Patent Publication Number: US-2023135879-A1

Title: Antiviral commode

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS 
     The present invention claims priority to a U.S. Pat. Application No. 17/392,952 entitled “Antiviral Commode”, filed on Aug. 03, 2021 and to a U.S. Provisional Pat. Application No. 63/061,642 entitled “Anti-Aerosol Toilet Seat” filed on Aug. 05, 2020, disclosure of which is included in this specification at least by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is in the field of plumbed waste collection facilities and pertains particularly to methods and apparatus for removing contaminants from displaced air in a plumbed waste collection facility. 
     2. Discussion of the State of the Art 
     In the art of waste management, there are a plethora of utilities and equipment designed or otherwise adapted to collect human biological waste safely and/or treat and recycle the human biological waste, hopefully, eliminating or at least reducing potentially harmful biological airborne pathogens such as bacteria and viruses, contaminants and/or potentially harmful airborne synthetic toxins and/or fumes. 
     A typical system for recycling biological human waste like feces and urine includes a collection process, for example, collecting waste via toilet OR urinal. Human waste may be stored in collection tanks known as septic tanks for periodic collection by vehicle. Human waste may be collected and pumped into a sewer system eventually arriving at one or more treatment facilities where chemicals and certain processes may be applied to the wastewater to clean it from biological and synthetic contaminants. The treated water may then be used in other applications or may be released into the natural water drainage system. 
     It is known in the art and confirmed by many studies performed that a waste collection utility like a flush toilet, for example, may allow for airborne particles specific to disease such as bacteria, spores, viruses, and other airborne contaminant materials to be distributed into the air surrounding the flush toilet. Such contaminants may remain airborne for a period before they settle on surfaces around the flush toilet including the toilet surfaces, counter tops, sinks, towels, toothbrushes, shower units or bath unit surfaces, etc. 
     In a study referred to herein as Wilcox, Sandoe, and Best, entitled “Potential for Aerosolization of  Clostridium difficile  after flushing toilets” found that C.  difficile  was recoverable from air samples after a flushing operation on a toilet. The samples taken were positive for C.  difficile  at 25 centimeters above the toilet seat. Aerosolization produced by toilet flushing potentially contribute to hospital environmental contamination. Prevention measures (toilet lids) should be evaluated as interventions to prevent toilet-associated environmental contamination in clinical settings. 
     Other studies reveal that Toilets must be kept clean to prevent the transmission of bacteria and pathogens during the outbreak of the novel corona virus epidemic. Toilet users’ health can be affected by pathogens embedded in airborne aerosol droplets that may rise as high as one meter from the toilet seat during flushing and spread in the air. Each toilet flush can produce approximately 14,000 to 80,000 aerosol droplets, which can rise higher if the water tank is installed on a high position or a valve type flushing system is used. 
     The droplets may rise as high as one meter. Their study revealed that pathogens can be spread in the air by aerosol droplets emitted from toilet flushing, thus contaminating the washroom. Also, the smaller the size of the pathogens, the higher the concentration of distribution in the air after flushing. Covering the toilet lid before flushing can help to reduce bacteria-embedded airborne aerosol droplets that may contaminate the air and the washroom; however, Professor Lai said international studies found that bacteria can still be emitted from toilet flushing as there is a space of a few millimeters between the lid and the toilet bowl. 
     Multiple flushing may not help eliminate this problem since pathogens can stay on the surface of the toilet bowl for some time and be transmitted with aerosol droplets. The room walls and all surfaces and surrounding area will thus be infected when pathogens are spread in the air from a flushing event. As a result, the toilet lid, wash basin and even the floor of the washroom will be contaminated. Typically, a recommended bleach or sanitizer solution is to use 1 to 49 diluted household bleach to regularly clean the toilet bowl and 1 in 99 diluted household bleach to clean all areas of the washroom. Use the exhaust fan, if available, for 15 to 30 minutes after using the washroom to help dilute the bacteria and virus in the air. An opened window will also maintain adequate indoor ventilation. 
     In practice, a flushing of a typical toilet utility causes displacement of air within the toilet bowl by the additional water entering the toilet bowl, the added water being flushed out of the bowl causes air to come back into the bowl, and the added water after flushing causes the air in the bowl to be displaced out again. Typically, the aerosolized plume of biological material is pushed upward; however, it may also be pushed laterally if a toilet lid is closed due to a gap around the toilet lid underside and the toilet bowl rim. Scientific discovery that sewers may contain viruses such as the SARS Covid-19 virus as well as other pathogens confirms that those pathogens are present when the infected person uses the toilet facility and, therefore, may be aerosolized into the immediate area of the toilet and after time may settle on virtually all of the surfaces in the immediate area of the toilet. 
     An obvious problem with the devices known in the art is that they rely on known in the art sensors analyzers, collectors, filters, or sanitizers. Prior art devices are non-electric, a non-mechanical, and non-moving devices. They are also not airtight preventing all aerosols. Further to the above challenges, aerosolized or airborne contaminants, spores, or pathogens may bypass around the edges of the depicted article which may only be retained within a housing and not sealed off from hollow space above and peripheral to the toilet. 
     Therefore, what is clearly needed in the art is a modular antiviral filter assembly for filtering airborne contaminants from air displaced during a flushing sequence of a waste collection facility that removes, contains, or eliminates inorganic and organic airborne particles including viral pathogens emanating. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, an effective antiviral commode, which also inactivates larger biological pathogens to include bacteria and spores, is provided including a base structure having a toilet water bowl and an upper bowl rim, a toilet seat hinge mounted to the base structure and oriented concentric to the upper rim, a toilet top lid hinge mounted to the base structure and oriented concentric to the toilet seat, a filter assembly including a physical high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter media contained or disposed within a porous and dual metallic filter track of antimicrobial metals (such as zinc/lead and copper or silver) housing which provides additional electrostatic filtration of particles and inactivation of viruses through electric current (active electrocution). %Two antimicrobial metals such as zinc and copper function as electrodes and the liquid component of the aerosol also function as an electrolyte solution to create a “battery effect” for passive inactivation of viruses and bacteria. The filter media assembly is mounted to the underside of the toilet top lid concentric to the toilet seat. The filter assembly makes uniform surface contact with the top surface of the toilet seat when the toilet seat and top lid are closed. An electronics compartment has an internal volume for containing electronics for initiating flushing, a power source for powering the electronics, and at least one visual indicia [LED Light/s] for notification of the state of flushing. 
     A manual or electronically initiated flushing sequence with the toilet seat and lid closed, forces contaminated air within the toilet water bowl to rise upon refilling of the water bowl from a connected source of water, and to exit laterally/horizontally through the filter media assembly along the periphery thereof, thus disinfected to the outside of the base structure and into the room housing the toilet. 
     In one embodiment, a plumbed water tank serves as a connected water source and wherein the standard flush handle for manual flushing which should be operated only when the antiviral lid and seat are down. The manual flush handle may be replaced with a commercial electronic flushing system which can then be operated an Electronic Compartment within the lid. The Electronic Compartment contains a transmitter that sends a wireless flush signal to a receiver embedded within any automatic flush device to activate a flush button when the lid and seat are down or flush signal through a remote control unit only when the lid is down (or via a hard wired connection between the electronic control compartment and the commercial automatic flushing device). In a variation of this embodiment, flushing may be is initiated as a result of optical sensing of the closed state of the antiviral commode lid and seat through the use of a concave mirror on the toilet seat which reflects the optical beam back to the commercial flushing unit. In another embodiment using a tank, flushing is initiated by a user operating a flush button on the toilet lid or a remote control device. 
     In one embodiment, the toilet seat includes at least two or more one-way check valves seated laterally through the material of the toilet seat. The check valves, allowing outside air to enter into the toilet bowl and preventing air inside the toilet bowl to escape back through the check valves to the outside of the base structure upon flushing when the lid and seat are in the down position. In one embodiment, the visual indicia include two or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted on top of the toilet seat, exterior of the electronics compartment, for alerting a user to commode state including the state of water filling into the toilet bowl after a flush action. In a preferred embodiment, electronics for initiating flushing include a remotely activated power switch. In one embodiment, the electronics include a micro-controller having instruction thereon for indicating state via the one or more LEDs. 
     In one embodiment, the antiviral commode further includes an annular depression having a cross bar therein for serving as a recessed lift handle disposed on the outside of the electronics compartment. In one embodiment, the electronics further include electronics for providing static or alternating negative to positive electric charge to the metallic sections of the inner track portion of the filter track housing the filter media to function as an electrostatic filter/precipitator of bacteria and aerosol droplets and for inactivation of viruses via electric charge. In one embodiment, the power source is a rechargeable battery and wherein the electronics further include electronics for enabling the battery to be recharged. In a variation of this embodiment, the electronics for charging is a universal serial bus (USB) port. In one embodiment, the antiviral commode further includes a pair of polymer caps to cover the metal porous track housing on each end of the filter assembly to provide an air-tight leak-proof union with the toilet lid and seat when both are closed. Cap material may be composed of commercial proprietary media such as plastic-rubber-silicone, vinyl and/or similar components. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1 A  is a front elevation view of an antiviral commode with lid down according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  1 B  is a front elevation view of the antiviral commode of  FIG.  1 A  with lid open. 
         FIG.  2    is an overhead perspective view of a seat assembly of an antiviral commode according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  3    is an underside perspective view of a seat assembly of an antiviral commode according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  4    is a front elevation view of a CPAC filter modified for a seat assembly of an antiviral commode according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  5    is a sectioned perspective view of an antiviral commode seat assembly according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  6 A  is a block diagram depicting one of two antiviral commodes used in a public facility according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  6 B  is a second one of the antiviral commodes used in a public facility according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG.  7    is a process flow chart depicting steps for using an antiviral commode according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  8 A  is a front elevation view of an antiviral commode with the lid thereof elevated according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  8 B  is a block diagram depicting an automated waist collection system according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  9    is an overhead perspective view of the toilet lid and seat of the commode of  FIG.  8 A . 
         FIG.  10    is a section view of HEPA filter assembly of  FIG.  8 A  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  11    is a block diagram of compartment of  FIG.  8 A  and remote devices having wireless transmission capabilities. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In various embodiments described in enabling detail herein, the inventor provides a unique system for eliminating viral or pathogenic plumes from emanating from commodes during flushing. A goal of the present invention is to reduce or eliminate or contain viral or other pathogenic microbes, spores, and other contaminants from air forced out of a commode bowl during the flushing operation. Another goal of the invention is to prevent unnecessary spread of airborne viruses and other airborne contaminants to a group of people that use restroom facilities. The present invention is described using the following examples, which may describe more than one relevant embodiment falling within the scope of the invention. 
       FIG.  1 A  is a front elevation view of an antiviral commode facility  100  with lid down according to an embodiment of the present invention. Antiviral commode  100  is a home use version of the present invention. Commode  100  includes a base structure  102  including the collection basin or bowl having a commode rim as all commode systems have. Commode  100  includes a water tank  101  set behind commode  100  for holding water for flushing purposes. Commode  100  is manually flushed in this embodiment using a flush handle  103  connected to a typical internal chain, float, and stopper assembly typical of household commode systems. As referenced in the background section of this specification, a problem exists when a person who may be shedding airborne pathogens such as a transmissible airborne virus, for example, uses the facility and flushes commode  100  whether the commode lid is up or down when flushing occurs. The problem is that the flushing process dumps water from tank  101  into the bowl inside base structure  102  thus displacing air upward and outward in a plume. Any airborne pathogen may be carried for some time in the ejected plume and may eventually settle after a period onto a surface near the facility. In this case, some pathogenic materials may still retain a capability of infecting another person that comes in contact with such bathroom surfaces after the person has used the facility. 
     According to one embodiment of the invention, the inventor provides an antiviral lid assembly  104  that may be operated to reduce or eliminate pathogens that may wind up in the humid air plume forced out of the commode bowl during the flushing process. Assembly  104  encompasses a donut commode seat and lid that are modified or otherwise manufactured to support an antiviral filter housing  105  that may be installed on the underside of the top lid and that may seal against the inside rim of a modified donut seat that rests on the bowl rim of base structure  102 . Although not visible in this embodiment, the donut seat may also be modified by an addition of gasket material on the underside surface thereof for sealing against the top rim of the collection bowl inside base structure  102 . In one embodiment of the present invention, assembly  104  may be manufactured and sold to consumers as an aftermarket antiviral solution for reducing or eliminating airborne pathogens that may otherwise escape the bowl feature whether the commode lid is in the up position or in the down position while flushing occurs. In such a case, the consumer may replace the existing seat assembly with the antiviral seat assembly  104 . In this case, no modifications are required to other components of commode facility  100 . In one embodiment, the top lid of antiviral seat assembly  104  includes a lift handle for user convenience in lifting and lowering the top lid supporting filter housing  105 . In another embodiment, filter housing  105  may be installed to an existing seat assembly with specific modifications required to successfully integrate the filter housing into the commode seat assembly. In a preferred embodiment, antiviral seat assembly  104  is manufactured and added to an existing commode facility replacing the old seat assembly for user convenience; however, that is not specifically required to enable the present invention. 
       FIG.  1 B  is a front elevation view of antiviral commode  100  of  FIG.  1 A  with lid open. In this view of commode facility  100 , the top lid of antiviral seat assembly is raised depicting the underside of antiviral filter housing  105 . Filter housing  105  may be molded from a polymer material or polymer-rubber composite material that has some density and weight such as an acetal homopolymer material like Delrin® or a similar composite. Filter housing  105  includes one or more, in this case three, antiviral air filters  106 . Antiviral air filters  106  may be continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) type anti-fungal/antiviral/anti-particulate filter that may be modified in this embodiment for use as a filter array in filter housing  105 . It is noted herein that the underside of filter housing  105  is not amenable to air flowing upward and there through the exception of course is directed to air flowing into and through the CPAP filters  106 . It may also be noted herein that at least a portion of filter housing  105  is hollowed out on the inside above filters  106  to enable filtered air to flow out from the filter housing through side vents located at the rear portion of the housing that are not visible in this embodiment but may be assumed present. Modified CPAP filters may be considered bi-directional filters meaning that air my flow both directions through the filter device. This is duly noted as the flushing process initiated by handle  103  may force air upward and out of the bowl as the bowl fills with water and may draw air back into the bowl as the water is drained out through the bottom of the bowl during the flushing process. More detail about modifications to CPAP filters  106  is provided later in this specification. Referring back to  FIG.  1 A , filter housing  105  may extend below the donut seat for some distance from the geometric plane where the filter housing component seals against the inside rim of the donut seat without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In one embodiment, a handle may be provided on the top lid at center front to assist a user in lifting the lid and mounted filter housing off of the donut seat. 
       FIG.  2    is an overhead perspective view of seat assembly  104  of antiviral commode  100  according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, antiviral seat assembly  104  includes one or more modifications that may be different than the antiviral seat assembly of  FIG.  1 A  and  FIG.  1 B ; however, the same element numbers are given for the assembly and filter housing as the overall primary function of the assembly is the same. In this embodiment, filter housing  105  is mounted to a seat assembly top lid  200 . Top lid  200  may have a molded form that overlaps filter housing  105  and that overlaps a donut seat  201  which is modified or otherwise formed to seal against the rim top surface of the commode bowl and on the inside rim in the form of a perimeter skirt  303  formed on the interior opening of the donut seat  201 . Skirt  303  may be formed inward (toward center) at an angle of approximately 45 degrees from the plane of the seat that conforms to a seal surface (not visible) created on the outside lower perimeter of filter housing  105  that is complimentary in angularity at 135 degrees and mates flush to skirt  303  when top lid  200  is lowered all the way down. In one embodiment, the seal is a surface-to-surface seal that is sufficient to eliminate any potential gap between the housing filter and the donut seat. In one embodiment, an O-ring gasket may be provided between the filter housing  105  and the donut seat  201 . It is noted that the handle mentioned further above may aid a user in pulling up lid  200  from donut seat  201 . In this embodiment, donut seat  201  is modified or otherwise formed to include a geometric depression feature  202  on the top at roughly front and center of donut seat  201 . Depression feature  202  may function as a symmetrical crevasse feature between seat  201  and top lid  200  enabling a user to lift up on top lid  200  without the use of a handle installed on the top lid. 
     In this embodiment, antiviral filter housing  105  may host a single larger diameter antimicrobial, antiviral filter  203  (logically represented by broken boundary). In this embodiment, antiviral assembly  104  may be added to a public commode that is flushed automatically using wireless sensor technology. In one embodiment, antiviral seat assembly  104 , more particularly, antiviral filter housing  105  may include a wireless electronic control module (WECM)  204  adapted for close range wireless communications with an automated all electric flushing unit that generates an automated flushing command based on sensor data describing a state or condition relative to the commode and the operation thereof by a user. Top lid  200  includes an array  205  of light emitting diodes adapted to inform a user about state of the antiviral commode. In one example, flushing is not performed until the top lid  200  and antiviral filter housing  105  are closed and sealed to donut seat  201 . In such a case, one or more states for the antiviral commode may be worked into a routine for flushing that is optimized for the antiviral commode. In a simple form, a red LED or LEDs may turn on and or flash indicating a flushing process has begun, preferably just after a user as closed lid  200  supporting antiviral filter housing  105  over donut seat  201 . This action of closing the lid may be communicated to the electric flushing unit (not illustrated) charged with flushing that individual commode in a number of ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     In one embodiment, when the person steps away and closes the top lid before flush, the electric flushing unit sees that using an optical sensor and initiates flush when the antiviral filter housing is in correct interface with the donut seat. In another embodiment, when top lid  200  is up, it is communicated to the electric flushing unit by a trip sensor installed proximal to the hinge connection of the top lid and donut seat. An optical laser may be provided as a trip sensor whereupon the line may be broken when the lid is up and unbroken when the lid is placed down. More detail about process relative to flushing is provided later in this specification. In one embodiment wherein antiviral seat assembly includes WECM  204  and or LED array  205 , a small power source (not illustrated), which may or may not be a rechargeable power source, may be provided to power electronic functions of the antiviral seat assembly  104 . Small batteries might be housed within antiviral filter housing  105 . For a rechargeable battery, a charge port may also be provided for charging the power source. In one embodiment, one or a pair of LEDs in LED array  205  may illuminate red for low battery and green for fully charged. 
     In one embodiment, one or a pair of LEDs in LED array  205  may illuminate red for flush in process (do not open) and green when it is safe to open the top lid  200  after a flush. A counter may be used by the electric flushing unit to correctly define the start and end of every use session of the commode keeping track of use, particularly the raising and lowering of top lid  200 . In one embodiment, the electric flushing unit may have a timer function that allows for actions to be deemed authentic, for example, so a user could not open and close top lid  200  quickly expecting to initiate a flushing process each time the top lid  200  was closed. Similarly, the electric flushing unit in the public version of the commode seat assembly  104  may include fall back routines, for example, if a user simply walks away and does not close top lid  200 , the unit may initiate a flush after a set period wherein the top lid  200  is detected not to be closed, and no person is detected in the stall, or immediate area around the public version. 
     Top lid  200  includes multiple air vents  206  (three vents visible) disposed to the rear end and rear sides of the unit. Air vents  206  each may include a number of parallel through slots that are placed through the body of top lid  200  and through the body of filter housing  104  at the upper hollow portion of the housing above the top plane of the filter  203  or filter array  106  of  FIG.  1 B  (home version). It may be noted herein that either filter design described above may be used in a public version of the commode or in a consumer home version of the commode without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In a preferred use embodiment, air forced out of the commode bowl during a flush is forced through antimicrobial air filter  203  into a hollow spaced above the filter, the filtered air allowed to exit through air vents  206 . Antimicrobial filter  203  may be a bidirectional filter allowing air that exited through vets  206  to be drawn back through filter  203  and exiting into the commode bowl when the water that filled the bowl is drained from the bowl during the flushing operation. Filter  203  may be removed and replaced as necessary: about every 6 months of operation. 
       FIG.  3    is an underside perspective view of seat assembly  104  of antiviral commode  100  according to the embodiment of  FIG.  1   . In this embodiment, the filter design includes three CPAP filters in array  106 . The filters in array  106  may be bi-directional positive airflow (BIPAP) filters meaning air may flow through them in both directions conforming to the bi-directional air displacement occurring in the commode bowl during the flushing process. Top lid  200  may be molded or otherwise formed having a peripheral downward facing wall  301  that may overhang the perimeter of donut seat  201  by some distance. Filter housing  105  may have a perimeter surface  306  that is formed at an angle complimentary to skirt surface  303  such that when brought together the surfaces mate and are flush to one another to a tolerance of about one degree or less across the mating surfaces providing a sealing interface that eliminates an air gap typically located between a top lid and donut seat in prior art seat assemblies not modified to practice the invention. In one embodiment, sealing surface may include a peripheral groove feature  305  that may accept an O-ring gasket  304 . Groove  305  may extend peripherally about the angled surface of skirt  306 . 
     The technology of surface-to-surface sealing is well known in the art and the desired seal affect may be had whether an O-ring gasket is provided or not; however, sealing by gasket may allow for a less strict angular tolerance in manufacturing the angled surface interface between the inner skirt  303  and the angled surface  306  around the lower portion of filter housing  105 . In one embodiment, a commode kit containing the antiviral seat assembly may include two gaskets  300  and  306 . In this embodiment, donut seat  201  has a flat and wide gasket  300  adhered to the underside of the donut seat and adapted to provide a seal against the top surface of a commode bowl rim. Gasket  300  may be glued to the underside of donut seat  201 . Gasket  300  may be a silicon rubber gasket material that is somewhat pliable but resilient and that has a thickness sufficient to provide a sealing surface against the commode rim under the added weight of top lid  200  created by the addition of the filter housing. Gasket  300  eliminates a typical gap between the donut seat and the top rim of the commode bowl found in unmodified commodes with seat assemblies, which are not adapted to practice the invention. Gasket  306  provides a similar seal between the top lid  200  and the seat  201 . 
     The purpose of using gaskets and or sealing surfaces is to ensure that contaminated air from the commode bowl does not escape into the atmosphere around the commode through any gaps in the system and must instead travel through the filters provided in filter housing  105 . It is noted herein that top lid  200  should be closed over donut seat  201  against the rim of the commode bowl as soon as possible after waste is collected. The bidirectional nature of the filters and the flushing process may allow also for air that might have escaped before the lid was closed to be drawn back into the system during the flushing process at least greatly reducing the number of contaminants in the air around the commode that would eventually settle onto bathroom surfaces about the commode. 
       FIG.  4    is a front elevation view of a CPAP filter modified for seat assembly  104  of antiviral commode  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Filter assembly  106  may be a CPAP or BIPAP filter that is modified to practice the present invention. Filter assembly  106  is adapted as a removable and replaceable filter inserted into and annular cavity provided through the bottom solid portion of filter housing  105 . An array of such filters may be provided wherein each filter has its own airflow channel. In the embodiment of  FIG.  1 B  there are three filters in the array; however, there may be more or fewer filters incorporated into the filter housing without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Filter  106  includes an annular polymer or plastic casing  400  having a disk-like central annular portion that houses a microbial/viral filter  402  (CPAP/BIPAP)) and adjacent prefilters  403  one above filter material  402  and one below filter material  402 . 
     Prefilters  403  may, in one embodiment, be fabricated of cloth or plastic substrate with alternating concentric metallic rings of zinc and copper separated by a thin uniform gap. Zinc and copper may be printed or otherwise deposited on the annular substrate, which may be referred to as a nanoplate. Prefilters  403  may be termed electrostatic precipitators in the art. Electrostatic precipitators may also include electric disinfectant capabilities and are annular inserts into the otherwise unmodified CPAP or BIPAP filter assembly  106 . Prefilters  403  are adapted to remove bacteria during the in-and-out airflow of the commode flushing process. The gap between the concentric zinc and copper rings referred to as nanoplates creates an electric current whenever ionic moisture is aerosolized during the commode flush operation, the current electrocuting bacteria, virus, microbes, etc. within the created circuit. 
     Precipitators create a weak electrical field in the presence of humidity in the air traveling through the CPAP or BIPAP filter device as mentioned above. In addition to the filtering action of the central microbial filter material  402 , prefilters  403  may eliminate airborne viruses on contact through a weak electrocution process. Zinc is a well known antibacterial and antifungal compound that in the form of zinc pyrithione may be incorporated into cloth material, in this case in the form of a ring. Cooper salt may be used to form the copper rings on the cloth material. Copper is often used in disinfectants and has antimicrobial properties. In one embodiment, the substrata for the zinc and copper rings may be plastic instead of cloth without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, prefilters  403  may include metallic spots of zinc and silver, silver replacing copper, in a dot matrix printed or otherwise deposited on cloth, fabric, plastic, or synthetic blend of materials wherein the silver dots bound each copper dot in the matrix on four corners. Essentially, the dot matrix works in the same fashion as the concentric rings in the presence of ionized moisture or humidity in the aerosolized water traveling through the filter housing  105  (from  FIG.  1 A ). In one embodiment the prefilters  403  may be viral cidal nano copper disks that are insertable in into the filter casings. 
     Filter assembly  106  has its own airflow channel architected through casing  400  and is open at both ends to facilitate airflow including an annular section  401  (short pipe) at the top of the filter assembly. Section  401  empties out inside the hollowed portion of the filter housing  105  and is directed toward the rear of the housing where vents  206  introduced further above in  FIG.  2    are located. On a flush operation water fills the void in the commode bowl causing a plume of air to rise up vertically through filter assembly  106  in the direction of the arrows. As the air is passing through the channel it contacts prefilters  403  and antimicrobial/antiviral filter material  402 . It is duly noted herein that after the plume rises due to pressure from water filling the bowl just before draining, the sudden removal of the extra water from the bowl causes the airflow to reverse in direction causing filtered air and ambient air to flow back through the filter element  402  and to contact prefilters  403  again. Lastly, the commode bowl may, just after draining, be refilled again to a planned depth causing the airflow to reverse again back upward giving ample contact of airborne contaminants to the prefilters  403  and through filter material  402  at rough center of the vertical channel extending through the filter assembly  106 . In one embodiment, filter housing assembly  105  may include a small air fan that may be powered on during the flushing process that may help to move rising air through the filter channels or channel in the case of a single filter. Such a fan may be programmed to also reverse air flow back into the commode bowl at the correct time when water is drained from the bowl. LEDs  205  ( FIG.  5   ) in the top lid  200  may illuminate red at the beginning of the flushing process and then green at an appropriate time after flushing (5 to 7 seconds) whereby the user may open lid  200  breaking seal with the skirt  303  ( FIG.  3   ) formed about the bottom of the opening in donut seat  201  ( FIG.  3   ). 
       FIG.  5    is a sectioned perspective view of antiviral commode seat assembly  104  of  FIG.  3    according to an embodiment of the invention. In this sectioned view, the hollowed portions of filter housing  105  are depicted. In one embodiment, filter housing  105  and top lid  200  are molded as one contiguous article. In another embodiment, filter housing  105  is a separate article that is mounted to the underside of top lid  200  in a fashion that creates the hollow portions of the assembly. The bottom portion of filter housing  104  is thicker material that supports weight and a complimentary surface  306  ( FIG.  3   ) not visible, that mates flush with angle skirt surface  303  on donut seat  201 . Filters  106  are depicted with one filter casing dissected in this section showing internal architecture for staging the filter elements. A single air vent  206  is visible in this view. A compartment  501  is provided in this embodiment to house a wireless control module like WECM  204  of  FIG.  2    above. In one embodiment, other electronics such as a battery source to power LEDs  205  and or the WECM is provided within the filter housing. In one embodiment WECM has an on-board power source in the form of a rechargeable battery. In a further embodiment, a charge port such as a mini universal serial bus (USB) port may be provided for the purpose of remotely charging the unit from an external battery or power source. In this embodiment, the hollowed portion of antiviral filter housing  105  extends the full length of the housing down to the interfacing floor of the housing wherein annular CPAP filters are contained in solid pillars open at both ends that stop short of the full height of the inside of the filter housing to enable the air to pass completely through into the hollow portion of the filter housing. 
     In this embodiment, gasket  300  seals against the upper rim surface of a commode bowl and the skirt extends below the rim surface of the commode bowl. Depression feature  202  may provide a convenient location to lift top lid  200  breaking the seal between the filter housing  105  and the donut seat  201 . In a preferred embodiment, no air may pass into filter housing  105  from the commode bowl without traveling through the provided filter or filters. It may be assumed that the treated air may exit filter housing  105  through vents in the filter housing like vent  206 . In this embodiment, the WECM may include an on board battery that may also power the LED panel  205 . It may be reminded that top lid  200  integrated with filter housing  105  is hinged to donut seat  201  at the rear (hinge not illustrated). In one embodiment, donut seat  201  is made of solid material like plastic and may be molded or otherwise formed. 
       FIG.  6    is a block diagram depicting a public facility  600  of antiviral commodes according to an embodiment of the invention. Public facility  600  may include one, two, or more commodes  603  depending upon the type of public restroom facility it is. A rest stop facility may have several commodes  603  whereas a gas station facility or park and recreation facility may have fewer commodes  603 . In this embodiment, public commodes are separated from one another at least by a partition  602  for purposes of privacy. Each commode  603  includes an antiviral seat assembly  104  analogous to the assembly  104  of  FIG.  2    wherein a single microbial/antiviral/anti-fungal filter  605  is provided in place of modified CPAP/BIPAP filters. Filter  605  is analogous to filter  203  introduced in  FIG.  2    above and is supported in an annular airflow channel that may be several inches in diameter. Similarly, the total airflow channel footprint of three separate CPAP/BIPAP filters may be similar or several inches in aggregate. Each public commode  603  may be paired wirelessly with dedicated all-electric flushing units  601 . Tank-less commodes are flushed directly through water supply lines (pipes not visible) as opposed to gravity-based tank systems that store a gallon or so of water to drop into the commode bowl. Flushing units  601  may be adapted with smart sensor technology, for example, that flushes the commode when the user steps out of optical recognition of the sensor; however, to practice the invention, the flushing must be initiated when the seat assembly  104  in closed and sealed to the donut seat and, in turn, sealed to the bowl rim of the commode. 
     In a one embodiment of the present invention, flushing units  601  are adapted to flush commodes  603  whenever the seat assembly (top lid and antiviral filter housing) is closed and sealed. This might be achieved using an optical sensor to determine when assembly  104  ( FIG.  2   ) is closed after use prompting a hands-free flush sequence wherein the user does not have to manually flush the commode. In this embodiment one depicted commode has the assembly  104  up. In this case, there is no command or sensed evidence to electronically flush the commode. The other depicted commode has assembly  104  shut or closed. In this case the WECM may send a wireless signal the electric flushing unit to immediately initiate a hands-free flushing sequence. In a more robust embodiment, intelligence in the form of a timing function relative to detected or communicated state events of commodes  603  may be provided to the all-electric flushing units to mitigate errors in the flushing process. For example, it is possible that a user does not manually flush the commode and does not close assembly  104 . In this case a back-up routing may be observed and after a set period if the user has not closed the top lid over the donut seat, then the flushing unit  601  may override the rule of closed assembly and flush the commode with the lid open. 
     In one embodiment, LEDs analogous to LEDs  205  of  FIG.  2    may be provided that may indicate to a user that it is safe to open the commode top lid after the last flushing sequence. Typically, that period may only be five to ten seconds long to make sure no airborne contaminants are still floating around in the commode bowl. In still a further embodiment, a servo unit might be provided that may automatically close the seat assembly  104  over the donut seat  201  ( FIG.  2   ) by a hinge connection with a gas shock component to enable a smooth mechanical closing operation whereupon once closed and sealed the flushing unit may initiate the flush. In one embodiment, there may be a sleep mode for battery powered filter housing  104  that wakes into an operation mode based on sensor detection of movement such as a user lifting assembly  104  in preparation of using the commode  603 . The sensor might be based in the filter housing  105  or in the electric flushing unit  601  without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
       FIG.  7    is a process flow chart  700  depicting steps for using an antiviral commode according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. At step  701 , a user opens the set assembly by pulling up on the assembly top lid using a handle or ledge feature breaking the seal between the filter housing and the commode donut seat. At step  702 , it may be determined if the commode is a home unit or a public unit. If at step  702 , the unit is a home unit, the user, once finished, closes the top lid and reseals the filter housing against the donut seat at step  703 . At step  704 , the user flushes the commode manually using the provided flush handle. In this simple home routine, the potentially contaminated air is filtered during the flushing process with the top lid closed. In one embodiment, the commode has a timing function and an LED panel that uses colored light to inform the user when the top lid may be opened again. 
     At step  702 , if it is determined the commode is not a home version, then it may be determined at step  705  if the user is operating a public version of the antiviral commode. If at step  705 , the commode is a public commode, then at step  706 , the user, once finished closes the lid. At step  707  an electric flushing unit initiates the flushing sequence hands free. In one aspect, when the user opens the top lid, powered electronics resident in the filter housing wake from a sleep mode and communicate with the electric flushing unit that the user is operating the commode, and the electric flushing unit may apply a timing function to authenticate actual use of the commode. In one aspect of the method using a public version of the commode, a timing function is used to flush the commode with the top lid open in an event that the user forgot to close the top lid after use and walked away. In one aspect of the public version of the commode, one or more sensors are employed to wake the commode electronics from a sleep mode when the top lid of the commode is lifted. In this aspect, when the top lid is closed again, a counter may be employed associating the opening and closing of the top lid with a use session and may authenticate the use session with a timing function. In one aspect using the public version, the top lid is controlled mechanically by the electric flushing unit using sensors and a timing function to close the top lid in the event a user fails to close the lid after use. 
     HEPA Filtering Horizontal Airflow 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the inventor provides a system that employs an oval high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter housed in an electrically conductive metal track housing mounted on the underside of the toilet lid. In this system, two or more one-way check valves may be provided and installed horizontally through the toilet seat to enable one way flow of room air into the toilet bowel during a portion of the flushing operation where the water level drops as the toilet is flushed. Also in this embodiment, air from the toilet bowel is forced out horizontally through the HEPA filter and oppositional charged porous metal track housing sections to provide optimum biological and particulate filtration of the forced air and electronic sanitation of that same airflow during the portion of flushing wherein water level rises in the toilet bowl. This embodiment is described using the following examples. 
       FIG.  8 A  is a front elevation view of an antiviral commode  800  with the lid thereof elevated according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG.  8 B  is a block diagram depicting an automated waist collection system according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. Referring now to  FIG.  8 A , commode  800  includes a base structure that consists of a toilet bowl  802  supported by a foot form  811  analogous to base structure  102  described with respect to  FIG.  1 A  of the parent application referenced above and included herein in this specification. A water tank  801  is provided for holding the flushing water and is analogous to water tank  101  of commode  100  of  FIG.  1 A  save for the fact that no flushing handle is provided on the tank in this example. In this example, an electronic flushing interface in the form of a flush button  814  is provided on the top of an electronics compartment  805  integrated or otherwise a part of a toilet lid  803  depicted raised in this embodiment. Electronics compartment  805  may, in one embodiment, include a depressed lid lift bar  806  for manual raising of the toilet lid  803 . In this embodiment, electronics compartment  805  does not host any filters or filtering materials but is dedicated for containing at least a remote power switch electronics receiver  807  and a battery or set of batteries  808 . In this embodiment, batteries  808  may be rechargeable batteries or replaceable batteries. Compartment  808  may include a micro-controller and may support an array of light emitting diodes (LED) analogous to LEDs  205  described relative to  FIG.  2    of the parent application included herein by at least by reference. 
     Compartment  805  may be made accessible for the purpose of maintenance. Compartment  805  may be fabricated of the same material as the toilet lid  803  or a different material without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In one embodiment, flush button  814  may be operated manually by depressing the button to flush commode  800 . In the same embodiment, flush button  814  may also be activated remotely via wireless signal. In an alternative embodiment, flushing may be limited to a manual or to a remote signal activation without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     In this embodiment, an oval shaped HEPA filter assembly  804  may be provided and may be mounted centrally onto the bottom surface of toilet lid  803  in a manner that is roughly concentric in position to electronics compartment  805  and to the overall shape of the toilet lid.. HEPA filter assembly  804  may include a HEPA pleated filter  812  (depicted in broken line). HEPA filter  812  is in this embodiment houses within a oval shaped filter housing  813 . Oval filter housing  813  may include an inside section and an outside section form a conductive metal, porous cage or housing around the HEPA filter material. Filter housing  813  may include a polymer seat and a polymer cap structure including a center separator wall to separate the metal cage parts from touching. For example, the inner metal cage portion and the outer metal cage portion may be inversely electronically charged (inner cage portion -, outer cage portion +), for the purpose of boosting the antiviral effectiveness of the HEPA filter assembly even slightly above the effectiveness rating of the filter material itself. 
     In one embodiment, HEPA filter assembly  804  may seal to the top surface of a toilet seat  815  via an oval, rubber gasket  816 . In one embodiment, the bottom polymer cap over the metal filter housing  813  is contoured to produce a surface to surface seal with the top surface of toilet seat  815 . In such an embodiment, airflow from the toilet flows horizontally through the filter assembly from the inside to the outside and can flow back through the filter assembly from the outside to the inside. In an alternative embodiment, a plastic housing analogous to housing  105  might be provided having vents placed there through to allow for the bidirectional airflow. In this embodiment, the footprint of HEPA filter assembly  804  is larger than the footprint of the doughnut opening (vertical broken lines) through seat  815 . 
     In this embodiment, toilet seat  815  includes at least two linear and annular one way airflow check valves represented herein as check valve  808   a  and check valve  808   b . Check valves  808   a  and  808   b  allow outside air to flow into the toilet bowl but do not let air from inside the bowl escape back into the outside area of commode  800 . It may be noted herein that outside air may freely flow in through the HEPA filter assembly  804  during the same time of flushing that inflow is happening at the check valves. Check valves  808   a  and  808   b  are placed through the material of toilet seat  815  and may range from one-quarter inch in diameter to perhaps three-quarter inch in diameter. There may be more check valves  808  than are depicted in this example without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Check valves such as valves  808   a  and  808   b  may be strategically arrayed anywhere around toilet seat  815  equally spaced apart and angled according to the three hundred and sixty degree periphery of the toilet seat. Check valves  808   a  and  808   b  may be electronically operated or may be mechanical spring and ball valves without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment during a flushing sequence, check valves  808   a  and  808   b  are open to outside air flowing there through and into the toilet bowl as the water level drops in the toilet bowl. In either an electronically controlled embodiment or in a manual (non controlled) embodiment, there is no airflow allowed back through the check valves from the inside of the toilet bowl during any time respective of a one way valve as known in the art. Check valves  808   a  and  808   b  are not specifically required to practice the present invention but provide a mechanism for more airflow from the outside into the toilet bowl during a flushing operation as the water drops. 
     In a general use embodiment, commode  800  may be used to collect waist. After collection, a user may close top lid  803  against the toilet seat  815 . The user may then flush commode  800  by manually depressing flush button  813  or by using a remote device and a wireless signal to initiate a flushing sequence. During flush, the water in the toilet bowl drops and outside air may enter the toilet bowl both through the check valves and through the HEPA filter assembly. Outside air entering through the filter assembly is sanitized through the electrically charged filter housing and the pleated HEPA filter. As water reenters the toilet bowl all of the inside air that is to be displaced is forced out horizontally in all directions through the HEPA filter assembly to the outside of commode  800  the air sanitized of microbes and particulates. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  8 B , a dedicated public waist collection system  817  may include a commode base structure  802  and a dedicated commode flushing unit  817 . In this system, no water tank or electronics are necessary as the dedicated flushing unit may also resupply water to the toilet bowl inside base structure  802 . Base  811  and bowl rim  810  are contiguous parts of base structure  802  and may be unmodified from the same components described in  FIG.  8 A . 
     In this elevation view, HEPA filter assembly  804  is depicted in place within seat  815 , and lid  803  in a closed position. One-way check valve  808 A is visible in this elevation view. In this embodiment, lid  803  does not require any electronics. Instead, a concave mirror  818  is provided and installed or seated on the top of toilet seat  803  near the rear edge of the apparatus, the mirror occupying a center position relative to the longitude of the lid and seat assembly. Mirror  818  may be made of polymer with a mirror finish or another material that may support a reflective mirror. Mirror  818  may be annular, rectangular or another geographic shape without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in this embodiment. In this example, mirror  818  is concave to concentrate light or a beam of light and reflect that to an optical sensor mounted on dedicated flushing apparatus  817 . 
     Flushing unit  817  includes a battery  819  that powers a set of LEDs  821 , and a light emitter and beam sensor  822  referred to hereinafter as an eye  822 . In this instance, eye  822  is mounted on the bottom side of a flush housing  820  wherein eye  822  is in direct line of sight (broken double arrow) with mirror  818  mounted onto the toilet seat lid  803 . System  817  may be wall mounted in such a way as to enable a line of sight connection to mirror  818  and plumbing (not depicted) may be routed through the wall and into the bases structure more particularly to connect the toilet bowl within base structure  802 . 
     In general use, a user may see LED array  821  and may therefore understand the unit is powered and that the user may proceed to use the system. After use the user must close lid  803  enabling a beam connection between the eye of the flush system and the reflective mirror. For example, opening the seat breaks the connection and it is not restored until the seat is closed, which automatically initiates a flushing sequence. The beam, light, or other line of site optic or infrared path may be emitted by the eye and reflected back to the sensor in the eye. After flush, seat  803  remains closed and a next user may see LEDs  821  and may understand that it is safe to open the lid after some time has passed. The period of time where the lid should remain closed is from the point of flush until the bowl in structure  802  is fully resupplied and no air is passing through filter assembly  804 . 
       FIG.  9    is an overhead perspective view of the toilet lid  803  and seat  815  of the commode  800  of  FIG.  8 A . In this embodiment, toilet lid  803  may be hinged to toilet seat  815  via a hinge bar set  816 . The lid/seat assembly may be secured to the rear of the toilet bowl rim of base structure  802  depicted in  FIG.  8 A  above. HEPA filter assembly  804  is depicted logically fixed to the underside of toilet lid  803  (broken lines). The thickness dimension of HEPA filter assembly  804  may be about one-half of an inch to about two inches or so. The height of filter assembly  804  may be about one half to about five eights inches. In a preferred embodiment the bottom of assembly  804  may be adapted to form a seal against the top surface of toilet seat  815 . In this view, check valve  808   b  is visible and extends horizontally through the material of seat  815 . 
     Lift bar  806  may be an annular depression having a cross bar that a user may grip to pull top lid  803  up off of toilet seat  815 . In another embodiment, there is no lift bar  806  and a user may lift top lid  803  at the front center of the lid as described further above relative to  FIG.  5    of the parent application material relief  202  on seat  201 . Likewise, other handle types may be provided and installed anywhere on top lid  803  without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The overall height of electronics compartment  805  is suitable for containing the electronics components and batteries, and to host the depressed lift bar feature  806 . 
       FIG.  10    is a section view of HEPA filter assembly  804  of  FIG.  8 A  according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this view, HEPA filter  812  is contained within a porous metal track structure  813  whereby horizontal air flow passes through a negatively charged track section (internal track), through the pleated HEPA filter material, and through a positively charged track section in the direction of the arrows. The airflow in the direction of the arrows occurs after flushing the commode and when water is delivered back into the toilet bowl forcing the air out through the filter assembly. It is noted herein as well that reverse airflow may occur during the time that the toilet water drops out of the toilet. In both instances, the air is sanitized as it passes through the filter assembly. In one embodiment, polymer caps may be provided for mounting and contact surfaces so that the metal of the track structure does not come into contact with the underside of the top lid and the top side of the toilet seat. 
       FIG.  11    is a block diagram of compartment  805  of  FIG.  8 A  and remote devices having wireless transmission capabilities. In this view, compartment  805  includes flush button  814 , Lift bar  806 , and battery compartment  808 . In this embodiment, compartment  805  includes a small micro controller  1101  with a power switch accessible to the remote devices. Micro controller  1101  may be booted remotely to initiate a flushing sequence for the commode. An automatic flushing sequence may be initiated by a dedicated all-electric flushing unit  1105  analogous to flushing units  601  of  FIG.  6    introduced further above. Likewise, automatic flushing may be initiated by a hand held remote control  1104  having a battery for power, electronics to generate a wireless signal, and a button for transmitting the wireless signal to a power switch receiver in compartment  805  thus activating flushing and by passing button  814 , or in one embodiment, activating flush button  814  remotely. 
     Flushing unit  1105  may include an optical sensor that has line of sight to the commode top lid and may determine in real time if the seat has been opened and then closed was described previously with units  601 . In one embodiment, automated flushing may be implemented locally to the commode by adding orientation sensors or other motion sensors to electronics compartment  805 , thus automatically sensing the positions of the top lid of the commode relative to a session period of time related to typical commode use. Micro controller  1101  may use bus structures or simple electrical paths (logical dotted lines) to connect to batteries  808 , the flushing button  814  (if controllable via signal), and to an array of LEDs  1102 , which may be analogous in description to LEDs  205  of  FIG.  2    above. In one embodiment, an LED selection module  1103  may be provided so that the micro controller may via firmware routine select which of the array of LEDs to illuminate. In one embodiment, batteries or a battery in compartment  808  is rechargeable and a universal serial port (USB) may be provided for charging the battery or batteries. One or more LEDs  1102  may be dedicated to charge state. One or more LEDs may be dedicated to active states like Lid closed, flushing sequence in process, and indication of when the commode may be opened again for a next session. In a preferred embodiment, this period would be from the moment that water is flowing back into the bowl as indicated by one color to when the water level in the bowl is at top level again before a next use as indicated by another color. There are many different possibilities. 
     It will be apparent with skill in the art that the antiviral commode system of the present invention may be provided using some or all the elements described herein. The arrangement of elements and functionality thereof relative to the invention is described in different embodiments each of which is an implementation of the present invention. While the uses and methods are described in enabling detail herein, it is to be noted that many alterations could be made in the details of the construction and the arrangement of the elements without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. The present invention is limited only by the breadth of the claims below.