Ventilation Systems and Related Methods

• US 20140141708A1
• Filed: 11/21/2013
• Published: 05/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2012
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: DNKB, Inc.
• Original Assignee: DNKB, Inc.
• Inventors: Baker, Dwayne Anthony
• Application Number:
  US14/086,432
• Publication Number:
  US 20140141708A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 454/249
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/0107 Cat trays; Dog urinals; Toilets for pets
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 19/002 Axial flow fans
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 25/12 the unit being adapted for mounting in apertures
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/703 specially for fans, e.g. fan guards
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/28 Arrangement or mounting of filters

Abstract

A ventilation system includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet to facilitate air flow, a fan coupled within the housing, a filter removably coupled within the housing and a litter box coupled to the housing. In implementations the ventilation system defines a flow direction for air exiting the litter box and the fan is positioned prior to the filter in the flow direction. In implementations an adhesive element having an opening is coupled to the bottom of the housing and the opening is aligned with the inlet, and a transparent coupler is coupled to the adhesive element, the transparent coupler blocking at least one vent of the litter box and the transparent coupler having an opening aligned with the inlet. In implementations the ventilation system defines substantially only a single flow direction for the air flow, the flow direction being in an upwards direction from the litter box.

Claims

1. A ventilation system, comprising:

a housing comprising an inlet section having an inlet configured for air to pass through and an outlet section removably coupled to the inlet section, the outlet section having an outlet configured for air to pass through;

a fan coupled entirely within the housing; and

a filter removably coupled entirely within the housing;

wherein the housing is configured to be coupled to a litter box, wherein the ventilation system defines a flow direction for air exiting the litter box, and wherein the fan is positioned prior to the filter in the flow direction.

2. The system of claim 1, further including a litter box coupled to the housing.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the inlet section comprises a shape of a hollow cuboid with one face removed.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the outlet section comprises a flat lid.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a coupler coupled to the litter box and blocking at least one vent of the litter box, the coupler having an opening aligned with the inlet.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising an adhesive element coupled to the inlet section and having an opening substantially aligned with the inlet, the adhesive element coupled to one of the litter box and a coupler coupled to the litter box.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the inlet comprises a circular vent and wherein the outlet comprises a circular vent.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing is coupled to the litter box only at a top of the litter box.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the filter is the topmost item within the housing below the outlet section.

10. A ventilation system, comprising:

a housing comprising an inlet section having an inlet configured for air to pass through and an outlet section removably coupled to the inlet section, the outlet section having an outlet configured for air to pass through;

a fan coupled entirely within the housing;

a filter removably coupled entirely within the housing;

an adhesive element coupled to a bottom of the housing and having an opening aligned with the inlet;

a transparent coupler coupled to the adhesive element; and

a litter box coupled to the transparent coupler;

wherein the transparent coupler blocks at least one vent of the litter box and wherein the transparent coupler has an opening aligned with the inlet.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the inlet section comprises a shape of a hollow cuboid with one face removed.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the outlet section comprises a flat lid.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the filter is the topmost item within the housing below the outlet section.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the ventilation system is configured to allow the filter to be removed and replaced while the inlet section is coupled to the litter box.

15. A ventilation system, comprising:

a housing comprising an inlet section having an inlet configured for air to pass through and an outlet section removably coupled to the inlet section, the outlet section having an outlet configured for air to pass through;

a fan coupled entirely within the housing;

a filter removably coupled entirely within the housing; and

a litter box coupled to the housing;

wherein the ventilation system defines substantially only a single flow direction for air exiting the litter box, the flow direction being vertically upwards from the litter box.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the ventilation system defines only a single, vertical, cylindrical column within which the air exiting the litter box flows.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the inlet comprises a circular vent and the outlet comprises a circular vent coaxial with the circular vent of the inlet.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the inlet section comprises a shape of a hollow cuboid with one face removed.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the outlet section comprises a flat lid.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the filter is the topmost item within the housing below the outlet section.