BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to an extractor unit for use with a toilet seat and a toilet bowl in order to extract air from the toilet bowl.

[0002] Odours, as a result of the use of a toilet, are unpleasant and often offensive. It is known to attempt the removal of these odours by extracting air from a bowl of the toilet. It is however difficult to retro-fit extractor units to an existing bowl and bowls with extractor units are normally specifically manufactured and are costly.

[0003] Considerable cost savings can be achieved by removing odours directly from the bowl, instead of a room wherein the toilet is situated. Less air needs to be removed in order to remove the odours and this requires less energy. Less fresh air enters the room to replace the extracted air and the cost of heating or cooling the fresh air entering the room is reduced.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0004] This invention aims to provide an extractor unit which could assist with the withdrawal of air from a toilet bowl.

[0005] The invention provides an extractor unit for a toilet bowl which includes a collection chamber which has a body with an upper side, an opposing lower side, a cavity defined between the opposing upper side and lower side, an inlet into the cavity and an outlet from the cavity and which has attachment means fixed to the body with which the body is attachable to the bowl, and an air extraction means which is in communication with the outlet.

[0006] The collection chamber may be in the form of a toilet seat with an upper surface and a lower surface. The seat may be semicircular shaped in plan and preferably has a toroidal shape.

[0007] The seat may include a downwardly depending flange extending from the upper or lower surface.

[0008] The body may be L-shaped in cross-section. The cavity may include a first cavity which may lie in a vertical plane. The cavity may include a second cavity which is in communication with the first cavity and which may lie in a second plane which extends downwardly from the first plane.

[0009] Alternatively the cavity may include an elongate first airflow passage which extends at least partially through the body. The first passage may be C-shaped in plan.

[0010] The inlet is preferably formed in the lower side. The inlet may include a plurality of inlet openings. Each of the inlet openings may be in the form of an elongate slot.

[0011] The body may be made from a flexible material.

[0012] The attachment means may include at least one bracket which extends from the body. The bracket may include an aperture with which a fastener is engageable. Alternatively the bracket may be in the form of a catch formation which is resiliently deformable and which is engageable with the bowl.

[0013] In another form of the invention the attachment means includes an adhesive strip which is preferably in the form of double-sided adhesive tape.

[0014] In a further form of the invention the bracket is hinged to the collection chamber and attachable to the bowl. A second flow passage may extend through the bracket and a fluid seal coupling may be located between the cavity and the second passage.

[0015] The extraction means preferably includes an actuator in the form a fan to draw air from the collection chamber.

[0016] The extraction means may include an electric motor connected to the actuator.

[0017] The extraction means may include a power source which is connected to the electric motor. The power source may be in the form of a battery pack.

[0018] The extraction means may include at least a first switch between the power source and the electric motor which may be in the form of a pressure switch. The extraction means preferably includes a second switch between the power source and the electric motor which is in the form of a timer switch.

[0019] The power source may be rechargeable and the extraction means may include a generator which is connected to the power source. The generator may be in the form of a water wheel or a turbine. [0020] The extractor unit may include an exhaust hose which extends from the extraction means. The exhaust hose may extend to atmosphere or to a sewer connection. Alternatively the exhaust hose may extend through the bowl to the sewer connection.

[0021] The extractor unit may include a water trap which is in communication with the cavity.

[0022] The extractor unit preferably includes a non-return valve on the exhaust hose.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The invention is further described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a toilet fitted with an extractor unit according to a first example of the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the unit of Figure 1 fitted to a toilet bowl;

Figure 3 is a sectioned side-view of an extraction chamber of the unit of Figure 1 and a portion of the bowl of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectioned side-view of an alternative extraction chamber according to the invention fitted to the bowl of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a perspective view from below of another extraction chamber according to the invention fitted to the under-side of a toilet seat; Figure 6 is a view from below of the extraction chamber of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a side view of a toilet fitted with an extractor unit and a toilet seat according to another example of the invention; Figure 8 is a plan view of the toilet and seat of Figure 7; Figure 9 is an enlarged, sectioned side view of a toilet bowl and the seat of Figure 7; Figure 10 is a perspective view from below of another toilet seat according to the invention; Figure 11 is a side view of a toilet and seat according to a further form of the invention; Figure 12 is a plan view of the toilet and seat of Figure 11 ; and Figure 13 is an extraction unit according to another example of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0024] Figure 1 shows a toilet 10 which has a flush apparatus or cistern 12 which is connected to water supply 14, a toilet bowl 16 which is attached to fixed structure 18 and connected to a sewer connection or waste pipe 20, a connection pipe 22 which connects the cistern 12 to the bowl 16 and a toilet seat 24 which is pivotally attached to the bowl 16. [0025] The cistern 12, bowl 16, waste pipe 20 and connection pipe 22 are of known construction.

[0026] The seat 24 is hinged to two spaced apart brackets 26A, B which are fixed to the bowl 16 by way of fasteners 28A, B. A lid 30 is also hinged to the brackets 26 and covers the seat 24. The combination of the seat 24, brackets 26 and lid 30 is of known construction.

[0027] As is better shown in Figures 2, an air extractor unit 32 is fitted to the toilet 10. The unit 32 has a collection chamber 34 which has a body 36 and attachment brackets 38A, B which are attached to and extend from the body 36. An outlet tube 40 extends from the body 36 and connects the body 36 to an extractor box 42 of an air-extraction means 43. An exhaust hose 44 extends from the extractor box 42.

[0028] As is evident from Figure 3 the body 36 is L-shaped in cross-section and has an upper side 46 and an opposing lower or inner side 48. A L-shaped primary cavity 50 is formed between the upper side 46 and inner side 48. The primary cavity 50 has a first secondary cavity 52 which lies in a first vertical plane and a second secondary cavity 54 which extends from the first cavity 52 and which lies in a second plane which extends downwardly from the first plane. An elongate inlet-slot 56 is formed on the inner side 48 and is in communication with the second cavity 54. The inlet 56 is situated below the upper side 46. An outlet 58 is formed in the body 36 to which the tube 40 is connected and which outlet 58 is in communication with the first cavity 52.

[0029] The body 36 is made from an appropriate plastics material and is for example rotationally moulded. [0030] The attachment brackets 38 are fixed to the body 36 in any appropriate manner and respectively extends from opposing sides of the body 36. Each of the attachment brackets 38 has an aperture 60 with which a fastener 28 is engageable.

[0031] The body 36 is located between the bowl 16, seat 24, and brackets 26 and is attached to the bowl 16 and the toilet 10 by way of the fasteners 28 which extend through the attachment brackets 38. The body 36 does not interfere with the movement of the seat 24 and lid 30.

[0032] The body 36 extends at least partially into the bowl 16 and the second cavity 54 is adjacent an inner flange 62 of the bowl 16. The inlet 56 is situated between the flange 62 and the second cavity 54.

[0033] The tube 40 is flexible and is made from any appropriate plastics material.

[0034] The extractor box 42 has a housing 64 wherein an actuator or fan 66 is positioned. An electric motor 68 is connected to, and drives the fan 66. The air- extraction means 43 has a power source 70 which is connected to the electric motor 68 and which is in the form of a battery pack 72 or main electricity supply 74. A generator 76 is connected to the battery pack 72. The generator 76 has a water wheel or turbine 78 which is placed in the connection pipe 22. Alternatively the generator 76 is in the form of a manual electric generator connected between the lid 30, seat 24 and brackets 26.

[0035] A timer switch 80 and a pressure switch 82 are connected between the power source 70 and the motor 68. [0036] The exhaust hose 44 is flexible and made from an appropriate plasties material. The exhaust hose 44 extends to atmosphere 84 alternatively to the waste pipe 20 as is shown in dotted outlines in Figure 1. A non-return valve 86 is attached to the exhaust hose 44 to prevent air from atmosphere or from the waste pipe 20 from moving into the exhaust hose 44.

[0037] Alternatively and as is also shown in dotted outline in Figure 1 the tube 40 can extend into and through the bowl 16 to the waste pipe 20. The extractor box 42, non-return valve 86 and exhaust hose 44 are in this example located inside the waste pipe 20. In this example a water trap 87 which is in communication with the primary cavity 50 is located in the tube 40. An aperture 89 can be formed in the tube 40 to allow water into the trap 87.

[0038] In use the lid 30 is moved pivotally relatively to the brackets 26 in order to engage and disengage the lid 30 from the seat 24. The seat 24 is pivotally moveable on the brackets 26 relatively to the bowl 16 depending on requirements.

[0039] The seat 24 has a plurality of buffers 88 which abut against the bowl 16 and which space the seat 24 from the bowl 16. The pressure switch 82 is connected to one of the buffers 88 and when a user (not shown) sits on the seat 24 the air- extraction means 43 is activated by the pressure switch 82. The motor 68 is powered by the power source 70 and turns the fan 66. The fan 66 draws air 90 from the tube 40, the cavity 50 and the bowl 16.

[0040] The air 90 is expelled to atmosphere 84, alternatively to the waste pipe 20 through the exhaust hose 44 and the one-way valve 86. [0041] In this manner odours in the air 90 is removed from the bowl 16. When the user disengages from the seat 24, the pressure switch 82 is released and the timer switch 80 is activated. The timer switch 80 allows the flow of electricity from the power source 70 to the motor 68 for an additional period of time after the user has left the seat 24. This assists in removing any remaining odours in the air 90 from the bowl 16.

[0042] The fact that the inlet 56 is located on the inner side 48 and between the flange 62 and the second secondary cavity 54 is important as this limits dirt from entering the body 36 through the inlet 56.

[0043] The L-shaped structure of the body 36 and the downwardly depending second cavity 54 are important as these improve the withdrawal of air 90 from an inside 92 of the bowl 16 and to cover the inlet 56.

[0044] When the bowl 16 is flushed by way of the cistern 12 water-flow through the connection pipe 22 turns the turbine 78 and the generator 76 generates electricity in a known manner which is stored in the battery pack 72. This allows the extractor 42 to operate without an additional power source. The manual generator is activated by relative movement between the lid 30, seat 24 and brackets 26. This relative movement is used to generate electricity in a known manner which is again stored in the battery pack 72.

[0045] The unit 32 can be retro-fitted to an existing toilet 10 with relative ease and by removing the seat 24, brackets 26 and lid 30 from the bowl 16. The body 36 is positioned between the bowl 16 and the seat 24 as well as the opposing brackets 26. The fasteners 28 are used to fix the attachment brackets 38 and the brackets 26 to the bowl 16. The extractor box 42 is placed at a convenient location such as for example under the cistern 12 or between the bowl 16 and the fixed structure 18. If required the power source 70 is connected to main electricity supply 74 or the turbine 78 is installed in the connection pipe 22 and connected to the battery pack 72. A passage 94 is formed in the fixed structure 18 where through the exhaust hose 44 extends, alternatively the exhaust hose 44 and one-way valve 86 is connected to the waste pipe 20, or the tube 40, the extractor box 42 and the exhaust hose 44 are fed through the bowl 16 and located in the waste pipe 20. The pressure switch 82 is connected to a buffer 88 whereafter the unit 32 is ready for use.

[0046] It is important to note that as air 90 is withdrawn directly from the bowl 16 the volume of air 90 which has to be removed from the toilet 10 and its surroundings in order to remove odours is reduced. This might result in substantial cost savings in respect of electricity use for the extraction of the air 90 as well as the heating or cooling of any fresh air 90 which might enter the fixed structure 18 where the toilet 10 is situated.

[0047] In Figure 3 an alternative, single attachment bracket 38C is shown with which the body 36 is attached to the bowl 16. The attachment bracket 38C is in the form of a resiliently deformable catch formation. The attachment bracket 38C clips over a side 63 and the flange 62 of the bowl 16 to engage the body 36 with the bowl 16.

[0048] Figure 4 shows a body 36A according to an alternative construction and similar reference numerals to those used in respect of Figures 1 to 3 are used to indicate similar components. Only the differences between the body 36 and the body 36A are described. [0049] The body 36A is not L-shaped in cross-section and does not have a downwardly depending second cavity 54. The inlet 56 is formed on the inner side 48 and is in direct communication with the first cavity 52. The body 36A extends at least partially over an upper-rim 96, and past the flange 62 of the bowl 16. The inlet 56 faces towards the inside 92, is below the upper side 46 and draws air 90 from the inside 92 of the bowl 16.

[0050] Figures 5 and 6 show a third alternative body 36B and similar reference numerals to those used in respect of Figures 1 to 4 are used to indicate similar components. Only the differences between the body 36B and the bodies 36 and 36A are described.

[0051] The body 36B has a C-shape in plan and is attached to an under side 100 of the seat 24 by way of a plurality of attachment strips 102 which are fixed to the upper side 46. Each attachment strip 102 is in the form of a double-sided adhesive strip or tape. A plurality of sealed holes 104 are formed through the body 36B which corresponds to the buffers 88 on the seat 24.

[0052] The body 36B has a plurality of inlets 56 which are spaced around the C- shaped structure of the body 36B and are formed in the inner side 48. The tube 40 extends from the outlet 58 and passes between the brackets 26, the seat 24 and the bowl 16.

[0053] In use the body 36B is attached to the under side 100 of the seat 24 by way of the attachment strips 102. Each respective hole 104 surrounds a buffer 88. The body 36B fills a space created by the buffers 88 between the seat 24 and the bowl 16. The inlets 56 extend past the rim 96 in a similar manner as the inlet 56 of the body 36A and air 90 is drawn from the inside 92.

[0054] As the body 36B and tube 40 are flexible, pivotal movement between the seat 24 and the brackets 26 is allowed.

[0055] Figures 7 to 10 show an alternative air extractor unit 32D and similar reference numerals to those used in respect of Figures 1 to 6 are used to indicate similar components. Only the differences between the unit 32 and the unit 32D are described.

[0056] The unit 32D is integrally formed with the seat 24D which is hinged and pivotally connected to a bracket 26D. The seat 24D is removably attachable to the bowl 16 by way of the bracket 26D.

[0057] The unit 32D has an upper surface 132 and a lower surface 134. The upper surface 132 is C-shaped in cross-section.

[0058] The seat 24D has a primary cavity 5OD in the form of an elongate, first airflow passage 140 formed between the upper surface 132 and the lower surface 134 which extends at least partially through the seat 24D. The first passage 140 is C-shaped in plan and the inlet 56D is formed by a plurality of inlet openings 142 which are formed in the lower surface 134. Each of the openings 142 is in the form of an elongate slot and is spaced around a central hole 144 defined by the seat 24D.

[0059] In this example the seat 24D has a circular, toroidal shape in plan. Alternatively the seat 24D can have a C-shaped, semicircular shape in plan. [0060] The first passage 140 has an outlet 146 which is connected to the bracket 26D.

[0061] The bracket 26D has a second air flow passage 148 which is in communication with the first passage 140 through the outlet 146 and a fluid seal coupling 150 is located between the outlet 146 and the second passage 148.

[0062] As is evident from Figure 9 the seat 24D has a downwardly depending flange 154 which extends from the lower surface 134, alternatively the upper surface 132, at a radial inner side 151 of the seat 24D.

[0063] The bracket 26D has fastening means 156, in the form of an aperture 158 formed in the bracket 26D or a fastener 160 engaged with the bracket 26D, with which the bracket 26D is attachable to the bowl 16 in a known manner. This allows the seat 24D to be retrofitted to an existing toilet 10.

[0064] Although it is possible to make the seat 24D as an integral unit by way of the known wax-loss injection moulding process, the upper surface 132 and lower surface 134 are made separately and fixed to one another in any appropriate manner such as by welding, adhesive or a snap fit.

[0065] The exhaust hose 44 is in connected to and in communication with the second passage 148 and as is evident from Figures 8 and 10 the exhaust hose 44 can extend from either the left or right side of the bracket 26D.

[0066] The extractor box 42 is in communication with the first passage 140. In this example the extractor box 42 is engaged with and located inside the seat 24D. Alternatively the extractor box 42 can be engaged with and located inside the bracket 26D, and in direct communication with the second passage 148. In another form of the invention, and as is shown in Figures 11 and 12, the extractor box 42 is engaged with and located on the exhaust hose 44.

[0067] In use the seat 24D abuts the bowl 16 and the buffers 88 engage the upper rim 96 of the bowl 16 and space the seat 24D from the bowl 16. The flange 154 extends past the upper rim 96 into the bowl 16.

[0068] The openings 142 ensure that air 90 is drawn from different areas of the bowl 16 and the flange 154 limits dirt from entering the openings 142 and assists in the withdrawing of air 90 from the inside 92 of the bowl 16.

[0069] In Figures 11 and 12, and as stated before, the extractor box 42 is in direct communication with the exhaust hose 44 and is not on the seat 24D but at a location 210 which intersects the exhaust hose 44. It is important to understand that the extractor box 42 can be located at any convenient location on the exhaust hose 44.

[0070] Figure 13 shows another example of an air extractor unit 32E and similar reference numerals to those used in respect of Figures 1 to 12 are used to indicate similar components. Only the differences between the units 32 and 32D and the unit 32E are described.

[0071] In the unit 32E the collection chamber 34 is located on the inside 92 against the inner flange 62. The attachment brackets 38 extend from the chamber 34 and are attached to the bowl 16 at the brackets 26 by way of the fasteners 28. The extractor box 42 is situated inside the chamber 34 and forces the air 90 through the outlet 58 to which the tube 40 is connected. [0072] The extractor box 42 is connected to the switches 82, 84 and the power source 70.

[0073] The tube 40 acts as an outlet hose which extends through the bowl 16 and into the waste pipe 20.

[0074] The various features and components of the units 32, 32D and 32E can be combined in various ways to provide an extractor unit according to the invention.