Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ODOURLESS TOILET
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to odouriess toilets.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 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., US Patent 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.
[0003] There remains a need for an odourless toilet that mitigates or obviates
at
least some of these problems.
SUMMARY
[0004] An odouriess 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.
[0005] 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,
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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.
[0006] The dry chamber may further comprise a filter, which is connected to
the
ventilator. The filter receives and neutralises the drawn basin air.
[0007] 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.
[0008] The dry chamber and wet chamber may be positioned side by side with
respect to the front to back toilet orientation.
[0009] The dry chamber and wet chamber may be positioned front to back with
respect to the front to back toilet orientation.
[0010] 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
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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.
[0011] A flush tank insert for a toilet flush tank of an odourless toilet is
also provided.
[0012] A diverter for a toilet flush tank of an odouriess toilet is also
provided.
[0013] In another aspect of the invention, 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 ventilation assembly, which conveys the flushing water from
the wet
chamber, and provides an exhaust passage for the ventilator. The flush
ventilation
assembly comprises a ventilator inlet/flush outlet in combination through
which the flushing
water exits and the basin air enters. The flush ventilation assembly further
comprises a
main flush valve for controlling the exit of the flushing water from the wet
chamber through
the ventilator inlet/flush outlet, and an overflow tube. The overflow tube has
first and
second ends, and the first end is connected to the ventilator inlet/flush
outlet which permits
overflow water which has risen to the second end to be conveyed from the wet
chamber,
and permits basin air to pass into the first end of the overflow tube. The
toilet further
comprises a ventilator, which is in fluid communication with the ventilator
inlet/flush outlet.
The flush tank also optionally comprises a dry chamber, which is positioned
adjacent the
wet chamber. The ventilator may be located within the dry chamber, submerged
within the
wet chamber, or located outside the flush tank. The ventilator serves to draw
air through
the ventilator inlet/flush outlet. The toilet also comprises a toilet bowl,
which in turn
comprises a basin and a basin access. The basin access comprises a wet
inlet/dry outlet in
combination which is in fluid communication with the ventilator inlet/flush
outlet and the
basin. The wet inlet/dry outlet serves in conveying the flushing water to the
basin, and
through which basin air is drawn.
[0014] The flush ventilation assembly optionally comprises an overflow flush
valve
positioned at the second end of the overflow tube, which is movable from a
first unsealed
position, for permitting overflow water to pass into the second end of the
overflow tube to
be conveyed from the water chamber, to a second sealed position, for drawing
air through
the ventilator inlet/flush outlet. A passage extends from the overflow tube
which is disposed
between the first and second ends of the overflow tube for fluid communication
between
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the ventilator inlet/flush outlet and the ventilator. In one aspect, the
overflow flush valve
comprises an overflow float flap valve. In another aspect, the overflow flush
valve
comprises an overflow ball float valve. An optional connecting rod between the
main flush
valve and the overflow flush valve ensures that the main flush valve and the
overflow flush
valve open in conjunction so that if the ventilator malfunctions and remains
on, then it is
less likely for water to enter the ventilator when flushing occurs. The
connecting rod may
be configured to allow the overflow flush valve to operate independently from
the main
flush valve, such that such that opening the overflow flush valve does not
cause the maun
flush valve to open.
[0015] After the drawn air has reached the ventilator, it may be exhausted via
the
chamber outlet or an external passage to the sewer side of a toilet bowl trap,
or via an air
filter to the air outside the flush tank. The drawn air may be vented to a
location external
the room containing the toilet.
LIST OF FIGURES
[0016] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an odourless toilet illustrated
in
accordance with a present embodiment;
[0017] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the flush tank of the odouriess
toilet of
Figure 1;
[0018] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the flush tank of the odourless
toilet of
Figure 1 in accordance with an alternate embodiment;
[0019] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the toilet bowl of the odourless
toilet of
Figure 1 along line A-A;
[0020] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the toilet bowl of the odouriess
toilet of
Figure 1 along line A-A in accordance with an alternate embodiment;
[0021] Figure 6 is cross-sectional view of the toilet bowl of the odourless
toilet of
Figure 1 along line A-A in accordance with a further alternate embodiment;
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[0022] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the flush tank of the odourless
toilet of
Figure 1 in accordance with an further alternate embodiment;
[0023] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a flush
tank of an
odourless toilet in accordance with the present invention;
[0024] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a flush
tank of an
odourless toilet in accordance with the present invention, with an externally
mounted
ventilator;
[0025] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a flush
tank of
an odourless toilet in accordance with the present invention, with a submerged
ventilator;
[0026] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the flush tank of
Figure 8,
with an alternative internal float design;
[0027] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the flush tank of
Figure 8,
with an alternative ball float type overflow flush valve; and
[0028] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the flush tank of
Figure 8,
with a connecting rod.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] Referring to Figures 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).
[0030] 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
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chamber inlet 21 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 that
is powered by a power supply 73 that is located within the dry chamber 19.
Alternately, the
power supply 73 may be an external power outlet (not shown).
[0031] 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 system 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.
[0032] 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 Figure
3.
[0033] 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 (Figure 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 Figure 3).
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[0034] Referring to Figure 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.
[0035] Referring to Figure 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.
[0036] 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.
[0037] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 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.
[0038] Referring to Figure 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 or deactivates 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. The ventilator 23
could also be
manually activated or deactivated.
[0039] Referring to Figure 4, a cross-sectional view of the toilet bowl 25 of
the
odourless toilet 10 of Figure 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 Figure 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.
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[0040] Referring to Figures 2 and 5, a cross-sectional view of the toilet bowl
25 of
the odourless toilet 10 of Figure 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.
[0041] Referring to Figures 2 and 6, a cross-sectional view of the toilet bowl
25 of
the odourless toilet 10 of Figure 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, a 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.
[0042] Referring again to Figures 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.
[0043] 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
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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.
[0044] Referring again to Figure 2, the flush tank 11 may optionally be
equipped with
a riser valve (not shown), which is positioned between the dry chamber inlet
21 and the
one-way valve 43. The riser valve prevents 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 43. In one embodiment, the riser valve may be a non-return float valve,
which closes
in response to floating water but does permit air to flow through.
[0045] Referring again to Figure 1 and Figure 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
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.
[0046] 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.
[0047] Referring again to Figure 1 and Figure 7, an alternate embodiment may
be
characterised as a flush tank diverter 35 for a toilet flush tank 11 of an
odourless toilet 10,
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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.
[0048] In alternate embodiment (not shown), the insert may be characterised as
a
standalone 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.
[0049] 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.
[0050] Turning now to Figures 8-10, a portion of an odouriess toilet is
illustrated in
accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. According to
this
aspect of the invention, the toilet comprises a flush tank 11, which in turn
comprises a wet
chamber 13 that is configured to hold flushing water. Water enters the wet
chamber 13
through a water inlet 9 which is closed by a water inlet valve 12 when a ball
float 14
(connected to the wet inlet valve 12) rises to a pre-determined level. Rather
than a diverter
35, the wet chamber comprises a flush ventilation assembly 28, which conveys
the flushing
water from the wet chamber 13, and provides an exhaust passage for the
ventilator 23.
The flush ventilation assembly 28 comprises a ventilator inlet/flush outlet 30
in combination
through which the flushing water exits and the basin air enters. The
ventilator inlet/flush
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outlet 30 corresponds to the chamber inlet 21 and the flush outlet 17 of the
embodiment
described with respect to Figures 1-7.
[0051] The flush ventilation assembly 28 further comprises a main flush valve
16 for
controlling the exit of the flushing water from the wet chamber 13 through the
ventilator
inlet/flush outlet 30, and the bottom portion of an overflow tube 18. The
overflow tube 18
has first and second ends, and the first end is connected to the ventilator
inlet/flush outlet
30 which permits overflow water which has risen to the second end to be
conveyed from
the wet chamber 13 and, at other times, permits basin air to pass into the
first end of the
overflow tube 18. The ventilator 23 is in fluid communication with the
ventilator inlet/flush
outlet 30. This fluid communication can be achieved in a variety of methods,
as further
described below.
[0052] Referring now to Figure 8, the flush tank 11 also optionally comprises
a dry
chamber 19, which is positioned adjacent the wet chamber 13. It will be
appreciated that
although a flush tank having a wet chamber 13 and dry chamber 19 is generally
preferred,
the overall design could also be modified such that the entire ventilator
circuit 34 could be
of a water-resistant design, enabling the ventilator circuit 34 to be used
that can be
submerged in water and hence a dry chamber 19 would no longer be necessary. As
well, a
further alternative is to locate ventilator 23 external to flush tank 11.
[0053] As seen in Figures 8, 9 and 10, the ventilator 23 may be located within
the
dry chamber 19 (if present), located outside the flush tank 11, or submerged
within the wet
chamber 13, respectively. If the ventilator 23 is not submerged in water, then
a water-
resistant ventilator 23, which tends to be more expensive, is not needed.
[0054] Referring again to Figures 8, 9 and 10, the ventilator 23 serves to
draw air
through the ventilator inlet/flush outlet 30. The toilet also comprises a
toilet bowl 25 (now
shown), which in turn comprises a basin 27 (not shown) and a basin access 29.
The basin
access 29 comprises a wet inlet/dry outlet 32 in combination which is in fluid
communication with the ventilator inlet/flush outlet 30 and the basin 27. The
wet inlet/dry
outlet 32 serves in conveying the flushing water to the basin 27, and through
which basin
air is drawn. It will be appreciated that the ventilator inlet/flush outlet 30
and the wet
inlet/dry outlet 32 refer to general regions of the flush tank 11 and toilet
bowl 25,
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respectively. The wet inlet/dry outlet 32 corresponds to the wet inlet 31 and
the dry outlet
33 of the embodiment described with respect to Figures 1-7.
[0055] As seen in Figures 8, 9 and 10, the flush ventilation assembly 28
optionally
comprises an overflow flush valve 20 positioned at the second end of the
overflow tube 18,
which is movable from a first unsealed position, for permitting overflow water
to pass into
the second end of the overflow tube to be conveyed from the water chamber, to
a second
sealed position, to facilitate drawing air through the ventilator inlet/flush
outlet 30. The
purpose of the overflow flush valve 20 is to create a seal at the second end
of the overflow
tube 18 enabling the ventilator 23 to draw air from the basin 27, hence
effectively removing
the foul odor. It may also comprise passage 36, such as a tube or pipe to
establish fluid
connection for the passage or drawing of air from flush ventilation assembly
28 to ventilator
23, when overflow flush valve 20 had created the seal described in the
previous sentence.
Where no such overflow flush valve 20 exists, passage 36 may be omitted, where
the lid
has a generally airtight seal. However, this may require a more powerful
ventilator 23 for
satisfactory performance and may result in delay of the system's performance.
The
diameter of the passage 36 should be maximum to minimize air flow restriction
and thereby
permit the use of a less powerful ventilator 23.
[0056] Still with reference to Figures 8, 9, and 10, the passage 36 preferably
connects to overflow tube 18 at or near overflow flush valve 20. Where a water-
resistant
ventilator 23 is employed, passage 36 may connect to overflow tube 18 more
towards
ventilator inlet/flush outlet 30. If one was particularly concerned about
water damage to
ventilator 23, an overflow tube 18 could be used with an extended portion 38
which
extends above overflow flush valve 20, as shown in Figure 8. And further,
where such
extended portion 38 is used, passage 36 could be omitted; however, as
discussed above,
this may lead to delay or loss of effectiveness.
[0057] Should the toilet malfunction, causing the water level in the flush
tank to rise
too high, above the second end of the overflow tube 18, then the overflow
flush valve 20
will open allowing the excess or overflow water to escape freely back to the
basin 27. The
overflow flush valve 20 will then close automatically when the water level is
normal, that is,
below the second end of the overflow tube 18. It will be appreciated that the
overflow flush
valve 20 could be omitted, however, there could be resulting delay in removing
odor and
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loss of effectiveness of ventilation by the ventilator 23 as the basin air
would be circulating
in the region within the flush tank above the water, and could escape through
the gap
between the flush tank and its lid. As well, this may require a larger, more
expensive or
noisier, ventilator. If the lid of the flush tank was sealed to the flush tank
and a better
ventilator 23 was employed, then this problem would be obviated to some
extent.
[0058] As seen in Figure 11, in one aspect, the overflow flush valve 20
comprises an
overflow float flap valve. As seen in Figure 12, in another aspect, the
overflow flush valve
20 comprises an overflow ball float valve. It will be appreciated that from a
"fail-safe"
perspective the overflow ball float valve will probably be the superior
option.
[0059] As seen in Figure 13, an optional connecting rod 22 between the main
flush
valve 16 and the overflow flush valve 20 ensures that the main flush valve 16
and the
overflow flush valve 20 open in conjunction so that if the ventilator 23 (not
shown)
malfunctions and remains on, then it is less likely for water to enter the
ventilator 23 when
flushing occurs. The connecting rod 22 is to mechanically connect the main
flush valve 16
and the overflow flush valve 20. The purpose of this connecting rod 22 will
ensure that
when the toilet flush cycle is activated, the overflow flush valve 20 will
open in conjunction
with the main flush valve 16. This added feature ensures that the flushing
water cannot be
sucked from the main flush valve 16, up the overflow tube 18 and into the
ventilator circuit
34. Instead the air will now be drawn from the region within the flush tank
above the water.
The connecting rod 22 may be connected to the main flush valve 16 by a swivel
connection
26 and passes through guide-ways 24 for stability near the connection to the
overflow flush
valve 20.
[0060] The ventilator circuit 34 shown in the preceding Figures 8, 9 and 10
will be
designed such that water can pass through the entire ventilator circuit 34
without detriment
to the ventilator circuit 34, however, the connecting rod 22 is an option
should prevention of
water being drawn into the ventilator circuit 34 be desired.
[0061] The connecting rod 22 may be configured to allow the overflow flush
valve 20
to operate independently from the main flush valve 16, such that opening the
overflow flush
valve 20 does not cause the main flush valve 16 to open. In non-flush mode,
the overflow
flush valve 20 can operate independently, such that the overflow flush valve
20 can
13
CA 02688243 2009-11-18
WO 2008/144907 PCT/CA2008/001006
operate and allow excessive water in the flush tank 11 to escape as required,
down the
overflow tube 18. This could be achieved by a simple male prong at the end of
the
connecting rod 22 and a female slot on the overflow flush valve 20 (not
shown).
[0062] After the drawn air has reached the ventilator 23, it may be exhausted
via the
chamber outlet 45, as seen in Figures 8 and 10, or via an external passage as
seen in
Figure 9, to the sewer side of a toilet bowl trap. Preferably, the chamber
outlet 45 of
Figures 8, 9 and 10 mates to an integral casting in the bowl (not shown) and
this integral
casting contains a passage in fluid connection to the sewer side of the toilet
bowl trap.
Alternately, ventilator 23 may be exhausted through an air filter to the air
external flush tank
11. The drawn air may be vented to a location external the room containing the
toilet.
[0063] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention shown in
Figures
8, 9 and 10, an odourless toilet is disclosed comprising a flush tank 11, in
turn, comprising
a wet chamber 13 configured to hold flushing water. The wet chamber 13
compr~ses
means for conveying the flushing water from the wet chamber (shown as main
flush valve
16 in Figures 8-10), means for conveying overflow water from the wet chamber
(shown as
overflow tube 18 in Figures 8, 9 and 10, as well as 11 and 13), and ventilator
circuit means
defining a passage for basin air passing through the wet chamber (in Figures
8, 9 and 10,
shown as comprising ventilator inlet/flush outlet 30, flush ventilation
assembly 28, and
ventilator circuit 34). The odourless toilet also comprises ventilator means
for drawing the
basin air into the ventilator circuit means (shown as ventilator 23 in Figures
8, 9 and 10 as
well as 2, 3 and 7). The odourless toilet further comprises a toilet bowl 25
(not shown),
which in turn comprises a basin 27 (not shown) and a basin access 29 (shown in
Figures 8,
9 and 10). The basin access 29 comprises means for conveying the flushing
water and the
overflow water to the basin (shown as wet inlet/dry outlet 32 in Figures 8-10)
and means
for drawing air from the basin (shown as wet inlet/dry outlet 32 in Figures 8-
10).
[0064] 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.
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