WO2001096676A1 - Dosing device for toilets - Google Patents

Dosing device for toilets Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001096676A1
WO2001096676A1 PCT/EP2001/006095 EP0106095W WO0196676A1 WO 2001096676 A1 WO2001096676 A1 WO 2001096676A1 EP 0106095 W EP0106095 W EP 0106095W WO 0196676 A1 WO0196676 A1 WO 0196676A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
water
dosing
chamber
active agent
valve
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2001/006095
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
David Gary Cottle
Silvio Daneluzzi
Christopher Leonard Padain
Graeme Lindsay Jonathan Paterson
Original Assignee
Unilever Plc
Unilever Nv
Hindustan Lever Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Unilever Plc, Unilever Nv, Hindustan Lever Limited filed Critical Unilever Plc
Priority to AU2001266032A priority Critical patent/AU2001266032A1/en
Publication of WO2001096676A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001096676A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
    • E03D9/00—Sanitary or other accessories for lavatories ; Devices for cleaning or disinfecting the toilet room or the toilet bowl; Devices for eliminating smells
    • E03D9/02—Devices adding a disinfecting, deodorising, or cleaning agent to the water while flushing
    • E03D9/03—Devices adding a disinfecting, deodorising, or cleaning agent to the water while flushing consisting of a separate container with an outlet through which the agent is introduced into the flushing water, e.g. by suction ; Devices for agents in direct contact with flushing water
    • E03D9/033—Devices placed inside or dispensing into the cistern
    • E03D9/037—Active dispensers, i.e. comprising a moving dosing element
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
    • E03D9/00—Sanitary or other accessories for lavatories ; Devices for cleaning or disinfecting the toilet room or the toilet bowl; Devices for eliminating smells
    • E03D9/02—Devices adding a disinfecting, deodorising, or cleaning agent to the water while flushing
    • E03D2009/028—Devices adding a disinfecting, deodorising, or cleaning agent to the water while flushing using a liquid substance

Definitions

  • the invention relates to devices which are mounted in a cistern of a toilet and which deliver a dose of active agent into the flush water in the cistern in response to flushing of the toilet, hereafter referred to as in-cistern dosing devices.
  • an in-cistern dosing device for dosing an active agent into the flush water in a cistern during a flush, the device comprising: -
  • a chamber for holding a reservoir of active agent the chamber having an outlet;
  • valve which is buoyant in the flush water and which is movable between a first position in which the outlet is closed and a second position in which a dose of product passes into the flush water
  • the device includes water soluble closure means which prevents dosing of the active agent prior to insertion of the device into the flush water in a cistern, wherein the water soluble closure means is disposed on the device such when the device is placed into flush water in a cistern the water soluble closure means is dissolved in the flush water.
  • the water soluble closure means may take many forms.
  • the closure may comprise a layer of polyvinylalcohol or other water-soluble polymer which in use prevents access of the flush water to the valve, or prevents egress of the active product from a dosing channel.
  • the water-soluble closure means acts to prevent movement of the valve between the first and second positions.
  • the water-soluble closure acts to restrain the buoyant valve in the first position.
  • the buoyant valve is generally mounted in a dosing channel having a first end in fluid communication with the outlet of the active agent chamber and a second end forming a dosing channel outlet, the valve being movable between the first position wherein the valve abuts and closes the outlet of the active agent chamber and the second position where the valve is spaced from the outlet of the active agent chamber.
  • the water soluble closure Prior to insertion of the device in the cistern of a toilet the water soluble closure is mounted in the dosing channel between the valve and the dosing channel outlet, thereby biasing the valve into sealing contact with the active agent chamber outlet.
  • the valve may suitably be a hollow ball.
  • the valve suitably comprises a dosing portion which is movably mounted within the outlet of the active agent chamber and includes a dosing chamber having a predetermined volume which is movable between the first position in which the dosing chamber is in fluid communication with the active agent in the active agent chamber, and the second position in which a dose of active agent in the dosing chamber is delivered into the flush water, via an intermediate position in which the dosing chamber neither communicates with the active agent chamber nor the cistern, and wherein the valve closes the outlet in all positions.
  • the valve includes a buoyant portion, which is fixedly connected to, and movable with the dosing portion.
  • the water- soluble closure typically fixes the buoyant portion to the active agent chamber when the valve is in the first position.
  • the water-soluble closure is a stud which engages respective overlapping holes on the buoyant portion and the product chamber.
  • the water-soluble closure may also take the form of a spacer, which acts to space the buoyant portion and the product chamber. Typically in such instances the valve will be fixed in the intermediate or second position.
  • the water-soluble closure can take many forms such as water-soluble plugs, water-soluble fasteners, water soluble adhesive tape etc. In all cases it is essential that the closures will solubilise in flush water.
  • a suitable material for forming the closures of the invention is polyvinylalcohol, which is sold under many Trade Names including the following: AIRVOL 205, MOWIOL 40-88, EVANOL 51-05.
  • the water- soluble polymers are cold water soluble.
  • the invention also relates to the combination of an in- cistern device according to the invention and an active agent composition for cleaning and/or freshening the toilet.
  • Figs. 1 illustrates an in-cistern-dosing device according to the invention, shown in section, prior to insertion into a toilet cistern;
  • Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate the dosing device of Fig. 1 in a toilet cistern before and during a flush;
  • an in- cistern dosing device comprising a chamber 2 for holding an active agent 3.
  • the chamber 2 has an outlet 5 which is in fluid communication with an upper part of a dosing channel 7 via an upper neck channel 6, a lower part of which forms a bottle neck 8 leading to a dosing channel outlet 10.
  • a buoyant valve 12 in the form of a hollow ball is mounted within the dosing channel 7 and movable between the outlets 5 and 10.
  • a water soluble closure 15 comprising a plug of polyvinylalcohol is mounted in the dosing channel 7 wedged between the neck 8 and the valve 12, the arrangement being such that the valve is forced against the outlet 5 preventing egress of active agent 3.
  • the device In use and referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the device is inserted into a toilet cistern and positioned such that the active agent chamber outlet is under the level of the water when the cistern is full. In practice the device may incorporate an adjustable hook for positioning the device thus. Once immersed in the cistern water, the water will dissolve the water-soluble closure 15 and due to its buoyancy the valve 12 will be biassed into contact with the product chamber outlet 5 as shown in Fig. 2 thereby preventing any egress of product in between flushes. Fig. 3 illustrates what happens during a flush.
  • the valve 12 will fall with it thereby opening the product chamber outlet 5 and dosing product into the flush water during the time that the water level in the cistern lies below the product chamber outlet 5.
  • the valve 12 will rise with the water until it reengages the product chamber outlet 5.
  • the water-soluble closure may take the form of a plug which blocks the dosing channel outlet 10.
  • the water-soluble closure does not prevent movement of the valve, rather the closure prevents the entry of water into the dosing channel and the egress of product into the cistern. The use of such a device is similar to that described with reference to the previous embodiment .

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Bidet-Like Cleaning Device And Other Flush Toilet Accessories (AREA)
  • Infusion, Injection, And Reservoir Apparatuses (AREA)

Abstract

An in-cistern dosing device (1) for dosing an active agent (3) into the flush water in a cistern during a flush comprises a chamber (2) for holding a reservoir of active agent, the chamber (2) having an outlet (5) and a valve (12) which is buoyant in the flush water and movable between a first position in which the outlet is closed and a second position in which a dose of product passes into the flush water. The device includes water soluble closure means (15) which prevents dosing of the active agent prior to insertion of the device into the flush water in a cistern. The water soluble closure means (15) is disposed on the device such when the device is placed into flush water in a cistern the water soluble closure means is dissolved in the flush water.

Description

DOSING DEVICE FOR TOILETS
INTRODUCTION
The invention relates to devices which are mounted in a cistern of a toilet and which deliver a dose of active agent into the flush water in the cistern in response to flushing of the toilet, hereafter referred to as in-cistern dosing devices.
STATEMENTS OF INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided an in-cistern dosing device for dosing an active agent into the flush water in a cistern during a flush, the device comprising: -
a chamber for holding a reservoir of active agent, the chamber having an outlet;
a valve which is buoyant in the flush water and which is movable between a first position in which the outlet is closed and a second position in which a dose of product passes into the flush water,
characterised in that the device includes water soluble closure means which prevents dosing of the active agent prior to insertion of the device into the flush water in a cistern, wherein the water soluble closure means is disposed on the device such when the device is placed into flush water in a cistern the water soluble closure means is dissolved in the flush water.
The water soluble closure means may take many forms. For example the closure may comprise a layer of polyvinylalcohol or other water-soluble polymer which in use prevents access of the flush water to the valve, or prevents egress of the active product from a dosing channel.
Typically, the water-soluble closure means acts to prevent movement of the valve between the first and second positions. Thus, in one embodiment, the water-soluble closure acts to restrain the buoyant valve in the first position. In such cases, the buoyant valve is generally mounted in a dosing channel having a first end in fluid communication with the outlet of the active agent chamber and a second end forming a dosing channel outlet, the valve being movable between the first position wherein the valve abuts and closes the outlet of the active agent chamber and the second position where the valve is spaced from the outlet of the active agent chamber.
Prior to insertion of the device in the cistern of a toilet the water soluble closure is mounted in the dosing channel between the valve and the dosing channel outlet, thereby biasing the valve into sealing contact with the active agent chamber outlet. In such constructions the valve may suitably be a hollow ball.
In another embodiment of the invention the valve suitably comprises a dosing portion which is movably mounted within the outlet of the active agent chamber and includes a dosing chamber having a predetermined volume which is movable between the first position in which the dosing chamber is in fluid communication with the active agent in the active agent chamber, and the second position in which a dose of active agent in the dosing chamber is delivered into the flush water, via an intermediate position in which the dosing chamber neither communicates with the active agent chamber nor the cistern, and wherein the valve closes the outlet in all positions. Typically, the valve includes a buoyant portion, which is fixedly connected to, and movable with the dosing portion. In this embodiment, the water- soluble closure typically fixes the buoyant portion to the active agent chamber when the valve is in the first position. Ideally the water-soluble closure is a stud which engages respective overlapping holes on the buoyant portion and the product chamber. Thus when the device is placed in flush water in a cistern the flush water will solubilise the closure releasing the engagement between the buoyant portion and the product chamber and thereby freeing the valve for movement .
The water-soluble closure may also take the form of a spacer, which acts to space the buoyant portion and the product chamber. Typically in such instances the valve will be fixed in the intermediate or second position.
As is clear from the above disclosure the water-soluble closure can take many forms such as water-soluble plugs, water-soluble fasteners, water soluble adhesive tape etc. In all cases it is essential that the closures will solubilise in flush water. A suitable material for forming the closures of the invention is polyvinylalcohol, which is sold under many Trade Names including the following: AIRVOL 205, MOWIOL 40-88, EVANOL 51-05. Preferably the water- soluble polymers are cold water soluble.
The invention also relates to the combination of an in- cistern device according to the invention and an active agent composition for cleaning and/or freshening the toilet.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figs. 1 illustrates an in-cistern-dosing device according to the invention, shown in section, prior to insertion into a toilet cistern;
Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate the dosing device of Fig. 1 in a toilet cistern before and during a flush;
Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated an in- cistern dosing device according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, and comprising a chamber 2 for holding an active agent 3. The chamber 2 has an outlet 5 which is in fluid communication with an upper part of a dosing channel 7 via an upper neck channel 6, a lower part of which forms a bottle neck 8 leading to a dosing channel outlet 10. A buoyant valve 12 in the form of a hollow ball is mounted within the dosing channel 7 and movable between the outlets 5 and 10. A water soluble closure 15 comprising a plug of polyvinylalcohol is mounted in the dosing channel 7 wedged between the neck 8 and the valve 12, the arrangement being such that the valve is forced against the outlet 5 preventing egress of active agent 3.
In use and referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the device is inserted into a toilet cistern and positioned such that the active agent chamber outlet is under the level of the water when the cistern is full. In practice the device may incorporate an adjustable hook for positioning the device thus. Once immersed in the cistern water, the water will dissolve the water-soluble closure 15 and due to its buoyancy the valve 12 will be biassed into contact with the product chamber outlet 5 as shown in Fig. 2 thereby preventing any egress of product in between flushes. Fig. 3 illustrates what happens during a flush. In particular as the level of the flush water in the cistern falls the valve 12 will fall with it thereby opening the product chamber outlet 5 and dosing product into the flush water during the time that the water level in the cistern lies below the product chamber outlet 5. Once the flush has finished the cistern will re-fill with water and as the level of water rises, the valve 12 will rise with the water until it reengages the product chamber outlet 5. In an alternative embodiment the water-soluble closure may take the form of a plug which blocks the dosing channel outlet 10. Thus in this embodiment the water-soluble closure does not prevent movement of the valve, rather the closure prevents the entry of water into the dosing channel and the egress of product into the cistern. The use of such a device is similar to that described with reference to the previous embodiment .

Claims

1. An in-cistern dosing device for dosing an active agent into the flush water in a cistern during a flush, the device comprising: -
a chamber for holding a reservoir of active agent, the chamber having an outlet;
a valve which is buoyant in the flush water and which is movable between a first position in which the outlet is closed and a second position in which a dose of product passes into the flush water,
characterised in that the device includes water soluble closure means which prevents dosing of the active agent prior to insertion of the device into the flush water in a cistern, wherein the water soluble closure means is disposed on the device such when the device is placed into flush water in a cistern the water soluble closure means is dissolved in the flush water.
2. A device as claimed in claim in which the water-soluble closure means acts to prevent movement of the valve between the first and second positions.
3. A device as claimed in claim 2 in which the water- soluble closure restrains the buoyant valve in the first position.
A device as claimed in claim 3 in which the buoyant valve is mounted in a dosing channel having a first end in fluid communication with the outlet of the active agent chamber and a second end forming a dosing channel outlet, the valve being movable between the first position wherein the valve abuts and closes the outlet of the active agent chamber and the second position where the valve is spaced from the outlet of the active agent chamber .
A device as claimed in claim 4 in which the water- soluble closure is mounted in the dosing channel between the valve and the dosing channel outlet .
6. A device as claimed in claim 2 in which the valve comprises a dosing portion which is movably mounted within the outlet of the active agent chamber and includes a dosing chamber having a predetermined volume which is movable between the first position in which the dosing chamber is in fluid communication with the active agent in the active agent chamber, and the second position in which a dose of active agent in the dosing chamber is delivered into the flush water, via an intermediate position in which the dosing chamber neither communicates with the active agent chamber nor the cistern, and wherein the valve closes the outlet in all positions.
7. A device as claimed in claim 6 in which the valve includes a buoyant portion, which is connected to, and movable with the dosing portion.
8. A device as claimed in claim 7 in which the water- soluble closure fixes the buoyant portion to the active agent chamber when the valve is in the first position.
9. A device as claimed in claim 8 in which the water- soluble closure is a stud, which engages respective overlapping holes on the buoyant portion and the product chamber .
10. A device as claimed in any of claims 6 or 7 in which the water-soluble closure takes the form of a spacer, which acts to space, the buoyant portion and the product chamber .
11. A device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the water-soluble closure comprises polyvinylalcohol.
PCT/EP2001/006095 2000-06-08 2001-05-29 Dosing device for toilets WO2001096676A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2001266032A AU2001266032A1 (en) 2000-06-08 2001-05-29 Dosing device for toilets

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP00304882 2000-06-08
EP00304882.4 2000-06-08

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001096676A1 true WO2001096676A1 (en) 2001-12-20

Family

ID=8173056

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2001/006095 WO2001096676A1 (en) 2000-06-08 2001-05-29 Dosing device for toilets

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AR (1) AR031588A1 (en)
AU (1) AU2001266032A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2001096676A1 (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8032953B2 (en) 2003-06-16 2011-10-11 Jeyes Group Limited Liquid dispensing device
US8307467B2 (en) 2007-08-23 2012-11-13 The Clorox Company Toilet device with indicator
WO2014200391A1 (en) * 2013-06-14 2014-12-18 Givargizov Mikhail Evgenievich Device for feeding doses of reagent into toilet tank
WO2016137415A1 (en) * 2015-02-23 2016-09-01 Eczacibaşi Yapi Gereçleri̇ Sanayi̇ Ve Ti̇caret Ανονi̇μ Şi̇rketi̇ Hygienic additive providing system and a sanitary ware product having said system
US20160312455A1 (en) * 2013-12-05 2016-10-27 Zobelle España. S.A. Device for supplying a product inside a toilet bowl

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1928483A (en) * 1932-09-28 1933-09-26 John A Gerome Disinfecting device
EP0008148A1 (en) * 1978-08-14 1980-02-20 THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY Self priming passive dosing dispenser
US4189793A (en) * 1975-11-12 1980-02-26 Northwest Sanitation Products, Inc. Automatic liquid dispenser for an inverted bottle
DE4400766A1 (en) * 1994-01-13 1995-07-20 Buck Chemie Gmbh Cleaning device with foil valve

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1928483A (en) * 1932-09-28 1933-09-26 John A Gerome Disinfecting device
US4189793A (en) * 1975-11-12 1980-02-26 Northwest Sanitation Products, Inc. Automatic liquid dispenser for an inverted bottle
EP0008148A1 (en) * 1978-08-14 1980-02-20 THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY Self priming passive dosing dispenser
DE4400766A1 (en) * 1994-01-13 1995-07-20 Buck Chemie Gmbh Cleaning device with foil valve

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8032953B2 (en) 2003-06-16 2011-10-11 Jeyes Group Limited Liquid dispensing device
US8307467B2 (en) 2007-08-23 2012-11-13 The Clorox Company Toilet device with indicator
WO2014200391A1 (en) * 2013-06-14 2014-12-18 Givargizov Mikhail Evgenievich Device for feeding doses of reagent into toilet tank
US20160312455A1 (en) * 2013-12-05 2016-10-27 Zobelle España. S.A. Device for supplying a product inside a toilet bowl
US10214888B2 (en) * 2013-12-05 2019-02-26 Zobelle Espana, S.A. Device for supplying a product inside a toilet bowl
WO2016137415A1 (en) * 2015-02-23 2016-09-01 Eczacibaşi Yapi Gereçleri̇ Sanayi̇ Ve Ti̇caret Ανονi̇μ Şi̇rketi̇ Hygienic additive providing system and a sanitary ware product having said system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AR031588A1 (en) 2003-09-24
AU2001266032A1 (en) 2001-12-24

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