PORTABLE PRESSURIZED TOILET CLEANING APPARATUS

Abstract

A portable pressurized toilet cleaning apparatus for allowing a user to clean soiled toilet surfaces through a precisely directed pressurized water stream. The portable pressurized toilet cleaning apparatus comprises an aerosol can having a modified actuator and an attachable straw. A dispensing surface on the modified actuator is adapted to receive and securely hold a directing straw by way of an inner jagged edge, an outer jagged edge, and a receiving channel formed between the two jagged edges. When the directing straw is engaged in the receiving channel so as to be securely held between the inner jagged edge and the outer jagged edge, droplets of liquid exiting the hole to converge into a precisely directed stream of liquid. Such action allows a user to direct a stream of fluid which is sufficiently strong to dislodge soiling on the surface of the toilet from a handheld aerosol can.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates generally to cleaning apparatus and, more particularly, to a pressurized, liquid dispensing cleaning device for use on a toilet bowl.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Through their ordinary and routine use in our society, toilets become increasingly soiled so much so that their surfaces are usually considered to be among the most dirty surfaces humans see on a regular basis. It is often thought that the surface of a toilet must be cleaned at least daily to prevent such soiling from staining the toilet surfaces and to keep odors resulting from the use of the toilet to a minimum. A problem created by cleaning the surfaces on such a frequency, however is that soiled areas often harden and become more difficult to clean. Consequently, conventional toiler cleaning implements involve an abrasive mechanism, such as a sponge, brush, or towel, and a cleaning solution which are designed to remove soiled areas which have hardened. A well known issue with such is that cleaning implements is they require a user to get into a position of extremely close proximity of the toilet, often while kneeling on the floor area near the toilet. Indeed it is common for users to use gloves because of the level of physical contact with the toilet surfaces a user is subjected to when cleaning. This could mostly be avoided if users could simply clean soiled areas immediately after use, before they harden. Thus, there remains a need for a toilet cleaning apparatus which allows a user to clean soiled toilet surfaces immediately after use by simply directing a stream of pressurized fluid towards a particular location on the toilet surface. It would be helpful if such a portable pressurized toilet cleaning apparatus additionally provided for a deodorizing effect through its fluid streaming action. It would be additionally desirable for such a portable pressurized toilet cleaning apparatus to be handheld and allow a user to operate it from a standing position.

[0005] The Applicant's invention described herein provides for a toilet cleaning apparatus adapted to be allow for a pressurized stream of fluid to be directed in a desired location from a handheld, portable apparatus. The primary components of Applicant's portable pressurized toilet cleaning apparatus are a modified aerosol can and a configured directing straw. When in operation, the portable pressurized toilet cleaning apparatus allows a user to clean soiled surfaces of a toilet using a handheld, portable device without having to physically contact the toilet surfaces with the users hand or use gloves. As a result, many of the limitations imposed by the prior art are removed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] A portable pressurized toilet cleaning apparatus for allowing a user to clean soiled toilet surfaces through a precisely directed pressurized water stream. The portable pressurized toilet cleaning apparatus comprises an aerosol can having a modified actuator and an attachable straw. A dispensing surface on the modified actuator is adapted to receive and securely hold a directing straw by way of an inner jagged edge, an outer jagged edge, and a receiving channel formed between the two jagged edges. When the directing straw is engaged in the receiving channel so as to be securely held between the inner jagged edge and the outer jagged edge, droplets of liquid exiting the hole to converge into a precisely directed stream of liquid. Such action allows a user to direct a stream of fluid which is sufficiently strong to dislodge soiling on the surface of the toilet from a handheld aerosol can.

[0007] It is an object of this invention to provide a toilet cleaning apparatus which allows a user to clean soiled toilet surfaces immediately after use by simply directing a stream of pressurized fluid towards a particular location on the toilet surface.

[0008] It is another object of this invention to provide a portable pressurized toilet cleaning apparatus which provides for a deodorizing effect through its fluid streaming action.

[0009] It is yet another object of this invention to provide a portable pressurized toilet cleaning apparatus which is handheld and allows a user to operate it from a standing position.

[0010] These and other objects will be apparent to one of skill in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the components of a portable pressurized toilet cleaning apparatus built in accordance with the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the modified aerosol can of a portable pressurized toilet cleaning apparatus built in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Referring now to the drawings and in particular FIGS. 1 and 2, a portable pressurized toilet cleaning apparatus 10 is shown having an aerosol can 11 with a modified actuator 12 and an attachable straw 13. The aerosol can 11 is configured as conventional aerosol dispensing apparatus in that it contains a liquid under pressure that, when the its value is opened through actuation of the modified actuator 12, the liquid is forced out of a hole 13a in the dispensing surface 13 of the modified actuator 12. As with conventional aerosol dispensing apparatus, the liquid forced out of the can 11 when the modified actuator 12 is depressed is suspended as very fine droplets. In the preferred embodiment, the liquid comprises a water based substance which in some embodiments, may also include an antibacterial substance and/or a fragrance.

[0014] The dispensing surface 13 of the modified actuator 12 is adapted to receive and securely hold a directing straw 14. In the preferred embodiment, the directing straw 14 is defined by a four inch long tube having an open distal end 14a and an open proximal end 14b. In one embodiment, the proximal end 14b is configured to be attached to the dispensing area 13. In the preferred embodiment, the distal end 14a and the proximal end 14b are identical. In an alternate embodiment, the distal end of the straw 14 is defined by a narrowed opening so as to increase the pressure exerted on fluid exiting the straw 14.

[0015] The dispensing surface 13 is adapted to receive and hold the straw 14 through the presence of an inner jagged edge 15, an outer jagged edge 16, and a receiving channel 17 formed between the two jagged edges. The inner jagged edge 15 is sized and located on the dispensing surface 13 such that it surrounds the hole 13a with the hole 13a fully contained in its circumference. When the proximal end 14b of the straw 14 is placed in the receiving channel 17 with manual force in an engaging direction 18 being supplied, it engages and is securely held between the inner jagged edge 15 and the outer jagged edge 16 so as to resist becoming disengaged simply from the liquid being propelled out of the hole 13a, through the straw 14.

[0016] When in place on the dispensing surface, the straw 14 is disposed over the hole 13a so that any liquid which exits the hole 13a is forced to traverse the length of the tube before exiting the straw 14. Such action allows the fine droplets of liquid exiting the hole 13a to converge into a precisely directed stream of liquid. In essence, whichever direction the distal area 14a is pointing, the stream of liquid is projected in the same direction. Through this action, a sufficiently strong stream of liquid can be directed toward the surface of a toilet in a desired location that it can dislodge streaks of feces or other soiling marks which were left behind after flushing.

[0017] It is contemplated that the liquid in the aerosol can comprise a substance having a deodorizing and/or fragrant property. It is additionally contemplated that the liquid in the aerosol can comprise a substance having an antimicrobial property. It is further contemplated that the aerosol can in the preferred embodiment is constructed of aluminum to avoid rust issues.

[0018] The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A portable pressurized toilet cleaning apparatus, comprising: a directing straw having a proximal end and a distal end; an aerosol can having a modified actuator which is adapted to receive and securely hold a directing straw; and wherein said aerosol can is adapted such that when said directing straw is held by the modified actuator, any fluid which is forced out of the aerosol can passes through the directing straw and exits the directing straw as a pressurized stream.

2. The portable pressurized toilet cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein said modified actuator is adapted to receive and securely hold a directing straw on a dispensing area.

3. The portable pressurized toilet cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said dispensing area includes an inner jagged edge, an outer jagged edge, and a receiving channel formed in the space between the inner jagged edge and the outer jagged edge; and when the proximal end is placed in the receiving channel with manual force in an engaging direction being supplied, the proximal end engages and is securely held between the inner jagged edge and the outer jagged edge.

4. The portable pressurized toilet cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the aerosol can is constructed of aluminum.

5. A portable pressurized toilet cleaning apparatus, comprising: a means for creating and directed a stream of liquid; a means for creating and dispensing an aerosol spray; and wherein when said means for creating and directed a stream of liquid is placed on said means for creating and dispensing an aerosol spray, any liquid which is forced out of the means for creating and dispensing an aerosol spray passes through the means for creating and directed a stream of liquid, it exits the means for creating and directed a stream of liquid as a pressurized stream of liquid.

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