Odor extracting water tank cover assembly and toilet comprising same

Abstract

A water tank cover assembly comprises a cover body, an air filter and an airflow creation assembly (e.g., a fan assembly or vacuum pump assembly). The cover body is configured for being mounted over an access opening of a water tank and includes a vent passage for enabling airflow therethrough. The air filter is mounted on the cover body adjacent to the vent passage in a manner enabling the airflow through the air filter. The airflow creation assembly is attached to the cover body in a manner for promoting the airflow through the air filter and the vent passage.

1 . A water tank cover assembly, comprising: 
 a cover body configured for being mounted over an access opening of a water tank, wherein the cover body includes a vent passage for enabling airflow therethrough;    an air filter mounted on the cover body adjacent to the vent passage in a manner enabling said airflow through the air filter; and    an airflow creation assembly attached to the cover body in a manner for promoting said airflow through the air filter and the vent passage.    
   
   
       2 . The water tank cover assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a seal mounted on the cover body, wherein the seal is configured for at least partially providing a seal between the water tank and the cover body.    
   
   
       3 . The water tank cover assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a control switch electrically connected to an electromotive device of the airflow creation assembly for enabling operation of the airflow creation assembly to be selectively activated and de-activated.    
   
   
       4 . The water tank cover assembly of  claim 3  wherein the control switch includes a proximity sensor for enabling said operation of the airflow creation assembly to be activated when presence of a person is detected and to be deactivated when presence of a person is not detected.  
   
   
       5 . The water tank cover assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 battery connections electrically connected to an electromotive device of the airflow creation assembly for enabling a battery to power the electromotive device.    
   
   
       6 . The water tank cover assembly of  claim 1  wherein the airflow creation assembly is configured for promoting said airflow in a direction from within the water tank through the vent passage of the cover body.  
   
   
       7 . The water tank cover assembly of  claim 1  wherein the air filter is removably mounted on the cover body.  
   
   
       8 . The water tank cover assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a seal mounted on the cover body, wherein the seal is configured for at least partially providing a seal between the water tank and the cover body; and    a control switch electrically connected to an electromotive device of the airflow creation assembly for enabling operation of the airflow creation assembly to be selectively activated and de-activated, wherein the control switch includes a proximity sensor for enabling said operation of the airflow creation assembly to be activated when presence of a person is detected and to be deactivated when presence of a person is not detected.    
   
   
       9 . A water tank cover assembly, comprising: 
 a cover body configured for being mounted over an access opening of a water tank, wherein the cover body includes a vent passage for enabling airflow therethrough;    an air filter mounted on the cover body adjacent to the vent passage in a manner enabling said airflow through the air filter, wherein the air filter is removably mounted on the cover body;    an airflow creation assembly attached to the cover body in a manner for promoting said airflow through the air filter and the vent passage, wherein the airflow creation assembly is configured for promoting said airflow in a direction from within the water tank through the vent passage of the cover body;    a seal mounted on the cover body, wherein the seal is configured for at least partially providing a seal between the water tank and the cover body; and    a control switch electrically connected to an electromotive device of the airflow creation assembly for enabling operation of the airflow creation assembly to be selectively activated and de-activated, wherein the control switch includes a proximity sensor for enabling said operation of the airflow creation assembly to be activated when presence of a person is detected and to be deactivated when presence of a person is not detected.    
   
   
       10 . A toilet, comprising: 
 a toilet base including a toilet bowl and a flush passage configured for delivering water to the toilet bowl;    a water tank attached to the toilet base, wherein the water tank is configured for selectively supplying water to the flush passage of the toilet base; and    a water tank cover assembly mountable on the water tank, wherein the water tank cover assembly is configured for promoting airflow through the flush passage into the water tank and through an air filter of the water tank cover assembly.    
   
   
       11 . The toilet of  claim 10  wherein the water tank cover assembly is configured for promoting said airflow in a direction from within the water tank through the air filter of the water tank cover assembly.  
   
   
       12 . The toilet of  claim 10 , wherein: 
 the water tank cover assembly includes a cover body configured for being mounted over an access opening of the water tank;    a vent passage is provided in the cover body for enabling said airflow therethrough; and    the air filter is mounted on the cover body adjacent to the vent passage.    
   
   
       13 . The toilet of  claim 12  wherein: 
 the water tank cover assembly includes a seal mounted on the cover body; and    the seal is configured for at least partially providing a seal between the water tank and the cover body.    
   
   
       14 . The toilet of  claim 12  wherein: 
 the water tank cover assembly includes an airflow creation assembly that promotes said airflow, a seal mounted on the cover body and a control switch;    the seal is configured for at least partially providing a seal between the water tank and the cover body;    the control switch is electrically connected to an electro-motive device of the airflow creation assembly for enabling operation of the airflow creation assembly to be selectively activated and de-activated; and    the control switch includes a proximity sensor for enabling said operation of the airflow creation assembly to be activated when presence of a person is detected and to be deactivated when presence of a person is not detected.    
   
   
       15 . The toilet of  claim 10  wherein the water tank cover assembly includes: 
 a airflow creation assembly for promoting said airflow; and    a control switch electrically connected to an electromotive device of the airflow creation assembly for enabling operation of the airflow creation assembly to be selectively activated and de-activated.    
   
   
       16 . The toilet of  claim 15  wherein the airflow creation assembly is configured for promoting said airflow in a direction from within the water tank through the vent passage of the water tank cover assembly.  
   
   
       17 . The toilet of  claim 15  wherein the control switch includes a proximity sensor for enabling said operation of the airflow creation assembly to be activated when presence of a person is detected and to be deactivated when presence of a person is not detected.  
   
   
       18 . The toilet of  claim 15  wherein the water tank cover assembly includes battery connections electrically connected to the electro-motive device of the airflow creation assembly for enabling a battery to power the electro-motive device.  
   
   
       19 . The toilet of  claim 15  wherein: 
 the water tank cover assembly includes cover body configured for being mounted over an access opening of the water tank, a seal mounted on the cover body and a control switch;    the airflow creation assembly is attached to the cover body;    the seal is configured for at least partially providing a seal between the water tank and the cover body;    the control switch is electrically connected to an electromotive device of the airflow creation assembly for enabling operation of the airflow creation assembly to be selectively activated and de-activated; and    the control switch includes a proximity sensor for enabling said operation of the airflow creation assembly to be activated when presence of a person is detected and to be deactivated when presence of a person is not detected.