OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a device which has been specifically devised to eliminate
bad smells from inside a toilet, when the toilet is used.
[0002] More specifically, the device subject hereof has been devised and structured so as
to absorb air from inside the toilet, consequently carrying away bad smells, and newly
returning the air to the environment once the air has been duly filtered and deodorised.
[0003] The device is structured in such a way that the entire unit forms a body which may
be fixed on a wall, or be kept simply supported on the floor, and located at all times
collaterally to or behind the toilet to which it is applied.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Spanish utility model application number 9500551 describes a device for eliminating
smells from a toilet, constructed with an electric motor fan fitted with a support
which may, depending on the specific conditions of each toilet, enable said support
to be fixed to the actual toilet, on the floor or on the wall. The motor fan has an
axial inlet and a tangential outlet, the outlet having an expeller nozzle coupled
to it which may house within a filter, specifically an activated carbon filter. A
cylindrical bushing is coupled to the motor fan inlet which extends said inlet vertically
upwards, the bushing in turn having a telescopically coupled aspirating nozzle which,
with the assistance of an o-ring seal, may adjust its position in height with respect
to said bushing, in order for a radial, lateral and rather flat extension constituting
the nozzle as such, to be located in each particular case precisely level with the
mouth of the toilet, to be arranged specifically between such mouth and the classic
ring or annular seat.
[0005] The structure described is complemented with a seal designed to be fixed to the underside
of the annular seat, establishing a perimetric seal between the seat and the toilet,
which is only discontinued in a small sector where the flat extension of the aspirating
nozzle is coupled.
[0006] This device, albeit effectively discharging the function for which it was devised,
has had some of its features improved in order to optimise its performance.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The device of the invention, which is based upon the structure described in the utility
model referred to in the previous paragraph, offers a number of innovations which
result in respective advantages, such as a greater user safety, a greater reduction
of the device as a whole which is furthermore more compact and linear insofar as its
aesthetics is concerned, and indeed a more rational structure of the device as such.
[0008] These benefits are achieved based upon improvements applied to the subject device,
and which can be summed up as follows:
- The activated carbon filter serving as the purifying means is no longer located at
the outlet of the expeller nozzle but above the actual fan, and in actual fact within
the cylindrical projection which may be plugged into the aspirating nozzle, the filter
as such being moreover smaller in size than that provided in the previous model.
- A transformer is included mounted upon the general support of the device, allowing
the latter to work at 24 volts, i.e. within the most stringent safety limits, avoiding
all user risks, for if it were to work at the mains voltage of 220 volts, a potential
contact with water, not to be ruled out, could have serious user consequences.
- The device is fitted with an on/off switch.
[0009] In a different embodiment, the device is conveniently particular in that the transformer
is arranged inside the actual housing of the motor driving the fan, right under such
motor, and supported by dividers projecting from the bottom of the housing, allowing
a bottom venting which will logically favour cooling of the actual transformer.
[0010] In this second embodiment of the device, dividers are provided arranged out of phase
with each other at the outlet mouth for purified air, forming a labyrinth which makes
the inflow of foreign particles or objects towards the fan difficult.
[0011] Furthermore, this second embodiment of the device is also characterised because the
general housing therefor is formed by two axially couplable parts, one housing the
transformer and the motor, and another one housing the fan and the actual activated
carbon filter.
[0012] The innovations of this second embodiment of the device of the invention provide
it with an optimum compactness which allows it to be supported directly on the floor
to discharge its function and be located next to or behind the toilet proper, and
all the elements are moreover duly protected and concealed, whence it is much more
decorative and has a better aesthetic appearance.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] In order to provide a fuller description and contribute to the complete understanding
of the features of this invention, a set of drawings is attached to the specification
which, while purely illustrative and not fully comprehensive, shows the following:
[0014] Figure 1.- Is a perspective exploded view of the device for eliminating smells from
a toilet, made in accordance with the object of the invention.
[0015] Figure 2.- Is a perspective view of the same unit of the preceding figure, duly mounted
and coupled to a toilet.
[0016] Figure 3.- Is a cross-sectional close view of the device, showing the path of the
air from inside the toilet until it newly reaches the outside through the expeller
nozzle.
[0017] Figure 4.- Is a general perspective view of a second embodiment of the device applied
to the relevant toilet, shown in phantom.
[0018] Figure 5.- Is a close view of the outlet mouth for purified air included in the device
shown in the preceding figure, clearly showing the out-of-phase dividers forming a
labyrinth that prevents the inflow of dirt, objects or any type of foreign bodies
which might affect the fan, which is located facing such inlet.
[0019] Figure 6.- Is a sectional close view of the lower portion of the housing of the device,
showing the bottom dividers provided to support the relevant transformer.
[0020] Figure 7.- Is finally a sectional view along a vertical plane of the device shown
in figure 4, illustrating all the components and their arrangement in the device as
a whole.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0021] With reference to the figures, the device for eliminating smells from a toilet subject
hereof can be seen to be constructed with a housing (1) for an electric motor fan,
of suitable power, in which the motor as such is arranged facing down, whereas the
other part (2) of the housing has a fan (3) located at the top, which housing part
(2) has an axial inlet facing vertically down, and a tangential outlet (4) which,
in the practical embodiment shown in the figures, is quadrangular in section and has
a grid (5) at the outlet mouth (4). This outlet (4) can clearly have any other suitable
geometric shape.
[0022] The housing of the unit, and in particular part (2) where the fan (3) is housed,
has a bracket (6) with which the unit may be fixed to a support (7) which may be fixed
on the wall, on the floor or indeed have suitable means allowing the unit to the mounted
and fixed on the top of the toilet (8), in particular with the bolts fixing the ring
(9) to the toilet.
[0023] The support (7) will at all events carry a pair of holes (10) facing the holes with
which the bracket (6) is provided to such end for the fixing bolts to be inserted,
as is clearly illustrated in the figures, thereby for the device as a whole to be
perfectly mounted on the support (7) and the support fixed on the floor.
[0024] A transformer (11) is in turn fixed to this support (7) supplying the actual motor
fan lying within housing part (1), which transformer (11) is in turn supplied directly
from the mains, through the relevant lead (12).
[0025] The motor fan is switched on and off manually by means of a duly positioned switch
(13).
[0026] The inlet to housing part (1) for the motor fan is fitted with a bushing (14) that
is cylindrical in shape and has a flange (15) for adjustment to the housing (1) of
the motor fan (3), such being fixed by welding or else forming a single element, in
which case holes (18) will be provided facing other holes (18) of the general housing,
for both parts to be bolted to each other.
[0027] Said bushing (14) receives an aspirating nozzle (19) telescopically, the position
of the nozzle with respect to the bushing (14) being adjustable in height with the
assistance of an o-ring seal (25), the aspirating nozzle (19) being provided with
a flat radial extension (21), defining a mouth (22) of considerable width and little
height, said extension (21) being couplable to the toilet (8) between the mouth of
the toilet and the annular seat (9) when such seat or ring (9) is in the operative
position.
[0028] An activated carbon filter (20), lying between two grids (17), has also been provided
to be mounted above the fan (3), and specifically in the cylindrical bushing (14).
[0029] The underside of the ring seat (9) has been provided with a seal (23), defining a
perimetric seal between such ring seat (9) and the mouth of the toilet (8), such seal
(23) being discontinued precisely in a small sector (24) where the flat extension
(21) of the aspirating nozzle (19) is coupled.
[0030] In accordance with this structure, and once the device has been conveniently fixed
either to the toilet (8) or on the floor or on the wall, by using a suitable support
for each case, upon the motor fan being switched on by means of the switch (13), there
will be an intake within the toilet (8) through the aspirating nozzle (19) and in
particular through the mouth (22) defined by the end of the flat extension (21) of
the aspirating nozzle (19), and the air and smells taken in will pass through the
filter (20) lying in the bushing (14), where the aspirating nozzle (19) is precisely
coupled, and the foul air will be expelled to the outside, through the outlet (4),
thereby purifying and deodorising such air.
[0031] In a second embodiment, shown in figures 4 to 7, the device offers a number of details
as concerns different functions within the same concept, and thus in figures 4 to
7 the same numbers have been used for the common parts of the device, albeit followed
by an apostrophe.
[0032] In particular, figure 4 shows the device in this second embodiment applied to a toilet
(8') with its respective ring (9'), the housing of which device is formed by coupling
together two parts, a bottom part identified as (1') and a top part identified as
(2'), the latter housing the relevant fan (3') and extending at the top into a bushing
(14') to receive an aspirating nozzle (19') telescopically, the position of such nozzle
with respect to such bushing (14') being adjustable in height with the assistance
of the o-ring seal (25'), which aspirating nozzle (19') has a flat radial extension
(21') that lies above the top edge of the toilet (8'), below the ring or annular seat
(9') of the toilet. The neck (14') of the top part (2') of the general housing of
the device, includes the relevant activated carbon filter (20'), the above as in the
embodiment described and shown in figures 1 to 3.
[0033] Now then, in this second embodiment, the bottom part (1') of the housing, where the
relevant motor (27') is housed, is provided with a bottom extension (26') which houses
the relevant transformer (11'), this part (26') housing the transformer (11') being
polygonal whereas the area (1') where the motor (27') is housed is cylindrical and
has a larger contour. Logically, as in the preceding case, the transformer (11') will
supply the motor (27') through the relevant lead (12') and will have an on/off switch
(13').
[0034] For its part, the outlet mouth (4') through which purified air leaves propelled by
the motor (3'), has dividers (28'), out of phase with each other, to define a labyrinthine
conduit and prevent the inflow of objects and indeed dirt which might damage or be
prejudicial to the fan (3') as such.
[0035] The transformer (11') is separated from the bottom of the housing part (26') by means
of dividers (29') lying on such bottom, and constituting a support for the transformer
(11') proper, moreover enabling the transformer to be ventilated, cooling thereof
being consequently enhanced.
1. A device for eliminating smells from toilets, which comprises an electric motor fan
fixed to a support suitable to be arranged in an appropriate location close to the
relevant toilet to which it is applicable, the motor fan having an axial inlet and
a tangential outlet, the inlet being defined by an aspirating nozzle (19-19') coupled
to a bushing (14-14') projecting axially from the mouth defining the axial inlet of
the motor fan, being moreover provided with a bracket (6) through it may be fixed
to the relevant support (7), the support being fixable on the wall or on the floor,
provided that a flat lateral portion (21-21') of the aspiration nozzle (19) is located
above the toilet (8-8') under the ring (9-9') to be seated thereon, characterised
because the axial bushing (14-14') in which the aspirating nozzle (19-19') is coupled
is diametrically fitted with an activated carbon filter (20-20') through which foul
air passes and is purified and expelled to the outside by means of the actual fan
(3-3'), through the relevant outlet (4-4') that is arranged tangentially, the said
filter (20-20') being provided to lie right above the actual fan (3-3').
2. A device for eliminating smells from toilets, as in claim 1, characterised because
a transformer (11) is mounted on the support (7) for fixing the unit, which allows
the motor fan to work at 24 volts.
3. A device for eliminating smells from toilets, as in preceding claims, characterised
because an on/off switch (13) is included for the device, arranged at an area on the
side surface of the housing (2) in which the fan (3') is located.
4. A device for eliminating smells from toilets, as in claim 1, characterised because
the housing consists of two parts (1') and (2') couplable to each other, the top part
(2') housing the fan (3') and the activated carbon filter (20') proper, whereas the
lower part (1') houses the motor (27') and the relevant transformer (11') on top of
each other, the elements being altogether fully concealed, forming a compact unit
which when applied to the respective toilet (8') is directly supported on the floor.
5. A device for eliminating smells from toilets, as in claim 4, characterised because
the housing part (1) has a bottom extension (26'), of polygonal contour, which houses
the actual transformer (11'), being particular in that the bottom of the extension
(26') is provided with dividers (29') defining the means supporting the actual transformer
(11'), defining a separation of the latter from such bottom and hence a venting conduit
which allows more heat to be carried away, considerably improving the cooling of said
transformer (11').
6. A device for eliminating smells from toilets, as in claims 4 and 5, characterised
because housing part (1'), where the actual motor (27') is housed, is cylindrical
in shape and has a larger contour than the bottom axial extension (26') housing the
transformer (11').
7. A device for eliminating smells from toilets, as in claim 4, characterised because
dividers (28') are provided at the tangential outlet (4') for deodorised air, out
of phase with each other and defining a labyrinthine conduit that prevents the inflow
of foreign particles or objects towards the actual fan (3').