EP3477010B1 - Wc rim block and wc flushing system - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a toilet basket for attachment to the wall of a toilet bowl in its edge area, with at least one chamber formed by a chamber shell for receiving a solid or gel-like active substance, the chamber shell having at least one opening on the side facing the wall of the toilet bowl when in use having. The invention also includes a toilet flushing system with a toilet basket and at least one active substance.

In the sanitary sector, toilet baskets are used to hold an active substance for cleaning and/or to release a fragrance and release it into the toilet bowl when flushing via the flushing water. The active substance usually contains surfactants, from which the cleaning effect emanates, and/or fragrances, such as perfume oils, which give off a pleasant fragrance while the toilet basket is placed in a toilet bowl. For use, such a toilet basket with a corresponding active substance in the form of a so-called fragrance rinsing agent is placed in the toilet bowl in such a way that the toilet basket is flushed with flushing water during flushing and the active substance comes into contact with the flushing water. As a result, the active substance is gradually washed out of the toilet basket. The active substance can be liquid, solid or gel-like. Customary toilet baskets for solid or gel-like active substances often have one or more cage-like chambers for accommodating the active substance. The chambers are provided with openings on most sides, so that rinsing water can reach the active substance from as many directions as possible and then leave the chamber again. This is intended to achieve good rinsing behavior in relation to the active substance.

However, active substances with a cleaning effect in particular are often comparatively aggressive chemicals. In the event of direct contact, these usually have properties that are harmful to the health of humans and animals. In this context, there is a particular risk that children or pets can reach the active substance through the openings in the chamber shell and suffer damage. The danger is further increased by the fact that the active substance is often colored in a conspicuous, attractive manner in order to achieve a visually pleasing appearance.

In known toilet baskets, such as in the WO 2016/040341 A1 described, is partly attempted through a comparatively large opening on the application not visible side of the toilet basket and smaller or no openings on the visible side to make access to the active substance more difficult and thus to increase the safety of use. However, contact adhesion of the active substance to the adjacent wall of the toilet bowl often occurs here. In this case, the active substance is not reached or dissolved to a sufficient extent by the rinsing water during a rinsing process, so that the overall effect of the fragrance rinsing agent is reduced. To avoid unwanted contact adhesion, a spacer is often used in front of the chamber opening. However, this makes it more difficult to apply and remove a seal from the chambers, which close the fragrance rinser during transport and sale and are only removed by the consumer shortly before use.

However, reducing or reducing the size of the openings in the chamber shell in order to counteract this problem and to ensure increased safety in use leads to an unsatisfactory flushing behavior of the toilet basket. In particular, the problem of uneven rinsing, which already exists in principle, is thereby further intensified and can only be partially solved by comparatively complex and cost-intensive solutions, such as one in the DE 10 2008 037 723 A1 described flushing water distribution device on the toilet basket. In extreme cases, the active substance is only incompletely flushed out and a residue remains in the toilet basket when the fragrance rinsing agent has to be replaced due to lack of effectiveness. This is not only problematic from an ecological point of view. Rinsing water residues remaining in the chamber after rinsing continue to have an effect on the active substance even after the rinsing process. The remainder of the active substance in the toilet basket, which is partly dissolved or partly dissolved as a result, is perceived as unaesthetic by the consumer who removes it from the toilet and also triggers associations of poor hygiene.

DE 20 2015 103 798 U1 shows a container for a toilet flushing agent, which is formed by thermoforming and stamping a film, comprising two halves which are connected by at least one integrally formed hinge section and which can be connected to one another by means of a snap fit, with a plurality of half-shells being formed on one half.

CN 204876000 U discloses a device for storing a lavatory cleansing agent, which comprises a hopper and a sleeve, and the sleeve is embedded in the hopper and sealed and fixed at one end.

CN204266335U discloses a toilet basket with cylindrical chambers.

Against this background, the object of the present invention is to provide a toilet basket or a toilet flushing system that is characterized by good and, in particular, uniform flushing behavior and is safe to use.

The aforementioned object is achieved by a toilet basket with the features of patent claim 1 or by a toilet flushing system with the features of patent claim 8 . Advantageous developments are the subject of the subclaims.

In connection with the invention, it was surprisingly found that a flow channel is formed by appropriate design of the geometry of the chamber shell between the chamber shell and the wall of the toilet bowl when the toilet basket is in a position suitable for use, ie inside the toilet bowl in the Edge area, preferably just below the edge, is brought. The flushing water can be in sufficient Amount enter the flow channel and flow from this via an opening facing the toilet bowl wall into the chamber and come into contact with an active substance contained there. As a result, the active substance dissolves to a certain extent with the flushing water and, after exiting the chamber, is transported with it via the same and/or another opening, in particular on the side facing the toilet bowl wall, in the direction of the other areas of the toilet bowl. The active substance is then distributed in the toilet bowl with the flushing water and can develop its effect there in the desired areas. For technical reasons, the wall of a toilet bowl is usually curved inwards, i.e. concave, and can be flat in places, but not convex. Due to these technical properties of a toilet bowl, a geometry of the chamber shell can be predetermined, which ensures that a flow channel is formed in a side facing the toilet wall.

If the chamber of a freshly installed toilet flushing system with a toilet basket according to the invention is filled to the maximum with a corresponding active substance, the flushing water flowing through the flow channel first comes into contact with the part of the active substance exposed at the opening of the chamber shell. In this case, the rinsing water dissolves parts of the active substance while it flows along the opening and partly into the opening. As the active substance progressively dissolves, the amount remaining in the chamber is gradually reduced. Usually, however, the remainder of the active substance does not advance in the direction of the opening in such a way that the active substance is dissolved by the flushing water in the same way as with a fresh toilet flushing system, i.e. with a toilet basket filled to the maximum with active substance.

In known toilet baskets, this usually leads, as described above, to unsatisfactory, in particular incomplete, flushing of the chamber, since as a result of uneven flow behavior of the flushing water, areas of the interior of the chamber are often exposed to comparatively little or no flushing water, while other areas unwanted rinse water residues remain. Parts of the active substance that get into unflushed areas are therefore not flushed out and consequently cannot develop their effect and remain as a residue in the toilet basket. On the other hand, parts of the active substance that are located in areas with accumulated moisture are decomposed in an uncontrolled manner to form an unaesthetic mass, which moreover loses its intended effect in this process. When the basket is exchanged, the remainder of the active substance is finally disposed of without being used.

This is where the invention comes in, in that an optimal chamber geometry provides a flow channel in the area of the chamber, specifically between two contact points of the chamber shell, the wall of the toilet bowl and the chamber opening, if the toilet basket is used as intended in a toilet bowl. The formation of a flow channel favors an advantageous rinsing behavior of the chamber with water from the toilet flush. The toilet basket according to the invention is characterized in this context by the fact that flushing water can penetrate into all areas of the chamber and dissolves and/or removes the active substance present there and thus removes it from the chamber, but no or at most a minimal amount of flushing water remains in the chamber during the rinsing process.

Due to the geometry of the opening in the chamber shell and the flow channel formed thereby, the flushing water enters the chamber in the area above the central axis of the chamber, which runs transversely to the main flow direction, preferably horizontally, when in use. Depending on the amount of active substance contained in the chamber, the rinsing water penetrates far enough into the chamber and comes into contact with the active substance. In the design of the toilet basket according to the invention, this always occurs to an extent sufficient for the application. This means that in a toilet flushing system with a toilet basket according to the invention, the active substance is always released in a concentration to the flushing water and thus into the toilet bowl, in particular independently of the remaining amount of the active substance in the chamber, until it is completely consumed, that the intended effect , i.e. cleaning and/or fragrance release, is achieved to a sufficient extent.

Due to the configuration of the toilet basket according to the invention, the flow channel always has sufficient dimensions, in particular in relation to the cross section. This is the case in particular regardless of the shape, surface quality and curvature of the toilet bowl wall in the area of the toilet basket used.

The size, in particular the cross section, of the flow channel that forms in the toilet basket according to the invention is typically significantly larger than the corresponding size of a flow channel that results from different curvatures of the toilet bowl wall and an arbitrarily shaped, in particular flat, side of an ordinary toilet -cup can train. On the one hand, such a channel is negligible in terms of the volume of flushing water that can flow through it. This means that a satisfactory rinsing behavior cannot be achieved—if at all—with such a randomly formed channel. On the other hand, the geometry of such a channel between the toilet basket and the toilet bowl wall cannot be reproduced in a reproducible manner. In particular, a through-flow channel that occurs solely because of the curvature of the wall usually has very different geometries at the individual chambers in the case of a plurality of chambers of the toilet basket. This rather favors an uneven flushing behavior, which is precisely prevented by the present invention.

In the case of several chambers of the toilet basket, the size and/or shape of the through-flow channel formed due to the design of the chamber shell according to the invention is preferably approximately the same for each chamber. This supports an even rinsing of the chambers. This is particularly advantageous when different active substances are introduced into the chambers of the toilet basket in a toilet flushing system. If, for example, active substances for cleaning and for fragrance release are provided in separate chambers, their ratio in which they are introduced into the toilet bowl with the flushing water preferably does not change over time, or at most only to a minimal extent.

The chamber or chambers of the toilet basket according to the invention has or have an at least essentially spherical basic shape. Such a shape has almost no pointed areas inside the chamber that are difficult for the incoming flushing water to reach. This further improves the flushing behavior of the toilet basket.

Particularly preferably, the opening is shaped such that its maximum vertical extent is greater than its maximum horizontal extent, the directions of expansion of the Opening are to be considered in the typical application position, ie when the toilet basket is used in the edge area of a toilet bowl, hung or otherwise attached.

The shape of the opening is configured depending on the shape and geometry of the chamber envelope. Ultimately, there is an interrelationship between the chamber geometry and the shape of the opening of the chamber shell with regard to the flushing behavior, i.e. with regard to how flushing water can flow into the chamber and how it behaves inside the chamber in terms of its local flow direction and speed.

The geometry of the chamber shell according to the invention is achieved in the toilet basket according to the invention in that the opening of the chamber shell corresponds to a substantially cylindrical recess in the chamber shell. The chamber is thus given a geometry in which the spherical basic shape of the chamber is intersected with a cylinder which—to put it bluntly—was pressed into the chamber shape from one side as a negative shape. The recess can also be conical, for example, so that the recess is wider in an upper area than in a lower area, or vice versa.

In the position of use, there are in particular two excellent contact points or contact points of the chamber shell with the adjacent wall of the toilet bowl, between which ultimately the flow channel for the flushing water is formed. The contact points are arranged symmetrically on both sides of the flow channel and in the middle in the direction of flow.

In comparative tests, preferred dimensions of the expansion of the opening of the chamber shell were determined, by means of which an optimal rinsing of the chamber with inflowing rinsing water can be achieved. For this purpose, the height of the opening of the chamber shell relative to the overall height of the chamber is in particular between 40% and 95%, preferably between 70% and 90%. Irrespective of this, the width of the opening of the chamber shell relative to the entire chamber width is preferably between 20% and 80%, preferably between 40% and 60%. The through-flow channel that is formed as a result has a sufficient volume, essentially independently of the nature and curvature of the adjacent wall of the toilet bowl. Flushing water with which the toilet basket according to the invention when in use is applied, is accordingly introduced into the chamber to a sufficient extent and can react there in the intended manner with a stored active substance.

According to the invention, the front side, ie the side which is accessible or visible when in use and faces away from the toilet bowl wall, the chamber shell has no opening through which a user, for example a child, or a pet can easily come into contact with an active substance present in the chamber. In this case, the side of the chamber shell facing away from the toilet bowl is completely closed.

The chamber shell can be formed at least in regions from a transparent and/or translucent material or can have such a material. In particular, such a transparent or translucent area can be provided on the side of the toilet basket that is visible when in use. In this way it is possible for a user to assess the fill level of the chamber with an active substance without having to remove the toilet basket from its position of use. While the transparency of the chamber envelope, at least in some areas, allows a direct view of the interior of the chamber and thus of the remaining amount of an active substance, in the case of an at least partially translucent, i.e. translucent, design of the chamber envelope, for example by roughening the surface of an otherwise transparent material, at least one approximate conclusions about the remaining amount of an active substance possible.

A coloring of the active substance in a toilet flushing system with the toilet basket according to the invention supports the recognizability of the fill level. If no corresponding color impression can be seen through the translucent area of the chamber shell, this indicates the time to change the toilet basket or the toilet flushing system for a new one. A purely translucent design of certain areas of the chamber shell only allows an approximate, albeit sufficient, assessment of the filling level of the chamber. However, this type of design of the toilet basket has the advantage of a more subtle and consistently aesthetic appearance over the entire duration of use, since there is no immediate view of an active substance mass dissolving more and more over time.

A holder, for example in the form of a hook, a hanging bracket, a clamping device and/or a suction cup, can be used to position the toilet basket at a location suitable for use within a toilet bowl. Such a holder can be designed in one piece with the toilet basket or be provided separately and in particular be reusable.

In a further embodiment, the toilet basket according to the invention is designed in such a way that the opening of the chamber shell has at least one interruption. This reduces the risk of contact adhesion of an active substance contained in the chamber to the wall of the Toilet bowl further reduced during use. The interruption of the opening in at least two partial openings preferably does not impair the geometry of the chamber casing as such. This means that between at least two contact points of the cover with the wall of the toilet bowl, an essentially vertical flow channel or one running along the main direction of flow of the water for flushing the toilet is preferably also formed, through which the flushing water enters the chamber in the upper area and exits again in its lower area , without a significant amount of residual water remaining in the chamber after rinsing. For this purpose, however, it is not necessary for the opening to be continuous in such a way that it allows access to the interior of the chamber and an active substance held there over its entire surface. An interruption of the opening can therefore be provided in particular in the area of the central axis without impairing the flow of flushing water into and out of the chamber and without reducing the effect of the chamber geometry intended according to the invention.

Particularly preferably, the openings that remain as a result of such an interruption have planar edges, that is to say they are created geometrically in each case by an intersection of a plane with the, for example, spherical chamber shell. It can thereby be achieved that a later sealing of the openings, which thus have a flat edge, is simplified in terms of manufacturing technology.

A plurality of chambers are particularly preferably provided, with all edges of the upper openings lying in a common upper sectional plane and all edges of the lower openings in a common lower sectional plane. This simplifies sealing even further, since all openings lie flat next to one another. As an alternative to this, the openings can each have sectional planes that are offset or tilted or skewed parallel to one another, which can produce advantages in terms of flow technology due to the geometry. For example, the cutting planes of outer chambers may face outward to conform to a typically curved toilet wall.

A plurality of chambers are particularly preferably provided, which are attached to one another essentially along an arrangement direction, with at least two chambers being offset in pairs to one another perpendicularly to the arrangement direction and the flow channel. In this way, a geometric adjustment to the typically curved toilet wall can be brought about.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a sealing means is provided for hermetically sealing the chambers.

It is particularly preferably a sealing means which engages in the openings in a form-fitting manner and preferably closes them off in an airtight manner. Above all in the case of several chambers and several openings, it is, for example, a tab with projections which can be pressed into the openings for closing and pulled out of the openings for opening. The projections particularly preferably have undercuts, so that they each engage behind the edge of a respective opening. For example, such an undercut is realized in that the projections in a region proximal to the tab have a geometry that is in principle congruent with the opening and in a region distal to the tab have an at least partially, preferably completely, wider extension. This creates a lateral overlap which, in a closed state, reaches behind the openings in the interior of the chambers. For this purpose, the tab, at least the distal areas of the projections, are preferably deformable, for example elastic. One of the advantages of this is that such a sealing means can be adapted to any geometries of the openings. The undercut preferably has an excess of less than 2 mm, more preferably less than 1 mm, particularly preferably between 0.1 mm and 0.25 mm. This ensures adequate locking security with simultaneous manual detachability.

Although an embodiment of the toilet basket with a separate device for flushing water distribution, for example one or more water guide plates or corresponding water guide structures (each designed in one piece or separately), is also covered by the present invention, an embodiment of the toilet basket is preferred that is free of additional Measures to improve the flushing water distribution. With such an embodiment, there is a uniform distribution of the inflowing flushing water, which is applied to the toilet bowl, essentially solely due to the geometry and/or relative arrangement of one or more chambers of the toilet bowl.

An embodiment of the toilet basket with a spacer that is integral with the toilet basket formed or can be provided as a separate part are possible. However, according to the invention, there should be two contact points between the chamber shell and the wall of the toilet bowl.

Ultimately, what is essential to the invention is the formation of a flow channel through a cylindrical recess in the spherical chamber in the manner described above, in order to ensure optimal flushing behavior of the chamber.

The toilet basket according to the invention is designed in such a way that the geometry of the chamber shell already ensures that the chamber or an active substance contained in the chamber is sufficiently spaced from the wall of the toilet bowl when in use so that no unwanted contact adhesion occurs. In this case, the toilet basket is preferably attached to the wall of the toilet bowl exclusively via points of contact or contact points or contact or contact points. Contact points of the chamber shell, especially in the area of the central axis of the chamber. In this case, the toilet basket is therefore in particular free of a separate spacer, i.e. a structure designed primarily for the purpose of increasing the distance between the toilet basket and the toilet bowl wall. The toilet basket particularly preferably has a fastening device for fastening the toilet basket to the toilet bowl, in particular a hanger for fastening to the rim of the toilet bowl, with no further elements projecting outwards from the chamber shell being provided apart from the fastening device. According to the invention, the chamber shell has essentially the shape of a sphere, i.e. a spherical shape, with no further elements protruding outwards from the spherical surface being provided, apart from the fastening device. This makes it easier in particular to seal the opening, for example as a transport safeguard or to protect against accidental contact with the active substance, until the actual application. In addition, tests have shown that the attachment in the edge area of the toilet bowl is particularly stable against slipping.

The invention also includes a toilet flushing system made of a toilet basket and at least one active substance. The active substance is contained in the toilet basket or is held by it.

Tests have shown an active substance to be particularly advantageous in the toilet flushing system according to the invention which is in the form of a gel, preferably a clear gel, more preferably a clear, solid gel, ie a gel which has solidified at typical room temperature. Such a gel suffers significantly less from uneven dissolution from exposure to flush water from a toilet flush and, moreover, is less prone to progressive and uncontrolled degradation than other active substance compositions residual moisture remaining after rinsing. Even if the flushing water does not leave the chamber completely after flushing the toilet, the above-mentioned undesired phenomena do not occur or at least are reduced to an acceptable level scope up. A clear, solid gel is also characterized by a pronounced dimensional stability, even under repeated or prolonged exposure to water.

A gel is understood to mean, in particular, an active substance which has a high viscosity at typical room temperature or standard room temperature. The gel preferably has a complex viscosity |η*| at temperatures below 50° C., preferably below 40° C of more than 100 Pa s, more preferably more than 1000 Pa s, particularly preferably more than approximately 10000 Pa s. At temperatures above 60° C., the complex viscosity |η*| of the composition, on the other hand, fall in particular to below 100 Pa s, preferably above 70° C. to below 10 Pa s, particularly preferably above 80° C. below 0.1 Pa s. This enables a production process in which the heated, liquid active substance is poured into the chambers and then solidified there by cooling until a desired viscosity is reached. Examples of such gels are "ringing gels" or humming gels. Typical room temperature or standard room temperature is understood to mean a temperature between 14°C and 32°C, preferably between 18°C and 28°C, particularly preferably about 25°C. The gel can preferably contain gel formers, for example metal soaps of higher fatty acids and/or nonionic surfactants and/or adhesion promoters.

The gel can in particular comprise a composition or structure which is at least partially network-like, with the interstices formed by the network structure being at least partially filled with a fluid, preferably with a solvent such as water.

It goes without saying that an active substance that is basically designed as a gel can also be colored within the scope of the invention to provide a further cleaning and/or fragrance effect, to enhance the effect and for optical reasons and/or other substances, such as additional dyes, particles, gas - and/or liquid inclusions.

Excellent results with regard to the utilization and development of the effect of the active substance and the flushing behavior of the toilet basket are achieved by a preferred combination of the toilet basket according to the invention with an active substance in the form of a gel, the gel preferably being clear, i.e. transparent, and preferably solid , So has a solid consistency, so remains dimensionally stable at temperatures below 50 °, in particular 40 ° C and thus can not flow out of the toilet basket.

The advantageous properties of the geometry of the toilet basket and the active substance designed as a clear, solid gel support each other and bring about a particularly uniform dissolution and complete consumption of the active substance. On the one hand, this means lower costs for the consumer by avoiding premature replacement of the fragrance rinsing agent or the toilet flushing system and, on the other hand, a more attractive appearance over the entire service life of the fragrance rinsing agent due to the symmetrical or uniform reduction in the active substance in the chamber or chambers. without leaving undissolved residues in the chambers that are perceived as unaesthetic.

A formulation of the active substance as a clear gel allows a visually unobtrusive and therefore aesthetically perceived design of the toilet flushing system, in particular by utilizing the contact transparency when the gel comes into contact with a particularly smooth surface. The contact transparency in connection with the adhering clear gel with roughened surfaces or a milky chamber shell produces the technical effect that a part covered by adhering gel appears clear and an adjacent part free of gel appears milky and thus acts more as an indicator of the filling quantity . A similar effect occurs with a smooth, transparent chamber envelope. In this way, the aesthetic, hygienic appearance is ideally retained until the last rinse of an application cycle. The last remaining product residue, ie in particular the part of the active substance adhering to the inner wall of the chamber, is then dissolved by the flushing water and conducted out of the chamber into the toilet bowl, where the cleaning effect in particular is unfolded. It is then preferably only the empty toilet basket to dispose of.

With regard to the effect of a fragrance release, a formulation of the active substance as a clear, solid gel has the advantage over the so-called Ifo gels usually used as a perfume oil matrix that a fragrance is also or particularly released when the matrix is flushed with rinsing water. Unlike the typically water-insoluble Ifo gels, the perfume oils or fragrances they contain get into the flushing water and are released from the toilet bowl into the ambient air. Due to the comparatively high scent performance, a constant scent can always be maintained in the vicinity of the toilet with the toilet flushing system according to the invention, which scent is perceived as fresh or generally as pleasant, for example. In this way, a subjective impression of a hygienic environment is created for the consumer.

Furthermore, an optimized shape of the opening of the chamber envelope and/or a uniform dissolution behavior of the active substance prevents the solid and/or gel-like active substance from falling out. In the undesired case of uneven dissolution, remaining parts of the active substance could, after a series of rinsing processes, Actuations of the toilet flush are moved around by the flushing water within the chamber and possibly flushed out of the chamber.

The gel-like active substance inside the chamber preferably adheres to the chamber envelope to a sufficient extent so that the active substance as a whole is effectively prevented from falling out or being flushed out prematurely by the flushing water flowing in or flowing through the chamber. For this purpose, the active substance preferably contains an adhesion promoter.

The active substance can essentially consist of one main component or have a plurality of components in different ratios to one another. A uniform and, above all, complete dissolution of the active substance by the end of the useful life of the toilet flushing system can thus be supported by an appropriate composition of the active substance.

The matrix of the active substance advantageously has predominantly water-soluble components or is preferably even completely water-soluble, so that after the end of the use cycle only the empty toilet basket has to be disposed of.

Optimally, several or all components of the active substance have a similar, preferably identical, solubility in water. This means that the individual components dissolve with the water to a relatively similar extent for the same duration of contact with the flushing water, so that by the end of the service life of the toilet flushing system, i.e. until the active substance has been completely used up, none of the components of the Active substance is used up considerably earlier than the other components. Alternatively or additionally, the same also applies to the ratio of the mean solubilities of different active substances in different chambers of a multi-chamber basket. As a result, a uniform dissolution of the active substance in one chamber or of the active substances in several chambers is achieved in a reproducible manner.

The toilet flushing system according to the invention is preferably designed to be exposed to at least 100, preferably at least 250, particularly preferably at least 400 typical toilet flushes before the active substance is used up.

A corresponding toilet flushing system is produced by providing a corresponding toilet basket, heating an active substance in the form of a gel and thus liquefying it Active substance is filled into the toilet basket, and the active substance is solidified by cooling.

A seal may then be applied to prevent outside air from circulating inside the chamber, which could otherwise degrade the active substance or otherwise affect its function or appearance. This seal can engage in the openings in a form-fitting manner, preferably by means of an undercut, so that it can be introduced and removed with a defined application of force.

The invention is explained in more detail below.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen WC-Spülersystems in rückseitiger Ansicht,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung des WC-Spülersystems von Fig. 1 in Vorderansicht,

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung der Kammer eines erfindungsgemäßen WC-Körbchens in Draufsicht,

Fig. 4

eine schematische Querschnittsdarstellung der Kammer eines erfindungsgemäßen WC-Körbchens gemäß Fig. 3 in seitlicher Ansicht,

Fig. 5

eine der Fig. 1 entsprechende Darstellung eines nicht-erfindungsgemässen WC-Spülersystems,

Fig. 6

eine der Fig. 1 entsprechende Darstellung eines nicht-erfindungsgemässen WC-Spülersystems,

Fig. 7

eine der Fig. 1 entsprechende Darstellung eines nicht-erfindungsgemässen WC-Spülersystems,

Fig. 8

eine der Fig. 1 entsprechende Darstellung eines nicht-erfindungsgemässen WC-Spülersystems,

Fig. 9

eine schematische Darstellung eines nicht-erfindungsgemässen WC-Körbchens in Vorderansicht,

Fig. 10

eine der Fig. 9 entsprechende Darstellung eines nicht-erfindungsgemässen WC-Spülersystems,

Fig. 11

eine schematische Darstellung einer weiteren alternativen Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen WC-Spülersystems in rückseitiger Ansicht,

Fig. 12

eine schematische Querschnittsdarstellung einer Kammer eines nichterfindungsgemässen WC-Spülersystems gemäß Fig. 11 in seitlicher Ansicht,

Fig. 13a

eine schematische Darstellung eines nicht-erfindungsgemässen WC-Spülersystems gemäß Fig. 11 in seitlicher Ansicht,

Fig. 13b

eine schematische Darstellung einer Variante eines nicht-erfindungsgemässen WC-Spülersystems gemäß Fig. 11 in seitlicher Ansicht, und

Fig. 14

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Variante eines erfindungsgemäßen WC-Spülersystems gemäß Figuren 1-4 mit einem Versiegelungselement.

It shows

1

a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment of the toilet flushing system according to the invention in a rear view,

2

a schematic representation of the toilet flushing system of 1 in front view,

3

a schematic representation of the chamber of a toilet basket according to the invention in plan view,

4

a schematic cross-sectional view of the chamber of a toilet basket according to the invention 3 in side view,

figure 5

one of the 1 corresponding representation of a non-inventive toilet flushing system,

6

one of the 1 corresponding representation of a non-inventive toilet flushing system,

7

one of the 1 corresponding representation of a non-inventive toilet flushing system,

8

one of the 1 corresponding representation of a non-inventive toilet flushing system,

9

a schematic representation of a non-inventive toilet basket in front view,

10

one of the 9 corresponding representation of a non-inventive toilet flushing system,

11

a schematic representation of a further alternative embodiment of the toilet flushing system according to the invention in a rear view,

12

a schematic cross-sectional view of a chamber of a toilet flushing system not according to the invention 11 in side view,

13a

a schematic representation of a non-inventive toilet flushing system according to 11 in side view,

Figure 13b

a schematic representation of a variant of a non-inventive toilet flushing system according to 11 in side view, and

14

a perspective view of a variant of a toilet flushing system according to the invention Figures 1-4 with a sealing element.

1 shows a toilet basket 1 according to the invention, which forms a toilet flushing system 3 together with an active substance 2 held in the toilet basket 1 . In the present illustration, the toilet basket 1 has four individual chambers 4 which are separate from one another, ie are not connected to one another and which are each surrounded by a chamber cover 5 . It goes without saying that, within the scope of the invention, any other number of chambers 4 can also be provided and/or some or all of the chambers 4 can be connected to one another. In particular, only one chamber 4 can be provided, in which one or more active substances 2 can be contained.

In the present case, the toilet basket 1 consists predominantly of plastic. In addition to plastic as a light, inexpensive and therefore preferred material, the toilet basket 1 can also have other materials, in particular metal and/or a ceramic material.

Furthermore, the toilet basket 1 has a hanger 6 for attachment in or on a toilet bowl for use in the example shown.

According to the invention, all chambers 4 likewise have a substantially spherical shape. In particular, according to the invention, it is not necessary for all chambers 4 to have the same size.

1 shows the embodiment of the toilet basket 1 or toilet flushing system 3 from the rear view, ie with a view of the side of the toilet basket 1 that is in use, ie when the toilet flushing system 3 is introduced into a toilet bowl, a wall 7 faces the toilet bowl. In 2 On the other hand, the view from the opposite direction is shown, ie the side of the toilet basket 1 pointing in the direction of the interior of the toilet bowl. During use, ie when the toilet flushing system 3 is in use, the illustration in 2 the view of the toilet flushing system 3 for the user.

on the inside 1 On the back shown, the toilet basket 1 in the present embodiment has an opening 8 for each chamber 4 through which flushing water can penetrate into the chamber 4 and can come into contact with the active substance 2 present in the chamber 4 .

In the illustrated embodiment, all openings 8 each have the same shape and size. Of course, the invention is not limited to the uniformity of the openings 8 . In particular with different chamber geometries in relation to the size of the chambers 4, it is advantageous within the meaning of the invention if the opening 8 is adapted to the geometry of the chamber 4 in each case.

In the illustrated preferred embodiment of the toilet basket 1 according to the invention with chambers 4 of the same design, uniformity of the openings 8 is correspondingly preferred. However, this does not mean that different opening sizes cannot also be provided in the case of the same chamber shapes and/or sizes, in particular if different active substances 2 are provided in the individual chambers 4 .

The openings 8 at the in 1 and 2 shown embodiment have an oval shape. Such a shape of the opening 8 can in particular be created or defined in that a recess corresponding to a negative shape in the form of a cylinder is introduced into the present spherical basic shape of the chamber shell 5 . In the present case, the chamber 4 therefore has the shape of the remaining part of a sphere which has been blended with a cylindrical shape.

Due to the geometry of the chamber shell 5 and the shape of the opening 8 , a flow channel 9 is formed between the adjacent wall 7 of the toilet bowl and the opening 8 of the chamber shell 5 when the toilet flushing system 3 or the toilet basket 1 is in use. During the flushing process, flushing water from the toilet flush can enter into these in an upper area 10 of the opening 8 of the chamber 4 and from there into the chamber 4 itself up to the active substance 2 . Inside the chamber 4, the rinsing water flows along the active substance 2 and thereby partially dissolves it. The aqueous active substance solution exits from a lower region 11 of the opening 8 of the chamber 4 and enters the through-flow channel 9 and leaves it downwards in the direction of the toilet bowl. There, the active substance 2 dissolved in the rinsing water finally unfolds its desired effect, for example for cleaning and/or fragrance release.

The upper area 10 and the lower area 11 of the chamber 4 are each defined by the sections of the chamber 4 above and below the central axis M according to the cross-sectional view in FIG 4 educated.

3 shows an example of a schematic representation of a chamber 4 of the toilet basket 1 according to the invention in plan view, ie from the direction from which the flushing water preferably impinges on the toilet basket 1 during a flush. A flow channel 9 is formed between the wall 7 of the toilet bowl and the chamber 4 in the area of the opening 8 . The flow channel 9 is delimited in the lateral direction by two contact points 12 with the wall 7 of the toilet bowl.

In the case shown, these points 12 also represent in particular the lateral delimitation of the opening 8 of the chamber shell 5. The rinsing water now penetrates the upper region 10 of the chamber 4 into the flow channel 9 and reaches an active substance 2 contained in the chamber 4 through the opening 8 The active substance 2 is partially dissolved by contact with the rinsing water. The path of the rinsing water together with dissolved components of the active substance 2 continues from the chamber 4 into the flow channel 9, into which the rinsing water penetrates in the lower region 11 of the chamber 4 from this. The flushing water then leaves the flow channel 9 downwards in the direction of the toilet bowl, where the active substance 2 develops its chemical and/or physical effect.

The upper area 10 and the lower area 11 of the chamber 4 are present based on the relative position to the center plane of the chamber 4 according to 4 indicated central axis M Are defined. In the representation according to 4 it is a cross-sectional view according to the cutting plane IV-IV, which is shown in 3 is indicated by dotted lines. The section plane IV-IV runs in the lateral direction in the center of the chamber 4 and the flow channel 9.

As per the cross-sectional view 4 As can be seen, the flow channel 9 in the present example has a variable width in the central area in the direction perpendicular to the wall 7 of the toilet bowl. In the present case, the point of greatest width of the flow channel 9 is in the area of the central axis M of the chamber 4, i.e. at half the length of the flow channel 9.

According to the illustration 1 Furthermore, the preferred property of the opening 8 of the chamber shell 5 can be seen that the height, ie the vertical extension, of the opening 8 is greater than the width, ie the horizontal extension, of the opening 8. In the use state is thus preferably the greater direction of extension of the opening 8 aligned essentially parallel to the main flow direction S of the rinsing water during rinsing.

figure 5 shows an embodiment of a toilet basket 1, in which the openings 8 of the chambers 4 are circular. The opening angle of the openings 8, measured from the center of the chambers 4, can in particular be between 30° and 180°, preferably between 45° and 70° and is approximately 60° in the illustrated case.

The amount of active substance 2 in a toilet flushing system 3 according to the invention is preferably between 30 g and 100 g, preferably between 50 g and 70 g, distributed over the individual chambers 4. In the example shown, the amount is about 60 g. The total amount is preferably divided equally among the individual chambers 4 of the toilet basket 1.

The imaginary connecting line between the center of the chamber 4 and the center of the opening 8 preferably runs in the horizontal direction when in use, ie transversely to the force of gravity, which the flushing water of the toilet flush follows. In general, it is advantageous according to the invention if the vector determining the orientation of the opening 8 runs essentially perpendicularly to the main flow direction S of the flushing water in the area of the toilet basket 1 when in use. It is understood that depending on specific Application parameters, such as a particularly high flow rate of the rinsing water, an above-average amount of rinsing water during a rinsing process, an atypical, approximately very flat, flow direction S of the rinsing water or the like, can cause a deviation from this. In this case, the orientation vector of the opening 8 can, for example, be tilted to a certain extent against and/or in the direction of flow S of the direction of flow S of the washing water.

6 shows a further embodiment of a toilet flushing system 3, in which the chambers 4 of the toilet basket 1 have openings 8 in the manner of an elongated hole. The opening 8 of the chamber sleeve 5 extends in the in 6 case shown almost over the entire rear of chamber 4.

Accidental falling out of the active substance 2 from the chamber 4 is prevented in particular by the nature of the active substance 2 as a gel. In the extreme case, the solid and/or gel-like active substance 2 is not held in the chamber 4 in a form-fitting manner by the chamber sleeve 5, but remains there because it adheres to the inner wall of the chamber.

It is pointed out that the size of the opening 8 of a chamber 4 within the scope of the invention can in principle be chosen independently of the size of the respective chamber 4 .

7 shows an embodiment of a toilet basket 1, in which additional spacers 13 are provided to space the toilet basket 1 from the wall 7 of the toilet bowl. In the example shown, the spacers 13 each have the shape of a pin protruding from the rear. The shape, size and number of spacers 13 can vary within the scope of the invention 7 deviate shown configuration, for example, be designed as a continuous spacer strip. Furthermore, a spacer 13 can be provided not only as a one-piece structure, but also as a separate component that is provided together with the toilet basket 1 . Such an optional spacer 13 can then be connected to the toilet basket 1 as required if the application situation, in particular the geometry of the toilet bowl, makes this necessary.

8 shows an embodiment of a toilet basket 1 or toilet flushing system 3, in which by rinsing water distribution devices 14, for example in the form of flat, plate or platelet-shaped water guiding structures, a more even distribution of the rinsing water on the individual chambers 4 is supported. The flushing water distribution devices 14 can, as in 8 shown, be provided as slats between individual chambers 4, which protrude from the back of the toilet basket 1. The number, shape and/or arrangement of the flushing water distribution devices 14 is fundamentally related to the number and geometry of the chambers 4 and the openings 8 in the chamber shell 5.

Instead of the nature and arrangement of the water guiding structures shown, an arrangement above and/or below the chamber openings 8 is also possible, for example, with an alternating arrangement above and below the openings 8 being able to be provided in particular.

A flushing water distribution device 14 can also in turn have one or more openings in order to allow flushing water to pass through.

A flushing water distribution device 14, for example in the form of a water conduction structure, can be formed in one piece with the toilet basket 1 or can be present as a separate component for optional attachment. Spacers 13 and/or flushing water distribution devices 14 can be designed such that they can be plugged in, slipped on and/or snapped into the toilet basket 1 if they are provided separately.

Both a spacer 13 and a flushing water distribution device 14 can be provided independently of the chamber and/or opening geometry and independently of the other configuration of the toilet basket, and not only in connection with the configuration of the toilet basket according to FIG 7 or. 8 .

Although the use of components and/or structures as spacers 13 and/or flushing water distribution device 14 can be provided as required, it is preferred with a view to producing the toilet basket 1 as simply and inexpensively as possible if such measures are dispensed with. In this case, the formation of a flow channel 9 for optimal flow behavior of the flushing water during flushing and the associated ideal flushing behavior of the chamber 4 of the toilet basket 1 is based exclusively on the geometry of the chamber 4 and/or the arrangement, shape and/or Size of opening 8.

In the Figs. 9 and 10 two other options are shown as examples of how the chambers 4 of the toilet basket 1 can be designed. So it can be dispensed with in particular from a spherical or generally rounded shape, for example, chambers 4 with a triangular, as shown in FIG 9 , or generally polygonal cross-section, this shape not being covered by claim 1. It is also possible for a chamber 4 to protrude into an adjacent chamber 4, as is shown in 10 is the case where chambers 4 are provided with a spherical basic shape. However, the chambers 4 are not formed by complete spheres, but have deformations or deviations from the basic geometric shape, ie the spherical shape in the present case, in the adjoining areas between two chambers 4 . Such shape variations can be provided in particular for design reasons to increase attractiveness to the consumer.

According to figure 11 includes a toilet basket 1 four chambers 4, each having an upper opening 8a, 8a 'and a lower opening 8b, 8b'. According to the invention, the upper and lower openings 8a, 8a′, 8b, 8b′ essentially have a shape that results from a cutout of a cylinder with a central interruption in a spherical basic shape, resulting in a geometry as seen in FIG figure 11 shown.

According to figure 12 a chamber 4 has an upper opening 8a with a flat edge and a lower opening 8b with a flat edge. For clarification, the planes referred to as section planes 15a, 15b are drawn in with dashed lines, in which the edges—not shown here in detail due to the representation as a cross-sectional representation—are each completely located. The through-flow channel 9, which extends essentially vertically from the upper opening 8a to the lower opening 8b, can also be seen. If several chambers 4 of this type next to each other, ie essentially along an arrangement direction—oriented here perpendicularly to the plane of the drawing—all edges of the upper or lower openings 8a; 8b each in the common upper or lower cutting plane 15a; 15b lie, which, among other things, entails manufacturing advantages, in particular when sealing the openings.

According to Figure 13a several chambers 4 can be fastened to one another essentially along an arrangement direction oriented perpendicularly to the plane of the drawing, with at least two chambers 4 or their chamber casings 5, 5′ being arranged in pairs perpendicular to one another to the arrangement direction and the through-flow channel (not shown here), i.e. in the direction of the front or back of a chamber, are staggered. The upper openings 8a in the chamber shells 5 lie in a common upper sectional plane 15a and the lower openings 8b in a common lower sectional plane 15b, which is particularly easy to handle in terms of production technology, especially when sealing the openings. Chambers offset towards the rear then have larger openings than chambers offset towards the front.

Alternatively, as in Figure 13b shown, the chamber shells 5, 5' have their own, non-common, sectional planes 15a, 15a'; 15b, 15b', so that the upper openings 8a, 8a' each have the same upper cross-sectional areas and the lower openings 8b, 8b' each have the same lower cross-sectional areas.

According to figure 14 a sealing means 16 is provided on a toilet basket 1, which has an inverse shape to the openings in order to positively engage in these openings - not shown here - of the chambers, engage there and seal them airtight. The sealing means 16 comprises a tab with projections 17 which can be pushed into the openings to close and pulled out of the openings to open. The projections 17 have undercuts - not shown here - in the form of an overlap on the inside of the chambers, so that they each reach behind the edge of a respective opening. The sealing means 16 further comprises a grip element 18, which simplifies the manual detachment of the sealing element.

To produce such a toilet flushing system 3, a toilet basket 1 according to the invention is provided, an active substance in the form of a gel is heated and thus liquefied, the active substance is filled into the toilet basket 1 and the active substance is solidified by cooling.

The toilet basket 1 is then sealed by applying a sealing agent 16 to the edges of the openings 8 . Especially in the case of uneven edges, as in the embodiment according to figure 11 , A sealing means is preferably provided which is pressed into the openings 8 and latched there.

The above exemplary embodiments serve to clarify the subject matter of protection, but are not to be understood as a limitation. In particular, deviations from the aforementioned configurations are conceivable, for example a web could be arranged on the chamber shell to influence the flow paths on the chamber shell.

Reference list:

1

toilet basket

2

active substance

3

toilet flushing system

4

chamber

5

chamber shell

6

hanger

7

Wall

8th

opening

8a

upper opening

8b

lower opening

9

flow channel

10

upper area

11

lower area

12

attachment point

13

spacers

14

flushing water distribution device

15a

upper cutting plane

15b

lower cutting plane

16

sealant

17

head Start

18

grip element

M

central axis

S

flow direction

Claims (9)

1. Rim block cage (1) for attachment to a toilet bowl, in particular in the rim region thereof, comprising at least one chamber (4) formed by a chamber sleeve (5) for receiving a solid or gel-form active substance (2), the chamber sleeve (5) having at least one opening (8) on the side facing a wall (7) of the toilet bowl when in use,

   the at least one chamber (4) having a substantially spherical shape,

   characterized in that the at least one opening (8) is formed by a substantially cylindrical recess in the chamber sleeve (5), and therefore the chamber sleeve (5) is designed in such a way that, when in use, a flow channel (9) is formed between two contact points (12) of the chamber sleeve (5) and the wall (7) of the toilet bowl, via which flow channel flushing-water can enter an upper region (10) of the at least one opening (8) in the chamber (4) and can exit the chamber (4) in a lower region (11) of the at least one opening (8), and

   the side of the chamber sleeve (5) which faces away from the wall (7) of the toilet bowl when in use being designed to be completely closed, and

   the height of the at least one opening (8) being greater than the width of the at least one opening (8).
2. Rim block cage according to claim 1, characterized in that the height of the at least one opening (8) relative to the extent of the chamber sleeve (5) is between 40% and 95%, preferably between 70% and 90%, and/or that the width of the at least one opening (8) relative to the extent of the chamber sleeve (5) is between 20% and 80%, preferably between 40% and 60%.
3. Rim block cage according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rim block cage (1) does not have a separately formed spacer (13) for spacing the chamber sleeve (5) from the wall (7) of the toilet bowl.
4. Rim block cage according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rim block cage (1) does not have a separate flushing-water distribution device (14).
5. Rim block cage according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of chambers (4) are provided, which are attached to one another substantially in an arrangement direction, and at least two chambers (4) being offset in pairs perpendicularly to the arrangement direction and the flow channel.
6. Rim block cage according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a sealing means (16) is provided, which form-fittingly engages in the at least one opening (8) and preferably airtightly seals said opening.
7. Toilet rinser system (3), comprising a rim block cage (1) according to one of the preceding claims and comprising at least one active substance (2),characterized in that that the active substance (2) is in the form of a gel.
8. Toilet rinser system according to claim 7, characterized in that the active substance (2) comprises a plurality of preferably water-soluble components.
9. Toilet rinser system according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the active substance (2) is completely water-soluble and/or consists exclusively of components of comparable solubility in water.

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