Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FILTRATION ASSEMBLY FOR REDUCING MALAODORS IN AIR AND
AEROSOLIZED WASTE FROM TOILETS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Claim of Priority
The present application claims priority to previously filed U.S. Patent
Application having
Serial No. 16/362,063, filed on March 22, 2019, which claims priority to a
Continuation-In-Part
application of previously filed, now pending application having U.S.
Application No.
15/909,344, which was filed on March 1, 2018, to which a claim of priority is
made under 35
U.S.C. Section 119(e) to a provisional patent application having U.S.
Application No.
62/465,963, which was filed on March 2, 2017, and which are incorporated
herein by reference.
A further claim of priority is made under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) to a
provisional patent
application that is currently pending in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office,
namely, that
having U.S. Application No. 62/726,624, which was filed on September 4, 2018,
and which is
incorporated herein by reference.
Field of the Invention
This invention is directed to an assembly for the filtration and other
processing of air and
aerosolized fluid issuing from the interior of a toilet bowl.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
The odor of human waste released by people into a toilet bowl can enter the
general
surrounding area and remain suspended during toilet use and for periods of
time post toilet use.
This can be unpleasant to the present toilet user, to others located in the
nearby environment, or
to others that enter the area later to use the same toilet.
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Air purifiers and air filters are widely used in interior spaces such as homes
and offices to
minimize the amount of dust, allergens, and micro-organisms that are present
in the air. These
systems typically include a fan for circulating air and a mechanical filter
disposed in an air path to
filter or purify air flowing there through. Larger fans, air purifiers and/or
air filters tend to be
more effective due to the large volume of air they can remove, filter and/or
purify at a given time.
However, larger units of this type are usually obtrusive and take up a
considerable amount of
space in the home or office. Further, these larger systems may require more
electricity and are
often loud due to the size of the fans included in the system.
Although fans, air purifiers and air filters may provide a solution to
combating the
presence of contaminants such as dust, allergens and micro-organisms, they may
lack the means
to effectively remove the odors from the air. Individuals are well aware of
the offensive odors
that may be released from flatulence, feces, or urine. These odors can be
disruptive and
unpleasant to individuals located in the vicinity of such odors. When
unpleasant odors are present
in the air, individuals usually commonly use air freshener sprays, plug in air
fresheners or the
like, to "cover-up" the unpleasant odor with a more pleasant scent. However,
this tactic merely
masks the presence of the unpleasant odor and does nothing to actually remove
the odor.
Additionally, the use of air fresheners or sprays presents an unfortunate
problem because
an individual must first come in contact with the unpleasant odor before these
devices can be
used to mask the scent. Furthermore, while the scent of air fresheners,
sprays, etc. may provide a
more pleasant odor, as compared to odors released from flatulence, feces or
urine, some
individuals may not enjoy still not enjoy or even be able to tolerate such
fragrances.
Accordingly, there is a need for an air filter and/or odor processing assembly
and/or
system operative to withdraw, filter and otherwise treat or process odors,
specifically including
those emanating from flatulence, defecation and/or urination, directly from a
toilet bowl airspace.
Treatment of such odors thereby eliminate or significantly reduce the release
thereof into the
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surrounding airspace. Such processing and/or treatment of such odors may
include passing air or
aerosolized fluid containing such odors across a filter assembly operatively
structured to absorb
the odors. In addition, a proposed assembly and/or system of the type referred
to may also include
a filter assembly capable of removing aerosolized particles contained in a
"toilet plume".
Moreover, the treatment or processing of fluid removed from the interior of a
toilet bowl
may also include sterilizing capabilities operative to remove germs, bacteria,
etc. prior to
reaching the air or space surrounding the toilet. In addition, modification of
certain structural and
operative features may serve to enhance the versatility of an improved odor
elimination assembly
and/or system, thereby enabling its use in both domestic and commercial
environments. Finally, a
proposed and improved toilet odor processing assembly and or system which
overcomes known
disadvantages of the type set forth above, should be designed to be
inexpensive, easily
serviceable and convenient enough to change install and maintain.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an assembly for filtering/removing odors
issuing from
a toilet bowl. In addition, one or more preferred embodiments of the filter
assembly is operative
to filter/remove odors from air as well as processing aerosolized fluid,
resulting from a "toilet
plume" which may develop when the toilet is flushed. As will be explained in
greater detail
hereinafter, different ones of a possible plurality of embodiments of the
filtering assembly may be
structurally and operatively adapted for use in either a domestic environment
or commercial
environment and/or both.
Accordingly, at least one preferred embodiment of the present invention
comprises a first
housing disposed in spaced relation to the toilet bowl and having a fan
assembly disposed therein.
A second housing is disposed in adjacent relation to the toilet bowl and
includes an inlet disposed
in fluid communication with the toilet bowl interior. The second housing
includes a filter
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segment and a connector segment removably connected to one another, wherein a
filter is fixedly
disposed and retained within the filter segment. Moreover, the fixedly
retained filter is disposed
adjacent to and/or otherwise downstream of the inlet, in receiving relation to
fluid passing into
the interior of the filter segment of the second housing through the inlet.
An elongated conduit is disposed in interconnecting, fluid communicating
relation
between interiors of the first and second housings. The elongated conduit is
disposed and
structured to direct the flow of fluid entering the second housing through the
inlet and retained
filter in the filter segment, through the interior of the connecting segment
and along the length of
the conduit into first housing. Accordingly, a path of fluid flow is
established from the inlet,
through the filter in the filter segment of the second housing, through the
connector segment,
along the length of the conduit and into and through the interior of the first
housing, concurrent to
activation of the aforementioned fan assembly, within the first housing.
Further, the fan assembly is disposed and structured, when activated, to
direct fluid flow
from the interior of the first housing outwardly therefrom to an exterior
thereof. As a result,
air/fluid passing into the second housing, through the aforementioned inlet
will be sufficiently
processed, at least in terms of removing or significantly eliminating odor
contained therein, for
subsequent entry back into the space or area surrounding the toilet.
Additional structural and operative features of at least one embodiment of the
filtering
assembly includes the aforementioned fan assembly, being disposed in the first
housing and
comprising at least one or in the alternative a plurality of fan units. As
such, when activated, the
one or more fan units are individually and/or collectively disposed to direct
fluid flow along the
path of travel from the interior of the second housing, through the conduit,
and through and
outwardly from the interior of the first housing.
As indicated, the filter segment and the connector segment collectively and at
least
partially defining the second housing are removably connected to one another,
such that the
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interiors thereof are in direct fluid communication. The removable connection
therebetween
preferably comprises, but is not limited to, an inner end of both the filter
segment and connector
segment being cooperatively structured to accomplish removable attachment to
one another.
Moreover, in at least one embodiment cooperative structural features of the
inner ends of the
filter and connector segments of the second housing facilitate a telescopic
connection
therebetween as well as a "snap-fit" attachment. This enables a quick and easy
detachment from
one another.
In association therewith, another practical advantage of this embodiment of
the filter
assembly includes the filter segment and the fixedly retained filter therein
being collectively
detached from the connector segment and structured for disposal after a
predetermined period of
use. A new filter segment and enclosed filter may then the connected to the
existing and/or same
connector segment for continued and prolonged use of the remainder of the
filter assembly.
In order to facilitate packaging, shipping, installation and maintenance of
the filter
assembly, the elongated conduit may be removably attached to both the first
housing and to the
second housing, the latter via the connector segment.
Yet additional features may include the inclusion of a secondary filter
disposed within the
interior of the first housing and further positioned upstream of the fluid
entering the first housing
through the conduit and downstream of the fan assembly. As a result,
additional filtering of the
fluid passing into the inlet of the filter segment of the second housing and
therefrom along the
conduit into the first housing will be additionally filtered to further
facilitate removal of odor. A
scent releasing structure or device may also be included, preferably, but not
necessarily, within
the first housing.
The above noted embodiment of the filter assembly for home use, in a domestic
environment, may include a manual on/off user interface. Such interface may be
preferably
disposed in an exposed location on the exterior of the first housing. Further
control circuitry may
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be contained in the first housing, in the form of a printed circuit board or
other appropriate
control circuitry. Further, the control circuitry may include time delay
capabilities facilitating the
automatic turnoff of the fan assembly after the expiration of a predetermined
period of time from
its manual activation. In the alternative and or in addition thereto the
manual on/off user interface
may be manipulated to extend the activation of the fan assembly or to cease
activation thereof
before the predetermined time period has elapsed. In cooperation therewith,
this embodiment
may preferably be operated by and appropriately powered battery pack, in order
to facilitate quick
and easy installation, maintenance, etc.
One or more additional embodiments of the filter assembly of the present
invention may
be structurally and operatively similar to the above described embodiment, but
may be more
adapted for use in a commercial environment. As such, the additional one or
more embodiments
of the filter assembly includes a first housing disposed in spaced relation to
the toilet bowl and
including a filter assembly contained therein. A second housing is disposed
adjacent the toilet
bowl and includes an inlet disposed in fluid communicating relation with the
interior of the toilet
bowl. An elongated conduit may be disposed in interconnecting, fluid
communicating relation
between the interiors of the first and second housings.
Further, a fan assembly is mounted within the first housing in fluid
communication with
the conduit and through the conduit, in fluid communication with the interior
of the second
housing and the inlet associated therewith. Therefore, the fan assembly is
disposed and structured
to direct fluid flow from the conduit through the interior of the first
housing and outwardly
therefrom to an exterior of the first housing, subsequent to being processed.
Accordingly, an
activation of the aforementioned fan assembly, within the interior of the
first housing, defines or
establishes a path of fluid flow extending from said inlet of the second
housing, through the
conduit and into the interior of the first housing, through the filter
assembly, to the exterior of the
first housing and back into the space, area or environment surrounding the
toilet.
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Yet additional features of the additional one or more embodiments of the
filter assembly,
which may render it more adaptable for use in a commercial environment,
comprises the filter
assembly including a first filter unit and a second filter unit, both located
upstream of the conduit
and downstream of the fan assembly. The first filter unit may be a carbon-
based filter primarily
operative to remove odors from air/gas passing there through. The second
filter unit of the filter
assembly is preferably structured to process aerosolized fluid and any
particulate matter
contained therein and may be comprise an HEPA filter. As indicated,
aerosolized fluid may result
from the toilet being flushed and the creation of a "toilet plume", possibly
containing odor
causing particulate waste material.
In addition to the filter assembly including, the first and second filter
units, a fluid
sterilizing assembly may be disposed within the first housing, upstream of the
conduit and
downstream of the fan assembly. The sterilizing assembly may comprise at least
one or in the
alternative a plurality of ultraviolet (UV) lights disposed in the path of
fluid flow exiting from the
aforementioned filter assembly, or otherwise passing through the interior of
the first housing.
Possible installation and use of this additional embodiment of the filter
assembly of the
present invention may include the inclusion of a sensor assembly such as, but
not limited to a
motion sensor. The sensor assembly may be preferably mounted on the first
housing and be
positioned/oriented to detect the presence of an individual utilizing the
toilet. The sensor
assembly may be further structured to activate the fan assembly while an
individual remains in a
predetermined detection zone. Automatic shutoff of the fan assembly will
result upon an absence
of an individual from the aforementioned detection zone. Powering of the fan
assembly may best
be accomplished by a direct wired connection to a conventional AC power source
typically
associated with most commercial locations which include restrooms and or semi-
public toilet
facilities.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will
become
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clearer when the drawings as well as the detailed description are taken into
consideration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference
should be had
.. to the following detailed description taken in connection with the
accompanying drawings in
which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the assembly of the
present
invention in an assembled form.
Figure 2A is a schematic representation of the assembly of the embodiment of
Figure 1 in
one operative position.
Figure 2B is a schematic representation of the assembly of the embodiment of
Figure 1 in
a different operative position from that represented in Figure 2A.
Figure 3 is a perspective interior view of a first housing of the embodiment
of the
assembly as represented in Figure 1.
Figure 4A is an exterior perspective view of a second housing of the
embodiment of the
assembly as represented in Figure 1
Figure 4B is a longitudinal sectional view in perspective of the interior of
the embodiment
of Figure 4A.
Figure 4C is a transverse sectional view in perspective of the interior of the
embodiment
of Figures 4A and 4B.
Figure 5 is a front elevational view in schematic form of one operative
position of the
embodiment of Figures 4A-4C.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the assembly of
the present
invention operatively positioned at different toilet structures.
Figure 7 is a front perspective view in partial cutaway of a portion of the
embodiment of
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the assembly as represented in Figure 6.
Figure 8 is an interior view in schematic form of the embodiment of the
assembly as
represented in Figure 6.
Figure 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of the interior of the schematic
representation of
the embodiment of Figure 8.
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of
the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention is directed to an assembly for filtering odors issuing
from a toilet
bowl, including one or more embodiments which are operative to filter/remove
odors from air
and/or aerosolized fluid or "toilet plume", resulting from the toilet being
flushed. As described
hereinafter in greater detail, different ones of a possible plurality of
embodiments of the filtering
assembly may be structurally and operatively adapted for use in either a
domestic environment or
commercial environment and/or both.
Therefore, with primary reference to Figures 1-5 at least one preferred
embodiment of the
filtering assembly is generally indicated as 10 and comprises a first housing
12 and a second
housing 14. As schematically represented in Figures 2A-2B, the first housing
12 is disposed in
spaced relation to the toilet bowl 100, such as being mounted on the water
tank 102 operatively
associated with the toilet bowl 100. In addition, the second housing 14 is
adapted to be
.. removably mounted and/or supported on an outer peripheral rim 100' of the
toilet bowl 100 in
immediately adjacent, fluid communicating relation with the interior 103 of
the toilet bowl 100.
The operative positioning of the second housing 14 may vary, such as being
mounted on a side
portion of the toilet bowl 100, as represented in Figure 2A and/or on a rear
portion of the toilet
bowl 100, substantially adjacent the connecting area 105 of a toilet seat 106
(see Figure 5), as
represented in Figure 2B.
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The filtering assembly 10 further includes an elongated, preferably flexible
material
conduit 16 disposed in interconnecting, fluid communicating relation with the
interiors of both
the first housing 12 and the second housing 14. As demonstrated, the length
and flexibility of the
conduit 16 may also vary so as to facilitate selective dispositioning and
mounting of the second
housing 14 in different operative locations on the outer/upper periphery 100'
of the toilet bowl
100, as represented in Figures 2A-2B. In order to facilitate shipping,
storage, installation,
maintenance, etc. of the filtering assembly 10, the conduit 16 is removably
connected to both the
first and second housing 12 and 14 respectively.
Also, the first and second housings 12 and 14 may be removably but securely
disposed in
different operative positions on the toilet bowl 100 and water tank 102
utilizing an adhesive, or
other appropriate connecting structure. Such an adhesive or other connecting
structure is
preferably disposed on or directly associated with under or rear surface
portions of the first and
second housings 12 and 14, which engage the water tank 102 and toilet bowl
periphery 100',
respectively.
With primary reference to Figure 3, structural and operative features of the
first housing
12 includes an at least partially hollow interior appropriately dimensioned to
enclose a plurality
of operative components. More specifically, the first housing 12 includes a
fan assembly
generally indicated as 18 comprising at least one but alternatively a
plurality of fan units 20. As
represented, the one or more fan units 20 are operatively disposed to direct
fluid from the interior
of the first housing 12 and conduit 16 outwardly to an exterior of the first
housing 12 into the
area or space surrounding the toilet 100. As indicated, the conduit 16 is
removably connected to
the first housing 12 by an appropriate fitting 16', such that the interior the
conduit 16 is disposed
in direct fluid communication with the interior the first housing 12.
Additional structural components within the first housing 12 includes control
circuitry
generally indicated as 24 which may be in the form of a printed circuit board
or other appropriate
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circuitry, which in turn may be powered by a battery 26 or in the alternative
by an AC power
source (not shown). Because of the structural and operative versatility of the
filtering assembly
including, but not limited to, it being battery-powered as well as its ease-of-
use, installation,
maintenance, etc., as set forth above, the filtering assembly 10 may be suited
for use in a home
5 and/or domestic environment.
Also, in order to assure an adequate and effective filtering of fluid passing
from the
interior of the toilet bowl 100 through the filtering assembly 10, the first
housing 12 may also
include a secondary filter 22 to be used in conjunction with a primary filter
36, both of which
may be activated carbon, associated with the second housing 14, as explained
in greater detail
10 hereinafter.
Accordingly, as primarily represented in Figures 4A-4C, the second housing 14
comprises
a filter segment 30 and a connector segment 32 removably connected to one
another such that the
interiors thereof are disposed in direct fluid communication with one another.
In addition, the
filter segment 30 includes an air/fluid inlet 34 formed at and at least
partially defining an outer
end of the filter segment 30. Also, a primary filter structure 36 is fixedly
disposed within the
interior of the filter segment 30 in direct fluid communication with fluid
passing into the interior
of the filter segment 30 through the inlet 34.
The connector segment 32 includes an appropriate fitting as at 16" which
facilitates a
removable connection to a corresponding end of the conduit 16. As such, when
the filter
assembly 10 is assembled as represented in at least Figures 1 and 2A-2B, the
interior of the
elongated conduit 16 is disposed in direct fluid communication with the
interior of the second
housing 14 including the interiors of both the removably connected filter
segment 30 and the
connector segment 32 and the interior of the first housing 12.
Further, the removable connection between the filter segment 30 and the
connector
segment 32 of the second housing 14 may be defined by a substantially
telescopic and/or snap-fit
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connection as represented in both Figures 4A-4B. As such, the inner end of the
filter segment 14
may be at least partially flexible so as to at least partially pass into the
interior of the open inner
end 32' of the connector segment 32. Further, the inner end of the filter
segment 30 includes
fixation ribs or like structures 38 disposed, dimensioned and configured to be
removably received
within a correspondingly disposed apertures or recesses 38' formed adjacent
the inner end 32' of
the connector segment 32. The flexibility of at least the inner end portion of
the filter segment 14
will result in the one or more fixation ribs 38 being "snap-fit" into the
correspondingly disposed
one or more recesses 38'.
The removable connection of the filter segment 30 from the connector segment
32
facilitates the connector segment 14 and the filter 36 contained therein being
accurately described
as a replaceable, "single-use" filter medium. More specifically, after a
predetermined period of
use, the filter 36 may require replacement in order to efficiently operate.
Replacement of the filter
36 is accomplished by removal of the second housing 14 from its operative
position (see Figures
2A-2B) and the subsequent detachment of the filter segment 30 from the
connector segment 32.
Once detached, the filter segment 30 and the filter 36 fixedly retain therein
are collectively
structured for disposal. Thereafter, a new or replacement filter segment 30
and fixedly retained
filter 36 may be reattached to the connector segment 32 for continued use of
the filter assembly
10, once the second housing 14 is disposed in the intended operative position.
Accordingly, once completely assembled and disposed in the intended operative
position
as represented in Figure 2A or Figure 2B, a path of fluid flow is defined
and/or established from
the inlet 34 of the filter segment 30 of the second housing 14 through the
filter 36, the interior of
the connector segment 32, along the length of the interior of the conduit 16,
into and through the
first housing 12,through the secondary filter 28 and out of the first housing
12, through the fan
assembly 18, comprising the one or more fan units 20.
Additive features of the filter assembly 10 may comprise the inclusion of
additional
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fragrance or scent materials 40 disposed in one or both the first and second
housings 12 and 14 as
clearly represented in at least Figures 4B and 4C.
In order to assure proper operative placement of the second housing 14 in
direct, fluid
communicating relation with the interior 103 of the toilet bowl 100, an outer
end 14' of the filter
segment 14 is appropriately dimensioned and configured to fit within a
clearance space 109,
beneath a closed seat 106 associated with the toilet bowl 100, as
schematically represented in
Figure 5. For purposes of clarity the filter assembly 10, specifically
including the second housing
14, is not accurately oriented in order to properly represent the spacing 109
between the toilet
seat 106 and the upper or outer periphery 100'.
As commonly structured and utilized, the toilet seat 106 in spaced above the
periphery
100' due to the provision of the one or more bumpers 107, typically attached
to the undersurface
of the toilet seat 106. In cooperation therewith and with reference to Figure
4A the outer end 14'
of the filter segment 14 in the area contiguous and/or adjacent to the inlet
34 has a reduced
"height" 14", preferably in the range of generally about 13 mm. As such the
reduced height of the
outer end 14' of the filter segment 14 is sufficiently dimensioned and
configured to fit within the
space 109 between the toilet seat 106 and the outer periphery 100', in direct
fluid communication
with the interior 103 of the toilet bowl 100, as schematically represented by
directional arrow
111.
As represented in Figures 6-9, one or more additional embodiments of the
present
invention may include a filter assembly 10', structurally and operatively
similar to the above
described embodiment of the filter assembly 10, but may be more adapted for
use in a
commercial environment, as represented in Figure 6. As such, the at least one
additional
embodiment of the present invention includes the filter assembly 10' having a
first housing 50
disposed in spaced relation to the toilet bowl 100 and also in spaced relation
to a second housing
52. When in a commercial environment, the first housing 50 may be mounted on
an exposed
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surface of a wall 110 adjacent to the toilet bowl 100. Further, because of its
operative disposition
in a commercial environment the filtering assembly 10' may be powered by a
conventional AC
power supply via a wired connection 112. As also represented in Figure 6, the
filtering assembly
10' includes an elongated conduit 54 disposed in interconnecting, fluid
communicating relation
between the interiors of the first housing 50 and the second housing 52. As
such, the elongated
conduit 54 may be operatively similar to the conduit 16 of the above described
filtering assembly
10.
With primary reference to Figure 7, the second housing 52 includes an inlet 56
operatively disposed immediately adjacent an interior 103 of the toilet bowl
100, such that the
inlet 56 is in fluid receiving, fluid communicating relation with the interior
103 of the toilet bowl
100. In order to provide stability, the second housing 52 may be connected to
or otherwise
supported by a water pipe and/or plumbing fixture 114 associated with the
toilet bowl 100 and
operative to facilitate the flushing thereof.
As represented in Figures 8 and 9, the first housing 50 includes a filter
assembly generally
indicated as 58, contained therein. In addition, a fan assembly generally
indicated as 60 is
mounted within the first housing 50 in fluid communication with the conduit 54
and through the
conduit 50, in fluid communication with the interior of the second housing 52
and the inlet 56
associated therewith. Therefore, the fan assembly 58, when activated, is
disposed and structured
to direct fluid flow 120 exiting the conduit 54, through the interior of the
first housing 50 and
outwardly therefrom to an exterior of the first housing 50, as schematically
represented by
directional arrows 120', subsequent to being filtered by filter assembly 58.
Accordingly, an
activation of the fan assembly 60, within the interior of the first housing
50, defines or establishes
a path of fluid flow 120 extending from said inlet 56 of the second housing
52, through the
conduit 54 and into the interior of the first housing 50, through the filter
assembly 58, to the
exterior of the first housing 50 and back into the space, area or environment
surrounding the
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toilet bowl 100.
Yet additional features of the additional one or more embodiments of the
filter assembly
10', which may render it more adaptable for use in a commercial environment,
comprise the filter
assembly 58 including a first filter unit 64 and a second filter unit 66, both
located in the path of
fluid flow 120, upstream of the conduit 54 and downstream of the fan assembly
60. The first
filter unit 64 may be a carbon-based and/or carbon activated filter, primarily
operative to remove
odors from air/gas passing there through. The second filter unit 66 of the
filter assembly 58 is
preferably structured to process aerosolized fluid and any particulate matter
contained therein. As
such the second filter unit 66 may comprise an HEPA filter. As indicated,
aerosolized fluid may
result from the toilet being flushed and the creation of a "toilet plume",
possibly containing odor
causing particulate waste material.
It is also noted and recognized that the inlet 56 of the second housing 52 is
disposed
immediately adjacent and preferably exteriorly of the interior 103 of the
toilet bowl 100.
Accordingly, the fan assembly 60 is adequately powered and otherwise
structured to expose the
interior 103 of the toilet bowl 100 to a sufficiently strong fluid flow, to
"draw" and/or collect
aerosolized fluid along the path of fluid flow 120, from the interior 103 of
the toilet bowl 100,
through the inlet 56 and through the conduit 54, into the interior of the
first housing 50, through
the filter assembly 58 and outwardly from the exterior of the first housing
50.
In addition to the filter assembly 58 including, the first and second filter
units 64 and 66
respectively, a fluid sterilizing assembly 70 may be disposed along the path
of fluid flow 120,
within the first housing 50, upstream of the conduit 54 and downstream of the
fan assembly 60.
The sterilizing assembly 70 may comprise at least one or in the alternative a
plurality of
ultraviolet (UV) lights 72 disposed in the aforementioned path of fluid flow
120 exiting from the
filter assembly 58, or otherwise passing through the interior of the first
housing 50.
Possible installation and use of this additional embodiment of the filter
assembly 10' of
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the present invention may include a sensor assembly 74 such as, but not
limited to, a motion
sensor. The sensor assembly 74 may be preferably mounted on and at least
partially exposed
location on the first housing 50 facing a frontal portion of the toilet bowl
100 and be so
positioned/oriented to detect the presence of an individual utilizing the
toilet bowl 100. The
sensor assembly 74 may be further structured to activate the fan assembly 60
while an individual
remains in a predetermined detection zone, associated with the use of the
toilet bowl 100.
Automatic shutoff of the fan assembly 60 will result upon an absence of an
individual from the
aforementioned detection zone. Powering of the fan assembly 60 may best be
accomplished by
the direct wired connection 112 to the conventional AC power source, typically
associated with
most commercial locations, which include restrooms and or semi-public toilet
facilities.
Interconnection of the fan assembly 60, sensor assembly 74, one or more light
units 72 and other
electrically powered structures of the filter assembly 10' may be accomplished
by appropriate
control circuitry such as, but not limited to, printed circuitry 24, as
described above with
reference to the filtering assembly 10.
As a possible additive feature, a fragrance scent dispensing device or
structure 40' may be
included within the interior of the first housing 50 similar to the fragrance
or scent dispensing
structure 40 of the embodiment of Figures 4B and 4C.
Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be made to the
described
preferred embodiment of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the
foregoing description
and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not
in a limiting
sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended
claims and their
legal equivalents.
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