EP1908886A2 - Abgabevorrichtungen - Google Patents

Abgabevorrichtungen Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1908886A2
EP1908886A2 EP07075854A EP07075854A EP1908886A2 EP 1908886 A2 EP1908886 A2 EP 1908886A2 EP 07075854 A EP07075854 A EP 07075854A EP 07075854 A EP07075854 A EP 07075854A EP 1908886 A2 EP1908886 A2 EP 1908886A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
liquid
porous
liquids
dispensing devices
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP07075854A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1908886A3 (de
Inventor
Nicolette De Vries
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.)
de Vries Nicolette
Original Assignee
Individual
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 Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP1908886A2 publication Critical patent/EP1908886A2/de
Publication of EP1908886A3 publication Critical patent/EP1908886A3/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • E03D9/007—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
    • 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 invention relates to dispensing devices for liquids, in order to evenly distribute these liquids in the air and/or in an aqueous environment.
  • the invention relates to dispensing devices suitable for dispensing liquid cleaning agents and perfume to the flush water in a toilet bowl or for distributing perfume in the air.
  • dispensing devices are known in the art for dispending liquid cleaning agents to the flush water of a toilet bowl and there is a large amount of patent literature describing such devices.
  • dispensing devices are attached to the inside of e toilet bowl, close to the rim, with a clamp fixed over the rim of the toilet bowl. When flushing the toilet the flush water flows past the device and thus takes up a quantity of cleaning agent.
  • Usual dispensing devices comprise a closed and replaceable container for the cleaning liquid which is placed in the dispensing device.
  • These devices comprise a variety of provisions to on the one hand prevent leakage, and on the other hand provide an as even as possible delivery of the cleaning liquid to the flush water.
  • Such devices are of a complicated construction and therefore expensive. Examples of such devices are described e.g. in WO 99/66139 , WO 99/66140 , WO 01/02653 and DE-A-10020090 .
  • DE-G 8415681.3 Henkel. It discloses containers for liquids comprising a discharge opening for dispensing the liquid to the flush water. This opening is closed off with a capillary active material, such as a sponge, or a porous plate or foil. The cleaning liquid penetrates through the capillary active closing material and is flushed off the outside by the flush water when flushing the toilet.
  • a capillary active material such as a sponge, or a porous plate or foil.
  • WO 2006/000917 Similar devices are disclosed in WO 2006/000917 (Quest International Services). These devices comprise of a liquids container that is completely or largely made of a porous plastic. They are attached under the rim of the toilet bowl with a clamp or similar attachment means. The liquid in the container has a viscosity such that it gradually seeps through the pores of the plastic by capillary forces and is delivered into the current of flush water.
  • Devices such as described in WO 2006/000917 may also be shaped such that they are suitable as air fresheners or devices for perfuming rooms. To that end the container is filled with a perfume. This evaporates from the pores of the container and is continuously replenished from the inside.
  • Containers as described in WO 2006/000917 have a relatively large porous surface area, because, according to the drawings, they are made entirely, or almost entirely, from porous material. On the one hand this promotes the delivery of liquid, but on the other hand also the possibilities for water ingress. Moreover, porous material is relatively expensive compared to the usual hard packaging materials such as plastic of which containers for toilet cleaner liquids are usually made.
  • the present invention presents a solution to the problems outlined above by providing an air inlet opening in the container for the liquid. This prevents the occurrence of any pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the container. When intended for use in an aqueous environment this opening can be constructed in such a way that no water can enter the container. The absence of any pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the container provides a steady delivery of liquid, however, without any loss of liquid due to leakage.
  • the invention provides dispensing devices for active liquids to evenly disperse these liquids in an aqueous environment or into the air, which devices comprise a container for holding the liquid to be dispersed, characterized in that the container is at least partially made of a porous material and comprises an air inlet opening.
  • the container may be made entirely or largely out of porous material, as is also described in WO2006/000917 . However, due to the specific characteristics of the container according to the invention this is not necessary to obtain a satisfactory and steady delivery of the active liquid.
  • Porous wall materials are generally more expensive than the conventional wall materials used for liquids containers, such as glass, metal (particularly aluminium) or non-porous plastics. Moreover, for a container which is entirely or largely made of porous material it is more complicated to package it in such a way that no liquid seeps out before use.
  • the speed of delivery of the active liquid is determined, apart from the physical properties of the liquid, also by the ratio between the porous and the non-porous surface area of the container wall. Nevertheless, for the reasons mentioned above, it is advantageous to construct only part of the wall or walls of the container from porous material, because the presence of the air inlet opening guarantees sufficient delivery of liquid. Generally, it is sufficient to have a maximum of 50%, or even only 40% or less, of the total wall surface area made of porous material. For the application purposes for which these devices are particularly suitable it is generally sufficient if only 30% or less of the total wall surface area is made of porous material.
  • the porous material may have a uniform pore size, or a nonuniform pore size in which the variation may be within narrow or wide limits.
  • the choice of the (average) pore size in combination with the viscosity of the active liquid and the surface area of the porous wall determines the rate of delivery of the liquid. In general, a pore size of at least 1 ⁇ m is preferred.
  • Suitable porous wall materials are known in the art and comprise e.g. porous glass or ceramic material and particularly porous plastics such as polypropylene and polyethylene.
  • the size of the air inlet opening is not critical. It may be provided in the porous and/or in the non-porous part of the container wall.
  • the opening is constructed in such a way that under conditions of use the active liquid cannot flow through. It is recommended to choose the position of the opening in the container such that under conditions of use the active liquid does not come into contact with it. For that reason, an opening in the upper part of the container is very suitable.
  • the opening may be provides with a removable cap, covering foil, or similar cover, in order to close it during transport and storage.
  • the opening will be constructed in such a way as to prevent water from entering the container during use. This can be effected e.g. by providing the opening is a position in the container wall, or by constructing the container and the opening, so that the opening is protected against the force of the stream of flush water and/or such that the water easily drops of the wall of the container. Thus, the opening may be protected with a covering rim or cap that breaks the force of the water stream.
  • an opening in the top of the container with a cap that can be put in two positions: closed to prevent leakage of the liquid before use, and open, whereby influx of air is guaranteed, but the cap nevertheless prevents the influx of flush water.
  • a cap that can be put in two positions: closed to prevent leakage of the liquid before use, and open, whereby influx of air is guaranteed, but the cap nevertheless prevents the influx of flush water.
  • the opening When the opening is very small, e.g. 2mm diameter or less, it may be sufficient to make the surface wall in the immediate vicinity of the opening from a strongly water-repellent material or to treat it with such a material, thereby preventing water from sticking to the wall or entering the container after the flush.
  • the opening as well as the porous wall is preferably closed off with a removable cap, foil, sheet or similar.
  • the containers may be made in a large variety of shapes and sizes, such as square, oblong, round, flat, annular, spherical, decorative end fantasy shapes. More or less tubular, e.g. cylindrical shapes are particularly suitable to be attached under the rim of a toilet bowl.
  • the non-porous part of the wall may be translucent or transparent, so as to provide an easy check on whether the active liquid has been consumed.
  • a coloured liquid also gives a colour to the porous part of the wall as long as there is still liquid in the container.
  • the container may be provide with a mouth that can be closed with a suitable cap or similar closure means such as screw cap or a click cap.
  • the closure is applied after the container has been filled with liquid, either to close the container permanently or leaving the possibility to open it again later to refill the container with liquid.
  • the container may be provided with a means to vary the porous surface that is exposed to air or water.
  • a tubular container may be provided with a ring that can be turned or slid to cover a greater or smaller part of the porous part of the wall.
  • a slide or a rotating ring may be used which acts as a diaphragm.
  • active liquid is used to denote a liquid which has an intended action in the environment in which it is dispersed.
  • liquids intended for dispersion in the air such liquids may provide an agreeable odour or combat disagreeable odours, more particularly perfumes, or they may have an insecticide or insect-repellent activity.
  • the devices according to the invention are particularly suitable for dispersing active liquids in an aqueous environment, more particularly the flush water of a toilet.
  • Active liquids suitable for such purposes comprise a wide range of components known in the art for these purposes, such as cleaning agents (detergents, bleaching agents, disinfection agents and the like) and perfumes.
  • the active liquids have a relatively high viscosity, to have them seeping through the porous material with the desired velocity.
  • the desired viscosity is therefore also dependent on the pore size of the porous material.
  • a viscosity of at least 200mPas is desirable (determined with a Haake RS1 TM viscometer with 60/1° geometry at 1sec -1 and 20°C).
  • the desired viscosity of the liquid may be obtained by adding usual thickening agents.
  • the active liquids to be dispersed contain components which are mutually incompatible, it is of course possible to put them in separate devices according to the invention.
  • a container according to the invention in separate compartments, e.g. with partitions, and to fill these compartments with the separate non-compatible components.
  • These compartments may be provide each with separate porous walls of which the pore sizes may chosen according to the properties of the separate components.
  • the compartments may also be constructed such that they all face a common porous wall. Although some interaction may take place within the porous wall where the components meet, generally this does not or hardly influence the proper operation of the devices according to the invention.
  • devices intended for dispersing perfume in the air may comprise a means to put the device down or to hang it on the wall.
  • Devices intended to disperse toilet cleaning agents will generally comprise a hook, clamp or similar means to attach it under the rim of a toilet bowl. All these means are constructed in such a way that the liquid remains in contact with the porous wall surface until it is consumed.
  • the invention also comprises dispensing devices as described above of which the container is filled with active liquid having a viscosity of at least 200mPas, determined as described above.
  • a container with a volume of 19.5ml was provided with a porous wall with a surface area of 9.5cm 2 made of porous polyethylene of 2mm thickness and a pore size of 20-50 ⁇ m, manufactured by Porex Technologies GmbH of Singwitz, Germany.
  • the container was filled with toilet cleaning liquid marketed by Sara Lee and called "Flush fresh selection Green Fields" TM .
  • the container was attached under the rim of toilet bowl that was in normal use.
  • the decrease of the amount of cleaning liquid was monitored in time by regular weighing. Liquid consumption is shown in the graph of Fig.6 in which the weight loss in grams is indicated on the vertical axis against time in hours on the horizontal axis. At point A in the graph the liquid in the container was completely consumed.

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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)
  • Detergent Compositions (AREA)
EP07075854A 2006-10-03 2007-10-02 Abgabevorrichtungen Withdrawn EP1908886A3 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL1032616A NL1032616C1 (nl) 2006-10-03 2006-10-03 Doseerinrichtingen.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1908886A2 true EP1908886A2 (de) 2008-04-09
EP1908886A3 EP1908886A3 (de) 2009-11-25

Family

ID=38857967

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP07075854A Withdrawn EP1908886A3 (de) 2006-10-03 2007-10-02 Abgabevorrichtungen

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1908886A3 (de)
NL (1) NL1032616C1 (de)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1992020876A1 (en) * 1991-05-17 1992-11-26 Brookline Delta Limited Release device
DE29900759U1 (de) * 1999-01-18 1999-04-08 Georg Menshen GmbH & Co KG, 57413 Finnentrop Vorrichtung zur Konditionierung von Spülflüssigkeit bei sanitären Einrichtungen
EP1203844A1 (de) * 2000-11-03 2002-05-08 Brian Slade Flüssigkeitsdosiervorrichtungen

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1992020876A1 (en) * 1991-05-17 1992-11-26 Brookline Delta Limited Release device
DE29900759U1 (de) * 1999-01-18 1999-04-08 Georg Menshen GmbH & Co KG, 57413 Finnentrop Vorrichtung zur Konditionierung von Spülflüssigkeit bei sanitären Einrichtungen
EP1203844A1 (de) * 2000-11-03 2002-05-08 Brian Slade Flüssigkeitsdosiervorrichtungen

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1908886A3 (de) 2009-11-25
NL1032616C1 (nl) 2008-04-04

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