Patent Publication Number: US-5522093-A

Title: Toilet ventilation system

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 08/315,089, filed Sep. 29, 1994. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a ventilation system for removing odors from a toilet and which is located directly on the toilet and has separable components which may be easily cleaned. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Toilets are typically located in small enclosed bathrooms which are susceptible to becoming filled with biological odors each time the toilet is used. Ventilation fans positioned in the ceiling of the bathroom above the toilet are commonly used to draw off odors from the bathroom. Ceiling ventilation fans are not particularly effective, however, since the fan is not located close to the toilet, the source of the odors. The ceiling ventilation fan, therefore, requires a substantial amount of time to remove the odors from the bathroom. 
     Toilet ventilation systems have been disclosed that are located proximate to the toilet to increase the efficiency of ventilation. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,175,293; 4,168,553; and 5,199,111 disclose ventilation systems located near a toilet. These systems, however, are difficult to clean. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide an efficient ventilation system for removing odors from a toilet that is located in close proximately to the toilet and which is easy to clean. 
     The ventilation system of one embodiment of the invention comprises a hollow manifold having a manifold inlet and a manifold outlet. The manifold is located on a toilet adjacent the toilet bowl of the toilet. An intake member having front and rear ends with inlet and outlet openings therein, respectively, is also provided. The rear end of the intake member is removably coupled to the manifold inlet. The inlet end of the intake member is positioned to extend partially above the toilet bowl when the rear end is coupled to the manifold inlet. An exhaust pipe is removably coupled to the manifold outlet for removing air and odor from an area about the toilet. A fan is positioned to draw air and odor through a remote end of the exhaust pipe, thereby drawing odors through the intake member, manifold, and exhaust pipe away from the toilet area. 
     In one aspect of the invention, the manifold comprises two members which are removably coupled together and can be separated for cleaning purposes. The manifold is rotatably coupled to the exhaust pipe. The intake member is removably coupled to the manifold inlet. When the intake member is uncoupled from the manifold inlet the manifold can be moved out of the way to facilitate cleaning of the intake member, the manifold, and the toilet. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the toilet with the toilet ventilation system of the invention secured thereto. 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the intake member the manifold, and the ventilation pipe, showing the removability of the intake member from the manifold and the rotatablity of the manifold about the pipe. 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the intake member and the manifold viewed across the manifold inlet with the intake member and manifold located on a toilet rim. 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of a toilet with the seat and lid closed, having the toilet ventilation system secured on the toilet. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates the back side of the manifold. 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the fan of the toilet ventilation system. 
     FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a manifold integrally coupled to the toilet. 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-section of FIG. 7 taken along the lines 8--8 thereof. 
     FIG. 9 is an exploded isometric view of another embodiment of the exhaust manifold or chamber of the invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a mirror image view of the back side of the front member of the manifold of FIG. 9. 
     FIG. 11 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the intake member of the invention. 
     FIG. 12 is a cross-section of FIG. 11 taken along the lines 12--12 thereof. 
     FIG. 13 is a cross-section of FIG. 11 taken along the lines 13--13 thereof. 
     FIG. 14 is a cross-section of the assembled manifold of FIG. 9. 
     FIG. 15 illustrates the components of FIGS. 9-13 installed on a toilet. 
     FIG. 16 is a partial view of FIG. 14 with the seat secured to the toilet. 
     FIG. 17 is a view similar to that of FIG. 15 but with a flexible exhaust conduit in place. 
     FIG. 18 illustrates the upper portion of the exhaust system used with the invention. 
     FIG. 19 is an isometric view of a vent or manifold integrally formed with the fixture of the toilet. 
     FIG. 20 is a cross-section of FIG. 19 taken along the lines 20--20 thereof. 
     FIG. 21 is a cross-section of FIG. 19 taken along the lines 21--21 thereof. 
     FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the toilet of FIGS. 19-21. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, the ventilation exhaust system 11 for a toilet of the invention is shown positioned on toilet 13. The ventilative exhaust system is positioned close to the toilet bowl 15 of the toilet 13 to efficiently remove biological odors from the toilet area. An exhaust intake member 17 is positioned on the rim 19 of the toilet bowl 15 extending slightly over the bowl 15 to draw odors or fumes from the bowl 15 into the ventilative exhaust system 11. The exhaust intake member 17 extends from the toilet bowl 15 under the seat 21 and lid 23 of the toilet 13 to an exhaust manifold 25. The exhaust manifold 25 couples the exhaust intake member 17 and delivers odors from the intake member 17 to an exhaust ventilation pipe 27 which extends adjacent to the toilet 13. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the exhaust ventilation pipe 27 delivers the odors from the manifold 25 to a ventilation area 28 outside of the area around the toilet. A ventilation fan 29 positioned at a ventilation end 30 of the pipe 27 adjacent the ventilation area 28 draws odors through the ventilation pipe 27, the manifold 25, and the intake member 17. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the intake member 17 is removably coupled to the manifold 25, and the manifold 25 may be rotated about the ventilation pipe 27 so that the intake member 17 and the manifold 25 and the toilet may be easily cleaned. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the intake member 17 is a hollow cartridge through which air may be drawn from the toilet bowl 15 to the manifold 25. The intake member 17 has side walls 31 which extend transversely between and are integrally coupled to a top wall 33, a bottom wall 35, and a front wall 37. The walls 31, 33, 35, and 37 extend about and define a cavity 39 therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, the intake member 17 is formed of a rigid, injection molded plastic. 
     Air and biological fumes may be drawn through openings in the intake member 17. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the member 17 has an intake opening 41 at an intake end 43 communicating with cavity 39, and an exhaust opening 45 at an exhaust end 47 of the intake member 17 also communicating with cavity 39. Air may freely flow through the intake member 17 along a path defined by the intake opening 41, the cavity 39, and the exhaust opening 45. 
     The intake end 43 of the intake member 17 is positioned over the toilet bowl 15 to draw odors directly out of the bowl 15. The intake opening 41 faces into the toilet bowl 15 extending from side wall 31 to side wall 31 between the front edge 49 of the front wall 37 and the bottom wall 35. The intake opening 41 is located downward facing the toilet bowl 15 for maximum efficiency in removing odor from the toilet bowl 15 which also prevents spillage of liquids from above into the member 17 into the cavity 39. The front wall 37 is angled back from its front edge 49 to the top wall 33 so that the intake end 43 may be unobtrusively extended over the toilet bowl 15. 
     The exhaust end 47 of the intake member 17 is coupled to the manifold 25 to deliver air and odors drawn through the intake opening 41 into the manifold 25. The exhaust end 47 has a rectangular cross-section formed by walls 31, 33, and 35 with the exhaust opening 45 and cavity 39 extending between the walls 31, 33, and 35. The exhaust end 47 slidably fits into a rectangular manifold inlet 51 to position the exhaust opening within the manifold 25 so odors may be dram from the intake member 17 into the manifold 25. The manifold inlet 51 is only slightly larger than the exhaust end 47 of the intake member 17 so that the exhaust end 47 is held within the manifold 25 by a friction fit within the manifold inlet 51. As shown in FIG. 2, the exhaust end 47 may be slidably removed from the manifold inlet 51 so that the intake member 17 may be removed from the manifold 25 for cleaning. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 4, the intake member 17 extends from the toilet bowl 15 to the manifold 25 beneath the seat 21 and lid 23 of the toilet 13. The intake member 17 is positioned extending between the hinges 53 which pivotally couple the seat 21 and lid 23 to the toilet 13. The width of the intake member 17 between its side walls 31 permits the intake member 17 to fit between the hinges 53 while providing a sizable gap between the side walls 31 at the intake opening 41 through which odors may be drawn. The intake member 17 does not interfere with movement of the seat 21 and lid 23, and the seat 21 and lid 23 may be placed in an open position (FIG. 1 ) or a closed position (FIG. 4) with the intake member 17 on the toilet 13. 
     Hinge spacers 55 may be positioned between the hinges 53 and the toilet 13 to provide clearance for the intake member 17 to extend beneath the seat 21 and lid 23 of the toilet 13. As shown in FIG. 4, the hinge spacers 55 are coupled to the toilet 13 by connector bolts 57 which extend through the toilet rim 19 and are fastened thereto by nuts 59 underneath the toilet rim 19. The connector bolts 57 may be used to fasten the hinges 53 to the hinge spacers 55 and the toilet 13, or the hinges 53 may be attached to the hinge spacers 55 with separate bolts or screws. In a preferred embodiment the hinge spacers 55 are formed of a rigid plastic having a shape corresponding to the shape of the base 61 of the hinges 53 (See FIG. 1 ). 
     In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the intake member 17 has a lip 63. The lip 3 is formed in the bottom wall 35 at the forward edge 65 of the bottom wall 35 adjacent the intake opening 41. The lip 63 extends transverse to the bottom wall 35 over the edge 67 of the toilet bowl rim 19 to abut a rear portion of the toilet bowl wall 69 thereby preventing movement of the intake member 17 towards the manifold 25. The lip 63 also extends along a portion of the bottom wall 35 below the bottom wall 35 to maintain the intake member 17 in a level orientation in the manifold inlet 51. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the manifold 25 is a hollow &#34;L&#34; shaped member through which air and odors may be dram from the intake member 17, located centrally on the toilet 13, to the ventilation pipe 27, located at the side 71 of the toilet 13. An upper portion 73 of the manifold 25 extends across the toilet 13 between the seat 21 and the toilet tank 75 from a central location behind the seat 21 to the side 71 of the toilet 13. A side portion 77 of the manifold 25 is integrally coupled to the upper portion 73 at the side 71 of the toilet 13 and extends transverse to the upper portion 73 downward along the toilet side 71. The side portion 77 of the manifold 25 receives the ventilation pipe 27. In a preferred embodiment the manifold 25 is formed of a rigid plastic material. The manifold 25 has front and rear walls 81 and 83 coupled by top, bottom, and side walls 85, 87, and 89 the later of which extend transversely between the front and rear walls 81 and 83. The walls 81, 83, 85, 87 and 89 form the manifold cavity 79. The manifold inlet 51 is located extending through the front wall 81 of the manifold 25 communicating with the manifold cavity 79 at an intake end 91 in the upper portion 73 of the manifold 25. A manifold outlet 93 is located extending through the rear wall 83 of the manifold 25 communicating with the manifold cavity 79 at an outlet end 95 of the manifold 25. Air and odors may freely flow through the manifold 25 along a path defined by the manifold inlet 51, manifold cavity 79, and manifold outlet 93. 
     The manifold 25 is coupled between the intake member 17 and the ventilation pipe 27. As discussed above, the exhaust end 47 of the intake member 17 is slidably located in the manifold inlet 51. The manifold inlet 51 is positioned low in the front wall 81 of the upper portion 73 of the manifold 25 so the intake member 17 may extend beneath the seat 21 and the lid 23 while located in the manifold inlet 51. The exhaust opening 45 of the intake member 17 communicates with the manifold cavity 79 so that air and odors may be drawn from the intake member 17 into the manifold cavity 79 through the exhaust opening 75. 
     The ventilation pipe 27 has an inlet end 97 which is coupled to the manifold outlet 93 to receive air and odors drawn through the manifold cavity 79. The manifold outlet 93 is a circular aperture centered in the rear wall 83 at the outlet end 95 of the manifold 25 positioned below the toilet tank 75 so that the ventilation pipe 27 may be coupled therein. The inlet end 97 of the ventilation pipe 27 is cylindrical and has a slightly smaller diameter than the diameter of the manifold outlet 93. The inlet end 97 of the ventilation pipe 27 is located within the manifold outlet 93 and is held within the manifold outlet 93 by a friction fit. As shown in FIG. 2, the manifold 25 may be rotated about the inlet end 97 of the ventilation pipe 27 when the intake member 17 has been slidably removed from the manifold inlet 51. The rotated manifold 25 may be easily cleaned and then rotated back into its initial position. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the ventilation pipe 27 extends from the manifold outlet 93 to the ventilation fan 29 to deliver air and odors from the manifold 25 to the fan 29. The ventilation pipe 27 is positioned unobtrusively adjacent the toilet 13 extending from the manifold 25 beneath the toilet tank 75. Elbow joints 99 in the pipe 27 permit the pipe 27 to be situated about the tank 75. The pipe 27 extends from beneath the toilet tank 75 either through the ceiling 101 above the toilet 13 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 6) or through the wall adjacent to the toilet (not shown) to the ventilation end 30 of the pipe 27. The ventilation end 30 of the pipe 27 is coupled to the fan 29 so the fan 29 may draw air and odors through the pipe 27. The pipe 27 may be formed of rigid PVC piping or corrugated flexible tubing. 
     The ventilation fan 29 draws air and odors through the intake member 17, the manifold 25, and the ventilation pipe 27 and expels the air and odors into a ventilation area 28. The fan 29 is attached to a wall or a ceiling 101 adjacent the ventilation mica 28 positioned to expel air dram through the fan 29 into the ventilation area 28. The ventilation area 28 will typically be the outside of the room or building in which the toilet 13 is located. 
     The fan 29 is a conventional, commercially available electrical fan capable of drawing sufficient suction through the intake member 17, manifold 25, and pipe 27 to effectively remove biological odors from the toilet 13. A conventional on-off switch 103 is provided to control the flow of current on leads 29L from source 29S to the electric motor 29M which drives the fan 29. The switch 103 is located in a position near the toilet 13 so that the switch 103 may be easily accessed to turn the fan 29 on and off as needed. 
     In operation, biological odors may be removed from the toilet 13 by placing the switch 103 in an &#34;on&#34; position to start the fan 29. The suction from the fan 29 causes odors in the toilet 13 to be dram into the intake member 17 through the intake opening 41. The odors are then drawn through the intake member 17 and into the manifold 25 through the coupled exhaust opening 45 and manifold inlet 51. The odors are pulled through the manifold 51 into the ventilation pipe 27 through the coupled manifold outlet 93 and inlet end 97 of the pipe 27. The fan 29 draws the odors through the ventilation end 30 of the pipe 27 and expels them into the ventilation area 28. After the odors have been removed from the toilet 13 by the ventilation system 11, the switch 103 is placed in an &#34;off&#34; position to turn the fan 29 off. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the ventilation system 11 may be cleaned after a significant period of use. In order to clean the system 11, the exhaust end 47 of the intake member 17 is slid out of the manifold intake 51 so that the intake member 17 and the toilet may be cleaned. After the intake member 17 has been removed, the manifold 25 is rotated about the pipe 27 in the manifold outlet 93 to position the manifold 25 for cleaning and to allow the toilet to be cleaned. After the intake member 17, the manifold 25 and the toilet have been cleaned, the ventilation system 11 is reassembled by rotating the manifold 25 back into its operating position and reinserting the intake member 17 into the manifold inlet 51 to position the intake member 17 on the toilet bowl rim 19. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, the toilet 113 comprises a modified toilet bowl 115 and a water tank 175. The bowl has an upper rim 119 surrounding a lower cavity 121 with a front end 123 and a rear end 125. Integrally coupled to the rear end of the rim 119 is a manifold or vent 131 having a front inlet 133 leading to a chamber 135 and a rear outlet 137 in fluid communication with the chamber and located to one side of the center line 139 of the bowl. An exhaust pipe 27 is coupled to the outlet 137. The pipe 27 leads to an exhaust fan 29 as described previously. As shown the inlet 133 extends downward toward the cavity 121. A threaded opening 141 is formed through the wall 143 of the manifold 131 at the bottom for receiving a container 145 or sump having a threaded rim 147 which can be removably screwed into the threaded opening 141. The purpose of the container 145 is to receive any liquids that may pass to the chamber 135. In addition by removing the container or receptacle 145, water can be injected into the manifold either by way of the inlet 133 or opening 141 for cleaning the inside walls of the manifold. 
     The manifold 131 may be formed of ceramic material as that of the bowl 115. The manifold 13 1 may be molded or cast to the firm and bowl when the bowl is formed such that the bowl and manifold form a single unit formed together or the manifold 131 may be fixedly attached to the rim of an existing toilet bowl with suitable glue and/or bolts. The manifold 131 has suitable holes 151 formed through the walls thereof for receiving bolts 153 for use for attaching a base member 155 thereto to which the seat 157 and lid 159 are hinged. 
     Referring now FIGS. 9-11, the manifold 221 is formed to two L-shaped members 225 and 235. Member 225 has an elongated portion 225A and a transverse portion 225B. Member 235 has an elongated portion 235A and a transverse portion 235B. Member 225 has a from wall 227 with an inlet opening 229 formed therethrough and surrounded by a forward extending sleeve 231. Upper, lower, and opposite side walls 227A-227D extend rearwardly from front wall 227. Member 235 has a rear wall 237 with a round outlet opening 239 formed through its transverse portion. Upper, lower, and opposite side walls 237A-237D extend forwardly from rear wall 237. Walls 237A-237D of member 235 removably and slidably fit within the walls 227A-227D of member 225 to form an L-shaped manifold as shown in FIGS. 14-16 with a hollow interior 221 (I). The two members 225 and 235 can be separated in order to facilitate cleaning of the insides thereof. 
     The intake 241 comprises top and front walls 243 and 245 with two side walls 247 and 249 defining a cavity 251. The rear portion of intake 241 removably fits within the sleeve 231 to provide an air and odor flow path from the cavity 251 to the interior 221(I) of manifold 221 by way of inlet opening 229, and from the interior 221(I) of manifold 221 by way of outlet opening 239. A ridge 241R limits inward movement of the intake 241 in the sleeve 231. 
     Members 225,227, and 241 may be formed of a suitable plastic. 
     The round end 27E of the exhaust pipe or conduit 27 removably fits within the outlet opening 239 to allow the manifold 221 to rotate about the conduit 27 when the intake 241 is removed from the sleeve 231. The manifold 221 can be removed from the exhaust 27 and disassembled for cleaning purposes. 
     As shown in FIG. 17, the exhaust conduit 27A may be a flexible pipe or conduit having a round end 27AE that removably fits in the outlet opening 239 to allow the manifold 221 to rotate about the end 227AE (when the intake 241 is removed from the sleeve 231 ) while the manifold 221 is being moved out of the way while connected to the flexible exhaust pipe 27A. The flexible exhaust pipe 27A may be folded to facilitate movement of the manifold away from the toilet. The manifold 221 then may be removed from the exhaust pipe 27A and disassembled from cleaning purposes. 
     The exhaust pipes 27 and 27A may be formed of a suitable plastic. 
     Use of the manifold 221 and intake member 241 now will be described. In the operative position, the manifold 221 will be positioned such that its elongated portion is next to and engages the rear rim 19 or portion of the toilet with the inlet 229 located below the rear ends of the seat 21 and lid 23 and between the hinges 53. The transverse portion of the manifold 221 extends downward on one side of the toilet with the outlet 239 located below the water tank 175. The end of the exhaust pipe 27 or 27A then is fitted within the outlet 239. The rear end of the intake member 241 is slid trader the rear ends of the seat 21 and lid 23 into the sleeve 231. In this position the lower edges of the side walls 247 and 249 will engage and be supported by the upper surface of the rear portion of the rim 19. The from portion 251F of the cavity 251 extends over the toilet bowl 15 such that a flow path is provided from the toilet bowl to the exhaust pipe 27 or 27A by way of the cavity 251 of the intake 241 and the manifold 221. 
     When it is desired to clean the toilet, intake 241, and manifold 221, the intake 241 is removed from the sleeve 23 1 of the manifold 221 and the manifold 221 is rotated and moved upward and away from the rear end of the toilet. The manifold then can be removed from the exhaust pipe 27, 27A, disassembled and cleaned. The intake 241 and the toilet can be cleaned. Since the bottom of the intake 241 is open, it can be readily cleaned. The members 221 and 241 then are assembled back in place for use. 
     Although not clearly shown in FIGS. 15-17, the water tank 75 is supported by the top surface of the rear end 13R of the toilet 13. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 19-22, the embodiment therein shows the manifold or odor vent integral and molded with the toilet fixture. The toilet comprises a stand or base 261 to be attached to the floor 263 by bolts 265 for supporting the bowl 115 and water tank. The bottom of the bowl has an outlet 267 for receiving the upper portion of a drain 269. The upper rim 119 has a surrounding channel 271 in fluid communication with the cavity 121 of the bowl 115 by way of openings 273 and is in fluid communication with a water inlet 275 by way of a channels 277 and passages 277P. The inlet 275 receives water from the water tank when its handle is actuated which is applied to channel 271 by way of channels 277 to flush the toilet. The water and waste products from the cavity of the bowl 121 flow to the drain 269 by way of the outlet 267 when the toilet is flushed. The water tank 175 is supported by the rear upper surface 281 of the toilet which is formed of structure 283 integrally molded or cast to the toilet fixture when the toilet is produced. The structure 283 extends rearward of the rim 119 to a rear end 284 and is supported by the rear end portion 113R. The water inlet 275 extends through the surface 281 and through the structure and is surrounded by an annular wall 285. The structure 283 has a forward extending end portion 287 that extends over the bowl 115 a short distance. A passage or vent 291 extends from forward portion 287 to the rear end 284. The vent 291 has a downward facing inlet 293 above the bowl 115. The vent 291 is rectangular in the plane P (see FIG. 21 ) an then splits into two paths 291A and 291B around the annular wall 285 which are joined at 291C rearward of the wall 285. An outlet opening 295 extends through the structure 283 from the passage portion 291C rearward to the outside. The exhaust pipe 27 or 27A can be fitted inside the outlet 295 such that an air and odor passage is provided from the bowl 115 to the exhaust pipe by way of the inlet 293, vent 291, vent passages 291A, 291B, and 291C and outlet 295. The annular wall 285 extends between and is sealed to the upper and lower walls 283U and 283L of the passage 291. 
     Aperatures 297 are formed through the upper wall 283U between the side walls 283S and the outer flanges 283F for receiving bolts for securing the hinges 53 of the seat 21 and lid 23. 
     The toilet 113 including the base 261, bowl 115, rear end 113R, rim 119, and vent structure 283 may be formed of suitable ceramic material as a single integral unit using conventional molding or casting processes. 
     The foregoing disclosure and the showings made in the drawings are merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and are not to be interpreted in a limiting sense.