Self-Cleaning Toilet Brush and Toilet Brush Holder Assembly

Abstract

A self-cleaning toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly. The toilet brush holder, together with the toilet brush, is placed either in the tank or in the bowl of a toilet, or in a chamber connected to the toilet tank. The key feature of the present disclosure is that it allows the brush of the toilet brush to be continuously cleaned with the water for filling the toilet tank and it additionally allows cyclic cleaning with the water that is flushed in each flush cycle. The correct sanitation of the brush is thus guaranteed. Additionally, the handle of the toilet brush includes means for adjusting the length thereof, which allows the size of the handle to be adjusted and allows, in a certain position, said handle to be completely concealed inside either the toilet tank or the bowl, or inside the chamber connected to the toilet tank.

Claims

1-16. (canceled)

17. A toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly wherein: the toilet brush comprises a brush, a handle and a reinforced ring located between the brush and the handle, the reinforced ring being configured to join the brush and the handle to each other, wherein said reinforced ring further comprises a cover that corresponds to a projection that starts from the handle, and the toilet brush holder comprises a chamber in which the brush of the toilet brush is housed and at least one lead-through hole intended to allow the brush and part of the handle to pass through; and wherein the cover of the reinforced ring is configured to cover the lead-through hole when the toilet brush is introduced into the toilet brush holder and wherein the chamber of the toilet brush holder is configured to connect to a tank of a toilet tank, or is configured to be installed in a tank or a bowl of a toilet, so that the chamber houses clean water and said water is renewed in each flush cycle of the toilet tank, and the brush is always submerged in water when the toilet brush is housed in the chamber of the toilet brush holder, wherein the handle of the toilet brush comprises adjustment means, configured to adapt the position of said handle, wherein the adjustment means comprise a pressure mechanism.

18. The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a support configured to couple the toilet brush holder either to the tank of a toilet tank or to the toilet bowl.

19. The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to claim 1, wherein the chamber of the toilet brush holder comprises a water inlet pipe and a water outlet pipe configured to be connected to a tank of a toilet tank, and the water outlet pipe is arranged at a higher level than that of the brush of the toilet brush so that a minimum water level is always maintained in the chamber that guarantees that the brush is submerged in water.

20. The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to claim 1, wherein the chamber of the toilet brush holder is configured to be installed in a toilet bowl, and comprises a water inlet pipe connectable to the outlet of a tank of a toilet tank and a water outlet pipe with a free end configured to allow water to pass from the chamber of the toilet brush holder to a bowl receptacle of a toilet and where the water outlet pipe is arranged at a level higher than that of the brush of the toilet brush so that a minimum water level is always maintained in the chamber that guarantees that the brush is submerged in water.

21. The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to claim 1 wherein the toilet brush holder is configured to be installed in the tank of a toilet tank and the chamber comprises walls with openings that allow water to pass from the tank to the chamber so that the brush is always submerged in water.

22. The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to claim 1 wherein the adjustment means comprise a drive body and a receiving body wherein the receiving body forms the outside of the handle and the drive body is able to move inside said receiving body, and comprises a spring element, housed inside the receiving body, configured to control the movement of the drive body along said receiving body.

23. The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to claim 6, wherein the receiving body and the cover of the reinforced ring of the toilet brush are joined together.

24. The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to claim 7, wherein the receiving body and the cover of the toilet brush form a single body.

25. The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to claim 1 which comprises a trim in the lead-through hole of the chamber of the toilet brush holder.

26. The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to claim 1, wherein the toilet brush comprises a brush and a handle, the handle being intended to allow a user to grip same and the brush configured for cleaning a bowl of a toilet wherein it comprises a pipe or a reservoir inside the handle and said handle comprises at least one opening that connects the pipe or reservoir inside the handle with the outside.

27. The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to claim 1, wherein the chamber of the toilet brush holder comprises sanitisers, preferably solid sanitisers.

28. The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to claim 1, wherein the toilet brush holder comprises a cylinder, which in turn comprises a lower cover, said lower cover being located on the side opposite to the lead-through hole.

29. The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to claim 12, wherein the lower cover comprises at least one through hole, which allows the inlet and outlet of water into the chamber of the toilet brush holder.

30. The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to claim 1, wherein the handle and the brush of the toilet brush are removable.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060] To complete the description, and for the purpose of helping to make the features of the present disclosure more readily understandable, this description is accompanied by a set of drawings constituting an integral part of the same, which by way of illustration and not limitation represents the following:

[0061] FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of the toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly in the embodiment in which it is configured to be installed in the tank of a toilet tank.

[0062] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly.

[0063] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the toilet brush.

[0064] FIG. 4 shows a side view of an exemplary embodiment in which the assembly is configured to be installed in a toilet tank embedded into the wall.

[0065] FIGS. 5A-B show a view of a toilet tank and the toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly in an embodiment in which the toilet brush holder is intended to be installed on a wall and is connected to the tank of a toilet tank.

[0066] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a toilet bowl with the integrated toilet brush holder.

[0067] FIG. 7 shows a view of the interior of the bowl of FIG. 6 where the water inlet channel to the toilet brush holder and the water outlet channel from the toilet brush holder to the bowl receptacle are observed.

[0068] FIG. 8 shows a detail view of the retractable handle according to one embodiment of the toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly.

[0069] Below, a list is provided of the different elements represented in the figures making up the present disclosure: [0070] 1. Toilet tank [0071] 2. Toilet brush [0072] 3. Tank cover [0073] 4. Brush [0074] 5. Handle [0075] 6. Bowl [0076] 7. Toilet brush holder [0077] 8. Cover [0078] 9. First openings [0079] 10. Second openings [0080] 11. Water inlet pipe [0081] 12. Water outlet pipe [0082] 13. Drive body [0083] 14. Receiving body [0084] 15. Spring element

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0085] The present disclosure should not be limited to the embodiment described herein. Other configurations may be carried out by those skilled in the art based on the present description. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the following claims.

[0086] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the toilet brush (2) and toilet brush holder (7) assembly in an embodiment in which the toilet brush holder is configured to be installed in a toilet tank. The assembly comprises the toilet brush (2) which has a brush (4), a handle (5) and a cover (8) that corresponds to a projection that starts from the handle (5). The toilet brush holder (7) comprises a chamber in which the brush (4) of the toilet brush is housed and at least one lead-through hole intended to allow the brush (4) and part of the handle (5) to pass through.

[0087] The cover (8) is configured to cover the lead-through hole when the toilet brush (2) is inserted into the toilet brush holder and the chamber of the toilet brush holder (7) is configured to connect to a tank (1) of a toilet tank, or is configured to be installed in a tank (1) or a bowl (6) of a toilet, so that the chamber houses clean water and said water is renewed in each flush cycle of the tank, and the brush (4) is always submerged in water when the toilet brush (2) is housed in the toilet brush holder (7).

[0088] In an exemplary embodiment, the toilet brush holder (7) is configured to be, preferably installed on the wall, and connected to the tank (1). In this case, the chamber of the toilet brush holder comprises a water inlet pipe (11) and a water outlet pipe (12) configured to be connected to a tank (1) of a toilet tank, and the water outlet pipe (12) is arranged at a higher level than that of the brush (4) of the toilet brush (2) so that a minimum water level is always maintained in the chamber that guarantees that the brush (4) is submerged in water.

[0089] In another exemplary embodiment in which the chamber of the toilet brush holder (7) is configured to be installed in a toilet bowl, and comprises a water inlet pipe (11) connectable to the outlet of a tank (1) of a toilet tank and a water outlet pipe (12) with a free end configured to allow water to pass from the chamber of the toilet brush holder (7) to a receptacle of a toilet bowl (6) and where the water outlet pipe (12) is arranged at a higher level than that of the brush (4) of the toilet brush (2) when the toilet brush (2) is housed in the toilet brush holder (7) so that a minimum water level is always maintained in the chamber that guarantees that the brush (4) is submerged in water.

[0090] In another possible embodiment, the toilet brush holder (7) is configured to be installed in the tank (1) of a toilet tank and the chamber of the toilet brush holder (7) comprises walls with openings that allow the water to pass from the tank to the chamber so that the brush (4) is always submerged in water. Preferably, the chamber of the toilet brush holder (7) is a plastic basket with mesh walls.

[0091] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly in the embodiment specially designed to be installed in the tank (1) of a toilet tank. Likewise, FIG. 3 shows the proposed toilet brush (2). Preferably the toilet brush (2) comprises a pipe or a reservoir inside the handle (5). In this embodiment, the handle (5) comprises at least one opening (9, 10) and preferably a plurality of openings (9, 10) that communicate the exterior with the interior of the handle (5).

[0092] The toilet brush (2) may comprise, as can be seen in this figure, first openings (9), in a proximal section of the handle (5), intended to remain outside the chamber when the toilet brush (2) passes through the lead-through hole of the toilet brush holder (7). The toilet brush (2) may also comprise second openings (10) in a distal section of the handle (5), which is intended to be submerged in the water of the chamber when the toilet brush (2) passes through the lead-through hole. In this way, the handle (5) can contain, for example, air fresheners or sanitising liquid to increase cleaning efficiency. The diffusion is carried out continuously, without the need for diffusion activation elements. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to perform any action and disinfection does not depend on the user remembering to perform said action. Disinfection and aroma diffusion are therefore guaranteed at all times.

[0093] Furthermore, as previously seen, the toilet brush (2) comprises in the handle (5) a cover (8) configured to fit into the lead-through hole, acting as a closure of said hole when the toilet brush (2) is inserted into the tank (1).

[0094] In a more common embodiment, as shown in said FIGS. 2 and 3, the handle (5) extends perpendicular to the cover (8). It is the preferred embodiment for cases in which the toilet tank in which the assembly is to be installed is exterior, as in the example in FIG. 1. In another possible embodiment, the handle (5) extends obliquely to the cover (8). This embodiment is the one used in cases in which the toilet tank in which it is installed is embedded in the wall, as represented in the example of FIG. 4 or in cases in which the toilet brush holder (7) itself is installed on the wall (connected to the toilet tank) as seen in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

[0095] Preferably, the cover (8) has a configuration corresponding to the section of the lead-through hole so that, when the toilet brush (2) is housed in the toilet brush holder (7), its interior cannot be seen from the outside of the toilet brush holder (7). In a possible embodiment, the toilet brush holder additionally comprises a trim arranged in the lead-through hole of the chamber such that, when the toilet brush (2) passes through the lead-through hole, the projection is fitted into the trim, closing the lead-through hole.

[0096] As seen in FIG. 2, a toilet brush is described that comprises a brush (4) and a handle (5), the handle (5) being intended to allow grip by a user and the brush (4) is configured for cleaning a bowl (6) of a toilet. The toilet brush comprises a pipe or a reservoir inside the handle (5) and said handle comprises at least one opening (9, 10) that connects the pipe or reservoir inside the handle (5) with the outside and wherein the pipe or reservoir inside the handle (5) is configured to house an air freshener and/or disinfectant product that is diffused to the outside through the at least one opening (9, 10). That is, unlike the hollow toilet brushes of the state of the art, it does not have diffusion activation elements. This diffusion is carried out constantly, as occurs in traditional diffusers, only in this case from the toilet brush (2) itself.

[0097] Preferably, the pipe or reservoir inside the handle (5) is divided into two housings, a first housing, at a proximal end of the handle (5) and comprising first openings (9) and a second housing, at a distal end of the handle (5), which comprises second openings (10), and each housing is configured to house an air freshener and/or disinfectant product that is diffused to the outside through the openings (9, 10). In this way, for example, a first housing may be provided in which an air freshener is housed and a second housing may be provided in which a disinfectant is housed.

[0098] FIGS. 6 and 7 show the exemplary embodiment in which the toilet brush holder is configured to be installed in the bowl (6) of a toilet. The water inlet pipe (11) and the water outlet pipe (12) have been represented so that it can be clearly seen how the water passes from the tank (1) of the toilet tank to the bowl (6) receptacle through the chamber of said toilet brush holder (7). Due to the fact that the water outlet pipe (12) is arranged at the top at the height at which the brush (4) is arranged, it is guaranteed that there is always a certain water level that completely covers the brush (4). Furthermore, as previously explained, said water is renewed with each flush cycle of the tank (1) of the toilet tank in which it is installed. The key feature is that the inside of the toilet brush holder is filled with clean water.

[0099] The toilet brush holder (7) can also be used to house a disinfectant tablet or similar, preventing it from moving during the flush cycles and ending up blocking the water outlet or interfering with any of the elements of the water supply and flush mechanisms.

[0100] It is also an object of the present disclosure a toilet comprising a toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly as previously described. In one possible embodiment of the toilet, the toilet brush holder (7) is installed in the tank of the toilet tank and in another possible embodiment, the toilet brush holder (7) is installed in the bowl (6). When it is installed in the tank (1) of the toilet tank, it is installed in correspondence with the tank cover (3) (as seen in FIG. 1).

[0101] The toilet of the present disclosure may also comprise, in the toilet tank, a container that can be used, for example, as a trash can or storage space. By occupying part of the space of the toilet tank, the tank (1) of the toilet tank has its water storage volume reduced but this is not a drawback because currently the capacity of toilet tanks is much greater than the volume of water which, according to regulations, can be flushed in each cycle. The container may have a cover element configured to allow or prevent access to the container, concealing and/or protecting the contents of the interior thereof.

[0102] FIG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of the adjustment means for a handle (5) of the retractable toilet brush (2), that is, it can be extended to be used by the user or retracted and concealed inside the toilet brush holder (7). Thus, the handle (5) can go from a retracted position to an extended position and vice versa.

[0103] In this exemplary embodiment, the adjustment means for adjusting the handle (5) comprise an actuation body (13) and a receiving body (14) wherein the receiving body (14) forms the outside of the handle (5) and the drive body (13) is able to move inside said receiving body (14). Furthermore, the handle (5) comprises at least one spring element (15), housed inside the receiving body (14), configured to control the movement of the drive body (13) along said receiving body (14). The at least one spring element can be, for example, an automatic spring, rubber, gas, etc. device.

[0104] In one possible embodiment, the cover (8) of the toilet brush (2) and the receiving body (14) are joined and in another possible embodiment, as seen in FIG. 8, they form a single body.

[0105] Once the toilet brush (2) is placed in the toilet brush holder (7), the user simply has to press down on the drive body (13) and same lowers, being concealed in the toilet brush holder (7) (which in the example in FIG. 8 is housed in the tank (1)), remaining flush with the surface of the cover (8). To move to the extended position of the handle (5), which is that which is shown in FIG. 8, it is only necessary to lightly press the drive body (13), thus activating again the spring that moves the drive body (13) towards the outside of the receiving body (14), extending the handle (5).

CLAUSES

[0106] The present disclosure presents the following clauses:

Clause 1

[0107] A toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly wherein: [0108] the toilet brush comprises a brush, a handle and a cover that corresponds to a projection that starts from the handle, and [0109] the toilet brush holder comprises a chamber in which the brush of the toilet brush is housed and at least one lead-through hole intended to allow the brush and part of the handle to pass through; and [0110] wherein the cover is configured to cover the lead-through hole when the toilet brush is introduced into the toilet brush holder and wherein the chamber of the toilet brush holder is configured to connect to a tank of a toilet tank, or is configured to be installed in a tank or a bowl of a toilet, so that the chamber houses clean water and said water is renewed in each flush cycle of the toilet tank, and the brush is always submerged in water when the toilet brush is housed in the chamber of the toilet brush holder.

Clause 2

[0111] The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to clause 1 wherein the chamber of the toilet brush holder comprises a water inlet pipe and a water outlet pipe configured to be connected to a tank of a toilet tank, and the water outlet pipe is arranged at a level higher than that of the brush of the toilet brush so that a minimum water level is always maintained in the chamber that guarantees that the brush is submerged in water.

Clause 3

[0112] The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to clause 1 wherein the chamber of the toilet brush holder is configured to be installed in a bowl of a toilet, and comprises a water inlet pipe connectable to the outlet of a tank of a toilet tank and a water outlet pipe with a free end configured to allow water to pass from the chamber of the toilet brush holder to a receptacle of a toilet bowl and where the water outlet pipe is arranged at a higher level than that of the brush of the toilet brush so that a minimum water level is always maintained in the chamber that guarantees that the brush is submerged in water.

Clause 4

[0113] The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to clause 1 in which the toilet brush holder is configured to be installed in the tank of a toilet tank and the chamber comprises walls with openings that allow water to pass from the tank to the chamber so that the brush is always submerged in water.

Clause 5

[0114] The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the toilet brush comprises a pipe or a reservoir inside the handle configured to receive an air freshener and/or disinfectant product and the handle comprises at least one opening that communicates the pipe or reservoir with the outside and through which the air freshener and/or disinfectant product is diffused outside.

Clause 6

[0115] The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to clause 5 wherein the toilet brush comprises first openings, in a proximal section of the handle, intended to remain outside the chamber when the toilet brush passes through the lead-through hole.

Clause 7

[0116] The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to any one of clauses 5 or 6 wherein the toilet brush comprises second openings in a distal section of the handle, intended to be submerged in the water of the chamber when the toilet brush passes through the lead-through hole.

Clause 8

[0117] The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to any one of the preceding clauses which comprises a trim in the lead-through hole of the chamber of the toilet brush holder.

Clause 9

[0118] The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the toilet brush comprises a brush and a handle, the handle being intended to allow a user to grip same and the brush configured for cleaning a bowl of a toilet wherein it comprises a pipe or a reservoir inside the handle and said handle comprises at least one opening that connects the pipe or reservoir inside the handle with the outside and wherein the pipe or reservoir inside the handle is configured to house an air freshener and/or disinfectant product that is diffused to the outside through the at least one opening.

Clause 10

[0119] The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to clause 9 wherein the pipe or reservoir inside the handle of the toilet brush is divided into two housings, a first housing, at a proximal end of the handle and comprising first openings and a second housing, at a distal end of the handle, which comprises second openings, and each housing is configured to house an air freshener and/or disinfectant product that is diffused to the outside through the openings.

Clause 11

[0120] The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the handle of the toilet brush comprises a drive body and a receiving body wherein the receiving body forms the exterior of the handle and the drive body is able to move inside of said receiving body, and comprises a spring element, housed inside the receiving body, configured to control the movement of the drive body along said receiving body.

Clause 12

[0121] The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to clause 11 wherein the receiving body and the cover of the toilet brush are joined together.

Clause 13

[0122] The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to clause 10 wherein the receiving body and the cover of the toilet brush form a single body.