Washing agent dispenser, especially for dishwashing

Abstract

A washing agent dispenser including a washing agent case sized and shaped to hold a solid or solidified washing agent, and means for attachment of the case to a support or a surface, the case enabling collection of a surface sample of the washing agent by means of a washing instrument.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/FR99/02921, with an international filing date of Nov. 25, 1999, which is based on French Patent Application No. 98/14856, filed Nov. 25, 1998.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention pertains to the field of dishwashing agent dispensers.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Such products are generally constituted of a liquid washing agent reservoir, comprising an orifice with a valve for delivering a determined amount of liquid. As an example of the prior art, FR 2,700,762 describes a device enabling distribution of jets of liquids. It is constituted of a flexible tube equipped in its interior with a multiplicity of channels connected on the one hand to a liquid inlet point corresponding to these channels and, on the other hand, to a socket connected to a dispenser receptacle on the channels, to enable the liquids to advance to the faucets. When the user pushes on one or more of the faucets, the liquid advances via the reverse-lock valve to the outlet where the liquid is distributed by accessories.

[0004] Other documents of the prior art describe various forms of implementation of dispensers for liquid washing agents. For example, FR 2,628,076 describes a reservoir that can distribute a mixture of products. PCT 91/19449 describes a washing agent dispenser that has a valve that can be controlled manually.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] This invention relates to a washing agent dispenser including a washing agent case sized and shaped to hold a solid or solidified washing agent and means for attachment of the case to a support or a surface, the case enabling collection of a surface sample of the washing agent by means of a washing instrument.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings relative to a nonlimitative example of implementation in which:

[0007] FIG. 1 represents a view of the device in the closed position,

[0008] FIG. 2 represents a view of the device in the open position,

[0009] FIG. 3 represents a view of the general organization of a washing station that includes a device according to the invention,

[0010] FIGS. 4 and 5 represent side views of two variants of implementation, and

[0011] FIGS. 6 to 8 represent variants of implementation in a first storage position and in a second position of use in each case.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] It will be appreciated that the following description is intended to refer to specific embodiments of the invention selected for illustration in the drawings and is not intended to define or limit the invention, other than in the appended claims.

[0013] The invention pertains to a washing agent dispenser, especially for dishwashing, characterized in that it is constituted of a solid or solidified washing agent, presents means for attachment to a support or a surface, and is designed to enable collection of a surface sample of the washing agent by means of a washing instrument.

[0014] The term “support” as used herein is to be understood designating a wall located close to the work surface or the work surface itself.

[0015] According to a first variant, the attachment means is designed for attaching the washing agent on the wall. According to a second variant, the attachment means is designed for the attachment of the washing agent on the work surface.

[0016] The surface of the washing agent is advantageously inclined in use position by an angle between about 100 and about 160°. The angle is preferably approximately 130°.

[0017] According to a first mode of implementation, the solid or solidified washing agent is housed in a rigid casing. According to a second mode of implementation, the solid or solidified washing agent is self-supporting and comprises a means for interlocking with the support.

[0018] The attachment means with the support are preferably constituted by a hanging element. According to a first variant, the form and the dimensions of the casing containing the solid or solidified washing agent are determined in a manner such that the front edge of the device extends to the washing sink. According to a second variant, the form and the dimensions of the casing containing the solid or solidified washing agent are determined in a manner such that the front edge of the device is set back from the washing sink. According to another variant, the support can be moved between a first stable position, in which the useful surface of the washing agent is accessible by a washing instrument, and a second stable storage position.

[0019] According to one specific variant of implementation, the device is formed by a case designed to receive a washing agent in the form of a casing which is inclined in position of use in a plane forming an angle between about 90 and about 120° in relation to the vertical, with the inclined part being designed to receive a solid washing agent.

[0020] The casing is advantageously constituted of two parts articulated by a horizontal hinge, with one of the parts having means for attachment on a support and the other part being constituted of the casing intended to receive the solid washing agent. According to one specific variant, the casing extends behind the axis of articulation by a convex part forming a cavity for collecting liquid waste products in a closed position. According to one specific variant, the case is formed by a base for attachment on a support which interlocks with a first fixed casing and a second casing which is mobile along a transverse articulation.

[0021] The case is preferably formed by a base for attachment on a support which interlocks with a first fixed casing and a second casing which is mobile along a transverse articulation, with the second mobile casing having a front part complementary with the fixed casing, and a rear part that can be brought to connect in the closed position with the support to form a tight bottom.

[0022] According to still another variant, the device interlocks with the support by the intermediary of a pivot positioned on the surface opposite to the sampling surface of the device. This pivot is advantageously vertical and enables pivoting the device into a rest position in which it is moved away from the washing sink.

[0023] Turning now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show views of the washing device in open and closed positions, respectively. The device comprises a base (1), a first casing (2) and a second casing (3). The base (1) is formed by a molded plastic part having a substantially planar surface (4) enabling attachment on a wall by means of screws or the like traversing the holes (5, 6), for example, oblong holes according to the well known principle for attaching various accessories to a wall.

[0024] The washing agent is a solid substance or paste placed in the articulated casing (3). This casing (3) has a cavity whose form is substantially complementary to the form of the washing agent.

[0025] The second casing (3) is articulated along a transverse pivot (7) and can swing between a closed position in which the transverse plane passing through the edge (8) is slightly inclined in relation to the vertical plane, for example, by about 10°, and an open position in which the plane is slightly inclined downward in relation to a horizontal plane, for example, about 30°.

[0026] The first casing (2) has a plane passing through edge (9) inclined by about 10° frontward in relation to a vertical plane.

[0027] The second casing (3) is extended by a rear spout (10). This spout (10) contacts the exterior surface (11) of the fixed casing (2) when the device is in the open position.

[0028] In the closed position, spout (10) forms a convex zone for collection of liquid waste products to prevent them from dripping on the work surface below.

[0029] FIG. 3 shows the organization of the work surface. The device (12) is attached to the wall behind the sink at a height of about 1 m. The user has available a brush (13) or a conventional cleaning tool that is loaded with cleaning agent by rubbing the brush/tool on the cleaning agent placed in the device.

[0030] When work has finished, the lower casing (3) can be pivoted upwardly to close the device. The incline of the lower casing (3) and its length are determined to ensure, when in the open position, the flow of the liquid waste products into the sink.

[0031] Such a device facilitates the dishwashing process since the user is spared the operation of grasping a cleaning agent dispenser. Thus, the user can handle the piece to be cleaned with one hand and with the other hand can handle the cleaning tool, with which the user also collects the washing agent when he needs it.

[0032] FIGS. 4 and 5 show side views of two variants of implementation in which the support (20) is attached on the wall (21). It is formed by a part that supports a receptacle (22) in which is housed the solid cleaning agent, which can be a saponified cleaning agent, an agglomerated granular mixture or any solid or solidified agent.

[0033] In the variant shown in FIG. 4, the support is designed such that the front edge (24) juts out above the washing basin (25). Thus, the liquid waste products flow into the basin.

[0034] The goal is that the front edge of the device extends to the washing basin in most domestic kitchen installations.

[0035] In the variant shown in FIG. 5, the support is designed such that the flow of waste products takes place above the work surface to prevent pollution of a sink, for example, a rinsing sink, by liquid waste products.

[0036] FIGS. 6 to 8 show variants of implementation, each in a first storage position and a second position of use.

[0037] In the example shown in FIG. 6, the device comprises a case equipped with a cover to protect the washing agent outside of periods of use.

[0038] In the variant shown in FIG. 7, the cover (25) is fixed and the receptacle (26) is articulated.

[0039] In the variant shown in FIG. 8, the receptacle (26) is mobile in rotation in relation to an essentially vertical pivot.

[0040] The solidified washing agent can interlock with the receptacle by different means: by clipping, by anchoring on corrugated pins lodged in cavities provided in the back of the washing agent, by a connector which is brought to cooperate with a complementary housing provided on the receptacle or the like.

[0041] The support can be attached on the wall or on the work surface by an adhesive material (simple or double-faced adhesive), by screwing (screw and button hole or oblong hole), by a suction cup or by gravity (ballast and adhesive material such as rubber or PVC) or the like.

[0042] The washing agent can be poured directly into the receptacle or into a thin, disposable film, clipped onto the support casing or poured in a form for anchoring on the receptacle. It can be constituted of a silicon-containing polymer based on an organomineral silicate copolymer that can be obtained by condensation polymerization of at least one ammonium silicate or alkali metal and an organic silicon compound such as an alkali metal siliconate or an alkoxysilane. Such a silicon-containing polymer is presented in adsorbed and/or absorbed form on a solid water-soluble mineral support. The respective amounts of ammonium silicate or alkaline metal and of organic silicon compound correspond to a weight ratio of Si stemming from the organic compound/total mass of Si in the silicon-containing polymer on the order of about 0.001. The silicon-containing polymer presents a water content on the order of about 10 to about 35% by weight.

[0043] The washing agent can be constituted of a homogeneous material or by a stratified heterogeneous material, or in the form of flakes of a first material incorporated in a second material, or of two or more juxtaposed materials.

Claims

1. A washing agent dispenser comprising: a washing agent case sized and shaped to hold a solid or solidified washing agent; and means for attachment of the case to a support or a surface, the case enabling collection of a surface sample of the washing agent by means of a washing instrument.

2. The washing agent dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the attachment means is designed for attachment of the case to a wall.

3. The washing agent dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the attachment means is designed for attachment of the case to a work surface.

4. The washing agent dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the washing agent is inclined in a position of use at an angle between about 100 and about 160° relative to the support or surface.

5. The washing agent dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising means for interlocking with the support.

6. The washing agent dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the means for attachment on the support comprises a hanging element.

7. The washing agent dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the form and dimensions of the case are determined such that a front edge of the case is positioned over a washing sink.

8. The washing agent dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the form and dimensions of the case are determined such that a front edge of the case is vertically set back from a washing sink.

9. The washing agent dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the case is movable between a first stable position, in which a surface of the washing agent is accessible by a washing instrument, and a second stable storage position.

10. The washing agent dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the case has a casing which is inclined in position of use in a plane forming an angle between about 90 and about 160° in relation to the vertical, with the inclined part being designed to receive a solid washing agent.

11. The washing agent dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the case is formed from two casings articulated about a substantially horizontal hinge, with one casing having means for attachment on the support and the other casing being sized and shaped to receive the solid washing agent.

12. The washing agent dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the casing has a convex spout which extends behind an axis of articulation and forms a cavity for collecting liquid waste products when the case is in a closed position.

13. The washing agent dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the case is formed by a base for attachment on the support which interlocks with a first fixed casing and a second casing which is movable along a transverse axis.

14. The washing agent dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the case is formed by a base for attachment on the support which interlocks with a first fixed casing and a second casing which is movable along a transverse axis of articulation, with the second casing having a front part complementary with the first casing, and a rear part that can connect in a closed position with the support to form a tight bottom.

15. The washing agent dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the case has on a surface opposite to a sampling surface a pivot for connection with the support which enables pivoting of the device into a rest position in which the device is moved away from a washing sink.

16. The washing agent dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the means for attachment is an adhesive material.

17. The washing agent dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the means for attachment is a screw.

18. The washing agent dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the means for attachment is a suction cup.

19. A washing agent dispenser comprising: a base adapted to connect to a surface; a lower casing having an opening sized and shaped to receive washing agent and being pivotable with respect to the base, the lower casing having a portion extending in a direction opposite a pivot member about which the lower casing pivots; and an upper casing pivotably mounted about the pivot member and having an opening sized and shaped to substantially match the opening in said lower casing.