ES2959763T3 - Device for sanitary ware cups with vortex flow inside the device and corresponding chemical product tablet - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) is used to clean and/or sanitize and/or deodorize toilets and comprises: a container (10) provided with a front wall (11) and a rear wall (12) that has openings and is shaped to which results in a pocket (15) through which the liquid flows, a tablet (20) of detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorizing chemical product located internally to the pocket (15) and a hook (30) for holding the device. (1). on the edge of a toilet bowl; The container (10) and tablet (20) are shaped and positioned to create vortices of liquid flowing in the bag (15). (Automatic translation with Google Translate, without legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Device for sanitary ware cups with vortex flow inside the device and corresponding chemical product tablet

Technical field

The present invention relates to a device for cleaning and/or sanitizing and/or deodorizing cups of sanitary appliances, and to a detergent tablet and/or sanitizing and/or deodorizing chemical product that is particularly effective in the device.

Previous technique

The sanitary ware bowls in which the present invention can be applied are of various types, but in particular toilet bowls and urinals and more particularly toilet bowls.

Devices of this type have been known for years.

According to a conventional known solution, a toilet sanitary device comprises a container, a tablet of detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorizing chemical product, and a hook for fixing the device to an edge of a toilet bowl; the tablet has the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, the container has the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, contains the tablet inside and is completely perforated so that the water can easily surround all surfaces of the tablet; During use, the toilet flush water slowly dissolves the tablet.

Examples of such a device are described, for example, in documents WO2017/137922 A1, US2007/214555A1, EP1674625A1, EP3133217A1, EP2407601A2 or in document WO90/10121A1.

In particular, document US2007/214555A1 discloses a device for dispensing into the washing water and/or for mixing with the washing water detergent and/or disinfectant and/or deodorant products, in toilet bowls or hydraulic and sanitary devices in general. . This device comprises a support structure that is substantially constituted by an enclosure composed of two pieces that are assembled together and define a compartment inside; These two parts can have an asymmetric profile both with respect to a horizontal axis and with respect to a vertical axis. Said compartment is connected to the outside through openings and the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products are arranged inside the compartment itself.

The applicant realized that in the past, much attention has been focused on the chemical in the pill, but much less attention has been focused on the flow of liquid hitting and surrounding the pill.

Summary

It is important that the tablet receives the flow of liquid well and this depends, among other things, on the positioning of the container of the device with respect to the bowl of the sanitary device.

It is important that the liquid surrounds the surfaces of the tablet well.

It is important that the liquid remains in contact with the surfaces of the tablet for an adequate time. It is important that a good amount of foam is generated and this depends not only on the foaming agent contained in the tablet, but also on the flow of liquid that hits and surrounds the tablet.

The general object of the present invention is to try to satisfy these requirements, in particular to satisfy them better than known solutions.

It should be noted that achieving this general goal is complicated by two elements: 1) sanitary appliance cups come in different shapes and sizes, and 2) the flow of liquid (capacity and speed) depends on the system that sends the liquid to the appliance cup. sanitary.

This general object is substantially achieved thanks to what is stated in the attached claims that form an integral part of the present description.

The idea underlying the present invention is to shape the container and the tablet to create vortices in the liquid flowing in the device.

It should be noted that normally the discharge flow of a sanitary fixture bowl can be compared to a laminar flow of liquid running adjacent to an interior surface of a wall of the bowl. Said flow of liquid external to the device should not be confused with the flow of liquid inside the device, even if the internal flow derives from the external flow since the device has been specifically designed to intercept part of the liquid from an external flow and make it flow inside itself.

List of figures

The present invention will become clearer from the following detailed description which will be considered together with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional view from the back of an embodiment of a device according to the present invention (this device is equipped with a chemical detergent tablet and/or disinfectant product and/or deodorizing product),

Figure 2 shows a three-dimensional view from the back of the device of Figure 1 without tablet, Figure 3 shows a view from the back of the device of Figure 1,

Figure 4 shows a view from the back of the device of Figure 1 open,

Figure 5 shows a view from the back of the device of Figure 1 open and without a tablet, Figure 6 shows a view from the top of the device of Figure 1,

Figure 7 shows a view from the bottom of the device of Figure 1,

Figure 8 shows a side view of the device of Figure 1,

Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the device of Figure 1,

Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the device of Figure 1 without a tablet, Figure 11 shows a front view and a side view of a first embodiment of a tablet according to the present invention particularly suitable for use in the device of Figure 1, and Figure 12 shows a front view and a side view of a second embodiment of a tablet according to the present invention particularly suitable for use in the device of Figure 1.

As can be easily understood, there are several ways to practically implement the present invention which is defined in its main advantageous aspects in the appended claims and is not limited to either the following detailed description or the appended claims.

Detailed description

All Figures 1 to 10 refer to the same embodiment of a device 1 for cleaning and/or disinfecting and/or deodorizing cups of sanitary appliances according to the present invention.

In these figures, the device 1 is represented in a position that substantially corresponds to the position adopted by the device when it is fixed to an edge of a sanitary appliance bowl.

In the present description and in the attached claims, the indications "front", "rear", "bottom", "top", "rear", "horizontal axis", "vertical axis" refer to the position which the device assumes when attached to (an edge of) a sanitary appliance bowl.

It is important to consider that, for example, Figure 1 and Figure 2 are views from the rear of the device 1, that is, the perforated wall (which is on the "back") is adapted to rest on an internal surface of the toilet bowl and is therefore not visible to the user during normal use of the toilet bowl while the flat wall (which is on the "front") is adapted not to rest on a surface internal of the sanitary appliance cup (i.e. to be approximately 3-4 cm away from it, corresponding approximately to the thickness of the device) and is therefore visible to the user during normal use of the cup of sanitary apparatus.

The device according to the present invention is equipped with a tablet of chemical detergent and/or sanitizing product and/or deodorizing product to perform its function; The present invention is independent, in the first instance, of the composition of the tablet. In the example of Figures 1-10, there is a tablet like the one shown in Figure 11; Alternatively, there may be a tablet like the one shown in Figure 12; again alternatively, there may be a tablet that is again different, for example, more similar to the prior art tablets.

However, the device according to the present invention can perform its cleaning and/or sanitizing and/or deodorizing function only if its rear wall rests on an internal surface of a sanitary appliance bowl and if this internal surface is repeatedly subjected to a flow of liquid (in other words, a toilet is flushed each time the user activates the flushing device after use); Generally, the liquid is water or an aqueous solution; The chemical tablet in the device slowly dissolves as this liquid flows.

Device 1 comprises:

- a container 10 with a closed front wall 11 and with a rear wall 12 having a large upper opening 13 for the entry of liquid (in particular, liquid from a flush flow of a sanitary appliance bowl) and a plurality of small lower openings 14 for the exit of liquid (in particular the liquid that entered through the opening 13); the walls 11 and 12 are shaped in such a way that a pocket 15 is obtained in which the liquid flows (essentially, the liquid enters through the opening 13, passes through the pocket 15 and exits through the openings 14),

- a tablet 20 of chemical product for sanitary appliance cups; the tablet 20 being located internally in the pocket 15 in such a way that its external surfaces are covered by the liquid flowing into the pocket, and

- a hook 30 for fixing the device 1 to an edge of a sanitary appliance bowl;

- the front wall 11 has a projection 16 adapted to cover said tablet 20 from the top at least partially;

- said upper opening 13 has an area corresponding to 25-75% of the area of said front wall 11;

- said front wall 11 has an asymmetrical front profile both with respect to a horizontal axis (H) and with respect to a vertical axis (V);

The container 10 and the tablet 20 are shaped and positioned in such a way that they create liquid vortices that flow into the pocket 15.

The vortices promote both foaming and detention of the liquid in the pocket 15 and therefore increase the contact time of the liquid with the external surfaces of the tablet.

The upper opening 13 has an area corresponding to 25-75%, preferably 30-50% of the area of the front wall.

The geometric features of device 1 will be described below, which promote the creation of vortices.

The front wall 11 has an asymmetrical front profile both with respect to a horizontal axis H and also with respect to a vertical axis V, in particular, in the shape of a drop; see, for example, Figure 5.

In device 1, the lower openings 14 are located both in a peripheral area and in a central area of the rear wall 12, as seen for example in Figure 5; Alternatively, the lower openings could be located only in a peripheral area of the rear wall or only in a central area of the rear wall. It should be noted that the bottom openings are designed primarily for the exit of liquid, but it cannot be excluded that, under certain operating conditions, there may be a flow of liquid entering the bag through one or more of these.

The shape of the lower openings can be quite varied; It is advantageous if the shape and/or arrangement and/or size of these openings are irregular.

For example, the lower openings may have a wave shape.

In the example of the figures, the lower openings 14 have a circular shape and, in particular, have different diameters from each other; see, for example, Figure 5. The container 10 and the tablet 20 are shaped and positioned in such a way that they create vortices above (zone ZA) and/or below (zone ZB) and/or on a first side (zone ZC) and/or on a second side (zone ZD) with respect to the tablet 20; see, for example, Figure 4.

The container 10 and the tablet 20 are shaped and placed in such a way that they create vortices in the front part (zone ZE) and/or in the back part (zone ZF) of the tablet (20); see, for example, Figure 9.

The front wall 11 has a projection 16 adapted to cover the tablet 20 from the top at least partially; see, for example, Figure 6, Figure 8, Figure 9 and Figure 10.

The container 10 is a shell with a substantially constant thickness, for example 1.0-3.5 mm, in particular about 2.25 mm; in the latter case, the thickness may vary according to the points, for example, from 2.0 mm to 2.5 mm.

Fixing the device to the toilet bowl (particularly to the edge of the toilet bowl) is important for the device to perform its function well; In fact, after securing the container, the device must be placed so that the liquid reaches it and the tablet well.

Likewise, it is desirable that the fixation be adequate regardless of the shape and size of the sanitary appliance bowl (in particular the edge of the bowl).

The geometric characteristics of the hook 30 will be described below, which promotes adequate fastening. Reference is made, in particular, to Figure 8.

The hook 30 comprises a shaped strip composed of three elongated sections 31, 32, 33 connected to each other by two elbows 34, 35 and to the container 10 by an additional elbow 36. It should be noted that in Figure 8 (and also in other figures) , sections 31, 32, 33 are joined together by small bars; When the device 10 is to be used, the small bars are broken into sections 31, 32, 33, the strip is opened by bending the elbows 34, 35 and adhered to an edge of a toilet, for example, so that the container 10 rests on an internal surface of the sanitary appliance bowl; The elbow 36 also contributes to determining good support for the container 10.

The first section 31 of the formed strip has a length of 30 to 45 mm; the second section 32 of the formed strip has a length of 50 to 55 mm; The third section 33 of the formed strip has a length of 65-75 mm.

Elbows 34, 35, 36 have a radius of 7-10 mm.

The formed strip, in particular its components 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, has a substantially constant width, for example, 4-10 mm, in particular about 8 mm, and has a substantially constant section, e.g. example of 4-35 mm2 in particular of about 18 mm2 and is made of polypropylene; The material of the strip and the section of the strip determine its flexibility and elasticity, and therefore contribute to the fixation. One of the elements that influences the support of the container 10 of the device on the internal surface of the sanitary appliance bowl is the distance between the starting point of the elbow 36 (at the junction with the section 31) and the point of maximum protrusion. from the rear wall 12 (distance that can be seen in particular considering Figures 8 and Figure 9 and Figure 10); in fact, this distance determines the leverage effect of the container 10 on the elbow 36 due to the effect of an internal surface of a wall of the sanitary appliance bowl to which the device 1 is applied; In the example in the figures, this distance is 30-35 mm.

Finally, it is advantageous that the front wall (11 in the example) and/or, particularly that the rear wall (12 in the example) are curved; the front wall is curved: it has a vertical profile that can be compared to a circumference with a radius of curvature of 35 mm (more generally 30 to 500 mm) and a horizontal profile that can be compared to a straight line (more generally than can be assimilated to a circle with a radius of curvature greater than 100 mm); the rear wall is curved: it has a vertical profile that can be compared to a circumference with a radius of curvature of 45 mm (more generally 30 to 200 mm) and a horizontal profile that can be compared to a circumference with a radius of curvature varying from 25 at a first end to 55 mm at a second end (more generally 20-100 mm). As can be understood, for example, from Figure 7 and Figure 8, the vertical and horizontal profiles of the front and rear walls have a radius of curvature that varies from point to point; in particular, the horizontal profile of the front wall begins with an arc of circumference having a radius of 4 mm, then there is a straight section and ends with an arc of circumference of 1 mm radius; The horizontal profile of the rear wall has a radius of curvature that gradually increases from 25 mm to 55 mm.

In the example of the figures, for purposes of production and assembly convenience, the front wall 11 and the rear wall 12 are articulated to allow the opening of the pocket 15, in particular, they are articulated in a lower area of the device 1; see Figure 5. The tablets 120 and 220 of Figure 11 and Figure 12 are particularly adapted to the use of the device of Figure 1, but not only; In particular, their inherent shape, their shape in relation to the shape of the container in which they are located, and the conformation of their surfaces favor the formation of vortices in the liquid surrounding their external surfaces.

Tablets 120 and 220 may be made of chemical detergent and/or sanitizing product and/or deodorizing product for toilet bowls.

Referring to Figure 11, the tablet 120 has a top surface 121, a first side surface 122, a bottom surface 123, a second side surface 124, a rear surface 125 (the term "rear" is used here in relation to the position of the tablet inserted in a pocket of the device) and a front surface 126 (the term "front" is used here in relation to the position of the tablet inserted in a pocket of the device).

Referring to Figure 12, the tablet 220 has a top surface 221, a first side surface 222, a bottom surface 223, a second side surface 224, a rear surface 225 (the term "rear" is used here in relation to the position of the tablet inserted in a pocket of the device) and a front surface 226 (the term "front" is used here in relation to the position of the tablet inserted in a pocket of the device).

Pads according to the present invention may have one or more of their external surfaces corrugated; In this way, the formation of vortices in the liquid surrounding these surfaces is promoted and the surface area that comes into contact with the liquid surrounding these surfaces increases. Such undulation, as can be seen in Figure 11 and Figure 12, can be composed of a plurality of flanked cylindrical surfaces; For example, the radius of cylindrical surfaces can be 2-6 mm. In the case of pad 120, only surfaces 121, 123 and 126 are corrugated and they are corrugated throughout their entire area. In the case of pad 220, only the surfaces 221, 223, 225, 226 are corrugated; the surfaces 221, 223, 226 are corrugated throughout their surface, while the surface 225 is corrugated in part of their area.

The pads 120 and 220 have an asymmetric front profile both with respect to a horizontal axis H and with respect to a vertical axis V, in particular, in the shape of a parallelogram.

The tablet 120 has a rear wall 127 having a recess 128, in particular, a flat recess; The liquid can flow into the recess (i.e. precisely between the surface of the recess and the inner surface of the front wall of the device - see Figure 9) and this promotes vortices and increases the contact area. The surface of the recess preferably corresponds to 30-70%, more preferably 40-60% of the area of the rear wall 127. In the example of Figure 11, the recess 128 is delimited by two longitudinal strips 129.

The tablet 220 has a rear wall 227 shaped to be adjacent to the front wall of a container of a sanitary appliance cup device. Looking at Figures 12 and 9 it can be seen that the arched shape of wall 227 corresponds to the arched shape of wall 11.

The teachings of the present invention described and claimed herein allow obtaining a notable foam in the sanitary appliance bowl.

Comparative tests have been carried out between devices according to the present invention and devices already present on the market; The devices according to the present invention provide greater foam in the container and a longer shelf life than comparative devices with a similar chemical composition, despite the fact that the weight of the tablet (in particular, 35 g) is between 10 and 20% lighter than the market average for the same product category.

The container and the hook of the device according to the present invention are preferably made of polypropylene and are manufactured in a single piece, preferably by injection.

Typically, on the front surface of the front wall of the container there is a label that is used to display to the user, for example: the manufacturer's brand and/or product information and/or decorative elements. Advantageously, said label can be applied using IML (= In-Mould Labeling) technology, that is, the label is placed directly inside the mold and the injection of the plastic material causes the label to be incorporated into the article.

Claims (14)

1. Device (1) for sanitary appliance cups comprising: - a container (10) with a closed front wall (11) and with a rear wall (12) having an upper opening (13) for the entry of liquid and a plurality of lower openings (14) for the exit of liquid, in such a way that a pocket (15) is obtained in which liquid flows, when the device is in use, - a tablet of product (20) for cups of sanitary devices, said tablet (20) being located internally in said pocket ( 15) in such a way that its external surfaces are covered by the liquid that flows into said pocket (15), when the device is in use, and - a hook (30) for fixing the device (1) to an edge of a sanitary appliance bowl; wherein said front wall (11) has a projection (16) adapted to cover said tablet (20) from the top at least partially, wherein said upper opening (13) has an area corresponding to 25-75% of the area of said front wall (11), wherein said front wall (11) has an asymmetrical front profile both with respect to a horizontal axis (H) and with respect to a vertical axis (V), wherein said container (10) and said tablet (20) are shaped and placed in such a way that they create, when the device is in use, liquid vortices that flow towards said pocket (15). 2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said front wall (11) has an asymmetrical front profile in the shape of a drop. 3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said lower openings (14) are arranged only in a peripheral area of said rear wall (12), or only in a central area of said rear wall (12). ), or both in a peripheral area and in a central area of said rear wall (12). 4. Device (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said lower openings are wave-shaped. 5. Device (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said lower openings (14) are shaped like a circle and, in particular, have diameters different from each other. 6. Device (1) according to claim 1,2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein said container (10) and said tablet (20) are shaped and placed in such a way that they create vortices above (ZA) and /or below (ZB) and/or on a first side (ZC) towards and/or from on a second side (ZD) with respect to said tablet (20), when the device is in use. 7. Device (1) according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein said container (10) and said tablet (20) are shaped and placed in such a way that they create vortices in the front part (ZE) and/or on the back (ZF) of said tablet (20), when the device is in use. 8. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said hook (30) comprises a shaped strip consisting of three elongated sections (31, 32, 33) joined together by two elbows (34, 35). ) and to said container by an additional elbow (36). 9. Device (1) according to claim 8, wherein a first elongated section (31) of said shaped strip has a length of 30-45 mm and/or a second elongated section (32) of said shaped strip has a length of 50-55 mm and/or a third elongated section (33) of said formed strip has a length of 65-75 mm. 10. Device (1) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein one or more or all of said elbows (34, 35, 36) have a radius of 7-10 mm. 11. Device (1) according to claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein said shaped strip (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36) has a cross-sectional area of 5-35 mm2 and is made of Polypropylene. 12. Device (1) according to claim 8, 9, 10 or 11, wherein said additional elbow (36) is spaced 30-35 mm from a maximum projecting point of said rear wall (12). 13. Device (1) according to claim 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12, wherein said front wall (11) is curved and has a vertical radius of curvature of 30 to 500 mm and a greater horizontal radius of curvature at 100mm; I wherein said rear wall (12) is curved and has a radius of vertical curvature of 30-200 mm and a radius of horizontal curvature of 20-100 mm. 14. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said front wall (11) and said rear wall (12) are articulated to allow the opening of said pocket (15), in particular, they are articulated in a lower area of the device (1).