Automatic toilet cleaning dispenser assembly
AssigneeFluidmaster, Inc.
InventorJack Nguyen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cleaning dispenser assembly to be used in connection with a toilet tank is coupled to a fill valve and an overflow tube of the tank. The dispenser assembly includes a container with a removable lid. A refill tube is coupled to a fill valve of the tank and the container. Tall and short discharge tubes are coupled to the container at different heights to facilitate the withdrawal of fluid from the container while preventing a vacuum from developing within the closed container. U-traps are formed in the refill tube and the discharge tubes to retain a portion of liquid in a steady state so as to seal the passageways in order to prevent gases from escaping into the tank.
Claims15
A cleaner dispenser apparatus adapted for use with a toilet tank having a refill valve and an overflow tube, the apparatus comprising:
- a closed container for holding a cleaning agent, the container being adapted for disposition in the toilet tank in fluid communication with the refill valve;
- a first conduit adapted to couple the closed container to the overflow tube, the first conduit defining a first passageway in which liquid is disposed when the toilet is in a steady state subsequent to flushing;
- and
- a second conduit adapted to couple the closed container to the overflow tube, the second conduit defining a second passageway in which liquid is disposed when the toilet is in a steady state subsequent to flushing.
A toilet, comprising:
- a water tank;
- a fill valve disposed in the water tank;
- a closed container adapted for holding a cleaning agent;
- a refill tube coupled to the fill valve and the closed container;
- an overflow tube;
- a first discharge tube coupled to the closed container and the overflow tube, the first discharge tube defining a first passageway;
- and
- a second discharge tube coupled to the closed container and the overflow tube, the second discharge tube defining a second passageway,
- wherein the first discharge tube and the second discharge tube are configured to retain sufficient liquid to block the first passageway and the second passageway, respectively, at a steady state subsequent to flushing.
A toilet cleaning apparatus for use with a toilet tank having a refill valve and an overflow tube, the apparatus comprising:
- means for holding a cleaning agent;
- means for directing liquid from the refill valve to the holding means;
- means for directing liquid from the holding means to the overflow tube;
- and
- means for preventing gas from escaping the holding means into the toilet tank when the toilet tank is in a steady state.
A method for automatically cleaning a toilet having a tank, the method comprising:
- channeling liquid from a fill valve to a closed container holding a cleaning agent upon flushing;
- directing the liquid in the closed container to an overflow tube via first and second discharge lines;
- directing air into the closed container via the first discharge line while siphoning fluid out of the closed container via the second discharge line;
- and
- preventing gas from escaping the closed container into the tank.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.