EP0224767B1 - Device for adding a disinfectant or the like to the flushing water of a toilet - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device according to the preamble of claim 1.

A device of the type mentioned is known from US-A 4,455,692. This device consists of two layers 21, 22 of plastic material, of which one layer 21 is deep-drawn to define chambers 14, 17 or is formed accordingly by a different shape. Both layers 21 and 22 thus define chambers 14, 17, each Keep a distance from the edge of the basic element formed by the two layers 21, 22. In order to offer such a device for sale and to place it on shelves or the like, this device must be inserted into a packaging and the packaging is provided with a print representing its content The known device cannot be placed on a shelf or the like on packaging, but the device is also necessary for packaging in order to include the necessary instructions for use etc. in the form of printed texts.

From DE-U 7 919 664 a device is known which consists of a chamber-shaped container, a lid and a suction lifter which can be used laterally. In this device, a fastening hook is formed on the container. Although this device is suitable for use in a cistern, it is conventionally provided with a packaging and offered to the buyer together with this packaging. This device also has the disadvantage of having additional packaging, so that for the purpose of using this device the packaging has to be torn open, thrown away and the device itself has to be inserted into the cistern.

The invention has for its object to design a device of the type mentioned in such a way that it makes any additional packaging unnecessary.

This object is achieved by the features in the characterizing part of patent claim 1. Further features emerge from the subclaims.

The device according to the invention has the advantage that the block-shaped or tablet-shaped active ingredient can be brought into the cistern of a toilet without contact and that in particular the use of a packaging which can be removed for the purpose of using the device is dispensed with.

The packaging which is not necessary according to the invention means that the costs for the production of the packaging are eliminated and thus there is a substantial saving in the production of a device.

It is particularly advantageous that the device according to the invention can be set up on a shelf and in this form can be introduced directly into the cistern of a toilet, the height of the fastening hook being inserted into the device according to a preferred embodiment.

The device is provided with an inlet opening and an outlet opening, so that during the course of a rinsing process the water in the chamber, dissolved with the active ingredient material, can escape, preferably in a metered form, with the aid of a siphon tube and fresh water after the rinsing process via the filler opening the chamber can enter the cistern to further dissolve the drug material as the water level rises.

It is particularly advantageous to use a material for the second layer which, in addition to water-resistant properties, enables prints to be provided on one or both surfaces of this material. The necessary advertising prints and the like can thus be provided on the front or back of the second layer. There are no additional layers of material or packaging as carriers for advertising prints, etc. The first material layer preferably consists of a transparent or opaque material on the one hand to determine whether the active substance block has been used up and on the other hand to convey the advertising prints on the second layer.

• Fig. 1 eine Draufsicht auf eine Vorrichtung,
• Fig. 2 eine Schnittansicht entlang der Linie II-II in Fig. 1, und
• Fig. 3 eine gegenüber Fig. 1 abgewandelte Ausführungsform.

Preferred embodiments of the device are described below with reference to the drawing. Show it:

• 1 is a plan view of a device,
• Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II in Fig. 1, and
• Fig. 3 shows a modified embodiment compared to FIG. 1.

Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the device. 2, this device, which is also referred to as a dispenser, has two layers, namely a first layer 1, which forms a chamber 2 for receiving an active substance block or the like by deep-drawing, and a second layer 3, which forms the rear side of the chamber 2 closes and is partially connected to the layer 1, parts of the layers 1 and 3 being parallel to one another with the exception of regions which are formed by the chamber 2 and channels or pipes to be described.

The preferred embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 1 has layers 1 and 2 of equal area in plan view. In this embodiment, layer 1 defines, in addition to chamber 2, a siphon tube 5 attached to the side and an upper inlet duct 6, which is vertical when the device is in use. On the upper side of chamber 2 there is basically an opening indicated by 7, which in the embodiment according to FIG 1 opens into channel 6. A further opening 8 is provided on the side of the chamber 2 and enables a connection to the siphon tube 5. The siphon tube 5 is in the illustrated embodiment approximately from half the height of the chamber 2 extending vertically upwards and has approximately the height of the opening 7 or below the siphon section 10, to which an approximately vertically downwardly extending pipe section adjoins defines an outwardly facing opening 12.

Layer 1 consists of a preferably transparent or translucent plastic material which can be shaped by a deep-drawing process in order to form the finished layer 1, which is provided with chambers, siphon pipe, etc. and which, after the deep-drawing process, coincides with or parallel to the material layer 3 - areas are firmly connected. The material layer 3 consists of a water-resistant material, for example water-resistant paper, plastic film, PVC, polyethylene, plastic-metal laminates or paper laminates. It is essential that the layer 3 does not dissolve when the device is used in the cistern of a toilet, and is at least largely resistant to chemicals. In addition, the layer 3 should have such surface properties that it can be provided with a print on the surface facing the layer 1 or preferably on its two surfaces in order to be able to provide prints, such as advertising texts, etc., on both surfaces.

In order to be able to set up the device on a shelf or the like, the lower surface, or a foot 14, of the chamber 2 is designed such that it protrudes at an angle of 90 ° from the lower edge 3a of the layer 3 or from the layer 3 runs obliquely downwards, as shown in FIG. 2. In the latter case, the foot 14a forms a pedestal, preferably at the same level as the edge 3a of the material layer 3, so that the entire device can preferably be kept standing upright on a shelf.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper opening 7 of the chamber 2 opens into a vertical channel 6, which is provided for receiving a foot 16 of a fastening hook 18 and is used to prevent the entry of water into a cistern with increasing water level To allow water through the channel 6 and the opening 7 into the chamber 2, ie as soon as the water level in the cistern exceeds the upper edge labeled 19. This enables the entry of water into the chamber 2 and the action of water on an active substance block designated 21. When the cistern is emptied, the water dissolved with the active ingredient emerges through the siphon tube 5 and the opening 12 into the cistern, so it is also sucked into the toilet, the siphon tube 5 serving, as is known, to ensure a metered delivery of water dissolved with active ingredient.

In order to be able to use the device according to the invention in a cistern without further measures, the foot 16 of the fastening hook is already inserted into the device when it is placed on the shelf.

According to a preferred embodiment, the foot 16 of the fastening hook 18 can be adjusted in height relative to the device, in order in this way to enable the upper edge 10 to be adjusted to the maximum water level in the cistern. According to one embodiment, for the height-adjustable locking of the foot 16 of the fastening hook 18, the foot 16 is provided with lateral projections 15 which have a clear width which is selected to be slightly larger than the clear width of the channel 6, as a result of which the foot 16 is locked within the channel 6 after appropriate adjustment of the fastening hook 18 relative to the device. From Fig. 1 it can be seen that the chamber 2 is larger or higher than the active ingredient block 21. This ensures that a sufficient amount of water to dissolve the active ingredient block is introduced into the chamber 2.

In the modified embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the foot 16 of the fastening hook 18 is in a separate from the chamber 2, one side, i.e. used from above open channel 22, which is thus not in communication with the chamber 2 and only fulfills the function of forming the receptacle for the foot 16 of the fastening hook 18. In order to be able to introduce a predetermined amount of water into the device, the chamber 2 containing the active substance block has an upwardly extending section 2a which is provided on its upper side with an inlet opening 7a; if the volume of the water to be fed into the chamber 2 is to be greater, a second, upwardly elongated chamber section 2b with an opening 7b can be provided, as indicated in FIG. 3; in this case, a channel 22 for receiving the hook is preferably located centrally in the device between the two additional chamber sections 2a, 2b. In the first case, the channel is located laterally next to the chamber section 2a and above the chamber 2, but it can in principle also be arranged next to the chamber 2 with a volume of any size relative to the active substance block 21.

Although it is not shown in the drawings, it can be seen that the two layers, namely the first material layer 1 and the second layer 3, which forms the covering layer or sealing layer, are glued, welded or connected in some other way, namely in the. Areas in which layers 1 and 3 run parallel to one another and lie directly next to one another. There is therefore no fastening in areas within which the chamber 2, the chamber sections 2a, 2b or the channels or siphon tubes are formed.

The invention thus provides a device for receiving an active substance block, which enables a metered dispensing of water dissolved with active substance when actuating a cistern, this device being used in the cistern as it is offered for sale on the shelf without any requirement additional packaging without the need to open the packaging and without the need to make the device with the fastening hook ready for operation. The device according to the invention can be used directly in a cistern, with the fastening hooks 18 only having to be adjusted relative to the device if necessary in order to ensure a coordination between the maximum water level in the cistern and the upper edge of the device for the purpose of water entering the device.

According to a preferred embodiment, the channel 6 is funnel-shaped in the direction of the upper edge. The foot 16 can be provided with a groove-like depression along its axis. This groove-shaped recess is provided for the introduction of water to the chamber 2 when the clear width and clear width of the channel 6 corresponds to the clear width and clear width of the foot 16 with the lateral detents or teeth 15, so that a safe introduction of water from the upper edge 19 forth into the chamber 2 is ensured via the groove-shaped depression running in the longitudinal direction of the foot 16; otherwise the water flow through the channel 6 would be at least severely impaired due to the cross section of the foot 16.

In order to allow an easy insertion of the foot 16 into the device, the foot is tapered at its underside, which enables the foot 16 to be used in the factory and at the same time prevents the foot 16 from being accidentally removed from the chamber 2 or the channel by the user 6 or 22 is pulled out.

The operation of the device described is as follows. After inserting the device into the cistern of a toilet, the device is inserted into the cistern by the height-adjustable fastening hook in such a way that the upper edge 19 comes to lie slightly below the maximum water level of the cistern. After the cistern has been emptied or partially emptied, the water level in the cistern rises, the preferably vertical siphon tube section running downward from the siphon section 10 being gradually filled with water until the water level in the cistern exceeds the height of the siphon section. As a result, no water is introduced into the chamber 2 via the siphon section 10, so that the water level in the cistern continues to rise until it reaches its maximum level. When the water level in the cistern exceeds a height which corresponds to the upper edge 19, the water enters the chamber 2 via the channels 6 and 22 and the opening 7, the chamber 2 filling up completely with water. The active ingredient block 21 is thereby dissolved. Any sludge arising due to the dissolution or dissolution of the active substance block 21 remains in the lower part of the chamber 2, i.e. in the area of the chamber 2 in which the active ingredient block 21 is located, thus in the embodiment shown below the opening 8 which is provided approximately in the center. If the cistern is actuated, the water level drops rapidly to a level which is below the lower edge 3a of the device . During the emptying or partial emptying of the cistern, liquid, which is dissolved with the active ingredient, is drawn off from the chamber 2 via the siphon tube 5, the chamber 2 emptying itself to a level from the opening 7, which is limited by the opening 8 is. In this way, a metering takes place, the metered amount of solution practically corresponding to the chamber volume which is defined by the two openings 7, 8. The amount of water in channel 6 can be neglected. The formation of the opening 8 to the siphon tube 5 above the active ingredient block 21 also has the advantage that solution sludge of the active ingredient block 21 located at the bottom of the chamber 2, thus active ingredient in concentrated form, not or only in the smallest amount, from the chamber 2 via the siphon tube 5 is output and also does not block the siphon tube 5.

In the device according to the invention, the first and second layers consist of a water-impermeable and at the same time water-resistant material, for example in the form of a solid plastic film, of which the film forming the second layer 3 is provided with advertising prints or the like. The second layer 3 is printed or printed before the two layers 1 and 3 are connected.

Claims (6)

1. Device for admixing disinfectants or the like to the flushing water of a WC consisting of a first layer (1) which by deepdrawing or the like has been given substantially the form of a chamber (2) and a second layer (3) covering the chamber (2), and comprising a passage (6) formed between the first and second layers (1, 3) for receiving the foot (16) of a securing hook (18), the first layer (1) consisting of plastic material, characterized in that the second layer (3) is made from a water-resistant material of surface properties such that it can be provided with an imprint, for example advertizing texts, and that the first layer (1) in the lower portion of the chamber (2) fixes a foot section (14, 14a) which is provided as stand foot substantially at the same height as the lower edge (3a) of the second layer (3).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower wall section (14) extends obliquely downwardly from the second material layer (3) and terminates at a lower level corresponding to the edge (3a).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the chamber (2) comprises an opening (7) lying at its upper side, that the opening (7) opens into an inlet passage (6) lying thereabove and that the inlet passage (6) is simultaneously the passage for receiving the securing hook (16, 18).

4. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the chamber (2) comprises at least one opening (7a, 7b) formed at the upper side and that the passage (22) is provided adjacent the chamber section (2a, 2b) containing the opening (7a, 7b).

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a siphon tube (5) led laterally away from the chamber (2) is provided.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the connecting opening (8) is provided between the siphon tube (5) and the chamber (2) substantially centrally with respect to the height of the chamber (29).

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