Toilet deodorizer with spray head

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a toilet deodorizing device comprising a spray container with an actuating element, wherein the actuating element is preferably a spray head, a fastening device for the spray container on the outside of the toilet bowl and a hose system which is connected to the actuating element and leads over the edge of the toilet bowl into the interior of the bowl.

[0002] Unwanted odors often develop during and after use. Therefore, various measures are available to reduce unpleasant odors. For example, air fresheners are widely used, which are sprayed into the room after using the toilet. These have the disadvantage that they are only released after the odor has been generated and are distributed throughout the room. Therefore, there are also devices that release a corresponding spray inside the toilet bowl to reduce or prevent unpleasant odors before and during use.

[0003] US 7,676,856 B1 describes a device for dispensing an aerosol from a container into a toilet bowl. The device has a housing with a canister holding portion that holds a canister with a nozzle for spraying an odor treatment spray. The housing also has two plates for attaching the device to a rim of the toilet bowl. Between the plates are springs for biasing a toilet seat when the seat is empty and to allow the seat to move downward when someone is sitting on the seat. The downward movement of the seat moves the upper element downward, actuating the nozzle on the canister and spraying a predetermined amount of spray into the toilet bowl. The described design is comparatively complex and must be specially adapted to the geometry of the toilet.

[0004] DE 10 2016 010 943 A1 describes a hygiene spray line consisting of a few components that is hung on the side of a toilet and connected to a spray can. The design consists of only a few components and includes a bracket for attachment to the toilet bowl.

[0005] US 3,336,603 A discloses a device for odor control in a toilet bowl. The device comprises a container containing an odor-inhibiting substance that is released when a pressure element on the device is actuated. The device is placed on top of the toilet bowl behind the toilet seat and can therefore only be installed with certain ceramic geometries.

[0006] The existing systems have the disadvantage that they either require comparatively complex designs or are adapted to the exact dimensions of a toilet unit. The significant brand-dependent dimensional differences of toilet bowls in terms of overall height, rim width, seat-to-bowl distance, etc., make it necessary to provide a different fixture for each standard type. Furthermore, the fixtures are permanently installed and cannot be transported to another toilet unit.

[0007] The invention relates to a toilet deodorizing device according to claim 1.

[0008] Further embodiments are the subject of the subclaims or described below.

[0009] The toilet deodorizing device according to the invention comprises a mounting device for the spray container on the outside of the toilet bowl and a hose system that can be connected to an actuating element of a spray container and leads from the actuating element over the edge of the toilet bowl into the interior of the bowl. Actuating the actuating element, with the spray container connected, triggers a spraying process and releases a quantity of spray from the spray container.

[0010] The toilet deodorizing device has an ergonomically shaped handle element with a central receiving opening for the actuating element and at least two finger support surfaces arranged laterally from the receiving opening. The support surfaces are, for example, wing-shaped or rectangular. The support surfaces can also have rounded indentations on the underside of the handle element. These are adapted to the curves of the fingers and allow for easier finger placement. The handle element has a connecting means with which it is connected to the spray container, i.e., mounted on the spray container.

[0011] The hose system features a flexible hose that runs between the toilet seat and the upper rim of the toilet bowl into the interior of the bowl. The flexible hose connects at one end to the actuating element at the level of the spray container's discharge opening, and has an outlet opening at the other end.

[0012] The toilet deodorizing device according to the invention further comprises a positioning element that is attached to a first end of the hose system and positioned inside the bowl of the toilet bowl. The positioning element contains a counterweight, preferably on the underside, which pulls and holds the hose into position inside the toilet bowl. The flexible hose is connected to the positioning element at the end with the outlet opening, wherein the hose opens inside the positioning element, and the outlet opening is preferably arranged in the positioning element. The positioning aid is removably slipped over the hose, for example like a funnel or hose nozzle. The positioning aid can also be permanently connected to the hose.

[0013] The spray container contains a liquid that is sprayed as a spray or aerosol through the hose into the interior of the toilet bowl. The liquid can be, for example, a cleaning agent, disinfectant, deodorant, antiseptic solution, perfumed solution, or air freshener.

[0014] The hose system preferably consists of a flexible hose. The flexible hose is preferably a silicone hose or a plastic hose. The hose has, for example, an inner diameter of 0.5-5 mm, preferably 1-2 mm.

[0015] The handle element is preferably made of plastic, particularly preferably a molded plastic part. In one embodiment, the handle element is mirror-symmetrical to the central axis, with the central axis running through the center of the receiving opening and transversely to the support surfaces. Optionally, the handle element has an opening for the hose on the side facing the toilet bowl, and the flexible hose is guided from the spray head through the opening. The opening is designed, for example, as an elongated slot from top to bottom to accommodate the movement of the hose when the spray head is raised and lowered.

[0016] The handle element only loosely encloses the spray head to ensure an up-and-down movement of the spray head when activated. It is held in position only by a parallel socket in the receiving opening. The hose is guided through the opening to prevent it from falling out.

[0017] The handle, preferably designed as a three-finger spray head, allows spray to be released into the toilet bowl with just three fingers—the thumb on the spray button and the index and middle fingers on the outer wings. This allows the user to operate an upright spray container while sitting on the toilet. When the spray head is activated, the liquid flows through the hose between the toilet seat and the bowl rim into the bowl. There, the hose opens into the positioning aid, approximately 5 cm below the bowl rim.

[0018] The positioning element is preferably a plastic part or a metal part that is funnel-shaped, teardrop-like, round or oval and is slipped over the hose. The counterweight of the positioning element is, in one embodiment, a metal body that is preferably completely enclosed by the positioning element, for example a disc- or plate-shaped body. In a further embodiment, the counterweight is formed from plastic, preferably from the same plastic as the positioning element. The counterweight artificially weighs down the positioning element and is, for example, a metal weight weighing approximately 8-12 g or, for example, an asymmetrical plastic construction weighing 12-15 g.

[0019] In one embodiment, the positioning element is designed asymmetrically and the counterweight is arranged decentrally in the positioning element.

[0020] The positioning aid includes a counterweight to ensure two things. First, it serves to hold the hose outlet opening in position during the considerable pressure buildup, as otherwise the hose and its opening would move uncontrollably inside the pool when the spray head is activated, potentially spraying the user directly. Second, the counterweight is preferably installed off-center, ensuring self-alignment of the positioning aid and thus the correct position of the outlet opening, which ideally delivers spray at an angle of 25-45°.

[0021] The fastening device for attaching the toilet deodorizing device according to the invention to the toilet bowl is multi-part, in particular at least two-part, and has two magnets, wherein a first magnet is attached to or in the handle element and a second, cooperating magnet is attached to the outside of the toilet bowl. The first magnet can, for example, be glued to the outside of the handle element or enclosed by the material of the handle element and mounted inside the handle element. The second magnet is, for example, glued to the outside of the toilet bowl or otherwise held there.

[0022] If the toilet deodorizing device according to the invention is attached to the outer rim of the bowl using a magnet or other detachable fastening, it can be removed at any time to clean the toilet or replace the spray container. This magnetic assembly is not subject to aging and should function for years. For example, during initial installation, a self-adhesive magnet is applied to the outside of the toilet bowl rim. This magnet has its "counterpart" located on or in the handle element.

[0023] The handle element preferably has a screw cap, a plug-in cap, a magnetic closure, or a clamp closure as a connection means to the spray container. Thus, several options exist for attaching the handle element to the spray container, depending on whether the device is designed as a disposable or reusable product.

[0024] In one embodiment of the toilet deodorizing device according to the invention, it has a spray container with an actuating element, wherein the actuating element is preferably a spray head. The spray container is preferably a pressurized gas container or a pump spray container. The pressurized gas container is, for example, a commercially available deodorant container. From an ecological perspective, changing the spray containers is desirable. This is possible, for example, with a magnetic closure or screw cap. In a disposable product, a fixed connection would also be used. One advantage of the pressurized gas containers is that the 50, 100, and 150 ml bottles all have the same container rim diameter, and the size of the spray container can be selected depending on frequency of use.

[0025] The toilet deodorizing device according to the invention makes it possible to apply a spray into the interior of a toilet bowl while the user is seated. For this purpose, liquid is pumped from an externally mounted spray container through a hose system into the interior of the toilet bowl. Thanks to the flexible hose system according to the invention, the device according to the invention adapts to the enormous variety of bowl anatomies and accommodates the variety of geometries and dimensions. The hose can be easily lifted for cleaning the toilet bowl, and the hose itself is also easy to clean or replace.

[0026] Thanks to the counterweight in the positioning aid, i.e., a decentralized weight increase, the toilet deodorizer according to the invention can be moved into a constantly self-adjusting position without any additional equipment, as it aligns itself within the toilet bowl. External attachment is also possible without tools or additional attachments, simply by attaching a magnet, adhesive strip, or Velcro strip, for example.

[0027] The device according to the invention can be quickly installed on any toilet. The elimination of rigid, complex fittings or installations allows the device according to the invention to be used on any toilet bowl, regardless of geometry and dimensions. Unlike previous systems, the device according to the invention can be used in a variety of ways, despite the considerable dimensional differences in width within the toilet bowl, as well as the brand-dependent dimensional differences overall in height, width of the bowl rim, and distance between the seat and bowl. The device can be positioned anywhere on the bowl rim, and the hose can be adapted accordingly. Due to the few, simply designed components, production costs are low and allow for mass production.

[0028] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the figures. They show: Fig. 1 shows a toilet deodorizing device according to the invention in a side sectional view, Fig. 2 shows a top view of the toilet deodorizing device according to the invention, Fig. 3 shows a detail of an embodiment of the toilet deodorizing device according to the invention, Fig. 4 shows an enlarged view of a positioning aid and Fig. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the handle element.

[0029] Figure 1shows a toilet deodorizing device 1 according to the invention in a side sectional view. The toilet deodorizing device 1 has a spray container 2 with a spray head 3. A flexible hose 10 leads under the toilet seat 11 over the rim R of the toilet bowl 5 into the interior I of the toilet bowl. The hose 10 is connected at its first end 12 to the spray head 3. At its second end 13, the hose 10 is connected to a positioning element 15, which is drop-shaped here. The positioning element has a counterweight 16, which is arranged decentrally in the lower region of the positioning aid 15. The flexible hose has an outlet opening 14, from which the spray (indicated schematically here) is directed into the interior I of the bowl. The spray container 2 is connected to a handle element 6 via the spray container rim 20. A first magnet 18 is arranged in the handle element 6.The first magnet 18 interacts with a second magnet 19, which is glued to the outside A of the toilet bowl. Both magnets together form the fastening device 4.

[0030] Figure 2 shows the toilet deodorizing device 1 according to the invention from Figure 1 in a top view without the toilet seat. The handle element 6 has two support surfaces 8, 9 for the fingers on the sides of the spray head 3. The handle element 6 is attached to the toilet bowl 5 via the fastening device 4. The flexible hose 10 is guided over the edge of the toilet bowl into the interior of the bowl I. The positioning aid 15 holds the toilet deodorization device 1, and in particular the outlet opening 14, in position via the counterweight 16.

[0031] Fig. 3a shows an enlarged section of an embodiment of the toilet deodorizing device 1 according to the invention. The handle element 6 is attached to the container rim 20 of the spray container 2. In the center, the handle element 6 has a central receiving opening 7 in which the spray head 3 is arranged. The receiving opening here has a step to accommodate the stepped spray head 3 and secure it in place. Fig. 3b shows a further embodiment for a different shape of the spray head 3. The handle element 6 is attached to the spray container 2 via a magnetic closure. The spray container has a magnet 21 on its spray container rim 20. The handle element has a magnet 22 on its underside, which interacts with the magnets 21 and thus attaches the handle element 6 to the spray container. Fig. 3 cshows an alternative attachment of the handle element 6 to the spray container 2 with a screw cap. An external thread 23 is attached to the rim 20 of the spray container 2. The handle element has an internal thread 24 on the inside of the receiving opening 7, which forms a screw cap with the outer container 23.

[0032] Fig. 4a shows an enlarged top view of a positioning aid 15. The positioning aid has a cuff opening 25 through which the hose 10 can be guided. In the eccentric position, a counterweight 16 is integrated into the positioning aid. Fig. 4b shows the positioning aid 15 from Fig. 4a in a side sectional view. The outlet opening 14 is arranged in the area of ​​the positioning aid 15, so that the positioning aid contributes to the direction of the spray jet.

[0033] Figures 5a and 5bshow an alternative embodiment of the handle element 6. The contact surfaces 8 and 9 are grooved here. The handle element has a mirror-symmetrical design with respect to the central axis M.

[0034] The invention is not limited to one of the embodiments described above, but can be modified in many ways. List of reference symbols

[0035] 1 Toilet deodorizer 2 Spray container 3 Actuator / spray head 4 Fastening device 5 Toilet bowl 6 Handle element 7 Central receiving opening 8 Support surface 9 Support surface 10 Hose 11 Toilet seat 12 First end of hose 13 Second end of hose 14 Outlet opening 15 Positioning element 16 Counterweight 17 Opening 18 First magnet on the handle element 19 Second magnet 20 Spray container rim 21 Magnet 22 Magnet 23 External thread 24 Internal thread 25 Face plate opening A Outside of the toilet bowl RR Edge of the toilet bowl I Inside of the toilet bowl M Central axis

Claims

1. WC-deodorizing device (1) comprising - a fastening device (4) for a spray container (2) on an outer side (A) of a WC bowl (5), - a tube system which can be connected to an actuating element (3) of a spray container and leads over the rim (R) of the WC bowl (5) into the bowl interior (I), wherein - the WC-deodorizing device (1) has an ergonomically shaped grip element (6), wherein the grip element (6) has a central receiving opening (7) for an actuating element (3) and two contact surfaces (8, 9) for the fingers arranged laterally of the central receiving opening, - the grip element (6) comprises a connecting means for connection to the spray container (2), - the tube system comprises a flexible tube (10) which leads between the toilet seat (11) and the upper rim (R) of the WC bowl (5) into the interior (I) of the WC bowl (5) - the flexible tube (10) is connected at its first end (12) to the actuating element (3) at the level of a dispensing opening of the spray container and has an outlet opening (14) at its second end (13), - the WC deodorizing device (1) further comprises a positioning element (15) which is attached to a second end (13) of the tube (10) and is positioned inside the bowl (I) of the WC bowl (5), - the positioning element (15) contains a counterweight (16), preferably on its underside - the tube (10) opens with its second end (13) into the positioning element (15) and the outlet opening (14) is preferably arranged in the region of the positioning element (15), characterized in that - the fastening device (4) is multi-part, at least two-part, and has two magnets (18, 19), a first magnet (18) being fastened to or in the grip element and a second magnet (19) cooperating therewith being fastened to the outside (A) of the WC bowl.

2. WC deodorizing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the tube system consists of a flexible tube (10).

3. WC deodorizing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible tube (10) is a silicone tube or a plastic tube and the tube preferably has an inner diameter of between 0.5 mm and 10 mm, preferably 0.5 mm and 2 mm.

4. WC deodorizing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grip element (6) is designed to be mirror-symmetrical with respect to the central axis (M).

5. WC deodorizing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grip element (6) has an opening (17) on the side facing the WC bowl (5) and the flexible tube (10) is guided through the opening (17).

6. WC deodorizing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the positioning element (15) is a plastic part or a metal part which is funnel-shaped, teardrop-shaped, round or oval and is slid over the tube (10).

7. WC deodorizing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the counterweight (16) is a metal body which is preferably completely enclosed by the positioning element (15).

8. WC deodorizing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the positioning element (15) is asymmetrical and / or counterweight (16) is arranged decentrally in the positioning element (15).

9. WC deodorizing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grip element (6) has a screw cap, a plug-in cap, a magnetic closure or a clamp closure as connecting means with the spray container (2).

10. WC deodorizing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the WC deodorizing device (1) has a spray container (2) with an actuating element (3) and the actuating element is preferably a spray head (3).

11. WC deodorizing device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the spray container (2) is a compressed gas container or a pump spray container.