Toilet Flusher having Substance Dispensing Activated By Sensor Directed at Flush Water

Abstract

Toilet flusher comprising an energy source, a control unit, a sensor unit, and at least one first container that contains a first preparation and may be coupled with the toilet flusher, wherein the sensor unit detects an initiation of the flow of flushing water without engaging in the flow of flush water and generates a signal that is conducted to the control unit that converts the sensor signal into a control signal for dispensing at least one preparation.

1 . Toilet freshener for introducing at least one active substance preparation into a toilet bowl, comprising:
 a power source,   a control unit,   a sensor unit, and   at least one first container containing a first preparation, wherein the container can be coupled with the toilet freshener,   wherein the sensor unit detects initiation of a flush water stream without intervening in flush water flow and generates a sensor signal able to be forwarded to the control unit,   wherein the control unit converts the sensor signal into a control signal for release of at least one preparation,   wherein the power source, control unit and at least the first container interact so that in the presence of a control signal which represents initiation of the flush water stream, at least the first preparation is released from the first container into the surrounding environment by a pump and/or a release element.   
   
   
       2 . Toilet freshener according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor unit is an ultrasound sensor, motion sensor, brightness sensor, vibration sensor, instantaneous acoustic pressure sensor, moisture sensor and/or moisture sensor. 
   
   
       3 . Toilet freshener according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor unit can measures without contacting the flush water stream. 
   
   
       4 . Toilet freshener according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor unit comprises a tube having a diameter of about 2 mm or less extending into the flush water stream perpendicularly to the flush water flow direction. 
   
   
       5 . Toilet freshener according to  claim 1 , further comprising a settable threshold value of the sensor signal at which the control unit generates a control signal. 
   
   
       6 . Toilet freshener according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor unit is directed into the interior of the toilet bowl. 
   
   
       7 . Toilet freshener according to  claim 1 , further comprising a release element into which the sensor unit is incorporated. 
   
   
       8 . Toilet freshener according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensor unit is arranged at the distal end of a clip connected with the dispenser positioned on the outer rim of the toilet bowl. 
   
   
       9 . Toilet freshener according to  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is a programmable microcontroller. 
   
   
       10 . Toilet freshener according to  claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of selectable dispensing programs stored in the microcontroller. 
   
   
       11 . Toilet freshener according to  claim 1 , wherein the control unit generates a control signal for releasing active substance preparation when flushing is initiated and generates a control signal for terminating active substance release once flush water has stopped flowing through the toilet bowl. 
   
   
       12 . Toilet freshener according to  claim 1 , wherein the pump and/or release element and at least the first preparation are configured so that foam is formed on release of the preparation into the surrounding environment. 
   
   
       13 . Toilet freshener according to  claim 1 , wherein the release element is movably arranged on the toilet freshener enabling a user to orient a spray cone produced by the release element onto a desired application field.