Patent Publication Number: US-2007113327-A1

Title: Toilet bowl odor eliminator

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      The present application is related to and claims priority of a provisional application entitled “TOILET BOWL ODOR ELIMINATOR”, filed Nov. 23, 2005, and assigned Ser. No. 60/739,123, disclosing an invention by the present inventors. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to apparatus for removing odors from toilet bowls and, more particularly, to apparatus for subjecting gases attendant a toilet bowl to ultraviolet radiation and ozone.  
      2. Description of Related Prior Art  
      Conventional flushing toilet bowls used throughout the world release odorous gases into the room upon use. A common solution to this problem is actuation of an exhaust fan to exhaust air and gases from the room through a ceiling mounted exhaust fan. Such exhaust fans may also be located in the walls or ceiling of the room. These exhaust fans cause odorous gases to flow around and about an occupant and his/her clothing and some of the gases may permeate such clothing and hair of the user with socially unacceptable results. Moreover, the odorous gases are almost never exhausted completely by the time a user opens the door and some of the gases migrate therethrough into an adjoining area.  
      One of the most unpleasant effects of odorous gases is that a subsequent user of a toilet is often subjected to the presence of the gases which emanated from a previous user.  
      When a conventional toilet is flushed. A fine mist or aerosol is often created. Such a mist or aerosol will contain potentially harmful bacteria and viruses that will migrate throughout the adjacent area. This creates a potential health hazard to a subsequent occupant entering or within the adjacent area. Test results indicate that such a mist or aerosol may be present for up to two hours.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In an initial phase of use of a conventional flush toilet incorporating the present invention, air is drawn through a stand pipe within a water tank and irradiated by an ultraviolet lamp. Such irradiation has the beneficial effect of killing bacteria/viruses and producing ozone which has a tendency to oxidize organic material. Thereby, odors generated will be essentially destroyed. During the flush phase, the flushing water flows through a venturi into the stand pipe and toilet bowl; a cartridge containing silver and/or copper ions or other water treatment element may also be incorporated. Simultaneously, the air is drawn from the toilet bowl and passed across the ultraviolet lamp with the above-noted beneficial effects. Additionally, a tube connected to the venturi includes an inlet for drawing irradiated air and entraining such ozone enriched air into the water flowing into the stand pipe and to the toilet bowl. Upon fill of the tank, the air flow past the ultraviolet lamp is reversed to inject ozone enriched air into the toilet bowl to oxidize organic elements that may be present during a sanitizing phase. The ozone may also be injected into the water flowing into the toilet bowl. To render the apparatus essentially self contained, it may be mounted within the toilet tank and elements thereof are battery operated to avoid any electrical hazard. A control panel may be used to initiate operation and thereafter function automatically or each step may be manually energized and de-energized.  
      It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a self contained apparatus for eliminating odors attendant a toilet bowl.  
      Another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus that can be totally contained within a conventional tank of a flush toilet that eliminates odors emanating from the toilet bowl.  
      Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an adjunct to a conventional flush toilet that eliminates odors.  
      Yet another object of the present invention is to treat the water going into the bowl of the toilet.  
      Still another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus mounted within a conventional tank of a flush toilet that irradiates and ozonates gases drawn from a toilet bowl.  
      A further object of the present invention is to provide an add on apparatus for any conventional flush toilet that will eliminate odors generated during use of the toilet.  
      A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for treating water flowing into a toilet bowl.  
      A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a method for eliminating odors emanating from a toilet bowl.  
      A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method for irradiating and ozonating gases generated within a toilet bowl during use with apparatus contained within a toilet tank.  
      These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the description thereof proceeds.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The present invention will be described with greater specificity and clarity with reference to the following drawings, in which:  
       FIG. 1  illustrates a representative and functional view of the present invention mounted within the water tank of a conventional flush toilet during an initial phase;  
       FIG. 2  illustrates operation of the present invention during the flush phase of the toilet;  
       FIG. 3  illustrates the operational phase of the present invention subsequent to refill of the tank;  
       FIGS. 4, 4A ,  4 B,  4 C and  4 D illustrate representatively the apparatus mountable within a toilet tank and incorporating the present invention;  
       FIG. 5  illustrates a representative side view of the apparatus embodying the present invention; and  
       FIG. 6  illustrates suspension of the present invention within a conventional water tank of a flush toilet.  
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       FIG. 1  illustrates a functional representation of apparatus  10  embodying the present invention. The apparatus is intended for use with a conventional flush toilet having a toilet bowl and a water tank  12  for providing water to flush the toilet bowl. As is conventional, a float operated valve mechanism  14  is mounted at bottom  16  of tank  12  and a nipple  18 , or the like, extends outside of the tank for interconnection with a source of water under pressure. Float  20  is vertically responsive to the water level within tank  12 . During a flushing operation, the water level will drop and so will the float. The resulting movement of the float will open a valve  22  interconnected with the float through linkages  24 . A flapper valve  30  is mounted within aperture  32  in bottom  16  of tank  12  and controls outflow of water through a fitting  34  in fluid communication with the water distribution system within the toilet bowl. The flapper valve includes a valve  36  which is raised by a handle exterior of tank  12  and interconnected with the valve by a chain, cord or the like. Thus, to flush the toilet, the handle is partially rotated which results in the raising of valve  36 . Thereafter, water will flow through the flapper valve into the toilet bowl. As the water level drops, valve  36  will reseat itself and seal the flapper valve against further outflow. Water flow from valve mechanism  14  to flapper valve  30  is directed through a conduit  26  having an outlet  28  within a stand pipe  36 . Additionally, water will flow through an outlet of the valve mechanism to fill the tank in the conventional manner. Tank  12  includes a loosely fitting lid  40 , as is conventional. Because of the loose fit, air may flow out between the upper edges of tank  12  and the lid, as represented by arrows  42 .  
      Apparatus  10  operates in each of three phases. Such operation may be initiated and terminated by push buttons electrically connected to appropriate circuitry. Alternatively, the apparatus may transition through the three phases by use of a timer or sensing device(s) which sense flushing and filling of tank  12 .  
      Apparatus  10  includes a plenum  50 , which may be a folded tube, as illustrated. A conduit  52  extends from the plenum and includes a shroud  54  that loosely fits over the upper end of stand pipe  38 , as illustrated. The stand pipe serves the standard function of preventing overflow of the tank. Conduit  26  may be penetrably mounted through conduit  52 , as illustrated. An electrically operated fan  56  is disposed within plenum  50  to cause air flow in one direction or the other through the plenum.  
      In the initial phase illustrated, the fan draws air from the stand pipe, as represented by arrows  58 , into conduit  52 , as represented by arrow  60 , and through the plenum, as represented by arrows  62 . The air drawn through the stand pipe will cause a low pressure within the toilet bowl and air is drawn from within the toilet bowl into the stand pipe, as represented by arrows  64 .  
      Downstream of fan  54  within plenum  50  there is disposed an ultraviolet lamp  70 . Upon energization of the lamp, it will provide radiation in the ultraviolet range. Such radiation is well known to be a germicide and virucide. Thus, the air flowing about the lamp, as represented by arrows  72 , will convey bacteria and other living organisms that may have been within the air within the toilet bowl past lamp  70  and become irradiated with ultraviolet radiation. As is well know that such radiation will have a germicidal and virucidal effect upon irradiated bacteria. Additionally, the ultraviolet radiation may be in a wavelength range to cause conversion of oxygen molecules present in the air into ozone molecules and/or in a wavelength range which will kill bacteria. The presence of ozone within the air flowing through plenum  50  will have an oxidizing effect upon organic material conveyed by the air. Thus, any malodor caused by the bacteria and/or organic compounds will be eliminated by destruction of the bacteria and organic compounds. The air flowing out of plenum  50 , as represented by arrows  74 , will be essentially odorless. The air discharged from the plenum into the top of tank  12  will be exhausted through the spaces between lid  40  and the tank as represented by arrows  42 .  
      The operation of apparatus  10  during the flush phase will be described with reference to  FIG. 2 . During the flush phase, the conventional handle external of tank  12  is pivoted causing valve  36  of flapper valve  30  to open and water from within tank  12  will flow through fitting  34  into the toilet bowl. As float  20  of valve mechanism  14  moves downwardly in response to the water evacuation from tank  12 , valve  22  opens and water begins to flow through conduit  26  through outlet  28  in stand pipe  38  and ultimately into the toilet bowl as depicted by arrows  76 . Additionally, the normal outlet of valve mechanism  14  will discharge water into tank  12  to fill it. During the flush mode, fan  56  is energized to draw air from the toilet bowl, as depicted by arrows  78 , and into stand pipe  38 , as depicted by arrow  58 , and conduit  52 , as depicted by arrow  60 ; this may reduce the aerosol normally migrating into the room. The air flowing through plenum  50 , as represented by arrow  62 , will be irradiated by ultraviolet radiation from lamp  70 . Thereby, the germicidal and virucidal effect of the ultraviolet radiation and the oxidizing effect of the ozone generated will be undertaken.  
      Preferably, a venturi  80  or other entrainment device is disposed in conduit  26 . A conduit  82  is connected to the venturi and includes an inlet  84  disposed within plenum  50 . The low pressure within venturi  80  will draw ozone enriched air from within plenum  50  into conduit  26  for entrainment within the water therein. The ozone entrained water will be discharged therefrom, as represented by dashed lines  86  into stand pipe  38  and ultimately into the toilet bowl, as represented by arrow  76 . The entrained ozone that ultimately enters the toilet bowl will have the effect of oxidizing organic matter within the toilet bowl and with which it comes in contact.  
      As an option, a cartridge  88  containing silver/copper ions or other elements may be mounted in conduit  26  to dispense any of these elements into the water flowing through the conduit. Such elements have the potential for continuous bacterial and viral inactivation.  
      On completion of the flush phase, apparatus  10  operates in a sanitizing phase. The purpose of this phase is that of eliminating any odors that still may be present in the toilet bowl and to attempt to sanitize the surfaces of the toilet bowl, seat and lid. After tank  12  has filled, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , fan  56  reverses direction. With such reverse direction, the relatively clean air within tank  12  is drawn into plenum  50 , as represented by arrows  90 . This air passes across lamp  72  and is irradiated with ultraviolet light which serves as a germicide and virucide to destroy bacteria that may be present. Additionally, some of the oxygen molecules in the air flowing past lamp  70  are converted to ozone molecules. As a result, the air flowing through plenum  50 , as represented by arrows  92 , is ozone enriched air. The ozone enriched air flows through conduit  52  into stand pipe  38 , as represented by arrows  94 . As the stand pipe is in fluid communication with the interior of the toilet bowl, the ozone enriched air enters the toilet bowl, as represented by arrows  96 . Because of the oxidative effect of ozone, it will have the tendency to oxidize organic material that may be present within the air in the toilet bowl and upon any surfaces of the toilet bowl, the seat and the lid. Thus, any malodor produced during use of the flush toilet will have been destroyed prior to a subsequent user using the flush toilet.  
      Referring jointly to  FIGS. 4, 4A ,  4 B,  4 C,  4 D and  5 , there is illustrated an embodiment of apparatus  10  suitable for suspension within the water tank of a flush toilet. A platform  100  support the various components discussed above. In particular, UV lamp  70  is mounted upon the platform in the conventional manner. Similarly, fan  56  is so mounted along with electric motor  102  and its rotating shaft  104  driving the fan. A compartment  106  houses circuitry and various electrical and electronic components for controlling operation of apparatus  10 . As schematically depicted in  FIG. 5 , a shroud  108  extend upwardly from platform  100  to house the various components; this shroud, in combination with platform  100 , are functionally equivalent to plenum  50  described above. To help purify air exhausting from within shroud  108  (plenum  50 ) a carbon filter  110  and/or a scented air freshener may be located at outlet  112 . Thereby, during the initial phase and the flush phase, the air/gas exhausted will be purified by the carbon filter to further insure an odorless environment. A passageway  114 , functionally equivalent to conduit  52  described above, is pivotally connected to shroud  108 , as depicted by arrow  116 . Thereby, the passageway is positionally adaptable to engage stand pipe  38  (see previous discussion and figures). The purpose of passageway  114  is to interconnect the space interior of shroud  108  with the interior of the stand pipe; alternatively, the stand pipe may be an integral part of any of the embodiments of the present invention. Thus, passageway  114  includes a vertical section  118  extending downwardly and pivotally connected to shroud  108 , as depicted by arrow  116 . Section  118  is in fluid communication with horizontal section  120 , which section is dimensioned to extend to stand pipe  38 . A further vertical section  122  extends downwardly to establish fluid communication with the upper end of stand pipe  38 . To minimize flow of gas into the space surrounding the junction between the stand pipe and section  122 , an annular seal  124  may be incorporated. Conduit  26 , extending from valve mechanism  14  (see  FIGS. 1, 2  and  3 ) may be of a flexible type to engage nipple  126 . The nipple is in fluid communication with a tube  128 , which tube extends into stand pipe  38 , as described above with respect to conduit  26 . Venturi  80  may be supported by tube  128 , as illustrated, to introduce and entrain ozone enriched air in the water flowing through the tube. Electrical power for operating apparatus  10  may be provided by batteries  130  disposed within a compartment  132  depending from platform  100 . Alternatively, these batteries may be mounted on the platform.  
      Preferably, apparatus  10  is mounted within tank  12  (see  FIG. 1 ). Such mounting may be effected by straps  140 ,  142  extending from opposed sides of platform  100  to rest upon the corresponding upper edges of the water tank, as shown in  FIGS. 4A, 4B  and  4 C. To prevent disengagement of the straps with the upper edge of the water tank, the straps may be bent downwardly at the ends to engage the exterior surfaces of the respective walls of the tank. Alternatively, as shown flanges  144 ,  146  may be located at the terminal ends of the straps. A further strap  148  may extend from platform  100  to rest upon the upper edge of the side of the water tank opposite to the side wherein valve mechanism  14  is located. This strap may also be terminated by a flange  150 . As it is anticipated that apparatus  10  will be primarily user operated, a control panel  152  may be attached to strap  140  instead of a flange  144 . Such control panel would include the requisite switches, push buttons, displays, etc., to initiate, control and/or terminate operation of apparatus  10 .  
       FIG. 6  is a top view of a conventional flush toilet having apparatus  10  mounted therein. As is conventional, it includes a toilet bowl  160  hingedly supporting a seat  162  and a lid  164 . Water tank  166  includes upper edges normally covered by a lid  40  (see  FIG. 1 ). As such a lid loosely fits upon the upper edge of the water tank, it is feasible and practical to attach straps  168 ,  170  to apparatus  10  and permit such straps to rest upon edges  172 ,  174  of the tank. As discussed above, these straps may include downwardly extending flanges to prevent fore and aft sliding movement and possible disengagement of the straps from the edges of the water tank. Additionally, one or more straps may extend orthogonally to rest upon edge  180  of the water tank. Straps  176 ,  178  would also include flanges at the terminal ends to engage the adjacent exterior surface of the water tank. After mounting of apparatus  10 , lid  40  may be put in place in a conventional manner.  
      From the above description, it is apparent that apparatus  10  is totally self contained and requires no interaction with any elements, parts or other structure external of the water tank. Furthermore, when in place, apparatus  10  is essentially not visible to a user except to the extent that a control panel for operating the apparatus is available for tactile engagement to operate the various switches and/or pushbuttons.