Commode ventilation system

Abstract

An improved apparatus for ventilating bathroom odors of a commode is provided. The apparatus provides a seat containing an entire ventilation system including an intake, an air plenum positioned within the interior of the seat. At least one air filter is positioned within the air passage. A fan or blower motor is used to move air through the air passage and the filtered air exits through an edge of the seat, the blower fan controlled by a battery pack contained within the commode seat. An external switch activates a timer that controls operation of the ventilation system. The replaceable filter is accessible from an outer edge of the commode seat.

That which is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A commode seat comprising: 
 a solid commode seat having an upper surface, a lower surface, an outer edge, and an inner edge, the inner edge defining a seat opening;    an air inlet defined by a lower surface of the commode seat, the air inlet in further communication with a first cavity defined by an interior of said solid commode seat, said first cavity adapted for receiving a filter;    an air plenum in further communication with the first cavity and extending through said solid commode seat to a blower positioned within an interior of said commode seat; and,    an air outlet, defined by an edge of the commode seat and in communication with the blower.    
     
     
         2 . The commode seat according to  claim 1  wherein said air inlet, said first cavity, said air plenum, said blower, and said air outlet are all positioned within an interior of a solid commode seat, said interior being milled from a bottom surface of said commode seat.  
     
     
         3 . The commode seat according to  claim 1  wherein said solid commode seat further defines a power source in electrical communication with a fan, the fan positioned within the housing and responsive to a switch.  
     
     
         4 . The commode seat according to  claim 1  wherein an air filter is positioned within said first cavity.  
     
     
         5 . A process for manufacturing a commode ventilation seat comprising: 
 providing a solid commode seat;    milling into a bottom surface of said commode seat a cavity adapted for receiving a filter housing;    providing an air plenum defined within an interior of the commode seat, the air plenum in communication with an inlet defined by the commode seat, said air plenum being in further communication with said cavity and with a blower positioned within said seat and being in further communication with an air outlet defined along an edge of said seat.    
     
     
         6 . A ventilation system for a commode comprising: 
 a solid commode seat having an upper surface, a lower surface, an outer edge, and an inner edge, the inner edge surrounding at least in part a central opening defined by the solid commode seat; an air inlet defined by the solid commode seat, the air inlet in further communication with an air plenum defined within an interior of the solid commode seat;    an air outlet defined along an outer edge of the commode seat and in communication with the air plenum;    a blower, positioned within a housing defined by the solid commode seat, the blower having an intake in communication with the air plenum and an exhaust port in further communication with the air plenum and adjacent the air outlet;    a filter, positionable within a filter housing defined by the interior of the solid commode seat, the filter housing further defining a portion of the air plenum; and    a power source, the power source in electrical communication with the blower and further responsive to a switch, the switch accessible from an exterior of the solid commode seat.    
     
     
         7 . The commode ventilation apparatus of  claim 6  wherein said air inlet, said first cavity, said air plenum, said blower, and said air outlet are all positioned within an interior portion of a solid commode seat, said interior portion being milled from a bottom surface of said commode seat.  
     
     
         8 . The ventilation system according to  claim 6  wherein the air filter is in communication with the portion of the air plenum defined by a lower surface of the solid commode seat adjacent a filter intake, the filter further defining a filter outlet which is in communication with a portion of the air plenum defined within an interior of the commode seat.  
     
     
         9 . The ventilation system according to  claim 6  wherein the blower is a rotary blower.  
     
     
         10 . The ventilation system according to  claim 6  wherein the blower is further responsive to a timer circuit which provides for a pre-determined interval of blower operation.  
     
     
         11 . The commode seat according to  claim 1  wherein said air plenum is defined in part by an insert positioned between said filter and said blower.