Under-the-rim dispensing unit
First Claim
1. A dispenser for using a flow of water during a toilet flush to dispense a dissolvable product into a toilet bowl, said dispenser comprising:
- a substantially sealed container for containing and releasing water, said container having an upper surface which includes an entrance permitting water to enter said container, said container also having an exit opening disposed in a lower portion thereof permitting water and dissolved product to be released from said container;
a holder for holding the dissolvable product in said container in a position to contact water contained in said container;
flow interruption means for interrupting the flow of water as it passes said dispenser and for channelling the interrupted flow of water toward said entrance; and
a deflector for deflecting water as it initially enters said container through said entrance so that the initially entering water is substantially prevented from directly contacting the product, thereby delaying dissolution of the product.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A dispenser for dispensing a dissolvable product into a toilet bowl. The structure of the dispenser properly meters and times the flow of water therethrough to increase operational efficiency. The dispenser includes a substantially sealed container enclosing the product and having an entrance hole and an exit hole. Water flow interruptions are positioned to interrupt the flow of flush water and to channel the water to the entrance. A sufficient change of water is guaranteed by the deflectors while excess water is limited by the size of the entrance. A deflector is positioned to deflect water away from the product, and instead to cause the water to rise gently in the containers. The size of the exit hole ensures that water remains in the container after flushing has stopped, so that the dissolved product is efficiently infused into the water standing in the toilet bowl as the water level in the container recedes.
82 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A dispenser for using a flow of water during a toilet flush to dispense a dissolvable product into a toilet bowl, said dispenser comprising:
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a substantially sealed container for containing and releasing water, said container having an upper surface which includes an entrance permitting water to enter said container, said container also having an exit opening disposed in a lower portion thereof permitting water and dissolved product to be released from said container; a holder for holding the dissolvable product in said container in a position to contact water contained in said container; flow interruption means for interrupting the flow of water as it passes said dispenser and for channelling the interrupted flow of water toward said entrance; and a deflector for deflecting water as it initially enters said container through said entrance so that the initially entering water is substantially prevented from directly contacting the product, thereby delaying dissolution of the product. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A dispenser for using a flow of water during a toilet flush to dispense a dissolvable product into a toilet bowl, said dispenser comprising:
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a substantially sealed container for containing and releasing water, said container having an upper surface which includes an entrance permitting water to enter said container, said container also having an exit opening disposed in a lower portion thereof permitting water and dissolved product to be released from said container, said exit opening being sufficiently small to retain water within said container after the toilet has finished flushing; a holder for holding the dissolvable product in said container in a position above a level of residual water contained in said container; and a plurality of ribs oriented to interrupt the flow of water as it passes said dispenser and to channel the interrupted flow of water toward said entrance; wherein said entrance is disposed so as to deflect water as it initially enters said container so that the initially entering water is substantially prevented from directly contacting the product, thereby delaying dissolution of the product. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A dispenser for using a flow of water during a toilet flush to dispense a dissolvable product into a toilet bowl, said dispenser comprising:
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a substantially sealed container for containing and releasing water, said container including a housing and a removable cover, said cover having an entrance permitting water to enter said container, said housing having an exit opening disposed in a lower portion thereof adjacent an inwardly facing surface of said housing, said exit opening permitting water and dissolved product to be released from said container, said exit opening being sufficiently small to retain water within said container after the toilet has finished flushing; a holder including a plurality of supports for holding the dissolvable product in said container in a position above a level of residual water contained in said container; and a plurality of ribs disposed in said cover and oriented to interrupt the flow of water as it passes said dispenser, said ribs forming an inclined channel for channelling the interrupted flow of water toward said entrance; wherein said entrance is disposed at a lower portion of said inclined channel so as to deflect water as it initially enters said container so that the initially entering water contacts an inside surface of said housing and is substantially prevented from directly contacting the product, thereby delaying dissolution of the product. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification