Patent Application
20240415342
This disclosure falls within the cleaning and hygiene sector. More specifically, a self-cleaning toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly is proposed.
The toilet brush holder, together with the toilet brush, is located in the toilet itself (in the toilet tank or in the bowl) or comprises a chamber connected to the toilet tank. The key feature of the present disclosure is that it allows the brush of the toilet brush to be continuously cleaned with the water for filling the toilet tank and it additionally allows cyclic cleaning with the water that is flushed in each flush cycle. The correct sanitation of the brush is thus guaranteed. Additionally, the handle of the toilet brush comprises adjustment means for adjusting the length thereof, which allows the size of the handle to be adjusted and allows, in a certain position, said handle to be completely concealed either inside the toilet (in the tank or the bowl) or inside the chamber connected to the toilet tank.
Likewise, space is freed up in the bathroom itself, also facilitating its sanitisation (and reducing bathroom cleaning times) and improving the aesthetic appearance as the toilet brush holder and toilet brush assembly is completely concealed inside the toilet tank or bowl or inside the chamber connected to the toilet tank. The toilet brush is no longer a source of germ transmission and is also safer for children, pets, etc.
Bathroom toilets have at least one bowl and one toilet tank. A seat with a cover can be arranged on the bowl where the user sits to use the toilet. The bowl comprises a receptacle containing water into which the excrement, solid or liquid, of the users, falls. Clean water is stored in the toilet tank where it remains until the user activates the water flush mechanism and releases the water from the toilet tank to the bowl. With each use cycle, the water in the toilet tank and the water in the bowl receptacle are renewed.
During the flush from the tank, the clean water that was stored in the toilet tank passes into the bowl, dragging with it any excrement that may be in the bowl and displacing same outwards, towards the pipes and/or the sanitary sewage network.
Moreover, it is common in bathrooms to have a toilet brush that is intended for cleaning the toilet (more specifically the bowl) after use. Toilet brushes generally have a handle, through which the user holds the toilet brush, and they have a brush, which is the element responsible for cleaning the bowl by rubbing. During the time when the toilet brush is not in use, same is housed in a toilet brush holder (a container specially designed to receive the toilet brush). Said toilet brush assembly, in particular having brush with handle, and the toilet brush holder, are available as a whole, with no replacement parts for the brush of the toilet brush, or for said complete toilet brush, available to be adjusted to the corresponding toilet brush holder. This means that, sometimes, it is necessary to discard the entire assembly or replace a toilet brush the dimensions or aesthetics of which do not match the available toilet brush holder.
Generally, the toilet brush holder is placed on the floor near the toilet to make it easier for the user to use. Preferably, water and/or water and soap are introduced into the toilet brush holder so that, after using the brush of the toilet brush in the toilet bowl, a slight sanitisation is carried out when placing it in the toilet brush holder.
Both the toilet brush and the toilet brush holder are a proven source of bacteria, viruses, fungi and microscopic protozoa that can cause diseases. Germs are created and multiplied inside the toilet brush holder, so that any stagnant water that has remained in it must be always removed and proceed to the disinfection thereof. It is also possible to use disinfectants mixed with water.
A correct disinfection operation requires a certain time during which the disinfectant acts, before rinsing the toilet brush holder with hot water. The wet toilet brush should never be stored in the toilet brush holder as mildew may appear and germs may be generated. If the toilet is cleaned first and subsequently the dirty toilet brush is introduced, the desired cleaning and disinfection will not be achieved. That is, the first, essential step is always to disinfect the toilet brush and once it is clean, proceed to clean the toilet thoroughly.
Therefore, the correct use of the toilet brush involves the cleaning and disinfection thereof both before use and after having carried out the task for which it is intended (cleaning the toilet). Efficient cleaning of the toilet brush also includes cleaning the toilet brush holder, where the toilet brush is subsequently housed. The situation is even more accentuated when it comes to collective or community bathrooms (hotels, residences, etc.), since it is common for the same toilet brush to be used for several toilets, without cleaning and disinfecting the toilet brush between each use, despite health regulations requiring same.
Furthermore, in many cases the user does not properly clean the toilet brush and in other cases replaces the toilet brush with a new one when the one being used has already deteriorated.
The toilet brushes, mostly made of plastic, are discarded when they are damaged by use, but they do not always end up in garbage containers for recycling thereof, generating waste and increasing the carbon footprint. It is known that abandoned plastic waste generates Greenhouse Gases (GHG) when it degrades, so that said waste is very harmful to the environment.
Another problem derived from the fact that the toilet brush holders in which the toilet brushes are housed are generally arranged on the bathroom floor and in positions as close as possible to the toilet is that this greatly hinders bathroom cleaning operations, which are essential considering the amount of bacteria that exists in these environments. Another popular option is to have the toilet brush holders fixed to one of the bathroom walls, thus freeing up space on the floor, but it does not prevent germs from being created and spread.
Likewise, toilet brush holders, even in the case in which water and/or soapy water are placed on them, are not efficient in terms of the disinfection and cleaning required of the toilet brush and the toilet brush holder itself. This is because they do not completely cover the brush of the toilet brush, which is where the germs are found, so proper hygiene and disinfection cannot be carried out.
Solutions are also known from the state of the art that remove the brush of the toilet brush from the toilet brush holder and house it in the toilet bowl. In this manner, when a user wants to use the toilet brush, they take the handle (arranged outside the toilet) and connects it to the brush of the toilet brush, housed in a container in the toilet bowl (usually hanging with a hook from the upper end of the toilet bowl into same). After using the toilet brush, the user separates both elements again, leaving the brush in the bowl and the handle outside the toilet.
One problem with these solutions is that the brush is only disinfected when the toilet is flushed. The usual thing is to use the toilet brush during the flush from the toilet tank so, after using it, when the water has already been flushed from the toilet tank, the brush is placed in its position on the hook without cleaning being performed after use thereof. Therefore, debris could remain or the brush could not be properly disinfected.
In addition, the brush remains housed in the hook at all times, in a position accessible to the user, so that the user can, for example, urinate on the brush, even if involuntarily, which would generate bacteria and/or mildew or other microorganisms. Furthermore, the brush is arranged very close to the user's body when they sit on the toilet bowl to use the same, which could even cause direct contact with the user.
The bathroom and, especially the toilet, is an element shared by more than one user in homes and communities, so that it represents an area of special importance when it comes to cleanliness and hygiene, since it is a point where germs can be generated and shared. The correct use of the toilet brush aims to mitigate this situation. However, with the current state of the art, both the toilet brushes that are located on the floor or hanging on the wall and the rest of the available solutions are not efficient enough and germs are created and spread to the environment by not receiving the necessary cleaning nor the time required to achieve correct sanitation.
Moreover, the current placement of toilet brushes in bathrooms does not present any barrier and allows children to unconsciously access the toilet brush or the container where it is placed and the dangerous harmful disinfection products it contains, such as soaps and disinfectants, in addition to the already mentioned germs. It is therefore necessary to develop solutions that allow solving the described problems of lack of correct cleaning and disinfection of the brush and, especially, the brush of the toilet brush.
The present disclosure relates to a self-cleaning toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly, that is, it is not necessary for the user to clean the toilet brush after use because just by placing same back in the toilet brush holder proper sanitation is already guaranteed.
The key to the present disclosure is that the brush of the toilet brush is housed in clean water at all times. The toilet brush holder is configured to be installed in the tank of the toilet tank itself, in contact with the water in the toilet tank, constantly being rinsed, self-cleaning taking place, or it is arranged in the toilet bowl (preferably in the rear portion that is between the bowl receptacle and the toilet tank) or comprises a chamber connected to the tank of the toilet tank. In addition, with each flush cycle the water is renewed and rinsing is even more effective.
In this way, it is possible to integrate the cleaning toilet brush, which is usually positioned on the floor, into the toilet itself, or into a chamber connected thereto, freeing up space and improving tidiness to facilitate bathroom hygiene, avoiding the appearance of obstacles and allowing more efficient cleaning of the bathroom.
Additionally, the handle of the toilet brush itself comprises adjustment means, which allow the position of said handle to be adapted, which in turn makes it possible for said handle to remain concealed inside the toilet.
Likewise, there is a saving in space in the bathroom, by using toilet elements to couple both the toilet brush holder and the toilet brush as well as the handle thereof. Additionally, by placing the toilet brush inside a toilet brush holder that is installed at a high height (not on the floor), it is protected from possible inappropriate or irresponsible use (as could happen with children). In addition to freeing up space in the bathroom, aesthetics is improved and environmental contamination by the transfer of germs and bad odours is avoided. It is a practical and affordable solution for the general consumer that represents an improvement in the hygienic conditions of their bathroom.
The greatest advantage of the present disclosure is that, as the brush is continuously submerged in clean water and the water is renewed in each cycle, the brush is always kept clean, both due to the use of the brush and due to residues from previous cleaning of said brush. In this way, greater hygiene and continuous disinfection of the germ-laden brush is achieved. In the process, water is saved, on the one hand because it is not necessary to fill the toilet brush holder with water for cleaning thereof, and on the other hand because it is not necessary to use additional water to clean the toilet brush or the toilet brush holder since this function is performed automatically. The toilet brush holders in which the current state-of-the-art toilet brushes are placed are not properly disinfected. On the contrary, with the proposed assembly, the chamber of the toilet brush holder always comprises clean water and correct disinfection of the brush of the toilet brush is guaranteed.
Moreover, advantageously the handle of the brush comprises the aforementioned adjustment means, configured to adapt the position of said handle, by adapting the length thereof. This allows said handle to be retractable so that, when it is housed in the toilet brush holder, is in a retracted position, concealed from the user's view and, when it is going to be used, it goes into an extended position to allow the use thereof.
In this way, the adjustment means allow the handle to be established in a first position, completely extended for the use of the toilet brush, up to a second position that is completely retracted, as well as in any intermediate position between said first and second positions. In the second position, the handle is completely or partially concealed.
In an operational situation, the user acts on the adjustment means to establish the appropriate length of the toilet brush handle.
In a particular embodiment, the adjustment means is are pressure mechanism, such that the user exerts pressure on the upper portion of the handle, which is transmitted to the reinforced ring, and causes the adjustment means to adjust the length of the handle.
In a particular embodiment, the adjustment means are a telescopic mechanism present along the length of the handle. In particular, the adjustment means comprise a drive body and a receiving body wherein the receiving body forms the exterior of the handle and the drive body is able to move inside said receiving body, and comprises a spring element, housed inside the receiving body, configured to control the movement of the drive body along said receiving body.
In a particular embodiment, the toilet brush further comprises a lower body, coupled to the reinforced ring, configured to house the portion of the handle that is concealed from the user.
In a particular embodiment, wherein the adjustment means allow total retraction of the handle, the upper portion of the handle when same is retracted is at the same height as the reinforced ring.
In a particular embodiment, the toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly object of the present disclosure comprises the toilet brush which in turn comprises a brush, the toilet brush holder and a support configured to couple the toilet brush holder either to the toilet tank, or to the bowl or to the chamber connected to the toilet tank, according to the selected embodiment. Advantageously, said support prevents friction between the toilet brush holder and the toilet elements, while at the same time preventing the movement of said toilet brush holder within the housing thereof, therefore fixing its position safely and preventing the toilet brush holder and toilet brush assembly from interfering in the operation of the water flush from the toilet tank of the toilet.
In the most common toilet embodiments, the toilet tank is configured to be arranged in a vertical position, higher than the toilet bowl. In such cases, the most suitable embodiment of the present disclosure is that which comprises a toilet brush holder configured to be installed in the toilet tank, in a particular embodiment through a support such as the aforementioned one. When inserting the toilet brush into the toilet brush holder, the toilet brush is in contact with the water in the toilet tank, completely submerged. The toilet brush is vertically arranged. In other possible embodiments of toilets, the toilet tank is built into the bathroom wall (concealed therein) so that the toilet brush, instead of being arranged in a vertical position, can be arranged in an oblique position, with the toilet brush holder built into the wall (with the toilet brush holder installed in the toilet tank or with the toilet brush holder installed attached to said tank). The toilet brush holder essentially comprises a chamber in which it receives the brush.
In the chamber of the toilet brush holder, in any of the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to insert sanitisers, both liquid and solid, such as soaps or WC tablets, which contribute to the sanitisation of the toilet brush and the toilet bowl (the water in the toilet brush holder is the water in the toilet tank or the chamber connected thereto and is the water that falls into the bowl in each flush cycle). Advantageously, this allows the solid sanitisers to be located within the toilet brush holder itself, allowing the user to check the condition thereof. In turn, the location of the solid sanitisers inside the toilet brush holder prevents said solid sanitisers from moving inside the toilet tank, the bowl and/or the chamber connected to the toilet tank, leaving said position or blocking elements of the tank, that is, plugging or blocking that prevent the closing or opening of the water flush, which would slow down or prevent the correct use of the toilet tank in the toilet. Additionally, the location of the solid sanitisers inside the toilet brush holder allows same to be quickly replaced if necessary by the user.
Likewise, the chamber of the toilet brush holder can be used for inspecting the interior of the toilet tank in cases where the toilet brush holder is configured to be installed in a toilet tank. Advantageously, this allows access to the tank of the toilet tank through the chamber of the toilet brush holder, thus avoiding access by completely disassembling the tank of the toilet tank, which is complicated for the user and renders the water flush to the toilet bowl operation unusable.
In another exemplary embodiment, the toilet brush holder comprises a chamber configured to be installed in a toilet bowl. In this case, it receives water from the tank and sends same to the bowl receptacle, always leaving part of that water in the chamber, to ensure that the toilet brush is completely submerged in water.
In a particular embodiment, the toilet brush holder comprises a cylinder, which in turn comprises a lower cover, said lower cover being located on the side opposite to the lead-through hole.
The chamber of the toilet brush holder is configured between the side walls of the cylinder and the lower cover, so that the toilet brush is housed in said chamber. Additionally, the cylinder allows the inlet and outlet of water to the chamber of the toilet brush holder through the side opposite to the lower cover, which is open to the outside, and therefore in fluid communication either with the toilet tank, the chamber connected to the toilet tank or with the toilet bowl. Advantageously, the inlet and outlet of water into the chamber of the toilet brush holder allows cleaning the brush of the toilet brush.
In a particular embodiment, the toilet brush holder cylinder comprises holes or pipes (inlet and/or outlet) that allow the passage of water into the chamber of the toilet brush holder, which advantageously allows better cleaning of the brush of the toilet brush in the interior of said chamber of the toilet brush holder.
In a particular embodiment, the lower cover comprises at least one through hole. Advantageously, any of the through holes present in the toilet brush holder cylinder allow the inlet and outlet of water to the chamber of the toilet brush holder.
In the embodiments in which the toilet brush holder is configured to be installed in a toilet tank, it is preferably installed on the side that is furthest from the internal mechanisms of the toilet tank (the flusher and the buoy or float that are inside the toilet tank). The assembly may comprise a trim in the lead-through hole of the chamber of the toilet brush holder. This trim further facilitates the correct insertion and position of the toilet brush.
In the embodiment in which the chamber is configured to be installed in a toilet tank, the chamber of the toilet brush holder is preferably configured by means of a plastic basket (cylinder comprising holes), which is submerged in the water inside the tank (clean water).
As previously described, the chamber of the toilet brush holder can also house disinfection tablets for toilet cleaning, thus ensuring an even more efficient disinfection of the brush of the toilet brush. In this case, the disinfectant tablets remain trapped in the chamber (or plastic basket), dissolving little by little. This chamber also prevents any object that accidentally falls through the lead-through hole from reaching the bottom of the tank and potentially blocking the flush or feeding mechanisms present in the tank in some way. In many cases, when the tablets are dissolved, which in the state of the art are directly deposited at the bottom of the toilet tank, same move during each water loading and unloading cycle (due to the movement of the water itself). In some cases, they are placed in positions that obstruct and prevent the operation of the flush mechanism, producing continuous water losses, noise from the filling of the tank water, and lack of efficiency.
In a particular embodiment, the brush comprises, between the brush and the handle, a reinforced ring configured both to join said elements together and to protect the brush of the toilet brush. In this way, the reinforced ring acts as a structure that allows not only to keep the toilet brush elements in their proper position but also to withstand the force exerted by the user during use, therefore withstanding the pressure that the user exerts on the brush of the toilet brush. Additionally, said reinforced ring also allows the user to be protected from splashes when the toilet brush is in operation, that is, during its use inside the toilet bowl.
In a particular embodiment, the reinforced ring comprises a cover, configured to cover the chamber of the toilet brush holder.
In another exemplary embodiment, the handle of the toilet brush comprises an internal reservoir and/or a hollow pipe therein that can be filled with air fresheners or a disinfectant liquid so as not to have to use disinfectant tablets in the toilet brush holder.
It further comprises first outlet holes arranged in a proximal section of the handle, which is the one outside the chamber of the toilet brush holder. If air freshener is introduced inside the handle, the aroma is perceived through said openings. Moreover, the handle comprises second holes in a distal section, which is the one that is housed in the toilet brush holder, and allows, when is introduced inside the handle, the disinfectant to be released into the water in the chamber. Therefore, it is possible to properly clean and disinfect the toilet brush without the need to use an additional external container, freeing up space in the bathroom and dispensing with the usual container for air fresheners.
The toilet brush differs from the hollow toilet brushes of the state of the art in that it does not comprise elements for activating/manipulating the content housed therein. That is, the hollow toilet brushes that are currently known comprise, for example, buttons to control the metering of the product arranged therein, which allow a jet or spray of the product to be released or bars of soap or disinfectant to be released. On the contrary, with the proposed toilet brush it is not necessary to use elements for metering/releasing the product but rather same is directly diffused into the environment (through the first outlet holes) or is diffused into the water in the chamber of the toilet brush holder (through the second outlet holes).
In this way, the hollow portion of the handle of the toilet brush that remains inside the chamber can itself be a cleaning product metering element, so that even if toilet disinfection tablets are not used, a product that performs the same function can be used. As previously described, the hollow portion of the handle of the toilet brush that remains on the outside, as it is hollow and having holes, can be a container for the introduction of air fresheners or related products.
Likewise, in this embodiment, the toilet brush holder provides easy and quick access to the interior of the toilet tank in which it is installed, through the lead-through hole. That is, it is not necessary to remove the entire cover every time that the interior of the tank receptacle is to be accessed. Operations such as unscrewing buttons/grip of the toilet tank are thus avoided. This advantage is especially important to increase the useful life of the tank elements since the screwing and unscrewing operations of the tank buttons/grip usually cause misalignments of the flusher, causing malfunction of the buoy and/or the flusher seal, and generating water losses and constant filling noise.
This toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly improves efficiency in terms of hygiene and disinfection of bathrooms by self-cleaning the toilet brush, that is, it is continuously disinfected (submerged in water or water with soap or disinfectant inside the tank). It also reduces the time required for correct hygiene and disinfection of the bathrooms, which results in greater efficiency, especially when it comes to community bathrooms: hospitals, hotels, residences and any similar facility.
Therefore, the key feature of the present disclosure is that the cleaning of the toilet brush is continuous because the brush is always submerged in clean water. Additionally, the water is renewed in each cycle.
This correct hygiene of the toilet brush is especially important in the current situation of the global COVID-19 pandemic and even more so as it has been shown that the virus is present in the faeces of infected people. To control the epidemic and, in cases where toilets or toilet brushes are going to be used by different people, to guarantee proper public health, it is essential to ensure the disinfection of any element that comes into contact with faeces of people who may be infected. A clear example is toilet bowls and especially toilet brushes, the brush of which comes into direct contact with faeces. With state of the art toilet brush holders, the brush could be a source of virus transmission, on the one hand due to incorrect disinfection (in many cases toilet brush holders do not even have water and in many other cases the water in the toilet brush holder is not changed frequently enough) and on the other hand, for example in case of accidental contact of children with stained and infected toilet brushes.
The present disclosure makes it possible to solve the disinfection and cleaning problems of currently known systems. Due to the fact that the brush is completely submerged in the water of the tank of the toilet tank or the chamber in the toilet bowl or the chamber connected to the tank of the toilet tank, rinsing and disinfection is carried out at all times. That is, instead of carrying out a specific disinfection with each flush of the tank, a continuous disinfection is carried out because the brush is continuously submerged in clean water.
As the toilet brush is housed in the toilet tank, there is no possibility of the user inadvertently staining same with urine or excrement on the brush. At any time that it is to be used, the toilet brush is in optimal hygienic conditions that guarantee correct cleaning of the toilet (in addition to having ensured the correct disinfection of the toilet brush).
In a particular embodiment, the handle and brush of the toilet brush are removable. This advantageously allows the user to exchange the brush.
The toilet brush itself and a toilet that comprises the toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly, installed in the tank or installed in the bowl, are also the object of the present disclosure.
To complete the description, and for the purpose of helping to make the features of the present disclosure more readily understandable, this description is accompanied by a set of drawings constituting an integral part of the same, which by way of illustration and not limitation represents the following:
Below, a list is provided of the different elements represented in the figures making up the present disclosure:
The present disclosure should not be limited to the embodiment described herein. Other configurations may be carried out by those skilled in the art based on the present description. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the following claims.
The cover (8) is configured to cover the lead-through hole when the toilet brush (2) is inserted into the toilet brush holder and the chamber of the toilet brush holder (7) is configured to connect to a tank (1) of a toilet tank, or is configured to be installed in a tank (1) or a bowl (6) of a toilet, so that the chamber houses clean water and said water is renewed in each flush cycle of the tank, and the brush (4) is always submerged in water when the toilet brush (2) is housed in the toilet brush holder (7).
In an exemplary embodiment, the toilet brush holder (7) is configured to be, preferably installed on the wall, and connected to the tank (1). In this case, the chamber of the toilet brush holder comprises a water inlet pipe (11) and a water outlet pipe (12) configured to be connected to a tank (1) of a toilet tank, and the water outlet pipe (12) is arranged at a higher level than that of the brush (4) of the toilet brush (2) so that a minimum water level is always maintained in the chamber that guarantees that the brush (4) is submerged in water.
In another exemplary embodiment in which the chamber of the toilet brush holder (7) is configured to be installed in a toilet bowl, and comprises a water inlet pipe (11) connectable to the outlet of a tank (1) of a toilet tank and a water outlet pipe (12) with a free end configured to allow water to pass from the chamber of the toilet brush holder (7) to a receptacle of a toilet bowl (6) and where the water outlet pipe (12) is arranged at a higher level than that of the brush (4) of the toilet brush (2) when the toilet brush (2) is housed in the toilet brush holder (7) so that a minimum water level is always maintained in the chamber that guarantees that the brush (4) is submerged in water.
In another possible embodiment, the toilet brush holder (7) is configured to be installed in the tank (1) of a toilet tank and the chamber of the toilet brush holder (7) comprises walls with openings that allow the water to pass from the tank to the chamber so that the brush (4) is always submerged in water. Preferably, the chamber of the toilet brush holder (7) is a plastic basket with mesh walls.
The toilet brush (2) may comprise, as can be seen in this figure, first openings (9), in a proximal section of the handle (5), intended to remain outside the chamber when the toilet brush (2) passes through the lead-through hole of the toilet brush holder (7). The toilet brush (2) may also comprise second openings (10) in a distal section of the handle (5), which is intended to be submerged in the water of the chamber when the toilet brush (2) passes through the lead-through hole. In this way, the handle (5) can contain, for example, air fresheners or sanitising liquid to increase cleaning efficiency. The diffusion is carried out continuously, without the need for diffusion activation elements. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to perform any action and disinfection does not depend on the user remembering to perform said action. Disinfection and aroma diffusion are therefore guaranteed at all times.
Furthermore, as previously seen, the toilet brush (2) comprises in the handle (5) a cover (8) configured to fit into the lead-through hole, acting as a closure of said hole when the toilet brush (2) is inserted into the tank (1).
In a more common embodiment, as shown in said
Preferably, the cover (8) has a configuration corresponding to the section of the lead-through hole so that, when the toilet brush (2) is housed in the toilet brush holder (7), its interior cannot be seen from the outside of the toilet brush holder (7). In a possible embodiment, the toilet brush holder additionally comprises a trim arranged in the lead-through hole of the chamber such that, when the toilet brush (2) passes through the lead-through hole, the projection is fitted into the trim, closing the lead-through hole.
As seen in
Preferably, the pipe or reservoir inside the handle (5) is divided into two housings, a first housing, at a proximal end of the handle (5) and comprising first openings (9) and a second housing, at a distal end of the handle (5), which comprises second openings (10), and each housing is configured to house an air freshener and/or disinfectant product that is diffused to the outside through the openings (9, 10). In this way, for example, a first housing may be provided in which an air freshener is housed and a second housing may be provided in which a disinfectant is housed.
The toilet brush holder (7) can also be used to house a disinfectant tablet or similar, preventing it from moving during the flush cycles and ending up blocking the water outlet or interfering with any of the elements of the water supply and flush mechanisms.
It is also an object of the present disclosure a toilet comprising a toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly as previously described. In one possible embodiment of the toilet, the toilet brush holder (7) is installed in the tank of the toilet tank and in another possible embodiment, the toilet brush holder (7) is installed in the bowl (6). When it is installed in the tank (1) of the toilet tank, it is installed in correspondence with the tank cover (3) (as seen in
The toilet of the present disclosure may also comprise, in the toilet tank, a container that can be used, for example, as a trash can or storage space. By occupying part of the space of the toilet tank, the tank (1) of the toilet tank has its water storage volume reduced but this is not a drawback because currently the capacity of toilet tanks is much greater than the volume of water which, according to regulations, can be flushed in each cycle. The container may have a cover element configured to allow or prevent access to the container, concealing and/or protecting the contents of the interior thereof.
In this exemplary embodiment, the adjustment means for adjusting the handle (5) comprise an actuation body (13) and a receiving body (14) wherein the receiving body (14) forms the outside of the handle (5) and the drive body (13) is able to move inside said receiving body (14). Furthermore, the handle (5) comprises at least one spring element (15), housed inside the receiving body (14), configured to control the movement of the drive body (13) along said receiving body (14). The at least one spring element can be, for example, an automatic spring, rubber, gas, etc. device.
In one possible embodiment, the cover (8) of the toilet brush (2) and the receiving body (14) are joined and in another possible embodiment, as seen in
Once the toilet brush (2) is placed in the toilet brush holder (7), the user simply has to press down on the drive body (13) and same lowers, being concealed in the toilet brush holder (7) (which in the example in
The present disclosure presents the following clauses:
A toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly wherein:
The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to clause 1 wherein the chamber of the toilet brush holder comprises a water inlet pipe and a water outlet pipe configured to be connected to a tank of a toilet tank, and the water outlet pipe is arranged at a level higher than that of the brush of the toilet brush so that a minimum water level is always maintained in the chamber that guarantees that the brush is submerged in water.
The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to clause 1 wherein the chamber of the toilet brush holder is configured to be installed in a bowl of a toilet, and comprises a water inlet pipe connectable to the outlet of a tank of a toilet tank and a water outlet pipe with a free end configured to allow water to pass from the chamber of the toilet brush holder to a receptacle of a toilet bowl and where the water outlet pipe is arranged at a higher level than that of the brush of the toilet brush so that a minimum water level is always maintained in the chamber that guarantees that the brush is submerged in water.
The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to clause 1 in which the toilet brush holder is configured to be installed in the tank of a toilet tank and the chamber comprises walls with openings that allow water to pass from the tank to the chamber so that the brush is always submerged in water.
The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the toilet brush comprises a pipe or a reservoir inside the handle configured to receive an air freshener and/or disinfectant product and the handle comprises at least one opening that communicates the pipe or reservoir with the outside and through which the air freshener and/or disinfectant product is diffused outside.
The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to clause 5 wherein the toilet brush comprises first openings, in a proximal section of the handle, intended to remain outside the chamber when the toilet brush passes through the lead-through hole.
The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to any one of clauses 5 or 6 wherein the toilet brush comprises second openings in a distal section of the handle, intended to be submerged in the water of the chamber when the toilet brush passes through the lead-through hole.
The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to any one of the preceding clauses which comprises a trim in the lead-through hole of the chamber of the toilet brush holder.
The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the toilet brush comprises a brush and a handle, the handle being intended to allow a user to grip same and the brush configured for cleaning a bowl of a toilet wherein it comprises a pipe or a reservoir inside the handle and said handle comprises at least one opening that connects the pipe or reservoir inside the handle with the outside and wherein the pipe or reservoir inside the handle is configured to house an air freshener and/or disinfectant product that is diffused to the outside through the at least one opening.
The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to clause 9 wherein the pipe or reservoir inside the handle of the toilet brush is divided into two housings, a first housing, at a proximal end of the handle and comprising first openings and a second housing, at a distal end of the handle, which comprises second openings, and each housing is configured to house an air freshener and/or disinfectant product that is diffused to the outside through the openings.
The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to any one of the preceding clauses wherein the handle of the toilet brush comprises a drive body and a receiving body wherein the receiving body forms the exterior of the handle and the drive body is able to move inside of said receiving body, and comprises a spring element, housed inside the receiving body, configured to control the movement of the drive body along said receiving body.
The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to clause 11 wherein the receiving body and the cover of the toilet brush are joined together.
The toilet brush and toilet brush holder assembly according to clause 10 wherein the receiving body and the cover of the toilet brush form a single body.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| U202132117 | Oct 2021 | ES | national |
This application is the United States national phase of International Patent Application No. PCT/ES2022/070699, filed Oct. 28, 2022, and claims priority to Spanish Patent Application No. U202132117, filed Oct. 28, 2021, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/ES2022/070699 | 10/28/2022 | WO |
