WO2001077451A1

WO2001077451A1 - Refillable toilet cleaner holder for liquid cleaners

Info

Publication number: WO2001077451A1
Application number: PCT/EP2000/003017
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Bergmann
Original assignee: Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft Auf Aktien
Priority date: 1999-04-03
Filing date: 2000-04-05
Publication date: 2001-10-18
Also published as: DE19915322C1

Abstract

The invention relates to a toilet cleaner holder, comprising a fillable chamber (3; 34; 56), located in the toilet basin, under the rim thereof, when in the operating position, which is irrigated on flushing and arranged on a support element (1; 41), with a moulded holder (2), for fixing to the rim of the toilet basin. Said fillable chamber (3; 34; 56) contains, or may be filled with a fluid ingredient preparation (F) and has an opening (11; 28) pointing downwards, when in the operating position and designed and constructed such that the interior of the fillable chamber (3; 34; 56) is in permanent hydraulic connection with a trough or tub-shaped region (18) within the support element (1) and/or a porous body (4; 44) arranged in the support element (1; 41), whereby said region (18) and/or said body (4; 44) are irrigated on flushing, when in the operating position. The aim of the invention is to improve the convenience, ease of handling and the fillability of said toilet cleaner holder. Said aim is achieved, whereby the fillable chamber (3; 34; 56) comprises a closed, essentially fluid-tight, in particular, watertight filling and refilling opening (22; 47; 55), which is closed by means of an opening element (23; 48; 53), arranged at a separation from the opening (11; 28) thereof.

Description

Refillable toilet basket for liquid cleaners

The invention relates to a toilet basket which has a filling space to be arranged in the toilet bowl below its edge and in this position of use overflows during flushing, which is arranged on a carrier element with a molded-on holder for attachment to the edge of the toilet bowl, the filling chamber being a liquid preparation of active substance. preferably with a viscosity of 10 mPas to 10000 mPas, contains or takes up and has a mouth opening pointing downwards in the position of use of the toilet basket, which is arranged such that the interior of the filling space is in continuous liquid-permeable connection with a trough or in the carrier element tub-like region and / or a porous body arranged in the carrier element and / or a plate formed on the carrier element and provided with groove-shaped or groove-shaped depressions, the region and / or the body and / or the plate being in the use position of the WC basket are overflowed when flushing.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a system consisting of a toilet basket and a storage container containing the liquid preparation of active ingredient.

Toilet baskets to be filled with block, granular or gel detergent are known for the automatic cleaning of toilet bowls. Gel-like and liquid cleaning agents have the advantage that they are cheaper to produce from an energy point of view. In addition, granular, gel-like or liquid cleaning agents can be refilled into the toilet bowl by the user with an appropriate design of the toilet basket, in contrast to block-shaped cleaning agents at any basket level. The user does not have to wait for the previous fill to be completely used up. A generic toilet basket made of plastic is known from EP-A-538 957 and is marketed. Here, a refillable filling space containing a liquid preparation of active substance is inserted into a carrier element. After the active substance preparation has been used up, the filling chamber must be removed and refilled or replaced with a new filling chamber. For this purpose the toilet basket must be removed from the toilet bowl. This removal and refilling of the filling space already used in the toilet bowl is often not in accordance with the hygienic feeling of the consumer, so that the filling space is not refilled and instead a completely new toilet basket is used. This means an undesirable waste of material from an environmental point of view and a certain inconvenience or inconvenience for the user when handling and using this known toilet basket.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a solution for a more convenient and convenient handling and improved replenishment of a generic toilet basket.

In the case of a toilet basket of the type mentioned at the outset, this object is achieved according to the invention in that the filling space, at a distance from its mouth opening, has a filling and / or refilling opening which is at least substantially liquid-tight, in particular watertight, with an open closure element, the Filling and / or refilling opening is arranged such that the filling space can be filled and / or refilled without disassembly in the use position suspended in the toilet bowl by means of a storage container having a dispensing element adapted to the openable closure element.

This ensures that the filling space can be filled or refilled without the mouth of the toilet basket being freely accessible needs to be. In particular, a toilet basket can be filled or refilled after its filling space has already been inserted with its opening into the carrier element. Instead of the disadvantages associated with a toilet basket according to the prior art, the toilet basket according to the invention enables a convenient and convenient filling or refilling without having to remove a toilet basket that is already suspended in the toilet bowl from the toilet bowl again. The water and liquid tightness of the closure element prevents water from penetrating into the filling space when the toilet basket is in the use position suspended in the toilets; dilution of the liquid active substance preparation contained in the filling space when flushing the toilets is thereby prevented.

It is furthermore expedient if the closure element is a valve, in particular a flexible diaphragm valve, which can be opened by inserting the dispensing element or opens automatically and closes automatically after removal of the dispensing element.

Advantageously, the membrane valve is made of silicone rubber or a rubber material and the membrane valve has a material hardness in the range of 40 IRHD, which the invention also provides.

For the insertion of the dispensing element, it is also expedient if the membrane valve has at least one, preferably slot-shaped, opening.

As transport protection for the closure element of the filling space, it is provided according to an embodiment of the invention that the closure element additionally has a removable cover element. In order to also be able to completely replace the filling space and sell it as an individual container, the invention further provides that the filling space is detachably arranged on the carrier element.

A particularly advantageous dispensing of the liquid active substance preparation is achieved in that the mouth opening of the filling chamber is in permanent communication with a porous body arranged in the trough-like or tub-like area and overflowing in the use position of the toilet basket during washing. If the toilet is not used, an essentially constant amount of liquid is evaporated via the porous body per unit of time and thus has an odor-improving effect. In addition, an essentially constant amount of active ingredient is also carried away by the rinsing water during each rinsing process, as a result of which the known cleaning effect is achieved. The material remaining after evaporation of the fragrance is entrained during the rinsing process and removed from the porous body, as a result of which it is rinsed in and prevents its constipation.

To attach the filling space to the support element, the invention provides in a further embodiment that the area formed in the support element in the form of a trough or trough is open at the top and has a bottom provided with holes and fixing means arranged on this base for a neck area of the filling space surrounding the mouth opening.

The porous body is expediently arranged at the bottom of the region and the porous body extends over the holes formed in the bottom, which the invention further provides.

An important effect is achieved with this embodiment, namely a delayed action or after-action of the active ingredient after each rinsing process. This is based on the fact that each time the toilet is flushed, an amount of flushing water remains in the porous body, which seeps through and thus the active ingredient and any residues are discharged through the bottom hole in the bottom, whereby these substances get into the odor trap of the toilet bowl, where the cleaning effect and the diffusion of the fragrance can continue for some time after flushing.

An easy-to-establish connection between the carrier element and the filling chamber can be achieved according to the embodiment of the invention in that the fixing means as spring-elastic strips that extend from the bottom of the area and have inwardly projecting projections, as well as with these webs that cooperate on the outside on the Neck area of the filling space surrounding the mouth opening are formed.

A second exemplary embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the carrier element has a connecting nipple for connection to the mouth opening of the filling space, the mouth opening in the connected state being at least partially closed by a closure wall which has at least one liquid passage opening which leads into an inlet of a channel opens, the outlet of which rests on the porous body and which has at least one air inlet opening which is connected to the ambient pressure, the dimensions of the at least one liquid passage opening and the at least one air inlet opening being matched to one another and to the viscosity of the liquid active substance preparation stored in the filling chamber are that the liquid pressure on the porous body always remains essentially the same and is independent of the level of the active substance preparation in the filling space.

By appropriate selection of the dimensions of the at least one liquid passage opening and the at least one air inlet opening it is achieved that the liquid pressure acting on the porous body always remains essentially unchanged and independent of the liquid level in the filling space. In general, the liquid passage openings are larger than the air intake openings. The latter must be small enough to prevent liquid from escaping through these openings due to the viscosity and surface tension of the liquid.

Since the liquid pressure on the porous body always remains essentially the same and is independent of the liquid level in the filling space, a constant saturation of the porous material is achieved over the entire life of the filling space.

The pressure in the filling chamber can rise to a level above atmospheric pressure as a result of temperature fluctuations. In this case, there is a risk that liquid will be squeezed out and can flow out through the air inlet openings. Once such a liquid flow has formed, it can continue under certain conditions as a result of the capillary action, as a result of which the filling space may empty within a short time. In order to avoid this effect, the invention provides, in an embodiment of the second exemplary embodiment, that the air inlet openings are connected to the ambient pressure via a chamber which has at least one ventilation opening. The design of the chamber is of course to be chosen so that the liquid flowing therein is not drawn off by capillary action or the chamber can at least only be exited via the porous mass or sucked back into the chamber.

According to a further embodiment of the second exemplary embodiment, the volume of the chamber is dimensioned such that it can at least absorb the volume fluctuations in the active substance preparation caused by temperature changes in the filling chamber. Since the volume of the chamber is chosen to be large enough to accommodate any volume fluctuations due to changes in the air temperature in the liquid container in the chamber, liquid leakage through the ventilation openings is reliably prevented. Further advantageous refinements and developments of the invention result from the further subclaims.

In a system of the type described in the introduction, the above object is achieved in that the storage container, in particular in the form of a plastic bottle or a film bag, is designed to be flexible, by hand pressure, to enable the active substance preparation to be pressed in through the filling and / or refilling opening and on the disclosed closure element has adapted delivery element.

It is furthermore expedient and advantageous for the opening of the closure element that the dispensing element is formed in the shape of a nipple, which the invention further provides.

The liquid active ingredient preparation used in the toilet basket or system should meet several requirements. First of all, it is important that it is liquid and remains liquid over its entire service life - even under the changing temperature conditions that prevail in toilets. Especially after a long time, changes in the composition may occur due to the selective evaporation of certain constituents, but this should not lead to the formation of solid particles or a phase separation of the composition. In addition, the composition should contain a relatively high proportion of fragrance so that there is a sufficient odor-improving effect.

Further requirements consist in the fact that the evaporation from the porous body in the absence of rinsing processes must not lead to the precipitation of components on or in the porous body, as a result of which the release of the amount of active ingredient supplied to the porous body would be blocked in whole or in part. On the other hand, the theological behavior must be such that the release The liquid active substance preparation takes place exclusively by evaporation or rinsing processes, ie the active substance preparation must not drip from the porous body into the toilet bowl.

These criteria are met by a liquid active substance preparation which contains the following constituents: a) 1-25% by weight of fragrance b) 10-50% by weight of an anionic or nonionic surfactant c) 1-20% by weight of a non-evaporating, water-soluble evaporation control agent d) preferably 0.1-15% by weight of at least one thickener e) remainder of solvent in the form of water or mixtures of water and at least one alcohol,

which is why the invention provides such a liquid active substance preparation in the embodiment of the toilet basket and the system.

An important aspect is the amount of fragrance required to achieve a sufficient odor-improving function. In this regard, it should be noted that in some cases chlorine bleach can also be considered as a fragrance. It should also be pointed out that the amount of fragrance is calculated as a pure fragrance, ie without solvents, thinners or surface-active substances. Since the fragrances are generally oil-soluble products, it is difficult to integrate them into a single-phase preparation of active substance without problems resulting from phase separation and / or inadequate distribution. However, by using a large amount of anionic or nonionic surfactants in conjunction with the non-evaporating, water-soluble evaporation control agent, microemulsion formation / solution / dispersion of the fragrance can be realized in such a way that the distribution of the fragrance is no longer (or hardly) proves to be problematic. In addition, the fragrance is dispersed continuously over the period of use of the liquid active ingredient preparation and with an almost constant intensity.

The surfactant used not only ensures a good distribution of the fragrance, but is also important for the cleaning effect. The combination of these functions - as well as the requirement that the surfactant be used in relatively high amounts of up to 50% by weight - makes the selection of the specific surfactant a very critical task. Nonionic surfactants are preferably used, especially those based on alkoxylated fatty acids and their derivatives and alkoxylated fatty alcohols such as e.g. Fatty acid ether sulfates and ethoxylated fatty acid oxo alcohols are based. The most preferred surfactant is an ethoxylated, sulfated C12-14 ether fatty alcohol, which can be used in an amount of 10-50% by weight (based on the total weight of the composition). It is indicated here that these preferred types of surfactants do not prove to be problematic also with regard to the gel formation of the system - especially when used in conjunction with the evaporation control agent.

The evaporation control agent also has a multiple function. On the one hand, this ensures the controlled release of the fragrance to the porous body when the toilet is not in use. On the other hand, it prevents the precipitation of solid constituents and / or a phase separation in two liquid phases of the preparation, both initially and during use of the active substance preparation, if certain constituents have already evaporated faster and the composition of the active substance preparation has therefore changed. Although these evaporation control agents are water-soluble, they are essentially non-evaporating at room temperature and atmospheric pressure - ie under the usual conditions of use of the active substance preparation. Examples of such evaporation control agents include various glycols, glycol ethers, alcohols, sugars and polyethers, and here preferably glycerin, mono-, di- or tripropylene glycol, sorbitol, polypropylene glycol and / or polyethylene glycol. The most preferred substance is monopropylene glycol. In general, it can be determined that humectants, such as those contained in some personal care products, are also suitable as evaporation control agents.

Another important requirement for the liquid preparation of active ingredients is their rheological behavior. First of all, it is advantageous if their viscosity at room temperature, ie at 20 ° C., determined with a Brookfield viscosity measuring device, is between 10 and 10,000 mPas, preferably between 100 and 5000 mPas, in particular between 500 and 4000 mPas, particularly preferably between 1000 and 3000 mPas, most preferably between 1500 and 2000 mPas. The viscosity is preferably determined using a Brookfield viscosity measuring device, ie a rotary viscometer from Brookfield, of the type LVDV-II + with a small sample adapter with a chamber of the type R13 and with spindle 31 as a measuring body at a speed of 20 min ¹ . In addition, it should preferably have a yield point or a pour point, ie it should have at least some thixotropic behavior. The actual yield point can be determined on the basis of the desired composition of the active substance preparation, in particular taking into account the porous body used and its pore size.

The skilled person has a number of ways of producing the necessary rheological behavior. On the one hand, it is possible to meet the viscosity requirements specifically by carefully selecting appropriate surfactant combinations. Alternatively, the system can be equipped with a thickener or a substance that changes the theological behavior accordingly. Examples include the various cellulose derivatives, vegetable rubbers and synthetic polymers, but also silicon dioxide. Cellulose derivatives include, for example, hydroxyethyl propyl cellulose, hy- droxypropyl cellulose, hydroxybutyl methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose in question. Examples of vegetable gums would include xanthan, Irish moss, carragheene, alginates, gelatin, agar and tragacanth. Synthetic polymers such as acrylates, methacrylates and the various homopolymers and copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone are also suitable.

The matrix substance of the liquid active ingredient preparation is the solvent, which supplements the total amount of the ingredients to 100%. In general, the proportion of the solvent should be between 20 and 60% by weight of the composition. The most preferred solvent is water, although other solvent systems such as e.g. Mixtures of water and alcohols or only alcohol mixtures can be used, provided the system is homogeneous.

In addition to the above-mentioned essential components, the active substance preparation can also contain further admixtures which serve to optimize the system function. Examples include: Neutralizing agents, masking agents, bleaching agents, biocides, preservatives, dirt-repellent substances, dirt solubility improvers, odor neutralizers, insecticides or insect repellants, enzymes, dyes etc.

Neutralizing agents can be included in the active substance preparation if their pH has to be adjusted to a certain level. In general, the pH of the preparation can take on any state within the spectrum - from acidic to neutral to basic. The actual value chosen will depend on the composition and properties required by the preparation of the active ingredient. Triethanolamine, citric acid, oxalic acid, etc. are suitable as suitable neutralizing agents. Masking agents can be added to the active ingredient preparation in order to prevent the precipitation of calcium salts such as calcium carbonate or to promote the discharge of calcium salts which have already precipitated out. The various commercially available phosphonates can be used as an example.

Bleaching agents can be used as part of the active ingredient preparation as an active ingredient (if desired also in combination with fragrances), but can also be used instead of fragrances.

Disinfectants for the toilet bowl can also be integrated into the preparation of active ingredients. Examples of this would include Hypochlorite, peroxide, isocyanurates, quaternary ammonium compounds, certain aldehydes and their donors. In general, the preparation is also equipped with preservatives to prevent it from decomposing due to microbiological effects. Various ketones, e.g. are listed in the EU positive list for preservatives. Finally, the active substance preparation can also be enriched with enzymes, dyes and other functional constituents. The amount of these substances depends on the specific application and can easily be determined by a person skilled in the art. In general, the total proportion of these additional substances will not exceed 10% by weight of the total weight of the liquid active substance preparation.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. This shows in

1 shows a schematic, partially sectioned side view of a toilet

Basket in its use position some time after a rinsing process, 2 the toilet basket immediately after a rinsing process,

Fig. 3 shows a detachable filling space for the preparation of active ingredient.

4 shows a section through a second embodiment of a toilet

Basket along the line IV-IV in Fig. 5,

5 shows a section along the line V-V in Fig. 4,

6 shows the separate filling chamber according to FIGS. 4 and 5 before being inserted into the carrier element in the closed state,

Fig. 7, the closure element according to FIGS. 5 and 6 in an enlarged view with an associated storage container and in

Fig. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of a closure element.

1 shows a toilet basket to be arranged in the toilet bowl below its edge, which consists of a carrier element 1 with a hook-shaped holder 2 for fastening to the edge of the toilet bowl and a filling chamber 3 which receives or contains a liquid active substance preparation F. The filling space 3 has an opening 11 surrounded by a neck region 19. A trough-like or trough-like region 18 is formed in the carrier element 1 on the holder 2. In the position of use of the toilet basket shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the opening 11 of the filling chamber 3 is arranged in such a way that the contents of the filling chamber 3 are in permanent liquid-permeable connection with the area 18 formed in the carrier element 1 in the manner of a trough or trough. This area 18 is overflowed in the use position of the toilet basket when washing water. In the illustrated embodiment, a porous body 4 is arranged on the bottom 5 of the area 18, so that the mouth opening 11 is in liquid-permeable, permanent connection with the essentially disk-shaped porous body 4 made of a porous, liquid-absorbing substance. The carrier element 1 has a bottom 5 provided with holes or openings 6 and an upwardly extending side wall 7 in which passages 8 are formed.

In the case of a toilet basket (not shown) that functions in the manner of a “bird bath”, the area 18 has no openings 18 and no holes 6 and no porous body 4.

Starting from the bottom 5 of the area 18, fixing means 9, 10 extend for fastening the filling space 3. The fixing means are resilient strips 9 with inwardly pointing or protruding projections 10. The filling space 3 has a neck area surrounding the mouth opening 11 19 with two webs 12, 13 integrally formed thereon, which can be closed with a cap 14 (FIG. 3), from the surface of which a ring 15 projects inwards, which engages between the webs 12, 13 of the neck region 19. Fig. 3 also shows an annular label 16 which can be removed after removing the cap 14. If desired, a sponge-like closure body 20 can also be arranged in the mouth opening 11, which is only shown in FIG. 3. In this case, in the use position of the toilet basket according to FIGS. 1 and 2, the closure body 20 would then rest on the porous body 4.

The filling chamber 3 can be or be filled with an aqueous active substance preparation F, which can contain, for example, foaming agents, fragrances, disinfectants, bleaches, dyes, emulsifiers and a calcium-binding substance as active substances. The liquid active substance preparation F has a viscosity of 10 to 10,000 mPas at room temperature and is explained in more detail above. To insert the filling space 3 into the carrier element 1, the lid 14 and the label 16 are removed and the bottle, in reverse, as shown in FIG. 3, is inserted into the carrier element 1 in such a way that the projections 10 of the resilient fixing strips 9 between those on the neck region 19 Snap the molded webs 12, 13 into place. When the filling chamber 3 is inserted, the webs 12, 13 and the projections 10 are arranged axially and the porous body 4 is dimensioned such that the body 4 and the front edge region of the neck region 19 surrounding the mouth opening are fixed after the filling chamber 3 has been inserted into the carrier element 1 lie on one another.

This connection between the carrier element 1 and the filling space 3 can also be released again by bending the resilient strips 9. Other means for fixing the filling space 3 in the carrier element 1 are undoubtedly also available - e.g. Threaded elements on the bottom 5 of the carrier element 1 and on the filling space 3 or a connecting nipple projecting into the opening 11 are suitable. The filling space 3 does not have to be detachably fastened to the carrier element 1.

The drawing also shows that the filling chamber 3 has radial grip ribs 17. Furthermore, the upper region of the wall 21 surrounding the filling chamber 3 in the use position is convex in order to prevent water from flowing over the toilet basket from rinsing on the filling chamber 3 during washing.

The toilet basket works as follows:

The toilet basket is hung by means of the holder 2 in the inwardly overhanging edge of a toilet bowl or a toilet bowl so that the filling space 3 hangs partially below this edge. The toilet basket thus exerts a constant effect in such a way that liquid F from the filling 3 is absorbed in the porous body 4 and a fragrance contained in the liquid active substance preparation F evaporates therefrom, whereby a fresh smell is spread in the toilet room.

When flushing the toilet, flushing water flows from the edge of the toilet bowl over the outside of the filling chamber 3 and along the ribs 17 over the porous body 4 and through the passages 8 and partly the openings 6 into the toilet bowl. In this case, the porous body 4 previously washed out of the filling space 3 washed away to clean the toilet bowl.

As shown in FIG. 2 recognizable, a water layer W remains above the porous body 4 after the rinsing process, the height of this water layer depending on the passages 8 serving as overflows. The remaining water slowly flows through the disc-shaped body 4 and the openings 6 in the bottom 5 of the trough-like or trough-like area 18. Both active substances and any residues of the fragrance evaporation are removed from the body 4 by this residual water. As a result, on the one hand the body 4 is cleaned and on the other hand an important "delayed" effect is achieved, which consists in the fact that the entry of the active substances into the toilet bowl continues for a certain time after each flushing process.

As soon as the content of the filling space 3 is used up, it can be refilled by inserting a dispensing element of a storage container into the opening 24 of a closure element 23 without the toilet basket having to be touched by hand and removed from the toilet bowl. It is also possible to fill the toilet basket for the first time in this way when the filling space 3 is initially empty.

For this purpose, the filling chamber 3 has a filling and / or refilling opening 22 in its wall 21 at a distance from its mouth opening 11 WO 01/77451 PCT / EP0O / O3O17

17

reveal closure element 23 is at least substantially liquid-tight, in particular watertight, is closed. Here, the filling and / or refilling opening 22 is further arranged in the wall 21 in such a way that the closure element 23 is accessible in the use position of the toilet basket suspended in the toilet bowl and the filling chamber 3 is dismantled free of charge by means of a storage container adapted to the visible closure element 23 can be filled and / or refilled. A corresponding supply container with dispensing element is explained below in connection with the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 4-7.

The closure element 23 is a flexible diaphragm valve made of silicone rubber or rubber material with a cylindrical closure body and a slot-shaped opening 24 formed therein axially.

The storage container is, for example, a plastic bottle or a flexible film bag with a nipple-shaped delivery element adapted to the closure element 23. For filling or refilling, the dispensing element is inserted into the slit-shaped opening 24 and the liquid active substance preparation F contained therein is pressed into the filling space 3 by manual pressure on the flexible storage container. By inserting the dispensing element into the slot-shaped opening 24, the closure element 23 is thus evident, or it opens automatically, and after removal of the dispensing element, the closure element 23 closes again automatically.

As transport protection, the closure element 23 has a removable cover element 25 which is removed before the filling space 23 is inserted into the carrier element 1.

The second exemplary embodiment of a toilet basket according to FIGS. 4-7 has a carrier element 41 and a filling space 34 detachably fastened to it. The Filling space 34 is surrounded by a wall 42 and has an opening 28. In addition, the toilet basket is equipped with a holder 2 for attachment to the edge of a toilet bowl (not shown) or a toilet bowl. It has a porous, liquid-absorbing body 44 which is in permanent liquid-permeable connection with the liquid F present in the filling space 34. This porous body 44 is arranged in the carrier element 2 such that it lies in the flow path of the flushing water when flushing when the toilet basket hangs from the edge of a toilet bowl. The porous body 34 can be, for example, a sponge, a plate made of porous sintered material or a paper body.

The carrier element 41 has a connection nipple 27 for connection to the mouth opening 28, this connection taking place in such a way that the mouth opening 28 points downward from the edge of the toilet bowl after the toilet basket has been suspended. It goes without saying that the construction of the filling chamber 34 is chosen such that the mouth opening 28 is located at the lowest point of the filling chamber 34 so that all of the liquid F can flow out via the mouth opening 28.

The mouth opening 28, when connected to the connection nipple 27, is partially closed by a closure wall 29 which has at least one liquid passage opening 30 which opens into an inlet 31a of a channel 31, the outlet 31b of which lies against the porous body 44, and which has at least one air inlet opening 32 which is connected to the ambient pressure. The dimensions of the at least one liquid passage opening 30 and the at least one air inlet opening 32 are so matched to one another and to the viscosity of the liquid F contained in the filling space 34 that the liquid pressure on the porous body 44 always remains essentially the same and from the fill level of the liquid F in the filling space 34 is independent. In the present embodiment, air inlet openings 32 are connected to the ambient pressure via a chamber 33 which has at least one ventilation opening 35. The volume of this chamber 33 is preferably dimensioned such that it can at least accommodate the volume fluctuations of the liquid active substance preparation F, which are caused by changes in the air temperature in the filling space 34. An outflow - and thus a loss - of the liquid F as a result of an increase in pressure in the filling space 34 is thus prevented. In addition, a further leakage of the liquid F from the filling space 34 is prevented due to capillary action, which would lead to its rapid emptying. Ventilation openings 35 are preferably arranged above the air inlet openings 32. If the air pressure in the filling chamber 34 drops, some of the liquid contained in the chamber 33 is sucked back into the filling chamber 34. This backward suction continues until the liquid level in the chamber 33 has dropped so far that there is again a direct air flow connection between a ventilation opening 35 and an air inlet opening 32.

The carrier element 41 is manufactured as one part, the holder 2 being made in one piece with this part. The connecting nipple 27, the closure wall 29, the at least one liquid passage opening 32, the channel 31 and the walls 37 surrounding the chamber 33 are components of a second molded part 38, which is detachably connected to the carrier element 41 via a latching connection 36. The porous body 44 is fixed between the carrier element 41 and the second molded part 38. In the present exemplary embodiment, the porous body 44 is designed as a plate-shaped element made of sintered material.

As can be clearly seen from FIG. 6, the mouth opening 28 of the filling space 34 is closed with a closure cap 39 which has a first cap part 39a and a second cap part 39b. The second cap part 39b is like this constructed that when the mouth opening 28 of the filling chamber 34 is placed on the carrier element 41, it is pressed into the filling chamber 34 by an extension 40 arranged on the carrier element 41, whereby the mouth opening 28 is opened. This ensures that when the filling space 34 is inserted into the carrier element 41, the filling space 34 is opened at the same time. The second cap part 39b preferably has a lower specific weight than the liquid F so that it starts to float on it. The filling space 34 with the liquid active substance preparation F contained therein can be marketed as a single container, as can be seen from FIG. 6. Filling space 34 and carrier element 41 have webs 43 or grooves 45 which cooperate with one another in such a way that the filling space 34 can be snapped into the carrier element 41. This locking connection can be released again. However, it is also possible to provide a non-releasable connection between the filling space 34 and the carrier element 41.

Furthermore, the carrier element 41 has a plurality of slots 46 which increase the inflow of rinsing water to the porous body 44 and also allow an unimpeded inflow of ambient air to the porous body 44, as a result of which the volatile constituents of the liquid active substance preparation F and the spreading of the active substances is favored. During the rinsing process, part of the active liquid F located in the porous body 44 enters the rinsing water and exerts its cleaning action there, whereas after the rinsing process has been completed, part of the active substance evaporates from the porous body 44 and improves the odor in the surrounding area.

As soon as the content of the filling space 34 has been used up, it can be refilled by inserting a dispensing element 50 of a storage container 51 shown in FIG. 7 into the opening 47 of a closure element 48 without the toilet basket is touched by hand and must be removed from the toilet bowl.

It is also possible to fill the toilet basket for the first time in this way when the filling space 34 is initially empty.

At a distance from its mouth opening 28, the filling chamber 34 therefore has in its wall 42 a filling and / or refilling opening 47 which is at least essentially liquid-tight, in particular watertight, closed with the disclosed closure element 48. Here, the filling and / or refilling opening 47 is further arranged in the wall 42 in such a way that the closure element 48 is accessible in the use position of the toilet basket suspended in the toilet bowl and the filling space 34 by means of the storage container 50 which has the dispensing element 50 adapted to the apparent closure element 48 51 can be filled and / or refilled without disassembly. Refilling can take place at any time chosen by the consumer. It is not necessary to wait until the entire contents of the filling space have been used up.

The closure element 48 is a flexible diaphragm valve or a lip valve made of silicone rubber or rubber material, preferably with a material hardness in the range of 40 IRHD (IRHD = international rubber hardness according to ISO 48), with a slit-shaped opening 49.

The storage container 51 is a plastic bottle with a nipple-shaped dispensing element 50 which is adapted to the closure element 48. For filling or refilling, the dispensing element 50 is inserted into the slit-shaped opening 49 and the liquid active substance preparation contained therein is exerted by manual pressure on the flexible storage container 51 F pressed into the filling space 34. By inserting the dispensing element 50 into the slot-shaped opening 49, the closure element 48 is thus evident, or it opens automatically, and after the dispensing element 50 has been removed, the closure element 48 closes again automatically. In addition to the representations in FIGS. 4-6, the valve 48 in FIG. 7 is provided with a fastening element 52 which fixes the valve 48 on the wall 42 of the filling space 34, which can be provided if necessary. The valve 48 can also be provided with a transport protection analogous to the removable cover element 25, for example in the form of a removable film.

8 shows a further embodiment of a closure element in the form of a diaphragm valve 53 with a cross-shaped opening 54. This is a valve of the type known from the prior art, which opens when pressure is applied and closes again when the pressure is released. However, the diaphragm valve 53 is arranged in the filling and / or refilling opening 55 such that it opens in the direction of the interior of the filling space 56 when the outside pressure is above normal air pressure, but remains closed when the inside pressure is increased. This diaphragm valve 53 also consists of silicone rubber or rubber material, preferably with a material hardness in the range of 40 IRHD. When a dispensing element 57, indicated by a dot-dash line, is inserted into the cross-slot opening 54, valve tongues 58 fold inward. If the user pulls the dispensing element 57 out of the closure element 53 again, the valve tongues 58 fold back into their starting position and the valve 53 is again liquid-tight, in particular watertight, closed, which is shown in broken lines.

Otherwise, the same, equivalent or identical features are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures, unless otherwise stated in the foregoing.

It is not difficult to see that the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, but can be modified in many ways. So For example, the carrier element 1, 41 can be shaped differently and the filling chamber 34 can be equipped with a different type of cap 39, which must be removed before the filling chamber 34 is inserted into the carrier element 41. The refill valve in the fill and / or refill opening can also be designed as a ball valve with a spring-loaded ball, in particular in the form of a suction valve that opens when there is negative pressure in the fill chamber. It is also possible that the closure element 23; 48; 53 with a water-impermeable ventilation opening for ventilation of the filling space 3; 34; 56, because this is desired, for example in the case of a highly viscous liquid.

Claims

Patent claims:

1. WC basket which has a filling space (3; 34; 56) to be arranged in the toilet bowl below its edge, in this position of use when flushing, which on a support element (1; 41) with molded bracket (2) for attachment to The edge of the toilet bowl is arranged, the filling chamber (3; 34; 56) containing or absorbing a liquid active substance preparation (F), preferably with a viscosity of 10 mPas to 10000 mPas, and a mouth opening pointing downwards in the use position of the toilet basket (11; 28), which is arranged and designed such that the interior of the filling space (3; 34; 56) in permanent liquid-permeable connection with a trough or trough-like area (18) and / or in the support element (1) in the carrier element (1; 41) arranged porous body (4; 44) and / or a plate formed on the carrier element and provided with groove-shaped or groove-shaped depressions, de r area (18) and / or the body (4; 44) and / or the plate in the use position of the toilet basket during washing, characterized in that the filling space (3; 34; 56) at a distance from its mouth opening (11; 28) has an openable closure element (23; 48; 53) has at least essentially liquid-tight, in particular watertight, closed filling and / or refilling opening (22; 47; 55), the filling and / or refilling opening (22; 47; 55) being arranged such that the filling space (3; 34;

56) in the use position suspended in the toilet bowl by means of a delivery element (50; adapted to the openable closure element (23; 48; 53)).

57) having storage container (51) can be filled and / or refilled without disassembly.

2. toilet basket according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure element (23; 48; 53) by inserting the dispensing element (50; 57) or automatically opening and after removing the dispensing element (50; 57) automatically closes again Valve, especially a flexible diaphragm valve.

3. toilet basket according to claim 2, characterized in that the membrane valve (23; 48; 53) consists of silicone rubber or a rubber material.

4. toilet basket according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the membrane valve (23; 48; 53) has at least one, preferably slot-shaped, opening (24; 49; 54).

5. toilet basket according to one of claims 2-4, characterized in that the membrane valve (23; 48; 53) has a material hardness in the range of 40 IRHD.

6. Toilet basket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure element (23; 48; 53) additionally has a removable cover element (25) as transport protection.

7. toilet basket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling space (3; 34; 56) is detachably arranged on the carrier element (1; 41).

8. toilet basket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the trough-like or trough-like area formed in the carrier element (1)

(18) is open at the top and has a base (5) equipped with holes (6) and fixing means (9, 10) arranged on this base (5) for a neck region (19) of the filling space (3) surrounding the mouth opening (11) ,

9. toilet basket according to claim 8, characterized in that the porous body (4) on the bottom (5) of the region (18) is arranged.

10.WC basket according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the porous body (4) extends over the holes (6) formed in the bottom (5).

11. WC basket according to one of claims 8-10, characterized in that the fixing means (9, 10, 12, 13) as spring-elastic strips (9) which extend from the bottom (5) of the area (18) and over have projections (10) projecting inwards, as well as webs (12, 13) which cooperate with them, on the outside of the neck region surrounding the mouth opening (11)

(19) of the filling space (3) are formed.

12.WC basket according to one of claims 1-7, characterized in that the carrier element (41) has a connection nipple (27) for connection to the mouth opening (28) of the filling chamber (34), the mouth opening (28) in the connected state being at least partially closed by a closure wall (29) which has at least one liquid passage opening (30) which opens into an inlet (31a) of a channel (31), the outlet (31b) of which lies against the porous body (44) and which has at least one air inlet opening (32) which is connected to the ambient pressure, the dimensions of the at least one liquid passage opening (30) and the at least one air inlet opening (32) being matched to one another and to the viscosity of the liquid active substance preparation (F) stored in the filling chamber (34) such that the liquid pressure on the porous body (44) always remains essentially the same and is independent of the fill level of the active substance preparation in the fill chamber (34).

13.WC basket according to claim 12, characterized in that the air inlet openings (32) are connected to the ambient pressure via a chamber (33) which has at least one ventilation opening (35).

14.WC basket according to claim 13, characterized in that the volume of the chamber (33) is dimensioned such that it can accommodate at least the volume fluctuations of the active substance preparation (F) caused by temperature changes in the filling chamber (34).

15. Toilet basket according to one of claims 12 - 14, characterized in that the connecting nipple (27), the closure wall (29), the at least one liquid passage opening (30), the at least one air inlet opening (32), the channel (31) and the chamber (33) surrounding walls (37) are part of a molded part (38) which is detachably connected to the carrier element (41) via a snap-in connection (36).

16. toilet basket according to claim 15, characterized in that the porous body (44) between the carrier element (41) and the molded part (38) is fixed.

17. Toilet basket according to one of claims 12 - 16, characterized in that the mouth opening (28) of the filling space (34) is closed by a closure cap (39) with a first cap part (39a) and a second cap part (39b), the second cap part (39b) being constructed such that when the filling space (34) is placed on the carrier element (41) it is pressed into the filling space (34) by an extension (40) formed thereon, as a result of which the mouth opening (28) to the filling chamber (34) is opened

18.WC basket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the liquid active substance preparation (F) contains the following constituents: a) 1-25% by weight of fragrance b) 10-50% by weight of an anionic or nonionic surfactant c ) 1 - 20% by weight of a non-evaporative, water-soluble evaporation control agent d) preferably 0.1 - 15% by weight of at least one thickener e) remainder of solvent in the form of water or mixtures of water and at least one alcohol.

19. System consisting of a toilet basket with the features according to one or more of claims 1-17 and a storage container (51) containing the liquid active substance preparation (F), characterized in that the storage container (51), in particular in the form of a plastic bottle or a foil pouch, flexible, designed to allow the active substance preparation (F) to be pressed in through the filling and / or refilling opening (22; 47; 55) by hand, and a delivery element (23; 48; 53) adapted to the openable closure element (23; 48; 53) 50; 57).

20. System according to claim 19, characterized in that the delivery element (50; 57) is nipple-shaped.

21. System according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the liquid active substance preparation (F) contains the following constituents: a) 1-25% by weight of fragrance b) 10-50% by weight of an anionic or nonionic surfactant c) 1 - 20% by weight of a non-evaporative, water-soluble evaporation control agent d) preferably 0.1-15% by weight of at least one thickener e) remainder of solvent in the form of water or mixtures of water and at least one alcohol.