GB2347351A

GB2347351A - De-odourising apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2347351A
Application number: GB9904746A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Evans
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-03-03
Filing date: 1999-03-03
Publication date: 2000-09-06
Also published as: GB9904746D0

Abstract

A toilet de-odouriser comprising a compressible housing 2 with a cavity therein, and at least one aperture 8. The aperture provides communication between the cavity and the exterior of the housing. Disposed in the cavity is a scent source 5 which is arranged to release scent through the aperture upon compression of the housing. The device may have a spring 7 to return the housing to the expanded state.

Description

De-Odourising Apparatus The present invention is concerned with de-odourising apparatus and in particular a de-odourising apparatus for use on a toilet seat or the like.

According to the present invention, there is provided, deodourising apparatus for a toilet, which apparatus comprises: (a) a compressible housing having therein a cavity, and at least one aperture permitting communication between the cavity and the exterior of the housing; and, (b) a scent source disposed in the cavity, the scent source arranged to release scent through the aperture upon compression of the housing.

The housing is preferably compressible to a collapsed condition and subsequently returnable to an un-collapsed condition. The housing advantageously comprises a flexible thermoplastic material such as a vinyl polymer or the like.

Desirably, the apparatus further comprises return means arranged to return the housing from a collapsed condition to an un-collapsed or expanded condition. The return means preferably comprises resilient biasing means, preferably comprising a spring or the like.

Alternatively, the return means may comprise the inherent resilience of the housing or the resilience of a collapsible element comprising the scent source. In embodiments in which the return means comprises other than the inherent resilience of the housing, the return means is preferably disposed in the housing cavity.

Collapsing of the housing from the expanded condition causes scented air in the cavity to be expelled through the one or more apertures.

Desirably a plurality of apertures are provided, the apertures being advantageously spaced in side by side relationship about the housing.

The scent source preferably comprises a perfumed element disposed within the cavity. The scent source may be compressible in response to collapsing of the housing and may, for example, be a compressible absorbent element impregnated with, or containing, fragranced medium. Such a fragranced medium may comprise perfume, an essential oil or other fragrance material. The scent source advantageously comprises means to permit fragrance release on compression of the housing.

It is preferred that the apparatus according to the invention further comprises means for securing the housing to a toilet bowl, or more preferably to a toilet seat (preferably the underside of the toilet seat). The securing means preferably comprises one or more adhesive elements for securing the housing to the toilet bowl or toilet seat. An adhesive pad or length of tape (preferably carried by the housing) may be provided for this purpose.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a toilet seat arrangement comprising deodourising apparatus secured to a toilet seat, such that the compressible housing may be compressed on respective raising or lowering of the seat or by a user sitting on the seat.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing which is by way of example only.

The accompanying drawing is a schematic representation of a de-odourising device according to the present invention.

The de-odourising device 1 comprises a compressible housing 2 of a vinyl plastics material 3. At the floor 4 of an internal cavity within the housing is a compressible material 5 impregnated with scent. Extending from the floor 4 of the cavity to the roof 6 thereof is a spring 7 arranged to permit the housing 2 to return from a collapsed state to an expanded state. The external roof of the device has secured thereto an adhesive pad 9 which permits attachment of the device to the underside of a toilet seat. A device as shown in Figure 1 may be attached to the underside of a toilet seat by means of the adhesive pad 9. The device, once secured, is ready for use.

The device 1 includes a plurality of apertures 8 in sideby-side configuration, which are arranged to permit scent to be released from the internal cavity to the external environment (via the plurality of apertures 8) when the housing is caused to collapse by the application of a collapsing force (for example when the seat is rested on the toilet rim and/or a user sits on the toilet seat. The spring 7 permits the seat to be lifted to a raised position (expanding the housing 2) and/or returns the housing to the expanded configuration following the user rising from the toilet seat.

When a user is not therefore sitting on the toilet seat, to which the device has previously been secured, the device is in a substantially expanded state. When a user sits on the toilet seat, the application of downward pressure to the seat results in a downward pressure on the device, thereby causing the device to be transformed from a substantially expanded state to a substantially compressed state. The compression of the device causes the compressible material 5, impregnated with scent, to be compressed allowing scent to be released from the cavity to the external environment via the apertures 8. The device, now once again in an expanded state, is ready for use again.

The present invention has been described with particular reference to use of the de-odourising device in conjunction with a toilet seat. However, the device according to the present invention may be used in alternative situations, such as for example under floor mats, carpets or the like, or arranged to be compressed on closure of a cupboard door or the like.

It is particularly preferred that the hosing is disposable following use over an extended period to be replaced with a replacement device. It is however envisaged that in certain embodiments, replacement compressible scent pads 5 may be fitted in the housing.

Claims

Claims: 1. De-odourising apparatus for a toilet, which apparatus comprises: (a) a compressible housing having therein a cavity, and at least one aperture permitting communication between the cavity and the exterior of the housing; and, (b) a scent source disposed in the cavity, the scent source arranged to release scent through the aperture upon compression of the housing.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing is compressible to a collapsed condition and subsequently returnable to an un-collapsed condition.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the housing comprises a flexible thermoplastic material such as a vinyl polymer or the like.
4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising return means arranged to return the housing from a collapsed condition to an un-collapsed or expanded condition.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the return means comprises resilient biassing means.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the return means comprises a spring or the like.
7. Apparatus according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the return means comprises inherent resilience of the housing.
8. Apparatus according to any of claims 4 to 7, wherein the return means comprises the resilience of a collapsible element comprising the scent source.
9. Apparatus according to any of claims 4 to 8, wherein the return means is disposed in the housing cavity.
10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein a plurality of apertures are provided permitting communication between the cavity and the exterior of the housing.
11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the apertures are spaced in side by side relationship about the housing.
12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the scent source comprises a perfumed element disposed within the cavity.
13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the scent source is compressible in response to collapsing of the housing.
14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the scent source comprises a compressible absorbent element impregnated with, or containing, fragranced medium.
15. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the scent source comprises a fragranced medium comprising perfume, an essential oil or other fragrance material.
16. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the scent source comprises means to permit fragrance release on compression of the housing.
17. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising means for securing the housing to a toilet bowl.
18. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising means for securing the housing to a toilet seat.
19. Apparatus according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the securing means comprises one or more adhesive elements for securing he housing to the toilet bowl or toilet seat.
20. A toilet seat arrangement comprising de-odourising apparatus according to any preceding claim secured to a toilet seat, such that the compressible housing may be compressed on respective raising or lowering of the seat or by a user sitting on the seat.
21. Apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.