CA1319466C - Automatic toilet bowl cleaner and air freshener - Google Patents
Automatic toilet bowl cleaner and air freshenerInfo
- Publication number
- CA1319466C CA1319466C CA000572906A CA572906A CA1319466C CA 1319466 C CA1319466 C CA 1319466C CA 000572906 A CA000572906 A CA 000572906A CA 572906 A CA572906 A CA 572906A CA 1319466 C CA1319466 C CA 1319466C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- compartment
- reservoir tank
- tank
- water
- odorant
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
- E03D9/00—Sanitary or other accessories for lavatories ; Devices for cleaning or disinfecting the toilet room or the toilet bowl; Devices for eliminating smells
- E03D9/02—Devices adding a disinfecting, deodorising, or cleaning agent to the water while flushing
- E03D9/03—Devices adding a disinfecting, deodorising, or cleaning agent to the water while flushing consisting of a separate container with an outlet through which the agent is introduced into the flushing water, e.g. by suction ; Devices for agents in direct contact with flushing water
- E03D9/033—Devices placed inside or dispensing into the cistern
- E03D9/037—Active dispensers, i.e. comprising a moving dosing element
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
- E03D9/00—Sanitary or other accessories for lavatories ; Devices for cleaning or disinfecting the toilet room or the toilet bowl; Devices for eliminating smells
- E03D9/007—Devices for eliminating smells by diffusing deodorants in lavatories
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
- E03D9/00—Sanitary or other accessories for lavatories ; Devices for cleaning or disinfecting the toilet room or the toilet bowl; Devices for eliminating smells
- E03D9/02—Devices adding a disinfecting, deodorising, or cleaning agent to the water while flushing
- E03D2009/028—Devices adding a disinfecting, deodorising, or cleaning agent to the water while flushing using a liquid substance
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Epidemiology (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
- Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
- Bidet-Like Cleaning Device And Other Flush Toilet Accessories (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
This invention simultaneously provides a combined automatic bowl cleaner and air freshener for use within the reservoir tank of a flush toilet.
This invention simultaneously provides a combined automatic bowl cleaner and air freshener for use within the reservoir tank of a flush toilet.
Description
131~466 AUTO~IATIC TOILET BO~L CLEAi~ER ~ID AIR FRESHENER
sAcI~GRo~ ~ OF T~E INVE2lTIO~
This invention relates generally to the art-of sanitizing and more particularly to the art of dispensing toilet bowl cleaners and bathroom odorants.
Various apparatus have been provided or adding cleaner to the tank of a flush toilet. ~ne such example is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2,967,310. A dosing system is disclosed wherein a container having a liquid cleaner therein is inverted within the reservoir tank of a flush toilet. The container is provided at its opening with an insert having a hollow plunger to interact with the rise and fall of the water within the tank. When the tank level is at its full level the hollow plunger floats upward to close the opening of the container. Upon flushing the toilet and lowering of the water level within the re~ervoir tank, the hollow insert is lowered to open the container and permit flow of liquid cleaner into the water of the tank until such time as the water level rises to cause the hollow insert to float upwardly and close the opening of the container.
U.S. Patent No. 4,358,860 discloses a room air freshener within the confines of the reservoir tank of a flush toilet.
~, .
1 31 9~66 The apparatus involves the use of a hollow bell-shaped member which rises and falls with the water level of the tank. The hollow bell-shaped member is in communication with an aerosol spray can, which spray can is in communication with the surrounding bathroom atmosphere through a conduit. ~pon the lowering of the water level, the bell-shaped member actuates the aerosol which causes air freshener to flow through the conduit out of the reservoir ~ank t~ be emitted in.o the bathroom atmosphere.
U.S. Patent ~o. 4,168,550 discloses an apparatus for dispensing an aromatizing liquid both into the water of a reservoir tank~of a flush toilet and through a conduit from that tank into the surrounding exterior atmosphere. The apparatus disclosed utilizes heating coils within the device to maintain the aromatizing substance at an appropriate te~perature.
Nhile these various prior art devices have been operable and somewhat satisfactory for their intended purpose, there still exists significant room for advancement in the dispensing of toilet bowl cleaner and bathroom odorants.
1 31 946h SUMr~RY OF ~EIE I~E2~TI02T
It is thus an object of this invention to provide a novel treatment apparatus for a bathroom environment.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a combined automatic toilet bowl cleaner and air freshener for use within the reservoir tank of a flush toilet.
It is a further and more particular object of this invention to provide such an apparatus which simultaneously provides a cleaning chemical to the flush water of a toilet reservoir tank and odorant for the air in the envi~onment of the toilet~
These as well as other objects are accomplished by an apparatus for cleaning and odorizing the environment of a toilet bowl having a reservoir tank. The apparatus is formed of a container having two compartments. ~he first compartment is adapted to contain a liquid toilet bowl cleaning chemical which is in communication with means for per~itting release of cleaning chemicals into ~he water reservoir tank as the water is utilized to flush the toilet and to preclude release when the reservoir is at its full level. A volatile odorant is provided in the second co~partment which is located above the full water level line ~4~ 1319466 to provide a volatile odorant to the air within the reservoir tank which is displaced during the refilling of the tank into the surrounding environment.
More particularly, the invention resides in an apparatus for cleaning and odorizing the environment of a flush toilet bowl communicating with a water reservoir tank comprising:
a container having a first compartment and a second compartment separate from and in non-fluid communication with said first compartment within said container;
said first compartment being adapted to contain a liquid toilet bowl cleaner;
means in communication with said first compart-ment to permit release of said cleaner into said water reservoir tank as said water is utilized to flush said toilet bowl and to preclude release when said reservoir is at its full level.
a volatile deodorant in said second compartment adapted to be located above the full water level of said tank said odorant being in vapor communication with the entire air volume of said tank;
said container defining vents between said second compartment and said reservoir tank above said full water level for continued release of said volatile odorant whereby, upon flushing, said entire air volume within said reservoir tank sorbs odorant from said volatile odorant through said vents and upon refilling of said reservoir tank with water, said entire air volume within said tank displaced by water refilling _4_ -4a- 1 31 9466 said tank and which contains said odorant is moved by the displacement thereof into the room environment adjacent to the toilet.
Furthermore, the invention resides in a process for simultaneously cleaning toilet flush water and odorizing the environment within the bathroom surround-ing said flush toilet comprising the steps of:
placing with a water reservoir tank of a flush toilet an apparatus including a container having a first compartment and a second compartment separate from and in non-fluid communication with said first compartment within said container, said first compartment adapted to contain a liquid toilet bowl cleaning chemical/
means of communication with said first compart-ment to permit release of said cleaning chemical into said water reservoir tank as said water is utilized to flush said toilet bowl and to preclude release when said reservoir is at its full level, a volatile odorant in said second compartment at a level above the full level of said reservoir tank said volatile odorant being in vapor communication with the entire air volume of said tank, said container defininq vents between said compartment and said reservoir tank above said full level for continued release of said volatile odorant to said entire air volume;
-4a-a -4b- 1 31 q~66 flushing said toilet and thereby lowering the water level in said reservoir tank, the lowering of said water level thereby releasing said cleaning chemical into said water reservoir tank as said water level is lowering;
diluting concentrated odorant within said entire air of said tank as said water level is lowering;
raising said water level and thereby forcing diluted odorant from the air within said reservoir tank out of said reservoir tank into the surrounding environ-ment;
continuing to raise said water level to said full level and thereby precluding further release of cleaning chemical to said reservoir tank.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Figure 1 is a rear view of the apparatus in accordance with this invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus ofFig. 1 in the inverted position showing the front thereof.
Figures 3 and 4 are partial cutaway views along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 illustrating the apparatus within the reservoir tank of a flush toilet.
Figure 5 is an assembly view of the Fig. 2 apparatus.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the second compartment illustrated in Fig. 5.
; -4b--4c-Figure 7 illustrates the apparatus installed within the flush tank reservoir of a flush toilet.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In accordance with this invention it has been found that an apparatus can be provided to simultan-eously provide cleaning chemicals to the water within a reservoir of a flush -4c-tank and provide volatile odorant to the atmosphere of a bathroom upon the flush and refill of the toilet reservoir ~ank. It has been found that this can be brought about with the ùtilization of but a single container placed within the reservoir tank to communicate with the air an2 water therein.
Various other advantages and features will become apparent from a reading of the following descriptlon given with reference to the various figures of drawing.
Figure 1 of the drawings illustrates the apparatus 1 in accordance with this invention. The aparatus has an upper or first compartment 3 and a lower or second compartment 5 illustrated at Fig. 1 as being separated by a part line 7.
As illustrated in Fig. 1 the apparatus appears as a container 9 having a closure lid 11. The apparatus 1 appears in Fig. 1 as it might appear on the back surface thereof on a retail shelf in a vertical orientation.
In actual operation within a toilet reservoir tank the apparatus would be inverted as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings without the lid closure 11. As will be further de~onstrated, the first compartment 3 is operable through opening 15 which is otherwise closed by lid closure 11 for communication with the water within the reservoir tank of a flush tank toilet while second compartment S is operable for communic2tion with the air volume within the reservoir tank of the flush toilet. Means 17 in the form of a hook are provided for appropriately positioning the apparatus 1 within such reservoir tank as is best illustrated in Fig. 7 ~he operation and cooperation of the two compartments when the apparatus is appropriately positioned will become apparent from further descriptlon.
Figure 3 of the drawing is a partial cutaway along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 of the drawings illustrating the apparatus 1 within a reservoir tan~ 21 with opening 15 submerged below water level 23. First compartment 3 contains a cleaning liquid chemical 25 adapted to flow through opening 15 and generally controlled by means 27 which is in communication with the first compartment 3 to permit release of cleaning chemical 25 when the water in the reservoir tank is utilized to flush ~ toilet bowl and to preclude release when the reservoir is at its full level as illustrated in Fig. 3.
Fig. 4 of the drawings is a view generally similar to Fig. 3 but with the water level reduced to level 29. For clarity of understanding of the operation of the means 27 reference is made to both Figures 3 and 4. Fur~her description of the means 27 may be had from U.S. Patent IJo. 2,9G7,310 which '`-` 131q466 6~693-4256 substantlally dlscloses the means 27.
Means 27 comprises a statlonary insert member 31 wlthin neck 33 of contalner 9. Insert 31 deflnes a sklrt portlon 35 nested wlthin the neck 33. Insert 31 also deflnes an orlflce 37 whlch ls ln fluld communlcatlon wlth flrst compartment 3.
A moveable member 41 ls moveable wlthln statlonary member 31 and defines a floatatlon bell 43 which moves downwardly upon lowerlng of the water level as lllustrated ln Flg. 4 due to the loss of floatatlon thereof and which permlts release of the cleanlng chemical ll~ul~llquld 25 through orlflce 37 from the ~irst compartment and whlch floats upwardly upon refllllng of the tank as illustrated in Fig. 3 to preclude further communlcatlon through orlflce 37. While the term "cleaning chemlcal" or "cleaner" has been used throughout thls speclflcation lt ls understood that such term encompasses detergent disinfectants, sanltizers and the llke.
Flg. 5 is an assembly vlew of the apparatus 1 showlng statlonary member insert 31 wlth moveable member 41 as lt ls poslt~oned to pass through orlflce 37 and as stationary lnsert ls ~0 posltloned to be placed wlthin neck 33 of contalner 9. Compart-ment 5 ls lllustrated as belng partlally removed from compartment 3 as is hanger cllp 17. Second compartment 5 ls lllustrated as forming a housing for a source of volatile material 51. The source is illustrated herein as being a conventional blotter material which sorbs and emits the volatile odorant. ~he source may also be other conventional sources such as impregnated beads and gels or other releasing systems. The housing within second compartment 5 communicates with the e~terior environment through vents 53 so that the volatile odorant passes through vents 53 and into the surrounding air.
Fig. 6 is an interior view of second compartment 5 illustrating a housing 55 therein for containing source of volatile material 51. Also illustrated in Fis. ~ is a closure for housing 55 in the nature of â seal 57. It is understood that seal 57 will close housing 55 and preclude gaseous communication between the volatile material therein and the surrounding environment. This is for the purpose of shelf and marketing storage until the apparatus 1 reaches the consumer. ~he consumer would then remove seal 57 to establish communication between the interior of the housing 55 and the surrounding atmosphere through vents 53. I~ is understood, however, that housing 55 and seal 57 are merely preferred with other housings and seals such as a shrin~ wrap ' ' 131q466 label about vents 53 being equivalent.
The actual operation of the apparatus 1 and particularly o~ second compartment 5 may be best understood by referring to Fig. 7. As illustrated in Fig. 7 tank 21 is covered with cover 61 leaving a gap 63 for gaseous communication with the environment surrounding the flush toilet. Other means for communication with the exterior environ~ent frequently exist within such tanks. When in the full level as illustrated at 65, a volume of air e~is_s between the le~Jel 65 ar.d the lid 61 which becomes heavily concentrated with the volatile odorant continually emitted through the vents 530 Upon flushing the toilet the water level drops to a low level which brings air through gap 63 and dilutes the concentrated odorant within the tank 21. Upon the return of the water level to the full level 65 the diluted volatile odorant within the tank 21 is forced through gap 63 into the surrounding environment.
From the previous description it is readily apparent that while the water level movement is contributiny to volatile odorant dispersion into the environment surrounding the flush toilet, the water movement also causes the chemical cleaner from the lower or first compartment 3 to pass through the opening 15 into the water of the reservoir tank 21 and thus into the toilet bowl being flushed.
It is thus seen that the apparatus of this invention provides not only an apparatus for use within a toilet tank, but also provides a novel process for both dispensing cleaning chemicals into the water of a flush toilet while simultaneously dispensing odorant to the surrounding air environment. As many variations will become apparent from a reading of the foregoing description, such variations are included within the spirit and scope of this invention as defined by the following appended claims.
sAcI~GRo~ ~ OF T~E INVE2lTIO~
This invention relates generally to the art-of sanitizing and more particularly to the art of dispensing toilet bowl cleaners and bathroom odorants.
Various apparatus have been provided or adding cleaner to the tank of a flush toilet. ~ne such example is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2,967,310. A dosing system is disclosed wherein a container having a liquid cleaner therein is inverted within the reservoir tank of a flush toilet. The container is provided at its opening with an insert having a hollow plunger to interact with the rise and fall of the water within the tank. When the tank level is at its full level the hollow plunger floats upward to close the opening of the container. Upon flushing the toilet and lowering of the water level within the re~ervoir tank, the hollow insert is lowered to open the container and permit flow of liquid cleaner into the water of the tank until such time as the water level rises to cause the hollow insert to float upwardly and close the opening of the container.
U.S. Patent No. 4,358,860 discloses a room air freshener within the confines of the reservoir tank of a flush toilet.
~, .
1 31 9~66 The apparatus involves the use of a hollow bell-shaped member which rises and falls with the water level of the tank. The hollow bell-shaped member is in communication with an aerosol spray can, which spray can is in communication with the surrounding bathroom atmosphere through a conduit. ~pon the lowering of the water level, the bell-shaped member actuates the aerosol which causes air freshener to flow through the conduit out of the reservoir ~ank t~ be emitted in.o the bathroom atmosphere.
U.S. Patent ~o. 4,168,550 discloses an apparatus for dispensing an aromatizing liquid both into the water of a reservoir tank~of a flush toilet and through a conduit from that tank into the surrounding exterior atmosphere. The apparatus disclosed utilizes heating coils within the device to maintain the aromatizing substance at an appropriate te~perature.
Nhile these various prior art devices have been operable and somewhat satisfactory for their intended purpose, there still exists significant room for advancement in the dispensing of toilet bowl cleaner and bathroom odorants.
1 31 946h SUMr~RY OF ~EIE I~E2~TI02T
It is thus an object of this invention to provide a novel treatment apparatus for a bathroom environment.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a combined automatic toilet bowl cleaner and air freshener for use within the reservoir tank of a flush toilet.
It is a further and more particular object of this invention to provide such an apparatus which simultaneously provides a cleaning chemical to the flush water of a toilet reservoir tank and odorant for the air in the envi~onment of the toilet~
These as well as other objects are accomplished by an apparatus for cleaning and odorizing the environment of a toilet bowl having a reservoir tank. The apparatus is formed of a container having two compartments. ~he first compartment is adapted to contain a liquid toilet bowl cleaning chemical which is in communication with means for per~itting release of cleaning chemicals into ~he water reservoir tank as the water is utilized to flush the toilet and to preclude release when the reservoir is at its full level. A volatile odorant is provided in the second co~partment which is located above the full water level line ~4~ 1319466 to provide a volatile odorant to the air within the reservoir tank which is displaced during the refilling of the tank into the surrounding environment.
More particularly, the invention resides in an apparatus for cleaning and odorizing the environment of a flush toilet bowl communicating with a water reservoir tank comprising:
a container having a first compartment and a second compartment separate from and in non-fluid communication with said first compartment within said container;
said first compartment being adapted to contain a liquid toilet bowl cleaner;
means in communication with said first compart-ment to permit release of said cleaner into said water reservoir tank as said water is utilized to flush said toilet bowl and to preclude release when said reservoir is at its full level.
a volatile deodorant in said second compartment adapted to be located above the full water level of said tank said odorant being in vapor communication with the entire air volume of said tank;
said container defining vents between said second compartment and said reservoir tank above said full water level for continued release of said volatile odorant whereby, upon flushing, said entire air volume within said reservoir tank sorbs odorant from said volatile odorant through said vents and upon refilling of said reservoir tank with water, said entire air volume within said tank displaced by water refilling _4_ -4a- 1 31 9466 said tank and which contains said odorant is moved by the displacement thereof into the room environment adjacent to the toilet.
Furthermore, the invention resides in a process for simultaneously cleaning toilet flush water and odorizing the environment within the bathroom surround-ing said flush toilet comprising the steps of:
placing with a water reservoir tank of a flush toilet an apparatus including a container having a first compartment and a second compartment separate from and in non-fluid communication with said first compartment within said container, said first compartment adapted to contain a liquid toilet bowl cleaning chemical/
means of communication with said first compart-ment to permit release of said cleaning chemical into said water reservoir tank as said water is utilized to flush said toilet bowl and to preclude release when said reservoir is at its full level, a volatile odorant in said second compartment at a level above the full level of said reservoir tank said volatile odorant being in vapor communication with the entire air volume of said tank, said container defininq vents between said compartment and said reservoir tank above said full level for continued release of said volatile odorant to said entire air volume;
-4a-a -4b- 1 31 q~66 flushing said toilet and thereby lowering the water level in said reservoir tank, the lowering of said water level thereby releasing said cleaning chemical into said water reservoir tank as said water level is lowering;
diluting concentrated odorant within said entire air of said tank as said water level is lowering;
raising said water level and thereby forcing diluted odorant from the air within said reservoir tank out of said reservoir tank into the surrounding environ-ment;
continuing to raise said water level to said full level and thereby precluding further release of cleaning chemical to said reservoir tank.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Figure 1 is a rear view of the apparatus in accordance with this invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus ofFig. 1 in the inverted position showing the front thereof.
Figures 3 and 4 are partial cutaway views along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 illustrating the apparatus within the reservoir tank of a flush toilet.
Figure 5 is an assembly view of the Fig. 2 apparatus.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the second compartment illustrated in Fig. 5.
; -4b--4c-Figure 7 illustrates the apparatus installed within the flush tank reservoir of a flush toilet.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In accordance with this invention it has been found that an apparatus can be provided to simultan-eously provide cleaning chemicals to the water within a reservoir of a flush -4c-tank and provide volatile odorant to the atmosphere of a bathroom upon the flush and refill of the toilet reservoir ~ank. It has been found that this can be brought about with the ùtilization of but a single container placed within the reservoir tank to communicate with the air an2 water therein.
Various other advantages and features will become apparent from a reading of the following descriptlon given with reference to the various figures of drawing.
Figure 1 of the drawings illustrates the apparatus 1 in accordance with this invention. The aparatus has an upper or first compartment 3 and a lower or second compartment 5 illustrated at Fig. 1 as being separated by a part line 7.
As illustrated in Fig. 1 the apparatus appears as a container 9 having a closure lid 11. The apparatus 1 appears in Fig. 1 as it might appear on the back surface thereof on a retail shelf in a vertical orientation.
In actual operation within a toilet reservoir tank the apparatus would be inverted as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings without the lid closure 11. As will be further de~onstrated, the first compartment 3 is operable through opening 15 which is otherwise closed by lid closure 11 for communication with the water within the reservoir tank of a flush tank toilet while second compartment S is operable for communic2tion with the air volume within the reservoir tank of the flush toilet. Means 17 in the form of a hook are provided for appropriately positioning the apparatus 1 within such reservoir tank as is best illustrated in Fig. 7 ~he operation and cooperation of the two compartments when the apparatus is appropriately positioned will become apparent from further descriptlon.
Figure 3 of the drawing is a partial cutaway along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 of the drawings illustrating the apparatus 1 within a reservoir tan~ 21 with opening 15 submerged below water level 23. First compartment 3 contains a cleaning liquid chemical 25 adapted to flow through opening 15 and generally controlled by means 27 which is in communication with the first compartment 3 to permit release of cleaning chemical 25 when the water in the reservoir tank is utilized to flush ~ toilet bowl and to preclude release when the reservoir is at its full level as illustrated in Fig. 3.
Fig. 4 of the drawings is a view generally similar to Fig. 3 but with the water level reduced to level 29. For clarity of understanding of the operation of the means 27 reference is made to both Figures 3 and 4. Fur~her description of the means 27 may be had from U.S. Patent IJo. 2,9G7,310 which '`-` 131q466 6~693-4256 substantlally dlscloses the means 27.
Means 27 comprises a statlonary insert member 31 wlthin neck 33 of contalner 9. Insert 31 deflnes a sklrt portlon 35 nested wlthin the neck 33. Insert 31 also deflnes an orlflce 37 whlch ls ln fluld communlcatlon wlth flrst compartment 3.
A moveable member 41 ls moveable wlthln statlonary member 31 and defines a floatatlon bell 43 which moves downwardly upon lowerlng of the water level as lllustrated ln Flg. 4 due to the loss of floatatlon thereof and which permlts release of the cleanlng chemical ll~ul~llquld 25 through orlflce 37 from the ~irst compartment and whlch floats upwardly upon refllllng of the tank as illustrated in Fig. 3 to preclude further communlcatlon through orlflce 37. While the term "cleaning chemlcal" or "cleaner" has been used throughout thls speclflcation lt ls understood that such term encompasses detergent disinfectants, sanltizers and the llke.
Flg. 5 is an assembly vlew of the apparatus 1 showlng statlonary member insert 31 wlth moveable member 41 as lt ls poslt~oned to pass through orlflce 37 and as stationary lnsert ls ~0 posltloned to be placed wlthin neck 33 of contalner 9. Compart-ment 5 ls lllustrated as belng partlally removed from compartment 3 as is hanger cllp 17. Second compartment 5 ls lllustrated as forming a housing for a source of volatile material 51. The source is illustrated herein as being a conventional blotter material which sorbs and emits the volatile odorant. ~he source may also be other conventional sources such as impregnated beads and gels or other releasing systems. The housing within second compartment 5 communicates with the e~terior environment through vents 53 so that the volatile odorant passes through vents 53 and into the surrounding air.
Fig. 6 is an interior view of second compartment 5 illustrating a housing 55 therein for containing source of volatile material 51. Also illustrated in Fis. ~ is a closure for housing 55 in the nature of â seal 57. It is understood that seal 57 will close housing 55 and preclude gaseous communication between the volatile material therein and the surrounding environment. This is for the purpose of shelf and marketing storage until the apparatus 1 reaches the consumer. ~he consumer would then remove seal 57 to establish communication between the interior of the housing 55 and the surrounding atmosphere through vents 53. I~ is understood, however, that housing 55 and seal 57 are merely preferred with other housings and seals such as a shrin~ wrap ' ' 131q466 label about vents 53 being equivalent.
The actual operation of the apparatus 1 and particularly o~ second compartment 5 may be best understood by referring to Fig. 7. As illustrated in Fig. 7 tank 21 is covered with cover 61 leaving a gap 63 for gaseous communication with the environment surrounding the flush toilet. Other means for communication with the exterior environ~ent frequently exist within such tanks. When in the full level as illustrated at 65, a volume of air e~is_s between the le~Jel 65 ar.d the lid 61 which becomes heavily concentrated with the volatile odorant continually emitted through the vents 530 Upon flushing the toilet the water level drops to a low level which brings air through gap 63 and dilutes the concentrated odorant within the tank 21. Upon the return of the water level to the full level 65 the diluted volatile odorant within the tank 21 is forced through gap 63 into the surrounding environment.
From the previous description it is readily apparent that while the water level movement is contributiny to volatile odorant dispersion into the environment surrounding the flush toilet, the water movement also causes the chemical cleaner from the lower or first compartment 3 to pass through the opening 15 into the water of the reservoir tank 21 and thus into the toilet bowl being flushed.
It is thus seen that the apparatus of this invention provides not only an apparatus for use within a toilet tank, but also provides a novel process for both dispensing cleaning chemicals into the water of a flush toilet while simultaneously dispensing odorant to the surrounding air environment. As many variations will become apparent from a reading of the foregoing description, such variations are included within the spirit and scope of this invention as defined by the following appended claims.
Claims (8)
1. An apparatus for cleaning and odorizing the environment of a flush toilet bowl communicating with a water reservoir tank comprising:
a container having a first compartment and a second compartment separate from and in non-fluid communication with said first compartment within said container;
said first compartment adapted to contain a liquid toilet bowl cleaning chemical;
means in communication with said first compart-ment to permit release of said cleaning chemical into said water reservoir tank as said water is utilized to flush said toilet bowl and to preclude release when said reservoir is at its full level;
a volatile odorant in said second compartment adapted to be located above the full water level of said reservoir tank said odorant being in vapor communication with the entire air volume of said tank;
said container defining vents between said second compartment and said reservoir tank above said full water level for continued release of said volatile odorant whereby, upon flushing, said entire air volume within said reservoir tank sorbs odorant from said volatile odorant through said vents and upon refilling of said reservoir tank with water, said entire air volume within said tank displaced by water refilling said tank and which contains said odorant is moved by the displacement thereof into the room environment adjacent to the toilet.
a container having a first compartment and a second compartment separate from and in non-fluid communication with said first compartment within said container;
said first compartment adapted to contain a liquid toilet bowl cleaning chemical;
means in communication with said first compart-ment to permit release of said cleaning chemical into said water reservoir tank as said water is utilized to flush said toilet bowl and to preclude release when said reservoir is at its full level;
a volatile odorant in said second compartment adapted to be located above the full water level of said reservoir tank said odorant being in vapor communication with the entire air volume of said tank;
said container defining vents between said second compartment and said reservoir tank above said full water level for continued release of said volatile odorant whereby, upon flushing, said entire air volume within said reservoir tank sorbs odorant from said volatile odorant through said vents and upon refilling of said reservoir tank with water, said entire air volume within said tank displaced by water refilling said tank and which contains said odorant is moved by the displacement thereof into the room environment adjacent to the toilet.
2. The apparatus in accordance with Claim 1, wherein said container has a neck communicating with said first compartment and wherein said first compart-ment comprises:
a stationary member within said neck having a skirt nested within said neck and defining an orifice in fluid communication with said first compartment;
a moveable member moveable within said stationary member and defining a flotation bell which moves downwardly upon lowering of the water level in said tank to permit release of said cleaning liquid from said first compartment through said orifice and which floats upwardly upon refilling of said tank to close said orifice and preclude fluid communication.
a stationary member within said neck having a skirt nested within said neck and defining an orifice in fluid communication with said first compartment;
a moveable member moveable within said stationary member and defining a flotation bell which moves downwardly upon lowering of the water level in said tank to permit release of said cleaning liquid from said first compartment through said orifice and which floats upwardly upon refilling of said tank to close said orifice and preclude fluid communication.
3. The apparatus in accordance with Claim 1, wherein said second compartment defines a housing for containing said volatile odorant.
4. The apparatus according to Claim 3, including a removable vapor barrier seal pre-cluding gaseous communication between said housing and said second compartment.
5. The apparatus according to Claim 4 further including a blotter material in said housing and wherein said volatile odorant is sorbed on said blotter material.
6. The apparatus according to Claim 1 further including means for hanging said apparatus within said reservoir tank.
7. The apparatus according to Claim 1 further including a lid closure to close said container to preclude liquid communication between said first compartment and the outside of said container.
8. A process for simultaneously cleaning toilet flush water and odorizing the environment within the bathroom surrounding said flush toilet comprising the steps of:
placing with a water reservoir tank of a flush toilet an apparatus including a container having a first compartment and a second compartment separate from and in non-fluid communication with said first compartment within said container, said first compartment adapted to contain a liquid toilet bowl cleaning chemical, means of communication with said first compart-ment to permit release of said cleaning chemical into said water reservoir tank as said water is utilized to flush said toilet bowl and to preclude release when said reservoir is at its full level, a volatile odorant in said second compartment at a level above the full level of said reservoir tank, said volatile odorant being in vapor communication with the entire air volume of said tank, said container defining vents between said compartment and said reservoir tank above said full level for continued release of said volatile odorant to said entire air volume;
flushing said toilet and thereby lowering the water level in said reservoir tank, the lowering of said water level thereby releasing said cleaning chemical into said water reservoir tank as said water level is lowering;
diluting concentrated odorant within said entire air of said tank as said water level is lowering;
raising said water level and thereby forcing diluted odorant from the air within said reservoir tank out of said reservoir tank into the surrounding environment;
continuing to raise said water level to said full level and thereby precluding further release of cleaning chemical to said reservoir tank.
placing with a water reservoir tank of a flush toilet an apparatus including a container having a first compartment and a second compartment separate from and in non-fluid communication with said first compartment within said container, said first compartment adapted to contain a liquid toilet bowl cleaning chemical, means of communication with said first compart-ment to permit release of said cleaning chemical into said water reservoir tank as said water is utilized to flush said toilet bowl and to preclude release when said reservoir is at its full level, a volatile odorant in said second compartment at a level above the full level of said reservoir tank, said volatile odorant being in vapor communication with the entire air volume of said tank, said container defining vents between said compartment and said reservoir tank above said full level for continued release of said volatile odorant to said entire air volume;
flushing said toilet and thereby lowering the water level in said reservoir tank, the lowering of said water level thereby releasing said cleaning chemical into said water reservoir tank as said water level is lowering;
diluting concentrated odorant within said entire air of said tank as said water level is lowering;
raising said water level and thereby forcing diluted odorant from the air within said reservoir tank out of said reservoir tank into the surrounding environment;
continuing to raise said water level to said full level and thereby precluding further release of cleaning chemical to said reservoir tank.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000572906A CA1319466C (en) | 1988-07-25 | 1988-07-25 | Automatic toilet bowl cleaner and air freshener |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000572906A CA1319466C (en) | 1988-07-25 | 1988-07-25 | Automatic toilet bowl cleaner and air freshener |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1319466C true CA1319466C (en) | 1993-06-29 |
Family
ID=4138431
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000572906A Expired - Fee Related CA1319466C (en) | 1988-07-25 | 1988-07-25 | Automatic toilet bowl cleaner and air freshener |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1319466C (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2023126913A1 (en) * | 2021-12-29 | 2023-07-06 | Sterokem Ltd | A soluble detergent unit |
-
1988
- 1988-07-25 CA CA000572906A patent/CA1319466C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2023126913A1 (en) * | 2021-12-29 | 2023-07-06 | Sterokem Ltd | A soluble detergent unit |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |