DEVICE FOR DISPENSING AN ACTIVE-INGREDIENT PREPARATION INTO A TOILET BOWL

Abstract

A device for dispensing a water-soluble active-ingredient preparation from a toilet block into a toilet bowl comprising an accommodating container for the toilet block, over which toilet block flushing water can flow, which accommodating container can be arranged in the toilet bowl such that it can be fastened to the edge of the toilet bowl by means of a retainer thereby forming a basin having a basin bottom, in the region of the accommodating container that is at the bottom in the usage position. The device has at least one inlet and one outlet for the flushing water, and has a flow connection to the toilet bowl via the outlet. The accommodating container can comprises a support plate having a support surface, wherein the support plate holds the toilet block above the terminating threshold level, and wherein the support plate is fastened to the siphon.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a device for dispensing an active ingredient preparation into a toilet bowl, comprising a receiving container which is to be disposed in the toilet bowl beneath the rim thereof and across which water flows during flushing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For the automatic cleaning of toilet bowls, it is known to attach active ingredient preparations in fragmented form in a cage-like receiving container to the inside rim of the toilet bowl. With each flushing, a portion of the active ingredient preparation of a toilet block dissolves in the flushing water and is distributed together with the flushing water in the bowl. Additionally, a portion of the dissolved active ingredient preparation remains in the residual water of the toilet bowl, where it also ensures cleaning.

A device of the type in question is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,168,551. The device shown there comprises a chamber including a toilet block and, downstream, a further chamber. The chamber including the toilet block is separated from the further chamber by a separating wall having at least one opening. Disadvantages of this known device are the multi-piece design and the use of a grating-like wall for retaining the separating wall, which thus result in a cost-intensive design.

It is therefore the object of the invention to improve a device of the type in question so that it ensures substantially constant dispensing of the active ingredient preparation over time into the toilet bowl, while having as low a design complexity as possible.

Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A device (1) for dispensing a water-soluble active ingredient preparation (16) from a toilet block (2) into a toilet bowl, comprising a receiving container (3), which is to be arranged in a toilet bowl, for the toilet block (2) across which flushing water can flow, wherein the receiving container (3): can be fastened to the rim of the toilet bowl by way of a (bracket-shaped) holder (10); forms a pan (4) having a pan bottom (5) in the region of the container that is at the bottom in the usage position; comprises at least one inlet (6) and one outlet (7) for the flushing water and is fluidically connected to the toilet bowl via the outlet (7), a siphon (8) being arranged upstream from the outlet (7); characterized in that the siphon (8) defines a triggering threshold level (17) and a terminating threshold level (18) for flushing water in the receiving container (3), by way of which a discharge of flushing water through the siphon (8) can begin and stop, and the receiving container (3) comprises a bearing plate (9) having a bearing surface (9.1), wherein the bearing plate (9) holds the toilet block (2) above the terminating threshold level (18), and wherein the bearing plate (9) is fastened to the siphon (8).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the device, the device being shown in the open state and without a toilet block;

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view through a device according to the invention along cutting plane A-A from FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view through a device according to the invention, comprising a toilet block, along cutting plane B-B from FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the following detailed description of the invention.

The device according to the invention for dispensing a water-soluble active ingredient preparation from a toilet block into a toilet bowl comprises a receiving container, which is to be arranged in the toilet bowl, for the toilet block across which flushing water can flow, wherein the receiving container:
can be fastened to the rim of the toilet bowl by way of a holder,
forms a pan having a pan bottom in the region of the container that is at the bottom in the usage position,
has at least one inlet and one outlet for the flushing water, and
is fluidically connected to the toilet bowl via the outlet, wherein a siphon is arranged upstream from the outlet, wherein the siphon defines a triggering threshold level and a terminating threshold level for flushing water in the receiving container, by way of which a discharge of flushing water through the siphon can begin and stop, and the receiving container comprises a bearing plate having a bearing surface, wherein the bearing plate holds the toilet block above the terminating threshold level, and wherein the bearing plate is fastened to the siphon.

The receiving container is held by the holder on the toilet bowl so that, in the usage position, the pan is located beneath the holder. In the usage position, the toilet block is held above the terminating threshold level by way of the bearing plate. The holder is preferably a bracket-shaped suspension holder, for example.

The device according to the invention has the advantages that continued dripping of partially dissolved active ingredient substance into the toilet bowl is reduced or even entirely prevented. The flushing water can flow across the toilet block and flow freely to the pan bottom and, with time delay, through the outlet into the toilet bowl. Once the flow through the siphon has begun, the pan is essentially emptied. The flushing water thus flows out of the receiving container after flushing, without any noteworthy water residue remaining.

The bearing plate is preferably designed so that the toilet block is held on the side of the bearing surface. The bearing surface is the surface area of the upper side of the bearing plate in the usage position. The bearing plate is designed so that flushing water can simultaneously run across the toilet block and drain out of the same, so that the amount of water left behind on the toilet block is minimized The toilet block is kept substantially dry between two consecutive flushes. This is achieved by minimizing the contact area between the bearing plate and the toilet block. However, so as to also ensure that the toilet block maintains the position thereof within the receiving container even after progressing use, the bearing plate can have a minimum extension between the side walls of the receiving container, which is described in more detail below.

It is preferred for the siphon to comprise a siphon cover, which has a one-piece design. It is further preferred for the bearing plate and the siphon cover to have a one-piece design. This results in a particularly cost-effective configuration, which additionally is easy to mount in the overall arrangement thereof.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the siphon comprises an outlet pipe and a siphon cover. The siphon cover comprises an outer pipe, which has a larger diameter than the outlet pipe. The outer pipe is closed at one end by the bearing plate. The siphon cover is arranged at least partially around the outlet pipe, so that an annular gap-shaped flow duct section is formed in the region between the outlet pipe and the outer pipe. Further downstream, the outlet pipe itself forms the flow duct. In this embodiment, the flow duct is also delimited by the side of the bearing plate which is located opposite the bearing surface.

As a result of the one-piece design of the bearing plate with the siphon cover, the toilet block is supported longer during use. This ensures that the dispensing of active ingredient preparation into the toilet bowl takes place constantly over an extended period of time. The siphon cover, and thus the bearing plate at the same time, is placed onto the device using a simple production step.

A pipe within the meaning of the invention is a segment of an elongated hollow body and can have a circular or another cross-section, such as rectangular or oval. A cross-section (cross-sectional surface) shall be understood to mean a vertical cross-section (vertical cross-sectional surface).

In one embodiment of the invention, the receiving container comprises support means, which together with the bearing plate are designed to hold the toilet block in position, which is to say above the terminating threshold level. The support means is preferably designed as one piece with the receiving container. The support means preferably has a surface area (the support surface) of less than 5 mm², preferably less than or equal to 3 mm². Due to the small surface area, contact with the toilet block is minimized, and consequently also the volume of residual water that remains adhering to the toilet block. The number of support means is preferably no more than 10, further preferably no more than 6, still more preferably no more than 4. Due to the low number of support points, contact with the toilet block is likewise minimized, and consequently so is the volume of residual water that remains adhering to the toilet block.

In one embodiment of the invention, the bearing surface is larger than the outside cross-sectional surface of the outer pipe of the siphon cover, preferably 1.5 times larger, further preferably 2 times larger. For example, if the pipe has a circular cross-section, the bearing surface is larger than pi*(d²)/4, wherein d is the outside diameter of the outer pipe of the siphon cover. The bearing surface is preferably smaller than half, especially smaller than ¼ of the maximum surface area in this plane. The maximum surface area is the inner cross-sectional surface of the receiving container. It is furthermore necessary to keep the bearing surface sufficiently small, so that the water flow dynamics within the receiving container are maintained. As soon as the triggering threshold level is reached, the siphon should begin to discharge the water, in particular when the toilet block also includes an active ingredient preparation having a cleaning function. It was established that a very large bearing surface, even if it is perforated or pierced in another manner, delays the flow within the receiving container for too long and results in continued dripping or in residual water in the pan.

The device is preferably elongated and conforms to the rim of the toilet bowl. In this way, a front wall, which is arranged in the direction of the toilet bowl interior, and a rear wall, which is arranged in the direction of the toilet bowl wall, are defined. Spacers are preferably present on the outside of the rear wall, so as to prevent flushing water from remaining between the rear wall and the toilet bowl wall as a result of capillary action. The spacers are important to prevent streaking and stains on the toilet bowl wall.

It is preferred for the bearing plate for the toilet block to extend at least 80%, further preferably at least 90%, between the front and rear walls. In this way, the toilet block is held on the bearing plate even after half of it has been consumed. This is in particular advantageous when using two- or multi-piece toilet blocks; these may be two joined parts (such as glued together or coextruded), or two separate parts, which are packaged together in a water-soluble PVA film, for example, prior to use. In the case of multi-piece toilet blocks, one part preferably includes a cleaning action and another part a coloring action. It is also possible, of course, to have more than two parts within a toilet block, and moreover additional active ingredient functions are possible as well, such as bleaching, lime scale prevention or hygiene functions.

If the toilet block is two-piece and one part includes a coloring action, it is particularly preferred for this part to have a color that is the same color as the receiving container. This color is not colorless or white. The further part, which does not include a coloring action, has another color, preferably white. In this way, the consumer is able to identify the color to be dispensed into the toilet bowl and, at the same time, that different active ingredient preparations are present in the device. One example in this regard is a blue receiving container, in which one toilet block part is blue and the other part is white.

In a further embodiment, the bearing plate is spaced in each case from the front wall and rear wall of the receiving container by a maximum distance of 3 mm. This applies in particular for toilet blocks that are higher than they are deep in the usage position. Due to the small distance between the front and rear walls, these are eroded less by the flushing water and can thus be kept longer in the usage position.

In one embodiment, the bearing surface is a continuous surface. In this way, it is achieved that a minimum of residual water, or even no residual water, remains in the receiving container.

It is further preferred for the pan bottom to have a low point and for the siphon to be arranged at the lowest point of the pan bottom.

In one embodiment of the invention, it is preferred for the inlet opening of the siphon, in which flushing water can flow from the receiving container into the siphon, to be located no more than 10 mm, further preferably no more than 5 mm, above the pan bottom. The level of the inlet opening is defined by the distance between the siphon cover and the pan bottom, for example. The siphon cover can have a tooth-like lower edge, for example. In this case, the distance between the upper tooth edge and the pan bottom can be taken into consideration. In this embodiment, the flushing water flows almost completely out of the pan due to capillary action. This is particularly favorable when the siphon is arranged at the lowest point of the pan bottom.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the toilet block is at least two-piece. The parts of the toilet block can be joined to each other or be separate, preferably separate. In the usage position, the boundary between the two parts is located on the bearing plate. In this way, both parts are supported by the bearing plate. This is particularly preferred when both parts of the toilet block fulfill different functions, for example one cleaning part containing a cleaning composition and one water coloring part containing a dye composition.

Exemplary Embodiment

The invention is described in more detail hereinafter by way of example based on the drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the device, the device being shown in the open state and without a toilet block;

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view through a device according to the invention along cutting plane A-A from FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view through a device according to the invention, comprising a toilet block, along cutting plane B-B from FIG. 1.

A device 1 according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. The device 1 comprises a receiving container 3, which can be fastened to the rim of the toilet bowl by way of a bracket-shaped holder 10, but the holder may also be designed differently. The receiving container 3 comprises at least one inlet 6 and one outlet 7 for flushing water and is fluidically connected to the toilet bowl via the outlet 7, wherein a siphon 8 is arranged upstream from the outlet 7. As is apparent from FIG. 2, the siphon 8 defines a triggering threshold level 17 and a terminating threshold level 18 for flushing water in the interior of the receiving container 3. The triggering threshold level 17 determines the time at which flushing water starts to discharge through the siphon 8 from the interior of the receiving container 3, while the terminating threshold level 18 determines the time at which flushing water stops from being discharged from the receiving container 3. In this way, the triggering threshold level 17 and the terminating threshold level 18 define a desired, regulated discharge of flushing water from the receiving container 3.

In the region of the container that is at the bottom in the usage position, the receiving container 3 forms a pan 4 having a pan bottom 5, on which the siphon 8 is arranged. The receiving container 3 accommodates the toilet block 2 comprising the active ingredient preparation 16, see FIG. 3. Flushing water, which can enter the receiving container via the inlet 6, can flow across the toilet block 2. As a result of the bearing plate 9 and the support means 11, the toilet block 2 is held above the pan bottom 5 and moreover, according to the invention, above the terminating threshold level 18. If the toilet block 2 is two-piece, it is preferred for the boundary 2.1 between the parts to be located on the bearing plate.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show that the bearing plate 9 forms part of the siphon 8, and in the present case it is integrally formed on the siphon cover and thus delimits the flow duct 19. The bearing plate 9 has a bearing surface 9.1 larger than the cross-sectional surface of the outer pipe 8.1 of the siphon cover.

As a result of the one-piece design of the bearing plate with the siphon cover, the toilet block is supported longer during use. This ensures that the dispensing of active ingredient preparation into the toilet bowl takes place constantly over an extended period of time. The siphon cover, and thus the bearing plate at the same time, is placed onto the device using a simple production step.

Reference numerals

• device 1
• toilet block 2
• possible separation of toilet block 2.1
• receiving container 3
• pan 4
• pan bottom 5
• inlet 6
• outlet 7
• outlet pipe 7.1
• siphon 8
• outer pipe 8.1
• bearing plate 9
• bearing surface 9.1
• holder 10
• additional bearing surface 11
• secondary openings 12
• inlet openings 13
• outlet pipe 14
• lower region 15
• active ingredient preparation 16
• triggering threshold level 17
• terminating threshold level 18
• flow duct 19

While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description of the invention, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A device (1) for dispensing a water-soluble active ingredient preparation (16) from a toilet block (2) into a toilet bowl, comprising a receiving container (3), which is to be arranged in a toilet bowl, for the toilet block (2) across which flushing water can flow, wherein the receiving container (3):

can be fastened to the rim of the toilet bowl by way of a (bracket-shaped) holder (10);

forms a pan (4) having a pan bottom (5) in the region of the container that is at the bottom in the usage position;

comprises at least one inlet (6) and one outlet (7) for the flushing water and is fluidically connected to the toilet bowl via the outlet (7), a siphon (8) being arranged upstream from the outlet (7);

wherein the siphon (8) defines a triggering threshold level (17) and a terminating threshold level (18) for flushing water in the receiving container (3), by way of which a discharge of flushing water through the siphon (8) can begin and stop, and

the receiving container (3) comprises a bearing plate (9) having a bearing surface (9.1), wherein the bearing plate (9) holds the toilet block (2) above the terminating threshold level (18), and wherein the bearing plate (9) is fastened to the siphon (8).

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the siphon (8) comprises a siphon cover.

3. The device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the bearing plate (9) and the siphon cover are one piece.

4. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the bearing surface is larger than the outside cross-sectional surface of an outer pipe of the siphon cover.

5. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the bearing surface is smaller than half of the maximum available surface area in this plane within the receiving container (3).

6. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the bearing plate (9) extends at least 80% between a front wall and a rear wall of the receiving container (3).

7. The device (1) according claim 1, wherein the receiving container (3) comprises support means, which together with the bearing plate (2) are configured to hold the toilet block (2).

8. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the bearing plate (9) is spaced from the front and rear walls of the receiving container (3) by a respective maximum distance of 3 mm.

9. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the bearing surface is a continuous surface.

10. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the toilet block (2) has at least a two-piece design.

11. The device (1) according to claim 10, wherein the two toilet block rests at least partially on the bearing plate (9).

12. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the siphon includes an opening through which flushing water can flow from the receiving container into the siphon (8), the opening being located no more than 10 mm.