Wc rim block cage having a clip-like holding device
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HENKEL KGAA
- Filing Date
- 2022-03-31
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-08
Smart Images
Figure IMGF0001 
Figure IMGF0002 
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Abstract
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a toilet basket according to claim 1, comprising a container area for receiving a toilet chemical and a retaining device for attaching the toilet basket to a toilet bowl. The retaining device is thermoformed from a plastic film.
[0002] Toilet baskets are commonly used for cleaning toilet bowls. A toilet basket is usually attached to the rim of the toilet bowl using a holder. When the toilet is flushed, the flushing water flows through the toilet basket, dissolving some of the toilet cleaner and distributing it throughout the toilet bowl.
[0003] EP 3 214 232 A1 discloses a toilet basket formed from a film by thermoforming and stamping. The toilet basket has a holding device in the form of clamping units, which allow the toilet basket to be clamped in or under the rim of a toilet bowl in its operating position. A disadvantage of this design is that the clamping units do not provide a form-fit connection, but rather a force-fit connection, and the toilet basket could detach due to the low clamping force between the clamping units and the toilet bowl. Another disadvantage of this type of toilet basket is that the clamping units must be positioned between two opposite sides, thus limiting its range of applications.
[0004] From EP 0 773 330 A1, a toilet basket is known in which the holding device is designed as a flat plastic foil blank from which a U-shaped bracket can be formed. The blank has several dividing lines, a first bending area, and a second bending area. By bending or folding along the bending areas, the blank surfaces separated by the dividing lines can be formed into the U-shaped bracket. The U-shaped bracket has an inner section, a support section, and an outer section. When used in the toilet bowl, the U-shaped bracket hangs over the rim of the toilet bowl, with the inner section resting against an inner side of the upper rim of the toilet bowl, the support section resting on the top of the upper rim, and the outer section engaging the upper rim laterally from the outside. The first bending section is arranged between the inner section and the support section.The second bending section is located between the support section and the outer section. Due to the elasticity of the bending sections, a certain restoring force exists, which pushes the U-shaped bracket back into the unloaded resting state of the flat blank. This restoring force presses the U-shaped bracket against the upper edge of the toilet bowl, where it rests firmly against it.
[0005] A disadvantage of the U-shaped bracket unfolded from a flat foil blank, as described in EP 0 773 330 A1, is its high susceptibility to cracking and tearing. When the foil blank is unfolded, undesirable stress concentrations occur at the points between the dividing lines and the bending areas due to the notch effect. Furthermore, the bending areas of the foil blank are quite short or small, so the forces that the U-shaped bracket can withstand are low. The U-shaped bracket is therefore unstable and can break easily. Other toilet baskets according to the prior art are also disclosed in EP2806074A2, EP3133217A1 and WO2007 / 107750A1.
[0006] The present invention therefore aims to provide a toilet basket with a reliably functioning holding device, which can be produced simply and cost-effectively by thermoforming a film.
[0007] This problem is solved by a toilet basket with the features of claim 1.
[0008] Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.
[0009] To solve this problem, claim 1 proposes that, in the rest state of the holding device, the inner section, the support section, and the outer section lie one on top of the other, forming a folded package in which the outer section is located between the inner section and the support section. Accordingly, the outer section, which lies inside the package, is covered by the inner section and the support section. To introduce a force for unfolding the first bending section, the support section or the outer section has a first projection relative to the inner section. The first projection serves to grip the support section and / or the outer section and to introduce a torque relative to the inner section.
[0010] The first overhang is preferably formed by the outer section having a greater width than the inner section. The first overhang comprises that area of the outer section which projects beyond the area of the inner section. This creates a surface that is easily accessible from the outside and can be subjected to a force. The first overhang can also be formed by the supporting section having a greater width than the inner section. In this case, the first overhang comprises that area of the supporting section which projects beyond the area of the inner section.
[0011] The first overhang can be positioned at a distance from the first bending section, creating a lever between the overhang and the bending section. A force can be applied by pressing down on the first overhang with the thumb. This lever action and force can create a moment at the first bending section, allowing it to unfold.
[0012] In other words, the invention according to claim 1 provides that the toilet basket comprises a U-shaped retaining device that is folded down before use. This results in a correspondingly small footprint for the toilet basket during transport and storage. The first projection, which can be designed as a flap, is formed by the different widths of the sections of the U-shaped bracket. For example, the carrying section can be constricted, with the outer section being wider than the carrying section. Despite the different widths of the sections, high strength, particularly in the bending area, is achieved. The user can easily unfold the retaining device without tools using the first projection.
[0013] The resting state of the holding device refers to the state in which essentially no internal or external forces act on it. Unfolding the device moves it from this resting state to an unfolded state. In the unfolded state, restoring forces may be present within the holding device. These restoring forces are caused by the deformed bending sections. These forces can press the inner and outer sections laterally against the upper edge. The U-shaped bracket does not hang loosely over the upper edge but is additionally secured by clamping forces.
[0014] The inner section, the support section, and the outer section can be arranged parallel or substantially parallel to each other in their resting state. A perfectly parallel arrangement exists when the bending angle of the first bending section and the bending angle of the second bending section are both 0°. However, it is also possible for the inner section, the support section, and the outer section to be superimposed on each other in the resting state of the holding device, with bending angles other than 0°. For example, the bending angle of the first bending section in the resting state can be between 5° and 20°. Preferably, both bending angles are each less than 10°. In another embodiment, the sum of the bending angles of the first and second bending sections is less than 20°, preferably less than 15°. The smaller the bending angles, the more compact the holding device is in its resting state.When unfolded, assuming an exact U-shape, the bending angles of each bending area are 90°.
[0015] The toilet basket according to the invention is hung on a toilet bowl when the holding device is unfolded. When fully unfolded, the holding device of the toilet basket forms a U-shaped bracket with its inner section, support section, and outer section. The holding device is arranged on the toilet bowl such that the inner section and the container area adjoining the inner section are located inside the toilet bowl. The support section rests on the top of the toilet bowl, while the outer section extends onto the outside of the toilet bowl. Restoring forces press the inner and outer sections laterally against the upper edge of the toilet bowl. In this clamped position, the bending angles are 90° only in exceptional cases.Depending on the dimensions of the upper edge and the individual sections of the holding area of the toilet basket, the resulting bending angles in the bending areas deviate from 90°.
[0016] The toilet basket according to the invention can be manufactured as follows: In a first step, the holding device is thermoformed from the plastic film. The inner section, first bending area, the support section, the second bending area, and the outer section extend one after the other in that order in a single plane, or essentially in a single plane, without any significant angles between the individual sections.
[0017] In a second step, after thermoforming, the second bent section is deformed so that the outer section folds onto the supporting section. This may require heating the second bent section. A pin or thin rod, temporarily placed in the bent section, can be used to define a folding axis during the folding process.
[0018] In a third step, the unit consisting of the outer section and the support section can be folded onto the inner section. For this, the second bending section must be deformed. Preferably, heat is also applied here so that the second bending area can deform plastically.
[0019] The first projection can simultaneously act as a projection of the outer section relative to the supporting section, thereby introducing a force for unfolding the second bending section. This design allows for a particularly simple holding device, as only one projection is needed to fully unfold it. The first projection thus also serves as a means of applying a moment to the second bending section.
[0020] In one embodiment, the outer section has a second projection relative to the support section for introducing a force to unfold the second bending section. This design allows a force to be introduced for the first bending section via the first projection and a further force for the second bending section via the second projection. With this design, the position of the projections can be chosen more flexibly.
[0021] In a further refinement, the first bending area and the second bending area run essentially parallel. This means that the bending axes or folding axes run essentially parallel.
[0022] In a further embodiment, the first bending area has a width corresponding to the maximum width of the holding device. Preferably, the width of the second bending area corresponds to the width of the first bending area. With this design, the holding device exhibits high restoring forces at the bending areas and can withstand greater forces.
[0023] In a further embodiment, the ratio of the width of the support section to the width of the first projection is at least 3:1. Such an embodiment ensures a preferred projection size for introducing a force and simultaneously a high clamping force of the holding device.
[0024] Preferably, the toilet basket should be symmetrically designed. Symmetry can improve the usability of the toilet basket. A symmetrical holder may also be easier for the user to open.
[0025] In a further embodiment, the support section is equipped with reinforcing ribs. This design increases the support section's strength, resulting in better fixation of the mounting device to the toilet bowl. Furthermore, the reinforcing ribs can be designed so that the support section rests on the rim of the toilet bowl against them.
[0026] According to a further embodiment, the container area comprises a first section with at least one first container half, a second section with at least one second container half and at least one hinge, wherein the hinge is coupled to the first and second sections in such a way that the first and second sections can be pivoted relative to each other and attached to each other in an operating position, wherein the at least one first and the at least one second container half together form at least one container chamber in the operating position into which the active ingredient can be placed.
[0027] Advantageously, the retaining device can adapt to the shape of the toilet bowl. Its U-shape allows it to conform to the rim of the bowl, resulting in a reliable and secure hold. Furthermore, the inner, support, and outer sections can have different widths due to the design of an overhang. A narrower support section allows the retaining device to better fit a round toilet bowl.
[0028] The width of the overhang can preferably be 1 to 20 mm. Even more preferred is an overhang width of 2 to 5 mm.
[0029] The toilet basket is advantageously made of PET film. Toilet baskets of this type are highly resistant to wear and tear. PET also offers the benefit of very high transparency. The PET material used can be made from 100% recycled material.
[0030] Further advantageous embodiments and details of the invention are explained below with reference to the exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings. These show: Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the toilet basket according to the invention with a holding device in a front view; Figure 2 shows the toilet basket of the Figure 1 in a side view; Figure 3 the toilet basket of the Figure 1 in a rear view; Figure 4 a schematic representation of a toilet basket retaining device in a perspective view; Figure 5 different states of the retaining device ( Figure 5ain the resting state; 5b in the partially unfolded state; and Figure 6 in the fully unfolded state to form a U-shaped bracket);
[0031] The Figures 1 to 3 Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the toilet basket 100 according to the invention. The toilet basket 100 comprises a holding device 300 and a container area 200.
[0032] The holding device 300 comprises an inner section 310, a support section 320, and an outer section 330. A first bending section 340 is provided between the inner section 310 and the support section 320. A second elastic bending section 350 is provided between the support section 320 and the outer section 330.
[0033] The holding device 300 is in an unloaded rest state. The inner section 310, the support section 320, and the outer section 330 lie one above the other in a folded package, with the outer section 330 positioned between the support section 320 and the inner section 310. The bending angle 341 of the first bending section 340 is 12° to 14°. The outer section 330 and the support section 320 are parallel to each other. Accordingly, the bending angle of the second bending section 350 is 0°.
[0034] The holding device 300 is designed such that the outer section 330 has a first projection 400 relative to the inner section 310. The first projection 400 is formed by the outer section 330 having a greater width than the inner section 310. The first projection 400 thus comprises an area of the outer section 330 that is not covered by the inner section 310 in the front view.
[0035] The first projection 400 allows a force to be applied to unfold the first bending section 340. It is possible to unfold the holding device 300 at the first bending section 340 by pressing with the thumb.
[0036] The toilet basket 100 is symmetrically designed, with a central axis forming the axis of symmetry. This symmetry results in two initial projections 400, each extending beyond the inner section 310. This symmetry ensures improved handling and easier opening of the retaining device 300. It is possible to open the retaining device 300 with two fingers.
[0037] The holding device 300 is formed by thermoforming. During manufacturing, the holding device 300 is heated at the second bending area 350 and plastically deformed and bent along a straight bending line, so that the outer section 330 and the support section 320 are arranged parallel to each other. In the next step, the holding device 300 is also plastically deformed and bent at the first bending area 340 and along a straight bending line, so that the inner section 310 is arranged at an angle 341 to the support section 320 and outer section 330.
[0038] The toilet basket 100 advantageously takes up little space in the unloaded resting state of the holding device 300, so that simple packaging of the toilet basket or individual parts of the toilet basket is easily possible.
[0039] The container section 200 comprises a first section 210, which has four first container halves 211. The first section 210 is connected via a hinge 230 to a second section 220, which has four second container halves 221. The figures show the sections 210 and 220 in a closed position. Accordingly, four container chambers are formed. Before the sections 210 and 220 are closed, the container chambers are filled with the toilet chemical. During thermoforming, the sections 210 and 220 lie next to each other in the open position.
[0040] The toilet basket 100 can be made from PET film or PP film, with PET film being preferred.
[0041] Figure 3Figure 1 shows the toilet basket 100 in a rear view. The first projection 400 simultaneously represents a projection of the outer section 330 relative to the support section 320 for introducing a force to unfold the second bending section 350. The inner section 310 has a width of 510. The width of the support section 320 is designated as 520. The outer section 330 has a width of 530, and the first projection 400 has a width of 540. The ratio of the width 530 of the outer section to the width 510 of the inner section 310 is in the range of 1.3 to 1.6. The ratio of the width 520 of the support section 320 to the width 510 of the inner section 310 is in the range of 0.9 to 1.1. The ratio of the width of the support section 320 to the width of the first overhang 400 is approximately 4.5. Furthermore, the support section 320 has several parallel reinforcing ribs 360.
[0042] The Figure 4Figure 1 schematically shows the retaining device 300, another embodiment of a toilet basket 100. The U-shaped retaining device 300 is shown in a perspective view. The first bending section 340 is in an open position, so that an angle of approximately 90° is formed between the inner section 310 and the support section 320. An angle of approximately 90° also exists between the support section 320 and the outer section 330 due to the opening of the second bending section 350. The retaining device 300 is in a fully open position and, in this open position, can be hung over the upper edge of the toilet bowl (not shown). The retaining device 300 is made of PET film.
[0043] In Figure 5 shows different states of the holding device 300. Figure 5a The holding device is shown in its resting state. Figure 5bis the embodiment according to Figure 5a shown in a partially unfolded state. The first bending section 340 of the holding device 300 has been unfolded. Figure 5c is the embodiment according to Figure 5a shown in a fully unfolded state. The second bending section 350 of the holding device 300 is shown unfolded. These are the Figures 5a to 5c schematic drawings. When the holding device is unfolded, the individual sections 310, 320 and 330 are also subjected to bending stress, causing them to bend as well. Reference symbol list:
[0044] 100 toilet baskets 200 Container area 210 First section 211 First half of container 220 Second section 221 Second half of container 230 Hinge 300 Holding device 310 Inner section 320 Support section 330 Outer section 340 First elastic bending area 341 Bending angle 350 Second elastic bending area 360 Reinforcing ribs 400 first overhang 410 second overhang 510 Width of the inner section 520 Width of the support section 530 Width of the outer section 540 Width of the overhang
Claims
1. A toilet rim block cage (100) having a container region (200) for receiving a toilet active substance and having a holding device (300) for attaching the toilet rim block cage (100) to a toilet bowl, wherein at least the holding device (300) is thermoformed from a plastics film and comprises an inner portion (310), a support portion (320), and an outer portion (330), wherein a first elastic bending region (340) is provided between the inner portion (310) and the support portion (320) and a second elastic bending region (350) is provided between the support portion (320) and the outer portion (330), wherein from an unloaded rest state of the holding device (300), the first bending region (340) and the second bending region (350) can be unfolded in such a way that the inner portion (310), the support portion (320), and the outer portion (330) form a U-shaped frame for hanging over the rim of the toilet bowl, wherein in the rest state of the holding device (300), the inner portion (310), the support portion (320), and the outer portion (330) lie on top of each other and form a folded-up bundle in which the outer portion (330) is covered by the inner portion (310) and the support portion (320) between the inner portion (310) and the support portion (320), characterized in that in order to introduce a force for unfolding the first bending region (340), the support portion (320) or the outer portion (330) has a first projection (400) relative to the inner portion (310).
2. The toilet rim block cage (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that in order to introduce a force for unfolding the second bending region (350), the first projection (400) simultaneously represents a projection of the outer portion (330) relative to the support portion (320).
3. The toilet rim block cage (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that in order to introduce a force for unfolding the second bending region (350), the outer portion (330) has a second projection (410) relative to the support portion (320).
4. The toilet rim block cage (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first bending region (340) and the second bending region (350) extend substantially parallel.
5. The toilet rim block cage (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first bending region (340) and / or the second bending region (350) have a width corresponding to the maximum width of the holding device (300).
6. The toilet rim block cage (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the ratio of a width of the support portion (320) to a width of the first projection (400) is at least 3:1.
7. The toilet rim block cage (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the toilet rim block cage (100) is symmetrical.
8. The toilet rim block cage (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the support portion (320) is equipped with reinforcing ribs (360).
9. The toilet rim block cage (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the container region (200) comprises a first portion (210) having at least one first container half (211), comprises a second portion (220) having at least one second container half (221), and comprises at least one hinge (230), wherein the hinge (230) is coupled to the first and the second portion (210, 220) respectively, with the result that the first and the second portion (210, 220) are pivotable relative to each other and attachable to each other in an operating position, wherein the at least one first and the at least one second container shell (211, 221) in the operating position together form at least one container chamber in which the toilet active substance is placeable.