ES2933060T3 - Toilet basket and toilet flush system - Google Patents

Abstract

A toilet basket (1) for fixing to a toilet bowl, in particular in the rim area, with at least one chamber (4) formed by a chamber sleeve (5) for receiving a solid active substance is shown and described. or gelatinous. (2), the chamber sleeve (5) has at least one opening (8) on the side facing a wall (7) of the toilet bowl when in use. According to the invention, the chamber cover (5) is designed in such a way that, when in use, a flow channel (9) is formed between two contact points (12) of the chamber cover ( 5) and the wall (7).) of the toilet bowl, through which the discharge water flows to an upper area (10) can enter the chamber (4) and can exit the chamber (4). in a lower area (11). (Automatic translation with Google Translate, without legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Toilet basket and toilet flush system

The invention relates to a toilet basket for fixing to the wall of a toilet bowl in the region of the rim thereof, with at least one chamber formed by a chamber sleeve for receiving a solid or liquid-shaped active substance. gel, wherein the chamber sleeve has at least one opening on the side facing the wall of the toilet bowl in the state of use. The invention further comprises a toilet flush system comprising a toilet bowl and at least one active substance.

Toilet baskets are used in the sanitary field to contain an active substance for cleaning and/or odor release and to release it into the toilet bowl through the flushing water. The active substance usually contains surfactants, which have a cleansing effect, and/or fragrances, such as perfume oils, which release a pleasant scent while the toilet basket is placed in a toilet bowl. For its application, said toilet basket with the corresponding active substance in the form of a so-called scented flush is placed in the toilet bowl in such a way that the toilet basket is washed away by the flush water during a flush and the active substance enters the toilet bowl. in contact with discharge water. In this way, the active substance is gradually removed from the toilet basket. The active principle can be liquid, solid or gel. Common toilet baskets for solid or gel-form active substances usually have one or more cage-like chambers for containing the active substance. The chambers are provided with openings on most sides so that the wash water can reach the active substance from as many directions as possible and then exit the chamber again. This is intended to achieve a good rinsing behavior with respect to the active substance.

However, active substances with a cleaning effect are usually comparatively aggressive chemicals. In case of direct contact, they often have harmful properties for the health of people and animals. In this context, there is a particular danger that children or pets can reach the active substance through the openings in the chamber cover and suffer damage. The danger is further increased by the fact that the active substance is often brightly and attractively colored to achieve a visually pleasing appearance.

In known toilet baskets, such as those described in WO 2016/040341 A1, an attempt is sometimes made to make access to the active substance more difficult and thus increase the safety of use by means of a comparatively large opening on the side of the toilet basket which is not visible during use and smaller or no openings on the visible side. However, this usually leads to adhesion by contact of the active substance with the adjacent wall of the toilet bowl. In this case, the active substance is not sufficiently reached or dissolved by the rinse water during a rinsing process, whereby the overall effect of the scented rinse is reduced. To avoid unwanted contact sticking, a spacer is often used in front of the chamber opening. However, this makes it difficult to apply and remove a seal on the chambers, which close the fragrance container during transport and sale, and which are only removed by the consumer shortly before use.

However, a reduction or decrease of the openings in the chamber cover to counteract this problem and to ensure greater safety in the application leads to an unsatisfactory behavior of the toilet bowl flush. In particular, the already existing problem of uneven flushing is further aggravated and can only be partially remedied by comparatively complex and expensive solutions, such as a flush water distribution device in the toilet basket described in DE 102008037723 A1. In extreme cases, the active substance is only incompletely expelled and a residue remains in the toilet bowl when the deodorant has to be replaced due to lack of effect. This is not only problematic from an ecological point of view. Wash water residues that remain in the chamber after washing continue to affect the active substance even after the washing process. Residues of the active ingredient in the toilet bowl are perceived as unsightly by the consumer who flushes them out of the toilet and also cause associations of poor hygiene.

Document DE 202015 103798 U1 discloses a container for a toilet flushing agent formed by thermoforming and die-cutting a sheet, comprising two halves joined by at least one integrally formed hinge portion and connectable to each other by snapping, where in one a plurality of half shells are formed from the halves.

Document CN 204876000 U discloses a device for storing a toilet cleaning product, comprising a filling cup and a sleeve, and the sleeve is embedded in the filling and sealing cup and fixed on one side.

Document CN204266335U discloses a toilet basket with cylindrical chambers.

In this context, the aim of the present invention is to provide a toilet basket or a toilet flushing system which is characterized by good and in particular uniform flushing behaviour, and which is safe to use.

The mentioned problem is solved by a toilet bowl with the features of claim 1 or by a toilet flush system with the features according to claim 8. Further advantageous developments are the subject of the claims.

In connection with the invention, it was surprisingly found that by a corresponding design of the geometry of the chamber cover, a passage channel is formed between the chamber cover and the wall of the toilet bowl when the toilet bowl is placed in a position suitable for use, ie inside the toilet bowl in the rim region, preferably just below the rim. The flushing water can enter the passage channel in sufficient quantity and flow from it into the chamber through an opening facing the wall of the toilet bowl and come into contact with an active substance contained therein. In this way, the active substance dissolves to a certain extent with the water in the cistern and, after leaving the chamber, is transported with it through the same and/or another opening, in particular on the side facing the the wall of the toilet bowl, beyond in the direction of the other areas of the toilet bowl. With the water from the cistern, the active substance is subsequently distributed into the toilet bowl and can develop its effect there in the desired areas. For technical reasons, the wall of the toilet bowl is usually curved inward, ie concave, and may be flat at some points, but not convex. Due to these technical characteristics of the toilet bowl, a geometry of the chamber cover can be predetermined which guarantees the formation of a passage channel on one side facing the toilet wall.

If, in a newly installed toilet flush system with a toilet bowl according to the invention, the chamber is filled to the maximum with a corresponding active substance, the flush water flowing through the passage channel first comes into contact with the part of the active substance exposed in the opening of the chamber cover. In this case, the rinsing water dissolves parts of the active substance by flowing along the opening and partly into it. As the active substance progressively dissolves, the amount of active substance remaining in the chamber is gradually reduced. However, as a rule, the remaining active substance is not displaced into the opening in such a way that the active substance is dissolved with the flush water in the same way as in a fresh toilet flush system, i.e. with a toilet bowl filled to the max with active substance.

With known toilet baskets, as described above, this often leads to unsatisfactory, in particular incomplete flushing of the chamber, since as a result of uneven flow behavior of the flushing water, the areas inside the chamber are often impacted with comparatively little or no wash water, while undesirable wash water residues remain in other areas. Therefore, the parts of the active substance that reach the unflushed areas are not washed away, cannot develop their effect and remain as residue in the toilet bowl. On the contrary, the parts of the active substance that are located in areas with accumulated moisture decompose uncontrollably into an unsightly mass that, moreover, loses its intended effect in this process. When the basket is replaced, the remaining active substance is finally disposed of unused.

This is where the invention comes in, in which a passage channel is provided in the chamber area, specifically between two contact points of the chamber cover, the wall of the toilet bowl and the chamber opening, By means of an optimal geometry of the chamber, when the toilet bowl is used as intended in a toilet bowl. The formation of a passage channel promotes an advantageous flushing behavior of the chamber with the water from the toilet flush. The toilet basket according to the invention is characterized in this context by the fact that the flushing water can penetrate into all areas of the chamber and dissolves and/or removes the active substance present there and thus removes it from the chamber. , but no amount of washing water, or at most a minimal amount, remains in the chamber after the washing process.

Due to the geometry of the opening in the chamber frame and the passage channel formed with it, the washing water enters the chamber in the area above the central axis of the chamber, which runs transversally to the chamber. main flow direction, preferably horizontal, in the state of use. Depending on the amount of active substance contained in the chamber, the washing water enters the chamber and comes into contact with the active substance. With the toilet basket according to the invention, this always occurs to an extent sufficient for the application. This means that in a toilet flush system with a toilet basket according to the invention, the active substance is always released into the flush water and thus into the toilet bowl in a concentration that is sufficient to achieve the effect intended, i.e. cleaning and/or fragrance release, until it is completely used up, in particular regardless of the remaining amount of active substance in the chamber.

Due to the design of the toilet bowl according to the invention, the passage channel always has sufficient dimensions, in particular with regard to the cross section. This is the case in particular, regardless of the shape, surface quality and curvature of the toilet bowl wall in the region of the inserted toilet bowl.

The size, in particular the cross section, of the passageway that is formed in the toilet bowl according to the invention is typically much larger than the corresponding size of a passageway that can be formed as a result of a different curvature of the wall of the toilet bowl. the toilet bowl and an arbitrarily shaped, in particular flat, side of an ordinary toilet bowl. On the one hand, such a channel is insignificant in terms of the volume of washing water that can flow through it. This means that satisfactory flushing behavior cannot be achieved - if at all - with such a random channel. Secondly, the geometry of said channel between the toilet bowl and the toilet bowl wall cannot be made in a reproducible way. In particular, in the case of several chambers of the toilet bowl, a passage channel that occurs only due to the curvature of the wall often has very different geometries in the individual chambers. This tends to promote uneven rinsing behavior, which is precisely what is avoided with the present invention.

In the case of several chambers of the toilet bowl, the size and/or shape of the passage channel formed due to the design of the chamber cover according to the invention is preferably approximately the same for each chamber. This favors a uniform washing of the chambers. This is especially advantageous when different active substances are introduced into the toilet bowl chambers in a toilet flush system. If, for example, the cleaning and fragrance-releasing actives are provided in separate chambers, their ratio in which they enter the toilet bowl with the flush water preferably does not change over time, or at most. only to a minimal extent.

The chamber or chambers of the toilet bowl according to the invention have or have an at least substantially spherical basic shape. This shape has almost no conical areas inside the chamber that are difficult for flowing wash water to reach. This further improves the flushing behavior of the toilet bowl.

Particularly preferably, the opening is shaped in such a way that its maximum vertical extension is greater than its maximum horizontal extension, so that the directions of extension of the opening must be considered in each case in the typical position of use, that is to say, when the toilet bowl is inserted, suspended or otherwise attached to the rim area of a toilet bowl.

The shape of the opening is configured in relation to the shape and geometry of the chamber frame. Ultimately, there is a correlation between the geometry of the chamber and the shape of the chamber cover opening with respect to the washing behaviour, i.e. with respect to how the wash water can flow into the chamber and how it behaves inside the chamber with respect to its local flow direction and velocity.

The geometry of the chamber cover according to the invention is achieved in the toilet basket according to the invention in that the opening of the chamber cover corresponds to an essentially cylindrical recess in the chamber cover. In this way, the camera receives a geometry in which the spherical basic shape of the camera intersects with a cylinder, which - expressed graphically - has been pressed into the shape of the camera from one side as a negative shape. The recess can also be conical, for example, so that the recess is wider in an upper area than in a lower one or vice versa.

In the use position, there are in particular two excellent points of contact of the chamber cover with the adjacent wall of the toilet bowl, between which the passage channel for the flushing water is finally formed. The contact points are arranged symmetrically on both sides of the passage and centered in the flow direction.

In comparative tests, the preferred dimensions of the chamber cover opening were determined, by means of which optimal washing of the chamber with incoming wash water can be achieved. For this, the height of the opening of the chamber shell in relation to the total height of the chamber is, in particular, between 40% and 95%, preferably between 70% and 90%. Regardless of this, the width of the opening of the chamber shell in relation to the total width of the chamber is preferably between 20% and 80%, preferably between 40% and 60%. The passage channel thus formed has a sufficient volume and is substantially independent of the nature and curvature of the adjacent wall of the toilet bowl. The flushing water to which the toilet bowl according to the invention is subjected during use is introduced into the chamber to a sufficient extent and can react there with a stored active substance in the intended manner.

According to the invention, the front side, that is to say the side accessible or visible in the state of use and facing away from the wall of the toilet bowl, of the chamber cover does not have any opening through which a user, for example a child, or a pet can easily come into contact with an active substance present in the chamber. In this case, the side of the chamber casing facing away from the toilet bowl is completely closed.

The chamber cover may be formed from or comprise a transparent and/or translucent material, at least in some regions. In particular, said transparent and/or translucent region may be provided on the side of the toilet bowl visible in the state of use. Thus, it is possible for a user to assess the fill level of the chamber with an active substance without having to remove the toilet bowl from its position of use. While the at least partial transparency of the chamber cover allows a direct view of the interior of the chamber and therefore of the remaining quantity of an active substance, in the case of at least partial translucency of the camera frame, for example, through the roughness of the surface of an otherwise transparent material, at least an approximate conclusion of the remaining amount of an active substance is possible.

A coloring of the active substance in a toilet flushing system with the toilet basket according to the invention supports the recognizability of the fill level. If the corresponding color imprint cannot be seen through the translucent area of the chamber cover, this indicates that it is time to replace the toilet bowl or toilet flush system with a new one. It is true that a merely translucent design of certain areas of the chamber frame allows only a rough, albeit sufficient, assessment of the chamber's fill level. However, this type of toilet bowl design has the advantage of a more discreet and constant aesthetic appearance throughout the period of use, since a mass of active substance that dissolves more and more over time is not directly visible. .

A support, for example in the form of a hook, a hanging bracket, a holding device and/or a suction cup, can be used to position the toilet basket at a suitable location within the toilet bowl for use. Said support can be formed integrally with the toilet bowl or can be provided separately and, in particular, can be reusable.

In another embodiment, the toilet bowl according to the invention is designed in such a way that the opening of the chamber cover has at least one interruption. This further reduces the risk of contact adhesion of an active substance contained in the chamber to the wall of the toilet bowl during use. By interrupting the opening in at least two partial openings, the geometry of the chamber cover as such according to the invention is preferably not affected. In other words, between at least two points of contact of the cover with the wall of the toilet bowl, an essentially vertical passage channel or a passage channel running along the main direction of the water flow is still preferably formed. of the toilet flush, through which the flush water enters the chamber in the upper area of the same and exits again in its lower area, without a significant amount of residual water remaining in the chamber after flushing. download. For this, however, it is not necessary for the opening to be continuously designed in such a way that it allows access to the interior of the chamber and to an active substance stored in it over its entire surface. In particular, in the region of the central axis, an interruption of the opening can be provided without impairing the flow of rinsing water in and out of the chamber and without reducing the effect of the geometry of the chamber provided according to the invention.

Particularly preferably, the openings that remain due to said interruption have planar edges, ie they are created geometrically in each case by an intersection of a plane with the chamber cover, for example spherical. In this way, it is achieved that the subsequent sealing of the openings, which thus have a flat edge, is simplified in terms of production technology.

Particularly preferably, several chambers are provided, in which all the edges of the upper openings lie in a common upper sectional plane and all the edges of the lower openings lie in a common lower sectional plane. This further simplifies sealing, since all openings are flat adjacent to each other. Alternatively, the openings may each have parallel or inclined or skewed section planes, which may create flow related advantages due to geometry. For example, the sectional planes of the outer chambers can be oriented outward to fit a typically curved toilet wall.

With particular preference, a plurality of chambers are provided which are connected to one another substantially along an arrangement direction, with at least two chambers offset in pairs relative to one another perpendicular to the arrangement direction and the flow path. In this way, a geometric adaptation to the typically curved toilet wall can be achieved.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a sealing means is provided for sealing the chambers.

Particularly preferably, it is a sealing means that engages positively in the openings and preferably seals them hermetically. Especially in the case of several chambers and several openings, it is, for example, a tongue with protrusions that can be pressed into the openings to close them and pulled out of them to open them. Especially preferably, the projections have recesses such that each of them engages behind the edge of a respective opening. For example, such an undercut is realized by projections having a geometry that is in principle congruent with the opening in a region proximal to the flap and an at least partially, preferably completely, wider extension in a region distal to the flap. This creates a lateral overlap which, when closed, reaches behind the openings inside the chambers. For this, the flap, at least the distal areas of the projections, are preferably deformable, for example elastic. One of the advantages of this is that said sealing means can be adapted to any geometry of the openings. The lower cut preferably has an oversize of less than 2 mm, preferably less than 1 mm, and particularly between 0.1 mm and 0.25 mm. This guarantees a sufficient closing security with the possibility of simultaneous manual disassembly.

Although an embodiment of the toilet basket with a separate device for the distribution of the washing water, for example one or more water baffles or corresponding water baffle structures (each formed integrally or separately), is also covered by In the present invention, an embodiment of the toilet basket is preferred which is free from additional measures to improve the distribution of flushing water. Therefore, in such an embodiment, a uniform distribution of the incoming wash water impinging on the toilet basket results essentially only from the geometry and/or the relative arrangement of one or more chambers of the toilet basket. .

An embodiment of the toilet basket with a spacer is possible, which may be formed integrally with the toilet basket or provided as a separate part. However, according to the invention, there must be two points of contact between the chamber cover and the wall of the toilet bowl.

Finally, it is essential for the invention to form a passage channel through a cylindrical recess in the spherical chamber in the manner described above, in order to ensure optimum rinsing behavior of the chamber.

The toilet bowl according to the invention is designed in such a way that the geometry of the chamber shell already guarantees a sufficient distance between the chamber or an active substance contained in the chamber and the wall of the toilet bowl in the state of use. so that unwanted contact adhesion does not occur. In this case, the toilet basket rests on the wall of the toilet bowl preferably exclusively via contact points or support points or contact points or contact points of the chamber cover, in particular in the area from the central axis of the chamber. In this case, the toilet bowl is, in particular, free from a separate spacer, ie a structure formed mainly for the purpose of increasing the distance between the toilet basket and the wall of the toilet bowl. Therefore, the toilet basket preferably comprises a fixing device for fixing the toilet basket to the toilet bowl, in particular a hanger for fixing the toilet rim of the toilet bowl, in which apart from the fixing device no other items protruding out of the chamber cover are provided. According to the invention, the camera cover is substantially in the shape of a sphere, ie a spherical shape, with no other elements protruding from the surface of the sphere, apart from the fixing device. This facilitates in particular the sealing of the opening, for example as a transport protection or to prevent accidental contact with the active substance, until the actual application. In addition, tests have shown that this makes the fixing in the rim region of the toilet bowl particularly stable against slipping.

The invention further comprises a toilet flush system comprising a toilet bowl and at least one active substance. The active substance is contained in the toilet bowl or is retained by it.

In tests, an active substance in the form of a gel, preferably a clear gel, and more preferably a clear solid gel, i.e. a gel that solidifies at typical room temperature, has proven to be particularly advantageous for the discharge system. toilet according to the invention. Such a gel suffers considerably less from uneven dissolution when exposed to toilet flushing water than other compositions of active substances, and is also less prone to uncontrolled progressive decomposition due to residual moisture. that remains after downloading. Even in the case of an incomplete outflow of the flush water from the chamber after a toilet flush, the above-mentioned undesirable phenomena do not occur, or at least to a reduced extent to an acceptable level. A clear, solid gel is also characterized by pronounced dimensional stability even under repeated or continuous exposure to water.

In particular, a gel is understood to be an active substance that has a high viscosity at typical room temperature or at standard room temperature. Preferably, at temperatures below 50 °C, preferably below 40 °C, the gel has a complex viscosity |n*| greater than 100 Pa s, more preferably greater than 1,000 Pa s, particularly preferably greater than about 10,000 Pa s. On the other hand, at temperatures above 60 °C, the complex viscosity |n*| of the composition can drop, in particular, below 100 Pa s, preferably above 70 °C below 10 Pa s, particularly preferably above 80 °C below 0.1 Pa s. This enables a manufacturing process in which the heated, liquid active substance is poured into the chambers and is then solidified there by cooling until a desired viscosity is reached. Examples of these types of gels are ringing gels or buzzing gels. By typical room temperature or standard room temperature is meant a temperature between 14°C and 32°C, preferably between 18°C and 28°C, particularly preferably approx. 25°C The gel may preferably contain gelling agents, eg metal soaps of higher fatty acids and/or nonionic surfactants and/or adhesion promoters.

In particular, the gel may comprise a composition or structure that is at least partly network-like, in which the interstices formed by the network structure are at least partly filled with a fluid, preferably a solvent such as water.

It is understood that an active substance that is basically in the form of a gel can also be colored and/or have other substances, such as additional colorants, particles, gas and/or liquid inclusions, to provide an additional cleaning and/or fragrance effect, to intensify the effect and for optical reasons within the scope of the invention.

Excellent results in terms of utilization and development of the effect of the active substance and the rinsing behavior of the toilet basket are achieved by a preferred combination of the toilet basket according to the invention with an active substance in gel form, in in which the gel is preferably clear, i.e. transparent, and preferably solid, i.e. has a solid consistency, i.e. it remains dimensionally stable at temperatures below 50 °C, in particular 40 °C, and therefore does not it may flow out of the toilet basket.

In this case, the advantageous properties of the geometry of the toilet bowl and the active substance, which is formed as a solid, transparent gel, support each other and result in a particularly uniform dissolution and complete consumption of the active substance. For the consumer, this means, on the one hand, a reduction in costs by avoiding premature replacement of the fragrance flushing system or the toilet and, on the other hand, due to the symmetrical or uniform reduction of the active substance in the chamber. or chambers, a more attractive appearance throughout the life of the fragrance wash, with no perceived unsightly undissolved residue remaining in the chambers.

A formulation of the active substance as a transparent gel allows a visually discreet and therefore aesthetically perceived design of the toilet flushing system, in particular by taking advantage of the contact transparency when the gel comes into contact with a particularly smooth surface. Contact transparency in conjunction with adhered transparent gel in the case of rough surfaces or milky chamber covers produces the technical effect that a part coated with adhered gel appears clear and an adjacent part free of gel appears milky and therefore increasingly acts as an indicator of the amount of filler. A similar effect is achieved with a smooth, transparent camera cover. In this way, the aesthetic and hygienic aspect is ideally maintained until the last rinse of an application cycle. The last remaining product residue, i.e. in particular the part of the active substance adhering to the inner wall of the chamber, is then also dissolved in the rinse water and passes out of the chamber into the toilet bowl, where it in particular the cleaning effect unfolds. Preferably, you just have to dispose of the empty toilet basket afterwards.

With regard to the effect of a fragrance release, a formulation of the active substance as a clear, solid gel has the advantage, compared to the so-called ifo-gels normally used as perfume oil matrix, that a fragrance release also or especially occurs when the matrix is rinsed with wash water. Unlike Ifo gels, typically insoluble in water, perfume oils or fragrances contained in the matrix enter the flush water and are released from the toilet bowl into ambient air. Due to the comparatively high fragrance output, the toilet flushing system according to the invention can always maintain a constant fragrance in the toilet environment, which is perceived as fresh or generally pleasant, for example. Thus, a subjective impression of a hygienic environment is created for the consumer. In addition, an optimized shape of the opening of the chamber shell and/or a uniform dissolution behavior of the active substance prevent solid and/or gelled active substance from falling out. In the undesirable case of uneven dissolution, the remaining parts of the active substance could be displaced within the chamber by the rinsing water after a series of rinsing processes during subsequent flushes of the toilet and possibly be flushed out of the chamber. the camera.

Preferably, the active substance in gel form within the chamber adheres to the chamber cover to a sufficient extent so that falling out or premature washing of the active substance as a whole by the flowing wash water is effectively prevented. into or through the camera. For this, the active substance preferably contains an adhesion promoter.

The active principle can consist essentially of one main component or have a plurality of components in different proportions to one another. A uniform and, above all, complete dissolution of the active substance at the end of the period of use of the toilet flushing system can thus be supported by a suitable composition of the active substance.

Advantageously, the active substance matrix has predominantly water-soluble components or, preferably, is even completely water-soluble, so that the empty toilet bowl only has to be disposed of after the end of the application cycle.

Optimally, several or all of the components of the active substance have a similar, preferably identical, solubility in water. This means that each of the components dissolves with the water to a similar extent, relatively, during the same contact time with the flushing water, so that at the end of the useful life of the toilet flushing system, i.e. , until the active substance is completely used up, none of the components of the active substance are used up significantly before the other components. Alternatively or additionally, the same applies to the ratio of the average solubilities of different active substances in different chambers of a multi-chamber basket. As a result, a uniform dissolution of the active substance from one chamber or of the active substances from several chambers is achieved in a reproducible manner.

The toilet flush system according to the invention is preferably designed to be exposed to at least 100, preferably at least 250, particularly preferably at least 400, typical toilet flushes before the active substance is used up.

A corresponding toilet flush system is manufactured by providing a corresponding toilet basket, thus heating and liquefying an active substance in gel form, filling the active substance in the toilet basket and solidifying the active substance by cooling.

A seal can then be applied to prevent outside air from flowing into the chamber, which could degrade the active substance or impair its function or appearance. This gasket can positively fit into the openings, preferably by means of a recess, so that it can be inserted and withdrawn by applying a defined amount of force.

The invention is explained in more detail below.

Here:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment of the toilet flushing system according to the invention in rear view,

Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of the toilet flushing system of Fig. 1 in front view, Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of the chamber of a toilet basket according to the invention in top view,

Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation in cross section of the chamber of a toilet basket according to the invention, as shown in Fig. 3, in side view,

Fig. 5 shows a representation of a non-inventive toilet flush system corresponding to Fig.1, Fig. 6 shows a representation of a non-inventive toilet flush system corresponding to Fig.1, Fig. 7 shows a representation of a non-inventive toilet flush system corresponding to Fig.1, Fig. 8 shows a representation of a non-inventive toilet flush system corresponding to Fig.1, Fig. 9 shows a schematic representation of a toilet basket not according to the invention in front view, Fig. 10 shows a representation of a non-inventive toilet flushing system corresponding to Fig. 9, Fig. 11 a schematic representation of another alternative embodiment of the toilet flushing system according to the invention In Back View,

Fig. 12 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a chamber of a toilet flushing system not according to the invention, as shown in Fig. 11, from the side,

Fig. 13a shows a schematic representation of a non-inventive toilet flushing system according to Fig. 11 in side view,

Fig. 13b shows a schematic representation of a variant of a non-inventive toilet flushing system according to Fig. 11 in side view, and

Fig. 14 shows a perspective view of a variant of a toilet flush system according to the invention, as shown in Figs. 1-4, with a sealing element.

Fig. 1 shows a toilet basket 1 according to the invention which, together with an active substance 2 held in the toilet basket 1, forms a toilet flush system 3. In the present embodiment, the toilet basket 1 has four individual chambers 4 which are separate from each other, i.e. not in communication with each other, and which are each surrounded by a chamber cover 5. It is understood that, within the scope of the invention, there may also be provided any other number of cameras 4 and/or the individual cameras 4 or all may be in communication with each other. In particular, a single chamber 4 can be provided in which one or more active substances 2 can be contained.

In this case, the toilet bowl 1 is mainly made of plastic. In addition to plastic, as a light and inexpensive and therefore preferred material, the toilet basket 1 can also comprise other materials, in particular metal and/or a ceramic material.

In addition, the toilet basket 1 has a hanger 6 for its fixing on the toilet bowl or for its use in the example shown.

According to the invention, all the chambers 4 also have a substantially spherical shape. In particular, according to the invention, it is not necessary that all the chambers 4 have the same size.

Fig. 1 shows the embodiment of the toilet basket 1 or the toilet flush system 3 from a rear view, i.e. with a view of the side of the toilet basket 1 facing a wall 7 of the toilet bowl in the state of use, that is, when the toilet flushing system 3 is inserted into a toilet bowl. On the contrary, Fig. 2 shows the view from the opposite direction, ie the side of the toilet bowl 1 facing the inside of the toilet basket.

During use, ie in the state of use of the toilet flushing system 3, in particular the representation according to Fig. 2 corresponds to the view of the toilet flushing system 3 for the user.

At the rear shown in Fig. 1, the toilet basket 1 in the present embodiment has an opening 8 for each chamber 4, through which washing water can enter the chamber 4 and come into contact with the active substance 2 present in chamber 4.

In the shown embodiment, all openings 8 have the same shape and size. Of course, the invention is not limited to the uniformity of the openings 8. Especially in the case of different chamber geometries with respect to the size of the chambers 4, it is advantageous in the sense of the invention if the opening 8 is adapted in each case to the geometry of the chamber 4.

In the depicted preferred embodiment of the toilet basket 1 according to the invention with chambers 4 of similar design, a uniformity of the openings 8 is accordingly preferred. However, this does not mean that different opening sizes cannot be provided in the case of identical chamber shapes and/or sizes, in particular if different active substances 2 are provided in the individual chambers 4.

The openings 8 in the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 have an oval shape. Said shape of the opening 8 can, in particular, be created or defined in such a way that in the basic spherical shape of the chamber shell 5 a recess corresponding to a cylindrical negative shape is made. In the present case, the chamber 4 thus has the shape of the remaining part of a sphere that has been cut into a cylindrical shape.

Due to the geometry of the chamber cover 5 and the shape of the opening 8, a passage channel 9 is formed between the adjacent wall 7 of the toilet basket and the opening 8 of the chamber cover 5 when the system toilet flush 3 or toilet basket 1 is in use. The water from the toilet cistern can enter this channel during the flushing process in an area 10 above the opening 8 of chamber 4 and from there into chamber 4 itself to the active substance 2. Inside chamber 4, the washing water flows along the active substance 2, partially dissolving it. The aqueous solution of the active substance exits through a lower area 11 of the opening 8 of the chamber 4 and enters the passage channel 9, exiting downwards in the direction of the toilet bowl. There, the active substance 2 dissolved in the wash water finally displays its desired effect, for example to clean and/or release fragrance.

The upper zone 10 and the lower zone 11 of the chamber 4 are formed, respectively, by the sections of the chamber 4 located above and below the central axis M, according to the sectional representation of Fig. 4.

Fig. 3 shows an example of a schematic representation of a chamber 4 of the toilet basket 1 according to the invention in plan view, i.e. from the direction from which the flushing water preferentially impinges on the toilet basket 1 during the download. Between the wall 7 of the toilet bowl and the chamber 4 a passage channel 9 is formed in the region of the opening 8. The passage channel 9 is limited in the lateral direction by two points of contact 12 with the wall 7 of the the toilet bowl.

In the case shown, these points 12 also represent the lateral limit of the opening 8 of the cover of the chamber 5. The washing water now enters the passage channel 9 in the upper area 10 of the chamber 4 and reaches a active substance 2 contained in chamber 4 through opening 8. Active substance 2 partially dissolves on contact with rinse water. The path of the rinsing water together with the dissolved components of the active substance 2 continues out of the chamber 4 into the through channel 9, in which the rinsing water enters the lower area 11 of the chamber 4. Subsequently, The flushing water flows out of the passage channel 9 downwards in the direction of the toilet bowl, where the active substance 2 develops its chemical and/or physical effect.

The upper zone 10 and the lower zone 11 of the chamber 4 are defined here as a function of the position relative to the central plane of the chamber 4 along the central axis M indicated in Fig. 4. The illustration according to Fig. 4 is a illustration in cross section according to the sectional plane IV-IV, which is indicated by a dotted line in Fig. 3. The sectional plane IV-IV runs in the central lateral direction of the chamber 4 and the passage channel 9.

As can be seen in the sectional view according to Fig. 4, the passage channel 9 in the present example has a variable width in the central area in the direction perpendicular to the wall 7 of the toilet bowl. The widest point of the passageway 9 is located in the area of the central axis M of the chamber 4, that is, at half the length of the passageway 9.

According to the illustration in Figure 1, the preferred feature of the opening 8 of the chamber cover 5 is that the height, ie the vertical extent, of the opening 8 is greater than the width, ie the horizontal extent. , of the opening 8. In the state of use, the greatest expansion direction of the opening 8 thus preferably aligns essentially parallel to the main flow direction S of the washing water during washing.

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of a toilet basket 1 in which the openings 8 of the chambers 4 are circular. The opening angle of the openings 8, measured from the center of the chambers 4, can be between 30° and 180°, preferably between 45° and 70°, and in the case shown it is approximately 60°. The filling quantity of the active substance 2 in a toilet flushing system 3 according to the invention is preferably between 30 g and 100 g, preferably between 50 g and 70 g, distributed in the individual chambers 4. In the example

represented, the amount of filling is about 60 g. Preferably, the total amount is distributed equally between the individual chambers 4 of the toilet basket 1.

The imaginary connecting line between the center of the chamber 4 and the center of the opening 8 preferably runs in the horizontal direction in the state of use, that is to say, transversely to the force of gravity following the flushing water from the toilet. In general, it is advantageous according to the invention that the vector determining the orientation of the opening 8 is substantially perpendicular to the main flow direction S of the flushing water in the region of the toilet basket 1 in the state of use. It is understood that depending on certain application parameters, such as a particularly high flushing water flow rate, a higher than average amount of flushing water during a flushing process, a flow direction S of the flushing water atypical, for example very flat, or the like, a deviation from it may occur. In this case, the orientation vector of the opening 8 can, for example, be inclined to a certain degree against the flow direction S of the washing water and/or in the flow direction S.

Fig. 6 shows another embodiment of a toilet flush system 3, in which the chambers 4 of the toilet basket 1 have slot-like openings 8. In the case shown in Fig. 6, the opening 8 of the chamber cover 5 extends over almost the entire rear of the chamber 4.

An inadvertent fall of the active substance 2 from the chamber 4 is prevented in particular by the nature of the active substance 2 as a gel. In extreme cases, the solid and/or gel-form active substance 2 is not positively held in chamber 4 by the chamber envelope 5, but remains in chamber 4 due to adhesion to the inner wall of the chamber. .

It should be noted that the size of the opening 8 of a chamber 4 within the scope of the invention can in principle be selected independently of the size of the respective chamber 4.

Fig. 7 shows an embodiment of the toilet bowl 1 in which additional spacers 13 are provided to space the toilet basket 1 from the wall 7 of the toilet bowl. In the example shown, the spacers 13 are each in the shape of a peg protruding from the rear. Within the scope of the invention, the shape, size and number of spacers 13 may differ from the embodiment shown in Fig. 7, for example they may be in the form of a continuous spacer strip. Furthermore, the spacer 13 can not only be provided as an integral structure, but also as a separate component that is provided together with the toilet basket 1. This optional spacer 13 can be connected to the toilet basket 1 as required, if the situation of the application, in particular the geometry of the toilet bowl, makes it necessary.

Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of the toilet basket 1 or the toilet flushing system 3, in which the flushing water distribution devices 14, for example in the form of planar water conducting structures, in the form plate or platelet, support a more uniform distribution of the discharge water to the individual chambers 4. The washing water distribution devices 14 can be provided with slats between the individual chambers 4, as shown in Fig. 8, protruding from the rear of the toilet basket 1. The number, shape and/or arrangement of the washing water distribution devices 14 is basically in interaction with the number and geometry of the chambers 4, as well as with 8 openings of the 5 chamber cover.

Instead of the depicted nature and arrangement of the water conduction structures, an arrangement above and/or below the chamber openings 8 is also possible, for example, whereby, in particular, it can also An alternate arrangement be provided above and below the openings 8.

A rinse water distribution device 14 may, furthermore, have one or more openings to allow the passage of rinse water.

A washing water distribution device 14, for example in the form of a water conduction structure, can be integrally formed with the toilet basket 1 or can be present as a separate component for optional fixing. The spacers 13 and/or the flush water distribution devices 14 can be designed to be plugged, fixed and/or snapped into the toilet basket 1 when supplied separately.

Both the spacer 13 and the flush water distribution device 14 can be provided independently of the geometry of the chamber and/or the opening, as well as independently of the other design of the toilet basket, and not only in relation to the design of the toilet basket according to Fig. 7 or Fig. 8.

Although, if necessary, the use of components and/or structures such as a spacer 13 and/or a flush water distribution device 14 can be foreseen, it is preferred, with regard to the simpler and more cost-effective manufacture of the toilet bowl 1, do without such measures. The formation of a passage channel 9 for an optimal flow behavior of the flushing water during flushing and, associated with this, an ideal flushing behavior of the chamber 4 of the toilet basket 1 is therefore based on this case, exclusively in the geometry of the chamber 4 and/or in the arrangement, shape and/or size of the opening 8.

In Figs. 9 and 10 are examples of two other design possibilities of the chambers 4 of the toilet basket 1. Thus, in particular, a spherical or generally rounded shape can be dispensed with to provide, for example, chambers 4 that have a triangular cross section, as shown in Fig. 9, or a generally polygonal cross section, said shape not being contemplated in claim 1. Likewise, it can be provided that a chamber 4 protrudes from an adjacent one, as occurs in the Figure 10, in which chambers 4 with a basic spherical shape are provided. However, the chambers 4 are not formed by complete spheres, but show deformations or deviations from the basic geometric shape, that is, in this case the spherical shape, in the adjacent areas between two chambers 4. These variations in shape can be provided in particular for design reasons to increase consumer appeal.

According to Figure 11, a toilet basket 1 comprises four chambers 4, each of which has an upper opening 8a, 8a' and a lower opening 8b, 8b'. According to the invention, the upper and lower openings 8a, 8a', 8b, 8b' essentially have a shape created by a recess of a cylinder with a central interruption of basic spherical shape, which gives rise to a geometry as shown in the figure. Figure 11 in front view.

According to Figure 12, a chamber 4 has an upper opening 8a with a flat edge and a lower opening 8b with a flat edge. For clarity, the planes designated as section planes 15a, 15b are drawn with dashed lines, in which the edges - due to reproduction as a cross-sectional view no longer shown here - lie completely in each case. The passage channel 9 is also visible, which extends essentially vertically from the upper opening 8a to the lower opening 8b. If several such cameras 4 are aligned next to each other, ie essentially along one arrangement direction - here oriented perpendicular to the drawing plane - all edges of the upper and lower openings 8a; 8b may each lie in the common upper and lower sectional plane 15a; 15b respectively, which among other things brings advantages in terms of production technology, in particular when the openings are sealed.

According to FIG. 13a, several chambers 4 can be connected to each other essentially along an arrangement direction oriented perpendicular to the drawing plane, whereby at least two chambers 4 or their chamber covers 5, 5' are offset in pairs perpendicular to the arrangement direction and the passage channel - no longer shown here -, ie in the direction of the front or rear side of a chamber. In this case, the upper openings 8a of the chamber covers 5 lie in a common upper sectional plane 15a and the lower openings 8b lie in a common lower sectional plane 15b, which is especially easy to handle in terms of of production technology, especially when sealing openings. The rearwardly offset chambers then have larger openings than the forwardly offset chambers.

Alternatively, as shown in Figure 13b, the chamber covers 5, 5' may have their own sectional planes 15a, 15a'; 15b, 15b', such that the upper openings 8a, 8a' each have equally large upper cross-sectional areas and the lower openings 8b, 8b' each have equally large lower cross-sectional areas.

According to Figure 14, in the toilet bowl 1 there is a sealing means 16 which has a reverse shape to the openings to positively fit into these openings - not shown here - of the chambers, to fit into them and seal them hermetically. The sealing means 16 comprise a tab with protrusions 17 which can be pressed into the openings to seal and withdrawn therefrom to open. The projections 17 are provided with overlapping recesses - not shown here - on the inside of the chambers, so that each one fits behind the edge of a respective opening. The sealing means 16 further comprises a gripping element 18 that facilitates the manual detachment of the sealing element.

To manufacture said toilet flushing system 3, a toilet basket 1 according to the invention is provided, an active substance in the form of a gel is heated and thus liquefied, the active substance is filled into the toilet basket 1, and the substance active solidifies on cooling.

The toilet basket 1 is then sealed by applying a sealing agent 16 to the edges of the openings 8. In particular, in the case of uneven edges, as in the embodiment according to FIG. 11, preferably a sealing agent is provided. seal that is pressed into openings 8 and snaps into place.

The previous examples serve to clarify the object of the protection, but they should not be understood as a restriction. In particular, deviations from the mentioned embodiments are conceivable, for example a net could be arranged in the chamber cover to influence the flow paths in the chamber cover.

Reference symbol list

1 toilet basket

2 Active substance

3 Toilet flush system

4 Chamber

5 Camera cover

6 hanger

7 wall

8 Opening

8a Top opening

8b bottom opening

9 Through channel

10 Upper section

11 Bottom section

12 contact point

13 Spacer

14 Wash water distribution device

15a Top section plan

15b Lower section plan

16 Seal medium

17 Outgoing

18 grip element

M Central axis

S Flow direction

Claims (9)

Toilet basket (1) for attachment to a toilet bowl, in particular in the rim region thereof, with at least one chamber (4) formed by a chamber cover (5) for receiving an active substance (2) solid or in the form of a gel, wherein the chamber cover (5) has at least one opening (8) on the side facing a wall (7) of the toilet bowl in the state of use, wherein the at least one chamber (4) has a substantially spherical shape, characterized in that the at least one opening (8) is formed by a substantially cylindrical recess in the chamber cover (5), so that the cover of the chamber (5) is formed in such a way that, in the state of use, a passage channel (9) is formed between two contact points (12) of the chamber cover (5) and the wall (7) of the toilet bowl, through which the washing water can enter the chamber (4) in an upper region (10) of the at least one opening (8) and can exit the chamber (4) in a region bottom (11) of the at least one opening (8), and wherein the side of the chamber cover (5) facing the wall (7) of the toilet bowl in the state of use is designed to be completely closed, and wherein the height of the at least one opening (8) is greater than the width of the at least one opening (8). Toilet basket according to claim 1, characterized in that the height of the at least one opening (8) with respect to the extension of the chamber cover (5) is between 40% and 95%, preferably between 70% and 90%, and/or because the width of the at least one opening (8) with respect to the extension of the chamber cover (5) is between 20% and 80%, preferably between 40% and 60%. Toilet basket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the toilet basket (1) is formed without a separately formed spacer (13) for spacing the chamber cover (5) from the wall (7) of the toilet bowl. Toilet basket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the toilet basket (1) is formed without a separate flush water distribution device (14). Toilet basket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of chambers (4) are provided which are fixed to each other substantially along an arrangement direction and wherein at least two chambers (4) are offset two by two with respect to each other perpendicular to the direction of arrangement and the channel of passage. Toilet basket according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a sealing means (16) is provided which engages positively in the at least one opening (8) and preferably seals it hermetically. Toilet flush system (3) with a toilet basket (1) according to one of the preceding claims, and with at least one active substance (2), characterized because the active substance (2) is in the form of a gel. Toilet flushing system according to claim 7, characterized in that the active substance (2) comprises a plurality of preferably water-soluble components. Toilet flushing system according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the active substance (2) is completely soluble in water and/or consists exclusively of components of comparable water solubility.