Patent Publication Number: US-11033167-B2

Title: Toilet cleaners

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority from Chinese Patent Application No. 201910145657.X, filed on Feb. 27, 2019. The content of the aforementioned application, including any intervening amendments thereto, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present application relates to cleaning of toilets (e.g., a pedestal pan, a squatting pan, a urinal), and more particularly to a toilet cleaner. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Toilet needs to be regularly cleaned in consideration of health and hygiene, so as to prevent the spread of germs and avoid unpleasant odors, thus providing a more relaxing and comfortable experience during using the toilets. However, toilet cleaning is an annoying daily work, because a conventional one-piece toilet brush formed by integrating a head and a handle is used. Due to repeated use over the years, the one-piece toilet brush is hard to be thoroughly cleaned. During storing, dirt is stored in the one-piece toilet brush, thus polluting indoor environment, causing unpleasant odors and unsightly appearance; and hands will get dirty when using the toilet, so that psychological discomfort will be caused. In practice, the toilet often becomes very dirty before it is cleaned. 
     In this regard, Chinese Patent Application No. 200480023852.7 discloses a cleaning brush with a disposable/replaceable head. The cleaning brush is a combined type, and the handle and the head can be assembled and separated. The handle can be repeatedly used, and the head is disposable, which greatly improves the performance of the toilet brush. However, there are still many deficiencies for this kind of combined cleaning brush. 
     For example, the part of the handle for clamping the head is easy to be damaged. Taking the cleaning brush of the above-mentioned patent as an example, a flexible jaw is limited by an opening corresponding to housing members, and an angle between two clamping jaws of the flexible jaw is forced to be reduced to clamp the head, which has high requirements for shapes of the clamped part of the head. In reality, such head generally has a relatively high hardness when it is not immersed in water. Once the clamped part of the head is too thick, or the deformation thickness thereof caused by unevenness, bending, external force is too large, the housing members corresponding to the opening is apt to be broken, so that the clamping ability of the handle to the head is greatly reduced, and the whole handle has to be discarded. 
     The handle has high requirements for the part of the head to be clamped, so that there are many precautions for producing, transporting and storing the head. The part to be clamped needs to match with the handle in thickness. It is difficult to be compatible between the head and the handle of different brands, which increases the inconvenience in use. 
     Even if the head is adapted to the handle, during use, changes of states of the head results that the head is not firmly clamped by the handle, for example, after the head is soaked in water, it becomes loose and is easily detached from the handle. Once detached, the head is difficult to be installed again, which increases the inconvenience in use and wastes resources. 
     During use, dirty water can easily flow into the inner cavity of the handle, so the above-mentioned problems of the conventional toilet brush are apt to occur. In some special cases, for example, if the handle is tilted or inverted, dirty water will infuse, seep and flow into the hand-held part of the handle, thereby getting hands dirty. 
     After the head is used, it is not easy to loosen completely, and the toilet is more likely to be blocked after the head is thrown into the toilet to be flushed. Taking the head in the above-mentioned patent as an example, it comprises a whole brush sheet formed by stacking, flattening, compacting and binding. The brush sheet is not easy to loosen completely; however, it is difficult to be flushed down the toilet due to the long brush sheet, so that the sewage pipe of the toilet is easy to be blocked. 
     It is urgent to address above shortcomings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In order to overcome the above-mentioned deficiencies in the prior art, the present invention provides a toilet cleaner. Apart of a handle for clamping a head is more firm and reliable. Technical solutions of the present invention are described as follows. A toilet cleaner is provided, comprising a head and a handle for clamping the head. The handle includes a housing, a manipulation component, and a clamping jaw. A clamping end of the housing is provided with a first clamping head and is hinged to a middle portion of the clamping jaw. The manipulation component is fitted in the housing and includes a handling portion at a grip end of the housing. An outer end of the clamping jaw is provided with a second clamping head corresponding to the first clamping head, and the manipulation component is connected to an inner end of the clamping jaw, so that the first clamping head and the second clamping head are matched with each other. 
     In some embodiments, the housing includes a first housing including the first clamping head and a second housing which is hinged with the clamping jaw. 
     In some embodiments, a cavity for accommodating the manipulation component is provided in the housing, and a seal groove close to the clamping end of the housing is provided in the cavity, and the seal groove is provided with a seal ring through which the manipulation component passes. 
     In some embodiments, the toilet cleaner further comprises a spring which is configured to automatically reset positions of the manipulation component and the clamping jaw relative to the housing. 
     In some embodiments, the manipulation component further includes a connecting rod, a guide portion, and a connecting shaft portion. A push button of the handling portion protrudes from the housing. The handling portion and the guide portion are coupled via the connecting rod. A first slide groove  101  and a second slide groove  102  are sequentially provided at the guide portion along a length direction of the guide portion. A spring seat and a guide head are provided in the housing. The connecting rod extends to the first slide groove. The spring seat is inserted into the first slide groove, and the guide head is inserted into the second slide groove. The spring is installed in the first slide groove. One end of the spring abuts against the spring seat, and the other end of the spring is sheathed on the connecting rod. 
     In some embodiments, the inner end of the clamping jaw includes two clamping arms opposite to each other, and each of the two clamping arms is provided with a guide groove. The manipulation component is movably coupled to the clamping jaw through the guide groove. 
     In some embodiments, clamping teeth are provided on opposite surfaces of the first clamping head and second clamping head in a staggered manner. An angle between the grip end and the clamping end of the housing is 20-30°, and/or an angle between a rod portion and a grip portion of the grip end is 3-8°. 
     In some embodiments, the head comprises a plurality of brush sheets which are sequentially stacked in a cross-interlocking manner. 
     In some embodiments, the toilet cleaner further comprises a storage box, in which a limit plate  31  and a partitioning plate  32  are provided in the storage box, to accommodate the head in a spaced arrangement. 
     In some embodiments, the head is wet, and/or the brush sheets are impregnated with a surfactant and a bactericide which are transparent and colorless. 
     The present invention is more firm and reliable with better compatibility, so that the handle can conveniently and reliably clamp the heads in different thicknesses, or of different brands, forms or specifications. The spring is disposed to maintain the clamping of the handle and the head in a continuous engagement state. Therefore, the clamping is more stable, avoiding dropping of the head in use, and facilitating clamping the head with one hand again. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a toilet cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the toilet cleaner in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the toilet cleaner along A-A in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of a first housing in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of a head of the toilet cleaner; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the head of the toilet cleaner in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of a storage box; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the storage box in  FIG. 7 ; and 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram of the storage box in a use state in  FIG. 7 ; 
     
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     handle  1 ; head  2 ; first housing  11 ; manipulation component  12 ; clamping jaw  13 ; second housing  14 ; opening  111 ; first clamping head  112 ; first semi-ring groove  113 ; first clamping tooth  114 ; handling portion  121 ; push button  1210 ; connecting rod  122 ; first slide groove  101 ; second slide groove  102 ; connecting shaft portion  123 ; lug  124 ; spring  125 ; seal ring  126 ; guide groove  131 ; hinge shaft  132 ; second clamping head  133 ; spring seat  141 ; guide head  142 ; second semi-ring groove  143 ; connection arm  144 ; hinge hole  145 ; slit  20 ; first brush sheet  21 ; second brush sheet  22 ; storage box  3 ; limit plate  31 ; and partitioning plate  32 . 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with embodiments. 
     In this embodiment, illustrated is a toilet cleaner, as shown in  FIG. 1 , including a handle  1  which is permanently and repeatedly used and is configured to clamp a head  2 . 
     In this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the handle  1  includes a first housing  11 , a manipulation component  12 , a clamping jaw  13  and a second housing  14 . An opening  111  is provided at a grip end of the first housing  11 . and a clamping end of the first housing includes a first clamping head  112 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , a guide rail is provided at an inner wall of a middle portion of the first housing  11  for facilitating a slide of the manipulation component  12 . A first semi-ring groove  113  is provided at an inner wall of the clamping end of the first housing  11 . A plurality of first clamping teeth  114  are staggered on the first clamping head  112 . The manipulation component  12  includes a handling portion  121 , a connecting rod  122 , a guide portion and a connecting shaft portion  123  in sequence. The handling portion  121  includes a slide base and a push button  1210  which are in a one-piece structure. The handling portion  121  and the guide portion are connected through the connecting rod  122 , and a cross-section of the connecting rod  122  is cross-shaped, which enhances the plastic strength of the connecting rod  122 . A first slide groove  101  and a second slide groove  102  are sequentially provided at the guide portion along a length direction of the guide portion. One end of the connecting rod  122  extends to the first slide groove  101 . One end of the connecting shaft portion  123  is connected to the connecting rod  122 , and a lug  124  is symmetrically provided at the other end of the connecting shaft portion  123 . An inner end of the clamping jaw  13  includes two clamping arms opposite to each other, and guide grooves  131  in an arc shape are symmetrically provided on the two clamping arms. A middle portion of the clamping jaw  13  includes a hinge shaft  132  integrally formed with the clamping jaw  13 . An outer end of the clamping jaw  13  includes a second clamping head  133 . A guide rail is provided at an inner wall of a grip end of the second housing  14  for facilitating a slide of the handling portion  121 . A spring seat  141  and a guide head  142  are provided on an inner wall of a middle portion of the second housing  14 , and respectively correspond to the first slide groove  101  and the second slide groove  102 . A second semi-ring groove  143  is provided at an inner wall of the second housing  14  close to a clamping end of the second housing. Two connection arms are symmetrically provided at one end of second housing  14  close to the clamping jaw  13 , and are provided with hinge holes  145  at an outer end thereof. In some embodiments, the connection arms  144  are solid, avoiding storing dirt. 
     The toilet cleaner is assembled as follows. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the first housing  11  and the second housing  14  are fastened together in a snap fit and a screwed connection to form a housing in which a cavity is formed for accommodating the manipulation component  12 . The push button  1210  of the handling portion  121  extends from the opening  111 . The spring seat  141  is inserted into the first slide groove  101 , and the guide head  142  is inserted into the second slide groove  102 . The spring seat  141 , the guide head  142  and the above guide rails are configured to limit the slide of the manipulation component  12 . The first semi-ring groove  113  and the second semi-ring groove  143  are spliced into an annular seal groove in which a seal ring  126  is disposed. The connecting shaft portion  123  passes through the seal ring  126  such that the seal ring plays a seal role, and when the connecting shaft portion  123  is stationary or sliding relative to the seal ring  126 , the seal can be achieved between cavities at the grip end and the clamping end to avoid sewage flowing into the handle  1 , so that the ability of the handle to keep self-cleaning is greatly improved. Connection structures at both ends of the connecting shaft portion  123  cooperate with the seal groove for limiting positions, that is, for limiting the slide of the manipulation component  12 . At the same time, the push button  1210  and the sliding port  111  can also limit the slide of the manipulation component as mentioned above. A spring  125  is provided at the first slide groove  101 , and is limited by side walls of the first slide groove  101 , the inner walls of the first housing  11  and the second housing  14  to avoid uncontrollable bending. One end of the spring  125  abuts against the spring seat  141 , and the other end of the spring is sheathed on the end of the connecting rod  122  in the first slide groove  101 , and abuts against the inner wall of the first slide groove  101 , so that the spring  125  is in a compressed state. 
     The lug  124  on the connecting shaft portion  123  is inserted into the guide groove  131  of the clamping jaw  13 . During installation, the lug can be installed by adjusting a gap between two clamping arms of the clamping jaw  13  based on the elastic formation thereof, or the installation can also be implemented in a way that the lug  124  and the connecting shaft portion  123  are separated, so that the manipulation component  12  and the clamping jaw  13  are movably connected. The hinge shaft  132  is inserted into the hinge hole  145 , and the specific installation manner can refer to the above-mentioned methods, so that the clamping jaw  13  is hinged with the second housing  14 . When the manipulation component  12  telescopically slides, the lug  124  slides along the guide groove  131  for automatically adjusting the distance between the connecting shaft portion  123  and the hinge shaft  132 , and for enabling the clamping jaw  13  to rotate at a certain angle. 
     Since the spring  125  is always in a compressed state, in use, the manipulation component  12  is driven to the clamping jaw  13  by pushing the push button  1210  with a finger, so that the second clamping head  133  opens relative to the first clamping head  112 . In practice, the openness degree is determined according to the shapes, thickness, states, and the like of the head to be clamped. After the head  2  is adjusted in place, the finger releases the push button  1210 , and the manipulation component  12  moves toward a reset direction under a restoring force of the spring  125 , thereby driving the clamping jaw  13 , so that the second clamping head  133  engages with the first clamping head  112 , thus clamping and maintaining the head  2 . The structure is more firm and reliable with better compatibility, so that the handle can conveniently clamp the heads in different thicknesses, different brands and various forms, specifications, and states. The spring is disposed to maintain the clamping of the handle and the head in a continuous engagement state. Therefore, the clamping is more stable, avoiding the dropping of the head in use, and facilitating clamping the head with one hand again. 
     In some embodiments, clamping teeth of the clamping head are respectively provided at opposite sides of the first clamping head  112  and the second clamping head  133 . In some embodiments, the first clamping teeth  114  of the first clamping head  112  and the second clamping teeth of the second clamping head  133  are arranged in a staggered manner (such as engaged or crossed), so that the head  2  is better clamped by the brush hand  1 . In some embodiments, an angle between the grip end and the clamping end of the housing is 20-30°, such as 25°, resulting that the head  2  is fully manipulated by the handle Land cleaning for multiple parts and angles of toilets in various types and specifications is easily achieved, particularly the cleaning for sidewalls and edges of the toilets. In some embodiments, an angle between a rod portion and a grip portion of the grip end of the handle  1  is 3-8°, such as 5°, which is more conducive for thoroughly manipulating the head  2  by the handle  1 . 
     In some embodiments, the head  2  is formed as shown in  FIG. 5 , i.e., the head  2  includes a plurality of brush sheets which are sequentially stacked in a cross-interlocking manner. Taking a first brush sheet  21  and a second brush sheet  22  for example, the first brush sheet  21  is folded in a right direction, and the second brush sheet  22  is folded in a left direction, and the two folded brush sheets are stacked in a cross-interlocking manner, and other brush sheets are placed in the same manner, so that the sheets are stacked and interlocked to form a block which will not loosen. The advantages of the formation are as follows. 1) The brush sheets can be stripped from the head  2  according to the actual cleaning requirements, thereby saving resources, and avoiding affecting the clamping of the handle  1  to the head. 2) The handle  1  can ensure the clamping for the head  2 , and the brush sheets are prone to spreading in use. On one hand, gaps between the brush sheets are increased, so that the performance of storing dirt is improved, and each brush sheet can be fully used to maximize the cleaning effect. On the other hand, it is also beneficial for the full utilization and quick dissolution of surfactants and disinfectants and the like impregnated with the brush sheets, thereby improving the cleaning ability and efficiency, so that waste is avoided. Moreover, after the cleaning, the brush sheets are prone to loosening, and can be directly discharged into the sewage pipe through the toilet flush, and the toilet and the sewage pipe will not be blocked, which is more convenient and practical. In some embodiments, the brush sheet is made of a non-woven fabric. 
     In some embodiments, the surfactant and disinfectant impregnated with the head  2  are transparent and colorless, or have an aromatic odor. Comparing to conventional colored surfactants and disinfectants, the surfactant and disinfectant can be first used to clean the outer wall, the edge of the toilet without leaving staining marks, and then to clean the inner wall of the toilet. Meanwhile, the present invention is very convenient and clean, and can avoid cleaning the outer wall and the edge of the toilet with toilet paper, towel and wet wipes by hand in the conventional manner which is inconvenient and easy to get the hands dirty. In some embodiments, the head  2  is wet, so that the outer wall, the edge of the toilet can be directly cleaned in use without wetting the head again. 
     In some embodiments, the head  2  is further formed as shown in  FIG. 6 , i.e., a plurality of slits are formed at a cleaning end of the brush sheets of the head  2  in a thickness direction of the head. A plurality of slits  20  are arranged in parallel, thereby further improving the looseness performance of the cleaning end of the head  2  and the cleaning performance. 
     In some embodiments, the toilet cleaner further includes a storage box  3  as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The storage box  3  is used for accommodating the head  2 , and a limit plate  31  and a partitioning plate  32  are disposed therein. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the limit plate  31  and the partitioning plate  32  can serve to accommodate the heads  2  in a spaced arrangement. The advantages of the storage box are described as follows. There is no need to hold the head  2  by hands, and the head is easily clamped by manipulating the handle  1  with one hand to respectively insert the first clamping head  112  and the second clamping head  133  into gaps at both sides of the head  2 , and widths of the gaps are larger than thicknesses of the clamping heads, so that the storage box  3  and/or adjacent heads  2  can be kept clean, which is more sanitary and convenient. 
     It should be understood that modifications or variations can be made by those skilled in the art based on the above descriptions, and all those modifications and variations shall fall within the scope of the appended claims of the present invention. 
     The above is some exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and obviously the implementation of the present invention is not limited thereto. Various modifications based on the concept and principle of the present invention, or applications of the present invention without modification, shall fall within the scope of the appended claims.