Toilet bowl with ventilating system

Abstract

A toilet bowl having a venting system for directing odious air from the toilet bowl to the sewer system. The system includes a toilet bowl having a discharge outlet that is connected to a sewer line, a chamber defined within the toilet bowl, an exhaust hose disposed within the chamber and in communication with the discharge outlet, and a housing connected to the exhaust hose. A gate is hingedly fitted on a frame within the housing, the gate is rotated to an open position and a closed position depending on the operative position of the system. In the open position, the ventilation system is activated causing air flow to be directed through a vent opening in the toilet bowl to the sewer line. An electrically operated exhaust fan is positioned within the housing. A surface end is disposed between the fan and the gate. The surface end having a magnetic field produced by an electric current. When activated, the electromagnetic action between the surface end and the gate pulls the gate to the closed position, forming an airtight seal between the gate and the surface end to prevent gas flow in the direction from the sewer line. Activating the exhaust fan acts as a demagnetizing force between the gate and the surface end. Air flow from the fan is directed towards the gate, causing the gate to rotate in the open position. When the exhaust fan is de-activated, air flow ceases allowing the gate to return to the closed position. An electronic control unit is further disposed in the upper portion of the chamber and electrically connected to the exhaust fan and surface end. The control unit is further connected to a pressure sensor attached to the upper surface of a lip of the toilet bowl, so that lowering the toilet seat of the toilet bowl onto the lip causes contact between the toilet seat and the pressure sensor. When the weight of a person is placed on the toilet seat, the pressure sensor signals the control unit, causing the control unit to activate the exhaust fan and demagnetize the surface end. When the exhaust fan is activated, air flow from the fan urges the gate to an opened position directing air flow from the toilet bowl, through the vent opening, and to the sewer line. When the weight of the person is no longer resting on the toilet seat, the pressure sensor signals the control unit, causing the control unit to de-activate the exhaust fan and send an electric current to the surface end. When the exhaust fan is de-activated, air flow from the fan ceases, allowing the gate to return to the closed position.

1 . A toilet bowl for venting odious air therefrom, the toilet bowl comprising: 
 a discharge outlet connected to a sewer line,    a chamber,    an exhaust hose having a first end, and a second end opposite the first end,    wherein the second end of the exhaust hose is sealingly attached to an opening in the chamber, the opening in communication with the discharge outlet,    a housing having a first end releasingly coupled to the first end of the exhaust hose,    a gate attached to a frame, said frame fitted within the housing,    an exhaust fan positioned adjacent to the gate,    a surface end disposed between the exhaust fan and the gate,    wherein the second end of the housing is sealingly attached to a vent opening, said vent opening defined within a rim portion of the toilet bowl,    control means for actuating the exhaust fan,    a pressure sensor positioned on an upper surface of the rim portion of the toilet bowl,    wherein the exhaust fan when activated produces an air flow, said air flow urging the gate to an open position.    
   
   
       2 . The toilet bowl as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising an access opening disposed on the outer surface of the toilet bowl to allow access to the chamber.  
   
   
       3 . The toilet bowl as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the vent opening extends upward from a lower surface of the rim portion.  
   
   
       4 . The toilet bowl as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the exhaust fan is disposed between the second end of the housing and the gate.  
   
   
       5 . The toilet bowl as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the vent opening is in communication with the odious air.  
   
   
       6 . The toilet bowl as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the gate is hinged to the frame.  
   
   
       7 . The toilet bowl as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the surface end comprising a surface disposed along the perimeter of the surface end, said surface having a magnetic field produced by an electric current.  
   
   
       8 . The toilet bowl as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the magnetic force applied to the surface pulls the gate to a closed position forming an airtight seal between the gate and the surface end.  
   
   
       9 . The toilet bowl as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the gate is constructed of a soft metal material.  
   
   
       10 . The toilet bowl as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the gate is constructed of a mild steel material.  
   
   
       11 . A toilet bowl for venting odious air therefrom, the toilet bowl comprising: 
 a discharge outlet connected to a sewer line,    a chamber having a first end in communication with the discharge outlet and a second end in communication with a vent opening, said vent opening defined within a rim portion of the toilet bowl,    a gate disposed within the chamber, said gate having an open position and a closed position,    an exhaust fan positioned within the chamber,    control means for actuating the exhaust fan,    a sensor means,    wherein the exhaust fan when activated produces an air flow, said air flow urging the gate to the open position, wherein the gate in the open position directs the flow of air from the toilet bowl towards the sewer line.    
   
   
       12 . The toilet bowl as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising an access opening disposed on the outer surface of the toilet bowl to allow access to the chamber.  
   
   
       13 . The toilet bowl as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the vent opening extends upward from a lower surface of the rim portion.  
   
   
       14 . The toilet bowl as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the vent opening is in communication with the odious air.  
   
   
       15 . The toilet bowl as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the sensor means is a pressure sensor.  
   
   
       16 . The toilet bowl as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the pressure sensor is positioned on an upper surface of the rim portion of the toilet bowl.  
   
   
       17 . The toilet bowl as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising a surface, said surface having a magnetic field produced by an electric current, wherein the surface is disposed between the gate and the fan.  
   
   
       18 . The toilet bowl as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the magnetic force applied to the surface pulls the gate to a closed position forming an airtight seal between the gate and the surface end.  
   
   
       19 . The toilet bowl as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the gate is constructed of a soft metal material.  
   
   
       20 . The toilet bowl as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the gate is constructed of a mild steel material.