Toilet cleaning device

Abstract

A toilet cleaner ( 1012 ) is mounted on a cleaning device and cleaning is effected by bristles ( 1034 ) and scrapers ( 1052, 1053 ). The toilet cleaner ( 1012 ) is discharged from a cleaning device by a pusher on that device sliding down and knocking the toilet cleaner off. The toilet cleaner ( 1012 ) is flushed down the toilet with water flowing through the hollow toilet cleaner and out of an opening ( 1082 ) at the leading end of said toilet cleaner. The toilet cleaner ( 1012 ) then degrades or dissolves and is biodegradable.

1 . A toilet cleaner including water degradable plastics.  
   
   
       2 . A cleaner as claimed in  claim 1  in which the plastics include polyolefin.  
   
   
       3 . A cleaner as claimed in  claim 1  which is integrally formed.  
   
   
       4 . A cleaner as claimed in  claim 1  which is injection moulded.  
   
   
       5 . A cleaner as claimed in  claim 1  in which the cleaner includes a plurality of projections arranged, in use, to effect cleaning.  
   
   
       6 . A cleaner as claimed in  claim 5  in which the remote ends of at least some of the projections define a plane.  
   
   
       7 . A cleaner as claimed in  claim 5  in which the projections extend from at least one side of the cleaner.  
   
   
       8 . A cleaner as claimed in  claim 7  in which at least a first set of projections define a plane along a common edge.  
   
   
       9 . A cleaner as claimed in  claim 8  in which that plane includes a first side edge of the cleaner.  
   
   
       10 . A cleaner as claimed in  claim 5  in which at least some of the projections have a length to the remote end when compared to the average surface area along the extend of the projection of more than 2:1.  
   
   
       11 . A device as claimed in  claim 5  in which the projections comprise bristles.  
   
   
       12 . A cleaner as claimed in  claim 1  in which the cleaner includes a first and a second end being arranged such that, under water flow, the first end is arranged to lead with the second end trailing.  
   
   
       13 . A cleaner as claimed in  claim 12  in which the cleaner includes a channel extending therethrough.  
   
   
       14 . A cleaner as claimed in  claim 13  in which the cleaner includes a channel extending therethrough.  
   
   
       15 . A cleaner as claimed in  claim 13  in which the channel is substantially enclosed with an opening at either end.  
   
   
       16 . A cleaner as claimed in  claim 15  in which the opening at the first end is of less cross-sectional area than the opening at the second end.  
   
   
       17 . A cleaner as claimed in  claim 1  in which the cleaner includes at least one scraper.  
   
   
       18 . A cleaner as claimed in  claim 17  in which the cleaner includes two scrapers.  
   
   
       19 . A cleaner as claimed in  claim 17  in which one scraper is arranged to project from the front region, in front of the cleaner.  
   
   
       20 . A cleaner as claimed in  claim 17  in which at least one scraper extends from the front region to the side of the cleaner.  
   
   
       21 . A cleaner as claimed in  claim 1  in which the cleaner has been treated to soften the cleaner prior to use.  
   
   
       22 . A cleaner as claimed in  claim 21  in which the cleaner has been treated to soften one portion of the cleaner more than another portion.  
   
   
       23 . A cleaner as claimed in  claim 1  arranged, in use, to be detachably mounted on a cleaning device including a handle.  
   
   
       24 . A cleaning device including a handle and means to engage a cleaner as claimed in  claim 1  and a pusher mounted on the device arranged, in use, to push the cleaner engaged by the device off the device.  
   
   
       25 . A device as claimed in  claim 23  in which the guide constrains the pusher to move relative thereto in generally one direction only.  
   
   
       26 . A device as claimed in  claim 24  in which the guide includes a stop arranged to restrict the extent of movement of the pusher in the direction towards where a cleaner is arranged to be engaged.  
   
   
       27 . A device as claimed in  claim 26  in which the pusher includes a portion arranged to extend beyond the stop when the pusher engages the stop.  
   
   
       28 . A device as claimed in  claim 24  in which the pusher is normally retained on the device and spaced from where a cleaner is arranged to be engaged by the device.  
   
   
       29 . A device as claimed in  claim 28  in which the pusher is in contact with the handle.  
   
   
       30 . A method of cleaning a toilet comprising cleaning the toilet with a plastics cleaner and causing the cleaner to degrade in water.  
   
   
       31 . (canceled)  
   
   
       32 . (canceled)  
   
   
       33 . A method as claimed in  claim 30  comprising cleaning the toilet with a scraper.  
   
   
       34 . A method as claimed in  claim 33  comprising cleaning the toilet by pushing the scraper down.  
   
   
       35 . A method as claimed in  claim 33  comprising cleaning the toilet with two scrapers.  
   
   
       36 . A method as claimed in  claim 35  comprising cleaning the toilet with two scrapers simultaneously.  
   
   
       37 . A method as claimed in  claim 30  comprising effecting cleaning of a toilet and then ejecting the cleaner into the toilet bowl.  
   
   
       38 . A method as claimed in  claim 37  comprising pushing the cleaner off the device to cause a leading end of the cleaner to enter the water first and then flushing the toilet to cause the leading end to be carried with the water out of the toilet.  
   
   
       39 . A method as claimed in  claim 38  comprising causing water to flow past a trailing end and through an opening in the region of the leading end.  
   
   
       40 . A method as claimed in  claim 39  comprising causing water to flow through a hollow portion of the cleaner.