Europaisches Patentamt
J
)
Publication number:
European Patent Office
PATENT
Date of publication of patent specification: 19.04.89
4 6 4
B1
Office europeen des brevets
EUROPEAN
0 1 8 2
SPECIFICATION
Intel.4: E 03 D 9 / 0 5 2
Application number: 85306410.3
Date of filing: 10.09.85
Apparatus for removing noxious fumes and gases from a commode bowl and preventing their escape
to the immediate vicinity.
Priority: 15.1 1.84 US 671787
Date of publication of application:
28.05.86 Bulletin 86/22
Publication of the grant of the patent:
19.04.89 Bulletin 89/16
Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH DE FR GB IT LI LU NL SE
Proprietor: Lindley, John E.
1410 20th Avenue
Meridian Mississippi 39301 (US)
Inventor: Lindley, John E.
1410 20th Avenue
Meridian Mississippi 39301 (US)
Representative: Davy, John Raymond et al
CARPMAELS & RANSFORD 43, Bloomsbury
Square
London, WC1 A 2RA(GB)
References cited:
DE-A-2547 496
FR-A-2 062 852
GB-A-1 214 859
US-A-1972 076
US-A-2 631298
US-A-4174545
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in
Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may
give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall
be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been
paid. (Art. 99(1) European patent convention).
Courier Press, Leamington Spa, England.
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Description
The present invention relates to commode
exhaust systems and, more particularly, to
improved apparatus for removing noxious fumes
from a commode bowl and preventing their
escape to the immediate vicinity.
Noxious odors or gaseous fumes present in
commodes and in areas about commodes have
always been a normal but unpleasant result attendant commode use. These odors are especially
prevalent in areas containing many commodes,
when a commode is contained in a small room,
such as in mobile homes, trains, buses or airplanes, and also with portable commodes not
housed in a separate room, such as bedpans. In
the past, venting systems attempting to remove
noxious odors resulting from commode use have
employed suction manifolds which conform to
the configuration of and are usually attached
directly to the commode seat. However, these
venting systems have merely attemped to
remove air and fumes from within the commode
through the suctioning of the air containing noxious fumes from within the bowl of the commode.
One such system is disclosed in U.S. patent
1,972,076 to Cross which utilizes an outlet suction
chamber attached between the seat and the bowl
of the commode or toilet. The problem with Cross
is that a substantial amount of the noxious odors
may escape from the bowl of the commode into
the immediate vicinity. The suction outlets in
Cross are placed at the top of the bowl and thus
do no operate to remove odors until the odors
rise nearly to the top of the bowl. Once a user
rises from a commode it becomes an open
chamber.
Therefore, under the Cross disclosure, any noxious fumes which have not reached the top region
of the bowl, before it becomes an open chamber,
are allowed to escape and pollute the breathing
medium of the user.
Another such system is shown in U.S. patent
2,151,138 to Morris wherein there is disclosed a
suction duct arrangement similar to Cross located
toward the outer margin of the bowl. As in Cross,
odorous gases may escape the bowl once the
user rises due to loss of vacuum and an incomplete evacuation of the fumes. Other U.S. patents,
such as those of 2,988,756 to Hartley and
4,094,023 and 4,174,545 to Smith, also rely solely
on a similar arrangement of suction ducts in
communication with the interior of the bowl of
the commode. All of the above-mentioned
systems, and systems employing similar structure, rely solely upon the suction present at
various suction ports for the removal of the
noxious fumes. As mentioned above, however, a
problem exists in that the commode, being essen- "
tially an open chamber when not occupied,' may
allow much of the noxious gases to escape the
bowl when not actually occupied. Further, it is
difficult to obtain a proper flow of air and gaseous
fumes out of the bowl, in such systems, necessary
for complete removal of the entire mass of noxi-
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ous gases present in the commode during use
because the admission of air to the bowl to
achieve such flow is usually mostly blocked by
the user, particularly when the occupant is obese.
The present invention overcomes the problems
found in the prior art through the introduction of
ambient air into the bowl when occupied and the
production of turbulent air currents about the rim
of the bowl moving towards its center and then
downward about the interior of the bowl to mix
with the fumes therein followed by discharge of
the mixture from the bowl below the level of the
air introduction and subsequent filtering to
remove the odors. The created turbulence mixes
the fumes with incoming air and allows more
complete movement of the noxious fumes
towards suction outlet passages for ultimate
removal, thus effectively enhancing fume
removal while simultaneously containing fumes
within the bowl when not occupied. Such a
system has many advantages. The incoming air
may also be heated and thus by its movement
toward the center of the bowl warm the posterior
of an occupant of the commode which can have
certain therapeutic effects. In addition, a medicinal mist or other type of medicament may be
injected into the incoming air, thus medicating
the posterior of an occupant, or performing other
functions within the interior region of the bowl.
The turbulent air currents may be provided by a
plurality of circumferentially arranged air outlet
ports for permitting an intake of ambient air
surrounding the commode working together with
a plurality of circumferentially arranged gas inlet
ports positioned below the air outlet ports and
operatively coupled to a means for producing a
vacuum, thus suctioning the noxious odors and
fumes out of the bowl while drawing air thereinto
through the air outlet ports. Preferably, a downwardly extending especially contoured circumferential fin is positioned between the air outlet
ports and the gas inlet ports to direct the incoming air turbulently downward circumferentially
about the interior of the bowl to thoroughly mix
with the fumes therein while simultaneously
exhausting the mix through the gas inlet ports.
The present invention may be adapted for use
with bedpans or other human waste disposal
chambers, as well as with conventional fixed
toilets or water closets. Additionally, it may be
largely constructed of low cost disposable plastic
material.
Figure 1 is a perspective view, partly in section,
of a commode exhaust system according to the
present invention;
Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of
the commode seat taken along line 2—2 of Figure
1;
Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view, taken
along line 3—3 of Figure 2, showing the air intake
passages in the commode seat;
Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view, taken
along line 4—4 of Figure 2, showing the suction
passages in the commode seat.
Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawings, there
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is shown a conventional flushing toilet or commode 10 having a bowl 12 provided with the
usual hinged seat 14 and lid 16. Exemplary of its
adaptation, this invention is shown as being
incorporated in the seat 14 which is generally
annular in configuration, though somewhat elongated from front to rear. Extending through the
seat 14 are a plurality of circumferentially
arranged generally radially inwardly directed air
inlet passages 18. The inner ends of the inlet
passages 18 terminate in air outlet ports 20
spaced radially outwardly of the upper inner edge
or rim 22 of the seat 14. Preferably, such air outlet
ports 20 are somewhat upwardly restricted to
increase the velocity of the air flowing therethrough.
Spaced below the inlet passages 18 is a similar
series of suction outlet passages 24 having gas
inlet ports 26 spaced radially outward of the air
outlet ports 20. At their outer ends the outlet
passages 24 terminate in a suction manifold 28.
As shown, the manifold 28 may be incorporated
in the seat 14 itself, which may be made of
molded plastic or, alternatively, the manifold may
be a separate part surrounding the periphery of
the seat, an arrangement not shown. Connected
to the manifold 28, preferably at the rear of the
seat, is a conduit, preferably in the form of a
flexible hose 30, which leads to an appropriate
source 32 of reduced pressure, i.e. suction. The
suction source 32 may take the form of a conventional electrically operated suction pump or fan or
blower (not shown) or for portable commodes,
such as a bedpan, a portable suction pump (not
shown), such as that used in a conventional
vacuum cleaner or even a hand held vacuum
cleaner.
Projecting inwardly and downwardly from the
bottom of the air outlet ports 20 is a curved
convex surface 34 formed by a circumferential fin
36 that terminates in an inner edge or lip 38
spaced somewhat radially outwardly of the inner
rim 22 of the seat 14. Preferably, the convex
surface 34 extends into the outlet ends of the inlet
passages 18 to restrict the air outlet ports 20. The
fin 36 is provided with a concave undersurface 40
terminating at its outer edge adjacent the top of
the gas inlet ports 26 of the suction passages 24.
Below these gas inlet ports 26 the inner surface 42
of the seat opening is generally of the same
distance from its center as that of the ports 26.
In operation, the suction source or pump 32 is
started, as by a manual switch (not shwon) to
draw air and other gases from within the bowl 12
through the suction passages 24 through the
manifold 28 and through the pump for discharge
to the atmosphere. The discharge may take place
at a remote location but in actual practice need
not be far removed from the commode 10 provided an appropriate filter 44 is interposed
between the manifold 28 and the pump 32 or
between the pump and an outlet which discharges the mixed air and other gases to the
atmosphere as shown in Figure 4. The filter 44
may contain activated charcoal but in actual
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practice it has been found unnecessary to use a
filter of that nature. In fact, it has been found in
actual practice that a fibrous sheet material filter
such as that used with a conventional vacuum
cleaner i.e. of fabric, paper or other fibrous sheet
material, will suffice to remove noxious odors
from the gases discharged through the conduit
30.
When the commode 10 is in actual use and the
central seat opening is substantially blocked by
the occupant, the creation of at least a partial
vacuum in the commode chamber by the pump
32 draws air through the air inlet passages 18 with
its velocity increasing as it exits through the air
outlet ports 20. As the air is then drawn down into
the bowl 12 of the commode 10, its passage
across the convex upper surface 34 of the fin 36
creates vortices at the inner edge 38 of the fin thus
creating turbulence about this edge and even
further down therebelow. The creation of these
vortices is enhanced by the concave undersurface
40 of the fin 36 resulting in thorough mixing of
any noxious fumes in the bowl 12 with the air
being admitted thereinto through the air inlet
passages 18 and thence exit of the mixture
through the suction outlet passages 24.
When the commode 10 is not in use and the
central opening in the seat 14 is not blocked by an
occupant, it has been found that operation of the
suction pump 32 still tends to create turbulence in
the bowl 12 by downward passage of air through
the central opening in the seat 14 itself, as well as
through the air inlet passages 18, thus preventing
escape of noxious fumes and gases from the bowl
upwardly through the central seat opening with
continuing withdrawal of the mixed gases
through the outlet passages 24.
Modifications of the above described embodiment are, of course, possible. Thus, for example,
the seat 14 may be made in two horizontally
separated sections, one containing the inlet
passages 18, and the other the outlet passages 24.
Further, the seat 14 may be made integral with the
bowl 12 of the commode 10, such as in a bedpan
construction. Still further the invention may be
incorporated in the rim portion of the bowl 12
instead of in the separate seat 14.
Additionally, although the arrangement for the
admission of air inwardly through the seat 14 is
shown as separate passages 18, it will be understood that various other arrangements will perform the function satisfactorily. For example, the
seat could be formed in vertically spaced layerlike sections separated by suitable supporting
structure for the admission of air inwardly
between such sections. Similarly, the function of
the suction outlet passages 24 could be performed by a space vertically separating layer-like
seat sections having suitable supporting structure
therebetween, while the outer periphery of such
space would be sealed and surrounded by a
tubular suction-manifold having suction ports
opening to the space.
Other modifications also are possible. Thus, the
seat 14 may be constructed with an exterior
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peripheral portion 46 having angular passages 48
communicating with the inlet passages 18, with
the angular passages having downward facing
inlets. The peripheral portion 46 may also be
provided with an electrically insulated electric
resistance type heating element 50 arranged to
heat the air entering the air inlet passages 18 to
obtain the aforedescribed beneficial results from
heating the posterior of the user. A suitable
control (not shown) may be provided for the
heating element 50 to adjust the temperature of
the incoming air.
Further, the air inlet passages 18 may be connected to an air inlet manifold 52, as shown in
Figure 2, to the inlet (not shown) of which
apparatus (not shown) may be connected to inject
a medicinal mist or other type of medicament into
the air entering the inlet passages 18 to appropriately medicate the posterior of a user.
Other options available to the invention are the
incorporation in the seat 14 of a pressure-sensitive switch 54 connected to the power source of
the vacuum pump 32 to automatically activate the
latter when a user of the commode seats him or
herself upon the seat 14. The connection may also
include a time delay switch (not shown) which
will activate the vacuum pump 32 for a predetermined period of time after the user rises to insure
continuous removal of noxious odors until the
commode 10 is flushed. The invention is
especially applicable to multiple units, i.e. bathroom and hospital usage, where a single vacuum
source is connected to a number of units or units
can be detachably connected to a single suction
source, e.g. in a hospital room. Such an arrangement is shown in dotted lines in Figure 4 wherein
the discharge conduits 30 of a number of commodes are connected, possibly detachably, to a
common suction line leading to the vacuum
source 32. A normally-closed solenoid valve 56 is
interposed in each conduit 30 and is controlled by
the switch 54 of the corresponding commode to
open the conduit when the commode is in use.
Further, the air outlet ports 20 may face tangentially inward to create a swirling of the incoming
air about the vertical axis of the bowl 12 to even
more effectively mix the fumes with the air for
complete withdrawal of the noxious odors
through the outlet passages 24.
It thus will be seen that the objects and advantages of this invention have been fully and effectively achieved. It will be realized, however, that
the foregoing specific embodiment has been disclosed only for the purpose of illustrating the
principles of this invention and is susceptible of
modification without departing from such principles. Accordingly, the invention includes all
embodiments encompassed within the scope of
the following claims.
Claims
1. Apparatus for removing and containing noxious fumes in a commode bowl (12) having a
generally annular seat portion (14) and gas outlet
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passage means (24) operatively associated with
said bowl provided with gas inlet means (26)
about and adjacent the inner periphery of said
bowl and gas outlet means (28) outside said bowl
suitable to be connected to a source of reduced
pressure, characterised in that said apparatus
further comprises:
air inlet passage means (18) operatively associated with said bowl (12) for passage of ambient
air thereinto, said inlet passage means having air
inlet means outside said bowl and air outlet
means (20) facing inward about and adjacent the
inner periphery of said bowl above said gas inlet
means (26), whereby the source of reduced
pressure will withdraw the incoming air and
noxious gases mixed therewith from within said
bowl for discharge outside thereof.
2. The apparatus defined in claim 1 including
means defining a downwardly inclined convex
surface (34) extending peripherally about and
adjacent the inner periphery of said bowl (12)
below the air outlet means (20) and above the gas
inlet means (26) to create vortex turbulence of the
incoming air to thoroughly mix it with fumes
within the bowl before withdrawal thereof.
3. The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein the
downwardly curved surface (34) is formed by a
peripheral fin (36) having a concave undersurface
(40) to enhance the creation of vortex turbulence.
4. The apparatus defined in claim 3 wherein the
fin (36) terminates in an inner peripheral edge (38)
spaced radially outwardly of the upper inner edge
(22) of the seat portion (14).
5. The apparatus defined in claim 1 including
means for heating the air entering the air inlet
passage means (18).
6. The apparatus defined in claim 1 including
means for injecting a medicament into the air
entering the air inlet passage means (18).
7. The apparatus defined in claim 1 or 3 in
which the air outlet means (20) and the gas inelt
means (26) each comprises a peripheral row of
ports spaced radially outward of the upper inner
edge of the seat portion (14).
8. The apparatus defined in claim 1 including a
pressure-sensitive switch (54) in the seat portion
suitable to be connected to the source of reduced
pressure for activating the latter when a user
occupies the seat portion.
9. The apparatus defined in claim 8 including a
time-delay relay in the connection for continuing
activation of the source for a predetermined
period of time after a user rises from the seat
portion.
10. The apparatus defined in claim 1 including a
fibrous filter connected to the outlet means of the
outlet passages (24) for removing odors from the
mixture.
11. The apparatus defined in claim 1 in which
the bowl (12) and seat portion (14) are of one
piece construction.
12. The apparatus defined in claim 1 in which
the seat portion (14) is a separate part of the
commode (10) and the air passage means are
incorporated in said seat portion.
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13. The apparatus defined in claim 7 in which the
ports of the air outlet means (20) face generally
radially inwardly.
14. The apparatus defined in claim 1 in which the
ports of the air outlet means (20) face generally
tangentially inward to cause a swirling of the
incoming air about the center of the bowl (12).
15. The apparatus defined in claim 2 in which the
surface (34) terminates in an inner peripheral edge
spaced radially outwardly of the upper inner edge
of the seat portion (14).
16. A plurality of the apparatus defined in claim 1
and including:
means connecting the gas outlet means of each
apparatus to a common source of reduced
pressure;
normally-closed valve means (56) in each of said
connecting means; and
a pressure sensitive switch (54) in the seat (14)
portion of each of said apparatus controlling the
respective valve means (56) for opening the latter
when a user occupies the seat portion (14).
Patentanspriiche
1. Vorrichtung zum Entfernen und EinschlielSen
von schadlichen Geruchen bei einem ToilettenBecken (12) mit einem im allgemeinen ringformigen Sitzteil (14) und GasauslaS-Kanaimittlen (24),
die funktionsmaSig zu dem Becken gehoren, und
mit GaseinlaGmitteln (26) urn die und in der Nahe
des Innenrandes des Beckens, und wobei GasauslalSmittel (28) aufcerhalb des Beckens an eine
Unterdruckquelle anschlieSbar sind, dadurch
gekennzeichnet, dalS die Vorrichtung ferner aufweist:
ein LufteinlaS-Kanalmittel (18), das dem Becken
(12) funktionsmaSig zugeordnet ist, urn Umgebungsluft hineinzuleiten, wobei das EinlaBkanalmittel ein LufteinlaSmittel auBerhalb des Beckens
und LuftauslaSmittel (20) bestizt, die urn den
Innenrand des Beckens und in der Nahe davon
iiber dem GaseinlaSmittel (26) nach innen gerichtet sind, wodurch die Unterdruckquelle die einstromende Luft und damit vermischte schadliche Gase
aus dem Inneren des Beckens zum Ableiten nach
auBen absaugt.
2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, mit Mitteln, die
eine nach unten geneigte konvexe Flache (34)
bilden, die sich urn den Innenrand des Beckens
(12)unterdemLuftauslaRmittel(20)unduberdem
GaseinlalSmittel (26) in Umfangsrichtung erstrekken, urn eine Wirbelstrdmung in der einstromenden Luft zu erzeugen, damit diese mit den Geruchen in dem Becken vor deren Absaugen gut
vermischt wird.
3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, wobei die nach
unten gewolbte Flache (34) von einer Umfangsrippe (36) gebildet ist, die eine konkave Unterseite
(40) bestizt, urn die Bildung der Wirbelstromung zu
verstarken.
4. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, wobei die Rippe
(36) an einem Innenumfangsrand (38) endet, der
radial aulSerhab des oberen Innenrandes (22) des
Sitzteils (14) beabstandet ist.
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5. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, einschliefclich
Mittel zum Heizen der in das LufteinlaG-Kanalmittel (18) eintretenden Luft.
6. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, einschlielSlich
Mittel zum Einspritzen eines Medikaments in die in
das LufteinlalS-Kanalmittel (18) eintretende Luft.
7. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 3, wobei
das LuftauslalSmittel (20) und das GaseinlaSmittel
(26) jeweils eine am Umfang angeordnete Reihe
von Offnungen aufweist, die radial aulSerhalb von
dem oberen Innenrand des Sitzteils (14) angeordnet sind.
8. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, mit einem
druckempfindlichen Schalter (54) in dem Sitzteil,
der an die Unterdruckquelle anschlielSbar ist, urn
letztere zu betatigen, wenn ein Benutzer den
Sitzteil besitzt.
9. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 8, einschlielSlich
eines Zeitverzogerungsrelais im AnschlulS fur die
fortwahrende Aktivierung der Quelle iiber eine
vorgegebene Zeitspanne hinaus, nachdem sich
ein Benutzer von dem Sitzteil erhebt.
10. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1,einschliel3lich
eines Faserfilters, der an das AuslalSmittel der
AuslalSkanale (24) angeschlossen ist, urn Geriiche
aus der Mischung zu entfernen.
11. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei das
Becken (12) und der Sitzteil (14) einstiickig sind.
12. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei der
Sitzteil (14) ein getrenntes Teil der Toilette (10) ist
und wobei die Luftkanalmittel in den Sitzteil
eingeformt sind.
13. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 7, wobei die
Offnungen des LuftauslalSmittels (20) im allgemeinen radial nach innen zeigen.
14. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die
Offnungen des LuftauslaSmittels (20) im allgemeinen tangential nach innen zeigen, urn eine Verwirbelung der einstromenden Luft umd as Zentrum
des Beckens (12) zu bewirken.
15. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, wobei die
Flache (34) an einem Innenumfangsrand endet,
der radial aulSerhalb von dem oberen Innenrand
des Sitzteils (14) liegt.
16. Eine Anzahl von Vorrichtungen nach
Anspruch 1 und mit:
Mitteln, die das GasauslalXmittel jeder Vorrichtung an eine gemeinsame Unterdruckquelle
anschliefcen;
normalerweise geschlossenen Ventilmitteln
(56) in jedem der AnschlulSmittel; und
einem druckempfindlichen Schalter (54) im Sitzteil (14) jeder der Vorrichtungen, der das jeweilige
Ventilmittel (56) zum Offnen des letzteren steuert,
wenn ein Benutzer den Sitzteil (14) besetzt.
Revendications
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65
1. Appareil pour enlever, et contenant, des
fumees deleteres dans une cuvette (12) de cabinet
d'aisance ou water-closet, ayant une partie (14)
formant siege de forme generale annulaire et un
dispositif (24) de passages de sortie de gaz associe
fonctionnellementa ladite cuvette, I'appareil comportant un dispositif (26) d'entree de gaz autour et
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pres de la peripherie interne de ladite cuvette et
un dispositif (28) de sortie de gaz a I'exterieur de
ladite cuvette, convenant pour etre relie a une
source de pression reduite, appareil caracterise
en ce qu'il comprend en outre un dispositif (18) de
passages d'entree d'air associe fonctionnellement a ladite cuvette (12) poury faire penetrer de
I'air ambiant, ledit dispositif de passages d'entree
comportant un dispositif d'entree d'air a I'exterieur de ladite cuvette et un dispositif (20) de
sortie d'air, dirige vers I'interieur et situe autour et
pres de la peripherie interne de ladite cuvette audessus dudit dispositif (26) d'entree de gaz, de
sorte que la source de pression reduite va eniever
I'air entrant, et les gaz deleteres qui lui sont
melanges, de ladite cuvette pour les decharger a
I'exterieur de celle-ci.
2. Appareil defini a la revendication 1, comprenant un dispositif delimitant une surface (34)
convexe, inclinee vers le bas, s'etendant peripheriquement autour et pres de la peripherie interne
de ladite cuvette (12) au-dessous du dispositif (20)
de sortie d'air et au-dessus du dispositif (26)
d'entree de gaz, pour creer une turbulence tourbillonnaire de I'air entrant afin de ie melanger
intimement aux gaz et fumees se trouvant a
I'interieur de ladite cuvette avant leur enlevement.
3. Appareil defini a la revendication 2, dans
lequel la surface (34) incurvee vers le bas est
formee par une nervure (36) peripherique ayant
une surface inferieure (40) concave pour accentuer la creation d'une turbulence tourbillonnaire.
4. Appareil defini a la revendication 3, dans
lequel la nervure (36) se termine par un bord (38)
peripherique interne, radialement espace vers
I'exterieur du bord (22) superieur interne de la
partie (14) formant siege.
5. Appareil defini a la revendication 1, comprenant un dispositif pour chauffer I'air penetrant
dans le dispositif (18) de passages d'entree d'air.
6. Appareil defini a la revendication 1, comprenant un dispositif pour injecter un medicament
dans I'air penetrant dans le dispositif (18) de
passages d'entree d'air.
7. Appareil defini a la revendication 1 ou 3, dans
lequel le dispositif (20) de sortie d'air et le dispositif (26) d'entree de gaz comprennent chacun une
radialement
d'orifices
rangee peripherique
espaces vers I'exterieur du bord interne superieur
de la partie (14) formant siege.
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8. Appareil defini a la revendication 1, comprenant un interrupteur (54) manometrique (sensible
a la pression), dans la partie formant siege, cet
interrupteur convenant pour etre relie a la source
de pression reduite pour activer cette derniere
quand un utilisateur occupe le siege.
9. Appareil defini a la revendication 8, comprenant un relais temporisateur, dans la connexion,
pour continuer I'activation de la source de pression reduite, pendant un temps predetermine
apres qu'un utilisateur se soit leve du siege.
10. Appareil defini a la revendication 1, comprenant un filtre fibreux relie au dispositif de sortie
des passages (24) de sortie, pour enlever les
odeurs du melange.
11. Appareil defini a la revendication 1, dans
lequel la cuvette (12) et le siege (14) sont de
structure monobloc.
12. Appareil defini a la revendication 1, dans
lequel le siege (14) constitue une partie separee
de la cuvette de cabinet d'aisance (10), et le
dispositif des passages d'air est incorpore dans
ledit siege.
13. Appareil defini a la revendication 7, dans
lequel les orifices et les dispositifs (20) de sortie
d'air sont diriges, de maniere generalement
radiale, vers I'interieur.
14. Appareil defini a la revendication 1, dans
iequel les orifices des dispositifs (20) de sortie
d'air sont diriges, de facon generalement tangentielle, vers I'interieur pour provoquer un tourbillonnement de I'air entrant autour du centre de la
cuvette (12).
15. Appareil defini a la revendication 2, dans
lequel la surface (34) se termine par un bord
peripherique interne radialement espace vers
i'exterieur du bord superieur interne du siege
(14).
16. Ensemble de plusieurs appareils definis a la
revendication 1, cet ensemble comprenant:
un dispositif reliant le dispositif de sortie de gaz
de chaque appareil a une source commune de
pression reduite;
un dispositif (56) de clapets ou valves normalement fermes dans chacun desdits dispositifs de
liaison; et
un interrupteur (54) manometrique, sensible a
la pression, dans le siege (14) de chacun de ces
appareils, I'interrupteur commandant le dispositif
(56) respectif de valves ou clapets pour ouvrir ce
dernier quand un utilisateur occupe le siege (14).
EP
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464
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EP
0 182 464
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a-30
56
VACUUM
SOURCE
FILTER
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44
32'
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54
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