EP2765248A1

EP2765248A1 - Rim block holder

Info

Publication number: EP2765248A1
Application number: EP14154488.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Raoul Bianchi; Valentino Iraci; Gianpaolo Baiguerra
Original assignee: Bolton Manitoba SpA
Current assignee: Bolton Manitoba SpA
Priority date: 2013-02-12
Filing date: 2014-02-10
Publication date: 2014-08-13
Also published as: ITMI20130195A1

Abstract

Herein a hygienic device (10) for sanitary fixtures is described comprising a detergent and/or deodorant means (12), made in the form of a body having a cylindrical geometry provided with a pair of opposite bases (14, 16) and a lateral surface (18), and means (20) for hooking to a perimeter edge of a generic sanitary fixture, made up of a first engaging portion (22) and a second portion (24) integral with a supporting element (26) capable of holding the detergent and/or deodorant means (12). The supporting element (26) consists of a sleeve having as cross-sectional shape that of a generic flat geometric figure and it is capable of at least partially enclosing the sole lateral surface (18) of the detergent and/or deodorant means (12), leaving the respective opposite bases (14, 16) completely exposed. On the surface of the supporting element (26) a plurality of holes, openings, slots and/or grooves (36) is obtained configured so that the detergent and/or deodorant means (12) has a surface portion left uncovered, that is not enclosed by the supporting element (26), equal to at least 50% of the overall surface, intended as the sum of the lateral surface (18) and the surfaces of the two opposite bases (14, 16), of such detergent and/or deodorant means (12).

Description

The present invention refers to an improved hygienic device for sanitary fixtures.
The use of hygienic devices for sanitary fixtures, such as for example a WC, to be hung in the sanitary fixture through a suitable hook which is engaged on the perimeter edge of the same is known. The known hygienic devices can be divided into the so-called "solid toilet bowl cleaners", comprising a detergent and/or deodorant means for toilet in the solid state or in form of gel, and the so-called "liquid toilet bowl cleaners", comprising a detergent and/or deodorant means for toilet in the liquid state dispensed through a bottle.
In particular, the first type of known hygienic devices for toilets usually comprises a perforated dispenser, referred to as "cage", provided with a hook for engaging with the edge of the toilet bowl and containing the detergent and/or deodorant means therein in form of a solid block, usually referred to as "soap bar". Generally the detergent and/or deodorant means in the solid state is manufactured through an extrusion process. Every time the toilet water is flushed, the water that directly impacts the cage dispenser element it dissolves and washes out a small amount of the detergent and/or deodorant product from the solid block contained in the cage.
A drawback of such cage devices lies in the high environmental impact of the same. Actually, upon terminating their use, when the detergent and/or perfuming means are consumed, the entire dispenser element, comprising the hook and the cage, is discarded without the possibility of reutilisation. In addition, the cage devices, when applied in the toilet, are cumbersome and with an aesthetic appeal that can be deemed as unappealing.
Even other toilet hygienic devices were developed having the solid detergent and/or perfuming means hung on the perimeter edge using a structure less cumbersome than the cage. For example, document WO 2007/107750 A1 illustrates a solid detergent means substantially having the entire outer surface exposed to the flushed water. The plate-shaped end of the hook for hanging to the perimeter edge of the toilet is directly submerged in the solid detergent means. According to the the teaching of document WO 2007/107750 A1 , the plate is inserted into a groove made in the solid detergent block which is enclosed around it through a compression step.
Even document EP 1891197 A1 describes a process for the production of a solid detergent block adapted to be hung on the edge of a toilet. A part of the hook for hanging to the perimeter edge of the toilet is inserted into the solid block and such solid block is subjected to compression for encapsulating the part of the hook.
Another example of a toilet hygienic device comprising a solid detergent and/or perfuming means is illustrated in document WO 2011/141720 A1 , which teaches the fitting of a solid detergent block on a plate arranged either at the front or at the rear with respect to the wall of the WC. Even in this type of devices the dimension of the structure is smaller than the devices of the cage type, but it still has an external structure for supporting the solid block. In addition, such support structure remains visible during use, especially if it is of the front type, and it negatively affects the circulation of the flushed water around the solid block and, thus, the uniformity of its consumption.
The main drawback of such devices obtained by inserting part of the hook into the solid block, as well as exerting a determined compression to close the solid block around the hook, lies in the non-perfect sealing of the coupling between the hook and the solid block during the consumption of the solid block. In particular, the contact area between the hook and the solid block is subjected to the delamination phenomenon upon the repeated succession of flushed water over time and the progressive consumption of the solid block. This phenomenon could cause the detachment of the solid block from the hook and thus an early loss of the solid block before reaching considerable consumption.
Lastly, other toilet hygienic devices in which the solid detergent and/or deodorant means is enclosed by a sleeve-shaped container, which does not have any side wall or side means for holding the solid block were developed. Such support container is illustrated, for example, in document US 2214798 . The sleeve-shaped container is provided with a single hole through which the means for hooking to the edge of the toilet are introduced and through which the flushed water flows and is subsequently discharged through the two side ends of the sleeve after just being touched by the upper portion of the detergent and/or deodorant means.
Though without side holding means, this type of sleeve-shaped container seems to confer greater stability to the solid block with respect to the devices which provide for one or more hooks inserted into the solid block. On the other hand, the main drawback of this type of container seems to lie in the fact that the exposed surface of the solid block, that is the surface on which the washing action of the toilet flush water occurs, is rather limited.
Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved hygienic device for sanitary fixtures that is capable of overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art in an extremely simple, inexpensive and particularly functional manner.
In detail, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved hygienic device for sanitary fixtures that is capable of exposing a considerable surface portion of the solid detergent block to the washing action of the flushed water of the hygienic device.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved hygienic device for sanitary fixtures that is capable of efficiently holding the solid detergent block when it is new and has not been used as well as when the relative overall volume reduces progressively due to the washing action of the flushed water.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved hygienic device for sanitary fixtures that is capable of minimising the amount of material required for its manufacturing and, thus, the relative costs and the environmental impact due to disposal.
These objects according to the present invention are obtained by creating an improved hygienic device for sanitary fixtures as outlined in claim 1.
Further characteristics of the invention are highlighted by the dependent claims which are an integral part of the present description.
The characteristics and advantages of an improved hygienic device for sanitary fixtures according to the present invention shall be more apparent from the following exemplifying and non-limiting description with reference to the attached schematic drawings, wherein:

figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the improved hygienic device for sanitary fixtures according to the present invention;
figure 2 is a front view of the device of figure 1;
figure 3 is a rear side view of the device of figure 1;
figure 4 is a side view of the device of figure 1;
figure 5 is a bottom view of the device of figure 1;
figure 6 is a top view of the device of figure 1;
figure 7 is a perspective view of the device of figure 1, shown in partially open configuration;
figure 8 is a perspective view of the device of figure 1, shown in a completely open configuration;
figure 9 is a side view of the device of figure 1, shown in a partially open configuration;
figure 10 is a side view of the device of figure 1, shown in a completely open configuration;
figure 11 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the improved hygienic device for sanitary fixtures according to the present invention;
figure 12 is a front view of the device of figure 11;
figure 13 is a rear side view of the device of figure 11;
figure 14 is a side view of the device of figure 11;
figure 15 is a bottom view of the device of figure 11;
figure 16 is a top view of the device of figure 11;
figure 17 is a perspective view of the device of figure 11, shown in partially open configuration;
figure 18 is a perspective view of the device of figure 11, shown in a completely open configuration;
figure 19 is a side view of the device of figure 11, shown in partially open configuration;
figure 20 is a side view of the device of figure 11, shown in a completely open configuration;
figure 21 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the improved hygienic device for sanitary fixtures according to the present invention;
figure 22 is a front view of the device of figure 21;
figure 23 is a rear side view of the device of figure 21;
figure 24 is a side view of the device of figure 21;
figure 25 is a bottom view of the device of figure 21;
figure 26 is a top view of the device of figure 21;
figure 27 is a perspective view of the device of figure 21, shown in a partially open configuration;
figure 28 is a perspective view of the device of figure 21, shown in completely open configuration;
figure 29 is a side view of the device of figure 21, shown in a partially open configuration;
figure 30 is a side view of the device of figure 21, shown in a completely open configuration;
figure 31 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the improved hygienic device for sanitary fixtures according to the present invention;
figure 32 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the improved hygienic device for sanitary fixtures according to the present invention; and
figure 33 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the improved hygienic device for sanitary fixtures according to the present invention.

With reference to the figures, some preferred embodiments of the improved hygienic device for sanitary fixtures according to the present invention are shown in their entirety with reference number 10. The device 10 is of the type comprising a detergent and/or deodorant means 12 consisting of a block of solid material or in form of gel. The detergent and/or deodorant means 12 can be manufactured using any known technology. For example, if it is in solid form, such detergent and/or deodorant means 12 could be manufactured through an extrusion or co-extrusion process.
In turn, the detergent and/or deodorant block 12 is made in the form of a body having a cylindrical geometry provided with a pair of opposite bases 14 and 16 and a lateral surface 18. The expression body having a cylindrical geometry is used to indicate the location of the straight line generatrices, parallel to a predefined direction and passing through the single points of a determined directrix curve, limited by the two opposite bases 14 and 16, substantially parallel to the directrix. The directrix, which is always a closed line, can be for example a circle, an ellipse, a polygon, or it may generally be of any shape, as shown in the embodiments of the attached figures.
The device 10 comprises means 20 for hooking to a perimeter edge of a generic sanitary fixture, such as for example a toilet. The hooking means 20 are preferably made up of a first engaging portion 22 for engaging with the edge of the toilet, for example shaped to form a flexible hook and which may vary in size and shape, and a second portion 24 integral with a supporting element 26 capable of holding the detergent and/or deodorant block 12 and at least partially enclosing the sole lateral surface 18 of such detergent and/or deodorant block 12, leaving the respective opposite bases 14 and 16 completely exposed.
Actually, according to the invention, the supporting element 26 consists conveniently of a sleeve having as cross-sectional shape that of a generic flat geometric figure. On the surface of the sleeve-shaped supporting element 26 a plurality of holes, openings, slots and/or grooves 36 is advantageously obtained configured so that the detergent and/or deodorant block 12 has a surface portion left uncovered, that is not enclosed by the supporting element 26, equal to at least 50% of the overall surface of such detergent and/or deodorant block 12, intended as the sum of the lateral surface 18 and the surfaces of the two opposite bases 14 and 16.
Preferably, the supporting element 26 is shaped so that the uncovered surface of the detergent and/or deodorant block 12 is comprised between 51% and 60% of the overall surface of such detergent and/or deodorant block 12. Such a configuration of the sleeve-shaped supporting element 26 allows to obtain an efficient washing action of the flushed toilet water on the surface of the detergent and/or deodorant block 12.
The sleeve-shaped supporting element 26 is thus provided with at least one base wall 28 (figures 5, 15 and 25), whereon the detergent and/or deodorant block 12 rests, at least one upper wall 30 (figures 6, 16 and 26), to which the second portion 24 of the hooking means 20 is made integral, and at least one front wall 32 (figures 2, 12 and 22) and/or rear wall 34 (figures 3, 13 and 23), which connects such base wall 28 to such upper wall 30.
According to the first three embodiments of the device 10, shown in detail in figures 1-30, the base wall 28 of the sleeve-shaped supporting element 26 has an extension in length which is greater, or at least equal, to the overall length of the detergent and/or deodorant block 12, intended as the distance between its opposite bases 14 and 16. This characteristic of the sleeve-shaped supporting element 26 not only allows to efficiently support the detergent and/or deodorant block 12, even following consumption and softening thereof due to use, but also to best manage the steps of manufacturing and packaging the assembly constituted by such detergent and/or deodorant block 12 and the relative sleeve-shaped supporting element 26.
Still according to the first three embodiments of the device 10, the upper wall 30 of the sleeve-shaped supporting element 26 has an extension in length which is lower than the extension in length of the base wall 28. Typically, the length of the upper wall 30 can be comprised between about 1/2 and about 1/4 of the length of the base wall 28. Hence, the front 32 and/or rear 34 walls are tapered from the bottom towards the top.
The sleeve-shaped supporting element 26 can preferably be opened and for such purpose it can consist of at least two distinct half- shells 26A and 26B, hinged to each other and provided with means for mutual hooking, such as for example one or more teeth 40 provided on one of the two half-shells 26B which are introduced into one or more corresponding holes 42 provided on the other half-shell 26A (figures 17-20). Thus, the supporting element 26 is capable of passing from a closed configuration (figures 1, 11 and 21), in which the detergent and/or deodorant block 12 is held by such supporting element 26, to an open configuration (figures 8, 18 and 28), in which the detergent and/or deodorant block 12 can be extracted from such supporting element 26 or inserted thereinto.
The sleeve-shaped supporting element 26 can also be provided therein with one or more ribs 38 capable of blocking the axial sliding of the detergent and/or deodorant block 12 with respect to the direction of development of such sleeve-shaped supporting element 26. Alternatively or additionally to the ribs 38, the sleeve-shaped supporting element 26 could be provided therein with one or more flexible arms (not shown), also capable of blocking the axial sliding of the detergent and/or deodorant block 12 with respect to the direction of development of such sleeve-shaped supporting element 26 even following a reduction of volume of the detergent and/or deodorant block 12 due to use, because of the washing action of the flushed toilet water.
Preferably, as shown in figures 1-30, the supporting element 26 is made in the form of a single sleeve, that is provided with respective single base 28, upper 30, front 32 and rear 34 walls. Thus, such single sleeve has a substantially closed cross-section profile, except for the plurality of holes, openings, slots and/or grooves 36 it is provided with.
Figure 31 shows an embodiment of the device 10 in which the supporting element 26 is made in the form of a single sleeve and in which the base 28, upper 30, front 32 and rear 34 walls of such sleeve have a substantially equal length.
Figure 32 shows another embodiment of the device 10 in which the supporting element 26 is made in the form of two sleeves separated and aligned along the same axis, joined to each other by means of the second portion 24 of the hooking means 20.
Figure 33 shows a further embodiment of the device 10 in which the supporting element 26 is made in the form of a single sleeve with an open cross-section profile and it is substantially C-shaped.
According to the latter three embodiments of the device 10, the overall length of the sleeve-shaped supporting element 26 could be even lower than the overall length of the detergent and/or deodorant block 12, still intended as the distance between its opposite bases 14 and 16.
Still according to the latter three embodiments of the device 10, as well as the embodiments of figures 1 and 11, the base 28 and upper 30 walls of the sleeve-shaped supporting element 26, just like the relative front 32 and rear 34 walls, are parallel two by two, so that such supporting element 26 substantially has the same geometric shape of the detergent and/or deodorant block 12. The difference between the embodiment of figure 1 and that of figure 11 solely lies in the fact that in the device 10 of figure 1 the base 28 and upper 30 walls of the sleeve-shaped supporting element 26 have a width L smaller than the height H of the relative front 32 and rear 34 walls (figure 4), while in the device 10 of figure 11 the base walls 28 and upper 30 of the sleeve-shaped supporting element 26 have a greater width L than the height H of the relative front 32 and rear 34 walls (figure 14).
Instead, according to the embodiment of the device 10 shown in figure 21, only the base 28 and upper 30 walls of the sleeve-shaped supporting element 26 are parallel to each other, while the relative front 32 and rear 34 walls are oriented so as to maintain the detergent and/or deodorant block 12, which is substantially parallelepiped-shaped, in an inclined position with respect to a vertical plane once the device 10 is applied to the perimeter edge of the toilet.
It has thus been observed that the improved hygienic device for sanitary fixtures according to the present invention attains the objects outlined above, thus allowing to attain a considerable exposure of the surface of the detergent and/or deodorant means to the washing action of the flushed toilet water, as well as considerable saving in terms of plastic used for manufacturing the supporting element, but still efficiently holding such detergent and/or deodorant means within the relative supporting element.
The improved hygienic device for sanitary fixtures of the present invention thus conceived can be subjected to many modifications and variants, all falling within the same inventive concept; furthermore, all details can be replaced with technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, as well as the shapes and dimensions, may vary according to the technical requirements.
Thus, the scope of protection of the invention is defined by the attached claims.

Claims

Hygienic device (10) for sanitary fixtures comprising:
- a detergent and/or deodorant means (12) made in the form of a body having cylindrical geometry provided with a pair of opposite bases (14, 16) and with a lateral surface (18); and

- hooking means (20) to a perimetrical edge of a generic WC, made of a first engaging portion (22) and of a second portion (24) integral with a supporting element (26) capable of keeping the detergent and/or deodorant means (12),
wherein the supporting element (26) is made of a sleeve having as cross-sectional shape that of a generic flat geometric figure and is capable of enclosing at least partially the sole lateral surface (18) of the detergent and/or deodorant means (12), leaving the respective opposite bases (14, 16) completely exposed, characterized in that a plurality of holes, openings, slots and/or grooves (36) is obtained on the surface of the supporting element (26) which are configured so that the detergent and/or deodorant means (12) has a portion of surface uncovered, that is, not enclosed by the supporting element (26), equal to at least 50% of the overall surface, intended as the sum of the lateral surface (18) and the surfaces of the two opposite bases (14, 16), of said detergent and/or deodorant means (12).
Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting element (26) is shaped so that the uncovered surface of the detergent and/or deodorant means (12) is comprised between 51% and 60% of the overall surface of said detergent and/or deodorant means (12).
Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the supporting element (26) is provided with at least one base wall (28), whereon the detergent and/or deodorant means (12) rests, at least one upper wall (30), which the second portion (24) of the hooking means (20) is made integral with, and at least one front (32) and/or rear (34) wall, which connects said base wall (28) to said upper wall (30).
Device (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the supporting element (26) is made in the form of a single sleeve, that is, provided with respective single base (28), upper (30), front (32) and rear (34) walls, said single sleeve having therefore a cross-section profile substantially closed.
Device (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the base wall (28) of the supporting element (26) has an extension in length greater than or equal to the overall length of the detergent and/or deodorant means (12), intended as the distance between its opposite bases (14, 16).
Device (10) according to any of the claims from 3 to 5, characterized in that the upper wall (30) of the supporting element (26) has an extension in length less than the extension in length of the base wall (28).
Device (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the base (28), upper (30), front (32) and rear (34) walls have a length substantially equal.
Device (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the supporting element (26) is made in the form of two sleeves separated and aligned along a same axis, joined to each other by means of the second portion (24) of the hooking means (20).
Device (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the supporting element (26) is made in the form of a single sleeve with an open cross-section profile and is substantially "C" shaped.
Device (10) according to any of the claims from 1 to 8, characterized in that the supporting element (26) can be opened and to this purpose is made of at least two distinct half-shells (26A, 26B), hinged to each other and provided with mutual hooking means (40, 42) so as to pass from a closed configuration of the supporting element (26), in which the detergent and/or deodorant means (12) is kept by said supporting element (26), to an open configuration of the supporting element (26), in which the detergent and/or deodorant means (12) can be extracted from said supporting element (26) or inserted into it.
Device (10) according to any of the claims from 1 to 10, characterized in that the supporting element (26) is provided in its inside with one or more ribs (38) capable of blocking the axial sliding of the detergent and/or deodorant means (12) with respect to the developing direction of said supporting element (26) .
Device (10) according to any of the claims from 1 to 11, characterized in that the supporting element (26) is provided in its inside with one or more flexible arms capable of blocking the axial sliding of the detergent and/or deodorant means (12) with respect of the developing direction of said supporting element (26) also further to a reduction in volume of said detergent and/or deodorant means (12) due to use.
Device (10) according to any of the claims from 1 to 12, characterized in that the detergent and/or deodorant means (12) is made of a block of solid material.
Device (10) according to any of the claims from 1 to 12, characterized in that the detergent and/or deodorant means (12) is in the form of gel.