Patent Publication Number: US-2009235991-A1

Title: Detergent releasing device for water tank

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a releasing device for releasing a fixed amount of detergent into the water tank when flushing. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A conventional detergent used for toilet water tank generally is a solid block which can be melted in the water so that the detergent flushes the toilet when flushing. However, the solid detergent block is dropped into the water tank and stays at a position where can be close to the outlet or the inlet. If the solid detergent block is located close to the outlet, it might moves to stock the outlet. If the solid detergent block is located close to the inlet, it melts quickly because the stream of the inlet water so that it is used out within 3-5 days. Furthermore, the density of the mixture of the detergent and water cannot be controlled and this may require more solid detergent blocks. 
     The present invention intends to provide a detergent releasing device which releases a fixed amount of detergent during each flushing action. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a detergent releasing device which comprises a case having a space defined therein and an open end is defined in a bottom of the case. The case is connected to an inside of a toilet water tank. A releasing unit is engaged with the open end and includes a guide member which includes a hollow central tube. A first slot and a second slot are defined through a wall of the central tube and located close to two ends of the central tube. An operation rod is movably inserted in the central tube and includes a first flange extending radially from a top end thereof. A neck is located at a mediate portion of the operation rod so as to define an annular space between the neck and an inner periphery of the central tube. Two sealing rings are mounted to the operation rod and the neck is located between the two sealing rings which are in contact with the inner periphery of the central tube. A connection end is connected to a lower end of the operation rod. A float member is a hollow cylindrical member and includes an inner tube located at a center thereof. A board is radially connected to an inner periphery of the inner tube and a receiving member is located on the board. The connection end of the operation rod is fixed to the receiving member and a plurality of holes defined through the board. The annular space stores a fixed amount of detergent which releases to the inner tube and mixes with the water in the water tank via the second slot when flushing. 
     The primary object of the present invention is to provide a detergent releasing device which releases a fixed amount of detergent during each flushing action. Another object of the present invention is to provide a detergent releasing device which releases a fixed amount of detergent during each flushing action when the controlled water level pushes the float member upward. 
     The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view to show the detergent releasing device of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view to show the detergent releasing device of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2A  is an enlarged view of the circled portion in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view to show that the detergent releasing device is not yet been used, the locking ring secures the float member; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view to show that the detergent releasing device is ready to be used, the locking ring is removed; 
         FIG. 4A  is an enlarged cross sectional view of the circled portion in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 5  shows that the detergent releases when flushing, and  FIG. 5A  is an enlarged cross sectional view of the circled portion in  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  2 A and  3 , the detergent releasing device for toilet water tank of the present invention comprises a case  10  having a space  11  defined therein and an open end  12  is defined in a bottom of the case  10 . A threaded neck  101  extends from the bottom of the case  10  and encloses the open end  12 . A collar  30  is mounted to outside of the case  10  and a hook  31  is connected to the collar  30 . The hook  31  is hooked to an inside or a wall of the water tank (not shown). The hook  31  includes an elongate plate which is movably located between the collar  30  and the case  10 , a plurality of ridges  311  extend from an outside of the plate and one of the ridges  311  is stopped by the collar  30 . By arranging the ridges  311  to be stopped with the collar  30 , the height of the case  10  in the water tank can be adjusted. 
     A releasing unit  20  is engaged with the open end  12  and partially received in the space  11  of the case  10 . The releasing unit  20  includes a guide member  21  which includes a hollow central tube  212  and a first slot  214  and a second slot  215  are defined through a wall of the central tube  212 . The first slot  214  and the second slot  215  are located close to two ends of the central tube  212 . 
     An operation rod  22  is movably inserted in the central tube  212  and includes a first flange  221  extending radially from a top end thereof so as to be stopped by the top end of the central tube  212 . A neck is located at a mediate portion of the operation rod  22  so as to define an annular space  224  between the neck and an inner periphery of the central tube  212 . Two sealing rings  2241 ,  2242  are mounted to the operation rod  22  and the neck located between the two sealing rings  2241 ,  2242  which are in contact with the inner periphery of the central tube  212  so ensure that the annular space  224  is sealed when not yet flushing. A connection end  223  is connected to a lower end of the operation rod  22 . 
     A float member  23  is a hollow cylindrical member and includes an inner tube  231  located at a center thereof, and the float member  23  has a closed lower end except for the open end of the inner tube  231 . A second flange  235  extends radially outward from a top end of the float member  23 . A cover  236  is mounted to a top end of the float member  23  and includes a central hole which communicates with the inner tube  231 , such that an enclosed space is defined between the cover  236 , the inner periphery of the float member  23  and the closed lower end. The enclosed space makes the float member  23  to be moved by water. A board  232  is radially connected to an inner periphery of the inner tube  231  and a receiving member  233  is located on the board  232 . The connection end  223  of the operation rod  22  is fixed to the receiving member  23 . A plurality of holes  234  are defined through the board  232 . 
     When not in use, a locking ring  40  is used and includes inner threads  41  which are threadedly connected to the threaded neck  101 . An annular lip  42  extends radially inward from the locking ring  40  and the second flange  235  is removably rested on the annular lip  42 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 4A , when in use, the locking ring  40  is removed and the water  60  pushes the float member  23  upward, so that the detergent enters the annular space  224  via the first slot  214 . The detergent does not leak because of the two sealing rings  2241 ,  2242 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 5A , when flushing, the water level is lowered and the float member  23  together with the operation rod  22  are lowered due to gravity until the first flange  221  is stopped by the top end of the central tube  212 . The fixed amount of detergent in the annular space  224  is released from the second slot  215  and drops into the water tank via the holes  234  in the board  232 . 
     The detergent releasing device ensures that a fixed amount of detergent is released in each flushing. By adjusting the height of the case  10  in the water tank can control when the detergent is released, such as when ⅔ of the water in the water tank flushes away, the detergent is mixed with the left ⅓ water to flush into the bowl of the toilet. 
     While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.