EP0738358B1 - Cleaning device with foil valve - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning device with a container (10) for a cleaning agent (12) which can be set to an operative position in the cistern (14) to clean a WC cistern (14) and a WC pan and has at least one lower outlet (16) from which a partial quantity (18) of the liquid containing the cleaning agent (12) held in the container (10) flows during the flushing operation. The outlet (16) is beneath the surface (20) of the flushing water and can be closed off by a gas bubble (26). The fact that there is at least one valve (28) to control the outlet (16), which closes the outlet (16) under the effect of the gas bubble (26) when the water in the cistern (14) rises and frees it during flushing to provide a metered quantity of the cleaning agent (12), provides a cleaning device which operates reliably regardless of the nature of the cleaning agent to be used and, in particular, ensures the uniform release of cleaning agent.

Description

The invention relates to a cleaning device with a container for cleaning agents, which can be attached in an operating position for cleaning a toilet cistern and a toilet bowl in the cistern and has at least one bottom-side passage opening from which a part of the liquid containing cleaning agents contained in the container emerges during a washing process. wherein the respective flow opening is below the flushing water level when the cistern is full and can be blocked by a gas bubble.

Such a cleaning device is known from the generic DE 29 16 247 A1. In this known cleaning device, a plurality of passage openings in the form of small flow holes are provided, the total flow area of which is dimensioned such that, on the one hand, during a rinsing process, said partial quantity of those in the container Liquid with detergent flow out and secondly the gas bubble captured by parts of the container in the form of an air bubble cannot escape upwards. This known cleaning device enables economical and long-term release of detergent to the rinsing water flowing through the container. Because of these advantages, the known cleaning device has proven very useful in practice in the meantime. Especially with newer cleaning agents that are cast or extruded into blocks and are then taken up by the container, it can happen that the known flow holes clog with their small, free cross-section and that between these flow holes, which also have an axial with their edges Can form supernatant, there is a kind of swamping of the cleaning agent, which jeopardizes trouble-free operation of the cleaning device and leads to an uneven release of detergent.

Starting from this prior art, the object of the invention is to provide, while maintaining the described advantages of the known cleaning device, one which is functionally reliable in operation regardless of the type of cleaning agent to be used and in particular ensures uniform cleaning agent delivery. A related object is achieved by a cleaning device with the features of claim 1.

Characterized in that according to the characterizing part of claim 1 for controlling the respective passage opening at least one valve is provided, which closes the associated passage opening under the action of the gas bubble when the flushing water rises in the cistern and releases during the flushing process for the metered delivery of the cleaning agent, the free The passage opening cross section, which can be completely covered by the valve, is enlarged, with the result that blockages are avoided with certainty. The respective passage opening is also flush with parts of the container bottom can be trained so that there is no swamping of the cleaning agent. The valve mentioned is functionally reliable and can be controlled in a defined manner by the liquid levels and the gas bubble, in particular in the form of an air bubble, so that the functional reliability of the entire cleaning device is also guaranteed over a relatively long period. In particular, it is possible to make do with only one flow opening, which can be produced inexpensively and whose passage cross-section is also dimensioned so large that blockages do not occur.

In a preferred embodiment of the cleaning device according to the invention, the valve has a closing part which is arranged between the respective passage opening and the underside of the container and is movably held within an orifice space which is open at the bottom and is surrounded by a container edge in such a way that it accommodates one air bubble generated when the flushing water rises in the cistern. As a result, the valve is securely received in the mouth space and encompassed by the container edge, so that any damage during transport or when the cleaning device is started up is avoided in any case. The closing part preferably consists of a thin film which is fixed at least at the edge at a point on its outer circumference on the container and which covers or releases the respective passage opening. This represents a particularly cost-effective design of the valve for the cleaning device.

In a further preferred embodiment of the cleaning device according to the invention, the film consists of a thin plastic material, so that the film valve formed in this way can be controlled particularly easily by the pressure conditions with regard to the liquid levels and the gas or air bubble and responds without delay.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention Cleaning device, the valve has a closing part which has a receiving part which is open towards the bottom and which is used directly for receiving an air bubble which arises in the cistern when the flushing water rises. As a result, the cleaning container does not need to have an inward opening, which reduces the manufacturing costs for the container.

In a further other preferred embodiment of the cleaning device according to the invention, the valve has a closing part which constantly contains the gas bubble. Here too, as in the cleaning device described above, the mouth space can be dispensed with and since the closing part constantly contains the gas or air bubble, the closing part does not have to be "caught" either, which benefits the overall functional reliability of the cleaning device according to the invention.

In a preferred embodiment of the cleaning device according to the invention, the container has at least one inflow opening in its upper region, which is located below the flushing water level when the container is in the operating position for filling the same with flushing water when the flushing cistern is full. As a result, when the rinse water level rises, the container part is rapidly filled with the cleaning agent, so that it is immediately available for the next rinsing process when the rinsing process is repeated.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the cleaning device according to the invention, the respective inflow opening is part of a hollow chamber of the container which has at least one outflow opening which opens into the receiving chamber for the cleaning agent which is at least partially separated inside the container. As a result, the inflowing rinsing water is swirled in the receiving chamber, which in particular dissolves the block-shaped cleaning agent relieved and remaining residues of the cleaning agent are avoided within the receiving chamber.

In a preferred embodiment of the cleaning device according to the invention, the receiving chamber for the cleaning agent is separated by a partition from a discharge chamber which is connected to the surroundings via the respective passage opening. This dispensing chamber is used to hold and store the subset of the cleaning agent-containing liquid in the container, which liquid can first be called up into the cistern via the respective flow opening for a flushing process.

In a further preferred embodiment, two hollow chambers are provided which release an insertion channel between them, into which a hook part engages to fix the container in its intended operating position and which engages over the upper edge of the cistern by means of its hook. As a result, the cleaning device can be fixed securely and in the intended operating position in the cistern.

The hook part preferably engages with a rod-like extension in the insertion channel, which has a clamping part at its end facing away from the hook for the defined fixing of the hook part in the insertion channel. As a result, the container can be moved by hand with respect to the fixed hook part and its operating position can be freely adjusted regardless of the type of cistern. In its upper region, the container preferably has a marking section which, when the container is in the operating position, is flush with the flushing water level when the cistern is full and, as a marking aid, makes it easier for the operator to attach the container in its operating position.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the cleaning device according to the invention, the container has a lid with an exchange opening for the cleaning agent, in particular in the form of a cleaning block, which is partially covered by a movable tab of this cover. As a result, the cleaning device can be provided with a corresponding label directly on the market, without the need for additional packaging, which benefits the environment. A used cleaning block can then be exchanged for a new one via the movable tab, even if the cleaning device is fixed in the cistern.

The cleaning device according to the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing.

Fig.1

in perspektivischer Darstellung die rückwärtige Ansicht des Behälters der Reinigungsvorrichtung mit aufgeklapptem Deckel;

Fig.2

die Unteransicht auf den Behälter nach der Fig.1;

Fig.3

das Hakenteil der Reinigungsvorrichtung zum Festlegen des Behälters nach der Fig.1 innerhalb eines Wasserspülkastens;

Fig.4 bis 7

in prinzipieller Darstellung in Vorderansicht den Behälter der Reinigungsvorrichtung nach der Fig.1 innerhalb eines Spülkastens bei unterschiedlichen Befüllungszuständen desselben,

Fig. 8 und 9

in prinzipieller Darstellung in Vorderansicht zwei weitere Ausführungsformen des Behälters der Reinigungsvorrichtung, wobei der gezeigte Befüllungszustand dem der Fig.7 entspricht.

Show it:

Fig. 1

in a perspective view, the rear view of the container of the cleaning device with the lid open;

Fig. 2

the bottom view of the container of Figure 1;

Fig. 3

the hook part of the cleaning device for fixing the container according to Figure 1 within a water cistern;

Fig. 4 to 7

1 in principle in front view the container of the cleaning device according to FIG. 1 within a cistern with different filling states of the same,

8 and 9

in a schematic representation in front view, two further embodiments of the container of the cleaning device, the filling state shown corresponding to that of FIG.

The cleaning device according to the invention has a container, designated 10, for a cleaning agent 12. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 in particular, the container 10 for cleaning a toilet cistern 14 shown in principle and a toilet bowl (not shown) can be attached in this cistern 14 in an operating position. The container 10 has a circular bottom-side passage opening 16, from which a subset 18 of the liquid containing the cleaning agent 12 contained in the container 10 emerges during a rinsing process, as is shown in principle in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, which shows the cistern 14 filled, this passage opening 16 is then located below the rinse water level 20.

The circular flow opening 16 is surrounded by a container edge 22 which is rectangular and which delimits an opening space 24 which is open at the bottom. This mouth space 24, which is open towards the bottom and forms a kind of diving bell, is used to hold an air bubble 26 which arises when the rinsing water rises in the rinsing water tank 14 and is shown in a basic representation in FIGS. 4 and 6 and 7. To control the passage opening 16, a valve designated as a whole is provided, which, under the action of the air bubble 26 mentioned, closes the associated passage opening 16 when the flushing water rises in the cistern 14 (see FIGS. 4, 6 and 7) and during the flushing process ( Fig.5) for the metered delivery of the cleaning agent 12 releases.

The valve 28 has a closing part which is arranged between the respective passage opening 16 and the underside 30 of the container 10 and is movably held within the orifice chamber 24. 4 to 7, the possible direction of movement is indicated by a dash-dotted line. The direction of movement of the closing part thus runs essentially to a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container Axis. The closing part consists of a thin film 32, which, as shown in particular in FIG. 2, has a rectangular shape and is fixed along its peripheral outer periphery at the point facing the front wall of the container by means of an adhesive or weld seam 34. In the manner of an opening and closing flap, the film 32, which preferably consists of a thin, transparent plastic material, can then open or shut off the passage opening 16.

Instead of the flap-like closing part in the form of the thin film 32, however, a closing plate (not shown) could also be used, which has transverse openings and is guided in a longitudinally displaceable manner within the mouth space 24 via the boundary or container edge 22. Because of the light film material, however, very quick opening or closing operations for the passage opening 16 are possible. The valve 28 can also be designed such that it covers a plurality of passage openings (not shown). A plurality of valves located one behind the other or opposite one another can also control the passage openings (not shown) assigned to them. The height of the orifice chamber 24 is dimensioned such that in any case the air bubble 26 can be securely received and can lie against the film valve while closing it. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 in particular, the mouth space 24 is delimited at the top by an intermediate wall 36, in which the passage opening 16 extends through the intermediate wall 36 and is arranged essentially centrally.

As shown in FIG. 1, in its upper region the container 10 has two mutually opposite inflow openings 38 which, according to the representations in FIGS. 4 and 7, in the operating position of the container 10 for filling the same with flushing water when the cistern 14 is full lie below the rinse water level 20. The respective inflow opening 38 is part of a hollow chamber 40 of the container 10, which is separated towards the interior 42 of the container via a rear intermediate wall 44 which is connected to the interior 42 of the Container 10, however, is connected via an oval discharge opening 46 (FIGS. 4 to 7). The respective outflow opening 46 opens into a receiving chamber 48 for the cleaning agent 12, which is at least partially separated inside the container 10. The two inflow openings 38 are formed by channel-like incisions in the boundary walls of the respective hollow chamber 40 assigned to them, which otherwise go downward (FIG. 1) are each delimited by a boundary wall 50, which extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the container somewhat below the center of the container 10. Each of the two boundary walls 50 runs essentially vertically downward against a lateral boundary wall 52, each of which laterally delimits a rectangular recess 54 on the rear of the container 10.

As further illustrated in FIG. 1, the two hollow chambers 40, with their mutually opposite side walls 56, delimit an insertion channel 58 with a rectangular cross-section, into which the hook part 60 according to FIG. 4 to 7 is used to fix the container 10 in its operating position shown in FIGS 3 engages, which overlaps the upper edge (not shown) of the cistern 14 by means of its multi-part hook 62. For this purpose, the hook part 60 has a rod-like extension 64, which at its end facing away from the hook 62 (not shown in FIG. 1) has an essentially oval clamping part 66 which, compressed by its projection, engages in the insertion channel 58 and there the hook part 60 specifies.

Since both the container 10 and the hook part 60 are preferably formed from a plastic material, the clamping part 66 can be moved by hand within the insertion channel 58 with little effort and thus mount the container 10 in its operating position. As a rule, only a single adjustment process will be necessary for this. So that the container 10 can be brought exactly into its operating position within the cistern 14, it has in its upper region on a bead-like protruding marking section 68 which encloses the container 10 except for the rear side thereof. The container 10 is then lowered into the flushing water with the cistern 14 filled until the flushing water level 20 is flush with the underside of the marking section 68 (see FIGS. 4 and 7).

The already mentioned receiving chamber 48 for the block-like cleaning agent 12 is separated by a partition wall 70 running vertically within the container 10 from a discharge chamber 72 (see FIGS. 4 to 7), which is connected to the outlet space 24 via the passage opening 16. The discharge chamber 72, which is essentially rectangular in cross section, opens out from the partition 70 mentioned, with its other free end facing away from the passage opening 16, into a discharge space 74 which extends transversely above the cleaning block 12 and which carries the receiving chamber 48 in a fluid-conducting manner over the entire lower connection cross section Connection is established.

The container 10 can be closed on its upper side with a lid 76, which is shown unfolded in FIG. 1 and which can be connected to the container 10 by a snap connection to close it. This cover 76 has an exchange opening 78 for the cleaning agent 12, which is partially covered by a movable tab 80 of this cover 76. If the cleaning block within the container 10 is used up by rinsing, the tab 80 is folded up with the lid 76 in place and a new cleaning block is inserted into the receiving chamber 48 and then the tab 80 is brought back again so that it is flush with the top of the lid 76.

The function of the cleaning device according to the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7, the hook part 60 for fixing the container 10 not being shown because of the simpler illustration.

The flow direction of the individual media is also shown in principle in the form of arrows.

4, the container 10 is completely flooded with rinsing water and the rinsing water level 20 has assumed its uppermost position. The hook part 60, not shown, is set on the container 10 in such a way that the water surface can rise to the lower edge of the strikingly attached bead in the form of the marking section 68. When the cleaning device, which is also referred to as an automatic water box machine, is attached, an air bubble forms in the mouth space 24, which forms a small chamber for the air bubble 26. This air bubble 26 presses against the film 32 with full buoyancy force and thus closes the circular passage opening 16.

When or after the cleaning device is hung in, water enters the interior of the container 10 via the inflow openings 38 which are arranged laterally and face the flushing water tank wall (not shown) and each form a type of inlet shaft and initially rises slowly in the receiving chamber 48 filled with detergent composition . If the cleaning agent 12 is enclosed in the form of a cleaning block by a polyvinyl alcohol film which is usually provided for this purpose, this is dissolved and parts of the cleaning composition likewise dissolve. Since the water generally strives to reach the same water level in the interior of the automatic water box machine as in the water or cistern 14 itself, the water provided with the cleaning agent 12 overflows into the dispensing chamber 72. This is separated from the outer system of the water tank as shown in FIG. 4 by the film 32 pressed on with the air bubble 26. If the water level 20 in the container 10 of the cleaning device is adapted to that of the cistern 14, there are two different liquid systems, namely the normal rinsing water in the cistern 14 itself and the water-enriched with detergent in the water tank machine.

If the rinsing then takes place, which is shown in principle in FIG. 5, the rinsing water level 20 drops below the underside of the container 30. Here, the container 10 remains closed via the film valve 28 and at its liquid level until the liquid level 20 has reached the lower edge 30 of the cleaning device. In this area, the hydrostatic pressure of the water enriched with cleaning agent 12 inside the container 10 is so great that the film 32 together with the air bubble 26 is pressed down and all the liquid present in the dispensing chamber 72 up to the level of the partition 70 of the receiving chamber 48 flows into the cistern 14. Due to the dimensioning of the passage opening 16, this process is ended shortly before the water tank valve closes.

When the rinsing water tank 14 is refilled, the same process takes place in principle as when the water tank machine was already hooked in, but with the difference that, in the present case, the receiving chamber 48 is filled with detergent 12 up to the height of the partition wall 70 with detergent 12 is (see Fig. 6 and 7). The arrows shown in FIG. 7 show the overflow of cleaning agent 12 from the receiving chamber 48 via the dispensing space 74 into the dispensing or metering chamber 72. As soon as the water level 20 has reached the inflow openings 38, which are arranged above the outflow openings 46, this occurs Rinse water via the hollow chambers 40 and the outflow openings 46 with turbulent flow into the receiving space 48 with the cleaning block. Because of the turbulent flow mentioned, the cleaning agent 12 is dissolved particularly well and quickly in the rinsing water and, as shown in FIG. 4, there is again a subset 18 of liquid to be dispensed and containing cleaning agent 12 in the dispensing space 72 when the rinsing water tank 14 is completely filled The cycle shown then starts again from the beginning. Compared to previously known solutions in any case, no flushing water supply from the top of the container 10, for example via the lid opening 78.

Two further embodiments of the cleaning device according to FIGS. 8 and 9 are explained in more detail below. Here, the same parts are reproduced with the same reference numerals, but increased by 100 as in the first embodiment. The statements made for this apply accordingly, so that the following embodiments are only explained insofar as they differ significantly from the previous embodiment.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 8, just like the one according to FIG. 9, an outlet space was dispensed with. Rather, the respective flow opening 116 and 216 lies in one plane with the respective underside 130 and 230 of the respective container 110, 210. To close the flow opening 116 (see FIG. 8), a film valve 128 is used, which in turn essentially forms a flat plate and has a receiving part 190 that is open towards the bottom, in the manner of a diving bell, in order to directly hold the flushing water in the cistern 114 the resulting air bubble 126. The free end of the film 132 facing away from the receiving part 190 can be firmly connected to the underside 130 of the container 110 via a type of joint in the form of an adhesive or weld seam 134. The receiving part 190 can be in one piece part of the film valve 128, but can also be subsequently placed on the film 132.

In the further embodiment according to FIG. 9, the film valve 228 is also connected in an articulated manner to the underside 230 of the container 210 via a weld or adhesive seam 234 with the flat film piece 232. On its underside and the passage opening 216, the film 232 has a closed trough in which an air bubble 226 is permanently enclosed. Instead of the air bubble 226 it can also another buoyant gas bubble may be included for the film 232. The aforementioned film valves 128 and 228 are preferably also formed from a thin plastic material. Guided via corresponding edge guides (not shown), both the receiving part 190 and the film trough can be opened or closed in the longitudinal direction of the container, as shown in FIG. It is crucial for the function of the respective slide valves 28, 128 and 228 that they are controlled in the manner of a float by the respective rinse water level to carry out the closing or opening process for the respective flow opening.

The respective film material for the film valves mentioned is dimensioned so thin that they can rest against the edge of the passage opening and therefore seal the respective passage opening in a sealing manner. Depending on the pressure conditions prevailing at the passage opening, the film material is sucked somewhat into the passage opening for a sealing seat. Conventional valve seats, as are required in known valves, for example in the field of hydraulics, can therefore be dispensed with.

Claims (13)

1. Cleaning device with a container (10,110,210) for cleaning agent (12,112,212), which may, for the purpose of cleaning a lavatory cistern (14, 114, 214) and a lavatory bowl, be mounted in the cistern (14,114,214) in an operating position, and which comprises at least one base-side throughput aperture (16,116,216), out of which there passes, during a flushing process, a partial amount (18, 118, 218) of the fluid which is located in the container (16,116,216) and contains cleaning agent (12,112,212), wherein the throughflow aperture (16,116,216) in each case is located below the flushing water level (20,120,220) when the cistern (14, 114, 214) is full, which aperture can be closed by a gas bubble (26,126,226), characterised in that to control the throughput aperture (16,116,216) in each case, at least one valve (28,128,228) is provided, which valve, under the effect of the gas bubble (26, 126, 226), closes the associated throughput aperture (16, 116, 216) when the water level rises in the cistern (14, 114, 214) and opens it for a dosed discharge of the cleaning agent (12, 112, 212) during the flushing process.
2. Cleaning device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the valve (28) comprises a closing part, which is retained in a moveable manner, arranged in each case between the aperture (16) and the lower side (30) of the container (10) inside an open-mouth chamber (24), which is open towards the bottom and is surrounded by a container edge (22) in such a manner that it acts to accommodate a gas bubble (26) which is produced when the flushing water rises in the cistern (14).
3. Cleaning device according to Claim 2, characterised in that the closing part consists of a thin foil (32), which is secured, at least at its edge side, at one point of its external circumference (34) on the container (10) and which covers or opens the throughput aperture (16) in each case.
4. Cleaning device according to Claim 3, characterised in that the foil (22) consists of a thin plastics material.
5. Cleaning device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the valve (128) comprises a closing part, which has an accommodating part (190) which is open towards the bottom and which serves directly for the accommodation of an air bubble (126) which results when the flushing water rises in the cistern (114).
6. Cleaning device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the valve (228) comprises a closing part which continuously contains the gas bubble (226).
7. Cleaning device according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the container (10, 110, 210) comprises, in its upper area, at least one inflow aperture (38,138,238) which, when the container (10,110,210) is in the operating position, is situated below the cistern water level (20,120,220) for the container to fill with flushing water when the cistern (14,114,214) is full.
8. Cleaning device according to Claim 7, characterised in that the inflow aperture (38,138,238) in each case is a part of a hollow chamber (40,140,240) of the container (10,110,210) which has at least one outflow aperture (46,146,246) which opens into the accommodation chamber (48,148,248) which is for the cleaning agent (12,112,212) and which is at least partially separated off within the container (10,110,210).
9. Cleaning device according to Claim 8, characterised in that the accommodation chamber (48,148,248) for the cleaning agent (12,112,212) is separated by a separating wall (70,170,270) from a discharge chamber (72,172,272) which is in connection with the environment (24,124,224) via the throughput aperture (16,116,216) in each case.
10. Cleaning device according to Claim 8 or 9, characterised in that two hollow chambers (40,140,240) are provided, which delimit, between them, an insertion duct (58,158,258) in which a hook part (60) engages for securing the container (10, 110, 210) in its provided operating position, which hook part engages, by means of its hook (62), over the upper edge of the cistern (14,114,214).
11. Cleaning device according to Claim 9, characterised in that the hook part (60) engages, with a rod-type extension (64), into the push-in duct (58,158,258) which comprises, at the end thereof which faces away from the hook (62), a clamping part (66) for the defined securing of the hook part (60) in the push-in duct (58,158,258).
12. Cleaning device according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the container (10,110,210) comprises, in its upper part, a marking section (68,168,268) which, when the container (10,110,210) is in the operating position, ends flush with the flushing water level (20,120,220) when the cistern (14,114,214) is full.
13. Cleaning device according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the container (10) comprises a cover (76) with an aperture (78) for exchanging the cleaning agent (12), in particular in the form of a cleaning block, which aperture is partially covered by a moveable cover plate (80) of this cover (76).

Images