Vented Toilet Seat Device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel vented toilet seat device. The device is a motion or weight activated ventilation system for a toilet seat which automatically turns on when a user sits down. Further, the device can also be activated by a manual switch, if needed. The device comprises a pair of hard toilet seat components that are separated and sealed together, housing the air intake fan and motor within the pair of toilet seat components. Typically, the device would be battery powered and would include a hose/exhaust tube or other vent-type component for intaking odors and redirecting the odors to a scented filter or out of a ventilation exhaust system. Further, the exhaust tube can be routed through an outside wall, as well.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vented toilet seat device that redirects unpleasant odors from a toilet out through a filter or ventilation system, the vented toilet seat device comprising:
 a pair of toilet seat components;   an intake fan;   a motor; and   an exhaust tube;   wherein the pair of toilet seat components are separated and spaced a predetermined distance apart and then sealed together to form a housing; and   further wherein the intake fan draws odorous air in from around the toilet by drawing air through the exhaust tube positioned on the toilet and releasing the air in a direction away from the toilet.   
     
     
         2 . The vented toilet seat device of  claim 1 , wherein the pair of toilet seat components are the same shape and size. 
     
     
         3 . The vented toilet seat device of  claim 2 , wherein the pair of toilet seat components are sized and configured to fit a conventional toilet. 
     
     
         4 . The vented toilet seat device of  claim 3 , wherein the pair of toilet seat components are secured via a hinge to the conventional toilet. 
     
     
         5 . The vented toilet seat device of  claim 4 , wherein the pair of toilet seat components house the motor and the intake fan. 
     
     
         6 . The vented toilet seat device of  claim 5 , wherein the motor and the intake fan are in communication with the exhaust tube. 
     
     
         7 . The vented toilet seat device of  claim 5 , wherein the motor and the intake fan are in communication with a vent manifold. 
     
     
         8 . The vented toilet seat device of  claim 1 , wherein the motor and the intake fan are housed in a separate structure extending from the toilet. 
     
     
         9 . The vented toilet seat device of  claim 1 , wherein the exhaust tube comprises a butterfly valve that permits flow of a gas in only one direction. 
     
     
         10 . The vented toilet seat device of  claim 1 , wherein the intake fan vents to a scented filter. 
     
     
         11 . The vented toilet seat device of  claim 10 , wherein the intake fan vents the odorous air to an outside wall or a ventilation exhaust system. 
     
     
         12 . The vented toilet seat device of  claim 11 , wherein the motor and the intake fan are powered by a rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         13 . The vented toilet seat device of  claim 12 , wherein the rechargeable battery is housed in a separate compartment attached to the toilet. 
     
     
         14 . A vented toilet seat device that redirects unpleasant odors from a toilet out through a filter or ventilation system, the vented toilet seat device comprising:
 a pair of toilet seat components;   an intake fan;   a motor;   an exhaust tube; and   a time-delay, pressure sensitive switch;   wherein the pair of toilet seat components are separated and spaced a predetermined distance apart and then sealed together to form a housing;   wherein the pair of toilet seat components house the motor and the intake fan;   wherein the motor and the intake fan are in communication with the exhaust tube;   wherein the motor and the intake fan are powered by a plurality of rechargeable batteries;   wherein the intake fan draws odorous air in from around the toilet by drawing air through the exhaust tube positioned on the toilet and releasing the air in a direction away from the toilet; and   further wherein the time-delay, pressure sensitive switch is activated when a user sits on the toilet.   
     
     
         15 . The vented toilet seat device of  claim 14  further comprising a plurality of indicia. 
     
     
         16 . The vented toilet seat device of  claim 14 , wherein the motor and the intake fan are housed in a separate structure extending from the toilet. 
     
     
         17 . The vented toilet seat device of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of rechargeable batteries are housed in a separate structure extending from the toilet. 
     
     
         18 . The vented toilet seat device of  claim 14  further comprising a motion sensor. 
     
     
         19 . The vented toilet seat device of  claim 14  further comprising a manual power switch. 
     
     
         20 . A method of venting bathroom odors and releasing a pleasant scent, the method comprising the following steps:
 providing a vented toilet seat device comprising a pair of toilet seat components that are secured together and that house an air intake fan and motor;   automatically turning on the vented toilet seat device when a user sits on the toilet seat;   utilizing the toilet in a normal fashion; and   intaking odors from the toilet and redirecting the odors to a scented filter or out of a ventilation exhaust system.