Flush Apparatus

The present invention relates to flush water treatment apparatus, such as a flush water treatment apparatus for a urinal of the type commonly found in men's lavatories. The present invention also relates to a flush water agitation apparatus, such as a flush water agitation apparatus for a urinal of the type commonly found in men's lavatories.

There are inherent hygiene problems associated with the use of urinals in male washrooms. A particular problem is the deposition of mineral salts, more specifically uric acid salts, which create malodours and can lead to blockages of the waste outlet that result in the flooding of washroom floors with water and urine. Additionally, in hard water areas, there is the associated problem of limescale build-up on the fixtures and fittings and the inner surface of the urinal bowl or trough. This build-up tends to look unsightly, particularly on stainless steel urinals and troughs and, in certain circumstances, can necessitate the replacement of the bowl or trough and also the fixtures and fittings. Such repair can be time consuming and costly, but could be avoided by frequent cleaning. However, this has obvious cost implications.

Conventionally, water treatment blocks are placed in the bowl or trough of a urinal to prevent the build up of foul odours in washroom areas. When the urinal is flushed or used, the liquid contacting the block dissolves a small amount of a cleaning/sanitising agent, which constitutes a part of the

block, and achieves a cleaning action but one which is limited and localised. A major draw back with this method is that the block only treats the liquid that it contacts and therefore does not treat the majority of the surface of the urinal, so no cleaning/sanitising action takes place in this important area. An additional problem is that these kind of blocks reduce in size over time, as they dissolve, and tend to fall into the waste trap of the urinal where they can collect and cause blockages.

A further problem associated with blocks of this type is that they can also have a dam like effect, restricting the flow of urine to the waste outlet, when placed in a trough type urinal. A result of all this is that, over time, lime-scale still accumulates upon the internal surfaces of the waste outlet and also on the inner surfaces of the urinal bowl or trough, leaving unsightly smears and stains upon the surface of the urinal, which, if left for a period of time, are very difficult to remove. Additionally, the problem associated with uric acid salt build up can be somewhat exacerbated, particularly in hard water areas where reactions between minerals in the water and uric acid in the urine generate persistent uric acid salts which also tend to accumulate on the inner surfaces and the waste outlet. As these accumulate, foul odours are emitted into the washroom area.

Such methods of treating urinals are generally unsatisfactory as they inadequately clean and sanitise the surface of the urinal, require regular manual attendance and are generally messy.

In another method, the flush water is treated. Chemical block type cleaners are placed in the water reservoir or cistern of the urinal and slowly dissolve over time to provide a low but non-uniform concentration of the chemical in the flush water. Such systems tend to suffer the disadvantage that a build up of chemical sludge can occur in the cistern tank, which ultimately has to be removed. Furthermore, cisterns of the type that are used in male washrooms are generally positioned above head height or within false walls, and are not conveniently accessible for monitoring or re-supply and maintenance.

In a further method of treating flush water, dosing systems are used to add a sanitising liquid to the flush water reservoir as the cistern is filled and/or to add a sanitising liquid to the flush water as it passes through the pipe-work prior to flowing into the urinal. These kinds of dosing devices generally consist of a housing that connects the water supply line and the urinal. However, the liquid does not tend to mix properly as it is siphoned into the flush water and so such methods of treating flush water are generally unsatisfactory as they inadequately clean and sanitise the surface of the urinal.

In US 2004/0128750 an automatic liquid dispensing device is described, which dispenses precisely measured amounts of cleaner/deodorizer into a cistern tank through a closed system. The device consists of a housing that connects between the water supply line and the water supply inlet of a

cistern and a refillable liquid storage container. The housing is installed in the flow path of the water supply used to fill the cistern. During the filling of the cistern the flow of water is directed over an orifice causing a siphon to be created. This siphon compresses a spring-loaded ball check allowing liquid cleaner/deodorizer to flow into the water supply filling the cistern. When the tank is full it contains a predetermined and precisely mixed amount of cleaner or deodorizer in the water.

However, the liquid generally needs to be pumped into the flush water so mains electricity or batteries need to be used to power the equipment. Additionally, the equipment is generally quite bulky, unsightly and expensive.

US 6 671 893 Bl describes a system in which a housing, having a water flow sensor and a toilet or urinal overflow detector, is inserted, held in or formed integrally with the toilet bowl or urinal in a water line to a toilet bowl or urinal. The housing includes a normally-open valve activated by the water flow detector or overflow detector to control flow of water through water line. The system optionally includes a water cleaner cartridge system.

The systems described above do not generally produce a pleasant fragrance in the washroom, or the effect is limited, so it is common practice to place an air freshener above head height around the area of the urinals. The air freshener unit will periodically disperse a fine mist of fragrance into

the washroom; these air fresheners also need to be powered by batteries or a mains power supply.

The present invention seeks to address at least some of the problems outlined above. Preferably, the present invention seeks to provide a solution that addresses at least some of the problems outlined above, whilst remaining compatible with existing flushing urinals.

The present invention provides a flush water treatment apparatus for operative connection to a urinal or lavatory pan comprising an apparatus body having a water inlet and at least one water outlet defining a water flow path, wherein: the body further comprises a removable cartridge containing, in use, a water treatment composition block; and at least a portion of water flowing, in use, into the apparatus is directed into the cartridge. The water treatment composition block is preferably removable.

In one form of the invention, the flush water treatment apparatus comprises a single water inlet and a single water outlet. In an alternative form of the invention, the flush water treatment apparatus comprises two water outlets, defining first and second water flow paths. The invention could also, of course, provide more than two water outlets.

The cartridge may have a plurality of apertures to allow water flowing, in use, to enter the cartridge body and contact the water treatment composition and the combined area of the apertures may be adjustable to vary the dosage

delivered in the flush water. In one form of the invention, the cartridge is formed from a pair of cup-like elements, each having a plurality of respective apertures and being operatively engageable such that at least a portion of the plurality of the respective apertures overlap; for example, all of the apertures of each cup-like element may correspondingly overlap. In one form of the invention, one of the cup-like elements is rotatable with respect to the other to vary the area of overlap of the respective apertures. In this way, the amount of water capable of entering the cartridge may be varied to provide a means of varying the dosage.

The cartridge and apparatus may have complementary retaining means for retaining the cartridge in a suitable orientation within the apparatus. For example, the retaining means may comprise at least one protrusion to engage the cartridge with a corresponding at least one recess in the apparatus body.

A retaining means may be provided comprising a rod or protrusion, fixed to the apparatus body, upon which the cartridge is mounted and able to spin in response to water flowing through the apparatus body. In this form of the invention, the rotation of the cartridge may be effected by flush-water entering the apparatus.

The cartridge may comprise a plurality of fins or blades located around its periphery, in order to assist in the rotation of the cartridge.

The said water inlet and said at least one water outlet may be offset from an axis passing through the centre of said apparatus. In such as arrangement, water entering the cartridge can be directed to the fins in order to assist rotation of the cartridge.

The apparatus may include air vents in the body of the apparatus. In one implementation of the invention, air vents are provided in an upper portion of the apparatus.

The apparatus body may further comprises a demountable cover in an aperture of a front surface thereof, wherein, the cover provides access to the interior of the body for replacement, in use, of the cartridge. The cover may be provided as a seal against the apparatus body. The cover may include a threaded rim engageable with a correspondingly threaded portion of the apparatus body aperture. The cover may be hingedly connected to close the apparatus body aperture.

In one form of the invention, a rear wall of the apparatus body is provided with a threaded boss, the cover and cartridge each have an aperture and the apparatus further comprises a rod or bolt, at least partially threaded, such that the cover is closable against the apparatus body aperture by means of the rod passing through the cover and water treatment cartridge and being retained by the threaded boss.

At least a part of the apparatus body and the cartridge may be transparent. This feature can be used to assist in

determining whether the cartridge needs to be replaced or refilled.

The present invention also provide a flush water agitation apparatus for operative connection to a urinal or lavatory pan, the apparatus comprising an apparatus body having a water inlet and at least one water outlet defining a water flow path, wherein the body further comprises an agitating means .

The agitation apparatus may further comprise a liquid detergent dosing means.

The agitating means may comprise a rotatable member comprising a circular base and sidewalls perpendicularly extending therefrom. Said sidewalls may comprise a plurality of apertures which allow water flowing, in use, to enter and pass through the rotatable member to cause turbulence in the water flow exiting the water outlet. The rotatable member may be formed from a disc having a plurality of blades extending perpendicularly therefrom. Further, the rotatable member may comprises a pair of discs linked by a plurality of blades extending perpendicularly between the discs to form a hollow wheel. The said blades may be at least partially angled relative to the circumferential plane and axis of rotation of the rotatable member.

The rotatable member may be in the form of a water wheel.

The rotatable member may comprise a water treatment composition block.

The agitation apparatus and agitating means may have complementary retaining means for retaining the agitating means in a suitable orientation within the apparatus body. The retaining means may comprise at least one engagement means to engage the agitating means with a corresponding at least one recess in the apparatus body. The retaining means may comprise a rod or hub, fixed to the apparatus body, upon which the agitating means is mounted and able to spin in response to water flowing through the apparatus body. Rotation of the agitation means may be effected by flush- water entering the apparatus.

The water inlet and the at least one water outlet may be offset from an axis passing through the centre of said apparatus. This arrangement can be used to assist the rotation of the agitation means.

The flush water agitation apparatus may comprise a plurality of water outlets defining a plurality of water flow paths. In one implementation, two flow paths are provided.

The agitating means may comprise at least one grating within the water flow path. The at least one grating may comprise a plurality of parallel bars or blades arranged substantially parallel to the direction of the water flow path, in use. Each bar or blade may have a leading edge and a trailing edge. The leading edge may have a narrower section than the

trailing edge. The plurality of parallel blades may be perpendicularly intersected by a second set of parallel blades, forming a grid. The at least one grating may comprise a plurality of parallel blades angled to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus body and associated connecting pipework.

The agitating means may further comprise a rotor. The said rotor may be located upstream of a or the liquid detergent dosing system.

In one form of the invention, the agitating means comprises two or more gratings, wherein at least one is positioned upstream and at least one is positioned downstream of a or the liquid detergent dosing system.

The said agitation means may further comprises a water treatment composition block.

In some forms of the invention, the water treatment composition comprises a descaling or neutralising composition, in the form or a solid or gel block.

In some forms of the invention, the water treatment composition comprises a uric acid solubilising composition, which may be used to solubise otherwise insoluble uric acid salts thereby enabling the salts to be flushed through the urinal .

In some forms of the invention, the water treatment composition includes an enzymatic and/or bactericidal composition.

In some forms of the invention, the water treatment composition comprises at least one of a water-softening, deodorising, descaling, neutralising, enzymatic or bacterial composition.

The apparatus may be provided with a monitoring means for monitoring the amount of water treatment composition remaining.

The present invention also provides a method of using the apparatuses described above for reducing unsightly staining or smearing of a urinal bowl or trough surface and/or the emission of odours from a urinal.

The present invention yet further provides a method of using the apparatuses described above in delivering a fragrance to a washroom area.

The present invention also provides a kit comprising a flush water treatment apparatus, a cartridge and a water treatment composition block, wherein: the flush water treatment apparatus is for operative connection to a urinal or lavatory pan and comprises an apparatus body having a water inlet and at least one water outlet defining a water flow path; the cartridge is adapted for insertion into the apparatus body such that, in use, at least a portion of water flowing, in

use, into the flush water treatment apparatus is directed into the cartridge; and the water treatment composition block is adapted for insertion into the cartridge.

The present invention yet further provides a kit comprising a flush water agitation apparatus and an agitation means, wherein: the flush water agitation apparatus is adapted for operative connection to a urinal or lavatory pan and comprises an apparatus body having a water inlet and at least one water outlet defining a water flow path; and the agitation means is adapted for insertion into the body of said flush water agitation apparatus.

Of course, the kits provided by the present invention may incorporate any of the other features of the invention outlined above.

The above and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in further detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view from one side of a first embodiment of a flush water treatment apparatus in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the embodiment of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front perspective view of a water treatment composition housing cartridge of a flush water treatment apparatus in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a front perspective view of an upper portion of the cartridge of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a front perspective view of a lower portion of the cartridge of Figure 3; Figures 6a-6d are perspective views of the cartridge of Figure 3 in alternative dosing configurations;

Figure 7 is a front perspective view of flush water treatment apparatus in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention; Figure 8 shows a semi-transparent perspective side-view of the apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

Figure 10 is a partially cut-away view of a cartridge that may be used in the embodiment of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a schematic plan view demonstrating an aspect of the functionality of the cartridge of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

Figure 13 is a perspective view from one side of a flush water agitation apparatus in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

Figure 14 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 13 with a front cover removed;

Figure 15 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Figures 13 and 14 in which the apparatus body is transparent;

Figure 16 is a side view of the apparatus of Figures 13 to 15 in which the apparatus body is transparent;

Figure 17 is a perspective view from one side of a flush water agitation apparatus in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, in which the apparatus body is partly cut away; Figure 18 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 17, in which the apparatus body is transparent; and

Figure 19 is a perspective view of the agitation means of the apparatus of Figures 17 and 18.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the present invention provides a flush water treatment apparatus 10 having a generally cylindrical body and upper and lower ends 11, 12 radially dimensioned to match the pipework connectors 13,13' into which the apparatus is fitted. In the embodiment shown, upper and lower ends 11, 12 are coupled to the pipework

13,13' by means of respective threaded fittings 14 providing a watertight seal. Access to an internal chamber 15 in the body of the apparatus 10 is provided by the removal of a cover 20. The chamber is dimensioned to accept a flush-water treatment composition containing cartridge 21 which, in use, doses the water flowing through the apparatus prior to it passing into the urinal. For clarity, the flush-water treatment composition is not shown. Suitably, the composition will be in the form of a solid block or disc.

Between cover 20 and the apparatus body 22 is major gasket 23 which provides a water-tight seal in an assembled configuration. In the embodiment shown, cover 20 is held in place by a rod 24. At least one end of rod 24 is threaded (obscured) and, in assembly of the apparatus, passes through

a hole 25 in the centre cover 20, through a coaxially positioned hole in the centre of cartridge 21 and engages a correspondingly threaded boss formed in a rear wall of the apparatus body 22. A minor gasket 30 provides a water-tight seal between the rod 24 and the cover 20. The exposed end of rod 24 may comprise a tamper-resistant head 31 which requires a complementary key for assembly/disassembly, to prevent unauthorised tampering with the apparatus.

In one form of the invention, the cartridge is mounted on said rod 24 and able to spin in response to water flowing through the body of the apparatus 10. This rotation results in the agitation of the flush water and causes a turbulence leading to mixing and foaming of the flush-water treatment composition. This foaming results in the cleaning agent remaining in contact with surfaces being cleaned for a longer period of time, leading to more effective cleaning.

In alternative embodiments, at least a part of the apparatus body 22 and the flush-water treatment composition containing cartridge 21 is transparent to allow monitoring of the quantity of the water treatment composition remaining within the apparatus without requiring disassembly of the apparatus.

Referring now to Figures 3-5, there is shown a flush-water treatment composition containing cartridge 21 having a generally doughnut-like shape. As is more clearly shown in Figures 4 and 5, the cartridge 21 comprises first and second cup-like elements, 32 and 33 respectively. The walls 34 of each cup-like element have a plurality of crenellations 35

therein which operatively overlap, in an assembled configuration (Figure 3) , to provide a series of apertures 40.

As is illustrated in Figures 6a-d, the cup-like elements 32,33 of cartridge 21 are rotatable with respect to each other to vary the respective size of the apertures 40 produced by the overlapping crenellations 35. Such an arrangement allows the amount of water capable of entering the cartridge, in use, to be adjusted and thereby provides a means of altering the dosage to the flush-water. In this arrangement, in order to alter the effective dosage one half of the cartridge is simply turned relative to the other so that the size of the aperture is increased or decreased accordingly.

In preferred embodiments the crenellations 35 in the respective cup-like elements are complementary, although the skilled person will recognise that alternative arrangements are equally suitable.

In an alternative arrangements (not shown) , the means of dosage adjustment is provided by a double skinned cartridge in which each of the skins is perforated and rotation of one skin relative to the other provides an increase or decrease in the relative overlap of the perforations which will be exposed to the inflow of water.

In Figure 7, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in which a flush water treatment

apparatus 10' has a water inlet at upper end 11 and two horizontally displaced water outlets at lower ends 12. Such a construction can be used as a means to deliver a water treatment dose to at least two urinal bowls.

Referring to Figure 8 there is shown a flush water treatment apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention in which the apparatus body 22 is transparent to illustrate the internal arrangement of the flush water treatment apparatus 10.

Although the apparatus is designed to be used in conjunction with a mains water supply, it may equally effectively be used in conjunction with a system in which a cistern supplies the flush water.

In use, apparatus 10 is positioned on the pipe connectors 13,13', connected to pipework (not shown) that delivers flush water to the urinal. In the illustrated embodiments the water, supplied by mains or reservoir, enters the apparatus at the top of the unit through an inlet pipe (not shown) which is connected to the apparatus by connector 13 and passes through the apparatus body 22,22', during which at least a portion of the water enters the cartridge and contacts the solid chemical treatment block (not shown) contained within the cartridge. This results in of a small proportion of the block dissolving into the flush water, which subsequently exits the apparatus through an outlet pipe (not shown) which is connected to the apparatus through connector 13' . The purpose of the cartridge 21 is to provide

a means of adjusting the delivered dosage, to help maintain the positioning and integrity of flush-water treatment block and shield the block from the impact of the water whilst allowing a desired proportion of the flush water to directly contact the block. As the treated flush water exits the apparatus, under gravity, it delivers a cleaning/sanitising action to the urinal surface which helps to prevent the build up of limescale and uric acid forming deposits.

Enzyme-producing bacteria can also be added to the flush water to help break down the uric salts that may collect in the waste trap and pipework.

It will also be appreciated that the flush water treatment apparatus of the present invention is suitable for use in any flushing urinal system including domestic systems, interposed between a toilet cistern and pan. A further advantage associated with use in a domestic system is that the apparatus is remote from the toilet pan which means a user does not have the onerous task of fitting unsightly rim- blocks. Whilst the present invention was particularly designed for use in mains flushed urinal systems, the apparatus can equally be used without the need for modification in systems which utilise a cistern.

Figures 9 to 12 show a flush water treatment/agitation apparatus, indicated generally by the reference numeral 50, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus 50 comprises a main body 52 having first 54 and second 56 pipework connectors for connection to the pipework

of a urinal system. The main body 52 is shaped to receive a flush-water agitation means 58, which, in use, causes turbulence in the flow of the water passing through the apparatus 50. A cover 60 is provided to cover the agitation means 58.

The agitation means 58 is rotatably mounted on a protrusion 64 of the main body 52 such that it is able to spin. The agitation means 58 comprises a plurality of fins or blades 66 located around the edge of the agitation means 58.

As shown in Figures 10 and 11, in use, water flows into the main body 52 of the apparatus 50 through the inlet 54 and flows out of the apparatus through outlet 56. Water flowing through the main body 52 of the apparatus 50 acts on the fins or blades 66 to cause the agitation means 58 to spin about the protection 64.

Figure 12 shows an arrangement in which fins 66' extend towards the centre of the block 58.

In the example of Figures 9 to 12, the agitation means 58 carries a waste treatment block such that the apparatus 50 is both a flush water agitation apparatus and a flush water treatment apparatus. Of course, the waste treatment block itself could be omitted such that the apparatus 50 is simply a flush water agitation apparatus.

In the use of the flush water treatment/agitation apparatus 50, flush water, supplied by mains or from a reservoir,

enters the main body 52 of the apparatus 50 through the inlet 54 and leaves through outlet 56, causing the agitation means 58 to rotate. Also, during this time, a small proportion of the waste treatment block of the agitation means 58 is dissolved into the flush water, which subsequently exits the apparatus through the outlet 56. The turbulence caused by the rotation of the agitation means results in a foaming of the flush water.

With reference to Figures 13 to 16 there is shown a flush water agitation apparatus 110 having a generally cylindrical body 111 and upper and lower ends 112, 113 radially dimensioned to provide a watertight seal when fitted with pipework connectors (not shown) to the pipework of a urinal system. Although not an essential feature of the apparatus 110, in the embodiment shown, access to an internal chamber 114 in the body 111 is provided by the removal of a cover 115. The chamber 114 is dimensioned to accept a flush-water agitating means 120 which, in use, is rotatable in response to flush water flowing through the apparatus. This rotation results in agitation of the flush water and causes a turbulence leading to a generally homogeneous mixing of a liquid detergent flowing through the apparatus 110. A further effect of this mixing is that the detergent tends to foam and so lingers on a surface for a longer period of time, leading to a more effective cleaning of the surface due to a greater contact time.

In the embodiment of Figures 13 to 16, cover 115 is held in place by a rod 121. At least one end of rod 121 is threaded

(obscured) and, in assembly of the apparatus, passes through a hole in the centre of cover 115, through a coaxially positioned hole in the centre of agitating means 120 and engages a correspondingly threaded boss formed in a rear wall of the apparatus body 111. A gasket (not shown) provides a water-tight seal between the rod 121 and the cover 115. The exposed end of rod 115 may comprise a tamper-resistant head 122 which requires a complementary key for assembly/disassembly, to prevent unauthorised tampering with the apparatus. In alternative embodiments the cover is sealed to the apparatus body to prevent removal therefrom, or is integrally formed therewith.

Referring now to Figures 14 to 16, there is shown a flush- water agitating means 120 comprising a disc portion having a plurality of circumferential blades 123 perpendicularly extending therefrom. As is more clearly shown in Figures 15 and 16 in which the apparatus body 111 is transparent to illustrate the internal structure, the blades 123 are separated by apertures such that, in use, water entering the apparatus 110 strikes the blades 123 causing the agitating means 120 to rotate and resulting in increased turbulence of the water flow through the apparatus 110 and an improved mixing of liquid detergent with the flush water exiting the apparatus 110.

In an alternative embodiment, the blades are at least partially angled relative to the circumference and axle of the cylindrical body (not shown) . In a further alternative arrangement (not shown) , the agitating means comprises a

water wheel in the form of a pair of coaxial discs linked by a plurality of blades extending perpendicularly between the discs.

Whilst the agitating means described above sits partly in the direct flow path, to allow water to flow effectively through the apparatus, it will be recognised by the skilled person that the agitating means could also be fully located within the direct flow path.

In use, apparatus 110, illustrated in Figures 13 to 16, is located within the pipework (not shown) that delivers flush water to a urinal. Subsequently, water, supplied by mains or a reservoir, enters the apparatus at the top of the unit through an inlet pipe (not shown) and passes through the apparatus body 111, during which the agitating means 120 is caused to rotate and spray the subsequent water flow around the apparatus. This results in greatly increased turbulence in the water exiting the apparatus 110 and a homogeneous mixing of a liquid detergent passing through the apparatus 110.

The agitation arrangement described above with reference to Figures 13 to 16 has been described with reference to a liquid detergent. Of course, a solid detergence, similar in form to those described with reference to Figure 1 to 12 could be used.

Referring now to Figures 17 to 19, an alternative flush water agitation apparatus 130 having a generally tubular body 132

and upper and lower ends 112, 113 radially dimensioned to provide a watertight seal when fitted with pipework connectors 134, 134' to the pipework 131, 131' of a urinal system, is shown. The tubular body 132 is dimensioned to accept a flush-water agitating means 133 which, in use, causes turbulence in the flow of water passing through the apparatus 130. The agitating means 133 comprises a grating 140 which spans the body 132 and is fixed to the inner walls thereof. The grating, which may be upstream or downstream of the detergent dosing system, comprises a grid in the form of a plurality of perpendicularly intersecting parallel blades, longitudinally aligned with the apparatus body 132, and a rotor 141, located upstream of the grating 140. In- alternative embodiments (not shown) , the agitation means comprises several gratings and/or rotors, and may also consist of solely rotors or gratings. Additionally, and preferably in embodiments in which the grating is comprised of a plurality of parallel blades, the blades are angled with respect to the axis of the apparatus and direction of the water flow path through the apparatus, in use (not shown) .

As illustrated in Figure 17, the apparatus includes an inlet 135, intermediate the grating 140 and rotor 141, for attachment to a dosing system (not shown) . However, the inlet is not an essential component of the apparatus, since the agitating apparatus is suitable for use with existing dosing systems by interposition in pipework downstream of the dosing system.

As seen more clearly in Figures 18 and 19, rotor 141 is rotationally mounted on an axle 142 which passes through grating 140. Alternative mountings for the rotor 141 will readily be apparent to the skilled person. A further rotor is suitably mounted at the free end of the axle 142.

In use, the apparatus 130 is located within the pipework 131, 131' that delivers flush water to the urinal. The water enters the apparatus at the top of the unit through an inlet pipe 131 and passes through the apparatus body 132, during which the agitating means 133 causes turbulence in the water flow exiting the apparatus 110 due to collision of the water with the grating. This turbulence leads to a homogeneous mixing of a liquid detergent as it passes through the apparatus 130.

As the treated flush water exits the agitating apparatus, under gravity, it delivers a cleaning/sanitising action to the urinal surface which helps to prevent the build up of limescale and uric acid forming deposits. Typically, the flush water exiting the apparatus will contain the detergent in a foamed form due to the increased turbulence of the flush water. As a result the detergent is delivered to substantially the whole of the urinal surface and tends to remain on the surface for longer, thus leading to a more effective cleaning and sanitising action.

Although the agitation apparatus of the present invention is designed to be used in conjunction with a mains water supply,

it may equally effectively be used in conjunction with a system in which a cistern supplies the flush water.

The various flush water agitation apparatuses of the invention described above may, alternatively, be formed with a water inlet at upper end and two substantially horizontally displaced water outlets at its lower end (not shown) . Such an apparatus can be used to deliver a homogeneous solution of a liquid or other detergent dose to two or more urinal bowls or troughs.

The agitation means described above are particularly useful for use in conjunction with existing liquid detergent dosing systems, although they can be adapted to include their own liquid detergent source, and seek to provide an improvement over known liquid dispensing apparatus through the provision of a means for agitating a liquid detergent within the flush water of a urinal. Such agitation generally leads to a homogeneous dispersion of the liquid detergent in the flush water, resulting in a foaming of the detergent which provides a more uniform distribution over the urinal surface. As a result, the foamed detergent remains in contact with the surface of the urinal for a perceptibly longer period, and thus provides a more effective cleaning process. Use of the apparatuses described helps to reduce unsightly staining and smearing of a urinal bowl or trough surface and to prevent the emission of odours from a urinal, due to the build up of limescale and uric acid salt deposits on the bowl/trough and fixtures and fittings. Accordingly, a urinal or trough system fitted with the described apparatuses will typically

require less frequent maintenance, leading to a reduction in maintenance costs.

It will also be appreciated that the flush water agitation apparatuses according to the invention are suitable for use in any flushing urinal system including domestic systems, interposed between a toilet cistern and pan. A further advantage associated with use in a domestic system is that the apparatus is remote from the toilet pan which means a user does not have the onerous task of fitting unsightly rim- blocks. Whilst the present invention was particularly designed for use in mains flushed urinal systems, the apparatus can equally be used without the need for modification in systems which utilise a cistern.

The arrangements of the present invention offer simple fittings that need no power supply. The small and compact designs make them much easier to fit than conventional dosing equipment, particularly into existing urinal installations.

A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described above, each having particular features. The skilled person will realise that features described with reference to one exemplary embodiment of the invention could be incorporated into other embodiments of the invention, without the exercise of inventive skill. Such combinations fall within the scope of the present invention.