EP1281817A2

EP1281817A2 - Delivery device for automatically delivering detergent and deodorant products for water closet bowls

Info

Publication number: EP1281817A2
Application number: EP01128986A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Fabio Granata
Original assignee: Lincon Italiana SpA
Current assignee: Lincon Italiana SpA
Priority date: 2001-07-31
Filing date: 2001-12-06
Publication date: 2003-02-05
Also published as: ITMI20011669A0; EP1281817A3; ITMI20011669A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a delivery device for automatically delivering detergent and deodorant products for water closet bowls, comprising a support element to be applied to the rim of the water closet bowl and defining coupling means for coupling a detergent and deodorant product casing.

The main feature of the invention is that the delivery device comprises, at the region thereof thereon the opening mouth of the casing bears, a pair of calibrated channels for allowing the high viscosity detergent and deodorant product to exit therefrom, which channels lead to two cups, which can be arranged at a region therethrough flushing water can pass.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a delivery device for automatically delivering detergent and deodorant products for water closet bowls.
For cleaning and deodorizing water closet bowls are at present conventionally used liquid cleaning or detergent products, which are packaged in a vessel to be arranged in an upside-down condition on a supporting element, which is coupled to the rim portion of the water closet bowl.
Such a prior approach, however, is affected by some drawbacks, related to a proper adjustment of the liquid flow rate at the outlet of the liquid vessel.
Actually, it has been found that prior liquid detergent product delivery devices provided a high outlet flow-rate of the liquid detergent product, thereby, a continuous flushing due to water being flushed through the water closet bowl, caused an excessively quick exhaustion of said detergent products.
A further drawback of prior art approaches is that they do not allow to hold a comparatively broad surface of the deodorant product exposed to air, to consequently facilitate the deodorizing operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to overcome the above disclosed problems, by providing a delivery device for automatically delivering detergent and deodorant products for water closet bowls, providing a very accurately controlled adjustment of the detergent and deodorant product while allowing said product to be easily dispersed through the flushing water, but without exiting vessel with an excessively high flow-rate.
Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such a device which is specifically adapted to assure a constant and even delivering of the detergent and deodorant product, so as to distribute said product through a comparatively broad surface, which can be properly contacted by air to provide the desired deodorizing action, in addition to the detergent action obtained by flushing water through the detergent and deodorant product.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a delivery device which, owing to its specifically designed features, is very reliable and safe in operation.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a delivery device for automatically delivering detergent and deodorant products for water closet bowls, which can be easily made and which, moreover, is very competitive from a mere economic standpoint.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a delivery device for automatically delivering detergent and deodorant products for water closet bowls, comprising a support element, to be applied to a rim of a water closet bowl, defining coupling means for coupling to said rim of said bowl a detergent and deodorant product vessel, characterized in that said device further comprises, at a region thereof provided for bearing a mouth opening of said vessel, at least a channel for allowing a high viscosity detergent and deodorant product to exit therefrom, said channel leading to at least a cup which can be arranged at a region of said bowl affected by a flushing water passing therethrough.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment of a delivery device for automatically delivering detergent and deodorant products for water closet bowls, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative example, in the accompanying drawings, where:
Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the supporting element;
Figure 2 is a top plan view illustrating said supporting element;
Figure 3 illustrates the supporting element and detergent and deodorant product vessel, in a separated condition;
Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the vessel coupled to the supporting element;
Figure 5 is a front partially cross-sectional view illustrating the vessel engaged in the supporting element; and
Figure 6 is a further cross-sectional view illustrating, on an enlarged scale, a mouth region of the detergent and deodorant product vessel mouth opening.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the number references of the figures of the accompanying drawings, the delivery device for automatically delivering detergent and deodorant products for water closet bowls, according to the present invention, which has been generally indicated by the reference number 1, comprises a supporting element 2, including a base body 3, to which is coupled a curled element 4, for connecting said supporting element to a rim portion of a water closet bowl.
The base or bottom body 3 comprises coupling means for coupling a detergent and deodorant product vessel, generally indicated by 10, which substantially comprises a perforating element 11, which can be engaged in the opening mouth 12 of the vessel 10 and which is provided for coupling, in an upside-down condition, to an annular ridge 13 rigid with said base body 3.
The vessel 10 holds therein a high viscosity detergent and deodorant product, having a viscosity from 800 to 900 cps.
Said product advantageously comprises a mixture of a foaming anionic surface active agent, such as 3 OE sodium laurylethersulphate, in a rate from 23% to 26%, with a non ionic surface active agent, having a viscosity controlling function, which advantageously comprises glyceryl ethoxylate isostearate (90 moles) and ethoxylate lauryl alcohol (2 moles).
To provide the desired deodorizing effect, a fragrance in a rate of 8% and a preserving agent in a rate of 0.1%, said preserving agent advantageously comprising a mixture of preserving agents, being moreover provided.
The thus made product has a high viscosity and is suitable to slowly diffuse through a pair of small channels 20 which are arranged adjoining the perforating means 11 of the opening mouth, and lead to a pair of cups 21, formed in said body 3 and so arranged as to be affected by the flushing water.
The mentioned cups 21 advantageously comprise a respective outlet hole 22.
The above disclosed device allows the product to exit therefrom with a very small flow-rate or speed, owing to the very high viscosity of the detergent and deodorant product.
Moreover, as the detergent and deodorant product contacts air and water, its viscosity is further increased, thereby preventing uncontrolled portion of the products from exiting the product vessel.
The dense product, as is clearly shown in figure 6, bears on the bottom of the cup, and is ready to be touched by air, thereby providing its deodorizing effect and, as it is contacted by the washing water, to also provide its detergent effect.
Thus, owing to the above disclosed device, a controlled delivery of the product is obtained, due to the provision of the mentioned two product exiting channels, which are suitably calibrated, and are arranged under the mentioned mouth, thereby allowing the high viscosity product to slowly exit said channels.
The invention, as disclosed, is susceptible to several modifications and variations, all of which will come within the scope of the inventive idea.
Moreover, all of the constructional details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.
In practicing the invention, the used materials, as well as the contingent size and shapes, can be any, depending on requirements.
In this connection it should be pointed out that the detergent and/or deodorant and/or hygienizing product vessel 10 according to the present invention comprises recessed channels 14, which are vertically oriented, and therethrough the water delivered by the flow meter of the water closet bowl enters said cups 21, while mixing with the mentioned chemical products, and exiting the holes 22.
Thus, the chemical products held in said vessel 10 are delivered in a suitably metered manner.

Claims

A delivery device for automatically delivering detergent and deodorant products for water closet bowls, comprising a support element, to be applied to a rim of a water closet bowl, defining coupling means for coupling to said rim of said bowl a detergent and deodorant product vessel, characterized in that said device further comprises, at a region thereof provided for bearing a mouth opening of said vessel, at least a channel for allowing a high viscosity detergent and deodorant product to exit therefrom, said channel leading to at least a cup which can be arranged at a region of said bowl affected by a flushing water passing therethrough.
A delivery device, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said delivery device comprises, under said opening mouth of said vessel, a pair of outlet channels, said channels diverging from one another and leading to a pair of adjoining cup elements.
A device according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said coupling means for coupling said vessel comprises perforating means operating at the vessel mouth.
A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device comprises a detergent and/or deodorant and/or hygienizing product vessel comprising vertically extending recessed channels, therethrough water, delivered from a flow-metering device of said water closet bowl enters said cups, to be mixed with the provided detergent and/or deodorant and/or hygienizing chemical products, said water exiting said holes and falling into said water closet bowl.
A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cups comprise at least a water outlet hole.
A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said detergent and deodorant product has a viscosity from 800 to 900 cps.
A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said detergent and deodorant product comprises a mixture including an anionic surface active agent in a rate of 23 ÷ 26%, a non-ionic surface active agent in a rate of 3-5%, a fragrance in a rate of 8%, a preserving agent in a rate of 0.1% and water.
A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said anionic surface active agent comprises 3 OE sodium laurylethersulphate.
A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said non-ionic surface active agent comprises glyceryl-ethoxilate isostearate (90 moles) and ethoxylated lauryl alcohol (2 moles)
A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said preserving agent comprises an isothiazoline mixture.
A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said vessel comprises an opening mouth which is applied, in an upside-down condition, to an annular ridge rigid with said base body.
A delivery device for automatically delivering detergent and deodorant products for water closet bowls, according to one or more of the preceding claims, and substantially as broadly disclosed and illustrated and for the intended aim and objects.