System for extracting odors

Abstract

A system for extracting odors is disclosed. The system comprises a toilet having a bowl with an upper rim. The bowl can be configured to contain water in the bottom of the bowl. A flush opening in the bottom of the bowl can be configured to enable water to be evacuated from the bowl through the flush opening. The system further comprises a ventilation conduit extending between the bowl and drain. The ventilation conduit comprises an upper wall and a lower wall. The lower wall of the ventilation conduit can extend above the upper rim of the bowl. The system also comprises a negative pressure unit. The negative pressure unit can be configured to draw air from the bowl through the ventilation conduit and into the drain.

1 . A system for extracting odors from a toilet, comprising: 
 a bowl with an upper rim, wherein the bowl is configured to contain water in a bottom of the bowl;    a flush opening in the bottom of the bowl configured to enable water to be evacuated from the bowl through the flush opening and into a drain;    a ventilation conduit extending between the bowl and the drain, wherein the ventilation conduit comprises an upper wall and a lower wall, the lower wall of the ventilation conduit extending above the upper rim of the bowl; and    a negative pressure unit configured to draw air from the bowl through the ventilation conduit into the drain.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ventilation conduit comprises a tube extending from the drain to the bowl and having a portion of the tube located at a level above the upper rim of the bowl such that substantially any water flowing over the upper rim of the bowl will not enter the tube.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the ventilation conduit comprises an air channel within the toilet, the air channel being located behind the bowl and connected with the drain at a point below the bowl, said air channel coupled to a tube having an upper wall and a lower wall, the lower wall rising above the upper rim of the bowl such that substantially any water flowing over the upper rim of the bowl will not enter the tube.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the negative pressure unit is located within the drain.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the negative pressure unit comprises a fan located within the ventilation conduit, the fan being configured to draw air from the bowl and direct the air to flow into the drain.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising a backflow device positioned within the ventilation conduit and configured to restrict air flow from the drain from flowing into the bowl while allowing air from the bowl directed by the fan to flow toward the drain.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor configured to enable the negative pressure unit to be activated.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the sensor comprises an optical sensor mounted on an exterior portion of the toilet, said sensor configured to detect when a person is within a predetermined distance of the optical sensor and enable the negative pressure unit to be activated.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the sensor comprises a push button configured to activate the negative pressure unit when a toilet lid is raised.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the negative pressure unit is configured to operate for a predetermined amount of time after the sensor has been activated.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a ground fault interrupt enabled power source electrically connected to the negative pressure unit.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a battery power source electrically connected to the negative pressure unit.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising an indicator mounted on an exterior portion of the toilet, the indicator configured to signal when power is connected through the ground fault interrupt enabled power source to the negative pressure unit.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the indicator is a light emitting diode (LED).  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the LED comprises a dual color LED capable of displaying a first color when power is supplied to the negative pressure unit and displaying a second color when the negative pressure unit is activated.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the negative pressure unit is a fan contained within a fan housing.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein a backflow device is contained within the fan housing.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the fan and fan housing can be accessed by a user for repair or replacement.  
   
   
       19 . A system for extracting odors, comprising: 
 a toilet having a bowl with an upper rim, wherein the bowl is configured to contain water in a bottom of the bowl;    a flush opening in the bottom of the bowl configured to enable the water to be evacuated from the bowl through the flush opening into a drain;    a ventilation conduit extending between the bowl and the drain, wherein the ventilation conduit comprises an upper wall and a lower wall, the lower wall of the ventilation conduit extending above the upper rim of the bowl;    a backflow device located within the ventilation conduit, the back flow device configured to allow air within the ventilation conduit to flow from the bowl into the drain while restricting airflow from the drain from flowing into the bowl;    a fan configured for drawing air from the bowl through the ventilation conduit into the drain; and    a sensor electrically coupled to the fan and configured to detect when a person is within a predetermined distance of the sensor, wherein the sensor is further configured to enable power to be supplied to the fan for a predetermined amount of time when the person is within a predetermined distance of the sensor.    
   
   
       20 . A system for extracting odors, comprising: 
 a toilet having a bowl with an upper rim, wherein the bowl is configured to contain water in a bottom of the bowl;    a flush opening in the bottom of the bowl configured to enable the water to be evacuated from the bowl through the flush opening into a drain;    a ventilation conduit extending between the bowl and the drain, wherein the ventilation conduit comprises an upper wall and a lower wall, the lower wall of the ventilation conduit extending above the upper rim of the bowl;    a backflow device located within the ventilation conduit, the back flow device configured to allow air within the ventilation conduit to flow from the bowl into the drain while restricting airflow from the drain from flowing into the bowl;    a negative pressure unit configured for drawing air from the bowl through the ventilation conduit into the drain;    a ground fault interrupt enabled power supply electrically coupled to the negative pressure unit.    a sensor electrically coupled to the negative pressure unit and configured to detect when a person is within a predetermined distance of the sensor, wherein the sensor is further configured to activate the negative pressure unit for a predetermined amount of time when the person is within a predetermined distance of the sensor; and    an indicator electrically coupled to the negative pressure unit, the indicator configured to display when the negative pressure unit in operation.