Patent Publication Number: US-11641987-B1

Title: Toilet seat having suction assembly

Description:
OTHER RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/532,622, filed on Aug. 6, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure generally relates to a toilet seat; and particularly, to a toilet seat with a suction assembly to remove odorous air from the toilet bowl and discharge such air at a remote location. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     A toilet seat is typically an integrated body (i.e., a cast single piece) with a bowl and a rim. Water, either from a reservoir or a pipe, is piped through the integrated body to outlets beneath the rim when the toilet is flushed. A drain pipe is formed in the integrated body and leads from the bowl to a sewer line. Even though the bathroom experience is often a brief one, it is still unpleasant as the odors inherently created while using the bathroom are unpleasant for most people, and severely unpleasant for some. The problem is also compounded by the fact that bathrooms are frequently small, which leads to the odors being concentrated. In addition, unpleasant odors are also a problem in public restrooms, and bathroom users generally have even less tolerance for odors created by others in a public setting than they do in their own home. Therefore, it is desirable to remove, eliminate or neutralize odors produced when a toilet is in use. Accordingly, some solutions have been developed for arresting and/or containing odors from the vicinity of a toilet seat. 
     Traditionally, the solutions have been aimed to provide a satisfactory ventilated toilet. This involves using toilet deodorizers and extractor fans, whether they be wall mounted or ceiling mounted, which go some way to removing or at least disguising the odors. For instance, WIPO Publication Number 2004038115 relates to a sanitary ware. The sanitary ware has a deodorization function, which can diminish the displeasure created by the bad smell and enhance the cleanliness of the toilet because the smell is compulsorily vented through the waste pipe of the sanitary ware after compulsorily inhaling the smell that is generated during bowel movement by placing an electronic backflow cutoff valve for preventing the backflow of the smell and a suction pump to the smell suction hose after connecting the seat and the waste line of the sanitary ware with the smell suction hose provided. However, most of the ventilating systems are unsatisfactory because they do not act to remove the odors at the source, namely in the vicinity of the toilet seat, they are sometimes only partly effective or slow in their effect. 
     Another, proposed solutions involves using filter systems to remove odors from the bowl of the toilet and scrub them with a filter before releasing the air back into the room. For instance, US Patent Publication Number 20060195975 discloses an apparatus which relates to exhausting noxious odors from the vicinity of a toilet. The invention comprises a means of taking in air from the vicinity of the toilet, a filter, and a means of inducing the air flow. The air is taken in by said means of taking in air, passed on to and through the filter, and then passed on to the means of inducing air flow. The air is then discharged from the system. The filter is separate and unitary and can be installed and removed without exposure of the filtering matrix within the filter. However, any use of filters involves the costs of buying and replacing or regenerating filters. 
     Another set of proposed solutions involve using a pump system for removing odors from a toilet bowl to outside of the lavatory. Typically, the odors are pumped to the exterior of the building. This solution requires architectural improvements to be made to the building to allow for passages through which to pump the odor-filled gas. 
     Therefore, there is a need to provide a toilet seat or some means therefor which addresses the problem of odors left behind after someone has used the toilet in an efficient and inexpensive manner. Documents describing the closest subject matter provide for a number of more or less complicated features that fail to solve the problems described above in an efficient and economical way. None of the documents suggest the novel features of the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is one of the objectives of the present invention to provide a toilet seat with an integrated suction assembly which addresses the problem of odors left behind after someone has used the toilet by removing the odors near their source than is presently achieved with toilet deodorizers and extractor fans mounted in the perimeter of the room. 
     It is another objective of the present invention to provide a toilet seat with a suction assembly to be retro-fitted to an existing commode or the like. 
     It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a toilet seat with a suction assembly which has a minimal number of parts, is inexpensive to manufacture, and is easy to install. 
     Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing any limitations thereon. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a view of the present invention  10  with a suction assembly  20  toilet seat assembly  40  and toilet bowl T, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a top isometric view of the toilet seat assembly  40  showing suction openings  42  and an example of a passage  44  that the suctioned air can take when returning to suction assembly  20 . Tray  46  is also shown exploded at the front end of toilet seat assembly  40 . 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a rear view of seat  41  depicting bottom surface  41   b  with passage  44  embedded within the seat  41 . First hose portion  23  is also shown extending within the seat and coupling to the passage  22 . 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a front view of lid  50  of toilet seat assembly  40  depicting passage  44  with openings  42  embedded within the lid  50 . Mounting portion  52  is also shown in coupling engagement with second hose portion  24 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described below. The following explanation provides specific details for a thorough understanding of and enabling description for these embodiments. One skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without such details. In some instances, well-known structures, processes and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments. 
     It shall be noted that unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” “include,” “including,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number, respectively while adhering to the concepts of the present invention. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” and “an embodiment” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. 
     Referring to the drawings,  FIGS.  1 - 2    illustrate diagrammatic views of the present invention  10  with a suction assembly  20  and toilet seat assembly  40 , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       FIGS.  3 - 4    illustrate alternate examples of the toilet seat assembly  40 . 
     In order for the present invention to be able to extract unpleasant odors and smells from toilet seat assembly  40  suction assembly  20  may be used. Suction assembly  20  further includes a suction hose  22 , a hose connector  28 , and a vacuum  30 . Suction hose  22  may extend partially into a seat  41 . Suction hose  22  may be inserted straight into seat  41  or suction hose  22  may be inserted into seat  41  at an angle or slanted. Suction hose  22  further includes a first hose portion  23 , a second hose portion  24 , a third hose portion  25  and a fourth hose portion  26 . Hose connector  28  may have a plurality of openings as to allow hose connector  28  to receive a plurality of hoses. In the immediate embodiment, hose connector  28  includes three openings that corresponds with the amount of hoses it may receive. Hose connector  28  may have an opening on a left side, a right side and a top side as seen in the immediate embodiment. It can be appreciated that the number of openings found on hose connector  28  may not be limited to three, any other number of openings may be suitable for hose connector  28 . Each portion of suction hose  22  may be a smaller hose that is used to connect to other portions of suction hose  22 . 
     First hose portion  23  is received and mounted to hose connector  28  on one end and first hose portion  23  is also mounted to seat  41  along an outer edge thereof. Second hose portion  24  is received and mounted to hose connector  28  on one end and second hose portion  24  is also mounted to a lid  50  along a mounting section  52  thereof. First hose portion  23  and second hose portion  24  are communicably attached by hose connector  28  to allow scents to be drawn out by vacuum  30  through suction hose  22 . Third hose portion  25  may attach to hose connector  28  on one end, preferably to the top side of hose connector  28 , and to vacuum  30  on an opposite end. Suction connector  28  communicably interconnects first hose portion  23 , second hose portion  24  and third hose portion  25 . Fourth hose portion  26  may be mounted to vacuum  30  on one end and the opposite end may lead to a vent or outside of a building. Fourth hose portion  26  may be used to expel scents or smells out and away from a bathroom and the immediate vicinity of a toilet. 
     All portions of the hose portions may combine together to assemble suction hose  22 . Alternatively, suction hose  22  may be one whole piece that does not separate into smaller hose portions or sections. Thereby meaning that in an alternate embodiment there may be no need for hose connector  28 . Suction hose  22  leads all scents out and away from toilet seat assembly  40 . First hose portion  23  and second hose portion  24  may be curved as to be able to corporate with being mounted around and behind a water tank of a toilet. Third hose portion  25  may be mounted against a wall as to run vertically or horizontally depending on the needs of a user, in an alternate embodiment. It should be understood that all portions of suction hose  22  mount to necessary components by known means in the art of attaching or mounting. That is through screws, fasteners, hook and loop straps, adhesives or the like. 
     Suction assembly  20  importantly may use vacuum  30  to withdraw scents and odors. Vacuum  30  may be any suction means known in the art that will inhale or suction. Vacuum draws the scents from the vicinity of toilet seat assembly  40 . The scents may then travel through suction assembly  20  and out towards a vent, for example. In order for the suction of vacuum  30  to be effective, there is a need for stoppers  32  and as well as a solid seat portion  48 . These two elements create a seal in order for the suction of vacuum  30  to be effective. Stoppers  32  create seals at one end of each of a passage  44 . While solid seat portion  48  creates a seal at an opposite end of each of passage  44 . This permits the suctions from vacuum  30  to travel a defined path which allows for effective expelling or removal of unwanted scents. Passage  44  may be adapted to receive a brush therethrough as to allow cleaning of passage  44 . The brush or any other cleaning means may extend through each of passage  44  up until solid seat portion  48  is reached. 
     Toilet seat assembly  40  includes seat  41  that can be removably mounted over a toilet bowl T using conventional methods. Seat  41  can be hingedly or integrally mounted to toilet bowl T. Seat  41  may be constructed of ceramic, metal, wood, plastic or any other suitable aesthetic material. Seat  41  includes a plurality of suction openings  42  along most of its circumference. Suction openings  42  may be openings that are vertical, but preferably that are slanted. Suction openings  42  may be slanted inwardly or outwardly. The interruptions in the placement of suction openings  42  are due to tray  46  at the front of seat  41  and suction hose  22  at the rear of seat  41 . Suction openings  42  are of a size that cooperate with suctioning an effective amount of ambient air at an efficient rate. Seat  41  has a thickness and an interior space therein. Passage  44  can be within a tube or without a tube and just the directional flow of the suctioned air within an interior of seat  21 . Such tubing when used may be made of polyurethane or other suitable plastic or flexible materials. Seat  41  includes a top surface  41   a  and suction openings  42  can be placed thereon. Seat  41  also includes a bottom surface  41   b  that is sealed to provide the necessary vacuum effect within the interior space of seat  41 , more specifically, within passage  44 . In an alternate embodiment, bottom surface  41   b  can include suction openings  42  and top surface  41   a  can be sealed to create the same vacuum effect. 
     Tray  46  is located at the front end of seat  41  and can extend from top surface  41   a  to bottom surface  41   b . There can be a partition that seals and/or separates tray  46  from interior space of seat  41  or tray  46  can be fluidly connected with the interior space of seat  41 . Tray  46  can also include a handle that allows users to easily open and close it. Tray  46  can also function as a lid that is lifted and lowered off at least partially off of seat  41 . Tray  46  is opened to provide a user access to clean an interior space of seat  41  using a brush, sponge, cloth, or similar means. Tray  46  can be larger or smaller than how it is portrayed in  FIG.  2   . Upon suction assembly  20  being actuated, the ambient air, having the odor intended to be removed, is suctioned through suction openings  42  and follow a passage  44  to return back to suction assembly  20  through the rear of seat  41 . In different embodiments, more or less suction openings  42  can be used. 
     Toilet assembly  40  further includes a lid  50  as observed in  FIG.  4    of the provided drawings. It can be observed that lid  50  is operatively engaged with seat  41  with hinges  54 . Additionally, passage  44  is embedded within lid  50 . It can be observed that passage  44  within the lid  50  is formed into an n-shaped configuration and includes opposing distal ends which are adjacent to the hinges  54  of the lid  50 . Passage  44  of the lid  50  further includes openings  42  that are exposed from the bottom surface of the lid  50 . Additionally, passage  44  further includes stopper members  32  operative engaged onto the passage  44  and exposed along the edge of the lid  50 . In the present embodiment, stoppers  32  are removable in order to provide access to the interior of passage  44  and thereby allowing a user to clean passage  44 . The lid  50  further includes a mounting section  52  located adjacent to the hinges  54 . The second hose portion  24  is then operatively engaged to the mounting section  52  of lid  50  in order establish fluid communication with passage  44  embedded within lid  50 . 
     The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense in any manner.