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Patent Abstract
Toilet bowl cleaned automatically on pressing flush-handle of water
cistern by adding cleaning liquid to the water to be flushed into
toilet bowl. Uses any liquid cleanser or disinfectant. Cleanser
container is stored inside water cistern. Same flush-handle movement
presses on can of air freshener to introduce pleasant odor into
toilet room. Air freshener is stored inside water cistern. Possibility
to replace existing water cistern lid with new lid with above apparatus
attached thereto.
Patent Claims
1. A method and device in toilet flushing apparatus comprising:
a) a container to hold cleansing fluids with a valve for controlled
release of the said fluids into the water cistern of a toilet; b)
a container to hold an aerosol sprayer; and c) various connecting
rods and connections connecting the said container of the cleansing
fluids and the said aerosol sprayer to the handle used to flush
the water in the said cistern into a toilet bowl, whereby upon pressing
the said handle the said rods and connections cause the opening
of the said valve releasing cleansing fluids into the water of the
said cistern and cause the release of air freshener spray into the
air surrounding the said toilet and whereby toilet bowls will be
cleaner and the air of toilet rooms will be fresher.
2. A lid onto which is attached toilet flushing apparatus comprising:
a) a container to hold cleansing fluids with a valve for controlled
release of the said fluids into the water cistern of a toilet; b)
a container to hold an aerosol sprayer; and c) various connecting
rods and connections connecting the said container of the cleansing
fluids and the said aerosol sprayer to the handle used to flush
the water in the said cistern into a toilet bowl, whereby upon pressing
the said handle the said rods and connections cause the opening
of the said valve releasing cleansing fluids into the water of the
said cistern and cause the release of air freshener spray into the
air surrounding the said toilet and whereby toilet bowls will be
cleaner and the air of toilet rooms will be fresher and whereby
the said lid with its said attachments can replace existing water
cistern lids.
3. A method and device as claimed in claim 2 wherein there is an
opening in the said lid for the purpose of re-filling the said cleansing
fluids making maintenance work cleaner and quicker.
4. A method and device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the said aerosol
sprayer is replaced from an opening in the said lid of the said
cistern making maintenance work cleaner and quicker.
5. A method and device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the said cleaning
fluids are re-filled and the said aerosol sprayer is replaced by
lifting the said lid of the said cistern.
6. A method and device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said container
of the cleansing fluids and the said container of the aerosol sprayer,
together with the relevant connecting rods are affixed to and/or
inserted in toilet flushing systems.
7. A method and device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the movement
of the flushing handle also causes the release of cleansing fluid
into the water in the said cistern.
8. A method and device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the movement
of the flushing handle also causes the depression of the nozzle
of the said aerosol sprayer which releases air freshener into the
air space surrounding the toilet.
9. A method and device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the movement
of the flushing handle causes simultaneously both the said release
of cleansing fluid and the said depression of the nozzle of the
aerosol sprayer.
10. A method and device as claimed in claims 7 and 9 wherein the
said release of cleansing fluid is achieved by opening a valve at
the base of the said container of said fluid.
11. A method and device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the said
valve, when opened, releases a constant but variable and controllable
volume of cleansing fluid.
12. A method and device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the said
release of cleansing fluid is directed into the down pipe which
leads the flushing water from the cistern to the toilet bowl.
13. A method and device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said
cleansing fluid comprises at least one of the following list namely;
soap, detergent, disinfectant, anti-bacteria, dye, fragrant releaser.
14. A method and device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said
aerosol sprayer comprises at least one of the following list namely;
air freshener, air disinfector, anti-bacteria, odour absorber.
15. A method and device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the release
of cleansing fluid from its container and the release of propellant
from the said aerosol are achieved mechanically.
16. A method and device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the release
of cleansing fluid from its container and the release of propellant
from the said aerosol are achieved electronically.
17. A method and device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said
handle is a button causing the water to flush by manual movement.
18. A method and device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said
handle is a button causing the water to flush by electronic means.
19. A method and device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said
aerosol sprayer is positioned vertically and the depression of the
said cistern handle causes a downward pressure on the said aerosol's
head and thereby causing the spray to be released.
20. A method and device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said
aerosol sprayer is positioned horizontally and the depression of
the said cistern handle causes a horizontal pressure on the said
aerosol's head and thereby causing the spray to be released.
Patent Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention is in the field of automated cleaning devices
and more specifically the automatic cleaning and/or disinfecting
of toilet bowls and the perfuming the air space of toilet rooms.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] As is well known in this field there are many difficulties
related to the task of keeping clean and hygienic, toilets and their
rooms. This is so in each and every private home and a bigger problem
in office buildings, hotels, educational institutions and other
places of public usage. The central problems are keeping the room
and apparatus, in particular the toilet bowl, clean, hygienic and
pleasant for all users with a minimum usage of labour. In the home
this `minimum usage of labour` is for the convenience and pleasant
working environment for the member of the household or the cleaning
helper who generally cleans the toilet room. In buildings used by
the public this `minimum usage of labour` has the additional and
important factor of the cost of manpower to clean the toilet rooms.
As is well known, especially in the case of toilets used by the
public or even a portion of the public for example in office buildings,
the toilets become unpleasant to use after a short time unless they
are frequently and persistently cleaned, disinfected and where possible,
also perfumed to counteract unpleasant odours.
[0003] The cost of manpower is high even when the toilet rooms
are kept at an average standard of cleanliness and hygiene. A commonly
used method to clean toilets consists of a slowly dissolving solid
usually housed in a plastic container which allows water freely
to enter and leave, thereby dissolving some of the solid matter
when the flushing water comes in contact with the said solid matter.
This plastic container is either placed in the cistern which holds
the water next to be flushed or alternatively it is hooked onto
the edge of the toilet bowl so that when the water is flushed, a
portion of the water flows through the holes in the container and
then into the bowl. These plastic containers are costly as they
are individual units and have to be replaced at relatively frequent
intervals.
[0004] This manual replacement of the dissolving solid type of
cleaner is both costly in manpower and involves much direct and
manual contact of the worker with the toilets and their bowls. Such
manual contact is undesirable especially in the case of the said
cleaning units which hang in the bowl itself as the bowl often harbors
a high degree of bacteria and could transfer disease to the worker.
[0005] Another disadvantage of the said plastic bowl hangers containing
the dissolvable solid is that they are easily knocked out of place
and there is a good chance that they will fall in the bowl. This
requires immediate removal otherwise blockages occur with unpleasant
and sometimes costly consequences. Such immediate removal requires
readily available manpower, thus adding to the hidden costs of such
devices.
[0006] A further disadvantage of this prevalent method of cleaning
toilet bowls, namely the container with a dissolving solids inside
which are placed in the flushing cistern or hung on the edge of
the bowl, is that they frequently disappear from toilets to which
the public have access, shortly after they are installed. Until
this is discovered by the cleaning staff there may be a build up
of dirt, bacteria and odour. In addition there is the expense of
replacement. It is generally considered not to be worth locking
such cisterns and the type which hangs in the bowl is difficult
to lock.
[0007] Regarding the removal of fowl odours and replacing with
pleasant ones, this is usually achieved by toilet cleaning workers
spraying a hand held spray when they do their periodical cleaning
or automatic devices whether electrically operated or not, which
give off their particular aromas constantly, twenty-four hours a
day. Those fresh air dispensers which can release at pre-programmed
intervals, a pre-programmed quantity of air freshener are in a different
(higher) price bracket from the present invention which is a simple
and mechanical device.
[0008] Prior art similar to the present invention, reveals air
freshening devices placed on the external face of the toilet cistern.
For example, US Patent Application No. 20040128751 where an adjustable
size basket is positioned in such a way that the common spray can
of air freshener will have its spray released each time the flushing
handle is pressed down. The spray is released by the physical pressure
of the flushing handle pressing down on the spray release nozzle
of the said can. This device is more likely to lead to abuse or
theft as it is openly visible to the public. Also the unscrupulous
may waste the contents of the can by holding the flushing handle
down for longer than necessary.
[0009] In the present invention the spray can is not visible to
the public as it is situated inside the cistern which could be locked
as the refilling of the cleansing fluid and replacing of the spray
can be done without lifting the water cistern lid. Furthermore,
the present invention works in such a way that when the flushing
handle has been pressed it will cause a burst of spray from the
air freshener can but no more than that even if the flushing handle
is held down for a longer than necessary time.
[0010] The present invention only releases cleansing agents into
the bowl and air fresheners into the air, as and when the user flushes
water into the bowl. This is a cost saving factor while ensuring
that these cleansing operations are done each time the toilet is
flushed.
[0011] The present invention solves most of the above mentioned
problems as will be revealed in more detail below. Some of the cost
saving aspects of the present invention are as follows: [0012] a)
no need to replace individual units of cleansing material as the
material is liquid, [0013] b) no need to replace the said units
on a frequent basis as the container for the cleansing material
is large, [0014] c) no unit sits on the rim of the toilet bowl so
no possibility of falling in and causing a blockage which uses manpower
otherwise occupied with routine work or requires the expense of
sub-contractors to clear the blockage, [0015] d) also as a result
of there not being a small unit on the toilet rim, the present invention
is much harder to steal than individual units, [0016] e) manpower
costs are greatly reduced as the invention works automatically every
time the toilet is used with a flushing action thereby keeping a
high standard of cleanliness, hygiene and pleasant odours while
keeping costs to a minimum.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description
and the following detailed description present embodiments of the
invention, and are intended to provide an overview, or framework,
for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it
is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated into
and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate
various embodiments of the invention and, together with the description
serve to explain the principles and operations of the invention.
[0018] The present invention comprises apparatus which is situated
in the flushing cistern and dispenses cleansing and/or disinfecting
fluids into the toilet bowl. This is done each time the flushing
handle is depressed to flush water into the bowl.
[0019] In addition this invention comprises a container also situated
in the flushing cistern and which releases a spray of for example,
air deodorizer or air freshener into the air space of the toilet
room. This is also done each time and at the same time as the flushing
handle is depressed to flush water into the bowl.
[0020] The apparatus of this invention could be part of a whole
cistern or be attached to the lid of the cistern with the object
of replacing an existing lid thereby adding the apparatus of this
invention to existing cisterns.
[0021] The flushing lever usually is pressed each time the toilet
is used. This invention works with levers, pivots, valves and the
like that are triggered by the movement of the toilet flushing lever
handle movement. No electricity is needed for the operation of this
invention.
[0022] There are two basic parts that operate at the same time.
Firstly the disinfecting liquids that are controllably released
into the toilet bowl together with the flushing water Secondly the
same movement of the flushing lever presses on a standard air freshening
spray can nozzle thereby releasing air freshener into the air of
the toilet room.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the
invention and, together with the description, serve to explain,
by way of example only, the principles of the invention:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of the side view of a toilet
cistern filled with water and ready to be used.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a schematic depiction of the side view of a toilet
cistern showing the existing water leaving and fresh water entering.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a schematic depiction of the side view of a toilet
cistern with the present invention installed therein.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a sectional diagram of a toilet cistern with the
present invention installed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] As will be appreciated the present invention is capable
of other and different embodiments than those discussed above and
described in more detail below, and its several details are capable
of modifications in various aspects, all without departing from
the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description
of the embodiments set forth below are to be regarded as illustrative
in nature and not restrictive. Like numbers refer to like elements
throughout.
[0029] FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of the side view of a toilet
cistern 100. The system works as follows: Water enters via pipe
202 from the main water supply into the cistern 100 via pipe 209.
The float 204 rises with the level of the water and at a pre-set
level the arm holding the float 204 presses a rubber seal into the
aperture of the incoming water to stop more water from entering.
The cistern 100 is then full and ready for use.
[0030] The flushing action is activated by depressing handle 203
which is situated on the outside of the cistern 100. When the handle
203 is depressed the cylinder 205 is raised slightly which in turn
raises the rubber seal 207 and the water 206 in the cistern 100
flows with the aid of gravitational force, through pipe 288 to the
toilet bowl below.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a similar schematic depiction as FIG. 1 showing
the situation in the cistern after the handle 203 has been depressed.
As described above, when cylinder 205 is raised by the depressing
of handle 203 it also raises seal 207 which in turn allows the water
206 to flow out through pipe 208 into the bowl below. As the water
level in the cistern drops the float drops with it thereby opening
the said seal holding back the inflow of water from the main water
supply, namely through pipe 202. This incoming water enters the
cistern via pipe 209. When the handle 203 is released, the cylinder
205 returns to its position thereby sealing the bottom of the cistern
100 with its seal 207. This prevents the fresh water entering the
cistern 100 from being lost down pipe 208 before the cistern is
full.
[0032] At this stage when the outflow of water has been stopped
and fresh water is entering, the float 204 gradually rises with
the water level until it reaches a pre-determined position whereupon
the arm of the float 204 presses against a seal at the opening of
the inflow pipe 202. The cistern 100 is once again ready for use.
[0033] FIG. 3 is a similar schematic depiction as FIG. 2 with the
present invention installed. The container 210 holds the cleansing
and/or disinfecting agent. The said agent passes from the container
210 via pipe 215 into the down pipe 208. This will only occur when
handle 203 is depressed and in turn valve 216 is opened. Valve 216
is otherwise closed and prevents the said cleansing agent from flowing
out of container 210. Valve 216 releases a pre-determined and adjustable
volume of the said cleansing agent.
[0034] Yet another action is achieved by depressing handle 203
and that is pushing the arm 217 which in turn presses the release
valve 213 of the air freshener in container 212. The said air freshener
is under pressure so when the valve 213 is pressed a certain amount
of its contents is forced by the said pressure into the air via
nozzle 214.
[0035] Container 210 and the holding device 218 for the air freshener
container 212 and all their relevant connecting arms as described
above, can be attached to the inside of the lid of the cistern 100
designed at the manufacturing stage to be inserted as one unit in
a conventional cistern. The re-filling of cleansing or disinfecting
fluids can be achieved by an opening in the lid of the cistern 100.
This facilitates the refilling process making it easier, quicker
and more hygienic than the existing system whereby the lid has to
be lifted each time and for example, a device inserted in the water.
[0036] The container 218 holding the aerosol device for spraying
air freshener is adjustable in size to accommodate a variety of
standard sized products. The replacement of the spray cans is through
a covered opening in the lid of the cistern, in order to avoid lifting
the main lid of the cistern.
[0037] FIG. 4 shows the basic contents of the standard toilet cistern
with the present invention installed therein. The toilet cistern
100 is shown in its state before a flush of water when the cistern
100 is full of water. This is seen by the float 106 being close
to the horizontal. The tube 112 holds the bung 110 firmly in place
on the exit hole preventing water from flowing down the down-pipe
108 to the toilet bowl below.
[0038] The tank 120 of disinfecting fluid is attached to the flush
handle 114 in such a way that when the flush handle 114 is pressed
to flush water into the toilet bowl, a valve in the tank 120 releases
a controlled amount of disinfectant fluid into the cistern 100 via
pipe 132.
[0039] The water flushes out of the cistern 100 relatively fast
and the bung then returns to block the exit of the water so that
the majority of disinfectant released mixes with the fresh water
that fills up the cistern 100 after each flush has completed.
[0040] The second main aim of this invention is to spray air freshener
with the same action of the flushing handle 114. When the flush
handle 114 is pushed down the upper part of the pipe 112 lifts up
raising the arm 122. The arm 122 is pivoted at the joint 124 so
that when arm 122 raises, the other side of the pivot 124 namely
the arm 125 is forced down to press on the nozzle head 126 of the
spray-can 130 thereby spaying the pressurized contents out of the
nozzle 128.
[0041] The spring 134 is placed so that it returns the arm 122
and the pieces attached to it to their starting position awaiting
the next flush of the water.
[0042] FIG. 5 shows the same embodiment as FIG. 4 immediately after
the flush handle 114 has been pressed. The bung 110 is raised to
allow the water with the disinfection liquid mixed therein to flow
down the down-pipe 108 into the toilet below. The pipe 112 is raised
thereby lifting arm 122 and lowering arm 125 as a result of the
centrally placed pivot 124. The arm 125 rests on the spray nozzle
126 so that when arm 125 is pushed down spray freshener 136 is released
into the air.
[0043] FIG. 6 shows the lid unit 150 complete with the apparatus
of this invention attached that could be simply installed into existing
toilet cisterns by replacing their lids. The tank 120 contains the
cleansing fluid. The hole 121 is used to fill cleansing fluids into
the tank 120 without lifting the lid 150. The spray container 130
sprays its contents when the arm 125 presses down on the nozzle
head 126. When flush handle is pressed the pipe 112 rises, pushing
up the section 136 into housing 137. The rising of section 136 lifts
arm 122 which in turn causes arm 125 to press down on the nozzle
head 126 due to the pivot effect of pin 124. |