Device for dispensing in the flushing water and/or for mixing with the flushing water detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products, in toilet bowls or hydraulic and sanitary fixtures in general

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for dispensing in the flushing water and/or for mixing with the flushing water detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products, in toilet bowls or hydraulic and sanitary fixtures in general.

[0002] Devices for dispensing, within toilet bowls, detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products in the solid state, packaged in the form of water-soluble tablet or bar, are known. Such devices are constituted generally by a supporting structure, which is composed of an enclosure with a cage-like structure which defines internally a compartment for the tablet or bar and a hook-shaped suspension arm, which is connected to the enclosure and can engage the rim of the toilet bowl so as to support the enclosure below the rim of the toilet bowl, where the holes for dispensing the flushing water of the toilet bowl are provided. In this manner, every time the flushing system of the toilet bowl is operated, the flushing water strikes the enclosure, gradually dissolving the tablet or bar and therefore mixing the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products with the flushing water.

[0003] When using such devices, very often a scarcely uniform wear of the tablet or bar is observed, because the flushing water strikes in a different manner the various regions of the tablet or bar. This scarcely uniform wear has the effect of producing very often an unwanted breakup of the tablet or bar, with the release of undissolved pieces into the flushing water and therefore with a scarcely effective wear of the tablet or bar in terms of washing the toilet bowl.

[0004] Moreover, with such devices the substances that compose the tablet or bar dissolve in the flushing water in a scarcely satisfactory manner, and foam generation is limited and is usually enhanced by increasing the content of surfactants in the products that compose the tablet or bar.

[0005] Devices for dispensing into toilet bowls detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products in the liquid or gel state are also known. Such devices are provided with at least one tank, which is hung from the rim of the toilet bowl and contains the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products, and the products are dispensed into the flushing water usually by utilizing the washing action of the water on a preset region of the device, onto which a certain quantity of the cited products is dispensed generally by gravity.

[0006] Even with these devices, very often the mixing of the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products in the flushing water is not fully satisfactory and foam generation is limited and conditioned by the shape of the toilet bowl, by the force of the water jet, and by the direction of the flushing water on the device.

[0007] In toilet bowls served by a cistern for storing the flushing water, the flushing water can receive the addition of detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products, which are placed inside said cistern.

[0008] In this case also, very often the mixing of the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products in the flushing water is not fully satisfactory and foam generation is limited.

[0009] WO 2004/005631 discloses a device for cleaning and disinfecting a toilet using a liquid composition, which comprises a tilting tray below a liquid composition tank.

[0010] GB-A-2 349 157 discloses a device for dosing an active agent into the flushing water of a toilet, in which the active agent is inside a partially rotating tank.

[0011] DE-A-199 20 897 discloses a device for cleaning a toilet, in which a tank is arranged so as to release a dose of liquid sanitizing product to between the paddles of a rotating element.

[0012] The aim of the present invention is to provide a device for dispensing into the flushing water and/or for mixing with the flushing water detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products, in toilet bowls or hydraulic and sanitary fixtures in general, which ensures optimum mixing of the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products with the flushing water.

[0013] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a device which, for equal detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products used, achieves a greater generation of foam and a longer retention of the generated foam with respect to known types of devices.

[0014] Another object of the invention is to provide a device which can be manufactured at competitive costs and is simple to use.

[0015] This aim and these and other objects, which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a device for dispensing into the flushing water and/or for mixing with the flushing water detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products, in toilet bowls or hydraulic and sanitary fixtures in general, according to claim 1.

[0016] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of some embodiments of the device according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 1 in the assembled condition;

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 3 in the assembled condition;

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 5 in the assembled condition;

Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 7 in the assembled condition;

Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 9 in the assembled condition;

Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 11 in the assembled condition;

Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view of a seventh embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 13 in the assembled condition;

[0017] With reference to the figures, the device according to the invention, generally designated in its various embodiments by the reference numerals 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h, 1i, comprises a supporting structure 2a-2i, which is provided with engagement means 3a-3i, which can engage the hydraulic and sanitary fixture so as to support the supporting structure 2a-2i in a region of the fixture that is affected by the flow of the flushing water.

[0018] According to the invention, the supporting structure 2a-2i supports, so that it can rotate about a rotation axis 4a-4i, at least one rotating element 5a-5i, which interacts with the flow of the flushing water in order to mix detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products introduced in the flushing water and/or adjust the dispensing of detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products connected to the supporting structure 2a-2i and/or vary the orientation of the flow of flushing water conveyed onto detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products connected to the supporting structure 2a-2i.

[0019] The rotating element 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g, 5h can be constituted by an impeller with radial vanes or of the screw type in which the rotation axis, considering the device during use, i.e., with the supporting structure 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h supported by the engagement means 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, 3h in a region of the fixture affected by the flow of the flushing water, is oriented substantially horizontally.

[0020] As an alternative, the rotating element 5i can be constituted by a helical impeller in which the rotation axis, considering the device during use, i.e., with the supporting structure 2i supported by the engagement means 3i in a region of the fixture affected by the flow of the flushing water, is oriented substantially vertically.

[0021] The detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products to be dispensed are supported preferably by the supporting structure 2a-2i so that they are external to the rotating element, e.g. they are placed upstream of or downstream of the rotating element with respect to the direction of the flushing water flow. The detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products can also be arranged within the cistern for storing flushing water with which the toilet bowl or the hydraulic and sanitary fixture in general is equipped. In this last case, the device according to the invention is constituted substantially by the supporting structure, by the engagement means and by the rotating element, which by interacting with the flow of the flushing water mixes the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products that are already present in the flushing water and generates a larger volume of foam for an equal composition of the products.

[0022] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the device 1a in the first embodiment comprises a supporting structure 2a, which is constituted substantially by an enclosure composed of two parts 7a, 8a, which are mutually assembled and define a compartment 9a inside them. Such compartment 9a is connected to the outside through openings 10a, which are designed to be directed toward the wall of the fixture along which the flushing water flows, and optionally openings 11a on its opposite side.

[0023] The rotating element 5a is constituted, in this first embodiment, by an impeller 6a with radial vanes which taper in the direction of their axial ends. The impeller 6a is supported, so that it can rotate about its own axis 4a, by the supporting structure 2a within the compartment 9a. The axis 4a of the impeller 6a, when the device is being used, is arranged substantially horizontally.

[0024] The detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products to be mixed with the flushing water are also arranged inside the compartment 9a. Such products are solid and are packaged in the form of at least one water-soluble tablet. Preferably, the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products are packaged in the form of two water-soluble tablets 12a, 13a, which are positioned in the compartment 9a above the impeller 6a.

[0025] Conveniently, between the impeller 6a and the tablets 12a, 13a there is an interposed diaphragm 14a, which supports the tablets 12a, 13a. The diaphragm 14a is crossed by passages 15a, which allow the flushing water that makes contact with the tablets 12a, 13a and the products of the dissolution of the tablets 12a, 13a to flow on the vanes of the underlying impeller 6a.

[0026] In practice, when using the device in this first embodiment, the flushing water enters the compartment 9a through the openings 10a, 11a located in the upper part of the supporting structure 2a, comes into contact with the tablets 12a, 13a, causing their gradual dissolution, and then descends onto the impeller 6a, causing its rotation about its own axis 4a before exiting from the openings 10a located on the lower part of the supporting structure 2a.

[0027] In this first embodiment, the impeller 6a performs predominantly the function of improving the mixing of the products of the dissolution of the tablets 12a, 13a with each other and with the flushing water, increasing the production of foam.

[0028] With reference to Figures 3 and 4, the device 1b in the second embodiment is provided substantially like the device described above with reference to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, with the difference that the rotating element 5b is constituted, in this second embodiment, by an impeller 6b of the screw or screw-feeder type, the rotation axis 4b whereof is horizontal when the device is in use.

[0029] The other elements of the device in this second embodiment that correspond to the elements already described with reference to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 have been designated by the same reference numerals followed by the letter b instead of the letter a.

[0030] In practice, in the use of the device in this second embodiment, the flushing water enters the compartment 9b through the openings 10b, 11b located in the upper part of the supporting structure 2b, comes into contact with the tablets 12b, 13b, causing their gradual dissolution, and then descends onto the impeller 6b, causing its rotation about its own axis 4b before flowing out through the openings 11b located in the lower part of the supporting structure 2b.

[0031] In this second embodiment also, the impeller 6b performs predominantly the function of improving the mixing of the products of the dissolution of the tablets 12b, 13b with each other and with the flushing water, increasing the production of foam. Moreover, the particular shape of the impeller 6b also directs laterally the flow of water mixed with the products of the dissolution of the tablets 12b, 13b in output from the device, thus extending the area of the action of the products on the walls of the bowl and achieving a more diffuse action which is not limited only to the region that lies below the device.

[0032] With reference to Figures 5 and 6, the device 1c in the third embodiment comprises a supporting structure 2c, which is constituted substantially by an enclosure composed of two parts 7c, 8c, which are mutually assembled and define internally a compartment 9c. Such compartment 9c is connected to the outside through openings 10c, which are designed to be directed toward the wall of the fixture along which the flushing water flows, and optionally openings 11c on its opposite side.

[0033] The rotating element 5c is constituted, in this third embodiment, by an impeller 6c with radial vanes which taper in the direction of their axial ends. The impeller 6c is supported, so that it can rotate about its own axis 4c, by the supporting structure 2c within the compartment 9c. The axis 4c, when the device is in use, is arranged substantially horizontally.

[0034] The detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products to be mixed with the flushing water are also arranged within the compartment 9c. In this third embodiment, part of these products is in solid form, packaged in the form of at least one water-soluble tablet 12c, and part is in liquid or gel form and is contained within a tank 13c.

[0035] The tablet 12c and the tank 13c are arranged in the compartment 9c above the impeller 6c.

[0036] Conveniently, between the impeller 6c and the assembly constituted by the tablet 12c and the tank 13c, there is an interposed diaphragm 14c, which supports the tablet 12c and the tank 13c. The diaphragm 14c is crossed by passages 15c and by a hole 16c, which allow the flushing water that makes contact with the tablet 12c, the products of the dissolution of the tablet 12c, and the liquid or gel products dispensed by the tank 13c to flow on the vanes of the underlying impeller 6c.

[0037] More particularly, the tank 13c has at least one dispensing outlet at its lower end, which is not visible in the figures. The dispensing outlet of the tank 13c is arranged at a hole 16c, which is provided in the diaphragm 14c. Below the hole 16c, the supporting structure 2c supports a retention element, which is constituted for example by a plate 17c. The plate 17c is arranged at a preset distance from the hole 16c and is designed to retain preset quantities of the liquid or gel products that exit by gravity from the dispensing outlet of the tank 13c, preventing their excessive spread.

[0038] In this third embodiment, the impeller 6c is arranged below the plate 17c, but it might also be arranged between the diaphragm 14c, in which the hole 16c is provided, and the plate 17c, cooperating with the plate 17c in retaining the liquid or gel products dispensed by the tank 13c.

[0039] In practice, in the use of the device in this third embodiment, the flushing water enters the compartment 9c through the openings 10c, 11c located in the upper part of the supporting structure 2c, comes into contact with the tablet 12c, causing its gradual dissolution, and with the liquid or gel product deposited on the plate 17c. The flushing water, together with the products of the dissolution of the tablet 12c and the products dispensed by the tank 13c, then descends onto the impeller 6c, causing its rotation about its own axis 4c before it flows out from the openings 10c located on the lower part of the supporting structure 2c.

[0040] In this third embodiment, the impeller 6c performs predominantly the function of improving the mixing of the products of the dissolution of the tablet 12c and of the products dispensed by the tank 13c with each other and with the flushing water, increasing the generation of foam.

[0041] With reference to Figures 7 and 8, the device 1d in the fourth embodiment is provided substantially like the device already described with reference to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, with the difference that the impeller 6d is further connected to actuation means which can turn it about its own axis 4d in addition to the action of the flushing water on said impeller 6d.

[0042] More particularly, said actuation means preferably comprise an electric motor and an electric power source for supplying it, such as for example a battery, which are arranged inside a hermetically sealed container 18d supported by the supporting structure 2d. The electric motor is connected, by means of its output shaft, to the impeller 6d so as to cause its rotation about the axis 4d with respect to the supporting structure 2d. The electric motor can be controlled by an electronic circuit, which is also accommodated within the container 18d and drives the electric motor with a preset rotation rate when the impeller 6d is turned about its own axis 4d by the flow of the flushing water and interrupts its actuation after a period of time which can be preset.

[0043] The other elements of the device in this fourth embodiment that correspond to the elements already described with reference to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 have been designated by the same reference numerals followed by the letter d instead of the letter a.

[0044] In practice, the operation of the device in this fourth embodiment is similar to the one already described with reference to the device in the first embodiment, with the difference that the rotation rate of the impeller 6d about its own axis 4d and the rotation time of the impeller 6d can be increased at will by means of the electric motor that drives the impeller 6d so as to further improve the effect of mixing the products of the dissolution of the tablets 12d, 13d with each other and with the flushing water and increase the generation of foam.

[0045] With reference to Figures 9 and 10, the device 1e in the fifth embodiment is provided in a manner which is similar to the device in the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, with the difference that in this fifth embodiment the impeller 6e is connected to means which are adapted to prolong its rotation activated by the flow of the flushing water.

[0046] Such means adapted to prolong the rotation of the impeller 6e comprise a flywheel 19e, which is supported, so that it can rotate about its own axis, by the supporting structure 2e and is connected to the impeller 6e cynematically, by means of gears 20e, 21 e also supported by the supporting structure 2e.

[0047] The other elements of the device in this fifth embodiment that correspond to the elements already described with reference to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 have been designated by the same reference numerals followed by the letter e instead of the letter a.

[0048] In practice, in the use of the device in this fifth embodiment, the flushing water enters the compartment 9e through the openings 10e, 11e located in the upper part of the supporting structure 2e, comes into contact with the tablets 12e, 13e, causing their progressive dissolution, and then descends onto the impeller 6e, causing its rotation about its own axis 4e before flowing out from the openings 10e located on the lower part of the supporting structure 2e. The rotation of the impeller 6e about its own axis 4e is prolonged by the presence of the flywheel 19e.

[0049] In this fifth embodiment, the impeller 6e performs predominantly the function of improving the mixing of the products of the dissolution of the tablets 12e, 13e with each other and with the flushing water, increasing the generation of foam.

[0050] With reference to Figures 11 and 12, the device 1f in the sixth embodiment comprises a supporting structure 2f, which is constituted substantially by an enclosure composed of two parts 7f, 8f, which are mutually assembled and define internally a compartment 9f. Said compartment 9f is connected to the outside through openings 10f, which are designed to be directed toward the wall of the fixture along which the flushing water flows, and optionally openings 11f on its opposite side.

[0051] The rotating element 5f is constituted, in this sixth embodiment, by a screw-type impeller 6f. The impeller 6f is supported, so that it can rotate about its own axis 4f, by the supporting structure 2f within the compartment 9f. The axis 4f, when the device is in use, is arranged substantially horizontally.

[0052] The detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products to be mixed with the flushing water are arranged within the compartment 9f, downstream of the impeller 6f with respect to the direction of the flushing water. Said products are solid and packaged in the form of a water-soluble tablet 12f. As an alternative, two or more tablets can be arranged within the compartment 9f.

[0053] In this sixth embodiment, the impeller 6f is arranged above the tablet 12f and distributes the flow of flushing water that enters the compartment 9f onto the tablet 12f so as to achieve a more uniform and effective wear of the tablet 12f.

[0054] For this reason, the impeller 6f can be provided, as shown, with two mutually opposite cylindrical helical elements, which protrude from the center of the impeller toward the axial ends, so as to convey the flushing water also onto peripheral regions of the tablet 12f, which otherwise would be reached only partially by the flushing water.

[0055] In practice, in the use of the device in this sixth embodiment, the flushing water enters the compartment 9f through the openings 10f, 11f located in the upper part of the supporting structure 2f. The flushing water makes contact with the impeller 6f and causes it to turn about its own axis 4f. The impeller 6f, by means of its rotation, changes the direction of the flow of the flushing water, distributing it uniformly on the tablet 12f, which is progressively dissolved by the passage of the flushing water. The flushing water with the products of the dissolution of the tablet 12f then exits through the openings 10f located in the lower part of the supporting structure 2f. In this case also, although the impeller 6f predominantly performs the function of modifying the path of the water stream that passes through the compartment 9f, by coming in any case into contact with the flushing water and with the products of the dissolution of the tablet 12f it mixes said products with the flushing water, increasing the generation of foam.

[0056] With reference to Figures 13 and 14, the device 1g in the seventh embodiment comprises a supporting structure 2g, which supports a tray-like container 20g and has, below said tray-like container 20g, a portion 7g which defines a compartment 9g, which is open laterally and in a downward region and in which the rotating element 5g, constituted by an impeller 6g with radial vanes, is arranged. When the device is in use, the rotation axis 4g of the impeller 6g is arranged substantially horizontally.

[0057] In this seventh embodiment, the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products to be mixed with the flushing water are solid and are packaged in the form of a bar 12g, which is accommodated in the tray-like container 20g. As an alternative, two or more bars might be arranged in the tray-like container 20g.

[0058] The tray-like container 20g has, on its bottom, at least one opening 15g for the release of the water and of the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products produced by the dissolution of the bar 12g, onto the vanes of the impeller 6g arranged below.

[0059] In this seventh embodiment, since the tray-like container 20g is open upwardly, the bar 12g is exposed to the flow of flushing water and the tray-like container 20g is designed to collect part of the flushing water and of the products of the dissolution of the bar 12g in order to release them gradually, even after the flow of the flushing water has ceased, onto the impeller 6g. This seventh embodiment is particularly adapted to achieve the dispensing of products which have a better performance if they can remain in the toilet bowl after the flow of flushing water has ceased, such as for example scale removers, whiteners or fragrances.

[0060] In this seventh embodiment also, the impeller 6g effectively performs the function of mixing the flushing water with the products of the dissolution of the bar 12g and of increasing the production of foam.

[0061] In practice it has been found that the device according to the invention fully achieves the intended aim, since it improves the mixing of the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products with the flushing water and achieves, for an equal formulation of the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products used, a higher production of foam and a longer permanence of the generated foam with respect to known types of devices.

[0062] Thanks to this fact, it is possible to reduce the percentage of surfactants in the composition of the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products used.

[0063] In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

[0064] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A device (1a-1g) comprising detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products (12a-12g, 13a-13e) to be dispensed in use into the flushing water and/or for mixing with the flushing water, in toilet bowls or hydraulic and sanitary fixtures in general, which device further comprises a supporting structure (2a-2g) provided with engagement means (3a-3g) which can engage the hydraulic and sanitary fixture in order to support the supporting structure in a region of the fixture that is affected by the flushing water flow, said supporting structure (2a-2g) supporting rotatably, about a rotation axis, at least one fully rotating element (5a-5g), which interacts with the flow of flushing water in order to mix detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products (12a-12g, 13a-13e) introduced in the flushing water and/or adjust the dispensing of detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products connected to said supporting structure (2a-2g) and/or vary the orientation of the flow of flushing water conveyed onto detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products connected to said supporting structure (2a-2g), characterized in that said detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products (12a-12g, 13a-13e) are solid, packaged in the form of at least one tablet or bar supported by said supporting structure (2a-2g) and external to said at least one rotating element (5a-5g), said detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products (12a-12g, 13a-13e) being placed upstream of or downstream of the at least one rotating element with respect to the direction of the flushing water flow, so that said flushing water contacts said detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant solid products (12a-12g, 13a-13e) upstream of or downstream of the rotating element (5a-5g), respectively, in the direction of the flushing water flow.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said rotating element (5a-5g) comprises an impeller (6a, 6c-6e, 6g) with radial vanes in which the axis of rotation is oriented substantially horizontally when said supporting structure is supported by said engagement means in a region of the fixture affected by the flow of the flushing water.

3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that said rotating element (5a-5g) has a shape which tapers in the direction of its axial ends.

4. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rotating element (5a-5g) comprises a screw-like impeller (6b, 6f) in which the rotation axis is oriented substantially horizontally when said supporting structure is supported by said engagement means in a region of the fixture which is affected by the flow of the flushing water.

5. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rotating element (5a-5g) comprises a helical impeller in which the rotation axis is oriented substantially vertically when said supporting structure is supported by said engagement means in a region of the fixture which is affected by the flow of the flushing water.

6. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products (12a-12g, 13a-13e) are solid and are packaged in the form of at least two tablets or bars supported by said supporting structure.

7. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said supporting structure (2a-2g) comprises an enclosure which defines internally a compartment which accommodates said rotating element and has openings for the passage of the flow of flushing water; said at least one tablet or bar being located within said compartment or connected to said compartment.

8. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rotating element (5a-5g) is arranged above said at least one tablet or bar.

9. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rotating element (5a-5g) is arranged below said at least one tablet or bar.

10. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a perforated diaphragm (14a, 14c) is arranged between said at least one tablet or bar and said rotating element.

11. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one tablet or bar is arranged in a tray-like container (20g) which is supported by said supporting structure above said rotating element; said tray-like container, when said supporting structure is supported by said engagement means in a region of the fixture that is affected by the flow of the flushing water, being exposed to the flow of the flushing water and having, on its bottom, at least one opening (15g) for the release of the water and of the detergent and/or sanitizing and/or deodorant products produced by the dissolution of said tablet or bar onto said rotating element.

12. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said impeller (6d) is connected to actuation means.

13. The device according to claim 12, characterized in that said actuation means comprise an electric motor and an electric power source for supplying it, which are supported by said supporting structure; said electric motor being connected, with its output shaft, to said rotating element for its rotary actuation about its rotation axis (4d).

14. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rotating element is connected to means which are adapted to prolong its rotation activated by the flow of the flushing water.

15. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that said means adapted to prolong the rotation of said rotating element comprise a flywheel (19e), which is supported rotatably about its own axis by said supporting structure and is connected cynematically to said rotating element.

Ansprüche

1. Vorrichtung (1a-1g), die Waschmittel- und/oder Sterilisations- und/oder Deodorant-Produkte (12a-12g, 13a-13e) enthält, die im Gebrauch in das Spülwasser in Toilettenschüsseln oder allgemein in Hydraulik- und Sanitäreinrichtungsgegenständen abgegeben und/oder mit diesem Spülwasser gemischt werden, wobei die Vorrichtung ferner eine Tragstruktur (2a-2g) umfasst, die mit Eingriffmitteln (3a-3g) versehen ist, die mit dem Hydraulik- und Sanitäreinrichtungsgegenstand in Eingriff gelangen können, um die Unterstützungsstruktur in einem von der Spülwasserströmung beeinflussten Bereich des Einrichtungsgegenstandes zu unterstützen, wobei die Unterstützungsstruktur (2a-2g) wenigstens ein vollständig rotierendes Element (5a-5g), das mit der Spülwasserströmung in Wechselwirkung steht, um eine Drehachse drehbar unterstützt, damit das Element Waschmittel- und/oder Sterilisations- und/oder Deodorant-Produkte (12a-12g, 13a-13e), die in das Spülwasser eingeleitet werden, mischt und/oder die Abgabe von Waschmittel- und/oder Sterilisations- und/oder Deodorant-Produkten, die mit der Unterstützungsstruktur (2a-2g) verbunden sind, einzustellen und/oder die Orientierung der Strömung von Spülwasser, das auf die Waschmittel- und/oder Sterilisations- und/oder Deodorant-Produkte, die mit der Unterstützungsstruktur (2a-2g) verbunden sind, befördert wird, zu verändern, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Waschmittel- und/oder Sterilisations- und/oder Deodorant-Produkte (12-12g, 13a-13e) Feststoffe sind, die in Form wenigstens einer Tablette oder eines Stabs, die bzw. der durch die Unterstützungsstruktur (2a-2g) unterstützt wird, verpackt sind und sich außerhalb des wenigstens einen rotierenden Elements (5a-5g) befinden, wobei die Waschmittel- und/oder Sterilisations- und/oder Deodorant-Produkte (12a-12g, 13a-13e) in Bezug auf die Richtung der Spülwasserströmung stromaufseitig oder stromabseitig von dem wenigstens einen rotierenden Element angeordnet sind, so dass das Spülwasser mit den Waschmittel- und/oder Sterilisations- und/oder Deodorant-Produkten (12a-12g, 13a-13e) in Richtung der Spülwasserströmung stromaufseitig bzw. stromabseitig von dem rotierenden Element (5a-5g) in Kontakt gelangt.

2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das rotierende Element (5a-5g) ein Laufrad (6a-6c-6e, 6g) mit radialen Schaufeln umfasst, dessen Drehachse im Wesentlichen horizontal orientiert ist, wenn die Unterstützungsstruktur durch die Eingriffmittel in einem durch die Strömung des Spülwassers beeinflussten Bereich des Sanitäreinrichtungsgegenstandes unterstützt ist.

3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das rotierende Element (5a-5g) eine Form hat, die in Richtung ihrer axialen Enden konisch zuläuft.

4. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das rotierende Element (5a-5g) ein schraubenartiges Laufrad (6b, 6f) umfasst, in dem die Drehachse im Wesentlichen horizontal orientiert ist, wenn die Unterstützungsstruktur durch die Eingriffmittel in einem durch die Strömung des Spülwassers beeinflussten Bereich des Sanitäreinrichtungsgegenstandes unterstützt ist.

5. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das rotierende Element (5a-5g) ein schraubenlinienförmiges Laufrad umfasst, in dem die Drehachse im Wesentlichen vertikal orientiert ist, wenn die Unterstützungsstruktur durch die Eingriffmittel in einem durch die Strömung des Spülwassers beeinflussten Bereich des Sanitäreinrichtungsgegenstandes unterstützt ist.

6. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Waschmittel- und/oder Sterilisations- und/oder Deodorant-Produkte (12a-12g, 13a-13e) Feststoffe sind und in Form von wenigstens zwei Tabletten oder Stäben, die durch die Unterstützungsstruktur unterstützt sind, verpackt sind.

7. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Unterstützungsstruktur (2a-2g) ein Gehäuse umfasst, das innen ein Fach definiert, das das rotierende Element aufnimmt, und Öffnungen für den Durchgang der Strömung von Spülwasser besitzt; wobei sich wenigstens eine Tablette oder ein Stab in dem Fach befindet oder mit dem Fach verbunden ist.

8. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das rotierende Element (5a-5g) über der wenigstens einen Tablette oder dem wenigstens einen Stab angeordnet ist.

9. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das rotierende Element (5a-5g) unter der wenigstens einen Tablette oder dem wenigstens einen Stab angeordnet ist.

10. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine perforierte Membran (14a, 14c) zwischen der wenigstens einen Tablette oder dem wenigstens einen Stab und dem rotierenden Element angeordnet ist.

11. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass wenigstens eine Tablette oder ein Stab in einem tablettartigen Behälter (20g) angeordnet ist, der durch die Unterstützungsstruktur über dem rotierenden Element unterstützt ist; der tablettartige Behälter dann, wenn die Unterstützungsstruktur durch die Eingriffmittel in einem durch die Strömung des Spülwassers beeinflussten Bereich des Sanitäreinrichtungsgegenstandes unterstützt ist, der Strömung des Spülwassers ausgesetzt ist und an seinem Boden wenigstens eine Öffnung (15g) für die Ausgabe des Wassers und der Waschmittel- und/oder Sterilisations- und/oder Deodorant-Produkte, die durch die Auflösung der Tablette oder des Stabs erzeugt werden, auf das rotierende Element besitzt.

12. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Laufrad (6d) mit Betätigungsmitteln verbunden ist.

13. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Betätigungsmittel einen Elektromotor und eine Stromquelle für seine Versorgung, die durch die Unterstützungsstruktur unterstützt sind, umfassen; wobei der Elektromotor mit seiner Abtriebswelle mit dem rotierenden Element verbunden ist, um es um seine Drehachse (4d) rotatorisch anzutreiben.

14. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das rotierende Element mit Mitteln verbunden ist, die dazu ausgelegt sind, seine durch die Strömung des Spülwassers hervorgerufene Drehung zeitlich zu verlängern.

15. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 14, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Mittel, die dazu ausgelegt sind, die Drehung des rotierenden Elements zeitlich zu verlängern, ein Schwungrad (19e) umfassen, das durch die Unterstützungsstruktur um seine eigene Achse drehbar unterstützt ist und mit dem rotierenden Element kinematisch verbunden ist.

Revendications

1. Dispositif (1a-1g) comprenant des produits détergents et/ou désinfectants et/ou désodorisants (12a-12g, 13a-13e) à diffuser en utilisant l'eau de la chasse d'eau et/ou à mélanger avec l'eau de la chasse d'eau, dans la cuvette des toilettes ou dans les installations hydrauliques et sanitaires en général, ledit dispositif comprenant en outre une structure de support (2a-2g) dotée de moyens d'engagement (3a-3g) pouvant engager l'installation hydraulique et sanitaire afin de supporter la structure de support dans une zone de l'installation affectée par le flux de la chasse d'eau, ladite structure de support (2a-2g) supportant de façon à pouvoir tourner, autour d'un axe de rotation, au moins un élément entièrement rotatif (5a-5g), qui interagit avec le flux de la chasse d'eau afin de mélanger les produits détergents et/ou désinfectants et/ou désodorisants (12a-12g, 13a-13e) introduits dans l'eau de la chasse d'eau et/ou régler la diffusion de produits détergents et/ou désinfectants et/ou désodorisants connectés à ladite structure de support (2a-2g) et/ou faire varier l'orientation du flux de l'eau de la chasse d'eau dirigé sur les produits détergents et/ou désinfectant et/ou désodorisants rattachés à ladite structure de support (2a-2g), caractérisé par le fait que lesdits produits détergents et/ou désinfectants et/ou désodorisants (12a-12g, 13a-13e) sont solides, emballés sous la forme d'au moins une pastille ou barre supportée par ladite structure de support (2a-2g) à l'extérieur dudit au moins un élément tournant (5a-5g), lesdits produits détergents et/ou désinfectants et/ou désodorisants (12a-12g, 13a-13e) étant positionnés en amont ou en aval du au moins un élément tournant par rapport au sens du flux de la chasse d'eau, de sorte que ladite eau de la chasse d'eau vienne en contact avec lesdits produits détergents et/ou désinfectants et/ou désodorisants (12a-12g, 13a-13e) en amont ou en aval de l'élément tournant (5a-5g), respectivement, dans le sens du flux de la chasse d'eau.

2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé par le fait que ledit élément tournant (5a-5g) comprend une roue (6a, 6c-6e, 6g) avec des palettes radiales dans lesquelles l'axe de rotation est orienté horizontalement lorsque ladite structure de support est supportée par ledit moyen d'engagement dans une zone de l'installation affectée par le flux d'eau de la chasse d'eau.

3. Dispositif selon la revendication 2, caractérisé par le fait que ledit élément rotatif (5a-5g) a une forme conique dans le sens de ses extrémités axiales.

4. Dispositif selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que ledit élément rotatif (5a-5g) comprend une roue en forme de vis (6b, 6f) dans laquelle l'axe de rotation est orienté essentiellement horizontalement lorsque ladite structure de support est supportée par lesdits moyens d'engagement dans la zone de l'installation affectée par le flux d'eau de la chasse d'eau.

5. Dispositif selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que ledit élément tournant (5a-5g) comprend une roue hélicoïdale dans laquelle l'axe de rotation est orienté essentiellement verticalement lorsque ladite structure de support est supportée par lesdits éléments d'engagement dans une zone de l'installation affectée par le flux d'eau de la chasse d'eau.

6. Dispositif selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que lesdits produits détergents et/ou désinfectants et/ou désodorisants (12a-12g, 13a-13e) sont solides et emballés sous la forme d'au moins deux pastilles ou barres supportées par ladite structure de support.

7. Dispositif selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que ladite structure de support (2a-2g) comprend une enceinte qui définit intérieurement un compartiment prévu pour recevoir ledit élément tournant et comporte des ouvertures pour le passage du flux d'eau de la chasse d'eau ; ladite au moins une pastille ou barre étant placée à l'intérieur dudit compartiment ou rattachée au dit compartiment.

8. Dispositif selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que ledit élément tournant (5a-5g) est placé au-dessus de ladite au moins une pastille ou barre.

9. Dispositif selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que ledit élément tournant (5a-5g) est placé au-dessous de ladite au moins une pastille ou barre

10. Dispositif selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait qu'un diaphragme perforé (14a, 14c) est placé entre ladite au moins une pastille ou barre et ledit élément tournant.

11. Dispositif selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que ladite au moins une pastille ou barre est placée dans un conteneur en forme de plateau (20g) supporté par ladite structure de support au-dessus dudit élément tournant : ledit conteneur en forme de plateau, lorsque ladite structure de support est supportée par lesdits moyens d'engagement dans la zone de l'installation affectée par le flux d'eau de la chasse d'eau, étant exposé au flux de la chasse d'eau et comportant, sur sa partie inférieure, au moins une ouverture (15g) pour permettre la libération de l'eau et des produits détergents et/ou désinfectants et/ou désodorisants produits par la dissolution de ladite pastille ou barre sur ledit élément tournant.

12. Dispositif selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que ladite roue (6d) est raccordée à des moyens d'actionnement.

13. Dispositif selon la revendication 12, caractérisé par le fait que lesdits moyens d'actionnement comprennent un moteur électrique et une source d'alimentation électrique pour l'alimenter, supportés par ladite structure de support ; ledit moteur électrique étant raccordé, par l'intermédiaire de son arbre de sortie, au dit élément tournant pour le faire tourner autour de son axe de rotation (4d).

14. Dispositif selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que ledit élément tournant est raccordé à des moyens adaptés pour prolonger sa rotation activée par le flux d'eau de la chasse d'eau.

15. Dispositif selon la revendication 14, caractérisé par le fait que les moyens adaptés pour prolonger la rotation dudit élément de rotation comprennent un volant (19e) supporté de façon à pouvoir tourner autour de son propre axe par ladite structure de support et raccordé cinématiquement au dit élément tournant.

Drawing