Toilet system with a ventilation apparatus and an automatic flushing mechanism

Abstract

A toilet system comprises a ventilation apparatus for eliminating the odor from a toilet bowl. The ventilation apparatus includes a ventilation pipe directly or indirectly connected to a hose, which is attached to a suction device. The ventilation apparatus may include a draining device for draining overflow water into the toilet bowl. The toilet system may further comprises an automatic flushing mechanism, which includes a sensing device capable of detecting the presence of a user, a motion device being activatable by the sensing device, and a lever connected to a flapper for opening and closing a flush valve.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A ventilation apparatus for eliminating the odor from a toilet bowl of the type having a toilet bowl with a rim defining a plurality of holes, a water tank with a top, a discharge conduit connecting the bowl and the tank, a passageway providing communication between the tank, the discharge conduit and the rim, a flush valve disposed above the discharge conduit, the flush valve having a flapper for opening and closing the passageway to allow the movement of water from the tank to the discharge conduit and the passageway, comprising: 
 a ventilation pipe having a lower end and an upper end, said lower end being open into the discharge conduit;    a hose having a first end and a second end, said first end being connected to said upper end of said ventilation pipe, said hose being in air communication with said ventilation pipe;    a suction device connected to said second end of said hose, said suction device capable of pulling air from the bowl through the passageway into said ventilation pipe and subsequently into said hose to be discharged at a location remote from the toilet bowl; and    a draining device for draining overflow water from the tank into the discharge conduit.    
     
     
         2 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said upper end of said ventilation pipe extends through an opening in the back of the tank to be connected to said first end of said hose.  
     
     
         3 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said upper end of said ventilation pipe extends through an opening on the lid of the tank to be connected to said first end of said hose.  
     
     
         4 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said upper end of said ventilation pipe extends through an opening on a side of the tank to be connected to said first end of said hose.  
     
     
         5 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said hose is substantially behind the wall of the toilet room.  
     
     
         6 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said suction device is an exhaust fan.  
     
     
         7 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said draining device includes at least one hollow tube having an inlet end for receiving the overflow water, and an outlet end connecting to the discharge conduit below the flush valve.  
     
     
         8 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said draining device includes two hollow tubes, each tube having an inlet end for receiving the overflow water disposed under the water level in the tank, and an outlet end connected to a tubular connector for connecting said tubes to said ventilation pipe, said outlet ends and said tubular connector being disposed above the water level in the tank, and said tubes being in communication with said tubular connector, said ventilation pipe and the discharge conduit.  
     
     
         9 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said draining device includes an upside down U-shaped hollow tube, said tube having a first leg defining an inlet end for receiving the overflow water, said inlet end being disposed under the water level in the tank, a second leg defining an outlet end being open into the discharge conduit, and a bend portion connecting said first leg with said second leg, said bend portion being disposed above the water level in the tank.  
     
     
         10 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said inlet end is disposed at one half inch above the bottom of the water tank.  
     
     
         11 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said inlet end defines a plurality of openings for water communication with the tank.  
     
     
         12 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said upside down u-shaped hollow tube defines an L-shaped tube connected to a hook-shaped tube.  
     
     
         13 . A ventilation apparatus for eliminating odor from a toilet bowl of the type having a toilet bowl with a rim defining a plurality of holes, a water tank with a top, a discharge conduit connecting the bowl and the tank, a passageway providing communication between the tank, the discharge conduit and the rim, a flush valve disposed above the discharge conduit, the flush valve having a flapper for opening and closing the passageway to allow the movement of water from the tank to the passageway, comprising: 
 a vacuum ring disposed around the discharge conduit and below the flush valve, said vacuum ring defining a plurality of openings for air communication with the discharge conduit;    a ventilation pipe having a lower end and an upper end, said lower end being open into said vacuum ring;    a hose having a first end and a second end, said first end being connected to said upper end of said ventilation pipe, said hose being in air communication with said ventilation pipe;    a suction device connected to said second end of said hose, said suction device capable of pulling air from the bowl through the passageway into said ventilation pipe and subsequently into said hose to be discharged at a remote location; and    a draining device for draining overflow water from the tank into the discharge conduit.    
     
     
         14 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said upper end of said ventilation pipe extends through an opening in the back of the tank to be connected to said first end of said hose.  
     
     
         15 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said upper end of said ventilation pipe extends through an opening on the lid of the tank to be connected to said first end of said hose.  
     
     
         16 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said upper end of said ventilation pipe extends through an opening on a side of the tank to be connected to said first end of said hose.  
     
     
         17 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said hose is substantially behind the wall of the toilet room.  
     
     
         18 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said suction device is an exhaust fan.  
     
     
         19 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said draining device includes at least one hollow tube having an inlet end for receiving the overflow water, and an outlet end connecting to the discharge conduit.  
     
     
         20 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said draining device includes an upside down U-shaped hollow tube, said tube having a first leg defining an inlet end for receiving the overflow water, said inlet end being disposed under the water level in the tank, a second leg defining an outlet end being open into the discharge conduit, and a bend portion connecting said first leg with said second leg, said bend portion being disposed above the water level in the tank.  
     
     
         21 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 20  wherein said inlet end is disposed at one half inch above the bottom of the water tank.  
     
     
         22 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 21  wherein said inlet end defines a plurality of openings.  
     
     
         23 . A ventilation apparatus for eliminating the odor from a toilet bowl of the type having a toilet bowl with a rim defining a plurality of holes, a water tank with a top, an overflow pipe having a lower end connected to a discharge conduit and an upper end for receiving the overflow water, the discharged conduit connecting the bowl and the tank, a passageway providing communication between the tank, the discharge conduit and the rim, a flush valve disposed above the discharge conduit, the flush valve having a flapper for opening and closing the passageway to allow the movement of water from the tank to the discharge conduit and the passageway, comprising: 
 a suction device;    a hose having a first end and a second end, said second end connected to said suction device;    a cylinder sized slightly larger than said overflow pipe, said cylinder defines a top end and a bottom end, said cylinder being disposed over said overflow pipe and said bottom end disposed slightly above the bottom of the tank creating an annular space between said overflow pipe and said cylinder for water communication from the tank; and    a plug snugly fitted between said first end of said hose and said upper end of said overflow pipe, said plug defining a plurality of holes for providing air communication between said overflow pipe and said hose, and providing water communication between said annular space and said overflow pipe.    
     
     
         24 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 23  wherein said plug is spherical.  
     
     
         25 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 23  wherein said plug is a hollow disk, having a pipe connecting end snugly connected to said upper end of said overflow pipe, and a hose connecting end snugly connected to said hose.  
     
     
         26 . A ventilation apparatus for eliminating the odor from a toilet bowl of the type having a toilet bowl with a rim defining a plurality of holes, a water tank with a top, a discharge conduit connecting the bowl and the tank, a passageway providing communication between the tank, the discharge conduit and the rim, a flush valve disposed above the discharge conduit, the flush valve having a flapper for opening and closing the passageway to allow the movement of water from the tank to the discharge conduit and the passageway, comprising: 
 a draining device having an inlet end for receiving overflow water and an outlet end open into the discharge conduit;    a suction device;    a hose having a first end and a second end, said second end connected to said suction device;    a ventilation pipe having a lower end open into the discharged conduit and an upper end; and    an air conduit connectable to said first end of said hose and said upper end of said ventilation pipe, said air conduit having a flat portion disposed between the tank and the lid and extending outside the tank to be connected to said hose, said air conduit defining a passageway in air communication with said hose and said ventilation pipe.    
     
     
         27 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 26  wherein said air conduit includes, 
 a male air conduit defining a pipe connecting end connectable to said upper end of said ventilation pipe, and a first flat portion defining a first flat end extending outside the tank through a space between the tank and the lid, and  
 a female air conduit defining a hose connecting end connectable to said first end of said hose, and a second flat portion defining an opening for receiving said first flat end, said first flat end being tightly insertable into said opening,  
 said male air conduit and said female air conduit each defining a passageway in air communication with one another, and with said hose and said ventilation pipe.  
 
     
     
         28 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 27  includes a wall bracket being affixed to a wall of the water closet covering a hole sized to allow said second flat end of said female air conduit to insert therethrough, said bracket having a slot sized to allow said second flat end to be snugly inserted therethrough to receive said first flat end of said male air conduit.  
     
     
         29 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 28  wherein said slot defines a top flange and a bottom flange for keeping said second flat end and said first flat end connected tightly together within said slot.  
     
     
         30 . A ventilation apparatus for eliminating the odor from a toilet bowl of the type having a toilet bowl with a rim defining a plurality of holes, a water tank with a top, an overflow pipe having a bottom end open into a discharged conduit and a top end for receiving overflow water, the discharge conduit connecting the bowl and the tank, a passageway providing communication between the tank, the discharge conduit and the rim, a flush valve disposed above the discharge conduit, the flush valve having a flapper for opening and closing the passageway to allow the movement of water from the tank to the discharge conduit and the passageway, comprising: 
 a draining device having an inlet end for receiving overflow water and an outlet end open into the discharge conduit;    a suction device;    a hose having a first end and a second end, said second end connected to said suction device;    an air conduit having a hose connecting end connectable to said hose, and an air inlet end open into an airspace above the water level in the tank, said air conduit being substantially flat and being disposed between the tank and the lid such that the lid can be tightly sealed above said air conduit and around the tank.    
     
     
         31 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 30  wherein said air conduit has an elbow shape.  
     
     
         32 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 30  wherein said air inlet end of said air conduit is made of a rigid material to withstand the weight of the lid.  
     
     
         33 . The ventilation apparatus of  claim 30  said air conduit has an accordion configuration such that it can be extended or receded for proper fitting.  
     
     
         34 . A hose box for shielding a ventilation hose comprising: p 1  a back wall defining a top end, a bottom end, and a first hole sized to receive the ventilation hose therethrough, said back wall attachable to a bathroom wall defining an inlet opening, said first hole being aligned to said inlet opening, said bottom end including at least one supporting ledge; 
 a top wall defining a first end, a second end, and a second hole sized to receive the ventilation hose therethrough, said top wall attachable to the bathroom ceiling over an outlet opening of the ceiling, said second hole being in alignment with the outlet opening, said second end including at least one supporting ledge,  
 said first end of said top wall being attached at a right angle to said top end of said back wall;  
 a first side wall and a second side wall, each being triangular and each being attached to each side of said top wall and said back wall; and  
 a front cover sized to fit on said supporting ledge of said top wall and said back wall.  
 
     
     
         35 . A lever for an automatic flushing mechanism for a toilet bowl of the type having a toilet bowl and a water tank, a discharge conduit connecting the bowl and the tank, a passageway providing communication between the tank, and the discharge conduit, a flush valve disposed above the discharge conduit, the flush valve having a flapper for opening and closing the passageway to allow the movement of water from the tank to the passageway comprising: 
 an L-shaped bar member defining a long arm connected to the flapper of the flush valve, and a short arm having a first bore;    an attachment member pivotably connected to said short arm, said attachment member having a first end attachable to the water tank, and a second end defining a second bore being in alignment with said first bore;    a cable member defining a first end portion and a second end, said first end portion being threaded through said second bore and said first bore, and slidingly secured to said short arm of said bar member, and said second end being connectable to an automatic motion device; and    a flapper cord for connecting said long arm to the flapper.    
     
     
         36 . The lever for an automatic flushing mechanism of  claim 35  wherein said lever has a rest position and a flushing position, in said rest position, said long arm pointing downward to relax said flapper cord and cause the flapper to close the flush valve, in said flushing position, said long arm moving upward such that said flapper cord pulls on the flapper causing the flapper to move upward to open the flush valve and allow the water to flush.  
     
     
         37 . The lever for an automatic flushing mechanism of  claim 36  wherein said long arm of the lever returns to said rest position after the water flushes.  
     
     
         38 . The lever for an automatic flushing mechanism of  claim 35  wherein said long arm of the lever has a weight.  
     
     
         39 . The lever for an automatic flushing mechanism of  claim 35  wherein said flapper cord for connecting said long arm to the flapper is a metal chain.  
     
     
         40 . The lever for an automatic flushing mechanism of  claim 35  wherein said flapper cord for connecting said long arm to the flapper is a rubber string.  
     
     
         41 . An automatic flushing mechanism for a toilet bowl of the type having a toilet bowl and a water tank, a discharge conduit connecting the bowl and the tank, a passageway providing communication between the tank, and the discharge conduit, a flush valve disposed above the discharge conduit, the flush valve having a flapper for opening and closing the passageway to allow the movement of water from the tank to the passageway comprising: 
 a sensing device capable of detecting the presence of a toilet user;    a motion device being activatable by said sensing device;    a lever having 
 an L-shaped bar member defining a long arm connected to the flapper of the flush valve, and a short arm having a first bore,  
 an attachment member pivotably connected to said short arm, said attachment member having a first end attachable to the water tank, and a second end defining a second bore being in alignment with said first bore,  
 a cable member defining a first end portion and a second end, said first end portion being threaded through said second bore and said first bore, and smilingly secured to said short arm of said bar member, said second end being connectable to said automatic motion device; and  
 a flapper cord for connecting said long arm to the flapper.  
   
     
     
         42 . The automatic flushing mechanism of  claim 41  wherein said lever has a rest position and a flushing position, in said rest position, said long arm pointing downward to relax said flapper cord and allow the flapper to close the flush valve, in said flushing position, said long arm moving upward such that said flapper cord pulls on the flapper causing the flapper to move upward to open the flush valve.  
     
     
         43 . The automatic flushing mechanism of  claim 41  wherein said sensing device is a motion detector, said sensing device being activated by the user leaving the toilet area.  
     
     
         44 . The automatic flushing mechanism of  claim 41  wherein said sensing device is affixed to a wall of the toilet room such that it can detect a user.  
     
     
         45 . The automatic flushing mechanism of  claim 41  wherein said sensing device electrically activates the motion device.  
     
     
         46 . The automatic flushing mechanism of  claim 41  wherein said motion device is a solenoid.  
     
     
         47 . The automatic flushing mechanism of  claim 41  wherein said motion device is affixed to a wall of the toilet room.  
     
     
         48 . A toilet system having a ventilation apparatus for eliminating odor and an automatic flushing mechanism comprising: 
 a toilet bowl of the type having a toilet bowl and a water tank, a discharge conduit connecting the bowl and the tank, a passageway providing communication between the tank, and the discharge conduit, a flush valve disposed above the discharge conduit, the flush valve having a flapper for opening and closing the passageway to allow the movement of water from the tank to the passageway;    a ventilation apparatus having, 
 a ventilation pipe having a lower end and an upper end, said lower end being open into the discharge conduit,  
 a hose having a first end and a second end, said first end being connected to said upper end of said ventilation pipe, said hose being in air communication with said ventilation pipe,  
 a suction device connected to said second end of said hose, said suction device capable of pulling air from the bowl through the passageway into said ventilation pipe and subsequently into said hose to be discharged at a location remote from the toilet bowl, and  
 a draining device for draining overflow water from the tank into the discharge conduit; and  
   an automatic flushing mechanism having, 
 a sensing device capable of detecting the presence of a toilet user,  
 a motion device being activatable by said sensing device,  
   a lever having, 
 an L-shaped bar member defining a long arm connected to the flapper of the flush valve, and a short arm having a first bore,  
 an attachment member pivotably connected to said short arm, said attachment member having a first end attachable to the water tank, and a second end defining a second bore being in alignment with said first bore,  
 a cable member defining a first end portion and a second end, said first end portion being threaded through said second bore and said first bore, and slidingly secured to said short arm of said bar member, said second end being connectable to said automatic motion device, and  
 a flapper cord for connecting said long arm to the flapper.