Toilet rim block holder with lip for catching flushing water

Abstract

A toilet rim block holder (1) with at least one container (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) for receiving a toilet active agent, wherein the container (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) is formed by a first container half (11) and a second container half (12), which are thermoformed from a sheet of plastic and each comprise a shell-shaped container wall (13, 14), wherein the container (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) has at least one opening (23), through which flushing water can enter the container (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) when the toilet rim block holder (1) is in the position in which it is used in the toilet bowl. A distinguishing feature of the invention is a protruding lip (21), which adjoins one of the container walls (13, 14) in the vicinity of the opening (23) and extends outwards from the container wall (13, 14), wherein, in the position in which the toilet rim block holder is used, the lip (21) represents a funnel which catches the flushing water and directs it through the opening (23) into the container (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a toilet basket according to claim 1 with at least one container for receiving a toilet chemical. The container is formed by a first container half and a second container half, which are thermoformed from a plastic film and each comprise a bowl-shaped container wall.

[0002] From EP 3 214 232 A1, a toilet basket is known in which the container for holding the toilet chemical is also formed by a first container half and a second container half. The two container halves are manufactured by thermoforming and die-cutting a plastic film. During thermoforming, the thermoforming molds for creating the two container halves are positioned side by side. After thermoforming and the removal of any remaining plastic film, the toilet chemical, for example in the form of a solid sphere, is placed in one of the two container halves. The two container halves are then folded together, leaving a small gap between them. This gap forms an opening in the container through which the flushing water can enter when the toilet basket is in its intended position (used position) in a toilet bowl.Further toilet baskets in accordance with the state of the art are also disclosed in DE102016116697A1, WO2010 / 018006A1, US3538520A and DE202015103798U1.

[0003] The opening or gap must be sized so that enough flushing water enters the container to ensure the toilet cleaner is sufficiently saturated and dissolved by the water to the desired extent. If the gap is too small, too little toilet cleaner will enter the toilet bowl with each flush. Conversely, if the gap is too large, too much toilet cleaner will be released with each flush, resulting in its unnecessary and rapid consumption. Furthermore, an excessively large gap or opening poses a risk of children being able to access the toilet cleaner and put it in their mouths or even swallow it. Because they are made from relatively thin plastic film, thermoformed toilet bowl holders are comparatively unstable and flexible. This makes it easier to remove the toilet cleaner from the container, even with smaller openings.

[0004] In addition to thermoformed toilet seats, injection-molded toilet seats are also available. While these are more robust and therefore offer better protection against unwanted access to the toilet bowl cleaner, their production involves a greater use of material, which is detrimental to their environmental friendliness. Furthermore, injection-molded toilet seats are predominantly made of polypropylene. However, polypropylene can only be replaced by recycled polypropylene to a very limited extent. Thermoformed toilet seats often use polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is also available in good quality recycled form.

[0005] Thermoformed toilet baskets made of PET can therefore be produced in a comparatively environmentally friendly way and in good quality.

[0006] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a thermoformed toilet basket that allows sufficient flow of flushing water and also offers sufficient protection against unwanted access to the toilet chemical contained therein.

[0007] This problem is solved by a toilet basket according to claim 1. Exemplary embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims to claim 1.

[0008] According to the invention, a projecting lip is provided that attaches to one of the container walls near the opening and extends outwards from this container wall. When the toilet basket is in use, i.e., when it is positioned as intended in the toilet bowl, the lip acts as a funnel that collects the flushing water and directs it through the opening into the container. Because the lip collects the flushing water, more water passes through the opening, ensuring that the toilet chemical inside the container is sufficiently rinsed with water and can dissolve effectively. The opening can therefore be relatively small. This makes it difficult for a child to remove the toilet chemical from the container.

[0009] A good funnel effect is achieved when, in the toilet bowl's operating position, the lip is directed upwards and has a sufficiently large angle of inclination or opening relative to the vertical. A preferred angle of inclination is in the range of 30° to 60°. While a large angle of inclination results in a large projection area in the plane perpendicular to the vertical, allowing a significant amount of flushing water to be collected from above, excessively large angles can cause problems during the thermoforming of the lip or the bowl half to which the lip is attached. A lip inclined at less than 10° relative to the vertical is not considered a funnel as defined in claim 1.

[0010] The first and second halves of the container can be connected by a hinge located underneath the container. Because of its position below the container, the hinge does not obstruct the flow of rinsing water from above, which is intended to be collected by the funnel.

[0011] The opening can be formed by a gap between the first and second container halves. The first and second container halves must therefore be designed in such a way that the gap remains after they are folded together. It is therefore not necessary to punch the opening out of the container wall using a separate punching process.

[0012] In addition to the opening through which a relatively large amount of rinse water enters via the lip, the container may have further (secondary) openings. These may be openings through which additional rinse water enters the container, or they may be outlet openings from which rinse water exits the container.

[0013] The projection area of ​​the lip (area of ​​the lip in a plane perpendicular to the vertical when the toilet basket is in use) can range from 5% to 200% of the projection area of ​​the opening. A preferred range is between 30% and 60%.

[0014] Preferably, the lip is formed together with the container halves during thermoforming. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, it is not necessary to subsequently process or attach the lip, apart from punching out or separating remnants of the plastic film.

[0015] For thermoforming, a PET plastic film can be used. The recycled PET content can range from 0% to 100%. The PET film can be drawn into a thermoforming mold by vacuum pressure and / or pressed into it by a die. Preferably, the toilet basket is a single-piece thermoformed part.

[0016] After thermoforming, at least one of the container halves is filled with the toilet chemical. The container is then closed by joining the first and second halves. In the embodiment with the hinge, joining involves folding the container halves together and then connecting the folded halves. Preferably, the container halves are welded together, for example, by spot welding with heat, ultrasound, or high frequency at various points where the halves abut each other after folding. Additionally or alternatively, the container halves can also be connected by a snap-fit ​​or a positive locking mechanism. Another possibility is to bond the container halves together with a separate adhesive.

[0017] In the embodiment according to the invention, a rim is formed on the bowl-shaped container wall, wherein a segment of the rim is angled relative to a plane in which the (predominant) remainder of the rim lies, forming the projecting lip. The remainder of the rim can also be considered a joining surface which, in the folded state, abuts a joining surface of the opposite container half and is connected to it. The joining surfaces lie in a joining plane that extends between the two container halves. The projecting lip is inclined towards this joining plane.

[0018] The angle of inclination between the angled segment and the plane in which the majority of the remaining edge lies can be between 30° and 60°. A preferred value for the angle of inclination is between 40° and 50°.

[0019] The rim preferably represents a portion of the plastic film that is not stretched at all or only to a minimal extent during thermoforming. Compared to the wall thickness of the container wall, the rim has a considerable thickness. The angled segment is also hardly stretched or elongated during thermoforming, resulting in a stable structure due to its relatively large wall thickness. In one embodiment, unlike the rest of the rim, the segment must be angled out of the plane of the plastic film during thermoforming.

[0020] The toilet basket preferably includes a holding device that has a U-shaped bracket, or from which a U-shaped bracket can be formed by hand after thermoforming. When the toilet basket is in use, the U-shaped bracket is hooked onto the upper edge of the toilet bowl.

[0021] The retaining device can have a rigid inner section that extends into the rim of one of the container halves at a container-side end. A first bending section is provided at the opposite end of the inner section, connecting it to a support section. A second bending section can be provided between the support section and an outer section. In one embodiment, the inner section, the support section, and the outer section form a folded package, with the outer section positioned between the inner section and the support section. In the folded state, the bending sections are preferably free of internal restoring forces. To form the U-shaped bracket, the folded package must be unfolded. This generates restoring forces that cause the U-shaped bracket to press against the upper rim of the toilet bowl with a certain clamping force.The inner section rests against the inside side of the upper rim of the toilet bowl, while the outer section engages behind the upper rim from the outside. The carrying section rests on top of the upper rim. In this position, the U-shaped bar is in a widened state.

[0022] The inner section is preferably designed to be rigid, allowing the container to be pressed against the inner side wall of the toilet bowl when in use. An outer edge of the lip can act as a contact point, ensuring the toilet basket rests against the inner wall of the toilet bowl. This contact edge allows the lip to collect a particularly large amount of flushing water, including the portion that runs directly down the inner wall of the toilet bowl when the toilet is flushed.

[0023] Several containers can be arranged side by side, with the lip designed as a common lip for two adjacent containers, directing the flushing water into the two adjacent containers. The common lip simplifies the design of the toilet basket. In a preferred embodiment, the toilet basket has four containers, two of which share a common lip.

[0024] The toilet bowl cleaner can be a solid in the form of a sphere, pill, or similar. It may be encased in a water-soluble film, which protects it from environmental influences. When used in the toilet bowl, the film dissolves, allowing the cleaner to take effect with the flushing water. The toilet bowl cleaner can also be a fragrance and / or a cleaning agent.

[0025] The container may have a spacer on which the toilet chemical rests essentially at a single point. This point-like contact allows the toilet chemical to be effectively flushed around from below by the flushing water, thus increasing its solubility within the container.

[0026] The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the embodiment shown in the drawing. The drawing shows: Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a toilet basket according to the invention in a side view; Figure 2 shows the toilet basket of the Figure 1 in a perspective view from the front; Figure 3 the toilet basket of the Figure 1 in a perspective view from above; Figure 4 the toilet basket of the Figure 1 from below; Figure 5 the toilet basket of the Figure 1 in a rear view; and Figure 6 schematically shows the toilet basket in an open state ( Figure 6A ) and a folded state ( Figure 6B ).

[0027] The Figures 1 to 5Figure 1 shows various views of an embodiment of the toilet basket according to the invention, which is collectively designated by 1. The toilet basket 1 comprises four adjacent containers 10 (10a, 10b, 10c and 10d), each formed by a first container half 11 and a second container half 12. The containers 10 serve to hold a toilet active ingredient, for example, in the form of a fragrance and / or cleaning agent. This ingredient can be a granular solid that can be formed into spheres and placed in the individual containers 10.

[0028] Where the properties / characteristics of the container(s) are generally described, only reference numeral 10 or the reference numeral of the mentioned component of the container is used. If details are relevant that differentiate the containers from one another, the corresponding reference numeral is used in conjunction with a lowercase letter a to d.

[0029] The toilet basket 1 has, in addition to the four containers 10, a holding device 50 by which the toilet basket 1 can be attached to or in a toilet bowl. The holding device 50 comprises an inner section 51, a support section 52, and an outer section 53. In the Figures 1 to 5Sections 51, 52, and 53 of the retaining device 50 are in a folded state. A first bending section 54 and a second bending section 55 can be deformed such that a bending angle of approximately 90° can be established between the inner section 51 and the support section 52, and between the support section 52 and the outer section 53. Sections 51, 52, and 53 then form a U-shaped bracket that can be hung over the upper edge of the toilet bowl. The dashed lines 52 I< and 53 I< are intended to indicate the U-shaped bracket.

[0030] In the expanded state (see 52 I< , 53 I< ), when the toilet basket is in use in the toilet bowl, the inner section 51 is located on an inner side of the upper rim of the toilet bowl. The support section 52 rests on the upper rim. The outer section 53 engages the upper rim of the toilet bowl from the outside. Due to the expanded state, certain restoring forces are present, which press sections 51 and 53 laterally against the toilet bowl. These clamping forces prevent the U-shaped bracket from hanging loosely from the upper rim of the toilet bowl, but rather fix it laterally. Since the inner section 51 is rigid, the containers 10 are pressed slightly against the inner wall of the toilet bowl. Depending on the dimensions of the upper rim, bending angles are ultimately established between the individual sections 51, 52, and 53, which can deviate more or less from 90° (see dashed line 53 II< ).It should be noted that the dashed lines 52 I< and 53 I< only schematically indicate the expanded U-shaped bracket. In the expanded state, with the bracket suspended over its upper edge, the inner web 51, the support web 52, and the outer web 53 are also subjected to bending stress. For example, the support web 52 may be deformed such that only a central section of it rests on the upper edge. The edge sections of the support web 52 near the bending zones 54 and 55 may be bent upwards and transition into bending zones 14 and 15.

[0031] Based on the schematic representation of the Figure 6 The manufacturing process for toilet basket 1 will be described. Figure 6Only a container 10 with container halves 11 and 12 is visible. Container half 11 comprises a shell-shaped container wall 13, which has the shape of a hemisphere. The second container half 12 also comprises a hemispherical container wall 14. To manufacture the two container halves 11 and 13, a PET film is thermoformed. The PET film is placed over a thermoforming mold with two hemispherical recesses and heated. A vacuum and / or a punch draws and / or presses the PET film into the hemispherical recesses, forming the shell-shaped container walls 13 and 14 from the thermoformed PET film. The toilet chemical is then placed into the first container half 11. This is followed by joining the two container halves 11 and 12. The second container half 12 is formed starting from the... Figure 6AIn the position shown, the container is folded about a folding axis 15 by approximately 180° onto the first container half 11. The two container halves 11, 12 are now in a folded state, which is Figure 6B This is shown in the illustration. This folded state of the container halves 11, 12 is also shown in the Figures 1 to 5 .

[0032] How Figure 2 To allow for the removal of contents, a rim 16d is formed on the shell-shaped container wall 13 of the first container half 11 of the outer container 10d. Laterally, this rim 16d transitions into a rim 16c of the adjacent container 10c. In a lower region, the rim 16d runs into a hinge 17. The rim 16d lies essentially in the same plane as the rims of the other three first container halves 11, which can also be referred to as the joining plane. As particularly Figure 4This level / joining plane, which can be removed, is slightly curved, allowing the toilet basket 1 to fit better against the curved inner wall of the toilet bowl.

[0033] A rim, designated 18d, is also formed on the bowl-shaped container wall 14 of the second container half 12 of the outer container 10d. The rims 16d and 18d are connected to each other via the hinge 17. The hinge defines the hinge axis 15, which was already described in the figure description. Figure 6 was mentioned.

[0034] Rim 18d has a segment 19d that is inclined at approximately 45° to the plane in which the majority of the remaining rim 18d lies. The plane in which the remaining rim 18d lies coincides with the plane / joining plane in which rim 16 of the first container halves 11 lies. The segments of the opposing rims 16 and 18 located in the joining plane are connected to each other, for example, by several spot welds.

[0035] In Figure 6B The joining plane is shown with a dash and is marked with the reference symbol 20. Figure 6BFigure 18 also shows the rim 18 and its segment 19, which is angled towards the joining plane 20. The segment 19 forms a projecting lip 21, which, when the toilet basket 1 is in use, acts as a funnel through which flushing water, striking the toilet basket 1 from above, is directed into an upper gap 22 between the container halves 11 and 12. The gap 22 forms an opening 23 for the container 10, through which the flushing water can enter the interior of the container 10. Even with a relatively small opening cross-section, a significant amount of flushing water enters the container 10 through the lip 21 and can interact with the toilet chemical there.

[0036] Out of Figure 3It becomes clear that segment 19a of the second container half 12 of the outer container 10a forms a common lip 24 with segment 19b of the adjacent container 10b for two adjacent containers 10a and 10b. The common lip 24 thus collects rinse water for both container 10a and container 10b.

[0037] On the underside of the containers 10, i.e., on the side where the hinges 17 are arranged, sections 25 of the rim 18 of the second container halves 12 are slightly bent out of the joining plane, creating outlet openings 26 (see Figure 4 ). From these outlet openings 26, the flushing water from the containers 10 can emerge, which has previously dissolved and been enriched with the toilet chemical.

[0038] The containers 10 have spacers 27 (see Figure 5 ) on which the toilet chemical rests in a point or line pattern. This allows the toilet chemical to be flushed around by the water from below.

[0039] In addition to the upward-facing openings and the outlet openings, the second half of the outer containers 10a and 10d has additional openings 28 to facilitate improved exchange between the flushing water and the toilet chemical. These additional openings 28 can be considered a measure to influence the individual consumption of the toilet chemical in each container 10. With other dimensions or designs, the additional openings can be omitted or incorporated into the inner containers 10b and 10c.

[0040] The common lip 24 has a freestanding outer edge 29, which can serve as a support for the inner wall of the toilet bowl. Flushing water that runs down along the inner wall can thus be collected by the common lip 24 and directed into the opening.

[0041] The edges 16b, 16c of the first container halves 11 of the inner containers 10b, 10c transition into the inner section 51 of the holding device 50. Reinforcing ribs 56 provide the inner section 51, which is also thermoformed solely from PET film, with a certain degree of flexural rigidity. Reinforcing ribs 57 are also provided on the support section 52 to increase its flexural rigidity and thus form a stiffer support with which the holding device 50 rests on the upper edge of the toilet bowl. Reference symbol list

[0042] 1 toilet basket 10 Container (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) 11 First container half 12 Second container half 13 Container wall 14 Container wall 15 Hinged axis 16 Edge (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) 17 Hinge / Cap hinge 18 Edge (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d) 19 Segment 20 Joining plane 21 Lip 22 Gap 23 Opening 24 Common lip 25 Subsection 26 Outlet opening 27 Spacer 28 Additional opening 29 Outer edge 50 Holding device 51 Inner section 52 Question section 53 Outer section 54 First bending area 55 Second bending area 56 Reinforcing rib 57 Reinforcing rib

Claims

1. A toilet rim block cage (1) comprising at least one container (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) for accommodating a toilet active ingredient, wherein the container (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) is formed by a first container half (11) and a second container half (12), which are thermoformed from a plastics film and each comprise a bowl-shaped container wall (13, 14), wherein the container (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) comprises at least one opening (23) through which flushing water can enter the container (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) when the toilet rim block cage (1) is in the use position in the toilet bowl, wherein a projecting lip (21) is provided which is attached to one of the container walls (13, 14) in the vicinity of the opening (23) and extends outward from the container wall (13, 14), wherein, in the use position of the toilet rim block cage (1), the lip (21) represents a funnel which intercepts the flushing water and guides it through the opening (23) into the container (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d), wherein a rim (16, 18) is formed on the bowl-shaped container wall (13, 14), wherein a segment (19) of the rim (18) is angled with respect to a plane in which at least the greater remainder of the rim (18) lies, and forms the projecting lip (21).

2. The toilet rim block cage (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first container half (11) and the second container half (12) are connected to one another by a folding hinge (17) which, when the toilet rim block cage (1) is in the use position, is arranged below the container (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d).

3. The toilet rim block cage (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the opening (23) is formed by a gap (22) between the first container half (11) and the second container half (12).

4. The toilet rim block cage (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that an angle of inclination between the angled segment (19) and the plane of the remainder of the rim (18) is 30° to 60°.

5. The toilet rim block cage (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a holding device (50) is provided which comprises a U-shaped clip or from which a U-shaped clip can be formed by hand, the U-shaped clip being suspended from the upper rim of the toilet bowl in the use position of the toilet rim block cage (1).

6. The toilet rim block cage (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the holding device (50) comprises a rigid inner portion (51) via which the container (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) is pressed against a lateral inner wall of the toilet bowl.

7. The toilet rim block cage (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that an outer edge (29) of the lip (21) is used as a support, by means of which the toilet rim block cage (1) rests against the inner wall of the toilet bowl.

8. The toilet rim block cage (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a plurality of containers (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) arranged next to one another are provided, the lip (21) being designed as a common lip (25) for two adjacent containers, which guides the flushing water into the two adjacent containers.

9. The toilet rim block cage (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the toilet active ingredient is wrapped in a water-soluble film.

10. The toilet rim block cage (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the container (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) comprises a spacer (27) against which the toilet active ingredient rests substantially punctiformly.

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