Patent ID: 12201247

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a toilet odor vacuum filtration device adapted to draw gases from along the rear portion of the toilet bowl and toilet seat by disposing an intake port between the toilet bowl and toilet seat. Inlets along the intake port urge gases and odor from the toilet bowl area, through a hose, and into an air pump and filtration assembly, wherein the odors are filtered from the captured gases prior to the captured gases being released to the external environment.

Referring toFIGS.1-3, the present invention may include a toilet odor vacuum filtration device10. Typically, a toilet seat hinge20pivotably connects the toilet seat11C to the toilet bowl11A. Because of the toilet seat hinge20, there is a gap between the rim of the toilet bowl11A and the underside of the toilet seat11C (which is why said underside has feet22). This gap is approximately half an inch to one inch.

The present invention contemplates an intake port12dimensioned and adapted to occupy the gap between the toilet seat11C to the toilet bowl11A, along and/or adjacent the rear portions of the toilet seat/bowl. The intake port12provides one or more inlets121fluidly coupled to an air pump/filter assembly18so that air is urged into said one or more inlets121.

The body123of the intake port12is low profile (having a sandwich height of approximately one inch or less). The body123may provide toilet seat hinge holes125for receiving the connectors40of the toilet seat hinge20that connect it to the toilet bowl11A. The body123may provide a leading edge22that may have a curvature that conforms to the curvature of the toilet bowl and toilet seat11C. The inlet(s)121may be along this leading edge122so that they communicate with the opening of the toilet bowl11A, whereby air taken up through the inlet(s)122includes odors in the toilet bowl11A, preventing their escape.

The inlet(s)121may be fluidly coupled to the air pump/filter assembly18by way of a hose14. The air pump assembly18may be disposed in a retainer16located along the upper surface of the toilet tank/lid11B.

Referring toFIG.2, the air pump/filter assembly18may include a controller, filter, vacuum pump, sensor, and a battery for powering the pump, controller, and sensor. The filter may be any variety that removes and stores odors from the air. The sensor and controller may be electrically coupled so that the programmable controller can regulate the filtration and venting of the gases urged from the inlets121through the hose14and into the air pump/filter assembly18. The controller and sensor can also regulate the fan speed and battery life. After being filtered by the filter in the air pump/filter assembly18, the gases may be released from vents181along the exterior of the air pump/filter assembly18. Because of this, the air pump/filter assembly18may be located five or more feet from the toilet.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. The toilet odor vacuum filtration device10disclosed above may be operatively associated with a toilet. A person would turn the vacuum pump on while using the toilet to remove odors from the toilet bowl11A.

As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number. And the term “substantially” refers to up to 80% or more of an entirety. Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated, and each separate value within such a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “aligned” means parallel, substantially parallel, or forming an angle of less than 35.0 degrees. For purposes of this disclosure, the term “transverse” means perpendicular, substantially perpendicular, or forming an angle between 55.0 and 125.0 degrees. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “length” means the longest dimension of an object. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “width” means the dimension of an object from side to side. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “above” generally means superjacent, substantially superjacent, or higher than another object although not directly overlying the object. Further, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “mechanical communication” generally refers to components being in direct physical contact with each other or being in indirect physical contact with each other where movement of one component affect the position of the other.

The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (“e.g.,” “such as,” or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the embodiments or the claims. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosed embodiments.

In the following description, it is understood that terms such as “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” “up,” “down,” and the like, are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms unless specifically stated to the contrary.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.