US20080295234A1

US20080295234A1 - Odourless toilet

Info

Publication number: US20080295234A1
Application number: US11/754,910
Authority: US
Inventors: Nicholas James William White
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-05-29
Filing date: 2007-05-29
Publication date: 2008-12-04
Also published as: GB2465292B; GB0922028D0; US20100257668A1; WO2008144907A1; CA2688243A1; GB2465292A

Abstract

An odourless toilet is provided. The toilet comprises a flush tank comprising a flushing water wet chamber, which comprises a flush assembly; and a flush outlet. The flush tank also comprises a dry chamber, which is positioned adjacent the wet chamber. The dry chamber comprises a chamber inlet, and a ventilator connected to the chamber inlet. The toilet also comprises a toilet bowl, which comprises a basin and, a basin access. The basin access comprises a wet inlet in fluid communication with the wet chamber flush outlet and the basin. The wet inlet serves in conveying the flushing water to the basin. The basin access also comprises a dry outlet in fluid communication with the dry chamber inlet and the basin. The toilet further comprises a diverter, which is positioned between the flush tank and toilet bowl, and registers with the basin access. The diverter comprises a flush passage, which couples the flush outlet to the wet inlet. The diverter also comprises an exhaust passage, which couples the dry chamber inlet to the dry outlet.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to odourless toilets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During toilet use, off odours and air borne bacteria may enter the immediate atmosphere. The odours and bacteria are generally considered undesirable. Several toilet designs have been proposed to deal with this problem; e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,257,421, 6,526,598 and 6,928,666. Each, however, poses a number of problems, such as, the toilet design being too complex and expensive to manufacture (cost prohibitive), or having a large number of moving parts (maintenance prohibitive), or requiring excessive reconfiguration of an existing toilet facility.
There remains a need for an odourless toilet that mitigates or obviates at least some of these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An odourless toilet having a design that permits direct interchangeability with standard toilet fitting specifications is provided. The toilet venting, the vacuum and exhaust, is preferably integrated within the casting of the toilet body. The toilet is designed to obviate the requirement for venting through external walls.
The toilet comprises a flush tank, which in turn comprises a wet chamber that is configured to hold flushing water. The wet chamber comprises a flush assembly, which conveys the flushing water from the wet chamber, and a flush outlet through which the flushing water exits. The flush tank also comprises a dry chamber, which is positioned adjacent the wet chamber. The dry chamber in turn comprises a chamber inlet, and a ventilator, which is connected to the chamber inlet. The ventilator serves to draw air through the chamber inlet. The toilet also comprises a toilet bowl, which in turn comprises a basin and, a basin access. The basin access comprises a wet inlet which is in fluid communication with the wet chamber flush outlet and the basin. The wet inlet serves in conveying the flushing water to the basin. The basin access also comprises a dry outlet, which is in fluid communication with the dry chamber inlet and the basin, through which basin air is drawn. The toilet further comprises a diverter, which is positioned between the flush tank and toilet bowl, and registers with the basin access. The diverter comprises a flush passage, which couples the flush outlet to the wet inlet, through which the flushing water is conveyed from the wet chamber to the toilet bowl. The diverter also comprises an exhaust passage, which couples the dry chamber inlet to the dry outlet, through which basin air is drawn by the ventilator into the dry chamber.
The dry chamber may further comprise a filter, which is connected to the ventilator. The filter receives and neutralises the drawn basin air.
The dry chamber may further comprise a chamber outlet which is connected to the ventilator. The drawn basin air is exhausted through the chamber outlet to the sewer side of a toilet bowl trap.
The dry chamber and wet chamber may be positioned side by side with respect to the front to back toilet orientation.
The dry chamber and wet chamber may be positioned front to back with respect to the front to back toilet orientation.
A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet is also provided. The flush tank comprises a wet chamber that is configured to hold flushing water. The wet chamber comprises a flush assembly for conveying the flushing water from the wet chamber; and, a flush outlet through which the flushing water exits. The flush tank also comprises a dry chamber adjacent the wet chamber. The dry chamber comprises a chamber inlet, and a ventilator connected to the chamber inlet for drawing air through the chamber inlet. The flush tank also comprises a diverter positioned to register with a basin access of the toilet bowl. The basin access comprises a wet inlet in fluid communication with the wet chamber flush outlet and the basin, which serves in conveying the flushing water to the basin; and, a dry outlet that is in fluid communication with the dry chamber inlet and the basin, through which basin air is drawn. The diverter comprises a flush passage which couples the flush outlet to the wet inlet, through which the flushing water is conveyed from the wet chamber to the toilet bowl; and, an exhaust passage which couples the dry chamber inlet to the dry outlet, through which basin air is drawn by the ventilator into the dry chamber.
A flush tank insert for a toilet flush tank of an odourless toilet is also provided.
A diverter for a toilet flush tank of an odourless toilet is also provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an odourless toilet illustrated in accordance with a present embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the flush tank of the odourless toilet of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the flush tank of the odourless toilet of FIG. 1 in accordance with an alternate embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the toilet bowl of the odourless toilet of FIG. 1 along line A-A;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the toilet bowl of the odourless toilet of FIG. 1 along line A-A in accordance with an alternate embodiment;

FIG. 6 is cross-sectional view of the toilet bowl of the odourless toilet of FIG. 1 along line A-A in accordance with a further alternate embodiment; and,

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the flush tank of the odourless toilet of FIG. 1 in accordance with an further alternate embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an odourless toilet 10 is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The toilet 10 comprises a flush tank 11, which in turn comprises a wet chamber 13 that is configured to hold flushing water. The wet chamber 13 comprises a flush assembly 15, which conveys the flushing water from the wet chamber 13, and a flush outlet 17 through which the flushing water exits. The flush assembly 15 may be any suitable flush assembly known in the art. For example, the flush assembly 15 may include a filler valve, filler float, overflow tube and flush valve (not shown).
The flush tank 11 also comprises a dry chamber 19, which is positioned adjacent the wet chamber 13. The dry chamber 19 in turn comprises a chamber inlet 21, and a ventilator 23, which is connected to the chamber inlet 21. The ventilator 23 and chamber inlet are preferably connected by means of tubing. The ventilator 23 serves to draw air through the chamber inlet 21. The ventilator 23 is an air displacement device, preferably a vacuum system, as is known in the art, that is powered by a power supply 73 that is located within the dry chamber 19. Alternately, the power supply 73 may be an existing power outlet (not shown).
The vacuum system may operate in a number of modes: (1) it may be on all the time, which would create a continual air exchange environment; (2) it may be on when the toilet 10 is in use, including flushing; (3) it may on when the toilet 10 is in use, excluding flushing. During use, the vacuum draws air at a rate below that at which it would take up water. Additionally, the chamber inlet 21 is positioned such that water would have to climb a vertical height to pass to the vacuum.
The toilet 10 additionally comprises a toilet bowl 25, which in turn comprises a basin 27 and, a basin access 29. The basin access 29 comprises a wet inlet 31 which is in fluid communication with the wet chamber flush outlet 17 and the basin 27. The wet inlet 31 serves in conveying the flushing water to the basin 27. The basin access 29 also comprises a dry outlet 33, which is in fluid communication with the dry chamber inlet 21 and the basin 27, through which basin air is drawn. In a preferred embodiment, the wet inlet 31 and dry outlet 33 are defined by the same access. However, it will be apparent that the inlet 31 and outlet 33 may be defined by dedicated accesses, as is illustrated in FIG. 3.
The toilet 10 further comprises a diverter 35, which is positioned between the flush tank 11 and toilet bowl 25, and registers with the basin access 29. The diverter 35 comprises a flush passage 37, which couples the flush outlet 17 to the wet inlet 31, through which the flushing water is conveyed from the wet chamber 13 to the toilet bowl 25. The diverter 35 also comprises an exhaust passage 39, which couples the dry chamber inlet 21 to the dry outlet 33, through which basin air is drawn by the ventilator 23 into the dry chamber 19. In a preferred embodiment, the flush passage 37 and exhaust passage 39 share the same access point, as defined by inlet 31/outlet 33 (FIG. 2). Alternately, the flush passage 37 and exhaust passage 39 may be connected to a dedicated wet inlet 31 and dry outlet 33, respectively (as shown in FIG. 3).
Referring to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the dry chamber 19 further comprises a filter 41, which is connected to the ventilator 23. The filter 41 receives and neutralises the drawn basin air. The filter 41 may be any suitable de-odourising filter known to those skilled in the art.
The dry chamber 19 may further comprise a one-way valve 43 that is positioned between the chamber inlet 21 and the filter 41, which permits air flow in the direction from the inlet 21 to the filter 41.
Referring to FIG. 3, in an alternate embodiment, the dry chamber 19 further comprises a chamber outlet 45 which is connected to the ventilator 23. The drawn basin air is exhausted through the chamber outlet 45 to the sewer side of a toilet bowl trap 47.
As with the previous embodiment, the dry chamber 19 may further comprise a one-way valve 43 that is positioned between the chamber inlet 21 and the chamber outlet 45, which permits air flow in the direction from the inlet 21 to the outlet 45.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the dry chamber 19 and wet chamber 13 are positioned side by side with respect to the front to back toilet 10 orientation. However, in an alternate embodiment, the dry chamber 19 and wet chamber 13 may be positioned front to back with respect to the front to back toilet 10 orientation.
Referring to FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment, the toilet 10 additionally comprises a sensor 49, which is positioned on one of the flush tank 11 and toilet bowl 25. The sensor 49 is preferably positioned on the flush tank 11. The sensor 49 detects the presence of a toilet user. The sensor 49 is in communication with the ventilator 23 and activates the ventilator 23 in response to a detected presence. The sensor 49 includes sensing and means for communicating with the ventilator 23. The sensor may be any suitable sensor known to those skilled in the art.
Referring to FIG. 4, a cross-sectional view of the toilet bowl 25 of the odourless toilet 10 of FIG. 1 along line A-A is illustrated. The basin 27 is illustrated as preferably comprising air apertures 51, which are in fluid communication with the dry outlet 33 (illustrated in FIG. 2, for example). Preferably, the flushing apertures 57 may be used for drawing air into the air channel 53 when the toilet is operating in a vacuum mode. Air apertures 51 may be employed alternately.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, a cross-sectional view of the toilet bowl 25 of the odourless toilet 10 of FIG. 1 along line A-A is illustrated in accordance with an alternate embodiment. The basin 27 is illustrated as further comprising an air channel 53 and respective air apertures 51 in fluid communication with the dry outlet 33; and, a flush channel 55 and respective flush apertures 57 in fluid communication with the wet inlet 31. The air channel 53 and flush channel 55 are preferably positioned about the rim 59 of the toilet bowl 25.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, a cross-sectional view of the toilet bowl 25 of the odourless toilet 10 of FIG. 1 along line A-A is illustrated in accordance with a further alternate embodiment. The basin 27 further comprises an inner basin wall 61, an outer basin wall 63, which defines the exterior of the basin 27. The inner and outer walls (61,63) define an air channel 65 that is in fluid communication with the dry outlet 33; and, an basin air channel aperture 67 opening to the air channel 65 and is positioned on the inner basin wall 61 at a point above the basin water line. Preferably, there would be no flush aperture 57 positioned above the channel aperture 67, so as to prevent flush water entrapment with the air channel 65.
Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the flush tank 11 may be alternately characterised as a flush tank 11 for use in an odourless toilet 10 comprising a toilet bowl 25 comprising a basin 27. The flush tank 11 comprises a wet chamber 13 that is configured to hold flushing water. The wet chamber 13 comprises a flush assembly 15 for conveying the flushing water from the wet chamber 13; and, a flush outlet 17 through which the flushing water exits. The flush tank 11 also comprises a dry chamber 19 adjacent the wet chamber 13. The dry chamber 19 comprises a chamber inlet 21, and a ventilator 23 connected to the chamber inlet 21 for drawing air through the chamber inlet 21.
The flush tank 11 also comprises a diverter 35 positioned to register with a basin access 29 of the toilet bowl 25. The basin access 29 comprises a wet inlet 31 in fluid communication with the wet chamber flush outlet 17 and the basin 27, which serves in conveying the flushing water to the basin 27; and, a dry outlet 33 that is in fluid communication with the dry chamber inlet 21 and the basin 27, through which basin air is drawn. The diverter 35 comprises a flush passage 37 which couples the flush outlet 17 to the wet inlet 31, through which the flushing water is conveyed from the wet chamber 13 to the toilet bowl 25; and, an exhaust passage 39 which couples the dry chamber inlet 21 to the dry outlet 33, through which basin air is drawn by the ventilator 23 into the dry chamber 19.
Referring again to FIG. 2, the flush tank 11 may optionally be equipped with a riser valve 100, which is positioned between the dry chamber inlet 21 and the one-way valve 43. The riser valve 100 prevent water from rising up into the one-way valve 43 while permitting the drawn air to pass and ultimately be conveyed away via the one-way valve 42. In one embodiment, the riser valve 100 may be a non-return float valve, which closes in response to floating water but does permit air to flow through.
Referring again to FIG. 1 and FIG. 7, an alternate embodiment may be characterised as a flush tank insert 69 for a toilet flush tank 11 for use in an odourless toilet 10 comprising a toilet bowl 25 comprising a basin 27. The flush tank insert 69 comprises an insert body 71, which in turn comprises a wet chamber 13 that is configured to hold flushing water. The wet chamber 13 comprises a flush assembly 15 for conveying the flushing water from the wet chamber 13; and, a flush outlet 17 through which the flushing water exits. The flush tank insert 69 also comprises a dry chamber 19 adjacent the wet chamber 13. The dry chamber 19 comprises a chamber inlet 21, and a ventilator 23 connected to the chamber inlet 21 for drawing air through the chamber inlet 21.
The flush tank insert 69 also comprises a diverter 35 positioned to register with a basin access 29 of the toilet bowl 25. The basin access 29 comprises a wet inlet 31 in fluid communication with the wet chamber flush outlet 17 and the basin 27, which serves in conveying the flushing water to the basin 27; and, a dry outlet 33 that is in fluid communication with the dry chamber inlet 21 and the basin 27, through which basin air is drawn. The diverter 35 comprises a flush passage 37 which couples the flush outlet 17 to the wet inlet 31, through which the flushing water is conveyed from the wet chamber 13 to the toilet bowl 25; and, an exhaust passage 39 which couples the dry chamber inlet 21 to the dry outlet 33, through which basin air is drawn by the ventilator 23 into the dry chamber 19.
Referring again to FIG. 1 and FIG. 7, an alternate embodiment may be characterised as a flush tank diverter 35 for a toilet flush tank 11 of an odourless toilet 10, the flush tank diverter 35 being positionable between the flush tank 11 and a toilet bowl 25 to register with a basin access 29 of the toilet bowl 25. The diverter 35 comprises a flush passage 37 which couples the flush outlet 17 of the flush tank 11 to the wet inlet 31 of the toilet bowl 25, through which the flushing water is conveyed from the wet chamber 13 of the flush tank 11 to the toilet bowl 25; and, an exhaust passage 39 which couples the dry chamber inlet 21 of the flush tank 11 to the dry outlet 33 of the toilet bowl 25, through which basin air is drawn by the ventilator 23 into the dry chamber 19.
In alternate embodiment (not shown), the insert may be characterised as a stand-alone body for use in a tankless toilet (such as founding many commercial environments) The alternate comprises a housing which houses a dry chamber. The dry chamber comprises a chamber inlet, and a ventilator connected to the chamber inlet for drawing air through the chamber inlet.
The stand-alone body also comprises a diverter positioned to register with a basin access of the toilet bowl. The basin access comprises a wet inlet in fluid communication with the tankless water supply and the basin, which serves in conveying the flushing water to the basin; and, a dry outlet that is in fluid communication with the dry chamber inlet and the basin, through which basin air is drawn. The diverter comprises a flush passage which couples the flush outlet to the wet inlet, through which the flushing water is conveyed from the wet chamber to the toilet bowl; and, an exhaust passage which couples the dry chamber inlet to the dry outlet, through which basin air is drawn by the ventilator into the dry chamber.
The above description is intended in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. Variations may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims set out below.

Claims

1. An odourless toilet comprising:

a flush tank comprising:

a wet chamber configured to hold flushing water, the wet chamber comprising:

a flush assembly for conveying the flushing water from the wet chamber; and,

a flush outlet through which the flushing water exits;

a dry chamber adjacent the wet chamber, the dry chamber comprising:

a chamber inlet; and,

a ventilator connected to the chamber inlet for drawing air through the chamber inlet;

a toilet bowl comprising:

a basin; and,

a basin access comprising:

a wet inlet in fluid communication with the wet chamber flush outlet and the basin, for conveying the flushing water to the basin; and,

a dry outlet in fluid communication with the dry chamber inlet and the basin, through which basin air is drawn; and,

a diverter positioned between the flush tank and toilet bowl to register with the basin access, the diverter comprising:

a flush passage coupling the flush outlet to the wet inlet, through which the flushing water is conveyed from the wet chamber to the toilet bowl; and,

an exhaust passage coupling the dry chamber inlet to the dry outlet, through which basin air is drawn by the ventilator into the dry chamber.

2. An odourless toilet according to claim 1, wherein the dry chamber further comprises a filter connected to the ventilator, the filter for receiving and neutralising the basin air.

3. An odourless toilet according to claim 2, wherein the dry chamber further comprises a one-way valve positioned between the chamber inlet and the filter, the valve permitting air flow from the inlet to the filter.

4. An odourless toilet according to claim 1, wherein the dry chamber further comprises a chamber outlet connected to the ventilator through which the drawn basin air is exhausted to a toilet bowl trap.

5. An odourless toilet according to clam 4, wherein the dry chamber further comprises a one-way valve positioned between the chamber inlet and the chamber outlet, the valve permitting air flow from the inlet to the outlet and preventing backflow of the drawn air to the toilet bowl.

6. An odourless toilet according to claim 1, wherein the dry chamber and wet chamber are positioned side by side with respect to the toilet orientation.

7. An odourless toilet according to claim 1, wherein the dry chamber and wet chamber are positioned front to back with respect to the toilet orientation.

8. An odourless toilet according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor, positioned on one of the flush tank and toilet bowl, for detecting the presence of a toilet user, the sensor activating the ventilator in response to a detected presence.

9. An odourless toilet according to claim 8, wherein the sensor is positioned on the flush tank.

10. An odourless toilet according to claim 1, wherein the basin further comprises air apertures in fluid communication with the dry outlet.

11. An odourless toilet according to claim 1, wherein the basin further comprises:

an air channel and a respective air aperture in fluid communication with the dry outlet; and,

a flush channel and a respective flush aperture in fluid communication with the wet inlet.

12. An odourless toilet according to claim 11, wherein the air channel and flush channel are positioned about the rim of the toilet bowl.

13. An odourless toilet according to claim 1, wherein the basin further comprises:

an inner basin wall;

an outer basin wall defining the exterior of the basin, the inner and outer walls defining an air channel in fluid communication with the dry outlet; and,

an air channel aperture opening to the air channel and being positioned on the inner basin wall at a point above the basin water line.

14. A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet comprising a toilet bowl comprising a basin, the flush tank comprising:

a wet chamber configured to hold flushing water, the wet chamber comprising:

a flush assembly for conveying the flushing water from the wet chamber; and,

a flush outlet through which the flushing water exits;

a dry chamber adjacent the wet chamber, the dry chamber comprising:

a chamber inlet; and,

a ventilator connected to the chamber inlet for drawing air through the chamber inlet; and,

a diverter positioned to register with a basin access of the toilet bowl, the basin access comprising a wet inlet in fluid communication with the wet chamber flush outlet and the basin, for conveying the flushing water to the basin, and, a dry outlet in fluid communication with the dry chamber inlet and the basin, through which basin air is drawn, the diverter comprising:

15. A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet according to claim 14, wherein the dry chamber further comprises a filter connected to the ventilator, the filter for receiving and neutralising the basin air.

16. A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet according to claim 15, wherein the dry chamber further comprises a one-way valve positioned between the chamber inlet and the filter, the valve permitting air flow from the inlet to the filter and preventing backflow of the drawn air to the toilet bowl.

17. A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet according to claim 14, wherein the dry chamber further comprises a chamber outlet connected to the ventilator through which the drawn basin air is exhausted to a toilet bowl trap.

18. A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet according to clam 17, wherein the dry chamber further comprises a one-way valve positioned between the chamber inlet and the chamber outlet, the valve permitting air flow from the inlet to the outlet.

19. A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet according to claim 14, wherein the dry chamber and wet chamber are positioned side by side with respect to the toilet orientation.

20. A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet according to claim 14, wherein the dry chamber and wet chamber are positioned front to back with respect to the toilet orientation.

21. A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet according to claim 14, further comprising a sensor, positioned on the flush tank, for detecting the presence of a toilet user, the sensor activating the ventilator in response to a detected presence.

22. A flush tank insert for a toilet flush tank of an odourless toilet comprising a toilet bowl comprising a basin, the flush tank insert comprising:

an insert body comprising:

a wet chamber configured to hold flushing water, the wet chamber comprising:

a flush assembly for conveying the flushing water from the wet chamber; and,

a flush outlet through which the flushing water exits;

a dry chamber adjacent the wet chamber, the dry chamber comprising:

a chamber inlet; and,

a diverter positioned between the flush tank and the toilet bowl to register with a basin access of the toilet bowl, the basin access comprising a wet inlet in fluid communication with the wet chamber flush outlet and the basin, for conveying the flushing water to the basin, and, a dry outlet in fluid communication with the dry chamber inlet and the basin, through which basin air is drawn, the diverter comprising:

23. A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet according to claim 22, wherein the dry chamber further comprises a filter connected to the ventilator, the filter for receiving and neutralising the basin air.

24. A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet according to claim 23, wherein the dry chamber further comprises a one-way valve positioned between the chamber inlet and the filter, the valve permitting air flow from the inlet to the filter.

25. A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet according to claim 22, wherein the dry chamber further comprises a chamber outlet connected to the ventilator through which the drawn basin air is exhausted to a toilet bowl trap.

26. A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet according to clam 25, wherein the dry chamber further comprises a one-way valve positioned between the chamber inlet and the chamber outlet, the valve permitting air flow from the inlet to the outlet.

27. A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet according to claim 22, wherein the dry chamber and wet chamber are positioned side by side with respect to the toilet orientation.

28. A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet according to claim 22, wherein the dry chamber and wet chamber are positioned front to back with respect to the toilet orientation.

29. A flush tank diverter for a toilet flush tank of an odourless toilet, the flush tank diverter being positionable between the flush tank and a toilet bowl to register with a basin access of the toilet bowl,

the flush tank comprising:

a wet chamber configured to hold flushing water, the wet chamber comprising:

a flush assembly for conveying the flushing water from the wet chamber; and,

a flush outlet through which the flushing water exits;

a dry chamber adjacent the wet chamber, the dry chamber comprising:

a chamber inlet; and,

the toilet bowl comprising:

a basin; and,

the basin access comprising:

a dry outlet in fluid communication with the dry chamber inlet and the basin, through which basin air is drawn;

the diverter comprising: