Magical Toilet Seat

Abstract

Disclosed is a “magical” toilet seat that draws air from inside a toilet bowl into an air box for filtration and disinfection. The toilet seat operably possesses orifices on its underside that are in fluid communication with the air box when the seat is in a down position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 456,708 (filed Oct. 10, 2009).STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not Applicable.NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT[0003]Not Applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]1. Technical Field[0005]This specification relates to apparatus for removing fumes and gases from toilet bowls and for eliminating bacteria from said fumes or gases. This specification further relates to filtration, cleansing, and odor elimination from gases within a toilet bowl. More particularly, this specification describes apparatus and related methods for the ventilation and germ control of commode seats and seat assembling. That is to say, the described apparatus and related methods were invented and designed to eliminate and minimize offensive odors and bacteria.[0006]2. Background Art[0007]The general and practical uses of commodes inva...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]Another object of this disclosure is to provide apparatus and related methods for removing odors, noxious gases, and bacteria from toilet bowls in a cost and energy efficient manner.

[0015]In one embodiment, the disclosed apparatus features a hollow toilet seat accompanied with vents on the underside specifically for the purpose of receiving gases from inside a commode wherein said gasses are delivered to an air box via a vacuum, wherein said air box removes odor and kills bacteria in said gasses, before releasing the gasses into the atmosphere. Suitably, the air box may be equipped with chemical filters that scrub the air clean of unpleasant odor, germs, and harmful bacteria. In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a three speed motor with an ON / OFF switch so that a commode user may have flexibility in suction speeds so that the user can vary the amounts of gas removed from the toilet bowl by the system. Suitably, the wires and switches of the vacuum may be separated from the commode's plumbing system. The apparatus may feature a toilet seat with one quarter to one eighth of an inch air vents around the entire circumference on its underside so that gases from a toilet bowl may suitably flow through said vents. The apparatus may further feature a splash protection rim on the lip of the toilet seat to help prevent urine or fecal matter from splashing into the ventilating system. In a preferred embodiment, the air box features a lid so that it may be easily cleaned. Usefully, the air box and seat may be retrofitted to most commodes in a manner that meets fire, electrical and plumbing codes. Preferably, the toilet seat of the apparatus is aesthetically pleasing, durable, temperature sensitive and comfortable.

Problems solved by technology

The general and practical uses of commodes invariably and undesirably expose users of such to noxious gases, unpleasant odors, and dangerous germs.

Such systems have worked with varying degrees of success and cost efficiency, but all of such systems are not retrofitable to existing commodes and, as a result, have required the significant costs of commode replacement (including parts and labor).

However, the electric single speed motor 28 within McKinley's system for exhausting the noxious and odorous gasses is: limited to only a single speed so that motor may not be suitable for all users; an expensive waste of electricity; and, is noisy so that when coupled to a light switch, the associated light cannot be used quietly.

Furthermore, McKinley's ventilation system features only thirteen air vents 42, which do not provide coverage for a substantial portion of the entire circumference of the toilet seat 18.

Other design flaws of McKinley's system pose health risks to commode users, like, for instance, no barrier or splash protector is provided in McKinley's system so that water, urine, or other elements associated with commode use may reach the interior of the exhaust system 18,20,26,28.

Said configuration is further unsatisfactorily amenable to bacteria or germs in view of McKinley's failure to disclose any method of cleaning the hollow areas of the system's toilet seat.

Finally, McKinley's ventilation system lacks any kind of chemical filter that could cleanse the offensive odor and harmful bacteria from gasses in the toilet bowl before the exhaust is released into the atmosphere whereby the germs, bacteria, noxious gases, and offensive odors are just transferred from one place to another, instead of being eliminated.

Although capable of providing to commode users some measure of relief from noxious and odorous gasses, Entrekin's ventilation system does not provide chemical filters that scrub the exhaust clean of harmful bacteria.

Furthermore, Entrekin's ventilation system features vents 2 that exhausts directly into the household plumbing, whereby any type of overflow or back up from the plumbing system into the ventilation system could prove to be a health hazard to commode users and / or the property.

Entrekin's system cannot be properly cleaned.

Furthermore, the system lacks a water filled “P” trap in between the vents in the toilet seat and the household plumbing 5, which omission could defeat the system's purpose by causing removed noxious gases, foul odors, and harmful bacteria to be released right back into the commode's environment whenever the vacuum is not running.

Also, the time-delayed electrical switch 7 may be in close proximity to the water in the commode which could pose an electrical hazard.

Finally, Entrekin's ventilation system could be expensive to install, as the parts and labor associated with connecting the exhaust to the household plumbing may be significant.

However, the document does not explain the manner in which the noxious gases and foul odors will be dealt.

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