U.S. patent application number 13/245158 was filed with the patent office on 2012-03-29 for adjustable-volume metering pump automatic dispenser device.
Invention is credited to JEAN-PIERRE RIZZO.
Application Number | 20120073036 13/245158 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43902856 |
Filed Date | 2012-03-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120073036 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
RIZZO; JEAN-PIERRE |
March 29, 2012 |
ADJUSTABLE-VOLUME METERING PUMP AUTOMATIC DISPENSER DEVICE
Abstract
The invention relates to an adjustable-volume metering pump
automatic dispenser of sanitary products for toilet water cisterns,
made up of a reservoir and of an auxiliary reservoir, and in which:
the reservoir contains a sanitary product and an adjustable-volume
metering pump of a membrane-pump version is mounted by a sealed
assembly in its lower part, and each time the toilet is used, the
auxiliary reservoir releases the dose of sanitary product into the
water at the end of the flush and then receives from the
adjustable-volume metering pump a new dose of sanitary product
required for the next use of the toilet.
Inventors: |
RIZZO; JEAN-PIERRE;
(BEAUMONT, FR) |
Family ID: |
43902856 |
Appl. No.: |
13/245158 |
Filed: |
September 26, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/231 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03D 2009/028 20130101;
E03D 9/037 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/231 |
International
Class: |
E03D 9/02 20060101
E03D009/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 24, 2010 |
FR |
1003815 |
Claims
1. An adjustable-volume metering pump automatic dispenser device
made up of two reservoirs; a reservoir and an auxiliary reservoir;
comprising: the reservoir contains a sanitary product, and the
adjustable-volume metering pump is mounted by a sealed assembly in
the vertical cylindrical recess in the bottom of this reservoir,
each time the toilet is used, the auxiliary reservoir releases the
previously received dose of sanitary product into the water at the
end of the toilet flush, and then receives from the
adjustable-volume metering pump the dose of product required for
the next use of the toilet, the adjustable-volume metering pump
comprises a float fixed to a piston slideably mounted on the
metering pump, at its middle it comprises a tapped through-hole
into which an end-stop adjusting rod is screwed, the volume being
adjusted by screwing in or out the end-stop adjusting rod, one end
of which constitutes an adjustable end-stop with which the piston
comes into contact, the device thus regulating and limiting the
stroke and determining the volume of the dose of product entering
and leaving the adjustable-volume metering pump, the end-stop
adjusting rod is operated using an indexed knob, the
adjustable-volume metering pump comprises: an inlet valve via which
the sanitary product contained in the reservoir enters on top of
the piston; an outlet valve on a carrier of this valve is connected
to a duct, the other end of which duct is connected to the pouring
spout that enters the auxiliary reservoir, the auxiliary reservoir
comprises: a means for filling it with water from the toilet
cistern; in its bottom part, a discharge device made up of a float
mounted on an articulated lever which operates a discharge
valve.
2. The device in claim 1, wherein the adjustable-volume metering
pump is an adjustable-volume metering pump in the membrane-pump
version or an adjustable-volume metering pump in the piston-pump
version.
3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the articulated lever
is designed to bring about the instant opening of the valve when
1.5 liters of water, namely a depth of 4.5 centimeters of water,
still remain in the toilet cistern, which instantaneous opening of
the valve triggers the discharge of the predilution into the
end-of-flush water in the toilet cistern.
4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein by way of filling
means, the auxiliary reservoir comprises in its top part a vertical
filling slot on which there is mounted an adjustable slide which,
when a toilet cistern is full, allows water to pass over the slide
to fill the auxiliary reservoir.
5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the auxiliary
reservoir comprises a sealed lid retaining the air contained in
this reservoir and an inlet valve that admits a quantity of water
from the toilet cistern, the volume of which is determined by its
position, as the water level in the toilet cistern rises above this
inlet valve, this inlet valve does, however, allow the passage and
pressurizing of the reserve of air trapped in this auxiliary
reservoir, the dose of sanitary product received from the
adjustable-volume metering pump and the water that has entered via
the inlet valve prepare the predilution which is driven and
discharged by the compressed air as the opening of the valve is
triggered, into the end of the flush from the toilet cistern.
6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the auxiliary
reservoir is open at the top and laterally comprises an inlet valve
which can be positioned between the minimum level and the maximum
level for water in the toilet cistern so that as the water level in
the toilet cistern rises, the water reaches the same level in the
auxiliary reservoir, the water and the dose constituting the
predilution being discharged on the triggering of the opening of
the valve.
7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device is designed
so that the triggering of the instantaneous opening of the valve to
release the predilution occurs at the moment when the volume of
water being discharged from the toilet cistern, with the dose of
product, is calculated so that this final volume corresponds to the
volume of a U-bend and is not flushed down the drain.
8. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the auxiliary
reservoir is mounted with adjustable vertical sliding against the
reservoir, with a screw that maintains the position of the setpoint
for the triggering of the opening of the discharge valve under the
action of the float on the articulated lever.
9. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the adjustable-volume
metering pump in its piston-pump version comprises in its upper
part: the inlet valve, the outlet valve, the central tapped
through-hole into which the end-stop adjusting rod is screwed, the
float is mounted on the lower part of the piston which piston is
positioned in the cylinder of the metering pump, and a double-lip
seal is mounted on the upper part of the piston, and a spring
encourages the downward movement of the piston, the
adjustable-volume metering pump (6) is fixed with the seal (11) to
the reservoir (1).
10. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustable-volume
metering pump is a membrane pump, the membrane being fixed to the
piston plunger by a plate, the metering pump providing the sealed
assembly of a membrane, of a cover and of a seal to the reservoir,
it being possible for this assembly to be a screwed or notched
assembly, the float is mounted on the lower part of the piston,
which is positioned in the cylinder of the metering pump, the cover
comprises: at its middle, the tapped through-hole into which the
end-stop adjusting rod is screwed; the inlet valve; the outlet
valve.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to an adjustable-volume
metering pump automatic dispenser which is mounted in a toilet
cistern in order automatically, each time the toilet is used and at
the end of the flush cycle, to dispense a dose of sanitary product
that is prediluted, regulated and suited to the volume of water, in
order to clean, disinfect and deodorize the toilet bowl.
[0002] The cleaning and disinfection of private and communal toilet
bowls in companies, restaurants, hotels, holiday sites and centers,
public establishments, hospitals and clinics, medico-social
establishments, regularly require the manual intervention of those
tasked with maintenance operations and the frequency of
intervention is dependent on the usage: private domestic, communal,
intensive. These interventions are time consuming and unpleasant
and communal spaces are often smelly with toilet bowls that have
been insufficiently cleaned and especially with dubious and
sometimes even no, disinfection. Often, a strong smell of
deodorizing product coexists with a bad smell of dirty toilets.
[0003] The use of a perforated plastic fitting is commonly
employed, this being attached to the interior rim of the toilet
bowl and containing a pellet containing anti-limescale and
anti-odor products, which dissolve with the repeated passage of
water, with the aim of sanitizing the toilets.
[0004] The disadvantages are great: firstly, these pellets dissolve
very quickly as soon as they have been in contact with the water,
secondly the flow of the discharged water carries the product of
the dissolving operation directly in its wake and sideways to be
discharged into the drain in just a few seconds. When it is around
about half-used, the pellet dissolves suddenly and in its entirety,
creating a strong concentration of product which is completely
flushed down the drain as the water is discharged, and very little
product remains in the bottom of the bowl; the product never
reaches or covers the entire interior surface of the toilet bowl,
thus making the hoped-for action extremely insufficient and
ineffective, especially with no antibacterial action, although an
antibacterial action is one of the basic principles in cleanliness
and hygiene. We know that toilets are a hotbed for the growth of
germs. Analyses performed have shown that, with the toilet lid
open, splashes containing substances with harmful germs in are
collected a distance of 1 meter away.
[0005] When the plastic fitting becomes accidentally unhooked and
drops down into the bottom of the toilet bowl it becomes difficult
to recover because even though the product in the pellet has been
used up, the plastic fitting has still to be fished out.
[0006] There are also in existence single-use effervescent pellets
that are placed in the U-bend of the toilet, in order to remove
scale and marks, but these products act only in the bottom of the
U-bend and on the discharge pipes leading to the drains. The toilet
cannot be re-used until the pellet has had a chance to dissolve and
to act, and the reuse of the toilet discharges the product into the
drain.
[0007] A device similar to the above one is also on offer; this is
a plastic fitting on which a small bottle of liquid sanitary
product is positioned, this bottle being hooked, inverted, on the
interior rim of the bowl; the product is supposed to pour out
slowly as the water passes, but it does no such thing; the bottle
empties very quickly and especially without reaching or coating all
of the interior surfaces of the toilet bowl and flushing the toilet
in a few seconds systematically in its wake and sideways discharges
practically all of the product down the drain; nonetheless, an
infinitesimally small proportion of product does remain and its
action is limited to the U-bend of the toilet.
[0008] Another system proposes linking the toilet seat in with the
centralized forced ventilation and extraction system in order to
extract unpleasant smells, but this does nothing towards addressing
the need for cleanliness and for actually deodorizing the points at
which the smells are produced or the unavoidable requirement for
disinfection.
[0009] Also, there is a device known as a diffuser which is placed
in the toilet cistern and equipped with a fixed-capacity metering
device operated by a float and suited only to the product of that
make; the cleaning product is diluted in all of the toilet cistern
water, this dilution being extremely weak, of the order of 1 part
in 5000 and what is more, it presupposes the use of a highly
concentrated product; the dosage is approximately 2 milliliters to
every 8 liters of water on average in a toilet cistern.
[0010] The major disadvantage is that the water in the toilet
cistern with its small quantity of product is flushed down the
drain when the toilet is flushed. Water that discharges in between
3 and 5 seconds can produce no more of an effect than that of the
passage of water because ultimately in practice the amount of
product that remains in the toilet bowl is actually too small for
it to be able to have any effective cleaning or disinfection
action. This system allows the low-dosage solution to wash all the
surfaces and all of the product is discharged directly down the
drain in 4 seconds.
[0011] In all of the cases mentioned hereinabove, this amounts to
discharging 90% of the products used down the drain, and to
attempting to clean, disinfect and deodorize the toilet bowl with
the remaining one tenth of the water and product, in a dose that is
far to dilute and ill-suited to the remaining volume of water.
[0012] Another system on offer is based on a thick and sticky gel
which is compressed by hand and driven by a piston in its
cylindrical support. This system allow a pellet of this sticky gel
to be applied and stuck to the internal wall of the toilet bowl to
disinfect and deodorize it. This system is one of the latest
products currently to have been marketed and the deodorizing effect
does not last as long as the presence of the pellet; as far as
disinfection is concerned, the product is subjected to direct and
sideways passage of the water and can never reach and cover all the
interior surfaces of the bowl. As in all the cases mentioned
earlier, everything is discharged down the drain.
[0013] Other multifunction products in the form of liquid or powder
have been marketed but their use always requires the regular
intervention of those tasked with cleaning. This is why one very
often finds a notice reading "please leave these toilets as clean
as you found them", or entertaining notices discussing cleanliness
and smells at some length and, in the best of cases, a deodorizing
spray is made available which does not disinfect anything, and the
vaporization of the microparticles of which are known to be
hazardous to health.
[0014] Professional inspectors are no fools, they make the toilets
their first point of call when carrying out an inspection. In the
restaurant industry, it is common practice to make a preliminary
inspection of the toilets which provides information on which to
base an assessment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention, the adjustable-volume metering pump
automatic dispenser is aimed at addressing and meeting the need
presented by the technical problem: regularly cleaning,
disinfecting and deodorizing effectively and permanently all of the
interior parts of the toilet, made up of: starting from the inside
of the cistern, fill and discharge mechanisms, internal piping for
the water circuit and especially all of the interior surfaces of
the toilet bowl, even those surfaces that are not accessible
manually.
[0016] The adjustable-volume metering pump of the dispenser allows
the volume of the dose of liquid product to be regulated in
relation to a determined volume of water and allows this regulated
dosage to be maintained throughout the use of the same product for
cleaning, disinfecting and deodorizing the toilets. The user can
vary the volume of the dose as need be and according to the
product, with the possibility of using products that are currently
on the market, because each product has its own dosage
specifications and protocol.
[0017] The adjustable-volume metering pump automatic dispenser can
be equipped with two versions of an adjustable-volume metering
pump: FIGS. 1 and 3 depict the membrane-pump metering pump version
(4c), and FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 depict the piston-pump metering pump
version (6a).
[0018] For both versions of adjustable-volume metering pump, FIGS.
1 and 2, the operation is the same. The operating cycle is broken
down into four phases with respect to the emptying and the filling
of the toilet cistern (2). With reference to FIG. 1:
[0019] Phase One: From the emptying and discharge of water from the
toilet cistern (2), the dispenser allows just 90% of the cistern
water to flow away in order to discharge, after use, the content of
the toilet bowl with conventional cleaning using a high flow rate
of water. During this emptying the water level drops and the float
(10) moves down taking with it the membrane (4c), and this allows
the sanitary product contained in the reservoir (1) to be drawn up
and introduced via the inlet valve (7) into the volume above the
membrane (4c) of the metering pump (4), this representing a first
technical feature.
[0020] Phase Two: Before the end of emptying, when, during the
discharge, just 1.5 liters of water remains in the toilet cistern
(2), the float (20) fixed to the articulated lever (19) tips and
instantly triggers the opening of the valve (17) of the auxiliary
reservoir (15) which releases the predilution immediately mixed
with the end of the discharge of water from the toilet cistern (2);
the regulated and prediluted dose of sanitary product is prepared
by the previous cycle in the auxiliary reservoir (15).
[0021] It takes 1.5 liters of water, or a depth of 4.5 centimeters
of water in the toilet cistern (2), and it is at this precise
moment that the opening of the valve (17) is triggered to make up,
with the predilution of product, just the right amount of mixture
mixed according to the specification of the sanitary product, to
sanitize and deodorize the toilet bowl, and this is a second
technical feature.
[0022] Another of the specifics of the invention is that all of
this mixture, consisting of this 1.5 liters of water and the
predilution of product, from the toilet cistern (2), allows optimal
action of the product as it is the maximum volume of water and the
dose of product recommended by the manufacturer that has been
calculated so that this final volume corresponds to the volume of
the U-bend and is not flushed down the drain so that the mixture
collects in the U-bend of the toilet bowl in which it remains until
the next time the toilet is used. In its passage from the toilet
cistern to the U-bend of the bowl the mixture has covered and
coated all of the sensitive interior surfaces of the toilet to
which surfaces the product adheres, even surfaces that are manually
inaccessible, and this represents a third technical feature.
[0023] Phase Three: Phase Three corresponds to the filling of the
toilet cistern (2) with water, and the rise in water level
submerges the float (20) which, through its action on the
articulated lever (19) closes the discharge valve (17) of the
auxiliary reservoir (15).
[0024] Phase Four: The refilling of the toilet cistern (2)
continues, the water level rising and submerging the float (10) and
the upthrust applied by the float to the plunger (4d) and to the
membrane (4c) causes the sanitary product, introduced during Phase
One and contained above the membrane (4c), to be delivered through
the outlet valve (8) of its fluidtight duct (8a) then tipped out by
the pouring spout (8b) into the top of the auxiliary reservoir
(15), the rising of the float (10), of the piston plunger (4d) and
of the membrane (4c) stopping when the mounting plate (4e) of the
membrane (4c) comes into contact with the end-stop adjusting rod
(5) and determining the setting for the volume of the dose, which
represents a fourth technical feature.
[0025] The toilet cistern (2) has now completely refilled, water
fills the auxiliary reservoir (15) via the filling slot above the
adjusting slide (21) and prepares, in readiness for the next cycle,
the predilution with the dose of sanitary product received from the
metering pump (4). This represents a fifth technical feature.
[0026] The predilution is prepared in this auxiliary reservoir (15)
with the dose of product that has just been transferred and the
water contained in this reservoir, this making it easier for the
predilution to mix rapidly and more effectively with the end of the
discharge next time the toilet is used, and this represents a sixth
technical feature.
[0027] The use of the automatic dispenser allows the sanitary
products to act to their best effect in order to achieve the aim of
true cleaning, disinfection, anti-limescale treatment of all the
interior surfaces of the toilets and of deodorizing all of this and
the room as is done with manual intervention.
[0028] After the treatment preparation has, following the emptying
of the cistern (2), covered and coated all the sensitive interior
surfaces of the toilet, this final volume of treatment preparation
is not flushed down the drain and the fact that it is held in the
U-bend of the toilet bowl makes the use of a toilet brush, where
needed, easier and more effective without any need to resort to a
further flushing or find any additional cleaning product.
[0029] Current commercially available liquid products propose
multi-function treatments that are perfectly suited to and useable
in the adjustable-volume metering pump automatic dispenser.
[0030] Thus, the present invention contributes to solving the
stated technical problems mentioned in the previous chapter "prior
art" on page 1, line 6.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0031] FIG. 1 depicts in cross section all of the adjustable-volume
metering pump automatic dispenser equipped with the membrane pump
(4c) version of metering pump with the form of auxiliary reservoir
(15) that is open with a filling slot, shown in-situ inside a
toilet cistern (2).
[0032] FIG. 2 depicts in cross section all of the adjustable-volume
metering pump automatic dispenser equipped with the piston pump
(6a) version with the form of auxiliary reservoir (15) that is open
with a filling slot, mounted in-situ inside a toilet cistern
(2).
[0033] FIG. 3 is a detailed cross section of the adjustable-volume
metering pump in its membrane pump (4c) version, in the position
for filling the reservoir (1) with sanitary product.
[0034] FIG. 4 is a detailed cross section through the
adjustable-volume metering pump in the piston pump (6a) version in
the position for filling the reservoir (1) with sanitary
product.
[0035] FIG. 5 is a detailed cross section through the
adjustable-volume metering pump in the piston pump (6a) version
butting against the volume adjusting screw (5), in the position for
emptying the dose of sanitary product into the auxiliary reservoir
(15).
[0036] FIG. 6 depicts how the automatic dispenser is fitted using
the filling spout (3), seals (3c) and by tightening nuts (3a),
inside the reservoir (1) of the automatic dispenser and on the
outside of the toilet cistern (2).
[0037] FIG. 7 is a part section through the adjusting slide (21),
mounted in the filling slot, in the form of auxiliary reservoir
(15) that is open and the water level in the toilet cistern
(2).
[0038] FIG. 8 is a schematic view in cross section of the form of
auxiliary reservoir (15a) that is closed and fluidtight having a
sealed cover (16) at its top, with the inlet valve (18) and the
entire discharge system comprising the float (20), mounted on the
articulated lever (19) and the predilution discharge valve
(17).
[0039] FIG. 9 depicts how the metering pump is attached to the
reservoir (1) of the dispenser. The same fixings are used for both
versions of metering pump (4) and (6).
[0040] FIG. 10 is a part section showing details of the mounting of
the cylindrical pin (12) on the piston (6a) with respect to the
oblong recess of the metering pump (6) in FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0041] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross section of the form of
auxiliary reservoir (15b) that is open with an inlet valve (18),
with the discharge device comprising the float (20), mounted on the
articulated lever (19) and the predilution discharge valve
(17).
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0042] With reference to these drawings, the adjustable-volume
metering pump automatic dispenser of FIG. 2 is made up the main
reservoir (1) that receives and contains the various sanitary
products used for sanitizing the toilets, and of the open auxiliary
reservoir (15) with filling slot.
[0043] The auxiliary reservoir (15) is fixed laterally to the main
reservoir (1), it potentially being possible for these two
reservoirs to be produced as a single component. The auxiliary
reservoir (15) can also be mounted such that it can slide
vertically in an adjustable manner against the reservoir (1) with a
screw that holds it in position at the set point at which the float
(20) triggers the opening of the discharge valve (17) when just 1.5
liters of water remain at the end of discharge.
[0044] These two reservoirs are mounted inside the toilet cistern
(2) using the ready-made hole that is still free as toilet cisterns
come with two holes, so that the water inlet cock can be fixed
either on the right or on the left. It is also possible in the case
of toilet cisterns in which the water arrives from the bottom or
somewhere else to provide fastening systems, using wedging or
lateral hooks clamped against the edges of the cistern (2).
[0045] A sealed mounting of the main reservoir (1), FIG. 6, against
the toilet cistern (2) is performed using the spout (3) via which
the reservoir (1) is filled with product, and this mounting is
achieved by screwing two nuts (3a) onto the spout (3), one outside
the cistern (2) and one inside the reservoir (1), trapping two
seals (3c) between them. The spout has a flexible cover (3b) that
closes and protects it. The spout may be transparent so that its
fullness can be seen at a glance.
[0046] The main reservoir (1) has a rigid cover (13) indicating the
setting of the volume of the doses using the indexed knob (14) that
operates the volume-adjusting rod (5).
[0047] In the bottom of this main reservoir (1) there is a vertical
cylindrical recess in which the adjustable-volume piston-type
metering pump device (6) is mounted, mounting being achieved from
underneath using four-point hooking, detail A in FIG. 4 depicted in
FIG. 9, or by screwing, not depicted, the base of the metering pump
(6) to the reservoir (1). A circular seal (11) seals against the
sanitary treatment product present in the upper part and the toilet
cistern water in which this metering pump assembly is immersed.
[0048] This setup provides a sealed assembly for holding the
metering pump in position.
[0049] The volume-adjusting end-stop rod (5) is screwed at the top
and in the middle of the metering pump (6) into a central tapped
through-hole, and screwing the adjusting rod (5) in or out forms
the end stop that adjusts the volume of the dose of product; the
end-stop position of the adjusting rod (5) thus obtained determines
the adjustable upper point of contact of the upper part of the
piston (6a), thus limiting its upward movement in order to set the
volume of the dose of product of the metering pump (6).
[0050] FIGS. 4 and 5 provide information regarding the movement of
the piston and the action of the end stop (5) on the piston (6a); a
spring (6b) encourages the piston (6a) to move down.
[0051] Also provided in the upper part of the metering pump (6) are
two other orifices. One is an orifice over which a flap-type or
ball-type inlet valve (7) is positioned for taking up and filling
with product, using for filling the metering pump (6), the
positioning of the inlet valve (7) having to allow pumping from the
main reservoir (1) right until the sanitary product is all used up.
FIGS. 2 and 4.
[0052] The other orifice is used to accept the outlet valve (8), of
the flap or ball type, the valve carrier (8c) being connected to a
duct (8a) that is sealed and, at the top, connected to the pouring
spout (8b) so that on each cycle it supplies a regulated dose of
sanitary product into the top of the auxiliary reservoir (15), FIG.
2.
[0053] There is an oblong recess across the diameter of the
metering pump (6) and the length or inter-axis distance of this
recess is slightly greater than the maximum forecast travel of the
piston (6a). The piston (6a) is also pierced across its diameter to
accept a cylindrical pin (12) which emerges at each end into the
oblong recess of the metering pump (6) which guides it. This setup
means that the piston (6a) can be left free to move axially by a
maximum amount equal to the length of the oblong recess. See FIGS.
4 and 5 and detail in FIG. 10.
[0054] On its upper part, the piston (6a) is fitted with a two-way
double-lip seal (9) fitted elastically into a circular groove at
the top of the piston and the main float (10) is cylindrically
force-fitted to its lower part and, each time there is a change in
water level in the toilet cistern (2) actuates the piston (6a)
within the limits provided by the adjustable position of the
end-stop rod (5) of the metering pump (6), the drop in water level
causing the downward movement of the float (10) and the piston (6a)
which draws treatment product from the main reservoir (1) through
the flap-type or ball-type inlet valve (7), the product also
entering under gravity feed which means that the pump is
self-priming and self-filling.
[0055] There are three possible forms that the auxiliary reservoir
(15) can adopt:
[0056] The form of auxiliary reservoir (15) that is open with
filling slot, see FIGS. 1, 2 and 7.
[0057] The form of auxiliary reservoir (15a) that is closed and
sealed, see FIG. 8.
[0058] The form of auxiliary reservoir (15b) that is open with an
inlet valve, see FIG. 11.
[0059] In the form of auxiliary reservoir (15) that is open with
filling slot and adjusting slide (21), FIGS. 2 and 7, as the toilet
cistern (2) fills, the rising water level submerges the float (20)
which, by acting on the lever (19), closes the discharge valve
(17). Next, the rise in water level submerges the float (10) which
rises and its upthrust on the piston (6a) ceases upon contact with
the end-stop adjusting rod (5) that determines the set volume of
the dose, materially embodied by the lowermost and uppermost
positions of the piston (6a), FIGS. 2 and 5. The dose of product
drawn into and contained in the metering pump (6) above the
double-lip seal (9) is transferred to the auxiliary reservoir (15)
passing through the outlet valve (8) then along the duct (8a) to be
tipped by the pouring spout (8b) into the auxiliary reservoir
(15).
[0060] On each toilet operating cycle, a dose of product is
transferred and injected into this auxiliary reservoir (15), at the
setting that has been set.
[0061] As the cistern (2) continues to fill and reaches its maximum
level, the water fills the auxiliary reservoir (15) via the slot,
passing over the slide (21), see detail in FIG. 7. The slide (21)
has to be set a few millimeters lower down than the maximum water
level in the toilet cistern in order to allow the water to fill the
auxiliary reservoir (15) and mix with the product from the pouring
spout (8b) in order to achieve the predilution. With this position
of the slide (21), if there is some variation in the level in the
toilet cistern, the content of the auxiliary reservoir (15) will
not be affected by this nor will it be dispersed into the water of
the toilet cistern.
[0062] As the toilet cistern (2) empties toward the end of the
flush while, during the discharge, around 1.5 liters, namely a
depth of 4.5 centimeters, of water still remain in the reservoir
(2) ready to leave, the float (20) mounted on the articulated lever
(19) tips and causes the valve (17) to open instantly, releasing
the column of prediluted product contained in the auxiliary
reservoir (15). The predilution of treatment product contained in
the auxiliary reservoir (15) immediately mixes and is discharged
with the end of the flush, the treatment product, the final volume
of which corresponds to the volume of the U-bend, being calculated
so that it is not discharged down the drain, coats all of the
surfaces as it passes, and ends up flowing into the U-bend of the
toilet bowl where it is collected and held so that it cleans,
disinfects and deodorizes the toilet automatically, and the same
operation is repeated each time the toilet is used.
[0063] In the form of auxiliary reservoir (15a) that is closed and
sealed, as per FIG. 8, as the toilet cistern (2) fills, the rising
water level submerges the float (20) which, by action on the lever
(19), closes the discharge valve (17).
[0064] Next, the rise in water level submerges the float (10) which
moves upward and its upthrust on the piston (6a) stops upon contact
with the end-stop adjusting rod (5) which determines the set volume
of the dose which is materially embodied by the lowermost and
uppermost positions of the piston (6a), FIGS. 2 and 5.
[0065] The dose of product drawn into and contained in the metering
pump (6) above the double-lip seal (9) is transferred to the
auxiliary reservoir (15a), passing through the valve (8) and then
along the duct (8a) to be tipped by the pouring spout (8b) into the
auxiliary reservoir (15a).
[0066] On each toilet operating cycle, a dose of product is
transferred and injected into this auxiliary reservoir (15a),
according to the setting that has been set.
[0067] The ever-rising water level reaches the inlet valve (18),
the sealed cover (16) keeps the air in this auxiliary reservoir
(15a), and water enters via this valve up to its level, then stops
entering the reservoir (15a) because of the vacuum bell effect. The
amount of water admitted is determined by the position of the inlet
valve (18).
[0068] The inlet valve (18) does, however, allow the reserve of
air, due to the depth of water in the cistern (2) to pass through
into this auxiliary reservoir (15a), and pressurize it, this
reserve of air being compressed in the auxiliary reservoir (15a)
above the predilution. The sealed connection between the duct (8a)
and the flap-type or ball-type outlet valve (8) and the inlet valve
(18) prevent any leaks or returns and the pressure and the
predilution can be released only by the opening of the discharge
valve (17), even if the water level in the toilet cistern (2) were
to drop without reaching the level at which the opening of the
discharge valve (17) is triggered. The pressure of the air inside
the auxiliary reservoir (15a) is equalized with the external water
pressure, making any leak via the valves (17) and (18) impossible
if the toilet cistern has not emptied.
[0069] The volume of air in the auxiliary reservoir (15a) needs to
be as voluminous as possible in order to obtain the best propulsion
behind the discharge of the predilution.
[0070] When the toilet is used, once the water is in the process of
discharging, at the precise moment just at the end of the flush
cycle when the water level in the toilet cistern suddenly causes
the float (20) to drop and just 1.5 liters of water remain in the
toilet cistern at the end of the flush, the sudden drop of the
float (20) mounted on the articulated lever (19) triggers the
instant opening of the discharge valve (17). The reserve of
compressed air contained inside the auxiliary reservoir (15a)
instantly, upon the opening of the discharge valve (17), drives the
predilution into the on-going discharge leaving the toilet cistern
(2). At this precise moment there is no longer any external
pressure and the end of the flush comprising around 1.5 liters of
water with a dose of product constitutes a correctly dosed solution
of sanitary product. This mixture of product covers and coats all
of the interior surfaces of the water reservoir, the circulation
ducts, reaches, coats and adheres to all of the interior surfaces
of the toilet bowl and this quantity of treatment mixture, the
final volume of which corresponds to the volume of the U-bend, is
calculated so as not to be flushed down the drain, and ends up
flowing into and being collected and held in the U-bend of the
toilet bowl. The product will be able to act correctly over time on
all the product-coated surfaces, and between each use of the toilet
the product will have time to act in the same way as in a manual
operation, to clean, disinfect and deodorize the entire interior of
the toilet and use the minimum amount of product and of water for
this final operation. Because it is present in the toilet bowl, the
product also acts in the U-bend.
[0071] In the form of auxiliary reservoir (15b) that is open with
an inlet valve, as in FIG. 11, in the same way as in the previous
two forms, once the toilet has been used, the rising water level in
the cistern (2) submerges the float (20) which, by acting on the
lever (19), closes the discharge valve (17). Next, see FIG. 2, the
rising water level submerges the float (10) which rises and pushes
on the piston (6a), the vertical upthrust of the piston (6a) stops
upon contact with the end-stop adjusting rod (5) used for setting
the volume of the dose, materially embodied by the lowermost and
uppermost positions of the piston in FIGS. 4 and 5. The dose of
product drawn into and contained above the double-lip seal (9) of
the metering pump (6) is transferred, passing through the outlet
valve (8) and along the duct (8a) to be poured by the pouring spout
(8b) into the auxiliary reservoir (15b). The filling of the cistern
(2) continues and on reaching the inlet valve (18) the water enters
and continues until it fills the auxiliary reservoir (15b) to the
same level as the water level in the cistern (2), thus leading to a
column of prediluted product. The pressures on the inside and on
the outside of the auxiliary reservoir (15b) are the same and the
valve (18) prevents any egress of liquid even if the level on the
outside drops without reaching the float (20). If there is a
variation in the water level in the toilet cistern, the content of
the auxiliary reservoir (15b) will not be affected by this, nor
will it be dispersed in the water of the toilet cistern. In this
form of auxiliary reservoir (15b), the inlet valve (18) can be
positioned between the lowest and highest water levels of the
toilet cistern.
[0072] As the toilet cistern (2) empties, towards the end of the
discharge when around 1.5 liters, namely a depth of 4.5 centimeters
of water are yet to be discharged, the float (20) mounted on the
articulated lever (19) tips and causes the instant opening of the
discharge valve (17) which releases the predilution column of
treatment product contained in the reservoir (15b). At this precise
moment there is no longer any external pressure and water and the
predilution immediately mixes and is discharged with the end of the
flush and the treatment product, the final volume of which
corresponds to the volume of the U-bend, is calculated so that it
is not flushed down the drain, so that it coats all the surfaces as
it passes, and ultimately flows into and is collected and held in
the U-bend of the toilet bowl.
[0073] The filling cycle then starts over and water rises up inside
the toilet cistern (2).
[0074] The adjustment-volume metering pump automatic dispenser in
FIG. 1 is made up of the membrane pump (4c) version of metering
pump and of the form of auxiliary reservoir (15) that has filling
slot and slide (21) of FIGS. 3 and 7.
[0075] The way in which this version of adjustable-volume metering
pump automatic dispenser with membrane pump (4c), FIGS. 1 and 3,
works is the same as for the piston-pump (6) version, except that
its design is less elaborate. The screwed or notched assembly of
the metering pump (4) means that the membrane (4c), the seal (4b)
and the upper part of the pump (4a) with the reservoir (1) can be
clamped to its periphery. The plate (4e) fixes the membrane (4c) to
the plunger (4d). The membrane (4c) needs to be flexible and
inelastic.
[0076] As the toilet cistern (2) empties, the float (10) mounted on
the plunger (4d) pulls in a downward direction the membrane (4c)
which is fixed to the plunger (4d) by the plate (4e). The product
in the reservoir (1) enters via the inlet valve (7) and fills the
upper part of the membrane (4c), toward the end of the discharge
when around 1.5 liters, namely a depth of 4.5 centimeters, of water
still remain in the cistern (2) ready to be discharged. The float
(20) tips and via the articulated lever (19) causes the instant
opening of the discharge valve (17) which releases the column of
predilution of treatment product contained in the auxiliary
reservoir (15). At this precise moment there is no longer any
external pressure and the predilution immediately mixes and is
discharged with the end of the flush and this final volume of
treatment product corresponds to the volume of the U-bend and is
calculated so as not to be flushed down the drain but to coat and
adhere to all the surfaces as it passes and the mixture ends up
flowing into and being collected and held in the U-bend of the
toilet bowl.
[0077] Once emptying is complete, the refilling of the toilet
cistern (2) begins. The rise in water level submerges the float
(20) which, by acting on the lever (19), closes the discharge valve
(17), then the rising water level submerges the float (10) which
rises, and its upthrust on the piston plunger (4d) and on the
membrane (4c) stops upon contact with the end-stop adjusting rod
(5) which determines the setting for the volume of the dose. The
dose of product drawn into and contained in the metering pump (4)
above the membrane (4c) is transferred to the auxiliary reservoir
(15), passing via the valve (8), flows along the duct (8a) to be
tipped via the pouring spout (8b) into the auxiliary reservoir
(15).
[0078] The filling of the cistern (2) continues until the maximum
level is reached, the water fills the auxiliary reservoir (15) via
the slot passing over the slide (21), FIGS. 1 and 7. The slide (21)
has to be set a few millimeters lower down than the maximum water
level in the toilet cistern in order to allow the water to fill the
reservoir (15) and mix with the product from the pouring spout
(8b); if a variation in the water level in the toilet cistern
occurs, the content of the auxiliary reservoir (15) is not affected
by it, nor is it dispersed in the water of the toilet cistern.
[0079] The adjustable-volume metering pump automatic dispenser
cycle is over, until the toilet is next used, and this cycle will
recommence each time the toilet is used. The automatic cleaning and
disinfection thus obtained of all the sensitive parts of the toilet
make the upkeep task easier, quicker and less painstaking for those
who have to do it and eliminate nuisance and unpleasantness.
[0080] The use of this adjustable-volume metering pump automatic
dispenser is very useful for private use in toilets equipped with
cistern-fed washroom facilities, although the use of the
adjustable-volume metering pump automatic dispenser is recommended
for private and public washrooms, washrooms in superstores, in a
professional company environment, restaurants, hotels, holiday
centers and is indispensable in the health sector in hospitals,
clinics, social medical reception centers where a permanent hygiene
solution and fight against bacteria is a constant and absolute key
requirement.
* * * * *