WO1996038637A1 - Wc holder for liquid or paste active agent preparations - Google Patents

Abstract

The WC holder consists of a container for an active agent preparation to be fitted beneath the rim of a toilet and rinsed over when the toilet is flushed, with at least one inlet and outlet for the flush water and a strap (1) for securing it to the toilet bowl edge. At least a part of the lower region, when in the position of use, of the wall (6) limiting the compartment for active agent preparation is penetrable by aqueous fluids with viscosities of up to 3,000 mPas, but not by tenside-containing pastes with viscosities of over 3,000 mPas. The inlets and outlets (8) for the flush water are arranged in the superimposed region. The holder releases the same quantity of active agents every time the toilet is flushed and they are uniformly distributed in the bowl. Clogging is prevented.

Description

"Toilet basket for liquid or pasty drug preparations"

The invention relates to a toilet basket. It consists of a container to be arranged in the toilet bowl below its edge, overflowed during flushing and containing an active substance preparation, with at least one inlet and outlet opening in the container wall for the flushing water and a holder for fastening to the edge of the bowl.

For the automatic cleaning of toilet bowls, it is known to apply active substance preparations in lumpy form in a cage-like container on the inner edge of the toilet bowl. With every rinsing process, part of the active ingredient dissolves in the rinsing water and is distributed together with the water in the bowl. In addition, part of the dissolved active ingredient remains in the siphon and also ensures cleaning there.

Active substance preparations of this type are used which, on the one hand, can be formed into dimensionally stable, non-deliquescent blocks and, on the other hand, have sufficient solubility so that a sufficient amount of active substances is released into the water during the short rinsing phase. It is also important that the active ingredient block remains unchanged after the rinsing process, apart from a fragrance.

An example of such an active substance preparation can be found in DE 34 24 317 A1. The preparation contains anionic and nonionic surfactants, perfume, cellulose powder, rinse regulators, inorganic salts, complexing agents, limestone-dissolving acids, antimicrobial agents, plasticizers and other customary additives.

Single-use toilet bowls are known which must be disposed of after the active ingredient block has completely dissolved. The refillable toilet baskets, two of which are also known, are cheaper in the ecological sense be described in DE 80 01 994 U1 and DE 34 23 758 A1. However, the advantage of the multiple use of the toilet basket is offset by the disadvantage that the active ingredient block, and in some cases also the container itself, must be touched by hand when refilling. This uncomfortable and, in a sense, also unsanitary requirement often makes the consumer shy away from refilling the existing toilet bowl. The consumer then prefers a new, already filled toilet basket. Another disadvantage is that there is usually no possibility to fill the toilet basket at any time. Refilling is only possible when the active ingredient block is completely used up.

These disadvantages do not exist in the toilet basket according to DE 36 39 686 A1. Here the basket can be refilled without hand contact, since a filling funnel is provided which is molded onto the basket. Refilling at any time is also possible, because granules are used instead of a larger block of active ingredients.

A fundamental disadvantage of solid active substance preparations is the high technical outlay and energy consumption in the production. The compact pieces are made by casting or extrusion. A similar amount of effort is also required when producing the granules. Since the individual components of the fragrance and cleaning agents are initially in liquid or pasty form during the preparation of the preparation, the effort involved in producing the preparation could be reduced if one would also choose a liquid or pasty form of preparation. Such a liquid or paste would have several other advantages. Even with a partial emptying of the toilet basket, the preparation of the active ingredient could easily be refilled or refilled. In contrast to lumpy or granular products, production would be easier and cheaper. In contrast to the toilet basket according to DE 36 39 686 A1, no additional measures, such as, for example, would be necessary for the contact-free refilling from a storage bottle. B. a hopper required. A simple fill opening would be sufficient.

So far, however, there have been a number of unsolved problems with the use of liquid or pasty preparation forms for toilet deodorants. The known toilet baskets cannot be used for pastes or liquids. The paste or liquid should not automatically flow out of the basket or drip out after the rinsing process has ended. In addition, only a defined fraction of the liquid or paste should be dispensed during each rinsing process. This released fraction of the active ingredient preparation should be the same with every rinsing process. The rest in the toilet basket should remain at the same initial concentration and should not be diluted by previous rinsing processes. After the rinsing process has been completed, the partially emptied toilet basket should not be filled with water in order to avoid a lowering of the concentration in the top layer and a dilution of the concentrate, the so-called "sump", and thus an uncontrolled release of active substance in the subsequent rinsing process.

A metering device for metering in liquid fragrance and / or cleaning agents, which can be suspended in the toilet bowl, is known from DE 34 19 169 A1. The tubular, to be attached to the pool edge with a conventional clamp, open on both sides, contains a capillary-active dosing aid, e.g. B. fine plastic fleece materials or sponge membranes. With the rinsing water stream flowing past, the active ingredients in liquid form are removed from the porous dosing medium and distributed in the toilet bowl. However, the rinsing water penetrating into the container does not run out of the container completely, so that due to the dilution effect, a relatively large amount of active substances is initially released, and an increasing amount is lost during further rinsing processes. The uneven release of active ingredient is a major disadvantage.

This multitude of problems is solved according to the invention in a toilet basket of the type mentioned at the outset in that at least part of the lower region of the wall delimiting the filling space for the preparation of active substance for aqueous liquids with viscosities up to a maximum of 3,000 mPas, but not for surfactant-containing, in particular thixotropic, pastes with viscosities above 3,000 mPas, preferably with viscosities above 30,000 mPas, is permeable and the inlet and outlet openings are arranged in the area above. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the permeable wall is provided in the interior of the container for aqueous liquids with viscosities up to 3,000 mPas, but not for surfactant-containing pastes with viscosities above 3,000 mPas, so that the partially permeable wall and the Outside wall form another room in addition to the filling room. The fine, partially permeable openings are therefore inside the toilet basket and are therefore protected from damage. The partially permeable wall has an outlet opening in the lower area for the excess residual water enriched with active ingredient to drain off.

The lower area of the container, which is impermeable to the paste, prevents the paste-like active ingredient preparation from dripping between the rinsing processes. During the flushing process, the flushing water penetrates through the inlet openings in the area above, dissolves part of the active ingredient on the surface of the paste and leads it out of the container through the outlet openings, so that the active ingredient is distributed in the toilet bowl. The boundary between the lower and the above-mentioned area, which is defined by the lower edge of the inlet and outlet openings provided for the rinsing water in the container wall, is at the same time the filling limit for the liquid or pasty preparation of active ingredient. The inlet and outlet openings in the upper area also serve to release fragrances between the individual rinsing processes. In the case of a partially emptied toilet basket, the area above the paste would be filled with rinsing water, which would gradually dilute the paste and thus lead to the feared sump effect with the disadvantages of an uneven, uncontrolled release of active ingredient during the subsequent rinsing process. The sump effect is prevented by the partial permeability of the inner wall and the outlet opening. The rest of the flushing water remaining in the toilet basket after the flushing process flows down through the inner wall and the outlet opening mentioned into the toilet bowl.

The fineness of the openings in the partially permeable wall, which is permeable to water enriched with the active substance preparation, but not to the highly concentrated paste, on the one hand ensures that the rinsing water that protrudes above the paste at any filling level of the paste drains completely. On the other hand, the paste is prevented from dripping or slowly flowing out of the toilet basket through these fine openings.

The toilet basket according to the invention can be designed as a disposable basket. However, it is technically possible without great effort to enable the basket to be refilled easily and hygienically and thus to create a reusable toilet basket for liquid to pasty active substance preparations.

The fine openings in the partially permeable wall can have a different shape. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, they are designed as slots with a slot width of 0.2 to 0.8 mm. The slot widths, and in particular a slot width of 0.4 mm, have proven to be particularly favorable in order to meet the requirement for the partial permeability of the wall. On the other hand, they pose no technical problems in the manufacture of the toilet basket.

Alternatively, the fine openings in the partially permeable wall can also be designed as bores with a diameter of 0.2 to 0.8 mm.

The shape, location and arrangement of the partially permeable wall in the toilet basket can also be different. An essentially cylindrical-symmetrical shape of the container is preferred, with a longitudinal axis that is horizontal in use and an annular channel, the boundary of which is formed by the partially permeable wall and the outer wall of the container. An advantage lies in the low space consumption due to the annular channel, which leaves a large volume of the filling space for receiving the highly viscous active substance preparation.

The annular channel preferably extends over approximately half the circumference of the container. In use, it is provided, in particular, on the side of the container facing the pool edge.

The partially permeable openings are preferably made in the region of half the length of the elongated container. After every flush Surplus water has to travel a relatively short distance to these openings and flows away quickly.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a plurality of slots running horizontally and parallel in the manner of a comb are made in the partially permeable wall. The effort in the production of the toilet basket is further reduced if, alternatively, only a single, vertically running slot is provided in the partially permeable wall.

The flow conditions of the flushing flow and thus the uniform distribution of the active substances in the toilet bowl are not disturbed in the case of a double cone shape of the container with a longitudinal axis that is horizontal in use. This shape of the container also enables it to be attached to the toilet bowl independently of the side. The double cone shape of the container has the further advantage that it is visually appealing.

The further proposed slot-shaped inlet and outlet openings for the rinsing water, which are arranged horizontally in use, also ensure a sufficient water flow through the container.

The toilet basket can be filled with the product without dismantling and without touching the container if a filling opening for the liquid or pasty active ingredients is provided.

Should extreme influences such as If an increased water temperature and quantity swell part of the paste through the fine openings in the further wall, these residues are washed away during the following rinsing process if a water inlet opening is provided for the space formed by the partially permeable wall and the outer wall of the container (annular channel) is. This prevents sticking and clogging of the fine openings.

The toilet basket according to the invention is preferably made of polypropylene, in particular by injection molding. It is also advantageous if the container consists of a transparent material. When using a colored paste, the consumer can quickly and easily recognize the level from the outside.

As explained above, the basket is preferably used for metering in a paste-like combination of active ingredients which essentially consists of surfactants and perfume oil, in particular also of organic and / or inorganic acids and thickeners. Further possible and advantageous components of the preparations have already been mentioned above in the discussion of the prior art.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to drawings. Show it

1 shows a perspective illustration of a toilet basket with removed conical ends according to a first exemplary embodiment according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a cross section through the middle part of the container of the toilet basket according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section through one of the conical ends of the toilet basket from FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 shows a further cross section through the central part of the toilet basket according to FIG. 1, the cutting surface being offset in the longitudinal direction of the toilet basket in relation to the cutting surface of FIG. 2,

Figure 5 is a plan view of the toilet basket of Figure 1 in the assembled state and

Figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the toilet basket in a representation corresponding to Figure 1. The toilet basket according to Figure 1 consists essentially of a container and an associated retaining clip 1, with which the toilet basket can be attached to the inside of a toilet bowl. The container itself has essentially a double cone shape, which is formed by two conical closure caps 2, 3, which are integrally attached to a hollow cylindrical middle part 4 with an outer wall 5. A partially permeable wall 6, that is to say an inner wall, is attached within the central part 4 and runs parallel to the outer wall 5 over approximately 50% of the length of the circumference of the outer wall 5. In this way, an annular channel is formed between the outer wall 5 and the partially permeable wall 6. The semi-cylindrical wall 6 extends as an impermeable, also semi-cylindrical wall 6a further into the conical caps 2, 3 until it merges with the line 12 (FIG. 3) into the conical inner wall of the caps 2, 3.

The partially permeable wall 6 is provided with axially extending, comb-like slots 7 with a slot width of 0.2 to 0.8 mm, in the exemplary embodiment of 0.4 mm.

Instead of the comb-like, axially extending slots 7 in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, a single tangentially extending slot 7 is provided in the second exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 6, which has the same function. In this case, only a single slot 7 corresponding to the toilet basket according to FIG. 6 or a plurality of slots 7 running tangentially and parallel to one another can be provided.

The longitudinal slots 8 in the conical caps 2, 3 serve as inlet and outlet opening for the rinse water. The inlet opening for the water flowing through the ring channel is designated by reference number 9, the corresponding outlet opening by reference number 10. The container is filled or refilled via the filling opening 11.

The function of the toilet bowl is described in detail below. The pasty, in particular colored product is made from a flexible storage container, e.g. B. a tube or bottle, pressed through the filler opening 11 in the container suspended in the toilet bowl, so that the container is filled just below the longitudinal slots 8. In the case of a transparent container, the coloring of the paste allows a level detection.

During the rinsing process, the water passes through the longitudinal slots 8 z. B. the cap 2 in the container. A small proportion of the rinse water flows through the ring channel through the outlet opening 10. The largest proportion of this rinsing water gets into the active substance chamber (filling space) filled with the pasty active substance preparation and flows over the paste. The water enriched with the active substances emerges through the longitudinal slots 8 of the opposite conical closure cap 3 and is distributed evenly in the toilet bowl. The residual water remaining between the surface of the paste and the lowermost longitudinal slot 8, which has a viscosity of up to 3,000 mPas, does not lead to the formation of sumps, but rather enters the annular channel through the slots 7 between the partially permeable wall 6 and the outer wall 5 of the container and flows from there through the outlet opening 10. This prevents the formation of sumps and ensures even release of active ingredients. The fineness of the slots 7 prevents the active substance preparation containing tenside from flowing out, which has a viscosity of 3,000 to 150,000 mPas and in particular a viscosity of 30,000 to 60,000 mPas.

If residues of water enriched with the active ingredients remain in the slots 7 and swell there, they will be washed off during the next rinsing process with the rinsing water entering the annular channel through the inlet opening 9.

The product can be filled without disassembling the toilet basket and without touching the container.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the toilet basket, which instead of the comb-like, axially extending slots 7 has only a single, tangentially extending slot 7 in the further wall 6. The mode of operation of this embodiment corresponds to that of the first embodiment. Here, as in the other figures, the same reference symbols have the same meaning and are therefore not mentioned again. Reference list

Bracket

Sealing cap

Sealing cap

Middle section

Outer wall partially permeable wall impermeable wall

slot

Longitudinal slots

Inlet opening

Outlet opening

Filling opening

Claims

claims 1. toilet basket consisting of a to be arranged in the toilet bowl below its edge, overflowed during flushing, receiving an active substance preparation container with at least one inlet and outlet opening for the flushing water and a holder (1) for attachment to the edge of the pool, characterized in that at least a part of the lower area in the use position of the wall (6) delimiting the filling space for the preparation of active substance for aqueous liquids with viscosities up to 3,000 mPas, but not for pastes containing, in particular thixotropic, pastes with viscosities over 3,000 mPas, preferably with viscosities over 30,000 mPas , is permeable and the inlet and outlet openings (8) for the rinse water are arranged in the area above. 2. toilet basket according to claim 1, characterized in that for aqueous liquids with viscosities up to 3,000 mPas, but not for surfactant-containing, in particular thixotropic, pastes with viscosities above 3,000 mPas, preferably above 30,000 mPas, permeable wall (6) in Interior of the container is provided so that the partially permeable wall (6) and the outer wall (5) form a further space in addition to the filling space, and that this further space has an outlet opening (10) in the lower region. 3. toilet basket according to claim 2, characterized in that the partially permeable wall (6) has openings which are designed as slots (7) with a slot width of 0.2 to 0.8 mm. 4. toilet basket according to claim 2, characterized in that the partially permeable wall (6) has openings which are designed as bores with a diameter of 0.2 to 0.8 mm. 5. WC basket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a substantially cylindrical symmetrical shape of the container with a horizontal longitudinal axis in use and an annular channel, the boundary of which is formed by the partially permeable wall (6) and the outer wall (5) of the container . 6. toilet basket according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the annular channel extends over about half the circumference of the container. 7. Toilet basket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the partially permeable openings (7) are arranged in the region of half the length of the elongated container. 8. toilet basket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a plurality of horizontally and parallel in the manner of a comb slots (7) in the partially permeable wall (6). 9. toilet basket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a single, vertical slot (7) in the partially permeable wall (6). 10. toilet basket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a double cone shape of the container with a horizontal longitudinal axis in use. 11. Toilet basket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by slot-shaped inlet and outlet openings (8) for the flushing water which are arranged horizontally in use. 12. Toilet basket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a filling opening (11) for the liquid or pasty active ingredients. 13. Toilet basket according to one of claims 2 to 12, characterized by a water inlet opening (9) for the space formed by the partially permeable wall (6) and the outer wall (5) of the container. 14. Toilet basket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of polypropylene, in particular by injection molding. 15. Toilet basket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container consists of a transparent material. 16. Use of a toilet basket according to one of the preceding claims for metering in a pasty combination of active ingredients which essentially consists of surfactants and perfume oil, in particular also of organic and / or inorganic acids and thickeners.