EP0752032B1 - Re-fillable wc basket - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a container (1) for holding a block of active substance (14). The container can be securely clamped with a holder (4) at its site of use. The holder is connected to an annular element (5, 6) on whose faces basket-like shells (2, 3) are integrally formed. The basket-like shells (2, 3) consist of a plurality of clamping ribs (11) of flexible, resilient material and extend approximately axially away from the annular element (5, 6). At least one of the shells (2) comprises on its side remote from the annular element (5, 6) an insertion funnel (13) which is defined by the free ends of the clamping ribs (11) and is resiliently tensioned. The at least one shell (2) with the insertion funnel (13) comprises a snug (9) whose lower end is integrally formed on the annular element (5, 6) and which furthermore extends in a detached and substantially parallel manner between the clamping ribs (11) which are not spread apart. Its upper end is formed with a sharp edge. At least one of the principal dimensions (A, B) of the insertion funnel (13) is smaller than the corresponding principal dimension (A', B') of the block of active substance (14) which can be inserted through the insertion funnel (13) into the container (1).

Description

The invention relates to a container for coated active ingredients.

Active ingredients such as fragrances or disinfectants are common volatile and / or water soluble. To provide protection during storage before loss of substance due to volatilization or solution due to moisture, For example, to reach air humidity, the active ingredients envelops.

A special example of this are so-called toilet fragrance stones in Toilet baskets. In these baskets that hung in toilet bowls can be used, the fragrance stones for dispensing contained therein Filled with fragrance and disinfectants.

Such a toilet basket is known from DE-A-34 23 758. Here is a container for holding an active ingredient stone with a bracket and an associated ring body and two molded on its end faces basket-like shells, which several extending approximately axially from the ring body Clamping lips are made of flexible, resilient material, whereby at least one shell in its side facing away from the ring body defined by the free ends of the clamping ribs, resilient has an open funnel and at least one of the main dimensions of the insertion funnel is smaller than the corresponding main dimension of the active ingredient stone. In such a container fragrance stones can be used.

One problem has been that the wrapper has been opened or removed had to be so that the fragrances and disinfectants become effective could. Opening or removing manually is by many users, especially with regard to sensitive people and children, not he wishes. Therefore, water-soluble coatings are proposed been removed automatically when the water flush is activated will. But this has the disadvantage that the effect of the active ingredients only with a time delay after use, namely only after the resolution of the Wrapping through the rinse water can occur.

The problem underlying the invention is an automatic opening the coating of active substances when they are introduced into a container to propose. According to the invention, this problem is solved by a Solved above container, in which the bowl with the Introductory funnel has at least one mandrel which with its is formed on the lower end of the ring body, the rest of the free-standing essentially parallel between the unspread clamping ribs extends, the upper end of which is sharp-edged, and which is sufficiently rigid to slit open a film enveloping the active substance stone with its sharp-edged upper end when the active substance stone is inserted. The mandrel is advantageous on a compared to the active stone smaller main dimension limiting side arranged.

In such a container is an active ingredient by the Introduced funnel, the drug stone spreads the Flexible clamping ribs defining insertion funnels apart. The coating of the active ingredient stone becomes sharp-edged trained mandrel tip slit, so that the active ingredients already at of the first flushing with water and become effective can. The user comes at the introduction of the active ingredient stone only in contact with the casing since the slitting is automatic done by the thorn.

It is particularly effective if it is made of the same material as the Clamping ribs existing mandrel through reinforcement and / or profiling is made much stiffer in relation to the clamping ribs. The formation of the introductory funnel can thereby be advantageous be improved so that the clamping ribs at their free end are bent inwards that that defined by the clamping ribs Insertion funnel is tapered, the sharp-edged tip of the mandrel ends below the bent clamping ribs so that this when they are spread by the imported active ingredient stone the mandrel tip, but the fixed mandrel tip uncover.

An even better introductory effect is achieved if the Clamping rib ends in the circumferential direction of the insertion funnel group-wise connected to segments. To do that Spread apart particularly on the side where the Mandrel is arranged, the neighboring to the mandrel are appropriate Clamping ribs connected to a smaller segment than the rest Clamping ribs. This ensures that the smaller segment is a has greater flexibility than that or the larger segments and at Introduction of the active ingredient stone is spread back significantly, so that the stiff mandrel is exposed and the coating of the active ingredient stone can slit.

Be advantageous in the connecting web of the larger segments Notches are provided, whereby the connecting webs are still adapt more flexibly to the outer contour of the active ingredient stone. A practical and aesthetically pleasing solution is achieved when Ring body and shells in an unexpanded state essentially one have elliptical training, being in the area of Dornanformung an essentially rectangular shape of the Ring body is provided and the mandrel is pointed upward has tapered, substantially rectangular profile.

It is for use, for example for cleaning the container advantageous if the ring body is formed in two parts, the two shells formed on the ring body halves Containers can be put together so that they are detachable are pushed into each other and thereby by a corresponding Firmly latch the device. So with such an embodiment the two container parts are not separated from each other, the two ring body parts advantageously connected by a film hinge and together with the shells and the bracket molded in one piece, in particular injection molded.

Further advantages are due to the subclaims and following description based on an embodiment shown.

Fig. 1 einen erfindungsgemäßen Behälter in Seitenansicht;

Fig. 2 die Draufsicht des Behälters in ungespreiztem Zustand;

Fig. 3 einen Ausschnitt aus Fig. 2 in gespreiztem Zustand;

Fig. 4 einen perspektivischen Ausschnitt des Behälters gemäß Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 eine teilweise geschnittene innere Seitenansicht des Behälters und

Fig. 6 einen Wirkstoffstein in einer umhüllenden Folie zeigt.

An embodiment is shown in the drawing, wherein

Figure 1 shows a container according to the invention in side view.

Figure 2 shows the top view of the container in the unexpanded state.

3 shows a detail from FIG. 2 in a spread state;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective section of the container according to FIG. 1;

Fig. 5 is a partially sectioned inner side view of the container and

6 shows an active ingredient stone in an enveloping film.

1 shows an embodiment of the container 1 according to the invention shown, the bracket 4 only with its approach to the ring body 5, 6 is indicated. On the ring body 5, 6 are on both sides molded on the front basket-like shells 2, 3, the shell 3 on the the ring body 6 facing away from the side is closed. Shell 2 has an insertion judge 13 on its side facing away from the ring body 5 on, which will be described in more detail later. The shells 2, 3 consist of essentially from clamping ribs 11, between which slots 7, 8, 12th are arranged. These slots make it possible that when the Container 1, the washing medium, such as water, easily in the Can penetrate inside the container.

The clamping ribs of the shell 2 are on the ring body 5 opposite side connected to segments 2a, 2b, at least Slots 7, 8 are continuous and a separation between the Effect segments 2a and 2b.

On the left side a mandrel 9 is shown, which in the shell 2 with Introductory funnel 13 is freestanding at its upper end is.

In Fig. 2 is a plan view of the shell 2, the border through the ring body 5 and the division of the shell 2 into the segments 2a and 2b can be seen. The otherwise elliptical Shell 2 with the ring body 5 is at the point where the mandrel 9th is arranged, bulged approximately at right angles. That’s it possible the mandrel 9, which is made of much stronger material than the clamping ribs 11 also exist due to the angular shape stiffen. The clamping ribs 11 can, as on the right in Fig. 2, relatively narrow and separated by slots 12, they can but also, for example, not unimpeded on the rinse water accessible side, be formed wider.

In Fig. 2, the main dimensions are A, B of the introductory funnel designated. By comparing the representations in FIGS. 2 and 3 is the spreading effect illustrated by the introduction of a Active stone 14 with at least one larger main dimension A ', B' is effected in the introduction funnel 13. In an open state the mandrel 9 is largely in the top view through the segment 2b covered. If the active ingredient stone 14 is in the introduction funnel 13 introduced, the segments 2a and 2b bend apart. It is the spread of the smaller segment 2b larger than that of the larger one Segment 2a. The segment 2b is laterally through the active ingredient stone 14 (pushed down in the figure), the mandrel 9, the because its constructive arrangement and rigidity in its position remains exposed, so that its sharp-edged tip the Active ingredient stone 14 slitting film 15 slits when inserted.

4 and 5 can be clearly seen that by bending the sides of the clamping ribs 11 or their faces remote from the annular body 5 Connecting webs a conical insertion funnel 13 is formed. The in the connecting webs of the clamping ribs arranged notches 10 favor the flexible adaptation of the Connecting bars to the active ingredient stone 14.

In Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 it can be clearly seen that the upper tip of the Mandrel 9 below the bent clamping rib ends or their Connecting bars ends. This is for the reason that the segment 2b at its expansion when the drug stone 14 is not introduced Tip it mandrel 9 sticks or the mandrel 9 does not get through spreading segment 2b is moved away from its position. 6 is an active stone 14 with its main dimensions A ', B' and one film-like sheath 15 shown. The active ingredient stone is in his Length so dimensioned that after insertion into the container 1 of this is completely enclosed.

The illustrated embodiment has an insertion funnel only one-sided, d. H. in the bowl 2. The container can also be used two-sided openings and insertion funnels formed therein be trained. The container can, as shown in the Embodiment, be formed in two parts, the shell 2 on Ring body 5 and the shell 3 is integrally formed on the ring body 6. The In this embodiment, holder 4 is arranged on ring body 5. In this two-part form, the ring body parts 5 and 6 are connected by a film hinge (not shown) so that they are not separated from one another, even when they are not connected can be. This two-part version is between the To provide a suitable latching device for ring body parts 5 and 6, through which the parts are firmly interlocked when pushed together will. The container can also be designed so that the two ring bodies 5 and 6 with the shells 2 and 3 arranged thereon are firmly connected.

Claims (10)

1. A container for accommodating a block (14) of active substance comprising a holder (4), a ring element (5,6) connected thereto and two basket-like bowls (2,3) which are integrally formed on the end faces of the ring element and which consist of several clamping ribs (11) of flexible resilient material extending substantially axially away from the ring element (5,6), at least one bowl (2) - on its side remote from the ring element (5,6) - comprising a resiliently opened insertion funnel (13) defined by the free ends of the damping ribs (11) and at least one of the main dimensions (A, B) of the insertion funnel (13) being smaller than the corresponding main dimension (A',B') of the block (14), characterized in that the bowl (2) with the insertion funnel (13) comprises at least one spike (9) which is integrally formed at its lower end on the ring element (5,6), which otherwise extends substantially parallel between the unspread clamping ribs (11), of which the upper edge is sharp-edged and which is sufficiently stiff to slit open a film (15) wrapped around the block (14) with its sharp-edged upper end when the block (14) is inserted.
2. A container as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the spike (9) is arranged on a side bordering the smaller main dimension by comparison with the block (14).
3. A container as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the spike (9) is made of the same material as the clamping ribs (11) but is far stiffer as a result of reinforcement and/or profiling.
4. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the clamping ribs (11) of the bowl (2) with the insertion funnel (13) are bent inwards at their free ends in such a way that the insertion funnel (13) thus defined tapers conically and the sharp-edged end of the spike (9) ends below the bent ends of the clamping ribs.
5. A container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the ends of the clamping ribs are merged in groups peripherally of the insertion funnel (13) to form segments (2a,2b) and, more particularly, are formed integrally with one another.
6. A container as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the clamping ribs (11) adjacent the spike (9) are merged to form a smaller segment (2b) than the other clamping ribs (11).
7. A container as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that indentations (1) are formed in the web(s) merging the larger segment(s) (2a).
8. A container as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the unspread position, the ring element (5,6) and the bowls (2,3) are substantially elliptical, a substantially rectangular opening of the ring element (5,6) being provided in the vicinity of the spike assembly and the spike (9) having a substantially rectangular profile which tapers upwards to a point.
9. A container as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ring element (5,6) is designed to interlock firmly but releasably on two sides.
10. A container as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the two parts of the ring element (5,6) are joined by a film hinge and are formed in one piece, more particularly by injection moulding, with the bowls (2,3) and the holder (4).

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