Patent Publication Number: US-2009235442-A1

Title: Ventilated Toilet Apparatus and Dual Function Toilet Seat

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     The applicant claims priorities on U.S. provisional application Nos. 60/816,280, filed on Jun. 23, 2006, 60/853,674, filed on Oct. 24, 2006, and 60/930,455, filed on May 16, 2007, and U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 11/733,688, filed on Apr., 10, 2007. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to toilet seat body, pivots and hinges in close communication to draw foul air from the toilet bowl and discharge to a remote location by a remotely controlled suction device. In addition, the present invention is concerned with the utilization of the toilet seat body which can be warmed to several temperature settings to relieve the chilly feeling on the toilet seat during the cold season. Ultimately, the current invention discloses how to incorporate these two different functions in a single unit to provide an additional comforting feeling to the bathroom users. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     To accommodate various needs in the bathrooms, a number of bathroom accessories and products are available. One of the products designed to provide a comforting feeling to the bathroom users during the cold season is a warm seat of which upper surface can be heated by means of an electric heating coil encased within the seat body and relieve the chilly feeling from the cold seat. 
     The houses and buildings located in the area of cold climate are prone to have poor ventilation and the residents may frequently experience unpleasant smells in some areas, especially around the bathroom. Although deodorants or air fresheners are typically applied to deal with foul odors generated in the bathroom, they just simply mask the foul odors but do not eliminate them. 
     Alternatively, foul odors from the bathroom are evacuated by electric fans installed on the ceiling or wall of the bathroom. This type of ventilation method needs to evacuate a large volume of air, so the lingering unpleasant smell may persist until the bathroom is completely filled up with fresh air. Since the dispersion of gases from the toilet bowl to the surrounding atmosphere is the main cause of unpleasant smells in the bathroom, removal of gases directly from the toilet bowl prior to the diffusion of gases to the surrounding area has been suggested as a more efficient method to eliminate foul odors from the bathroom than the conventional ventilation system employing electric fans on the ceiling. 
     A numerous toilet ventilating apparatus have been described in the prior arts in an effort to remove foul bathroom odors at their source, from the toilet bowl: U.S. Pat. No. 2,072,780 (F. L. Turner, 1937), U.S. Pat. No. 3,733,619 (F. D. Smith, 1973), U.S. Pat. No. 3,916,459 (M. Ivancevic, 1975), U.S. Pat. No. 4,007,498 (R. H. Pearson, 1977), U.S. Pat. No. 4,085,470 (G. Roberts, 1978), U.S. Pat. No. 4,117,559 (D. D. Boyle, 1978), U.S. Pat. No. 4,365,361 (G. H. Sanstrom, 1982), U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,999 (J. E. Lindley, 1985), U.S. Pat. No. 4,617,687 (J. A. Wadsworth, 1986), U.S. Pat. No. 4,701,966 (C. L. Schafer, 1987), U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,078 (R. A. Carballo, et al., 1988), U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,359 (P. N. Vu, et al., 1990), U.S. Pat. No. 5,345,617 (J. F. Jahner, et al., 1994), U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,536 (A. Prisco, 1994), U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,937 (R. E. Barefoot, 1996), U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,163 (J. Gusso, et al., 2001), U.S. Pat. No. 6,260,215 (M. Miller, 2001), U.S. Pat. No. 6,523,184 (A. Prisco, 2003), U.S. Pat. No. 6,553,581 (D. Lee, 2003), U.S. Pat. No. 6,775,853 (A. Szekely, 2004), U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,500 (J. L. Sollami, 2001), U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,449 (J. P. Wolfe, 2004), but most of these methods have not been accepted in the market because of their complex and unsightly applications or susceptibility to contamination. 
     Many toilet seats disclosed in the previous art are to be assembled by attaching at least two separate pieces to form internal air passageways, which results in a large area of seams or unsightly apertures. Toilet seats constructed in this manner not only need a frequent cleaning to remove contamination problems, but also the structural integrity are prone to be compromised to lead a potential leakage of air flow communication. 
     Currently, toilet seats which can provide warmth to the toilet users and relieve discomforting feeling from the cold toilet seat are commercially available. Various methods of making heated toilet seats are disclosed in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,123,807 (T. Oguma, et al., 1978), 4,422,190 (C. Huang, 1983), 4,446,584 (K, Suzuki, et al., 1984), 4,798,936 (A. K. Johnson, Sr., 1989), 4,850,060 (C. M. Kou, 1989), 5,095,555 (Y. Torii, et al., 1992), 5,586,214 (C. M. Eckman, 1996), 5,898,952 (M. D. Hickey, 1999), 5,940,895 (D. S. Wilson, et al., 1999), 6,307,180 (T. V. Arx, et al., 2001). 
     However, none of the prior arts teaches or suggests a dual function toilet seat body or an apparatus in one unit that enables a ventilation of gases from the toilet bowl to the outside atmosphere and also provides means to raise the temperature of the seat body as needed. These dual function capability in a single unit would provide the bathroom users maximum comfort and enjoyment. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The general purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which will draw foul odors from the toilet bowl and expel to a remote area, or pass the contaminated air through a filter and recirculate the purified air in the bathroom. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which eliminates cold toilet seat discomfort by allowing users adjust the seat&#39;s temperature. This feature will provide bathroom users an added comforting feeling. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a toilet seat with dual functions in one body seat unit: the first function to draw foul odors from the toilet bowl and expel to the outside atmosphere by means of a proper suction device, and the second function to raise the temperature of the seat body. These two functions may be engaged simultaneously or only one of the functions may be selected by users as needed. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus of which the outside figure is similar to a conventional toilet seat, therefore has a pleasing aesthetic appearance. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which will be easily retrofitting a variety of existing toilets. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a durable ventilated toilet apparatus that can be manufactured economically and is easy to sanitize. 
     In order to achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a ventilated toilet apparatus that includes a toilet seat assembly that comprises a seat body that comprises an upper surface, which is adapted to contact the body of a user, and a lower surface which is adapted to be positioned adjacent to a toilet bowl, a hinge assembly; and a pivot device with which the toilet seat assembly is pivotally attached to the hinge assembly. The toilet seat assembly further comprises a pivot receiving part that is formed in the seat body, and a plurality of intake apertures that are provided on the lower surface. 
     The ventilated toilet apparatus further comprises an exhaust conduit provided in the pivot receiving part, and a cleaning port that is provided below the exhaust conduit and communicates with the exhaust conduit, and a plurality of air passageways that connects the intake apertures and the exhaust conduit. The pivot receiving part encloses the pivot device. 
     The ventilated toilet apparatus further comprises a cleaning port cap that seals the cleaning port airtight. 
     The intake apertures are substantially vertical to the lower surface, and the air passageways are substantially parallel to the lower surface. 
     The exhaust conduit comprises a junction to which the air passageways are connected, a tubular opening that is connected to the junction. The tubular opening receives the pivot device. 
     The pivot device comprises a hollow pivot tube. 
     The pivot tube is made of copper, copper alloy, polymeric resin or plastics. 
     The pivot tube is fixed in the tubular opening of the exhaust conduit. 
     The junction comprises a junction opening that is open rearward of the toilet seat assembly, and a junction cap that seals the junction opening airtight. 
     The exhaust conduit comprises a junction, to which the air passageways are connected, two tubular openings that are connected to the junction. The tubular openings receive the pivot device. 
     The pivot tube comprises a hollow pivot tube and a plurality of pivot apertures. The pivot apertures are provided in the middle section of the pivot tube. The pivot tube is fixed in the tubular openings of the exhaust conduit. 
     The seat body comprises a bumper that is provided on the lower surface and is adapted to contact the toilet bowl. The bumper surrounds the intake apertures. 
     The hinge assembly comprises a hollow hinge case, a receptive opening that receives the pivot device, and an axial post that is adapted to fix the hinge assembly to the toilet bowl. 
     The pivot device is rotatably received in the receptive opening. The hinge assembly further comprises an O-ring that is provided in a groove formed in the receptive opening. 
     The axial post comprises a hollow hinge tube. 
     The hollow hinge tube comprises a notch and is threaded whereby the hinge assembly is fixed to the toilet bowl by fastening a nut with the tube. 
     The axial post further comprises a pin hole that accepts a pin across the notch of the hollow hinge tube. 
     The ventilated toilet apparatus further comprises a suction device that is connected to the hinge assembly. The suction device sucks air through the hinge assembly. 
     The ventilated toilet apparatus further comprises a heating unit with which the seat body is heated, an air passageway that connects the intake apertures and the pivot device. The seat body comprises a hollow space between the upper surface and the lower surface. 
     The heating unit comprises a resistive wire that is attached below the upper surface in the hollow space, an electrical cord that connects the resistive wire to a control device, a sensor that reads the temperature of the seat body, and a sensor cord that connects the sensor to the control device. The control device receives information from the sensor and controls the amount of electricity flowing to the resistive wire. 
     The ventilated toilet apparatus further comprises a cord fastener that secures the electrical cord and the sensor cord within the hollow space of the seat body, and a grommet that secures the electrical cord and the sensor cord within the hinge assembly. 
     The seat body comprises two tubular openings that receives the pivot device, and at least one bumper that is provided on the bottom surface and is adapted to contact the toilet bowl. The bumper surrounds the intake apertures. 
     The present invention is explained again based on individual components. 
     A ventilated toilet apparatus includes a ventilated toilet seat assembly, a pivot and at least on hinge assemblies disposed in communication with remotely controlled suction device to withdraw foul air from the interior of the toilet bowl into the intake apertures, through air passageways, junction, pivot, hinge assembly, and suction device to the outside atmosphere. 
     The ventilated toilet apparatus is used as a single unit or multiunits where a number of units is connected to a single suction device. The ventilated toilet apparatus being used in conventional toilets, buses, recreational vehicles, trains, movable toilets. The ventilated toilet apparatus may be used in combination with a bidet. 
     A ventilated toilet seat includes a plurality of intake apertures at the bottom of the toilet seat, an exhaust conduit constructed at the rear end of the toilet seat, an exhaust conduit including a junction, a junction cap, tubular openings and a cleaning port, a plurality of air passageways connecting the intake apertures and the junction, at least one bumper around intake apertures, a pivot secured at tubular openings to form a ventilated toilet seat assembly which communicate with air suction device for removal of foul air in the toilet bowl, and a cleaning port which can be opened for extraction of liquid during sanitization of the toilet seat. 
     A hollow tube includes a plurality of apertures in the middle section to form a pivot. The pivot is made of copper, other metals, composite material, polymeric resin or plastics. The pivot is fixed in the tubular opening of the ventilated toilet seat. 
     A hinge assembly includes a receptive opening including an inside groove to house an O-ring for an air tight seal with the pivot when a suction device is operating, an axial post, a hollow threaded tube, a washer and a nut to fasten the hinge assembly to the toilet bowl through the axial post, a ventilated toilet seat assembly with a pivot secured through the receptive opening so as to permit a pivotal movement of the toilet seat assembly and air flow communication between the toilet bowl and the suction device. 
     At least one of the hollow threaded tubes is connected to a remotely controlled suction device. 
     It is an advantage of the present invention that the toilet seat assembly does not have any prominent unsightly apertures, seams, or gaskets, which have been used in most of the prior art. In the present invention, special care was taken to minimize the number of apertures and area of seam in the toilet seat and hinge assembly so that the chance of contamination is significantly reduced. 
     Although the present invention is briefly summarized, the fuller understanding of the invention can be obtained by the following drawings, detailed description and appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a ventilated toilet seat assembly, a hinge assembly and a suction device constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2   a  is a bottom view of the unfinished ventilated toilet seat and a junction cap, both formed by injection molding; 
         FIG. 2   b  is a rear elevation view of the unfinished ventilated toilet seat formed by injection molding; 
         FIG. 3   a  is a bottom view of the ventilated toilet seat with air passageways being built; 
         FIG. 3   b  is a rear elevation view of the ventilated toilet seat with air passageways being built; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the ventilated toilet sea sitting on a toilet bowl, taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3   a;    
         FIG. 5  is an elevation view of a pivot; 
         FIG. 6   a  is a top view of a hinge with a hinge cap detached from the hinge; 
         FIG. 6   b  is a side elevation view of the hinge; 
         FIG. 6   c  is an another side elevation view of the hinge along with the hollow tube and the pin; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the hinge assembly showing a hinge cap, a hollow tube and a pin attached to the hinge; 
         FIG. 8   a  is a side elevation view of the hinge of a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 8   b  is an another side elevation view of the hinge of a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the hinge assembly of a second embodiment showing a hollow tube and pin attached to the hinge of a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the ventilated toilet seat assembled with the pivot and hinges, with some parts and bumpers deleted for clarity of illustration; 
         FIG. 11   a  is a bottom view of a ventilated toilet seat of a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 11   b  is a rear elevation view of the ventilated toilet seat; and 
         FIG. 11   c  is an elevation view of a pivot; 
         FIG. 12  shows a bottom view of a dual function seat body illustrated with a portion cut away, pivots, and hinge assemblies. The schematic arrangement of the dual function toilet seat assembly relative to the hinge assemblies, the suction device, and control device are also shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a bottom view of a bottom portion of the dual function seat body; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross sectional view of the dual function seat body, taken along line  14 - 14  of  FIG. 12 : 
         FIG. 15  is a cross sectional view of the dual function seat body, taken along line  15 - 15  of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 16   a  shows a bottom view of a dual function seat body of a second embodiment illustrated with a portion cut away; 
         FIG. 16   b  is a bottom view of a bottom portion of the dual function seat body of a second embodiment. 
         FIG. 17   a  is a side elevation view of an air purification system with a portion of body cut away for clarity of illustration; 
         FIG. 17   b  is an electrical schematic view of the air purification system; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of an air purification system with a portion of body cut away for clarity of illustration; 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of an arrangement of a dual function toilet seat assembly and an air purification system; 
         FIG. 20   a  is a side elevation view of a cordless air purification system with a portion of body cut away for clarity of illustration; 
         FIG. 20   b  is an electrical diagram of the cordless air purification system; 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view of an arrangement of a ventilated toilet seat assembly over a conventional toilet bowl and a cordless air purification system communicating wirelessly with a transmitter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates that a toilet seat assembly  1  and a hinge assembly  3  on a toilet bowl  2  are disposed in communication with a remotely controlled suction device  4  to withdraw foul air from the interior of the toilet bowl  2  and expel to the outside atmosphere. 
       FIG. 2   a  shows that the toilet seat assembly  1  includes internally-formed intake apertures  5  and an exhaust conduit  6  and a cleaning port  7 . The intake apertures  5  are arranged adjacent the rear bottom of toilet seat assembly  1 . 
     The inner edge of the toilet seat assembly  1  near the intake apertures  5  is molded pointing downward as depicted in  FIG. 4 . This configuration is advantageous in protecting the intake apertures  5  from spilling or splashing during the use of toilet as well as providing a better aesthetic view. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 2   a , the exhaust conduit  6  is a hollow opening formed at the rear end of toilet seat assembly  1 . The exhaust conduit  6  includes a junction  8 , a junction cap  9 , and tubular openings  10  which are molded to the rear edge of the toilet seat assembly  1 . 
       FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  show that air passageways  11  are built to connect the intake apertures  5  and the junction  8  so that movement of air is possible between them when an appropriate suction is applied. The tubular openings  10  house a pivot  14  (see  FIG. 5 ), which mediates air flow communication between the junction  8  and the hinge assembly  3 . 
     Once the construction of internal air passageways  11  is finished and the pivot  14  is fixed inside the tubular openings  10 , the junction cap  9  is attached to a junction opening  32  to provide air tight seal. 
       FIG. 4  shows that the cleaning port  7  at the rear bottom edge of the toilet seat assembly  1  is provided with a cleaning port cap  13  which can be easily installed or removed. At upright position of the toilet seat assembly  1 , the cleaning port  7  can be fitted to a wet vacuum or an aspirator (or conveniently a nasal suction ball) so that liquid can be collected and captured during sanitization of the intake apertures  5 . 
       FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  illustrate the unfinished toilet seat assembly  1 , in which a number of the intake apertures  5 , the junction  8  and the junction cap  9 , the tubular openings  10 , and the cleaning port  7  are formed advantageously by injection molding. 
     The toilet seat assembly  1  is initially manufactured by injection molding. Then the internal air passageways  11  are drilled through the junction  8 . In this way, the present invention provides the ventilated toilet seat assembly  1  being built virtually as a one-unit, which allows the structural robustness of toilet seat. Because the relatively small area of seam around the junction cap  9  is located at the rear end of the toilet seat assembly  1 , users usually do not notice any unsightly difference of the ventilated toilet seat assembly  1  of this invention from the conventional toilet seats. 
     Bumpers  12  surrounding the intake apertures  5  are provided to maintain a close contact to the toilet bowl  2  to prevent any leakage of the foul air from the toilet bowl  2 , so that the air flows from the anterior of the toilet bowl  2  to the intake apertures  5 . 
     The pivot  14  is an about 6 inch-long hollow tube having a plurality of apertures  34  (about 7/32″ to ¼″ diameter) in the middle section as depicted in  FIG. 5 . The pivot  14  may be manufactured using a commercially available copper tube or copper alloy (0.500″ OD X 0.430″ ID×0.035″ Wall thickness) by simple cutting of the tube to the desired length and drilling of the apertures  34 . 
     The pivot  14  is of about the same size as the tubular openings  10  and is to be fixed therein by sliding the pivot  14  through the tubular openings  10 . The pivot  14  provides a means to secure the toilet seat assembly  1  to the toilet bowl  2  through the hinge assembly  3  and also establishes an air flow communication between the junction  8  and the hinge assembly  3 . 
     A toilet seat cover  36  (refer to  FIG. 1 ) can be assembled to a pair of hinge assemblies ( 3  and  30 ) that allow both the toilet seat assembly  1  and the seat cover  36  a pivotal movement. 
     Both ends of the pivot  14  can be attached to a pair of hinge assemblies ( 3  and  30 ) for an air flow communication. Alternatively, one end of the pivot  14  can be capped or blocked if a user does not want to use both side of the pivot  14  for an air flow communication. It is desired that the pivot  14  is structurally robust, anti-corrosive, and less prone to contamination. In respect of these desired characters, the copper alloy is a preferred raw material for manufacturing of the pivot  14 , but other metallic, composite, or plastic material can be used to make the pivot  14  too. 
       FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b ,  6   c  and  7  show how the hinge assembly  3  secures the toilet seat assembly  1  to the toilet bowl  2 . The hinge assembly  3  comprises a receptive opening  15 , a hinge cap  16 , an axial post  17 , a threaded hollow tube  18 , a pin  22 , a pin hole  68 , and a seat cover support  70 . The receptive opening  15  receives the pivot  14  horizontally to provide an airtight seal and also allows a pivotal movement of the toilet seat assembly  1 . The threaded hollow tube  18  is threaded at the one end and has a notch  19  near the end of the opposite side. The axial post  17  receives the threaded hollow tube  18  which can be attached to the hinge by inserting the pin  22  through the pin hole  68  and across the notch  19 . This threaded hollow tube  18  fixed to the axial post  17  provide means to mount the hinge assembly  3  in an airtight manner to the toilet bowl  2  using a matching nut. The threaded hollow tube  18  is connected to the remotely controlled suction device  4  through a connection hose  38 . The seat cover support  70  receives a toilet seat cover  36  horizontally and allows a pivotal movement. 
     The hollow space in the hinge assembly  3  between the receptive opening  15  and the axial post  17  allows a free air flow. Ultimately, the hinge assembly  3  plays a role to permit an air flow communication between the pivot  14  and the suction device  4 . 
     The receptive opening  15  may have a groove  20 , which can house an O-ring  21  to provide an airtight seal with the pivot  14  when the suction device  4  is operating. 
     Preferably, a second hinge assembly  30  having a mirror image configuration of the hinge assembly  3  is provided to form a pair of hinge assemblies ( 3  and  30 ) to accept a ventilated toilet seat assembly  1 . 
     L here are a wide variety of toilet bowls having different shapes and sizes. Especially, the horizontal distance from the rear end of the toilet rim to the toilet bowl holes may differ among the toilet bowls. For any ventilated toilet seat designed to retrofit to various existing toilet bowls, it is advantageous to have multiple hinges or some flexibility in hinge systems that may adjust the geometrical distance of the toilet seat relative to the toilet bowl as needed. As a solution to this objective, a hinge assembly of a second embodiment  3 ′ is provided in the present invention as illustrated in  FIGS. 8   a ,  8   b  and  9 . The hinge assembly of a second embodiment  3 ′ comprises a receptive opening  15 ′, an axial post  17 ′, a threaded hollow tube  18 , a pin  22 , a pin hole  68 ′, and a seat cover support  70 ′. The receptive opening  15 ′ receives the pivot  14  horizontally to provide an airtight seal and also allows a pivotal movement of the toilet seat assembly  1 . The axial post  17 ′ receives the threaded hollow tube  18  which can be attached to the hinge by inserting the pin  22  through pin hole  68 ′ and across the notch  22 . This threaded hollow tube  18  fixed to the axial post  17 ′ provide means to mount the hinge assembly of a second embodiment  3 ′ in an airtight manner to the toilet bowl  2  using a matching nut. The seat cover support  70 ′ receives a toilet seat cover  36  horizontally and allows a pivotal movement. The receptive opening  15 ′ may comprise a groove  20 ′ which receives an o-ring  21  to provide an airtight seal with the pivot  14  when the suction device  4  is operating. 
     There exists a geometrical distance (L,  FIG. 6   b ) between the axes of receptive opening  15  and the axis of axial post  17  of the hinge assembly  3 . This horizontal distance (L) is in the range of 1.5 to 2.0 centimeter for the hinge assembly  3 , and this horizontal distance is zero in the case of hinge assembly of a second embodiment  3 ′ of which the axis of receptive opening meets the axis of axial post at right angle in a plane. When a ventilated toilet seat assembly  1  is mounted to a toilet bowl  2  using a pair of hinge assemblies, the seat engaged with the hinge assembly  3  will be located farther away from the bowl holes by 1.5 to 2.0 centimeter compared to the seat which is engaged with the hinge assembly of a second embodiment  3 ′. Since the pivotal axis of the ventilated toilet seat corresponds to receptive opening axis of a hinge, the horizontal distance between the axis of receptive opening ( 15  or  15 ′) and axial post ( 17  or  17 ′) determines the geometric location of the toilet seat assembly  1  relative to the toilet bowl  2  when toilet seat is lowered and also the angle of the toilet seat leaning against the water tank when the toilet seat is raised. In order to mount a ventilated toilet seat to the existing toilet bowl, either of the two different types of the hinge assemblies ( 3  or  3 ′) may be chosen to optimally adjust the seat to the bowl  2  for an efficient evacuation of foul odors from the toilet bowl. 
       FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of the toilet seat assembly  1 , the pivot  14 , a pair of hinge assemblies ( 3  and  30 ) which are arranged to mediate an air flow communication between the toilet bowl  2  and the suction device  4 . As seen in  FIG. 10 , either side of the hinge assemblies ( 3  or  30 ) can be utilized for an air flow communication between the pivot  14  and the suction device  4  through the connection hose  38  (see  FIG. 1 ) if only one hinge is engaged with a tube connected to a suction device, and the hinge at the opposite side may be sealed by a conventional manner. 
     Though the bumpers  12  and some parts are deleted in  FIG. 10  for the clarity of illustration, it is still obvious to the skilled in the art that the ventilating toilet apparatus described in this invention does not have any prominent difference from the conventional toilet seat, which is one of the important factors to be well accepted by the users. 
       FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b  illustrate an alternative toilet seat assembly  40  having the same features as described in  FIG. 3  except that there is only one tubular opening  10  capable of conveying an air flow communication between the junction  8  and the hinge assembly  3  mediated by the aid of a pivot  23  tightly fixed in the tubular opening  10 . A tubular opening  24  is prepared to secure the toilet seat assembly  40  to the toilet bowl  2  through the hinge  30 . As depicted in  FIG. 11   c , the pivot  23  is a hollow tube of the same size as the tubular opening  10 . The toilet seat assembly  40  including the components illustrated in  FIGS. 11   a - 11   c  can be advantageously manufactured at the reduced cost compared to that of the toilet seat assembly  1  constructed using the toilet seat illustrated in  FIG. 3  and the pivot  14 . 
       FIG. 12  shows a dual function toilet seat assembly which is arranged with the hinge assemblies  3  and  30 , the suction device  4 , the control device  60 . The dual function toilet seat assembly includes a dual function seat body  45  and pivots  23  with which the toilet seat assembly is pivotally attached to the hinge assemblies. The dual function seat body further includes a heating unit except for a control device  60 , tubular openings  57 , a plurality of intake apertures  46 , and an air passageway  52 . 
     The dual function seat body  45  is comprised of a top portion  42  and a bottom portion  44 . The top portion  42  has a open air passageway  52 , a cord fastener  56 , and two tubular openings  57 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , a plurality of intake apertures  46  are formed in the rear rim of the bottom portion  44 . Bumpers  48  are provided on the bottom portion  44  and are adapted to contact the toilet bowl  2 . The bumpers  48  surround the intake apertures  46 . The top portion  42  and the bottom portion  44  are attached together to form a dual function seat body  45 , and the seat body has a hollow space  51  and an air passageway  53 . The hollow space  51  is utilized to accommodate resistive wires  50 , a sensor  61 . At the rear end of the top portion are formed two tubular openings  57  which accept a pivot  23 . 
     Attachment of the top and bottom portion in air and water tight manner constructs an air passageway  53  which allows an air flow communication between the intake apertures  46  and a pivot  23  housed in one of the tubular openings  57 . The other pivot  23  in the tubular opening on the opposite side is utilized as a passage of electrical cords  54  and a sensor cord  62  which extend to the control device  60 . The top and bottom portions are attached together by any conventional technique. 
     The heating unit includes resistive wires  50 , electrical cords  54 , a sensor  61 , a sensor cord  62 , and a control device  60 . 
     The resistive wires  50  are hermetically encapsulated and are electrically insulated within a thermally-conductive polymeric coating. The resistive wires use electricity to provide warmth, and are laid in the hollow space  51  of the dual function seat body  45 , preferably close to the horizontal part of the top portion  42  in order to distribute the heat efficiently to the upper surface of the dual function seat body  45 . Thermoconductive- and heat resisting polymeric resin or adhesive may be used to hold the resistive wires  50  and sensor  61  in the hollow space. 
     The electrical cords  54  connect the resistive wires  50  to the control device  60 . 
     The sensor  61  reads the actual temperature of the dual function toilet seat and the sensor cord  62  relays this information to the control device  60 . The electrical cords  54  and sensor cord  62  are secured within the hollow space of the seat body by the cord fastener  56 . The middle section of the electrical cords and sensor cord, from which conductors extend to the control device  60 , is tightly fastened by a grommet  58  in the hollow space of the hinge assembly  3 . The slack portion of cords between the cord fastener and the grommet reduces a fatigue on the cords when the seat body is pivotably raised or lowered relative to the hinge assemblies  3  and  30  which was mounted on the toilet bowl  2 . 
     The control device  60  is connected by the electrical cords  54  to the resistive wires  50  for controlling the resistive wires, and is also connected by the sensor cord  62  to a sensor  61 . The control device receives information from the sensor and controls the amount of electricity flowing to the resistive wires. 
     The dual function seat body  45 , a pivot  23 , and a hinge assembly  30  are disposed in communication with a suction device  4  to move foul air from the interior of the toilet bowl  2  into the intake apertures  46 , through an air passageways  53 , a pivot  23 , a hinge assembly  30 , a hose  38  and a suction device  4 . In addition to ventilation, this dual function seat body  45  can be heated by resistive wires  50  which are evenly distributed across the surface of the top portion. Therefore, the dual function toilet apparatus described in this invention can be used in combination for toilet bowl ventilation and toilet seat heating, or used separately for each of the dual functions as needed. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 14 , the top and bottom portions were attached in air- and water-tight manner to ensure the hollow space  51  and air passageway  53  are protected from potential leakage. To distribute heat efficiently to the upper surface of the dual function seat body  45 , resistive wires  50  are evenly spread to cover the horizontal part of the upper portion. Thermostable polymeric resin or adhesive may be used to keep the resistive wires  50  in contact with the horizontal part of the top portion as well as to seal the contact area of top and bottom portion. 
     The cross section at the rear end of the dual function seat body shows the tubular opening  57  which is preferably formed during the injection molding of the top portion (see  FIG. 15 ). The tubular opening receives a pivot  23  horizontally to provide airtight seal, and the pivot fixed in the tubular opening  57  allows a pivotal movement of the dual function seat body  45 . 
       FIGS. 16   a  and  16   b  illustrate the bottom view of an alternative dual function seat body. The dual function seat body  45 ′ is comprised of a top portion  42 ′ and a bottom portion  44 ′. The top portion  42 ′ has an open air passageway  52 ′, a cord fastener  56 ′, and two tubular openings  57 ′. As shown in  FIG. 16   b , a plurality of intake apertures  46 ′ are formed in the rear rim of the bottom portion  44 ′. Bumpers  48 ′ are provided on the bottom portion  44 ′ and are adapted to contact the toilet bowl  2 . The bumpers  48 ′ surround the intake apertures  46 ′. The top portion  42 ′ and the bottom portion  44 ′ are attached together to form a dual function seat body  45 ′. 
     The resistive wires  50 ′ are hermetically encapsulated and are electrically insulated within a thermally-conductive polymeric coating. The resistive wires use electricity to provide warmth, and are laid in the hollow space of the dual function seat body  45 ′, preferably close to the horizontal part of the top portion  42 ′ in order to distribute the heat efficiently to the upper surface of the dual function seat body  45 ′. Thermoconductive- and heat resisting polymeric resin or adhesive may be used to hold the resistive wires  50 ′ and sensor  61 ′ in the hollow space. 
     The electrical cords  54 ′ connect the resistive wires  50 ′ to the control device  60 . 
     The sensor  61 ′ reads the actual temperature of the dual function toilet seat and the sensor cord  62 ′ relays this information to the control device  60 . The electrical cords  54 ′ and sensor cord  62 ′ are secured within the hollow space of the seat body by the cord fastener  56 ′. 
     The dual function seat body  45 ′, a pivot  23 , and a hinge assembly  30  can be disposed in communication with a suction device  4  to move foul air from the interior of the toilet bowl  2  into the intake apertures  46 ′, through an air passageways  52 ′, a pivot  23 , a hinge assembly  30 , a hose  38  and a suction device  4 . In addition to ventilation, this dual function seat body  45 ′ can be heated by resistive wires  50 ′. Although the shape of the seat body shown in  FIG. 16  is different from the shape of the seat body shown in  FIG. 12 , each component of the alternative dual function seat body is designed to function the same way as the components described in  FIG. 12  does. 
       FIGS. 17   a ,  17   b  and  18  illustrate a preferred embodiment of the suction device  4  which can be adapted to the ventilated toilet seat. An air purification system  102  comprises a filter unit that removes foul odor, a blower unit that passes air through the filter unit, a lamp unit  120 , a switch unit, a warm seat switch knob  116  and an electric control device  118 . The filter unit includes a filter  104 , a filtercage  106  and a filtercage cap  108 . The filter  104  is packed with activated charcoal and receives foul air carried by a connection hose  38  through the filtercage cap  108 . The filtercage  106  is sealed to ensure all the foul air entering the filtercage  106  pass through the filter  104 , and the purified air exit the filter unit toward the blower unit. The blower unit includes a blower  110  and a blower cage  112 . The blower  110  is rotatably driven by electricity and provides a constant airflow of pressure/vacuum even in application with a filter  104  which may have a high backpressure. The filter  104  can be replaced periodically as needed by the user. The lamp unit  120  is equipped with an UV lamp  122  which kills microorganisms by emitting effective range of UV spectrum. This lamp unit is configured that the air flow entering the unit is exposed to the germicidal light before exiting the unit. The UV lamp  120  is easily detached or attached for change when replacement is needed. The switch unit activates or deactivates both the blower  110  and the lamp unit  120  simultaneously. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the blower  110  is a regenerative blower (also known as ring blower) that can offer a controlled delivery of airflow in the range of 2-5 square cubic feet per minute (SCFM) with maximum pressure/vacuum in the range of 2-5 inches of water. The blower  110  and the lamp unit  120  can be operated by an AC power provided in the wall outlet. Alternatively, the blower motor can be converted to be operated by a low voltage DC power (9-15 V) provided by a rechargeable battery or by an AC to DC converter. The blower cage  112  encloses the blower  110  which is connected to the filter unit through an opening provided in the blower cage  112 . The blower cage  112  is well sealed and provided with sound absorbing materials so that the noise generated by the blower  110  during operation can be reduced significantly. The air exiting the blower is allowed to circulate the hollow space of the blower cage  112  so that the blower  110  is exposed to the constant flow of air during operation and does not need a separate cooling device. Some vibration dampening means  114 , such as rubber, are used to attach the blower  110  to the blower cage  112 . Electrical wires  142  extending from the switch unit and electric control device  118  are connected to the blower  110  and the lamp unit  120  so that the activation or deactivation is controlled by the switch unit. Through an air tight fit provided in the blower cage exit opening, the air leaves the blower cage  112  for the lamp unit  120  where bacteria and viruses present in the air are succumbed by the germicidal ultraviolet light as well known. The purified air exiting the lamp unit  120  passes through a noise reducer  124 . 
     The switch unit includes an on switch  130 , an off switch  132 , a foot switch  134  and a time delay device  136  which are all interconnected together. The on switch  130  is a push button type which activates the blower  110  and the lamp unit  120  when pushed on, and a time delay device  136  may deactivate the blower  110  and the lamp unit  120  after a predetermined period of time after activation, such as 2, 6, or 12 minutes as selected by the users. The on switch  130  and time delay device  136  may be coordinated in a way that a cycle of predetermined period of time is repeated, for example, 2 minutes on the first push, 6 minutes on the second push, 12 minutes on the third push which completes a cycle, then 2 minutes again on the fourth push to start a new cycle. A number of indicators, such as LEDs  140  which would display the predetermined period of time for deactivation, are lit to indicate the blower  110  and lamp unit  120  are activated. The off switch  132  is also a push button type and may be pushed to deactivate the blower  110  and the lamp unit  120  instantly. The foot switch  134  may be located at the front part of the purification systems  102  so that activation or deactivation of the blower  110  and lamp unit  120  can be done by a foot. This foot switch  134  may be an on/off switch, such as a push button, a toggle switch or a light-recognition switch. At “on” position, the foot switch  134  may activate the blower  110  and lamp unit  120  for a predetermined period of time, such as 2 minutes, which is also displayed by a lit LED  140 . A user can select a desired operation time with the on switch  130  or deactivate the blower  110  and lamp unit  120  by touching the off switch  132 . If the blower  110  and lamp unit  120  are still running when a user is finished using the toilet, the user can move a foot to turn the foot switch  134  off, which will deactivate the blower  110  and lamp unit  120  just like a pushing of the off switch  132  does. 
     The electric control device  118  is disposed to communicate with the switch unit and a warm seat switch knob  116 . The electric control device  118  is connected by the electrical cords  54  to the resistive wires  50  encapsulated in the hollow space  51  of the dual function seat body  45 , and is also connected by the sensor cord  62  to a sensor  61  in the seat body. The electric control device  118  receives information from the sensor  61  and adjusts the amount of electricity flowing to the resistive wires  50  by operation of a warm seat switch knob  116  which functions as an on/off switch as well as a current regulator. By turning the warm seat switch knob  116  clock wise or counter-clock wise, the resistive wires  50  can be warmed to a several predetermined temperatures from 30° C. to 40° C. 
     Both of the switch unit and the electric control device  118  are connected to a power cord  156  which extend from the rear side of the air purification system  102  into the electrical outlet  158  near the toilet bowl. 
       FIG. 19  shows a dual function seat body  45  which is arranged with a seat cover  174 , a pair of hinge assemblies ( 3  and  30 ), a connection hose  38  and the air purification system  102 . Though a toilet bowl  2  and a conventional nuts for mounting the hinge assemblies ( 3  and  30 ) to the toilet bowl  2  are deleted in  FIG. 19  for the clarity of illustration, it is still obvious to the skilled in the art that the arrangement shows the air purification system  102  near the toilet bowl  2  within the reach of the user. One of the hinge assemblies  3  receives a pivot  23  for an air flow communication, and the other hinge  30  on the opposite side is engaged with a pivot  23  carrying electrical cords  54  and a sensor cord  62  which are connected to the electric control device  118  of air purification system  102 . The flow of foul air in the toilet bowl is as follows. The air enters the intake apertures  46  and passes through air passageway  53  and reaches to the pivot  23 . Through the pivot, the air continues to pass the hinge assembly  3  and enters into the connection hose  38  and move toward the filter unit. The air in filter cap  108  passes through the filter  104  and is sucked into the blower  110  and blown out to circulate the blower cage  112 . The air leaves the blower cage  112  through the exit and enter into the lamp unit  120 . The purified air exit the lamp unit  120  and pass through noise attenuator  124  and leave the purification system  102  through an opening  180 . 
     Alternatively, the purification unit may be located at places hidden from the users, such as outside the bathroom or behind the toilet bowl. In such case, a remote control device  182  may be provided to operate the switch unit and the warm seat switch which are equipped with a receiver to accept the signals transmitted by the remote control device. 
       FIGS. 20   a  and  20   b  show a cordless air purification system  102 ′. The air purification system  102 ′ comprises a filter unit, a blower unit, a lamp unit  120 ′, a switch unit, an electric control device  118 ′ and a rechargeable battery  192 . The filter unit includes a filter  104 ′, a filtercage  106 ′ and a filtercage cap  108 ′. The filter  104 ′ is packed with activated charcoal and receives foul air carried by a connection hose  38  through the filtercage cap  108 ′. The filtercage  106 ′ is sealed to ensure all the foul air entering the filtercage  106 ′ pass through the filter  104 ′, and the purified air exit the filter unit toward the blower unit. The blower unit includes a blower  110 ′ and a blower cage  112 ′. The blower  110 ′ is rotatably driven by electricity and provides a constant airflow of pressure/vacuum even in application with a filter  104 ′ which may have a high backpressure. The filter  104 ′ can be replaced periodically as needed by the user. The lamp unit  120 ′ is equipped with an UV lamp  122 ′ which kills microorganisms by emitting effective range of UV spectrum. This lamp unit is configured that the air flow entering the unit is exposed to the germicidal light before exiting the unit. The UV lamp  120 ′ is easily detached or attached for change when replacement is needed. The switch unit activates or deactivates both the blower  110 ′ and the lamp unit  120 ′ simultaneously. 
     The blower  110 ′ is a regenerative blower that can offer a controlled delivery of airflow in the range of 2-5 square cubic feet per minute (SCFM) with maximum pressure/vacuum in the range of 2-5 inches of water. The blower  110 ′ and the lamp unit  120 ′ can be operated by a low volatage DC power (9-15 V) provided by a rechargeable battery. The blower cage  112 ′ encloses the blower  110 ′ which is connected to the filter unit through an opening provided in the blower cage  112 ′. The blower cage  112 ′ is well sealed and provided with sound absorbing materials so that the noise generated by the blower  110 ′ during operation can be reduced significantly. The air exiting the blower is allowed to circulate the hollow space of the blower cage  112 ′ so that the blower  110 ′ is exposed to the constant flow of air during operation and does not need a separate cooling device. Some vibration dampening means  114 ′, such as rubber, are used to attach the blower  110 ′ to the blower cage  112 ′. Electrical wires  142 ′ extending from the switch unit and electric control device  118 ′ are connected to the blower  110 ′ and the lamp unit  120 ′ so that the activation or deactivation is controlled by the switch unit. Through an air tight fit provided in the blower cage exit opening, the air leaves the blower cage  112 ′ for the lamp unit  120 ′ where bacteria and viruses present in the air are succumbed by the germicidal ultraviolet light as well known. The purified air exiting the lamp unit  120 ′ passes through a noise reducer  124 ′. 
     The switch unit includes an on switch  130 ′, an off switch  132 ′, a foot switch  134 ′ and a time delay device  136 ′ which are all interconnected together. The on switch  130 ′ is a push button type which activates the blower  110 ′ and the lamp unit  120 ′ when pushed on, and a time delay device  136 ′ may deactivate the blower  110 ′ and the lamp unit  120 ′ after a predetermined period of time after activation, such as 2, 6, or 12 minutes as selected by the users. The on switch  130 ′ and time delay device  136 ′ may be coordinated in a way that a cycle of predetermined period of time is repeated, for example, 2 minutes on the first push, 6 minutes on the second push, 12 minutes on the third push which completes a cycle, then 2 minutes again on the fourth push to start a new cycle. A number of indicators, such as LEDs  140 ′ which would display the predetermined period of time for deactivation, are lit to indicate the blower  110 ′ and lamp unit  120 ′ are activated. The off switch  132 ′ is also a push button type and may be pushed to deactivate the blower  110 ′ and the lamp unit  120 ′ instantly. The foot switch  134 ′ may be located at the front part of the purification systems  102 ′ so that activation or deactivation of the blower  110 ′ and lamp unit  120 ′ can be done by a foot. This foot switch  134 ′ may be an on/off switch, such as a push button, a toggle switch or a light-recognition switch. At “on” position, the foot switch  34 ′ may activate the blower  110 ′ and lamp unit  120 ′ for a predetermined period of time, such as 2 minutes, which is also displayed by a lit LED  140 ′. A user can select a desired operation time with the on switch  130 ′ or deactivate the blower  110 ′ and lamp unit  120 ′ by touching the off switch  132 ′. 
     The electric control device  118 ′ is disposed to communicate with the switch unit and the lamp unit  120 ′. Both of the switch unit and the electric control device  118 ′ are connected to the rechargeable battery  192  by the electrical wires  142 ′. 
     The functions and operational procedures of the units in cordless air purification system  102 ′ are the same as described for the air purification system  102  described in  FIGS. 17 and 18  except that the electric power for the blower and lamp units comes from a rechargeable battery  192  which can be charged wirelessly by the transmitter  194  or can be detached from the cordless air purification system  102 ′ to be charged using a conventional charger (see  FIG. 21 ). The rechargeable battery  192  may be provided with a receiver chip or a rectifying antenna which converts electromagnetic wave energy from the transmitter  194  into direct-current (DC) electricity. The transmitter  194  generates electromagnetic wave and can be placed at the electric outlet within about 15 feet from the cordless air purification system  102 ′. This eliminates the needs for electrical cords and physical power connection of high voltage to the cordless air purification system  102 ′. The ventilated toilet seat assembly  1  employing the hinge assemblies ( 3  and  30 ) can be connected to the cordless air purification system  102 ′ by a connection hose  38  to evacuate foul air. This cordless air purification unit is suitable for area where high voltage electric outlet is not allowed in a room where toilet is located by strict building codes or a bathroom which does not have an electric outlet near the toilet bowl. 
     While the invention has been shown and described with reference to different embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations in form, detail, compositions and operation may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims. For example, the toilet seats are usually provided in two different shapes, horseshoe or U-shaped type and oval or closed type. Although only oval type toilet seat was used to describe several novel features presented in the current invention, the same features of the present invention can be applied to a horseshoe type.