IT201800004015A1 - Device for sanitary vessels with swirling flow inside the device and relative chemical product tablet - Google Patents

Description

"Device for sanitary vessels with swirling flow inside the device and relative tablet of chemical product"

DESCRIPTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION

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

STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

The sanitary vessels in which the present invention can be applied are of various types, but in particular WC and pissoir and more particularly WC. Devices of this type have been known for years.

According to a typical known solution, a sanitary device for toilets comprises a container, a tablet of detergent and / or sanitizing and / or deodorant chemical product, and a hook for fixing the device to an edge of a sanitary vessel; 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 toilet flush water can easily lick all the surfaces of the tablet; during use, the toilet flush water slowly dissolves the toilet seat.

The Applicant has realized that in the past much attention has been paid to the chemical product of the tablet, but much less attention has been paid to the flow of liquid that strikes and laps the tablet.

SUMMARY

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

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

It is important that the liquid remains in contact with the tablet surfaces 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 laps the tablet.

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

It should be noted that the achievement of this general purpose is complicated by two elements: 1) there are sanitary vessels of various shapes and sizes, and 2) the flow of liquid (flow rate and speed) depends on the system that brings the liquid to the vessel sanitary.

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

The idea behind the present invention is to shape the container and the tablet in such a way as to create vortices in the liquid flowing into the device.

It should be noted that typically the rinsing flow of a sanitary vessel is comparable to a laminar flow of liquid which flows adjacent to an internal surface of a wall of the vessel. This liquid flow external to the device is not to be confused with the liquid flow internal to the device, even if the internal flow derives from the external flow as the device is specifically designed to intercept part of the liquid from an external flow and make it flow to it. internal.

LIST OF FIGURES

The present invention will become clearer from the detailed description which follows to be considered together with the annexed drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows a three-dimensional view from the rear of an example of embodiment of a device according to the present invention (this device is equipped with a tablet of detergent and / or sanitizer and / or deodorant chemical product),

Fig. 2 shows a three-dimensional view from the rear of the device of Fig. 1 without the tablet,

Fig. 3 shows a rear view of the device of Fig.1,

Fig. 4 shows a view from the back of the device of Fig. 1 open, Fig. 5 shows a view from the back of the device of Fig. 1 open and without the tablet,

Fig. 6 shows a top view of the device of Fig.1,

Fig. 7 shows a bottom view of the device of Fig.1,

Fig. 8 shows a side view of the device of Fig. 1, Fig. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the device of Fig. 1, Fig. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the device of Fig. 1 without the tablet,

Fig. 11 shows a front view and a side view of a first example of embodiment of a tablet according to the present invention particularly suitable for use in the device of Fig.1, and Fig. 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 Fig.1. As can be easily understood, there are various ways of practicing the present invention which is defined in its main advantageous aspects in the appended claims and is not limited either by the following detailed description or by the appended drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figures 1 to 10 all refer to the same example of embodiment of a device 1 for cleaning and / or sanitizing and / or deodorising sanitary vessels according to the present invention.

In these figures, the device 1 is shown in a position which substantially corresponds to the position that the device assumes when it is fixed to an edge of a sanitary vessel.

In the present description and in the attached claims, the indications "front", "rear", "lower", "upper", "front", "rear", "horizontal axis", "vertical axis" refer to the position that the device assumes when it is fixed to (an edge of) a toilet. It is important to consider that, for example, Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are viewed from the back of the device 1, ie the perforated wall (which is "rear") is able to rest on an internal surface of the toilet and therefore is not visible to the user during normal use of the toilet while the full wall (which is "front") is designed not to rest on an internal surface of the toilet (ie to be distant from this, for example 3-4 cm corresponding approximately thickness of the device) and therefore it is visible to the user during normal use of the toilet.

The device according to the present invention is equipped with a tablet of detergent and / or sanitizer and / or deodorant chemical product in order to perform its function; the present invention prescinds, in the first instance, from the composition of the tablet. In the example of figures 1-10 there is a tablet like the one shown in Fig. 11; alternatively, a tablet like the one in Fig. 12 could be present; alternatively still, it could be a still different tablet, for example more similar to the tablets of the known art.

However, the device according to the present invention can perform its detergent and / or sanitizing and / or deodorizing function only if its rear wall rests on an internal surface of a sanitary vessel and if this internal surface is repeatedly subjected to a flow of liquid. (to be clear, a toilet is rinsed every time the user activates the rinsing device after use); typically, the liquid is water or an aqueous solution; the device's chemical tablet dissolves slowly as this liquid flows.

Device 1 includes:

- a container 10 with a closed front wall 11 and with a rear wall 12 which has a large upper opening 13 for the entry of liquid (in particular liquid deriving from a rinsing flow of a sanitary vessel) and a plurality of small openings lower 14 for the liquid outlet (in particular the liquid which has entered through the opening 13); the walls 11 and 12 are shaped in such a way as to create a pocket 15 into which 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 vessels; the tablet 20 is located inside the pocket 15 in such a way that its external surfaces are lapped by liquid flowing into the pocket, and - a hook 30 for fixing the device 1 to an edge of a sanitary vessel;

the container 10 and the tablet 20 are shaped and positioned in such a way as to create vortices of liquid flowing in the pocket 15.

The vortices favor both the creation of foam and the stationing 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 can have an area corresponding for example to 25-75% preferably 30-50% of the area of the front wall. In the following, geometric characteristics of the device 1 which favor the creation of vortices will be described.

The front wall 11 has an asymmetrical 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 drop; see for example Fig. 5.

In the device 1, the lower openings 14 are located both in correspondence with a peripheral zone and in correspondence with a central zone of the rear wall 12, as can be seen for example in Fig. 5; alternatively, the lower openings could be located only in correspondence with a peripheral zone of the rear wall or only in correspondence with a central zone of the rear wall. It should be noted that the lower openings are mainly designed for the exit of liquid, but it cannot be excluded that, under certain operating conditions, there may be a flow of liquid entering the pocket through one or more of these.

The shape of the lower openings can be very varied; it is advantageous that the shape and / or the arrangement and / or the size of these openings is irregular.

For example, the lower openings can have a wave shape. In the example of the figures, the lower openings 14 have a circle shape and, in particular, have different diameters; see for example Fig. 5.

The container 10 and the tablet 20 are shaped and positioned in such a way as to create vortices above (zone ZA) and / or below (zone ZB) and / or from a first side (Zone C) with respect to and / or from a second side ( zone ZD) with respect to the tablet 20; see for example Fig. 4.

The container 10 and the tablet 20 are shaped and positioned in such a way as to create vortices on the front (zone ZE) and / or on the back (zone ZF) of the tablet (20); see for example Fig. 9.

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

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

Fastening the device to the toilet (in particular to the edge of the toilet) is important for the device to perform its function well; in fact, following fixing, the container of the device must be positioned in such a way that it together with the board are well hit by the liquid.

Furthermore, it is desirable that the fixing is adequate regardless of the shape and size of the toilet bowl (in particular of the rim of the toilet).

In the following, geometric characteristics of the hook 30 which favor an adequate fixing will be described. Refer, in particular, to Fig. 8.

The hook 30 comprises a shaped strip consisting of three elongated portions 31, 32, 33 joined together by two elbows 34, 35 and to the container 10 by another elbow 36. It should be noted that in Fig. 8 (and also in others figures) the portions 31, 32, 33 are joined together by rods; when the device 10 is to be used, the rods are broken in correspondence with the portions 31, 32, 33, the strip is opened by bending the elbows 34, 35 and is gripped, for example, on the edge of a toilet in such a way that the container 10 rests on an internal surface of the toilet bowl; the elbow 36 also contributes to determining a good support of the container 10.

The first portion 31 of the shaped strip has a length of 30-45 mm; the second portion 32 of the shaped strip has a length of 50-55 mm; the third section 33 of the shaped strip has a length of 65-75 mm. Elbows 34, 35, 36 have a radius of 7-10 mm.

The shaped strip, in particular its components 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, has a substantially constant width, for example of 4-10 mm, in particular of about 8 mm, and has a substantially constant section, for example of 4 -35 mm <2> especially about 18 mm <2> and is made of polypropylene; the material of the batten and the section of the batten determine its flexibility and its elasticity, and therefore contribute to the fastening. One of the elements that influences the support of the container 10 of the device on the internal surface of the sanitary vessel is the distance between the starting point of the elbow 36 (at the junction with the portion 31) and the point of maximum protrusion of the rear wall 12 ( distance that can be appreciated in particular by considering Fig.8 and Fig. 9 and Fig. 10); this distance in fact determines the lever effect of the container 10 on the elbow 36 due to the effect of an internal surface of a wall of the sanitary vessel to which the device 1 is applied; in the example of the figures this distance is 30-35 mm.

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

In the example of the figures, for reasons of manufacturing and assembly convenience, the front wall 11 and the rear wall 12 are hinged in such a way as to be able to open the pocket 15, in particular they are hinged in a lower area of the device 1; see Fig. 5.

The tablets 120 and 220 of Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 are particularly suitable for use in the device of Fig. 1, but not only; in particular, their shape per se, their shape in relation to the shape of the container where they are located, the conformation of their surfaces favor the formation of vortices in the liquid that laps their external surfaces. The tablets 120 and 220 can be made of a chemical detergent and / or sanitizer and / or deodorant for sanitary vessels.

With reference to Fig. 11, the tablet 120 has an upper surface 121, a first side surface 122, a lower surface 123, a second side surface 124, a rear surface 125 (here the term "rear" is used in in relation to the position of the tablet inserted in a pocket of the device) and a front surface 126 (here the term "front" is used in relation to the position of the tablet inserted in a pocket of the device).

With reference to Fig. 12, the tablet 220 has an upper surface 221, a first side surface 222, a lower surface 223, a second side surface 224, a rear surface 225 (here the term "rear" is used in in relation to the position of the tablet inserted in a pocket of the device) and a front surface 226 (here the term "front" is used in relation to the position of the tablet inserted in a pocket of the device).

The tablets according to the present invention can have one or more or all of their corrugated outer surfaces; in this way, the formation of vortices in the liquid that laps these surfaces is favored, and the area of the surface that comes into contact with the liquid that laps these surfaces is increased. This undulation, as seen in Fig. 11 and Fig. 12, can be constituted by a plurality of side by side cylindrical surfaces; for example, the radius of the cylindrical surfaces could be 2-6 mm. In the case of the tablet 120, only the surfaces 121, 123 and 126 are wavy and are wavy for their entire area. In the case of the tablet 220, only the surfaces 221, 223, 225, 226 are wavy; the surfaces 221, 223, 226 are wavy for their entire area while the surface 225 is wavy for part of its area.

The boards 120 and 220 have an asymmetrical 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 which has a recess 128, in particular a flat recess; liquid can flow into the recess (ie precisely between the recess surface and the internal surface of the front wall of the device - see Fig. 9) and this favors the vortices and increases the contact area. The area of the recess preferably corresponds to 30-70%, more preferably 40-60% of the area of the rear wall 127. In the example of Fig. 11, the recess 128 is delimited by two longitudinal seams 129.

The tablet 220 has a rear wall 227 shaped so as to be adjacent to the front wall of a container of a device for sanitary ware. If we consider Fig. 12 and Fig. 9 it can be seen that the arched shape of the wall 227 corresponds to the arched shape of the wall 11. The teachings of the present invention described and claimed herein allow to obtain a considerable foaminess in the sanitary vessel.

Comparative tests were conducted between devices according to the present invention and devices already present on the market; the devices according to the present invention provide greater foaming in the jar and greater durability than compared devices with similar chemical composition, despite the weight of the tablet (in particular 35g) being 10-20% lower than the market average of the same product category .

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

Typically, a label is placed on the front surface of the front wall of the container which serves to show the user for example: manufacturer's trademark and / or product information and / or decorative elements. Advantageously, this label can be applied by means of IML technology (= In-Mold Labeling), ie the label is placed directly in the mold and the injection of the plastic material causes the incorporation of the label into the article.

Claims (20)

CLAIMS 1. Device (1) for sanitary ware comprising: - a container (10) with a closed front wall (11) and with a rear wall (12) which has an upper opening (13) for the inlet of liquid and a plurality of lower openings (14) for the outlet of liquid, in such a way as to create a pocket (15) into which liquid flows, - a tablet (20) of product for sanitary vessels, said tablet (20) being located inside said pocket (15) in such a way that its external surfaces are lapped by liquid flowing in said pocket (15), and - a hook (30) for fixing the device (1) to an edge of a sanitary vessel; in which said container (10) and said tablet (20) are shaped and positioned in such a way as to create vortices of liquid flowing in said pocket (15). Device (1) according to claim 1, 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), in particular in the shape of a drop. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, in which said lower openings (14) are located only in correspondence with a peripheral area of said rear wall (12), or only in correspondence with a central area of said rear wall (12), or both in correspondence with a peripheral zone and in correspondence with a central zone of said rear wall (12). Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, wherein said lower openings have a wave form. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, in which said lower openings (14) have a circle shape and, in particular, have diameters different from each other. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5, in which said container (10) and said tablet (20) are shaped and positioned in such a way as to create vortices above (ZA) and / or below (ZB) and / or on a first side (ZC) with respect to and / or on a second side (ZD) with respect to said tablet (20). Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6, in which said container (10) and said tablet (20) are shaped and positioned in such a way as to create vortices on the front (ZE) and / or on the back (ZF) of said tablet (20). Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7, wherein said front wall (11) has a projection (16) able to cover from above at least partially said tablet (20 ). Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said hook (30) comprises a shaped strip consisting of three elongated portions (31, 32, 33) joined together by two elbows (34, 35) and to said container from another elbow (36). Device (1) according to claim 9, wherein a first elongated portion (31) of said shaped strip has a length of 30-45 mm and / or a second elongated portion (32) of said shaped strip has a length of 50-55 mm and / or a third elongated portion (33) of said shaped strip has a length of 65-75 mm. Device (1) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein one or more or all of said elbows (34, 35, 36) have a radius of 7-10 mm. Device (1) according to claim 9 or 10 or 11, wherein said shaped strip (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36) has a section of 5-35 mm <2> and is made of polypropylene. Device (1) according to claim 9 or 10 or 11 or 12, wherein said other elbow (36) is 30-35 mm away from a point of maximum projection of said rear wall (12). Device (1) according to claim 9 or 10 or 11 or 12 or 13, wherein said front wall (11) is curved and has a vertical radius of curvature of 30-500 mm and a horizontal radius of curvature greater than 100 mm; and / or wherein said rear wall (12) is curved and has a vertical curvature radius of 30-200 mm and a horizontal curvature radius of 20-100 mm. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said front wall (11) and said rear wall (12) are hinged in such a way as to be able to open said pocket (15), in particular they are hinged in a lower area of the device (1). 16. Tablet (120, 220) of detergent and / or sanitizing and / or deodorizing chemical product for sanitary vessels, having one or more or all of its external surfaces (121, 123, 126, 221, 223, 225, 226) corrugated , in particular consisting of a plurality of side by side cylindrical surfaces. Tablet (120, 220) according to claim 16, having an asymmetrical 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. Tablet (120) according to claim 16 or 17, having a rear wall (127) having a recess (128) with an area corresponding to 40-60% of the area of the rear wall (127). Tablet (120) according to claim 18, wherein said recess (128) is delimited by two longitudinal cords (129). Tablet (220) according to claim 16 or 17, having a rear wall shaped so as to be adjacent to the front wall of a container of a device for sanitary ware.