O'HARTE, Thomas, Peter (Leonard's Island, Clones, County Monaghan, IE)
CUDDY, Thomas, Joseph (9 Mullaghdun, Monaghan, County Monaghan, IE)
O'HARTE, Thomas, Peter (Leonard's Island, Clones, County Monaghan, IE)
CUDDY, Thomas, Joseph (9 Mullaghdun, Monaghan, County Monaghan, IE)
| CLAIMS 1. An odour extraction system for extracting odours from a toilet pan of a toilet pan and cistern combination, the system comprising a housing defining an air passageway extending therethrough between an air inlet port and an air outlet port, an air urging means for urging air through the air passageway from the air inlet port to the air outlet port, a filter for filtering out foul odours in the air being urged by the urging means through the air passageway, the air passageway being in fluid communication with the toilet pan via an overflow tube extending into the cistern. 2. An odour extraction system as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the housing is located within the cistern. 3. An odour extraction system as claimed in Claim 1 or in Claim 2, wherein the air inlet port is adapted for mounting to the overflow tube so that the air passageway is in direct fluid communication with the toilet pan. 4. An odour extraction system as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the air inlet port is mounted to the overflow tube by an adjustable mounting means engagable with said overflow tube, the mounting means comprising a mounting element that extends from said mounting means and which is engagable with the housing. 5. An odour extraction system as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the mounting element comprises a spigot adapted for releasable engagement with at least one corresponding mounting recess provided on the housing. 6. An odour extraction system as claimed in Claim 4 or in Claim 5, wherein the mounting means comprises a resilient clip or clamp. 7. An odour extraction system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the overflow tube extends into the air inlet port of the housing. 8. An odour extraction system as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the overflow tube defines with the air inlet port into which it extends an annular communicating opening through which the overflow tube communicates with the cistern for facilitating overflow water from the cistern into the overflow tube. 9. An odour extraction system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a pair of spaced apart abutment members located in the air inlet port of the housing are provided for engaging a top peripheral edge of the overflow tube, the abutment members adapted for spacing a portion of the housing defining the air inlet port apart above the top peripheral edge of the overflow tube for, in turn, accommodating overflow water over the top peripheral edge of said overflow tube from the cistern and in turn into the toilet pan. 10. An odour extraction system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing is mountable on the overflow tube so that the air inlet port extends downwardly over the overflow tube so that a lower edge of the air inlet port is located at a level below the normal water level in the cistern in order to provide a water seal for sealing the coupling of the air inlet port and the overflow tube within the cistern. 11. An odour extraction system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein there is provided a refill opening in the housing to accommodate a refill pipe from a valve into the overflow tube for refilling the toilet pan after flushing thereof. 12. An odour extraction system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cistern is provided with one or more spacer elements on a top peripheral rim for spacing a lid thereof above said cistern so that filtered air from the outlet port of the housing is circulated into the room in which the toilet pan is located. 13. An odour extraction system as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the housing is located externally of the cistern, the cistern being substantially concealed behind a wall or panel. 14. An odour extraction system as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the air inlet port is in communication with the overflow tube via a tank extension duct which extends from the cistern and abuts the rear of the wall or panel which separates the housing from said cistern. 15. An odour extraction system as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the tank extension duct abuts the wall or panel behind a flush panel. 16. An odour extraction system as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the flush panel is spaced apart from the wall by means of a spacer seal provided behind said flush plate, the spacer seal being provided with one or more openings so that air flow from the overflow tube can reach and enter the air inlet port of the housing. 17. An odour extraction system as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the air inlet port is an elongate slot opening extending substantially across of a lower end of the housing. 18. An odour extraction as claimed in anyone of Claims 14 to 17, wherein the housing is provided with a removable outer covering, the covering being provided with an exhaust grill or opening so that filtered air exiting the housing via the outlet port can enter the room in which the toilet pan is located. 19. An odour extraction system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the filter for filtering out foul odours in the air being urged by the urging means through the air passageway is further adapted for filtering bacteria from the air. 20. An odour extraction system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the filter is an activated carbon filter. 21. An odour extraction system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the air urging means comprises an electrically powered fan. 22. An odour extraction system as claimed in Claim 21 , wherein the fan is mains or battery powered. 23. An odour extraction system as claimed in Claim 21 or Claim 22, wherein the fan is controlled by a control circuit and a sensing means, the sensing means adapted to sense the presence of an individual seated or proximate the toilet pan so that the fan is operated while such presence is sensed. 24. An odour extraction system as claimed in Claim 23, wherein the sensing means is an infrared proximity sensor. 25. An odour extraction system as claimed in Claim 23, wherein the infrared proximity sensor is adjustably provided on sensor mounting means so that adjustment of the detecting field of said proximity sensor is facilitated. 26. An odour extraction system as claimed in any one of Claims 23 to 25, wherein the control circuit and sensing means are provided in a separate housing, the housing being mounted at an appropriate location on a wall or panel proximate toilet pan. 27. An odour extraction system for extracting odours from a toilet pan of a toilet pan and cistern combination as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. |
The present invention relates to an odour extraction system for extracting odours from a toilet pan of a toilet pan and cistern combination.
According to the invention there is provided an odour extraction system for extracting odours from a toilet pan of a toilet pan and cistern combination, the system comprising a housing defining an air passageway extending therethrough between an air inlet port and an air outlet port, an air urging means for urging air through the air passageway from the air inlet port to the air outlet port, a filter for filtering out foul odours in the air being urged by the urging means through the air passageway, the air passageway being in fluid communication with the toilet pan via an the overflow tube extending into the cistern.
In one embodiment, the air inlet port is adapted for mounting to the overflow tube so that the air passageway is in direct fluid communication with the toilet pan.
Preferably, the air inlet port is mounted to the overflow tube by a adjustable mounting means engagable with said overflow tube, the mounting means comprising a mounting element that extends from said mounting means and which is engagable with the housing.
In one embodiment of the invention the mounting element comprises a mounting spigot, and preferably, the mounting spigot is adapted to extend upwardly when the mounting means is engaged with the overflow tube, and preferably, the mounting spigot is adapted to engage at least one corresponding mounting recess in the housing for mounting the housing on the overflow tube. Preferably, a plurality of mounting recesses are provided on the housing for facilitating adjustable mounting of the housing relative to the overflow tube.
Preferably, the mounting spigot is slideably engageable with the mounting recess, and advantageously, is releasably engageable with the mounting recess. Ideally, the mounting spigot engages the mounting recess with a snug sliding fit. Alternatively, the mounting spigot engages the mounting recess with a releasable snap-fit action.
In another embodiment of the invention, the mounting means is adapted for engaging the overflow tube so that when the mounting spigot is engageable with a selected one of the mounting recesses the overflow tube extends into the air inlet port of the housing, and preferably, defines with the air inlet port an annular communicating opening through which the overflow tube communicates with the cistern for facilitating overflow water from the cistern into the overflow tube.
In another embodiment of the invention at least a pair of spaced apart abutment means are located in the air inlet port of the housing for engaging a top peripheral edge of the overflow tube for locating a portion of the housing defining the air inlet port spaced apart above the top peripheral edge of the overflow tube to define with the top peripheral edge of the overflow tube a passageway for overflow water from the cistern over the top peripheral edge of the overflow tube.
In another embodiment of the invention the mounting means comprises a clip for engaging the overflow tube, and preferably, the clip is of horseshoe shape, and is of a resilient material for clamping onto the overflow tube.
In another embodiment of the invention the mounting means is adapted for mounting the housing on the overflow tube such that the air inlet port extends downwardly over the overflow tube so that a lower edge of the air inlet port is located at a level below the normal water level in the cistern in order to provide a water seal for sealing the coupling of the air inlet port and the overflow tube within the cistern.
In a further embodiment of the invention a refill opening is formed in the housing for accommodating a water refill tube therethrough into the overflow tube for refilling the toilet pan after flushing thereof.
Advantageously, the filter is located in a filter chamber, and preferably, the filter is adapted for filtering out foul odours from air being urged therethrough by the air urging means, and advantageously, the filter is adapted for filtering out bacteria from air being urged therethrough by the air urging means.
In one embodiment of the invention the filter is an activated carbon filter.
In another embodiment of the invention the air urging means comprises a motor driven fan, and preferably, the fan is driven by an electrically powered motor. Advantageously, the electrically powered motor is a low voltage motor, and preferably, the electrically powered motor is operable with a voltage of the order of 6 volts.
In one embodiment of the invention the electrically powered motor is a DC motor and in an alternative embodiment of the invention the electrically powered motor is an AC motor.
In a further embodiment of the invention a control circuit housing is provided for mounting in proximity to the toilet pan, the control circuit housing comprising a sensing means for detecting the presence of an individual seated on the toilet pan.
Preferably, the sensing means is mounted on a sensor mounting means which is adjustably carried in the control circuit housing for facilitating directional adjustment of the sensing means.
Advantageously, a control circuit is provided for controlling operation of the air urging means, the control circuit being responsive to the sensing means detecting the presence of an individual seated on the toilet pan. Preferably, the control circuit is located in the control circuit housing.
In another embodiment of the invention the control circuit housing is adapted for housing one of a battery for powering the air urging means, and a transformer for transforming mains electricity to a suitable operating voltage for the air urging means.
In one embodiment of the invention the system is adapted for use with a gravity flush cistern.
The invention also provides a toilet and cistern combination comprising the system according to the invention.
Other aspects of the invention are defined in the appended claims which are incorporated into the description by reference.
The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof which is given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a cutaway perspective view of a toilet pan and a cistern combination according to the invention comprising a system also according to the invention for extracting and filtering foul odours from a toilet pan of the toilet pan and cistern combination,
Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the system of Figurei ;
Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the system of Figure 1 ;
Figure 4 is a transverse cross-sectional front elevational view of the system of Figurei on the line IV-IV of Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a transverse cross-sectional side elevational view of the system of Figure 1 on the line V-V of Figure 2;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the system of Figure 1 ;
Figure 7 is a front elevational view of a detail of the system of Figure 1 ;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of another portion of the system of Figure 1 ;
Figure 9 is a side elevational view of the portions of Figs. 6 and 8 of the system of Figure 1 assembled;
Figure 10 is a transverse cross-sectional front elevational view of the assembled portions of Figs. 6 and 8 on line X-X of Figure 9;
Figure 11 is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional view of a detail of the assembled portions of Figs. 6 and 8;
Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of the detail of Figure 11 ;
Figure 13 is a side elevational view of the system of Figure 1 ; Figure 14 is a transverse cross-sectional front elevational view of the system of Figure 1 on the line XIV-XIV of Figure 13;
Figure 15 is a perspective view of another portion of the system of Figure 1 ;
Figure 16 is a front elevational view of the portion of Figure 15;
Figure 17 is a plan view of the portion of Figure 15;
Figure 18 is a transverse cross-sectional side elevational view of the portion of Figure 15 on the line XVIII-XVIM of Figure 16;
Figure 19a is a perspective view of the odour extraction system in accordance with the invention for use with a toilet pan and cistern combination where the cistern is a concealed tank;
Figure 19b, 19c and 19d are side, rear and plan views of the odour extraction system shown in Figure 19a, respectively;
Figure 20a is a front elevation of the odour extraction system shown in Figure 19a;
Figure 20b is a transverse cross-sectional side view of the odour extraction system shown in Figure 19a along the line XV-XV;
Figure 20c is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional view of a detail of Figure 20b;
Figure 21a is detailed perspective view of the odour extraction system of Figure 19a shown with the outer covering in place;
Figure 21 b and 21 c are rear views of the odour extraction system shown in Figure 19a;
Figure 21 d is a side elevation of the odour extraction system shown in Figure 19a;
Figure 22a is a detailed perspective view of a housing of the odour extraction system of Figure 19a; Figure 22b and 22c are rear views of the housing of the odour extraction system shown in Figure 19a; and
Figure 22d is a side elevation of the housing of the odour extraction system shown in Figure 19a;
Referring to the drawings there is illustrated a system according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 for locating in a cistern 2 of a toilet pan 3 of a toilet pan/cistern combination 5, for extracting air, and in turn foul odours from the toilet pan 3, and for filtering out foul odours and bacteria from the air extracted from the toilet pan 3, as will be described in more detail below. Before describing the system 1 in detail, the toilet pan/cistern combination 5 will first be described.
The toilet pan/cistern combination 5 comprises a gravity flush type cistern 2. An outlet valve 7 accommodates flushing water from the cistern 2 to the toilet pan 3. The outlet valve 7 as will be well known to those skilled in the art is operable by a handle 8 externally mounted on the cistern 2 and coupled to the outlet valve 7. For convenience and clarity the coupling of the handle 8 to the outlet valve 7 is not illustrated. An overflow tube 10 extends upwardly from the outlet valve 7 and bypasses the outlet valve 7 for accommodating overflow water from the cistern 2 into the toilet pan 3. A float operated control valve 12 located in the cistern 2 controls the supply of water to the cistern 2, as will be well known to those skilled in the art. A water refill pipe 14 from the float controlled valve 12 extends into the overflow tube 10 for delivering refill water from the float controlled valve 12 to the toilet pan 3 after flushing thereof, as will be well known to those skilled in the art.
Turning now to the system 1 , the system 1 comprises a housing 15 which defines an air passageway 17 extending therethrough between an air inlet port 18 and an air outlet port 19. The air inlet port 18 as will be described below is adapted for mounting on the overflow tube 10 adjacent the top thereof, so that the air passageway 17 is in direct fluid communication with the toilet pan 3 through the overflow tube 10. An air urging means, namely, a motor driven fan 20 is located in the air passageway 17 for urging air through the air passageway 17 from the air inlet port 18 to the air outlet port 19, and in turn for drawing air from the toilet pan 3. The fan 20 is driven by a low voltage electrically powered motor 22 (Figure 4, Figure 5) which is operable on a 6 volt DC electrical power supply.
A filter chamber 23 (Figure 4, Figure 10, Figure 14) is formed in the air passageway 17 between the fan 20 and the air outlet port 19 for accommodating a filter, which in this embodiment of the invention is an activated carbon filter 24 for filtering out foul odours and bacteria in air urged through the filter 24 by the fan 20 from the toilet pan 3. A cover 25 engageable with the air outlet port 19 closes the filter chamber 23, and is removably coupled to the housing 15 adjacent the air outlet port 19 for facilitating replacement of the filter 24. A grill 26 in the cover 25 accommodates clean air which has been filtered by the filter 24 into the cistern 2.
Turning now to the mounting of the housing 15 on the outlet tube 10, a mounting means, in this embodiment of the invention a mounting clip 30 of horseshoe shape of resilient plastics material is provided for engaging the overflow tube 10 with a snap-fit clamping action. A mounting element, namely, a mounting spigot 32 integrally formed with the mounting clip 30 (Figure 3, Figure 8) extends upwardly from the mounting clip 30 for engaging one of three mounting recesses 34 in the housing 15 adjacent the air inlet port 18, so that the housing 15 is mounted on the overflow tube 10 with a top portion of the overflow tube 10 extending into the air inlet port 18 as shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5. The mounting spigot 32 is of rectangular transverse cross-section, and is carried on and extends upwardly from a transverse member 35 extending transversely outwardly from the mounting clip 30 as shown in Figure 7 and Figure 8. The transverse member 35 spaces the mounting spigot 32 outwardly from the mounting clip 30, so that when the mounting spigot 32 is engaged in a selected one of the mounting recesses 34 the overflow tube 10 extends upwardly into the air inlet port 18 and defines with the air inlet port 18 an annular inlet to the overflow tube 10 for accommodating overflow water from the cistern 2 into the overflow tube 10.
Abutment means, in this embodiment of the invention provided by a plurality of abutment members 37 as shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5, are formed in the air inlet port 18 for engaging a top peripheral edge 38 of the overflow tube 10 for spacing a portion of the housing 15 which defines the air inlet port 18 apart from the top peripheral edge 38 of the overflow tube 10 for, in turn, accommodating overflow water over the top peripheral edge 38 of the overflow tube 10 from the cistern 2, and in turn into the toilet pan 3. Each mounting recess 34 is formed by a pair of returns 40 as shown in Figure 12 which extend from the housing 15 adjacent to the air inlet port 18 and are spaced apart therefrom to define the corresponding mounting recess 34. The returns 40 define the corresponding mounting recess 34 to be of rectangular transverse cross-section corresponding to the transverse cross-section of the mounting spigot 32, and the returns 40 engage the mounting spigot 32, so that the mounting spigot 32 is a snug sliding fit in the mounting recesses 34.
The air inlet port 18 is sized so that when the housing 15 is mounted on the overflow tube 10 by the mounting clip 30, and with the abutment members 37 abutting the top peripheral edge 38 of the overflow tube 10, the air inlet port 18 extends downwardly along the overflow tube 10, so that a lower edge 41 thereof is located beneath the normal water level in the cistern 2, in order to form a water seal for sealing the coupling of the air inlet port 18 and the overflow tube 10 within the cistern 2.
As shown in Figure 13 and Figure 14, a refill opening 42 in the housing 15 adjacent the air inlet port 18 accommodates the refill pipe 14 from the float controlled valve 12 into the overflow tube 10 for refilling the toilet pan 2 after flushing thereof.
A semi-rigid electrical cable 44 extends from the motor 22 through a sealed opening (not shown) in the housing 15 and terminates in a connector 45 for engaging a corresponding connector 46 of a power supply cable 47 for providing an electrical power supply to the motor 22. A control circuit housing 49 (Figs. 15 to 18) adapted for mounting on a wall 50 in proximity to the toilet pan 3 as shown in Figure 1 carries either a battery pack 58 or an electrical transformer for supplying electrical power to the motor 22 through the supply cable 47 and the semi-rigid cable 42. As mentioned above the electrical motor is a 6 volt DC motor, and the battery pack 58 or the transformer, as the case may be, is adapted to supply a 6 volt DC supply to the motor 22. A control circuit (not shown) located in the control circuit housing 49 is responsive to a sensing means, namely an infrared proximity sensor 53 detecting the presence of an individual seated on the toilet pan 3 for supplying electrical power to the motor 22 for in turn operating the fan 20 while the individual remains seated on the toilet pan 3. The infrared proximity sensor 53 is carried on a sensor mounting means, namely, a sensor mounting member 54 which is pivotally mounted in the control circuit housing 49 on a pivot pin 55 (Figure 18) for swivelling the infrared proximity sensor 53 about a substantially vertical pivot axis defined by the pivot pin 55 for facilitating adjustment of the detecting field of the proximity sensor 53.
As shown in Figure 1 , a pair of spacer elements 56 are provided for bonding to a rear portion of a top peripheral rim 57 of the cistern 2 for spacing the lid (not shown) thereof above the cistern 2 in order to define a gap between the cistern 2 and the lid thereof for accommodating filtered air from the air outlet port 19 of the housing 15 from the cistern 2 back to the room in which the toilet pan is located.
With the lid (not shown) removed from the cistern 2, and with the refill pipe 14 removed from the overflow tube 10, the mounting clip 30 is engaged on the overflow tube 10. The housing 15 is then mounted on the mounting clip 30 with the mounting spigot 32 engaging a selected appropriate one of the mounting recesses 34. The housing 15 is mounted on the mounting clip 30 so that the overflow tube 10 extends into the air inlet port 18, with the top peripheral edge 34 of the overflow tube 10 engaging the abutment member 37 within the air inlet port 18. The refill pipe 14 is then passed through the refill opening 42 in the housing 15 and inserted downwardly into the overflow tube 10 as shown in Figure 14. The control circuit housing 49 is then mounted in an appropriate location on the wall 50 in relatively close proximity to the toilet pan 3, and preferably, to one or other side of the cistern 2 as illustrated in Figure 1 , so that the detecting field of the infrared proximity sensor 53 can be adjusted to detect an individual seated on the toilet pan 3. Alternatively, the control circuit housing 49 may be located on the wall 50 above the cistern 2, likewise, to detect a person seated on the toilet pan 3. The connector 46 of the supply cable 47 from the control circuit housing 49 is connected to the connector 45 of the semi-rigid cable 44 of the motor 22 for supplying electrical power to the motor 22. The orientation of the sensor mounting member 54 is adjusted if necessary in order to adjust the detecting field of the infrared proximity sensor 53 to ensure that the proximity sensor 53 is appropriately directed to detect a person seated on the toilet pan 3.
In use, on the infrared proximity sensor 53 detecting the presence of a person seated on the toilet pan 3, power is supplied to the motor 22 for in turn driving the fan 20. The fan 20 draws air from the toilet pan 3 through the overflow tube 10, and in turn through the air passageway 17 and through the filter 24. Foul odours and bacteria in the air passing through the filter 24 are filtered out of the air by the filter 24, and clean uncontaminated air is delivered into the cistern 2 through the grill 26, and in turn to the toilet. Thus, the action of the fan 20 draws air from the room in which the toilet pan and cistern combination 5 is located into the toilet pan 3, and in turn through the overflow tube 10, the air passageway 17, and in turn through the filter 24. Therefore, the fan 20 effectively develops a low pressure area in the toilet pan 3 which prevents air escaping from the toilet pan 3, thereby avoiding foul air and bacteria from the toilet pan 3 escaping from the toilet pan and into the room in which the toilet pan and cistern combination 5 is located. Thus, foul odours and bacteria are drawn through the filter 24 and are filtered out to produce clean air which is returned to the room in which the toilet pan and cistern combination 5 is located.
While the motor has been described as being a DC motor operable with a 6 volt DC supply, it will be relatively apparent to those skilled in the art that the motor may be of any suitable voltage, and may be either a DC or a AC motor. It will also be appreciated that any other suitable arrangement for mounting the infrared proximity sensor may be provided. Indeed, in certain cases, it is envisaged that the infrared sensor may be mounted directly onto a wall or any other structure, in certain cases it is envisaged that the infrared sensor may be adapted for mounting on the cistern of the toilet and cistern combination.
It is envisaged that the mounting spigot as well as being a snug sliding fit in the mounting recess, may also be configured to engage the mounting recess with a snap-fit action which preferably, would be a releasable snap-fit action.
As shown in Figures 19 to 22 and as described below, there is provided an embodiment of the odour extraction system of the present invention that is readily adapted for use with toilet pan and cistern combinations where the cistern is a concealed flush tank 64 that is substantially concealed behind a wall or panel 50. Concealed cisterns of this type are normally only serviceable or accessible by removing the front flush plates 61 or flush controls to gain access to the tank and the associated internal components which are located behind the wall or panel. This embodiment of the odour extraction system is particularly advantageous as it can be readily installed or retrofitted to existing concealed cisterns.
In the embodiment shown in Figures 19 to 22, there is provided a housing 72 which defines an air passageway or duct 170 extending between an air inlet port 67 and an air outlet port 75, the passageway being in fluid communication with the toilet pan 63 via a tank extension duct 62 which abuts the rear of the wall or panel 50 and which provides a passageway to the overflow tube 65. The tank extension duct 62 preferably abuts the wall or panel behind a flush panel 61. Flush panel 61 is spaced apart from the wall or panel 50 by means of a spacer seal 66 provided behind said flush plate, the spacer seal 66 being provided with one or more openings (not shown) which enable air flow from the overflow tube 65 and tank extension duct 62 to reach and enter air inlet port 67. Air inlet port 67 is ideally in the form of an elongate slot opening which extends substantially across the width of the lower in use end of the housing 72. In use, an air urging means, namely a motor driven suction fan unit 68 that is provided within the housing 72 proximate outlet port 75 at the upper end of the air passageway or duct 170, urges air through the air passageway 170 from the inlet port 67 to the outlet port 75, thus drawing air from the toilet pan 63 via overflow tube 65 and tank extension duct 62 and onwards through openings in spacer seal 66 to inlet port 67. A removable air filter 74 substantially as described in the previous embodiments is provided for filtering out foul odours and bacteria from the air drawn from the toilet pan, the filter being preferably located in a filter chamber. Housing 72 further accommodates a control circuit housing 49 as described previously and which carries power supply means such as a battery or mains power adapter or transformer, control circuit and a sensing means such as an infrared proximity sensor 69 as described previously. A removable outer cover member 70 conceals the power supply, circuitry, and filter. An exhaust grille 71 or other suitable opening is provided in the outer covering 70 so that filtered air exiting the housing via the outlet port can enter the room in which the toilet pan is located.
It is thought that the present invention and its advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims, the forms hereinbefore described being merely preferred or exemplary embodiments thereof.
Throughout the foregoing description and throughout the appended claims the invention is referred to as an odour extraction system however it will be appreciated that the term system is not limiting and the invention also encompasses an odour extraction apparatus.