Dissolvable unit dose applicator for cleaning substances

Abstract

An apparatus for applying a cleaning substance to a bathroom surface to be cleaned includes a body that is dissolvable in water, the body having an elongate, distally-facing wall defining a cavity for releasably retaining the cleaning substance until the body is dislodged by flowing water. For toilet surface applications, the apparatus includes a cleaning substance and a body that is dissolvable in water. The body has a distally-facing cavity for releasably retaining the cleaning substance and a proximally-extending gripping mechanism to permit the user to grip the body and then press the cleaning substance against the toilet surface. The body is configured to release the cleaning substance to permit the body to be dislodged. A method for applying a cleaning substance includes the following steps: employing the water dissolvable body to apply the cleaning substance to the toilet bowl; and removing the body thereby leaving the cleaning substance.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for applying a cleaning substance to a bathroom surface to be cleaned, the apparatus comprising a body that is dissolvable in water, the body having an elongate, distally-facing wall defining a cavity for releasably retaining the cleaning substance until the body is dislodged by flowing water. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a releasing agent applied to the distally-facing wall of the body for facilitating the dislodging of the body, and thereby the release of the cleaning substance from the cavity. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises a distally-disposed terminal edge that is adapted to be pressed against the surface to facilitate application of the cleaning substance to the bathroom surface. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body former comprises a proximally-extending gripping mechanism to permit the user to grip the body and press the cleaning substance against the bathroom surface. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the proximally-extending gripping mechanism comprises a flat, broad portion adapted to facilitate the dislodging of the body, and thereby the release of the cleaning substance from the cavity. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for applying a cleaning substance to a toilet surface to be cleaned, comprising:
 a cleaning substance for cleaning the toilet surface; and   a body that is dissolvable in water, the body defining a distally-facing cavity for releasably retaining the cleaning substance, the body having a proximally-extending gripping mechanism to permit the user to grip the body and then press the cleaning substance against the toilet surface, wherein the body is configured to release the cleaning substance to permit the body to be dislodged by flowing water.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising a releasing material that is disposed on a distally-facing surface of the body between the cleaning substance and the body to facilitate the release of the cleaning substance from the body. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the body further comprises a distally-disposed terminal edge that is adapted to be pressed against die toilet surface to facilitate application of the cleaning substance to the toilet surface. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the proximally-extending gripping mechanism comprises a single protruding member adapted to facilitate the dislodging of the body, and thereby the release of the cleaning substance from the body. 
     
     
         10 . A method for applying a cleaning substance to a toilet bowl, the method comprising:
 selecting a body that is dissolvable in water, the body defining a distally-facing cavity that removably retains the cleaning substance, and having a distally-disposed terminal edge and a proximally-extending gripping mechanism;   pressing the cleaning substance against the toilet bowl using the gripping mechanism, to apply the cleaning substance to the toilet bowl; and   removing the body such that the cleaning substance is left on the toilet bowl.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the step of removing the body comprises manually removing the body from the cleaning substance. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the step of removing the body comprises permitting the body to be removed from the cleaning substance by water acting on the body as the toilet is flushed.