WO2007003772A1 - Cleaning agent dispenser for a flushing tank - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a dispenser for dispensing a determined quantity of a liquid treating agent (6) in a flush tank (3) when it is activated. The inventive dispenser comprises at least one metering cavity (12) whose volume (V) is close to the volume of the dose (V+v) of a dispensable product, first means (14) for communicating said cavity (12) with a product (6) storage tank (2), second means (19) for controllingly connecting the cavity (12) with outside, closing elements (28,39) of the second means (19), which are controlled by a member (32) floatingly mounted on a surface (N) of water contained the flush tank (3) and make it possible to close them during the waiting phase of the flushing device and to open said means when the flushing device is actuated.

Description

 DEVICE DISPENSING A CLEANING PRODUCT FOR

FLUSH

The present invention relates to a device for dispensing a determined dose of a liquid treatment product in a flush tank.

It is known that a flush, as well as the bowl in which it is caused to pour the cleaning water, are the seat of the formation of various pollutants, such as in particular scale and various microorganisms.

It has, of course, been found that, depending on the hardness of the water used, the scale deposits that form in the flush and in the bowl are more or less abundant and that, in certain cases, at the end of a important time of use, these deposits are particularly troublesome, even sometimes to block purely and simply the actuating mechanisms of the hunt. Moreover, the formation of scale in the bowl contributes, on the one hand, to tarnish the appearance of the latter, and, on the other hand, to retain in said bowl, particularly because of the porous nature of the scale, the elements of organic matter that are brought to transit in it.

Regarding the microorganisms that develop both in the bowl and in the bowl of the flush itself, we note that their development can be the source of many inconveniences including unpleasant odors.

Therefore, various means have been proposed for cleaning both the bowl and the bowl of the flush. Solid cleaning products have thus been proposed which, at each activation of hunting, dissolve in the rinsing water of it a certain amount of product. Such devices have been found to be of low efficiency, the latter decreasing further as the solid product dissolves.

It has also been proposed to use liquid cleaning products delivered by appliances arranged inside the tank of the flush or inside the bowl itself and which, each actuation of this last, are designed to release inside the latter a certain amount of cleaning liquid which, driven by the water released by the hunt, also ensures the cleaning of the interior of the bowl. Patent FR 2 808 897 has thus been proposed with a device consisting of a cleaning product storage tank, the lower part of which terminates in a tubular element opening into a cavity inside which is mounted a spherical shutter, which is integral with a float mounted floating on the surface of the water of the hunt. Thus, when the tank of the latter is full, the float applies the spherical shutter against the base of the tubular element, thus closing the outlet of the cleaning product. Conversely, when the flush is fired, the water level drops into the flush tank, so that the spherical closure releases the flow of the product into the cavity and closes the base thereof, so that said cavity then fills with a dose of cleaning product. When the tank of the flush fills, the float raises the spherical closure, allowing the flow of the product contained in the cavity inside the tank of the flush and, after a while, when the water level in this is sufficient, the spherical shutter stops the flow of the treatment product. A disadvantage of this type of device is that, in the intermediate position of the spherical shutter, the treatment product has complete freedom to flow directly from the storage container into the tank of the flush. The amount of treatment product thus distributed depends essentially on the rise time of the spherical shutter from its low position to its upper position, and not on the volume of a storage cavity. However, such a rise time is not a fixed datum since it depends on the state of a number of elements of the mechanism, the pressure of the water feeding the hunt, the height of the product in its container etc ... devices of this type are not able to deliver, each actuation of the hunt, identical precise doses of cleaning product.

Drawer type devices have also been proposed, such as that described in patent FR 2,618,470, in which the cleaning product is contained in a storage container on the bottom of which is disposed a movable shutter sliding vertically under the action of a float controlled by the level of the water contained in the hunt. When the flush is full, the float applies the shutter element in the up position, and when the flush is empty, the float drives down the shutter member which passes to the down position. This shutter element is designed so that in the high position, the storage liquid can penetrate into a cavity thereof, and that its lower part is closed and that, in the low position, the lower part of the shutter is in position. communication with the inside of the tank of the hunt and that the upper part is closed. So when the element shutter is located in the upper part, the liquid of the storage tank therefore penetrates inside the shutter element and, when the float is in the low position, the volume of product contained in the shutter element is free to s 'flow inside the tank of the hunt. Devices of this type, as well as the previous ones, have the disadvantage that, in the intermediate position of the shutter element, the cleaning liquid contained in the storage tank is in direct communication with the inside of the flush, the time of this direct communication depending on the filling time thereof.

The device proposed in US Patent 2,726,406 comprises a storage tank containing a disinfectant to be dispensed, provided at its base with an outlet which is closable by a valve secured to a float. Thus, when the flush is actuated, in a first step, the water level in the tank descends and becomes insufficient to lift the float, so that the flap then closes the outlet of the tank. Then, in a second step, the water then rises in the tank and lifts the float, moving the valve away from its seat and allowing the disinfectant product to flow into the tank. Then, in a third step, the level of the water in the tank continues to rise, so that, according to the applicant, when the water level reaches that of the valve, the water then itself ensures the shutting off the flow of the product. It is understood that such a device has the drawbacks existing in the other devices mentioned in the prior art, namely the fact that the amount of product dispensed is a function of the filling time of the tank flush. The present invention aims to provide a device for delivering precise doses of cleaning products in which the filling time of the flush tank has an extremely low influence on the liquid product dose issued.

The present invention thus relates to a device for dispensing a determined dose of a liquid treatment product in a flush tank, when actuated thereof, characterized in that it comprises:

at least one metering cavity whose volume is close to that of the dose of product to be dispensed,

first means for placing this cavity in communication with a storage tank for said product, second means for placing this cavity in controlled communication with the tank of the flush, the pressure drop of the first means being at least five times greater than the pressure loss of the second means,

a vent for putting said cavity in communication with the outside,

- Closing elements of the second means, controlled by a float mounted member on the surface of the water contained in the tank of the hunt, and allowing their closure during the waiting phase of the flush and allowing their opening when actuating the latter.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the metering cavity will be disposed in a vertical cylindrical element passing through the product storage tank. Preferably, the metering tank will be placed under the storage tank, which will make it possible to use the entire volume of the latter. According to the invention the first means of communication of the metering cavity with the storage tank may consist of an inlet port. In one embodiment, the metering cavity will be closed at its lower part by closure means traversed by an outlet channel whose cross section is at least five times greater than that of the inlet orifice. The shutter elements may consist of a valve whose actuation is controlled from said float mounted member on the surface of the water contained in the tank of the flush. This valve may be mounted mobile in translation or rotation. According to the invention, it will also be possible to provide means capable of placing in communication an auxiliary reservoir with the metering cavity, so as to increase the volume (V + V + v) of the delivered product.

Finally, to improve the regularity of distribution of the delivered product, said floating mounted member may be hollowed, at its upper part, with a cavity intended to collect the product dispensed by the sealing elements, extending by grooves able to distribute said product on its surface. In order to facilitate the filling of the storage container the upper part of the latter may be in communication with an external filling container, possibly closed by a lid.

The flush tank may include at least two water inlet ports, one of which is used to ensure the attachment therein of the storage tank, this orifice can further ensure the placing the latter in communication with the external filling container. The following will be described by way of non-limiting example, various embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a partial vertical sectional view of a device according to the invention attached to the inner wall of a tank of a flush, shown in the waiting position of the flush,

FIG. 2 is a partial vertical sectional view of the device according to the invention of FIG. 1 represented in the hunting actuation position,

FIGS. 3a and 3b are views in partial section of an alternative embodiment of the closure means represented in FIGS. 1 and 2,

- Figures 4 and 5 are partial sectional views of two variants of implementation of

The invention.

Figure 6 is a partial vertical sectional view of a means for controlling from the outside the filling treatment product of the device according to the invention.

Figure 7 is a partial vertical sectional view of a means for promoting the regularity of the distribution of the treatment product inside the tank of the hunt. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a device 1 according to the invention which consists of a cylindrical storage container 2 which is fixed on the internal face of a wall 3a of a flush tank 3. For this purpose, the side wall of the storage container 2 is pierced with an orifice 4, this orifice, and a corresponding orifice 5 of the wall 3a, are traversed by a screw 7 immobilized by a nut 8 with interposition of a sealing washer 9. The container 2 is traversed axially by a cylindrical tubular element 10 whose lower part ends in a cavity 12 whose volume V corresponds substantially to the volume of a dose of the product 6 which is contained in the container 2. The cavity 12 is closed at its lower part by a plug 17 which is pierced by an axial and longitudinal channel 19 of diameter D. The cavity 12 communicates with the interior of the container 2 through an orifice 14 whose diameter d is much smaller than the diameter D. This diameter will preferably be such that the volume of the liquid product 6 flowing through the orifice 14 during the time required for the tank of the flush to fill is small compared to the volume V of the cavity 12. It will thus be possible for a volume V = 2 cm ³ have a diameter d = 0.6 mm, the diameter of the discharge orifice of the cavity 12 being D = 6 mm.

The tubular element 10 is traversed by a longitudinal channel 16 placing the internal volume V of the cavity 12 in communication with the atmosphere and thus acting as a vent.

The outlet orifice of the channel 19 is closed by a shutter system controlled by a float mounted floating on the surface of the water inside the tank 3 of the flush. More specifically, this closure device consists of a cylindrical piece 20 pierced at its upper part with an orifice 22, extending inwardly through a cavity 23, the diameters of the latter and the orifice 22 being such that the cylindrical piece 20 can be inserted around an O-ring 24 embedded in a circular groove of the cylindrical member 10 and which constitutes a stop. The cavity 23 is provided with an annular support zone 26 which provides the sliding guide of the cylindrical part The lower part of the cylindrical part 20 is provided with an external thread on which is screwed a cylindrical cap 25 whose inner face is hollowed to receive a shutter valve 28. Moreover the The bottom of the cap 25 is pierced with a series of evacuation holes 27 whose total area is much greater than that of the channel 19. The cap 25 is extended downwards by a central rod 31 integral with a float 32. these conditions, the operation of the device according to the invention is established as explained below.

When the device is in the position shown in FIG. 1, the level N of the water inside the tank 3 of the flush is such that the float 32 applies the flap 28 against the outlet of the channel 19 thus ensuring shutting it off. In this position, the treatment liquid contained in the container 2 flows, through the orifice 14 formed in the cylindrical element 10, into the cavity 12, expelling the air contained therein by the vent 16. The diameter d of the orifice 14 is small, that is to say for example of the order of 0.6 mm, the filling time of the cavity 12 is relatively long, which is hardly binding in the this is the period during which the flush is not used.

When a user actuates the latter, the level of the water in the tank of the flush drops sharply so that the float 32, and the cylindrical piece 20 then descends by gravity with the effect of désobturer the outlet port of the channel 19. Therefore, the treatment liquid contained in the cavity 12 of volume V flows quickly through the channel 19, on the one hand, and the discharge holes 27, on the other hand, which, because of their relatively large area (of the order of 20mm ² ) allows a rapid emptying of said cavity.

Thus, for example, in the case of a cavity 12 of 2 cm ³ and an orifice 14 whose diameter d is equal to 0.6 mm, and for a filling time of the flush tank of 12s (this time corresponding in fact to that necessary for the level N of the water in the tank of the hunt reaches the float 32), which constitutes an average value, the volume vs' flowing through the orifice 14 will be approximately 0.1 cm ³ which represents a small value relative to the volume V of the cavity 12, the volume of overall product delivered V + v thus being equal to 2 + 0.1 cm ³ . It is understood in these conditions that the disturbances of various origins may change the filling time of the flush tank, insofar as they act only on the volume v which is small relative to the volume of the cavity V, will have only a small influence on the overall volume of product delivered. Of course, it is possible to provide other devices making it possible to seal the outlet orifice of the channel 19 provided in the cylindrical element 10.

As shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, the plug 17 is secured to two support tabs 36 on which a plate 37 is mounted articulated around an axis 38. The plate 37 is hollowed out of a cavity in which a valve is fixed. 39 so that it can close the outlet of the channel 19 when it is applied against the cap 17 (Figure 3a) or, instead unleash it when the plate pivots downward (Figure 3b). The position of the plate 37 is controlled by a float 40 fixed thereto by means of a rod 41. It is understood in these conditions that depending on the level No the ^e ^ u contained in the flush tank, the float 40 controls the closing or opening of the outlet of the channel 19.

In order to allow the user to adapt, according to his needs, the volume V of the metering tank 12, it will be possible to add thereto additional storage volumes V, V ', etc.

Thus in Figure 4 a wall member 12a of the cavity 12 is pierced with two threaded holes which, in normal use, are closed by plugs. When the user wishes to increase the volume V + v of the dose of product to be dispensed, he removes these plugs and inserts instead of the latter, by fastening means not shown in the drawing, tips 42a and 42b respectively arranged in the upper and lower part of an additional reservoir 44 of volume V, so that the volume of the product dispensed will be equal to V + V '+ v.

In order to promote a regular distribution of the treatment product 6 in the water of the tank of the hunt, it is possible, as shown in FIG. 5, to dig in the upper part of the float 32 a bowl 45 intended to collect the product dispensed and grooves 46 which extend downwards from this bowl and which will distribute the released product all around said float.

It is also possible, in the case where the closure is provided by an eccentric system, as shown in FIGS. 3a, 3b and 7, to incline the axis zz 'of the float 32 so that the plate 37 guards the product treating the outlet orifice of the channel 19 to the inside of the bowl 45.

It will also be possible to fill the storage container 2 without the user being forced to raise beforehand the lid 3b of the tank 3 of the hunt. Thus, in the alternative embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 6, there is disposed on one side of the tank 3 an outer container 50 funnel closed by a cover 51 and a vertical wall is pierced a hole 54 traversed by a threaded tube 55 which also passes through the orifice 5 of the tank 3 and the orifice 4 of the storage container 2, this assembly being fixed by nuts 56 with the interposition of appropriate seals. To fill the storage container 2 it is understood that it is sufficient for the user to lift the lid 51 and pour the treatment product into the container 50 forming a funnel. When the tank of the flush has water inlet orifices arranged in a manner incompatible with the fixing of the metering device according to the invention inside thereof, it is possible to use means for ensure its fixing on the internal walls of the tank. These fixing means may consist in particular of two opposing jacks bearing on opposite walls of the flush tank, the contact between the jacks and said walls being preferably by means of suction cups.

Claims

1.- Dispensing device for a fixed dose of a liquid treatment product (6) in a tank (3) flush, when actuated thereof, characterized in that it comprises: at least one dosing cavity (12) whose volume (V) is close to that of the dose (V + v) of product to be dispensed; - first means (14) for placing this cavity (12) in communication with a storage tank (2) of said product (6), second means (19) for placing this cavity (12) in controlled communication with the tank (3) of the flush, the pressure drop of the first means (14) being at least five times greater than the loss charging the second means (19), a vent (16) for placing said cavity (12) in communication with the outside; -closing elements (28, 39) for the second means (19), controlled by a member (32) mounted floating on the surface (N) of the water contained in ^'the tub (3) from hunting, and allowing them for sealing the water phase hunting waiting for their opening upon actuation of the latter. 2, - Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the metering cavity (12) is disposed within a vertical cylindrical member (10) passing through the storage tank (2). 3.- Device according to one of claims 1 or 2 characterized in that the metering cavity (12) is disposed under the storage tank (2). 4.- Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the first means of communication of the metering cavity (12) with the storage tank (2) consist of an inlet port (14). 5.- Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the metering cavity (12) is closed at its lower part by closing means (17) traversed by an outlet channel (19) whose cross section is at least five times larger than that of the inlet (14). 6.- Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the shutter elements consist of a valve (28,39) whose actuation is controlled from said member (32) floating mounted. 7. - Device according to claim 6 characterized in that the valve (28,39) is movably mounted in translation. 8.- Device according to claim 6 characterized in that the valve (28,39) is rotatably mounted. 9.- Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises means adapted to put in communication an auxiliary reservoir (44) with the metering cavity (12), so as to increase the volume (V + V ' + v) of the product (6) delivered. 10.- Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that said floating mounted member (32) is hollowed at its upper part, a cavity (45) for collecting the product distributed by the closure elements ( 28,39), extending by grooves (46) able to distribute said product on its surface. 11.- Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the upper part of the storage container (2) is in communication with an external filling container (50), optionally closed by a cover (51). 12.- Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the tank (3) of the flush comprises at least two water inlet openings, one of these being used to ensure the fixing therein the storage tank (2). 13.- Device according to claim 12 characterized in that the water inlet orifice used for fixing the storage tank (14) also ensures the communication of the latter with the external filling container (50) . 14.- Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises fixing means on the inner walls of the tank (3) of the flush. 15.- Device according to claim 14 characterized in that the fixing means consist of two opposing cylinders bearing on opposite walls of the tank of the flush, the contact between the cylinders and said walls being made via 'a sucker.