TOILET INSERT AND TOILET WITH SUCH A TOILET INSERT

Abstract

A toilet insert is provided by which a toilet can be operated permanently. Furthermore, a toilet with such a toilet insert is to be provided. The object is solved by a toilet insert which contains a surface coating that achieves a non-stick effect. The object is further solved by a toilet with a toilet insert according to the invention, a trough-shaped region adjoining a flushing rim of the toilet with its upper, oval trough rim.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of German patent application DE 20 2020 003 678, filed Aug. 30, 2020; the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a toilet insert. The present invention further relates to a toilet with such a toilet insert.

In particular, toilets in motor homes and caravans are often made of a plastic material for reasons of cost and weight. The disadvantage here is that a toilet made of a plastic material is not particularly resistant to chemicals and mechanical load which are caused, for example, by the use of a toilet brush. As a result, the inner surface of the toilet bowl is often damaged, which means that adhesions which are unsightly and sometimes harmful to health can easily become lodged in the toilet bowl. Such damage to the toilet therefore often requires it to be replaced, which is associated with considerable effort.

German utility model DE 200 18 356 U1 discloses a toilet insert which is intended to prevent a toilet seat and a toilet bowl from being soiled. The insert is made in one piece and its shape is adapted to the toilet bowl and the toilet seat. The toilet insert is made of biodegradable products such as bioplastics film or paper, so that the toilet insert must be removed after each use and a new toilet insert must be put into the toilet before each use of the toilet. This is not only complex, but also expensive in the long term.

In German utility model DE 20 2013 001 135 U1, a pot-shaped toilet insert is described which has a basic shape adapted to a toilet bowl and a rim adapted to a toilet seat. When the toilet insert is used, its rim rests on a rim of the toilet bowl or on a toilet seat attached to the toilet. The toilet insert is made of a dimensionally stable material such as a plastic material, enameled or powder-coated metal, ceramic or glass. Unfortunately, due to its pot-like shape, which is closed at the bottom, the toilet insert must also be regularly removed from the toilet for cleaning.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a toilet insert with which the toilet can be operated continuously. In addition, a toilet with such a toilet insert is to be provided.

The object is achieved by a toilet insert which has a toilet insert body with a surface coating that achieves a non-stick effect.

The toilet insert according to the invention is in particular an insert for toilets which have a damaged surface, in order to cover the surface and to make it as good as new in function and appearance.

By coating of the surface of the toilet insert with the surface coating, which is applied to at least one inner side of the toilet insert, i.e. a side of the toilet insert that is not adjacent to the toilet bowl, adhesions on the toilet insert and thus in the entire toilet can be largely avoided. The toilet insert according to the invention is therefore very hygienic and particularly easy to clean. Furthermore, the surface coating can also reduce the consumption of flushing water and the use of chemicals for cleaning the toilet having the toilet insert according to the invention.

The surface coating is preferably a nano-sealant or the surface coating consists of PTFE. However, it can also be formed from at least one lacquer.

In the present case, the PTFE surface coating is understood to mean a coating based on polytetrafluoroethylene. In the present case, the at least one lacquer is understood to be at least one liquid or powdery coating material which, for example, consists of binders, such as resins, dispersions or emulsions, fillers, pigments, solvents, and additives. In the present case, the nano-sealing denotes a coating which has individual material components with a size between 1 and 1000 nanometers, the toilet insert acquiring a self-cleaning effect due to the nano-sealing. The surface properties of the toilet insert are changed by the nano-sealing in such a way that dirt and other particles can hardly adhere.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the toilet insert is made of a plastic material, metal, earthenware or porcelain with the surface coating.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the toilet insert has a trough-shaped region which is adapted to an inner shape of a toilet bowl of a toilet and which opens into a pipe socket-shaped region that forms a outlet opening.

This toilet insert is adapted to the shape of an inside of a toilet bowl and at least partially to the shape of an inside of a toilet drain, such as a toilet pipe. As a result, when used, this toilet insert rests at least partially on the inside of the toilet bowl and the inside of the toilet drain, the trough-shaped region of the toilet insert being close to the inside of the toilet bowl and the pipe socket-shaped region of the toilet insert being close to the inside of the toilet drain or being in contact with it.

With regard to the manufacturing effort, the functionality and the appearance of the toilet insert according to the invention, it is advantageous if both the outer shape of the toilet insert and, as far as possible, the inner shape of the toilet insert are adapted to the inner shape of the toilet.

An upper trough rim of the trough-shaped region is preferably designed without a retaining collar.

The toilet insert according to the invention is advantageously configured in such a way that it extends from a flushing rim of the toilet to below a water line of the toilet, without the toilet insert protruding beyond a seat surface of the toilet, that is to say an upper rim of the toilet bowl. The upper trough rim of the trough-shaped region of the toilet insert is preferably configured without a retaining collar, that is to say without a projection protruding over the seat surface of the toilet. In this way, all regions of the toilet that are particularly heavily stressed by chemicals and mechanical load are protected by the use of the toilet insert, and their functionality, in particular their resistance to adhesions, is ensured. At the same time, the toilet insert according to the invention is only made as large as necessary, for example by dispensing with the retaining collar, so that the toilet insert can be produced comparatively inexpensively.

The outlet opening which is preferably made in the toilet insert and extends through the trough-shaped region and the pipe socket-shaped region, and thereby forms a passage, enables unrestricted and uncomplicated use of a toilet having the toilet insert according to the invention. Flushing water, feces and other things can flow unhindered through the outlet opening into the sewer system or a collecting tank without the toilet insert having to be removed from the toilet.

The unique shape of the toilet insert according to the invention allows the toilet insert according to the invention to be left in the toilet permanently or at least for a long time. It goes without saying that the toilet insert according to the invention can be used not only in toilets in motor homes and caravans, but can also be used in any commercially available toilet and also in urinals or bidets.

The toilet insert according to the invention is preferably configured in one piece, which enables the toilet insert to be inserted particularly easily into a simple toilet. The one-piece design of the toilet insert is also advantageous with regard to the manufacture of the toilet insert and with regard to the adhesion of deposits to the toilet insert. Likewise, however, the toilet insert can also be formed from two or more parts. This may be necessary, for example, if the toilet insert is to be introduced into a very specially shaped toilet into which the introduction of a one-piece toilet insert is not possible or only possible with great difficulty.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the surface coating is completely formed on the toilet insert. This means that not only the inside of the toilet insert has the surface coating, but also an outside of the toilet insert. In the present case, the outside of the toilet insert is understood to mean the side of the toilet insert which, when the toilet insert is used, adjoins the toilet bowl and/or the toilet drain. In contrast to the coating of only the inside of the toilet insert, the complete coating of the toilet insert, i.e. the coating of the inside and outside, also minimizes the accumulation of deposits in a region between the toilet insert and the toilet bowl or the toilet drain.

In a suitable embodiment of the toilet insert, the surface coating is formed on top of a glaze. The glaze is therefore applied to the toilet insert made from at least one base material, such as plastics material, metal, earthenware or porcelain, wherein the surface coating is applied to the glaze. The glaze, like the surface coating, is preferably applied to the entire toilet insert, that is to say to the inside and the outside of the toilet insert. Alternatively, however, the glaze can also be applied only to part of the toilet insert, such as the inside.

The glaze is used for refining the surface, toilet inserts made in particular from earthenware or porcelain being formed with an additional glaze, since these have comparatively porous surfaces which are sealed by the glaze with a smooth, largely water-impermeable surface layer. This minimizes the adhesion of deposits. Furthermore, however, toilet inserts made of plastics material or metal can also have a glaze.

In order to provide a particularly long-lasting toilet insert, it is configured to be acid resistant and scratch-resistant. An acid-resistant and/or scratch-resistant design of the toilet insert can be achieved, on the one hand, by the base materials used to manufacture the toilet insert and, on the other hand, by application of the surface coating and optionally a glaze to the toilet insert.

Acid resistance is understood here to mean the property of a substance in that, even at high temperatures, it does not form compounds with an acid or is not even dissolved by the acid. In the present case, scratch resistance refers to the resistance of a material to mechanical load which is caused, for example, by the use of a toilet brush.

The present invention also relates to a toilet with a toilet insert according to the invention, wherein the trough-shaped region with its upper, oval trough rim adjoins a flushing rim of the toilet. Such a design and arrangement of the toilet insert have proven to be advantageous in particular with regard to the use of the toilet insert and the production costs. In such a design, the toilet insert does not extend over a seat region of the toilet, the toilet insert protecting at the same time all regions of the toilet that are stressed by water, excretions or other things. In addition, the toilet insert is fixed in its position because it adjoins the flushing rim. However, it is also conceivable that the toilet insert does not extend from the flushing rim in the direction of a toilet drain, but that it extends from an upper rim of the toilet in the direction of the toilet drain or the toilet insert is introduced into the toilet below the flushing rim and spaced from the flushing rim.

With regard to the protection of the toilet, it has also proven to be beneficial if the pipe socket-shaped region extends below a water line of the toilet. The water line denotes the surface of the water in the toilet drain. Since the water line can fluctuate in height, the pipe socket-shaped region is so long that in any case it ends below the waterline when the toilet is used properly. In this way, all particularly heavily stressed regions of the toilet can be protected by the toilet insert. In principle, however, the toilet insert can also be configured and/or introduced into the toilet in such a way that it ends directly at the level of the water line or above the water line. Insofar as the toilet insert is to be used in a toilet without stagnant water in the water drain, it is advantageous if the toilet insert extends as far as or at least partially into a drain region of the toilet that is tapered in relation to the toilet bowl.

The toilet insert is particularly preferably glued into the toilet. As a result, the toilet insert is, on the one hand, fixed in its position and, on the other hand, nothing can run behind the toilet insert, i.e., a flow of flushing water between the toilet bowl and the toilet insert is avoided. This can prevent deposits which cause unpleasant odors and bacteria which are harmful to health from accumulating between the toilet insert and the toilet. For this purpose, an adhesive can be provided at least partially on the outside of the toilet insert, which makes it possible to glue the toilet insert into the toilet in such a way that the toilet insert does not slip when it is stressed, for example by a toilet brush.

The toilet is advantageously a camping toilet. However, it is also conceivable that the toilet is a public toilet, a restaurant toilet or another toilet that is not made of ceramic. It is also conceivable to use the toilet insert in a bidet or a urinal.

Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a toilet insert and a toilet with such a toilet insert, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, side-view of an embodiment of a toilet insert according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the toilet insert according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a bottom, perspective view of the embodiment of the toilet insert according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the toilet insert according to the invention; and

FIG. 5 is front view of the embodiment of the toilet insert according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown schematically an embodiment of a toilet insert 1 according to the invention in a side view, wherein the toilet insert 1 is made of ceramic. The toilet insert 1 is adapted to an inner shape of the toilet for optimal fixing in a toilet (not shown). Here, “adapted to the shape of the toilet” means that an outside 7 of the toilet insert follows the inner shape of the toilet when the toilet insert 1 is introduced into the toilet, at least the majority of the outside 7 of the toilet insert 1 being in contact with the toilet.

The toilet insert 1 shown has a trough-shaped region 2 and a pipe socket-shaped region 3 that forms an outlet opening 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the trough-shaped region 2 tapers in a funnel-like manner in the direction of the pipe socket-shaped region 3 adjoining the trough-shaped region 2. On the other hand, the pipe socket-shaped region 3 is tubular with at least an almost constant diameter.

The outlet opening 4, which extends through the trough-shaped region 2 and the pipe socket-shaped region 3 adjoining the trough-shaped region 2, is configured as a passage opening. The toilet insert 1 is thus open at the top, that is to say in the installed state in the direction of a toilet user, and at the bottom, that is to say in the direction of a toilet drain. Through the outlet opening 4, flushing water, feces or other materials can be discharged unhindered through the toilet drain. As a result, the toilet insert 1 can advantageously be left in the toilet for a long time or permanently.

The toilet insert 1 is configured in such a way that it extends from a flushing rim of the toilet to below a water line of the toilet, wherein an upper, oval-shaped trough rim 5 of the toilet insert 1 adjoins the flushing rim of the toilet. The trough rim 5 does not have a retaining collar which extends over a toilet rim, in particular over a seat surface of the toilet. Thus, in the installed state, the toilet insert 1 is only attached in the interior of the toilet.

The outside 7 of the toilet insert 1 has an adhesive layer which enables the toilet insert 1 to be glued into the toilet. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the adhesive layer is applied to the entire outside 7 of the toilet insert 1. Alternatively, the adhesive layer can also be applied only partially to the outside 7 of the toilet insert. It is also conceivable that the toilet insert 1 does not have an adhesive layer, but rather an adhesive is applied to the inside of the toilet to fix the toilet insert 1 in the toilet. Likewise, when installing the toilet insert 1 in the toilet, the use of adhesive can be dispensed with entirely, so that the toilet insert 1 is only inserted and/or clamped in the toilet. For example, the toilet insert 1 can be configured so that it is clamped firmly under the flushing rim of the toilet.

Gluing the toilet insert 1 into the toilet has, however, proven to be particularly advantageous. By gluing of the toilet insert 1 into the toilet, on the one hand the toilet insert is fixed in its position and, on the other hand, a flow of flushing water or other means between the toilet insert 1 and the toilet can be avoided. The deposition of accumulations which cause unpleasant odors and bacteria which are harmful to health between the toilet insert 1 and the toilet can be largely avoided by gluing the toilet insert 1 into the toilet.

In order to avoid deposits on the toilet insert 1 and to protect the toilet insert 1 from mechanical and chemical loads, the toilet insert 1 has a surface coating 6. The surface coating 6 can be a nano, lacquer or PTFE surface coating of the toilet insert 1.

In the embodiment of the toilet insert 1 shown in FIG. 1, the surface coating 6 is applied both to the outside 7 and to the inside 8 of the toilet insert 1. In alternative embodiments of the toilet insert 1, however, only the inside 8 of the toilet insert can be coated with the surface coating 6.

It is also conceivable that instead of the surface coating 6 a glaze is applied to the toilet insert or the surface coating 6 is provided on a glaze applied to the toilet insert 1.

In particular, due to the surface coating 6 and/or the glaze, the toilet insert 1 is scratch resistant and acid-resistant with respect to mechanical and chemical loads, such as those caused by the use of toilet brushes and chemicals. At least a certain scratch resistance and acid resistance can also be achieved by the selection of the materials from which the toilet insert 1 is made. For example, a toilet insert 1 made of porcelain or earthenware is fundamentally more scratch-resistant and more acid-resistant than a toilet insert 1 made of plastics material with a surface coating 6.

FIG. 2 shows, in perspective and obliquely from above, the embodiment of the toilet insert 1 according to the invention shown in FIG. 1, wherein the same reference numerals as used in FIG. 1 denote the same components.

As shown in FIG. 2, an inner shape of the toilet insert 1 largely corresponds to an outer shape of the toilet insert 1, as a result of which the toilet insert 1 is particularly aesthetic and functional. However, it is also conceivable that the inner shape of the toilet insert 1 deviates from the outer shape of the toilet insert, as a result of which the wall thickness of the toilet insert 1 is not constant, but varies in individual regions of the toilet insert 1.

In FIG. 2 it is also clear that the adhesive layer is only applied to the outside 7 of the toilet insert 1 and not to the inside 8 thereof.

FIG. 2 also shows that the trough-shaped region 2 largely has the shape of an egg divided in the longitudinal direction L, wherein the eccentrically arranged pipe socket-shaped region 3 extends from a side of the egg opposite the cut side of the egg. The toilet insert 1 is symmetrical in longitudinal section and asymmetrical in cross section.

FIG. 3 shows, in perspective and obliquely from below, the embodiment of the toilet insert 1 according to the invention shown in FIG. 1, wherein the same reference numerals as used in the previous figures denote the same components. Reference is made to the preceding descriptions of these components.

FIG. 3 shows that the outlet opening 4 is designed as a passage opening which extends through the pipe socket-shaped region 3 and the trough-shaped region 2 of the toilet insert 1, so that the toilet insert 1 is open at the top and the bottom.

Furthermore, FIG. 3 shows that the pipe socket-shaped region 3 has a constant inner and outer diameter.

FIG. 4 schematically shows from above the embodiment of the toilet insert 1 according to the invention shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the outlet opening 4 is arranged eccentrically in the longitudinal direction L of the toilet insert 1 and centrally in the transverse direction Q of the toilet insert 1.

FIG. 5 schematically shows from the front the embodiment of the toilet insert 1 according to the invention shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is intended to illustrate the symmetrical structure of the toilet insert 1 in the longitudinal direction. Of course, insofar as the toilet into which the toilet insert 1 is to be introduced is configured asymmetrically, the toilet insert 1 can be designed asymmetrically in the longitudinal and/or transverse direction L, Q.

Claims

1. A toilet insert, comprising:

a toilet insert body having a surface coating achieving a non-stick effect.

2. The toilet insert according to claim 1, wherein said surface coating is a nano-sealant or is formed from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

3. The toilet insert according to claim 1, wherein said surface coating is formed from at least one lacquer.

4. The toilet insert according to claim 1, wherein said toilet insert body is made of a plastic material, metal, earthenware or porcelain with said surface coating.

5. The toilet insert according to claim 1, wherein said toilet insert body has a trough-shaped region which is adapted to an inner shape of a toilet bowl and which opens into a pipe socket-shaped region that forms an outlet opening.

6. The toilet insert according to claim 5, wherein said trough-shaped region has an upper trough rim configured without a retaining collar.

7. The toilet insert according to claim 1, wherein said toilet insert body is configured in one piece.

8. The toilet insert according to claim 1, wherein said surface coating is completely formed on said toilet insert body.

9. The toilet insert according to claim 1, wherein said surface coating is formed on a glaze.

10. The toilet insert according to claim 1, wherein said toilet insert body is acid-resistant and scratch-resistant.

11. A toilet, comprising:

a toilet bowl; and

a toilet insert having a surface coating achieving a non-stick effect, said toilet insert having a trough-shaped region being adapted to an inner shape of said toilet bowl and opening into a pipe socket-shaped region forming an outlet opening, said trough-shaped region having an upper, oval trough rim adjoining a flushing rim of the toilet.

12. The toilet according to claim 11, wherein said pipe socket-shaped region extends below a water line of the toilet.

13. The toilet according to claim 11, wherein said toilet insert is glued into the toilet.

14. The toilet according to claim 11, wherein said toilet is a camping toilet.