| Ventilated toilet system and method -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Ventilated toilet system and methodRelated Patent Categories: Baths, Closets, Sinks, And Spittoons, Ventilation, Electric-motor PumpVentilated toilet system and method description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060179556, Ventilated toilet system and method. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 to U.S. provisional application No. 60/601,170, entitled Ventilated Toilet System and Method filed on Aug. 13, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates generally to toilets and, more particularly, to systems and methods for providing ventilation for toilets. [0004] 2. Discussion of the Background [0005] A variety of toilet ventilation systems are known. A number of toilet ventilation systems are shown in the following United States patents, the entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference: (1) U.S. Pat. No. 6,279,173 B1, issued on Aug. 28, 2001, entitled Devices and Methods for Toilet Ventilation Using a Radar Sensor; (2) U.S. Pat. No. 6,219,853 B1, issued on Apr. 24, 2001, entitled Toilet Ventilation System, (3) U.S. Pat. No. 5,369,813, issued on Dec. 6, 1994 entitled Self-Contained Toilet Venting System, (4) U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,276, issued on Feb. 5, 1991, entitled Ventilated Toilet, (5) U.S. Pat. No. 3,740,771, issued on May 12, 1971, entitled Air Venting Device for a Toilet. [0006] While these systems may constitute improvements over the use of existing devices such as ceiling ventilation fans, these devices have various problems. For example U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,369,813 and 6,279,173 B1 contain electrical components within the toilet tank. These devices may pose serious fire hazards and are potentially dangerous to toilet users. Further, other systems like U.S. Pat. No. 3,740,771 cannot be easily retrofitted and require specially designed toilets and contain a complex system. [0007] Another problem with existing toilet ventilation systems is that due to their design when toilets with a ventilation system such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,369,813 are flushed, the fan creates a suction that can cause a weaker and slower flush. In contrast, the preferred embodiments of the invention avoid this problem allowing for a faster, stronger flush. SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0008] The preferred embodiments of the present invention can significantly improve upon existing methods and/or apparatuses. [0009] According to some embodiments, a ventilated toilet has an airflow path through an overflow tube to an air space above a water level in a tank and an air vent path leading from the air space. In some embodiments, the air vent path includes an air duct or conduit leading to an exhaust fan. In some embodiments, the device further includes a dip tube for providing ventilation to the air space upon lowering of the water level in the tank. [0010] In some embodiments, one or more of the following advantages can be achieved: [0011] The fumes emitted from the user of the toilet can be readily removed before mixing with room air due to the close proximity to the source of emission (e.g., the zone of interest) during use. [0012] The system can have a very quiet operation. For example, since the air withdrawal is applied at the zone of interest, a lower level of airflow may be required (i.e., less CFM of airflow can be used since, e.g., a complete air-change within a room or facility is not needed). [0013] The system can advantageously be configured such that a smaller volume of conditioned air (e.g., whether heated or cooled) is removed from the living space using the internal venting from the zone of interest as opposed to typical room exhaust fan. [0014] The design of the side flush valve on the overflow tube helps result in a stronger and faster flush. [0015] The production cost can be approximately the same as that of existing toilets. [0016] The installation cost and complexity would be approximately the same as that related to installing a standard toilet and a room exhaust fan. [0017] The system can be readily adapted to and applied to multi-toilet systems, such as, e.g., multiple toilets located within a common room or facility or multiple toilets located in separate rooms within a home, office or establishment. In some examples, a single vacuum mechanism can be used to exhaust air from multiple toilets. For example, in some embodiments a multi-port vacuum can be configured to handle a plurality of or all of the toilets in a residential home or commercial bathroom. [0018] The above and/or other aspects, features and/or advantages of various embodiments will be further appreciated in view of the following description in conjunction with the accompanying figures. Various embodiments can include and/or exclude different aspects, features and/or advantages where applicable. In addition, various embodiments can combine one or more aspects or features of other embodiments where applicable. The descriptions of aspects, features and/or advantages of particular embodiments should not be construed as limiting other embodiments or the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0019] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown by a way of example, and not limitation, in the accompanying figures. [0020] FIG. 1 is a bottom view showing a bottom of a toilet bowl tank where the tank contains an enlarged (e.g., 2'' diameter) overflow tube. [0021] FIG. 2 is a top view showing the toilet bowl shown in FIG. 1 looking with the enlarged overflow tube, showing, e.g., a clear and straight passage from the bowl to the above water level in the tank. [0022] FIG. 3 is top perspective view showing the interior of the tank shown in FIG. 1, including a flapper valve and flush port on the side of an enlarged overflow tube. (NB: in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the invention, the enlargement of the overflow tube enables a large flapper valve having a large flow area to be mounted on the side of the overflow tube). [0023] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the rear upper side of the tank showing a tank exhaust port. [0024] FIG. 5 is a side view showing a portion of the duct system leading from the tank exhaust port shown in FIG. 4, including a transition piece filling an air gap between an exhaust pipe (such as, e.g., a PVC pipe) which extends from the tank exhaust port and the flex-tube (such as, e.g., a bellows-type flexible tube) going to the air exhaust mechanism (such as, e.g., a turbo vacuum). [0025] FIG. 6 is a side perspective view showing an illustrative air exhaust mechanism comprising a turbo vacuum motor encased in a standard metal flexible exhaust tube (such as, e.g., 4'' diameter exhaust tube). [0026] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the toilet tank prior to flushing where the tank is full with water and the dip tube extends to a position below the water level. In this figure, the arrows demonstrate the air pathway, wherein air is drawn from the bowl through the overflow tube, into the air space above the water in the tank, and into the exhaust port in back of the tank. [0027] FIG. 8 is a side view of the dip tube inside the tank with the opening (i.e., at the bottom of the dip tube) exposed (i.e., not under water level), such that air can flow through the dip tube from outside of the tank into the tank. Continue reading about Ventilated toilet system and method... Full patent description for Ventilated toilet system and method Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Ventilated toilet system and method patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Ventilated toilet system and method or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Spear shield Next Patent Application: Toilet seat lifting apparatus Industry Class: Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Ventilated toilet system and method patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.14954 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Medical: Surgery , Surgery(2) , Surgery(3) , Drug , Drug(2) , Prosthesis , Dentistry 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
