Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Ventilation – Bowl structure or vent valve
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-03
2001-04-24
Walczak, David J. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Ventilation
Bowl structure or vent valve
C004S213000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06219853
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to toilet systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to toilet systems having ventilation systems for venting unpleasant odors.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A variety of ventilation systems have been employed to dissipate unpleasant odors present within lavatory facilities. Most commonly, ceiling fans have been used to continuously withdraw air from a lavatory facility. However, ceiling fans only ventilate unpleasant odors after they have already diffused throughout the lavatory facility. Consequently, even with operable ceiling fans, objectionable odors are still present in lavatories. Furthermore, ceiling fans are relatively inefficient because they continuously ventilate large volumes of air from the entire lavatory.
Efforts have been made to provide ventilation systems that solve the aforementioned problems associated with ceiling fans by ventilating air directly from a toilet bowl. However, such systems are commonly complicated and difficult to assemble. Furthermore, existing ventilation systems commonly cannot be readily used to retrofit existing toilet systems.
What is needed is a simple, inexpensive and easy to install ventilation system that can be used in association with new toilet facilities, and can also be used to easily retrofit existing toilet facilities. What is also needed is an efficient, quiet and inconspicuous toilet ventilation system that evacuates air directly from a toilet bowl.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a toilet ventilation system including a toilet structure having a toilet bowl that defines a plurality of ports for directing water into an interior of the toilet bowl. The toilet structure also includes a tank for holding water, and an interior passageway for conveying water from the tank to the ports of the toilet bowl. The toilet structure further includes an overflow tube mounted in the tank that is in fluid communication with the interior passageway. The toilet structure additionally includes a ventilation port in fluid communication with the interior passageway, and a valve structure that allows water to flow from the tank into the interior passageway through the overflow tube, but prevents air from being drawn from the tank into the interior passageway through the overflow tube.
In use, a ventilation line is preferably connected to the ventilation port of the toilet ventilation system. When water is not in the interior passageway, the ventilation line can draw air from the toilet bowl through the ports of the toilet bowl. The air drawn through the ports flows through the interior passageway and exits the toilet structure through the ventilation port. The valve structure of the overflow tube prevents air from being evacuated from inside the tank. In this manner, the total amount of air evacuated by the ventilation system is minimized.
A variety of advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practicing the invention. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1904898 (1933-04-01), Kennedy
patent: 2190147 (1940-02-01), Ciaccio et al.
patent: 2778033 (1957-01-01), Majauskas
patent: 3192539 (1965-07-01), Martz
patent: 3681790 (1972-08-01), Dooley
patent: 5054131 (1991-10-01), Sim
Merchant & Gould P.C.
Walczak David J.
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