WO2002043549A1

WO2002043549A1 - Sanitary ware

Info

Publication number: WO2002043549A1
Application number: PCT/GB2001/005227
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Davidson
Original assignee: ODORGO Ltd
Current assignee: ODORGO Ltd
Priority date: 2000-12-01
Filing date: 2001-11-28
Publication date: 2002-06-06
Anticipated expiration: 2003-06-01
Also published as: AU2002220828A1; GB0029321D0

Abstract

A water closet is described including a bowl and a seat including an upper seat and a lower seat. To the upper seat is attached a drop switch connected to the terminals of a power supply. The drop switch includes a pin which rolls freely within a housing according to the inclination of the switch. Once a particular inclination is reached, the switch is closed. It reopens if the inclination is reversed. Overlying the rim of the bowl or positioned as a surface adjacent the rim is an air extraction and cleansing mechanism. It includes an inlet vent through which air is to be extracted frm within the bowl and an outlet vent through which cleansed air is to be expelled. Within the mechanism is an electric fan and a scented filter. The fan is connected to the output terminals of the switch and so is activated once the switch is closed.

Description

SANITARYWARE

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

This invention relates to sanitaryware and to the perennial problem of avoiding malodour. This problem manifests itself most strongly in the case of water closets, especially when the seat of a water closet is left open.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides an item of sanitaryware comprising a bowl, a lid movable between a closed position in which it overlies the bowl and an open position in which it does not, means for extracting and cleansing air from within the bowl and means for operating the extracting and cleansing means in dependence upon the position of the lid.

Clearly, the present invention finds its most useful application in relation to a water closet. To avoid unnecessary operation of the air extraction and cleansing means, the lid may be the upper seat of a two-part water closet seat.

Preferably, the means for operating the extracting and cleansing means is adapted to activate it when the lid is in a position other than its closed position. For example, the means for operating the extracting and cleansing means may comprise means for detecting the inclination of the lid. Such means may be a switch attached to the lid.

The extracting and cleansing means preferably comprises an inlet vent through which air is to be extracted from within the bowl and an outlet vent through which cleansed air is to be expelled. Additionally preferably, the extracting and cleansing means comprises, positioned between the inlet and outlet, a removable air filter and/or deodorising means. The air filter may, for obvious reasons be scented or deodorising. Additionally or alternatively, a refillable or renewable porous wick may be provided which may be impregnated or replenished with liquid deodorant. Further additionally or alternatively, a removable deodorant stick may be provided. It will be appreciated that other types of filter and/or deodorising means may be employed. Further preferably, the extracting and cleansing means comprises a fan to draw air from within the bowl into the inlet vent and expel it through the outlet vent. Preferably, the extracting and cleansing means is positioned, in use, on the bowl.

To facilitate manufacture of the item of sanitaryware in one embodiment the extracting and cleansing means is preferably of an inverted "U"-shape positioned over a rim of a bowl, the inner limb of the "U" including the inlet vent through which air is to be extracted from within, the bowl and the outer limb including the outlet vent though which cleansed air is to be expelled. The removable filter and/or deodorising means may be comprised in the outer limb of the inverted "U"-shape.

Alternatively to the "U"-shape in another preferred embodiment, the extracting and cleansing means may be of a configuration not to lie over the rim of the bowl but to be positioned on a flat surface of the bowl, e.g. the flat surface situated at the rear of the bowl, behind the lid. The means in such an embodiment may be configured with the inlet and outlet vents in-line or at right angles to each other. Preferably, in such an embodiment, the inlet does not extend substantially within the interior space of the bowl. Thereby, the means is less intrusive and allows for easy cleaning of the rim of the bowl when required.

It will be appreciated that the extracting and cleansing means could be built into the bowl.

The present invention also provides, for use with an item of sanitaryware comprising a bowl and a lid movable between a closed position in which it overlies the bowl and an open position in which it does not, the combination of means for extracting and cleansing air from within the bowl and means for operating the extracting and cleansing means in dependence upon the position of the lid. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a part sectional view of a water closet according to the invention; Figure 2 is an isometric view of the air extraction and cleansing means of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 ; and Figure 3 is a part sectional view of a further embodiment of a water closet according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 illustrates a water closet 10 according to the present invention. Briefly, the water closet 10 includes a bowl 12 having a rim 14 and a two-part seat including an upper seat 16, shown raised, a lower seat 8, shown lowered, and a hinge 20. To the upper seat is attached, e.g. to the underside thereof, a drop switch 22, connected to the terminals of a 12V power supply (not shown). Alternatively, a 9V or other source could be used. As shown in figure 2, the drop switch 22 includes a pin 24 which rolls freely with a housing (not shown) according to the inclination of the switch 22, and therefore the upper seat 16. Upon lifting the seat, once a particular inclination is reached, the pin shorts a pair of contacts, thus closing the switch. If the seat is returned to a lowered position, the switch opens again. It will be apparent that other forms of switch could be used, and it is thought that a mercury tilt switch may be preferable. Other types of switches may also be used and may be preferable, such as photoelectric or proximity switches of other switches which could sense movement of the seat. Moreover, such switches may not need to be attached to the seat.

Overlying the rim 14 of the bowl 12 is an air extraction and cleansing mechanism 26. It is of an inverted "U"-shape with the inner limb 28 of the "U" including an inlet vent 30 through which air is to be extracted from within the bowl and the outer limb 32 including an outlet vent or grille 34 through which cleansed air is to be expelled. Within the mechanism 26 is an electric fan (not shown) and a removable, perforated, scented filter 36. The fan is connected to the output terminals of the switch 22 and so is activated once the switch 22 is closed. As will be appreciated, foul air is drawn into the inlet vent 32, through the scented filter 36 and expelled through the outlet grille 34. The fan may be de-activated once the switch is opened again, e.g. by lowering of the lid.

Referring to figure 3 there is shown a further embodiment of water closet according to the invention comprising an . alternative configuration of the extracting and cleansing means. The water closet includes a bowl 42 having a rim 44. The water closet comprises a two-part seat including a cover or lid 46, shown in dotted outline in its raised position 46^/, and a lower seat 48 shown lowered. Hinges 50 and 50 permit raising of the lid 46 and seat 48.

To the rear of the bowl 42 beyond the rim 44 is a flat surface portion 45 positioned between the rim 44 and the flushing cistern 43. Positioned on flat surface 45 is extraction and cleansing means 51. It can be seen that the extracting and cleansing means 51 is of an in-line configuration compared with the "U"-shape configuration of the embodiment in figures 1 and 2. The extracting and cleansing means comprises an inlet vent 60 through which air is extracted from the bowl and a passage 58 connecting the inlet 60 to the remainder of the extraction means. The extracting and cleansing means further comprises an outlet vent 54 through which is expelled the cleansed air as indicated by arrow A. An electric mini fan 53 within the upper part 52 of the extraction means draws air through the inlet 60 and expels it through outlet 54. A deodorising means 56 in the form of a scented wick or deodorant stick is provided within the extraction and cleansing means such that the air extracted through the inlet 60 is passed through the deodorising means before being expelled. The deodorising means 56 is located on a hinged door 57 which can be opened in order to replenish the deodorising means once it has run out. The means for operating the extracting and cleansing means in dependence with the lid is similar to that shown in figures 1 and 2. That is, for example, a drop switch or other suitable switch is attached to the lid and is connected to the power source 62 in the form of a 12 or 9V battery. Access to the battery is provided via a removable door 59 in the extraction and cleansing means. Upon lifting the seat, the switch is closed and the fan 53, which is connected to the switch, is activated to draw air through the extraction and cleansing means.

The extraction and cleansing means 51 can be secured to the toilet bowl by numerous means. Conveniently, a rubber sucker 64 may be provided on the underside of the extraction and cleansing means for this purpose. It will be appreciated that in this embodiment, the extraction and cleansing means is less physically and visually intrusive on the toilet bowl and cleaning round the rim is unimpeded by its presence whilst the extraction efficiency of the apparatus is retained.

Claims

1. An item of sanitaryware comprising a bowl, a lid movable between a closed position in which it overlies the bowl and an open position in which it does not, means for extracting and cleansing air from within the bowl and means for operating the extracting and cleansing means in dependence upon the position of the lid.

2. An item of sanitaryware according to claim 1 which is a water closet.

3. An item of sanitaryware according to claim 2 in which the lid is the upper seat of a two-part water closet seat.

4. An item of sanitaryware according to any preceding claim in which the means for operating the extracting and cleansing means is adapted to activate it when the lid is in a position other than its closed position.

5. An item of sanitaryware according to any preceding claim in which the means for operating the extracting and cleansing means comprises means for detecting the inclination of the lid.

6. An item of sanitaryware according to claim 5 in which the means for detecting the inclination of the lid comprises a switch, preferably attached to the lid.

7. An item of sanitaryware according to claim 6 wherein the switch comprises one of the following: a drop switch, a mercury tilt switch, a photoelectric switch and a proximity switch.

8. An item of sanitaryware according to any preceding claim in which the extracting and cleansing means is of an inverted "U"-shape positioned over a rim of the bowl, the inner limb of the "U" including an inlet vent through which air is to be extracted from within the bowl and the outer limb including an outlet vent through which cleansed air is to be expelled.

9. An item of sanitaryware according to any one of claims 1 to 7 in which the extracting and cleansing means is positioned on a flat surface of the bowl.

10. An item of sanitaryware according to claim 9 in which the extracting and cleansing means is positioned behind the lid.

11. An item of sanitaryware according to either claim 9 or 10 in which the extracting means has an inlet vent which does not substantially extend within the interior space of the bowl.

12. An item of sanitaryware according to any preceding claim in which the extracting and cleansing means comprises a removable air filter.

13. An item of sanitaryware according to claim 8 in which the outer limb of the extracting and cleansing means comprises a removable air filter.

14. An item of sanitaryware according to claim 12 or claim 13 in which the removable air filter is scented.

15. An item of sanitaryware according to any one preceding claim in which the extracting and cleansing means comprises a removable porous wick.

16. An item of sanitaryware according to claim 15 in which the porous wick is renewable or refillable with liquid deodorant.

17. An item of sanitaryware according to any one preceding claim wherein the extracting and cleansing means comprises a removable deodorant stick.

18. An item of sanitaryware according to any one preceding claim wherein the extracting and cleansing means comprises a fan.

19. An item of sanitaryware substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20. For use with an item of sanitaryware comprising a bowl and a lid movable between a closed position in which it overlies the bowl and an open position in which it does not, the combination of means for extracting and cleansing air from within the bowl and means for operating the extracting and cleansing means in dependence upon the position of the lid.

21. A combination according to claim 20 in which the means for operating the extracting and cleansing means is adapted to activate it when the lid is in a position other than its closed position.

22. A combination according to claim 20 or claim 21 in which the means for operating the extracting and cleansing means comprises means for detecting the inclination of the lid.

23. A combination according to claim 22 in which the means for detecting the inclination of the lid comprises a switch, preferably adapted to be attached to the lid.

24. A combination according to any one of claims 20-23 in which the extracting and cleansing means is of an inverted "U" including an inlet vent through which air is to be extracted from within the bowl and the outer limb including an outlet vent through which cleansed air is to expelled.

25. A combination according to any one of claims 20-23 in which the extracting and cleansing means is positioned on a flat surface of the bowl.

26. An item of sanitaryware according to claim 25 in which the extracting and cleansing means has an inlet vent which does not substantially extend within the interior space of the bowl.

27. A combination according to any of claims 20-26 in which the extracting and cleansing means comprises a removable air filter.

28. A combination according to claim 24 in which the outer limb of the extracting and cleansing means comprises a removable air filter.

29. A combination according to claim 27 or claim 28 in which the removable air filter is scented.

30. A combination according to any one of claims 20-29 in which the extracting and cleansing means comprises a removable porous wick.

31. A combination according to claim 30 in which the porous wick is renewable or refillable with liquid deodorant.

32. A combination according to any one of claims 20-31 in which the extracting and cleansing means comprises a removable deodorant stick.

33. For use with an item of sanitaryware comprising a bowl and a lid movable between a closed position in which it overlies the bowl and an open position in which it does not, the combination of means for extracting and cleansing air from within the bowl and means for operating the extracting and cleansing means, the combination being substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.