Abstract:
Toilet bowl cleaned automatically on pressing flush-handle of water cistern by adding cleaning liquid to the water to be flushed into toilet bowl. Uses any liquid cleanser or disinfectant. Cleanser container is stored inside water cistern. Same flush-handle movement presses on can of air freshener to introduce pleasant odor into toilet room. Air freshener is stored inside water cistern. Possibility to replace existing water cistern lid with new lid with above apparatus attached thereto.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention is in the field of automated cleaning devices and more specifically the automatic cleaning and/or disinfecting of toilet bowls and the perfuming the air space of toilet rooms.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     As is well known in this field there are many difficulties related to the task of keeping clean and hygienic, toilets and their rooms. This is so in each and every private home and a bigger problem in office buildings, hotels, educational institutions and other places of public usage. The central problems are keeping the room and apparatus, in particular the toilet bowl, clean, hygienic and pleasant for all users with a minimum usage of labour. In the home this ‘minimum usage of labour’ is for the convenience and pleasant working environment for the member of the household or the cleaning helper who generally cleans the toilet room. In buildings used by the public this ‘minimum usage of labour’ has the additional and important factor of the cost of manpower to clean the toilet rooms. As is well known, especially in the case of toilets used by the public or even a portion of the public for example in office buildings, the toilets become unpleasant to use after a short time unless they are frequently and persistently cleaned, disinfected and where possible, also perfumed to counteract unpleasant odours.  
         [0003]     The cost of manpower is high even when the toilet rooms are kept at an average standard of cleanliness and hygiene. A commonly used method to clean toilets consists of a slowly dissolving solid usually housed in a plastic container which allows water freely to enter and leave, thereby dissolving some of the solid matter when the flushing water comes in contact with the said solid matter. This plastic container is either placed in the cistern which holds the water next to be flushed or alternatively it is hooked onto the edge of the toilet bowl so that when the water is flushed, a portion of the water flows through the holes in the container and then into the bowl. These plastic containers are costly as they are individual units and have to be replaced at relatively frequent intervals.  
         [0004]     This manual replacement of the dissolving solid type of cleaner is both costly in manpower and involves much direct and manual contact of the worker with the toilets and their bowls. Such manual contact is undesirable especially in the case of the said cleaning units which hang in the bowl itself as the bowl often harbors a high degree of bacteria and could transfer disease to the worker.  
         [0005]     Another disadvantage of the said plastic bowl hangers containing the dissolvable solid is that they are easily knocked out of place and there is a good chance that they will fall in the bowl. This requires immediate removal otherwise blockages occur with unpleasant and sometimes costly consequences. Such immediate removal requires readily available manpower, thus adding to the hidden costs of such devices.  
         [0006]     A further disadvantage of this prevalent method of cleaning toilet bowls, namely the container with a dissolving solids inside which are placed in the flushing cistern or hung on the edge of the bowl, is that they frequently disappear from toilets to which the public have access, shortly after they are installed. Until this is discovered by the cleaning staff there may be a build up of dirt, bacteria and odour. In addition there is the expense of replacement. It is generally considered not to be worth locking such cisterns and the type which hangs in the bowl is difficult to lock.  
         [0007]     Regarding the removal of fowl odours and replacing with pleasant ones, this is usually achieved by toilet cleaning workers spraying a hand held spray when they do their periodical cleaning or automatic devices whether electrically operated or not, which give off their particular aromas constantly, twenty-four hours a day. Those fresh air dispensers which can release at pre-programmed intervals, a pre-programmed quantity of air freshener are in a different (higher) price bracket from the present invention which is a simple and mechanical device.  
         [0008]     Prior art similar to the present invention, reveals air freshening devices placed on the external face of the toilet cistern. For example, US Patent Application No. 20040128751 where an adjustable size basket is positioned in such a way that the common spray can of air freshener will have its spray released each time the flushing handle is pressed down. The spray is released by the physical pressure of the flushing handle pressing down on the spray release nozzle of the said can. This device is more likely to lead to abuse or theft as it is openly visible to the public. Also the unscrupulous may waste the contents of the can by holding the flushing handle down for longer than necessary.  
         [0009]     In the present invention the spray can is not visible to the public as it is situated inside the cistern which could be locked as the refilling of the cleansing fluid and replacing of the spray can be done without lifting the water cistern lid. Furthermore, the present invention works in such a way that when the flushing handle has been pressed it will cause a burst of spray from the air freshener can but no more than that even if the flushing handle is held down for a longer than necessary time.  
         [0010]     The present invention only releases cleansing agents into the bowl and air fresheners into the air, as and when the user flushes water into the bowl. This is a cost saving factor while ensuring that these cleansing operations are done each time the toilet is flushed.  
         [0011]     The present invention solves most of the above mentioned problems as will be revealed in more detail below. Some of the cost saving aspects of the present invention are as follows: 
        a) no need to replace individual units of cleansing material as the material is liquid,     b) no need to replace the said units on a frequent basis as the container for the cleansing material is large,     c) no unit sits on the rim of the toilet bowl so no possibility of falling in and causing a blockage which uses manpower otherwise occupied with routine work or requires the expense of sub-contractors to clear the blockage,     d) also as a result of there not being a small unit on the toilet rim, the present invention is much harder to steal than individual units,     e) manpower costs are greatly reduced as the invention works automatically every time the toilet is used with a flushing action thereby keeping a high standard of cleanliness, hygiene and pleasant odours while keeping costs to a minimum.        
 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description present embodiments of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview, or framework, for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention and, together with the description serve to explain the principles and operations of the invention.  
         [0018]     The present invention comprises apparatus which is situated in the flushing cistern and dispenses cleansing and/or disinfecting fluids into the toilet bowl. This is done each time the flushing handle is depressed to flush water into the bowl.  
         [0019]     In addition this invention comprises a container also situated in the flushing cistern and which releases a spray of for example, air deodorizer or air freshener into the air space of the toilet room. This is also done each time and at the same time as the flushing handle is depressed to flush water into the bowl.  
         [0020]     The apparatus of this invention could be part of a whole cistern or be attached to the lid of the cistern with the object of replacing an existing lid thereby adding the apparatus of this invention to existing cisterns.  
         [0021]     The flushing lever usually is pressed each time the toilet is used. This invention works with levers, pivots, valves and the like that are triggered by the movement of the toilet flushing lever handle movement. No electricity is needed for the operation of this invention.  
         [0022]     There are two basic parts that operate at the same time. Firstly the disinfecting liquids that are controllably released into the toilet bowl together with the flushing water Secondly the same movement of the flushing lever presses on a standard air freshening spray can nozzle thereby releasing air freshener into the air of the toilet room.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain, by way of example only, the principles of the invention:  
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is a schematic depiction of the side view of a toilet cistern filled with water and ready to be used.  
         [0025]      FIG. 2  is a schematic depiction of the side view of a toilet cistern showing the existing water leaving and fresh water entering.  
         [0026]      FIG. 3  is a schematic depiction of the side view of a toilet cistern with the present invention installed therein.  
         [0027]      FIG. 4  is a sectional diagram of a toilet cistern with the present invention installed.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0028]     As will be appreciated the present invention is capable of other and different embodiments than those discussed above and described in more detail below, and its several details are capable of modifications in various aspects, all without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the embodiments set forth below are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.  
         [0029]      FIG. 1  is a schematic depiction of the side view of a toilet cistern  100 . The system works as follows: Water enters via pipe  202  from the main water supply into the cistern  100  via pipe  209 . The float  204  rises with the level of the water and at a pre-set level the arm holding the float  204  presses a rubber seal into the aperture of the incoming water to stop more water from entering. The cistern  100  is then full and ready for use.  
         [0030]     The flushing action is activated by depressing handle  203  which is situated on the outside of the cistern  100 . When the handle  203  is depressed the cylinder  205  is raised slightly which in turn raises the rubber seal  207  and the water  206  in the cistern  100  flows with the aid of gravitational force, through pipe  288  to the toilet bowl below.  
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is a similar schematic depiction as  FIG. 1  showing the situation in the cistern after the handle  203  has been depressed. As described above, when cylinder  205  is raised by the depressing of handle  203  it also raises seal  207  which in turn allows the water  206  to flow out through pipe  208  into the bowl below. As the water level in the cistern drops the float drops with it thereby opening the said seal holding back the inflow of water from the main water supply, namely through pipe  202 . This incoming water enters the cistern via pipe  209 . When the handle  203  is released, the cylinder  205  returns to its position thereby sealing the bottom of the cistern  100  with its seal  207 . This prevents the fresh water entering the cistern  100  from being lost down pipe  208  before the cistern is full.  
         [0032]     At this stage when the outflow of water has been stopped and fresh water is entering, the float  204  gradually rises with the water level until it reaches a pre-determined position whereupon the arm of the float  204  presses against a seal at the opening of the inflow pipe  202 . The cistern  100  is once again ready for use.  
         [0033]      FIG. 3  is a similar schematic depiction as  FIG. 2  with the present invention installed. The container  210  holds the cleansing and/or disinfecting agent. The said agent passes from the container  210  via pipe  215  into the down pipe  208 . This will only occur when handle  203  is depressed and in turn valve  216  is opened. Valve  216  is otherwise closed and prevents the said cleansing agent from flowing out of container  210 . Valve  216  releases a pre-determined and adjustable volume of the said cleansing agent.  
         [0034]     Yet another action is achieved by depressing handle  203  and that is pushing the arm  217  which in turn presses the release valve  213  of the air freshener in container  212 . The said air freshener is under pressure so when the valve  213  is pressed a certain amount of its contents is forced by the said pressure into the air via nozzle  214 .  
         [0035]     Container  210  and the holding device  218  for the air freshener container  212  and all their relevant connecting arms as described above, can be attached to the inside of the lid of the cistern  100  designed at the manufacturing stage to be inserted as one unit in a conventional cistern. The re-filling of cleansing or disinfecting fluids can be achieved by an opening in the lid of the cistern  100 . This facilitates the refilling process making it easier, quicker and more hygienic than the existing system whereby the lid has to be lifted each time and for example, a device inserted in the water.  
         [0036]     The container  218  holding the aerosol device for spraying air freshener is adjustable in size to accommodate a variety of standard sized products. The replacement of the spray cans is through a covered opening in the lid of the cistern, in order to avoid lifting the main lid of the cistern.  
         [0037]      FIG. 4  shows the basic contents of the standard toilet cistern with the present invention installed therein. The toilet cistern  100  is shown in its state before a flush of water when the cistern  100  is full of water. This is seen by the float  106  being close to the horizontal. The tube  112  holds the bung  110  firmly in place on the exit hole preventing water from flowing down the down-pipe  108  to the toilet bowl below.  
         [0038]     The tank  120  of disinfecting fluid is attached to the flush handle  114  in such a way that when the flush handle  114  is pressed to flush water into the toilet bowl, a valve in the tank  120  releases a controlled amount of disinfectant fluid into the cistern  100  via pipe  132 .  
         [0039]     The water flushes out of the cistern  100  relatively fast and the bung then returns to block the exit of the water so that the majority of disinfectant released mixes with the fresh water that fills up the cistern  100  after each flush has completed.  
         [0040]     The second main aim of this invention is to spray air freshener with the same action of the flushing handle  114 . When the flush handle  114  is pushed down the upper part of the pipe  112  lifts up raising the arm  122 . The arm  122  is pivoted at the joint  124  so that when arm  122  raises, the other side of the pivot  124  namely the arm  125  is forced down to press on the nozzle head  126  of the spray-can  130  thereby spaying the pressurized contents out of the nozzle  128 .  
         [0041]     The spring  134  is placed so that it returns the arm  122  and the pieces attached to it to their starting position awaiting the next flush of the water.  
         [0042]      FIG. 5  shows the same embodiment as  FIG. 4  immediately after the flush handle  114  has been pressed. The bung  110  is raised to allow the water with the disinfection liquid mixed therein to flow down the down-pipe  108  into the toilet below. The pipe  112  is raised thereby lifting arm  122  and lowering arm  125  as a result of the centrally placed pivot  124 . The arm  125  rests on the spray nozzle  126  so that when arm  125  is pushed down spray freshener  136  is released into the air.  
         [0043]      FIG. 6  shows the lid unit  150  complete with the apparatus of this invention attached that could be simply installed into existing toilet cisterns by replacing their lids. The tank  120  contains the cleansing fluid. The hole  121  is used to fill cleansing fluids into the tank  120  without lifting the lid  150 . The spray container  130  sprays its contents when the arm  125  presses down on the nozzle head  126 . When flush handle is pressed the pipe  112  rises, pushing up the section  136  into housing  137 . The rising of section  136  lifts arm  122  which in turn causes arm  125  to press down on the nozzle head  126  due to the pivot effect of pin  124 .