System and method of use for removing waste odor proximate a toilet

[0001] The embodiments of the present invention relate to an automated system for removing odors proximate to a toilet.

[0002] Waste odor near toilets is an age-old nuisance. Various systems and methods have been devised to address the waste-odor-near-a-toilet problem. Unfortunately, such systems and methods suffer drawbacks including: (i) complexity; (ii) unreliability and (iii) expense.

[0003] It would be advantageous to develop a waste odor removal system and method for use with a toilet which is easy to install, reliable and inexpensive relative to other systems.

[0004] Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention comprises an air intake member attached to an air exit member with a fan member attached directly or via an intermediate tube, pipe or similar passageway to the air exit member. When installed, the air intake member resides inside the toilet tank and the air exit member resides outside of the toilet tank so that the air in the toilet tank and toilet bowl may be evacuated therefrom by activating the fan member drawings the air from both the toilet tank and toilet bowl via the opening (i.e., flush valve) from the toilet tank to the toilet bowl. A toilet tank water supply tube runs through the air intake member and air exit member.

[0005] In one embodiment, the air intake member and air exit member are T-shaped members connected in line with the stem portions perpendicular to the connected passageways through which the water supply tube extends. In practice, the fan member, when activated during the flush cycle, draws or sucks air from the toilet tank and toilet bowl, via the flush valve leading from the toilet tank to the toilet bowl, through the air intake member then air exit member into an exit tube extending to a location remote from the toilet.

[0006] Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims.

[0018] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed.

[0019] The components of the embodiments of the present invention may be fabricated of any suitable materials, including, but not limited to, plastics (e.g., PVC), alloys, composites, resins and metals or combinations thereof, and may be fabricated using suitable techniques, including, but not limited to, molding, casting, machining and rapid prototyping or combinations thereof.

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional/internal side view of a conventional toilet 100. A toilet tank 110 includes a lever 115, tank fill tube 120, inlet valve 125, bowl refill tube 130, float arm 135, float ball 140, overflow pipe 145, lift wire 150, flapper 155, flush valve seat 160 and flush valve 165. A toilet bowl 175 includes rim 180, flush passage 185, trap 190 and seal 195. A shut off valve 200 and supply tube 205 control water to the toilet tank 110. The supply tube 205 enters into the tank 110 through a tank opening via a mounting nut 210, locknut 215 and gasket 215. Operation of a conventional toilet comprises (i) pushing on the handle which pulls the chain lifting the flapper releasing the flush valve causing about 2 gallons of water to rush from the toilet tank to the toilet bowl in about 3 seconds via the flush valve; (ii) after the water leaves the toilet tank, the flapper reseats closing the flush valve; (iii) the rush of water activates the siphon in the toilet bowl sucking all contents down the drain; (iv) meanwhile as the level of the water in the toilet tank is falling so does the float; (v) the falling float turns on the refill valve refilling the toilet tank and toilet bowl with water; and (vi) once the float rises to a threshold level, the refill valve shuts off. The overflow tube prevents accidental flooding.

[0021] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate exploded side and upper views, respectively, of a partially hollow air intake member and a partially hollow air exit member unit 200. The air intake member and a partially hollow air exit member unit 200 comprises an air intake member 210 and air exit member 220 attached to one another via a threaded arrangement comprising a threaded male extension 211 on the air intake member 210 and a threaded opening 221 in the air exit member 220. A grommet 215 provides a seal between the attached air intake member 210 and air exit member 220. A water supply tube 230 is configured to insert through the air intake member 210 and into the air exit member 220. Within the air exit member 220, an intermediary connector 240 attaches at a first end 241 to a threaded end 231 of the water supply tube 230 and at a second threaded end 242 attaches to a threaded opening in an extension coupler 250 configured to receive a water supply. A second end 232 of the water supply tube 230 attaches to a float mechanism coupling 255 and grommet 260 arrangement. As shown in FIG. 7, the float mechanism coupling 255 is configured to receive a conventional-type float mechanism. A conventional-type float mechanism may include a float arm, float ball or similar article which floats and connection means for connecting it to the tank and/or bowl/tank refill tube.

[0022] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the assembled air intake member and air exit member unit 200. Air intake member 210 includes a hollow air intake passageway 217 and the air exit member 220 includes an air exit passageway 227. The cross-sectional view along A, as shown in FIG. 5, and the cross-sectional view along B of FIG. 6, reveals that air may enter the air intake passageway 217, travel into the air intake member 210, pass through the threaded male extension 211 into the air exit member 220 and exit through the air exit passageway 227. As shown in FIG. 8, the air is free to pass through the threaded male extension 211 into the air exit member 220 via a space 205 surrounding the water supply tube 230 which has a smaller diameter than the hollow portions of the air intake member 210 and air exit member 220.

[0023] In practice, the assembled air intake member and air exit member unit 200 is installed proximate a bottom of a toilet tank near the water supply. Installation involves: (i) emptying a subject toilet tank; (ii) inserting threaded extension 211 through a conventional water supply opening in a bottom of the toilet tank; (iii) attaching the air exit member 220 to the air intake member 210 via the threaded extension 211; (iv) attaching a water supply tube 233 to the air exit member 220 via extension coupler 250 as shown in FIG. 7; and (v) attaching a float mechanism 265 to the air intake member 210 via float mechanism coupling 255 as shown in FIG. 7. Once the air intake member and air exit member unit 200 is installed, an air exit tube 275 containing fan member 280 is attached to air exit member 220. In this manner, the fan member 280, when activated and below a water level during a flush operation, draws or sucks air through the air intake member 210 within the toilet tank and from the toilet bowl via the opening between the toilet tank and toilet bowl or via the water overflow tube. An air intake tube may be attached to the air intake member 210 at one end and extend to the toilet bowl through a flapper blocking the opening between the toilet tank and toilet bowl or directly from the toilet tank to the toilet bowl via sealed openings. The second end of the air intake tube may extend into the toilet bowl rim or elsewhere within the toilet bowl above water level.

[0024] FIG. 9 shows a fan housing 295 which contains the fan member 280. The fan housing 295 may be incorporated into the air exit tube 275, connected directly to the air intake member 210 or form part of the air exit tube 275. FIG. 10 shows the air intake member and air exit member unit 200 installed proximate to a bottom of a toilet tank 300 near the water supply 310 as described above. Activating the fan member 280 may be automated or manual. In an automated embodiment, pushing down the handle to trigger the flush operation may activate the fan member 280 for a pre-established time period. Other actions may cause the fan member 280 to activate. In a manual embodiment, the user may activate the fan member 280 using a switch or button proximate the toilet. In another embodiment, a remote control unit may be configured to activate the fan member 280.

[0025] FIG. 11 shows the internal portion of a toilet tank 450 with a toilet air evacuation system installed according to the embodiments of the present invention. Air intake member 400 receives a float and water fill mechanism 410. A water fill tube 420 extends from said float and water fill mechanism 410 to a water overflow tube 430. An air evacuation tube 440 extends from said water overflow tube 430 to said air intake member 400. The water overflow tube 430 leads to the toilet bowl. Accordingly, as the flushing process occurs, a motorized fan (not shown in FIG. 11) draws air through an air exit member (not shown in FIG. 11) outside of said toilet tank, said air intake member 400 within said toilet tank and in communication with said air exit member, said air evacuation tube 440, water overflow tube 430 and toilet bowl. That is, the fan draws air from the toilet bowl and causes it to travel through said water overflow tube 430, air evacuation tube 440, air intake member 400, air exit member and through an air exit tube (not shown in FIG. 11).

[0026] Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.