U.S. patent application number 11/019806 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-22 for multi-function toilet device.
Invention is credited to Russell Bell, Cherie A. Bulala, Douglas J. Minkler, A. Akemi Ooka.
Application Number | 20060130221 11/019806 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36593834 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060130221 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bulala; Cherie A. ; et
al. |
June 22, 2006 |
Multi-function toilet device
Abstract
Described is a multi-function device for attachment to the tank
of a toilet fixture. The multi-function device provides a
diffusible air-treatment concentrate for deodorizing or otherwise
treating the ambient air surrounding the toilet. At the same time,
the multi-function device provides a water-soluble water-treatment
concentrate for treating the flush water stored in the toilet tank.
The device includes a connector with an air-treatment housing
coupled to one end and a water-treatment housing coupled to the
opposite end of the connector. The connector is configured such
that the air-treatment housing, in which the air-treatment
concentrate is disposed, is positioned adjacent the exterior
surface of the toilet tank and the water-treatment housing, in
which the water-treatment concentrate is disposed, is positioned
adjacent the interior surface of the toilet tank below the
fill-level of the tank.
Inventors: |
Bulala; Cherie A.; (Oakland,
CA) ; Bell; Russell; (Oakland, CA) ; Minkler;
Douglas J.; (Oakland, CA) ; Ooka; A. Akemi;
(Oakland, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE CLOROX COMPANY
P.O. BOX 24305
OAKLAND
CA
94623-1305
US
|
Family ID: |
36593834 |
Appl. No.: |
11/019806 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/227.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03D 9/007 20130101;
E03D 9/038 20130101; E03D 2009/024 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
004/227.1 |
International
Class: |
E03D 9/02 20060101
E03D009/02 |
Claims
1. A device comprising: a connector; an air-treatment concentrate
coupled to said connector; a water-treatment concentrate coupled to
said connector; wherein said connector is configured to position
said air-treatment concentrate adjacent an exterior surface of a
tank and to position said water-treatment concentrate adjacent an
interior surface of said tank.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said
water-treatment concentrate is positioned below a fill-level of
said tank.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein said connector is bendable to
accommodate placement of said connector on said tank, positioning
of said air-treatment concentrate adjacent of said exterior surface
of said tank, and positioning said water-treatment concentrate
adjacent said interior surface of said tank.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein said connector comprises a
structure selected from the group consisting of a bendable wire, a
bendable ribbon, a bendable tube, and a bendable band.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein said connector is configurable
into a shape selected from the group consisting of an inverted "J",
an inverted "U", and an inverted "L".
6. A device comprising: a connector having an air-treatment end
portion, a water-treatment end portion opposite said air-treatment
end portion, and an intermediate portion therebetween; an
air-treatment concentrate coupled to said air-treatment end portion
of said connector; a water-treatment concentrate coupled to said
water-treatment end portion of said connector; and wherein said
connector is configured to position said air-treatment concentrate
adjacent an exterior surface of a tank and to position said
water-treatment concentrate adjacent an interior surface of said
tank.
7. The device of claim 6 wherein said tank is a toilet tank.
8. The device of claim 6 wherein at least a portion of said
water-treatment concentrate is positioned below a fill-level of
said tank.
9. The device of claim 6 further comprising: an air-treatment
housing coupled to said air-treatment end portion of said
connector, said air-treatment housing defining an air-treatment
housing interior space and wherein said air-treatment concentrate
is disposed within said air-treatment housing interior space; and a
water-treatment housing coupled to said water-treatment end portion
of said connector, said water-treatment housing defining a
water-treatment housing interior space and wherein said
water-treatment concentrate is disposed within said water-treatment
housing interior space.
10. The device of claim 9 further comprising a fan coupled to said
device.
11. The device of claim 9 further comprising a heater coupled to
said device.
12. The device of claim 9 further comprising a source of ultrasonic
energy coupled to said device.
13. The device of claim 9 wherein said water-treatment housing
comprises an active device for pumping or siphoning a solution of
said water-treatment concentrate.
14. The device of claim 9 wherein said water-treatment housing
comprises a passive device for positioning said water-treatment
concentrate at least partially submerged below a fill-level of said
tank.
15. The device of claim 9 wherein said connector, said
air-treatment housing, and said water-treatment housing are
integrally formed.
16. The device of claim 9 wherein said connector, said
air-treatment housing, and said water-treatment housing are formed
from a material selected from the group consisting of metal, metal
composites, ceramics, polypropylene, high density polyethylene,
polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene,
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polymer composites, and
engineered plastics.
17. The device of claim 9 wherein said connector further comprises
at least one hinge adapted along said connector to allow folding of
said connector.
18. The device of claim 17 wherein said at least one hinge is a
living hinge.
19. The device of claim 9 further comprising: one or more
air-treatment housing apertures through said air-treatment housing;
and one or more water-treatment housing apertures through said
water-treatment housing;
20. The device of claim 9 wherein said connector is configured into
a shape selected from the group consisting of an inverted "J", an
inverted "U", and an inverted "L".
21. The device of claim 9 wherein said air-treatment housing and
said water-treatment housing are adjustably coupled to said
connector.
22. The device of claim 9 wherein said device is disposable.
23. The device of claim 9 wherein said air-treatment housing is
refillable with said air-treatment concentrate and said
water-treatment housing is refillable with said water-treatment
concentrate.
24. The device of claim 9 wherein said air-treatment concentrate
and said water-treatment concentrate lasts in use for approximately
the same period of time.
25. The device of claim 9 further comprising at least one indicia
that alerts a user of said device that said air-treatment
concentrate or said water-treatment concentrate is depleted.
26. A multi-function toilet device for placement on a toilet tank
comprising: a connector having a air-treatment end portion, a
water-treatment end portion opposite said air-treatment end
portion, and an intermediate portion therebetween; an air-treatment
housing coupled to said air-treatment end portion of said
connector, said air-treatment housing defining an air-treatment
housing interior space and wherein an air-treatment concentrate is
disposed within said air-treatment housing interior space; a
water-treatment housing coupled to said water-treatment end portion
of said connector, said water-treatment housing defining a
water-treatment housing interior space and wherein a
water-treatment concentrate is disposed within said water-treatment
housing interior space; and wherein said connector is configured to
position said air-treatment concentrate adjacent an exterior
surface of said toilet tank and to position said water-treatment
concentrate adjacent an interior surface of said toilet tank.
27. The multi-function toilet device of claim 26 wherein said
connector is placed on a tank lip of said toilet tank.
28. The multi-function toilet device of claim 26 wherein said
connector is configured as an inverted "J".
29. The multi-function toilet device of claim 26 wherein said
connector comprises a structure selected from the group consisting
of a bendable wire, a bendable ribbon, a bendable tube, and a
bendable band.
30. The multi-function device of claim 26 wherein said
water-treatment housing comprises a passive device for positioning
said water-treatment concentrate at least partially submerged below
a tank fill-level.
31. The multi-function toilet device of claim 26 wherein said
connector, said air-treatment housing, and said water-treatment
housing are integrally formed.
32. The multi-function toilet device of claim 26 wherein said
connector, said air-treatment housing, and said water-treatment
housing are separately formed.
33. The multi-function toilet device of claim 26 further
comprising: one or more air-treatment housing apertures through
said air-treatment housing; and one or more water-treatment housing
apertures through said water-treatment housing.
34. The multi-function toilet device of claim 33 further comprising
one or more slide elements that blank off all, or parts of, said
air-treatment housing apertures and said water-treatment housing
apertures.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates generally to multi-function
dispensers and more specifically to a device for diffusing an
air-treatment concentrate to the ambient air surrounding a toilet
and for dispersing a water-treatment concentrate to the tank of the
toilet.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Assemblies for diffusing air-treatment concentrates are well
known. Such air-treatment assemblies were used to provide an
air-diffused fragrance to mask offensive odors in the living areas
of a house or the work and service areas of commercial
environments. Diffusion of masking fragrances was especially useful
in bathrooms and kitchen areas that were subject to a higher
incidence of offensive odors. Assemblies were also used to diffuse
an air-treatment concentrate capable of otherwise treating ambient
air. Various means were developed to improve the diffusion of
fragrances or treatment concentrates from the assemblies of the
prior art. For example, fan assists were included in the assemblies
to increase airflow across the air-treatment concentrate and thus
the diffusion of the concentrate in ambient air. Heating elements
were also included in some prior art assemblies to increase the
temperature of the air-treatment concentrate to aid in
volatilization of the concentrate and thus the diffusion of the
concentrate.
[0005] Assemblies for discharging a water-treatment concentrate to
the flush water contained in the tank or bowl of a toilet are also
well known in the art. Such water-treatment assemblies were used to
clean, color, or otherwise treat the water used to flush the
toilet.
[0006] One type of such prior art water-treatment assembly,
sometimes referred to as a "tank-hanger" assembly, pretreated the
flush water by placement of a water-treatment concentrate directly
in the toilet tank, or by placement of a water-treatment
concentrate in a housing or reservoir. One type of tank-hanger
assembly was the "active" assembly, which pumped or siphoned a
solution of dissolved water-treatment concentrate into the toilet
tank, usually at the flush cycle (See, for example, U.S. Pat. No.
4,357,718 by Corsette). With an active assembly, the housing
containing the water-treatment concentrate could be located inside
the toilet tank above the fill-level of the toilet tank or could be
located completely or partially below the fill-level. Another type
of tank-hanger assembly was the "passive" assembly, in which the
water-treatment concentrate was placed inside the toilet tank in a
housing at least partially submerged below the toilet tank
fill-level. The water-treatment concentrate then passively
dispersed in the tank water during the quiescent period between
toilet flushes (See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,216,027 by
Wages).
[0007] Another type of prior art water-treatment assembly,
sometimes referred to as a "rim-hanger" assembly, treated the flush
water flowing from the rim of the toilet bowl only during the flush
cycle. Since a rim-hanger assembly treated the flush water only
during the short time of the flush cycle, it was generally
ineffective in providing the treatment level provided by a
tank-hanger assembly. As noted earlier, in a tank-hanger assembly a
dispersible water-treatment concentrate, such as a hypochlorite
tablet or puck, could be placed in continuous contact with the
flush water stored in the toilet tank. No rim-hangers can currently
claim sanitization or superior cleaning to tank-hanger dispersed
hypochlorite tablets.
[0008] Further, attempts were made in the prior art to include
air-treatment concentrates with the water-treatment concentrates
contained in both tank-hanger and rim-hanger prior art assemblies.
However, the approach of including air-treatment concentrates
within the water-treatment concentrates proved an ineffective means
to achieve air freshening of the ambient bathroom air surrounding a
toilet fixture. In the case of tank-hangers, air-treatment
concentrate, which diffused into the headspace above the toilet
tank fill-level, did not have an effective exit point from the
enclosed toilet tank to enter the ambient air. In the case of
rim-hangers, the periodic dosing of the ambient air only during the
flush cycle of the toilet proved ineffective in providing
continuous air freshening of the general bathroom air. Rim-hangers
had the additional disadvantage of being unsightly and, after the
recommended four to six weeks of continuous use, becoming germ
laden.
[0009] Accordingly, what is needed is a simple, easy-to-use device
that provides, in combination, effective toilet flush
water-treatment and that further provides effective continuous
treatment of the ambient bathroom air surrounding the toilet
fixture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In accordance with the principles of the present invention,
in one embodiment, a multi-function toilet device provides, in
combination, an air-treatment concentrate for treating the ambient
air surrounding the toilet, and a water-treatment concentrate for
treating the toilet flush water. The air-treatment concentrate is
positioned adjacent the exterior of the toilet tank and the
water-treatment concentrate is positioned adjacent the interior of
the toilet tank.
[0011] The multi-function toilet device comprises the air-treatment
concentrate, the water-treatment concentrate, and a connector;
wherein the air-treatment and water-treatment concentrates are
coupled to the connector. The connector of the multi-function
toilet device includes an air-treatment end portion and a
water-treatment end portion opposite the air-treatment end portion.
The air-treatment concentrate is coupled to the air-treatment end
portion of the connector and treats the ambient air surrounding the
toilet. The water-treatment concentrate is coupled to the
water-treatment end portion of the connector and treats the toilet
flush water. The connector is configured to position the
air-treatment concentrate adjacent an exterior surface of the
toilet tank and to position the water-treatment concentrate
adjacent an interior surface of the toilet tank. The air-treatment
concentrate and water-treatment concentrate can be placed at any
point along the connector so long as both are not coupled at the
same end portion.
[0012] To use the multi-function toilet device, the tank lid of the
toilet is removed, the connector is placed over the lip of the
toilet tank to position the air-treatment concentrate adjacent the
exterior surface of the toilet tank and to position the
water-treatment concentrate adjacent the interior surface of the
toilet tank. In one embodiment, the water-treatment concentrate is
positioned at least partially below the fill-level of the toilet
tank. After placement of the connector and positioning of the
air-treatment and water-treatment concentrates, the tank lid is
replaced on the toilet tank over the connector.
[0013] In one embodiment, the multi-function toilet device of the
present invention further includes an air-treatment housing coupled
to the air-treatment end portion of the connector and a
water-treatment housing coupled to the water-treatment end portion
of the connector, opposite the air-treatment end portion of the
connector. Disposed within the air-treatment housing is the
air-treatment concentrate and disposed within the water-treatment
housing is the water-treatment concentrate.
[0014] The air-treatment housing can include a heating element or a
fan coupled to the multi-function toilet device to enhance
diffusion of the air-treatment concentrate. The water-treatment
housing can be an active device, which provides pumping or
siphoning of an aliquot of water-treatment concentrate pre-mixed
with toilet tank water. Alternatively, the water-treatment housing
can be a passive device, which merely contains and positions the
water-treatment concentrate at least partially below the toilet
tank fill-level to passively disperse into the tank water.
[0015] The air and water-treatment housings can be adjustably
coupled to the connector to allow suitable positioning of the
housings upon installation of the multi-function toilet device of
the present invention. In one embodiment, the air and
water-treatment housings are slideably adjustable along the
connector.
[0016] The connector can take alternate shapes. In one embodiment,
the connector is a planer ribbon configured generally as a rigid
inverted "J" shaped bracket. The inverted "J" has a "top"
intermediate the two unequal length "legs" that makeup the
air-treatment and water-treatment end portions of the connector
such that the top contacts the lip of the toilet tank and the legs
hang adjacent the interior and exterior of the toilet tank to
suitably position the air-treatment concentrate and water-treatment
concentrate, respectively. In another embodiment, the connector is
generally shaped in the form of an inverted "U", having the
air-treatment end portion and the water-treatment end portion of
equal length. Various other configurations of the connector are
possible and would be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art. For example, the connector may be simply shaped as an inverted
"L" having only one end portion.
[0017] In yet another embodiment, the connector is a planar ribbon
having living hinges, well known to those of ordinary skill in the
art, and adapted to allow folding of the connector into, for
example, the inverted "J", "U", or "L" configurations described and
to allow adjustment of the air-treatment and water-treatment
housings for suitable positioning at installation of the
multi-function toilet device. In one embodiment, the connector is
simply a bendable wire, band, ribbon, or tube configurable as
described above to accommodate placement on the toilet tank and
positioning of the air-treatment and water-treatment housings
adjacent the toilet tank interior surface and exterior surface,
respectively. For these embodiments, the multi-function toilet
device may be conveniently packaged in a flat folded configuration
and bent to a suitable configuration before use.
[0018] In yet another embodiment, the connector is not placed over
the tank lip but is rather attached to the removable toilet tank
lid such that the air-treatment concentrate is positioned adjacent
the exterior surface of the tank and the water-treatment
concentrate is positioned adjacent the interior surface of the tank
when the toilet tank lid is replaced.
[0019] The connector, air-treatment and water-treatment housings of
the multi-function toilet device of the present invention can be
made of any suitable material. Exemplary materials include but are
not limited to metal, and metal composites, ceramics, polypropylene
(PP), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene terephthalate
(PET), polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS),
polymer composites, and other engineered plastics that may be
formed with a variety of fabrication technologies, such as, for
example, thermoforming or blowmolding.
[0020] The multi-function toilet device can be disposed after
depletion of the water-treatment and air-treatment concentrates or
can be refillable with the concentrates. Further, the device of the
present invention can include one or more indicia that alert the
user that the air or water-treatment concentrates are depleted.
[0021] Further features and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view
of the detailed description of embodiments below, when considered
together with the attached drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The foregoing aspects and others will be readily appreciated
by the skilled artisan from the following description of
illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0023] FIG. 1A shows a right side perspective view of a toilet
containing a multi-function toilet device in accordance with the
principles of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 1B shows a left side perspective view of the toilet
containing the multi-function toilet device of FIG. 1A;
[0025] FIG. 2A shows a frontside perspective view of the
multi-function toilet device of FIG. 1A;
[0026] FIG. 2B shows a backside perspective view of the
multi-function toilet device of FIG. 1A;
[0027] For clarity of presentation, FIGS. 2C through 2H show a
standard front, rear, left side, right side, top, and bottom view,
respectively, of the multi-function toilet device of FIG. 1A;
[0028] FIG. 3A shows a frontside perspective view of another
embodiment of the multi-function toilet device according to the
present invention; and
[0029] FIG. 3B shows a rearside perspective view of the
multi-function toilet device of FIG. 3A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like
numerals refer to like parts throughout. Exemplary embodiments of
the present invention are illustrated in the context of a
multi-function toilet tank device placed on a toilet fixture having
a toilet tank, a removable tank lid covering the toilet tank, and a
toilet bowl having a bowl rim. The skilled artisan will readily
appreciate, however, that the materials and methods disclosed
herein will have application in a number of other contexts where
diffusion of an air-treatment concentrate to the ambient air and
dissolution or dispersal of a water-treatment concentrate into a
liquid storage tank is desirable, particularly where ease of use is
important.
[0031] The aforementioned needs are satisfied by the multi-function
toilet device of the present invention which includes a connector
with an air-treatment end portion and a water-treatment end portion
opposite the air-treatment end portion; an air-treatment
concentrate coupled to the air-treatment end portion of the
connector; and a water-treatment concentrate coupled to the
water-treatment end portion of the connector. The connector is
configured to position the air-treatment concentrate adjacent an
exterior surface of the toilet tank and to position the
water-treatment concentrate adjacent an interior surface of the
toilet tank at least partially below the fill-level of the toilet
tank.
[0032] In use the tank lid of the toilet is removed, the connector
is placed over the lip of the tank to position the air-treatment
concentrate adjacent the exterior surface of the tank and to
position the water-treatment concentrate adjacent the interior
surface of the tank below the fill-level of the tank.
[0033] More particularly, FIG. 1A shows a right side perspective
view of a toilet 103 containing a multi-function toilet device 100
in accordance with the principles of the present invention. FIG. 1B
shows a left side perspective view of toilet 103 containing
multi-function toilet device 100 of FIG. 1A. Referring to FIGS. 1A
and 1B together, toilet 103 includes a toilet tank 102 having a
toilet tank lip 124 at the top of toilet tank 102, a toilet tank
lid 105 that fits on toilet tank lip 124, and a toilet bowl 107
having a toilet bowl rim 109.
[0034] FIG. 2A shows a frontside perspective view of multi-function
toilet device 100 of FIG. 1A. FIG. 2B shows a rearside perspective
view of multi-function toilet device 100 of FIG. 1A. Referring to
FIGS. 2A and 2B together, multi-function toilet device 100 includes
a connector 104 having an air-treatment end portion 106 and a
water-treatment end portion 108. In this embodiment, air-treatment
end portion 106 is longer than water-treatment end portion 108.
However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that
other configurations of connector 104 are possible.
[0035] In one embodiment, coupled to air-treatment end portion 106
is an air-treatment housing 110 that defines an air-treatment
housing interior space 112 (FIG. 2A) adapted to contain an
air-treatment concentrate 114 (FIG. 2A) disposed therein. Further,
coupled to water-treatment end portion 108 is a water-treatment
housing 116 that defines a water-treatment housing interior space
118 (FIG. 2B) adapted to contain a water-treatment concentrate 120
disposed therein. In other embodiments, either air-treatment
housing 110 or water-treatment housing 116 defines more than one
air-treatment housing interior space 112 or water-treatment housing
interior space 118, respectively, to accommodate a different
air-treatment concentrate 114 in each separate air-treatment
housing interior space 112 or a different water-treatment
concentrate 120 in each separate water-treatment housing interior
space 118, respectively. In yet another embodiment, either
air-treatment housing 110, water-treatment housing 116, or both are
eliminated and air-treatment concentrate 114 and water-treatment
concentrate 120 are coupled directly to air-treatment end portion
106 and water-treatment end portion 108, respectively, by, for
example, adhesives, cooperating hooks and catches or other integral
keyed attachment means, or concentrate mold around techniques.
[0036] Air-treatment concentrate 114 can be any air-diffusible
compound formulated to freshen or otherwise treat ambient air.
Examples of suitable compounds include, but are not limited to,
perfumes, fragrances, botanicals, volatile organic compounds, and
combinations thereof. Air-treatment concentrate 114 can be in the
form of a liquid, solid, semi-solid, impregnated nonwoven
substrate, impregnated cellulosic substrate, impregnated solid or
other forms suitable for use in air-treatment applications.
[0037] Likewise, water-treatment concentrate 120 can be any
water-dispersible compound formulated to treat toilet flush water.
Examples of suitable compounds include, but are not limited to,
bleaches, surfactants, disinfectants, inorganic compounds,
chelators, optical brighteners, and mixtures thereof. Further,
water-treatment concentrate 120 can be formulated to include
components, such as polymers, that protect or modify toilet bowl
interior surfaces, or components that protect or treat toilet valve
parts. Water-treatment concentrate 120 can be in the form of a
liquid, solid, semi-solid, impregnated nonwoven substrate,
impregnated cellulosic substrate, impregnated solid or in other
forms suitable for use in water-treatment applications.
[0038] In one embodiment, connector 104 is rigidly configured as an
inverted "J" with air-treatment end portion 106 and water-treatment
end portion 108 making up the two unequal length legs the inverted
"J" shape of connector 104. An intermediate portion 122 between
air-treatment end portion 106 and water-treatment end portion 108
makes up the "top" of the inverted "J" shape of connector 104. In
use, air-treatment concentrate 114 is placed in air-treatment
housing interior space 112 of air-treatment housing 110 and
water-treatment concentrate 120 is placed in water-treatment
housing interior space 118 of water-treatment housing 116.
Intermediate portion 122 of the inverted "J" shaped connector 104
is then placed on a toilet tank lip 124 of toilet tank 102.
Connector 104 is adapted to position water-treatment concentrate
120 adjacent to a tank interior surface 125 of toilet tank 102
(FIG. 1B.). In one embodiment, at least a portion of
water-treatment concentrate 120 is positioned below the surface of
the water stored in toilet tank 102 when toilet tank 102 is filled
to a tank fill-level 126 (FIGS. 1A and 1B). Tank fill-level 126
represents the surface of the tank water when toilet tank 102 is
completely filled. Accordingly, water-treatment concentrate 120,
disposed within water-treatment housing interior space 118 of
water-treatment housing 116, contacts the water in toilet tank 102
whenever toilet tank 102 is filled with water to tank fill-level
126. Further, in this embodiment, connector 104 is adapted to
position air-treatment housing 110 adjacent a tank exterior surface
134 defined by toilet tank 102 (FIG. 1A), thereby providing ambient
air contact with air-treatment concentrate 114 disposed within
air-treatment housing 110 of multi-function toilet device 100.
[0039] In another embodiment, water-treatment housing 116 can be of
the active pumping or dosing type, well known to those of skill in
the art. Dosing type water-treatment housings 116 provide an
aliquot of water-treatment concentrate 120, formed from
water-treatment concentrate 120 dissolved or dispersed in tank
water contained in a dosing reservoir (not shown) that may be
fluidicly isolated from toilet tank 102 during the quiescent period
between toilet flushes. Further, the diffusion of air-treatment
concentrate 114 from air-treatment housing interior space 112 can
be enhanced by, for example, supplying battery or plug-in
electrical furnished heat, forced air, or an ultrasonic energy
source to air-treatment concentrate 114. As noted above, in yet
another embodiment, either air-treatment housing 110,
water-treatment housing 116, or both, are eliminated and
air-treatment concentrate 114 and water-treatment concentrate 120
are directly coupled, respectively, to air-treatment end portion
106 and water-treatment end portion 108. In this embodiment, at
least a portion of water-treatment concentrate 120 contacts the
water in toilet tank 102 whenever toilet tank 102 is filled to
fill-level 126.
[0040] Air-treatment housing 110 includes one or more air-treatment
housing apertures 128 that open air-treatment housing 110 to the
ambient air adjacent tank exterior surface 134 of toilet tank 102
(FIG. 1A), thereby providing exposure of air-treatment concentrate
114, through air-treatment housing aperture 128, to the ambient
air. Further, one or more water-treatment housing apertures 130
through water-treatment housing 116 provide fluid communication
between toilet tank 102 and water-treatment housing interior space
118.
[0041] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, water-treatment housing
includes water-treatment housing front apertures 130F through a
water-treatment housing front portion 116F of water-treatment
housing 116 and water-treatment housing rear apertures 130R through
a water-treatment housing rear portion 116R of water-treatment
housing 116. Water-treatment housing front apertures 130F and
water-treatment housing rear apertures 130R provide water contact
with water-treatment concentrate 120, disposed within
water-treatment housing interior space 118, whenever multi-function
toilet device 100 is positioned on toilet tank 102 as described
above, and whenever toilet tank 102 is filled with water to tank
fill-level 126. In this embodiment, water-treatment housing rear
portion 116R is pivotably coupled to water-treatment housing front
portion 116F to swing open to accommodate replacement of
water-treatment concentrate 120 disposed within water-treatment
housing interior space 118. In one aspect of this embodiment, any
or all of air-treatment housing apertures 128, water-treatment
housing front apertures 130F, and water-treatment housing rear
apertures 130R are adjustable, by, for example, slide elements (not
shown) that blank off all, or a part of, air-treatment housing
apertures 128, water-treatment housing apertures 130.
[0042] Those of skill in the art will recognize that other shaped
connectors 104 can be adapted to position air-treatment housing 110
and water-treatment housing 116 as described above adjacent tank
interior surface 125 and adjacent tank exterior surface 134,
respectively. FIG. 3A shows a frontside perspective view of another
embodiment of multi-function toilet device 100 according to the
present invention. FIG. 3B shows a rearside perspective view of
multi-function toilet device 100 of FIG. 3A. Referring to FIGS. 3A
and 3B together, in this embodiment, connector 104 includes an
air-treatment end hinge 136 and a water-treatment end hinge 138.
Air-treatment end hinge 136 is positioned between air-treatment end
portion 106 and intermediate portion 122. Water-treatment end hinge
138 is positioned between water-treatment end portion 108 and
intermediate portion 122. Hinges 136 and 138 can be "living" hinges
or other types of hinges that allow connector 104 to be bent into
the "J" shape of the rigidly formed connector 104 described above.
In this embodiment, air-treatment end portion 106 and
water-treatment end portion 108 are bent inwardly toward each other
about air-treatment end hinge 136 and water-treatment end hinge
138, respectively, such that connector 104 is bent into the "J"
shape of the rigidly formed connector 104 described above. In this
embodiment, air-treatment end portion 106 is bent about
air-treatment end hinge 136, to form one leg of the inverted "J"
shaped structure of connector 104, water-treatment end portion 108
is bent about water-treatment end hinge 138 to form the second leg
of the inverted "J" shaped structure of connector 104. Intermediate
portion 122, the portion of connector 104 between air-treatment end
hinge 136 and water-treatment end hinge 138, forms the "top"
element of the inverted "J" shaped structure of connector 104.
Before use and placement on toilet tank 102 as described above with
reference to the rigid connector 104, air-treatment end hinge 136
and water-treatment end hinge 138 are bent together such that
air-treatment housing aperture 128 is made to face outwardly away
from tank exterior surface 134 when connector 104 is bent as
described and multi-function toilet device 100 is placed over
toilet tank lip 124 of toilet tank 102. Thus, before use, connector
104 can be shipped in a flat rather than "J" shaped configuration,
thereby minimizing packaging and shelf space utilized to present
multi-function toilet device 100 of the present invention to a
consumer on a retail store shelf.
[0043] In another embodiment, at least one additional hinge 140
(FIG. 3B) is provided on connector 104 adjacent air-treatment
housing 110, adjacent water-treatment housing 116 or otherwise
along connector 104, to allow for adjustment of these components to
adapt multi-function toilet device 100 to the configuration of
toilet tank 102 (FIG. 1A). Further air-treatment housing 110 and
water-treatment housing 116 can be adjustable along connector 104,
by being, for example, slidably attached to air-treatment end
portion 106 and water-treatment end portion 108 of connector 104,
respectively. By this means, additional adjustability of
air-treatment housing 110 and water-treatment housing 116 to adapt
to the configuration of toilet tank 102 (FIG. 1A) is provided.
Further, the width of intermediate portion 122 can be adjustable to
span toilet tank lip 124 (FIG. 1A), by, for example, providing
slidably adjustable components to comprise intermediate portion
122.
[0044] Further, connector 104 can be adapted to attach directly to
toilet tank lid 105 by any suitable attachment means well known to
those of ordinary skill in the art. In another embodiment,
connector 104 can be placed over toilet bowl rim 109 of toilet bowl
107. Attachment means suitable for attaching connector 104 to the
various toilet parts describe included, but are not limited to,
friction, gravity, adhesives and fasteners.
[0045] In one aspect of the present invention, connector 104,
air-treatment housing 110, and water-treatment housing 116 can be
integrally formed or can be formed separately for assembly by a
consumer before use. Connector 104, air-treatment housing 110, and
water-treatment housing 116 can be made of any suitable material,
including but not limited to, metal, metal composites, ceramics,
polypropylene (PP), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene
terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS),
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polymer composites, and
other engineered plastics that may be formed with a variety of
fabrication technologies, such as, for example, thermoforming or
blowmolding.
[0046] In another aspect of the present invention, multi-function
toilet device 100 is disposable, having a non-refillable supply of
air-treatment concentrate 114 and water-treatment concentrate 120
originally placed in air-treatment housing 110 and water-treatment
housing 116, respectively. Alternatively, multi-function toilet
device 100 can be refillable with air-treatment concentrate 114 in
air-treatment housing 110 and water-treatment concentrate 120 in
water-treatment housing 116. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2A and
2B, water-treatment housing 116 includes a water-treatment housing
front portion 116F and a water-treatment housing rear portion 116R.
Water-treatment housing rear portion 116R is pivotably coupled to
water-treatment housing front portion 116F to swing open and
accommodate replacement of water-treatment concentrate 120 disposed
within water-treatment housing interior space 118. Further, the
quantity of non-refillable supply of air-treatment concentrate 114
and water-treatment concentrate 120, or the capacity of refillable
air-treatment housing 110 and water-treatment housing 116, can be
adjusted such that the supply of air-treatment concentrate 114 and
water-treatment concentrate 120 last in use for approximately the
same period of time. By this means, continuous multi-function
operation of device 100 is assured. The replacement or refill
process is simplified when both air-treatment concentrate 114 and
water-treatment concentrate 120 are changed or replaced
together.
[0047] In another aspect of the present invention, at least one
indicia is utilized to alert a user of multi-function toilet device
100 that the supply of air-treatment concentrate 114 and/or the
supply of water-treatment concentrate 120 is depleted and
multi-function toilet device 100 is ready for replacement, (e.g.,
in the case of disposable multi-function toilet devices 100), or is
ready for refill of air-treatment concentrate 114 and/or
water-treatment concentrate 120, (e.g., in the case of refillable
multi-function toilet devices 100). Suitable indicia include, but
are not limited to, color change of layered, differently-colored
consumables near depletion, exposure of indicia, such as, "Replace
Now" wording on air-treatment housing 110 behind shrinking or
thinning air-treatment concentrate 114 or on water-treatment
housing 116 behind water-treatment concentrate 120, and loss of
color in flush water due to depletion of pre-colored
water-treatment concentrate 120. In another embodiment, wicking of
tank water in porous channel or layer (not shown) on connector 104,
which opens up near depletion of water-treatment concentrate 120,
reaches outside toilet tank 102 to provide a visual cue that
water-treatment concentrate 120 is depleted. In another embodiment,
air-treatment housing 110 and water-treatment housing 116 are
constructed of transparent or translucent material such that
remaining air-treatment concentrate 114 and water-treatment
concentrate 120 are directly viewable.
[0048] This invention has been described herein in considerable
detail to provide those skilled in the art with information
relevant to apply the novel principles and to construct and use
such specialized components as are required. However, it is to be
understood that the invention can be carried out by different
equipment, materials and devices, and that various modifications,
both as to the equipment and operating procedures, can be
accomplished without departing from the scope of the invention
itself.
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