DE20117675U1 - Toilet brush and holder for toilet brush - Google Patents

Description

- 1 TOILET BRUSH AND HOLDER FOR TOILET BRUSH

The present invention relates to a toilet brush with a handle provided with a grip and a cleaning element provided at the end of the handle facing away from the handle. The invention further relates to a holder for a toilet brush.

Such toilet brushes are provided in the vast majority of toilets, but they are usually plastic brushes in which the cleaning element or the plastic brush cannot be replaced. It is immediately clear that if the toilet brush is not cleaned properly or not used properly, hygiene is poor, and cleaning the toilet brush can be problematic, especially considering its intended use.

Particularly in publicly accessible toilets, for example in public buildings, hotels or restaurants, the problem of hygiene and cleanliness mentioned above is sometimes difficult to control or toilet brushes are not provided or available.

Taking into account the above problems, the

The present invention aims to provide a toilet brush with which the problem of cleaning the same can be avoided, with particular reference to use in publicly accessible toilets, in the hotel and catering industry, and for private use. To achieve this object, the toilet brush according to the invention, based on a toilet brush of the type mentioned at the beginning, is essentially characterized in that the cleaning element is detachably attached to the handle. Because the cleaning element according to the invention

Since the cleaning element is detachably attached to the handle of the toilet brush, the cleaning element can be removed from the handle of the toilet brush immediately after cleaning a toilet with the toilet brush and disposed of by flushing the toilet again, which is usually done after using the toilet brush, so that a new and accordingly clean or hygienically acceptable cleaning element is available for the next user to use the toilet brush again.

For easy attachment and detachability of the cleaning element, according to a preferred embodiment, the handle is designed with a locking device at the end facing away from the grip for detachable attachment of the cleaning element, so that the cleaning element can be detached from the handle after use in a correspondingly safe manner and without potential soiling or contamination of the user.

In this connection, according to a further preferred embodiment, it is proposed that the locking device has at least one hook or pin-like locking element, which serves to secure the cleaning element to the handle in a position protruding from the circumference of the handle and releases the cleaning element in a retracted position. Such hook or pin-like locking elements can not only be designed in a correspondingly simple manner, but also allow the corresponding mechanical robustness and reliability, so that the toilet brush can be used multiple times without problems. In the position of the locking element protruding from the circumference of the handle, the detachable cleaning element can be secured easily and securely, while in the retracted position the cleaning element

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The tensioning element is easily released and can therefore be separated or detached from the handle.

For a particularly simple and reliable positioning of the locking element in the fixing position for a cleaning element, it is proposed that the locking element is acted upon in the direction of the protruding position, in particular by spring force, as corresponds to a further preferred embodiment of the toilet brush according to the invention.

For easy release of the cleaning element by retracting the locking element into the interior of the handle, it is proposed according to a further preferred embodiment that the displaceable locking element cooperates with an actuating element provided on the handle in the grip area, in particular a push button, and can be retracted into its retracted position against the pretensioning force.

For simple and space-saving storage of a plurality of cleaning elements in a toilet while simultaneously ensuring a sufficiently large volume for the cleaning element during use, it is also preferably proposed that the cleaning element consists of a holding element that can be fixed to the handle and of a swellable material, in particular cellulose. By making the cleaning element out of a swellable material, in particular cellulose, it is possible for the cleaning element to reach a size or a correspondingly sufficient volume for the cleaning effect to be achieved when it comes into contact with water during use, whereby in particular by making the cleaning element out of cellulose it is ensured that the cleaning element disintegrates in the shortest possible time during subsequent disposal in the toilet flush.

so that no additional environmental pollution is to be feared.

In order to increase the cleaning effect when using the toilet brush according to the invention, according to a further preferred embodiment it is proposed that the cleaning material is impregnated with a disinfectant and/or an odor-binding agent.

Since, when using a swellable material, this may have a low strength, so that in the case of stubborn dirt, a proper cleaning effect may not be achieved, it is proposed according to a further preferred embodiment that bristles and/or knobs made of a material that has increased strength compared to the swellable material are incorporated into the swellable material. Such bristles and/or knobs made of a material that is reinforced or has increased strength and integrated into the swellable material support the desired cleaning effect, whereby such bristles and/or knobs can also be made of a material that dissolves quickly and, in particular, without leaving any residue after disposal in the waste water.

As indicated above, the cleaning element is also provided with a holding element for secure and reliable attachment to the handle of the toilet brush, whereby in this connection, according to a further preferred embodiment, it is proposed that the holding element is made of a reinforced or pressed cellulose, which has a passage opening that is matched to the outer contour of the handle and which is engaged behind by the locking device. The cleaning element can thus be made of a uniform material, so that the reinforced area of the holding element, which

which is necessary for a reliable attachment of the cleaning element to the handle during use or application of the toilet brush, can be disposed of accordingly without leaving any residue after disposal of the toilet brush.

For easy use and storage of the cleaning elements that can be detachably attached to the toilet brush according to the invention, according to the present invention a holder for a toilet brush of the above-mentioned type is essentially characterized in that a plurality of cleaning elements are accommodated in the interior of the holder and that an insertion opening for the handle of the toilet brush for attaching a cleaning element to the handle and an removal opening for the cleaning element attached to the handle together with the handle are provided in the holder. Such holders can be designed to be appropriately large, adapted to the conditions of use, so that a large number of detachable cleaning elements can be accommodated, so that the maintenance effort is reduced, particularly in publicly accessible toilets or in the hospitality and hotel industry, and the time between filling the holder with cleaning elements can be chosen to be correspondingly long. For domestic use, simpler or smaller holders can be sufficient. The holder according to the invention can be designed to be correspondingly simple, since in addition to a receiving volume for the plurality of cleaning elements, an insertion or introduction opening for the handle is essentially provided in order to essentially automatically fix a cleaning element to the handle, so that the toilet brush is available in a ready-to-use state for further use.

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For proper guidance or positioning of the cleaning elements accommodated in the holder, it is proposed according to a further preferred embodiment that at least one guide element is provided in the holder for positioning the cleaning elements with the passage opening of each cleaning element directed towards the insertion opening. Such a guide element ensures that, for example, simply by inserting or introducing a handle into the insertion opening of the holder, the handle is immediately introduced into a passage opening of the next cleaning element, so that a toilet brush is available that is ready for use.

In connection with the possibly desired improvement in the cleaning effect, it is further provided that a dosing device for applying a disinfectant and/or an odor-binding agent to the cleaning element is provided, particularly in the area of the insertion opening for the handle of the toilet brush, as corresponds to a further preferred embodiment of the holder according to the invention for a toilet brush.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to embodiments shown schematically in the accompanying drawing. In this drawing:

Fig. 1 is a schematic side view, partly in section, of a first embodiment of a toilet brush according to the invention;
Fig. 2 shows a modified embodiment of a toilet brush according to the invention in a representation similar to Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 in a schematic side view, partly in section, a holder according to the invention for a toilet brush.

In Fig. 1, a toilet brush is generally designated by 1, which has a handle 2, which is provided at one end with a schematically indicated handle or grip element 3. At the end facing away from the handle 3, a cleaning element is provided, generally designated by 4, which consists of a swellable material, for example cellulose, wherein the cleaning element 4 can be detachably secured to the handle 2.

In order to fix the cleaning element 4 to the handle 2, the cleaning element has a holding element 5 with a passage opening 6 adapted to the outer contour of the handle 2, wherein the holding element 5 is formed, for example, from the same material as the cleaning element 4 in a pressed or reinforced state.

To secure the cleaning element 4 to the handle 2, the end 7 of the handle 2 facing away from the grip 3 passes through the through opening 6 of the holding element 5, with hook-like locking or arresting elements 8 being indicated on the end 7 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, which in the position shown in Fig. 1 engage behind the edges of the through opening 6 of the holding element 5 so that the cleaning element 4 can be securely secured to the handle 2 of the toilet brush. The arresting elements 8, which protrude from the circumference or outer contour of the handle 2 in the position of use, are biased into the extended position by a spring 9, thereby preventing the cleaning element 4 from being accidentally released from the handle 2.

In Fig. 1, 4 ¹ also schematically shows an outer contour of the cleaning element in a state before

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an insert, wherein the cleaning element 4 swells to the ready-to-use size 4 upon contact with water in order to ensure the cleaning effect to be achieved. To improve the cleaning effect, bristles or knobs 10 integrated into the material of the cleaning element 4 are also schematically indicated in Fig. 1, which can also be made of a material similar to the swellable material with increased strength or density in order to be disposed of without residue after disposal of the cleaning element.

After the toilet brush has been used, a movement in the direction of the arrow 13 is caused by pressing a push button 11 provided on the end of the handle 3, which is coupled to a rod or an actuating element 12, whereby the hook-shaped locking elements 8 are retracted into the interior of the outer contour of the handle 2 against the force of the spring 9, so that the cleaning element 4 is simply released from the handle 2 and can be disposed of immediately by another actuation of the flush.

When using a suitable water-soluble material, it is thus ensured that no additional environmental pollution is to be feared due to the detachable cleaning element 4.

To further improve the cleaning effect, it can also be provided that the cleaning element 4 is impregnated with a disinfectant and/or an odor-binding agent, so that the hygiene conditions, in particular in publicly accessible toilets, can be further improved accordingly.

In the embodiment according to Fig. 2, a toilet brush 1 is again provided with a handle 2, with a cleaning device being detachably attached to an end facing away from the handle 3.

cleaning element 4, in particular made of a swellable material. Instead of the hook-like projections according to the embodiment of Fig. 1, the design according to Fig. 2 provides pin-like locking elements 14, which in turn engage behind a passage opening 6 of the holding element 5. By actuating the push button 11 after use, the cleaning element 4 is released by pulling back the pin-like locking elements 14 against the force of a spring 15, so that it can be disposed of immediately.

Fig. 3 schematically shows a holder 16 for a toilet brush according to the embodiments of Fig. 1 and 2, wherein a handle, again designated 2, can be mounted on the holder 16 with its end 7 facing away from the handle 3 through an insertion opening 17, which is provided for example in the lower section of the holder, wherein it is schematically indicated that a cleaning element 4 to be accommodated is arranged directly in the area of this insertion opening 17. By storing or securing the handle 2 of the toilet brush 1 after use at the insertion opening 17, a further cleaning element 4 is thus immediately secured by the end of the handle 2 penetrating a holding element of the subsequent cleaning element 4, wherein the handle 2 can be removed together with the cleaning element 4 secured to it through a removal opening of the holder 16, schematically indicated 18, for a subsequent connection.

0 In Fig. 3 it is schematically indicated that by appropriate shaping and provision of a guide 19 inside the holder 16, the cleaning elements 4 provided multiple times in the holder 16 can be correctly cleaned.

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can be positioned relative to the insertion opening 17 in order to enable the cleaning elements 4 to be securely fixed to the handle 2 simply by inserting the free end of the handle 2.

For impregnation of the cleaning element 4 used in each case, a storage container 20 with a corresponding disinfectant and/or an odor-binding agent is also indicated schematically, wherein a dosing or dispensing device, which opens into the interior of the holder 16, is indicated with 21.

As further indicated schematically in Fig. 3, such a holder 16 can be fixed, for example, by simple screwing 22 to a wall 23 of a toilet.

Claims (12)

1. Toilet brush with a handle ( 2 ) provided with a handle ( 3 ) and a cleaning element ( 4 ) provided at the end of the handle ( 2 ) facing away from the handle, characterized in that the cleaning element ( 4 ) is detachably attached to the handle ( 2 ). 2. Toilet brush according to claim 1, characterized in that the stem ( 2 ) is formed at the end facing away from the handle with a locking device ( 8 , 14 ) for releasably securing the cleaning element ( 4 ). 3. Toilet brush according to claim 2, characterized in that the locking device has at least one hook-like or pin-like locking element ( 8 , 14 ) which, in a position protruding from the circumference of the handle ( 2 ), serves to fix the cleaning element ( 4 ) to the handle ( 2 ) and, in a retracted position, releases the cleaning element ( 4 ). 4. Toilet brush according to claim 3, characterized in that the locking element ( 8 , 14 ) is urged in the direction of the projecting position in particular by spring force ( 9 , 15 ). 5. Toilet brush according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the displaceable locking element ( 8 , 14 ) cooperates with an actuating element ( 11 ), in particular a push button, provided on the handle ( 2 ) in the grip region ( 3 ), and can be retracted into its retracted position against the prestressing force. 6. Toilet brush according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the cleaning element ( 4 ) is impregnated with a disinfectant and/or an odor-binding agent. 7. Toilet brush according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the cleaning element ( 4 ) consists of a holding element ( 5 ) which can be fixed to the handle ( 2 ) and of a swellable material, in particular cellulose. 8. Toilet brush according to claim 7, characterized in that clumps and/or knobs ( 10 ) made of a material having increased strength compared to the swellable material are incorporated into the swellable material ( 4 ). 9. Toilet brush according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the holding element ( 5 ) is made of a reinforced or pressed cellulose which has a passage opening ( 6 ) matched to the outer contour of the handle ( 2 ) and which is engaged behind by the locking device ( 8 , 14 ). 10. Holder for toilet brush according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a plurality of cleaning elements ( 4 ) are accommodated in the interior of the holder ( 16 ) and that in the holder ( 16 ) an insertion opening ( 17 ) for the handle ( 2 ) of the toilet brush ( 1 ) for securing a cleaning element ( 4 ) to the handle ( 2 ) and a removal opening ( 18 ) of the cleaning element ( 4 ) secured to the handle ( 2 ) together with the handle ( 2 ) is provided. 11. Holder for toilet brush according to claim 10, characterized in that in the holder ( 16 ) at least one guide element ( 19 ) is provided for positioning the cleaning elements ( 4 ) with the passage opening of each cleaning element ( 4 ) directed towards the insertion opening ( 17 ). 12. Holder for toilet brush according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that a dosing device (21) for applying a disinfectant and/or an odor-binding agent to the cleaning element ( 4 ) is provided , in particular in the region of the insertion opening ( 17 ) for the handle ( 2 ) of the toilet brush ( 1 ).