EP0586137A1 - Dispensing device - Google Patents

Dispensing device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0586137A1
EP0586137A1 EP93306499A EP93306499A EP0586137A1 EP 0586137 A1 EP0586137 A1 EP 0586137A1 EP 93306499 A EP93306499 A EP 93306499A EP 93306499 A EP93306499 A EP 93306499A EP 0586137 A1 EP0586137 A1 EP 0586137A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
latch means
block
closure element
rapping
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP93306499A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0586137B1 (en
EP0586137B2 (en
Inventor
Brian George Unilever Research Port Humfress
Martin John Unilever Research Port Murphy
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Unilever PLC
Unilever NV
Original Assignee
Unilever PLC
Unilever NV
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
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Application filed by Unilever PLC, Unilever NV filed Critical Unilever PLC
Publication of EP0586137A1 publication Critical patent/EP0586137A1/en
Publication of EP0586137B1 publication Critical patent/EP0586137B1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0586137B2 publication Critical patent/EP0586137B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
    • E03D9/00—Sanitary or other accessories for lavatories ; Devices for cleaning or disinfecting the toilet room or the toilet bowl; Devices for eliminating smells
    • E03D9/02—Devices adding a disinfecting, deodorising, or cleaning agent to the water while flushing
    • E03D9/03—Devices adding a disinfecting, deodorising, or cleaning agent to the water while flushing consisting of a separate container with an outlet through which the agent is introduced into the flushing water, e.g. by suction ; Devices for agents in direct contact with flushing water
    • E03D9/032—Devices connected to or dispensing into the bowl
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
    • E03D9/00—Sanitary or other accessories for lavatories ; Devices for cleaning or disinfecting the toilet room or the toilet bowl; Devices for eliminating smells
    • E03D9/02—Devices adding a disinfecting, deodorising, or cleaning agent to the water while flushing
    • E03D2009/024—Devices adding a disinfecting, deodorising, or cleaning agent to the water while flushing using a solid substance

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a refillable dispensing container for dispensing chemicals into the bowl of a toilet.
  • a dispensing container which can be conveniently opened so as to facilitate refilling with said chemicals.
  • the chemicals to be dispensed may be cleansing agents, sanitizing agents, deodorants and the like.
  • EP 413 373A discloses a dispensing container for delivering a chemical product to a discontinuous stream of water.
  • Such containers are positioned in a hanging position in the toilet bowl dependent from the rim. They frequently comprise a cage-like container with a hook for mounting the container such that the container is located under the rim of the toilet bowl.
  • a container is disclosed in GB 1505808 (L'Oreal). Inside such containers there is generally found a solid block of a sparingly soluble or water-reactive cleansing agent which, during the flushing operation, is delivered to the flush water to infuse the water standing in the bowl.
  • GB 1 471 040 (McDuffee) discloses a container with a top portion in a form of a cap, the cap may be removed to allow the chemical block to be renewed.
  • Such containers are available in the market but suffer from the disadvantage that they have to be manually opened by handling the container and unfastening a catch to place a new chemical block into the container.
  • the present invention overcomes the difficulty of opening the container by providing a dispensing container which can be opened without direct handling of the body of the container, and a method of use of such a container.
  • the present invention provides a dispensing container for delivering a chemical product to a liquid, said container comprising a outer shell to contain the chemical product, a hinged closure element and latch means for releasably securing said closure element so as to retain said product within said shell, wherein said latch means are so configured that said latch means can be released by a force indirectly applied to said latch means.
  • Opening in this manner facilitates replacement of a spent block without undue handling of the container and reduces soiling of the hands.
  • the dispensing container preferably comprises a foraminious shell-like body formed from two halves.
  • the body is egg-shaped or generally cylindrical when the closure element is in a 'closed' position.
  • the two halves are hinged such that both halves can, when opened, be placed side by side such that the body of the container appears substantially flat. Opening of the container in such a manner enables the easy removal of any residual remains of an old block of chemical product when the container is opened to place a new block inside it.
  • the latch is configured such that it opens, releasing the closure element, when the container is knocked or firmly pressed against a hard surface and can be secured again therafter.
  • the latch comprises a engaging member having a nose-like projection and means for receiving the engaging member which consist of an aperture with a protruding sill.
  • the underside of the nose is ramp-like. This enables the container to be opened by rapping it on a hard surface and urging the ramp-like underside of the nose against one bound of the aperture thereby causing the engaging member to disengage from the aperture.
  • the latch is positioned directly opposite the hinge of the closure element. It is believed that this facilitates particularly easy opening of the container when it is rapped against a surface.
  • the container is intended for use inside a toilet bowl, it preferably comprises means for mounting the container in the toilet bowl.
  • the preferred means for mounting the container in the toilet bowl comprises a hook-like member, typically a strip of resistant material folded into three, as is generally known in the art.
  • the hook-like member can be hooked over the rim of the toilet bowl so as to position the container beneath the rim of the toilet bowl in the flush-water stream. It is also particularly preferable that the latch means are located adjacent the base of the hook-like member.
  • the container is preferably made of a suitable plastics material, i.e. one which dies not react with the chemical components of the block.
  • kit of parts comprising a container as described above, and, in combination therewith, instructions regarding a method of use of said container including the step of rapping the container against a surface.
  • kit can further comprise one or more chemical blocks for use with said container.
  • each block is wrapped in a cover, such as a cellophane sheet, in such a manner that the block may be placed into the container without direct handling of the block.
  • a further aspect of the present invention provides a kit of parts comprising a block as described above, and, in combination therewith, instructions regarding a method of use of said block including the step of rapping a container for said block against a surface.
  • a method for refilling a toilet block container which comprises the step of rapping said container against a surface.
  • the abovementioned instructions will generally be in the form of indicia, preferably words and/or pictures, upon a suitable substrate.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a closed container in accordance with the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a similar view of the container with the closure element in an 'open' position.
  • Figure 3 is a plan view of a part of the latch means.
  • Figure 4 is a cross section along the line iii-iii of figure 3.
  • FIG. 1 shows a dispensing container [1] having a shell-like body [2] and a fastening means [3] to attach the container to a toilet bowl.
  • Latch [4] comprises member [5] having base [6], lug [7] and nose [8].
  • the underside of the nose [9] forms a ramp-like surface.
  • Member [5] is received, by aperture [10] with an internally intruding sill [11].
  • the body [2] is in two halves, the two halves [15a, 16a] are joined by hinges [12a and 12b], positioned opposite the latch. Between the hinges is a gap [13].
  • the body of the container has holes [14] to allow water to pass therethrough, both for ingress of water and egress of water mixed with a part of the contents of the container.
  • the container In-use, the container is generally closed as shown in figure 1 and suspended by hook-like fastening means [3] from the rim of a toilet bowl. A block of water-soluble or water-reactive material is entrapped within the container. During the flush cycle flush water enters through the holes [14] and leaves through these same holes or through gap [13], bearing a portion of the block therewith.
  • the empty container can be removed from the toilet bowl by handling fastening means [3].
  • fastening means By holding said fastening means and rapping the base of the body of the device on a hard surface, the force applied to the container causes the body to distort and the latch means opens.
  • the empty device is rinsed to remove any residue and a new block, not shown, is inserted into the device.
  • the two halves of the body of the device are then pressed together so that the rim on one half fits into the groove on the other half, the latch engages and the device is thus held shut.
  • the device is then attached under the rim of the toilet bowl by the fastening means.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
  • Non-Flushing Toilets (AREA)
  • Bidet-Like Cleaning Device And Other Flush Toilet Accessories (AREA)

Abstract

The invention provides a dispensing container, particularly a toilet block holder for delivering a chemical product to a liquid, said container [1] comprising a outer shell [2] to contain the chemical product, a hinged closure element and latch means [4] for releasably securing said closure element so as to retain said product within said shell, wherein said latch means are so configured that said latch means can be released by a force indirectly applied to said latch means. Preferably the latch means is configured such that it opens, releasing the closure element, when the container is knocked against a hard surface and said latch means can be secured again therafter. Opening in this manner facilitates replacement of a spent block without undue handling of the container and reduces soiling of the hands.

Description

    TECHNICAL FIELD
  • The present invention relates to a refillable dispensing container for dispensing chemicals into the bowl of a toilet. In particular it relates to a dispensing container which can be conveniently opened so as to facilitate refilling with said chemicals. The chemicals to be dispensed may be cleansing agents, sanitizing agents, deodorants and the like.
    • BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
  • Dispensing containers for dispensing a dissolvable chemical product from a solid block form into a toilet bowl are generally known. EP 413 373A (Unilever) discloses a dispensing container for delivering a chemical product to a discontinuous stream of water.
  • Such containers are positioned in a hanging position in the toilet bowl dependent from the rim. They frequently comprise a cage-like container with a hook for mounting the container such that the container is located under the rim of the toilet bowl. Such a container is disclosed in GB 1505808 (L'Oreal). Inside such containers there is generally found a solid block of a sparingly soluble or water-reactive cleansing agent which, during the flushing operation, is delivered to the flush water to infuse the water standing in the bowl.
  • Due to cost effectiveness and environmental concerns it is desirable to have a dispensing container which can be refilled. GB 1 471 040 (McDuffee) discloses a container with a top portion in a form of a cap, the cap may be removed to allow the chemical block to be renewed. Such containers are available in the market but suffer from the disadvantage that they have to be manually opened by handling the container and unfastening a catch to place a new chemical block into the container.
  • This task is often particularly unpleasant, as the old block can form a gelatinous mass at the bottom of the container and this mass has to be removed before the new block is placed into the container. The handling of a such a soiled device is considered unpleasant by many consumers who are disposed to discard the container and replace it completely, adding to costs and wastage of materials. Moreover, some hygiene agents can be hazardous if brought into contact with the skin and accidental skin contact is likely to occur during the refilling process.
  • The present invention overcomes the difficulty of opening the container by providing a dispensing container which can be opened without direct handling of the body of the container, and a method of use of such a container.
    • DEFINITION OF THE INVENTION
  • Accordingly the present invention provides a dispensing container for delivering a chemical product to a liquid, said container comprising a outer shell to contain the chemical product, a hinged closure element and latch means for releasably securing said closure element so as to retain said product within said shell, wherein said latch means are so configured that said latch means can be released by a force indirectly applied to said latch means.
  • Opening in this manner facilitates replacement of a spent block without undue handling of the container and reduces soiling of the hands.
    • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • The dispensing container preferably comprises a foraminious shell-like body formed from two halves.
  • Typically, the body is egg-shaped or generally cylindrical when the closure element is in a 'closed' position.
  • Preferably the two halves are hinged such that both halves can, when opened, be placed side by side such that the body of the container appears substantially flat. Opening of the container in such a manner enables the easy removal of any residual remains of an old block of chemical product when the container is opened to place a new block inside it.
  • Typically, the latch is configured such that it opens, releasing the closure element, when the container is knocked or firmly pressed against a hard surface and can be secured again therafter.
  • Various configurations of latch can be envisaged. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the latch comprises a engaging member having a nose-like projection and means for receiving the engaging member which consist of an aperture with a protruding sill. Preferably, the underside of the nose is ramp-like. This enables the container to be opened by rapping it on a hard surface and urging the ramp-like underside of the nose against one bound of the aperture thereby causing the engaging member to disengage from the aperture.
  • Preferably the latch is positioned directly opposite the hinge of the closure element. It is believed that this facilitates particularly easy opening of the container when it is rapped against a surface.
  • As the container is intended for use inside a toilet bowl, it preferably comprises means for mounting the container in the toilet bowl.
  • The preferred means for mounting the container in the toilet bowl comprises a hook-like member, typically a strip of resistant material folded into three, as is generally known in the art. The hook-like member can be hooked over the rim of the toilet bowl so as to position the container beneath the rim of the toilet bowl in the flush-water stream. It is also particularly preferable that the latch means are located adjacent the base of the hook-like member.
  • It is desirable that there is an aperture at the bottom of the container such that any residual liquid may drain out from the container. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, at least two hinges are provided at the bottom of the container and the drainage aperture is located between them.
  • The container is preferably made of a suitable plastics material, i.e. one which dies not react with the chemical components of the block.
  • According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts comprising a container as described above, and, in combination therewith, instructions regarding a method of use of said container including the step of rapping the container against a surface.
  • Such a kit can further comprise one or more chemical blocks for use with said container. Preferably, each block is wrapped in a cover, such as a cellophane sheet, in such a manner that the block may be placed into the container without direct handling of the block.
  • A further aspect of the present invention provides a kit of parts comprising a block as described above, and, in combination therewith, instructions regarding a method of use of said block including the step of rapping a container for said block against a surface.
  • According to a yet further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for refilling a toilet block container which comprises the step of rapping said container against a surface.
  • The abovementioned instructions will generally be in the form of indicia, preferably words and/or pictures, upon a suitable substrate.
    • DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • The invention will now be described in further detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a closed container in accordance with the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a similar view of the container with the closure element in an 'open' position.
  • Figure 3 is a plan view of a part of the latch means.
  • Figure 4 is a cross section along the line iii-iii of figure 3.
  • Referring now to the figures of the accompanying drawings, these show a dispensing container [1] having a shell-like body [2] and a fastening means [3] to attach the container to a toilet bowl.
  • Latch [4] comprises member [5] having base [6], lug [7] and nose [8]. The underside of the nose [9] forms a ramp-like surface. Member [5] is received, by aperture [10] with an internally intruding sill [11].
  • The body [2] is in two halves, the two halves [15a, 16a] are joined by hinges [12a and 12b], positioned opposite the latch. Between the hinges is a gap [13].
  • The body of the container has holes [14] to allow water to pass therethrough, both for ingress of water and egress of water mixed with a part of the contents of the container.
  • Around the periphery of one half of the device is a groove [15b] and around the other half of the device is a rim [16b], this arrangement enables the device to be tightly closed.
  • In-use, the container is generally closed as shown in figure 1 and suspended by hook-like fastening means [3] from the rim of a toilet bowl. A block of water-soluble or water-reactive material is entrapped within the container. During the flush cycle flush water enters through the holes [14] and leaves through these same holes or through gap [13], bearing a portion of the block therewith.
  • After the passage of some time it become necessary to replace the block. The empty container can be removed from the toilet bowl by handling fastening means [3]. By holding said fastening means and rapping the base of the body of the device on a hard surface, the force applied to the container causes the body to distort and the latch means opens. The empty device is rinsed to remove any residue and a new block, not shown, is inserted into the device. The two halves of the body of the device are then pressed together so that the rim on one half fits into the groove on the other half, the latch engages and the device is thus held shut. The device is then attached under the rim of the toilet bowl by the fastening means.

Claims (6)

1) A dispensing container for delivering a chemical product to a liquid, said container comprising a outer shell to contain the chemical product, a hinged closure element and latch means for releasably securing said closure element so as to retain said product within said shell, wherein said latch means are so configured that said latch means can be released by a force indirectly applied to said latch means.
2) A container according to claim 1 wherein the latch means is configured such that it opens, releasing the closure element, when the container is knocked against a hard surface and wherein said latch means can be secured again therafter.
3) A kit of parts comprising a container according to claim 1, and, in combination therewith, instructions regarding a method of use of said container including the step of rapping the container against a surface.
4) Kit according to claim 3 further comprising one or more chemical blocks for use with said container.
5) Kit of parts comprising a block as described above, and, in combination therewith, instructions regarding a method of use of said block including the step of rapping a container for said block, said container being according to claim 1 against a surface.
6) A method for refilling a toilet block container which comprises the step of rapping said container against a surface.
EP19930306499 1992-08-20 1993-08-18 A method for refilling a toilet block container Expired - Lifetime EP0586137B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB929217715A GB9217715D0 (en) 1992-08-20 1992-08-20 Dispensing device
GB9217715 1992-08-20

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0586137A1 true EP0586137A1 (en) 1994-03-09
EP0586137B1 EP0586137B1 (en) 1998-01-07
EP0586137B2 EP0586137B2 (en) 2004-09-15

Family

ID=10720673

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19930306499 Expired - Lifetime EP0586137B2 (en) 1992-08-20 1993-08-18 A method for refilling a toilet block container

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0586137B2 (en)
DE (1) DE69316115T3 (en)
GB (1) GB9217715D0 (en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0697186A1 (en) * 1994-08-16 1996-02-21 Buck-Chemie GmbH & Co. WC dispensing container
WO1999024679A1 (en) * 1997-11-11 1999-05-20 S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Dispensing device
WO2000050699A1 (en) * 1999-02-26 2000-08-31 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Dispensing device
US6311340B1 (en) 1997-11-11 2001-11-06 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Dispensing device
WO2008058853A1 (en) * 2006-11-16 2008-05-22 Unilever N.V. Self adhesive hard surface cleaning block
WO2019002188A3 (en) * 2017-06-29 2019-02-21 Buck-Chemie Gmbh Rim block cage comprising a cleaning agent and an insert sheet
CN110820881A (en) * 2019-04-25 2020-02-21 广州蓝月亮实业有限公司 Delay release device for toilet cleaning articles

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BRPI0810491A2 (en) 2007-04-16 2015-07-28 Unilever Nv Hard surface cleaning composition, process for manufacturing a composition and method for providing hygiene in a toilet
WO2012119838A1 (en) 2011-03-04 2012-09-13 Unilever Nv Self-adhesive hard surface cleaning composition
EP2804941B1 (en) 2012-01-20 2016-03-30 Unilever N.V. Hard surface cleaning composition with foam booster

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2200414A1 (en) * 1972-09-16 1974-04-19 Henkel & Cie Gmbh
GB1505808A (en) * 1975-07-09 1978-03-30 Oreal Holder and method of packaging using same
EP0080943A1 (en) * 1981-12-01 1983-06-08 HENKEL FRANCE Société Anonyme Holder for toilet deodorising products comprising two parts hinged together
EP0166374A2 (en) * 1984-06-28 1986-01-02 Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien WC basket

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2200414A1 (en) * 1972-09-16 1974-04-19 Henkel & Cie Gmbh
GB1505808A (en) * 1975-07-09 1978-03-30 Oreal Holder and method of packaging using same
EP0080943A1 (en) * 1981-12-01 1983-06-08 HENKEL FRANCE Société Anonyme Holder for toilet deodorising products comprising two parts hinged together
EP0166374A2 (en) * 1984-06-28 1986-01-02 Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien WC basket

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0697186A1 (en) * 1994-08-16 1996-02-21 Buck-Chemie GmbH & Co. WC dispensing container
WO1999024679A1 (en) * 1997-11-11 1999-05-20 S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Dispensing device
US6311340B1 (en) 1997-11-11 2001-11-06 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Dispensing device
AU740998B2 (en) * 1997-11-11 2001-11-22 S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Dispensing device
WO2000050699A1 (en) * 1999-02-26 2000-08-31 S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc. Dispensing device
WO2008058853A1 (en) * 2006-11-16 2008-05-22 Unilever N.V. Self adhesive hard surface cleaning block
WO2019002188A3 (en) * 2017-06-29 2019-02-21 Buck-Chemie Gmbh Rim block cage comprising a cleaning agent and an insert sheet
CN110820881A (en) * 2019-04-25 2020-02-21 广州蓝月亮实业有限公司 Delay release device for toilet cleaning articles

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0586137B1 (en) 1998-01-07
GB9217715D0 (en) 1992-09-30
DE69316115T3 (en) 2005-02-03
DE69316115T2 (en) 1998-04-23
DE69316115D1 (en) 1998-02-12
EP0586137B2 (en) 2004-09-15

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