EP3719225B1 - Device for dispensing cleaning agent - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a dispensing device for dispensing cleaning agent to a water stream of a sanitary article according to the preamble of claim 1 and a sanitary arrangement with a sanitary article and a dispensing device according to claim 12.

STATE OF THE ART

It is known from the prior art to add cleaning agent additives to flushing streams in toilet bowls or urinals. For example, devices have become known which release a certain dosage of cleaning agent with each rinsing process.

Various solutions for cleaning agent additives that can be used in the flushing channels of a toilet bowl or a urinal have become known from the prior art.

From the EP 3 037 593 For example, a dispenser for dispensing cleaning, disinfectant and/or fragrance to a sanitary facility has become known. The dispenser protrudes into a pipe section transversely to the direction of flow and the water flowing through flows around the dispenser.

The arrangement of a dispenser for a cleaning agent additive lying transversely to the flushing water channel has the disadvantage that the flow conditions in the flushing water channel are unfavorably influenced. This is particularly disadvantageous with rimless toilet bowls, as the adjustment of the flushing water flow becomes very complex and usually ends with an excessive flushing jet or a flushing jet with which the entire surface cannot be reached.

From the publications WO 2017/097310 , US 2017/130437 , EP 1 561 870 , DE 960 890 and the EP 3 162 971 are further dispensing devices for dispensing cleaning agents known.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

Based on this prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing device for dispensing cleaning agent to a water stream, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the delivery device should be optimized in terms of flow technology. A particularly preferred task is to provide a dispensing device which has essentially constant flow properties.

This task is solved by the subject matter of claim 1. Accordingly, a dispensing device for dispensing cleaning agent to a water flow of a sanitary article comprises, among other things, a channel extending along a channel axis with a channel space in which water can be guided from a channel inlet to a channel outlet, and an insert with a receiving element in which a water-soluble cleaning element is placed, which can be dissolved by water flowing through it. The insert further has at least one or exactly one bearing strut, which projects away from the receiving element and with which the receiving element is held in the channel space. The receiving element is located at a distance from the side wall of the channel in the channel space with respect to its circumference, such that flow can flow around the receiving element on the circumference.

The arrangement of the receiving element, in which the cleaning element is accommodated, at a distance from the side wall results in a fluidic advantage. The main flow in front of the receiving element is divided by the receiving element and the flow flows through the clear width between the receiving element and the side wall. This results in better flow conditions compared to an arrangement on the side wall. The receiving element is therefore flowed around the circumference.

The expression “spaced apart from the side wall with respect to its circumference” is understood to mean that the receiving element is at a distance from the side wall in every direction Side wall is standing. This means that the receiving element is not in contact with the side wall, but is arranged in the channel space.

The expression “flow around the circumference” is understood to mean that the outside of the receiving element is essentially completely surrounded by flow.

The water flows through the canal in the direction of the canal axis. The water can be, for example, flushing water for flushing a urinal or a toilet bowl. But it is also conceivable that it is water that is fed to an outlet fitting.

The term “cleaning agent” is understood to mean an agent that has a cleaning effect on the sanitary article into which the water is fed. The cleaning agent can also be a disinfectant, a fragrance, a dye, etc.

In the present context, the term “channel” is understood to mean a pipe-like structure which is surrounded by a side wall and in which water can flow from the channel inlet to the channel outlet.

A bearing strut is understood to mean a comparatively slim bearing strut, which is designed in such a way that the receiving element can be held in the channel space.

According to the invention, the receiving element lies in the channel space in such a way that an intermediate space extending around the receiving element is created between the receiving element and the side wall of the channel.

The water flowing through the channel thus flows through the gap and flows around the receiving element.

In a first embodiment, the bearing strut runs transversely to the channel axis, such that the gap is interrupted exclusively by the at least one bearing strut becomes. This has the advantage that a simple storage for the receiving element can be created without the gap being interrupted with too many negative elements in terms of flow.

The bearing strut therefore projects from the side wall into the channel space and holds the receiving element in the channel space.

Preferably, the bearing strut has a thickness in cross-section viewed transversely to the channel axis that is many times smaller than the maximum cross-section of the receiving element viewed transversely to the central axis. This allows the flow resistance of the bearing strut to be reduced.

The bearing strut preferably has a fluidically optimized shape. Particularly preferably, the bearing strut extends with a lens-shaped cross section along a central axis. The central axis is preferably inclined at an angle to the channel axis. The wider cross section is oriented in the direction of the channel axis and the narrower cross section is transverse to the channel axis.

In a second embodiment, the bearing strut runs in the direction of the channel axis, such that the gap is not interrupted by the at least one bearing strut.

In all embodiments, the receiving element is particularly preferably located essentially in the middle of the channel. Centered in the channel means that the receiving element is located centrally in the channel. The receiving element is therefore located in the center of the channel. This has the advantage that with respect to the receiving element, opposite distances between the receiving element and the channel wall are each designed to be the same. There is also a fluidic advantage since the flow can flow evenly around the circumference of the receiving element.

The channel preferably has at least one bearing point on its side wall, into which the at least one bearing strut engages. There is preferably one bearing point per bearing strut.

The bearing point and the bearing strut are preferably in contact with one another via a positive and/or non-positive connection. This has the advantage that the insert can be installed and removed again in the channel space comparatively easily.

The bearing point is preferably designed as a longitudinal guide. Furthermore, at the end of the bearing strut opposite the receiving element, a guide element is arranged firmly on the bearing strut, the guide element being able to be inserted into the longitudinal guide along the longitudinal guide.

The guide element preferably has a grip tab at the end, via which the insert can be manipulated for inserting or removing it. If the cleaning element is used up, the user can use the handle tab to pull the insert out of the guide and replace the cleaning element. The guide element can be gripped particularly easily using the grip tab and manipulated accordingly to replace the cleaning element.

Preferably, the guide element, in particular with the grip tab that may be present, protrudes from the channel when inserted. This ensures that the user can easily grasp the guide element.

In another variant, the guide element can also be located in the channel near the outlet opening. In this position, the guide element can still be easily gripped, with the further advantage that the guide element is better protected against contamination.

The insert preferably reduces the cross section of the channel by 5% to 15%, in particular by 7% to 12%, when viewed transversely to the channel axis.

According to the invention, the receiving element has the shape of a cylinder on the outside, which extends along a straight central axis, the central axis being oriented essentially in the direction of the channel axis. With others
In words, the lateral surface of the receiving element is designed as a cylinder.

The water therefore flows along the lateral surface of the cylinder.

Preferably, the length of the cylinder is many times larger than its diameter.

The outside diameter of the cylinder can be constant. However, it is particularly advantageous if the cylinder has a diameter that, viewed in the direction of flow, increases to a maximum diameter and then decreases again. This allows the flow conditions to be further optimized.

The receiving element particularly preferably has a cigar-like or torpedo-like shape.

Preferably, the cylinder is designed to be conical at the front and/or rear with a cone. This allows the flow conditions to be further optimized.

The opening angle of the front cone is preferably smaller than the opening angle of the rear cone. The front cone is the cone that lies in front of the rear cone when viewed in the direction of water flow.

The opening angles are preferably in the range from 10° to 45°, in particular from 12° to 30°.

Preferably, the receiving element has a receiving space that is essentially closed on the circumference with a side wall, wherein the water flows into the receiving space through at least one inlet opening and leaves the receiving space again through at least one outlet opening. The side wall is designed on the outside with the said cylindrical shape as mentioned above. On the outside, the side wall is preferably designed as a continuous wall, without openings in the side wall. Preferably the side wall is a smooth wall. This results in fluidic advantages.

This design has the advantage that towards the channel, the external shape of the receiving element does not change even when the cleaning element is completely dissolved. This means that, regardless of the degree of dissolution of the cleaning element, the same or similar fluid requirements are always present. The continuous dissolution of the cleaning element essentially only influences the flow conditions inside the receiving space, not the flow conditions outside the receiving space.

The receiving element preferably has a plurality of inlet openings and a plurality of outlet openings through which the water can flow into the receiving space.

The total cross section of all inlet openings is preferably slightly smaller than the total cross section of all outlet openings. This results in fluidic advantages for dissolving the cleaning element.

Preferably, the at least one inlet opening and/or the at least one outlet opening are each arranged in end faces of the receiving element.

Preferably, the cleaning element is located in the receiving space in such a way that the flow flows around the cleaning element essentially on the circumference. The receiving space preferably has bearing webs on the inside on which the cleaning element rests. The bearing webs are preferably oriented in the direction of the channel axis.

The receiving element preferably also has a cover element which creates access to the receiving space for replacing the cleaning element.

The cover element is preferably connected to the receiving element via a bayonet lock. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cover forms part of the end face and the lateral surface of the receiving element.

Two embodiments are conceivable with regard to the placement of the cleaning element. The first embodiment described above. According to the first Embodiment, the cleaning element is arranged in the receiving element. In the second embodiment, the cleaning element is placed on the receiving element and is dissolved by the water flowing through it.

A sanitary article arrangement comprises a dispensing device as described above and a sanitary article with a line section for guiding water, the channel protruding into the line section or being provided by the line section.

The sanitary item can be a toilet bowl or a urinal. In this case, the sanitary article further has a receiving basin with a side wall delimiting the receiving basin, an upper edge, and a drain arranged in the lower region of the receiving basin. The upper edge is preferably designed without a flushing edge. The pipe section flows into the receiving basin.

In one variant, the channel is provided by an insert pipe connected to the sanitary article. The insert pipe can be inserted into the line section here. The insert pipe is an element designed separately from the sanitary item. Furthermore, the insert pipe can preferably be permanently mounted on the sanitary item. This embodiment is advantageous because the insert pipe can be manufactured more precisely than the sanitary article, meaning that each manufactured sanitary article has very similar fluidic parameters.

In another variant, the channel is provided by the sanitary item itself. The channel here corresponds to the line section. If the channel is provided by the sanitary item itself, the advantage is that the installation effort is typically lower.

The insert pipe or the line section are preferably connected to a flushing pipe.

The insert and the insert tube are preferably made of a plastic. The sanitary item is preferably made of ceramic. The advantage of this choice of material is that that the use can be optimized very easily in terms of flow technology. There is also the advantage that the manufacturing accuracy is greater than with ceramic parts, which means that every sanitary item produced has very similar flow parameters.

Further embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Sanitärartikels mit einer erfindungsgemässen Abgabevorrichtung nach einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 2

eine Schnittdarstellung durch die Abgabevorrichtung nach Figur 1;

Fig. 3

eine Seitenansicht eines Einsatzes, der in die Abgabevorrichtung nach Figuren 1 und 2 eingesetzt werden kann;

Fig. 4

eine Seitenansicht der Figur 3 in einem anderen Zustand;

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Einsatzes gemäss der Figuren 3 und 4; und

Fig. 6/7

eine Frontansicht bzw. Rückansicht des Einsatzes.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings, which serve only for explanation and are not to be interpreted in a restrictive manner. Shown in the drawings:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a sanitary article with a dispensing device according to the invention according to a preferred embodiment;

Fig. 2

a sectional view through the dispensing device Figure 1 ;

Fig. 3

a side view of an insert inserted into the dispensing device Figures 1 and 2 can be used;

Fig. 4

a side view of the Figure 3 in a different state;

Fig. 5

a perspective view of the operation according to the Figures 3 and 4 ; and

Fig. 6/7

a front view or rear view of the insert.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The figures show a dispensing device 1 for dispensing a cleaning agent to a water stream of a sanitary article. The cleaning agent is released here by a cleaning element R. The cleaning element R can also be referred to as a cleaning rod.

In connection with the figures, the dispensing device 1 is shown in use in a sanitary article 21, here in use in a toilet bowl. However, the dispensing device can be used in any sanitary facility. The delivery device 1 is in the Figure 1 arranged in a line section 26 of a toilet bowl 21. The water flowing through the power section 26 flows around the dispensing device 1 and the cleaning agent can accordingly be dispensed from the dispensing device 1 to the water stream.

In the Figures 2 and 3 the delivery device 1 is shown. The dispensing device 1 comprises a channel 2 extending along a channel axis K with a channel space 3 in which water can be guided from a channel inlet 4 to a channel outlet 5. The water flows along the flow direction F from the channel inlet 4 to the channel outlet 5. The dispensing device 1 further comprises an insert 6 with a receiving element 7. The insert 6 is placed in the channel space 3. A water-soluble cleaning element R is placed in the receiving element 7, which can be dissolved by water flowing through it. By dissolving the cleaning element R, the water stream is mixed with the cleaning agent. The insert 6 comprises at least one or, as shown here, exactly one bearing strut 8, with which the receiving element 7 is held in the channel space 3. The bearing strut 8 extends away from the receiving element 7.

The receiving element 7 lies at a distance from the side wall 9 of the channel 2 in the channel space 3 with respect to its circumference. The receiving element 7 lies in the channel space 3 in such a way that the flow can essentially completely flow around the receiving element 7 on the circumference. This means that the water flowing through the channel space 3 wets the receiving element 7 on the circumference. The circumferential flow has the advantage that a flow-optimized design of the receiving element 7 or the insert 6 can be created.

The receiving element 7 lies in the channel space 3 in such a way that an intermediate space 10 extending around the receiving element 7 is created between the receiving element 7 and the side wall 9 of the channel 2. This gap 10 can be seen in the sectional view Figure 2 can be recognized particularly well. In the Figure 2 the gap 10 is interrupted exclusively by the bearing strut 8. Otherwise, the space 10 is between the side wall 9 of the channel 2 and the outside of the Receiving element 7 is designed to be non-binding, so that the water can flow through this space without hindrance.

In the embodiment shown, the bearing strut 8 runs transversely to the channel axis K. This means that the bearing strut 8 extends from the side wall 9 of the channel 2 in the direction of the channel axis K. Furthermore, the bearing strut 8 is arranged at an angle inclined to the channel axis K. The angle contributes in the Figure 2 the reference symbol α. Other training courses are also conceivable. The angle α is preferably in the range from 30 to 60°. In the embodiment shown, the angle α is 45°. The bearing strut 6 has a slim cross section when viewed in the flow direction F of the water flow, so that it does not provide any significant flow resistance for the water.

The receiving element 7 is preferably located essentially in the middle of the channel 2. This results in flow-related advantages. The water can flow evenly around the receiving element 7. The receiving element 7 has a length L, viewed in the direction of flow of the water, which is many times larger than the maximum cross section Q viewed transversely to the direction of flow.

The channel 2 has a bearing point 11 on its side wall 9. The bearing point 11 is designed in such a way that the bearing strut 9 can engage in the bearing point 11. The bearing point 11 is preferably designed as a longitudinal guide 12 and at the end of the bearing strut 8 opposite the receiving element 7, a guide element 13 is firmly arranged on the bearing strut 8, the guide element 13 being insertable into the longitudinal guide 12. This means that by manipulating the guide element 13, the receiving element 7 can be pushed into or pulled out of the longitudinal guide 12 together with the bearing strut 11.

At the end, the guide element 13 has an optional grip tab 14, via which the insert 6 can be manipulated. Like in the Figure 1 shown, the grip tab 14 lies in the installed position inside the line section 26 of the sanitary article 21. However, this is in the front area of the outlet opening 27 of the line section 26. The user can grasp the grip tab 14 accordingly via the outlet opening 27 and the guide element 13 together with the bearing strut 11 and the insert 6 from the Remove line section 26 or channel 2. Alternatively, the grip tab 14 can also protrude from the channel 2 or the line section 26.

Based on Figures 3 to 5 the receiving element 7 and its shape are explained in more detail. The outside of the receiving element 7 has the shape of a cylinder which extends along a straight central axis M. In the installed position, the central axis M is essentially oriented in the flow direction F of the water flowing in channel 2. This means that the central axis M is essentially oriented in the direction of the channel axis K. Particularly preferably, the central axis M runs essentially collinearly to the channel axis K, with the channel axis K defining the central axis of the channel 2.

In the embodiment shown, the cylinder has a cone 15 on both the front and rear. This means that the cylinder is designed to be conical on the front and rear with the cone 15. Choosing an appropriate cone has advantages in terms of flow technology.

The receiving element 7 has a receiving space 16, which is closed on the circumference with a side wall 29. The cleaning element R is arranged in the receiving space 16. The side wall 29 has the shape of said cylinder. The water flows into the receiving space 16 through at least one inlet opening 17 and leaves the receiving space 16 through at least one outlet opening 18. The inlet opening 17 and also the outlet opening 18 are arranged in the end faces 19 of the receiving element 7. In the embodiment shown, the inlet opening 17 and the outlet opening 18 lie in the conical region of the cone 15.

In the cross section of the Figure 2 the storage of the cleaning element R in the receiving space 16 is shown accordingly. The cleaning element is correspondingly dissolved by the water flowing through the receiving space 16 and the water flowing through is mixed with the dissolved cleaning element. This means that water mixed with the cleaning agent flows through the outlet opening 18.

The receiving element 7 further has a cover element 20, which creates access to the receiving space 16 for replacing the cleaning element R. The lid element 20 will be in the Figure 3 shown in assembled condition. In the Figures 4 and 5 the cover element 20 is shown in the dismantled state. With the cover element 20 removed, the cleaning element R can be inserted into the receiving space 16 accordingly. The cover element 20 is secured for use 6 via closure elements 28, here in the form of bayonet closure elements.

The Figures 6 and 7 then show a rear view ( Figure 6 ) and a front view ( Figure 7 ) of the dispensing device 1. Here it can be clearly seen that the cleaning element R is located in the receiving space 16. The inlet opening 17 and the outlet openings 18 are arranged in segments and, viewed individually, each have the same shape. In the Figure 1 The insert 6 is shown in its own state in a toilet bowl. The channel 2 is provided by an insert pipe 30 connected to the sanitary article 21, which protrudes into a line section 26 of the toilet bowl 21. The insert pipe 30 is further connected to a flushing pipe 31. In this case, the sanitary article 21 further has a receiving basin 22 with a side wall 23 delimiting the receiving basin, an upper edge 24, and a drain arranged in the lower region of the receiving basin 22. The upper edge 24 is preferably designed without a flushing edge. The pipe section flows into the receiving basin. REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST 1 Dispensing device 22 Receiving basin 2 channel 23 Side wall 3 Channel room 24 upper edge 4 Channel inlet 25 lower area 5 Channel outlet 26 line section 6 Mission 27 Exhaust opening 7 Recording element 28 Clasp 8th bearing strut 29 Side wall 9 Side wall 30 Insert tube 10 space 31 Flushing pipe 11 Storage location F Flow direction 12 Longitudinal guidance Q maximum cross section 13 Leadership element R Cleaning element 14 Grip tab α angle 15 cone L length 16 Recording room 17 Entry opening 18 Exit opening 19 End faces 20 Lid element 21 Sanitary ware

Claims (12)

1. Dispensing device (1) for dispensing cleaning agent to a water flow of a sanitary article (21) comprising

   a channel (2) extending along a channel axis (K) and having a channel space (3) in which water can be guided from a channel inlet (4) to a channel outlet (5), and

   an insert (6) with a receiving element (7), in or on which a water-soluble cleaning element (R) is placed, which can be dissolved by water flowing through it,

   wherein the insert (6) has at least one or exactly one bearing strut (8) which projects away from the receiving element (7) and by means of which the receiving element (7) is held in the channel space (3), wherein the receiving element (7) lies in the channel space (3) at a distance from the side wall (9) of the channel (2) with respect to its circumference, in such a way that the receiving element (7) can be flowed around circumferentially,

   wherein the receiving element (7) lies in the channel space (3) in such a way that between the receiving element (7) and the side wall (9) of the channel (2) an intermediate space (10) extending around the receiving element (7) is created and

   wherein the bearing strut (8) extends transversely to the channel axis (K) in such a way that the intermediate space (10) is interrupted exclusively by the at least one bearing strut (8); or that the bearing strut extends in the direction of the channel axis (K) in such a way that the intermediate space (10) is not interrupted by the at least one bearing strut (8),

   wherein the receiving element (7) has, on the outside, the shape of a cylinder which extends along a central axis (M) running in a straight line,

   characterized in that the central axis (M) being oriented essentially in the direction of the channel axis (K).
2. Dispensing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving element (7) is located substantially centrally in the channel (2).
3. Dispensing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the channel (2) has on its side wall (9) at least one bearing point (11) in which the at least one bearing strut (8) engages.
4. Dispensing device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the bearing point (11) is designed as a longitudinal guide (12), and in that a guide element (13) is arranged fixedly on the bearing strut (8) on the end side of the bearing strut (8) opposite the receiving element (7), it being possible for the guide element (13) to be pushed into the longitudinal guide (12).
5. Dispensing device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the guide element (13) has at the end a grip tab (14) via which the insert (6) can be manipulated for the insertion or removal thereof; and/or in that the guide element (13), in particular with the grip tab (14) if present, projects out of the channel (2) in the inserted state.
6. Dispensing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving element (7) reduces the cross-section of the channel (2) by 5% to 15%, in particular by 7% to 12%, as viewed transversely to the channel axis (K).
7. Dispensing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cylinder is designed to be conical on the front side and/or rear side with a cone (15).
8. Dispensing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving element (7) has a receiving space (16) which is substantially closed with a side wall on the circumferential side, the water flowing into the receiving space (16) through at least one inlet opening (17) and leaving the receiving space (16) again through at least one outlet opening (18).
9. Dispensing device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the at least one inlet opening (17) and/or the at least one outlet opening (18) are each arranged in end faces (19) of the receiving element (7).
10. Dispensing device (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the cleaning element (R) lies in the receiving space (16) in such a way that the flow around the cleaning element (R) is essentially circumferential, the receiving space preferably having bearing webs on which the cleaning element rests, the bearing webs preferably being oriented in the direction of the channel axis (K).
11. Dispensing device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the receiving element (7) comprises a cover element (20) providing access to the receiving space (16) for the replacement of the cleaning element (R).
12. Sanitary article assembly comprising a dispensing device according to any one of the preceding claims and a sanitary article (21) having a conduit portion (26) for guiding water, wherein the channel (2) projects into or is provided by the conduit portion (7).

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