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  Toilet odor removal system, assembly containing the same, and methods for odor removalUSPTO Application #: 20070240250Title: Toilet odor removal system, assembly containing the same, and methods for odor removal Abstract: A toilet odor removal system mountable on and detachable from a toilet is provided. The system features a collection mouthpiece having an air intake port, a vent duct in communication with the collection mouthpiece, an aspiration unit operatively connected to the vent duct for drawing malodorous air from the toilet bowl through the air intake port and along the vent duct, and a support structure mountable on the toilet. The support structure detachably secures the mouthpiece over the rear apron of the toilet and offset rearwardly from the inner edge of the toilet rim while positioning the air intake port in facing relationship with a space between the toilet seat and the rim when the toilet seat is in the lowered position. (end of abstract)
Agent: Berenato, White & Stavish, LLC - Bethesda, MD, US Inventors: Lee Foerster, David S. Taylor USPTO Applicaton #: 20070240250 - Class: 004213000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Baths, Closets, Sinks, And Spittoons, Ventilation, Electric-motor Pump The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070240250. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention generally relates to a system for the removal of unpleasant odors from toilets, and more preferably a toilet odor removal system designed to facilitate simplified maintenance and cleaning of a toilet bowl. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Numerous devices have been proposed for the removal or neutralization of objectionable and obnoxious odors generated in the normal use of a toilet. While such devices are generally intended for improving sanitation and air quality by permitting the withdrawal of malodorous fumes for treatment or expulsion, the devices are characterized by inattentiveness for fundamental sanitary concerns raised by male urination. Males commonly urinate from a standing position with the toilet seat in a raised position. Urination from the standing position can result in splattering of urine around the rim of the toilet bowl, creating an unsanitary and objectionable environment for subsequent users of the toilet. The unpleasant and frequent task of cleaning the toilet bowl and its surrounding rim is required to maintain sanitary, healthy living conditions. [0003] Known ventilation devices located in close proximity to the toilet bowl rim, such as resting on the bowl rim, are susceptible to urine splatter. Urine, bacteria, and germs accumulate around the device, especially in nooks defined by the outer surface of the device and present between the device and the toilet bowl rim, thereby complicating and making more arduous already laborious cleaning efforts. Even if the device can be detached from the toilet to facilitate cleaning of the toilet rim, many people are repulsed by the idea of touching a urine-splattered device to manually detach it from the toilet so that the toilet bowl and device may be cleaned effectively. As a consequence, many people choose either to clean around the device, allowing urine, bacteria and germs to remain and build in non-exposed areas, or to permanently detach and cease use of the device. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a toilet odor removal system that is positioned to reduce or eliminate its exposure to urine, and is adapted for easy removal from a toilet so as to facilitate cleaning of the toilet and odor removal system. [0005] To achieve the foregoing object, and in accordance with the purposes of the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, according to a first aspect of this invention there is provided a toilet odor removal system mountable on and detachable from a toilet. The system is operable with toilets having, for example, a toilet bowl with a rim possessing an inner edge, a toilet seat, hinges connecting the toilet seat to the toilet bowl to permit movement of the toilet seat from a lowered position in which the seat rests over the rim to a raised position in which at least a portion of the rim is exposed, and a rear apron extending rearwardly behind the rim. The system features a collection mouthpiece having an air intake port, a vent duct in communication with the collection mouthpiece, and an aspiration unit operatively connected to the vent duct for drawing malodorous air from the toilet bowl through the air intake port and along the vent duct. A support structure is mountable on the toilet for detachably securing the mouthpiece over the rear apron and offset rearwardly from the inner edge of the rim while positioning the air intake port to face or extend into a space between the toilet seat and the rim when the toilet seat is in the lowered position. The mouthpiece is constructed and arranged to permit manual and tool-less detachment from the support structure. [0006] A second aspect of the invention provides a toilet assembly comprising a toilet and a toilet odor removal system. The toilet comprises a toilet bowl with a rim possessing an inner edge, a toilet seat, hinges connecting the toilet seat to the toilet bowl to permit movement of the toilet seat from a lowered position in which the seat rests over the rim to a raised position in which at least a portion of the rim is exposed, and a rear apron extending rearwardly behind the rim. The toilet odor removal system features a collection mouthpiece having an air intake port, a vent duct in communication with the collection mouthpiece, and an aspiration unit operatively connected to the vent duct for drawing malodorous air from the toilet bowl through the air intake port and along the vent duct. A support structure is mountable on the toilet for detachably securing the mouthpiece over the rear apron and offset rearwardly from the inner edge of the rim while positioning the air intake port to face or extend into a space between the toilet seat and the rim when the toilet seat is in the lowered position. The mouthpiece is constructed and arranged to permit manual and tool-less detachment from the support structure. [0007] According to a third aspect of the invention, a toilet odor removal system mountable on and detachable from a toilet is provided. The toilet may have, for example, a toilet bowl with a rim possessing an inner edge, a toilet seat, hinges connecting the toilet seat to the toilet bowl to permit movement of the toilet seat from a lowered position in which the seat rests over the rim to a raised position in which at least a portion of the rim is exposed, and a rear apron extending rearwardly behind the rim. The system features a collection mouthpiece having an air intake port, a vent duct in communication with the collection mouthpiece, an aspiration unit operatively connected to the vent duct for drawing malodorous air from the toilet bowl through the air intake port and along the vent duct, a support structure, and a displacement member. The support structure is mountable on the toilet and operatively connected to the mouthpiece for positioning the mouthpiece to face or extend into a space between the toilet seat and the rim when the toilet seat is in the lowered position. The displacement member is operatively connected to the mouthpiece to automatically shift the mouthpiece away from the rim when the toilet seat is moved from the lowered position to the raised position. [0008] A fourth aspect of the invention provides a toilet assembly comprising a toilet and a toilet odor removal system. The toilet comprises a toilet bowl with a rim possessing an inner edge, a toilet seat, hinges connecting the toilet seat to the toilet bowl to permit movement of the toilet seat from a lowered position in which the seat rests over the rim to a raised position in which at least a portion of the rim is exposed, and a rear apron extending rearwardly behind the rim. The toilet odor removal system features a collection mouthpiece having an air intake port, a vent duct in communication with the collection mouthpiece, an aspiration unit operatively connected to the vent duct for drawing malodorous air from the toilet bowl through the air intake port and along the vent duct, a support structure, and a displacement member. The support structure is mountable on the toilet and operatively connected to the mouthpiece for positioning the mouthpiece to face or extend into a space between the toilet seat and the rim when the toilet seat is in the lowered position. The displacement member is operatively connected to the mouthpiece to automatically shift the mouthpiece away from the rim when the toilet seat is moved from the lowered position to the raised position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification. The drawings, together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments and methods given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In such drawings: [0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toilet odor removal system according to an embodiment of the invention mounted on a standard toilet; [0011] FIG. 2 is top plan view of the toilet odor removal system of FIG. 1 mounted on the standard toilet, wherein the seat, lid, and hinges of the toilet have been removed for explanatory purposes; [0012] FIG. 3 is a side view of the toilet odor removal system of FIG. 1 in a disassembled state; [0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a mouthpiece according to another embodiment of the invention; [0014] FIG. 5 is a partially sectioned, partially phantom side view of a toilet odor removal system according to another embodiment of the invention mounted on a standard toilet, wherein the system includes a mouthpiece depicted in a readied state with respect to a lowered toilet seat; and [0015] FIG. 6 is a partially sectioned, partially phantom side view of the toilet odor removal system of embodiment of FIG. 5, depicting the mouthpiece in an inactive state with respect to a raised toilet seat. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND PREFERRED METHODS OF THE INVENTION [0016] Reference will now be made in detail to preferred embodiments and methods of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the drawings. It should be noted, however, that the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative devices and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described in this section in connection with the preferred embodiments and methods. [0017] Referring more particularly to the illustrated embodiments, FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a toilet odor removal system, generally designated by reference numeral 10, designed for operation with a standard toilet 12. System 10 is mountable on toilet 12 without requiring any removal, replacement, or modification of toilet 12 or its components or existing plumbing. [0018] Toilet 12 includes a toilet bowl 14 bolted to the floor. Toilet bowl 14 has a discharge passage connected to piping for communication with a sewage line. Toilet bowl 14 has upwardly extending walls terminating at an upward facing rim or ledge 16 that surrounds and contains a body of water. The rear region of rim 16 is integral with an apron 20 which extends rearward towards flush tank or basin 22. Hinges 24 resting on rear apron 20 pivotally connect toilet bowl 14 to an annular toilet seat 26 and a toilet lid or cover 28. Toilet seat 26 and lid 28 are pivotal about hinges 24 independently of one another between a raised orientation and a lowered orientation. Spacers (not shown) known in the art typically protrude from or attached to the bottom surface of seat 26 to space the seat bottom surface from rim 16 when toilet seat 26 is oriented into its lowered position. [0019] It should be understood that system 10 may be employed with toilets having various other configurations, as well as toilets having additional or fewer components than those described above. For example, system 10 may be used with a toilet lacking a flush tank or toilet lid. Further, while the accompanying drawings depict system 10 mounted on the left side of toilet 12, system 10 may be designed to permit mounting and operation from the opposite, right side of toilet 12 or immediately behind toilet 12. Continue reading... Full patent description for Toilet odor removal system, assembly containing the same, and methods for odor removal Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Toilet odor removal system, assembly containing the same, and methods for odor removal patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. 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