct  10  is structure so that it remains on toilet bowl rim  54  even when toilet seat  56  is in the raised position. However, as added security, intake duct  10  may be further secured onto toilet bowl rim  54  by suction cups  28  or the like between groove  27  and toilet bowl rim  55 .  
         [0033]    Intake duct  10  has at least one switch  20 ,  22  for turning powered fan unit  30  on and off. In one embodiment, automatic switch  20 , which is a depressible switch that is in the on position when depressed and is in the off position when extended or released, is used. This on/off configuration can allow ventilation apparatus  5  to be turned on by the combined applied pressure from the weight of toilet seat  56  and the weight of the toilet user on toilet seat  56 . More specifically, toilet seat  56  is rotated downward from the raised position to the lowered position so that is rests on automatic switch  20 ; and once a user sits on toilet seat  56 , automatic switch  20  is depressed fully which can activate fan unit  30  and thus ventilation system  5 . In this embodiment, when the weight of the user is removed from toilet seat  56 , automatic switch  20  is deactivated. This can be accomplished by many known means, the most typical of which is a spring-loaded automatic switch  20  whose spring has the strength or ability (force) to force the weight of toilet seat  56  upwards, thus deactivating automatic switch  20 . Alternatively, automatic switch  20  can be activated by only from the pressure of the weight of toilet seat  56  on automatic switch  20 . In these embodiments, as automatic switch  20  is on the top surface of intake duct  10 , it preferably is a flush mount switch that is flush with the top surface of intake duct  10  when toilet seat  56  is in the lowermost position. Attachment means  26  can double as the switch housing for automatic switch  20 . It is contemplated that automatic switch  20  can be located in other areas of intake duct  10  so long as automatic switch can be automatically activated by some means.  
         [0034]    In another embodiment, manual switch  22 , which can be any type of switch, is used. For example, manual switch  22  can be a depressible switch, a lever switch, a rotatable switch, a rocker switch or the like, as it preferably is located on the portion of intake duct  10  outside of the footprint of toilet seat  56 . Manual switch  22  can allow a user to turn on ventilation apparatus  5  without having to sit on toilet seat  56  or place toilet seat  56  in a lowered position or combination thereof. Manual switch  22  can be helpful if the user desires ventilation apparatus  5  to remain on after the user gets off the toilet seat  56  or to be on before the user sits on the toilet seat  56 . Further, as manual switch  22  can allow the user to keep the ventilation apparatus  5  in the off position, this allows a user to keep the unit off when the unit is not working properly and when the user does not desire to use the apparatus. It is understood that every embodiment of the present invention need not have manual switch  22 .  
         [0035]    In another embodiment, a manual switch  22  or a manual override switch  22  and an automatic switch  20  can be used. Manual switch  22  can be used to activate automatic switch  20 , such that when manual switch  22  is in the off position, automatic switch  20  will not operate, and when manual switch  22  is in the on position, automatic switch  20  will operate. Manual override switch  22  can be used to turn ventilation apparatus  5  on and off irrespective of the operation of automatic switch  20 .  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 4 is a ghost view of another embodiment of the present invention showing a permanent intake duct  10  manufactured into the toilet bowl rim  54 , and is useful for original installations. Other embodiments, such as those discussed above and below, are useful as retrofit installations.  
         [0037]    Referring to FIG. 5, proximity sensor  25  can be used to activate ventilation fan  5  when a person is detected proximal to toilet  100 . Generally, proximity sensor can be defined as a device that specifically deals with sensing the nearness or closeness of a person or object. Proximity sensor  25  can emit a light or radio frequency that, when interrupted at a certain distance, causes fan unit  30  to activate. Such a distance preferably is short, on the order of millimeters, to prevent the fan unit  30  from activating when someone just happens to be passing by. It is preferable that the interruption is continuous so as to keep the fan unit  30  activated. Otherwise, the moment the person moves out of the frequency range (that is, gets up from the toilet), the proximity sensor  25  will switch to the off position and thus deactivate fan unit  30 . Proximity sensor  25  preferably would not activate fan unit  30  unless and until the user actually sits on the toilet and remains seated. Methods and devices that can be used to embody proximity sensor  25  are known to those of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0038]    As shown in FIG. 5, proximity sensor  25  is located on the upper side of intake duct  10  and is activated when toilet seat  56  is lowered over intake duct  10 . However, in this embodiment, it is possible for fan unit  30  to be activated merely by lowering toilet seat  56 , which may cause excess fan unit  30  operation, especially in houses having female inhabitants where common courtesy dictates that toilet seat  56  be kept in the lowered position at most times.  
         [0039]    As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, proximity sensor  25  is located on the inner edge of intake duct  10 . Lowering toilet seat  56  therefore would not affect or activate proximity sensor  25  in this embodiment. However, when toilet seat  56  is lowered and the user sits on toilet seat  56 , the user&#39;s body would then be proximal to proximity sensor  25 , thus activating proximity sensor  25 . FIGS. 6 and 7 also show a manual override switch  22  and an alternate structure for air intake  62 .  
         [0040]    As shown in FIG. 8, proximity sensor  25  can be a remote structure from intake duct  10 . In this embodiment, proximity sensor  25  can be placed at any location proximal to toilet  100  where a person or object would remain close to sensor  25 . In FIG. 8, proximity sensor  25  is shown on toilet rim  54 , but proximity sensor  25  can just as easily be located on toilet seat back  99  and activated when the user sits on toilet seat  56  and the user&#39;s back is proximal to toilet seat back  99 , or on the top surface of toilet seat  56  itself and activated when the user sits on toilet seat  56 . In this embodiment, as well as in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, to keep proximity sensor  25  activated, the person or user must come in close proximity to, and remain in close proximity to, proximity sensor  25  to keep proximity sensor activated.  
         [0041]    One advantage of proximity sensor  25  is that it can conserve power. More particularly, proximity sensor  25  can help ensure that powered fan unit  30  is not powered when a person is not using toilet  100 . Preferably, proximity sensor  25  will not activate ventilation fan unit  30  when a person walks by proximity sensor  25 . More preferably, proximity sensor  25  is designed to be sensitive enough so that it only activates powered fan unit  30  when a person is using and remains seated on toilet  100 . Not only does this invention save power, but also it promotes less wear and tear on the powered fan unit  30 .  
         [0042]    Placing switch  20 ,  22  in the on position turns on powered fan unit  30 , which generates a vacuum that draws air through ventilation apparatus  5 . More specifically, when powered fan unit  30  is activated, a vacuum is created within hose  15  and intake duct  10 , thus drawing air proximal to air intake  62  into intake duct  10 , through hose  15 , through powered fan unit  30  and dispersing unit  40 , and then exhausts the air.  
         [0043]    Once odoriferous air arrives at dispensing unit  40 , the odoriferous air either is exhausted (vented) outdoors or the odors are removed by filter  42  or masked by a fragrance means, or combination thereof. One example of filter  42  that can remove odors is activated carbon or charcoal. Activated carbon is common and a preferred filter  42  because it can remove up to 60% of its weight in odors and can capture ammonias, formaldehydes, and sulfides. However, filter  42  can include zeolites and other filtering agents as will be obvious to those with skill in the art. Further, filter  42  can include fragrances, which can mask odors and can have the added benefit of adding a pleasant smell to the dispersed environment.  
         [0044]    Once the odoriferous air has been filtered, the filtered air exits the dispensing unit  40 . As the air has been filtered, it often is acceptable to exhaust the air back into the bathroom environment. Further, as dispensing unit  40  can have a fragrance agent, the flow of air back into the bathroom will add the fragrance to the bathroom environment, which adds a pleasant smell to the bathroom. Alternatively, the filtering unit can dispense the air in an alternate location or outside. Common exhaust hardware can be used for such an embodiment.  
         [0045]    It is contemplated that intake duct  10  and its hose  15  assembly can be removably attached to powered fan unit  30  by using a first connecter  77  with electrical plug  58  and a second connector, such as receptacle  25 . In this optional embodiment, intake duct  10  and hose  15  become a replaceable part, should intake duct  10 , hose  15 , and/or switch  20 ,  22  become non-functional and/or too soiled to be cleaned. More specifically, switch  20 ,  22  wiring can electrically connect switch  20 ,  22  to electrical plug  58 . Electrical plug  58  is inserted into electrical sockets  57  on receptacle  25 . Electrical sockets  57  are electrically connected to powered fan unit  30  such that when electrical plug  58  is inserted into receptacle  25 , an electrical connection is made between switch  20 ,  22  and powered fan unit  30 . The combination of electrical plug  58  and receptacle  25  allow intake duct  10  and hose  15  to be connected and disconnected from powered fan unit  30  for ease of maintenance, replacement or repair. Other means for providing a reversible connection between hose  15  and powered fan unit  30  are understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0046]    In operation and use, odoriferous air is drawn away from a region generally defined by toilet bowl  52  once powered fan unit  30  has been activated. As disclosed previously, activation is either by the user manually activating manual switch  22 , by toilet seat  56  depressing automatic switch  20  by the weight of the user or by activating proximity sensor  25 . When activated, powered fan unit  30  creates a vacuum that draws air from the region generally defined by toilet bowl  52  into intake duct  10  through air intake  62 . From intake duct  10 , the air is drawn through hose  15  through hose connecting element  24 , through and past powered fan unit  30 , and into dispensing unit  40 . The air is processed in dispensing unit  40  by exhausting the air outdoors or by filtering the air and/or adding fragrance to the air and recirculating the air back into the bathroom environment. Powered fan unit  30  then can be deactivated by either placing manual switch  22  in the off position, by pivoting toilet seat  56  upwards which will place automatic switch  20  in the off position, by removing the user&#39;s weight from toilet seat  56  if an automatic switch  20  with sufficient spring force is used, or by the user moving away from proximity sensor  25 .  
         [0047]    It should be noted that the air can be treated by any combination of exhausting the air, filtering the air and/or adding fragrance to the air, or the like, as desired by the installer. Further, as many exhaust vent pipes are present in houses and buildings, ventilation apparatus  5  can be connected to such an exhaust vent pipe without undue effort. One advantage of connecting ventilation apparatus  5  to exhaust vent pipe is that filtering agents may not be needed as exhaust pipe removes the air from the house or building.  
         [0048]    In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, intake duct  10  can be built partially or entirely into toilet bowl  52 . One advantage of building intake duct  10  partially or entirely into toilet bowl  60  is that this construction allows for ventilation system  5  to have a bigger intake duct  10  as the thickness of intake duct  10  is not limited to the distance between toilet seat  56  and toilet bowl rim  54 . A bigger intake duct  10  may allow ventilation system  5  to filter more air in a quicker fashion. Hose  15  then would be connected to hose connecting element  24  incorporated onto toilet  100 . Powered fan unit  30  and dispensing unit  40  preferably still would be located external to toilet.  
         [0049]    In another embodiment for use with an exhaust vent dispensing unit  40  is an exhaust vent, powered fan unit  30  can be behind a wall and not be seen from the bathroom view. An access door may be necessary to access powered fan unit  30  for replacement or repair.  
         [0050]    In another embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the treated air can be exhausted back into the room through a snorkel-like attachment  80 . This embodiment would exhaust the treated air proximal to the ceiling of the room where it then could be removed from the room by an existing ceiling fan. In any event, by dispersing the treated air closer to the ceiling, the treated air is dispersed as far from the user as possible within the confines of the room. Dispersal holes  92  can allow for a 360-degree dispersal of the treated air.  
         [0051]    The above detailed description of the preferred embodiments, examples, and the appended figures are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope and spirit of the invention, and its equivalents, as defined by the appended claims. One skilled in the art will recognize that many variations can be made to the invention disclosed in this specification without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Summary:
A toilet bowl ventilation apparatus for treating air from a toilet having an intake duct proximal to the toilet bowl, a hose for connecting the intake duct to a means for generating a vacuum, wherein the means for creating a vacuum creates a vacuum through the intake duct and the hose so as to draw air from the toilet bowl region into the intake duct and then through the hose, means for treating air that receives the air drawn from the toilet bowl by the means for creating a vacuum; and means for activating the apparatus. The toilet bowl ventilation apparatus can have a proximity sensor that can detect the presence of a person proximal to the toilet.