GB2325849A - Toilet bowl cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

A toilet bowl cleaner comprises a reusable wand 12 which is a push fit into a disposable cleaning head 18 of absorbent, degradable material. After use, the head is shouldered on the lip of a toilet bowl and the wand withdrawn, the head falling into the bowl to degrade and be flushed away. The head may be dipped into disinfectant in container 6. Wand and head materials are described.

Description

Toilet Bowl Cleaner This invention relates to a toilet bowl cleaner, by which is meant a manual device by means of which the flushed interior surfaces of a toilet bowl may be cleansed of any adhering faecal or like soiling matter.

Toilet cleaners are known in the form of brushes with angled heads of stiff bristles. After use, the brush is intended to be inserted in a stand which usually shrouds the brush head.

The disadvantage of using such known brushes is the difficulty of removing soil from the brush head after use. If the flow of flushing water has stopped or lessened before the brush head has been rinsed clean, the delay in waiting for the cistern to refill is such as to discourage users from cleansing the brush with a second flush. Thus the brush may be replaced on its support while imperfectly clean, leading to aesthetic and sanitary objections.

The present invention aims at overcoming this problem by using a toilet bowl cleaner having a detachable head for preferably one-time use, and which is preferably disposable down the toilet in the manner of tampons.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a toilet bowl cleaner which is as claimed in the appended claims.

The present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of the support and reusable wand of the present invention; Figure 2 is a similar view of a lidded container for the disposable cleaner heads for the wand shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a view, on a larger scale, of a typical cleaner head.

In the support 2 shown in Figure 1, the base 4 is intended to rest stably on the floor or other flat surface in the toilet room. Extending upwardly from the base is a hollow container 6 for a disinfectant liquid, the container being usually kept closed by a well-fitting lid 8, to restrict access to the contents of the container by inquisitive children.

Projecting from one side of the container 6 is a ring support 10 for a reusable wand 12 of ceramic, plastics or other non-porous material. The lower end of the wand has a slightly tapered end portion with a rounded nose which normally contacts the dished inner surface of the base 4 when the wand is in its upright, ready-to-use, position.

The upper end of the wand ends in a handle 14, which may be a closed loop or other construction giving the user a comfortable and secure grip on the wand. A closed loop is particularly preferred as it enables the wand 12 to be suspended from a hook away from young children if desired.

Forming part of the toilet cleaner set is a holder 16 for several one-time usable heads 18, as shown in Figure 2. The holder has a lid 20, for aesthetic and practical reasons. Although shown as separate from it in Figures 1 and 2, the holder may of course be integral with, or otherwise connected to, the support 2.

Each head 18, as shown more clearly in Figure 3, has a hollow core 22 of uncoated card or like degradable material. The inner diameter of the core is a push fit on the cylindrical lower end of the wand 12. Wrapped on, or otherwise applied to, the core 22 is a thick layer of absorbent degradable material, such as of woven or felted cotton, paper tissue, cellulose or like inexpensive material.

When the cleaner is to be used, the lid 20 is removed from the holder 16, and the wand 12 is separated from its support. The blunt end of the wand is inserted into the core of one of the heads 18, and the wand pushed downwardly to impale the head on it. The wand and head are then removed, and the head may be dipped into the disinfectant in container 6 prior to the wand being used to wipe the head over the internal surfaces of the toilet bowl as necessary.

When the bowl is clean, the head is displaced from the end of the wand, as by the wand being dragged over the inner lip of the bowl, to allow the soiled head to fall by gravity into the toilet bowl, from where it is flushed away. When the head has been removed from it, the wand may have its lower end dipped again in the disinfectant liquid before being put into its resting position on the support.

It is much preferred that the head should be used only once and then disposed of down the toilet. However, it is possible that the head could be constructed for multiple uses. It is also possible that the head could be made non-degradable in which case alternative arguments would have to be made for its disposal, for example by incineration or by placing it in a bucket for disposal with the household refuse.

It should be noted that the wand 12 may be used on its own to dislodge faecal material and to break up any blockages in the toilet bowl, for example a blockage caused by an accumulation of toilet paper. The use of the wand 12 is far more effective than attempting to use a conventional toilet brush the bristles of which merely become covered in small pieces of tissue in a most unwholesome manner.

The head 18 is preferably of cylindrical shape as shown. However, it could also be of any other convenient shape.

It will thus be seen that this invention provides an inexpensive and simple solution to the problem of cleaning the inner surface of toilet bowls, in a way which prevents any of the soiling material accidentally leaving the interior of the bowl.

Claims (6)

1. A toilet bowl cleaner in the form of a removable wand usually resting on a support, the wand being removable therefrom to permit the user to insert its free end into a hollow head of material which is a push fit on the wand, whereby the head may be used to wipe clean any soiled surface of the toilet bowl, the soiled head being able to be dislodged from the wand by contact with any suitable member.

2. A cleaner as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said head is degradable and can be dislodged from the wand to fall into the toilet bowl and flushed away.

3. A cleaner as claimed in Claim 1, 2, or 3, in which the support includes a reservoir for a disinfectant liquid.

4. A cleaner as claimed in Claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, in which the head includes a core on which is wrapped or otherwise applied a body of absorbent material.

5. A cleaner as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said head is cylindrical.

6. A cleaner as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said wand has a tapered end with a rounded extremity.