EP3414404A1

EP3414404A1 - Support device for hygienic apparatus and hygienic apparatus using the same

Info

Publication number: EP3414404A1
Application number: EP17709801.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Aldo CAMMAROTO; Francesco Maurizio Orlandini; Ruben BULLERI; Valentina Villa; Massimo Cavina; Andrea Tinti; Atos POGGIOLI
Original assignee: Deco Industrie SCoopPA
Current assignee: Deco Industrie SCoopPA
Priority date: 2016-02-11
Filing date: 2017-02-09
Publication date: 2018-12-19
Also published as: ITUB20160666A1; WO2017137922A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a support device (10) for hygienic apparatus (10,20), of the type adapted to be mounted inside a toilet bowl or WC (50) in a suspended manner on a peripheral rim of the bowl, the support device (10) comprising a hollow containment body (11) adapted to house therein at least a hygienic medium (20), and means (12,12') for suspending the containment body (11) to the bowl rim (50) comprising at least a first engagement portion (12a,12'a) to the peripheral rim of the bowl (50), a second engagement portion (12b,12'b) to the hollow containment body (11) and an elongated connecting portion (12c,12'c) between the first (12a,12'a) and the second (12b,12'b) engagement portion which extends longitudinally along a reference axis (A), the containment body (11) comprising a first half-shell (11 a) provided with a peripheral wall without openings suitable for entirely accommodating the at least one hygienic medium (20), the peripheral wall of the first half-shell (11a) defining at least a sector (16) for housing the at least one hygienic medium (20). The containment body (11) comprises a second half-shell (lib) which can be coupled to the first one (11a) and comprising a peripheral wall provided with a plurality of openings (13,14) for the inlet and/or the outlet of liquid. The present invention also relates to a hygienic apparatus (10, 20) using such a support device (10).

Description

SUPPORT DEVICE FOR HYGIENIC APPARATUS AND HYGIENIC

APPARATUS USING THE SAME

The present invention relates to a support device for a hygienic apparatus usually used for the care of sanitary apparatus and to a hygienic apparatus using such a support device. In particular, the present invention relates to a support device particularly suitable for use in apparatuses using a hygienic medium in gel, as well as to the relative hygienic apparatus.

In the present description and following claims, "hygienic medium" means any detergent and/or deodorant and/or perfuming and/or sanitizing/disinfectant and/or whitening medium suitable for the care of sanitary apparatus, such as bowls or WC.

As is known, in order to maintain a good level of cleanliness and hygiene in sanitary apparatus, the use of hygienic medium mounted inside the toilet bowls themselves is known, in particular suspended to their peripheral rim, in such a way that the hygienic medium contained in the apparatus is impinged by the flow of drain water. In this way, the drain water is enriched with substances that give it detergent, decalcifying, deodorant, perfuming and/or disinfectant properties, such as to considerably enhance its natural cleansing action.

This considerably slows down the deterioration, otherwise quick, of the toilet bowl cleaning conditions, maintaining a longer pleasant and hygienic usage situation as well as the overall status of the bowl, thereby reducing the formation of lime or other deposits over time.

Hygienic apparatuses generally comprise a support device provided with suspension means to the peripheral rim of the bowl. The support device contains the hygienic medium which may be solid, liquid or gel.

In the case of solid medium, the support device generally consists of a hollow body containing the medium and a hook for keeping the containment medium hanging on the rim of the bowl. The container body usually consists of two half-shells, both provided with slits and/or holes on the respective peripheral surface for the passage (inlet and outlet) of the drain water. Such support devices are also referred to by the name of "cage" in jargon.

Examples of such cage support devices are described in documents EP 2 806 074, DE Alternatively, the containment bodies of solid hygienic medium support devices may consist of a body, open on two opposed sides and provided with openings on the remaining sides, wherein the solid medium is inserted and retained by shape coupling, as shown for example in document EP 2 765 248.

In contrast, in the case of liquid mediums, the support device is generally a bottle applied to dispensing elements capable of releasing a controlled amount of hygienic medium at each drain water flow that impinges it.

Hygienic mediums in gel, in contrast, are used widely in the absence of cages or dispensing bottles. Taking advantage of the adhesive properties of the gel, it is in fact known to apply them directly to the inner surface of the toilet bowl.

It has been seen, however, that the exposure of the gel to the flow of water and air in the absence of cage completely exposes the product to the random erosion of the flow and the loss of water from the formulation. Unpleasant conditions to sight are thus created, with the gel having a conformation partially draining along the inner surface of the bowl and/or white and dry portions. Moreover, the presence of the hygienic medium in gel on the inner surface of the toilet bowl makes the cleaning operations difficult. During such operations it is, in fact, important to avoid coming into contact with the hygienic medium in order not to remove it completely from the surface. Alternatively to the free application, it is known to accommodate the hygienic mediums in gel in support devices consisting of a plurality of cup-shaped containment cups which can be positioned inside the toilet bowl in a suspended configuration, by means of a hook suitable for being applied to the upper peripheral rim of the bowl.

The Applicant has found that such a conformation of support device does not facilitate an even consumption of the hygienic medium in gel contained in the same. In particular, once a first portion of the product has been consumed, it is difficult for the drain water to penetrate up to the bottom of the cup-shaped sectors and the consumption of the hygienic medium in the gel is therefore less effective.

In fact, when initially the cup-shaped sectors are full of hygienic medium in gel, the rinsing water will generally impinge at least 75% of the exposed surface, thus eroding it. Once, however, the gel has partially consumed and is therefore recessed with respect to the open surface of the cup-shaped sectors, it is no longer guaranteed that the rinsing water will impinge the entire surface. On the contrary, the Applicant has noted that in such circumstances, the surface of hygienic medium that is impinged by the flow is reduced to about 45%. Moreover, with the gel partially consumed, an excessive accumulation of water in the cup-shaped sectors may be generated, which leads to a degradation of the hygienic medium in gel. The problem underlying the present invention is therefore to provide a support device for hygienic apparatus, particularly for hygienic apparatus comprising hygienic mediums in gel, which is able to ensure an optimal washing of the hygienic medium irrespective of the consumption conditions of the same.

As part of this problem, an object of the present invention is to devise a support device for hygienic apparatus which allows a homogeneous and uniform consumption of the hygienic medium during the entire cycle of consumption of the same.

Therefore, according to a first aspect thereof, the present invention relates to a support device for hygienic apparatus, of the type adapted to be mounted inside a toilet bowl or WC in a suspended manner on a peripheral rim of the bowl, the support device comprising a hollow containment body adapted to house therein at least a hygienic medium, and means to suspend the containment body to the bowl rim comprising at least a first engagement portion to the peripheral bowl rim, a second engagement portion to the hollow containment body and an elongated connecting portion between the first and the second engagement portion which extends longitudinally along a reference axis, the containment body comprising a first half-shell provided with a peripheral wall without openings suitable for entirely accommodating the at least one hygienic medium, the peripheral wall of the first half-shell defining at least a sector for housing the at least one hygienic medium, characterised in that the containment body comprises a second half- shell which can be coupled to the first one and comprising a peripheral wall provided with a plurality of openings for the inlet and/or the outlet of liquid.

The Applicant has found that the combined use of a containment body comprising both a half-shell in which the hygienic medium is entirely accommodated, and a half-shell that allows the controlled inlet and outlet of a liquid determines an optimal consumption of the product, which is increased compared to the prior art, irrespective of the consumption conditions of the hygienic medium.

In fact, by penetrating inside the containment body, the flow of liquid is subject to turbulence and vorticity which ensure that a large part of the surface of the hygienic medium is impinged by the flow of drain water, even when the hygienic medium is partially consumed and therefore its free surface is partially recessed with respect to the housing seat.

The present invention may have at least one of the following preferred features; the latter may in particular be combined with each other as desired to meet specific application requirements.

Preferably, the containment body is shaped in such a way that the coupling surface between the first and the second half-shell is inclined with respect to the reference axis defined by the elongated connecting portion of the suspension means by an angle ranging from 30° to 50°, preferably ranging from 35° to 45°, more preferably of 40°. This arrangement makes a flow of drain water coming from above impinge directly part of the free surface of the hygienic medium accommodated in the first half-shell. This allows reaching a percentage of surface impinged by the flow even equal to 75% in each of consumption condition.

Preferably, the containment body has an elongated configuration along a main development direction substantially transversely to the reference axis.

Preferably, the second half-shell comprises a first upper portion of peripheral wall made with an inclination, with respect to a plane orthogonal to the reference axis, ranging from -15° to +15°, more preferably ranging from -5° to +5°, the first portion being provided with first inlet openings. More preferably, the first upper portion of peripheral wall is arranged substantially orthogonal with respect to the reference axis.

The arrangement substantially parallel to the orthogonal plane of the wall portion bearing the inlet openings determines an inlet flow that is optimised both in terms of quantity and in terms of turbulence, in particular in case of rain-like flushing of the bowl.

In the present description and following claims, the expressions "substantially transversal" or "substantially vertical" also mean slightly different inclinations with respect to the perfectly transversal or perfectly vertical direction, respectively. In particular, such expressions may also cover inclinations of up to +/-20⁰ with respect to the directions to which they refer.

More preferably, the first inlet openings are shaped as a slit and arranged parallel to the main development direction of the containment body.

Alternatively, the first inlet openings have a circular, half moon or curved symmetrical shape, or a combination of any one of the above shapes.

More preferably, the first liquid inlet openings are arranged along rows of openings, wherein first inlet openings belonging to adjacent rows are mutually offset.

This arrangement is particularly advantageous as it results in an increase in the collection of drain liquid and its conveyance towards the inside of the support device containment body. In fact, the liquid that is not collected by a first row of openings necessarily falls within the slits of the adjacent rows, as they are offset. Even more preferably, the slit-shaped openings have a width ranging from 1.5 mm to 5 mm, more preferably equal to 2 mm.

The Applicant has found that these dimensions provide the best compromise between a good liquid inlet and the creation of turbulence and vorticity in the flow.

Even more preferably, the slit-shaped openings have a length ranging from 4 mm to 25 mm.

The Applicant has found that these dimensions provide the best compromise between a good liquid inlet and the sturdiness of the containment body.

More preferably, the first inlet openings, in cross section, have a flaring for facilitating the inlet of liquid. Such a flaring advantageously contributes to the creation of turbulence and vorticity in the inlet flow.

Preferably, the second half-shell comprises a second side portion of peripheral wall substantially parallel to the reference axis, the second portion being provided with outlet openings. More preferably, the second lateral portion of peripheral wall is inclined by about 15° with respect to the reference axis.

More preferably, the outlet openings are shaped as an elongated eyelet and/or slit and arranged transversally with respect to the main development direction of the containment body. Even more preferably, the outlet openings are arranged parallel to each other with a mutual distance ranging from 2 mm to 4 mm, preferably equal to 3 mm.

Even more preferably, the slit-shaped outlet openings have a main extension ranging from 2 mm to 5 mm and preferably equal to 3 mm.

Even more preferably, the outlet openings shaped as an elongated eyelet have a main extension ranging from 3 mm to 8 mm, preferably equal to 5 mm.

Even more preferably, the outlet openings have a width ranging from 1 mm to 4 mm, more preferably equal to 2 mm.

The Applicant has identified that such dimensions allow significantly slowing the spillage of the liquid while avoiding excessive stagnation and at the same time ensuring good sturdiness of the second half-shell.

Alternatively, the outlet openings have a circular, half moon or curved symmetrical shape, or a combination of any one of the above shapes.

More preferably, the second peripheral wall portion is provided with second inlet openings, arranged above the outlet openings, the second inlet openings comprising a plurality of windows.

Alternatively or additionally, the second peripheral wall portion is provided with end openings arranged at the two ends of the containment body with elongated shape.

The Applicant has found that the presence of side and/or end openings (windows) advantageously facilitates the inlet of liquid in case of laminar drain flow.

Preferably, the first half- shell defines a plurality of containment sectors of the hygienic medium, comprising at least one partition which develops toward the interior of the hollow containment body.

This advantageously allows using a plurality of different hygienic mediums as they can be accommodated each in a respective containment sector.

The first containment half-shell of the at least one hygienic medium may advantageously be made by moulding or forming.

Preferably, the first half- shell defines a peripheral wall comprising a first upper portion for the connection with the first upper portion of the second half-shell, wherein at the connection between the first and second half- shell, the first connection portion of the first half-shell is connected to the first upper portion of the second half-shell in substantial absence of surface inclination discontinuity.

Preferably, the first half-shell defines a peripheral wall comprising a second lower portion for the connection with the second side portion of the second half-shell, wherein the second lower connection portion of the first half-shell has a pattern substantially parallel to the first upper connection portion of the first half-shell.

More preferably, the first upper portion and the second lower portion of the first half- shell are joined by a hump-shaped portion which develops mainly parallel to such first and second upper portion.

More preferably, the first upper portion and the second lower portion of the first half- shell are inclined with respect to the reference axis by an angle ranging from 70° to 80°, even more preferably by an angle equal to about 75°.

The particular shape of the first half-shell designed by the Applicant advantageously ensures that the hygienic medium, by becoming consumed, arranges itself optimally to be impinged by the incoming liquid flow, while avoiding the creation of stagnation pockets.

Preferably, the first half- shell defines an overall containment volume ranging between 30 ml and 40 ml, preferably equal to 35 ml. More preferably, the plurality of containment sectors of the hygienic medium, defined by the first half-shell, has substantially equal capacity.

Even more preferably, the first half-shell defines five containment sectors, each having a capacity ranging between 6 ml and 8 ml, preferably equal to 7 ml.

Preferably, the first half-shell and the second half-shell are movable in relation to each other between a first configuration, in which access to the volume inside the body is prevented and a second configuration in which access to the volume inside the body is allowed.

More preferably, the first half-shell and the second half-shell are hinged to each other.

Alternatively, the first half-shell and the second half-shell can be mutually coupled together joint- wise, by shape coupling and/or force coupling. Alternatively, the first half-shell and/or the second half-shell comprise hooks for implementing a releasable mutual coupling.

Preferably, the suspension means of the containment body to the bowl rim are removably connected to the containment body. Alternatively, the suspension means of the containment body to the bowl rim are made integrally, preferably by moulding, with the first half-shell or the second half-shell.

According to a second aspect thereof, the invention relates to a hygienic apparatus of the type adapted to be mounted inside a toilet bowl or WC in a suspended manner on a peripheral rim of the bowl comprising a support device as described above, wherein the support device comprises therein at least one hygienic medium, preferably in gel.

Preferably, the hygienic apparatus comprises a protective film of the at least one hygienic medium.

Advantageously, this protects the gel before using the product, for example during storage in the warehouse or in shop compartments. Additionally, this device ensures correct and lasting preservation of the organoleptic features of the at least one hygienic medium.

More preferably, the protective film is permanently attached to the first half-shell and is made of water soluble material, such as PVA.

Alternately, the protective film is attached to the first half- shell in a peelable manner, it being preferably made of aluminium and/or other plastic materials suitable for providing a gas/water vapour barrier effect.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description of some preferred embodiments thereof, made with reference to the accompanying drawings. The different features in the single configurations may be combined with one another as desired according to the description above, to make use of the advantages resulting in a specific way from a particular combination.

In such drawings,

- figure 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the support device for hygienic apparatus according to the present invention; - figure 2 is a side elevation view of the support device in figure 1 ;

- figures 3a and 3b are partially sectional views of the hygienic apparatus using the support device in figure 1, in an initial filling condition and in partial consumption condition, respectively, of the hygienic medium; - figure 4 is a perspective exploded view of the support device in figure 1 ;

- figures 5a and 5b are sectional views schematically showing the inlet and outlet flow distribution into and from the containment body of the support device in figure 1, in an initial filling condition and in partial consumption condition, respectively, of the hygienic medium; - figures 6a and 6b are partially cross-section perspective views of the containment body of the support device in figure 1 which schematically show the surface portion of hygienic medium impinged by the inlet flow, in an initial filling condition and in partial consumption condition, respectively, of the hygienic medium;

- figure 7 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the support device for hygienic apparatus according to the present invention;

- figure 8 is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the support device for hygienic apparatus according to the present invention;

- figures 9 to 11 are a perspective view, side elevational view and a partially sectional view, respectively, of a fourth preferred embodiment of the support device for hygienic apparatus according to the present invention.

In the following description, identical reference numerals are used for the illustration of the figures to indicate construction elements having the same function. Moreover, for clarity of illustration, some numerical references may be not repeated in all the figures.

With reference to figures 1 and 2, a first preferred embodiment of a support device for hygienic apparatus is shown, indicated with reference numeral 10 as a whole.

The support device 10 comprises a hollow containment body 11 in which one or more hygienic mediums 20 in gel may be accommodated (see figures 3 a and 3b). The containment body 11 is releasably constrained to hook suspension means 12. Hook 12 comprises a first engagement portion 12a to the peripheral rim of a toilet bowl 50 (only partially shown in figures 5a and 5b) and a second engagement portion 12b to the containment body 11, where an elongated connecting portion 12c is provided between the first 12a and the second 12b engagement portion which extends longitudinally along a reference axis A, transversal to a main development direction B of the containment body 11.

For the releasable constraint between hook 12 and the containment body 11, as shown in particular in figure 4, a hooking interface 17 is provided on the containment body 11 with which a free end 18 of the second engagement portion 12b of hook 12 cooperates.

The containment body 11 consists of a pair of half-shells 1 la, 1 lb which are coupled to each other in a releasable manner, thus being able to take a first coupling configuration, in which the interior of the containment body 11 cannot be accessed, and a second at least partly separate configuration, in which the interior of the containment body 11 can be accessed.

The geometry of the two half-shells 11a, l ib is such that they define an inclined coupling interface therebetween. In particular, the coupling surface between the first 11a and second l ib half-shell is inclined with respect to the reference axis A by an angle of 40°.

A first half- shell 11a is provided with a peripheral wall without openings intended for the containment of the hygienic medium 20. In particular, as shown in figure 3a, the peripheral wall of the first half- shell 11a is adapted to entirely accommodate the at least one hygienic medium 20. A second half-shell 1 lb is provided with a plurality of openings 13, 14 to allow the inlet and outlet of the drain water of bowl 50.

The second half-shell l ib is defined by two peripheral wall portions of which a first upper portion l ib' is arranged in a configuration substantially orthogonal to the reference axis A and a second lateral portion l ib" is arranged in a configuration substantially parallel to the reference axis A. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the second lateral portion l ib" is inclined with respect to the reference axis A by an angle of 15°.

A plurality of horizontal slit-shaped inlet openings 13 of the drain water is formed in the horizontal upper portion l ib'. The inlet openings 13 are arranged according to rows parallel to the main development direction B of the containment body 11. Moreover, the slits of adjacent rows are mutually offset. Specifically, slits 13 of the embodiment shown have a width of 2 mm and a variable length ranging between 5 mm and 12 mm. In the lower part of the vertical side portion l ib ", a plurality of outlet openings 14 of the drain water enriched with hygienic medium 20 is formed, of which a first part 14a is slit-shaped and a second part 14b is shape as an elongated eyelet. Slits 14a and the eyelet openings 14b are arranged with an extension transversal to the main development direction B of the containment body and parallel to each other.

Slits 14 have an extension in length which in the illustrated embodiment is equal to 3 mm, while the eyelet openings have an extension in length equal to 5 mm. All outlet openings 14, moreover, have a width equal to 2 mm and are mutually spaced apart by about 3 mm. As shown in figure 4, the first half-shell 11a comprises a plurality of partitions 15 defining, inside the containment body 11, a plurality of sectors 16 for containing the hygienic medium. Specifically, five containment sectors 16 are defined, each having a capacity equal to about 7 ml.

With particular reference to figure 2, the conformation of the first half-shell 11a is such that the upper peripheral wall of the containment body 11, at the connection between the first 11a and second l ib half-shell, has substantially no discontinuity. To this end, at the connection, the upper portion 11a' of the first half-shell 11a has an inclination substantially equal to the upper portion 1 lb' of the second half-shell 1 lb.

Moreover, the first half-shell 11a comprises a lower portion 11a" having an inclination substantially equal to the upper portion 11a' of the first half-shell 11a. Such upper 11a' and lower 11a" portions of the first half-shell 11a therefore have a substantially parallel development.

The upper 11a' portion and lower 11a" portion of the first half-shell 11a are joined by a curved portion 11a'", which defines a hump which mainly develops parallel to such upper 11a' and lower 1 la" portions.

Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the upper 11a' and lower 11a" portions of the first half-shell 11a are inclined with respect to the reference axis A by an angle of about 75°.

A second preferred embodiment of the support device according to the present invention is shown in figure 7. Such a second embodiment differs from the first one in the presence of windows 13a formed in the vertical wall portion l ib" of the second half- shell l ib. Such windows 13a are arranged superiorly with respect to the outlet openings 14, thus forming second openings for the inlet of the drain flow. Such second inlet openings 13a are particularly suitable in case of laminar drain flow, thus brushing the inner surface of bowl 50.

A third preferred embodiment of the support device according to the present invention is shown in figure 8. Such a third embodiment differs from the first one in the presence of end openings 19 arranged at the two ends of the containment body 11. Also such end openings 19 facilitate the inlet of a laminar drain flow and may be provided as an alternative or in addition to windows 13a of the embodiment in figure 7.

A fourth preferred embodiment of the support device 10' according to the present invention is shown in figures 9-11. Such a fourth embodiment differs from the preceding ones in a different shape of the suspension means 12' which specifically comprise a second engagement portion 12' b to the containment body 11 which is smaller. The containment body 11 is therefore arranged directly underneath the first engagement portion 12'a to the peripheral rim of bowl 50 in a wound rest configuration, the resting support device 10' being more compact. The operation of the support device for hygienic apparatus 10 according to the present invention is as follows.

Each time bowl 50 is flushed, a part of the drain water (schematically shown in figures 5a and 5b) enters the containment body 11 through the upper slits 13.

The inclined arrangement of the coupling surface between half-shell 11a intended to integrally accommodate the hygienic medium 20 and half-shell l ib that defines a perforated hollow chamber allows the free surface of the hygienic medium 20 to be well impinged by the inlet flow, as shown in figure 5a. Moreover, the presence of the closed chamber, albeit perforated, of the second half-shell l ib results in the generation of vorticity in the flow which temporarily retains the drain water at the surface of the hygienic medium 20, thus causing a partial dissolution thereof and mixing with the drain water.

The particular shape and arrangement of the inlet slits 13 causes optimal collection of the inlet flow, also increasing the generation of vorticity. On the contrary, the particular shape and arrangement of the outlet openings 14 causes a slowing of the liquid outlet from the containment body 10, thus optimising further the mixing with the dissolved hygienic medium.

Moreover, as shown in figure 5b, the particular inclined arrangement of the coupling surface between half- shell 11a intended to accommodate the hygienic medium 20 and the second half-shell l ib makes the consumption of hygienic medium not affect particularly the percentage of surface impinged by the inlet flow and at the same time prevents the formation of recesses in which the drain water could stagnate.

Figure 6a schematically shows, by way of example with respect to a particular condition of use, the free surface of the hygienic medium 20 in first use condition, identifying the portions thereof impinged by the inlet flow (dark portions 21) and the portions not impinged by the inlet flow (clear portions 22) in a specific flushing.

In comparative terms, figure 6b shows the free surface of the hygienic medium 20 in partial consumption condition, identifying the portions thereof impinged by the inlet flow (dark portions 21) and the portions not impinged by the inlet flow (light portions 22) in the same use conditions.

From a visual comparison of such figures, it can be appreciated that the percentage of free surface of the hygienic medium 20 impinged by the flow remains substantially unchanged irrespective of the consumption conditions of the hygienic medium 20. The features of the support device for hygienic apparatus object of the present invention as well as the relevant advantages are clear from the above description.

Additional variants of the embodiments described above are possible without departing from the teaching of the invention.

Finally, it is clear that several changes and variations may be made to a support device for hygienic apparatus thus conceived, all falling within the invention; moreover, all details can be replaced with technically equivalent elements. In the practice, both the materials used and the sizes can be modified according to the technical requirements.

Claims

1. Support device (10,10') for hygienic apparatus (10,10',20), of the type adapted to be mounted inside a toilet bowl or WC (50) in a suspended manner on a peripheral rim of the bowl, the support device (10,10') comprising a hollow containment body (11) adapted to house therein at least a hygienic medium (20), and means (12,12') for suspending the containment body to the bowl rim (50) comprising at least a first engagement portion (12a,12'a) to the peripheral rim of the bowl (50), a second engagement portion (12b,12'b) to the hollow containment body (11) and an elongated connecting portion (12c,2'c) between the first (12a,12'a) and the second (12b,12'b) engagement portion which extends longitudinally along a reference axis (A), the containment body (11) comprising a first half-shell (11a) provided with a peripheral wall without openings suitable for entirely accommodating the at least one hygienic medium (20), the peripheral wall of the first half-shell (11a) defining at least a sector (16) for housing the at least one hygienic medium (20), characterised in that the containment body (11) comprises a second half-shell (1 lb) which can be coupled to the first one (11a) and comprising a peripheral wall provided with a plurality of openings (13, 14) for the inlet and/or the outlet of liquid.

2. Support device (10,10') for hygienic apparatus (10,10',20) according to claim 1, wherein the containment body (11) is shaped in such a way that the coupling surface between the first (11a) and the second (1 lb) half-shell is inclined with respect to the reference axis (A) defined by the elongated connecting portion (12c,12'c) of the suspension means (12,12') by an angle ranging from 30° to 50°, preferably ranging from 35° to 45°, more preferably of 40°.

3. Support device (10,10') for hygienic apparatus (10,20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second half-shell (l ib) comprises a first upper portion of peripheral wall (l ib') formed with an inclination with respect to a plane orthogonal to the reference axis (A) ranging from -15° to +15°, preferably ranging from -5° to +5°, more preferably parallel to the orthogonal plane, the first portion being provided with first liquid inlet openings (13) of the plurality of openings (13,14).

4. Support device (10,10') for hygienic apparatus (10,10',20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein first liquid inlet openings (13) of the plurality of openings (13,14) are loop-shaped and arranged parallel with respect to a main development direction (B) of the containment body (11).

5. Support device (10,10') for hygienic apparatus (10,10',20) according to claim 4, wherein the first liquid inlet openings (13) are arranged along rows of openings, wherein first inlet openings (13) belonging to adjacent rows are mutually offset.

6. Support device (10,10') for hygienic apparatus (10,10',20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second half-shell (l ib) comprises a second lateral portion of peripheral wall (l ib") provided with liquid outlet openings (14) of the plurality of openings (13,14), the second portion being inclined with respect to the reference axis (A) defined by the elongated connecting portion (12c,12'c) of the suspension means (12,12') by an angle of between -20° and 20°, preferably of between - 5° and 20°, even more preferably equal to 15°.

7. Support device (10,10') for hygienic apparatus (10,10',20) according to claim 6, wherein the outlet openings (14) comprise a first part of openings (14a) shaped as a slit and/or a second part of openings (14b) shaped as an elongated eyelet, the outlet openings (14) being arranged with a development transversal to a main development direction (B) of the containment body (11), said outlet openings (14) being preferably arranged parallel to each other, more preferably with a mutual distance ranging from 2 mm to 4 mm.

8. Support device (10,10') for hygienic apparatus (10,10',20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first half-shell (11a) defines a peripheral wall comprising a first upper portion (11a') for the connection with a first upper portion (l ib') of the second half-shell (l ib), said first upper connection portion (11a') of the first half-shell (11a) connecting to said first upper portion (l ib') of the second half-shell (l ib) in substantial absence of surface inclination discontinuity.

9. Support device (10,10') for hygienic apparatus (10,10',20) according to claim 8, wherein the first half-shell (11a) defines a peripheral wall comprising a second lower portion (11a") for the connection with a second side portion (l ib') of the second half-shell (l ib), the second lower connection portion (11a") of the first half-shell (11a) showing an inclination which substantially coincides with the inclination of the first upper connection portion (11a') of the first half- shell (11a). 10. Support device (10,10') for hygienic apparatus (10,

10',20) according to claim 9, wherein the first upper portion (11a') and the second lower portion (1 la") of the first half-shell (11a) are joined by a curved portion, which defines a hump which develops substantially parallel to the first upper portion (11a') and to the second lower portion (11a").

11. Support device (10,10') for hygienic apparatus (10,10',20) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the first upper portion (11a') and the second lower portion (1 la") of the first half- shell (11a) are inclined with respect to the reference axis (A) by an angle of between 70° and 80°, preferably by an angle of about 75°.

12. Support device (10,10') for hygienic apparatus (10,10',20) according to any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the second lateral portion of peripheral wall (1 lb") of the second half-shell (l ib) is provided with second inlet openings (13a), the second inlet openings (13a) comprising a plurality of windows.

13. Support device (10,10') for hygienic apparatus (10,10',20) according to any one of claims 6 to 12, wherein the second lateral portion of peripheral wall (1 lb") of the second half-shell (l ib) is provided with at least one end opening (19) arranged at at least one end of the containment body (11) with respect to the main development direction (B) of the same (11).

14. Hygienic apparatus (10,10',20) of the type adapted to be mounted inside a toilet bowl or WC (50) in a suspended manner on a peripheral rim of the bowl comprising a support device (10,10') according to any one of the preceding claims, the support device (10,10') comprising therein at least a hygienic medium (20), preferably in gel.

15. Hygienic apparatus (10,10',20) according to claim 14, comprising a protective film of the at least one hygienic medium (20) of the peelable and/or water soluble type.