CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims priority to and benefit of provisional US patent application serial no. 63/293,092 filed 23 December 2021.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to a toilet cleaning device retained within a toilet bowl, and in particular it relates to a cleaning device having cleaning agents within the device and adapted for retention within a portion of the bowl such that water from flushing assists with dispersal of the cleaning agent from within the device to keep the toilet bowl clean as it is flushed.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] Keeping toilet bowls clean during and after use has been a subject of interest for users and those involved in janitorial services for many years. As a result, there have been introduced a number of devices and agents in the prior art, some of which have been made available on the market, for keeping toilet bowls clean with flushing of the toilet. Once such device, comprised the placement of a cartridge, or alternatively a tablet, submerged in a toilet tank is found wherein the cartridge or tablet has included a chemical cleaning agent that has been gradually dispersed into the toilet tank such that when the toilet has been flushed, the cleaning agent has been likewise dispersed into the tank to automatically clean and freshen the bowl.

[0004] Another such device, namely a toilet bowl cleaner under the brand Lysol®, comprised a lump of cleaning material held at the rim of the toilet bowl by a hook that has extended over the rim of the toilet bowl. In this prior-art device, the lump of cleaning material has been held directly in the path of water as it has cascaded from the tank and into the toilet bowl from under the rim of the toilet bowl. As the water has passed over the lump of cleaning material in this fashion, it has dissolved some of the lump of cleaning material so that it has been dispersed into the toilet bowl for cleaning and freshening of the bowl.

[0005] Another device taught in Chinese patent Chen CN 1026974248 describes a motorized ring mechanism that has been mounted into a lower portion of a toilet seat for distributing spray onto the seat and into the toilet bowl upon activation by flushing. Similarly, Chinese patent, Cheng CN202859025U, teaches incorporating a motor drive and a circular annular ring built into a toilet seat cover for keeping the toilet seat clean between uses.

[0006] European patent, EP 3148389 Bl (WO2015-183936) (PCT/US2015/032648), teaches a system where a mechanism for dispensing cleaning product is located in a water pathway located between the toilet tank and the toilet bowl. With each flush the device releases a predetermined amount of cleaner into the water stream as it is delivered to the toilet bowl to accommodate the flush. In other embodiments the water is passed over a dissolvable cartridge or cake located in the pathway of the water, taking a prescribed amount of cleaner into the water stream. As the water is directed to the toilet bowl, it streams out the waterjets which are placed at the upper portion of the bowl and which dispense water, along with cleaner, to the entire surface of the toilet bowl.

[0007] Yet another mechanism for dispensing cleaner into a toilet bowl via a water tank for the bowl has been described in International Patent Application Harris WO 2009105417 Al . This system incorporates a computer-powered application to dispense cleaner into the toilet bowl, whereas cleaner has been provided in liquid form and has been supplied in an interchangeable cartridge.

[0008] In Taiwan patent TWM422389 U, to Liou, there has been taught an elastic annular ring for placement into a toilet bowl. This ring has been adapted to fit in an upper area of the toilet bowl where water is introduced into the bowl, but the patent indicates that it is used more as a scrubbing-type brush.

[0009] Thus, while the prior art has taught the use of cleaning agents dispensed from cartridges in the toilet tank, in the pathway of water traveling from the toilet tank to the toilet bowl, or within the bowl itself in the path of the travel of water from the rim of the bowl to within the bowl, all for cleaning and freshening the bowl during and after use, there still has persisted the need for a toilet bowl cleaning device that is implemented at a plurality of locations within the bowl where cleaning and freshening is needed most, by an adjustable holding mechanism which is adaptable for any of a number of different size and shape toilet bowls, and which is not otherwise easily visible to users of toilet bowls.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0010] In accordance with a first aspect and an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a toilet bowl cleaning device adapted for dispensing cleaning agent within flow of flushed water dispensed from a toilet tank to a toilet bowl for cleaning and freshening the toilet bowl. The toilet bowl cleaning device of this aspect and embodiment of the disclosure comprises an annular cleaning agent retaining member adapted to be deformed into an annular shape, wherein the cleaning agent retaining member is adapted for being retained within the toilet bowl at a location closely adjacent, and within the path of, an inlet portion of the toilet bowl located under an upper rim portion of the toilet bowl.

[0011] The cleaning agent retaining member of this aspect and embodiment of toilet bowl cleaning device preferably defines an interior space wherein the cleaning agent is adapted for being retained within the interior space and wherein the cleaning agent retaining member has defined therein a plurality of apertures adapted for allowing water from flushing of the toilet to enter into the cleaning agent retaining member interior space to wash over the cleaning agent and also to exit the cleaning agent retaining member via another plurality of apertures corresponding to a plurality of locations adjacent and around the upper rim portion of the toilet bowl and within the path of the flow of water into the toilet bowl. Thus, preferably, the cleaning agent retaining member of the toilet bowl cleaning device is tubular, and the interior space adapted for retaining the cleaning agent is of a circular cross section. Still further, the cleaning agent retaining member of the toilet bowl cleaning device may be partially porous to enable a controlled release of cleaning agent and/or chemical.

[0012] Preferably, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, the toilet bowl cleaning device’s cleaning agent retaining member comprises first and second ends adapted for forming, or deforming, into an annular circumference of the cleaning agent retaining member to conform to the annular shape of a toilet bowl. Further, preferably, the cleaning agent retaining member circumference, thus configured, is expandable to a larger circumference to fit snugly within an upper area of the toilet bowl just under the toilet bowl rim. Preferably, the aforementioned expanded circumference of the cleaning agent retaining member in the shape of the annular member may be reversed to a smaller circumference annular member, for example to allow easier removal of the device from its position under the rim of the toilet bowl. Such may also be useful in case the cleaning agent retaining member is unduly expanded before installation, to allow for reversal of the expansion for later easy insertion of the cleaning agent retaining member into a toilet bowl.

[0013] In accordance with an aspect and embodiment of the disclosure, the toilet bowl cleaning device further comprises a ratchet and pawl mechanism, wherein first and second ends of the cleaning agent retaining member are adapted for being adjustably interconnected via the ratchet and pawl mechanism implemented between the two ends to allow for expansion of the circumference of the cleaning agent retaining member to fit within a toilet bowl just below the upper rim of the toilet bowl. Further, preferably there is provided a release mechanism adapted for releasing the ratchet and pawl mechanism in this embodiment of the disclosure to reverse the expansion of the circumference of the cleaning agent retaining member in the shape of an annular member to a smaller circumference. Or, alternatively, it will be appreciated that the toilet bowl cleaning device’s cleaning agent retaining member may be comprised of a flexible material (whether with or without a ratchet and pawl expansion mechanism as described), so as to be easily bent for removal from the toilet bowl.

[0014] In accordance with another aspect and an embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided a toilet bowl cleaning device for dispensing cleaning agent within flow of flushed water dispensed from a toilet tank to a toilet bowl for cleaning and freshening the toilet bowl. The device of this aspect and embodiment comprises a cleaning agent retaining member adapted to be deformed into an annular shape, wherein the cleaning agent retaining member is adapted for being retained within the toilet bowl at a location closely adjacent, and within the path of, an inlet portion of the toilet bowl located under an upper rim portion of the toilet bowl; and a cleaning agent retained within the cleaning agent retaining member.

[0015] Thus, in accordance with this aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a toilet bowl cleaning device similar to that of previously described aspects and embodiments, but in the device of this aspect of the disclosure there is further comprised cleaning agent retained within the cleaning agent retaining member such that flow of flushed water dispensed from a toilet tank to a toilet bowl allows for cleaning and freshening of the toilet bowl.

[0016] The toilet bowl cleaning device of this aspect and embodiment of the invention comprises a cleaning agent retaining member adapted in an annular shape, adapted to conform to an annular shape of a toilet bowl, or adapted to be deformed into an annular shape, wherein the cleaning agent retaining member having cleaning agent therein is adapted for being retained within the toilet bowl at a location closely adjacent, and within the path of, an inlet portion of the toilet bowl located under an upper rim portion of the toilet bowl.

[0017] The cleaning agent retaining member of this aspect and embodiment of toilet bowl cleaning device preferably defines an interior space wherein the cleaning agent is retained within the interior space and wherein the cleaning agent retaining member has defined therein a plurality of apertures adapted for allowing water from flushing of the toilet to enter into the cleaning agent retaining member interior space to wash over the cleaning agent and also to exit the cleaning agent retaining member via another plurality of apertures corresponding to a plurality of locations adjacent and around the upper rim portion of the toilet bowl and within the path of the flow of water into the toilet bowl. Thus, preferably, the cleaning agent retaining member of the toilet bowl cleaning device is tubular, and the interior space adapted for retaining the cleaning agent is of a circular cross section. Still further, the cleaning agent retaining member of the toilet bowl cleaning device may be partially porous to enable a controlled release of cleaning agent and/or chemical.

[0018] In an alternative embodiment of the toile bowl cleaning device of the present disclosure, there is provided a partially -porous membrane or other porous material either inside of the cleaning agent retaining member, or otherwise located at the apertures, to help control the rate of dispersal of cleaning agent through the apertures when the cleaning agent is dissolved.

[0019] Preferably, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, the toilet bowl cleaning device’s cleaning agent retaining member comprises first and second ends adapted for forming, or deforming, into an annular circumference of the cleaning agent retaining member to conform to the annular shape of a toilet bowl. Further, preferably, the cleaning agent retaining member circumference, thus configured, is expandable to a larger circumference to fit snugly within an upper area of the toilet bowl just under the toilet bowl rim. Preferably, the aforementioned expanded circumference of the cleaning agent retaining member in the shape of an annular member may be reversed to a smaller circumference. Such may be useful in case the cleaning agent retaining member is unduly expanded before installation, to allow for reversal of the expansion for later easy insertion of the cleaning agent retaining member into a toilet bowl.

[0020] In accordance with an aspect and embodiment of the disclosure, the toilet bowl cleaning device further comprises a ratchet and pawl mechanism, wherein first and second ends of the cleaning agent retaining member are adapted for being adjustably interconnected via the ratchet and pawl mechanism implemented between the two ends to allow for expansion of the circumference of the cleaning agent retaining member to fit within a toilet bowl just below the upper rim of the toilet bowl. Further, preferably there is provided a release mechanism adapted for releasing the ratchet and pawl mechanism in this embodiment of the disclosure to reverse the expansion of the circumference of the cleaning agent retaining member in the shape of an annular member to a smaller circumference. Or, alternatively, it will be appreciated that the toilet bowl cleaning device’s cleaning agent retaining member may be comprised of a flexible material (whether with or without a ratchet and pawl expansion mechanism as described), so as to be easily bent for removal from the toilet bowl.

[0021] In accordance with another aspect and embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided a peel-off packaging material portion which may be implemented around the tubular shaped cleaning agent retaining member portion of the toilet bowl cleaning device, or around the entire toilet bowl cleaning device for that matter, and which may be used to help seal the apertures of the cleaning device to help retain the cleaning agent within the retaining member during storage and transit. [0022] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that there are various possible combinations of the above-described elements and sub-elements for various embodiments of the invention, whether such elements and sub-elements be combined in whole or in part, which may be employed without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.

[0023] The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. However, both the organization and method of operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following descriptions taken in connection with accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 A is a top view of a toilet bowl cleaning device in accordance with one or more aspects and an embodiment of the disclosure wherein a ratchet and pawl mechanism of the device is located at an outer portion of the cleaning device and adapted for facing toward a closest wall portion of the toilet bowl;

[0025] FIG. IB is a top view of an alternative embodiment toilet bowl cleaning device in accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure wherein the ratchet and pawl mechanism of the device is located at an inner portion of the toilet bowl cleaning device and is thus adapted for facing inwardly, or away from, a closest wall portion of the toilet bowl;

[0026] FIG. 2A shows a detailed cut-away side view of the ratchet and pawl mechanism and part of an alternative embodiment toilet bowl cleaning device showing how the ratchet portion of the mechanism is inserted into an end of a tubular cleaning agent retaining member of the toilet bowl cleaning device as the pawl engages with the ratchet in an upwardly-facing orientation of the mechanism relative to the device;

[0027] FIG. 2B shows a detailed cut-away side view of the ratchet and pawl mechanism and part of yet another alternative embodiment toilet bowl cleaning device similar to that of FIG. 2 A, but with the toilet bowl cleaning device being expanded to expand the circumference of the device adapted to rest on an inner wall surface of the toilet bowl to be secured within the toilet bowl just below the upper rim of the toilet bowl, and showing the ratchet and pawl member of the device being installed in a downwardly-facing orientation relative to the device;

[0028] FIG. 3 A a detailed cut-away side view of a portion of an alternative embodiment of a toilet bowl cleaning device, wherein in the pawl portion of the ratchet and pawl device is integrated into an upwardly-facing orientation relative to the device;

[0029] FIG. 3B is a detailed top view of the alternative embodiment of the toilet bowl cleaning device shown in FIG. 3 A, wherein the device is expanded to expand the circumference of the device adapted to rest on an inner wall surface of the toilet bowl to be secured within the toilet bowl just below the upper rim of the toilet bowl; [0030] FIG. 4 is a side view of a standard toilet showing the position of a toilet bowl cleaning device in accordance with one or more aspects and embodiments of the disclosure when it is properly installed in the toilet bowl;

[0031] FIG. 5 is a three-dimensional perspective view of the toilet showing the position of a toilet bowl cleaning device in accordance with one or more aspects and embodiments of the disclosure when it is installed in the toilet bowl;

[0032] FIG. 6 is a cross-section side view showing water flow patterns of a conventional toilet during flushing; [0033] FIG. 7 is a cross-section side view of a conventional toilet with a toilet bowl cleaning device installed in a slightly higher location than that of FIG. 5 and showing water flow patterns during flushing such that water flows over and into the toilet bowl cleaning device to activate controlled release of cleaning agent chemicals into the toilet bowl during flushing;

[0034] FIG. 8A is a side view of a segment of a tubular shaped cleaning agent retaining member portion of a toilet bowl cleaning device in accordance with one or more aspects and embodiments of the disclosure and showing apertures in the cleaning agent retaining member for allowing water to pass through the member to activate controlled release of cleaning agent chemicals into the toilet bowl during flushing;

[0035] FIG. 8B is a cross-section view of the tubular shaped cleaning agent retaining member of FIG. 8 A showing cleaning agent within an interior portion of the cleaning agent retaining member of the toilet bowl cleaning device;

[0036] FIG. 8C is an alternative embodiment of a tubular shaped cleaning agent retaining member portion of a toilet bowl cleaning device in accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure and showing a membrane or a porous material at the apertures to regulate the flow of cleaning agent;

[0037] FIG. 8D is a cross section view of the alternative tubular shaped cleaning agent retaining member of FIG. 8C showing cleaning agent within an interior portion of the cleaning agent retaining member and having the membrane or other porous material over the apertures to regulate the flow of cleaning agent;

[0038] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a toilet with the toilet bowl cleaning device being removed from the toilet bowl by deforming the ring member of the device; [0039] FIG. 10A shows a peel-off packaging material portion implemented around the alternative embodiment of a tubular shaped cleaning agent retaining member portion of FIG. 8C and which may be used to help retain the cleaning agent within the retaining member; and

[0040] FIG. 10B is a cross section view of the alternative tubular shaped cleaning agent retaining member of FIG. 8C showing further the peel-off packaging material which may be used to help retain the cleaning agent within the cleaning agent retaining member.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0041] As background information for the environment in which the various devices of the disclosure may be used, there are a number of different styles of toilets 400, 500, 600, 700 some of which are represented in FIGS. 4 - 7.

Regardless of the style of toilet involved, whether involving toilet 400, 500, 600, 700, the device 100 of the disclosure may be adapted for use preferably near an upper rim portion 460 of the toilet, wherein preferably the upper rim portion serves as a conduit 640 for water 645 flushing from the tank 410 (having a lid 610), upon activation of a flush handle 455, past a stopper 630 into a primary channel of the conduit 640 to then be distributed about the rim 460 and into the bowl 420 (resting on a base portion 430) via flow an annular water flow opening 425 in the toilet communicating between the conduit 640 and bowl 420 as shown with arrows 635 in FIG. 6. Of course, it will be appreciated that there are other styles of toilets than those shown here and with which the device of the present disclosure may be used, all without departing from the broader aspects of the device as claimed.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 1 A there is provided a top view of a toilet bowl cleaning device 100 in accordance with one or more aspects and an embodiment of the disclosure and comprising generally a preferably annular cleaning agent retaining member 105 (also known as a ring member) preferably having first and second ends 106, 107, respectively, wherein ratchet 110 and spring-biased-closed pawl 111 mechanisms of the device are located at an outer portion of the cleaning device and adapted for facing toward a wall surface portion 670 of the toilet bowl 420. The ratchet 110 extends from end 107 of the ring member 105, whereas the pawl member 111 is attached to the end 106 of the ring member. In this embodiment of the toilet bowl cleaning device 100 of the disclosure, the pawl 111 would likely be in contact with the toilet bowl 420 surface 670, preferably at a location within an upper annular portion of a toilet bowl where the annular ring member 105 will ideally be expanded so as to be retained at and reside within flow of water 645 emerging via the flow apertures 425 located under the upper rim 460 of the toilet bowl 420. This embodiment of the device 100 may be better suited for toilets where the pawl portion 111 (and the ratchet portion 110 as well) may be exposed to view and such that in this configuration, with the pawl facing outwardly against the wall surface 670 of the toilet bowl 420, it may be located so as to avoid becoming impacted by waste. [0043] The ring member 105 of the toilet bowl cleaning device 100 further preferably comprises a plurality of openings, or apertures, 825 spaced around an outer periphery of the ring member. In FIG. 1 A, there are shown seven such openings 825, though fewer or more may be used without departing form the broader aspects of the device 100 as claimed. Further, it will be appreciated that though the openings 825 are shown as stadium shaped, they may be round, oval, ellipse, rectangular, or other shape without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed. As suggested in FIG. 7, not only is the device 100 ideally sized, or sizable (expanded, and expandable, in circumference) so as to be retained just beneath the upper rim 460 of the toilet bowl 420, but it is also preferably of circular crosssection.

[0044] FIG. 8A shows a side view of a segment of a cleaning agent retaining member, or ring member, 105 portion of a toilet bowl cleaning device (e.g., any of device 100 or other toilet bowl cleaning device disclosed herein) in accordance with one or more aspects and embodiments of the disclosure.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 8B, a cross-section of the ring member 105 shows that it is preferably circular in cross section, i.e., tubular-shaped, for retaining cleaning agent 820 within the ring member 105 of the toilet bowl cleaning device 100.

[0046] As shown more clearly in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the cleaning agent 820 (whether gel, solid, granular, liquid, or a combination of these) is retained within walls 305 of the ring member 105 and can therefore also be seen through the apertures 825 of the ring member 105. The cleaning agent 820 may dissolve or otherwise be diluted or be assimilated by/into water as the water comes in contact with the cleaning agent during flushing of the toilet 400, 500, 600, 700.

[0047] When the toilet 400, 500, 600, 700 is flushed during normal operation, the water 620 in the water tank 410 rushes through a temporarily opened opening stopped with the stopper 630 and through the annular opening 425 just under the toilet bowl rim 460. Thus, the water 620 is ideally directed over the ring member 105 of the device 100 such that the water comes into contact with, and would tend to pass through, the apertures 825 of the ring member to come into contact with the cleaning agent 820. In this manner, as the cleaning agent 820 dissolves, liquifies, or is otherwise diluted or assimilated into the water 620, the cleaning agent is dispersed onto the wall surface 670 of the toilet bowl 620, and thereby the cleaning agent helps to keep the walls of the toilet bowl clean and fresh.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 8C and 8D, there is shown an alternative embodiment of a tubular shaped cleaning agent retaining ring member 105 portion of a toilet bowl cleaning device 100, 150 in accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure and showing a membrane 850 or other porous material at the apertures 825 to regulate the flow of cleaning agent, for example dissolved cleaning agent, through apertures. The membrane 850 may be made to line the inner surface of the ring member 105, or it may be otherwise located at the apertures as with gluing or otherwise attaching the membrane at the apertures as shown at FIG. 8D. The membrane 850 helps to preserve the cleaning agent for prolonged use, and it may be helpful to better retain liquid-type cleaning agents.

[0049] FIG. IB is a top view of an alternative embodiment toilet bowl cleaning device 150 in accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure wherein the toilet bowl cleaning device 150 of this embodiment may be oriented such that a ratchet 110 and spring-biased-closed pawl 111 mechanism (just as with the device 100 of FIG. 1A) is located at an inner portion of the cleaning device 150 and thus adapted for facing inwardly away from a wall surface portion 670 of the toilet bowl 420.

[0050] As with toilet bowl cleaning device 100, the device 150 also further comprises apertures 825, and preferably ends 106, 107. Nevertheless, it will be appreciated that any of the toilet bowl cleaning devices of the present disclosure may be provided with the ends 106, 107 separated (i.e., so as to be packaged in linear fashion to accommodate specific store shelf space requirements), it being the case in such an embodiment that a user would be instructed on how to insert end 107 into end 106 such that the ratchet 110 and pawl 111 mechanisms engage to retain the ring member 105 of the device 100, 150 (or other alternative device described herein) in an ideal degree of expansion of circumference and diameter so as to fit snugly into the toilet bowl 420 so as to be retained at just under the rim 460 of the toilet bowl and preferably thereby out of sight of users of the toilet 400, 500, 600, 700. In other words, since a typical toilet bowl 420 tapers inwardly from an uppermost portion of the bowl where there are there is an annular opening 425 for passage of water 620 from the tank 410 through the central conduit 640 portion, into the conduit within the rim 460, out through the opening and into the bowl 420, such taper allows for the ring member 105 to be held in place as it is enlarged so as to fit snugly up near the top of the bowl, the taper and friction between the ring and the wall surface 670 of the bowl preventing the device 100, 150 from falling down into the bowl, but rather keeping it up in position preferably hidden just under the rim.

[0051] Thus, in this location, the device 100, 150 (or other toilet bowl cleaning device disclosed herein) may be retained within the path of water 620 designed to flow from the conduit 640 via the annular opening 425 under the rim 460 of the bowl toilet 420. Further, in this way the cleaning agent 820 retained in the ring member 105 is made to come in contact with the water as it passes into from the tank 410 into the toilet bowl 420.

[0052] FIG. 2 A shows a detailed cut-away side view of a ratchet 210 and pawl 220 mechanism of a part of an alternate embodiment toilet bowl cleaning device 200 that is similar to that of devices 100, 150 of FIGS. 1 A and IB, but showing how the ratchet 210 portion of the mechanism is inserted into an end of a tubular cleaning agent retaining member 105 of the toilet bowl cleaning device 200 in such a way that the pawl 220 engages with the ratchet 210 at an upper portion of the device 200 such that the pawl and ratchet teeth 212 face upwardly (instead of outwardly or inwardly as shown in FIGS. 1 A and IB, respectively.

[0053] Further, the embodiment of pawl 220 shown in FIG. 2A further comprises a lift engaging member 215 to allow a user to use a finger to lift the pawl to disengage it from the ratchet teeth 212 to allow contraction or reduction of the circumference and diameter of the device 200 to allow for easier installation, or removal, of the device if it has either been expanded too far to fit in in the bowl 420 during initial installation, or to facilitate easier removal of the device from the bowl. As with prior described embodiments of the device 100, 150, the pawl member is spring biased closed/engaged as indicated at 225.

[0054] FIG. 2B shows another detailed cut-away side view of the toilet bowl cleaning device 250 very similar to device 200 of FIG. 2A, but showing the device 250 with the ring member 105 of the cleaning device being expanded to expand the circumference thereof to secure it within a toilet bowl 420 just below the upper rim 460 of the toilet bowl, and further showing the ratchet 210 teeth 212 and pawl 220 portions of the device 250 oriented so as to be facing downwardly. Similar to the pawl 220 of the device 200, the pawl 220 of the device 250 is also preferably spring- biased in an engaged position with the teeth 212 of the ratchet 210. The ratchet 210 has a base portion 205 where the ratchet connects to the end 107 of the ring member 105. As shown in devices 200, 250, there are provided inner wall portions 240 adapted for retaining the cleaning agent 820 within a hollow interior, or conduit, of the ring member 105.

[0055] Referring now to FIG. 3 A, there is shown a detailed cut-away side view of part of an alternative embodiment portion of a toilet bowl cleaning device 300, wherein the pawl 320 portion of the ratchet 210 is integrated into an outer portion of a tubular cleaning agent retaining member 105. Thus, with this embodiment of the pawl 320, the material (i.e., such as a resilient plastic material) of the pawl and tube are angled downwardly so as to be oriented in an engaged position of the pawl relative to the ratchet 210 teeth 212, and wherein the resilient and somewhat flexible material of the pawl serves to removably bias it against the teeth such that expansion of the ring member 105 is permitted just by pulling apart the two ends 106, 107 to lock the ring member into an increasingly larger circumference/diameter as the two ends are pulled apart.

[0056] Similar to the pawl member 220 of FIGS. 2A and 2B, the pawl member 320 of FIGS. 3A has a finger lift portion 315 to allow for lifting of the pawl member to allow retraction of the ring member 105 to a smaller circumference for easy removal of the device 300 from a toilet bowl 420, or to make the device smaller to allow installation into a toilet bowl if the device had previously been enlarged too much to easily install it into an upper portion of the toilet bowl as described previously.

[0057] FIG. 3B is a detailed top view of the alternative embodiment of the toilet bowl cleaning device 300 shown in FIG. 3A, wherein the device in FIG. 3B is shown in a more expanded condition, and wherein the toilet bowl cleaning device 300 is expanded to expand the circumference of the device to secure it within a toilet bowl 420 just below the upper rim 460 of the toilet bowl. Similar to the device 300 shown in FIG. 3 A, the device of FIG. 3B also shows a finger lifting member to allow easy disengagement of the pawl 320 from teeth 212 of ratchet 210 to allow for contraction of the device 300 for easy installation and/or removal of the device from a toilet bowl.

[0058] Referring again to FIG. 4, there is shown a side view of a standard toilet

400 as previously described herein and showing in dashed lines the position of an installed toilet bowl cleaning device 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 in the toilet bowl 420 just below the rim 460 of the toilet bowl, in the proposed flow of water, wherein the ring member 105 is adapted to be installed to enable trouble-free, adjustable, variably positionable/ locatable use with any of a number of different toilet designs.

[0059] FIG. 5 is a three-dimensional perspective view of the toilet 500 showing the position of a toilet bowl cleaning device 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 located in the toilet just below the rim 460 of the toilet bowl, wherein the ring member 105 is adapted to be installed to enable trouble-free, adjustable, variably positionable/locatable (so as to be adaptable to any of a number of different toilet designs), adjustable, sign) use.

[0060] FIG. 7 is a cross-section side view of a conventional toilet 700 with a toilet bowl cleaning device 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 properly installed located just beneath the rim of the toilet and within proposed the flow of water 620 out of the rim 460 and into the bowl 420. In this location of the ring member 105, the water 620 flows over the openings 825 of the ring member to come into contact with and activate a controlled release of cleaning agent chemicals 820 into the toilet bowl 420 during flushing of the toilet 700.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 9, a user may grab the device 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, to bend or deform the ring member 150 of the device so that it may be installed, or removed, from the toilet bowl 420. Further, by way of the ratchet 110 and pawl 111, the ring member may be enlarged (for example, in the case where it comes already formed in a loop in packaging upon sale), or the ratchet and pawl may be used upon inserting an end 107 of the ring member into another end 106 of the ring member such that the ratchet and pawl engages so that the ring member is formed and retained into such a loop (for example, in the case where it comes in more linear form and packaging upon sale). In either case, the ratchet 110 and pawl 111 may be actuated by a user so that the ring member 105 is lengthened, or elongated, by pulling apart the ends 106, 107 thereof to form a larger diameter loop to fit in a larger diameter toilet bowl 420. Or, alternatively, the finger lift portion 315 of the pawl 111 may be lifted and the ends 106, 107 pushed together again to make the diameter of the loop of the ring member 105 smaller to assist with removal of the device 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 from the toilet bowl 420. Or, this action (lifting of the finger lift portion 315) may be employed in case the loop of the ring member 105 is accidentally made too large to fit in a given toilet bowl 420. In this way the various devices 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 of the disclosure may be manipulated to achieve a good fit between the device and the toilet bowl to ensure that the device stays in position within the flow of water 620 upon flushing, and thereby ensure that water flows over the cleaning agent retained with in the ring member 105 to aid in dispersing of the cleaning agent into the toilet bowl 420 upon flushing so that the toilet bowl stays clean and fresh.

[0062] Referring now to FIGS. 10A and 10B, there are shown views of a peel-off, or otherwise removable, packaging material 1020 portion implemented around the alternative embodiment of a tubular shaped cleaning agent retaining member 105 portion of a toilet bowl cleaning device 100, 150 of FIG. 8C. The packaging material 1020, which may be used with any embodiment of the toilet bowl cleaning device 100, 150 may serve to seal the apertures 825 to help retain the cleaning agent within the retaining member while on the shelf at the store, otherwise in storage, or in transit.

[0063] While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. For example, it will be appreciated that one of ordinary skill in the art may mix and match the various components of the various embodiments of the invention without departing from the true spirit of the invention as claimed. Thus, by way of example, it will be appreciated that a spring-biased pawl member 320 may be used with any of the devices 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 without departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention as claimed. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.