EP1218602A2 - Systeme et procede d'apport de composition liquide dans une chasse d'eau - Google Patents

Systeme et procede d'apport de composition liquide dans une chasse d'eau

Info

Publication number
EP1218602A2
EP1218602A2 EP00947923A EP00947923A EP1218602A2 EP 1218602 A2 EP1218602 A2 EP 1218602A2 EP 00947923 A EP00947923 A EP 00947923A EP 00947923 A EP00947923 A EP 00947923A EP 1218602 A2 EP1218602 A2 EP 1218602A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
liquid composition
container
delivering
supporting structure
metering chamber
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP00947923A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1218602B1 (fr
Inventor
Giancarlo Gazzaniga
Gian Luca Guenzi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Deoflor SpA
Original Assignee
Deoflor SpA
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Deoflor SpA filed Critical Deoflor SpA
Priority to EP02077816A priority Critical patent/EP1260577A3/fr
Publication of EP1218602A2 publication Critical patent/EP1218602A2/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1218602B1 publication Critical patent/EP1218602B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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
    • E03D9/032—Devices connected to or dispensing into the bowl

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a system for delivering a liquid composition inside a toilet bowl.
  • the present invention relates to a method and a kit of parts for delivering a liquid composition inside a toilet bowl, as well as to a liquid composition for use within a toilet bowl.
  • liquid composition is used to indicate a composition having cleaning and/or descaling properties and/or bactericidal and/or perfuming activity as a function of the active ingredients contained therein.
  • the valve capsule consists of a check valve comprising a shutter operated by a flap against the bias of spring means.
  • the flap is actuated by the flush flow so as to open the check valve under the pressure of the incoming water.
  • the spring means closes the check valve so as to stop the liquid delivering.
  • the valve capsule is in fluid communication with the outer environment so that the disinfecting and purifying liquid is subjected to ambient pressure and is delivered from the valve capsule by gravity, while new liquid is continuously fed to the valve capsule from the storage container which is preferably arranged at a higher level for gravity flow of the liquid.
  • Another system for delivering a cleaning/purifying substance in liquid form inside a toilet bowl comprising a storage container of a disinfecting and purifying liquid which is provided with a check valve is also disclosed by German patent application DE 25 32 963.
  • the storage container is mounted upstream of the toilet bowl aside of a conduit for conveying the flushing water towards the bowl.
  • a lever actuated by the flushing water flowing in this conduit operates a spherical shutter so as to open a lower discharge opening of a metering chamber defined within a cast body of the check valve.
  • a simultaneous sucking action of the flushing water (Venturi effect) flowing aside of the storage container and acting on the lever withdraws a dosed amount of liquid from the metering chamber.
  • the liquid sucked in this way is then admixed with the water in the conduit before reaching the toilet bowl.
  • the delivering devices disclosed by the aforementioned documents may be capable of discharging dosed amounts of liquid into the bowl, they are mechanically complex and require a special design of the lavatory bowl and of the discharge system of the flushing water, which render these devices costly and usable only with a specifically designed lavatory system.
  • the delivering devices disclosed by this latter document aims at discharging dosed amounts of liquid into the bowl, the reproducibility of such discharges may be affected by a pressure decrease which ensues within the storage container of the liquid. Such a decrease is mainly due to the difficulty of introducing into the storage container of the liquid and through the delivering means of the liquid substance, a volume of ambient air suitable to replace the volume of liquid which has been discharged into the toilet bowl by the device.
  • This phenomenon limits the draining of the storage container and may lead to a reduced release of liquid per unit of time and, in some cases, to a complete block of the liquid delivery.
  • European Patent Application EP 0 785 315 discloses a device intended for suspension from a rim of a toilet bowl, comprising a container containing a cleaning and perfuming liquid substance and closed in a substantially air- tight manner, a supporting structure and a porous mass, supported in said structure and in constant fluid communication with the container of the substance itself, which device is provided with a specially designed delivering means which allows to introduce ambient air into the liquid container.
  • the delivering means of the liquid comprises at least one liquid passage opening and at least one air supply opening communicating with the ambient pressure, which openings have a size so adjusted with respect to each other and to the viscosity of the liquid contained in the container, so that the liquid pressure on the porous mass is always substantially equal and independent of the liquid level in the container.
  • the amount of liquid absorbed by the porous mass and released to the flushing water is lower than the amount which would be attained in case of saturation of the porous mass.
  • the flow of liquid substance from the container towards the porous mass is not stopped, so that an excessive use of liquid substance occurs, which causes in turn a decrease of the service life of the device.
  • a similar drawback may occur in case of a hard and/or iron-containing flushing water, since the porous mass may build up scale deposits with the ensuing delivery of reduced amounts of liquid substance.
  • the technical problem underlying the present invention is therefore that of providing a system for delivering metered amounts of a liquid composition inside a toilet bowl which may be suspended from the rim of the toilet bowl and which is capable of effectively preventing the formation of a reduced pressure within the container of the liquid, thus ensuring the delivery of dosed amounts of liquid composition independently of the amount of liquid composition present in the system and of the frequency of the flushing operations.
  • the delivering system of the invention is advantageously capable by means of a suitably shaped valve means to ensure the delivery of dosed amounts of liquid composition at each water flushing independently of both the amount of liquid provided in the container and of the frequency of the flushing operations.
  • the Applicant has observed that the pressure within the container and in the free space above the liquid level may be effectively restored after each liquid delivery, by providing the opening device of the valve means with deflecting means which are capable of directing part of the flushing water towards the delivering opening of the liquid composition so as to effectively wash away the latter from a metering chamber of the valve means itself and allow the intake of fresh air from the outside environment.
  • valve means of the invention advantageously allows, once the desired dosed amount of the liquid composition has been washed away from the metering chamber, to introduce into the system and during the return stroke of the shutter which closes the metering chamber a quantity of ambient air sufficient to prevent the formation of a reduced pressure within the liquid container.
  • the delivery of dosed amounts of liquid composition at each water flushing may be ensured by the system of the invention even in wholly open operating environment.
  • valve means comprising a valve body defined at a lower portion of a tubular element vertically extending in the supporting structure of the container and adapted to be longitudinally inserted for a portion of predetermined length inside said container itself.
  • the container of the liquid composition is releasably associated to the supporting structure.
  • the container of the liquid composition is releasably associated to the supporting structure.
  • the container of the liquid composition is made of a transparent material, in such a way as to allow the user to constantly detect the level of liquid composition contained therein and to provide for the recharge of the system when this is totally empty.
  • the container is provided in its lower part with an opening coaxially provided with a breakable closure membrane and is removably associated to the supporting structure by engaging the tubular element into the opening of the container with interposition of said membrane.
  • the breakable membrane acts as a closure member of the container preventing the outflow of the liquid composition
  • the membrane acts as a gasket preventing leaks of liquid composition at the contact area between the tubular element and the opening of the container, once the container is associated to its supporting structure.
  • the opening of the container is formed at one end of a substantially cylindrical neck extending from the container and the tubular element may be longitudinally inserted up to a predetermined extent inside said neck.
  • the engagement of the tubular element in the container opening is made more stable reducing to the minimum the risk of accidental displacements.
  • the tubular element is cantilevered from the supporting structure and is provided with an essentially beveled free end.
  • the supporting structure of the container is associated to hooking means for supporting the container/ supporting structure assembly inside the toilet bowl.
  • the valve means essentially consists of a ball valve including a substantially spherical shutter displaceable within the metering chamber between the upper and lower openings thereof, i.e. between a first position wherein it closes the lower delivering opening of the liquid composition and a second position wherein it opens said opening and closes in turn the upper opening of the metering chamber provided for establishing the fluid communication with the air-tight closed container.
  • the upper and lower openings of the metering chamber constitute respective upper and lower valve seats against which the shutter abuts at the end of its ascending or descending stroke as the case may be.
  • the alternate displacement of the shutter inside the metering chamber between the upper and lower openings thereof allows both to store in the aforesaid chamber dosed amounts of liquid composition to be delivered and to permit ambient air to enter the system reaching the air-tight closed container via the metering chamber.
  • the upper opening of the metering chamber is axially defined within an annular sealing ring associated to an inner wall of the valve body. Thanks to this feature, when the shutter opens the lower delivering opening of the metering chamber and abuts against the annular sealing ring, the liquid composition previously stored within the metering chamber may be released and effectively washed away by the flushing water which enters the metering chamber, while preventing the flushing water from entering the container and diluting the liquid contained therein.
  • the opening device of the valve means comprises a plate rotatably mounted under the supporting structure and provided with an actuator, cantilevered therefrom and adapted to cooperate with the shutter of the valve means.
  • the plate is rotatably mounted on the supporting structure by engagement of two pivoting arms downwardly extending from said structure in respective slots, which are laterally formed at opposite parts of said plate.
  • the plate is bound to the supporting structure and acts on the valve means according to a first-class lever mechanism.
  • the deflecting means provided in the system for directing part of the flushing water towards the delivering opening of the liquid composition and into the metering chamber advantageously comprises the aforementioned plate of the opening device.
  • the deflecting means conveniently comprises a lateral wall extending from a rear edge of the plate which effectively contributes to direct the flushing water into the metering chamber.
  • the metering chamber is internally provided with means adapted to guide the displacement of the shutter in the metering chamber.
  • said means comprises a plurality of longitudinal ribs angularly spaced from each other preferably at right angles.
  • this guiding means allows to achieve a substantially rectilinear displacement of the spherical shutter in the metering chamber along a direction which is essentially perpendicular to the plane of the upper and lower openings of the metering chamber (upper and lower valve seats).
  • the spherical shutter may be correctly positioned in abutting relationship in the upper valve seat irrespective of any side forces to which the shutter may be subjected both because of the turbulence of the flushing water entering and rinsing the metering chamber and of the radial movement of the opening device.
  • the spherical shutter may be correctly positioned in abutting relationship in the lower valve seat also when the flow of the flushing water ceases: in this case the guiding means properly directs the displacement of the spherical shutter into the lower valve seat, allowing at the same time fresh air to enter the gap defined between the shutter and the walls of the tubular element and to reach therefrom the free space defined in the container after crossing the liquid composition stored therein.
  • an air supply into the container may advantageously be attained without providing the system with a further opening intended for the air, as disclosed by EP 0 785 315.
  • the delivering system further comprises a protection wall, cantilevered from the supporting structure and surrounding the plate.
  • a protection wall cantilevered from the supporting structure and surrounding the plate.
  • the delivering system according to the present invention further comprises stop means for limiting the stroke of the plate and extending from the protection wall to the supporting structure.
  • stop means for limiting the stroke of the plate and extending from the protection wall to the supporting structure.
  • Such stop means furthermore, advantageously allows both to direct the water flow onto the plate, thereby reducing its impact force, and to stiffen the supporting structure.
  • liquid composition of the system of the invention comprises the following ingredients:
  • the evaporation of the volatile substance effectively contributes to restore the pressure in the container after each delivery of the liquid composition and advantageously sums its effects to the mechanism of air introduction into the container via the valve means of the system illustrated hereinabove.
  • the evaporation of the volatile substance takes place automatically up to the extent necessary to restore above the liquid level the vapor pressure value of the substance which is in equilibrium with the liquid at the temperature conditions of use.
  • the evaporation of the volatile substance is self-regulating, i.e. may occur to a greater or lesser extent as a function of the amount of air which is capable to reach the free space above the liquid level via the valve means provided for delivering the liquid composition.
  • the volume decrease of the liquid composition due to the delivery of a dosed amount thereof, may be effectively and rapidly compensated by evaporation of the volatile substance even if a small amount of ambient air is able to enter the container through the valve means.
  • the evaporation of the volatile substance continues until the pressure level above the liquid is restored substantially to the initial value.
  • the Applicant has found that once the chemical-physical properties of the liquid composition are set, it is advantageously possible to deliver dosed amounts of the liquid composition which are substantially constant in time.
  • the liquid composition comprises from 10 to 60% by weight and, more preferably, from 12 to 50% by weight of a suitable surfactant.
  • the surfactant is selected from the group comprising anionic, non-ionic and amphoteric surfactants, and mixtures thereof.
  • the anionic surfactant is preferably selected from the group comprising: dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid and salts thereof, ethoxylated and/or sulfated fatty alcohols, C8-C16 sodium alkylsarcosinates, C8-C16 sodium alkylsulfosuccinates, and mixtures thereof.
  • the anionic surfactant produces a voluminous foam and is preferably contained in the liquid composition in an amount comprised between 0.5 and 50% by weight and, more preferably, between 15 and 40% by weight.
  • the non-ionic surfactant is preferably selected from the group comprising: amides, coconut diethanolamide, ethoxylated and propoxylated fatty alcohols, and mixtures thereof.
  • the non-ionic surfactant boosts the foam and renders the same long lasting and is preferably contained in the liquid composition in an amount comprised between 0 and 15% by weight and, more preferably, between 1 and 10% by weight.
  • amphoteric surfactant is preferably selected from the group comprising: alkylamidopropyl betaine, alkylamidopropyl oxide, and mixtures thereof.
  • the amphoteric surfactant boosts the foam and makes the foam persistent in particular pH conditions and is preferably contained in the liquid composition in an amount comprised between 0 and 15% by weight and, more preferably, between 1 and 10%) by weight.
  • the liquid composition includes anionic, non-ionic and amphoteric surfactants within the aforementioned lower and upper limits and in proportions which may be easily determined by those skilled in the art as a function of the characteristics of the means for delivering the liquid composition.
  • the volatile substance adapted to evaporate at room temperature from the liquid composition and which contributes to restore the pressure within the container of the liquid composition after each delivering thereof may be selected among any substance compatible with the other ingredients of the composition and having a sufficient vapor pressure at room temperature.
  • the volatile substance is contained in the liquid composition in an amount comprised between 2 and 25% by weight and, more preferably, between 2 and 15% by weight.
  • the volatile substance is water soluble and has a vapor pressure at room temperature comprised between 2000 and 13500 Pa (15-100 mmHg) and, still more preferably, between 2600 to 8000 Pa (20-60mmHg).
  • the volatile substance is selected from the group comprising: C1-C4 alcohols, ethers of C1-C4 alcohols, glycol ethers, and mixtures thereof.
  • Preferred examples are ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol and bis-propyl methyl ether.
  • such volatile substances have the further function of adjusting the viscosity of the liquid composition, which enables to improve the liquid rheologic properties.
  • the liquid composition further comprises from 1 to 25% by weight and, preferably, from 2 to 12% by weight of a suitable perfuming substance.
  • the solvent of most preferred use is water although other solvent systems, such as mixtures of water and one of the volatile substances mentioned hereinabove may also be used.
  • the composition of the solvent system should be properly balanced so as to provide the required amounts of volatile substance and water to the liquid composition.
  • both the perfuming substance and the solvent may evaporate to some extent at room temperature and may contribute to the restoration of the pressure within the container after each liquid delivery exerted by the entry of fresh ambient air via the valve means and optionally by evaporation of the volatile substance.
  • the liquid composition further comprises a viscosity regulator selected from the group comprising: glycols, glycol ethers, and mixtures thereof.
  • a viscosity regulator selected from the group comprising: glycols, glycol ethers, and mixtures thereof.
  • viscosity regulators of preferred use are ethylene glycol, propylene glycol and mixtures thereof.
  • the viscosity regulator allows to adjust the rheological properties of the liquid and attain the most suitable values of the same, particularly by properly choosing the weight ratio between the volatile substance and the viscosity regulator, since, as already said, the volatile substance possesses itself viscosity-adjusting properties.
  • an excess of volatile substance evaporating from the composition may cause the formation of deposits in the metering chamber and/or at the points where the opening device is hinged to the supporting structure, which deposits may in turn negatively affect the proper functioning of the system; on the other hand, with an excess of the viscosity regulator the flowability characteristics of the liquid composition may be altered to the point that liquid leakages from the metering chamber may occur.
  • the Applicant has found that optimal rheologic properties of the liquid composition are achieved if the weight ratio between the volatile substance and the viscosity regulator is selected within the range comprised between 1:2 and 1:8 as a function of the chemical-physical properties of the perfume used.
  • the liquid composition additionally comprises at least one pH adjusting agent selected among organic acids such as maleic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, and mixtures thereof.
  • at least one pH adjusting agent selected among organic acids such as maleic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, and mixtures thereof.
  • the pH adjusting agent is included in the composition in an amount suitable to stabilize the pH of the liquid composition in a pH range comprised between 3 and 7.
  • liquid composition may carry out an advantageous descaling action and achieve a better performance of some surfactants at isoelectric point.
  • the pH adjusting agent also exerts the useful function of regulating the viscosity of the liquid composition within the range specified hereinabove.
  • the liquid composition should preferably be formulated so as to have a viscosity at room temperature comprised between 10 and 2000 mPa-s and, still more preferably, between 20 and 200 mPa-s.
  • the present invention also relates to a method for delivering a liquid composition inside a toilet bowl as defined by the attached claim 22.
  • the present invention also relates to a kit of separate parts for combined use for delivering a liquid composition inside a toilet bowl as defined by the attached claim 23.
  • the present invention also relates to the liquid composition described above for use inside a toilet bowl.
  • FIG. 1 shows a perspective and exploded view of a first embodiment of the system according to the invention
  • FIG. 2 shows a perspective view from below and in partial section of some details of the system of preceding figure 1;
  • figure 3 shows a side view, in partial cross-section, of the system of figure 1 in a non- operative condition
  • FIG. 4 shows a side view in partial cross-section, of some details of the system of the previous figure 3 in an operative condition.
  • a system for delivering a liquid composition L inside a toilet bowl 2 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is generally indicated with reference numeral 1.
  • the system 1 comprises a container 3 of the liquid composition L closed in a substantially air-tight manner, a supporting structure 4, hooking means 5 of the container 3 and of the supporting structure 4 for suspending the same from the rim of the bowl 2 and means 6 for delivering dosed amounts of the liquid composition L.
  • the container 3, the supporting structure 4, the hooking means 5 and the delivering means 6 are mass-produced at low costs by molding suitable plastics materials.
  • the container 3 is substantially shaped as a spherical segment and is provided, in its lower part, with an opening 17, co-axially provided with a breakable closure membrane 18 formed at one end 19 of a substantially cylindrical neck 20 extending from the container 3 itself.
  • the hooking means 5, which allows to releasably suspend the system 1 from the rim of the bowl 2 is structurally independent both from the container 3 and from the supporting structure 4, and comprises an arm 33 including a substantially curvilinear portion 9, elastically deformable and folded on itself, adapted to engage an outer portion 10 of the bowl 2.
  • the curvilinear portion 9 is connected to a substantially rectilinear portion 11, which may be releasably associated to the supporting structure 4.
  • the portion 11 comprises, cantilevered therefrom, three respectively upper 12a, intermediate 12b and lower 12c hooks the function of which will be described hereinbelow.
  • the upper hook 12a allows to associate the arm 33 to the container 3 by means of a snap engagement in a respective seat 13a formed in the upper portion of the container 3, whereas the remaining intermediate 12b and lower 12c hooks respectively allow to fix the arm 33 to the supporting structure 4 by engaging corresponding openings 13b and 13c formed therein.
  • the means 6 for delivering the liquid composition L comprises valve means 7 for delivering dosed amounts of the latter which comprises in turn a valve body 16 wherein a metering chamber 24 of the liquid composition L is defined between a lower opening for delivering 8 the liquid composition L and an upper opening 44 for fluid communication with the air-tight closed container 3.
  • the valve body 16 is defined at a lower portion of a tubular element 46 vertically extending in the supporting structure 4 and adapted to be longitudinally inserted for a portion of predetermined length inside the container 3.
  • tubular element 46 is cantilevered from the supporting structure 4 and is provided with an essentially beveled free end 21, which is longitudinally inserted inside the neck 20 of the container 3 up to a predetermined extent.
  • the container 3 is releasably associated to the supporting structure 4 by engaging the tubular element 16 in the opening 17 of the container 3 with interposition of the membrane 18 and by engaging the upper hook 12a of the arm 33 in the seat 13a.
  • valve means 7 is essentially constituted by a ball valve 22 which includes a substantially spherical shutter 23, preferably formed of a suitable metal and having a weight comprised between 0.65 and 0.95g.
  • the valve means 7 is provided with an opening device 14, operable at each flushing by the water introduced into the bowl 2 and cooperating with said shutter 23.
  • the opening device 14 is provided with deflecting means, generally indicated at 45 and which will be described in more detail hereinafter, for directing part of the flushing water towards said delivering opening 8 of the liquid composition L and into the metering chamber 24.
  • the shutter 23 is displaceable by means of said opening device 14 within the metering chamber 24, from a first position wherein it closes the delivering opening 8 of the liquid composition to a second position wherein it opens the delivering opening 8.
  • the shutter 23 is alternatively movable in the metering chamber 24 between the lower delivering opening 8 of the liquid composition L, at which a lower valve seat is defined, and the upper opening 44 for fluid communication with the airtight closed container 3 at which an upper valve seat is defined at predetermined distance from the delivering opening 8.
  • the upper valve seat is defined within an annular sealing ring 34, which prevents the flushing water to flow through the upper opening 44 of the metering chamber 24 into the container 3 and to dilute the liquid composition L stored therein.
  • the metering chamber 24 is internally provided with means 35 adapted to guide the displacement of the shutter 23 therein.
  • means 35 comprises a plurality of longitudinal ribs 36, which serve as guide means for the shutter 23 both when it moves upwards as a result of the action exerted by the opening device 14 and by the flushing water flow, and when it moves downwards towards the lower valve seat once the flush of the flushing water is terminated.
  • a gap 37 is therefore defined between the shutter 23 and the inner walls of the valve body 16 by the longitudinal ribs 36.
  • a gap 37 allows both to store a predetermined amount of liquid composition L in the metering chamber 24 and to permit an air supply to enter the container 3 following a delivery of liquid composition L as will be explained hereinafter.
  • the opening device 14 of the valve means 7 comprises a plate 26 rotatably mounted on the supporting structure 4 and provided with an essentially conical actuator 27, cantilevered therefrom and adapted to cooperate with the valve means 7. More particularly, the plate 26 is rotatably mounted on the supporting structure 4 by means of a snap engagement of two pivoting arms 28a, 28b, downwardly extending from the supporting structure 4, in corresponding slots 29a, 29b, laterally provided at opposite portions of the plate 26.
  • the deflecting means 45 for directing part of the flushing water towards the delivering opening 8 of the liquid composition L and into the metering chamber 24 comprises the plate 26.
  • the plate 26 further comprises a lateral wall 47 extending from its rear edge 26a which acts as a further element of the deflecting means 45 which advantageously allows to effectively direct part of the flushing water towards the delivering opening 8 of the liquid composition L and into the metering chamber 24.
  • the plate 26 further comprises a rim 48 extending from its front peripheral edge 26b which acts as a further element of the deflecting means 45 which may advantageously allow to effectively direct part of the flushing water towards the delivering opening 8 of the liquid composition L and into the metering chamber 24.
  • the system 1 further comprises a protection wall 30 which is cantilevered from the supporting structure 4, all around the plate 26 and stop means for limiting the stroke of the plate 26, essentially consisting of a baffle 31 extending between the protection wall 30 and the supporting structure 4.
  • the baffle 31 advantageously allows both to direct the water flow onto the plate 26, thereby reducing its impact force, and to stiffen the supporting structure 4.
  • liquid compositions L which may be used in combination with the delivering system 1 of the present invention are now given in the following.
  • a first liquid composition illustrated in Table I, was prepared by cold mixing in a conventional manner the various ingredients together until a clear solution was obtained. The solution thus obtained was then filled into a container 3 of the delivering system 1.
  • anionic surfactant sodium laureth sulfate and sodium dodecylbenzensulfonate
  • non-ionic surfactant coconut diethanolamide
  • amphoteric surfactant lauramido propyl betaine
  • viscosity regulator monopropylene glycol
  • pH adjusting agent citric acid
  • a second liquid composition, illustrated in Table II was prepared by cold mixing in the same manner of preceding example 1 and then filled into a container 3 of the delivering system 1.
  • anionic surfactant sodium laureth sulfate and sodium dodecylbenzensulfonate
  • amphoteric surfactant lauramido propyl amine oxide and lauramido propyl betaine
  • viscosity regulator monopropylene glycol
  • a method for delivering a liquid composition L, for example the compositions disclosed in the aforementioned examples 1 and 2, inside a toilet bowl 2 essentially comprises the steps of attaching to the toilet bowl 2 a system 1 as described hereinbefore and of causing flushing water to impinge onto the opening device 14 of the valve means 7 of the system 1.
  • the system 1 is hanged in a way known per se to the rim of the bowl 2 so as to be ready for use according to a non-operative condition shown in figure 3 with broken lines.
  • the shutter 23 of the ball valve 22 is forced by its own weight and by the weight of the liquid L present in the container 3 in a first position wherein it closes the lower delivering opening 8 of the metering chamber 24, while the plate 26 abuts against the baffle 31 and lies substantially perpendicularly to the inner wall of the bowl 2.
  • a dosed amount of liquid composition L is stored in the metering chamber 24 and within the gap 37 since the latter is in fluid communication with the container 3 via the upper opening 44 of the metering chamber 24.
  • the plate 26 together with its front rim 48 and rear wall 47 - all of which form part of the deflecting means 45 - direct part of the flushing water - indicated by the arrows W in figure 4 - towards the delivering opening 8 of the liquid composition L and into the metering chamber 24.
  • this part of the flushing water is able to enter in a turbulent way the metering chamber 24 from where it effectively washes away the amount of liquid composition L stored in the metering chamber 24 which may be thoroughly rinsed.
  • the displacement of the shutter 23 takes place along a direction substantially perpendicular to the upper and lower openings 44 and 8 (i.e. upper and lower valve seats) irrespective of the actual direction of the pushing forces exerted against the shutter 23 by the flushing water entering into the metering chamber 24 and by the actuator 27.
  • the shutter 23 When the pushing action of the flushing water ceases, the shutter 23, forced by its own weight and by the weight of the liquid composition L, if any, present inside the container 3, and guided by the guide means 35, returns to the lower valve seat, i.e. in a position wherein it closes the delivering opening 8.
  • the residual water drips away from the metering chamber and a dosed supply of fresh air from the outer environment may enter the container 3 via the temporarily open passageway defined by the gap 37.
  • such a dosed supply of fresh air which enters the container reaches the free space above the liquid composition still stored therein, so as to restore the pressure existing within the container and compensate the volume decrease of the liquid composition L due to the delivery of a dosed amount thereof.
  • the pressure- restoring action of the fresh air entering the container 3 via the metering chamber 24 may be effectively supplemented by the evaporation of part of the volatile substance provided in the liquid composition L.
  • the evaporation of the volatile substance takes place only if the amount of air entering the container 3 is not entirely sufficient to compensate the volume decrease of the liquid composition L and continues until the pressure level above the liquid is restored substantially to the initial value. In this way, a further amount of liquid composition L flows through the upper opening 44 and into the metering chamber 24 wherein the same is accumulated inside the gap 37 for a subsequent delivery.

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  • 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)
  • Sanitary Device For Flush Toilet (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un système (1) d'apport de composition liquide (L) à l'intérieur d'une chasse d'eau (2) comprenant: a) un contenant (3) renfermant la composition liquide (L), fermé de manière sensiblement hermétique, et dans lequel cette composition (L) est soumise à une pression prédéterminée, b) un dispositif de crochet (5), associé à la structure de support (4) destiné à maintenir le contenant (3) et la structure de support (4) à l'intérieur de la chasse (2), d) des moyens de vanne (7) permettant de libérer une dose de ladite substance active comprenant: - un corps de vanne (16) dans lequel une enceinte de dosage (24) de la composition liquide (L) est définie entre une ouverture basse correspondant à un apport (8) de la composition liquide (L) et une ouverture haute (44) correspondant à une communication fluide avec le contenant hermétique (3), - un volet (23) mobile dans l'enceinte de dosage (24) entre les ouvertures haute (44) et basse (8), - un dispositif d'ouverture (14) fonctionnant à chaque rinçage au moyen de l'eau introduite dans la chasse (2) et coopérant avec le volet (23), ce dispositif d'ouverture (14) étant doté de moyens de déflexion (45) destinés à diriger une partie de l'eau de rinçage vers l'ouverture de libération (8) de la composition liquide (L) et dans l'enceinte de dosage (24). Le système (1) selon l'invention permet avantageusement de libérer des quantités constantes et dosées de composition liquide (L) à chaque rinçage indépendamment à la fois de la quantité de composition liquide (L) dans le contenant (3) et de la fréquence des opérations de rinçage.
EP00947923A 1999-07-14 2000-07-14 Systeme et procede d'apport de composition liquide dans une chasse d'eau Expired - Lifetime EP1218602B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP02077816A EP1260577A3 (fr) 1999-07-14 2000-07-14 Comosition liquide pour cuvette de toilette, système et méthode pour sa délivrance

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
WOPCT/IT99/00219 1999-07-14
PCT/IT1999/000219 WO2001004428A1 (fr) 1999-07-14 1999-07-14 Dispositif pour diffuser une substance active en phase liquide dans une cuvette de toilette
PCT/EP2000/006257 WO2001006067A2 (fr) 1999-07-14 2000-07-14 Systeme et procede d'apport de composition liquide dans une chasse d'eau

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP02077816A Division EP1260577A3 (fr) 1999-07-14 2000-07-14 Comosition liquide pour cuvette de toilette, système et méthode pour sa délivrance

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1218602A2 true EP1218602A2 (fr) 2002-07-03
EP1218602B1 EP1218602B1 (fr) 2006-09-06

Family

ID=11333108

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP02077816A Withdrawn EP1260577A3 (fr) 1999-07-14 2000-07-14 Comosition liquide pour cuvette de toilette, système et méthode pour sa délivrance
EP00947923A Expired - Lifetime EP1218602B1 (fr) 1999-07-14 2000-07-14 Systeme et procede d'apport de composition liquide dans une chasse d'eau

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP02077816A Withdrawn EP1260577A3 (fr) 1999-07-14 2000-07-14 Comosition liquide pour cuvette de toilette, système et méthode pour sa délivrance

Country Status (9)

Country Link
EP (2) EP1260577A3 (fr)
AT (1) ATE338853T1 (fr)
AU (2) AU4649099A (fr)
CA (1) CA2388233A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE60030571D1 (fr)
HU (1) HUP0201883A3 (fr)
PL (1) PL353036A1 (fr)
TR (1) TR200200046T2 (fr)
WO (2) WO2001004428A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE29912647U1 (de) * 1999-07-26 1999-09-23 Weis Oliver Spender für Toiletten-Hygiene-Flüssigkeiten
ITRE20010116A1 (it) 2001-12-05 2003-06-05 Relevi S P A Dispenser per sostanze attive liquide, per vaso di w.c.
GB2389123B (en) * 2002-05-29 2005-08-17 Unilever Plc Rechargeable dispensing device
WO2004005631A1 (fr) 2002-07-03 2004-01-15 Deoflor S.P.A Systeme, composition liquide et procede pour nettoyer et desinfecter une cuvette de w.-c.
US6651261B1 (en) 2002-07-19 2003-11-25 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Toilet rim mounted toilet cleaner with extension plate
ITRE20020064A1 (it) * 2002-08-01 2004-02-02 Re Le Vi Spa Dispenser per sostanze attive liquide, per vaso di wc.
ITRE20020063A1 (it) 2002-08-01 2004-02-02 Re Le Vi Spa Dispenser per sostanze attive liquide, per vaso di wc.
ITMI20022155A1 (it) * 2002-10-11 2004-04-12 Coengineering Srl Erogatore automatico a quantita' predosata di liquidi o gel, per la diffusione di prodotti detergenti disinfettanti o essenze profumanti, nei servizi igienici.
EP1840280A3 (fr) 2003-04-15 2007-10-10 The Procter & Gamble Company Dispositif de rafraichissememnt d'une cuvette de W.C. pour l'émission spécifique de fragrance pendant la chasse d'eau
EP1473355A1 (fr) 2003-04-29 2004-11-03 The Procter & Gamble Company Procédé permettant d'augmenter le caractère hydrophobe d'une surface de cuvette de W.C.
ES2540304B1 (es) * 2013-12-05 2016-04-19 Zobele España, S.A. Dispositivo para el suministro de un producto al interior de la taza de un inodoro
US10465366B2 (en) 2014-05-27 2019-11-05 As America, Inc. Sanitaryware cleaning system
MX2016015415A (es) 2014-05-27 2017-03-20 As Ip Holdco Llc Sistema de limpieza de accesorios sanitarios.
EP3397817B1 (fr) * 2016-01-25 2020-03-18 Reckitt Benckiser (Brands) Limited Dispositif de distribution placé dans la cuvette
WO2018140634A1 (fr) 2017-01-25 2018-08-02 As Ip Holdco, Llc Système de nettoyage de sanitaires
GB2563227B (en) 2017-06-06 2021-01-20 Reckitt Benckiser Brands Ltd In-the-bowl dispensing device

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US3177502A (en) * 1962-01-15 1965-04-13 Roland J Meunier Liquid dispensing devices
DE2532963A1 (de) * 1975-07-23 1977-02-10 Georg Schreieder Vorrichtung zum dosierten zufuehren eines fliessbaren zugabemittels in spuelwassersysteme o.dgl.
FR2552328A1 (fr) * 1983-09-23 1985-03-29 Eparco Sa Procede de fabrication d'une composition parfumee et composition obtenue par ce procede
JPH0699703B2 (ja) * 1989-05-12 1994-12-07 花王株式会社 浴室用液体洗浄剤組成物
JPH0399669A (ja) * 1989-09-14 1991-04-24 Shiseido Co Ltd 水洗トイレ用液状芳香剤組成物
JPH0953091A (ja) * 1995-08-10 1997-02-25 Lion Corp 洗浄剤組成物
NL1001722C2 (nl) 1995-11-22 1997-05-23 Sara Lee De Nv Reinigings- en verfrissingseenheid bestemd om te worden opgehangen aan een toiletpotrand.
ES2124204T1 (es) * 1995-11-22 1999-02-01 Sara Lee De Nv Sistema limpiador/ambientador de inodoro.
DE29902066U1 (de) * 1999-02-08 1999-04-22 Georg Menshen Gmbh & Co Kg Vorrichtung zur Konditionierung von Spülflüssigkeit bei sanitären Einrichtungen

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1218602B1 (fr) 2006-09-06
TR200200046T2 (tr) 2002-08-21
EP1260577A2 (fr) 2002-11-27
AU4649099A (en) 2001-01-30
EP1260577A3 (fr) 2002-12-11
WO2001006067A2 (fr) 2001-01-25
ATE338853T1 (de) 2006-09-15
WO2001006067A3 (fr) 2001-07-19
WO2001004428A1 (fr) 2001-01-18
AU766247B2 (en) 2003-10-09
HUP0201883A2 (en) 2002-09-28
AU6154600A (en) 2001-02-05
CA2388233A1 (fr) 2001-01-25
PL353036A1 (en) 2003-10-06
HUP0201883A3 (en) 2004-04-28
DE60030571D1 (de) 2006-10-19

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