Odourless toilet

Abstract

During use of a traditional toilet off odours and air borne bacteria may enter the immediate atmosphere. A toilet ( 10 ) is provided comprising a flush tank ( 11 ) including a wet chamber ( 13 ), which comprises a flush assembly ( 15 ) and a flush outlet ( 17 ). The toilet ( 10 ) further comprises a ventilator inlet ( 21 ) and a ventilator ( 23 ). The toilet ( 10 ) also optionally comprises a toilet bowl ( 25 ), which comprises a basin ( 27 ) and a basin access ( 29 ). In one aspect, the toilet ( 10 ) comprises a diverter ( 35 ) positioned between the flush tank ( 11 ) and the toilet bowl ( 25 ) registering with the basin access ( 29 ). The diverter ( 35 ) comprises a flush passage ( 37 ), which couples the flush outlet ( 17 ) to a wet inlet ( 31 ) of the basin access ( 29 ). The diverter ( 35 ) also comprises an exhaust passage ( 39 ), which couples the ventilator inlet ( 21 ) to a dry outlet ( 33 ) of the basin access ( 29 ). In another aspect, the flush assembly ( 15 ) comprises a flush ventilation assembly ( 28 ), which comprises an overflow tube ( 18 ) and an overflow flush valve ( 20 ). The flush ventilation assembly ( 28 ) permits basin air to be drawn to the ventilator ( 23 ) through the overflow tube ( 18 ).

1 - 67 . (canceled) 
     
     
         68 . An odourless toilet comprising:
 a flush tank comprising:
 a wet chamber configured to hold flushing water, the wet chamber comprising:
 a flush assembly for conveying the flushing water from the wet chamber; and, 
 a flush outlet through which the flushing water exits; 
 
 a dry chamber adjacent the wet chamber, the dry chamber comprising:
 a chamber inlet; and, 
 a ventilator connected to the chamber inlet for drawing air through the chamber inlet; 
 
   a toilet bowl comprising:
 a basin; and, 
 a basin access comprising:
 a wet inlet in fluid communication with the wet chamber flush outlet and the basin, for conveying the flushing water to the basin; and, 
 a dry outlet in fluid communication with the dry chamber inlet and the basin, through which basin air is drawn; and, 
 
   a diverter positioned between the flush tank and toilet bowl to register with the basin access, the diverter comprising:
 a flush passage coupling the flush outlet to the wet inlet, through which the flushing water is conveyed from the wet chamber to the toilet bowl; and, 
 an exhaust passage coupling the dry chamber inlet to the dry outlet, through which basin air is drawn by the ventilator into the dry chamber. 
   
     
     
         69 . An odourless toilet according to  claim 68 , wherein the dry chamber further comprises a filter connected to the ventilator, the filter for receiving and neutralising the basin air, and a passage extending from the ventilator to a chamber outlet for exhausting the drawn basin air. 
     
     
         70 . An odourless toilet according to  claim 69 , wherein the dry chamber further comprises a one-way valve positioned between the chamber inlet and the filter, the valve permitting air flow from the inlet to the filter. 
     
     
         71 . An odourless toilet according to  claim 68 , wherein the dry chamber further comprises a chamber outlet connected to the ventilator through which the drawn basin air is exhausted to a toilet bowl trap, said chamber outlet fluidly connected to a location downstream of the toilet bowl. 
     
     
         72 . An odourless toilet according to  claim 71 , wherein the dry chamber further comprises a one-way valve positioned between the chamber inlet and the chamber outlet, the valve permitting air flow from the inlet to the outlet and preventing backflow of the drawn air to the toilet bowl. 
     
     
         73 . An odourless toilet according to  claim 68 , wherein the diverter is integral with the flush tank. 
     
     
         74 . An odourless toilet comprising:
 a flush tank comprising:
 a wet chamber configured to hold flushing water, the wet chamber comprising:
 a flush assembly for conveying the flushing water from the wet chamber; and, 
 a flush outlet through which the flushing water exits; 
 
 a dry chamber adjacent the wet chamber, the dry chamber comprising:
 a chamber inlet; and, 
 a ventilator connected to the chamber inlet for drawing air through the chamber inlet; and, 
 
 a diverter positioned to register with a basin access of the toilet bowl, the basin access comprising a wet inlet in fluid communication with the wet chamber flush outlet and the basin, for conveying the flushing water to the basin, and, a dry outlet in fluid communication with the dry chamber inlet and the basin, through which basin air is drawn, the diverter comprising:
 a flush passage coupling the flush outlet to the wet inlet, through which the flushing water is conveyed from the wet chamber to the toilet bowl; and, 
 an exhaust passage coupling the dry chamber inlet to the dry outlet, through which basin air is drawn by the ventilator into the dry chamber. 
 
   
     
     
         75 . An odourless toilet comprising:
 a flush tank comprising:
 a wet chamber configured to hold flushing water, the wet chamber comprising:
 a flush ventilation assembly comprising:
 a ventilator inlet/flush outlet through which the flushing water exits and through which basin air enters; 
 a main flush valve for controlling the exit of the flushing water from the wet chamber through the ventilator inlet/flush outlet; and 
 an overflow tube having first and second ends, the first end in fluid communication with the ventilator inlet/flush outlet for conveying overflow water from the wet chamber which has risen to the second end and wherein the basin air passes into the first end of the overflow tube; 
 
 
   a ventilator in fluid communication with the ventilator inlet/flush outlet for drawing air through the ventilator inlet/flush outlet; and   a toilet bowl comprising:
 a basin; and, 
 a basin access comprising:
 a wet inlet/dry outlet in fluid communication with the ventilator inlet/flush outlet and the basin, for conveying the flushing water and the overflow water to the basin and through which basin air is drawn. 
 
   
     
     
         76 . An odourless toilet according to  claim 75 , wherein the odourless toilet further comprises a flush tank lid and wherein there is a relatively airtight seal at the top of the tank lid. 
     
     
         77 . An odourless toilet according to  claim 75 , wherein the flush ventilation assembly further comprises:
 an overflow flush valve positioned at the second end of the overflow tube, the overflow flush valve movable from a first unsealed position, for conveying overflow water from the wet chamber, to a second sealed position, for drawing air through the ventilator inlet; and   a passage extending from the overflow tube disposed between the first and second ends of the overflow tube for fluid communication between the ventilator inlet/flush outlet and the ventilator.   
     
     
         78 . An odourless toilet according to  claim 77 , wherein the overflow flush valve is an overflow float flap valve. 
     
     
         79 . An odourless toilet according to  claim 75 , wherein a rod connector connects the main flush valve with the overflow flush valve to operate in tandem. 
     
     
         80 . An odourless toilet according to  claim 79 , wherein the rod connector is configured to allow the overflow flush valve to open even when the main flush valve is closed. 
     
     
         81 . An odourless toilet according to  claim 77 , wherein the overflow flush valve is a ball float valve. 
     
     
         82 . An odourless toilet according to  claim 75 , wherein the toilet further comprises a filter connected to the ventilator, the filter for receiving and neutralising the basin air, and a passage extending from the ventilator to a chamber outlet for exhausting the drawn basin air. 
     
     
         83 . An odourless toilet according to  claim 82 , wherein the toilet further comprises a one-way valve positioned between the ventilator inlet/flush outlet and the filter, the valve permitting air flow from the inlet/outlet to the filter. 
     
     
         84 . An odourless toilet according to  claim 75 , wherein the toilet further comprises a chamber outlet connected to the ventilator through which the drawn basin air is exhausted to a toilet bowl trap, said chamber outlet fluidly connected to a location downstream of the toilet bowl. 
     
     
         85 . An odourless toilet according to  claim 84 , wherein the toilet further comprises a one-way valve positioned between the ventilator inlet/flush outlet and the chamber outlet, the valve permitting air flow from the inlet/outlet to the outlet and preventing backflow of the drawn air to the toilet bowl. 
     
     
         86 . An odourless toilet according to  claim 75 , wherein the flush tank further comprises a dry chamber and the ventilator is within the dry chamber. 
     
     
         87 . An odourless toilet according to  claim 75 , further comprising a dry chamber that is structurally separate from the wet chamber, the dry chamber for housing the ventilator. 
     
     
         88 . An odourless toilet according to  claim 68 , wherein the dry chamber and wet chamber are positioned side by side with respect to the toilet orientation. 
     
     
         89 . An odourless toilet according to  claim 68 , wherein the dry chamber and wet chamber are positioned front to back with respect to the toilet orientation. 
     
     
         90 . An odourless toilet according to  claim 68 , further comprising a sensor, positioned on one of the flush tank and toilet bowl, for detecting the presence of a toilet user, the sensor activating or deactivating the ventilator in response to a detected presence. 
     
     
         91 . An odourless toilet according to  claim 90 , wherein the sensor is positioned on the flush tank. 
     
     
         92 . An odourless toilet according to  claim 68 , wherein the basin further comprises air apertures in fluid communication with the dry outlet. 
     
     
         93 . An odourless toilet according to  claim 68 , wherein the basin further comprises:
 an air channel and a respective air aperture in fluid communication with the dry outlet; and,   a flush channel and a respective flush aperture in fluid communication with the wet inlet.   
     
     
         94 . An odourless toilet according to  claim 93 , wherein the air channel and flush channel are positioned about the rim of the toilet bowl. 
     
     
         95 . An odourless toilet according to  claim 68 , wherein the basin further comprises:
 an inner basin wall;   an outer basin wall defining the exterior of the basin, the inner and outer walls defining an air channel in fluid communication with the dry outlet; and,   an air channel aperture opening to the air channel and being positioned on the inner basin wall at a point above the basin water line.   
     
     
         96 . A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet comprising a toilet bowl comprising a basin, the flush tank comprising:
 a wet chamber configured to hold flushing water, the wet chamber comprising:
 a flush assembly for conveying the flushing water from the wet chamber; and, 
 a flush outlet through which the flushing water exits; 
   a dry chamber adjacent the wet chamber, the dry chamber comprising:
 a chamber inlet; and, 
 a ventilator connected to the chamber inlet for drawing air through the chamber inlet; and, 
   a diverter positioned to register with a basin access of the toilet bowl, the basin access comprising a wet inlet in fluid communication with the wet chamber flush outlet and the basin, for conveying the flushing water to the basin, and, a dry outlet in fluid communication with the dry chamber inlet and the basin, through which basin air is drawn, the diverter comprising:
 a flush passage coupling the flush outlet to the wet inlet, through which the flushing water is conveyed from the wet chamber to the toilet bowl; and, 
 an exhaust passage coupling the dry chamber inlet to the dry outlet, through which basin air is drawn by the ventilator into the dry chamber. 
   
     
     
         97 . A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet according to  claim 96 , wherein the dry chamber further comprises a filter connected to the ventilator, the filter for receiving and neutralising the basin air, and a passage extending from the ventilator to a chamber outlet for exhausting the drawn basin air. 
     
     
         98 . A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet according to  claim 97 , wherein the dry chamber further comprises a one-way valve positioned between the chamber inlet and the filter, the valve permitting air flow from the inlet to the filter and preventing backflow of the drawn air to the toilet bowl. 
     
     
         99 . A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet according to  claim 96 , wherein the dry chamber further comprises a chamber outlet connected to the ventilator through which the drawn basin air is exhausted to a toilet bowl trap, said chamber outlet fluidly connected to a location downstream of the toilet bowl. 
     
     
         100 . A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet according to  claim 99 , wherein the dry chamber further comprises a one-way valve positioned between the chamber inlet and the chamber outlet, the valve permitting air flow from the inlet to the outlet. 
     
     
         101 . An odourless toilet according to  claim 96 , wherein the diverter is integral with the flush tank. 
     
     
         102 . A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet comprising a toilet bowl comprising a basin, the flush tank comprising:
 a wet chamber configured to hold flushing water, the wet chamber comprising:
 a flush ventilation assembly comprising:
 a ventilator inlet/flush outlet through which the flushing water exits and through which basin air enters; 
 a main flush valve for controlling the exit of the flushing water from the wet chamber through the ventilator inlet/flush outlet; 
 an overflow tube having first and second ends, the first end in fluid communication with the ventilator inlet/flush outlet for conveying overflow water from the wet chamber which has risen to the second end and wherein the basin air passes into the first end of the overflow tube; and 
 
   a ventilator in fluid communication with the ventilator inlet for drawing air through the ventilator inlet.   
     
     
         103 . A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet according to  claim 102 , wherein the odourless toilet further comprises a flush tank lid and wherein there is a relatively airtight seal at the top of the tank lid. 
     
     
         104 . A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet according to  claim 102 , wherein the flush ventilation assembly further comprises:
 an overflow flush valve positioned at the second end of the overflow tube, the overflow flush valve movable from a first unsealed position, for conveying overflow water from the wet chamber, to a second sealed position, for drawing air through the ventilator inlet; and   a passage extending from the overflow tube disposed between the first and second ends of the overflow tube for fluid communication between the ventilator inlet/flush outlet and the ventilator.   
     
     
         105 . A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet according to  claim 104 , wherein the overflow flush valve is an overflow float flap valve. 
     
     
         106 . A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet according to  claim 102 , wherein a rod connector connects the main flush valve with the overflow flush valve to operate in tandem. 
     
     
         107 . A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet according to  claim 104 , wherein the overflow flush valve is a ball float valve. 
     
     
         108 . A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet according to  claim 106 , wherein the rod connector is configured to allow the overflow flush valve to open even when the main flush valve is closed. 
     
     
         109 . A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet according to  claim 102 , wherein the dry chamber further comprises a filter connected to the ventilator, the filter for receiving and neutralising the basin air, and a passage extending from the ventilator to a chamber outlet for exhausting the drawn basin air. 
     
     
         110 . A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet according to  claim 103 , wherein the dry chamber further comprises a one-way valve positioned between the ventilator inlet/flush outlet and the filter, the valve permitting air flow from the inlet/outlet to the filter and preventing backflow of the drawn air to the toilet bowl. 
     
     
         111 . A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet according to  claim 102 , wherein the dry chamber further comprises a chamber outlet connected to the ventilator through which the drawn basin air is exhausted to a toilet bowl trap, said chamber outlet fluidly connected to a location downstream of the toilet bowl. 
     
     
         112 . A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet according to  claim 111 , wherein the dry chamber further comprises a one-way valve positioned between the ventilator inlet/flush outlet and the chamber outlet, the valve permitting air flow from the inlet/outlet to the outlet. 
     
     
         113 . A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet according to  claim 102 , wherein the flush tank further comprises a dry chamber and the ventilator is within the dry chamber. 
     
     
         114 . An odourless toilet according to claim  1020 , further comprising a dry chamber that is structurally separate from the wet chamber, the dry chamber for housing the ventilator. 
     
     
         115 . A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet according to  claim 96 , wherein the dry chamber and wet chamber are positioned side by side with respect to the toilet orientation. 
     
     
         116 . A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet according to  claim 96 , wherein the dry chamber and wet chamber are positioned front to back with respect to the toilet orientation. 
     
     
         117 . A flush tank for use in an odourless toilet according to  claim 96 , further comprising a sensor, positioned on the flush tank, for detecting the presence of a toilet user, the sensor activating or deactivating the ventilator in response to a detected presence. 
     
     
         118 . A flush tank insert for a toilet flush tank of an odourless toilet comprising a toilet bowl comprising a basin, the flush tank insert comprising:
 an insert body comprising:
 a wet chamber configured to hold flushing water, the wet chamber comprising:
 a flush assembly for conveying the flushing water from the wet chamber; and, 
 a flush outlet through which the flushing water exits; 
 
 a dry chamber adjacent the wet chamber, the dry chamber comprising:
 a chamber inlet; and, 
 a ventilator connected to the chamber inlet for drawing air through the chamber inlet; and, 
 
 a diverter positioned between the flush tank and the toilet bowl to register with a basin access of the toilet bowl, the basin access comprising a wet inlet in fluid communication with the wet chamber flush outlet and the basin, for conveying the flushing water to the basin, and, a dry outlet in fluid communication with the dry chamber inlet and the basin, through which basin air is drawn, the diverter comprising:
 a flush passage coupling the flush outlet to the wet inlet, through which the flushing water is conveyed from the wet chamber to the toilet bowl; and, 
 an exhaust passage coupling the dry chamber inlet to the dry outlet, through which basin air is drawn by the ventilator into the dry chamber. 
 
   
     
     
         119 . A flush tank insert for a toilet flush tank of an odourless toilet according to  claim 118 , wherein the dry chamber further comprises a filter connected to the ventilator, the filter for receiving and neutralising the basin air, and a passage extending from the ventilator to a chamber outlet for exhausting the drawn basin air. 
     
     
         120 . A flush tank insert for a toilet flush tank of an odourless toilet according to  claim 119 , wherein the dry chamber further comprises a one-way valve positioned between the chamber inlet and the filter, the valve permitting air flow from the inlet to the filter. 
     
     
         121 . A flush tank insert for a toilet flush tank of an odourless toilet according to  claim 118 , wherein the dry chamber further comprises a chamber outlet connected to the ventilator through which the drawn basin air is exhausted to a toilet bowl trap, said chamber outlet fluidly connected to a location downstream of the toilet bowl. 
     
     
         122 . A flush tank insert for a toilet flush tank of an odourless toilet according to  claim 121 , wherein the dry chamber further comprises a one-way valve positioned between the chamber inlet and the chamber outlet, the valve permitting air flow from the inlet to the outlet. 
     
     
         123 . An odourless toilet according to  claim 118 , wherein the diverter is integral with the flush tank. 
     
     
         124 . A flush tank insert for a toilet flush tank of an odourless toilet comprising a toilet bowl comprising a basin, the flush tank insert comprising:
 an insert body comprising:
 a wet chamber configured to hold flushing water, the wet chamber comprising:
 a flush ventilation assembly comprising:
 a ventilator inlet/flush outlet through which the flushing water exits and through which basin air enters; 
 a main flush valve for controlling the exit of the flushing water from the wet chamber through the ventilator inlet/flush outlet; 
 an overflow tube having first and second ends, the first end in fluid communication with the ventilator inlet/flush outlet for conveying overflow water from the wet chamber which has risen to the second end and wherein the basin air passes into the first end of the overflow tube; and 
 
 
   a ventilator in fluid communication with the ventilator inlet for drawing air through the ventilator inlet.   
     
     
         125 . A flush tank insert for a toilet flush tank of an odourless toilet according to  claim 124 , wherein the odourless toilet further comprises a flush tank lid and wherein there is a relatively airtight seal at the top of the tank lid. 
     
     
         126 . A flush tank insert for a toilet flush tank of an odourless toilet according to  claim 124 , wherein the flush ventilation assembly further comprises:
 an overflow flush valve positioned at the second end of the overflow tube, the overflow flush valve movable from a first unsealed position, for conveying overflow water from the wet chamber, to a second sealed position, for drawing air through the ventilator inlet; and   a passage extending from the overflow tube disposed between the first and second ends of the overflow tube for fluid communication between the ventilator inlet/flush outlet and the ventilator.   
     
     
         127 . A flush tank insert for a toilet flush tank of an odourless toilet according to  claim 126 , wherein the overflow flush valve is an overflow float flap valve. 
     
     
         128 . A flush tank insert for a toilet flush tank of an odourless toilet according to  claim 124 , wherein a rod connector connects the main flush valve with the overflow flush valve to operate in tandem. 
     
     
         129 . A flush tank insert for a toilet flush tank of an odourless toilet according to  claim 128 , wherein the rod connector is configured to allow the overflow flush valve to open even when the main flush valve is closed. 
     
     
         130 . A flush tank insert for a toilet flush tank of an odourless toilet according to  claim 126 , wherein the overflow flush valve is a ball float valve. 
     
     
         131 . A flush tank insert for a toilet flush tank of an odourless toilet according to  claim 124 , wherein the dry chamber further comprises a filter connected to the ventilator, the filter for receiving and neutralising the basin air, and a passage extending from the ventilator to a chamber outlet for exhausting the drawn basin air. 
     
     
         132 . A flush tank insert for a toilet flush tank of an odourless toilet according to  claim 131 , wherein the dry chamber further comprises a one-way valve positioned between the ventilator inlet/flush outlet and the filter, the valve permitting air flow from the inlet/outlet to the filter. 
     
     
         133 . A flush tank insert for a toilet flush tank of an odourless toilet according to  claim 124 , wherein the dry chamber further comprises a chamber outlet connected to the ventilator through which the drawn basin air is exhausted to a toilet bowl trap, said chamber outlet fluidly connected to a location downstream of the toilet bowl. 
     
     
         134 . A flush tank insert for a toilet flush tank of an odourless toilet according to  claim 133 , wherein the dry chamber further comprises a one-way valve positioned between the ventilator inlet/flush outlet and the chamber outlet, the valve permitting air flow from the inlet/outlet to the outlet. 
     
     
         135 . A flush tank insert for a toilet flush tank of an odourless toilet according to claim  1180 , wherein the dry chamber and wet chamber are positioned side by side with respect to the toilet orientation. 
     
     
         136 . A flush tank insert for a toilet flush tank of an odourless toilet according to  claim 124 , wherein the insert body further comprises a dry chamber and the ventilator is within the dry chamber. 
     
     
         137 . An odourless toilet according to  claim 124 , further comprising a dry chamber that is structurally separate from the wet chamber, the dry chamber for housing the ventilator. 
     
     
         138 . A flush tank insert for a toilet flush tank of an odourless toilet according to  claim 118 , wherein the dry chamber and wet chamber are positioned side by side with respect to the toilet orientation. 
     
     
         139 . A flush tank insert for a toilet flush tank of an odourless toilet according to  claim 118 , wherein the dry chamber and wet chamber are positioned front to back with respect to the toilet orientation. 
     
     
         140 . A flush tank diverter for a toilet flush tank of an odourless toilet, the flush tank diverter being positionable between the flush tank and a toilet bowl to register with a basin access of the toilet bowl,
 the flush tank comprising:
 a wet chamber configured to hold flushing water, the wet chamber comprising:
 a flush assembly for conveying the flushing water from the wet chamber; and, 
 a flush outlet through which the flushing water exits; 
 
 a dry chamber adjacent the wet chamber, the dry chamber comprising:
 a chamber inlet; and, 
 a ventilator connected to the chamber inlet for drawing air through the chamber inlet; 
 
 the toilet bowl comprising: 
 a basin; and, 
 the basin access comprising:
 a wet inlet in fluid communication with the wet chamber flush outlet and the basin, for conveying the flushing water to the basin; and, 
 a dry outlet in fluid communication with the dry chamber inlet and the basin, through which basin air is drawn; 
 
 the diverter comprising:
 a flush passage coupling the flush outlet to the wet inlet, through which the flushing water is conveyed from the wet chamber to the toilet bowl; and, 
 an exhaust passage coupling the dry chamber inlet to the dry outlet, through which basin air is drawn by the ventilator into the dry chamber. 
 
   
     
     
         141 . An odourless toilet comprising:
 a flush tank comprising:
 a wet chamber configured to hold flushing water, the wet chamber comprising:
 means for conveying the flushing water from the wet chamber; 
 means for conveying overflow water from the wet chamber; 
 ventilator circuit means defining a passage for basin air passing through the wet chamber; 
 
   ventilator means for drawing the basin air into the ventilator circuit means;   a toilet bowl comprising:
 a basin; and, 
 a basin access comprising:
 means for conveying the flushing water and the overflow water to the basin; and 
 means for drawing air from the basin.