AU660525B2

AU660525B2 - Toilet cage dispenser

Info

Publication number: AU660525B2
Application number: AU32972/93A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Gareth Rees
Original assignee: NETA BRYMAC NSW Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Neta-Brymac (nsw) Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1992-02-13
Filing date: 1993-02-11
Publication date: 1995-06-29
Anticipated expiration: 2013-02-11
Also published as: AU3297293A

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

S F Ref: 222832 *o Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: Neta-Brymac Pty Limited 22 Yalgar Road Kirrawee New South Wales 2232

AUSTRALIA

Gareth Rees Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia Toilet Cage Dispenser ASSOCIATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION DETAILS [311 Application No(s) [33] Country PL0881 AU [32] Application Date 13 February 1992 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5815/3 The present invention relates to cages for dispensing disinfectant into toilet bowls and, in particular, to a dispensing cage in which it is simple to install refill tablets.

The use of dispensing cages for dispensing disinfectants into toilet bowls has become prevalent in recent times. The usual type of dispensing cage comprises a body having a number of holes therein in which a disinfectant tablet is placed, the cage includes an elongate clip which fits over the rim of a toilet bowl with the cage located underneath the rim inside the bowl. When the cistern is operated, some of the water entering the toilet bowl washes through the cage and hence some disinfectant goes into solution. The disinfectant is usually coloured, for example blue, which provides the user with an indication that the tablet is still working effectively, as well as for the psychological reasons where it is common to equate blue toilet water with clean toilet water.

Existing dispensing cages are able to be used continuously by replacing the tablet within the cage when the tablet is completely dissolved. It is possible to purchase replacement tablets to insert into the empty or near empty cages. However it has been found that all users of dispensing cages do not use the replacement tablets as it is necessary to remove the dispensing cage from the toilet bowl in order that the replacement tablets can be inserted. It has been found that some of the users of such cages are reluctant to remove the dispensing cage from the toilet bowl as it is a slightly unpleasant procedure to perform. There is also concern in the interest of hygiene.

Therefore, the most common way of dispensing of the dispensing cage is to dislodge it off the rim of the toilet bowl and allow it to be flushed down the toilet into the sewer. This is not a desirable procedure as the plastics dispensing cages clog up the sewerage system and have to be filtered out with other solids. The dispensing cages are an unwanted throwaway in the sewerage systems.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved dispensing cage which substantially overcomes or ameliorates the above mentioned disadvantages.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a dispensing cage comprising: a locating strap positionable about a rim of a toilet bowl; and a body comprising a plurality of apertures to allow water to pass therethrough, said body comprising a fixed part connected to said locating strap and a movable part hingedly joined to said fixed part along a common edge thereof, said two parts being able to be pivoted about said hingedly joined common edge, opposite corresponding edges being securable together; said movable part further comprising a locking strap which is manipulable by a S hand of a user and being openable while said dispensing cage is located within said Ccif \1JR (S1 1 I, (N:\Iibcc00307;HRW toilet bowl for inserting one or more replacement tablets into said body via said movable part.

Some embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a front view of a dispensing cage of the first embodiment, Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the dispensing cage of Fig. 1 illustrating the cage in its open configuration, Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the dispensing cage of Fig. 1 illustrating the cage in its closed configuration, Fig. 4 is a front view of a dispensing cage of a second embodiment, Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the dispensing cage of Fig. 4 illustrating the cage in its open configuration, Fig. 6 is a partial cutaway side elevational view of the dispensing cage of Fig.

4 illustrating the cage in its open configuration, Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of the dispensing cage of Fig. 4 illustrating the cage in its closed configuration, Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a dispensing cage of a third embodiment illustrated attached to a toilet bowl, Fig. 9 is a vertical cross sectional view of the dispensing cage of Fig 8, and Fig. 9 is a vertical cross sectional view of the dispensing cage of Fig. 8, and 20 Fig. 10 is a vertical cross sectional view of the dispensing cage of Fig. 8 in its open configuration.

a. g1's The dispensing cage 1 of a first embodiment is illustrated in Figs. 1-3. The *cage 1 is a one piece pre-assembled piece of plastics. The cage 1 comprises a cage portion 2 with a fixed part 3 and a movable part 4 joined by a flexible hinge 5. The cage portion 2 has a plurality of apertures 6 located in the front and sides of the movable part 4 and the rear and sides of the fixed part 3. Water is able to pass through the apertures 6, some of which are in the shape of a flower in this embodiment.

Apertures 6 are located in the top section of the fixed part 3 to allow water to enter the cage 1.

i 30 The cage 1 further comprises a shaped flexible locating strap 7 which is "connected to the fixed part 3 of the cage portion 2. The strap 7 is shaped to have substantially the same profile as a rim of a toi!.t bowl (not illustrated) and fits over the rim. A locking grip arm 8 as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 fits under the lower edge of the rim of the toilet bowl and the cage 1 is therefore securely, but releasably, clipped to the toilet bowl.

Extending outwardly from the movable part 4 of the cage portion 2 from a distal portion of the part 4 with respect to the flexible hinge 5, is a locking strap 9 which has a rectangular hole 10 (Fig. 1) through which a locking security clip 11 l\NAibccQ0307:HRW -4passes. The security clip 11 has a lug 12 at its free end which prevents the locking strap 9 from moving from the strap 7 when the lug 12 and hole 10 are inter-engaged.

The clip 11 and hole 10 provide releasable means for maintaining the movable part 4 in closed position with respEct to the fixed part 3.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, in its closed configuration a tablet (not illustrated), which is located within the cage portion 2, is used to dispense disinfectant into the toilet bowl during a flushing operation. In this embodiment, the tablet is seated on a plurality of positioning prongs (not illustrated) located on the inside of the cage portion 2. The positioning prongs are used to position the tablet away from the bottom inside surface of the cage portion for better circulation of water around the tablet. When the tablet is used up, the lug 12 on the security clip 11 is pushed in a downwards direction and the locking strap 9 is free to move from the strap 7. The movable part 4 of the cage portion 2 is pivotally moved away from the fixed part 3 via the flexible hinge 5. A side fixed limit opening strap 13 limits the amount of pivotal movement as illustrated in Fig.

3. A replacement tablet is able to be inserted into the cage portion 2. The cage portion 2 is then able to be closed by pivotally moving the movable part 4 into the closed configuration as illustrated in Fig. 3.

The dispensing cage 1 has therefore been able to be refilled with a tablet without the necessity of removing the cage 1 from the rim of the toilet bowl.

The dispensing cage 21 of the second embodiment is illustrated in Figs. 4-7 S. and is similar to the embodiment already described. The cage 21 is a one piece preassembled piece of plastics and comprises a cage portion 22 with a fixed part 23 and a movable part 24 joined by a flexible hinge 25. The cage portion 22 has a plurality of apertures 26 located in the front and sides of the movable part 24 and the sides of the 25 fixed part 23. In this embodiment, the apertures 26 are located in the upper half of the cage portion 22. Once again apertures 26 are located in the top portion of the fixed part 23 at the rear to allow water to enter the cage 21.

The cage 21 likewise has a shaped flexible locating strap 27 which is connected to the fixed part 23 of the cage portion 22. The locating strap 27 is shaped to have substantially the same profile as the rim of a toilet bowl and fits over the rim. A locking group arm 28 fits under the lower edge of the rim of the toilet bowl and the cage 21 is therefore securely, but releasably, clipped to the toilet bowl similar to the first embodiment.

The cage 21 also has extending from the moveable part 24, a locking strap 29 which has a rectangular hole 30 through which a locking security clip 31 passes. The security clip 31 has a lug 32 at its free end which prevents the locking strap 29 from moving from the strap 27 when the lug 32 and the hole 30 are inter-engaged.

1N4 SA LN:k1bccIOO3O7:HRW 'r1; In this embodiment and as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, the moveable part 24 includes a locating cradle 35. The cradle 35 has the tablet placed therein, the cradle has an aperture 36 located at the bottom thereof. The aperture 36 communicates with the interior of the cage portion 22 via a tube 37. The tube 37 is surrounded by support prongs 38 which support a cap 39 which is spaced apart from but over the tubes 37. The combination of the cap 39 and the tube 37 allow the water to pass from the cage pcortion 22 by the aperture 36 but not directly therefrom.

As illustrated in its closed configuration, the tablet is locatable within the cradle 35. When the tablet is used up, the lug 32 on the security clip 31 is pushed in a downwards direction and the locking strap 29 is free to move from the strap 27. The movable part 24 of the cage portion 22 is pivotally moved away from the fixed part 23 via the flexible hinge 25. A side fixed limit opening strap 33 limits the amount of pivotal movement. A replacement tablet is then able to be inserted into the cradle and the cage portion 22 is then able to be closed by pivotally moving the movable part 24 into the enclosed configuration.

The dispensing cage 21 has therefore been able to be refilled with a tablet without the necessity of removing the cage 21 from the rim of the toilet bowl.

d.i eThe dispensing cage 41 of another embodiment is illustrated in Figs. 8-10 and includes a cage portion 42 and a flexible locating strap 46. The cage portion 42 has o apertures 40 to allow water to pass therethrough. The strap 46 is shaped to have "substantially the same profile as a rim 47 of a toilet bowl 48 and fits over the rim 47 as .:illustrated in the drawings. A locking grip arm 49 as illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 fits Sunder the lower edge 50 of the rim 47 and the cage 41 e.

INAIibcc00O3O7:HRW is therefore securely, but releasably, clipped to the toilet bowl 48.

The dispensing cage 41 is a moulded one piece plastics component which is folded together during installation. The cage portion 42 has a flexible hinge 45 which allows the dispensing cage 41 to be pivoted into the configuration as illustrated in Fig. 9.

The cage portion 42 also includes a channel 51 into which tablets 54 are able to be placed. A lid 52 closes the channel 51 and pivots on a flexible hinge 53. The lid 52 has a clip 55 which fits into an aperture 36 to keep closed the channel 51 as illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9.

In use, the dispensing cage 41 is fitted to the toilet bowl 48 and has three tablets 54 inserted into the channel 51. The lid 52 is then closed and the cage 41 is ready for use. As the toilet is continually flushed, the lower tablet 54 dissolves in the water and as the tablet 54 *gets smaller, the replacement or refill tablets 54 edge downwardly 15 towards the bottom of the cage portion 42. This is a continuous process S: and eventually when the bottom tablet 54 completely dissolves, the next tablet 54 has already taken its place. Obviously, refill tablets 54 are "required to be inserted into the channel 51, and this is easily accomplished by opening the lid 52 and inserting a refill tablet 54 into position. Therefore, it is easy to install refill tablets 54 into the dispensing cage 41 without removing the cage 41 from the toilet bowl 48.

The foregoing describes only two embodiments of the present invention, and modifications obvious to those skilled in the art can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention, HRW/1059c in the toilet while supported by the locating strap, the hingedly joined common edge is adjacent the lower extremities of the fixed part and the movable part.

7. The dispensing cage according to claim 6, wherein both the movable part and the fixed part contain the apertures.

8. The dispensing cage as claimed in claim 5, wherein said locating strap has a clip means located thereon and said locking strap has a hole located therein, said clip means and said hole providing said releasable means.

9. A dispensing cage substantially as described with reference to Figs. 1- 3 or Figs. 4-7 of the accompanying drawings.

1o DATED this Eleventh Day of April 1995 Neta-Brymac (NSW) Pty Limited Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON FERGUSON

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Claims

1. A dispensing cage comprising: a locating strap positionable about a rim of a toilet bowl; and a body comprising a plurality of apertures to allow water to pass therethrough, said body comprising a fixed part connected to said locating strap and a movable part hingedly joined to said fixed part along a common edge thereof, said two parts being able to be pivoted about said hingedly joined common edge, opposite corresponding edges being securable together; said movable part further comprising a locMng strap which is manipulable by a hand of a user and being openable while said dispensing cage is located within said toilet bowl for inserting one or more replacement tablets into said body via said movable part.

2. The dispensing cage as claimed in claim 1 wherein said locating strap has a clip means located thereon and said locking strap has a hole located therein, said clip means and said hole inter-engaging for said dispensing cage to be in its closed configuration.

3. The dispensing cage as claimed in claim 2 wherein said clip means and said hole are able to be disengaged, said cage then being in its open configuration.

4. The dispensing cage as claimed in claim 3 wherein a fixed limit opening strap is provided between said fixed part and said movable part to limit amount of pivotal movement.

5. A dispensing cage comprising: a locating strap positionable about a rim of a toilet bowl, and a body comprising a plurality of apertures to allow water to pass therethrough, said body 25 comprising a fixed part connected to said locating strap and a movable part hingedly joined to said fixed part along a common edge thereof, said two parts being able to be pivoted about said hingedly joined common edge, opposite corresponding edges being securable together; said movable part further comprising a locking strap which is manipulable by a S* 30 hand of a user and extends outwardly from a distal region of said movable part with S•respect to the hingedly joined common edge; and releasable means for maintaining said movable part in closed position with respect to said fixed part but upon release permitting said movable part to be moved to an open position by said locking strap while said dispensing cage is located within said toilet bowl for inserting one or more replacement tablets into said body via said movable part. /V IV,

6. The dispensing cage as claimed in claim 5, wherein said movable part is hinged with respect to said fixed part so that when the dispensing cage is positioned IN\IibccIOO307:HRW M TOILET CAGE DISPENSER ABSTRACT A toilet bowl dispensing cage (1,21) is disclosed. The cage (1,21) includes a cage portion (2,22) with a plurality of apertures (6,26) through which water is able to pass. The cage portion (2,22) includes a fixed part (3,23) and a movable part (4,24) joined by a flexible hinge The cage (1,21) further includes a flexible locating strap (7,27) which fits over the rim of the toilet bowl. The movable part (4,24) and the fixed part (3,23) are able to be disengaged and a tablet is able to be inserted into the cage portion (2,22) without the cage (1,21) being removed from the toilet bowl. Fig. 2. 9 9' 99 994 .9 9 99 .9 99 9 9* 9 9 9 9 9 HRW/0628c