Method for operating a dispenser device in particular a WC rinser

• US 8,893,315 B2
• Filed: 08/23/2011
• Issued: 11/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Henkel AG & Co KGaA
• Original Assignee: Henkel AG & Co KGaA
• Inventors: Frey, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tuan N
• Application Number:
  US13/215,396
• Publication Number:
  US 20110302706A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,190 Days
• Field of Search: 422/2, 422/3, 422/4, 423/1, 4302-305
• US Class Current: 4/223
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 9/005 Devices adding disinfecting or deodorising agents to the bowl
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 9/032 Devices connected to or dispensing into the bowl
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 9/038 Passive dispensers, i.e. without moving parts

Abstract

A method of operating a toilet freshener includes the step of flushing water flow through a toilet bowl within a flushing water period [t₁-t₂], in which t₁ represents the start of flush water flow and t₂ the end of flush water flow. A sensor unit detects triggering of a flush water stream through the toilet bowl within the flushing water period [t₁-t₂] at a time t_s. A sensor signal, which represents triggering of the flush water stream, is sent to a control unit. The sensor signal is converted, using the control unit, into a control signal for the release element, in response thereto, to release preparation from the container into the interior of the toilet bowl, release of the preparation from the container taking place with a time delay Δt after detection of the flush stream by the sensor unit and continuing for a first preparation release period Δt₁.

Claims

1. A method of operating a toilet freshener comprising a sensor unit, a control unit, a release element, and at least one container for storing at least one preparation, the release element and the container being connected together in communicating manner, the method comprising:

flushing water flow through the toilet bowl within a flushing water period [t₁-t₂], in which t₁ represents the start of flush water flow and t₂ the end of flush water flow, wherein a plurality of measured flushing water periods [t₁-t₂] are stored in a control unit, at least one first class of flushing water periods covers periods of between 4 and 8 s and at least one second class of flushing water periods covers periods of between 2 and 4 s;

detecting, using the sensor unit, triggering of a flush water stream through the toilet bowl within the flushing water period [t₁-t₂] at a time t_s;

sending a sensor signal, which represents triggering of the flush water stream, to the control unit;

converting the sensor signal, using the control unit, into a control signal for the release element, in response thereto, to release preparation from the container into the interior of the toilet bowl, release of the preparation from the container by the release element taking place with a time delay Δ

t after detection of the flush stream by the sensor unit at the time t_s and continuing for a first preparation release period Δ

t₁, wherein the time delay and first preparation release period are individually adapted in the control unit to correspond with the duration of the first class of flushing periods, and the time delay and first preparation release period are further individually adapted in the control unit to correspond with the duration of the second class of flushing periods;

detecting an ending of flush water flow through the toilet bowl;

sending a second sensor signal, which represents ending of flush water flow through the toilet, to the control unit; and

converting the second sensor signal, using the control unit, into a second control signal in response thereto for terminating active substance release once flush water has stopped flowing through the toilet bowl, wherein no preparation is released if the sensor unit has detected the end of flush water flow.

2. The method of operating a toilet freshener according to claim 1, wherein the time delay Δ

t is between 1 and 10 s.

3. The method of operating a toilet freshener according to claim 1, wherein the first preparation release period Δ

t₁ is between 0.25 and 2 s.

4. The method of operating a toilet freshener according to claim 1, wherein in the first release period Δ

t₁ the quantity of preparation released is between 0.05 and 0.5 ml, preferably between 0.075 and 0.3 ml, particularly preferably between 0.1 and 0.2 ml.

5. The method of operating a toilet freshener according to claim 1, wherein the preparation is released at intervals of Δ

t_p.

6. The method of operating a toilet freshener according to claim 5, wherein the intervals Δ

t_p are periodic.

7. The method of operating a toilet freshener according to claim 6, wherein the periodic intervals Δ

_tpamount to between 0.5 and 10 s.

8. The method of operating a toilet freshener according to claim 1, wherein the duration of a flushing water period [t₁-t₂] is stored in the control unit.

9. The method of operating a toilet freshener according to claim 1, wherein release of the preparation from the container by the release element takes place at the time t_s with a time delay Δ

t after detection of the flush stream through the sensor unit, Δ

t being selected such that release of the preparation takes place during the last third of the flushing water period [t₁-t₂].

10. The method of operating a toilet freshener according to claim 1, wherein the time delay Δ

t with which release of the preparation takes place after detection of the flush stream t_s is stored in the control unit.

11. The method of operating a toilet freshener according to claim 1, wherein the time delay Δ

t with which release of the preparation takes place after detection of the flush stream t_s is determined by the control unit.

12. A toilet freshener comprising a program that is stored in the control unit for carrying out the method of operating the toilet freshener according to claim 1.

13. A control unit for use in a toilet freshener according to claim 12, wherein a program is stored in the control unit for carrying out the method of operating the toilet freshener.