Toilet cleaner with variable product dispension

Abstract

The invention relates to a toilet cleaner for receiving solid or gel preparations, comprising a plurality of containers for receiving at least one preparation. The containers can be positioned below the toilet rim such that flushing water can flow over the containers when the toilet is flushed, and at least one inlet opening and outlet opening are formed in each container wall for the flushing water. A flushing water conducting element is arranged and configured on the toilet cleaner such that flushing water is supplied to the flushing water conducting element when the toilet is flushed and the flushing water is conducted to the inlet opening of the container. The inlet openings are asymmetrical relative to the vertical axis V of the containers and are arranged at an angle of incidence of 1-60 relative to the longitudinal central axis M.

Claims

1. A toilet rim basket (1) for the reception of solid or gelled preparations, comprising a plurality of containers (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d), arranged in series with one another based on the longitudinal center axis (M) of the toilet rim basket, for the reception of at least one preparation (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d), wherein the containers (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) are positionable below the toilet rim (10) in such a way that flushing water can flow over them upon flushing of the toilet (9), and at least one inlet opening (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) and one outlet opening (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) for the flushing water is respectively shaped in the container wall (7), a holder (2) for mounting the toilet rim basket (1) on the toilet rim (10), wherein a flushing water directing element (8) is arranged and configured on the toilet rim basket (1) in such a way that the flushing water directing element (8) is impinged upon by flushing water upon flushing, and a delivery of flushing water to the inlet opening (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) of the container (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) is caused, wherein each of the inlet openings (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) are arranged asymmetrically on each container with regard to a plane V, said plane V encompassing the vertical axis (V) of a respective container and being perpendicular to a plane formed by vertical axis (V) of said respective container and longitudinal axis (M), and are arranged at an inclination angle () with respect to the longitudinal center axis (M) from 1 to 60 wherein the containers (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) are of cylindrical configuration and are arranged linearly next to one another along axis (M).

2. The toilet rim basket (1) according to claim 1 wherein the inlet openings (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) are of slit-shaped configuration parallel to the flushing water directing element (8).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and

(2) FIG. 1 shows a toilet rim basket in the state positioned in the toilet bowl;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a toilet rim basket; and

(4) FIG. 3 is a plan view of a toilet rim basket in different states positioned in the toilet bowl.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(5) The following detailed description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the following detailed description of the invention.

(6) The toilet rim basket according to the present invention for the reception of solid or gelled preparations comprises a plurality of containers, arranged in series with one another based on the longitudinal center axis M of the toilet rim basket, for the reception of at least one preparation, wherein the containers are positionable below the toilet rim in such a way that flushing water can flow over them upon flushing of the toilet, and at least one inlet opening and one outlet opening for the flushing water is respectively shaped in the container wall; a holder for mounting the toilet rim basket on the toilet rim, wherein a flushing water directing element is arranged and configured on the toilet rim basket in such a way that the flushing water directing element is impinged upon by flushing water upon flushing, and a delivery of flushing water to the inlet opening of the container is caused, wherein the inlet openings are arranged asymmetrically with regard to the vertical axis V of the containers, and are arranged at an inclination angle a with respect to the longitudinal center axis M from 1 to 60, preferably 5 to 45, particularly preferably 10 to 30.

(7) As a result of the asymmetrical arrangement according to the present invention of the flushing water inlet openings, as well as the angled inclination of the containers of the toilet rim basket, two different active-agent delivery quantities from the toilet bowl cleaner can be realized, by the fact that the toilet bowl cleaner is simply positioned by the user on oppositely located sides of the toilet bowl. This is further explained below.

(8) Container

(9) A container is understood as a packaging means that is suitable for at least partly encasing and/or holding together a solid, liquid, or gelled preparation.

(10) The toilet rim basket according to the present invention is made of a plurality of containers, wherein the latter are arranged next to one another, preferably on a line.

(11) It is furthermore preferred that more than one container for reception of a preparation or of preparations differing from one another be provided on the toilet rim basket. In particular, preparations that are not mutually shelf-stable can thereby be stored physically separately from one another. It is also possible in principle, however, in particular with solid preparations, to position preparations that differ from one another alongside one another in one container.

(12) It is advantageous in this connection to embody the container so as to prevent an exchange, between the containers, of flushing water that has entered.

(13) In the context of a plurality of containers, they can be connected integrally to one another. This has the advantage in particular that the containers can be shaped integrally, for example using an injection molding process, and subsequent joining of individual contains is superfluous. With this kind of configuration of the containers, it is furthermore advantageous to embody the containers as half-shells that are connected to one another by a material bridge. The material bridge serves as a hinge around which the half-shells can be tilted and can be joined to one or to a plurality of containers.

(14) In an embodiment of the invention, the containers can be connected to one another via a non-water-conveying web. This allows, in particular, the embodiment of dimensionally stable containers that provide sufficient mechanical protection for the preparations stored in them, wherein an elastic connection between the containers can be embodied by means of the web so that in the inserted state, the toilet rim basket follows the contour of the toilet bowl.

(15) For solid and gelled preparations in particular, the container is embodied so that flushing water can flow through it. i.e. it comprises at least one inlet opening for the entry of flushing water into the container, and at least one outlet opening for the exit, from the container, of flushing water charged with preparation.

(16) In an advantageous embodiment of the toilet rim basket according to the present invention, the inlet opening of the container or containers is located, with the toilet rim basket in the installed state, outside the flushing water flow. In other words, without the use of a flushing water directing element, no flushing water, or at least only a very small quantity thereof, enters the container through the inlet opening(s).

(17) It is also advantageous to embody the inlet opening(s) in slit-shaped fashion parallel to the longitudinal axis of the toilet rim basket.

(18) Preparations

(19) Solid preparations, which are also usually referred to as toilet blocks, are manufactured predominantly as pressed shaped elements, as extrudates, or using casting methods. It is also conceivable to configure shaped elements of this kind at least in part from a gelled or liquid phase. For example, the core of a toilet block can be made of a gel that is secured, for example by adhesive bonding, in a cavity of the toilet block.

(20) Toilet blocks nowadays usually have a cylindrical or bar-like shape. It is conceivable and desirable, however, to provide shapes that are differentiated from these traditional shapes, so that greater distinctiveness for a corresponding product among consumers can be achieved. The solid preparations can therefore in particular be of spherical or cylindrical configuration.

(21) Preparations for a toilet rim basket according to the present invention usually contain substances such as cleaning substances, enzymes, perfume oils, dyes, surfactants, or foaming agents. The perfume oils, dyes, and surfactants can in particular be natural ones. The preparation preferably has a surfactant content from 2 to 50 wt % and/or a perfume oil content from 1 to 20 wt % and/or a dye content from 0.5 to 20 wt %. In a particularly preferred embodiment the preparation comprises at least one enzyme at a concentration from 0.1 to 10 wt %.

(22) It is particularly preferred that a toilet block comprise at least one first water-soluble basic element as well as at least one external water-soluble layer at least partly covering the basic element. It is very particularly preferred if the outer layer has optical properties, for example a color and/or gloss, different from the basic element. It is thereby possible to provide for the user an indicator function that indicates, after a few flushing cycles, how uniformly water is flowing over and impinging upon the respective toilet blocks in the toilet rim basket, so that the toilet bowl dispenser can possibly be differently positioned in the toilet bowl.

(23) The outer layer of the toilet block preferably has a thickness of between 10 and 1000 m, particularly preferably 20 to 500 m, very particularly preferably 50 to 150 m. Preferably the layer completely surrounds the basic element.

(24) Preferred toilet blocks are furthermore characterized in that the basic element is a granulate and/or an extrudate and/or a pellet and/or a prill and/or a melt-cast shaped element and/or a tablet.

(25) Holder

(26) The toilet rim basket according to the present invention comprises a holder for securing the toilet rim basket on the rim of a toilet bowl.

(27) Such holders are usually embodied as a rod-shaped element having two loops, so that the holder having the toilet rim basket can be clamped against the rim of the toilet thanks to the spring action of the loops.

(28) In an advantageous refinement of the invention, the holder comprises at least one spring element that, with the toilet bowl dispenser in the state installed in the toilet, has a substantially vertical or horizontal spring travel. It is furthermore very particularly preferred that the holder comprise at least two spring elements, wherein with the toilet bowl dispenser in the state installed in the toilet, one spring element has a substantially vertical spring travel and one spring element has a substantially horizontal spring travel. The spring travel that is provided enables improved and more flexible securing of the toilet rim basket onto toilets having different bowl rim thicknesses and configurations. The spring element can in particular be of rhomboidal configuration.

(29) The invention will be further explained by way of example with reference to the following Figures, in which: FIG. 1 shows a toilet rim basket in the state positioned in the toilet bowl; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a toilet rim basket; and FIG. 3 is a plan view of a toilet rim basket in different states positioned in the toilet bowl.

(30) FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of toilet rim basket 1 according to the present invention in the state suspended in toilet bowl 9, wherein toilet rim basket 1 is secured releasably on toilet bowl 9 by means of holder 2.

(31) Toilet rim basket 1 is made of four containers 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d arranged in a row, which are of cylindrical configuration and which each store a solid toilet cleaning composition 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d. Outlet openings 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d of containers 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are arranged on that side of toilet rim basket 1 which faces away from toilet bowl 9.

(32) Toilet rim basket 1 is configured so that in the state suspended in toilet bowl 9, flushing water directing element 8 (not visible) is arranged below toilet rim 10.

(33) FIG. 2 shows toilet rim basket 1 known from FIG. 1 in a perspective view directed toward the toilet bowl, in the state suspended in toilet 9.

(34) Containers 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are of cylindrical configuration, wherein their rotation axis is arranged perpendicular to vertical axis V. Containers 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are arranged linearly next to one another.

(35) Flushing water directing element 8 is arranged approximately horizontally centeredly on the cylindrical containers 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d over the entire length of toilet rim basket 1. Flushing water directing element 8 is of plate-like configuration. Provided above flushing water directing element 8 in containers 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are inlet openings 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d for flushing water that is delivered through flushing water directing element 8 to inlet openings 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d.

(36) Inlet openings 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d are arranged on containers 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d asymmetrically with respect to vertical axis V. Containers 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are furthermore arranged with the respective inlet openings 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d at a inclination angle a with respect to longitudinal center axis M from 1 to 60, preferably 5 to 45, particularly preferably 10 to 30. Inlet openings 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d are slit-shaped, embodied parallel to flushing water directing element 8.

(37) Upon actuation of the toilet flushing system, flushing water, which is usually flushed with a directed swirl into the toilet bowl, encounters toilet bowl dispenser 1 with a flow direction component that extends parallel to flushing water directing element 8. In the example of FIG. 2 that is shown, this is indicated by the arrow.

(38) Because of the asymmetrical arrangement of inlet openings 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d and the inclined orientation of containers 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, a different quantity of flushing water travels into inlet openings 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d depending on the direction from which the flushing water strikes toilet bowl dispenser 1. The impingement of flushing water onto containers 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d in a manner dependent on the flushing water direction also results in a different degree of active-agent release from the toilet bowl dispenser.

(39) This manner of operation is explained further with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows two different securing positions of toilet rim bowl 1 according to the present invention in a toilet bowl 9, which positions are typically selected by the user for securing toilet rim basket 1 on toilet bowl 9.

(40) If toilet rim basket 1 known from FIG. 2 is fastened on the left side of toilet rim 9 as shown in the left illustration of FIG. 3, comparatively small quantities of flushing water then penetrate into toilet rim basket 1 if the flushing water flow exhibits a swirling motion in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 2, since because of the inclination of containers 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, the flushing water flow proceeds largely parallel to the slit-shaped inlet openings 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d. If, on the contrary, toilet rim basket 1 is secured on the right side of toilet bowl 9, as shown in the right illustration of FIG. 3, the flushing water flow then encounters toilet rim basket 1 not in the direction shown in FIG. 2 but in exactly the opposite direction. In this case the inclination of containers 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d as well as the asymmetrical configuration of inlet openings 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d causes the flushing water flow to be conveyed directly into inlet openings 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, with the result that comparatively large quantities of flushing water can enter the toilet rim basket. This variation of position on a toilet, easily performed by the user, thus allows the user to control, with the toilet rim basket according to the present invention, the degree of product release from the toilet bowl dispenser.

(41) While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description of the invention, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.