CA1198553A - Toilet dispensing device - Google Patents
Toilet dispensing deviceInfo
- Publication number
- CA1198553A CA1198553A CA000433232A CA433232A CA1198553A CA 1198553 A CA1198553 A CA 1198553A CA 000433232 A CA000433232 A CA 000433232A CA 433232 A CA433232 A CA 433232A CA 1198553 A CA1198553 A CA 1198553A
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- venting means
- conduit portion
- container
- reservoir
- tank
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- Bidet-Like Cleaning Device And Other Flush Toilet Accessories (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An automatic toilet dispensing device for automatically discharging a measured amount of bleach (or detergent, or both) from a container which has an unobstructed opening in its top surface through which tank water can enter and form a reservoir of bleach solution; a venting means is located above the contain-er's top surface for venting air responsive to the intake of tank water through the opening, and for defining the measured amount; the venting means preferably being in the form of a bent tube having a relatively large diameter section adjacent the container's top surface and a distal section of smaller diameter;
in operation the liquid solution in the reservoir above the block of bleach or the like rises in the larger diameter section of the venting means to a limited extent; however a water seal formed at the end of the smaller diameter section traps air, thereby preven-ting complete filling with liquid of the venting means; the measured amount of solution remains in the venting means until the water in the tank is lowered, the measured amount then falling so as to force out an equivalent amount through the intake opening and into the flush water.
An automatic toilet dispensing device for automatically discharging a measured amount of bleach (or detergent, or both) from a container which has an unobstructed opening in its top surface through which tank water can enter and form a reservoir of bleach solution; a venting means is located above the contain-er's top surface for venting air responsive to the intake of tank water through the opening, and for defining the measured amount; the venting means preferably being in the form of a bent tube having a relatively large diameter section adjacent the container's top surface and a distal section of smaller diameter;
in operation the liquid solution in the reservoir above the block of bleach or the like rises in the larger diameter section of the venting means to a limited extent; however a water seal formed at the end of the smaller diameter section traps air, thereby preven-ting complete filling with liquid of the venting means; the measured amount of solution remains in the venting means until the water in the tank is lowered, the measured amount then falling so as to force out an equivalent amount through the intake opening and into the flush water.
Description
This invention relates to a toilet dispensing device, and more particularly, to a device for dispensing materials useful for cleaning and disinfecting toilet bowls and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to lmprovements in dispensing devices for automatically delivering bleach, or detergent, or both, to a charge of water, and pertains to a dispenser containing bleach or detergent that is soluble in water and which delivers, during a F ~ ~5~
~ preclsely timed, short interval in the flucing of the toilet tank, G ~ .
a measured quantity of solu-tions of one or more of such materials to the flushing water.
A variety of toilet dispensing devices have been known in the art, and those which are believed to rela-te mos-t closely to the present invention are disclosed in the following U.S. paten-ts.
No. 650,161 to Williams et al; No. 969,729 to Smith; No. 1,091,374 to Miller; No. 1,175,032 to Williams; Mo. 2,579,045 to Levitt;
No. 3,778,849 to Foley; and No. 3,952,339 to Baur et al.
The disinfectant distributor disclosed in Paten-t No. 1,091,374 as described in its illustrative example FIG. 2, is designed for the use of a liquid disinfectant heavier than water. To accomplish its purposes the distributor is provided with a vertically disposed disinfectant or discharge tube -terminating at its lower end a suitable distance above the bot-tom of the receptacle, the discharge tube being fitted at its upper end within an opening in a stopper, the upper end of such discharge tube terminating flush with the top of the stopper, and being provided with a gravity closing check valve. The described device also includes a displacemen-t tube which is always open and extends through the stopper above the receptacle.
Whatever the merits o~ such device, the inclusion of a check valve results in preventing the flush water from entering -the discharye tube.
An automatic toilet cleaning device is also described in Patent No. 3,952,339, as having a specially designed oval shape for the container, and which includes a standpipe having an opening to allow the flushing water to enter the container. This device also includes holes in its tope or cover member so as to provide venting of air from -the container.
The other listed patents each include a siphon mechanism of one type or another, their common objective appearing to be to control the dispensing of solution responsive to the well-known cut-off effect which occurs, upon flushing of the tank, when the water level within the dispenser drops below the short arm of the siphon mechanism. Whatever the purposes and accomplishments of any of the devices described in the mentioned references, no one of them fulfils the objectives of -the present invention, which are directed to improvemen-t in the precision of control over the discharge of bleach into the tank water.
Applicant has recognized that a fundamental difficulty needs to be overcome in the dispensing of bleach or the like; specifically it is highly desirable that the bleach or like subs-tance be disch-arged in a single shot or burst at a prescribed instant in the flushing cycle. With such arrangement, there would be minimiza-tion of the quantity of bleach remaining in the toilet -tank between flushes, thereby eliminating corrosion of toile tank parts. In the case of a plurality of chemicals being discharged, such as, fo,r n~
example, bleach along with a combination of detergent and ~luin~, there would be minimization of cross-contamination between the discharged chemicals in the tank during quiescent periods, that is, when the tank water is not being flushed.
SUMMARY OF THE IN~ENTION
A number of significan-t advantayes are believed to derive from the practice of the present invention as it may be realised in specific embodiments to be described hereinafter. The invention is characterised in and by a primary feature expressed in a simplif-ied construction for the dispenser, the container of which holds the cleaning material in the form of a solid block of bleach or deter-gent. The container has an unobstructed opening at its top surface for intake of water into said container as the toilet tank is being filled. A venting means is judiciously spaced from the intake opening, being located above the top sur-Eace and communicating with the interior of the container. This venting means provides venting of air responsive to the intake of -tank water through the opening.
Significantly, however, the liquid solution formed in -the container rises but is confined wi-thin the venting means at the predetermined level which defines the measured or dose amount of liquid solution to be dispensed. In operation, the accurately predetermined measured amount is discharged through the intake opening only as the water level in the tank drops.
An ancillary feature resides in the specific provision whereby the venting means, preferably in the form of a bent tube, includes a distal section of limited but substantial dimensions 5~
which functions to provide a water seal when the water level in the tank rises. As a consequence, air is trapped within the tube, acting to limit the rise of liquid solu-tion in the venting means.
Moreover, this water seal featuxe prevents any bridging of the vent opening by flush water, or clogging by cleaning ma-terial, that could occur in a straight vent -tube having a constricted opening.
An automatic toilet dispensing device according to the invention is reliable and efficient in operation because it has no moving parts.
The construction of the present invention, wherein siphon mechanisms are entirely eliminated eliminates the well known problem of "creeping" that normally at-tends the operation of such siphons, such that the cleaning solution is constantly discharged during periods between flushes.
Embodiments of the present invention enable precise timing of the automatic dispensing of a bleach solution, or, in the case where bleach and detergent solutions are used together, the timing of the co-dispensing of such chemicals for maximum effect.
Other and further objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be understood by reference to the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like parts have been given like numbers.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA~7ING
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toilet dispensing device in accordance with a preferred embodimen-t of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the device seen in FIG. 1 FIGS. 3A-3C illustra-te the operation of the dispensing 35~3 device when used in a tollet tank or the like:
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a -toilet dispensiny device in accordance with another preferred embodiment of -the invention, in which two compartments are formed in a unitary molded container so that co-dispensing of several materials, such as bleach and detergent, can be achieved; and FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the dlspenser embodiment of FIG. 4.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the figures of the drawing, and particularly in the first instance to FIG. 1, there will be seen, in perspective, a dispensing device 10 comprising a hollow cylindrical container 12 in which there is disposed a block of cleaning material 14 which substantially fills the container except for -the top portion therof.
A top wall 18 closes the container, being typically formed as a cover. However, it will be understood that the entire container 12 can be suitably molded as a single disposable unit such that a cover is not required.
An intake opening 20 is seen to extend from the top surface of the container 12 through the wall 18. Spaced from the intake opening 20 at the -top surface, and communicating wi-th the interior of container 12, is a venting means 22. In this preferred embodi-ment, the means 22 takes the form of a bent tube, comprising a vertical portion 22A of relatively large diameter, bent portion 22B, and a depending distal portion 22C of relatively small diameter.
The distal portion 22C terminates in a vent opening 24.
Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3C, the operation of the koilet dispensing device of the present invention will be described. The dispensing device lO is placed into a toilet tank 26. This is done when the level of water 28 is near the bottom of the tank. The device can either be suspended by a suitable hook so it hangs from the top of the toilet tank; or, as seen in the figures, it can be placed on the bottom of the tank. In any event, the dispensing device of the present invention emits a quick discharge of the cleaning solution, so that if it is desired -that the discharge occur at a very early portion of the flushing cycle, that is, as the water has just begun to drop in the tank, the dispensing device 10 would be hung from the top of the toilet tank.
Referring now to FIG. 3A, when the water in the tank rises and enters the intake opening 20, a reservoir 30 is formed of the bleach or the cleaning material 14. At the same time, air is forced out from the container 12 through the vent opening 24 in the venting means 22.
As the tank water rises further above the top surface of container 12, it reaches a point at which a water seal is effected at the opening 24. Thus, as seen in FIG. 3B, due to hydrostatic equilibrium having been reached, the established level within -the larger diameter portion 22A of the venting means 22 is -the same as the level attained in the smaller diameter portion 22C. As a consequence of the water seal effected at this point, air is trapped within the bent portion 22B. ~ence the level of li~uid solution which has been reached in portion 22A will rise no further. In other words, there will be an automatic limit to the columnar amount of liquid solution contained in portion 22A. This columnar amoun-t defines the dose or mete.red amount of solution to be ~ispensed sub-sequently. The metered amount of solution in portion 22A may ~e suitably controlled by varying the diameter of the portion 22A; and by var~ing the length of portion 22C so as to change the location of opening 24, thereby affecting the height of the column of solution.
Preferably, as seen in FIG. 2, -the diameter of portion 22A, which communicates with the reservoir 30 by way of opening 32, is larger than the diameter of distal portion 22C.
It will be understood that, at the stage depicted in FIG. 3B, there will be no discharge of the liquid solution from the reservoir 28 because the pressure is equalized between the water seal formed at the opening 24 and the intake and discharge opening 20. However, a different situation obtains when the toilet tank is flushed, as will be explained.
When the tank 26 is flushed, the water level drops; as the water level goes down below the air vent opening 2~1, the water seal is broken and, as a consequence, air rushes in through this opening.
The cleaning solution present in the portion 22A drops from this portion, thereby forcing out the same quantity o:E cleaning so:Lution from the container through the intake-discharge opening 20. This discharge stage is depicted in FIG. 3C.
The unique method just described of measuring the desired amount of solution, and dispensing same, forms a basic feature of the present invention. This method provides a timely and very quick discharge of solution (of the order of lO seconds) such that the measured amount goes into the toilet bowl with ~he flushing ~ r r ~
water as the water leaves the tan~, rather than being trapped in the bottom of the tank. Such quick discharge is essential, partic-ularly in the case of newly-developed -toilet tanks which seek to save water by dropping the valve over the tank outlet before the tank is emptied. Accordingly, whereas many devices of the prior art would still be emptying when such valve drops, thus trapping the chemical discharge in the toilet tank, the device of the present invention precludes this from happening~
As already noted, substantial -trapping of bleach in the tank would cause build up and eventual corrosion of the toilet tank parts;
also, in the case of use of both bleach and a detergent with bluing, the trapping together of bleach and the detergent with bluing would produce commin~ling, with the result that the essential blue color would be completely bleached out during quiescent periods~
Although the first embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 - 3 prov-ides only a single-compartment container 12, it will be appreciated that a two-compar-tment container can be fashioned in implementing the principles of the present invention, whereby both a bleach and s~ a detergent with ~luir.g~can be contained in the dispenser. Thus, a 2Q mo ded plastic container s-uch as -that illustrated in FIG. 1, would be subdivided to provide the two compartments, one of which would contain suitable bleach and the other a detergent wlth bluing. Each compartment would have at its top surface a venting means 22, as seen in FIG. l; likewise provided would be an intake and dispensing opening 20 for discharging the individual produce solutions from each of the compartments.
~ 8 355~
Referring now -to FIGS. 4 and 5, there will be seen ~nother preferred embodiment for the dispensing device of the present inven-tion. The dispensing device 40 comprises a container 42 which includes two compartments as just described; that is, a compartment 4~ containing a cake of bleach 46 and a compartment 48 containing a cake of detergent combined with bluing 50~ The compartments 44 and 48 are provided with intake and discharge openings 52 and 54 respectively.
The venting means 56 and 58 for the respective compartments 10 44 and 48 are e~uivalent, for the purposes of venting and for providing a water seal, to the venting means 22 seen in the first embodiment o-f FIG. 1. However, they provide the additional feature of preventing spillage during shipping of the dispensing device, as will be explained.
It will be noted, especially by referring to FIG. 5r that the venting means 56 and 58 constitute a simulation of the bent tube construction of FIG. 1. Thus, tubular members 60 ~ communic-ating with the interior of compartments 44 and 48 t are provided, each having a neck portion 60A for receiving a cap or cover 62 ~
20 such cover being provided with a plug 62A fitting securely inside the neck portion 60Ao Spaced from the plug is a depending annular member 62C~ A chamber 64 is formed between the inner periphery of 62C and the outer periphery of tubular member 60 for purposes which are apparent.
As will be seen in FIG. 4 ~ a groove 60B formed in the neck 60A functions to register with a corresponding groove 62B (FIG. 5) in the plug 62A of cover 62 to form a complete passageway.
. 9 _ communication can -thus be achieved between the interior of tube 60 and the ambien~. This occurs only when the cover 62 has been suitably rotated so that the groove 62B registers with the groove 60B. However, when the cover has been otherwise rotated, as seen on the right ln FIG. 5, there will be no communication between -the interior of tube 60 and the ambient. Hence, spillage of contents will be precluded should there be a powder or the like present in the container.
In the previous discussions of the several preferred embod-iments, it was indicated that the dispensing devices could beplaced on the bottom of a toilet tank. However, if it turned out to be desirable to have a quick discharge of the requisite measured amount of the cleaning materials into the flush water at an early stage of the flushing cycle, that is to say, in the beginning stage as the water level starts to drop, then a hanger means could be provided such that the dispensiny device could be hung from the top of the toilet tank.
In order -to permit a man skilled in the art to practice the invention in a detailed way, the following specifications are provided in connection with the construction of one example of the device of the present invention:
The dispenser 40 seen in FI5. 4 is formed by molding of a plastic such as polyethylene and the like. The overall height of the container is approximately 12.5 centimeters and the width is approximately 7 centimeters. Each of -the holes 52 and 54 has a diameter of approximately 4~7 mm; the base of the tubular member 60 at the opening to the compartment 44 (and likewise the tubular s~3 member 60 for the venting means 58) is 16 mm; the heiyht of the larger diameter cylindrical portion for tubular member 60 is ll mm.
The outside diameter of the cap 62 is 25 mm, and the plug 62A is formed to be approximately 1 cm. In opera-tion, the tubular member 60 has a columnar height of licluid solution of approximately 3 cm.
It is especially to be noted that the diameter of the vent opening at the end of the chamber 64 is 3 mm. Although this is much less than the diameter of tubular member 60, it is more than sufficient - as was also true for vent opening 24 in the FIG. 1 embodiment - to provent clogging of the opening by the cleaning material and to preclude bridging of the opening by flush water.
The operation of applicant's dispenser is not hindered by either source of difficulty found in some previously known dispensing devices. However, because of the presence of the described water seal in applicant's dispenser, flow through the venting means is completely blocked, despite the relatively large vent opening.
While there have been shown and described what are considered at present to be -the preferred embodiments of -the present invention, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the ar-t that modifica-tions of such embodiments may be made. It is therefore desiredthat the invention not be limited to these embodiments, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the inventionO
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to lmprovements in dispensing devices for automatically delivering bleach, or detergent, or both, to a charge of water, and pertains to a dispenser containing bleach or detergent that is soluble in water and which delivers, during a F ~ ~5~
~ preclsely timed, short interval in the flucing of the toilet tank, G ~ .
a measured quantity of solu-tions of one or more of such materials to the flushing water.
A variety of toilet dispensing devices have been known in the art, and those which are believed to rela-te mos-t closely to the present invention are disclosed in the following U.S. paten-ts.
No. 650,161 to Williams et al; No. 969,729 to Smith; No. 1,091,374 to Miller; No. 1,175,032 to Williams; Mo. 2,579,045 to Levitt;
No. 3,778,849 to Foley; and No. 3,952,339 to Baur et al.
The disinfectant distributor disclosed in Paten-t No. 1,091,374 as described in its illustrative example FIG. 2, is designed for the use of a liquid disinfectant heavier than water. To accomplish its purposes the distributor is provided with a vertically disposed disinfectant or discharge tube -terminating at its lower end a suitable distance above the bot-tom of the receptacle, the discharge tube being fitted at its upper end within an opening in a stopper, the upper end of such discharge tube terminating flush with the top of the stopper, and being provided with a gravity closing check valve. The described device also includes a displacemen-t tube which is always open and extends through the stopper above the receptacle.
Whatever the merits o~ such device, the inclusion of a check valve results in preventing the flush water from entering -the discharye tube.
An automatic toilet cleaning device is also described in Patent No. 3,952,339, as having a specially designed oval shape for the container, and which includes a standpipe having an opening to allow the flushing water to enter the container. This device also includes holes in its tope or cover member so as to provide venting of air from -the container.
The other listed patents each include a siphon mechanism of one type or another, their common objective appearing to be to control the dispensing of solution responsive to the well-known cut-off effect which occurs, upon flushing of the tank, when the water level within the dispenser drops below the short arm of the siphon mechanism. Whatever the purposes and accomplishments of any of the devices described in the mentioned references, no one of them fulfils the objectives of -the present invention, which are directed to improvemen-t in the precision of control over the discharge of bleach into the tank water.
Applicant has recognized that a fundamental difficulty needs to be overcome in the dispensing of bleach or the like; specifically it is highly desirable that the bleach or like subs-tance be disch-arged in a single shot or burst at a prescribed instant in the flushing cycle. With such arrangement, there would be minimiza-tion of the quantity of bleach remaining in the toilet -tank between flushes, thereby eliminating corrosion of toile tank parts. In the case of a plurality of chemicals being discharged, such as, fo,r n~
example, bleach along with a combination of detergent and ~luin~, there would be minimization of cross-contamination between the discharged chemicals in the tank during quiescent periods, that is, when the tank water is not being flushed.
SUMMARY OF THE IN~ENTION
A number of significan-t advantayes are believed to derive from the practice of the present invention as it may be realised in specific embodiments to be described hereinafter. The invention is characterised in and by a primary feature expressed in a simplif-ied construction for the dispenser, the container of which holds the cleaning material in the form of a solid block of bleach or deter-gent. The container has an unobstructed opening at its top surface for intake of water into said container as the toilet tank is being filled. A venting means is judiciously spaced from the intake opening, being located above the top sur-Eace and communicating with the interior of the container. This venting means provides venting of air responsive to the intake of -tank water through the opening.
Significantly, however, the liquid solution formed in -the container rises but is confined wi-thin the venting means at the predetermined level which defines the measured or dose amount of liquid solution to be dispensed. In operation, the accurately predetermined measured amount is discharged through the intake opening only as the water level in the tank drops.
An ancillary feature resides in the specific provision whereby the venting means, preferably in the form of a bent tube, includes a distal section of limited but substantial dimensions 5~
which functions to provide a water seal when the water level in the tank rises. As a consequence, air is trapped within the tube, acting to limit the rise of liquid solu-tion in the venting means.
Moreover, this water seal featuxe prevents any bridging of the vent opening by flush water, or clogging by cleaning ma-terial, that could occur in a straight vent -tube having a constricted opening.
An automatic toilet dispensing device according to the invention is reliable and efficient in operation because it has no moving parts.
The construction of the present invention, wherein siphon mechanisms are entirely eliminated eliminates the well known problem of "creeping" that normally at-tends the operation of such siphons, such that the cleaning solution is constantly discharged during periods between flushes.
Embodiments of the present invention enable precise timing of the automatic dispensing of a bleach solution, or, in the case where bleach and detergent solutions are used together, the timing of the co-dispensing of such chemicals for maximum effect.
Other and further objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be understood by reference to the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like parts have been given like numbers.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA~7ING
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toilet dispensing device in accordance with a preferred embodimen-t of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the device seen in FIG. 1 FIGS. 3A-3C illustra-te the operation of the dispensing 35~3 device when used in a tollet tank or the like:
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a -toilet dispensiny device in accordance with another preferred embodiment of -the invention, in which two compartments are formed in a unitary molded container so that co-dispensing of several materials, such as bleach and detergent, can be achieved; and FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the dlspenser embodiment of FIG. 4.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the figures of the drawing, and particularly in the first instance to FIG. 1, there will be seen, in perspective, a dispensing device 10 comprising a hollow cylindrical container 12 in which there is disposed a block of cleaning material 14 which substantially fills the container except for -the top portion therof.
A top wall 18 closes the container, being typically formed as a cover. However, it will be understood that the entire container 12 can be suitably molded as a single disposable unit such that a cover is not required.
An intake opening 20 is seen to extend from the top surface of the container 12 through the wall 18. Spaced from the intake opening 20 at the -top surface, and communicating wi-th the interior of container 12, is a venting means 22. In this preferred embodi-ment, the means 22 takes the form of a bent tube, comprising a vertical portion 22A of relatively large diameter, bent portion 22B, and a depending distal portion 22C of relatively small diameter.
The distal portion 22C terminates in a vent opening 24.
Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3C, the operation of the koilet dispensing device of the present invention will be described. The dispensing device lO is placed into a toilet tank 26. This is done when the level of water 28 is near the bottom of the tank. The device can either be suspended by a suitable hook so it hangs from the top of the toilet tank; or, as seen in the figures, it can be placed on the bottom of the tank. In any event, the dispensing device of the present invention emits a quick discharge of the cleaning solution, so that if it is desired -that the discharge occur at a very early portion of the flushing cycle, that is, as the water has just begun to drop in the tank, the dispensing device 10 would be hung from the top of the toilet tank.
Referring now to FIG. 3A, when the water in the tank rises and enters the intake opening 20, a reservoir 30 is formed of the bleach or the cleaning material 14. At the same time, air is forced out from the container 12 through the vent opening 24 in the venting means 22.
As the tank water rises further above the top surface of container 12, it reaches a point at which a water seal is effected at the opening 24. Thus, as seen in FIG. 3B, due to hydrostatic equilibrium having been reached, the established level within -the larger diameter portion 22A of the venting means 22 is -the same as the level attained in the smaller diameter portion 22C. As a consequence of the water seal effected at this point, air is trapped within the bent portion 22B. ~ence the level of li~uid solution which has been reached in portion 22A will rise no further. In other words, there will be an automatic limit to the columnar amount of liquid solution contained in portion 22A. This columnar amoun-t defines the dose or mete.red amount of solution to be ~ispensed sub-sequently. The metered amount of solution in portion 22A may ~e suitably controlled by varying the diameter of the portion 22A; and by var~ing the length of portion 22C so as to change the location of opening 24, thereby affecting the height of the column of solution.
Preferably, as seen in FIG. 2, -the diameter of portion 22A, which communicates with the reservoir 30 by way of opening 32, is larger than the diameter of distal portion 22C.
It will be understood that, at the stage depicted in FIG. 3B, there will be no discharge of the liquid solution from the reservoir 28 because the pressure is equalized between the water seal formed at the opening 24 and the intake and discharge opening 20. However, a different situation obtains when the toilet tank is flushed, as will be explained.
When the tank 26 is flushed, the water level drops; as the water level goes down below the air vent opening 2~1, the water seal is broken and, as a consequence, air rushes in through this opening.
The cleaning solution present in the portion 22A drops from this portion, thereby forcing out the same quantity o:E cleaning so:Lution from the container through the intake-discharge opening 20. This discharge stage is depicted in FIG. 3C.
The unique method just described of measuring the desired amount of solution, and dispensing same, forms a basic feature of the present invention. This method provides a timely and very quick discharge of solution (of the order of lO seconds) such that the measured amount goes into the toilet bowl with ~he flushing ~ r r ~
water as the water leaves the tan~, rather than being trapped in the bottom of the tank. Such quick discharge is essential, partic-ularly in the case of newly-developed -toilet tanks which seek to save water by dropping the valve over the tank outlet before the tank is emptied. Accordingly, whereas many devices of the prior art would still be emptying when such valve drops, thus trapping the chemical discharge in the toilet tank, the device of the present invention precludes this from happening~
As already noted, substantial -trapping of bleach in the tank would cause build up and eventual corrosion of the toilet tank parts;
also, in the case of use of both bleach and a detergent with bluing, the trapping together of bleach and the detergent with bluing would produce commin~ling, with the result that the essential blue color would be completely bleached out during quiescent periods~
Although the first embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 - 3 prov-ides only a single-compartment container 12, it will be appreciated that a two-compar-tment container can be fashioned in implementing the principles of the present invention, whereby both a bleach and s~ a detergent with ~luir.g~can be contained in the dispenser. Thus, a 2Q mo ded plastic container s-uch as -that illustrated in FIG. 1, would be subdivided to provide the two compartments, one of which would contain suitable bleach and the other a detergent wlth bluing. Each compartment would have at its top surface a venting means 22, as seen in FIG. l; likewise provided would be an intake and dispensing opening 20 for discharging the individual produce solutions from each of the compartments.
~ 8 355~
Referring now -to FIGS. 4 and 5, there will be seen ~nother preferred embodiment for the dispensing device of the present inven-tion. The dispensing device 40 comprises a container 42 which includes two compartments as just described; that is, a compartment 4~ containing a cake of bleach 46 and a compartment 48 containing a cake of detergent combined with bluing 50~ The compartments 44 and 48 are provided with intake and discharge openings 52 and 54 respectively.
The venting means 56 and 58 for the respective compartments 10 44 and 48 are e~uivalent, for the purposes of venting and for providing a water seal, to the venting means 22 seen in the first embodiment o-f FIG. 1. However, they provide the additional feature of preventing spillage during shipping of the dispensing device, as will be explained.
It will be noted, especially by referring to FIG. 5r that the venting means 56 and 58 constitute a simulation of the bent tube construction of FIG. 1. Thus, tubular members 60 ~ communic-ating with the interior of compartments 44 and 48 t are provided, each having a neck portion 60A for receiving a cap or cover 62 ~
20 such cover being provided with a plug 62A fitting securely inside the neck portion 60Ao Spaced from the plug is a depending annular member 62C~ A chamber 64 is formed between the inner periphery of 62C and the outer periphery of tubular member 60 for purposes which are apparent.
As will be seen in FIG. 4 ~ a groove 60B formed in the neck 60A functions to register with a corresponding groove 62B (FIG. 5) in the plug 62A of cover 62 to form a complete passageway.
. 9 _ communication can -thus be achieved between the interior of tube 60 and the ambien~. This occurs only when the cover 62 has been suitably rotated so that the groove 62B registers with the groove 60B. However, when the cover has been otherwise rotated, as seen on the right ln FIG. 5, there will be no communication between -the interior of tube 60 and the ambient. Hence, spillage of contents will be precluded should there be a powder or the like present in the container.
In the previous discussions of the several preferred embod-iments, it was indicated that the dispensing devices could beplaced on the bottom of a toilet tank. However, if it turned out to be desirable to have a quick discharge of the requisite measured amount of the cleaning materials into the flush water at an early stage of the flushing cycle, that is to say, in the beginning stage as the water level starts to drop, then a hanger means could be provided such that the dispensiny device could be hung from the top of the toilet tank.
In order -to permit a man skilled in the art to practice the invention in a detailed way, the following specifications are provided in connection with the construction of one example of the device of the present invention:
The dispenser 40 seen in FI5. 4 is formed by molding of a plastic such as polyethylene and the like. The overall height of the container is approximately 12.5 centimeters and the width is approximately 7 centimeters. Each of -the holes 52 and 54 has a diameter of approximately 4~7 mm; the base of the tubular member 60 at the opening to the compartment 44 (and likewise the tubular s~3 member 60 for the venting means 58) is 16 mm; the heiyht of the larger diameter cylindrical portion for tubular member 60 is ll mm.
The outside diameter of the cap 62 is 25 mm, and the plug 62A is formed to be approximately 1 cm. In opera-tion, the tubular member 60 has a columnar height of licluid solution of approximately 3 cm.
It is especially to be noted that the diameter of the vent opening at the end of the chamber 64 is 3 mm. Although this is much less than the diameter of tubular member 60, it is more than sufficient - as was also true for vent opening 24 in the FIG. 1 embodiment - to provent clogging of the opening by the cleaning material and to preclude bridging of the opening by flush water.
The operation of applicant's dispenser is not hindered by either source of difficulty found in some previously known dispensing devices. However, because of the presence of the described water seal in applicant's dispenser, flow through the venting means is completely blocked, despite the relatively large vent opening.
While there have been shown and described what are considered at present to be -the preferred embodiments of -the present invention, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the ar-t that modifica-tions of such embodiments may be made. It is therefore desiredthat the invention not be limited to these embodiments, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the inventionO
Claims (8)
1. A dispensing device for a toilet tank for automatically discharging an amount of cleaning material solution into the flush water, said device comprising - a container having a top wall - a first aperture opening upwardly through said top wall for enabling flush water to enter said container to occupy a reservoir of cleaning material solution and for enabling an amount of said solution to discharge through said first aperture during flushing;
- a venting means on said top wall for venting air from said container, said venting means including - a first conduit portion extending above said top wall and communicating with the reservoir by means of a second aperture spaced laterally from said first aperture?
- a second conduit portion extending laterally from said first portion and spaced above said top wall, and - a third distal conduit portion extending downwardly substan-tially parallel to said first conduit portion from said second conduit portion the end of said third conduit portion termin-ating above said top wall and being open at its lower end, whereby complete filling with solution of said venting means is prevented by trapped air occupying at least said second conduit portion - said venting means being operative so that as the flush water rises in the toilet tank and enters said reservoir said solution rises in said first conduit portion to a level above said first aperture to a height determined by the trapped air in said venting means, thereby metering an amount of solution external to said reservoir, - said metered amount remaining in the venting means until the water level in the tank is lowered below said top wall whereby said amount descends into said reservoir and displaces from said reservoir through said first aperture an amount of cleaning material solution equivalent to said metered amount into said tank.
- a venting means on said top wall for venting air from said container, said venting means including - a first conduit portion extending above said top wall and communicating with the reservoir by means of a second aperture spaced laterally from said first aperture?
- a second conduit portion extending laterally from said first portion and spaced above said top wall, and - a third distal conduit portion extending downwardly substan-tially parallel to said first conduit portion from said second conduit portion the end of said third conduit portion termin-ating above said top wall and being open at its lower end, whereby complete filling with solution of said venting means is prevented by trapped air occupying at least said second conduit portion - said venting means being operative so that as the flush water rises in the toilet tank and enters said reservoir said solution rises in said first conduit portion to a level above said first aperture to a height determined by the trapped air in said venting means, thereby metering an amount of solution external to said reservoir, - said metered amount remaining in the venting means until the water level in the tank is lowered below said top wall whereby said amount descends into said reservoir and displaces from said reservoir through said first aperture an amount of cleaning material solution equivalent to said metered amount into said tank.
2. A device as defined in Claim 1, in which said venting means comprises a bent tube.
3. A device as defined in claim 2, in which the first portion of said bent tube has a relatively large diameter, the third, distal conduit portion has a smaller diameter?
4. A device as defined in claim 1, in which the cleaning material is a solid cake of bleach, situated within said container, and in which said reservoir extends above said cake.
5. A device as defined in claim 1, in which said first conduit portion is a tubular member having an upper necked portion, and a flanged cap fitting inside said necked portion.
6. A device as defined in claim 5 in which said necked portion includes a first groove, and said cap includes a depending circumferential flange, and a plug having a corresponding groove for registration with said first groove, thereby to define a passageway between the interior of said tubular member and the opening in said distal conduit portion.
7. A device as defined in claim 6 in which said third, distal conduit portion is an annular chamber defined between the inner periphery of said depending flange member of said cap and the outer periphery of said tubular member.
8. A device as defined in claim 1, in which said container includes two compartments one compartment containing bleach and the other compartment containing a combination of detergent and blueing, each of said compartments including an unobstructed intake aperture and a venting means as defined in claim 1.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US42117082A | 1982-09-22 | 1982-09-22 | |
| US421,170 | 1982-09-22 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1198553A true CA1198553A (en) | 1985-12-31 |
Family
ID=23669458
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000433232A Expired CA1198553A (en) | 1982-09-22 | 1983-07-26 | Toilet dispensing device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1198553A (en) |
-
1983
- 1983-07-26 CA CA000433232A patent/CA1198553A/en not_active Expired
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