Ventilation system

Abstract

The present invention provides in one aspect a ventilation system for removal of foul air from a toilet bowl, where the toilet is of the flush down type having a cistern storing water for flushing the toilet bowl and with a flushing pipe feeding from the cistern to the toilet bowl for flushing the toilet bowl, the system having an air extractor fan communicating with an air extraction pipe which communicates, in turn, with the flushing pipe whereby the air extractor fan may draw foul air from the lavatory bowl via the flushing pipe and air extractor pipe and expel it through a removal pipe, wherein between the air extraction fan and the toilet bowl there is provided a baffle to deter flow of moisture on the internal walls of the overflow pipe from travelling upwardly to the extractor fan.

1 . A ventilation system for removal of foul air from a toilet bowl, where the toilet is of the flush down type having a cistern storing water for flushing the toilet bowl and with a flushing pipe feeding from the cistern to the toilet bowl for flushing the toilet bowl, the system having an air extractor fan mounted within the cistern and communicating with an air extraction pipe which communicates, in turn, with the flushing pipe whereby the air extractor fan may draw foul air from the lavatory bowl via the flushing pipe and air extraction pipe and expel it through a removal pipe, wherein the air extraction pipe and at least such of the length of flushing pipe that is within and emerges through the cistern are substantially straight and the air extraction pipe is aligned with the flushing pipe and with the air extractor fan whereby air may flow directly in a straight line into and up through the flushing pipe length and the air extraction pipe into the fan for expulsion.  
   
   
       2 . A ventilation system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the system has a flushing mechanism comprising a tubular sleeve that is mounted telescopically to the air extraction pipe and which when moved telescopically opens at least one aperture into the air extraction or flushing pipe for water to flow thereinto from the cistern.  
   
   
       3 . A ventilation system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the tubular sleeve slides concentrically over the air extraction pipe, the inner wall of the tubular sleeve and/or outer wall of the air extraction pipe having one or more spacing lugs, rings or ribs to maintain the concentricity.  
   
   
       4 . A ventilation system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the tubular sleeve carries an annular valve sealing member around its lower, in use, end to seat against a valve seat.  
   
   
       5 . A ventilation system as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the valve seat is formed at an upper, in use, end of the flushing pipe length.  
   
   
       6 . A ventilation system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the flushing mechanism is operated by an electric motor that is coupled to the tubular sleeve by a worm gear or other threaded gear.  
   
   
       7 . A ventilation system as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the worm gear, or threaded gear comprises a moulded drive nut that is driven by the worm gear or other threaded gear.  
   
   
       8 . A ventilation system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the valve sleeve has a support arm projecting therefrom and having a socket in which the drive nut is inserted in use to drive the valve sleeve.  
   
   
       9 . A ventilation system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the system further has a baffle that comprises a generally frusto-conical barrier that is annular.  
   
   
       10 . A ventilation system as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the baffle is mounted in the air extraction pipe in proximity to the air extraction fan to restrict back flow of any moisture from the air extraction pipe to the air extractor fan.  
   
   
       11 . A ventilation system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the system is substantially wholly packaged within a cistern and wherein the electric motor is housed together with the extractor fan within a substantially watertight housing that is installed within the cistern, in use.  
   
   
       12 . A ventilation system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a processor means configured to activate a flushing operation action followed by operation of the extractor fan.  
   
   
       13 . A ventilation system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the system has an electric sensor to sense the presence of a toilet user and to automatically activate operation of the extractor fan and then the flush, as the user moves away, followed by the extractor fan.  
   
   
       14 . A ventilation system for removal of foul air from a toilet bowl, where the toilet is of the flush down type having a cistern storing water for flushing the toilet bowl and with a flushing pipe feeding from the cistern to the toilet bowl for flushing the toilet bowl, the system having an air extractor fan mounted within the cistern and communicating with an air extraction pipe which communicates, in turn, with the flushing pipe whereby the air extractor fan may draw foul air from the lavatory bowl via the flushing pipe and air extraction pipe and expel it through a removal pipe, wherein the system is formed or assembled with a flushing means for flushing of the toilet comprising a tubular sleeve that is mounted telescopically to the air extraction pipe and which when moved telescopically opens at least one aperture into the air extraction or flushing pipe for water to flow thereinto from the cistern.  
   
   
       15 . A ventilation system as claimed in  claim 14  further as claimed in any of  claims 1  to  13 .  
   
   
       16 . A ventilation system as claimed in  claim 14  and further having an overflow pipe coupled to the flushing pipe length.  
   
   
       17 . A ventilation system as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the overflow pipe has a floating valve that is in the form of a floating plug.  
   
   
       18 . A ventilation system as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the floating valve has a head part with an underside to seat onto the upper end of the overflow pipe and where the underside is further adapted to trap air for buoyancy.  
   
   
       19 . A ventilation system as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the floating valve has a column projecting from its underside to fit into the upper end of the overflow pipe and retain the plug over the pipe.  
   
   
       20 . A floating valve for a toilet cistern overflow and which is plug-shaped having a head part with an underside to seat onto the upper end of the overflow pipe and where the underside is further adapted to trap air for buoyancy.  
   
   
       21 . A floating valve for a toilet cistern overflow and which is plug-shaped having a column projecting from its underside to fit into the upper end of the overflow pipe and retain the plug over the pipe.