FR2813331A1 - DEVICE FOR CLEANING AND REFRESHING A W.C. - Google Patents

Abstract

The flushing additive dispenser for a water closet has an additive tank (1) connected to a tray (4) and with suspension mountings for attachment to a toilet bowl. The dispenser has a passage from an outlet (2) for the tank to discharge the additive, and piping. The passage allows additive flow and air flow from the tank. The piping is mounted on a horizontal wall of the tray. Claims include a tank for the dispenser

Description

Device for cleaning and refreshing a bowl of W.C La

  The present invention relates to a device for cleaning and refreshing a toilet bowl It relates more particularly to a device for spreading, following a jet or a barrage of water from a reservoir, a product containing one or more active substances on the walls of the bowl bathed by the flow of water and ensuring the maintenance of a fresh and scented atmosphere, by the diffusion and evaporation of an agent

volatile refreshment.

  The international applications WO99 / 66139 and WO99 / 66140 notably disclose a cleaning and cooling device which makes it possible to release active substances into the rinsing water whenever the

hunting is used.

  This device comprises a product reservoir containing active substances, suspension means for suspending the device at the rim of the toilet bowl, a diffuser plate disposed between the tank outlet and the path of the rinsing water and a liquid-permeable closure system which ensures the

  in communication between the reservoir and the porous mass.

  The main drawbacks of this type of device reside particularly in the fact that the product tends to flow naturally from the tank to the bowl without any user request.

on the hunt.

  This naturally results in a permanent flow of product into the bowl, which empties the tank quickly. In addition, this product is generally colored, viscous or gelling, it remains, in the absence of rinsing water, hanging on the walls of the bowl, which leads to

  trails or unsightly deposits.

  Furthermore, the use of a diffuser plate provided with a plurality of grooves, does not facilitate, due to the exchange surface limited to the grooves alone, the diffusion and evaporation of the volatile agent ensuring cooling . In addition, another disadvantage noted by the users of the device according to these international applications is the inoperative filling of the air tank to fill the volume of evacuated product. Since this filling can only be done by the tray, the ambient air fills up with great difficulty the volume left vacant by the flow of the product leading to a depression of the reservoir and

  causing disturbances in the flow.

  Another known cleaning and cooling device, described by the European document EP 0 785 315, sought to solve the particular problem of venting the reservoir by the presence of a double annular orifice between the orifice the outlet of the reservoir and the porous mass, one of these orifices permitting the flow of the fluid product, the other ensuring

  the passage of air to the tank.

  The realization and integration of this double annular orifice within the receptacle receiving the reservoir have particularly complicated and increased the number of parts, which led in particular to an increase in the costs of production and assembly. This increase is hardly compatible with imperatives related to the production of parts in very large series (several

hundreds of thousands of pieces).

  The present invention therefore aims at overcoming the disadvantages of the devices according to the prior art, by proposing a cleaning and cooling device which is, on the one hand, devoid of a porous mass, and, on the other hand, of a large simplicity of design and a very low cost, and which guarantees evaporation

  optimum of the volatile refresh agent.

  For this purpose, the device for cleaning and refreshing a toilet bowl, comprising a reservoir for active substances, connected to a receptacle, suspension means for suspending the receptacle at the rim of the toilet bowl, a means of diffusion disposed between the outlet of the reservoir and the path of the rinsing water and a closure means which ensures the communication between the reservoir and the diffusion means comprising on the one hand, a single passage arranged between the outlet of the reservoir and a network of pipes, this single passage being intended both for the flow of product towards the outside of the reservoir and for the air flow of the tank to vent, the network of pipes being disposed on a substantially horizontal wall of the receptacle, and secondly, a plate positioned in a housing of the receptacle with regard to a free surface defined by the pipe network, the plate being provided with a plurality of reliefs, characterized in that the pipe network comprises channels extending laterally from a cavity in communication with the outlet of the tank to chambers,

  said channels comprising an inclined bottom wall.

  In advantageous embodiments, the device according to the invention may further comprise one and / or the other of the following characteristics: the reliefs of the plate are conical or trapezoidal pins, the peaks of the pins are truncated the tray comprises a first zone having a plurality of pins and a second zone adjacent to the first zone, also having a plurality of pins distributed according to a different density, - one of the zones of the plateau is divided into several zones, this division being materialized by a second network of conduits, the tray is covered by a lid mounted rotatably on said plate, this lid being provided with a window revealing only a part of the zone as a function of the angular position of said opercule on said tray, - the tray cooperates with the receptacle by means of a

  drawer in which it can slide.

  Other features and benefits of the

  present invention will emerge from the description given below.

  after, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate various embodiments having no limiting character. In the figures: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device which is the subject of the invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the reservoir alone; FIG. 3 is a perspective view from above of the receptacle alone; Fig. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the receptacle alone; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the tray alone; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the device that is the subject of the invention, hooked to the rim of a W.C cuvette; - Figure 7 is a perspective view from above, of the single receptacle according to a second embodiment; Figure 8 is a sectional and side elevational view of the receptacle of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the plate alone, according to a second embodiment; - Figure 10 is a perspective view of the plate alone, according to a third embodiment; - Figures 11 and 12 are top views of a tray according to yet another embodiment; FIG. 13 is a side view of a receptacle provided with a drawer housing allowing assembly by

sliding of a tray.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the device which is the subject of the invention (see FIG. 1), the latter comprises a reservoir for active substances. This tank 1, generally made of plastic material, obtained in particular by traditional thermoforming techniques or

  extrusion, is intended to contain the product to be dispensed.

  In the present description, the term product,

  any fluid conditioned in the liquid or gel state, comprising, for example in solution, one or more substances making it possible, in particular, to disinfect, and / or to clean or descale, during the deposition of said product on the walls; of the WC, following the training

  made by the stream of water coming from the hunt.

  The reservoir 1 (shown in FIG. 2) comprises at least one outlet orifice 2 having opening and closing means. These means make it possible to maintain the tightness of the tank filled with product, as long as the tank 1 is not correctly positioned on a

receptacle 4.

  According to an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the opening and closing means of the tank 1, it is in particular a cap screwed, fitted on the neck forming the outlet orifice 2 of the tank; this cap (which may not exist depending on the type of packaging) is removed by the user to expose a lid or other equivalent system performing a check valve function. When this valve is released (in the case of a lid, the latter is forced by a wedge projecting at the receptacle) during assembly of the tank 1 on the receptacle 4, the product can flow and walk, especially by gravity, towards

  diffusion means 5 associated with the receptacle 4.

  The receptacle 4, in particular made of plastic material, is produced as a result of molding operations. Substantially in the trough, it cooperates by casing or by

clipping with the tank 1.

  As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the receptacle 4 is delimited globally by its lateral walls 6, 7, 8, 9 and by its bottom wall 10. The receptacle 4 also has and protrudes vertically with respect to the bottom wall 10, on the one hand, a portion 11, in particular cylindrical, intended to cooperate at the outlet orifice 2 of the tank 1 and on the other hand, a plurality of ribs 13 allowing both

  stiffen the receptacle 4 and support the tank 1.

  According to a characteristic of the invention, the part 11 delimits a single passage between the outlet orifice 2 of the tank 1 and a network of pipes, this single passage allowing both the adduction in product flow from the tank 1 to the means of dissemination 5 and the

the free air of the tank 1.

  Part 11, positioned substantially in the front central zone 12 of the receptacle 4 (reference may be made to FIGS. 3, 4, in which the median zone before 12 corresponds in fact to the zone farthest from the edge of the bowl), comprises at one of its ends 11a, a ring provided with bevelled edges which delimit between them corners able to uncap the outlet orifice 2 of the reservoir 1 and to retain the lid in a position in which it does not risk close unexpectedly

  the outlet orifice 2 of the tank.

  The other end 11b of the cylindrical portion opens into at least one annular cavity 11c, which is

  come of manufacture during the development of the receptacle 4.

  This annular cavity 11c travels laterally, and substantially of the same diameter, at least one channel 14.

  formed by the flanks of ribs 13.

  Thus, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, channels 14a, 14b extend laterally around annular cavity 11c, each of these channels 14a, 14b opening at its first end into said cavity 11c, while another end terminates in at least one chamber 16a, 16b. These chambers are also produced during the manufacture of the receptacle and are for example of

cylindrical profile.

  According to another embodiment of the receptacle 4, illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the channels 14a, 14b each comprise a bottom wall 14c inclined. The bottom walls extend from the cavity lic to each of the chambers 16a, 16b so that the intersection zones delimited respectively by the chambers 16a, 16b and the channels 14a, 14b and the cavity 11c, the channels 14a. , 14b have different straight surfaces decreasing from the lic cavity to each of the chambers 16a, 16b. Thanks to the trapezoidal profiles of the channels 14a, 14b, the venting of the tank 2 is improved by promoting the expansion

  air bubbles within the channels 16a, 16b.

  The base of each of the chambers 16a, 16b lies in the same plane already defined by the channels 14a, 14b and the cavity 11c, while their apex is in a plane raised with respect to the channels 14a, 14b, and the cavity 11c. It is easily understood that the chambers 16a, 16b, the channels 14a, 14b and the cavity lic together define a network of pipes in the receptacle, this network being situated in a plane lower than the outlet orifice 2 of the tank 1 when this one

cooperates in the receptacle 4.

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the chambers 16a, 16b have, at their free end, orifices 17a, 17b which ensure the communication of the

  network of pipes with the atmosphere.

  It may be noted in the embodiment of the receptacle 4 illustrated, in particular in Figures 3 and 4, that the chambers 16a, 16b constitute two support points 15a, 15b necessary for the maintenance of the reservoir 1 in the receptacle 4, a third point d 15c support being positioned substantially on the median of the segment joining the chambers 16a, 16b, in a rear central zone (with respect to the median zone

  before whose relative position has been explained above).

  This third fulcrum 15c is in fact formed by the intersection of ribs 13 longitudinal and transverse and is intended to receive the hook hook 3 of the device to the rim of the toilet W.C.

see Figure 6).

  According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the receptacle 4 is provided with a housing 18 which cooperates with the pipe network, defined by the chambers

  16a, 16b, the channels 14a, 14b, the cavity 11c.

  This housing 18 is made during the molding of the receptacle 4 and is substantially positioned below the outlet orifice 2 of the tank 1. It is intended for

receive a tray 19 diffuser.

  This plate 19 (shown in FIG. 5) is substantially of rectangular format and fits into the housing 18 by means of a plurality of flexible tabs 20

  arranged on the side walls of the plate 19.

  The plate 19 which is positioned, substantially horizontally, facing the network defined by the chambers 16a, 16b, the channels 14a, 14b, the cavity 11c, forms the diffusion means 5 which makes it possible to control the flow of the

product leaving the tank 1.

  The distance calculated between the inner face 19a of the plate 19 and the horizontal plane defined by the preceding network is of course dependent on the physico-chemical characteristics of the cleaning product which determine

its flow conditions.

  According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the plate 19 is provided with a plurality of

  reliefs 21 arranged on its face 19a.

  These reliefs, in particular hemispherical, are distributed in various densities on the plate 19. The reliefs 21 may have various straight sections (polygonal, disk, oval, ...), but whatever their profile, these reliefs are arranged on the plateau so as to create random paths between them (no

  aligned) for the product to be dispensed.

  Thus, according to the embodiment of the plate 19 illustrated in FIG. 5, there are substantially three densities 22a, 22b, 22c of different reliefs 21: at the right of the outlet orifice 2 of the tank 1 and substantially opposite the 11c cavity, the density 22a reliefs 21 is important of the order of n reliefs per unit area, n can be for example in the range 10 <n <20, - the periphery of this first zone 22a and in a neighborhood which extends in a second zone 22b substantially located in the first half of the plate 19, the density of reliefs 21 is decreased and is of the order of 3n / 4, - the third zone 22c which covers the second half of the plateau 19 has a density of reliefs which is of the order of n / 2. This third zone 22c is that which is located in the wetting zone of the rinsing water

from the hunt.

  It is understood that these three zones 22a, 22b, 22c of relief density, because of the proportion of reliefs 21 present on the plate 19, create a pressure drop gradient that must overcome the product to flow from the center 11 of the outlet orifice 2 of the tank 1 towards the peripheral edge of the plate 19 which is directly under the flow

of water from the hunt.

  The pressure drop introduced by these three zones 22a, 22b, 22c of reliefs 21 substantially corresponds to the order of magnitude of the consecutive hydrostatic pressure.

  to the product column contained in the tank 4.

  FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment of the plate 19, and more particularly a

  other particular configuration of the reliefs 21.

  The plate 19 thus comprises a plurality of reliefs 21 each having a cone or pyramid shape, or more generally a pin, possibly truncated at

level of their summit.

  The dimensions, the shape, the distribution of the reliefs 21 on the plate 19 will be adapted according to the density of the product to be diffused in order to make it possible to control the flow rate of the product to be diffused (and thus its efficiency) to

each use.

  The plate represented in FIG. 9 essentially comprises two zones 23, 24: a first zone 23 disposed facing the outlet orifice 2 of the reservoir comprises a plurality of truncated pins 21 whose height is substantially close to 0.25 mm, and a second 24 zone contiguous to the previous one is coated with a plurality of non-truncated pins of a height substantially close to 2 mm. Their distribution on each of the zones 23, 24 can be adapted according to the conditions of use of the device according to the invention and / or according to the physico-chemical characteristics of the product to be diffused,

  such as its viscosity for example.

  In Figure 10, there is shown a third embodiment of the plate 19. This plate 19 is provided as the previous two zones 23, 24, each having pins of different profiles. In addition, one of these zones, in this case the zone 24 is itself divided into several zones 24a, 24b, this division being materialized

  by a second pipe network 25.

  Thus one of the zones 24a is covered with pins, in this case cones, which have a first height

  hl and according to a first density dl.

  The adjacent zone 24b is also coated with pins similar in profile to the previous but with a second height h2 and a second density d2. We

  note at the zones 24a, 24b, that dl <d2 and h1> h2.

  These parameters condition the flow conditions of the product on the plate 19, and by choosing these parameters, it is possible to obtain a device which has either an extended duration of use but with a reduced effectiveness of the product to diffuse, or to contrary a shorter period of use

  but with improved product efficiency to broadcast.

  This variant embodiment of the plate 19 is intended to cooperate with the receptacle 4 via a drawer 30, the plate 19 being slidably mounted within this drawer 30 (see FIG. 13), the degree of depressing the plate 19 to adjust the

  operating conditions of the device.

  To further improve the conditions of use of the device and thus to allow the user to refine the flow conditions of the flow of water from the hunt on the plateau, which affect the conditions of diffusion of the device. deodorizing product, it completes the adjustment plate 19 as shown for example in Figure 9, by a lid 26. This variant of

  embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12.

  This lid 26 is rotatably mounted on the plate 19 and covers most of the zones 23 and 24 of the plate 19. This lid 26 is provided with a window 27 which can occupy different positions with respect to the zone 24.

  function of the angular position of the lid 26.

  In a first position shown in FIG. 11, the window 27 is opposite the zone 24b, the adjacent zone 24a of the plate 19 is concealed by the remainder of the lid 26; the device which is the subject of the invention will operate according to the characteristics of the zone 24b (height of the reliefs, choice of reliefs, density of the reliefs). In a second position shown in Figure 12, the window 27 is facing the zone 24a, the adjacent zone 24b is similar to the previous one obscured by the remainder of the lid 26; in this position, the operating conditions of the device according to the invention will be determined by the characteristics of the zone 24a. It is understood that if these characteristics are different from those of zone 24b,

  the operating conditions will vary.

  Of course, between these two positions, the cover 26 can occupy a plurality of intermediate positions each corresponding to as many conditions of

  different operation for the device.

  In order to facilitate the angular displacement of the cover 26 on the plate 19, provision is made to provide a tab 28 at the periphery of the cover 26, this tab 28 protruding laterally thus being accessible by the user. Whatever the embodiment of the plate 19, the system is thus generally in equilibrium, and in the absence of flow of water from the flush, the product can not flow. The operating mode of the cleaning and cooling device of a toilet bowl, object of the invention (which is kept integral with the rim of the bowl by its support hook), is the following: - from a situation of equilibrium and a position of adjustment of the lid 26, the product flows through the outlet orifice 2 of the tank 1, then travels through the cylindrical portion 11 and opens into the cavity l1c and fills the channels 14a, 14b and finally the chambers 16a, 16b. It then bathes all the reliefs 21 of the plate 19. As previously explained, due to the physicochemical properties of the product and the loss of charges introduced by the reliefs 21, the product does not flow and reaches a state of balance in which the level in the tank 1 does not go down; - In the presence of a hunt or a barrage of water from hunting, the product (and its active substances) retained by the reliefs 21 is diluted and driven by the water to the walls of the bowl; - A few moments after the passage of the stream of water from the hunt, it occurs at the plateau 19 and superficially at the level of the network formed by the chambers 16a, 16b, the channels 14a, 14b, the cavity 11c , a significant drop in the level of the product (this drop in level corresponds in fact to the quantity of product that has been driven by the flush). The network is no longer completely filled with product, it is then created air veins between the chambers 16a, 16b, the channels 14a, 14b and the lic cavity. The chambers 16a, 16b being provided with orifices 17a, 17b of communication with the atmosphere, the air can therefore travel through these veins until bubbling up in the tank 1 and thus realize its free air; - When the pressure in the reservoir is balanced with that of the surrounding environment, the product can again flow by gravity to the plate 19. The device returns to its initial equilibrium position,

ready for a new use.

  The invention as described above offers multiple advantages: the number of parts and manufacturing steps being reduced to a minimum, the cost of this cleaning device is necessarily reduced; - The search for a cost as low as possible does not take place at the expense of the effectiveness of the device. Indeed, the flow of the product from the tank to the bowl can be achieved only in the presence of a flow of water, there is no more inadvertent leakage of substances and loss of product outside the use

effective toilets.

  It remains understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown above, but on the contrary that it encompasses

all variants.

Claims (7)

  1. Device for cleaning and refreshing a toilet bowl, comprising a reservoir (1) for active substances, connected to a receptacle (4), suspension means (3) for suspending the receptacle at the rim of the bowl toilet, a diffusion means (5) disposed between the outlet (2) of the tank (1) and the path of the rinsing water and a closure means which ensures the communication between the reservoir (1) and the diffusion means (5) comprising, on the one hand, a single passageway disposed between the outlet orifice (2) of the reservoir (1) and a pipe network, this single passage being intended both for flow of product to the outside of the tank (1) and to the air flow of the reservoir (1), the pipe network being disposed on a substantially horizontal wall of the receptacle (4), and on the other hand, a plate (19) positioned in a housing (18) of the receptacle (4) with respect to a free surface of finished by the pipe network, the plate (19) being provided with a plurality of reliefs (21), characterized in that the pipe network comprises channels (14a, 14b) extending laterally from a cavity (11c) in communication with the outlet port (2) of the reservoir (1) to chambers (16a, 16), said channels (14a, 14b) comprising a inclined bottom wall (14c).   2. Device for cleaning and refreshing a W.C cuvette according to claim 1, wherein the reliefs (21) of the tray (19) are conical pins or trapezoidal.   3. Device according to one of claims 1 or   2, in which the peaks of the spikes are truncated.   4. Device for cleaning and refreshing a bowl of W.C according to any one of   Claims 1 to 3, wherein the plate (19) comprises   a first zone (23) having a plurality of pins (21) and a second zone (24) adjacent to the first, also having a plurality of pins distributed according to a different density.   5. Device according to claim 4, wherein the second zone (24) of the plate (19) is divided into several zones (24a, 24b), this division being   materialized by a second pipe network (25).   6. Device for cleaning and refreshing a bowl of W.C according to any one of   Claims 1 to 5, wherein the plate (19) is   covered by a lid (26) rotatably mounted on said plate, this lid being provided with a window (27) revealing only a part of the second zone (24) as a function of the angular position of said operculum (26) on said tray (19).   7. Device for cleaning and refreshing a bowl of W.C according to any one of   1 to 6, wherein the plate (19) cooperates with   with the receptacle (4) thanks to a drawer (30) in which he can slide.