US20100275398A1 - Device for cleaning toilet bowls and disposable cleaning element therefore - Google Patents

Device for cleaning toilet bowls and disposable cleaning element therefore Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20100275398A1
US20100275398A1 US12/809,842 US80984208A US2010275398A1 US 20100275398 A1 US20100275398 A1 US 20100275398A1 US 80984208 A US80984208 A US 80984208A US 2010275398 A1 US2010275398 A1 US 2010275398A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
cleaning
cleaning element
tubular body
handle
operating element
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US12/809,842
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Davide Peterlin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Diskoigien Sas Di Peterlin Davide and C
Original Assignee
Diskoigien Sas Di Peterlin Davide and C
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Diskoigien Sas Di Peterlin Davide and C filed Critical Diskoigien Sas Di Peterlin Davide and C
Assigned to DISKOIGIEN SAS DI PETERLIN DAVIDE & C. reassignment DISKOIGIEN SAS DI PETERLIN DAVIDE & C. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: PETERLIN, DAVIDE
Publication of US20100275398A1 publication Critical patent/US20100275398A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K11/00—Closets without flushing; Urinals without flushing; Chamber pots; Chairs with toilet conveniences or specially adapted for use with toilets
    • A47K11/10—Hand tools for cleaning the toilet bowl, seat or cover, e.g. toilet brushes

Definitions

  • the present invention refers to a device for cleaning toilet bowls.
  • Toilet brushes comprising a shaft ending in a cleaning head provided with protruding parts to scrape the inner walls of the toilet bowl are known on the market. It is obvious that these types of brushes are not hygienic, since the toilet dirt generally remains trapped in the gaps between the protruding parts of the cleaning head and is therefore difficult to remove.
  • the Italian patent application VI2006U000005U in the name of the same applicant, describes a toilet cleaning device provided with a head consisting of a disposable cleaning element, made of a biodegradable paper material, possibly impregnated with detergent and disinfectant products.
  • the cleaning element is mounted removably at the end of the shaft and a coupling and release mechanism, provided with a spring-operated button, allows the cleaning element to be coupled and to be expelled.
  • a coupling and release mechanism provided with a spring-operated button, allows the cleaning element to be coupled and to be expelled.
  • the button on the handle of the shaft By operating the button on the handle of the shaft, the user can cause the removal of the cleaning element. In this manner, after each use of the cleaning device, the cleaning element is allowed to fall into the toilet trap, preventing build-up of dirt thereon.
  • Object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a disposable cleaning element and a device for cleaning toilet bowls that is efficient, versatile, practical and simple to make.
  • the device for cleaning toilet bowls comprises a tubular body provided with a handle which encloses a mechanism that acts on an expanding coupling element disposed in a distal position with respect to the handle and adapted to couple and to release the disposable cleaning element.
  • the mechanism comprises an operating element disposed near the handle to be operated by the user and a connecting rod, which connects the operating element to the expanding coupling element.
  • the cleaning element is made of a biodegradable, water-soluble plastic material. In this manner the cleaning element can be structured with a suitable shape to perform its cleaning function.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cleaning device according to the invention
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the container for the cleaning elements of the device of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the various parts that make up the cleaning device of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 4 is an exploded axial sectional view, illustrating the coupling and release mechanism of the cleaning device of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 5 is an axial sectional view, partially broken off, of the device of FIG. 1 assembled, during a first stage of the coupling of the cleaning element;
  • FIG. 6 is an axial sectional view like FIG. 5 , in which the cleaning element is firmly coupled to the coupling element.
  • the cleaning device 1 comprises a containing body 10 with a substantially tubular shape.
  • the containing body 10 has at its proximal end a handle 11 adapted to be gripped by a user.
  • a coupling element 4 adapted to couple removably a disposable cleaning element or refill 2 is provided at the distal end of the tubular body 10 .
  • the cleaning element 2 comprises a disc-shaped flange 20 provided with a plurality of protruding parts 21 which protrude from the bottom surface thereof, to be able to scrape the inner surface of the toilet bowl.
  • a cylindrical tang 22 is connected, by means of a curved joining element 23 , to the central part of the upper surface of the disc-shaped flange 20 .
  • the tang 22 of the cleaning element is hollow on the inside and has a cylindrical hole 24 adapted to receive the coupling element 4 of the cleaning device 1 .
  • the plane of the disc-shaped flange 20 is inclined by about 45° with respect to the axis of the tang 24 . In this manner the cleaning element 2 is disposed with a suitable inclination to be able to scrape the inner surface of the toilet bowl easily.
  • the cleaning element 2 is made of a biodegradable, water-soluble plastic material. In order to be disposed in the toilet flush without polluting, said plastic material must preferably be soluble in cold water, must not contain heavy or toxic elements and must guarantee a minimum acute toxicity level (LD 50 ).
  • a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) based polymer is used.
  • the product used advantageously consists of about 70-80% of polyvinyl alcohol and the remainder (20-30%) is made up of polyol plasticizers with the addition of a small amount of organic or inorganic additives.
  • the polyvinyl alcohol is of the type with a medium molecular weight and a medium hydrolysis fat (86-88%).
  • the plasticizers are high boiling aliphatic polyols chosen among the group of the natural or synthetic alcohols or alcohol-esters containing at least three atoms of carbon per molecule and not less than two primary and secondary alcohol functional groups.
  • the above mentioned plastic material is supplied in the form of granules and can be used for injection moulding.
  • the cleaning element 2 can thus be made in a single piece, by injection moulding.
  • the cleaning device 1 is combined with a container 3 adapted to contain the refills for the cleaning elements 2 .
  • the container 3 has a substantially cylindrical shape, which defines a containing chamber 30 open at the top.
  • the container 3 can hold about fourteen cleaning elements 2 stacked on top of each other.
  • a recessed hole is formed, within which the tang 22 of the cleaning element underneath is disposed.
  • the container 3 has a longitudinal opening 31 to allow the user to see the number of cleaning elements 2 contained therein. Furthermore, the container 3 has a rectangular slot 32 adapted to receive a rectangular protuberance 18 , which protrudes outward from the tubular shaft 10 of the cleaning device 1 . In this manner the cleaning device 1 can be disposed vertically, alongside the container 3 .
  • a flange 33 which protrudes radially therefrom to receive a drip catching receptacle 34 .
  • the outer body of the cleaning device 1 comprises two substantially symmetrical half shells 5 , 5 ′ that can be coupled to each other in a snap coupling relationship.
  • the first half shell 5 has pins 50 which snap couple inside respective holes 50 ′ formed in the second half shell 5 ′.
  • a rib 51 ′ adapted to engage in a groove 51 formed on the peripheral edge of the first half shell 5 , is formed on the peripheral edge of the second half shell 5 ′.
  • Each half shell comprises a semi-cylindrical shaft 10 and a handle 11 shaped as a semi-ellipsoid of revolution.
  • the shaft 10 ends in a transverse semi-circular wall 12 , provided with a central hole 12 a. Beneath the wall 12 there extends a semi-cylindrical tang 13 with a slightly smaller diameter than the shaft 10 .
  • a first slot 14 defined by two abutment surfaces 14 a and 14 b is formed.
  • a second slot 15 defined by two abutment surfaces 15 a and 15 b is formed.
  • a protuberance 16 that protrudes radially inwards towards the inside of each half shell is formed, so as to define an upper abutment surface 17 .
  • the coupling and release mechanism of the cleaning element 2 is described hereunder with reference also to FIG. 4 .
  • the coupling and release mechanism 6 comprises an operating element 7 that can be operated by the user and a connecting rod 8 which connects the operating element 7 to the coupling element 4 adapted to couple the cleaning element 2 .
  • the coupling element 4 is an expanding element formed by means of a cylindrical block of a compressible elastic material such as, for example, rubber.
  • the coupling element 4 can be formed by any equivalent element that performs the same function such as, for example, an expansion screw or even a hook or an articulated arm.
  • the rubber block 4 has an axial hole 42 adapted to be passed through by the lower end of the rod 8 .
  • the rod 8 has at its lower end a retaining disc 80 , which abuts against the bottom end of the coupling element 4 to retain it.
  • the retaining disc 80 can have a threaded hole 81 ( FIG. 4 ) to screw to the end of the rod 8 .
  • the coupling element 4 comprises a smaller diameter tang 40 and a larger diameter tang 41 .
  • the smaller diameter tang 40 is adapted to be inserted inside the bottom tang 13 of the shaft of the cleaning device.
  • the diameter of the larger diameter tang 41 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the hole 24 formed in the tang 22 of the cleaning element, so as to give rise to a loose coupling between the coupling element 4 and the cleaning element 2 .
  • a substantially U-shaped configuration which gives rise to two elastic tongues 82 is provided at the upper end of the rod 8 .
  • Each tongue 82 has an outwardly tapered surface 83 , which gives rise to an abutment and retaining surface 84 .
  • the rod 8 has a flattened portion 85 beneath its upper end.
  • the operating element 7 consists of a substantially cylindrical body 70 having a transverse wall 71 in which a rectangular through hole 72 adapted to be passed through by the tongues 82 of the rod 8 is formed.
  • the tapered surface 83 of the tongues 82 slides on the edges of the hole 72 and the tongues 82 bend elastically inward until they pass beyond the hole 72 ; the tongues 82 then return elastically to their original position and their abutment surface 84 abuts against the wall 71 retaining the connecting rod 8 .
  • a lever 73 which comes out from the first slot 14 of the half shells so that it can be operated by the user, protrudes radially outward from the cylindrical block 70 .
  • a longitudinal elastic tongue 74 ending in a protruding end 75 which defines a lower abutment surface 76 adapted to abut against the upper abutment surface 17 of the protrusion 16 of the shells.
  • a button 77 which protrudes radially outward, in a diametrically opposite direction with respect to the lever 73 , to come out from the second slot 15 of the two half shells.
  • the coupling element 4 is in its original resting configuration.
  • the lever 73 and the button 77 of the operating element 7 are thus in abutment against the lower abutment surfaces 14 a and 15 a of the respective slots 14 and 15 of the half shells.
  • the user inserts the tang 41 of the coupling element inside the tang 22 of the cleaning element.
  • the longitudinal tongue 74 of the operating element 7 moves upward, until its protruding part 75 goes past the protruding part 16 of the shells.
  • the longitudinal tongue 74 then returns elastically to its original position and its lower abutment surface 76 abuts against the upper abutment surface 17 of the protrusion 16 of the half shells, preventing the axial movement of the coupling mechanism 6 .
  • the coupling mechanism 6 remains in this position against the elastic force of the elastic element 4 , which is deformed.
  • the user presses the button 77 of the operating element, so as to disengage the protrusion 75 of the longitudinal tongue 74 from the abutment surface 17 of the protruding part of the shells.
  • the elastic element 4 returns to its original configuration, contracting radially and releasing the cleaning element 2 , which falls into the toilet trap.
  • the rod 8 is pulled downward, bringing the coupling mechanism 6 back to the original configuration illustrated in FIG. 5 .

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Non-Flushing Toilets (AREA)
  • Cleaning Implements For Floors, Carpets, Furniture, Walls, And The Like (AREA)
US12/809,842 2007-12-21 2008-06-16 Device for cleaning toilet bowls and disposable cleaning element therefore Abandoned US20100275398A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT002425A ITMI20072425A1 (it) 2007-12-21 2007-12-21 Dispositivo per la pulizia di tazze di servizi igienici e relativo elemento pulitore monouso
ITMI2007A002425 2007-12-21
PCT/EP2008/004827 WO2009080130A1 (en) 2007-12-21 2008-06-16 Device for cleaning toilet bowls and disposable cleaning element therefore

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20100275398A1 true US20100275398A1 (en) 2010-11-04

Family

ID=40315653

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/809,842 Abandoned US20100275398A1 (en) 2007-12-21 2008-06-16 Device for cleaning toilet bowls and disposable cleaning element therefore

Country Status (13)

Country Link
US (1) US20100275398A1 (ru)
EP (1) EP2230979A1 (ru)
JP (1) JP2011506002A (ru)
KR (1) KR20100095638A (ru)
CN (1) CN101917891A (ru)
AU (1) AU2008340825A1 (ru)
BR (1) BRPI0819511A2 (ru)
CA (1) CA2709643A1 (ru)
IT (1) ITMI20072425A1 (ru)
MX (1) MX2010006979A (ru)
RU (1) RU2010129378A (ru)
WO (1) WO2009080130A1 (ru)
ZA (1) ZA201004404B (ru)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110010880A1 (en) * 2009-07-14 2011-01-20 Smith Jr Roosevelt Toilet brush with lifting arms
US9351615B2 (en) 2013-07-23 2016-05-31 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Toilet caddy assembly and method of forming a toilet caddy assembly

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8641311B2 (en) * 2010-10-11 2014-02-04 The Procter & Gamble Company Cleaning head for a target surface
US8763192B2 (en) 2011-03-28 2014-07-01 The Procter & Gamble Company Starch head having a stiffening member
US20120246854A1 (en) 2011-03-28 2012-10-04 Hirotaka Uchiyama Water Disposable Head Comprising Plural Water Disposable Materials
US8726444B2 (en) 2011-03-28 2014-05-20 The Procter & Gamble Company Starch head for cleaning a target surface
KR200458901Y1 (ko) * 2011-07-25 2012-03-15 박민식 다수의 날개 걸이부를 갖는 수건 걸이
CN107820408A (zh) * 2015-06-23 2018-03-20 3M创新有限公司 一次性抽水马桶洗擦系统
CN212816157U (zh) * 2018-01-17 2021-03-30 株式会社Lg生活健康 清洁工具
CN110200559A (zh) * 2019-06-26 2019-09-06 深圳市杰深科技有限公司 一种可自动清洗的拖把
CN112177117A (zh) * 2020-09-30 2021-01-05 刘建国 一种便于厕所清洁的止水装置及厕所清洗方法

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4329755A (en) * 1980-08-19 1982-05-18 Alissandratos Tacko D Brush
US20040255418A1 (en) * 2003-06-23 2004-12-23 The Clorox Company Cleaning tool with gripping assembly for a disposable scrubbing head
US20050097694A1 (en) * 2003-11-06 2005-05-12 Michaels Kenneth W. Cleaning brush with disposable/replaceable brush head
US7159265B2 (en) * 2003-07-08 2007-01-09 S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Cleaning brush with disposable/replaceable brush head
US20070079460A1 (en) * 2003-04-29 2007-04-12 Tapp Peter L Toilet cleaning device

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2712794A3 (fr) * 1993-11-25 1995-06-02 Toutin Pierre Dispositif de nettoyage manuel par tampon individuel biodégradable jetable utilisé en particulier pour le nettoyage des cuvettes de WC.

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4329755A (en) * 1980-08-19 1982-05-18 Alissandratos Tacko D Brush
US20070079460A1 (en) * 2003-04-29 2007-04-12 Tapp Peter L Toilet cleaning device
US20040255418A1 (en) * 2003-06-23 2004-12-23 The Clorox Company Cleaning tool with gripping assembly for a disposable scrubbing head
US7159265B2 (en) * 2003-07-08 2007-01-09 S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Cleaning brush with disposable/replaceable brush head
US20050097694A1 (en) * 2003-11-06 2005-05-12 Michaels Kenneth W. Cleaning brush with disposable/replaceable brush head

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110010880A1 (en) * 2009-07-14 2011-01-20 Smith Jr Roosevelt Toilet brush with lifting arms
US9351615B2 (en) 2013-07-23 2016-05-31 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Toilet caddy assembly and method of forming a toilet caddy assembly
US10213072B2 (en) 2013-07-23 2019-02-26 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Method of forming a toilet caddy assembly

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2008340825A1 (en) 2009-07-02
CN101917891A (zh) 2010-12-15
JP2011506002A (ja) 2011-03-03
RU2010129378A (ru) 2012-01-27
EP2230979A1 (en) 2010-09-29
WO2009080130A1 (en) 2009-07-02
CA2709643A1 (en) 2009-07-02
KR20100095638A (ko) 2010-08-31
ZA201004404B (en) 2011-08-31
BRPI0819511A2 (pt) 2015-05-26
MX2010006979A (es) 2010-09-28
ITMI20072425A1 (it) 2009-06-22
WO2009080130A4 (en) 2009-08-20

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20100275398A1 (en) Device for cleaning toilet bowls and disposable cleaning element therefore
US6295688B1 (en) Toilet bowl cleaner
US7287295B2 (en) Handle having disposable cleaning head
EP1736086B1 (en) Wand for holding a brush head
US6745427B1 (en) Brush
US7316046B2 (en) Cleaning brush with disposable/replaceable brush head
US7743451B2 (en) Sanitary cleaning device with disposable cleaning head
ZA200507260B (en) Cleaning device
BR0313025A (pt) Receptáculo para armazenar um implemento de limpeza e conjunto combinado
WO2001043618A1 (en) Cleaning brush with disposable head
JP2011115285A (ja) 長柄付き清掃具
CA3127016C (en) Device for holding and dispensing viscous material
JP3105217U (ja) 柄付き清掃具
KR200399549Y1 (ko) 칼이 내장된 변기솔
US20070079460A1 (en) Toilet cleaning device
CN111050600B (zh) 产品
US20130014336A1 (en) Apparatus and Method for Removing Debris from a Drain Strainer
CN214760841U (zh) 一种便于更换刷头的马桶刷套装
FR2712794A3 (fr) Dispositif de nettoyage manuel par tampon individuel biodégradable jetable utilisé en particulier pour le nettoyage des cuvettes de WC.
GB2325849A (en) Toilet bowl cleaner

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: DISKOIGIEN SAS DI PETERLIN DAVIDE & C., ITALY

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:PETERLIN, DAVIDE;REEL/FRAME:024573/0293

Effective date: 20100512

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION