Abstract:
A device for introducing a chemical supplement to a toilet cistern without having to displace a cover of the toilet cistern, including: (a) a dispensing unit having a releasing mechanism, disposed within the cistern, for releasing the chemical supplement into the cistern, and (b) a housing, associated with the releasing mechanism and disposed within the cistern, for receiving a cartridge containing the chemical supplement, and (c) an attachment mechanism for securing the device to a surface of the toilet cistern.

Description:
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a cartridge device for introducing chemical supplements to a toilet cistern and, more particularly, to a cartridge device for introducing chemical supplements to a toilet cistern without having to displace the cover of the toilet cistern.  
         [0002]     There are various ways of adding supplements such as detergent to water in a toilet cistern. One simple way is to put a solid block of cleaning material containing an adsorbed dye into a holder disposed within the cistern. The cleaning material is then slowly dissolved in the water within the cistern. A weakening color of the water indicates that the cleaning material is running out and that the block of cleaning material needs to be replaced. However, the block of cleaning material gives off cleaning material at a rate that depends primarily on the surface area of the block, such that the concentration of cleaning material in water is far from constant, and is highly dependent on the time elapsed since the toilet was last flushed.  
         [0003]     A more sophisticated way of introducing detergent to water in a toilet cistern is to place a dispenser containing a cleaning liquid inside the cistern. When the water level in the cistern changes, cleaning liquid from the dispensing container is dispensed by any of various types of dispensing systems. In many of these dispensing systems, the discharge of the cleaning liquid is effected by means of a change in the water level within the cistern.  
         [0004]     One drawback of such dispensers is that the cover of the toilet cistern has to be temporarily removed or displaced in order for the cleaning material (solid or liquid) or a cartridge containing the cleaning material, to be replenished periodically.  
         [0005]     This drawback is largely overcome by Patent Application PCT/IL02/00827 to Eshel, et al., which discloses a chemical dispenser, for use with a flush toilet, which is mounted externally to the toilet cistern using an existing opening in the cistern. It is observed in the above-referenced application that most toilet cisterns are produced with two holes, one on each end of the cistern, to provide for alternative positioning of the water input valve, hence, the chemical dispenser is readily installed on most cisterns without having to drill a new hole therein.  
         [0006]     One deficiency in the art taught by the PCT Application to Eshel, et al., is that the chemical dispenser takes up considerable space proximate to the housing of the toilet cistern. In many bathrooms, the allotment of space for such a dispenser is impractical, or even impossible. Moreover, the chemical dispenser provides a large surface area for the collection of dust and dirt, a distinct disadvantage both for home and public bathrooms. The disposition of the chemical dispenser external to the cistern, while simplifying the refilling procedure, also makes the dispenser prone to breakage due to accidental knocks as well as vandalism. The chemical dispenser taught by Patent Application PCT/IL02/00827 is particularly susceptible to vandalism because the bulky dispenser is disposed in plain view.  
         [0007]     Hence, there is therefore a recognized need for, and it would be highly advantageous to have, a chemical dispensing device that enables a simple refilling procedure, i.e., without having to displace the cover of the toilet cistern, and yet is largely free of the substantial deficiencies of the known external dispensers. It would be of further advantage if such a device would be compact, aesthetically pleasing, and inexpensive to produce.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention is a dispenser for introducing chemical supplements to a toilet cistern without having to displace the cover of the toilet cistern.  
         [0009]     According to the teachings of the present invention there is provided a device for introducing a chemical supplement to a toilet cistern without having to displace a cover of the toilet cistern, including: (a) a dispensing unit having a releasing mechanism, disposed within the cistern, for releasing the chemical supplement into the cistern, and (b) a housing, associated with the releasing mechanism and disposed within the cistern, for receiving a cartridge containing the chemical supplement, and (c) an attachment mechanism for securing the device to a surface of the toilet cistern.  
         [0010]     According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a cartridge device for containing a chemical supplement to a toilet cistern, including: (a) a housing for containing the chemical supplement, and (b) a securing mechanism, at least part of which is disposed on the housing, for securing the housing within the cistern, the housing being designed and configured to at least partially fit through an opening in a surface of the cistern, and such that the housing can be inserted through the opening without having to displace a cover of the cistern.  
         [0011]     According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of introducing a chemical supplement to a toilet cistern, including the steps of: (a) providing a cartridge device including: (i) a housing for containing the chemical supplement, and (ii) a securing mechanism, at least part of which is disposed on the housing, for securing the housing within the cistern; (b) inserting the cartridge device through an opening in a surface of the toilet cistern, and (c) securing the cartridge device with respect to the toilet cistern, using the securing mechanism.  
         [0012]     According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments, the device further includes: (d) a protruding element, disposed within the housing, and designed and configured to penetrate the cartridge when the cartridge is inserted into the housing.  
         [0013]     According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments, the releasing mechanism includes a buoyant plug.  
         [0014]     According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments, the plug is a bi-directional buoyant plug.  
         [0015]     According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments, the attachment mechanism includes a fitting that fits around the surface.  
         [0016]     According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments, the cartridge has a structurally-weakened surface, and wherein the protruding element is designed and configured to penetrate the cartridge in a vicinity of the structurally-weakened surface.  
         [0017]     According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments, the releasing mechanism includes a buoyant plug, and wherein the protruding element is disposed on the plug.  
         [0018]     According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments, the opening is disposed in the cover of the cistern.  
         [0019]     According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments, the opening is disposed in a wall of the cistern.  
         [0020]     According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments, the cartridge is designed and configured such that at least a portion of the cartridge can pass through an opening in the cover of the toilet cistern, such that the chemical supplement can be introduced to the cistern without having to displace the cover of the cistern.  
         [0021]     According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments, the cartridge is equipped with a handle for facilitating an insertion of the cartridge into the housing, and for securing the cartridge within the cistern.  
         [0022]     According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments, the cartridge is equipped with a scent chamber for containing a solid scent for providing a scent to an environment external to the cistern.  
         [0023]     According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments, the scent chamber has a disposable covering for covering the solid scent, the disposable covering for removing before the solid scent is activated.  
         [0024]     According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments, a surface within the housing includes a securing mechanism for securing the cartridge thereto.  
         [0025]     According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments, the securing mechanism includes a first threaded surface that is complementary to a second threaded surface disposed on the cartridge.  
         [0026]     According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments, the housing is designed and configured with respect to the opening such that upon insertion of the cartridge device into the opening, the chemical supplement is disposed completely, or at least partially, within the toilet cistern.  
         [0027]     According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments, the housing includes a structurally-weakened surface designed and configured such that upon insertion of the cartridge into the opening, the structurally-weakened surface is penetrated by a protruding element within the toilet cistern.  
         [0028]     According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments, the cartridge device further includes: (c) a scent chamber, associated with the housing, for containing a solid scent, the chamber designed and configured such that upon insertion of the device into the opening, the chamber is disposed outside the toilet cistern.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0029]     The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. Throughout the drawings, like-referenced characters are used to designate like elements.  
         [0030]     In the drawings:  
         [0031]      FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  are schematic views of the cartridge device of the present invention according to a first preferred embodiment, in which the cartridge is inserted via the cistern lid, wherein:  
         [0032]      FIG. 1   a  shows the cartridge completely inserted within the cistern, and  
         [0033]      FIG. 1   b  shows the cartridge in a partially-inserted disposition;  
         [0034]      FIGS. 2   a - 2   b  are schematic illustrations of the buoyant plug in an open position and in a closed position, respectively, and  
         [0035]      FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of the cartridge device of the present invention according to another preferred embodiment, in which the cartridge is inserted via an opening in a wall of the cistern. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0036]     The present invention is a dispenser for introducing chemical supplements to a toilet cistern without having to displace the cover of the toilet cistern.  
         [0037]     The principles and operation of the dispenser of the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.  
         [0038]     Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawing. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.  
         [0039]     The major innovation of the present invention is the replenishment of the supplement from the exterior of the toilet cistern without having to displace the lid of the cistern. This is achieved by utilizing a hole in the toilet cistern that is disposed anywhere above the water level (when the cistern is full). The hole, which can be an existing hole or a dedicated hole built into the toilet cistern for this purpose, can be disposed in the lid or on any side of the cistern.  
         [0040]     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1   a  is a schematic view of the cartridge device  10  of the present invention according to a first preferred embodiment, in which a tube-shaped cartridge  12  containing a chemical supplement is completely inserted in cistern  14  via an opening in cistern lid  16 .  
         [0041]     As can be seen with greater clarity in  FIG. 1   b , the side of cartridge  12  has a threaded area  18 , and opening  20  in cistern lid  16  (or in cartridge chamber  24 ) is equipped with threaded area  22  that is complementary to threaded area  18 . The top of cartridge  12  is equipped with a handle  24 , which facilitates both the insertion of cartridge  12  into cistern  14  and the securing of cartridge  12  to cistern lid  16  by means of complementary threaded areas  18 , 22 .  
         [0042]     Inside cistern  14  is disposed a cartridge chamber  24  for housing cartridge  12 . Cartridge chamber  24  is firmly affixed to cistern lid  16  by housing adaptor  26 , which preferably fits snugly around both the inside and outside surfaces of cistern lid  16 .  
         [0043]     It is evident that many alternatives for securing the cartridge  12  to cartridge chamber  24  or to cistern lid  16  or to cistern wall  112  (shown in  FIG. 3  hereinbelow) will be apparent to those skilled in the art.  
         [0044]     Disposed below cartridge chamber  24  is dispensing chamber  28 , which serves to dispense the chemical supplement from cartridge chamber  24  into cistern  14 , as will be explained in greater detail hereinbelow. Cartridge chamber  24  and dispensing chamber  28  fluidly communicate through upper ring  30 . Within dispensing chamber  28  is disposed buoyant plug  32 , which is designed to alternatively block fluid communication in two directions: 
        (1) between dispensing chamber  28  and lower ring (or orifice)  34 , such that the chemical supplement is able to flow into dispensing chamber  28  (“down position”, or “open position”), but water from cistern  14  is blocked from flowing into dispensing chamber  28 ;     (2) between cartridge chamber  24  (and/or cartridge  12 ) and dispensing chamber  28 , such that the chemical supplement is not introduced into cistern  14  via dispensing chamber  28  (“up position”, or “closed position”).        
 
         [0047]     An air hole  64  is advantageously disposed in a wall of cartridge chamber  24  (in the event that the wall fluidly seals between the inside and outside of cartridge chamber  24 ), or possibly in a wall of cartridge  12  (in the event that the cartridge wall fluidly seals between the inside and outside of cartridge  12 ).  
         [0048]      FIGS. 2   a - 2   b  are schematic illustrations showing the buoyant plug in an open position ( FIG. 2   a ), and in a closed position ( FIG. 2   b ). Upon flushing the toilet, there is no water to support the device, hence buoyant plug  32  falls to a down or open position, such that the chemical supplement flows from cartridge chamber  24  into dispensing chamber  28  (see arrows  36  in  FIG. 2   a ).  
         [0049]     During the filling of the water cistern, buoyant plug  32  is buoyed by the water, and is reelevated. Once buoyant plug  32  has reattained its starting position ( FIG. 2   b ), such that the communication between cartridge chamber  24  and dispensing chamber  28  has been sealed, the chemical supplement, which is substantially incompressible, is released from dispensing chamber  28  via lower ring  34 , into the water tank (see arrows  38  in  FIG. 2   b ).  
         [0050]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a cartridge device  100  of the present invention according to another preferred embodiment, in which a cartridge  102  is inserted via an opening  110  in a wall  112  of cistern  14 . Since most toilet cisterns are produced with two holes, one on each end of the cistern, to provide for alternative positioning of the water input valve, cartridge device  100  is readily installed on most cisterns without having to drill a new hole therein.  
         [0051]     Referring back to  FIG. 1   b , cartridge  12  is advantageously equipped with a structurally-weakened surface  40 , typically disposed in the bottom surface of cartridge  12 . Upon insertion of cartridge  12  into cartridge chamber  24 , structurally-weakened surface  40  is penetrated by a sharp surface  33  within cartridge chamber  24 . In  FIG. 1   b , the sharp surface is disposed on buoyant plug  32 . In  FIG. 3 , structurally-weakened surface  41  and sharp surface  43  within cartridge chamber  24  are designed and configured such that structurally-weakened surface  41  is penetrated by sharp surface  43 , preferably while cartridge  12  is being screwed into place.  
         [0052]     In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in  FIG. 1   a , handle  24  of cartridge  12  is at least partially hollow, so as to serve as a scent container  44  for containing a perfume, deodorizer, or the like. Preferably, the solid scent material in scent container  44  is covered by a foil or other disposable covering  46 . Thus, after cartridge  12  is installed in cistern  14 , disposable covering  46  is removed from scent container  44 , exposing the active material therein to the environment, and initiating the scenting of the air.  
         [0053]     It must be emphasized that in addition to enabling the user to provide a chemical supplement to the water cistern without having to remove the cistern lid, the present invention enables the user to utilize a liquid chemical supplement without having to store the supplement outside the water cistern, and without having to deal directly with the liquid (and the spilling thereof). The liquid is introduced within a cartridge, and is not exposed to the environment outside of the cistern.  
         [0054]     It must be further emphasized that the present invention provides a mechanism for firmly securing the container for holding the chemical supplement to the lid or wall of the cistern. Furthermore, the present invention serves to contain the chemical supplement within the cistern, while also containing a solid scent material for scenting the environment around the cistern. The solid scent material is firmly fixed to the lid or external wall of the cistern, such that no additional device is required for holding the material, and moreover, the scent material does not take up additional space on top of the cistern lid (or on another surface in the bathroom), nor is the scent material subject to being moved around, knocked over, etc., as with conventional containers for holding such materials.  
         [0055]     As used herein in the specification and in the claims section that follows, the term “internal surface of the toilet cistern” refers to an internal surface of the cistern body or to an internal surface of the cistern lid.  
         [0056]     Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention.