Dispensing liquids

• US 6,505,356 B1
• Filed: 02/27/2001
• Issued: 01/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Original Assignee: SC Johnson & Son Incorporated
• Inventors: Johnson, Marilyn M., Brown, Trevor O., Buhler, James E., Corba, Robert E., Demarest, Scott W., Miller, Allen D., Leonard, Stephen B., Mineau, Steven B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fetsuga, Robert M.
• Application Number:
  US09/719,534
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: 422/3, 422/4, 422/71, 423/1, 430/9
• US Class Current: 4/231
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 9/032 Devices connected to or dispensing into the bowl

Abstract

A liquid dispenser comprises a housing and a hook for suspending the housing from the rim of a lavatory bowl. A user inserts a sealed inverted reservoir bottle into the housing, which breaks the seal. A plate located in the housing conveys liquid from the bottle to a position within the stream of flushing water. The plate can be adjusted to accommodate different lavatories. To allow venting of the bottle, small vent holes are formed in the plate. The plate may have a number of raised holes or elongate slots. A vent system for the bottle is also provided.

Claims

1. A dispensing device for dispensing a liquid from a rim of a toilet bowl, the device comprising:

a reservoir for holding the liquid;

a housing for holding the reservoir, the housing including a wicking device for conveying liquid to be dispensed from the reservoir to a position within the stream of flushing water, the wicking device comprising a plate having channels formed therein; and

means for suspending the housing from the rim of the toilet bowl,

wherein the channels are arranged in a substantially parallel fashion.

2. The dispensing device of claim 1 wherein:

the plate is retained in a substantially fixed position when in use in the toilet bowl.

3. The dispensing device of claim 2 wherein:

the plate is retained in a generally horizontal plane.

4. The dispensing device of claim 1 wherein:

the plate has a first portion for receiving liquid from the reservoir and a second portion intended to be positioned within the stream of flushing water.

5. The dispensing device of claim 1 wherein:

the plate is non-porous.

6. The dispensing device of claim 5 wherein:

the plate includes a recess extending transversely to the direction of the channels.

7. The dispensing device of claim 6 wherein:

the recess communicates with the channels.

8. The dispensing device of claim 1 wherein:

the plate further comprises a projection for insertion in a mouth of the reservoir.

9. A dispensing device for dispensing a liquid from a rim of a toilet bowl, the device comprising:

a reservoir for holding the liquid;

a housing for holding the reservoir, the housing including a wicking device for conveying liquid to be dispensed from the reservoir to a position within the stream of flushing water, the wicking device comprising a plate having channels formed therein; and

means for suspending the housing from the rim of the toilet bowl,

wherein the channels are arranged in a splayed fashion.

10. The dispensing device of claim 9 wherein:

the plate is retained in a substantially fixed position when in use in the toilet bowl.

11. The dispensing device of claim 10 wherein:

the plate is retained in a generally horizontal plane.

12. The dispensing device of claim 9 wherein:

the plate has a first portion for receiving liquid from the reservoir and a second portion intended to be positioned within the stream of flushing water.

13. The dispensing device of claim 9 wherein:

the plate is non-porous.

14. The dispensing device of claim 13 wherein:

the plate includes a recess extending transversely to the direction of the channels.

15. The dispensing device of claim 14 wherein:

the recess communicates with the channels.

16. The dispensing device of claim 9 wherein:

the plate further comprises a projection for insertion in a mouth of the reservoir.

17. A dispensing device for dispensing a liquid from a rim of a toilet bowl, the device comprising:

a reservoir for holding the liquid;

a housing for holding the reservoir, the housing including a wicking device for conveying liquid to be dispensed from the reservoir to a position within the stream of flushing water, the wicking device comprising a plate having channels formed in an upper surface of the plate; and

means for suspending the housing from the rim of the toilet bowl,

wherein the plate is retained in a substantially fixed position when in use in the toilet bowl.

18. The dispensing device of claim 17 wherein:

the plate is non-porous.

19. The dispensing device of claim 17 wherein:

the plate includes a recess extending transversely to the direction of the channels and the recess communicates with the channels.

20. The dispensing device of claim 17 wherein:

the reservoir has a mouth and a frangible seal to cover the mouth, the seal being broken when the reservoir is placed in the housing.

21. The dispensing device of claim 20 wherein:

the plate further comprises a projection for insertion in the mouth of the reservoir.

22. A dispensing device for dispensing a liquid from a rim of a toilet bowl, the device comprising:

a reservoir for holding the liquid;

a housing for holding the reservoir, the housing including a wicking device for conveying liquid to be dispensed from the reservoir to a position within the stream of flushing water, the wicking device comprising a non-porous plate having channels formed therein; and

means for suspending the housing from the rim of the toilet bowl,

wherein the plate is retained in a substantially fixed position when in use in the toilet bowl.

23. The dispensing device of claim 22 wherein:

the plate includes a recess extending transversely to the direction of the channels and the recess communicates with the channels.

24. The dispensing device of claim 22 wherein:

the reservoir has a mouth and a frangible seal to cover the mouth, the seal being broken when the reservoir is placed in the housing.

25. The dispensing device of claim 24 wherein:

the plate further comprises a projection for insertion in the mouth of the reservoir.

26. A dispensing device for dispensing a liquid from a rim of a toilet bowl, the device comprising:

a reservoir for holding the liquid, the reservoir having a mouth and a frangible seal to cover the mouth;

a housing for holding the reservoir, the frangible seal being broken when the reservoir is placed in the housing, the housing including a wicking device for conveying liquid to be dispensed from the reservoir to a position within the stream of flushing water, the wicking device comprising a plate having channels formed therein; and

means for suspending the housing from the rim of the toilet bowl,

wherein the plate further comprises a projection for insertion in the mouth of the reservoir.

27. The dispensing device of claim 26 wherein:

the plate is non-porous.

28. The dispensing device of claim 26 wherein:

the plate is retained in a substantially fixed position when in use in the toilet bowl.

29. A liquid-dispensing device arranged to be suspended from a rim of a lavatory, the device comprising:

a liquid reservoir having a mouth and a closure member arranged, when in its closed position to seal the mouth and which can be moved into an open position, in which liquid can be dispensed from the reservoir;

opening means for causing the closure member to be so moved into said open position; and

means for retaining said closure member in its open position,

wherein said closure member is substantially rigid and arranged to be pivoted between said open and closed positions about one side thereof.

30. A device as claimed in claim 29, wherein the angle through which said closure member is moved between said open and closed positions is substantially 90 degrees.

31. A device as claimed in claim 29, wherein said opening means comprises a projection arranged to bear on a side of the closure member generally opposite to said one side.

32. A device as claimed in claim 31, wherein said retaining means comprises a second projection arranged to bear on a face of the closure member when in its open position.

33. A device as claimed in claim 32, wherein said closure member is substantially circular and said opening means and said retaining means are disposed at diametrically opposed positions in relation to the closure member.

34. A device as claimed in claim 33, wherein said opening means and said retaining means are formed on a substantially circular obliquely truncated cylinder which is arranged to be inserted into the mouth of the reservoir to cause the closure member thereof to move into its open position.

35. A device as claimed in claim 34, wherein said opening means comprises the end portion of the obliquely truncated cylinder.

36. A device as claimed in claim 34, wherein said retaining means comprises a projection from the cylinder.

37. A device as claimed in claim 36, wherein said projection comprises a stud.

38. A device as claimed in claim 34, wherein the cylinder and the reservoir mouth are so dimensioned as to form a substantially liquid-tight seal when the cylinder is inserted in the reservoir mouth.

39. A device as claimed in claim 29 wherein the opening means and the retaining means form part of a housing for the reservoir.

40. A device as claimed in claim 39, wherein said housing comprises means for suspending the device such that, when the opening means and the retaining means are inserted in the reservoir mouth, the reservoir is supported in an inverted position with the mouth lowermost, such that the liquid can be dispensed from the reservoir.

41. A dispensing unit for dispensing a liquid from a rim of a lavatory bowl, the unit comprising:

a housing containing a wicking device for conveying liquid to be dispensed from a reservoir to a position within the stream of flushing water,

wherein the unit is so structured as to permit the position of the wicking device to be adjusted between different positions so as to function with lavatory bowls with different shapes and different flushing systems.

42. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 41, wherein the wicking device is provided with at least one venting aperture.

43. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 42, wherein the wicking device is provided with at least one venting aperture positioned such that there is at least one functioning venting hole for every possible functional position of the adjustable wicking device.

44. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 42, further comprising a spillage tray positioned in use below the wicking device, and having formed therein a vent channel arranged in communication with at least one functioning venting aperture.

45. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 42 wherein said at least one venting aperture comprises one or more substantially circular holes.

46. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 42, wherein said at least one venting aperture comprises one or more elongate slits.

47. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 41, further comprising a conduit for conveying liquid from the reservoir to the wicking device.

48. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 47, wherein the conduit comprises a cylindrical inlet portion of substantially circular cross-section for engaging a circular mouth of a bottle constituting the reservoir.

49. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 48, wherein the inlet portion terminates obliquely so as to define a substantially elliptical aperture.

50. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 48, wherein the conduit further comprises a substantially cylindrical outlet portion having a cross-sectional area substantially less than that of the inlet portion.

51. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 50, wherein the inlet portion of the conduit is laterally displaced from the outlet portion.

52. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 50, wherein the substantially cylindrical outlet portion has a substantially D-shaped cross-section.

53. A dispensing unit as claim 50, in claim wherein the substantially cylindrical outlet portion has a substantially circular cross-section.

54. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 50, wherein the substantially cylindrical outlet portion has a substantially rectangular cross-section.

55. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 50, wherein the housing further comprises a cylindrical barrier member at least partially surrounding the outlet portion of the conduit to act as a barrier against water ingress into the reservoir.

56. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 55, wherein the barrier member is substantially rectangular in cross-section.

57. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 56, wherein one of the two long sides of the substantially rectangular cross-section of the barrier member coincides with a diameter of the substantially circular inlet portion of the conduit when viewed in longitudinal cross-section.

58. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 50, and structured such that the outlet portion of the conduit bears against the wicking device so as to create a substantially liquid-tight seal therebetween.

59. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 41, wherein the wicking device comprises a first portion for receiving liquid from the reservoir and a second portion arranged to be positioned in use in a dispensing position.

60. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 59, wherein the second portion is arranged to be positioned in use within the stream of flushing water.

61. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 60, wherein the second portion is arranged to be positioned in use between the first portion and the rim of the lavatory bowl.

62. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 58, wherein the unit is structured so as to permit the position of the wicking device to be adjusted by sliding the first portion thereof against the outlet portion of the conduit.

63. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 41, wherein the wicking device is substantially laminar.

64. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 63, wherein the laminar wicking device is formed with a depression for receiving a neck of a bottle constituting said reservoir.

65. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 63, wherein the wicking device is formed with one or more elongate apertures and the housing comprises a corresponding one or more projections for engaging the elongate apertures so as to define an outermost possible operative position of the wicking device.

66. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 65, wherein said one or more projections each comprises a spring finger which is arranged to engage its corresponding aperture in the wicking device when the wicking device is inserted into the housing.

67. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 63, wherein the wicking device comprises a projection for insertion in the mouth of said reservoir in use, the projection having formed therethrough a vent channel.

68. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 41, wherein the wicking device comprises a porous pad.

69. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 41, wherein the wicking device comprises a plate with channels formed therein.

70. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 69, wherein said channels are arranged in a splayed configuration thereby to convey the liquid from the reservoir in divergent paths.

71. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 41, wherein the wicking device comprises a plate with substantially circular holes formed therein.

73. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 48, wherein the bottle comprises an opening for dispensing the liquid therefrom, the opening having a substantially circular cross-section greater than that of the inlet portion of the conduit.

74. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 73, wherein the opening and the inlet portion of the conduit are so dimensioned as to form a substantially liquid-tight seal when the inlet portion is inserted into the opening.

75. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 73, wherein the mouth of the bottle is covered prior to use with a frangible seal which is arranged to be broken in use by compressing the seal against the cylindrical inlet portion of the conduit.

76. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 75, wherein the cylindrical inlet portion of the conduit comprises opening means for causing the frangible seal to be so broken and retaining means for retaining the frangible seal in a position which does not block the mouth of the bottle.

77. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 76, wherein the frangible seal is substantially rigid and arranged to be pivoted between its open and closed positions about one side thereof.

78. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 77, wherein the angle through which the frangible seal is moved between said open and closed positions is substantially 90 degrees.

79. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 77, wherein said opening means comprises a projection arranged to bear on the side of the frangible seal generally opposite to said one side.

80. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 79, wherein said retaining means comprises a further projection arranged to bear on a face of the frangible seal when in its open position.

81. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 80, wherein the frangible seal is substantially circular and staid opening means and said retaining means are disposed at diametrically opposed positions in relation to the frangible seal.

82. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 81, wherein said opening means and said retaining means are formed on a substantially circular obliquely truncated cylinder which is arranged to be inserted into the mouth of the bottle to cause the frangible seal to move into its open position.

83. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 82, wherein said opening means comprises the end portion of the obliquely truncated cylinder.

84. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 82, wherein said retaining means comprises a projection from the cylinder.

85. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 84, wherein said projection comprises a stud.

72. A dispensing unit as claimed in claims, further comprising means for suspending the unit from the rim of a lavatory bowl.

86. A dispensing unit for dispensing a liquid from a rim of a lavatory bowl, the unit comprising:

a housing containing a wicking device for conveying liquid to be dispensed from a reservoir to a position within the stream of flushing water,

wherein the wicking device is non-porous and is provided with at least one venting aperture which in use communicates between ambient air and the reservoir so as to enable air to displace liquid dispensed from the reservoir.

87. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 86 wherein said at least one venting aperture comprises one or more substantially circular holes.

88. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 86, wherein said at least one venting aperture comprises one or more elongate slits.

89. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 86, wherein the unit is so structured as to permit the position of the wicking device to be adjusted between different positions so as to function with lavatory bowls with different shapes and different flushing systems.

90. A dispensing unit for dispensing a liquid from a rim of a lavatory bowl, the unit comprising:

a reservoir bottle having a mouth; and

a wicking device for conveying liquid to be dispensed from the reservoir bottle to a position within the stream of flushing water,

wherein the reservoir bottle is provided with venting means other than the mouth for permitting ambient air to enter the bottle to displace liquid dispensed therefrom.

91. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 90, wherein said venting means comprises a one-way valve.

92. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 91, wherein said one-way valve comprises a duck-bill valve.

93. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 90, wherein said venting means comprises a removable plug and said unit comprises a co-operating projection which is positioned so as to remove the plug when the reservoir bottle is placed by a user in its operative position in relation to the unit, thereby to create a venting aperture in the reservoir bottle.

94. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 90, wherein said venting means comprises a removable seal and said unit comprises a co-operating hollow projection which is positioned so as to remove the seal and project into the reservoir bottle when the reservoir bottle is placed by a user in its operative position in relation to the unit, the hollow projection constituting a venting channel.

95. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 90, wherein said venting means comprises an air vent in the reservoir bottle which is sealed by a cover portion which can be removed by a user prior to use.

96. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 90, wherein said venting means comprises an air vent in the reservoir bottle which is sealed by a cover portion, and wherein the unit comprises a projection arranged so as to remove the cover portion when the reservoir bottle is placed by a user in its operative position in relation to the unit.

97. A dispensing unit for dispensing a liquid from a rim of a lavatory bowl, the unit comprising:

a housing containing a wicking device for conveying liquid to be dispensed from a reservoir to a position within the stream of flushing water, wherein the wicking device is in the form of a plate with elongate slots formed in an upper surface of the plate; and

means for suspending the housing from said rim of the lavatory bowl,

wherein the plate is retained in a substantially fixed position when in use in the lavatory bowl.

98. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 97, wherein the plate is so retained in a generally horizontal plane.

99. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 97, wherein the plate has a first portion for receiving liquid from said reservoir and a second portion intended to be positioned within the stream of flushing water, wherein the second portion of the plate terminates in a curved edge.

100. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 99, wherein the second portion of the plate is formed with a wall.

101. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 97, wherein the plate has a first portion for receiving liquid from said reservoir and a second portion intended to be positioned within the stream of flushing water, wherein the second portion of the plate is formed with a wall.

102. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 97, wherein the elongate slots are arranged in a substantially parallel fashion.

103. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 97, wherein the plate is formed with a recess extending transversely to the direction of the elongate slots.

104. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 103, wherein the recess communicates with the elongate slots.

105. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 103, wherein the bottom of the recess is substantially planar.

106. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 103, wherein the bottom of the recess has no capillary channels formed therein.

107. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 97, wherein the plate further comprises a projection for insertion in the mouth of said reservoir.

108. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 107, wherein the projection is in the form of a post provided with a plurality of radial fins which define conduits for the liquid between the reservoir and the plate.