Abstract:
A toilet bowl cleaning unit disposed to intercept an intermittent flow of water from each flush of the water from a water line to a toilet bowl comprising a mounting device for installation in the flow of water, and a water-soluble compound positioned on the mounting device to intercept a substantial portion of the water as it is flushed from the water line to the toilet bowl, said water-soluble compound thereby being released into the toiled bowl with the water from each flush to inhibit formation of mineral deposits on the surfaces of the toilet bowl and/or drainage pipes. A method for cleaning a toilet bowl, comprising providing an intermittent flow of water from a water line to a toilet bowl with each flush of the toilet bowl, and providing a water-soluble compound to intercept a substantial portion of the flow of water, said water-soluble compound thereby being released into the toilet bowl with the water from each flush to inhibit formation of mineral deposits on the surfaces of the toilet bowl and/or drainage pipes.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/030,961, filed Feb. 23, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by referenced herein in it entirety, including but not limited to, those portions that specifically appear hereinafter, the incorporation by reference being made with the following exception: In the event that any portion of the above-referenced provisional application is inconsistent with this application, this application supercedes said above-referenced provisional application. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    N/A. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    This invention relates to toilet bowl cleaning apparatus and methods, and more particularly, to an apparatus mountable within a toilet bowl and methods that clean deposits in toilet bowls with each flush of the toilet. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0006]    Potassium phosphate is formed by the reaction of potassium, phosphoric acid and carbon dioxide. Since urine and fecal matter typically contain all three compounds, it is common for calculus deposits to be formed in toilets and toilet drain pipes containing a combination of potassium phosphate and organic compounds eliminated by the body. As the organic compounds decay, the calculus deposits give off a characteristic foul odor that is present in poorly maintained rest rooms. Because urine and fecal calculus deposits do not readily dissolve in water, their removal is a challenge for janitorial staffs. 
         [0007]    After calcium, potassium and phosphorus are the most abundant elements found in the human body. Calcium, potassium and phosphorus are, respectively, the first, second and third most common elements found in the human body. The presence of potassium is essential for the regulation of the acid-base balance and water balance in the blood and the body tissues, for the synthesis of proteins from amino acids, for carbohydrate metabolism, for the building of muscle tissue, for normal body growth, and for the proper functioning of nerve cells, in the brain and throughout the body. With the proliferation of soft drinks, such as colas, which contain both phosphoric acid and carbon dioxide, these two ingredients are found in urine and fecal matter in increasing concentrations. 
         [0008]    In order to counteract the foul odor of decomposing urine and fecal matter, deodorant blocks are commonly placed inside toilets and urinals. For many years, deodorant blocks containing paradichlorobenzene and/or naphthalene were used to counteract odors in rest rooms. However, during the last several decades, it has been observed that exposure to the former chemical is responsible for numerous health problems, including kidney and liver disease. Consequently, the use of paradichlorobenzene—particularly around children—has been prohibited in certain jurisdictions. Naphthalene has compiled a record of even greater toxicity than paradichlorobenzene. Other, less toxic aromatic compounds are now being used to combat foul odors in rest rooms. 
         [0009]    One current device involves the use of drop tabs in a toilet tank. Unfortunately, all cleaning chemicals in the tabs quickly dissipate in the water and are flushed down the drain, so there is little, if any, long term cleaning effect. Another device used for toilet bowl cleaning clips over the side of the bowl so that a small amount of the water released into the bowl runs over the cleaning compound. This device is only marginally effective because of very limited contact with the bowl water. Another device connects to the back of the toilet bowl by suction. Again, there is limited contact with the water released into the bowl for cleaning. 
         [0010]    What is needed is an apparatus that is installable within the toilet bowl in a position to come into contact with substantially all of the fresh water released into the bowl. Further, what is needed is a device that releases a water-soluble compound into substantially all of the fresh water coming into a toilet bowl so as to effectively clean the bowl. Also needed is a device to not only release a refreshing aroma that counteracts urine and fecal matter odors, but also dispense a controlled amount of chemical compound that interferes with the formation of urine and fecal matter calculus deposits in toilet bowls and toilet drain pipes. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    A toilet bowl cleaning unit disposed to intercept an intermittent flow of water from each flush of water from a water line to a toilet bowl comprises a mounting device for installation in the flow of water, and a water-soluble compound positioned on the mounting device to intercept a substantial portion of the water as it is flushed from the water line to the toilet bowl, said water-soluble compound thereby being released into the toiled bowl with the water from each flush to inhibit formation of mineral deposits on the surfaces of the toilet bowl and/or drainage pipes. 
         [0012]    A method for cleaning a toilet bowl comprises providing an intermittent flow of water from a water line to a toilet bowl with each flush of the toilet bowl, and providing a water-soluble compound to intercept a substantial portion of the flow of water, said water-soluble compound thereby being released into the toilet bowl with the water from each flush to inhibit formation of mineral deposits on the surfaces of the toilet bowl and/or drainage pipes. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is an isometric front side view of the toilet bowl cleaner unit that installs under the rim of a toilet bowl; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is an isometric back side view of the toilet bowl cleaner unit; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a close-up isometric view of one of the six grills that houses one or more bleach packets; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a close-up isometric view of the joint structure at the center of the toilet bowl cleaner unit; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of a polymer cloth packet containing a bleach in solid granular form; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is an end view of the polymer cloth packet of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a block of bleach in solid block form, the block shaped to fit behind a grill cover; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional side view of a toilet having an elongated bowl in which the toilet bowl cleaner unit has been installed. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    The present invention relates to a toilet bowl cleaner unit that intercepts the flow of water into a toilet bowl with each flush to provide a water soluble cleaning agent for cleaning the toilet bowl. 
         [0022]    In one illustrative embodiment, a cleaner unit is provided that installs under the rim of a toilet bowl. The unit includes a generally linear, resilient mounting strip having a front side and a back side, which can bent into a horseshoe shape for installation beneath the rim of a toilet bowl. When the mounting strip is bent to conform to the shape of the toilet bowl, energy is stored in the mounting strip. This stored energy confers a “memory” to the mounting strip, which attempts to return the mounting strip to its original linear conformation. The stored energy exerts a radial force against the toilet bowl that holds the mounting strip in place within the toilet bowl in the horseshoe configuration. 
         [0023]    The memory of the plastic hoop may be enhanced by incorporating structural fibers in the plastic. Structural fibers can be made of glass, graphite, boron nitride, boron carbide, and other similar materials that have excellent memory characteristics up to the point of fracture. As a practical matter, glass fibers are the most common and least expensive structural fibers available. In addition, they can be made transparent. Thus, if it is desired that the mounting strip match the color of a white toilet bowl, transparent glass fibers in a resilient polymer plastic containing titanium dioxide pigment is likely the most cost effective combination. Multiple supply modules snap onto the resilient mounting strip and contain a water-soluble compound for removing urine and fecal matter deposits from the toilet bowl. 
         [0024]    In a first illustrative embodiment, a bleach supply module includes one or more grill covers that snap onto the resilient mounting strip, each grill cover containing at least one water-permeable polymer cloth package containing bleach granules. The polymer cloth is made from mildew resistant fibers made from a polymer such as nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, or other similar polymers, which are equivalent for the application. 
         [0025]    The bleach also works as a deodorant, since the foul smelling deposits are removed and a smell of chlorine and/or other cleaning chemicals is predominant. Optionally, the bleach compound may include a fragrance to further deodorize and provide a pleasing smell. Further, the mounting strip might optionally include a deodorant bar incorporating a sublimable aromatic material suspended on a resilient clip, which is unitary with the mounting strip and projects from the back side thereof. As the resilient clip is longer than the bar is thick, it acts as a standoff to space the deodorant bar away from the side of the toilet bowl so that a greater surface area of the deodorant bar is exposed to air in the toilet bowl. The deodorant bar continually dispenses an odor-counteracting aroma. 
         [0026]    With each flush of the toilet, the bleach granules within the cloth packets are partially dissolved, thereby dispensing a controlled amount of the chemical compound, which interferes with the formation of urine and fecal matter calculus deposits that form within the toilet bowl. The bleach granules and deodorant bar are designed to last for generally about 30 to 90 days, depending on the amount of usage. At the end of this period, the unit is removed, discarded, and replaced with a fresh unit. 
         [0027]    The mounting strip may incorporate a hook and loop at opposite ends thereof so that the entire cleaner unit having expended the bleach supplies and, optionally the deodorant supplies, may be discarded as a hoop that fits within canister-type garbage containers. As a means of reducing manufacturing cost of the item, the hoop may be made in two equal-length pieces, which lock together to form a single linear piece. The mounting strip may incorporate a gentle curve along its length so that when it is bent into a horseshoe configuration, the lower edge of the mounting strip is angled slightly toward the toilet bowl, thereby making the installation thereof less conspicuous. 
         [0028]    The invention will now be described with reference to the included drawing figures. It is to be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and that they are intended to be merely illustrative. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the cleaner unit  100  includes a generally linear, resilient mounting strip  101  having a front side  102 F and a back side  102 B, which can be bent into a horseshoe shape for installation beneath the rim of a toilet bowl. When the mounting strip  101 , which may be made of injection-molded polymer plastic, is bent to conform to the shape of the toilet bowl, energy is stored in the mounting strip  101 . This stored energy, which is provided by the stretching of molecular bonds and attractions, confers a “memory” to the mounting strip which attempts to return the mounting strip  101  to its original linear conformation. The stored energy exerts a radial force against the toilet bowl that holds the mounting strip  101  in place within the toilet bowl in the horseshoe configuration. 
         [0030]    As polymer plastic compounds typically tend to flow under pressure and stress at a rate that is a function of temperature, the memory of the resilient mounting strip may be made more permanent by incorporating structural fibers in the polymer plastic to form a composite matrix. Structural fibers can be made of glass, graphite, boron nitride, boron carbide, and other similar materials, which have excellent memory characteristics up to the point of fracture. As a practical matter, glass fibers are the most common and least expensive structural fibers available. In addition, they can be made transparent. Thus, if it is desired that the mounting strip match the color of a white toilet bowl, transparent glass fibers in a resilient polymer plastic containing titanium dioxide pigment is likely the most cost effective combination. The mounting strip  101  may incorporate a gentle curve along its length so that when it is bent into a horseshoe configuration, the lower edge  103  of the mounting strip  101  is angled slightly toward the toilet bowl, thereby making the installation thereof less conspicuous. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3  multiple grill covers  201 -A,  201 -B,  201 -C,  201 -D,  201 -E and  201 -F ( 201 , generally) snap onto the resilient mounting strip  101 . Each grill cover  201  holds a supply of a bleach in either granular or block form. Some types of bleach that are effective for this application are, without limitation, hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), TCIC (trichloroisocyanuric acid), SDIC (sodium dichloroisocyanurate), calcium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, decyl dimethyl octyl ammonium chloride, and alkyl(C12-16) dimethylbenzylammonium chloride. Granular bleach may be contained within at least one water-permeable polymer cloth packages (shown in drawing  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). Alternatively, solid bleach may be molded in block form in a shape that fits within the grill cover  201  (shown in  FIG. 7 ). Installation finger tabs  107 A and  107 B enable an installer to hold the ends of the mounting strip  101  after it is bent into a horseshoe shape and more easily position it beneath the rim of a toilet bowl. 
         [0032]    It will be noted, particularly in  FIG. 3 , that each grill cover  201  has an upper retention tab  301  in the center of the top edge of the grill cover  201 , which snaps into an upper retention slot  104  along the upper edge of mounting strip  101 . There is also a bottom retention tab located in the center of the bottom edge of the grill cover  201 . Though the lower retention tab is not visible, its function is identical to that of the upper retention tab  301 . The bottom edge of the mounting strip  101  also has a plurality of lower retention slots (also not shown), which are analogous in function to the upper retention slops  104 . It will also be noted that each grill cover  201  has an alignment aperture  302  at each corner thereof. Alignment pegs  202 , which are even more visible in the enlarged view of  FIG. 4 , slide into those alignment apertures  302 , thereby allowing the mounting strip  101  to flex. The grill covers  201  are also designed to flex so that they assume the curvature of the toilet bowl in which the cleaner unit  100  is installed. Even when the mounting strip  101  is bent into a horseshoe configuration, the upper retention tab  301  and the lower retention tab maintain the grill cover  201  secured to the mounting strip  101 , and the alignment pegs  201 , in combination with the alignment apertures  302 , maintain proper alignment of the grill cover  201  with the mounting strip  101 . Optionally, a fragrance may be added to the bleach compound If desired. 
         [0033]    Also, as an alternate embodiment, a deodorant bar  203  incorporating a sublimable aromatic material is suspended at each end of the mounting strip  101  on a resilient clip  204 A or  204 B that is unitary with the mounting strip  101  and projects from the back side thereof. As the resilient clips  204 A and  204 B are longer than the bars  202  are thick, they act as a standoffs to space the deodorant bars  203  away from the side of the toilet bowl so that a greater surface area of the deodorant bar  203  is exposed to air in the toilet bowl. 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , as a means of reducing manufacturing cost of the item, the mounting strip  101  may be made in two equal-length pieces  101 A and  101 B, which lock together to form a single mounting strip  101 . An upper barbed tab  401 U on piece  101 B passes through an upper retention slot  402 U and snaps over an upper retention shelf  403 U on piece  101 A, and a lower barbed tab  401 L passes through a lower retention slot  402 L and snaps over a lower retention shelf  403 L on piece  101 A. 
         [0035]    Likewise, an upper barbed tab  404 U on piece  101 A passes through an upper retention slot  405 U and snaps over an upper retention shelf  406 U on piece  101 A, and a lower barbed tab  404 L passes through a lower retention slot  405 L and snaps over a lower retention shelf  406 L on piece  101 A. In order to joint the two equal-length pieces  101 A and  101 B, they are joined in a folded configuration so that the back side  102 B of each piece  101 A or  101 B makes about a right angle with the other piece. They are then unfolded to a straight configuration and the barbed tabs  401 U,  401 L,  404 U, and  404 L virtually simultaneously snap over their respective retention shelves  403 U,  403 L,  406 U, and  406 L. The deodorant bars  203  continually dispense an odor-counteracting aroma. 
         [0036]    With each flush of the toilet, the bleach inside the grill covers  201 —whether in granular or block form—is partially dissolved, thereby dispensing a controlled amount of the chemical compound, which interferes with the formation of hard water deposits and urine calculus deposits that would otherwise form within the toilet bowl. The weak acid supplies behind the cover grills  201  and the deodorant bars  203  are designed to last for about 30 days. At the end of this period, the unit is removed, discarded, and replaced with a fresh unit. The mounting strip  101  may incorporate a hook  105  and loop  106  at opposite ends thereof so that an entire multi-function cleaner and deodorizer unit  100  having expended bleach and deodorant supplies may be discarded as a hoop that fits within canister-type garbage containers. 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , bleach granules are enclosed in a water-permeable polymer cloth package  500 . At least one such package  500  is installed beneath each cover grill  201 . The polymer cloth is made from mildew resistant fibers made from a polymer such as nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, acrylic, acetate, polyester, or other similar polymers or copolymers which are equivalent for the application. The cloth can be sewn or heat seamed at line  501  to form the package  500 . One end of the package  500  can remain unseamed or unsewn while filling. After filling the end can be seamed or sewn. 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a block of solid bleach  700 , molded to fit beneath a cover grill  201 , is shown. 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , the cleaner unit  100  is shown installed beneath the rim  801  of bowl  802  of a toilet  800 . Because this is a cross-sectional view, only one half of the unit  100  is visible. The loop  106  on piece  101 B is visible in this view, as are barbed hooks  404 U and  404 L, installation finger tab  107 A, and a single cover grill  201 -D. 
         [0040]    In addition to the embodiments of the invention that have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those having ordinary skill in the art that changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed. For example, other cleaning agents besides bleach may be used in connection with the cleaning device described herein. Examples of other cleaning agents are, without limitation, as follow: sulfamic acid, sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), sodium perborate, sodium percarbonate, benzoyl peroxide, bromates, peracetic acid, tetrasodium (EDTA), sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, and sodium dichloroisocyanurate.