EP2141221B1

EP2141221B1 - Adhesive toilet product, containment and applicator device thereto

Info

Publication number: EP2141221B1
Application number: EP09425246.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Francesco Maurizio Orlandini; Michele Ferri
Original assignee: Bolton Manitoba SpA
Current assignee: Bolton Manitoba SpA
Priority date: 2008-06-30
Filing date: 2009-06-26
Publication date: 2013-10-23
Anticipated expiration: 2029-06-26
Also published as: ITMI20081202A1; PL2141221T3; EP2141221A1; ES2442272T3; HRP20140059T1; SI2141221T1

Description

The present invention refers to a containment and applicator device for an adhesive detergent product and to the use of such product.
Sanitary apparatuses, like for example toilet bowls or else wall-mounted urinals, are subject to a rapid reduction in cleanliness and disinfection during the course of the time that they are used. This results not only in unpleasant and unhygienic conditions in which they are used, but also a degradation of the sanitary apparatuses themselves following the formation of lime scale or other incrustations.
Therefore, it has for some time been known to use removable hygienic devices to be installed inside the toilet bowl, suspended at the perimeter edge. So-called "caged" hygienic devices are known, in which a suspension means that can be applied to the perimeter edge of the toilet bowl itself supports a container provided with slits and/or holes in which an active chemical compound in solid state is enclosed, for example with detergent and deodorant functions. Other removable hygienic devices comprise a dispenser element of an active chemical compound in liquid state connected to the suspension means.
The described hygienic devices, when hit by the flushed water of the toilet bowl, enrich it with substances that give it detergent, decalcifying, deodorant and/or disinfectant properties such as to substantially boost its natural cleaning action.
However, the hygienic devices described above have the drawback of not always ensuring adequate anchoring to the perimeter edge of the toilet bowl, sometimes even due to the fragility of the suspension means, thus being able to accidentally fall inside the toilet bowl itself with the danger of causing its discharge pipe to become blocked. In addition, such devices are not very practical and hygienic for the user, both at the time of replacement and when the toilet bowl is cleaned manually.
As an alternative to the conventional hygienic devices quoted above, document WO 2007/008531 describes an adhesive fluid detergent product that can be applied to the wall of a toilet bowl through a syringe device. Similar devices are also known from document WO 2004/043825 and WO 03/043906 . Due to its constructive characteristics, this sort of device is, however, rather complicated and expensive to make.
Document WO 2008/058853 A1 discloses a further adhesive detergent product having a round smooth shape.
The purpose of the present invention is therefore to make an applicator device for the application of an adhesive detergent product equipped with its own shape, to the inner wall of a sanitary apparatus, which are particularly simple and cost-effective to manufacture.
Another purpose is to use an adhesive detergent product that allows the consumption of the object to be controlled over time, i.e. after every flush.
A further purpose is to use an adhesive detergent product that keeps its shape as constant as possible over time during dissolving, in other words that wears down homogeneously promoting its reduction in scale.
Another purpose of the invention is to make a containment and applicator device for an adhesive detergent product capable of avoiding contact between the user's hands and the wall of the sanitary apparatus in the application step of the detergent product itself.
Yet another purpose of the invention is to make a containment and applicator device for an adhesive detergent product capable of keeping the deodorant and/or sanitising properties of such a product unchanged until it is used.
These purposes according to the present invention are accomplished by making an applicator device for adhesive detergent product, for applying an adhesive detergent product onto the inner wall of a sanitary apparatus and to use such a product as outlined in the independent claims.
Further characteristics of the invention are outlined in the dependent claims.
The characteristics and advantages of an applicator device for an adhesive detergent product according to the present invention and of the use shall become clearer from the following description, given as an example and not for limiting purposes, referring to the attached schematic drawings, in which:

figures 1 and 2 schematically show two embodiments of an adhesive detergent product respectively made in a single piece or with an adhesive layer according to the present invention;
figures 3A - 3D show preferred shapes for a detergent tablet according to the present invention;
figure 4 is an enlarged section made along the line IV-IV of the tablet of figure 3A;
figure 5 shows a detail of the product of figure 3A in use, anchored to the wall of a toilet bowl;
figure 6 is a side elevation view of an example embodiment of a containment and applicator device for the detergent product of figures 1 and 2 according to the present invention;
figures 7A-7D show the steps of application of an adhesive detergent product according to the present invention to the wall of a generic sanitary apparatus using a relative containment and applicator device;
figure 8 schematically shows an intermediate step of a process in which the non-stick layer is applied to a preformed container (first image) and then filled with the detergent product (last image);
figures 9 and 10, as well as 11 and 12 show two examples of further embodiments of a containment and applicator device, comprising an attachable handle and a primary container.

With reference to figures 1 and 2, as well as 6, two different embodiments of an adhesive detergent product 10 and 10' and a containment and applicator device for such a product are schematically shown, wholly indicated with reference numeral 100, of the type suitable for applying an adhesive detergent product onto the inner wall of an apparatus to be cleaned subjected to periodic flows of water, like a sanitary fixture, like a toilet bowl or a wall-mounted urinal.
The adhesive detergent product 10, 10' comprises an adhesive substantially flat surface 20, hereafter for the sake of simplicity called "flat surface", to anchoring to a wall to be treated, like for example the wall of the toilet bowl, and an opposite active surface 30, preferably rounded, facing outwards and subjected to the action of the flow of water, for example the flush water of the toilet bowl. It carries out a cleaning and/or deodorising and/or sanitising action in the toilet bowl through a release and/or gradual dissolving thereof.
The adhesive detergent product 10, according to a first embodiment object of the present invention, consists of just a preformed tablet 11, in other words equipped with its own specific shape, in solid or semi-solid form, also known as a "bar", consisting of a detergent agent in the form of a paste, gel, viscous liquid or solid with adhesive properties (figure 1).
The detergent material with adhesive characteristics, which is poured into a mould, for example consisting of the same applicator device 100, as schematised in the last image of figure 8, can for example be any material described in patent application MI2007A642, like for example a sanitising adhesive composition comprising:

i) at least one adhesion promoter selected from polyalkoxy alkanes, vinylmethylether/maleic acid copolymers, cellulose, sodium carboxy methyl cellulose, hydroxy methyl cellulose, polyacrylates, polysaccharides, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinylpyrrolidone, alginates, diurethanes, gelatines, pectins, oleylamine, alkyl dimethyl amine oxides, sodium or potassium stearate, sodium dodecyl sulphate and/or mixtures thereof, preferably polyalkoxy alkanes and/or vinylmethylether/maleic acid copolymers;
ii) at least one surfactant selected from non-ionic and/or anionic and/or amphoteric and/or cationic surfactants,
iii) disinfectant and/or perfuming agents,
iv) optionally a polyhydroxylated compound,
v) optionally dyes and/or cleaning carriers and/or foaming agents and/or thickeners.

The adhesive flat surface 20 of the adhesive detergent product 10 in this case consists of a flat lower part of the bar 11 itself and therefore it consists of the same adhesive detergent material that forms the tablet 11.
The tablet 11, consisting of adhesive detergent material, can, according to the invention, comprise inclusions of a different material from the adhesive detergent material, suitable for dispensing, for example, the perfume, of solid or gel composition, of different materials, like for example inert plastic materials and/or carbonates and/or alginates and/or sulphates and/or perfumed silicates or else different chemical compositions such as perfumed gels for example of carrageenan and/or silicones etc. Such inclusions could also have exclusively aesthetic purposes or else act as carriers to aid the dispensing of specific active ingredients (for example active oxygen, chlorine or other).
According to the further embodiment object of the present invention, shown schematically in figure 2, the adhesive detergent product 10' comprises a preformed tablet 11A, in other words equipped with its own specific shape, in solid or semi-solid form, also known as a "bar", consisting of a detergent agent, in the form of a paste, viscous liquid gel or solid, coupled with a layer of material with adhesive properties 11B applied onto a lower part of the tablet 11A. The adhesive substantially flat surface 20 of the adhesive detergent product 10', hereafter for the sake of simplicity referred to as "flat surface", in this case consists of the layer of adhesive material 11B.
The detergent material for the second embodiment of the tablet 11A can be a material commonly used in so-called "solid rim blocks" for toilet bowl, such as a bar containing anionic and/or non ionic and/or amphoteric and/or cationic surfactants, carbonates and/or sulphates and/or alginates, perfume, dye, additives to regulate the dissolving of the product in use.
The preformed tablet 11A is extruded and then moulded in the desired shape.
The layer of adhesive material 11B, subsequently applied to the tablet 11A can be made from different materials and chemical compositions, like for example those used in making adhesive pastes for dentures or sticky plasters. In particular, the chemical composition identified as most promising contains adhesion promoters like vinylmethylether/maleic acid copolymers and/or those quoted previously, possible solvents like alcohols and/or glycols and/or hydrocarbon solvents and/or other kinds of solvents to regulate its solubility and adhesivity in the toilet bowl, possible ingredients suitable for regulating its viscosity like celluloses and/or rubbers and/or carrageenans and/or polymers (acrylated crosspolymers).
By adhesive material, is meant in general a material suitable for adhering to the inner surface of the sanitary apparatus when the product is installed and keeping the product stuck to the surface of the sanitary apparatus during use, for a sufficient number of flushes to ensure an average lifetime of the product in line with the normal solid rim blocks for toilet bowls, like for example four weeks for an average of 15 flushes per day.
Moreover, all of the materials used must preferably be soluble in water and be completely consumed in use without the removal of leftover portions by the user.
Figures 3A to 3D show some examples of detergent tablets 11, 11A object of the present invention having the same "shell" shape, according to the present invention, that stays constant as it is used up.
The different shapes have different fluid-dynamic behaviour when subjected to a flow of water, and they influence the ways in which it dissolves and is used up.
The shell- shaped tablet 11, 11A seen in plan, i.e., in the x-y plane, is symmetrical with respect to a median plane 12 perpendicular to the x-y plane and containing the x axis, which in use approximately coincides with the axis along which the flow of water runs as schematised with parallel arrows F in the detail of figure 5, in which the product 10, 10' is shown applied to the wall of a toilet bowl 40, and in particular purely as an example near to an upper edge 41.
According to the invention, the section of the tablet 11, 11A along the plane of symmetry 12 according to the line IV-IV, arranged in the x-z plane, (figure 4), has a profile with asymmetric curve with respect to an axis parallel to the z axis and passing through a summit area 14. The curve is accentuated on one side of the tablet 11, 11A that in use must be arranged downwards, in other words downstream of the flow of water.
The summit area 14, which can be flattened (figure 3D) or pointed (figures 3A-3C), is thus located, according to the preferred embodiments shown in figure 3, displaced with respect to a middle point of the tablet 11, 11A on the x axis.
The profile of the object in the x-z plane is of particular importance to the way in which the object dissolves. Indeed, since the object is used up more in the part downstream of the water flow, the concentration of the volume in this area ensures that the object keeps its shape after water flushing.
A plurality of ribs 15 projecting on the outer surface of the tablet 11, 11A, which define grooves between them, are arranged radially from the summit area 14 (figures 3C and 3D). The ribs 15 create areas of turbulence that mix and break the flow of water with the purpose of improving the control thereof.
A perimeter of every half tablet 11, 11A in plan, in other words in the x-y plane, substantially comprises two circle sectors of different radius joined together in a joining point 13 in which the tangent to the perimeter is parallel to the axis. According to some of the embodiments of the present invention the joining point 13 is located substantially at the same height along the x axis of the summit area 14. Such a height x is also different with respect to a middle point of the tablet 11, 11A on the x axis. This configuration contributes to displacing the mass of detergent product downwards, improving its consumption conditions in use.
The containment and applicator device 100 substantially comprises at least one first containment portion 112, made in the form of a tray of suitable shape and volume to contain the adhesive detergent product 10, 10' in a complementary fashion.
In the specific example embodiment illustrated purely as an example in figure 6, the tray 112 is oval shaped suitable for containing the products shown in figures 1 and 2, but it could be made in any shape, based upon the geometric characteristics of the detergent tablet 11, 11A contained in it, for example those shown in figure 3, without for this reason departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.
The containment portion 112 is made from flexible material, to be more easily removed during the application of the adhesive detergent product 10, 10' to the inner wall of the toilet bowl, avoiding contact between the user's hands and the adhesive detergent product as well as with the inner wall of the toilet bowl.
The device 100 according to the invention also comprises a second grip portion 114, operatively connected to the containment portion 112, which at least partially surrounds such a containment portion 112 but that is configured to not come into contact in any way with the detergent product 10, 10' contained in it. In the specific example embodiment illustrated in the figures, the second portion 114 is represented by a flat surface shaped like a circular crown, which constitutes an outer ring that surrounds the top of the tray 112 and that has the purpose of facilitating the manipulation of the device 100 and the application of the detergent product 10, 10', as shall be better specified hereafter. The grip portion can without distinction be made from flexible or rigid material.
Finally, on the device 100 there are closing means 116 suitable for keeping the detergents and/or deodorising qualities of the adhesive detergent product 10, 10' contained in the tray 112 intact all the while it is needed to be used. The closing means 116 are for example made in the form of a peelable film firmly connected to the outer ring 114 (figure 6), or to the tray itself 112, or else they can be formed on one side of the sales package, not shown.
Operatively, with reference to figures 7A-7D, the containment and applicator device 100 according to the invention is able to operate to apply the adhesive detergent product 10, 10' contained in it to the inner wall of the toilet bowl according to the following ways.
In order to anchor the product 10, 10' within the toilet bowl the closing means 116 are removed. In the case of the first embodiment of the detergent product 10 according to the invention, consisting of a single-layer preformed tablet 11, it is necessary to wet the surface of the toilet bowl in advance, for example by pulling the flush of water. The containment and applicator device 100 is then brought up to the wall of the toilet bowl on the side of the outer ring 114, in other words with the flat side where there is the adhesive flat surface 20 that is uncovered after the removal of the peelable film 116, facing towards the wall of the toilet bowl, as shown in figure 7A.
By pressing lightly on the bottom of the tray 112 with one hand and at the same time taking the outer ring 114 away from the wall of the toilet bowl with the other hand, in order to not touch the wall itself, the product 10, 10' is definitively stuck to the toilet bowl, as shown in figure 7B.
The device 100 will finally be removed (figure 7C) with a "peeling" movement to completely free the rounded active surface 30 of the tablet 11, 11A, which can thus carry out its cleaning and/or deodorising and/or sanitising action in the toilet bowl at each flush of water (figure 7D).
According to further embodiments shown in figures 9 to 12, the containment and applicator device according to the present invention, can be provided with a handle 50 that can be fastened to the primary container consisting of the containment portion 112 and the grip portion 114.
The fastenable handle 50, in the embodiments shown is provided with an automatic or manual attachment and release system from the primary container.
The handle 50 at the end comprises at least one constrainment means with the containment portion 112 or with the grip portion 114 of the primary container, as well as a push-surface 51, able to be coupled at least with the central part of the containment portion 112.
According to the embodiments shown, the constrainment means is of the mechanical type and can be coupled with the grip portion 114 that surrounds the containment portion 112, or rather with portions 55 of its edge.
The constrainment means comprises, according to a first example, arranged at an end of the push-surface 51, a fastening tooth 52 and a release element 53. The fastening tooth 52 can be inserted to engage in a hole 57 formed in the grip portion 114. The constrainment means preferably also comprises a seat 54 for the coupling of the edge part 55 of the grip portion 114 near to the hole 57.
In a second example, the constrainment means comprises, at both the opposite ends of the push-surface 51, two seats 54 for the coupling of edge parts 55 of the grip portion 114.
The seats 54 are made, for example, in the form of grooves in which the grip portion 114 can be inserted by sliding until it abuts against suitable stops 56.
According to other embodiments that are not shown, the constrainment means of the containment and applicator device according to the invention could be of another kind, for example pneumatic, as well as being able to be coupled directly with the containment portion 112 itself.
In both the described cases, after having fastened the handle 50 to the primary container, the detergent product can be applied to the surface of the sanitary apparatus by gripping just the handle in a position away from it. After having exerted a sufficient pressure at the application of the detergent product, again by acting just on the handle it is possible to remove the primary container.
The release of the primary container, now empty, from the handle 50, on the other hand, takes place in the first case by just the intervention on the release tooth 53, whereas in the second case shown it requires that the grooves 54 be slipped out from the grip portion 114.
In light of the above, in order to obtain a correct and easy application of the product 10, 10' to the wall of the toilet bowl, it must be ensured that the adhesion force between the rounded active surface 30 and the inner surface of the tray 112 is particularly weak, or in any case such as to make it easy to detach the tablet 11, 11A and the tray 112 in any condition of use of the device 100. Basically, such an adhesion force must be much less than that between the inner wall of the WC and the adhesive flat surface 20.
For the application of the first embodiment of the detergent product 10, in which the entire tablet 11 consists of adhesive detergent material, the inner surface of the tray 112, as well as the closing means 116 must therefore be made with a non-stick material with regard to the material from which the tablet 11 is made or it must in any case be treated so as to possess such a non-stick property.
In addition, so that at least the containment portion 112 of the device 100 has adequate flexibility to operate according to the aforementioned ways, at the same time avoiding contact between the user's hands and the inner wall of the toilet bowl, the inner surface of the tray 112 and/or the entire tray 112 and/or even the group consisting of the tray 112 and the outer ring 114 must be manufactured from a material with non-stick properties selected for example from the group consisting of silicon derivatives, like for example silicon rubbers or silicon oils, thermoplastic polymers, polyolefins and derivatives and/or compounds and mixtures of such materials.
For the application of the second embodiment of the detergent product 10', in which the tablet 11A consists of conventional detergent material and only the layer 11B near to the flat surface 20 has adhesive properties, only the closing means 116 must therefore be made with a non-stick material with against the material from which the adhesive layer 11B is made or in any case they must be treated so as to possess such a non-stick property.
Moreover, the device 100 according to the invention can, for example, be made with the tray 112 and the outer ring 114 moulded in a single piece from non-stick or conventional flexible material.
In the case of production in a single piece of conventional flexible material, if necessary, the inner surface of the tray 112 can be coated with a thin sheet or layer 120 of non-stick material.
In particular, when the inner surface is coated with non-stick material, the coating of non-stick material 120 can be applied in the manufacturing step of the device 100, through overmoulding, or else it can be applied to a container already formed directly on the filling line of the tablet 11, i.e. before tipping the tablet 11 itself into the tray 112, as schematised in figure 8, for example through pad printing or nebulization.
Alternatively, the device 100 according to the invention can be made with the tray 112 and the outer ring 114 manufactured from different materials and assembled in a subsequent step of the processing. The outer ring 114 can be manufactured from a resilient plastic material (for example polypropylene, polyethylene or polystyrene), whereas the tray 112 will be entirely manufactured from a suitable non-stick or conventional flexible material, possibly coated with a non-stick layer 120.
According to the production method selected, the components of the containment and applicator device 100 can be made with an injection mould or through thermoforming, considering that also the production process, in particular the way in which the chemical compound that forms the adhesive detergent tablet 11 is cooled, has an influence upon the final adherence of the tablet 22 itself to the applicator device 10 and therefore upon the functionality of the device 100 itself during use.
It has thus been seen that the containment and applicator device for an adhesive detergent product according to the present invention and the use of such a device achieve the purposes highlighted earlier, while at the same being practical for the end user, simple and cost-effective to produce.
The containment and applicator device, moreover, is able to preserve the qualities of the detergent product contained in it up to the moment it is used.
The containment and applicator device for an adhesive detergent product, object of the present invention thus conceived can in any case undergo numerous modifications and variants, all of which are covered by the same inventive concept; moreover, all of the details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, as well as the shapes and sizes, can be whatever according to the technical requirements.
The scope of protection of the invention is therefore defined by the attached claims.

Claims

Containment and applicator device (100) of an adhesive detergent product said adhesive detergent product comprising a preformed detergent tablet in solid or semi-solid form (11, 11A), said product being equipped with at least one adhesive substantially flat surface (20) for anchoring to a wall to be treated and with an opposite active surface (30) subjected to the action of a flush of water, wherein said preformed detergent tablet in solid or semi-solid form (11, 11A) in plan is shell-shaped, symmetrical with respect to a median plane (12) perpendicular to the x-y plane, the x-y plane being the plane parallel to the flat surface (20), and containing the x axis, wherein in a section along said plane of symmetry (12) said tablet has a profile with asymmetric curve with respect to an axis parallel to the z axis, that is orthogonal to the flat surface (20), and passing through a summit area (14) of said tablet (11, 11A), said curve being accentuated on one side suitable for being arranged downwards during use, in other words downstream of the flow of water, the summit area (14) being located displaced with respect to a middle point of said tablet (11, 11A) on the x axis said device (100) being suitable for containing said product and applying it onto a surface of a sanitary apparatus, characterised in that it comprises at least one containment portion (112), suitable for containing said detergent product (10, 10') in a complementary fashion, wherein said containment portion (112) is made from flexible material, as well as a grip portion (114), operatively connected to said containment portion (112) and configured to not come into contact with said detergent product (10, 10') contained in said containment portion (112).
Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said grip portion (114) consists of a flat surface that at least partially surrounds said containment portion (112).
Device according to claims 1 or 2, characterised in that it comprises an attachable handle (50) comprising at one end at least one constrainment means (52, 54) with said containment portion (112) or with said grip portion (114), as well as a push-surface (51).
Device according to claim 3, when dependent upon claim 2, characterised in that said at least one constrainment means comprises, at one end of said push-surface (51), a fastening tooth (52) to said grip surface (114), associated with a release element (53).
Device according to claim 3, when dependent upon claim 2, characterised in that said at least one constrainment means comprises, at opposite ends of said push-surface (51), two grooves (54) suitable for receiving the grip portion (114).
Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said containment portion (112) and said grip portion (114) are manufactured in a single piece of non-stick material.
Device according to claim 6, characterised in that said non-stick material is selected from silicon derivatives, like for example silicon rubbers or silicon oils, thermoplastic polymers, polyolefins and derivatives and/or compounds and mixtures of such materials.
Device according to claim 1, characterised in that an inner surface of said containment portion (112) is coated by overmoulding with a layer (120) of non-stick material in the manufacturing step.
Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said containment portion (112) is coated with non-stick material through pad printing or nebulization after it has been formed.
Use of an adhesive detergent product said adhesive detergent product comprising a preformed detergent tablet in solid or semi-solid form (11, 11A), said product being equipped with at least one adhesive substantially flat surface (20) for anchoring to a wall to be treated and with an opposite active surface (30) subjected to the action of a flush of water, wherein said preformed detergent tablet in solid or semi-solid form (11, 11A) in plan is shell-shaped, symmetrical with respect to a median plane (12) perpendicular to the x-y plane, the x-y plane being the plane parallel to the flat surface (20), and containing the x axis, wherein in a section along said plane of symmetry (12) said tablet has a profile with asymmetric curve with respect to an axis parallel to the z axis, that is orthogonal to the flat surface (20), and passing through a summit area (14) of said tablet (11, 11A), said curve being accentuated on one side suitable for being arranged downwards during use, in other words downstream of the flow of water, the summit area (14) being located displaced with respect to a middle point of said tablet (11, 11A) on the x axis, characterised in that said tablet (11, 11A) is anchored to a wall to be treated with flows of water with said summit area (14) arranged downstream of the flow of water.
Use of a product according to claim 10, characterised in that said summit area (14) is flattened or pointed.
Use of a product according to claim 11, characterised in that it comprises a plurality of ribs (15) projecting onto the outer surface of said tablet (11, 11A) arranged radially from said summit area (14).
Use of a product according to claim 12, characterised in that in plan a perimeter of each half tablet (11, 11A) substantially comprises two circle sectors of different radius joined together in a joining point (13) in which the tangent to the perimeter is parallel to the x axis.
Use of a product according to claim 13, characterised in that said joining point (13) is located at the same height along the x axis of said summit area (14).
Use of a product according to claim 10, characterised in that it comprises a preformed tablet in solid or semi-solid form of detergent material with adhesive properties (11), said adhesive flat surface (20) consisting of a flat lower part of said bar (11), said adhesive detergent product being made in a single piece.
Use of a product according to claim 10, characterised in that it comprises a preformed tablet in solid or semi-solid form of detergent material (11A) and a layer of material with adhesive properties (11B) applied to a lower part of said tablet (11A), said adhesive flat surface (20) consisting of said layer of material with adhesive properties (11B).