Device for keeping a water drainage channel clean

Abstract

Device (1; 1') for keeping a water drainage channel (5) clean, characterized in that the device comprises an elongated flat band made of a disposable filter material (2; 2'), in or on which at least two pockets are formed which are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the band and in which a substance (3) which gradually dissolves in water is contained.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for keeping a water drainage channel clean, in particular a shower channel of a floor-level shower.

[0002] The bottom of a water drainage channel, such as a shower channel, has a relatively gentle slope, and the flow velocity within the channel is lower than that of a conventional point drain. This makes it difficult to flush away dirt, and a relatively large amount of dirty water remains in the channel after each use. This creates a permanent microclimate that promotes bacterial growth. To prevent unpleasant odors, shower channels must be cleaned relatively frequently, especially any sieves or filters, which can be annoying.

[0003] DE 20 2018 100 546 U1 discloses a device for keeping a water drainage channel clean in the form of a sanitary drain filter with numerous knobs or bristles, some of which are missing, thus forming a recess into which a pressed piece, such as a cleaning or fragrance stone, containing or made of a substance that gradually dissolves in water, fits. The surrounding knobs then secure it against falling out. This cleaning device is quite easy to manufacture, catches hair well without clogging, is easily adaptable to drains of different sizes, and is also quite easy to clean.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning device for a water drainage channel which is even easier to manufacture and which makes it even easier or even saves the user the effort of keeping the water drainage channel clean and odor-free.

[0005] This object is achieved by a device for keeping a water drainage channel clean, which device has an elongated flat band made of a disposable filter material, in or on which at least two pockets are formed which are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the band and in which a substance which gradually dissolves in water is contained.

[0006] The user can simply place this cleaning device lengthwise underneath a grate on the floor of the water drainage channel. When the shower is in use, the substance gradually dissolves in water and takes effect by being or containing, for example, an antiseptic, a germicidal agent, an antibacterial and / or fungicidal substance, a deodorant, a fragrance, a perfume, a cleaning agent or another water-soluble substance or a mixture of the aforementioned substances. The water-soluble substance can be packaged in portions in foil that dissolves in the water over time and slows the release of the substance. As long as it is not used up, the substance gradually dissolves in water and holds the tape to the floor of the water drainage channel through its own weight, preventing it from slipping easily.

[0007] The user then no longer has to worry about cleaning the water drainage channel for a long time, and when the time comes, he or she simply removes and disposes of the cleaning device along with any dirt, such as hair, that has accumulated in it and replaces it with a new one.

[0008] The pockets can be arranged at irregular or, preferably, regular intervals.

[0009] In a preferred development of the device, each pocket contains a pressed piece of the substance which gradually dissolves in water, in particular a cleaning or fragrance stone.

[0010] In a preferred development of the device, the disposable filter material consists of a water-resistant filter paper, such as tea bag material, a fabric, such as gauze, or a fleece.

[0011] In a preferred development of the device, the band has two layers of the disposable filter material partially or over its entire surface, which are partially connected to one another in order to form the pockets.

[0012] In a preferred development of the device, the band consists of a first layer of disposable filter material and several smaller, e.g. punched, pieces of disposable filter material, which are each connected all around to the first layer of disposable filter material in order to form the pockets.

[0013] Alternatively, the tape can consist of two equal layers of disposable filter material that are partially bonded together to form the pockets.

[0014] The disposable filter material can be tubular and joined together to form two layers.

[0015] Alternatively, the tape can be made from a single-layer disposable filter material that is partially folded backwards and forwards again to form the pockets.

[0016] It is advisable for the tape to have a width that matches the width of the water drainage channel, for example, it can be the same width or slightly narrower or wider.

[0017] The tape can also be of a length that matches the length of the drainage channel. For example, it can be the same length or slightly shorter or longer.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the device, the tape has a length that is several times greater than the length of the water drainage channel. Such a tape can be sold together with the substance(s) that gradually dissolve in water in the form of practical rolls from which the user can unroll and cut off the required length.

[0019] The separation from a roll can be facilitated by providing the tape with a predetermined separation line between each two pockets, each containing a substance that gradually dissolves in water, e.g., as a tear-off perforation, wherein each two adjacent perforations are preferably spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the length graduations of commercially available water drainage channels.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the invention, the above object is also achieved by a device for keeping a water drainage channel clean, which device has at least one substance holder which is designed to receive a substance which gradually dissolves in water and to be clamped in the water drainage channel, wherein the substance holder is pot-shaped, with a flat bottom provided with openings, a preferably opening-provided and preferably cylindrical jacket which carries spring tongues prestressed radially outwards, and an open top.

[0021] Although a cleaning device of this second embodiment clamped in the water drainage channel cannot filter hair from the drain water, except for hair that accidentally gets stuck to the substance holder, it can prevent or at least inhibit bacterial growth or resulting odors if the substance that gradually dissolves in water is added and is gradually released through the openings and the open top.

[0022] This cleaning device preferably comprises at least one pressed piece made of the substance that gradually dissolves in water, in particular a cleaning or fragrance stone, that fits into the substance holder. Such a cleaning device of this second embodiment can be offered commercially, for example, individually, in pairs, and / or in combination with a number of cleaning or fragrance stones.

[0023] In a preferred development of the second embodiment, the spring tongues are formed on radially opposite outer sides of the casing and extend spirally outward in the same direction of rotation. This allows the substance holder to be fixed very quickly and easily in a water drainage channel.

[0024] The substance holder preferably has a diameter that matches the width of the water drainage channel and a height that matches the depth of the water drainage channel, whereby its height should be smaller than the depth of the water drainage channel in order not to unduly disturb the water drainage.

[0025] Two such substance holders are also ideal for securing an elongated, flat band made of disposable filter material in the water drainage channel, which can also completely filter hair out of the drainwater. To do this, simply lay the band lengthwise on the floor of the water drainage channel, and place one of the substance holders on each end. In this embodiment, the band naturally only needs to have one layer of disposable filter material, as it does not need to contain any pressed pieces, although the described substance holders are also suitable for better holding a band with attached pressed pieces in the channel, as in the first embodiment.

[0026] For example, two such substance holders can be offered commercially in combination with one or more filter material bands and a number of cleaning or fragrance stones.

[0027] The disposable filter material can consist of a filter paper, a fabric or a fleece, as in the first embodiment, the dimensions of the disposable filter material can be the same as in the first embodiment, and it can also be in the form of rolls, optionally with predetermined separation lines.

[0028] The cleaning devices described above are preferably designed for shower channels that comply with the DIN 1986-100 standard and / or floor-level shower channels.

[0029] The following is a description of exemplary embodiments based on the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 perspective view of a partially unwound roll of a long flat band made of a disposable filter material, which carries cleaning or fragrance stones at regular intervals. Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a piece of the band made of disposable filter material. Fig. 4 perspective view of the band section of the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, as it is inserted into a shower channel. Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 shows in perspective a piece of a band of disposable filter material and cleaning or fragrance stones of another embodiment. Fig. 7 perspective view of the band section of the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, as it is inserted into a shower channel. Fig. 8 Perspective two substance holders, a piece of tape made of disposable filter material and a single cleaning or fragrance stone floating above a shower drain. Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 perspective and top view of the two substance holders and the piece of tape made of disposable filter material of the Fig. 8, as they are inserted into the shower channel.

[0030] The Fig. The cleaning device 1 of a first embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 4 comprises a piece of disposable filter material 2 of any length made of water-resistant filter paper or another material with a mesh structure, which supports cleaning or fragrance stones 3 at regular intervals of, for example, 20 cm. The stones contain or consist of a substance that gradually dissolves in water. The width of the strip of disposable filter material 2 corresponds approximately to the width of a standard shower drain and ranges, for example, between 5 and 10 cm. The cleaning or fragrance stones 3 are approximately the size of standard denture cleaning or effervescent vitamin tablets.

[0031] The disposable filter material 2, made of water-resistant filter paper or another material with a mesh structure, can preferably be in the form of a wound tape roll, from which the tape is unwound to a suitable length and cut, for example, with scissors, to fit into commercially available shower channels. Thus, the disposable filter material 2 can be easily adjusted in length to fit an existing shower channel. The nature of the disposable filter material 2 also allows for simple adjustment to the width of the shower channel, if necessary. The above applies to all embodiments of the invention.

[0032] Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 show a piece of the disposable filter material 2 cut to the length of a shower drain to be kept clean and also illustrate how the cleaning or fragrance stones 3 are attached to the disposable filter material 2, namely by means of patches 4 that are slightly larger than the width of the cleaning or fragrance stones 3. Each patch 4 is connected all around to the disposable filter material 2 via a cleaning or fragrance stone 3, e.g., by embossing, as is common with tea bags, or by gluing, welding, sewing, or the like. This means that a pocket is formed between the disposable filter material 2 and the patches 4, in which a cleaning or fragrance stone 3 is enclosed.

[0033] For use, the piece of disposable filter material 2 of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 lengthwise on the floor of the Fig. 4, which is designed as a shower channel, before being covered with a grate (not shown). The shower channel is also referred to below as a water drainage channel.

[0034] The pockets can also be formed in a manner other than by means of applied patches 4, for example by placing two equal or approximately equal pieces of disposable filter material 2 and 2' with the cleaning or fragrance stones 3 in between on top of each other and partially connecting them to form pockets, in each of which a cleaning or fragrance stone 3 is enclosed in order to Fig. 5 to 7 to form the cleaning device 1' of the second embodiment of the invention.

[0035] These pockets can also be larger than the pockets formed using the patches 4 of the first embodiment, so that a variety of other possibilities for their formation exist. For example, a double-width band of disposable filter material can be folded into a tube shape and joined together to form the pockets. Or a very long band of disposable filter material is folded backwards once, preferably a short distance, with a cleaning or fragrance stone 3 between the layers thus formed, then folded forwards a preferably longer distance, and so on, with all layers being partially joined together to form the pockets. The folded pieces can also be the same length. This creates a structure with a continuous band and with pockets formed alternately on the sides of the continuous band.

[0036] The Fig. The cleaning device 10 of a third embodiment shown in Figures 8 to 10 comprises an elongated and approximately 5 to 10 cm wide strip of disposable filter material 12, which in this embodiment only needs to be single-layered, but can also be multi-layered, e.g., like the disposable filter materials 2 or 2' of the previous embodiments. The cleaning device 10 also comprises two cleaning or fragrance stones 13, of which Fig. 8 only one is shown.

[0037] The cleaning device 10 further comprises at least two pot-shaped substance holders 11 made of plastic, each having a flat bottom provided with holes, a cylindrical shell preferably provided with slots, and an open top. Embodiments with more than two pot-shaped substance holders 11 with a corresponding number of cleaning or fragrance stones 13 are also conceivable. According to the invention, the cylindrical shell can be designed as a right circular cylinder. However, other deviating shapes, such as elliptical, oval, rectangular, or square with or without rounded corners, are also conceivable.

[0038] The cylindrical shell of each substance holder 11 has a diameter a few millimeters smaller than the water drainage channel is wide, and the height of each substance holder 11 is significantly smaller than the depth of the water drainage channel.

[0039] On radially opposite outer sides of the cylindrical shell of each substance holder 11, a spring tongue 16 is formed, wherein the spring tongues 16 extend spirally radially outwards in the same direction of rotation, such that their outer surfaces are further apart from each other towards their ends than the water drainage channel is wide.

[0040] The cleaning or fragrance stones 13 are each large enough to fit into a substance holder 11 and largely fill it.

[0041] For use, the piece of disposable filter material 12 is placed lengthwise on the bottom of the Fig.8 to 10, and is fixed at its ends by placing a substance holder 11 in each of the shower channel 5. The substance holders 11 can, for example, be placed in the shower channel 5 in positions rotated by 90 degrees compared to the positions shown and then rotated until the spring tongues 16 are pressed together by the side walls of the shower channel 5 and hold the substance holders 11 firmly therein. Alternatively, the spring tongues 16 could simply be pressed together with the fingers for insertion. Furthermore, the cleaning or fragrance stones 13 are inserted into the substance holders 11. The extension of the spring tongues 16 is preferably approximately 90° around the casing, provided the casing is designed as a straight cylinder.

[0042] When inserted, the substance holder 11 preferably clamps the disposable filter material 12 between itself and the walls and / or the bottom of the water drainage channel 5. The disposable filter material 12 can also preferably be clamped to the spring tongues 16, for example, between the spring tongues 16 and the casing of the substance holder 11.

[0043] In a further embodiment not specifically illustrated, two substance holders 11 with cleaning or fragrance stones 13 are fixed in the shower channel 5 without the disposable filter material 12. While such a cleaning device clamped into the shower channel 5 cannot filter hair from the drain water, it can prevent or at least inhibit bacterial growth and the resulting odors. List of reference symbols: 1, 1', 10 cleaning device 2, 2', 12 disposable filter material 3, 13 substance that gradually dissolves in water / cleaning or fragrance stone 4 patches 5 water drain channel / shower channel 11 substance holders 16 spring tongues QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 20 2018 100 546 U1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Device (1; 1') for keeping a water drainage channel (5) clean, characterized by that the device comprises an elongated flat band of a disposable filter material (2; 2'), in or on which at least two pockets are formed which are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the band and in which a substance (3) which gradually dissolves in water is contained. [2] Device (1; 1') according to claim 1, wherein each pocket contains a pressed piece of the substance (3) which gradually dissolves in water, in particular a cleaning or fragrance stone. [3] Device (1; 1') according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the disposable filter material (2; 2') consists of a filter paper, a woven fabric or a nonwoven fabric. [4] Device (1; 1') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the band partially or entirely comprises two layers of the disposable filter material (2; 2') which are partially connected to one another to form the pockets. [5] Device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the band consists of a first layer of disposable filter material (2) and a plurality of smaller pieces of disposable filter material (4) which are each connected all around to the first layer of disposable filter material (2) to form the pockets, the smaller pieces (4) being designed as patches. [6] Device (1') according to claim 4, wherein the band consists of two equal-sized layers of disposable filter material (2; 2') which are partially bonded together to form the pockets. [7] Device (1') according to claim 6, wherein the disposable filter material (2; 2') is tubular and joined together to form the two layers. [8] Device (1') according to claim 4, wherein the band is made of a disposable filter material (2; 2') which is partially folded backwards and forwards again to form the pockets. [9] Device (1; 1') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the band has a width matching the width of the water drainage channel (5) or can be cut to size. [10] Device (1; 1') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the band has a length matching the length of the water drainage channel (5) or can be cut to size. [11] Device (1; 1') according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the band has a length which is many times greater than the length of the water drainage channel (5). [12] Device (1; 1) according to claim 11, wherein the band has a predetermined dividing line between each two pockets, each containing the substance (3) which gradually dissolves in water. [13] Device (10) for keeping a water drainage channel (5) clean, which has at least one substance holder (11) which is designed to receive a substance (13) which gradually dissolves in water and to be clamped in the water drainage channel (5), characterized by that the substance holder (11) is pot-shaped, with a flat bottom provided with openings, a casing which carries spring tongues (16) prestressed radially outwards, and an open top. [14] Device (10) according to claim 13, wherein the jacket is cylindrical and preferably provided with openings. [15] Device (10) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the device (10) comprises at least one pressed piece made of the substance (13) which gradually dissolves in water and which fits into the substance holder (11), in particular a cleaning or fragrance stone. [16] Device (10) according to one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the spring tongues (16) are formed on radially opposite outer sides of the casing of the substance holder (11) and extend spirally radially outwards in the same direction of rotation. [17] Device (10) according to one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the substance holder (11) has a width dimension matching the width of the water drainage channel (5) and a height matching the depth of the water drainage channel (5). [18] Device (10) according to one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the device (10) comprises at least two of the substance holders (11) and an elongated flat band of a disposable filter material (12). [19] Device (10) according to claim 18, wherein the disposable filter material (12) consists of a filter paper, a woven fabric or a nonwoven fabric. [20] Device (10) according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the band has a width matching the width of the water drainage channel (5) or is cuttable. [21] Device (10) according to one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the band has a length matching the length of the water drainage channel (5) or can be cut to size. [22] Device (10) according to one of claims 19 to 20, wherein the band has a length which is many times greater than the length of the water drainage channel (5), wherein the band optionally has predetermined separation lines. [23] Device (1; 1'; 10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the water drainage channel (5) is designed as a shower channel and wherein the device (1; 1'; 10) is designed for a shower channel which satisfies the standard DIN 1986-100. [24] Device (1; 1'; 10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the water drainage channel (5) is designed as a shower channel and wherein the device (1; 1'; 10) is designed for a floor-level shower channel.

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