US20070214555A1

US20070214555A1 - Device for dispensing in the flushing water and/or for mixing with the flushing water detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products, in toilet bowls or hydraulic and sanitary fixtures in general

Info

Publication number: US20070214555A1
Application number: US11/715,416
Authority: US
Inventors: Carlo Ferrara; Laura Ruffina
Original assignee: Deoflor SpA
Current assignee: Deoflor SpA
Priority date: 2006-03-14
Filing date: 2007-03-08
Publication date: 2007-09-20
Also published as: ATE433019T1; DE602007001200D1; EP1835081A1; EP1835081B1; ES2328522T3

Abstract

A device for dispensing into the flushing water and/or for mixing with the flushing water detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products, in toilet bowls or hydraulic and sanitary fixtures in general. The device comprises a supporting structure provided with engagement means which can engage the hydraulic and sanitary fixture in order to support the supporting structure in a region of the fixture that is affected by the flushing water flow. The supporting structure supports rotatably, about a rotation axis, at least one rotating element, which interacts with the flow of flushing water in order to mix detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products introduced in the flushing water and/or adjust the dispensing of detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products connected to the supporting structure and/or vary the orientation of the flow of flushing water conveyed onto detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products connected to the supporting structure. The detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products are external to the rotating element.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for dispensing in the flushing water and/or for mixing with the flushing water detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products, in toilet bowls or hydraulic and sanitary fixtures in general.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Devices for dispensing, within toilet bowls, detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products in the solid state, packaged in the form of water-soluble tablet or bar, are known. Such devices are constituted generally by a supporting structure, which is composed of an enclosure with a cage-like structure which defines internally a compartment for the tablet or bar and a hook-shaped suspension arm, which is connected to the enclosure and can engage the rim of the toilet bowl so as to support the enclosure below the rim of the toilet bowl, where the holes for dispensing the flushing water of the toilet bowl are provided. In this manner, every time the flushing system of the toilet bowl is operated, the flushing water strikes the enclosure, gradually dissolving the tablet or bar and therefore mixing the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products with the flushing water.
When using such devices, very often a scarcely uniform wear of the tablet or bar is observed, because the flushing water strikes in a different manner the various regions of the tablet or bar. This scarcely uniform wear has the effect of producing very often an unwanted breakup of the tablet or bar, with the release of undissolved pieces into the flushing water and therefore with a scarcely effective wear of the tablet or bar in terms of washing the toilet bowl.
Moreover, with such devices the substances that compose the tablet or bar dissolve in the flushing water in a scarcely satisfactory manner, and foam generation is limited and is usually enhanced by increasing the content of surfactants in the products that compose the tablet or bar.
Devices for dispensing into toilet bowls detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products in the liquid or gel state are also known. Such devices are provided with at least one tank, which is hung from the rim of the toilet bowl and contains the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products, and the products are dispensed into the flushing water usually by utilizing the washing action of the water on a preset region of the device, onto which a certain quantity of the cited products is dispensed generally by gravity.
Even with these devices, very often the mixing of the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products in the flushing water is not fully satisfactory and foam generation is limited and conditioned by the shape of the toilet bowl, by the force of the water jet, and by the direction of the flushing water on the device.
In toilet bowls served by a cistern for storing the flushing water, the flushing water can receive the addition of detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products, which are placed inside said cistern.
In this case also, very often the mixing of the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products in the flushing water is not fully satisfactory and foam generation is limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to provide a device for dispensing into the flushing water and/or for mixing with the flushing water detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products, in toilet bowls or hydraulic and sanitary fixtures in general, which ensures optimum mixing of the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products with the flushing water.
Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a device which, for equal detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products used, achieves a greater generation of foam and a longer retention of the generated foam with respect to known types of devices.
Another object of the invention is to provide a device which can be manufactured at competitive costs and is simple to use.
This aim and these and other objects, which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a device for dispensing into the flushing water and/or for mixing with the flushing water detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products, in toilet bowls or hydraulic and sanitary fixtures in general, which comprises a supporting structure provided with engagement means which can engage the hydraulic and sanitary fixture in order to support the supporting structure in a region of the fixture that is affected by the flushing water flow, characterized in that said supporting structure supports rotatably, about a rotation axis, at least one rotating element, which interacts with the flow of flushing water in order to mix detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products introduced in the flushing water and/or adjust the dispensing of detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products connected to said supporting structure and/or vary the orientation of the flow of flushing water conveyed onto detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products connected to said supporting structure, said detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products being external to said at least one rotating element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of some embodiments of the device according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 in the assembled condition;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 3 in the assembled condition;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 5 in the assembled condition;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 7 in the assembled condition;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 9 in the assembled condition;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 11 in the assembled condition;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a seventh embodiment of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 13 in the assembled condition;

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of an eighth embodiment of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 15 in the assembled condition;

FIG. 17 is another perspective view of the device of FIGS. 15 and 16 in the assembled condition, but taken from a different angle with respect to FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of a ninth embodiment of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 18 in the assembled condition;

FIG. 20 is another perspective view of the device of FIGS. 18 and 19 in the assembled condition, but taken from a different angle with respect to FIG. 19.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the figures, the device according to the invention, generally designated in its various embodiments by the reference numerals 1 a, 1 b, 1 c, 1 d, 1 e, 1 f, 1 g, 1 h, 1 i, comprises a supporting structure 2 a-2 i, which is provided with engagement means 3 a-3 i, which can engage the hydraulic and sanitary fixture so as to support the supporting structure 2 a-2 i in a region of the fixture that is affected by the flow of the flushing water.
According to the invention, the supporting structure 2 a-2 i supports, so that it can rotate about a rotation axis 4 a-4 i, at least one rotating element 5 a-5 i, which interacts with the flow of the flushing water in order to mix detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products introduced in the flushing water and/or adjust the dispensing of detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products connected to the supporting structure 2 a-2 i and/or vary the orientation of the flow of flushing water conveyed onto detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products connected to the supporting structure 2 a-2 i.
The rotating element 5 a, 5 b, 5 c, 5 d, 5 e, 5 f, 5 g, 5 h can be constituted by an impeller with radial vanes or of the screw type in which the rotation axis, considering the device during use, i.e., with the supporting structure 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, 2 d, 2 e, 2 f, 2 g, 2 h supported by the engagement means 3 a, 3 b, 3 c, 3 d, 3 e, 3 f, 3 g, 3 h in a region of the fixture affected by the flow of the flushing water, is oriented substantially horizontally.
As an alternative, the rotating element 5 i can be constituted by a helical impeller in which the rotation axis, considering the device during use, i.e., with the supporting structure 2 i supported by the engagement means 3 i in a region of the fixture affected by the flow of the flushing water, is oriented substantially vertically.
The detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products to be dispensed are supported preferably by the supporting structure 2 a-2 i so that they are external to the rotating element, e.g. they are placed upstream of or downstream of the rotating element with respect to the direction of the flushing water flow. The detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products can also be arranged within the cistern for storing flushing water with which the toilet bowl or the hydraulic and sanitary fixture in general is equipped. In this last case, the device according to the invention is constituted substantially by the supporting structure, by the engagement means and by the rotating element, which by interacting with the flow of the flushing water mixes the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products that are already present in the flushing water and generates a larger volume of foam for an equal composition of the products.
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the device 1 a in the first embodiment comprises a supporting structure 2 a, which is constituted substantially by an enclosure composed of two parts 7 a, 8 a, which are mutually assembled and define a compartment 9 a inside them. Such compartment 9 a is connected to the outside through openings 10 a, which are designed to be directed toward the wall of the fixture along which the flushing water flows, and optionally openings 11 a on its opposite side.
The rotating element 5 a is constituted, in this first embodiment, by an impeller 6 a with radial vanes which taper in the direction of their axial ends. The impeller 6 a is supported, so that it can rotate about its own axis 4 a, by the supporting structure 2 a within the compartment 9 a. The axis 4 a of the impeller 6 a, when the device is being used, is arranged substantially horizontally.
The detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products to be mixed with the flushing water are also arranged inside the compartment 9 a. Such products are solid and are packaged in the form of at least one water-soluble tablet. Preferably, the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products are packaged in the form of two water- soluble tablets 12 a, 13 a, which are positioned in the compartment 9 a above the impeller 6 a.
Conveniently, between the impeller 6 a and the tablets 12 a, 13 a there is an interposed diaphragm 14 a, which supports the tablets 12 a, 13 a. The diaphragm 14 a is crossed by passages 15 a, which allow the flushing water that makes contact with the tablets 12 a, 13 a and the products of the dissolution of the tablets 12 a, 13 a to flow on the vanes of the underlying impeller 6 a.
In practice, when using the device in this first embodiment, the flushing water enters the compartment 9 a through the openings 10 a, 11 a located in the upper part of the supporting structure 2 a, comes into contact with the tablets 12 a, 13 a, causing their gradual dissolution, and then descends onto the impeller 6 a, causing its rotation about its own axis 4 a before exiting from the openings 10 a located on the lower part of the supporting structure 2 a.
In this first embodiment, the impeller 6 a performs predominantly the function of improving the mixing of the products of the dissolution of the tablets 12 a, 13 a with each other and with the flushing water, increasing the production of foam.
With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the device 1 b in the second embodiment is provided substantially like the device described above with reference to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the difference that the rotating element 5 b is constituted, in this second embodiment, by an impeller 6 b of the screw or screw-feeder type, the rotation axis 4 b whereof is horizontal when the device is in use.
The other elements of the device in this second embodiment that correspond to the elements already described with reference to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 have been designated by the same reference numerals followed by the letter b instead of the letter a.
In practice, in the use of the device in this second embodiment, the flushing water enters the compartment 9 b through the openings 10 b, 11 b located in the upper part of the supporting structure 2 b, comes into contact with the tablets 12 b, 13 b, causing their gradual dissolution, and then descends onto the impeller 6 b, causing its rotation about its own axis 4 b before flowing out through the openings 11 b located in the lower part of the supporting structure 2 b.
In this second embodiment also, the impeller 6 b performs predominantly the function of improving the mixing of the products of the dissolution of the tablets 12 b, 13 b with each other and with the flushing water, increasing the production of foam. Moreover, the particular shape of the impeller 6 b also directs laterally the flow of water mixed with the products of the dissolution of the tablets 12 b, 13 b in output from the device, thus extending the area of the action of the products on the walls of the bowl and achieving a more diffuse action which is not limited only to the region that lies below the device.
With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the device 1 c in the third embodiment comprises a supporting structure 2 c, which is constituted substantially by an enclosure composed of two parts 7 c, 8 c, which are mutually assembled and define internally a compartment 9 c. Such compartment 9 c is connected to the outside through openings 10 c, which are designed to be directed toward the wall of the fixture along which the flushing water flows, and optionally openings 11 c on its opposite side.
The rotating element 5 c is constituted, in this third embodiment, by an impeller 6 c with radial vanes which taper in the direction of their axial ends. The impeller 6 c is supported, so that it can rotate about its own axis 4 c, by the supporting structure 2 c within the compartment 9 c. The axis 4 c, when the device is in use, is arranged substantially horizontally.
The detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products to be mixed with the flushing water are also arranged within the compartment 9 c. In this third embodiment, part of these products is in solid form, packaged in the form of at least one water-soluble tablet 12 c, and part is in liquid or gel form and is contained within a tank 13 c.
The tablet 12 c and the tank 13 c are arranged in the compartment 9 c above the impeller 6 c.
Conveniently, between the impeller 6 c and the assembly constituted by the tablet 12 c and the tank 13 c, there is an interposed diaphragm 14 c, which supports the tablet 12 c and the tank 13 c. The diaphragm 14 c is crossed by passages 15 c and by a hole 16 c, which allow the flushing water that makes contact with the tablet 12 c, the products of the dissolution of the tablet 12 c, and the liquid or gel products dispensed by the tank 13 c to flow on the vanes of the underlying impeller 6 c.
More particularly, the tank 13 c has at least one dispensing outlet at its lower end, which is not visible in the figures. The dispensing outlet of the tank 13 c is arranged at a hole 16 c, which is provided in the diaphragm 14 c. Below the hole 16 c, the supporting structure 2 c supports a retention element, which is constituted for example by a plate 17 c. The plate 17 c is arranged at a preset distance from the hole 16 c and is designed to retain preset quantities of the liquid or gel products that exit by gravity from the dispensing outlet of the tank 13 c, preventing their excessive spread.
In this third embodiment, the impeller 6 c is arranged below the plate 17 c, but it might also be arranged between the diaphragm 14 c, in which the hole 16 c is provided, and the plate 17 c, cooperating with the plate 17 c in retaining the liquid or gel products dispensed by the tank 13 c.
In practice, in the use of the device in this third embodiment, the flushing water enters the compartment 9 c through the openings 10 c, 11 c located in the upper part of the supporting structure 2 c, comes into contact with the tablet 12 c, causing its gradual dissolution, and with the liquid or gel product deposited on the plate 17 c. The flushing water, together with the products of the dissolution of the tablet 12 c and the products dispensed by the tank 13 c, then descends onto the impeller 6 c, causing its rotation about its own axis 4 c before it flows out from the openings 10 c located on the lower part of the supporting structure 2 c.
In this third embodiment, the impeller 6 c performs predominantly the function of improving the mixing of the products of the dissolution of the tablet 12 c and of the products dispensed by the tank 13 c with each other and with the flushing water, increasing the generation of foam.
It should be noted that according to a variation, not shown for the sake of simplicity, of this third embodiment, the tablet 12 c might be replaced with a second tank, similar to the tank 13 c, which contains other liquid products. In this case, at the dispensing outlet of the second tank there is a second hole, similar to the hole 16 c, which passes through the diaphragm 14 c, and below said second hole there is a second plate which is similar to the plate 17 c.
With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the device 1 d in the fourth embodiment is provided substantially like the device already described with reference to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the difference that the impeller 6 d is further connected to actuation means which can turn it about its own axis 4 d in addition to the action of the flushing water on said impeller 6 d.
More particularly, said actuation means preferably comprise an electric motor and an electric power source for supplying it, such as for example a battery, which are arranged inside a hermetically sealed container 18 d supported by the supporting structure 2 d. The electric motor is connected, by means of its output shaft, to the impeller 6 d so as to cause its rotation about the axis 4 d with respect to the supporting structure 2 d. The electric motor can be controlled by an electronic circuit, which is also accommodated within the container 18 d and drives the electric motor with a preset rotation rate when the impeller 6 d is turned about its own axis 4 d by the flow of the flushing water and interrupts its actuation after a period of time which can be preset.
The other elements of the device in this fourth embodiment that correspond to the elements already described with reference to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 have been designated by the same reference numerals followed by the letter d instead of the letter a.
In practice, the operation of the device in this fourth embodiment is similar to the one already described with reference to the device in the first embodiment, with the difference that the rotation rate of the impeller 6 d about its own axis 4 d and the rotation time of the impeller 6 d can be increased at will by means of the electric motor that drives the impeller 6 d so as to further improve the effect of mixing the products of the dissolution of the tablets 12 d, 13 d with each other and with the flushing water and increase the generation of foam.
With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the device 1 e in the fifth embodiment is provided in a manner which is similar to the device in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with the difference that in this fifth embodiment the impeller 6 e is connected to means which are adapted to prolong its rotation activated by the flow of the flushing water.
Such means adapted to prolong the rotation of the impeller 6 e comprise a flywheel 19 e, which is supported, so that it can rotate about its own axis, by the supporting structure 2 e and is connected to the impeller 6 e cynematically, by means of gears 20 e, 21 e also supported by the supporting structure 2 e.
The other elements of the device in this fifth embodiment that correspond to the elements already described with reference to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 have been designated by the same reference numerals followed by the letter e instead of the letter a.
In practice, in the use of the device in this fifth embodiment, the flushing water enters the compartment 9 e through the openings 10 e, 11 e located in the upper part of the supporting structure 2 e, comes into contact with the tablets 12 e, 13 e, causing their progressive dissolution, and then descends onto the impeller 6 e, causing its rotation about its own axis 4 e before flowing out from the openings 10 e located on the lower part of the supporting structure 2 e. The rotation of the impeller 6 e about its own axis 4 e is prolonged by the presence of the flywheel 19 e.
In this fifth embodiment, the impeller 6 e performs predominantly the function of improving the mixing of the products of the dissolution of the tablets 12 e, 13 e with each other and with the flushing water, increasing the generation of foam.
With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, the device 1 f in the sixth embodiment comprises a supporting structure 2 f, which is constituted substantially by an enclosure composed of two parts 7 f, 8 f, which are mutually assembled and define internally a compartment 9 f. Said compartment 9 f is connected to the outside through openings 10 f, which are designed to be directed toward the wall of the fixture along which the flushing water flows, and optionally openings 11 f on its opposite side.
The rotating element 5 f is constituted, in this sixth embodiment, by a screw-type impeller 6 f. The impeller 6 f is supported, so that it can rotate about its own axis 4 f, by the supporting structure 2 f within the compartment 9 f. The axis 4 f, when the device is in use, is arranged substantially horizontally.
The detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products to be mixed with the flushing water are arranged within the compartment 9 f, downstream of the impeller 6 f with respect to the direction of the flushing water. Said products are solid and packaged in the form of a water-soluble tablet 12 f. As an alternative, two or more tablets can be arranged within the compartment 9 f.
In this sixth embodiment, the impeller 6 f is arranged above the tablet 12 f and distributes the flow of flushing water that enters the compartment 9 f onto the tablet 12 f so as to achieve a more uniform and effective wear of the tablet 12 f.
For this reason, the impeller 6 f can be provided, as shown, with two mutually opposite cylindrical helical elements, which protrude from the center of the impeller toward the axial ends, so as to convey the flushing water also onto peripheral regions of the tablet 12 f, which otherwise would be reached only partially by the flushing water.
In practice, in the use of the device in this sixth embodiment, the flushing water enters the compartment 9 f through the openings 10 f, 11 f located in the upper part of the supporting structure 2 f. The flushing water makes contact with the impeller 6 f and causes it to turn about its own axis 4 f. The impeller 6 f, by means of its rotation, changes the direction of the flow of the flushing water, distributing it uniformly on the tablet 12 f, which is progressively dissolved by the passage of the flushing water. The flushing water with the products of the dissolution of the tablet 12 f then exits through the openings 10 f located in the lower part of the supporting structure 2 f. In this case also, although the impeller 6 f predominantly performs the function of modifying the path of the water stream that passes through the compartment 9 f, by coming in any case into contact with the flushing water and with the products of the dissolution of the tablet 12 f it mixes said products with the flushing water, increasing the generation of foam.
With reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, the device 1 g in the seventh embodiment comprises a supporting structure 2 g, which supports a tray-like container 20 g and has, below said tray-like container 20 g, a portion 7 g which defines a compartment 9 g, which is open laterally and in a downward region and in which the rotating element 5 g, constituted by an impeller 6 g with radial vanes, is arranged. When the device is in use, the rotation axis 4 g of the impeller 6 g is arranged substantially horizontally.
In this seventh embodiment, the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products to be mixed with the flushing water are solid and are packaged in the form of a bar 12 g, which is accommodated in the tray-like container 20 g. As an alternative, two or more bars might be arranged in the tray-like container 20 g.
The tray-like container 20 g has, on its bottom, at least one opening 15 g for the release of the water and of the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products produced by the dissolution of the bar 12 g, onto the vanes of the impeller 6 g arranged below.
In this seventh embodiment, since the tray-like container 20 g is open upwardly, the bar 12 g is exposed to the flow of flushing water and the tray-like container 20 g is designed to collect part of the flushing water and of the products of the dissolution of the bar 12 g in order to release them gradually, even after the flow of the flushing water has ceased, onto the impeller 6 g. This seventh embodiment is particularly adapted to achieve the dispensing of products which have a better performance if they can remain in the toilet bowl after the flow of flushing water has ceased, such as for example scale removers, whiteners or fragrances.
In this seventh embodiment also, the impeller 6 g effectively performs the function of mixing the flushing water with the products of the dissolution of the bar 12 g and of increasing the production of foam.
With reference to FIGS. 15 to 17, the device 1 h in the eighth embodiment comprises a supporting structure 2 h, which is constituted substantially by an enclosure 7 h in which a compartment 9 h is formed. Said compartment 9 h is connected to the outside through at least one opening 10 h, which is designed to be directed toward the wall of the fixture along which the flushing water flows, and optionally openings 11 h on its opposite side.
The enclosure 7 h has an upper portion 8 h which forms a seat 21 h in which a tank 13 h is arranged; the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products in liquid or gel form to be mixed with the flushing water are contained in such tank.
The tank 13 h has, at its lower side directed toward the bottom of the seat 21 h, at least one dispensing outlet 22 h. Said dispensing outlet 22 h is arranged at a hole 23 h, which is provided in the bottom of the seat 21 h that connects the dispensing outlet 22 h to the compartment 9 h.
In the compartment 9 h, directly below the hole 23 h, there is a drum-like element 24 h.
On the lateral surface of the drum-like element 24 h there is a recess 25 h, which is designed to receive the liquid or gel products dispensed by the tank 13 h.
The compartment 9 h, in addition to the drum-like element 24 h, accommodates the rotating element 5 h, which when the device is in use is arranged so that its rotation axis 4 h is horizontal.
In this eighth embodiment, the rotating element 5 h is constituted by an impeller 6 h with radial vanes, which is composed of two portions which are mutually rigidly coupled or independent and face the two end faces of the drum-like element 24 h which is coaxial to the impeller 6 h.
The drum-like element 24 h can be rigidly coupled to the supporting structure 2 h or can be able to rotate with respect to the supporting structure 2 h monolithically with the impeller 6 h.
In the first case, the recess 25 h faces constantly the hole 23 h and the recess 25 h is connected to ducts, not shown, which are provided within said drum-like element 24 h and lead outside on the two end faces of the drum-like element 24 h which face the vanes of the impeller 6 h. In this case, the recess 25 h is designed to collect the liquid or gel dispensed by the tank 13 h and dispense it proximate to the vanes of the impeller 6 h, which is turned about the axis 4 h by the flow of flushing water that passes through the compartment 9 h.
In the second case, the recess 25 h acts as a dosage element, since during its rotation about the axis 4 h monolithically with the impeller 6 h it faces cyclically the hole 23 h, receiving a certain quantity of liquid or gel dispensed by the tank 13 h. When, during the rotation of the drum-like element 24 h, the recess 25 h does not face the hole 23 h, such hole 23 h is blocked by the lateral surface of the drum-like element 24 h, which in this manner interrupts the dispensing of the liquid or gel products contained in the tank 13 h. During the rotation of the drum-like element 24 h monolithically with the impeller 6 h, the products contained in the recess 25 h mix with the flushing water.
In practice, in the use of the device in this eighth embodiment, the flushing water enters the compartment 9 h through the openings 10 h, 11 h, causing the rotation of the impeller 6 h about the axis 4 h and coming into contact with the liquid or gel products dispensed by the tank 13 h. In this eighth embodiment, the impeller 6 h performs the function of improving the mixing of the liquid or gel products dispensed by the tank 13 h and of increasing the generation of foam.
If the drum-like element 24 h is rigidly coupled to the impeller 6 h, the rotation of the impeller 6 h is utilized also to achieve a dosage of the liquid or gel dispensed by the tank 13 h by means of the cyclic opening and closing of the hole 23 h and therefore of the dispensing outlet 22 h of the tank 13 h.
It should be noted that according to a variation, not shown for the sake of simplicity, of this eighth embodiment, instead of a single tank 13 h it is possible to arrange two tanks side by side in the seat 21 h. In this case, the two tanks can be shaped so as to enter the hole 23 h with their dispensing outlets, or two holes, one for each outlet of the tanks, can be provided on the bottom of the seat 21 h, and the drum-like element is sized so as to serve both holes, or two drum-like elements, one for each hole, can be provided.
With reference to FIGS. 18 to 20, the device 1 i in its ninth embodiment comprises a supporting structure 2 i, which is constituted substantially by an enclosure 7 i which defines internally a compartment 9 i.
Such compartment 9 i is open in a downward region and also has at least one lateral opening 10 i on its side designed to be directed toward the wall of the fixture along which the flushing water flows, as well as openings 11 i provided on its opposite side.
The rotating element 5 i is constituted, in this ninth embodiment, by a helical impeller 6 i, which is supported, so that it can rotate about its own axis 4 i, by the supporting structure 2 i inside the compartment 9 i. The axis 4 i, when the device is in use, is arranged substantially vertically.
The enclosure 7 i has, in an upward region, a portion 8 i which forms a seat 21 i, which is open upwardly and in which a tank 13 i is arranged which contains the liquid or gel detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products to be mixed with the flushing water.
The tank 13 i has, in a downward region, at least one dispensing outlet 22 i arranged at a hole 23 i, which is formed in the bottom of the seat 21 i and connects the dispensing outlet 22 i to the compartment 9 i.
The impeller 6 i, in this ninth embodiment, has a portion 26 i which passes through the hole 23 i and enters the tank 13 i. Said portion 26 i is shaped in a manner which is adapted to extract the liquid or gel products contained in the tank 13 i due to the rotation of the impeller 6 i about its own axis 4 i.
The portion 26 i is preferably shaped like a screw whose axis coincides with the rotation axis 4 i of the impeller 6 i.
Operation of the device according to the invention in this ninth embodiment is as follows.
The flushing water enters the compartment 9 i through the openings 10 i, 11 i and acts on the vanes of the impeller 6 i, causing the rotation of the impeller 6 i about its own axis 4 i. This rotation of the impeller 6 i also causes the rotation of the screw-shaped portion. 26 i, achieving the dosed extraction of the liquid or gel product contained in the tank 13 i. The liquid or gel extracted from the tank 13 i mixes with the flushing water and comes into contact with the vanes of the rotating impeller 6 i. The rotation of the impeller 6 i about its own axis 4 i improves the mixing of the liquid or gel product with the flushing water and increases the production of foam.
For the sake of completeness in description, it should be noted that the engagement means 3 a-3 i, in the various described embodiments, are constituted, in a per se known manner, by a hook-like appendage of the supporting structure 2 a-2 i, which can engage the rim of the toilet bowl or the hydraulic and sanitary fixture in general.
In practice it has been found that the device according to the invention fully achieves the intended aim, since it improves the mixing of the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products with the flushing water and achieves, for an equal formulation of the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products used, a higher production of foam and a longer permanence of the generated foam with respect to known types of devices.
Thanks to this fact, it is possible to reduce the percentage of surfactants in the composition of the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products used.
In the examples of embodiments described above, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other examples of embodiments. Moreover, it is noted that anything found to be already known during the patenting process is understood not to be claimed and to be the subject of a disclaimer.
The device thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept; all the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.
In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.
The disclosures in European Patent Application No. 06425166.3 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A device for dispensing into the flushing water and/or for mixing with the flushing water detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products, in toilet bowls or hydraulic and sanitary fixtures in general, which comprises a supporting structure provided with engagement means which can engage the hydraulic and sanitary fixture in order to support the supporting structure in a region of the fixture that is affected by the flushing water flow, wherein said supporting structure supports rotatably, about a rotation axis, at least one rotating element, which interacts with the flow of flushing water in order to mix detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products introduced in the flushing water and/or adjust the dispensing of detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products connected to said supporting structure and/or vary the orientation of the flow of flushing water conveyed onto detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products connected to said supporting structure, said detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products being external to said at least one rotating element.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products are placed upstream of or downstream of said at least one rotating element with respect to the direction of the flushing water flow.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said rotating element comprises an impeller with radial vanes in which the axis of rotation is oriented substantially horizontally when said supporting structure is supported by said engagement means in a region of the fixture affected by the flow of the flushing water.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein said rotating element has a shape which tapers in the direction of its axial ends.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said rotating element comprises a screw-like impeller in which the rotation axis is oriented substantially horizontally when said supporting structure is supported by said engagement means in a region of the fixture which is affected by the flow of the flushing water.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein said rotating element comprises a helical impeller in which the rotation axis is oriented substantially vertically when said supporting structure is supported by said engagement means in a region of the fixture which is affected by the flow of the flushing water.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein said supporting structure supports the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products to be dispensed.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein said detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products are solid and are packaged in the form of at least one tablet or bar supported by said supporting structure.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein said detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products are solid and are packaged in the form of at least two tablets or bars supported by said supporting structure.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein said detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products are liquid or in gel form and are arranged in at least one tank which is supported by said supporting structure.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein said detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products are liquid or in gel form and are arranged in at least two tanks supported by said supporting structure.

12. The device according to claim 10, wherein said at least one tank has at least one dispensing outlet for the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products in liquid or gel form which is directed downwardly; said supporting structure supporting, below said at least one tank, an element for retaining the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products in liquid or gel form dispensed by said at least one tank.

13. The device according to claim 8, wherein said supporting structure comprises an enclosure which defines internally a compartment which accommodates said rotating element and has openings for the passage of the flow of flushing water; said at least one tablet or bar and/or said retention element and/or the dispensing outlet of said at least one tank being located within said compartment or connected to said compartment.

14. The device according to claim 8, wherein said rotating element is arranged above said at least one tablet or bar.

15. The device according to claim 8, wherein said rotating element is arranged below said at least one tablet or bar or the dispensing outlet of said at least one tank or said retention element.

16. The device according to claim 12, wherein said rotating element is arranged between the dispensing outlet of said at least one tank and said retention element.

17. The device according to claim 8, wherein a perforated diaphragm is arranged between said at least one tablet or bar and said rotating element.

18. The device according to claim 8, wherein said at least one tablet or bar is arranged in a tray-like container which is supported by said supporting structure above said rotating element; said tray-like container, when said supporting structure is supported by said engagement means in a region of the fixture that is affected by the flow of the flushing water, being exposed to the flow of the flushing water and having, on its bottom, at least one opening for the release of the water and of the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products produced by the dissolution of said tablet or bar onto said rotating element.

19. The device according to claim 4, wherein said impeller is connected to actuation means.

20. The device according to claim 19, wherein said actuation means comprise an electric motor and an electric power source for supplying it, which are supported by said supporting structure; said electric motor being connected, with its output shaft, to said rotating element for its rotary actuation about its rotation axis.

21. The device according to claim 1, wherein said rotating element is connected to means which are adapted to prolong its rotation activated by the flow of the flushing water.

22. The device according to claim 21, wherein said means adapted to prolong the rotation of said rotating element comprise a flywheel, which is supported rotatably about its own axis by said supporting structure and is connected cynematically to said rotating element.

23. The device according to claim 10, wherein said rotating element has a portion which is inserted within said tank, said portion being shaped in a manner adapted to extract said detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products in liquid or gel form contained within said tank as an effect of the rotation of said rotating element about its own axis.

24. The device according to claim 23, wherein said portion of the rotating element that is inserted in said tank is shaped like the screw whose axis coincides with the rotation axis of the rotating element.

25. The device according to claim 10, wherein an element for collecting the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products dispensed by said at least one tank is arranged below the dispensing outlet of said at least one tank, said collecting element being connected to the space occupied by said rotating element through calibrated passages for the dosage of the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products.

26. The device according to claim 10, wherein a drum-like element is arranged below the dispensing outlet of said at least one tank and is supported so that it can rotate about its own axis by said supporting structure and closes said dispensing outlet by means of a portion of its lateral surface; a recess being formed in the lateral surface of said drum-like element and being arrangeable cyclically, by way of the rotation of said drum-like element about its own axis with respect to said tank, at the dispensing outlet of said tank in order to receive a preset amount of the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products; said drum-like element being connected to said rotating element for a rotation of said drum-like element about its own axis with respect to the supporting structure due to the rotation of said rotating element about said rotation axis with respect to said supporting structure.

27. The device according to claim 26, wherein said drum-like element is connected monolithically and coaxially to said rotating element.