Filtered exhaust system for commode

Abstract

The apparatus of the present invention relates to exhausting noxious odors from the vicinity of a toilet. The invention comprises a means of taking in air from the vicinity of the toilet, a filter, and a means of inducing the air flow. The air is taken in by said means of taking in air, passed on to and through the filter, and then passed on to the means of inducing air flow. The air is then discharged from the system. The filter is separate and unitary and can be easily installed and removed without exposure of the filtering matrix within the filter. The contaminants entering the filter, i.e. bacteria and viruses, are killed and odorous gases are trapped in the filter. The person changing the filter is therefore not exposed to the possibility and vulgarity of contact with contaminants entrapped within a used filter when the change of the filter is needed.

1 . A toilet ventilator apparatus, comprising; 
 a) a seat, said seat being at least partially hollow;    b) at least one point of entry to said partially hollow seat;    c) at least one point of exit from said partially hollow seat;    d) a hose having a first end and a second end;    e) a filter positioned within said hose; and    f) a means for inducing air flow, wherein;    g) said first end of said hose is detachably connected to said point of exit,    h) and said second end of said hose is detachably connected to said means of inducing air flow.    
   
   
       2 . The toilet ventilator apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein; 
 a) said seat is pivotally mounted to said toilet, and;    b) said exit is located proximate to said mount.    
   
   
       3 . The toilet ventilator apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein; 
 a) said seat is pivotally mounted to said toilet, and;    b) said exit is located coaxial with the axis of said pivot.    
   
   
       4 . The toilet ventilator apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein; 
 said filter comprises granular particles.    
   
   
       5 . The toilet ventilator apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein; 
 said filter comprises a chemically treated paper substrate.    
   
   
       6 . The toilet ventilator apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein; 
 said filter comprises chemically treated batting.    
   
   
       7 . The toilet ventilator apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein; 
 said filter comprises activated charcoal.    
   
   
       8 . The toilet ventilator apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein; 
 said filter comprises a liquid gas trap wherein the liquid in said gas trap is antiseptic.    
   
   
       9 . The toilet ventilator apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein; 
 said hose has float valves located at each end to prevent fluid from flowing to said means for inducing air flow.    
   
   
       10 . The toilet ventilator apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein; 
 said hose has petcock type valves located at each end.    
   
   
       11 . The toilet ventilator apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein; 
 said first end and said second end of said hose are compatible with each other to be joined with each other, closing said hose when removed.    
   
   
       12 . The toilet ventilator apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein; 
 said hose has uni-directionally biased valves on each end which are opened when attached to said exit and said means for inducing air flow and closed when unattached.    
   
   
       13 . A method of removing bathroom odor from a toilet bowl, comprising; 
 a) drawing air through a partially hollow toilet seat;    b) then drawing said air through a removable filtering hose attached to said partially hollow toilet seat;    c) and finally drawing said air through a means for inducing air flow.    
   
   
       14 . A toilet ventilator apparatus, comprising; 
 a) a seat, said seat being at least partially hollow;    b) at least one point of entry to said partially hollow seat;    c) at least one point of exit from said partially hollow seat;    d) a filter having an entry port and an exit port;    e) a means for inducing air flow, wherein;    f) said entry port of said filter is detachably connected to said point of exit of said toilet seat, and;    g) said exit port of said filter is detachably connected to said means of inducing air flow.    
   
   
       15 . For a toilet seat ventilation system, a unitary filter, comprising; 
 a) an outer casing;    b) within said outer casing, means of filtering air passing therethrough;    c) an entry port into said casing; and    d) an exit port from said casing; wherein    e) said entry port is detachably connectable to an air gathering element on said toilet; and    f) said exit port is detachably connectable to a means for inducing air flow.    
   
   
       16 . An apparatus for retrofitting a toilet to remove bathroom odors, comprising; 
 a) a seat, said seat being at least partially hollow;    b) at least one point of entry to said partially hollow seat;    c) at least one point of exit from said partially hollow seat;    d) a filter having an entry port and an exit port;    e) a means for inducing air flow, wherein;    f) said entry port of said filter is detachably connected to said point of exit of said toilet seat, and;    g) said exit port of said filter is detachably connected to said means of inducing air flow.    h) wherein said partially hollow seat is used to replace the original seat of the toilet.    
   
   
       17 . A method of removing bathroom odor from a toilet bowl, comprising; 
 a) drawing air through a partially hollow toilet seat;    b) then drawing said air through a removable filter unit attached to said partially hollow toilet seat;    c) and finally drawing said air through a means for inducing air flow attached to said removable filter unit, wherein;    d) said removable filtering unit is wholly external to both said toilet seat and said means of inducing air flow.