WO2008046484A1

WO2008046484A1 - Storage container

Info

Publication number: WO2008046484A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/008059
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ralf Jürgens; Norbert Weis
Original assignee: Carl Freudenberg Kg
Priority date: 2006-10-20
Filing date: 2007-09-17
Publication date: 2008-04-24
Also published as: TW200831047A; TWI332826B

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage container (1) for a cleaning device (4) comprising a handle (6) and a cleaning head (5), in particular for a lavatory brush, said storage container (1) having at least one primary compartment (3) for cleaning and storing the cleaning device (4), in addition to a unit that encases and seals the device. Said unit is hinged on the outer wall of the storage container (1) in such a way that it can be pivoted from an open position into a closed position. According to the invention, the unit for encasing and sealing the device is formed by two half-shell elements (28a, 28b) that can be pivoted in relation to one another. The storage container (1) according to the invention is characterised in that it is easy to insert and remove the cleaning device (4) and in addition is also aesthetically pleasing.

Description

Storage containers

description

Technical area

The invention relates to a storage container for a cleaning device, which has a handle and a cleaning head, in particular for a toilet brush, wherein the storage container comprises at least one main chamber for cleaning and storing the cleaning device and a means for sealing and sealing, which on the outer wall of the storage container so is articulated that it is pivotable from an open position to a closed position.

State of the art

A storage container of the generic type is known from US 2004/0159330 A1. The known storage container has a main chamber for inserting and storing a toilet brush. The storage container is closable and sealable by means of a laterally arranged on the container from an open position to a closed position pivotable lid member. To insert the toilet brush, the cover element is pivoted from the closed position to the open position, and the toilet brush is inserted through the side opening in introduced oblique position, erected in the container in the vertical and fixed.

A disadvantage of the known cleaning container that when introducing the usually still wet toilet brush into the container through the relatively narrow opening in an oblique position contamination of the environment as well as the container inside and outside by dripping water residues or impurity residues on the Brush can not be excluded. In particular, in the upper region of the insertion opening are difficult to avoid contact with and thus contamination of the container outer wall by the bristles of the toilet brush.

Presentation of the invention

The invention is based on the object to further develop a storage container of the generic type so that an insertion of the cleaning device is easily and immediately after use easy and possible without contamination in particular the outer container wall and the environment.

This object is achieved with a storage container having all the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the subclaims.

According to the invention is in a storage container for a cleaning device having a handle and a cleaning head, in particular for a toilet brush, wherein the storage container at least one main chamber for inserting and storing the cleaning device and a means for sealing and sealing comprising, which is hinged to the outer wall of the storage container so that it is pivotable from an open position to a closed position, provided that the means for sealing and sealing by two mutually pivotable, half-shell elements is formed.

This relatively simple design measure ensures that when the half shell elements are open, the inlet opening is large enough that insertion of the cleaning device in a vertical position from above is possible without problems. Since the half-shell elements in the open position form a kind of funnel with upwardly substantially conically widening walls, possibly falling drops are collected and directed into the container interior. In no case does it come to an undesirable and unaesthetic contamination of the outer wall of the storage container.

The symmetrical arrangement of the half-shell elements also allows the installation of an automatic closing mechanism in a simple manner, for example via a lever arrangement, which automatically leads to a pivoting of the half-shells in the closed position when inserting the cleaning device in the storage container.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the main chamber is designed as a separate container element which can be placed from above onto a second container element designed in the manner of a base with the two half shells pivotable relative to one another.

This embodiment has the advantage of enabling emptying and cleaning of the storage container in a simple and hygienic manner. For emptying and cleaning the container element with the main chamber in simply lifted off the container element formed as a base and cleaned separately. Other parts do not have to be disassembled or removed. After cleaning, both container elements can be easily reconnected. Another advantage of the described embodiment is that the container element with the main chamber can be made geometrically very simple, for example in the manner of a pot, so that it is very easy to clean. Since the size of the container element to achieve the highest possible concentration of cleaning fluid in the main chamber at the most economical addition will not significantly exceed the size of a brush head, a swing in a bath with a cleaning liquid is easily possible.

Advantageously, both container elements are connected to one another via a plug connection. Then both parts can be very easily solved with minimal effort from each other or connect again.

Furthermore, the container element embodied as a base can be made significantly wider than the container element with the main chamber, in order to ensure a secure and firm footing of the entire storage container without the optical impression suffers or the entire storage container too voluminous fails.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, means are provided for applying a cleaning fluid to the cleaning device. These allow a thorough cleaning and disinfection of the cleaning device immediately after each use. Even after longer periods without use, there is no unwanted odor. The facilities mentioned can be, for example in a secondary chamber of the storage container, which is connected via a passage opening with the main chamber.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the auxiliary chamber with the device for applying a cleaning fluid to the cleaning device is located in the container element designed as a base. Such an arrangement is characterized by a simple and compact structure. Another advantage is that a change, for example, a container with the cleaning fluid can be done in a simple manner by lifting the container element with the main chamber.

The means for applying cleaning fluid to the cleaning device preferably comprise, as known in the art, a spray bottle, a cartridge or a dispenser with cleaning fluid. The storage and targeted addition of the cleaning fluid is particularly simple in these cases.

The spray bottle or the cartridge or the dispenser must be arranged in the storage container, for example in an auxiliary chamber, so that the cleaning fluid can pass through the common passage opening into the main chamber to the cleaning device to be cleaned. Further restrictions with respect to the geometric arrangement do not exist. Thus, the arrangement of the auxiliary chamber, for example, both centric and not centric with respect to the main axis of the cleaning tank. Advantageously, however, the cleaning head of the cleaning element, as known from the prior art, applied from below with cleaning fluid in order to achieve the best possible cleaning result. The addition of the cleaning fluid can be done in a simple manner by triggering the existing in spray bottles, cartridges or dispensers opening mechanisms, for example by depressing the head of the spray bottle or the cartridge or the dispenser.

The operation of the spray bottle, the cartridge or the dispenser can be done easily by hand.

Advantageously, however, an actuating mechanism for automatically actuating the spray bottle, the cartridge or the dispenser or other means for applying the cleaning device is provided with cleaning fluid in a storage container according to the invention, which is triggered for example by inserting the cleaning device in the storage container. Such automatic operating mechanisms are known per se. They are usually based on the storage container projections, levers, etc. are provided, which are arranged so that when inserting the cleaning device in the storage container to trigger the opening mechanism, such as the spray bottle, the cartridge or the dispenser, in particular by Depress the head of the spray bottle of the cartridge or the dispenser.

Furthermore, an automatic return mechanism for closing the spray bottle, the cartridge or the dispenser after brief discharge of cleaning fluid or another device for acting on the cleaning device with cleaning fluid is also advantageously provided. Such return mechanisms are also known per se. For simplicity, spring elements are used for this purpose, which counteract the movement for triggering the actuating mechanism. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a timer for actuating the opening mechanism is provided. In this way, in particular during prolonged storage times without the use of the cleaning device at a regular, freely adjustable time intervals make a cleaning. If the cleaning fluid used also contains fragrances, a regular room fragrance is also achieved as a side effect due to the non-hermetic sealing of the cleaning tank.

In addition to the above-described means for applying a cleaning fluid to the cleaning apparatus, other means such as fluorescent light lamps for killing bacteria or the like may be provided for cleaning the cleaning apparatus.

The storage container described above should find its use especially in the field of sanitary applications, particularly preferably for storage and possibly cleaning of toilet brushes.

In general, however, the storage container according to the invention is for

Storage and possibly cleaning suitable for all types of cleaning equipment, which are characterized by a handle and a cleaning head, for example, for storing and cleaning toothbrushes.

The storage container according to the invention can not only for

Storage and possibly cleaning brushes are used, in principle, it is also suitable for such cleaning equipment in which the cleaning head is not designed as a brush, but as a molded body of a foam or a nonwoven fabric or the like. As cleaning fluid all conceivable in sanitary cleaning agents are suitable.

In particular, for use in the toilet area cleaning fluids are preferred, the so-called. "Drying accelerator" included, d. H. for example, liquids that mix with water to form an azeotrope. Such drying accelerators are, for example, alcohols, in particular ethanol or isopropyl alcohol.

Furthermore, the cleaning fluids which can be used in the context of the invention can comprise antibacterial / antimicrobial substances in a manner known per se, in particular quaternary ammonium salts, such as, for example, ammonium salts. Octyl decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, dioctyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, Didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium saccharinates, as well as phenols, such as o-phenylphenol, o-benzyl-p-chlorophenol, triclosan, silver and silver salts, hydrogen peroxide free or in bound form, hypochlorite, chlorine, free and bound.

As mentioned above, the cleaning fluid may also contain additives to perfumes.

A particularly preferred cleaning agent contains:

0.1% alkyl [50% C (14), 40% C (12), 10% C (16)] dimethyl benzyl ammonium saccharinate 79% ethanol 20.9% Further and inert additives; The invention will be explained in more detail below on the basis of the exemplary embodiment shown in the FIGURE.

It shows:

Fig. 1 in a schematic Längsschnittdarsteiiung a preferred

Embodiment of a storage container according to the invention.

1 shows a storage container 1 with a first container element 2 with a main chamber 3, in which a cleaning device 4 with a cleaning head 5 and a handle 6 is located. In the illustrated embodiment, the cleaning device 4 is a toilet brush with bristles 7, without restricting the generality. The reference numeral 12 in the figure denotes a second container element. In the second container element 12, a secondary chamber with a spray bottle 15 is arranged. In the illustrated embodiment, the storage container 1 is formed in two pieces without restricting the generality. This has the advantage that the container element 2 with the main chamber 3 for emptying and

Cleaning in a simple manner lifted from the second container member 12 and can be placed again after cleaning.

In the illustrated embodiment, the secondary chamber 13 is further formed for the spray bottle 15 by a centrally arranged hollow cylindrical receptacle 22 in the container element 12. The hollow cylindrical receptacle 22 is adjoined at the top by a radial widening 23 for receiving the container element 2. The passage opening 16 to the main chamber 3 of the container element 2 is located in the bottom of the container element 2 directly above the head 17 of the spray bottle 15, so that upon actuation of the opening mechanism for the spray bottle 15, the cleaning fluid is sprayed from below into the main chamber 3 with the cleaning head 5.

The hollow cylindrical receptacle 22 for the spray bottle 15 and the

Radial widening 23 for inserting the Behäitereiements 2 are limited by an actuating element 24 which is insertable into a corresponding receptacle 26 in the container element 12 and against this against the force of a arranged at the bottom of the container member 12 spring element 27 in the vertical direction downwards. This arrangement allows, as described below, an automatic closing of the container 2 when inserting the cleaning device 4.

For closing and sealing in the illustrated embodiment, two hinged to the upper peripheral portion of the container member 12, mutually pivotable, half-shell elements 28a, 28b are provided.

Both are in the figure in an open position. To automatic

Pivoting in the closed position when inserting the cleaning device 4 in the main chamber 3 are provided with the half-shell elements 28 a, 28 b fixedly connected lever elements 29 a, 29 b, both on the

Container element 12 are articulated in the region of the radial extension of the inner wall 30 and on the actuating element 24.

Upon exertion of pressure from above on the container element 2, for example when setting the cleaning device 4 in the main chamber 3, this is moved downward and exerts in the same way corresponding pressure on the actuator 24, which also against the spring force of the spring member 27 with down is moved. By this movement of the actuating element, the lever elements 29 a, 29 b, which are articulated on the actuating element 24, tilted down, resulting in a Pivoting movement of the half-shell elements 28a, 28b leads in the direction of its closed position. Ideally, the spring force of the spring element 27 and the weight of the cleaning device 4 are coordinated so that the insertion of the cleaning device 4 only for closing the container element 2 leads, so that it only upon further exercise of pressure on the handle 6 of the cleaning device to trigger the opening mechanism of the spray bottle 15 comes. This has the advantage that the cleaning device 4 can be stored in the closed container element 2 without automatically triggering the opening mechanism of the spray bottle 15.

In the illustrated embodiment, the spray bottle 15 protrudes so far into the receptacle for the container element 2 in the region of the radial extension 23, that by further brief depression after adjusting the cleaning device 4 in the main chamber 3 and pivoting the

Half-shell elements 28a, 28b is briefly depressed in the closed position of the spray head, with the result that briefly cleaning fluid is sprayed upward into the main chamber 3.

Not only in the illustrated embodiment, but in general it is advantageous if the two half-shell elements are constructed and arranged so that they swing apart when removing the cleaning device and thus eliminating the pressure force on the lever elements due to gravity by itself again in its open position.

Claims

claims

1. storage container (1) for a cleaning device (4), which a

Handle (6) and a cleaning head (5), in particular for a toilet brush, wherein the storage container (1) at least one main chamber (3) for inserting and storing the cleaning device (4) and a Einriphtung for closing and sealing comprises, which at the Outer wall of the storage container (1) is articulated so that it is pivotable from an open position to a closed position, characterized in that the means for closing and sealing by two, mutually pivotable, half-shell elements (28a, 29a) is formed.

2. Storage container according to claim 1, characterized in that means are provided which lead to an automatic pivoting of the two half-shells (28 a, 28 b) in its closed position when inserting the cleaning device in the main chamber (3).

3. Storage container according to claim 2, characterized in that the means for automatically pivoting lever elements (29 a, 29 b) comprise.

4. Storage container according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the main chamber (3) as a separate

Container element (2) is formed, which can be placed from above on a manner designed in the manner of a base second container element (12) with the two mutually pivotable half-shells (28a, 28b).

5. Storage container according to claim 4, characterized in that the two container elements (2, 12) are interconnected by means of a plug connection.

6. Storage container according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a device for applying the cleaning device is provided with a cleaning fluid.

7. Storage container according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a secondary chamber (13), in which the means for

Loading the cleaning device (4) is located with a cleaning fluid and which is connected via a passage opening (16) with the main chamber (3).

8. Storage container according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the auxiliary chamber (13) with the means for applying the cleaning device (4) with a cleaning fluid is in the container element formed as a base (12).

9. Storage container according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the means for applying the cleaning device (4) with cleaning liquid comprise a spray bottle (15), a cartridge or a dispenser with cleaning fluid.

10. Storage container according to claim 9, characterized in that an actuating mechanism for actuating the spray bottle (15), the cartridge or the dispenser is provided, which is triggered by the insertion of the cleaning device (4) in the storage container (1).

11. Storage container according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that a return mechanism for closing the spray bottle (15), the cartridge or the dispenser is provided after short-term discharge of cleaning fluid.

12. Storage container according to claim 11, characterized in that the return mechanism is based on the use of spring force.