Antiviral pedestal pan

Abstract

An antiviral toilet has a base structure including a toilet bowl having an upper edge; the seat ring and the top cover hinge are mounted on the base structure; a filter assembly including a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter disposed within a porous metal filter track housing, the filter assembly mounted on an underside of the toilet top cover concentric with the toilet seat, the filter assembly making uniform surface contact at one end with a top surface of the toilet seat when the toilet seat and the top cover are closed; the electronic equipment is used for starting flushing; the power supply is used for supplying power to the electronic equipment; and at least one visual marker for notifying the state.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related documents

[0002] This invention claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 392,952, entitled "Antiviral Toilet", filed on August 3, 2021, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 061,642, entitled "Anti - aerosol Toilet Seat", filed on August 5, 2020, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety at least. Technical Field

[0003] This invention pertains to the field of plumbed excreta collection facilities, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for removing contaminants from replacement air in plumbed excreta collection facilities. Background Art

[0004] In the field of excreta management, a large number of public facilities and devices are designed or otherwise modified to safely collect human biological excreta and / or treat and recycle human biological excreta, with the hope of eliminating or at least reducing potentially harmful airborne contaminants of biological origin and / or potentially harmful airborne synthetic toxins and / or fumes.

[0005] Typical systems for recycling biological human excreta such as feces and urine include a collection process, for example, collecting excreta through toilets and urinals. Human excreta can be stored in a collection tank called a septic tank for periodic collection by a vehicle. Human excreta can be collected and pumped into a sewer system and ultimately reach one or more treatment facilities where chemicals and certain processes can be applied to the wastewater to remove biological and synthetic contaminants therein. Then, the treated water can be used for other applications or released into the natural drainage system.

[0006] It is known in the art and confirmed by many studies that excreta collection facilities such as flush toilets can distribute airborne particles characteristic of pathogenic spores, viruses, and other airborne contaminants into the air around the flush toilet. These contaminants may remain in the air for a period of time and then settle on the surfaces around the flush toilet, including the toilet surface, countertop, sink, shower unit, or bathtub surface, etc.

[0007] In a study by Wilcox, Sandoe, and Best mentioned in this article, titled "The potential for aerosolization of Clostridium difficile after flushing the toilet", it was found that C. difficile could be recovered from air samples after flushing the toilet. Samples taken 25 cm above the toilet seat tested positive for C. difficile. Bioaerosols generated by flushing the toilet can cause environmental contamination in hospitals. Preventive measures (toilet lids) should be evaluated as an intervention to prevent toilet-related environmental contamination in clinical settings.

[0008] Other studies have shown that during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential to keep toilets clean to prevent the spread of bacteria and pathogens. The health of toilet users can be affected by pathogens in aerosol droplets in the air that may rise up to one meter above the toilet seat and spread through the air during flushing. Each flush of the toilet may generate approximately 14,000 to 80,000 aerosol droplets, which can rise even higher if the water tank is installed high or a valve-type flushing system is used.

[0009] The droplets can rise up to one meter. Their research shows that pathogens can be transmitted through the air by aerosol droplets emitted by flushing the toilet, thus contaminating the restroom. Additionally, the smaller the size of the pathogen, the higher the concentration distributed in the air after flushing. Closing the toilet lid before flushing can help reduce airborne aerosol droplets containing bacteria that may contaminate the air and the restroom; however, Professor Lai said that international research has found that due to a few millimeters of space between the lid and the toilet bowl, bacteria may still be released when flushing the toilet.

[0010] Multiple flushes may not help eliminate this problem because pathogens may remain on the surface of the toilet bowl for some time and be transmitted through aerosol droplets. Therefore, when pathogens are transmitted through the air due to a flushing event, the room walls and all surfaces and surrounding areas will be infected. As a result, the toilet lid, washbasin, and even the restroom floor will be contaminated. Generally, the recommended bleach or disinfectant regimen is to regularly clean the toilet bowl with 1:49 diluted household bleach and clean all areas of the restroom with 1:99 diluted household bleach. Use the exhaust fan (if available) for 15 to 30 minutes after using the restroom to help dilute bacteria and viruses in the air. Opening the window can also maintain sufficient ventilation indoors.

[0011] In fact, the flushing of a typical toilet facility causes additional water entering the toilet bowl to displace the air in the toilet bowl. The added water rushing out of the bowl causes air to return to the bowl, and the water added after flushing causes the air in the bowl to be expelled again. Generally, the aerosol plume of biological materials is pushed upward; however, if the toilet lid is closed, the aerosol plume may also be pushed laterally due to the gaps around the underside of the toilet lid and the edge of the toilet bowl. The scientific discovery that sewers may contain viruses such as the SARS-CoV-2 virus and other pathogens confirms that these pathogens are present when an infected person uses the toilet facility, and thus may be aerosolized into the immediate area of the toilet and, after some time, may settle on almost all surfaces in the immediate area of the toilet.

[0012] An obvious problem with the devices known in the art is that they rely on sensors, analyzers, collectors, filters, or disinfectors known in the art. The prior art devices are non-electric, non-mechanical, and non-mobile devices. They are also not airtight and cannot prevent all aerosols. In addition to the above challenges, aerosolized or airborne contaminants, spores, or pathogens may bypass around the edges of the items depicted, and the items may simply remain within the housing without being isolated from the hollow space above and around the toilet.

[0013] Therefore, there is clearly a need in the art for a modular anti-viral filter assembly for filtering airborne contaminants in the air displaced during the flushing procedure of an excrement collection facility to remove, inhibit, or eliminate inorganic and organic airborne particles containing emitted viral pathogens. Summary of the Invention

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an anti-viral toilet, which includes a base structure having a toilet water tank and an upper tank edge; a toilet seat hinge mounted on the base structure and concentrically positioned with the upper edge; a toilet top cover hinge mounted on the base structure and concentrically positioned with the toilet seat; a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter included in a porous metal filter track housing, the assembly being mounted on the underside of the toilet top cover concentric with the toilet seat, and when the toilet seat and the top cover are closed, the filter assembly makes uniform surface contact with the top surface of the toilet seat at one end; and an electronic device compartment having an internal volume for accommodating an electronic device for initiating flushing, a power source for powering the electronic device, and at least one visual marker for notifying the status.

[0015] In the case where the toilet seat and the cover are closed, a manually or electronically initiated flushing procedure forces the contaminated air in the toilet water tank to rise when the connected water source refills the tank, and laterally passes through the filter assembly along the perimeter of the filter assembly and exits to the outside of the base structure.

[0016] In one embodiment, a piped water tank serves as the connected water source, and a flush button is provided on the electronic device compartment such that manual flushing is enabled. In another embodiment, a piped electronic flushing unit serves as the connected water source, and the flushing is remotely initiated via a wireless transceiver and a remote power switch housed within the electronic device compartment. In a variant of this embodiment, the flushing is initiated by optically sensing the closed state of the antiviral toilet bowl. In another embodiment of the use tank, the flushing is initiated by the user operating a remote control device.

[0017] In one embodiment, the toilet seat includes at least two linear and annular one-way check valves that are transversely disposed through the material of the toilet seat. The check valves allow external air to enter the toilet bowl and prevent the air within the toilet bowl from escaping back outside the base structure through the check valves. In one embodiment, the visual markings include two or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted on the exterior of the electronic device compartment for alerting the user of the toilet bowl status, including the state of water injection into the toilet bowl after a flushing operation. In a preferred embodiment, the electronic device for initiating the flushing includes a remotely activated power switch. In one embodiment, the electronic device includes a microcontroller having instructions thereon for indicating the status via one or more LEDs.

[0018] In one embodiment, the antiviral toilet bowl further includes an annular recess in which a crossbar is provided for use as a lifting handle disposed on the outer side of the electronic device compartment. In one embodiment, the electronic device further includes an electronic device for providing a negative charge to the inner track portion of the filter track housing and a positive charge to the exterior of the filter track housing. In one embodiment, the power source is a rechargeable battery, and the electronic device further includes an electronic device for enabling the battery to be recharged. In a variant of this embodiment, the electronic device for charging is a universal serial bus (USB) port. In one embodiment, the uniform surface contact between the top cover and the toilet seat is achieved via a gasket mounted on the free end of the filter assembly. In one embodiment, the antiviral toilet bowl further includes a pair of polymer caps for covering the metal porous track housing at both ends of the filter assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1A is a front view of the antiviral toilet bowl with the lid down according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 1B is Figure 1A a front view of the antiviral toilet bowl with the lid open.

[0021] Figure 2It is a top-down perspective view of the seat assembly of the antiviral toilet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 It is a bottom-side perspective view of the seat assembly of the antiviral toilet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 It is a front view of the improved CPAC filter of the seat assembly of the antiviral toilet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5 It is a sectional perspective view of the seat assembly of the antiviral toilet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 6A It is a block diagram depicting one of two antiviral toilets used in public facilities according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 6B It is the second antiviral toilet used in public facilities according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 7 It is a flowchart depicting the usage steps of the antiviral toilet according to at least one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 8 is a front view of the antiviral toilet when the lid is lifted according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 9 It is a top-down perspective view of the toilet lid and seat of the toilet in Figure 8.

[0030] Figure 10 It is a sectional view of the HEPA filter assembly of Figure 8 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 11 It is a block diagram of the compartment and the remote device with wireless transmission function in Figure 8. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0032] In various embodiments described in detail herein, the inventors provide a unique system for eliminating viral or pathogenic plumes emitted from the toilet during the flushing process. One object of the present invention is to reduce or eliminate or inhibit viruses or other pathogenic microorganisms, spores, and other contaminants in the air forced out of the toilet bowl during the flushing operation. Another object of the present invention is to prevent the unnecessary spread of airborne viruses and other airborne contaminants to the people using the toilet facilities. The present invention is described using the following examples, which may describe more than one related embodiment falling within the scope of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 1AIs a front view of the lid-down antiviral toilet facility 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The antiviral toilet 100 is a home version of the present invention. The toilet 100 includes a base structure 102, which includes a collection basin or bowl having a toilet rim, as is typical of all toilet systems. The toilet 100 includes a water tank 101 disposed behind the toilet 100 for holding water for flushing. In this embodiment, the toilet 100 is manually flushed using a flush handle 103, which is connected to the typical internal chain, float, and stopper assembly of a home toilet system. As mentioned in the background section of this specification, problems arise when a person who may be emitting airborne pathogens (such as transmissible airborne viruses) uses the facility and flushes the toilet 100, regardless of whether the toilet lid is up or down during flushing. The problem is that the flushing process pours water from the water tank 101 into the bowl within the base structure 102, causing air to be expelled upward and outward in a plume. Any airborne pathogens may be carried in the ejected plume for some time and may eventually settle on surfaces near the facility after some time. In such cases, some of the pathogenic substances may still retain the ability to infect others who come into contact with such bathroom surfaces after using the facility.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the inventors provide an antiviral lid assembly 104 that can be operated to reduce or eliminate pathogens that may be entrained in the humid air plume forced out of the toilet bowl during the flushing process. Assembly 104 includes a circular toilet seat and lid that are modified or otherwise manufactured to support an antiviral filter housing 105 that can be mounted on the underside of the top lid and can be sealed against the inner edge of a modified circular seat ring that rests on the rim of the bowl of the base structure 102. Although not visible in this embodiment, the circular seat ring can also be modified by adding gasket material to its lower surface to seal against the top edge of the collection bowl within the base structure 102. In one embodiment of the present invention, assembly 104 can be manufactured and sold to consumers as an aftermarket antiviral solution for reducing or eliminating airborne pathogens that may escape from the bowl structure whether the toilet lid is in the up position or the down position when flushing occurs. In such a case, the consumer can replace the existing seat assembly with the antiviral seat ring assembly 104. In such a case, no modifications need to be made to any other components of the toilet facility 100. In one embodiment, the top lid of the antiviral seat ring assembly 104 includes a lift handle to facilitate raising and lowering of the top lid that supports the filter housing 105 by the user. In another embodiment, the filter housing 105 can be mounted to an existing seat assembly, where specific modifications are required to successfully integrate the filter housing into the toilet seat assembly. In the preferred embodiment, the antiviral seat ring assembly 104 is manufactured and added to an existing toilet facility, replacing the old seat assembly to facilitate use by the user; however, this is not particularly required to implement the present invention.

[0035] Figure 1B Yes Figure 1A Front view of the antiviral toilet 100 with the lid open. In this view of the toilet facility 100, the top lid of the antiviral seat ring assembly is lifted, depicting the underside of the antiviral filter housing 105. The filter housing 105 can be molded from a polymeric material or a polymer-rubber composite having a certain density and weight, such as an acetal homopolymer material (such as Delrin TM) or similar composite materials. The filter housing 105 includes one or more (in this case three) antiviral air filters 106. The antiviral air filter 106 can be a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) type antifungal / antiviral / antiparticle filter, which can be modified in this embodiment to be used as a filter array in the filter housing 105. It should be noted here that the lower side of the filter housing 105 is not suitable for upward flowing air. Of course, the exception through there involves the air flowing in and through the CPAP filter 106. It may also be noted here that at least a portion of the filter housing 105 is hollowed out on the inside above the filter 106 so that the filtered air can flow out of the filter housing through the side vents located at the rear of the housing. Although the side vents are not visible in this embodiment, it can be assumed that there are side vents. The improved CPAP filter can be regarded as a two-way filter, which means that air can flow through the filter device in both directions. This is notable because the flushing process initiated by the handle 103 may force air upward and out of the cylinder as water is injected into the cylinder, and may suck air back into the cylinder as water is drained from the bottom of the cylinder during the flushing process. More details about the improvement of the CPAP filter 106 will be provided later in this specification. Return reference Figure 1A , without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, the filter housing 105 can extend below the annular seat ring, at a certain distance from the geometric plane where the filter housing component is sealed against the inner edge of the annular seat ring. In one embodiment, a handle can be provided at the center of the front part of the top cover to assist the user in lifting the cover and the installed filter housing from the annular seat ring.

[0036] Figure 2 is a top perspective view of the seat ring assembly 104 of the antiviral toilet 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the antiviral seat ring assembly 104 includes one or more modifications, which may be related to Figure 1A and Figure 1Bis different from the antiviral toilet seat assembly; however, since the overall main functions of the components are the same, the components and the filter housing have the same component numbers. In this embodiment, the filter housing 105 is mounted on the top cover 200 of the toilet seat assembly. The top cover 200 may have a molded form that overlaps with the filter housing 105 and overlaps with the annular toilet seat 201, which is improved or otherwise formed to seal against the edge top surface of the toilet bowl and is in the form of a peripheral skirt 303 formed on the inner opening of the annular toilet seat 201 at the inner edge. The skirt 303 may be formed inward (toward the center) at an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the toilet seat plane, which is consistent with the sealing surface (invisible) formed on the outer lower periphery of the filter housing 105, and the sealing surface is angled complementary to the skirt 303 at 135 degrees and is flush with the skirt 303 when the top cover 200 is fully lowered. In one embodiment, the seal is a surface-to-surface seal that is sufficient to eliminate any potential gaps between the housing filter and the annular toilet seat. In one embodiment, an O-ring gasket may be provided between the filter housing 105 and the annular toilet seat 201. It should be noted that the handle mentioned above can assist the user in pulling up the cover 200 from the annular toilet seat 201. In this embodiment, the annular toilet seat 201 is improved or otherwise formed to include a geometric recess structure 202 located at the top of the annular toilet seat 201 at the approximate front and center. The recess structure 202 can be used as a symmetric crack structure between the toilet seat 201 and the top cover 200, enabling the user to lift the top cover 200 without using the handle mounted on the top cover.

[0037] In this embodiment, the antiviral filter housing 105 can accommodate a single larger-diameter antibacterial and antiviral filter 203 (logically represented by the dashed boundary). In this embodiment, an antiviral component 104 can be added to a public toilet that uses wireless sensor technology for automatic flushing. In one embodiment, the antiviral seat component 104 (more specifically, the antiviral filter housing 105) can include a wireless electronic control module (WECM) 204, which is adapted for short-range wireless communication with an automatic fully electric flushing unit that generates an automatic flushing command based on sensor data describing the state or condition of the toilet and the user's operation of it. The top cover 200 includes an array of light-emitting diodes 205, which is adapted to inform the user of the state of the antiviral toilet. In one example, flushing is not performed until the top cover 200 and the antiviral filter housing 105 are closed and sealed to the annular seat 201. In this case, one or more states of the antiviral toilet can be inserted into a flushing routine optimized for the antiviral toilet. Briefly, one or more red LEDs can light up or flash, indicating that the flushing process has started, preferably just after the user closes the cover 200 supporting the antiviral filter housing 105 onto the annular seat 201. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, this action of closing the cover can be communicated to the electric flushing unit (not shown) responsible for flushing this individual toilet in various ways.

[0038] In one embodiment, when a person walks away and closes the top cover before flushing, the electric flushing unit uses an optical sensor to detect this situation and starts flushing when the antiviral filter housing and the annular seat are properly mated. In another embodiment, when the top cover 200 is raised, it is transmitted to the electric flushing unit by a travel sensor installed by hinge connection adjacent to the top cover and the annular seat. An optical laser can be set as the travel sensor, and the circuit may be disconnected when the cover is raised and may not be disconnected when the cover is lowered. More details regarding flushing-related processes are provided later in this specification. In one embodiment in which the antiviral seat component includes the WECM 204 and / or the LED array 205, a small power source (not shown) can be provided to power the electronic functions of the antiviral seat component 104, and the small power source can be or can not be a rechargeable power source. A small battery can be housed within the antiviral filter housing 105. For a rechargeable battery, a charging port can also be provided to charge the power source. In one embodiment, one or a pair of LEDs in the LED array 205 can glow red when the battery power is low and glow green when fully charged.

[0039] In one embodiment, one or a pair of LEDs in the LED array 205 can be bright red for flushing (do not turn on) and bright green when it is safe to open the top cover 200 after flushing. The electric flushing unit can use a counter to correctly define the start and end of each use process of the toilet, so as to track the usage, especially the raising and lowering of the top cover 200. In one embodiment, for example, the electric flushing unit can have a timer function, which allows the action to be regarded as real, so that the user cannot quickly open and close the top cover 200 and expect the flushing process to start every time the top cover 200 is closed. Similarly, the electric flushing unit in the common version of the toilet seat assembly 104 can include a retreat routine. For example, if the user just walks away and does not close the top cover 200, the unit can start flushing after a set time, within which the top cover 200 is detected to be not closed and no one is detected in the compartment or in the immediate area around the common version.

[0040] The top cover 200 includes a plurality of vents 206 (three vents can be seen) provided at the rear end and the rear side of the above unit. Each of the vents 206 can include a plurality of parallel through slots, which pass through the main body of the top cover 200 and through the main body of the filter housing 104 at the upper hollow part of the housing above the top plane of the filter 203 or Figure 1B (home version) of the filter array 106. It should be noted here that without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, the filter design described above can be used in the common version of the toilet or in the consumer home version of the toilet. In a preferred usage embodiment, the air forced out of the toilet during the flushing process is forced through the antibacterial air filter 203 into the hollow space above the filter, and the filtered air can be led out through the vents 206. The antibacterial filter 203 can be a two-way filter, which allows the air led out through the vents 206 to be sucked back through the filter 203 and led into the toilet bowl when the water injected into the bowl is drained from the bowl during the flushing operation. The filter 203 can be disassembled and replaced as needed: about once every 6 months of operation.

[0041] Figure 3Is a bottom perspective view of the seat assembly 104 of the antiviral toilet 100 according to the embodiment of FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the filter design includes three CPAP filters in the array 106. The filters in the array 106 can be Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (BIPAP) filters, which means that air can flow through them in two directions, thus conforming to the two-way air displacement that occurs in the toilet bowl during the flushing process. The top cover 200 can be molded or otherwise formed to have a face-down peripheral wall 301 that can extend a certain distance beyond the perimeter of the annular seat 201. The filter housing 105 can have a peripheral surface 306 that is formed at an angle complementary to the skirt surface 303 such that when these surfaces are brought together, they mate on the mating surface and are flush with each other within a tolerance of about one degree or less, thereby providing a sealed interface that eliminates the air gap that is typically located between the top cover and the annular seat in prior art seat assemblies that have not been improved to practice the present invention. In one embodiment, the sealing surface can include a peripheral groove structure 305 that can receive an O-ring gasket 304. The groove 305 can extend peripherally along the inclined surface of the skirt 306.

[0042] Surface-to-surface sealing techniques are well known in the art, and the desired sealing effect can be obtained whether or not an O-ring gasket is provided; however, gasket sealing allows for less stringent angular tolerances when manufacturing the inclined surface interface between the inner skirt 303 and the inclined surface 306 around the lower portion of the filter housing 105. In one embodiment, a toilet kit that includes an antiviral seat assembly can include two gaskets 300 and 306. In this embodiment, the annular seat 201 has a flat and wide gasket 300 that adheres to the underside of the annular seat and is adapted to provide a seal against the top surface of the toilet bowl rim. The gasket 300 can be glued to the underside of the annular seat 201. The gasket 300 can be a silicone rubber gasket material that has some flexibility but is elastic and has a thickness sufficient to provide a sealing surface on the toilet rim under the increased weight of the top cover 200 due to the addition of the filter housing. The gasket 300 eliminates the typical gap between the annular seat and the top edge of the toilet bowl found in unmodified toilets with seat assemblies not suitable for practicing the present invention. The gasket 306 provides a similar seal between the top cover 200 and the seat 201.

[0043] The purpose of using the gasket and / or sealing surface is to ensure that contaminated air from the toilet bowl does not escape into the atmosphere around the toilet through any gaps in the system, but must pass through the filter provided in the filter housing 105. It should be noted here that after collecting the excrement, the top cover 200 should be closed against the edge of the toilet bowl on the annular seat 201 as soon as possible. The two-way nature of the filter and the flushing process can also allow air that may have escaped before the cover is closed to be drawn back into the system during the flushing process, at least greatly reducing the amount of contaminants in the air around the toilet, which will eventually settle on the bathroom surface around the toilet.

[0044] Figure 4 is a front view of an improved CPAP filter of the seat assembly 104 of the antiviral toilet 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The filter assembly 106 can be a CPAP or BIPAP filter improved to practice the present invention. The filter assembly 106 is adapted to be a detachable and replaceable filter that is inserted into an annular cavity provided through the solid bottom portion of the filter housing 105. An array of such filters can be provided, where each filter has its own air flow channel. In Figure 1B an embodiment, there are three filters in the array; however, more or fewer filters can be included in the filter housing without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The filter 106 includes an annular polymer or plastic housing 400 having a disk-shaped central annular portion that houses the microbial / viral filter 402 (CPAP / BIPAP) and an adjacent pre-filter 403, one above the filter material 402 and one below the filter material 402.

[0045] In one embodiment, the pre-filter 403 can be made of a cloth or plastic substrate having alternating concentric metal rings of zinc and copper separated by uniform small gaps. The zinc and copper can be printed or otherwise deposited on the annular substrate, which can be referred to as a nanoplate. The pre-filter 403 can be referred to as an electrostatic precipitator in the art. The electrostatic precipitator can also include an electro-disinfection function and is an annular insert in an otherwise unimproved CPAP or BIPAP filter assembly 106. The pre-filter 403 is adapted to remove bacteria during the incoming and outgoing airflows of the toilet flushing process. During the toilet flushing operation, whenever ionic moisture is atomized, a current is generated in the gaps between the concentric zinc and copper rings, which are called nanoplates, and this current electrocutes bacteria, viruses, microorganisms, etc. within the resulting circuit.

[0046] When air flows through the CPAP or BIPAP filtration device as described above, the dust collector generates a weak electric field in the presence of moisture in the air. In addition to the filtration effect of the central microbial filtration material 402, the pre-filter 403 can also eliminate airborne viruses upon contact through a weak electric shock process. Zinc is a well-known antibacterial and antifungal compound, and in the form of zinc pyrithione, it can be incorporated into the fabric, in this case in the form of a ring. Copper salts can be used to form copper rings on the fabric. Copper is commonly used in disinfectants and has antibacterial properties. In one embodiment, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, the substrate of the zinc ring and the copper ring can be plastic instead of cloth. In another embodiment of the present invention, the pre-filter 403 can include metal dots of zinc and silver in the form of a dot matrix, with silver replacing copper, and such a dot matrix is printed or otherwise deposited on a cloth, fabric, plastic, or synthetic material mixture, where the silver dots bind each copper dot in the matrix at four corners. Essentially, in the presence of ionized moisture or humidity in the atomized water present in the filter housing 105 (see Figure 1A ), the dot matrix operates in the same manner as the concentric rings. In one embodiment, the pre-filter 403 can be a virus-killing nano copper disc that can be inserted into the filter housing.

[0047] The filter assembly 106 has its own air flow channel constructed through the housing 400 and is open at both ends to facilitate air flow, including an annular section 401 (short tube) at the top of the filter assembly. The section 401 is vacated within the hollow portion of the filter housing 105 and points towards the rear of the housing, Figure 2 where the vent 206 further introduced above is located at the rear of the housing. During the flushing operation, water is injected into the void in the toilet bowl, causing an air plume to rise vertically upward through the filter assembly 106 in the direction of the arrow. When the air passes through the channel, it contacts the pre-filter 403 and the antibacterial / antiviral filtration material 402. It should be duly noted here that due to the pressure of water injection into the bowl just before draining, after the plume rises, the sudden removal of the excess water in the bowl causes the air flow direction to reverse, resulting in the filtered air and ambient air flowing back through the filter element 402 and contacting the pre-filter 403 again. Finally, the toilet bowl can be re-injected to the planned depth again just after draining, causing the air flow to reverse upward again, enabling airborne contaminants to come into full contact with the pre-filter 403 and pass through the filtration material 402 at the approximate center of the vertical channel extending through the filter assembly 106. In one embodiment, the filter housing assembly 105 can include a small fan that can be energized during the flushing process, and this fan can help move the rising air through multiple filter channels or through one filter channel in the case of a single filter. Such a fan can also be programmed to reverse the air flow back into the toilet bowl at the correct time when water is drained from the bowl. The LED 205 in the top cover 200 ( Figure 5) may light up red at the beginning of the flushing process and then light up green at an appropriate time (5 to 7 seconds) after flushing, so that the user can open the cover 200 and break the seal formed on the annular seat ring 201 ( Figure 3 ) skirt 303 around the bottom of the opening ( Figure 3 ) seal.

[0048] Figure 5 According to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 3 1. A cross-sectional perspective view of an antiviral toilet seat assembly 104. In the cross-sectional view, a hollowed-out portion of the filter housing 105 is depicted. In one embodiment, the filter housing 105 and the top cover 200 are molded as one continuous item. In another embodiment, the filter housing 105 is a separate item that is mounted to the underside of the top cover 200 in a manner that forms a hollow portion of the assembly. The bottom of the filter housing 104 is a thicker material that supports the weight and the invisible complementary surface 306 ( Figure 3 ). The filter 106 is depicted with a filter housing cut in this section showing the internal architecture for grading the filter elements. A single vent 206 can be seen in this view. In this embodiment a compartment 501 is provided for accommodating a filter element similar to that described above. Figure 2 A wireless control module for the WECM 204 in the filter housing. In one embodiment, other electronic devices are disposed within the filter housing, such as a battery source for powering the LED 205 and or the WECM. In one embodiment, the WECM has a power source in the form of a rechargeable battery thereon. In other embodiments, a charging port such as a mini Universal Serial Bus (USB) port may be provided to allow remote charging of the above unit from an external battery or power source. In this embodiment, the hollowed-out portion of the antiviral filter housing 105 extends downwardly the entire length of the housing to the interface floor of the housing, wherein the annular CPAP filter is contained in a solid column open at both ends, which does not reach the entire height of the interior of the filter housing to allow air to pass completely through the hollow portion of the filter housing.

[0049] In this embodiment, the gasket 300 seals against the upper edge surface of the toilet bowl, and the skirt extends below the edge surface of the toilet bowl. The recessed structure 202 can provide a convenient location for lifting the top cover 200 to break the seal between the filter housing 105 and the annular seat 201. In a preferred embodiment, no air can enter the filter housing 105 from the toilet bowl without passing through one or more of the provided filters. It is assumed that the treated air can leave the filter housing 105 through a vent (such as vent 206) in the filter housing. In this embodiment, the WECM can include a battery thereon, which can also power the LED panel 205. It may be noted that the top cover 200 integrated with the filter housing 105 is hinged to the annular seat 201 at the rear (hinge not shown). In one embodiment, the annular seat 201 is made of a solid material such as plastic and can be molded or otherwise formed.

[0050] Figure 6 is a block diagram depicting the public facility 600 of the antiviral toilet according to an embodiment of the present invention. Depending on the type of public toilet facility, the public facility 600 can include one, two, or more toilets 603. A rest stop facility may have multiple toilets 603, while a gas station facility or a park and recreation facility may have fewer toilets 603. In this embodiment, for privacy purposes, the public toilets are at least separated from each other by partitions 602. Each toilet 603 includes an antiviral seat assembly 104 similar to Figure 2 component 104, where a single microbe / antiviral / antifungal filter 605 is provided instead of the improved CPAP / BIPAP filter. The filter 605 is similar to the filter 203 introduced above Figure 2 and is supported in an annular airflow channel that may be several inches in diameter. Similarly, the total airflow channel footprint of three separate CPAP / BIPAP filters may be similar or total several inches. Each public toilet 603 can be wirelessly paired with a dedicated all-electric flushing unit 601. The tankless toilet is flushed directly through a water supply line (invisible pipe), which is different from a gravity-based tank system that stores about a gallon of water to pour into the toilet bowl. The flushing unit 601 can employ intelligent sensor technology, for example, the intelligent sensor technology flushes the toilet when the user steps out of the optical recognition range of the sensor; however, for practicing the present invention, the flushing must be initiated when the seat assembly 104 is closed and sealed to the annular seat and thus sealed to the edge of the toilet bowl.

[0051] In one embodiment of the present invention, the flushing unit 601 is adapted to flush the toilet 603 whenever the seat assembly (top cover and antiviral filter housing) is closed and sealed. This can be determined by using an optical sensor to detect the component 104 ( Figure 2) is achieved by closing at a certain time after use, thus facilitating a hands-free flushing procedure where the user does not have to manually flush the toilet. In this embodiment, one depicted toilet has an upward-facing component 104. In this case, there is no command or sensed evidence to electronically flush the toilet. Another depicted toilet has a closed or shut component 104. In this case, the WECM may send a wireless signal to the electric flushing unit to immediately initiate a hands-free flushing procedure. In a more robust embodiment, intelligence in the form of a timing function related to a detected or communicated status event of the toilet 603 can be provided to the fully electric flushing unit to mitigate errors during the flushing process. For example, the user may not have manually flushed the toilet and the component 104 is not closed. In this case, an alternative route can be observed, and after a set time, if the user has not closed the top cover onto the ring seat, the flushing unit 601 can override the rule of the closing component and flush the toilet with the cover open.

[0052] In one embodiment, an LED similar to Figure 2 LED 205 can be provided, which can indicate to the user that it is safe to open the toilet top cover after the last flushing procedure. Typically, this time may only be five to ten seconds long to ensure that there are no still floating airborne contaminants around the toilet bowl. In yet another embodiment, a servo unit can be provided, which can automatically close the seat assembly 104 onto the ring seat 201 ( Figure 2 ) through a hinge connection with a gas shock component to achieve a smooth mechanical closing operation, and once closed and sealed, the flushing unit can initiate the flushing. In one embodiment, the battery-powered filter housing 104 can have a sleep mode that wakes up into an operating mode based on the sensor's detection of movement (e.g., when the user lifts the component 104 in preparation to use the toilet 603). Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, the sensor can be located in the filter housing 105 or in the electric flushing unit 601.

[0053] Figure 7FIG. 700 is a flow chart depicting the steps of using an antiviral toilet according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. In step 701, the user opens the provided assembly by pulling up on the assembly top cover using a handle or flange structure, thereby breaking the seal between the filter housing and the toilet rim. In step 702, it may be determined whether the toilet is a home unit or a public unit. If in step 702 the unit is a home unit, then once done, the user closes the top cover in step 703 and reseals the filter housing against the rim. In step 704, the user uses the provided flush handle to manually flush the toilet. During this simple home routine, potentially contaminated air is filtered during the flush process with the top cover closed. In one embodiment, the toilet has a timing function and an LED panel that uses colored light to notify the user when the top cover may be opened again.

[0054] In step 702, if it is determined that the toilet is not a home version, then in step 705 it may be determined whether the user is operating a public version of the antiviral toilet. If in step 705 the toilet is a public toilet, then in step 706, the user closes the lid once done. In step 707, the electric flush unit initiates a hands-free flush program. In one aspect, when the user opens the top cover, a powered electronic device located within the filter housing wakes up from sleep mode and communicates with the electric flush unit, conveying that the user is operating the toilet, and the electric flush unit may apply the timing function to verify the actual use of the toilet. In one aspect of the method of using the public version of the toilet, the timing function is used to flush the toilet with the top cover open in the event that the user forgets to close the top cover and walks away after use. In one aspect of the public version of the toilet, when the top cover of the toilet is lifted, one or more sensors are employed to wake up the toilet electronics from sleep mode. In this aspect, when the top cover is closed again, a counter may be employed to associate the opening and closing of the top cover with the usage time, and the timing function may be utilized to authenticate the usage time. In one aspect of using the public version, the top cover is mechanically controlled by the electric flush unit using sensors and the timing function to close the top cover in the event that the user fails to close the cover after use.

[0055] In one embodiment of the present invention, the inventors provide a system that employs an oval high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter housed within a conductive metal track housing mounted on the underside of a toilet seat. In this system, two or more one-way check valves can be provided, which are horizontally mounted through the toilet seat to allow indoor air to flow unidirectionally into the toilet bowl during the portion of the flushing operation when the water level drops as the toilet is flushed. Also in this embodiment, air from the toilet bowl is forced to exit horizontally through the HEPA filter and a section of the oppositely charged porous metal track housing to provide optimal biological and particulate filtration of the forced air and electronic sanitation of the same airflow during the portion of the flushed toilet bowl when the water level rises. This embodiment is described using the following example.

[0056] Figure 8A is a front view of an antiviral toilet 800 according to an embodiment of the present invention with its lid raised. The toilet 800 includes a base structure similar to the base structure 102 of the parent case cited above and incorporated herein by reference, the base structure consisting of a toilet bowl 802 supported by a foot-shaped member 811. A water tank 801 is provided for holding flushing water, similar to the water tank 101 of the toilet 100 Figure 1A described, except that in this example, no flushing handle is provided on the water tank. In this example, an electronic flushing interface in the form of a flushing button 814 is provided on the top of an integrated electronic device compartment 805, or alternatively on a portion of the toilet lid 803 depicted as raised in this embodiment. In one embodiment, the electronic device compartment 805 can include a lid lift lever 806 for manually raising the toilet lid 803. In this embodiment, the electronic device compartment 805 does not house any filters or filter materials, but is dedicated to housing at least one remote power switch electronic receiver 807 and one or a group of batteries 824. In this embodiment, the battery 808 can be a rechargeable battery or a replaceable battery. The compartment housing the battery 824 can include a microcontroller and can support a light-emitting diode (LED) array similar to the LED 205 of the parent case incorporated herein by reference at least Figure 1A described. Figure 2 described.

[0057] For maintenance purposes, the compartment 805 can be made accessible. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, the compartment 805 can be made of the same material or a different material as the toilet lid 803. In one embodiment, the flush button 814 can be manually operated by pressing a button to flush the toilet 800. In this same embodiment, the flush button 814 can also be remotely activated via a wireless signal. In an alternative embodiment, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, flushing can be limited to manual or remote signal activation.

[0058] In this embodiment, an oval HEPA filter assembly 804 can be provided, and the HEPA filter assembly 804 can be centrally mounted on the bottom surface of the toilet lid 803 in a manner that is generally concentric with the overall shape of the electronic device compartment 805 and the toilet lid. The HEPA filter assembly 804 can include a HEPA pleated filter 812 (depicted in dashed lines). In this embodiment, the HEPA filter 812 is housed within an oval filter housing 813. The filter housing 813 can include an inner section and an outer section formed of a conductive metal, thereby providing a porous cage or housing around the HEPA filter material. The filter housing 813 can include a polymer seat ring and a polymer cap structure that includes a central dividing wall for separating the inner and outer sections of the housing and preventing contact. For example, the inner metal cage portion forming the inner section and the outer metal cage portion forming the outer section can carry opposite charges (inner cage portion is -, outer cage portion is +) to enhance the antiviral effectiveness of the HEPA filter assembly, which is even slightly higher than the effectiveness rating of the filter material itself.

[0059] In one embodiment, the HEPA filter assembly 804 can be sealed to the top surface of the toilet seat 815 via an oval rubber gasket 816. In one embodiment, the profile of the bottom polymer cap on the metal filter housing 813 is designed to form a surface-to-surface seal with the top surface of the toilet seat 815. In such an embodiment, the airflow from the toilet flows horizontally from the inside to the outside through the filter assembly and can return from the outside to the inside through the filter assembly. Another embodiment provides a semi-rigid rubber and / or polymer material for manufacturing the toilet seat. In this embodiment, an airtight seal is formed via the soft / flexible material of the toilet seat.

[0060] In an alternative embodiment, a plastic housing similar to the housing 105 can be provided with vents passing through the plastic housing to allow bidirectional airflow. In this embodiment, the footprint of the HEPA filter assembly 804 is larger than the footprint of the annular opening (vertical dashed line) through the seat 815.

[0061] In this embodiment, the toilet seat 815 includes at least two linear and annular one-way air flow check valves, which are represented herein as check valve 808a and check valve 808b. Check valves 808a and 808b allow outside air to flow into the toilet bowl, but do not allow the air inside the bowl to escape back into the outside area of the toilet 800. It may be noted here that while the inflow flushing occurs at the check valves, outside air can freely flow in through the HEPA filter assembly 804. Check valves 808a and 808b pass through the material of the toilet seat 815 and can have a diameter ranging from one-quarter inch to three-quarters inch. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, there can be more check valves 808 than depicted in this example.

[0062] The check valves (such as valves 808a and 808b) can be strategically arranged at any position around the toilet seat 815, equally spaced apart and forming an angle according to the three-hundred-sixty-degree perimeter of the toilet seat. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, check valves 808a and 808b can be electronically operated or mechanical spring and ball valves. In a preferred embodiment, during flushing, as the water level in the toilet bowl drops, check valves 808a and 808b open to the outside air, and the outside air flows through the check valves and into the toilet bowl. In an electronically controlled embodiment or in a manual (non-controlled) embodiment, at any time related to the one-way valves known in the art, air flow from the inside of the toilet bowl back through the check valves is not allowed. Check valves 808a and 808b are not particularly required to practice the present invention, but provide a mechanism for more air flow to enter the toilet from the outside during the flushing operation as the water level drops.

[0063] In a general embodiment, the toilet 800 can be used to collect excrement. After collection, the user can close the top cover 803 on the toilet seat 815. Then, the user can flush the toilet 800 by manually pressing the flush button 814 or by initiating a flushing program using a remote device and a wireless signal. During flushing, the water in the toilet bowl drops, and outside air can enter the toilet bowl through the check valves and the HEPA filter assembly. The outside air entering through the filter assembly is disinfected by the charged filter housing and the pleated HEPA filter. As water re-enters the toilet bowl, all the internal air to be displaced is forced to flow horizontally through the HEPA filter assembly in all directions and out to the outside of the toilet 800, i.e., air that is free of microorganisms and particulate matter.

[0064] Figure 9It is a top-down perspective view of the toilet lid 803 and the seat ring 815 of the toilet 800 in FIG. 8. In this embodiment, the toilet lid 803 can be hinged to the toilet seat ring 815 through the hinge rod kit 823. The lid / seat ring assembly can be fixed to the rear part of the edge of the toilet bowl of the base structure 802 depicted in FIG. 8 above. The HEPA filter assembly 804 is depicted as being logically fixed to the lower side of the toilet lid 803 (dashed line). The thickness dimension of the HEPA filter assembly 804 can be about half an inch to about two inches or so. The height of the filter assembly 804 can be about half an inch to about five-eighths of an inch. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom of the assembly 804 can be adapted to form a seal against the top surface of the toilet seat ring 815. In this view, the check valve 808b can be seen, and the check valve 808b extends horizontally through the material of the seat ring 815.

[0065] The lifting rod 806 can be an annular recess with a crossbar, and the user can hold the crossbar to lift the top lid 803 from the toilet seat ring 815. In another embodiment, without the lifting rod 806, the user can lift the top lid 803 through the relief portion 202 on the material of the seat ring 201 at the front center of the lid as further described above regarding the parent case. Figure 5 Similarly, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, other handle types can be provided and installed at any position on the top lid 803. The overall height of the electronic device compartment 805 is suitable for accommodating electronic device components and batteries and is suitable for accommodating the pressed lifting rod structure 806.

[0066] Figure 10 It is a sectional view of the HEPA filter assembly 804 in FIG. 8 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this view, the HEPA filter 812 is accommodated in the porous metal track housing 813, whereby the horizontal air flow passes through the negatively charged track section (inner track), through the pleated HEPA filter material, and through the positively charged track section in the direction of the arrow. When the toilet is flushed and water is sent back into the toilet bowl, forcing air to come out through the filter assembly, the air flow in the direction of the arrow will occur. It should also be noted here that reverse air flow may occur during the process of the toilet water descending from the toilet. In both cases, the air will be disinfected when it passes through the filter assembly. In one embodiment, a polymer cap 1001 can be provided for the installation and contact surfaces so that the metal of the track structure does not contact the lower side of the top lid and the top surface of the toilet seat ring.

[0067] Figure 11It is a block diagram of compartment 805 of FIG. 8 and a remote device with wireless transmission capabilities. In this view, compartment 805 includes a flush button 814, a lift rod 806, and a battery compartment 808. In this embodiment, compartment 805 includes a small microcontroller 1101, which has a power switch accessible to the remote device. The microcontroller 1101 can be remotely activated to initiate the flushing program of the toilet. The automatic flushing program can be initiated by a dedicated all-electric flushing unit 1105, which is similar to the flushing unit 601 of FIG. 6 introduced further above. Similarly, automatic flushing can be initiated by a handheld remote control 1104, which has a battery for power supply, an electronic device for generating a wireless signal, and a button for transmitting the wireless signal to the power switch receiver in compartment 805, thereby initiating the flushing and bypassing the button 814, or in one embodiment, remotely activating the flush button 814.

[0068] The flushing unit 1105 can include an optical sensor, which can see the toilet lid and can determine in real time whether the seat has been opened and then closed, as previously described for unit 601. In one embodiment, automatic flushing of the toilet can be locally implemented by adding a direction sensor or other motion sensor to the electronic device compartment 805, so as to automatically sense the position of the toilet lid related to a period of time associated with typical toilet use. The microcontroller 1101 can be connected to the battery 808, the flush button 814 (if controllable by signal), and an array of LEDs 1102 using a bus structure or a simple electrical path (logical dotted line). The description of the LEDs 1102 can be similar to that of the LEDs 205 above Figure 2 In one embodiment, an LED selection module 1103 can be provided such that the microcontroller can select which one of the LED arrays to light via a firmware routine. In one embodiment, multiple or one battery in compartment 808 is rechargeable, and a universal serial port (USB) can be provided to charge one or more batteries. One or more LEDs 1102 can be dedicated to the charging status. One or more LEDs can be dedicated to the active status, such as lid closed, flushing program in progress, and indicating when the toilet can be opened again for the next use. In the preferred embodiment, this time is from the moment when the water flows back into the tank (represented by one color) to the moment when the water level in the tank reaches the highest level again before the next use (represented by another color). There are many different possibilities.

[0069] Those skilled in the art should understand that the antiviral toilet system of the present invention can be provided by using some or all of the elements described herein. The arrangements and functions of the elements related to the present invention are described in different embodiments, and each embodiment is an implementation of the present invention. Although the uses and methods are described in detail herein, it should be noted that many changes can be made to the details of the construction and arrangement of the elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The present invention is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An antiviral toilet, comprising: A base structure including a toilet water tank having an upper edge; A toilet seat hinge mounted on the base structure and concentrically positioned with the upper edge; A toilet lid hinge mounted on the base structure and concentrically positioned with the toilet seat; A filter assembly including a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter disposed within a porous metal filter track housing, the assembly being mounted on the underside of the toilet lid concentric with the toilet seat, and when the toilet seat and lid are closed, the filter assembly makes uniform surface contact with the top surface of the toilet seat at one end; And An electronic device compartment having an internal volume for housing an electronic device for initiating flushing, a power source for powering the electronic device, and at least one visual marker for indicating status; Characterized in that, with the toilet seat and lid closed, a manually or electronically initiated flushing program forces contaminated air in the toilet water tank to rise when the tank is refilled from a connected water source and pass through the filter assembly and be discharged laterally along its perimeter to the outside of the base structure.

2. The antiviral toilet according to claim 1, wherein a plumbing cistern serves as the connected water source, and wherein a flush button is provided on the electronic device compartment to enable manual flushing.

3. The antiviral toilet according to claim 1, wherein a plumbing electronic flushing unit serves as the connected water source, and wherein flushing is remotely initiated by a wireless transceiver and a remote power switch housed within the electronic device compartment.

4. The antiviral toilet according to claim 3, wherein flushing is initiated by optically sensing the closed state of the antiviral toilet.

5. The antiviral toilet according to claim 2, wherein flushing is initiated by a user operating a remote control device.

6. The antiviral toilet according to claim 1, wherein the toilet seat includes at least two linear and annular one-way check valves disposed transversely through the material of the toilet seat, the check valves allowing external air to enter the toilet bowl and preventing air in the toilet bowl from escaping back to the outside of the base structure through the check valves.

7. The antiviral toilet according to claim 1, wherein the visual marker includes two or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted on the outside of the electronic device compartment for alerting the user of the toilet status, including the status of water being injected into the toilet bowl after a flushing action.

8. The antiviral toilet according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device for initiating flushing includes a remotely activated power switch.

9. The antiviral toilet according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device includes a microcontroller having instructions for indicating status via the one or more LEDs.

10. The antiviral toilet according to claim 1, further comprising an annular recess having a crossbar therein for use as a lifting handle disposed on the outside of the electronic device compartment.

11. The antiviral toilet according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device further comprises an electronic device for providing a negative charge to an inner track portion of the filter track housing and a positive charge to the exterior of the filter track housing.

12. The antiviral toilet according to claim 1, wherein the power source is a rechargeable battery, and wherein the electronic device further comprises an electronic device for enabling the battery to be recharged.

13. The antiviral toilet according to claim 12, wherein the electronic device for charging is a universal serial bus (USB) port.

14. The antiviral toilet according to claim 1, wherein the uniform surface contact between the top cover and the toilet seat is achieved via a gasket mounted on a free end of the filter assembly.

15. The antiviral toilet according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of polymer caps for covering the metal porous track housing at both ends of the filter assembly.

Images