RS65232B1 - Sanitizing device, particularly for sanitary fixtures and the like and corresponding method of filling - Google Patents

Description

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a procedure for filling a sanitizing device and to a sanitizing device, especially for sanitary ware and the like. More specifically, this invention relates to a sanitizing device designed to release a sanitizing agent upon the passage of water that comes into contact with it or passes through it, and to a process for filling that device itself.

[0002] As is known, devices are used for sanitizing toilets, which include a kind of cage inside which a sanitary agent in the form of a tablet is placed.

[0003] The device is attached to the sanitary element so that it remains in contact with the inner wall of the sanitary element, more precisely in the position corresponding to the point where the water passes.

[0004] When releasing the water, the water flows over or passes through the tablet retention device and the tablet releases the sanitary agent to sanitize the sanitary element.

[0005] Currently, sanitizing devices include cage-type containers designed to hold a tablet-like agent consisting of a gradual release sanitizing agent. Such a tablet usually consists of a solid material, placed in a cage, which dissolves after the passage of water that comes into contact with it.

[0006] However, such tablets have several problems.

[0007] Firstly, the tablets have an unpleasant appearance, being opaque, and their appearance deteriorates as they wear.

[0008] Moreover, in order to obtain a solid texture, tablets are made using inert substances such as sodium carbonate, sodium sulfate, sodium chloride, calcium carbonate, etc. The purpose of such inert substances is not related to the performance of the agent; they are only needed so that the latter has a firm texture. However, on the other hand, some used inert substances have a tendency to leak and therefore leave undesirable streaks on the inner surface of the sanitary element.

[0009] In addition, taking into account the solid and rich nature of the inorganic substances in the tablet, the latter is very dense, the disadvantage being that, in order to obtain a tablet of sufficient volume, it is necessary to use a relatively high amount of agent per mass, with consequent high costs.

[0010] Furthermore, the presence of inert substances and anionic surfactants is not a factor that favors the creation of odor during tablet use, and odor is one of the most important properties for attracting consumers.

[0011] An alternative solution for sanitary sanitation known in the state of the art refers to the use of gels, i.e. sticky substances in semi-solid form, which are applied directly to the inner surface of the sanitary element. However, even these solutions are not without their drawbacks. More precisely, applying the gel directly to the wall of the sanitary element requires the need to come into contact with the wall, and this situation is often undesirable for the user, regardless of the state of cleanliness of the sanitary element. In addition, applying a dose of gel to a wall is a much more complex operation than attaching it to a sanitary element, since it requires applying sufficient pressure to stick the dose of gel to the wall and a certain level of dexterity when handling the device for applying the gel, whether it is in the form of a syringe (single-dose or multi-dose) or in the form of a blister.

[0012] Finally, liquid tablets are known, the content of which is therefore water and without inert substances. Such tablets contain liquids that are also viscous, but, nevertheless, they have a disadvantage because they must be handled like a liquid, and therefore the container in which they are placed must be perfectly closed and, in order to achieve the desired sanitary effect, it is necessary to provide complex and expensive mechanisms to enable the gradual release of the liquid during use.

[0013] Dispensing devices and/or agents contained therein are described in FR 2258320 A1, EP 0940 509 A2, GB 2416785 A, EP 2620489 A1, US 2010/235976 A1, EP 1978080 A1, GB 2401791 A, WO 2014/031159 A1, GB 11185 A, DE 10020090 A1, EP 2407601 A2, US 6505356 B1.

[0014] It is very difficult to introduce the agent in the form of a gel into the body of the container because, after its introduction into the body of the container, which is practically equipped with slits for the gradual release of the agent, the gel has a tendency to immediately flow out of the body of the container itself, which makes filling the body of the container with the agent in the form of gel essentially impossible.

[0015] FR 2258320 describes a sanitizing device that has a container body with slits and in which a water-soluble bag designed to contain a sanitizing agent is placed.

[0016] EP 0940509 describes a sanitizing device having a slotted container body designed to contain a gel-like agent that must be cooled.

[0017] The aim of the present invention is to provide a sanitizing device and a method for filling the sanitizing device with a gel-like agent, which overcomes the above-mentioned problems while referring to the state of the art.

[0018] Within that goal, the object of this invention is to provide a method for filling a device for sanitizing toilets, in which that device has all the advantages of gel, but does not require the user to come into direct contact with the inner wall of the sanitary element.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for filling a sanitation device that is very reliable, easy and practical to use and inexpensive.

[0020] That goal and those and other objects that will become clearer below are achieved by the sanitizing device as described in patent claim 2 and the method for filling the sanitizing device as defined in patent claim 1.

[0021] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer after reading the description of preferred, but not exclusive, ways of realizing the sanitizing device according to the present invention, which are illustrated by a non-limiting example in the attached drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 to 11 describe ways of realizing a dosing device that is not covered by the scope of the patent claims.

Figs. 12-14 describe a dosing device according to the present invention.

[0022] With reference to the drawing, the device for sanitization generally marked with the reference number 1, includes a body 2 of the container which is designed to define a kind of cage for the sanitary means, and a supporting holder 3, which is connected to the body 2 of the container and is designed to be attached to the edge of the sanitary element. The general term "sanitizing device" is used to denote a sanitizing and/or deodorizing and/or cleaning device.

[0023] The support holder 3 can be provided at an angle with respect to the front surface of the body 2 of the container, as shown in Fig.1-3, or it can be aligned with the front surface of the body 2 of the container.

[0024] The body 2 of the container is designed to accommodate sanitary means 4 in the form of a gel.

[0025] The body 2 of the container is equipped with a large number of slots 5 which are made to enable the release of the sanitary agent 4 in the form of a gel, whereby the slots are preferably arranged on the lower surface of the body 2 of the container, i.e. surface that is designed to be directed towards the wall of the sanitary element on which the sanitizing device is applied.

[0026] Preferably, the slits are designed to allow direct access to the stream of water in the larger cup.

[0027] The slits 5 are practically arranged so as to leave a full central area 6 of the container body, whereby the slits 5 extend laterally from it.

[0028] This special configuration of the slits 5 allows the container body 2 to be filled without the gel-like agent 4 leaking out immediately through the slits 5, as will be described in detail below.

[0029] It is preferably possible to provide, on the lower surface of the body 2 of the container, slits 5 which can also be continuous on the base of the body 2 of the container, as long as they are provided in a certain dimension, as will be described in detail below.

[0030] An additional variation of the slits 5 provided on the base of the body 2 of the container requires that the slits widen as they extend upwards in relation to the direction of pouring of the gel agent, i.e. in the edge areas of the container body: in this case the slits are widened in the area 7, which is for example placed perpendicular to the extension of the slits.

[0031] The size of the slots is extremely important to ensure that, after pouring the agent in the form of a gel that fills the body of the container 2, that the agent does not come out of the corresponding slots.

[0032] In order to prevent such a defect, and therefore to provide a sanitizing device with a gel-like agent filled with it, the slits 5 can have different shapes and dimensions, the size limit being 2 mm for the width.

[0033] Finally, the aforementioned size limitation of 2 mm for the width of the slots 5 ensures that, after pouring the agent 4 in the form of a gel into the body 2 of the container, that agent does not come out of the corresponding slots.

[0034] For this purpose, the gel is conveniently heated and poured at a certain temperature so that it is simultaneously liquid and as viscous as possible.

[0035] The heating temperature to which the gel is heated must be such that at the time of pouring the gel has a minimum viscosity of 500 mPa*s.

[0036] In essence, it is necessary to ensure the heating temperature of the gel such that the gel can have a viscosity that allows it not to leak through the slits 5 when it is introduced into the body 2 of the container.

[0037] The actual temperature during filling of the container body varies depending on the composition of the gel. For example, aqueous gels containing ethoxylated alcohols may require, for pouring, temperatures between 75° and 80°C; for other gels, temperatures below 60°C may be sufficient. An important factor is that the gel is poured into the cage at a viscosity greater than 500 mPa*s or even more preferably between 800 and 1200 mPa*s.

[0038] The largest width of 2 mm, indicated for the slits 5, allows the gel not to leak out, as mentioned, during its introduction into the body 2 of the container, but at the same time it allows to ensure the functionality, i.e. passage of water when the gel tablet is in use.

[0039] The procedure for pouring the gel into the body of the container 2 may also optionally require, in addition to the above-mentioned heating of the gel, the possibility to initially pour the gel into an area where there are no slits or where the slits are of very reduced thickness, so that there is time for the gel to constitute a certain mass so that it is more difficult for it to exit the slits when the mass of the gel reaches the area where the slits are made.

[0040] In the way of realization in which the slits 5 are interrupted in the area defined on the lower surface of the body 2 of the container, it is advisable to pour the gel exactly in that area which is essentially without slits 5, and at the same time allow the mass of the gel to then flow towards the slit area after the gel creates a mass that prevents the leakage of the agent in the form of gel through the corresponding slits 5.

[0041] In the mode of realization in which the slits 5 are expanded on the expanded part of the opening 7, the part 7 of the opening will have the largest size that can even exceed the previously mentioned maximum of 2 mm, because the part 7 of the opening is in the area of the body 2 of the container on its edges, the area where the gel mass introduced into the body 2 of the container reaches when that mass can no longer flow through the slits, even if the slits 5 have a size greater than 2 mm.

[0042] The viscosity of the gel during filling should preferably be approximately 800-1200 mPa*s as measured by a Haake viscometer VT550 MV2 at 5s-1.

[0043] This value is indicative, and not limiting, of the desired viscosity of the gel.

[0044] It is extremely important, during the pouring phase, that the gel must initially encounter a surface that is locally closed or made with openings of significantly reduced dimensions in order to prevent the exit of the gel, in order to later progressively fill the retention device and on the slits 5.

[0045] In practice, it has been shown that the sanitizing device according to the present invention and the corresponding filling procedure achieve the intended goal and objects.

[0046] In fact, the device according to the present invention allows to introduce into it a tablet made with a gel-like agent, whereby the gel-like agent is inserted into the container body of the sanitizing device without exposing the gel-like agent from the release slot during filling.

[0047] This is due to the special choice of the maximum dimension of the slot width and the special choice of the procedure for introducing the agent in the form of gel, which requires that the filling first takes place on very thin slots or in an area that is essentially without slots in order to then force the mass of gel to flow into other areas of the tank (cage) when the accumulated mass is considerable and can no longer flow through the corresponding slots.

[0048] The use of gel within a device of the type shown allows overcoming the problems of the prior art concerning the use of solid sanitary tablets and the problems associated with the use of liquid tablets that require a completely closed container, and the problems associated with the use of gel applied directly to the wall of the sanitary element.

[0049] In fact, the characteristics of the gel make it possible to provide containment devices that are open or partially open, for example with various openings in the upper and lower part of the cage (in relation to the water jet), and to exploit the rheological characteristics of the gel that allow its stable persistence inside the perforated container even under the influence of water jets. The practicality of applying the cage-type device to the sanitary element also remains unchanged, whereby it does not require special dexterity or the need to come into contact with the inner wall of the sanitary element in order to directly apply a dose of gel.

[0050] The device and method thus conceived are subject to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended patent claims.

[0051] Moreover, all details can be replaced by other, technically equivalent elements.

[0052] More specifically, a person skilled in the art will readily understand that the shape of the body of the container, as well as the dimensions and shapes of the slots, can be multiple in accordance with the adopted filling procedure and depending on the composition of the gel. For example, it is possible to form the body of the container with internal walls that are made in the form of a labyrinth, so that the gel is poured on these walls and reaches a sufficiently solid state before it comes close to the slits necessary for the passage of water.

[0053] Fig.12 shows a device according to this invention in which the body 2 of the container, on its upper surface which is designed to be directed towards the opening of the sanitary element, is provided with a large number of walls 10 which are arranged in a labyrinth-like configuration and are offset from each other. In this case, the tank body has a ship-like shape while the walls 10 are vertical vanes.

[0054] Fig. 13 shows a device according to the present invention similar to that of Fig. 12, in which the walls 10 are provided with openings 11 or slots 12.

[0055] Fig. 14 shows a device according to the present invention similar to that of Figs. 12 and 13, in which the slots 5 defined on the body 2 of the container have a different orientation.

[0056] In practice, the materials used, and the possible dimensions and shapes, can be any depending on the requirements and the state of the art.

[0057] Whenever the technical features mentioned in any patent claim are accompanied by call signs, those call signs are included solely to enhance the comprehensibility of the claims and accordingly, such call signs have no limiting effect on the interpretation of any element identified, for example, by such call signs.

Claims (5)

Patent claims 1. The procedure for filling the device (1) for sanitization, which includes the stages: - preparation of the body (2) of the container for placing the sanitary agent (4) in the form of gel, wherein said body (2) of the container is made with slots (5) that are made to enable the gradual release of said sanitary agent (4), where said slots (5) have a maximum width of 2 mm to prevent the exit of the agent (4) in the form of gel during the pouring of said agent in the form of gel into said body (2) of the container; wherein said body (2) of the tank, on its upper surface which is designed to be directed, when installed, towards the opening of the sanitary element, is provided with a greater number of walls (10) which are placed offset from each other; - heating the agent (4) in the form of a gel, whereby the heating temperature to which the agent in the form of a gel is heated, at the time of pouring the agent in the form of a gel, must be such that it has a minimum viscosity of 500 mPa*s; - pouring the mentioned agent (4) in the form of a gel into the mentioned body (2) of the container, so that the agent (4) in the form of a gel first comes into contact with the area of the mentioned body (2) of the container, which is without slits or has slits (5) whose maximum width is such as to prevent the exit of the agent (4) in the form of a gel during the pouring of that agent in the form of a gel into the body (2) of the container; - enabling the means (4) in the form of a gel to expand inside the mentioned body (2) of the container and to achieve a final viscosity, with cooling, of at least 50 Pa*s. 2. Device (1) for sanitization comprising the body (2) of a container containing a sanitary agent (4) in the form of a gel with a viscosity of at least 50 Pa*s, wherein the said body (2) of the container is provided with slots (5) which are designed to enable the gradual release of the sanitary agent (4), wherein the said slots have a maximum width of 2 mm which is such as to prevent the exit of the agent (4) in the form of a gel during the pouring of that agent into the said body (2) of the tank, wherein the body (2) of the tank, on its upper surface which is designed to be directed, when installed, towards the opening of the sanitary element, is secured by a large number of walls (10) which are placed offset from each other. 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said slits (5) are defined on the lower surface of said tank body (2). 4. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said slits (5) are defined on the lower surface of said body (2) of the container, with the central area (6) of the lower surface of the container being without slits. 5. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the slits (5) are extended on the edges of the mentioned container body (2).