EP2091400A1

EP2091400A1 - Cleaning container

Info

Publication number: EP2091400A1
Application number: EP07818155A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ralf Jürgens; David Mcknight; Norbert Weis
Original assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
Current assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
Priority date: 2006-10-20
Filing date: 2007-09-14
Publication date: 2009-08-26
Also published as: DE102006050475B4; TWI333414B; WO2008046482A1; US20100314272A1; TW200840534A; CA2666827A1; DE102006050475A1; CA2666827C

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning container (1) for a cleaning device (4) comprising a handle (6) and a cleaning head (5), in particular for a lavatory brush. Said cleaning container (1) comprises a primary compartment (3) for cleaning and storing the cleaning device (4), in addition to a secondary compartment (13), which is connected to the primary compartment (3) via a passage (16) and which contains a unit for applying a cleaning fluid to the cleaning device (4) in the primary compartment (3). To guarantee a hygienic, simple operation, in particular when the cleaning container (1) is emptied and cleaned, according to the invention the primary compartment (3) and secondary compartment (13) are designed as separate container elements (2, 12) that are detachably interconnected.

Description

cleaning tank

description

Technical area

The invention relates to a cleaning container for a cleaning device, which has a handle and a cleaning head, in particular for a toilet brush, wherein the cleaning container has a main chamber for cleaning and storing the cleaning device and an associated with the main chamber via an opening auxiliary chamber with means for applying the cleaning device in the main chamber with a cleaning fluid.

State of the art

A cleaning container of the generic type is known from DE 198 04 064 A1. The known cleaning container for a toilet brush has a main chamber for storing and cleaning the toilet brush. The main chamber is connected via an opening with a secondary chamber, in which there is a spray bottle or a dispenser with a disinfecting gas or a disinfecting liquid. Furthermore, an opening mechanism for the spray bottle or the dispenser is provided, which either by hand, or by appropriate lever or Cam on the brush head or on the handle when inserting the toilet brush in the main chamber is actuated. Upon actuation of the opening mechanism, disinfecting liquid or a disinfecting gas exits the spray bottle or the dispenser and passes through the above-mentioned opening between the chambers to the brush head. The actuation of the opening mechanism takes place against spring force, so that the spray bottle or the dispenser are only briefly in the open position. Due to the fact that the brush head is exposed to the disinfectant within the relatively limited space of the cleaning chamber, the brush head according to the document should already be free from bacterial contaminants within a few hours. As disinfectants customary for toilet cleaning funds should be applicable.

A disadvantage of the known cleaning container is that it can not be ruled out that impurity residues or residues of the

Collect disinfectant over time at the bottom of the main chamber and contaminate it. A cleaning of the container is not provided according to the document. But this would be very expensive in any case. The entire bulky container would have to be everted after removal of the spray bottle or the dispenser and rinsed out. This cumbersome handling can not be ruled out that impurity residues enter the environment.

Presentation of the invention

The invention is based on the object to further develop a cleaning container of the generic type so that a cleaning of the cleaning container is easily possible even after use with simple means and under hygienic conditions. This object is achieved with a cleaning container with all features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the subclaims.

According to the invention is in a cleaning container for a cleaning device, which has a handle and a cleaning head, in particular for a toilet brush, wherein the cleaning container a main chamber chamber for cleaning and storing the cleaning device and connected to the main chamber via a passage opening additional chamber with a means for applying of the cleaning device in the

Main chamber comprising a cleaning fluid, provided that the main chamber and the secondary chamber are formed as separate container elements which are detachably connected to each other.

It has surprisingly been found that even this simple design measure is completely sufficient to allow emptying and cleaning of the cleaning container in a simple and hygienic manner. For emptying and cleaning, the container element with the main chamber is easily detached from the container element with the secondary chamber with the cleaning fluid 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 cleaning container according to the invention 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.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention that is

Container element with the means for applying the cleaning device formed with a cleaning fluid as a base body, on which the container element with the main chamber can be placed. Such an arrangement can be designed not only visually very appealing, but in particular has the advantage that the container element to be cleaned can be lifted in a simple manner upwards. Also, a change of the container with the cleaning fluid is easily possible in this way. Furthermore, the base container can be made wider than the container element with the main chamber, in order to ensure a secure and solid state of the entire cleaning container, without the optical impression suffers or the entire cleaning container fails to voluminous.

In order to prevent the volatilization of the cleaning fluid from the cleaning container, the container element with the main chamber is preferably sealable.

The sealing can take place, for example, by means of a cover element located on the handle of the cleaning device, which can be placed on top of its edge region when the cleaning device is inserted into the main chamber. The cover element can either be integrally formed on the handle or separately manufactured and attached to this releasably or permanently. Furthermore, the sealing effect can still be increased by means of a sealing ring. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the main chamber can be sealed by means of two half-shell elements which are hinged to one another and are pivotable relative to one another on the upper peripheral region of the base body. This embodiment has not only the advantage that it looks visually very appealing both in the open and in the closed state, but still the further advantage that the attachment of a lid member to the handle of the cleaning device is not required, making it easier to handle. Also, replacement with a cleaning device of not completely identical geometry is more likely than in the case of the integrated cover element described above.

Another advantage is that is achieved by this relatively simple constructive measure that with open half-shell elements, the inlet opening is large enough that an insertion of the cleaning device in a vertical position from above is easily possible. 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, there is an undesirable and unaesthetic contamination of the outer wall of the cleaning tank.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, means may be provided which lead to an automatic pivoting of the two half-shell elements in their sealing position when inserting the cleaning device. Such devices are known to the person skilled in the art. For example, they can include lever elements. For automatic opening when removing the cleaning device, the half-shell elements can be designed or arranged so that they alone to swing apart due to gravity when the pressure on the lever elements is eliminated.

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 a secondary chamber within the corresponding container element of the cleaning container 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, in an inventive cleaning container, an actuating mechanism for automatically actuating the spray bottle, the cartridge or the dispenser or other means for acting on the Cleaning device provided with cleaning fluid, which is triggered, for example, by inserting the cleaning device in the cleaning container. Such automatic operating mechanisms are known per se. They are usually based on that the cleaning container projections, levers or the like are provided, which are arranged so that when inserting the cleaning device in the cleaning container to trigger the opening mechanism, such as the spray bottle, the cartridge or the dispenser, in particular 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.

The cleaning container described above is intended to be used in particular in the field of sanitary applications, particularly preferably for cleaning toilet brushes. In general, however, the cleaning container according to the invention is suitable for hygienic cleaning and storage of all types of cleaning devices, which are characterized by a handle and a cleaning head, for example, for cleaning toothbrushes.

The cleaning container according to the invention can be used not only for cleaning brushes, in principle, it is also suitable for such cleaning equipment, in which the cleaning head is not formed 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. Examples of such drying accelerators are 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, octyl decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, dioctyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium saccharinates, and Phenols, such as o-phenylphenol, o-benzyl-p-chlorophenol, triclosan, silver and silver salts, hydrogen peroxide, free or in bonded form, hypochlorites, chlorine, free and in bonded form. 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;

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 invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the figures:

Show it:

Figure 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a cleaning container according to the invention according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention.

2 shows a schematic longitudinal section of a cleaning container according to the invention in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 1 shows a cleaning 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 without restricting the generality. By the reference numeral 7, the bristles of the cleaning head 5 are designated. The main chamber 3 is closed and sealed by means of a arranged on the handle 6 of the cleaning device 1 cover member 8 to the outside. An additional seal is still effected by the sealing ring 9, which rests on a stepped shoulder 10 in the inner region of the wall 11 of the container element 2.

The reference numeral 12 denotes a second container element in the figure. This has an auxiliary chamber 13. In the auxiliary chamber 13, a spray bottle 15 with a cleaning fluid is arranged laterally in a hollow cylindrical holder 14. The main chamber 3 and the auxiliary chamber 13 are connected to each other via an opening 16 at the level of the head 17 of the spray bottle 15. Furthermore, in the secondary chamber 13 is still a support element 18 with spring element 19, whose function will be discussed in more detail below.

It can be seen in the figure that the main chamber 3 and the auxiliary chamber 13 are formed according to the invention as a separate container elements 2, 12. In particular, the container element 2 is inserted into the container element 12 in the illustrated embodiment. The container element 2 is supported on the head 17 of the spray bottle 15 and on the support element 18 with spring element 19. Conveniently, a plurality of support elements 18 distributed over the circumference of the container element 12 may be provided with spring elements 19. For emptying or cleaning or to change the spray bottle 15, the container element 2 in a simple Way lifted up out of the container element 12. Following the cleaning process or after replacement of the spray bottle 15, the container element 2 can be re-inserted into the container element 12 from above.

The container element 12 has a slightly larger cross-sectional area than the main chamber 3 limiting container element 2 and thereby forms a kind of socket body for the container element 2, whereby a higher stability is achieved.

The container element 2 has in its lower region on its outer periphery on a horizontally outwardly extending screen 20 which serves to rest on the support elements 18 with the spring bodies 19 and on the head 17 of the spray bottle 15. In the area of the head 17 of the spray bottle 15, the screen 20 has an axial extent which serves as the actuating element 21 for the spray bottle 15. By briefly exerting pressure on the handle 6 of the cleaning device 4, the container element 2 is pressed against the spring force of the spring body 19 briefly down. About the actuator 21 and the head 17 of the spray bottle 15 is pressed down with the result that briefly emerges cleaning fluid and passes through the passage opening 16 into the main chamber 3 with the cleaning head 5. Characterized in that the main chamber 3, as described above, is sealed to the outside, the cleaning fluid acts in such a high concentration on the cleaning head 5 of the cleaning device 4, that after a short time a very good disinfecting effect is achieved.

Fig. 2 shows a further preferred embodiment of the invention. Identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the auxiliary chamber for the spray bottle 15 formed 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 insertion of the container element 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 on 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 half-shell elements 28a, 28b which are hinged to one another and are pivotable relative to one another on the upper peripheral region of the container element 12 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 exerting pressure from above on the container element 2, for example, when setting the cleaning device 4 in the main chamber 3, this is moves downward and exerts in the same way corresponding pressure on the actuator 24, which is also moved against the spring force of the spring member 27 with downward. As a result of this movement of the actuating element 24, the lever elements 29a, 29b, which are articulated on the actuating element 24, are tilted downwards, which leads to a pivoting movement of the half-shell elements 28a, 28b in the direction of their 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 leads only to the closure of the container element 2, so that it only with further exercise of pressure on the handle 6 of the cleaning device 4 to a Triggering 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 projects so far into the receptacle for the container element 2 in the region of the radial extension 23, that by further brief depression after insertion of the cleaning device 4 into the main chamber 3 and pivoting the half-shell elements 28a, 28b in its closed position of Spray head 17 is briefly depressed with the result that briefly cleaning fluid is sprayed upwards into the main chamber 3.

It can be seen in the figure further that the bottom 31 of the container element 12 is increased in the region of the passage opening 16 in order to prevent leakage of liquid through the passage opening 16.

Claims

claims

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

Handle (6) and a cleaning head (5), in particular for a toilet brush, wherein the cleaning container (1) a

Main chamber chamber (3) for cleaning and storing the cleaning device (4) s and a with the main chamber (3) via an opening associated auxiliary chamber (13) comprising means for applying the cleaning device (4) in the main chamber (3) with a cleaning fluid , characterized in that the

Main chamber (3) and the secondary chamber (13) are designed as separate container elements which are detachably connected to each other.

2. Cleaning container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the two container elements (2, 12) are detachably connected to each other via a plug connection.

3. Cleaning container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the container element (12) with the device for applying the cleaning device (4) is formed with a cleaning fluid as a base body, on which the container element (2) with the main chamber (3) placed is.

4. Cleaning container according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the container element (2) with the main chamber (3) is sealable.

5. Cleaning container according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the container element (2) with the main chamber (3) by means of a on the handle (6) of the cleaning device (4) s located cover member (8), which is placed on the edge of the edge region of the insertion of the cleaning device (4) in the main chamber (3), is sealable.

6. Cleaning container according to claim 4, characterized in that the main chamber (3) by means of two hinged to the upper peripheral portion of the base body, against each other pivotable, half-shell elements (28 a, 28 b) is sealable.

7. Cleaning container according to one of claim 6, characterized in that means are provided which lead to an automatic sealing of the main chamber (3) by the two mutually pivotable half-shells (28 a, 28 b) during insertion of the cleaning device (4).

8. Cleaning container according to one of claims 1 to 7, 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.

9. Cleaning container according to claim 8, 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 cleaning container (1).

10. Cleaning container according to claim 8 or 9, 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.

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