Odor removal system

• US 8,375,476 B2
• Filed: 02/09/2010
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Calgon Carbon Corporation (Kuraray Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Calgon Carbon Corporation (Kuraray Company Limited)
• Inventors: Pollack, Nicholas R., Aldridge, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): BAKER, LORI LYNN
• Application Number:
  US12/702,754
• Publication Number:
  US 20100199413A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,106 Days
• Field of Search: 421/3, 420/9
• US Class Current: 4/213
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 9/052 using incorporated fans

Abstract

An odor removal system and device are provided for removing odors from standard gravity fed and water pressure operated toilets. The system includes a fan assembly for directing air from the toilet bowl and overflow tube through a filter containing an appropriate filter material. It operates upon instruction from a mechanism designed to determine when the toilet is in use.

Claims

1. An odor removal device comprising:

a hollow body having a first end removably attached to an outlet of an overflow tube in a gravity fed toilet and a second end for exhausting air therefrom;

a filter positioned between the first and second ends of the hollow body, the filter comprising an adsorbent; and

a fan assembly positioned in said body to direct a current of air from a bowl of the toilet and overflow tube, through the filter and out the second end.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a mechanism for activating the fan assembly when the toilet is in use.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the mechanism is a light sensitive photo cell, magnetic sensor, motion sensor, infrared sensor, pressure sensor, or bluetooth sensor.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the filter contains carbon, activated carbon, zeolite, carbonized polymer, catalyst, baking soda, or a combination thereof.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the filter comprises a fixed bed, a pleated bed, or a radial flow bed.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the filter comprises a check valve.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the filter is a replaceable cartridge.

8. A odor removal device comprising:

a hollow body having a first end removably attached to a side of an overflow tube in a water pressure fed toilet and a second end for exhausting air therefrom;

a filter positioned between the first and second ends of the hollow body, the filter comprising an adsorbent; and

a fan assembly positioned in said body to direct a current of air from a bowl of the toilet and overflow tube, through the filter and out the second end.

9. The device of claim 8, further comprising a sensor positioned to determine when the toilet is in use and adapted to communicate with the fan assembly.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the sensor is selected from the group consisting of a light sensitive photo cell, a magnetic sensor, a motion sensor, an infrared sensor, a pressure sensor, and a bluetooth sensor.

11. The device of claim 8, wherein the adsorbent is selected from the group consisting of carbon, activated carbon, zeolite, carbonized polymer, catalyst, baking soda, and combinations thereof.

12. The device of claim 8, wherein the filter comprises a fixed bed, a pleated bed, or a radial flow bed.

13. The device of claim 8, wherein the filter comprises a check valve.

14. An odor removal system comprising:

a toilet having a water tank with a water outlet attached to a toilet bowl;

an overflow tube having an open end and an opposite end positioned in the water tank to open into the toilet bowl and to manage excess water in the water tank from overflowing; and

a device having first end attached to the overflow tube and a second end for exhausting air therefrom;

a filter positioned between the first and second ends of the device, the filter comprising an adsorbent; and

a fan assembly positioned in the device to direct a current of air from the toilet bowl, to the overflow tube, through the filter and out the second end.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the toilet is a gravity fed toilet wherein the first end of the device is attached to the open end of the overflow tube.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the toilet uses a pressurized water supply, wherein the first end of the device is attached to the side of the overflow tube below water in the water tank.

17. The system of claim 14 further comprising a sensor for activating the fan assembly when the toilet is in use, wherein the sensor is selected from the group consisting of a light sensitive photo cell, a magnetic sensor, a motion sensor, an infrared sensor, a pressure sensor, and a bluetooth sensor.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the filter contains carbon, activated carbon, zeolite, carbonized polymer, catalyst, baking soda or a combination thereof.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the filter comprises a fixed bed, a pleated bed, or a radial flow bed.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the filter comprises a check valve.