Toilet Rim Block Holder Lip for Water Flow and Chemical Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Thermoformed toilet baskets are unstable and flexible, allowing easy access to toilet chemicals, while injection-molded baskets are environmentally unfriendly due to high material use and limited recyclability of polypropylene.

Innovation Solution

A thermoformed toilet basket with a projecting lip that acts as a funnel to direct flushing water into the container, ensuring sufficient dissolution of chemicals and preventing unwanted access, using a hinge connection and optional snap-fit or adhesive joining of container halves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the opening gap is made larger to allow sufficient flushing water flow, then the dissolution of toilet chemical is improved, but the safety against unwanted access (especially by children) deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedissolution of toilet chemicalVSAvoidunwanted access to toilet chemical
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The projecting lip acts as an intermediary structure that collects flushing water and directs it through the opening into the container. This intermediary element allows the opening to remain relatively small (maintaining safety) while still achieving sufficient water flow and chemical dissolution through the funneling effect

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the opening gap is made smaller to prevent unwanted access, then safety is improved, but the dissolution of toilet chemical deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunwanted access to toilet chemicalVSAvoiddissolution of toilet chemical
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The projecting lip serves as a water collection and directing intermediary that compensates for the small opening size. It funnels flushing water into the container, ensuring adequate water flow and chemical dissolution despite the restricted opening dimensions that maintain safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If injection-molded toilet seats are used to provide robust protection against unwanted access, then safety is improved, but environmental friendliness deteriorates due to high material use and limited recyclability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunwanted access to toilet chemicalVSAvoidmaterial use and recyclability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a thin-walled thermoformed plastic container (made from thin plastic film) instead of robust injection-molded material. This flexible shell approach maintains safety through the small opening design while significantly reducing material consumption and improving environmental friendliness through better recyclability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides stable and efficient chemical dissolution with reduced material use, enhancing environmental friendliness and safety by minimizing chemical access.

Implementation Method 1

the lip acts as a funnel that collects the flushing water and directs it through the opening into the container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFunnel effect: Funnel

Implementation Method 2

The container is formed by a first container half and a second container half, which are thermoformed from a plastic film

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermoforming:

Data Source

PatentEP4330473B1Toilet rim block holder with lip for catching flushing water
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 HENKEL KGAA
  • EP4330473B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4330473B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4330473B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

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).