The present invention relates to a sanitary appliance.

BACKGOUND

The invention is an improvement of an earlier sanitary appliance as described in Patent No. 2006/03972 entitled "SANITARY APPLIANCE". The current invention incorporates further developments with regard to the configuration, functionality and the operational positioning of the appliance. In particular the invention describes a sanitary appliance that attaches to the underside of a toilet seat as opposed to the embodiment being attached to the top of the toilet bowl. The invention further comprises a detergent dispensing container to be used in conjunction with a water supply, which facilitates disinfecting the nozzle.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention provides a sanitary appliance comprising a housing incorporating a nozzle assembly for dispensing liquid, an attachment means for securing the nozzle assembly to the housing of the sanitary appliance, a locating means for moving the nozzle relative to the housing inside the toilet, the housing being secured to the toilet seat and a detergent container releasably secured to the housing of the sanitary appliance. Preferably the detergent container is connected to the nozzle by a tube, the tube carrying the detergent from the container to the nozzle, in use. Conveniently the sanitary appliance is secured to the underside of the toilet seat and comprises a spacer to retain the appliance in a desired operational position and to protect the appliance from being crushed between the toilet bowl and seat

Preferably the nozzle is releasably securable to the sanitary appliance there enabling the nozzle to be easily replaced when desired.

Further features, variants and/or advantages of the invention will emerge from the following non-limiting description of an example of the invention made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows an underside view of a sanitary appliance of the invention attached to the underside of a toilet seat;

Figure 2 shows a perspective top view of the housing of the sanitary appliance of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a perspective underside view of a lever assembly of the invention;

Figure 4 shows a perspective side view of a detergent container assembly of the invention;

Figure 5 shows a perspective side view of a detergent container of the invention;

and

Figure 6 shows a perspective underside view of a base plate cover of Figure 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 shows a sanitary appliance comprising a housing 10 incorporating a nozzle assembly 12 for dispensing liquid, an attachment means (not shown) for securing the nozzle assembly to the housing of the sanitary appliance, a lever assembly 14 for moving the nozzle 16 relative to the housing and about the inside of the toilet 18, the housing being secured to the toilet seat 22 and a detergent container assembly 24 secured to the housing of the sanitary appliance with a detergent container 26 being releasably securable therein.

A connector arrangement 28 facilitates the connection of the sanitary appliance to a liquid supply means 30 with a tubular member 32, as described in the main patent. A plurality of spacers 34 are secured circumferentially around the underside of the toilet seat. The spacers create a space between the toilet seat and toilet bowl, thereby preventing the sanitary appliance from being crushed between the seat and bowl, in use. Further, no crushing pressure is placed on the lever assembly, thereby ensuring ease of movement when the user is seated on the toilet seat. The lever assembly is best shown in Figure 3 and comprises a lever handle 36, a liquid inlet 38 and a nozzle assembly engaging arm 40.

The sanitary appliance has a generally elliptical base 42 as best shown in Figure 2, which when secured to the toilet seat, follows the internal circumference of the underside of the toilet seat. An elliptical wall 44 extends away from the base and about the inner circumference of the toilet seat. The toilet seat has an internal overhang, which enables the wall pass and abut the toilet bowl when the toilet seat is in an operable position. The wall has a complimentary configuration for engaging the detergent container assembly 24 by means of a tongue and groove formation. The detergent container assembly and detergent container are best shown in Figures 4 and 5 respectively. The contents of the detergent container may be refilled by inserting a new disposable container, alternately refilling and replacing the existing container. The detergent is used to disinfect the nozzle and arm of the nozzle assembly.

The lever assembly is secured with in the sanitary appliance housing by means of a base plate 50, which is best shown in Figure 6. The lever assembly is movably secured through an elliptical aperture 52 in the base.

The invention is not limited to the precise details described above and shown in the drawings. Modifications may be made and other embodiments developed without departing from the spirit of the invention.