WO2001088286A1

WO2001088286A1 - Liquid dispenser for cleaning toilet bowls

Info

Publication number: WO2001088286A1
Application number: PCT/EP2001/006875
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean Klimis
Original assignee: Eurvest S.A.
Priority date: 2000-05-19
Filing date: 2001-05-18
Publication date: 2001-11-22
Also published as: PL351989A1; ES2281430T3; ATE354000T1; PL198922B1; EP1287211A1; EP1287211B1; DE60126606D1; PT1287211E; DE60126606T2; FR2809123A1; FR2809123B1

Abstract

The invention concerns a product dispenser for toilet bowls, comprising catching means (8) on a bowl and a reservoir (1) of liquid product communicating with a tube (10). The reservoir has in its lower part a free opening (22, 15) having a size preventing the flow of liquid when there is no flushing. When flushing occurs, the liquid flow in the neighbourhood of the tube or along it, or the upflow of water in the tube causes the liquid to be dispensed outside the dispenser by hydrodynamic effect. The invention enables the dispensing of the liquid only when flushing occurs, independently of the flushing frequency, and without any mobile parts.

Description

MAINTENANCE LIQUID DISPENSER FOR TOILET BOWLS

The present invention relates to a dispenser of cleaning liquid for toilet bowls, and more specifically a dispenser of cleaning and perfuming liquid for toilets. The dispenser of the invention can be used in toilet bowls and distributes maintenance liquid.

Various solutions have been proposed for distributing cleaning or perfuming products in the toilet bowls. Thus, blocks are sold intended to be placed in the flushing devices. The blocks melt slowly and diffuse a cleaning product. Such a product can satisfy in terms of cleaning, but it does not allow to diffuse a perfume. It is also known to hang a cage on the edge of the toilet, containing a block of product which is washed by the water flowing from the flush when the flush is activated. Such a block of product, which is in the open, cannot have a perfuming effect during its entire lifetime. In either case, the problem stems from the fact that the scent products are volatile, and lose their scent effect when exposed to the air, and the amount of product they release on each flush decreases. as the block decreases in volume. US-A-3,946,448 (El Sioufy) describes a chemical disinfection and purification device for toilet bowls. The device is fixed on the inner rim of the bowl; it includes a tank filled with disinfection and purification product. The tank is closed in its lower part by a plug, urged upwards by a spring located in the tank. The cap is also connected to an articulated board, covered with foam. When you flush the toilet, the water flowing on the board causes it to rotate downward, and temporarily open the tank. In this way, the product contained in the tank flows onto the hinged board, and into the toilet bowl. The disinfection effect is obtained thanks to the product entrained by the water in the toilet bowl, and the chemical purification effect is obtained due to the product which is on the board and evaporates little by little. This device essentially has the drawback of being made up of a large number of articulated parts, which makes it prohibitively expensive.

EP-A-0 538 957 (Sara Lee) describes a cleaning and purification device, which, like the previous one, hangs on the edge of the toilet bowl. The device comprises a reservoir, filled with a cleaning and purifying liquid, which is in constant communication with a porous mass located in the water flow path from the flush. To ensure constant communication, this document proposes using a foam introduced into the neck of the tank. When the flush is activated, the water flows and entrains part of the product which soaks the porous mass. The chemical purification effect is obtained by the evaporation of the product soaking the porous mass, between the flushes. This device has the disadvantage that the tank sometimes empties, even when the toilet is not used. More precisely, the flow is not systematically continuous; the flow is interrupted when the plate is saturated, depending on the conditions of viscosity, temperature, and the frequency of flushes. The operation of the device is irregular, and the lifespan can vary from simple to double.

In addition, the device is not functional before the porous mass is soaked with liquid, which can take a long time; in case of intensive use, the distribution of liquid may be insufficient, and the porous mass is washed of any liquid. Finally, the control of the liquid flow depends on the viscosity; the product distributed has a high viscosity, of the order of 3000mPa.s. The use of thickeners to obtain such a viscosity can lead to blockages of the dispenser.

EP-A-0 785 315 (Sara Lee) proposes another device of the same kind. This device proposes to provide in the neck of the reservoir a passage of liquid, opening against the porous mass; the liquid passage is provided with an air intake opening. The viscosity of the product and the size of the passages and openings are determined so that the pressure of the liquid on the porous mass is constant and is independent of the level of liquid in the tank. This device provides a complex solution to the problem of the variation of the product flow as a function of the level in the tank, but still has the same drawbacks, namely that the tank is emptied, even when the toilets are not used, and that the device operation is irregular.

Another similar device marketed by La Johnson Française proposes to use, instead of a porous mass, a grooved plate. In this case, as in the case of the porous mass, there is the problem of the upwelling of water in the tank by osmosis due to the direct contact between the flushing water absorbed by the porous mass or captured by the grooved plate and the liquid in the tank. The problem of product flow between two flushes also arises.

FR-A-2 747 139 (Robertet) proposes a device for distributing liquid. The different variants of this device are complex, and involve a flow of flush water through various siphons or other. The assembly is difficult to build and of low reliability.

WO-A-01 02653 (Globol Chemicals) provides a toilet bowl dispenser, which provides a dose of the active ingredient it contains in the bowl, each time the flush is operated. The dispenser has a reservoir with an orifice in its interior; this orifice is surrounded by a tube made of a porous material, which has a slit in its upper part, along a generator. The tube is closed at its lower end. The flow of flushing water causes a pumping action and the delivery of a dose into the tube made of porous material. As far as we can understand the functioning of this device, the tube made of porous material serves both

- create an overpressure to initiate pumping

- distribute the active ingredient between hunts.

This device is simpler than Robertet's device. However, it has drawbacks. Thus, the porous mass is expensive. The porous mass also poses an impregnation problem, the impregnation time corresponding to the time necessary for the active ingredient to diffuse outside the porous mass. Frequent flushing can rinse the porous mass and limit diffusion. In addition, the device only works if the water enters the slot in the porous mass; this limits the operation to a flow of water having a certain force and a certain direction. The device is therefore very sensitive to the conditions of use.

The invention provides a solution to these new problems. It offers a liquid product dispenser, without moving parts, which prevents the product from emptying when the flush is not activated. In a preferred embodiment, the dispenser of the invention also avoids the upwelling of water in the tank. The dispenser of the invention can be used in a toilet bowl, for dispensing a liquid product.

More specifically, the invention provides a distributor of maintenance liquid for a toilet bowl, comprising means for hooking onto the bowl, a reservoir for maintenance liquid, the reservoir having in its lower part a free opening of a size which prevents the flow of maintenance liquid out of the tank in the absence of flushing, the distributor having a tube at one end of which opens the opening, the other end of the tube being open. It is advantageous to provide a guide device in the vicinity of said other end of the tube. Preferably, the opening is of a size which allows the suction of the maintenance liquid by hydrodynamic effect during the passage of water from a flush to the neighborhood of the distributor. One can in particular choose a circular opening and having a diameter between 0.2 and 5 mm, preferably of the order of 3 mm.

Advantageously, the maintenance liquid has a viscosity between 10 and 4000 mPa.s. The guide device can be in the form of a grooved plate and / or a plate with a rim, or even a curved plate. It can have an opening.

In one embodiment, the reservoir is removable.

The reservoir may also have in its lower part a second free opening of a size which prevents the flow of maintenance liquid out of the reservoir in the absence of flushing. The opening and the second opening of the reservoir preferably have different dimensions. A second tube can be provided extending in said tube below one of the two openings. One can also provide that the tube does not surround the second opening. The invention also provides a method of dispensing a maintenance liquid in a toilet bowl, comprising the steps of: hooking in the toilet bowl of such a maintenance liquid dispenser; suction of maintenance liquid out of the tank by hydrodynamic effect of water during a flush. This suction step may include: raising the flushing water in the tube so as to create an overpressure at the opening and bring air into the tank; the distribution of liquid outside the tank. It can also include: - the rise of flushing water around the tube so as to create an overpressure at the opening and bring air into the tank; the distribution of liquid outside the tank. In either case, the ascent stage and the distribution stage can be simultaneous. The aspiration step can also include the passage of flushing water around the tube so as to create a depression at the opening; - the distribution of liquid outside the tank.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only and with reference to the drawings which show: Figure 1, a schematic sectional view of a dispenser according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2, a view similar to that of Figure 1, but showing the product in the tank; - Figures 3 to 8, principle views of other embodiments of the dispenser. The invention proposes, to control the flow of the maintenance liquid contained in the dispenser according to the use of the toilets, to exploit the hydrodynamic effect caused by the flushing. More specifically, the reservoir is provided in its lower part with an opening, which has a dimension such that it prevents the flow of the cleaning liquid in the absence of external stress. The term “lower part” is understood to mean the part of the reservoir in which the liquid is located when the dispenser is in position in the toilet bowl. This opening is free, in that it is not closed by a plug, unlike that which is proposed in US-A-3,946,448.

Below this opening, in the direction of use of the dispenser, is provided a tube. The lower end of the tube is open or free, unlike the solution proposed in WO-A-01 02653; this avoids the difficulty of adjustment encountered in the device of this document. The flow of flushing water near the end of the tube causes a hydrodynamic effect to draw a quantity of maintenance liquid from the tank. The liquid can flow during flushing, or can in certain embodiments of the invention, finish flowing after the end of flushing. In all cases, in the absence of a flush, the cleaning liquid does not flow out of the tank. A product distribution is therefore ensured, only on demand, as in US-A-3,946,448, but without moving mechanical elements. The invention is therefore both of a simple structure, of safe operation, and avoids the drawbacks of dispensers with permanent contact between the liquid in the reservoir and a diffusion mass. The dispenser of the invention does not operate like that of EP-A-0 538 957 by gravity or by capillarity, but by the simple hydrodynamic action of the water flow during a flush.

Advantageously, the dispenser of the invention is used to dispense a product which is a liquid. The product can include surfactants, fragrance essences, emulsifiers, scale removing or sequestering agents, disinfecting agents or dyes. The active components of the liquid can have, separately or jointly, properties: - cleaners, disinfectants, descalers,

- perfuming, etc. In the following description, the product is simply qualified as "maintenance liquid".

Figure 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a dispenser according to a first embodiment of the invention; reference 1 designates the rim of a toilet bowl, on which the dispenser 2 is fixed. The dispenser comprises a reservoir 4, the orifice 6 of which is located downwards in the operating position of the dispenser shown in the figure. Are connected to the distributor means for holding in the bowl; in the example, it is a flexible plastic tab 8. In the rest position, the tongue is folded back, as shown in broken lines in the figure; it is unfolded by the user to hang the dispenser in the toilet bowl, as shown in solid lines in the figure. It is advantageous that this tab is adjustable in height, so as to ensure correct positioning of the dispenser, for different shapes of bowls and bowl edges.

The dispenser also comprises a tube, described above as a liquid dispensing tube. This tube 10 is connected by one end 12 to the tank, and its other end 14 or free end is located in the vicinity of the path of the flushing water, or even in the path of the water; in the example of the figure, the free end of the tube is located in the vicinity of the wall of the bowl; this position ensures that when the flush is activated, the water flows near the end of the latter. In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the distance between the end of the tube and the wall of the bowl is of the order of 3 mm. This distance can more generally be between 0.2 and 6 mm. This distance range provides sufficient vacuum when the water flows to suck up the maintenance liquid. Water may also flow down the tube. The shape of the tube can be any; in the example, a round section has been chosen for the tube; this ensures that the tube has a maximum interior volume, for a given perimeter. This section also ensures that the flushing water flows from all sides of the tube. The tube has in the embodiment of the figure a bent shape, which allows to bring its free end to the wall of the bowl when the dispenser is in the operating position. This angled shape improves the efficiency of the dispenser. The section of the opening 15 at the end of the tube is chosen so as to avoid the flow of maintenance liquid in the absence of flow water around the tube; thus, when the toilet is not used, the maintenance liquid does not flow. This is an advantage over prior art dispensers, in which the reservoir is in constant communication with a porous mass. The section of the opening at the end of the tube is chosen so that the maintenance liquid flows when the flushing water flows along the tube or near the end of the tube. -this.

The section of the opening at the free end of the tube has a diameter of 1.5 mm in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, for a maintenance liquid having a viscosity of about 500 mPa. s. More generally, the maintenance liquid can have a viscosity between 10 and 4000 mPa.s, and the opening can have a diameter between 0.2 and 15 mm - the latter value corresponding to the embodiment of Figures 3 or 5. The diameter of the opening can be determined experimentally, for a given maintenance liquid. Even higher viscosities are possible, in particular in the embodiments of FIGS. 3, 5 or 6. Values between 2500 and 5000 mPa.s, or even up to 6000 mPa.s are suitable. The diameter of the opening can then be chosen between 1.2 and 1.5 mm.

The bent shape of the tube also makes it possible to control the angle between the tube and the wall of the bowl, and therefore the angle α between the axis of the tube and the vertical. Preferably, this angle is between 0 and 90 °. In the example, the angle α is 75 °, so that the axis of the end of the tube is substantially perpendicular to the wall of the bowl and to the direction of flow of the water. These angle values improve the suction effect. On the assumption that the suction proceeds from a Venturi effect. the bent shape of the tube ensures that the axis of the study is as perpendicular as possible to the flow of water; this improves the suction effect, compared to a flow of water whose direction is inclined relative to the perpendicular to the tube.

Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, but showing the product in the tank; the liquid is found in the reservoir, and also in the tube near its free end. As can be seen in the figure, there is no contact between the liquid at the end of the tube and the liquid in the tank; this has no effect on the flow of liquid out of the dispenser, but avoids any rise of water in the tank, as explained in detail below.

The operation of the dispenser of Figures 1 and 2 is as follows. In the absence of water flow, the maintenance liquid is located near the end of the tube, but does not flow. When the flush is activated, the water flows along the wall of the bowl, and causes by hydrodynamic effect a depression in the vicinity of the end of the tube. The maintenance liquid flows out of the tube. After the When the flushing water ends, the pressure in the tank is balanced, and the dispenser is ready for new use.

It is understood that the invention avoids a constant flow of the maintenance liquid, and a loss of liquid in the absence of use of the toilets. It is also understood that the invention avoids the upwelling of water in the tank, and the dilution of the maintenance liquid. Furthermore, the device of the invention is immediately functional, unlike devices with a porous mass: from the first flush, or the second, a determined quantity of maintenance liquid is dispensed. The quantity of maintenance liquid dispensed is independent of the frequency of use of the dispenser.

As the operation of the dispenser of the invention is based on the suction caused by the flow of the flush, the maintenance liquid may have a lower viscosity than in the dispensers of the prior art. This prevents any blockage of the dispenser by thickeners, and improves its reliability. We now give details of embodiment of the invention in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. As shown in the figure, the dispenser of the invention is in fact made up of several parts; each of these parts can be made of injection molded plastic. The reservoir is formed from a first part. A second part forms the body of the distributor, and receives the reservoir; the attachment means are fixed to this second part. This second part advantageously has, on the side of the reservoir, a beveled opening tube 16, which makes it possible to open the reservoir by tearing off a closure cap. This allows the dispenser to be delivered with a sealed tank, or to provide replacement sealed tanks. The reservoir cap is torn by the opening tube when the reservoir is inserted into the body of the dispenser. On the side opposite the reservoir, this second part has a cylindrical housing in which the tube 10 fits. The dispenser still comprises a fourth piece, which forms a nozzle at the end

Thus, the operation of the dispenser is independent of the level of the liquid in the reservoir.

It is particularly advantageous that the end of the tube is separated from the reservoir; in the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, the bottom of the housing which receives the tube therefore has an opening 22 Like the opening 15, this second opening 22 in the tube prevents the flow of the liquid in the absence of flushing. water. As shown in FIG. 2, in operation, the liquid present in the reservoir is retained by the opening 22; and the liquid present in the vicinity of the free end of the tube 14 is not in contact with the liquid in the reservoir. The opening 22 may have a diameter between 0.2 and 10 mm; such a diameter is sufficient to prevent in normal operation a flow of liquid from the reservoir to the end of the tube. This defines a compartment between the free end of the tube 10 and the opening 22. The operation of the dispenser in this embodiment is as follows. Starting from the rest situation of FIG. 2, as explained above, the flow of water causes a depression by hydrodynamic effect, the evacuation of the liquid contained in the compartment and the distribution of the active substances in the water. of the bowl. A new quantity of liquid is sucked from the reservoir, through the opening 22, for distribution during the next flush; This suction causes an air rise in the tank, which balances the air pressure above the liquid, and allows the device to operate independently of the liquid level.

The vacuum in the tube is then compensated by the air intake through the hole 18. This air intake ensures a separation between the liquid in the tube, in the vicinity of the lower opening of the tube, on the one hand, and the liquid from the reservoir above the opening 22, on the other hand. This separation avoids any backflow of water into the tank by osmosis. In fact, even if the liquid in the tube is partially diluted by water entering the tube, the liquid in the reservoir is not diluted.

The ratio between the diameter of the air hole and the opening at the free end of the tube allows a delay in balancing the pressures, and therefore a suction of the liquid out of the tank, before the balancing of the pressures. Thus, it is preferable that the diameter of the air hole is small enough to allow the formation of a depression in the tank during the evacuation of the liquid. If the diameter of the air hole is too large, there is no depression in the tube during the distribution of the liquid by the flush, and the new quantity of liquid sucked up may be insufficient. Conversely, if the diameter of the hole is too small, the amount of air between the tube liquid and the reservoir liquid decreases, and separation may no longer be ensured. In the embodiment of the figure, the hole has a 0.8 mm diameter, which is suitable for the viscosities of liquid mentioned above. More generally, the hole may have a diameter between 0.2 and 2 mm. The hole is far enough from the free end of the tube that the air introduced goes up into the tube; the fact that during the suction phase, the flushing water passes over the hole has the advantage of also avoiding any too rapid balancing of the pressures.

The figure also shows that the dispenser has a lug or projecting part 20 in the vicinity of the opening at the free end of the tube. The lug rests on the wall of the bowl and makes it possible to determine exactly the position of the end of the tube relative to the wall. This lug is particularly useful in the absence of a water guide plate like that of FIGS. 3 or 5. A length of the lug between 0.2 and 6 mm is suitable. It is advantageous that the lug does not disturb the flow of water, and in particular does not slow it down. Therefore, it is possible to arrange the lug offset with respect to the axis of the tube, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

These different characteristics are combined in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, but they can be implemented independently of each other.

Figures 3 to 9 show principle views of other embodiments of the dispenser. In the embodiment of Figure 3, the distributor has a reservoir 24, with an opening 26 which opens into a tube 28 of larger diameter than the diameter of the opening. The tube has a constant diameter. The operation of the device is similar to that described above: the flow of liquid creates a vacuum in the tube, and a quantity of liquid is sucked. The aspirated liquid flows into the tube and is distributed. In the absence of a flush, the liquid remains in the tank. There is no contact between the water and the liquid in the tank, and the advantages of the invention are ensured. Another explanation of the flow of the liquid is as follows: during the flushing, the water rises in the tube, and created by rising in the tube 28 an overpressure. This penetration of water into the tube is favored by the grooved plate. The overpressure in the top of the tube causes air to penetrate into the reservoir 24, the pressure balancing on either side of the opening 26. It will be noted that the air which is in the tube still prevents any contact between the water rising in the tube and the maintenance liquid.

When the water flows, at the end of the flush, the water level in the tube drops, the water in the flush then flows out of the tube. The pressure in the reservoir 24 is then greater than the pressure in the tube, and the pressure is balanced by suction of maintenance liquid out of the tank through the opening 26. The maintenance liquid flows along the tube then on the grooved plate. In the embodiment of Figure 4, the distributor is similar to that of Figure 3, but has an opening 30 of smaller diameter at the end of the tube. Unlike the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the tube has no air hole. The operation of the device is similar to that described above: an amount of liquid present at the free end of the tube is sucked in by the depression caused by the flush. This creates a corresponding depression in the tank, and the suction of a new quantity of liquid through the opening 26 of the tank. As in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, there is a separation between the liquid of the tube and the liquid of the reservoir. FIG. 5 also shows an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the dispenser is similar to that of FIG. 3, and has a reservoir 24 provided in its lower part with an opening 26. This has a size - a diameter in the case of a circular opening - which prevents the flow of maintenance fluid in the absence of external stresses. One can as in the example of Figures 1 and 2 use a size of about 3 mm, and more generally a size between 0.2 and 6 mm, depending on the viscosity of the maintenance liquid. The opening opens into a tube 32, with a diameter of around 15 mm and a length of around 8 mm. This length of the tube ensures the absence of contact between the flushing water and the maintenance liquid contained in the tank; more generally a length of tube greater than 2 mm would be suitable. The dispenser also has a guide plate 34, which is disposed under the end of the tube 32. The distance between the free end of the tube and the grooved plate is in the embodiment of the order of 1.5 mm. More generally, this distance - or the distance between the plate and the opening in the absence of a tube - can be between 0.2 and 6 mm.

The dispenser of Figure 5 operates as follows: in the absence of flushing, the opening 26 ensures that the liquid does not flow out of the tank. When the user triggers the flush, the water flows on the plate 34, which guides it, as symbolized by the arrow in the figure; it also flows around the tube 32, and between the end of the tube and the plate 34, in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the tube. The flow of water causes a depression in the tube, then in the tank, which leads to a suction of a few drops of the maintenance liquid out of the tank. The flow at the same time causes an air bubble to rise in the tank space above the maintenance liquid. This rising air allows the flow of maintenance liquid out of the tank, until the equilibrium pressure is reached in the tank, and the flow of maintenance liquid ceases. The liquid flows through the opening 26, and falls on the plate 34; part of the liquid is carried away by the flushing water; however, the liquid continues to flow for a period of the order of 6 s after the end of the flush, for a viscosity of the maintenance liquid of the order of 500 mPa.s; more generally, depending on the viscosity and the diameters of the different holes, this duration can be between 2 and 60 s or more. In any event, at the end of this period, the flow of liquid ceases completely. The maintenance liquid which drains after the end of the flush remains on the plate. It is advantageously grooved, which facilitates the spreading of the maintenance liquid and improves the olfactory effect of the dispenser caused by the evaporation of the maintenance liquid. The proportion of liquid flowing during flushing and after it has ended depends on the size of the opening 26, and more specifically, on the pressure balancing speed.

The presence of the tube 32 into which the opening 26 has the following advantages: on the one hand, the tube guides the water, and improves the hydrodynamic suction effect. On the other hand, the tube avoids any contact between the opening 26 and the water, in other words avoids any rise of water in the tank. It is possible to do without a tube, at the risk of reducing the hydrodynamic effect of the flush, and allowing water to rise in the maintenance liquid.

One can also explain the distribution of the liquid by the hydrodynamic effect of rise of the liquid in and around the tube, as for the preceding figures. To promote such a rise of the liquid in the tube, provision can be made for the tube and 32 and the plate 34 to be in contact with one another on a part of the periphery of the tube; the contact zone, if it exists, is advantageously opposite to the direction of the incident water flow. In the example in the figure, this contact area would be on the left side of the figure. This contact zone can be produced by cutting the end of the tube, bevel or otherwise; it is also possible to provide a projection on the plate 34, partially surrounding the tube or inside a part of it. In all cases, the end of the tube remains open, so as to avoid the drawbacks of the device WO-A-01 02653. It can also be provided that part of the periphery of the tube is closer to the guide device - without necessarily touch it - than the rest of the tube. It is also possible to provide an opening at the end of the tube, in the peripheral wall of the tube.

FIG. 6 also shows an embodiment of a dispenser according to the invention. The dispenser is similar in principle to that of FIG. 5, except for the shape of the plate 36. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the plate 36 is shaped to favor the rise of water around the tube. It is therefore placed in the path of the water flow, and can advantageously have a rim retaining part of the water flow. The flanged plate 36 has a funnel function for raising the level of water around the tube. There may be openings 38 in the rim. Note that the plate can also be grooved.

The operation of the dispenser of Figure 6 can be explained as follows; if the water flow is strong enough, the plate guides the water perpendicular to the tube, which causes a depression and the aspiration of a quantity of liquid, as in the dispenser of figure 5. If on the other hand the flow water is too low, the duration of flushing water allows the rise of water around the tube; this rise causes an increase in the static pressure at the bottom of the tube and inside of it; this pressure causes the introduction of air into the reservoir, and therefore an overpressure above the active liquid. After the interruption of the water flow, when the water level drops by flow on the plate, the static pressure decreases and a quantity of active liquid is sucked out of the tank, until the pressures are re-balanced and the overpressure. The liquid arriving on the plate 36 after the interruption of the water flow, it spreads there and accentuates the deodorant effect by evaporation, until the next flush. During the next flush, the liquid previously sucked and located on the plate is entrained by the water, so as to distribute the active substances in the water of the bowl. This embodiment is particularly advantageous for the deodorant effect, due to the spreading on the plate of a freshly aspirated maintenance liquid immediately after flushing.

This device also has the advantage of operating even with water flows at very low speed. From this point of view, the plate 36 can be shaped by making openings 38 on the edges of the plate. The size of the openings is such that the water rises around the tube during the flush, but then drains after the end of it to cause the suction of the maintenance liquid. This creates a delay effect in the suction of the liquid and ensures that the maintenance liquid is sucked out of the dispenser after the end of the flush. Emptying the plate ensures that the tube is full of air before the next flush. We can, as described with reference to Figure 5, provide that the tube partially touches the plate 36, on the side opposite to the arrival of the water flow. One could also provide that the tube touches the plate 36, on the side of the arrival of the water flow; this would have the effect of promoting the static operation of the device, by the ascent of the water around the tube, and of disadvantaging the dynamic operation of the device, by the rise of water in the tube during the flow of water. As described above, one can simply bring the end of the tube or a part of it, without contact. Conversely, or in addition, a guide plate could be provided which is not planar, but inclined, which is shown in broken lines in FIG. 6. In such a case, the opening in the plate guide is in the vicinity of the free end of the tube; it does not then fulfill the function of diffuser, but only serves to guide the flow of water to ensure the distribution of the maintenance liquid.

Figures 7 and 8 show partial sectional views of two other embodiments of a dispenser; only the part of the distributor adjacent to the opening has been shown in these figures; the two figures are examples with a removable tank, and therefore show the beveled tube 40 which allows the opening of the cover of a removable tank. In the examples of these figures, the dispenser has two separate openings, which are used respectively for the air intake and for the distribution of maintenance liquid.

In the example of FIG. 7, two openings 42 and 44 are provided; the opening 42 is used for the entry of air into the tank, while the opening 44 is used for the distribution of the maintenance liquid; for this purpose, the tube 46 surrounds the opening 42, while no tube is provided below the opening 44; one could also provide a tube below the opening 44, which would extend less low than the tube 46. Due to the tube 46, the flow of water causes air to enter the reservoir through the opening 42, which can be explained by one of the phenomena referred to above. On the other hand, the flow of water, in the absence of a tube surrounding the opening 44, or because of the smaller size of this tube, causes little or no entry of air through the opening 44.

The liquid distribution is in the example of FIG. 7 simultaneous with the flow: it can start through the opening 44 as soon as the air begins to enter the reservoir through the opening 42. The fact of having two openings also allows you to independently adjust the dimensions of the two openings. The dimension of the opening 42 may be smaller than in the examples with a single opening, without however adversely affecting the efficiency of the distribution of the liquid. This allows a lower dose to be dispensed reliably than in the presence of a single opening. The size of the dispensing opening 44 can then be chosen simply so as to prevent the flow of maintenance liquid out of the tank in the absence of flushing; the size of the opening 42 is chosen according to the quantity of liquid to be dispensed. It is thus possible to distribute a smaller quantity of liquid, and extend the life of the product, for a given volume of reservoir. In the example of Figure 8, a single tube 48 surrounds the two openings 42 and 44; so that the air enters the opening 42 and the product is distributed through the other opening 44, a second tube 50 is formed under the liquid distribution opening 44, inside the single tube 48. made of the height of this second tube, there is during hunting a pressure difference at the level of the two openings; this has the effect of promoting the entry of air through the opening 42 and the distribution of maintenance liquid through the opening 44.

In the example of Figures 7 and 8, the guide device is not shown; one can use the guidance devices of the previous figures, or even dispense with them, depending on the nature of the water flow. Note also the shape of the end of the tube; it has a cutout 52. It is thus possible to promote the ascent of water in the tube, or the reverse, as explained above, depending on the position of the cutout with respect to the direction of the water flow.

In all the embodiments, other elements can be associated with the distributors. It is thus possible to associate with the reservoir a porous mass soaked in perfume, which would be changed at the same time as the reservoir. One can in particular use a block of cellulose soaked in perfume. This solution avoids mixing in the liquid scent essences and active substances which could degrade these scent essences. Thus, the acids used for their descaling action can degrade the fragrance substances.

One can also provide in the distributor a diffusing mass, for example porous or grooved. This mass could be in contact with the liquid in the tube, but would be out of the way of the flushing water; one could thus provide on the lower part of the tube an opening through which the maintenance liquid would flow. This solution has the advantage of improving the diffusing power of the dispenser, which is suitable for active perfuming substances. In such a case, the diffusing mass is in communication with the liquid of the tube, the disadvantages of the state of the art Sara Lee are avoided. It is also possible to provide a diffusing mass which is not in direct contact with the liquid, but which is in the path of the flushing water. Part of the liquid flowing out of the dispenser is then taken up by the porous mass; as in the previous case, this improves the scenting effect, by the prolonged diffusion of the scenting active substances. This solution is particularly suitable for the example of FIG. 3, in which the liquid is sucked in from the reservoir by the vacuum created by the flush, but continues to flow from the tube even after the flush has ended. of water. The length of the tube and the rebalancing time thus create a delay between the suction from the tank, and the flow of the product, so that part of the product can be taken from a diffusing mass.

It is also possible to provide a device for guiding the water towards the free end of the tube 10; such a device, for example in the form of guide plates, or a funnel, makes it possible to guide the water towards the end of the tube. This can increase the amount of water flowing to the tube, with a possible loss of speed.

The different elements of the different embodiments of the invention can be combined. Thus, the embodiments of FIGS. 3, 5 and 6 use a water guide plate, from which the maintenance liquid evaporates between two flushes. One could also use such a plate in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 or of FIG. 4. The plate, as explained above, has a guiding function and a function of improving the olfactory effect. It can be used simply for the guiding effect, for example for a maintenance liquid without perfuming function, or simply for the olfactory effect without taking part in guiding the water.

The tube can be straight as in the embodiment of Figure 5, or bent as in the embodiments of the other figures; again, the tube shapes can be changed, depending on the direction of the water flow; it is advantageous to choose the shape of the tube to maximize the hydrodynamic effect of the water. If the tube is bent, or more generally if it is not vertical, it can be used to induce a delay effect during the aspiration of the maintenance liquid, the latter flowing on the walls of the tube. In the case of a dispenser immersed in a flush tank, the tube is preferably of a length or more exactly a height such that it prevents the upwelling of water until the opening of the distributor tank. This avoids any contact between the maintenance liquid and the water in the flush tank.

The dispenser can have a removable reservoir, as is already proposed for certain prior art dispensers. In this case, the dispenser is typically provided with means for receiving and holding the dispenser, and with a point or the like for tearing a cover from the reservoir. In this case, the term "reservoir" means the part of the dispenser in which the liquid is stored in the dispenser operating position. In other words, in the case of a removable "reservoir", the reservoir within the meaning of this description is not simply the removable part, but also includes the entire part of the dispenser in which the liquid is located, when the dispenser is in operating position. The embodiments of the invention may have a tube into which the opening opens. In this case, it is advantageous for the free end of the tube - that is to say the end which is not connected to the reservoir - to be itself distant from any guide device or from the wall of the toilet. , so as to allow passage of the flushing water. One can also provide, as explained above, that the tube is only partially open at its lower end.

The hydrodynamic effect of suction of the maintenance liquid in the dispenser of the invention can thus be explained by three phenomena:

- a suction due to the depression caused by the flow of water at the end of the tube; this is maximum when the water flow is perpendicular to this end;

- a suction due to the rise and then the fall of water in the tube, as in Figure 3; in this case, even in the absence of static pressure around the tube, the rise of water in the tube causes an overpressure in the tank; this device is more sensitive to the speed and direction of the water flow;

- a suction due to the variation of the static pressure at the end of the tube.

The three phenomena can be combined depending on the strength and direction of the water flow. This allows the dispenser to operate for different flush conditions. The distributor is more reliable.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described by way of example; thus, the distribution tube could have a shape other than that given in the exemplary embodiments, and for example, could have an opening of elongated shape. In such a case, the word "diameter" in the foregoing may be replaced by the word "size". The tube of the invention may have a section different from that which is proposed; one can use for example a square section, the tube being simply formed of four walls which surround the opening provided in the lower part of the tank. The length of the tube may vary from the embodiments, and it could quite be less than the section. The tube section can also cover the entire surface of the dispenser; one could in this case call the tube "skirt" or "compartment".

Finally, the invention is described in its preferred application to the distribution of maintenance liquid in the toilet bowl; it can also be applied to the distribution of liquid of another nature in an environment with a flow of fluid.

Claims

1. A dispenser of cleaning liquid for toilet bowls, comprising

- hooking means (8) on the bowl, - a reservoir (4, 24) of maintenance liquid, the reservoir having in its lower part a free opening (22, 15, 26, 42) of a size which prevents the maintenance liquid from flowing out of the tank in the absence of a flush,

- A tube (10, 28, 32) at one end of which opens the opening, the other end of the tube being open.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, characterized by a guide device (34) in the vicinity of said other end of the tube.

3. The dispenser of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the opening is of a size which allows the suction of the maintenance liquid by hydrodynamic effect during the passage of water from a flush in the vicinity of the distributor.

4. The dispenser of claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the opening is circular and has a diameter between 0.2 and 5 mm, preferably of the order of 3 mm.

5. The dispenser of one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the maintenance liquid has a viscosity between 10 and 4000 mPa.s.

6. The dispenser of one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the guide device has the form of a grooved plate.

7. The dispenser of one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the guide device has the form of a plate with a flange (36).

8. The dispenser of one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the guide device has the form of a curved plate.

9. The dispenser of one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the guide device has an opening (38).

10. The dispenser of one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the reservoir has in its lower part a second free opening (44) of a size which prevents the flow of maintenance liquid out of the reservoir in no toilet flush.

11. The dispenser of claim 10, characterized in that the opening (42) and the second opening (44) of the reservoir have different dimensions.

12. The dispenser of claim 10 or 11, characterized in that it has a second tube (50) extending in said tube below one of the two openings.

13. The dispenser of claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the tube does not surround the second opening.

14. The dispenser of one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reservoir is removable.

15. A method of distributing a maintenance liquid in a toilet bowl, comprising the steps of: - hooking in the toilet bowl of a maintenance liquid distributor according to one of claims 1 to 14;

- suction of maintenance liquid out of the tank by hydrodynamic effect of water during a flush.

16. The method of claim 15, characterized in that the suction step comprises:

- the rise of the flushing water in the tube so as to create an overpressure at the level of the opening and bring air into the tank;

- the distribution of liquid outside the tank.

17. The method of claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the suction step comprises:

- the rise of the flushing water around the tube so as to create an overpressure at the opening and bring air into the tank;

- the distribution of liquid outside the tank.

18. The method of claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the raising step and the dispensing step are simultaneous.

19. The method of claim 16, 17 or 18, characterized in that the suction step comprises: - the passage of flushing water around the tube so as to create a depression at the opening ; - the distribution of liquid outside the tank.