Toilets

Abstract

A toilet ( 10 ) is provided which comprises a toilet bowl ( 12 ) and an odour extraction apparatus ( 13 ). The toilet bowl ( 12 ) has a flush water inlet ( 18 ) and an odour extraction outlet ( 20 ) communicable with the odour extraction apparatus ( 13 ). At least a portion of the odour extraction outlet ( 20 ) is located higher up the toilet bowl than the flush water inlet ( 18 ). In this way, the toilet ( 10 ) ensures that odoriferous gases are extracted from the toilet bowl ( 12 ) without a significant amount of flush water being extracted through the outlet ( 20 ) at the same time.

1 . A toilet comprising:
 a toilet bowl and an odour extraction apparatus, the toilet bowl having a flush water inlet and an odour extraction outlet communicable with the odour extraction apparatus,   and wherein at least a portion of the odour extraction outlet is located higher up the toilet bowl than the flush water inlet.   
   
   
       2 . The toilet of  claim 1 , wherein the entire odour extraction outlet is located higher up the toilet bowl than the flush water inlet. 
   
   
       3 . The toilet of  claim 1 , wherein the odour extraction apparatus and the odour extraction outlet are substantially coaxial. 
   
   
       4 . The toilet of  claim 3 , wherein the extraction apparatus and extraction outlet have a common axis, and wherein the common axis is substantially horizontal. 
   
   
       5 . The toilet of  claim 3 , wherein the extraction apparatus and extraction outlet have a common axis, and wherein the common axis is substantially vertical. 
   
   
       6 . The toilet of  claim 3 , wherein the odour extraction apparatus comprises an extraction fan adapted to be connected to the extraction outlet, and an extraction duct located downstream of the extraction fan. 
   
   
       7 . The toilet of  claim 6 , wherein the extraction fan, the extraction duct and the extraction outlet are coaxial. 
   
   
       8 . The toilet of  claim 1 , wherein the toilet bowl has a plurality of odour extraction outlets. 
   
   
       9 . The toilet of  claim 8 , wherein the toilet comprises a plurality of odour extraction apparatus for each respective odour extraction outlet. 
   
   
       10 . The toilet of  claim 1 , further comprising a switch adapted to activate the odour extraction apparatus. 
   
   
       11 . The toilet of  claim 10 , wherein the switch is positioned on a door providing access into a room in which the toilet is located, the switch being adapted to activate the odour extraction apparatus in response to the opening of the door. 
   
   
       12 . The toilet of  claim 10 , wherein the switch is incorporated into a light switch in a room in which the toilet is located, the switch activating the odour extraction apparatus in response to operation of the light switch. 
   
   
       13 . The toilet of  claim 10 , further comprising a timer adapted to de-activate the odour extraction apparatus once a predetermined time period has elapsed from the switch activating the odour extraction apparatus. 
   
   
       14 . The toilet of  claim 1 , wherein the toilet bowl further comprises a toilet seat pivotably attached thereto, and wherein the odour extraction outlets are located in the toilet seat. 
   
   
       15 . The toilet of  claim 1 , wherein the odour extraction apparatus further comprises means to prevent gases flowing into the toilet bowl through the apparatus. 
   
   
       16 . The toilet of  claim 15 , wherein the means to prevent gases flowing into the toilet bowl through the apparatus comprises a non-return valve. 
   
   
       17 . A toilet bowl having a flush water inlet and an odour extraction outlet, and wherein at least a portion of the odour extraction outlet is located higher up the toilet bowl than the flush water inlet. 
   
   
       18 . The toilet bowl of  claim 17 , wherein the entire odour extraction outlet is located higher up the toilet bowl than the flush water inlet. 
   
   
       19 . The toilet bowl of  claim 17 , further comprising a toilet seat pivotably attached thereto, and wherein the odour extraction outlet is located in the toilet seat.