Peter C Sorensen

US Patent:

62791737, Aug 28, 2001

Filed:

Apr 12, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/291130

Inventors:

Peter W. Denzin - Glenbeulah WI
Michael J. Merritt - Sheboygan WI
Fred Judson Heinzmann - Los Altos CA
Kyle L. Petrich - Kowloon, HK
Jennifer A. Schlee - La Honda CA
John F. Larkin - Santa Clara CA
Erik C. Lincicum - La Honda CA
Peter O. Sorensen - Half Moon Bay CA

Assignee:

D2M, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

E03D 904

US Classification:

4213

Abstract:

A toilet ventilation device includes a housing that defines an air inlet aperture and an air outlet aperture. Within the housing are an air movement apparatus for drawing air into the device, a filter for removing malodorous elements in the air, and a radar sensor for activating the air movement apparatus in response to the presence of a user and, optionally, deactivating the air movement apparatus when the user leaves. The toilet ventilation device is configured and arranged to draw air, using the air movement apparatus, from the toilet, through the air inlet aperture, into contact with the filter, and out the air outlet aperture. In one embodiment, the toilet ventilation device is disposed over the overflow conduit of the toilet to draw air from the bowl of the toilet, through the overflow conduit, and into the toilet ventilation device. The entire toilet ventilation device is preferably disposed within a tank of a toilet.