Removable ventilation apparatus and method

Abstract

A removable ventilation and filtration apparatus for a conventional flushing toilet having a rim and a seat secured to said rim. The configuration allows for the intake of malodorous gases and the elimination of such odors by means of an elongated opening, situated between a gap commonly found between a toilet seat and rim, and a down-flow active filtration assembly utilizing a pressure-based air treatment and flow configuration by encompassing a switch-activated exhaust fan on at least one side of a deodorizing filter, thereby creating a space of negative pressure that intakes foul air through the elongated opening. The foul air is thereafter pulled into and through the deodorizing filter and an anti-microbial filter, and subsequently cleansed air is pulled therefrom. The cleansed air is then released into the immediate vicinity through an exhaust-opening. The apparatus is secured to the toilet bowl by use of an adjustable hanging bracket.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A ventilation apparatus for use in connection with a toilet, said toilet having a bowl with a rim and a seat secured to said rim of the bowl, said ventilation apparatus comprising:
 (i) an elongated opening for admitting air from the toilet bowl, said elongated opening being configured to fit into a gap found between the rim of the toilet bowl and the toilet seat;   (ii) a filtration assembly positioned down-flow from said elongated opening, said filtration assembly comprising a deodorizing filter for air treatment and a fan mounted upon said deodorizing filter, said fan configured for directing air into and through said deodorizing filter for air treatment and air flow; and   (iii) an exhaust opening positioned adjacent said filtration assembly, wherefrom cleansed air may be exhausted;   where said ventilation apparatus is configured into a single chassis.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , where said apparatus further comprises an adjustable hanging bracket for detachable mounting of said apparatus onto said rim of said toilet bowl. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said deodorizing filter is detachably mountable. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus further comprises a means for powering the fan. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said means for powering said fan comprises a mounted, rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus further comprises a means for activating the fan. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said means for activating the fan comprises a pressure switch assembly consisting of a pressure switch and at least one spring, said pressure switch assembly configured for positioning above the rim of the toilet bowl and below the toilet seat, and for activating said fan of the apparatus when a person applies pressure to said toilet seat. 
     
     
         8 . A ventilation apparatus for use in connection with a toilet, said toilet having a bowl with a rim and a seat secured to said rim of the bowl, said ventilation apparatus comprising:
 (i) an elongated opening for admitting air from the toilet bowl, said elongated opening being configured to fit into a gap found between the rim of the toilet bowl and the toilet seat;   (ii) a filtration assembly positioned down-flow from said elongated opening, said filtration assembly comprising a deodorizing filter for air treatment, an anti-microbial filter for anti-microbial treatment, and a fan mounted upon said deodorizing filter, said fan configured for directing air into and from the anti-microbial filter and through the deodorizing filter for anti-microbial treatment, air treatment, and air flow; and   (iii) an exhaust opening positioned adjacent said filtration assembly, wherefrom cleansed air may be exhausted;   where said ventilation apparatus is configured into a single chassis.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , where said apparatus further comprises an adjustable hanging bracket for detachable mounting of said apparatus onto said rim of said toilet bowl. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said deodorizing filter and said anti-microbial filter are detachably mountable. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said apparatus further comprises a means for powering the fan. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said means for powering said fan comprises a mounted, rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said apparatus further comprises a means for activating the fan. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said means for activating the fan comprises a pressure switch assembly consisting of a pressure switch and at least one spring, said pressure switch assembly configured for positioning above the rim of the toilet bowl and below the toilet seat, and for activating said fan of the apparatus when a person applies pressure to said toilet seat. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said anti-microbial filter includes a UV-light and a means for powering said UV-light, said means for powering the UV-light comprises a mounted, rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         16 . A method of ventilating odors from a toilet bowl, said toilet bowl having a rim and a seat secured to said rim of said toilet bowl, said method comprising:
 (i) providing a ventilation apparatus, said ventilation apparatus comprising:
 (a) an elongated opening for admitting air from the toilet bowl, said elongated opening being configured to fit into a gap found between the rim of the toilet bowl and the toilet seat; 
 (b) a filtration assembly positioned down-flow from said elongated opening, said filtration assembly comprising a deodorizing filter for air treatment, an anti-microbial filter for anti-microbial treatment, and a fan mounted upon said deodorizing filter, said fan configured for directing air into and from the anti-microbial filter and through the deodorizing filter for anti-microbial treatment, air treatment, and air flow; and 
 (c) an exhaust opening positioned adjacent said filtration assembly, 
 wherefrom cleansed air may be exhausted; 
   wherein said ventilation apparatus is configured into a single chassis;   (ii) detachably mounting said chassis onto said rim of said toilet bowl;   (iii) powering said fan;   (iv) activating said fan;   (v) operatively intaking air from said toilet bowl and subsequently directing said air into and from said anti-microbial filter and through said deodorizing filter; and   (vi) operatively exhausting cleansed air.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein detachably mounting said chassis on said rim of the toilet bowl comprises attaching an adjustable hanging bracket to said rim. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said deodorizing filter and said anti-microbial filter are detachably mountable. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said powering of said fan comprises providing a mounted rechargeable battery configured to provide power to the fan. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said activating said fan comprises providing a pressure switch assembly, said pressure switch assembly consisting of a pressure switch and at least one spring, said pressure switch assembly configured for positioning above the rim of the toilet bowl and below the toilet seat, and for activating said fan of the apparatus when a person applies pressure to said toilet seat. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said anti-microbial filter includes a UV-light and a means for powering said UV-light, said means for powering the UV-light comprises a mounted, rechargeable battery.