Patent Abstract:
Described is a multi-function device for attachment to the tank of a toilet fixture. The multi-function device provides a diffusible air-treatment concentrate for deodorizing or otherwise treating the ambient air surrounding the toilet. At the same time, the multi-function device provides a water-soluble water-treatment concentrate for treating the flush water stored in the toilet tank. The multi-function device has an indicator to advise the consumer when replacement of user serviceable parts, such as the water treatment concentrate and the air treatment concentrate, is needed. The multi-function device has a bellows with a varying cross-sectional area to provide, during a flush cycle, a variable flow of air over the air treatment concentrate and into the air.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates generally to multi-function dispensers and, more specifically, to a device for diffusing an air-treatment concentrate to the ambient air surrounding a toilet and for dispersing a water-treatment concentrate to the tank of the toilet. The present invention further relates to indicator devices for advising consumers when to replace certain components of the multi-function dispensers. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Assemblies for diffusing air-treatment concentrates are well known. Such air-treatment assemblies were used to provide an air-diffused fragrance to mask offensive odors in the living areas of a house or the work and service areas of commercial environments. Diffusion of masking fragrances was especially useful in bathrooms and kitchen areas that were subject to a higher incidence of offensive odors. Assemblies were also used to diffuse an air-treatment concentrate capable of otherwise treating ambient air. Various means were developed to improve the diffusion of fragrances or treatment concentrates from the assemblies of the prior art. For example, fan assists were included in the assemblies to increase airflow across the air-treatment concentrate and thus the diffusion of the concentrate in ambient air. Heating elements were also included in some prior art assemblies to increase the temperature of the air-treatment concentrate to aid in volatilization of the concentrate and thus the diffusion of the concentrate. 
         [0005]    Assemblies for discharging a water-treatment concentrate to the flush water contained in the tank or bowl of a toilet are also well known in the art. Such water-treatment assemblies were used to clean, color, or otherwise treat the water used to flush the toilet. 
         [0006]    One type of such prior art water-treatment assembly, sometimes referred to as a “tank-hanger” assembly, pretreated the flush water by placement of a water-treatment concentrate directly in the toilet tank, or by placement of a water-treatment concentrate in a housing or reservoir. One type of tank-hanger assembly was the “active” assembly, which pumped or siphoned a solution of dissolved water-treatment concentrate into the toilet tank, usually at the flush cycle (See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,357,718 by Corsette). With an active assembly, the housing containing the water-treatment concentrate could be located inside the toilet tank above the fill-level of the toilet tank or could be located completely or partially below the fill-level. Another type of tank-hanger assembly was the “passive” assembly, in which the water-treatment concentrate was placed inside the toilet tank in a housing at least partially submerged below the toilet tank fill-level. The water-treatment concentrate then passively dispersed in the tank water during the quiescent period between toilet flushes (See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,216,027 by Wages). 
         [0007]    Another type of prior art water-treatment assembly, sometimes referred to as a “rim-hanger” assembly, treated the flush water flowing from the rim of the toilet bowl only during the flush cycle. Since a rim-hanger assembly treated the flush water only during the short time of the flush cycle, it was generally ineffective in providing the treatment level provided by a tank-hanger assembly. As noted earlier, in a tank-hanger assembly a dispersible water-treatment concentrate, such as a hypochlorite tablet or puck, could be placed in continuous contact with the flush water stored in the toilet tank. No rim-hangers can currently claim sanitization or superior cleaning to tank-hanger dispersed hypochlorite tablets. 
         [0008]    Further, attempts were made in the prior art to include air-treatment concentrates with the water-treatment concentrates contained in both tank-hanger and rim-hanger prior art assemblies. However, the approach of including air-treatment concentrates within the water-treatment concentrates proved an ineffective means to achieve air freshening of the ambient bathroom air surrounding a toilet fixture. In the case of tank-hangers, air-treatment concentrate, which diffused into the headspace above the toilet tank fill-level, did not have an effective exit point from the enclosed toilet tank to enter the ambient air. In the case of rim-hangers, the periodic dosing of the ambient air only during the flush cycle of the toilet proved ineffective in providing continuous air freshening of the general bathroom air. Rim-hangers had the additional disadvantage of being unsightly and, after the recommended four to six weeks of continuous use, becoming germ laden. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, what is needed is a simple, easy-to-use device that provides, in combination, effective toilet flush water-treatment and that further provides effective continuous treatment of the ambient bathroom air surrounding the toilet fixture. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    In accordance with the principles of the present invention, in one embodiment, a device comprises a water treatment part for mounting inside a toilet tank; an air moving part for mounting inside a toilet tank; an air treatment part in communication with the air moving part; an indicator at least partially viewable from an exterior of the toilet tank; and a bellows formed from an interior of the air moving part, wherein air displaced from the bellows moves through the air treatment part; and wherein the indicator indicates when a user should change user serviceable components of the device. 
         [0011]    According to another embodiment of the present invention, a multi-function toilet device comprises an air moving part having at least a portion of which that is soluble in water over a period of time; an air treatment part in communication with the air moving part; and a bellows formed from an interior of the air moving part, wherein an amount of air displaced from the bellows and delivered to the air treatment part varies through a flush cycle. 
         [0012]    According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a multi-function toilet device comprises an air moving part for mounting inside a toilet tank; a water treatment part containing a water treatment concentrate for mounting inside a toilet tank; an air treatment part in communication with the air moving part; a bellows formed from an interior of the air moving part; a space above the water treatment concentrate receiving water from the toilet tank when the water treatment concentrate needs replacement; and a wick receiving water form the space; wherein air displaced from the bellows moves through the air treatment part; and wherein the wick is disposed at least partially on an exterior of the toilet tank. 
         [0013]    To use the multi-function toilet device of the present invention, the tank lid of the toilet is removed, the connector may be placed over the lip of the toilet tank to position the air-treatment concentrate adjacent the exterior surface of the toilet tank and to position the water-treatment concentrate adjacent the interior surface of the toilet tank. In one embodiment, the air-treatment concentrate may be located adjacent the interior surface of the toilet tank, above the fill-level of the toilet tank, with a vent communicating the air-treatment concentrate to the exterior of the toilet tank. In one embodiment, the water-treatment concentrate may be positioned at least partially below the fill-level of the toilet tank. After placement of the connector and positioning of the air-treatment and water-treatment concentrates, the tank lid is replaced on the toilet tank over the connector. The bellows may be located inside the toilet tank so that the water level inside the toilet tank immediately after flush is below the bellows and the water level inside the toilet tank at the filled level covers at least a portion of the bellows. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment, the multi-function toilet device of the present invention further includes an air-treatment housing coupled to the air-treatment end portion of the connector and a water-treatment housing coupled to the water-treatment end portion of the connector, opposite the air-treatment end portion of the connector. As described in the various embodiments below, the water-treatment housing may form the bellows, may be a separate entity from the bellows, may be nested in the bellows or may be formed integrally with the bellows. Disposed within the air-treatment housing is the air-treatment concentrate and disposed within the water-treatment housing is the water-treatment concentrate. 
         [0015]    The air-treatment housing can include a heating element or a fan coupled to the multi-function toilet device to enhance diffusion of the air-treatment concentrate. The water-treatment housing can be an active device, which provides pumping or siphoning of an aliquot of water-treatment concentrate pre-mixed with toilet tank water. Alternatively, the water-treatment housing can be a passive device, which merely contains and positions the water-treatment concentrate at least partially below the toilet tank fill-level to passively disperse into the tank water. 
         [0016]    The air and water-treatment housings can be adjustably coupled to the connector to allow suitable positioning of the housings upon installation of the multi-function toilet device of the present invention. In one embodiment, the air and water-treatment housings are slideably adjustable along a connector. 
         [0017]    The connector can take alternate shapes. In one embodiment, the connector is a planer ribbon configured generally as a rigid inverted “J” shaped bracket. The inverted “J” has a “top” intermediate the two unequal length “legs” that makeup the air-treatment and water-treatment end portions of the connector such that the top contacts the lip of the toilet tank and the legs hang adjacent the interior and exterior of the toilet tank to suitably position the air-treatment concentrate and water-treatment concentrate, respectively. In another embodiment, there may be two hanging parts with a water-treatment end portion nested inside the air-treatment portion. In another embodiment, the connector is generally shaped in the form of an inverted “U”, having the air-treatment end portion and the water-treatment end portion of equal length. Various other configurations of the connector are possible and would be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the connector may be simply shaped as an inverted “L” having only one end portion. 
         [0018]    In yet another embodiment, the connector is a planar ribbon having living hinges, well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, and adapted to allow folding of the connector into, for example, the inverted “J”, “U”, or “L” configurations described and to allow adjustment of the air-treatment and water-treatment housings for suitable positioning at installation of the multi-function toilet device. In one embodiment, the connector is a bendable wire, band, ribbon, or tube configurable as described above to accommodate placement on the toilet tank and positioning of the air-treatment and water-treatment housings adjacent the toilet tank interior surface and exterior surface, respectively. For these embodiments, the multi-function toilet device may be conveniently packaged in a flat folded configuration and bent to a suitable configuration before use. 
         [0019]    In yet another embodiment, the connector is not placed over the tank lip but is rather attached to the removable toilet tank lid such that the air-treatment concentrate is positioned adjacent the exterior surface of the tank and the water-treatment concentrate is positioned adjacent the interior surface of the tank when the toilet tank lid is replaced. 
         [0020]    The connector, air-treatment and water-treatment housings of the multi-function toilet device of the present invention can be made of any suitable material. Exemplary materials include but are not limited to metal, and metal composites, ceramics, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PP), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polymer composites, and other engineered plastics that may be formed with a variety of fabrication technologies, such as, for example, thermoforming or blowmolding. Alternatively, the air-treatment housing may be made at least partially of water treatment material which may dissolve away as it treats the water. The air-treatment housing may be designed to dissolve away at such a time when it may be desirable to replace user serviceable components, such as the air treatment portion. 
         [0021]    The multi-function toilet device of the present invention can be disposed after depletion of the water-treatment and air-treatment concentrates or can be refillable with the concentrates. Further, the device of the present invention can include one or more indicia that alert the user that the air or water-treatment concentrates are depleted. 
         [0022]    Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description of embodiments below, when considered together with the attached drawings and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    The foregoing aspects and others will be readily appreciated by the skilled artisan from the following description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1A  shows a right side perspective view of a toilet containing a multi-function toilet device in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 1B  shows a left side perspective view of the toilet containing the multi-function toilet device of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2A  shows a front side view of a multi-function toilet device of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2B  shows a left side view of the multi-function toilet device of  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2C  shows a right side view of the multi-function toilet device of  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 2D  shows a perspective view of the air-treatment portion of the multi-function toilet device of  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 2E  shows a cross-sectional view of the bottom of the air-treatment portion of the multi-function toilet device of  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  shows a front side view of another embodiment multi-function toilet device of the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  is a graph showing the relative mass flux of fragrance release over time for the multi-function toilet device of the present invention, such as the multi-function toilet device of  FIG. 3 , as compared to a conventional toilet device; 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  is a graph showing the cumulative amount of fragrant air dispense over time for the multi-function toilet device of the present invention, such as the multi-function toilet device of  FIG. 3 , as compared to a conventional toilet device; 
           [0034]      FIG. 6A  shows a front side view of another embodiment of the multi-function toilet device according to the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 6B  shows a side view of the multi-function toilet device of  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 6C  shows a perspective view of the air-treatment portion of the multi-function toilet device of  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 7  is a front side, cross-section view of another embodiment of the multi-function toilet device according to the present invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 8  is a front side, cross-sectional view of the multi-function toilet device of the present invention having a fan disposed therein; 
           [0039]      FIG. 9  is a front side, cross-sectional view of the multi-function toilet device of the present invention having a delay valve disposed therein; 
           [0040]      FIG. 10  is a front side, cross-sectional view of the multi-function toilet device of the present invention having a collapsible bellows; and 
           [0041]      FIG. 11  is a front side, cross-sectional view of the multi-function toilet device of the present invention having a paddle disposed therein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0042]    Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the context of a multi-function toilet tank device placed on a toilet fixture having a toilet tank, a removable tank lid covering the toilet tank, and a toilet bowl having a bowl rim. The skilled artisan will readily appreciate, however, that the materials and methods disclosed herein will have application in a number of other contexts where diffusion of an air-treatment concentrate to the ambient air and dissolution or dispersal of a water-treatment concentrate into a liquid storage tank is desirable, particularly where ease of use is important. 
         [0043]    The aforementioned needs may be satisfied by the multi-function toilet device of the present invention which includes a connector with an air-treatment end portion and a water-treatment end portion opposite the air-treatment end portion; an air-treatment concentrate coupled to the air-treatment end portion of the connector; and a water-treatment concentrate coupled to the water-treatment end portion of the connector. The connector may be configured to position the air-treatment concentrate adjacent an exterior surface of the toilet tank and to position the water-treatment concentrate adjacent an interior surface of the toilet tank at least partially below the fill-level of the toilet tank. As discussed in greater detail below, the connector may form an air passage between the air-treatment portion and a bellows section of the water treatment portion. 
         [0044]    In use the tank lid of the toilet may be removed, and the connector may be placed over the lip of the tank to position the air-treatment concentrate adjacent the exterior surface of the tank and to position the water-treatment concentrate adjacent the interior surface of the tank below the fill-level of the tank. 
         [0045]    More particularly,  FIG. 1A  shows a right side perspective view of a toilet  10  containing a multi-function toilet device  12  in accordance with the principles of the present invention.  FIG. 1B  shows a left side perspective view of the toilet  10  containing the multi-function toilet device  12  of  FIG. 1A . Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1B  together, toilet  10  includes a toilet tank  14  having a toilet tank lip  16  at the top of the toilet tank  14 , a toilet tank lid  18  which may fit on the toilet tank lip  16 , and a toilet bowl  20  having a toilet bowl rim  22 . While  FIGS. 1A and 1B  shows the multi-function toilet device  12  mounted on the right side of the toilet tank  14 , the multi-function toilet device  12  may be mounted on other portions of the toilet tank lip  16 . As shown in  FIG. 1A , an air treatment portion  24  of the multi-function toilet device  12  may be mounted on an exterior portion  26  of the toilet tank  14 . As shown specifically in  FIG. 1B , a water treatment portion  28  of the multi-function toilet device  12  may be mounted on an interior portion  30  of the toilet tank  14 . As will be discussed in more detail below, the water treatment portion  28  may be mounted below a water line  32  inside the toilet tank  14 . When the toilet  10  is flushed, the water line  32  may move below the water treatment portion  28 . 
         [0046]    Referring now to  FIG. 2A , there is shown a front side view of the multi-function toilet device  12  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The multi-function toilet device  12  may include a water treatment side  34  and an air moving side  36 . The water treatment side  34  and the air moving side  36  may have flat sides  34   a ,  36   a  that allow the water treatment side  34  and the air moving side  36  to be pushed together as to appear as a single unit. Alternatively, the water treatment side  34  may be formed integrally with the air moving side  36 . In a further alternate embodiment, the water treatment side  34  may be separately located on the toilet tank  14  from the air moving side  36 . In one embodiment of the present invention, as discussed above, the air moving side  36  may be made of a material which dissolves in water over time. For example, the air moving side  36  may be made of water treatment material. In this case, as shown below with reference to  FIG. 7 , the water treatment side  34  may not be necessary. The air treatment side  36  may be designed to dissolve away at such a rate whereby dissolution may occur when it is desirable to replace the air treatment portion and/or the water treatment portion. 
         [0047]    The water treatment side  34  may contain a water treatment concentrate  38 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the water treatment concentrate  38  may be disposed at a lower end  40  of the water treatment side  34  such that the water treatment concentrate  38  is below the water line  32  (see  FIGS. 1A and 1B ) during at least a portion of a flush cycle. Hereinafter, a “flush cycle” may be defined as the action of the water level in the toilet tank, going from a full level (as indicated, for example, by the water line  32  of  FIGS. 1A and 1B ), to a flushed level (not shown), and returning to a full level. Alternatively, the water treatment concentrate  38  may be located at a location above the water line  32  with a means, as is known in the art, such as with an active pumping or a dosing type of water treatment concentrate dispenser, for delivering the water treatment concentrate  38  into the toilet tank  14  at the appropriate times (e.g., during a flush cycle or after a flush cycle). 
         [0048]    In one embodiment of the present invention, a portion of a space  38   a  above the water treatment concentrate  38  may be sealed off from water until such time when the water treatment concentrate  38  needs replacement. This portion of space may be, for example, a tube  34   c  running from the water treatment concentrate  38  inside the water treatment side  36  of the multi-function toilet device  12 . When the water treatment concentrate  38  is used to a point where replacement is needed, water from the toilet tank  14  may enter the tube  34   c . A wick  34   b  may be present in the tube  34   a , below the water line  32  of the toilet tank  14 . The wick  34   b  may be disposed from inside to tube  34   c  to the outside of the toilet tank  14  such that the wick is at least partially disposed at the exterior of the toilet tank. The wick  34   b  may change color when wet to indicate to the consumer that the water treatment concentrate is in need of replacement. Color change of the wick  34   b  is one example of replacement time indication. The present invention may include alternate replacement time indication methods, as would be apparent to one skilled in the art. For example, the wick  34   b , when wet, may activate a switch that turns on a light, such as an LED (not shown) on the outside of the toilet tank  14 . In another embodiment, the portion of a space  38   a  above the water treatment concentrate  38  is not sealed off and the wick  34   b  measures a property of the water surrounding the dissolving water treatment concentrate  38 , such as pH or bleach concentration. When the water treatment concentrate is substantially or fully dissolved, the wick  34   b  signals a change in the water properties via a method such as color of light. 
         [0049]    The water treatment concentrate  38  may be any water-dispersible compound formulated to treat toilet flush water. Examples of suitable compounds include, but are not limited to, bleaches, surfactants, disinfectants, inorganic compounds, chelators, optical brighteners, and mixtures thereof. Furthermore, the water treatment concentrate  38  may be formulated to include components, such as polymers, that protect or modify toilet bowl interior surfaces, or components that protect or treat toilet valve parts. The water treatment concentrate  38  may be in the form of a liquid, solid, semi-solid, impregnated nonwoven substrate, impregnated cellulosic substrate, impregnated solid or in other forms suitable for use in water treatment applications. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 2E , there is shown a cross-sectional view from a bottom end  42  of the air moving side  36  of the multi-function toilet device  12  of  FIG. 2A . The air moving side  36  may include a housing  44  having an opening  46  at the bottom end  42  thereof. In one embodiment of the present invention, a cross-sectional area of the lower end  42  of the air moving side  36  may be less than a cross-sectional area of an upper end  48  of the air moving side  36 . This differential cross-sectional area along a depth D of the air moving side  36  may be realized, for example, by forming the lower end  42  with a first length L 1  that is less than a second length L 2 . This differential cross-sectional area may also be realized (either separately or in combination with the different lengths L 1 , L 2 ) by forming the lower end  42  with a first width W 1  (see  FIG. 2C ) that is greater than a second width W 2  formed at the upper end  48 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the lower end  42  may be formed with the first length L 1  that is greater than the second length L 2 . 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 2B , there is shown a left side view of the multi-function toilet device  12  of  FIG. 2A . The water treatment side  34  may be attached to the toilet tank  14  by a bracket  50 . Alternatively, any conventional means may be used to affix the multi-function toilet device  12  to the toilet tank  14 . For example, water-proof adhesive may be used to attach the multi-function toilet device  12  to the toilet tank  14 . As discussed above, the water treatment side  34  may include the water treatment concentrate  38  at the lower end  40  of the water treatment side  34 . 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIG. 2C , there is shown a right side view of the multi-function toilet device  12  of  FIG. 2A . The air moving side  36  may be attached to the toilet tank  14  by a bracket  50   a . The bracket  50   a  may include an air passage  52  for communicating an interior  54  of the air treatment portion  24  with an interior  56  of the air moving side  36 . This interior  56  of the air moving side  36  may also be referred to as a bellows  56 , as when water fills the toilet tank, the volume of air inside the bellows  56  may be expelled through the air passage  52  as the air inside the bellows  56  is replaced by water. The air expelled through the air passage  52  may pass through the air treatment portion  24  and be delivered to freshen the air in the room containing the toilet  10 . 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIG. 2D , there is shown a perspective view of the air-treatment portion  24  of the multi-function toilet device  12  of  FIG. 2A . The air treatment portion  24  may receive air through the air passage  52 . The air may pass through an air treatment concentrate (not shown) located within the interior  54  of the air treatment portion  24 . Holes  58  may be formed in the air treatment portion to allow the air from the air passage  52  to flow over the air treatment concentrate, through the holes  58  and into the room containing the toilet  10 . In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2D , the holes  58  may be formed opposite from where the air passage  52  joins with the air treatment portion  24 . Such a configuration may allow for the air in the air passage  52  to pass over the air treatment concentrate before being expelled to the ambient surroundings (such as the room containing the toilet  10 ). In one embodiment, the air treatment concentrate is visible through the holes  58 , or the front part of the air treatment portion  24  with the holes  58  may be of a transparent or translucent material that allows the consumer to view the air treatment concentrate. The air treatment concentrate may change color as the active concentrate is changed, as indicated below. In one embodiment, the front part of the air treatment portion may be sealed by a removable tab (not shown). When the consumer uses the device and removes the tab, the front of the air treatment portion  24  may have a time indicator that reacts with the air and starts a time period for consumer use, wherein the time indicator changes color to indicate to the consumer that it is time to change the air treatment housing or the air treatment concentrate. It may also signal to the consumer that it is time to change both the air treatment concentrate and the water treatment concentrate. 
         [0054]    The air treatment concentrate (not shown) may be any conventional air treatment concentrate, as described above. In one embodiment of the present invention, the air treatment concentrate may change color as the fragrance is dispensed, thereby providing the consumer an indicator when the air treatment concentrate may need to be changed. It may be useful for the fragrance to be used up at approximately the same rate as the water treatment concentrate  38  is used up, thereby indicating to the consumer that both the air treatment concentrate and the water treatment concentrate  38  need to be replaced. Alternatively, the air treatment portion  24  may be formed of a material that changes color over time, thereby indicating to the consumer when replacement of the user replaceable components (e.g., the air and water treatment concentrates) may be necessary. Conventional color change technology may be employed in the air treatment portion  24  and/or the air treatment concentrate. For example, the color change technology described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,824,827 and 6,254,969, herein incorporated by reference, may be useful in the present invention. 
         [0055]    The present invention may include a bellows  56  that has a differential cross-sectional area when comparing the upper end  48  with the lower end  42 . As shown in  FIG. 2A , this differential cross-sectional area may be realized, for example, by forming the lower end  42  with the first length L 1  that is less than the second length L 2 . Such a configuration may provide an initially lower amount of air moving through the air treatment portion  24 , as water in the toilet tank  14  begins to cover the lower end  42  of the air moving side  36  and fill the bellows  56 . As the water continues to rise in the toilet tank  14 , the water may continue to fill the bellows  56 , expelling a greater volume of air through the air treatment portion  24 . Depending on the consumer needs and market research, such a design may be beneficial in providing a greater amount of fragrant air dispensed at the end of the flush cycle. This design may also be particularly useful when a delay valve (not shown, discussed below with reference to  FIG. 8 ) is used to increase the rate of air flow over the air treatment concentrate to deliver a more intense fragrance release/burst. In this case, as discussed in more detail below, the smaller length L 1  at the lower end  42  may allow for a slow buildup of pressure before releasing the air through the air passage  52 . 
         [0056]    Alternatively, referring to  FIG. 3 , the differential cross-sectional area may be realized, for example, by forming the lower end  42  of the air moving side  36  with the first length L 1  that is greater than the second length L 2 . The air moving side  36  may be formed with an exterior shape, as shown be the dotted line  60 , substantially symmetrical to the water treatment side  34 . This design may impart a greater initial release of fragrance compared to conventional uniform cross-sectional area designs. As the toilet tank  14  fills during the flush cycle, a greater volume of air and fragrance is displaced earlier in time, when the consumer may be more likely to desire such a fragrance concentration. 
         [0057]    An additional benefit to the design of  FIG. 3  may be realized due to the smaller length L 2  at an upper end  48  of the air moving side  36 . In this embodiment of the present invention, the amount of potential dead space  62  may be minimized. Dead space  62  may refer to the amount of space occupied by air in the air moving side  36  when the water line  32  in the toilet tank  14  is at a maximum position. Fills level inside various consumer toilet tanks  14  may be variable and any volume above the fill level (e.g., dead space  62 ) will not be dispensed. Therefore, it may be beneficial to minimize dead space  62  by having the upper end  48  of the air moving side  36  having a relatively small cross-sectional area (i.e., by a smaller length L 2 ). 
         [0058]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a graph describing the exemplary rate of fragrance release over time for the multi-function toilet device  12  of  FIG. 3  as compared to conventional, uniform cross-sectional area designs. The relative mass flux for fragrance release for the design of  FIG. 3  may be shown by line  64  and the conventional, uniform cross-sectional area design may be shown by line  66 . As can be seen from the graph, the present invention may afford a greater mass flux of fragrance early in the flush cycle. 
         [0059]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a graph describing the exemplary cumulative amount of fragrant air dispensed over time for the multi-function toilet device  12  of  FIG. 3  as compared to conventional, uniform cross-sectional area designs. The fragrant air dispensed for the design of  FIG. 3  may be shown by line  68  and the conventional, uniform cross-sectional area design may be shown by line  70 . As can be seen from the graph, the present invention may afford a greater amount of fragrant air dispensed early in the flush cycle. For example, during the first third of the flush cycle, the design of the present invention may dispense at least about 50%, and typically about 60% more fragrance as compared to the conventional design. 
         [0060]    Referring to  FIG. 6A , there is shown a front side view of another embodiment of the multi-function toilet device  72  according to the present invention. Similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 2A-2E , the multi-function toilet device  72  may include a water treatment part  74  and an air moving part  76 . The water treatment part  74  may be nested in the air moving part  76 . The water treatment part  74  may have a bracket  78  and the air moving part  76  may have a separate bracket  78   a . Brackets  78 ,  78   a  may permit the parts  74 ,  76  to be mounted on the toilet tank  14  as described above with reference to  FIGS. 2A-2E . 
         [0061]    A lower end  80  of the air moving part  76  may have a length L 1  that is longer than a length L 2  of an upper end  82  of the air moving part. This design may result in a differential cross-sectional area between the lower end  80  and the upper end  82 . Such a differential cross-sectional area may impart benefits similar to those discussed above with respect to the graphs of  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
         [0062]    While  FIG. 6A  shows the water treatment part  74  behind the air moving part  76 , in an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the water treatment part  74  may be disposed in front of the air moving part  76  in order to allow for easy replacement of the water treatment part  74 . Alternatively, a channel (not shown) may be formed in the air moving part  76  for the placement of a connector  90  of the water treatment part  74 . 
         [0063]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6B and 6C , the interior of the air moving part  76  may form a bellows  84  which may be in communication with an air treatment portion  86  via an air passage  88 . As the water level in the toilet tank  14  increases, the air displaced by water in the bellows  84  may flow through the air passage  88  and through the air treatment portion  86  to release fragrance contained therein. 
         [0064]    While the above embodiments described particular embodiments of the present invention, the embodiments should not be taken in a limited sense. Modifications within the skill of those in the art are included in the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, certain other features and designs may be included in the present invention, including those shown in  FIGS. 7-10  below. 
         [0065]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a front side view of another embodiment of the multi-function toilet device  130  according to the present invention. The air moving side  132  may be made of a material which dissolves in water over time. For example, the air moving side  132  may be made of water treatment material (such as water treatment material  38 , as described above). In this case, a water treatment side may not be necessary. Alternatively, the air moving side  132  may be made, at least partially of any water soluble material. In this case, a water treatment concentrate  134  may be disposed on the air moving side  132 . 
         [0066]    The air treatment side  132  may be designed to dissolve away at such a rate whereby dissolution may occur when it is desirable to replace the air treatment portion and/or the water treatment portion. In this embodiment of the present invention, the air treatment side  132  need not have a differential cross-sectional area along its depth D. The air treatment side  132  may have a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along its depth D, as shown, or the air treatment side  132  may have a differential cross-sectional area along its depth D, for example, as shown in  FIGS. 2A-3 . The use of a dissolving air treatment portion  132  may be useful in any of the embodiments of the present invention, for example, the embodiments of  FIGS. 2A-2E ,  FIG. 3 ,  FIGS. 6A-6C , and  FIGS. 8 ,  9 ,  10  and  11 . 
         [0067]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , there is shown a front side, cross-sectional view of a multi-function toilet device  92  of the present invention having a fan  94  disposed therein. The fan  94  may be located in a dead space  96  (that is, the portion of the air moving side  100  that is above the water line  32  when the toilet tank  14  is full) of the air moving side  100 . In this configuration, the fan  94  may be designed to run continuously or, alternatively, a sensor  98  may be employed to determine when the toilet  10  is in a flush cycle by, for example, detecting the water level  32  in the toilet tank  14 . In an alternate configuration (not shown), the fan  94  may be located below the dead space  96  and may be turned on only when the water line moves below the fan  94 . Regardless of the particular configuration, the fan  94  may provide an increased air flow through the air treatment portion (See  FIGS. 2D and 6C ). 
         [0068]    The fan  94  may be powered by a power supply (not shown), such as a battery, or the fan  94  may be driven by the air flow caused by water displacing air in the air moving part  100  during the flush cycle. In either case, the fan may provide improved fragrance delivery as well as a cue for the consumer of the operation of the multi-function toilet device  92 . 
         [0069]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , there is shown a front side, cross-sectional view of a multi-function toilet device  102  of the present invention having a delay valve  104  disposed therein. The delay valve  104  may be positioned at any location within an air moving side  110  of the multi-function toilet device  102 . For example, the delay valve  104  may be located above the water line  32  when the toilet tank  14  is full or the delay valve  104  may be located below the water line  32 . Alternatively, the delay valve  104  may be disposed within the air passage (e.g., air passage  52  of  FIG. 2C ) communicating the air moving part  110  to the air treatment part. The delay valve  104  may be of a design that will open once a predetermined pressure is achieved below the delay valve  104 . For example, the delay valve  104  may include a hinged flap  106  designed to open to release air through an air passage to the air treatment part as previously described. The delay valve  104  may increase the rate of air flow over the air treatment concentrate to deliver a more intense fragrance release/burst. The delay valve  104  may include a check valve  108  to allow air to flow into the lower end  42  of the air moving side  110 , thereby allowing the water to exit from the air moving side  110  during the flush cycle. 
         [0070]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , there is shown a front side, cross-sectional view of a multi-function toilet device  112  of the present invention having a collapsible bellows  114  disposed therein to act as the air moving part as described in the embodiments above. The collapsible bellows  114  may have a fixed end  116  and a floating end  118 . The fixed end  116  may be attached to either the toilet tank  14  or the toilet lid  18 . The floating end  118  may be designed to float at the water line  32 . A bellows  120  may be formed between the fixed end  116  and the floating end  118 . The length L 1  of the lower end  42  of the bellows  120  may be different from the length L 2  of the upper end  48  of the bellows  120 . This difference between L 1  and L 2  may provide a differential cross-sectional area of the bellows from the lower end  42  to the upper end  48 , thereby providing a variable flow of fragrance from the air treatment part (not shown). 
         [0071]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , there is shown a front side, cross-sectional view of a multi-function toilet device  122  of the present invention having a paddle  124  disposed therein. The paddle  124  may be driven by a flow  126  from a secondary chamber, such as a cup  128 , when the water level  32  moves below the cup  128 . The cup  128  may fill when the water level is above the cup  128  (e.g., prior to a flush cycle). The paddle  124  may spin to provide an increased air flow through the air treatment portion (See  FIGS. 2D and 6C ). 
         [0072]    This invention has been described herein in detail to provide those skilled in the art with information relevant to apply the novel principles and to construct and use such specialized components as are required. However, it is to be understood that the invention can be carried out by different equipment, materials and devices, and that various modifications, both as to the equipment and operating procedures, can be accomplished without departing from the scope of the invention itself.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4