Vented Toilet System

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vented toilet system with an exhaust system integrated directly into the toilet bowl and that effectively removes unwanted odors from the toilet bowl and discharges the same to an exterior of a home or building. More specifically, the vented toilet bowl comprises a plurality of ventilation holes or a channel in an upper bowl lip to draw odors from the toilet bowl into the exhaust system, and utilizes an exhaust fan activated with a switch or a pressure sensor to expelling said odors through an exterior vent.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vented toilet system comprising:
 a toilet having a bowl, a rim, a seat and a lid, wherein the lid is repositionable between an open position and a closed position;   a plurality of openings disposed around the rim of the bowl, wherein the plurality of openings are capable of removing an odor from within the bowl;   an exhaust fan in fluid communication with the plurality of openings for drawing the odor from the bowl, wherein the fan is operable in at least two different speeds; and   an exterior vent for discharging the odor, wherein the exterior vent is in fluid communication with the plurality of openings and the exhaust fan.   
     
     
         2 . The vented toilet system of  claim 1  further comprising a switch for operating the exhaust fan. 
     
     
         3 . The vented toilet system of  claim 1 , wherein the exhaust fan operates at a speed between 20 CFM to 110 CFM. 
     
     
         4 . The vented toilet system of  claim 1 , wherein the exhaust fan operates in a continuous manner when the toilet is in use and at a decibel level of between 0 and 25. 
     
     
         5 . The vented toilet system of  claim 4 , wherein the continuous manner is at 20 CFM. 
     
     
         6 . The vented toilet system of  claim 2 , wherein the switch is one of a pressure switch, a manual switch, or a remote switch. 
     
     
         7 . The vented toilet system of  claim 6 , wherein the remote switch is a smart device application and remotely actuatable. 
     
     
         8 . The vented toilet system of  claim 6 , wherein the pressure switch is mounted in the seat of the toilet. 
     
     
         9 . The vented toilet system of  claim 6 , wherein the manual switch is located adjacent the toilet and is a toggle style switch. 
     
     
         10 . The vented toilet system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of openings are disposed above a high water level in the bowl. 
     
     
         11 . The vented toilet system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of openings are disposed in an equally spaced apart configuration below the rim of the bowl. 
     
     
         12 . The vented toilet system of  claim 1  further comprising a conduit in fluid communication with, and positioned between, each of the plurality of openings and the vent. 
     
     
         13 . A bathroom ventilation system comprising:
 a ventilation fan having at least a first and second modes of operation, wherein the first mode of operation is a continuous mode, and the second mode of operation is at a higher fan speed than the first mode of operation, and further wherein the ventilation fan is in fluid communication with a pipe;   a toilet having a bowl, a lid and a seat, the bowl having a plurality of holes disposed below a rim of the bowl and above a high-water area, wherein each of the plurality of holes are equally spaced apart around the bowl and in fluid communication with the pipe; and   a switch for changing between the first and second modes of operation, wherein the switch is one of a manual switch, a pressure switch or a remote switch.   
     
     
         14 . The bathroom ventilation system of  claim 13 , wherein during the continuous mode the ventilation fan operates at a speed of 20 CFM. 
     
     
         15 . The bathroom ventilation system of  claim 13 , wherein the second mode of operation is at a ventilation fan speed greater than 20 CFM. 
     
     
         16 . The bathroom ventilation system of  claim 13 , wherein the switch is a remote switch activated by a smart device with a mobile application. 
     
     
         17 . The bathroom ventilation system of  claim 13 , wherein the switch is a pressure switch activated by a pressure on the seat of the toilet. 
     
     
         18 . A method of using a bathroom ventilation system comprising the steps of:
 providing an exhaust fan connected to a toilet having a bowl, a lid and a seat, wherein the bowl is comprised of a plurality of openings disposed below a rim of the bowl and above a high-water area, and further wherein the plurality of openings are equally spaced apart around the bowl;   running the exhaust fan, wherein the exhaust fan is comprised of at least first and second modes of operation, the first mode of operation being a continuous mode and the second mode of operation being at a higher exhaust fan speed than the first mode of operation, and further wherein the exhaust fan is in fluid communication with a pipe that is in fluid communication with the plurality of openings; and   evacuating an odor from the bowl of the toilet.   
     
     
         19 . The method of using a bathroom ventilation system of  claim 18 , wherein during the first mode of operation the exhaust fan operates at a speed of 20 CFM or less, and during the second mode of operation the exhaust fan operates at a speed of between 20 CFM and 110 CFM. 
     
     
         20 . The method of using a bathroom ventilation system of  claim 18 , wherein the step of running the exhaust fan is remotely initiated by a smart device.