IL295264B2

IL295264B2 - Disinfectant dispenser

Info

Publication number: IL295264B2
Application number: IL295264A
Authority: IL
Inventors: SADE Nisim
Original assignee: SADE Nisim
Priority date: 2022-08-01
Filing date: 2022-08-01
Publication date: 2024-04-01
Also published as: WO2024028861A1; IL295264B1; IL295264A

Description

43704/22 295264/2 - 1 - DISINFECTANT DISPENSER Field of the InventionThe present invention relates to the field of disinfectants. More particularly, the invention relates to a disinfectant dispenser that is mountable within a toilet tank. Background of the InventionA holder for many solid toilet cleaners is releasably coupled to a toilet rim at a region close to the water jets so that the cleaning agent will be readily dissolved within the flushing water and sanitize the toilet bowl. Although such holders adequately sanitize a toilet bowl, they at times become disengaged from the toilet rim and fall into the toilet bowl and have to be annoyingly removed therefrom. Also, only specific regions of the toilet bowl become sanitized after the flushing water has engaged the cleaning agent; however, other regions of the toilet bowl that are out of range of the forcefully flowing cleaning agent solution will not be sanitized. Other deficiencies of clip-on holders include interference with toilet users and the tendency of becoming soiled during toilet usage. It is an object of the present invention to provide a disinfectant dispenser that is housed in a toilet tank, to ensure that all toilet bowl regions will be effectively sanitized. It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a disinfectant dispenser that prolongs the longevity of the disinfectant held thereby by reducing its rate of dissolution. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. Summary of the InventionAn in-tank disinfectant supply device comprises a disinfectant holder having a hollow interior and a bottom and mounted within a toilet tank at such a height that at least some of the held disinfectant is unsubmerged relative to a body of toilet tank liquid, wherein a dose of the disinfectant is dischargeable into the body of toilet tank liquid via one or more holder openings in response to a flushing operation. 43704/22 295264/2 - 2 - In one embodiment, the holder is adapted to receive solid disinfectant as well as a portion of water injected into the toilet tank during the flushing operation, the injected water causing some of the solid disinfectant to become dissolved and to be discharged via the one or more holder openings. In one aspect, the holder is formed with a peripheral opening across which the injected water flows, the supply device further comprising a channel through which the injected water flows into the holder via the peripheral opening, and possibly a dose adjuster that cooperates with the holder to limit an amount of the injected water that is introduced into the holder via the peripheral opening and to thereby adjust the dose of the discharged disinfectant. In one aspect, the dose adjuster is slidably displaceable along edges of the peripheral opening to selectively occlude the peripheral opening. In one aspect, both the holder and the dose adjuster are cylindrical, the dose adjuster is insertable with the holder, and a peripheral wall of the dose adjuster is formed with a non-uniform circumferentially extending aperture, selective rotation of the dose adjuster causing a different amount of the injected water to be introduced into the holder via the peripheral opening and to thereby adjust the dose of the discharged disinfectant. In one embodiment, the holder is adapted to receive liquid disinfectant and is configured with an elongated port in communication with the holder interior and protruding downwardly from the holder bottom, the supply device further comprising a rocker arm pivotally connected to a bottom region of the holder and a float attached to said rocker arm so as to be floatable on the body of toilet tank liquid, said rocker arm configured to pivot downwardly during a period of lowered toilet tank liquid while allowing the liquid disinfectant to be discharged through the elongated port into the toilet tank and to pivot upwardly during a period of raised toilet tank liquid to occlude the elongated port and to prevent additional discharge of the liquid disinfectant. In one aspect, the supply device further comprises a dose adjuster that cooperates with the holder, said dose adjuster configured to enclose the elongated port and to thereby restrict a flow rate of the liquid disinfectant discharged from the elongated port and to thereby adjust the dose of the discharged disinfectant. 43704/22 295264/2 - 3 - In one aspect, the dose adjuster is a hollow shell having a larger lateral dimension than that of the elongated port and a bottom surface configured with an aperture through which the liquid disinfectant is discharged to the toilet tank, dimensions of the hollow shell providing a predetermined dwelling time of the liquid disinfectant therewithin before being discharged through the aperture. In one aspect, the supply device further comprises an interface by which the liquid disinfectant is introducible into the holder externally to the toilet tank. Brief Description of the DrawingsIn the drawings: - Fig. 1 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of an in-tank disinfectant supply device, shown without the toilet tank; - Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the supply device of Fig. 1; - Fig. 3 is a vertical cross sectional view of a support rod, channel and disinfectant holder usable in conjunction with the supply device of Fig. 1; - Fig. 4 is a perspective from above of the supply device of Fig. 1, showing one embodiment of a dose adjuster; - Fig. 4A is a perspective view from the side of the disinfectant holder of Fig. 3, within which is positioned another embodiment of a dose adjuster; - Fig. 4B is a perspective view from the side of the dose adjuster of Fig. 4A, shown when separated from the disinfectant holder; - Fig. 5 is a perspective view from the side of another embodiment of an in-tank disinfectant supply device provided with two interfaces one of which shown in exploded view, the supply device being shown without the toilet tank while the rocker arm is in a downwardly pivoted position; - Figs. 6A and 6B are side perspective and top perspective views, respectively, of a dose adjuster usable in conjunction with the supply device of Fig. 5; - Fig. 7 is a top perspective view of the supply device of Fig. 5; - Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a toilet tank provided with an interface associated with the supply device of Fig. 7, shown when opened; - Fig. 9 is a perspective view from the front of a bathroom wall within which is mounted a pivotal access door; 43704/22 295264/2 - 4 - - Fig. 10 is an enlarged view from the front of the access door of Fig. 9, when removed from the bathroom wall; and - Fig. 11 is a perspective view from the rear of the access door of Fig. 10. Detailed Description of the InventionThe toilet tank housed disinfectant dispenser facilitates the discharge of disinfectant, usually colored, to the toilet tank during every flushing operation, in order to inhibit the spread and reproduction of bacteria and viruses at essentially all regions of the toilet bowl. Since the water pressure is different at different sites, the concentration of the discharged disinfectant within the toilet tank and consequently within the toilet bowl after the toilet tank liquid is delivered to the toilet bowl is dependent upon the local water pressure. If the local water pressure is relatively low, the resulting relatively low disinfectant concentration at times is insufficient to suitably disinfect the toilet bowl. On the other hand, the disinfectant concentration will be relatively high when the local pressure is relatively high. In addition to the unsightly appearance of excessively concentrated disinfectant within a toilet bowl, the concentrated disinfectant, often containing chlorine bleach, is liable to oxidize iron provided with an enameled toilet fixture to produce rust stains. As compensation for differing water pressure, the disinfectant dispenser is configured with a dose adjuster by which the volume of liquid disinfectant emitted from the dispenser to the toilet tank is able to be adjusted to an effective dose. Fig. 1 illustrates a side view of an in-tank disinfectant supply device according to one embodiment, generally referenced by numeral 10. Disinfectant supply device 10 comprises side-entry water injection assembly 5 connected to the public water supply system and passing through, and secured to, a wall of the toilet tank (not shown), a vertical and tubular support rod 15 extending downwardly from water injection assembly 5, a float 25 configured to slide upwardly and downwardly along support rod 15 in response to the current liquid level within the toilet tank, and a holder 30 for a solid disinfectant which is in liquid communication with water injection assembly 5. The height of water injection assembly 5 which penetrates the side wall of the toilet tank is adapted to be above the anticipated fill level within the toilet tank. The liquid level within the toilet tank, which fluctuates in response to a flushing operation, is designed to always coincide with the height of an intermediate region of support rod 15. 43704/22 295264/2 - 5 - Holder 30 maintains at least a portion of the solid disinfectant held thereby above the expected liquid line within the toilet tank. By ensuring that a portion of the solid disinfectant remains unsubmerged, the rate of disinfectant dissolution is significantly reduced relative to prior art in-tank disinfectants which are continuously submerged within the toilet tank liquid. Water injection assembly 5 comprises a fill valve housed within one or more compartments 6 that are radially enlarged relative to an inlet conduit 7 and a central conduit 8 through which the water introduced through water injection assembly 5, following operation of the flushing mechanism, flows. A flapper valve normally sealingly covering an opening at the bottom of the toilet tank is displaced upwardly by the flushing mechanism to allow liquid present in the toilet tank to forcefully flow via the toilet tank opening into the toilet bowl. The flushing liquid flowing through the toilet tank opening empties the toilet bowl and refills it with fresh liquid. A mechanical actuator 12 operatively connected to the fill valve and to float 25, positioned externally to water injection assembly 5, is responsive to the current liquid level within the toilet tank. When the liquid level achieves a predetermined maximum level, float 25 accordingly rises and applies a force onto actuator 12, causing the fill valve to close and to prevent an additional amount of water to be introduced to the toilet tank while the flapper valve once again covers the toilet tank opening. The structure and operation of the fill valve, actuator and flapper valve are well known to one skilled in the art, and need not be described for sake of brevity. The height of the upper planar surface of float 25 relative to a lower planar surface 13 of actuator may be adjusted by means of adjustment screw 35, which is threadedly connected to both float and surface 13. As shown in the exploded view of disinfectant supply device 10 in Fig. 2, holder 30 has a cylindrical periphery 32, or alternatively any other suitably shaped periphery, with a hollow interior within which the solid disinfectant is receivable and an apertured bottom 34 from which liquid is discharged after the solid disinfectant is dissolved by the water issued from water injection assembly 5. Apertured bottom 34 has a plurality of radially extending and circumferentially spaced elongated apertures, and a plurality of small-sized and circular apertures formed at a radially inward position and between two adjacent elongated apertures at a radially outward position. 43704/22 295264/2 - 6 - The injected water flows through central conduit 8, an aperture formed in central conduit 8 in communication with another aperture 22 formed in the upper planar surface of securing element which has an annular periphery that encircles and is engaged with an upper C-shaped border element 17 of support rod 15, a channel 26 extending laterally from the terminal ends of border element 17 to an opening 19 formed in cylindrical periphery 32, and the interior of holder 30. Two border elements 14 of channel 26 extending upwardly from opposite edges of channel bottom and having approximately the same height as the rounded support rod border element 17 guide the flowing water through opening 19 to the interior of holder 30 in order to suitably contact and dissolve the solid disinfectant. Opening 19, which is generally formed together with the entire holder by injection molding, is a void region that has been removed from the holder periphery 32 upon fabrication of the holder from a height above apertured bottom 34 that corresponds approximately or exactly to the height of the channel border elements 14 to the upper edge 37 of holder 30, defining distinct two spaced vertical edges 23. During a flushing operation, a dose of dissolved liquid disinfectant is discharged from the apertured bottom 34 of holder 30 into the liquid contained within the toilet tank. The volume of the discharged dose is dependent upon the local water pressure, the volume of solid disinfectant remaining within holder 30, and the volume of the injected water that is permitted to be introduced into the holder. Stationary support rod 15 extends downwardly from securing element 21 with which it is secured, such as by threading, a set of pins, or other types of securing means well known to those skilled in the art, into through-hole 29 formed in float 25, allowing the float to be vertically displaced relative to the support rod in response to the liquid level within the toilet tank. C-shaped border element generally has the same radius of curvature as support rod 15. As shown in Fig. 3, support rod 15 may be provided with an inclined impediment 18 that occludes the support rod interior and diverts the water introduced from the water injection assembly to channel 26. The bottom edge of impediment 18, which may be planar, may coincide with the channel bottom 16. Alternatively, the impediment occluding the support rod interior need not be inclined and may be positioned slightly below channel bottom 16, urging the introduced water to rise to channel bottom and then to flow to holder 30. . 43704/22 295264/2 - 7 - Fig. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a dose adjuster 42. As shown, dose adjuster 42 is an element that is able to selectively occlude opening 19. Some of the injected water flowing through channel strikes dose adjuster 42, and is consequently diverted by the impact at an angle away from holder until falling into the liquid present within the toilet tank. Dose adjuster 42 is a solid and ungapped element at its channel-facing surface, which is configured with the same curvature as cylindrical periphery 32 of holder 30. Dose adjuster 42 is configured to be movably coupled with the edges 23 of opening 19 by a tongue and groove connection. As shown, each edge 23 of opening 19 has a small tongue protrusion 44 that slightly circumferentially protrudes from the edge 23, and each side edge 48 of dose adjuster 42 has a concave periphery defining the groove within which a corresponding tongue 44 is receivable. Tongue 44 is sufficiently short and groove-defining protrusions 47 sufficiently enclose the tongue so that the tongue is frictionally engaged with the protrusions to retain dose adjuster 42 at the selected height above apertured bottom 34 at which it is positioned, yet the dose adjuster42 is vertically displaceable relative to holder 30 when applied with a vertical force in order to adjust the degree of occlusion of opening 19. Alternatively, each edge 23 of opening 19 may be configured with a concavity, and each edge 48 of dose adjuster 42 may be configured with a frictionally engageable tongue. By selectively occluding opening 19 while dose adjuster 42 is vertically displaced relative to holder 30, the dose adjuster controls the volume of injected water that is admitted into holder 30 as well as the dose or volume of liquid disinfectant emitted from the holder to the toilet tank during a flushing operation. The water that is not admitted into holder 30 is diverted from the channel-facing surface of dose adjuster 42 into the liquid of the toilet tank. In another embodiment shown in Figs. 4A and 4B, the dose adjuster may be configured as an annular insert 52 that is positioned within holder 30 such that its circumferential wall 54 is placed in abutting relation with the cylindrical periphery of the holder. The circumferential wall 54 of insert 52 has a non-uniform circumferentially extending aperture 57. The non-uniform aperture 57 may have a width, i.e. the spacing between opposed long edges 58 and 59 of the aperture, which is varied along the circumference of the wall or may be spaced by a varied height from the bottom edge 51 of the circumferential wall 54. Selective rotation of insert 52 by a user causes a different amount of the injected water being introduced into holder 30 to be blocked and thus to adjust the dose of the emitted liquid disinfectant. 43704/22 295264/2 - 8 - Figs. 5-8 illustrate another embodiment wherein liquid disinfectant is retained within the toilet tank and a predetermined dose thereof is discharged from the holder into the toilet tank during each flushing operation. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, the disinfectant holder is a reservoir 60, e.g. rectilinear or configured in a different shape, in which liquid disinfectant is releasably retained. The illustrated reservoir 60 has a planar bottom surface 62 and a foot 64 slightly downwardly protruding from one end of bottom surface 62. A stationary port 67, such as a nozzle or outlet tube, in communication with the interior of reservoir 60 extends downwardly from bottom surface 62 at a region proximate to foot 64, allowing the liquid disinfectant to be discharged through nozzle 67 into the toilet tank. Reservoir 60 is secured, such as by a nut and screw arrangement, within the toilet tank to a region associated with an aperture formed in a first side wall of the toilet tank so as to be stationary while bottom surface 62 is positioned at approximately the anticipated maximum fill level within the toilet tank. The water injection assembly passes through an aperture formed in a second side wall of the toilet tank. A pivoting rocker arm 66 is pivotally connected to foot 64, and a float 69 adapted to float on top of the toilet tank liquid is attached to the terminal end of rocker arm 66 as shown, or to any other convenient region thereof. Rocker arm 66, which may be configured with a triangular cross section that progressively increases in thickness in a direction towards float 69, has an upper surface 61, e.g. planar, in which is formed recess 68. Through the influence of float 69 whose height within the toilet tank is responsive to changes in the level of the toilet tank liquid, rocker arm 66 is able to be tilted relative to reservoir bottom surface 62. Following a flushing operation, the level of the toilet tank liquid is lowered as it flows into the toilet bowl. Rocker arm 66 is consequently pivoted downwardly and the liquid disinfectant freely flows through nozzle 67, drips onto a portion of the rocker arm located underneath the nozzle and above the current liquid level within the toilet tank, and then gravitates from the rocker arm into the body of liquid that has collected within the toilet tank. As an amount of fresh water is subsequently introduced through the water injection assembly, rocker arm 66 is pivoted upwardly. When the toilet tank liquid achieves a maximum level, rocker arm 66 is sufficiently pivoted upwardly that nozzle 67 is 43704/22 295264/2 - 9 - received within recess 68 and the nozzle is occluded by the corresponding portion of the rocker arm that underlies recess 68 to prevent additional discharge of the liquid disinfectant. Rocker arm 66 may be made of a sufficiently flexible material such that it is caused to curve upwardly to occlude nozzle upon contacting foot 64. In this embodiment, the dose adjuster is a releasably securable flow restrictor that is adapted to enclose nozzle 67 in order to adjust the flow rate of the liquid disinfectant discharged from reservoir 60. As shown in Figs. 6A-B, flow restrictor 72 is a hemispherical dome 73 or a differently configured hollow shell that has an upper neck 74 of a smaller diameter than the dome to facilitate secured engagement, such as frictional engagement, with a dedicated structure of the bottom surface of the reservoir or with an appendage of the nozzle. A bottom surface 79 of flow restrictor 72 is configured with an aperture 77 through which the liquid disinfectant is discharged to the toilet tank. Aperture generally has a smaller diameter than the nozzle outlet, although some embodiments are envisioned for which aperture 77 has a greater diameter than the nozzle outlet. Through the intervention of dome 73 having a significantly larger lateral dimension, e.g. diameter, than that of the nozzle, the liquid disinfectant discharged from the reservoir is forced to remain for a predetermined dwelling time within the dome before being discharged through aperture 77. The dwelling time within the dome influences the flow rate and dose of the disinfectant discharged into the toilet tank, and is based on various factors, such as ratio of the lateral dimension of nozzle to dome, vertical distance between the nozzle outlet to aperture 77 and diameter or size of aperture 77. If a different dose is desired, for example in response to a change in the water pressure, a first dome is conveniently and effortlessly replaced with a second dome. The reservoir is advantageously able to be refilled with a desired undiluted liquid disinfectant externally to the toilet tank without having to open the toilet tank and wetting one's hands. With reference to Figs. 5 and 7, reservoir 60 is provided with two separate interfaces 81 and through which the liquid disinfectant is able to be independently refillable. The reservoir may be provided with both of the interfaces, only one of them, or alternatively none of them while the liquid disinfectant is refilled from within the toilet tank. 43704/22 295264/2 - 10 - The first interface 81 is a side-entry refill chamber with an openable upper cover 83. The refill chamber has an elongated tubular discharge port 84 that is able to be coupled within the securing tube 82 that is securably fitted within an aperture formed in a toilet tank side wall. The refill chamber may be configured with an internal sloped surface that facilitates gravitation of the introduced liquid disinfectant therealong and through discharge port 84 into the interior of reservoir 60. The second interface 86 is a top-loaded refill chamber with an openable upper cover 88. The introduced liquid disinfectant is able to flow downwardly from the refill chamber into the toilet tank via a bottom opening formed in the refill chamber. As shown in Fig. 8, upper cover 88 of refill chamber 86 is pivotable within toilet tank lid 93 about aligned pin supports, and is adapted to be flush with the toilet tank lid when set to an unpivoted position. Upper cover 88 may be connected to a float indicator 97, which is able to float on the body of liquid disinfectant collected within reservoir 60. Even though upper cover 88 is secured to toilet tank lid 93, it may be forced upwardly when reservoir 60 is filled, such through interface 81 or 86, and the disinfectant level rises. A lowered upper cover position accordingly may be indicative of a depleted supply of liquid disinfectant, serving as a reminder to refill the reservoir. Figs. 9-11 illustrate another interface through which the liquid disinfectant is able to be independently refillable. This interface is suitable for use with a concealed toilet tank, which is installed behind a bathroom wall 101 shown in Fig. 9, for example defined by tiles. Bathroom wall 101 is provided with an esthetic appearance when the toilet tank is concealed, with only the flush buttons 104 and pivotal access panel 107 being visible. The toilet bowl is generally wall hung in conjunction with mounting hole 109, which may be located below flush buttons 104. As shown in Fig. 10, planar access panel 107 is pivotally mounted within decorative frame 112, which surrounds the access panel and is flush mounted within the bathroom wall. Frame 112 configured with a rearwardly projecting abutment is connected such as by a snap fit with a fixture 116 (Fig. 11) 43704/22 295264/2 - 11 - attached to a base wall located behind the visible bathroom wall. Decorative frame 112 is formed with finger receivable cavity 114, to facilitate the pivotal displacement of access panel 107. Interface 103 embodied by a tube which is settable in liquid communication with the reservoir is shown in Fig. 11. Tube 103 extends obliquely from housing 117, protruding rearwardly from access panel 107 and within which is provided the pivot mechanism operatively connected to the access panel. When access panel 107 is pivotally displaced relative to fixture 116, tube 103 is urged to be in liquid communication with the reservoir. Also, an opening formed in the front region of housing 1and in communication with tube 103 becomes accessible. The user inserts a dedicated hose connected to the neck of a desired liquid disinfectant container into the accessible opening, and then pours the liquid disinfectant from the container into the reservoir. When the hose is removed from the opening and access panel 107 is closed, tube 103 is caused to be pivoted away from the reservoir. While some embodiments of the invention have been described by way of illustration, it will be apparent that the invention can be carried out with many modifications, variations and adaptations, and with the use of numerous equivalents or alternative solutions that are within the scope of persons skilled in the art, without exceeding the scope of the claims.

Claims

1./22 295264/2 - 12 - CLAIMS1. An in-tank disinfectant supply device, comprising: a) a side-entry water injection assembly connected to a public water supply system and passing through, and secured to, a side wall of a toilet tank; b) a vertical and hollow support rod extending downwardly from, and in liquid communication with, said water injection assembly; c) a float configured to slide upwardly and downwardly along said support rod in response to a current liquid level within the toilet tank; d) a holder for a solid disinfectant which has a hollow interior, a peripheral opening and a bottom, and is mounted within the toilet tank at such a height that at least some of the held disinfectant is unsubmerged relative to a body of the toilet tank liquid; and e) a channel extending from said support rod to the peripheral opening of said holder, wherein said support rod is provided with an impediment that occludes its interior and diverts the water from the water injection assembly to said channel to cause the diverted injected water to flow into said holder via the peripheral opening, the diverted injected water causing some of the solid disinfectant to become dissolved, wherein a dose of the dissolved disinfectant is gravitationally dischargeable into the body of toilet tank liquid via one or more holder openings other than the peripheral opening in response to a flushing operation.

2. The supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a manually manipulatable dose adjuster that cooperates with the holder to limit an amount of the injected water that is introduced into the holder via the peripheral opening and to thereby adjust the dose of the discharged disinfectant.

3. The supply device according to claim 2, wherein the dose adjuster is slidably displaceable along edges of the peripheral opening to selectively occlude the peripheral opening.

4. The supply device according to claim 3, wherein both the holder and the dose adjuster are curved, and the dose adjuster is configured with a same curvature as a cylindrical periphery of the holder. 43704/22 295264/2 - 13 -

5. The supply device according to claim 2, wherein both the holder and the dose adjuster are cylindrical, the dose adjuster is insertable with the holder, and a peripheral wall of the dose adjuster is formed with a non-uniform circumferentially extending aperture, selective rotation of the dose adjuster causing a different amount of the injected water to be introduced into the holder via the peripheral opening and to thereby adjust the dose of the discharged disinfectant.

6. The supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein one or more peripheral walls of the holder including a wall in which the peripheral opening is formed extend upwardly from the bottom of the holder.

7. The supply device according to claim 6, wherein the bottom of the holder is apertured and the one or more holder openings through which the dissolved disinfectant is discharged into the body of toilet tank liquid are apertures of the bottom of the holder.

8. The supply device according to claim 1, wherein the channel has a bottom and two border elements that extend upwardly from opposite edges of the channel bottom.

9. The supply device according to claim 1, wherein the impediment provided with the support rod is inclined.