GB2157731A - Device for dispensing a sanitizing composition - Google Patents

Device for dispensing a sanitizing composition Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2157731A
GB2157731A GB08509997A GB8509997A GB2157731A GB 2157731 A GB2157731 A GB 2157731A GB 08509997 A GB08509997 A GB 08509997A GB 8509997 A GB8509997 A GB 8509997A GB 2157731 A GB2157731 A GB 2157731A
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United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
chamber
tubular member
water
cistern
tube
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GB08509997A
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GB8509997D0 (en
Inventor
Reginald Peter Wright
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Sterwin AG
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Sterwin AG
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Publication of GB8509997D0 publication Critical patent/GB8509997D0/en
Publication of GB2157731A publication Critical patent/GB2157731A/en
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Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03DWATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
    • E03D9/00Sanitary or other accessories for lavatories ; Devices for cleaning or disinfecting the toilet room or the toilet bowl; Devices for eliminating smells
    • E03D9/02Devices adding a disinfecting, deodorising, or cleaning agent to the water while flushing
    • E03D9/03Devices 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
    • E03D9/033Devices placed inside or dispensing into the cistern
    • E03D9/038Passive dispensers, i.e. without moving parts
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03DWATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
    • E03D9/00Sanitary or other accessories for lavatories ; Devices for cleaning or disinfecting the toilet room or the toilet bowl; Devices for eliminating smells
    • E03D9/02Devices adding a disinfecting, deodorising, or cleaning agent to the water while flushing
    • E03D2009/024Devices adding a disinfecting, deodorising, or cleaning agent to the water while flushing using a solid substance

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  • 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)
  • Bidet-Like Cleaning Device And Other Flush Toilet Accessories (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for dispensing a dose of a sanitizing composition to flush water in a cistern. The device comprises a chamber to contain a slow-dissolving solid sanitizing composition communicating with two tubes of different bore. A first tube has the greater bore and extends upwardly from the chamber to an extent greater than the second tube, and the tubes are arranged such that when the device is disposed resting within a full cistern the chamber communicates with a charge of water in the cistern through the second tube and a body of water can be tapped from within the cistern by the second but not the first tube each time the cistern is refilled following a discharge of flush water. In that way the chamber and the first tube are supplied with a charge of water which within the chamber can dissolve solid sanitizing composition to form a concentrated aqueous dose. Also, the volume of water held within the first tube in that portion thereof which extends above the second tube is chosen as a sufficient fraction of the volume of water held in the chamber to provide the desired dose volume in a range of situations. In addition, the open ends of the tubes within the chamber are disposed in relation to each other and the base of the chamber so that the dose volume expelled from the chamber when water passes from the first tube into the chamber is at least only minimally diluted by that water.

Description

SPECIFICATION Device for dispensing a sanitizing composition The present invention relates to a device for dispensing a sanitizing composition and, in particular, to a device for use within the cistern of a w.c. installation.
The problem of malodour associated with improperly disinfected toilet installations, in particular urinal installations, is well known. In recent years, a variety of products for treating water in a urinal or w.c. have been placed on the market, providing means to supply a treatment agent of one kind or another. Thus, for example, known products include those which can supply a treatment agent comprising a disinfectant such as bleach, a colouring agent, a colouring agent and a detergent, a colouring agent and a perfume, or some other combination of these ingredients.
Along with a variety of treatment agent formulations, there have also been proposed a number of devices affording a variety of dispensing arrangements. Examples of such dispensers are shown in U.S. Patent Specifications No. 3,521,306 and 3,545,014, in European Patent Specification No. 0 051.898A, and in British Patent Specifications Nos.
745,017, 1,069,213, 1,070,188, 1,347,569, 2,067,409 and 2,115,850A.
As will be seen from those earlier disclosures, known devices may vary in complexity from say the simple device of Specification No. 745,017 to the relatively more complex devices of say Specification No. 1,070,188 or Specification No.
2,115,850A. However, within a domestic environment or the like, the requirement is usually for a simple device which can be thrown away when exhausted, or readily replenished at irregular intervals suiting the partciular needs of requirements of the householder, which may not necessarily meet the same level of stringency as those of say an employer concerned with providing hygienic conditions within an office or factory environment.
Thus, for example, in a domestic environment the relatively simple device of say Specification No. 745,017 might be thought to be preferred.
Such a device is one adapted to sink in water and comprises a container with a removable top and two tubes of different bore passing through said top and extending into said container, the tube with the smaller bore reaching to within a short distance of the lower end of the container and the tube with the larger bore projecting further above the top of the container than the tube with the smaller bore. However, the device as disclosed is designed only for use with a liquid disinfectant which in all cases must have a density greater than that of water, and should feature not be met, the device will quickly be rendered ineffective by loss of liquid disinfectant other than by the intended discharge of discrete concentrated doses.Thus, if that feature is not met diffusion out of the upper mouth of the tube of larger bore will take place and/or the liquid disinfectant will become diluted by water fed to the container when the cistern within which the device is disposed is refilled.
We have now found surprisingly that a device for use in a domestic environment or the like which permits of greater flexibility of use and avoids disadvantages of conventional devices can be provided by employing a solid sanitizing composition and by combining two tubular members and a chamber to contain portions of the solid composition in an arrangement such that a body of water can be tapped into the chamber from within a cistern by one but not the other tubular member each time the cistern is refilled, thereby to supply the chamber with water which can act to dissolve the composition in the chamber and the other tubular member with a charge of water which on discharge of the cistern can displace a dose of sanitizing composition from the chamber.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a device for dispensing a dose of a concentrated aqueous solution of a sanitizing composition as hereinafter defined to a charge of flush water in a cistern, which device comprises a chamber to contain one or more portions of a slow-dissolving solid sanitizing composition, the chamber communicating with first and second hollow tubular members of different bore, the first tubular member having the greater bore and extending upwardly from the chamber to an extent greater than the second tubular member, and the tubular members being constructed and arranged such that when the device is disposed resting within a full cistern with the base of the chamber disposed at or about the base wall of the cistern the chamber communicates with a charge of water in the cistern through the second tubular member and a body of water can be tapped from within the cistern by the second but not the first tubular member each time the cistern is refilled following a discharge of flush water, thereby to supply the chamber and the first tubular member with a charge of water which within the chamber can dissolve solid sanitizing composition disposed therein to form said concentrated aqueous dose, the volume of water held within the first tubular member in that portion of the member which extends above the second tubular member being a sufficient fraction of the volume of water held in the chamber when the cistern is full to provide the desired dose volume in a range of situations, and the open ends of the tubular members within the chamber being disposed in relation to each other and spaced from the base wall of the chamber whereby the dose volume expelled from the chamber when water passes from the first tubular member into the chamber is at least only minimally diluted by that water.
By the term "sanitizing composition" as used in the present specification and claims is meant a composition formulated so as to provide one or more of a deodorising, perfuming, disinfecting, cleansing or colouring treatment to a charge of water to which the composition is added.
In one form of device according to the invention, the first tubular member may be arranged to extend upwardly from the chamber to an extent sufficient to provide a passage to atmosphere from within the chamber when the device is disposed resting within a full cistern with the base of the chamber disposed at or about the base wall of the cistern. In such a device the end of the first tubular member remote from the chamber may have a passage to atmosphere which is restricted, and the restricted passage to atmosphere, for example, may be provided via a mouth having a diameter less than the diameter of the bore of the second tubular member. In that way the discharge of the dose of sanitizing composition can be delayed so that it is fed to the portion of flush water which is discharged last.
Alternatively, the device according to the invention may be formed so that dose volume variations caused by a variation in cistern full water levels can be eliminated. In that other form of device, the first tubular member may be arranged to extend upwardly from the chamber to a lesser extent so that its end remote from the chamber is below the full cistern water level when the device is disposed resting within a full cistern with the base of the chamber disposed at or about the base wall of the cistern. However, in that case and in order to ensure that water is tapped into the chamber via the second but not the first tubular member in such a device the said end of the first tubular member is formed or arranged so that it provides a passage to within the cistern through a mouth of diameter less than that of the bore of the second tubular member.Again, in that way the discharge of the dose of sanitizing compostion may be delayed and diffusion through the said end of the first tubular member is prevented or essentially prevented.
In both of the above forms of device the end of the first tubular member remote from the chamber may have a restricted mouth provided by either an integral or a removable closure having an aperture therethrough. Thus, for example, the first tubular member may have a restricted mouth provided by a close-fitting removable cap having an aperture therethrough.
Furthermore, in any of the above forms, the through aperture is preferably a pinhole, the size of which may be determined by simple experiment to suit given cistern designs and to achieve the desired delay of dose discharge. As will be appreciated, if the hole is too small the dose discharge may be delayed too long so that it continues after the flush has finished i.e. while the cistern if refill ing. On the other hand, if the hole is too large the required delay man not be achieved and, when using that form of device where the end of the first tubular member is below the full cistern water level, diffusion before discharge may take place to an unacceptable degree. Typically, we believe pin holes having a diameter of say from about 0.5 to about 0.1 mm may be suitable.
Also, in the device of the invention, the first tu bular member is preferably formed to permit passage therethrough of portions of solid sanitizing composition for replenishment of the chamber.
That is to say, the first tubular member is prefera bly formed with an open or openable end remote from the chamber and with a bore of sufficient diameter to permit passage of said solid portions.
Additionally or alternatively, separate feed means may be provided as described below.
Furthermore, in the device of the invention the open end of one tubular member within the chamber generally may be nearer the base wall of the chamber than the corresponding open end of the other tubular member. Preferably, the open end of the first tubular member within the chamber is at or adjacent the uppermost portion of the chamber, and preferably the open end of the second tubular member within the chamber is at or adjacent the base wall of the chamber. In addition, the second tubular member is preferably arranged so that its open end outside the chamber is at or adjacent an upper portion of a wall of the chamber.
Also, in order to minimise blockage, the open end of the second tubular member within the chamber may be shaped so that one portion is closer to the base of the chamber than an opposite portion. For example, that end of the second tubular member rnay have a "chamfered" shape, and the other open end of the second tubular member (if desired) may be similarly shaped.
In the device according to the invention, it is preferred to include means for feeding portions of solid sanitizing composition to the inside of the chamber whereby successive portions of composition can be exposed to water within the chamber.
Such feed means preferably comprise a third tubular member having one open end outside the chamber closable by a closure member, and its other open end positioned in the chamber, preferably in a lower portion thereof, the third tubular member being arranged so as to permit a charge comprising a multiplicity of portions of a solid sanitizing composition to be held in the device while exposing only part of the charge to the action of any water present in the chamber. In such an arrangement, the extent of exposure of the charge is preferably controlled by the positioning of the other open end of the third tubular member in relation to the base wall of the chamber. Also, the third tubular member preferably includes one or more openings e.g. slots, through the wall thereof at or adjacent its other open end.
In order to permit optimum utilization of the concentrated aqueous dose, the feed means is preferably arranged to feed solid portions of sanitizing composition to a position in the flow path within the chamber between the open mouths of the first and second tubular members. For example, within the chamber the open mouths of the first, third and second tubular members may be arranged in sequence across the chamber. Preferably also, the feed means extends above the water level of a full cistern when the device rests therein.
A device according to the invention may be constructed so that it is suitable for use with a sanitizing composition in a variety of solid forms. For example, the device may be constructed for use with a composition in the form of tablets, slugs, pellets, blocks etc. Preferably, however, the device is constructed so that it is useable with a composition which is in tablet form.
Typically, the tablets employed may be low solubility bleach tablets, although if desired colouring and/or detergent and/or perfumed components may be added. Alternatively, the tablets may comprise a colouring agent and a detergent, or a disinfectant or any other combination of materials as may be suitable or desired.
In the device according to the invention, the chamber may be any suitable shape. For example, the chamber may be rectangular or circular in plan when viewed from above, but preferably is rectangular in plan when viewed from above. Preferably also, the chamber includes a detachable lid incorporating said tubular members.
The device of the invention may be constructed from a variety of materials. In particular, however, the device may be integrally moulded or otherwise formed from plastics material. Alternatively, the chamber may be formed from glass or other material with a detachable lid formed from plastics material incorporating integral tubular members.
When the device of the invention is in use, the volume of dose dispensed will depend on the volume of water held within that portion of the first tubular member which extends above the second tubular member. At the same time, the concentration of the dose dispensed will depend on the degree to which the solid composition is exposed, which will include flush interval and surface area factors, and on the susceptibility of the composition to dissolution,as well as on the volume of water held within the chamber. Furthermore, the choice of volume size for the dose dispensed, and consequently the choice of volume size for the first tubular member, will depend on the concentration of sanitizing composition desired or required in the charge of flush water.
Generally speaking, where a disinfecting effect is required, the concentration of sanitizing composition may be higher than say where a colouring or like effect is required. Thus, for example, it is preferred that the ratio of the volume of water held within said portion of the first tubular member to the volume of water in the chamber will be from about 1:3 to about 1:6, more preferably about 1:5, for say a solid composition exposure of about 4 tablets, and along with a chamber volume of about 250 ml, when employing bleach tablets or the like to achieve a disinfecting effect. On the other hand, when employing a colouring tablet e.g. "Loo Blue", the ratio may be reduced to as low as about 1:500, for example, by employing a first tubular member of much reduced bore to give a dose volume of about 0.5 ml with a chamber volume of about 250 ml.Furthermore, other ratios between about 1:3 and about 1:500 may be employed depending on the solid sanitizing composition to be employed.
Thus, the device of the invention permits a high level of dosing flexibility, and various factors including the number of tablets or the like in contact with the water, the total surface area of the tablets or the like, the volume of the chamber, and the ratio of first tubular member dose volume to chamber volume may be varied so as to permit adequate dosing, particularly with disinfectant, even down to flush intervals as low as about 5 minutes.
While such frequent flush intervals may require a relatively large capacity chamber, perhaps in excess of the above-mentioned about 250 ml capacity, with a consequently relatively large volume first tubular member, perhaps more tablets or the like in contact with the liquid inside the chamber, and possibly larger size tablets or the like, nevertheless by appropriate choice within these variables adequate dosing can be achieved at low flush intervals. In that respect, it will be appreciated that increasing the surface area of the tablets or other solid composition and/or increasing the total number of tablets, increases the regenerative rate, which in turn affords a faster provision of the required concnetrate level even in a substantial volume of water in excess of say about 250 ml.
Furthermore, from any such concentrated reservoir, metered doses of say 50 ml in volume may be dispensed at more frequent intervals e.g. up to about 5 minute intervals.
Nevertheless, and generally speaking, it is preferred to employ a "standard" chamber having a volume of about 250 ml. By so choosing the chamber volume the device can offer the maximum storage of concentrate to give the dose strength likely to be required under peak use conditions, while at the same time being small enough generally to fit without difficulty within known w.c. and urinal cisterns.
We believe the flexibility and dose frequency offered by the device of the invention cannot be achieved with conventional devices which have only a limited concentrate retention volume and hence limited ability to give the required parts per million of available sanitizer e.g. chlorine, when the interval between flushes becomes smaller. Conventional devices, therefore, deliver their "normal" dose volume at lower flush intervals, and for that reason the strength of the dose is reduced to one will below the minimum sanitizing e.g. "kill", level.
Furthermore, another important feature of preferred devices in accordance with the invention is their ability to store a substantial "magazine" of tablets or the like, in a dry condition and arranged so that they automatically descent into the chamber as those beneath them are consumed. As will be appreciated, by increasing the diameter of the third tubular member or other feed means, and/or by increasing its height (within the limits of any particular cistern design) - and consequently increasing the amount of stored solid composition it is possible to achieve a significantly long "life" between refills. In that respect, we believe such self-feeding, long-life devices are unique, and can provide a maximum operational life far in excess of any known devices of like kind.
As will be appreciated from the above description, the invention includes a device in accordance with the invention containing one or more solid portions of sanitizing composition as herein before defined.
Also, the invention includes an assemblage of (such as a package comprising) said device and a supply of one or more solid portions of a sanitizing composition as hereinbefore defined.
Devices according to the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic cross-section through one form of device in accordance with the invention from one side and in situ in a cistern; and Figure 2 shows a diagrammatic cross-section through another form of device in accordance with the invention from one side and in situ in a cistern.
Referring to Figure 1, the device of the invention is generally designated by the numeral 11, and is shown resting on the base wall 12 of a cistern 13 having a minimum water level 14 and a maximum water level 15. The device 11 comprises a closed chamber 16 to which ingress is permitted only via a first tube 17 and a second tube 18. The first tube 17 extends upwardly away from the chamber 16 and above the maximum water level 15 of the cistern 13. Both tubes 17 and 18 are hollow and the upper mouth 19 of the first tube 17 permits the chamber 16 to breathe to atmosphere.
The tube 17 communicates with chamber 16 at its open mouth 21, but does not extend into the chamber. On the other hand, tube 18 extends downwardly into a lower portion of the chamber 16 so that the open mouth 22 of tube 18 is remote from the open mouth 21 of tube 17. In addition, the upper open mouth 23 of tube 18 outside chamber 16 is disposed well above lower mouth 22 in order to avoid any syphoning effect. Also, at mouth 22 tube 18 is chamfered in order to minimise blockage by any solid matter present in chamber 16, and tube 18 is similarly shaped at mouth 23.
In use, a number of solid portions 24 of slow-dissolving sanitizing composition, e.g. bleach tablets, are charged into the chamber 16, preferably through tube 17, the diameter of which may be chosen to suit that purpose. The device is then placed within a cistern as shown and, when the water is at its maximum level, the chamber 16 and tube 17 fill with water via tube 18. Within the full chamber 16, the sanitizing composition dissolves slowly to produce a concentrated aqueous dose of sanitizing composition.
When the cistern 13 is discharged, the emptying of the cistern permits the body of water 25 within that portion of tube 17 above the lower edge of mouth 23 of tube 18, that is to say the body of water within tube 17 representeo by the height "h", to flow into chamber 16 and to displace from the chamber through tube 18 an equivalent volume of a concentrated aqueous solution of the sanitizing composition. That sanitizing dose enters the latter portion of the flush charge from the cistern and exits via pipe 26 to sanitize the toilet bowl or the like (not shown). As the cistern refills tube 17 fills again via chamber 16 and tube 18 , and the operation is repeated each time the cistern is discharged.
In one form of device as shown in Figure 1, the chamber 16 may have a volume of about 60 ml and the tube 17 may have a dose volume represented by height "h" of about 20 ml. However, other volumes and volume ratios may be employed if desired.
Referring to Figure 2, the device 11' there shown is a variant of the device 11 shown in Figure 1, wherein the chamber 16' is lengthened to accommodate a third tube 31 between the tube 17 and the tube 18. The third tube 31 includes an upper open mouth 32 having a threaded rim 33 accommodating a screw cap 34 whereby mouth 32 may be closed to prevent water entering tube 31 from the bottom i.e. to seal tube 31 so as to trap air in the tube beneath the cap 34.
Tube 31 has a lower open mouth 35 positioned in the lower half of chamber 16' adjacent the lower mouth 22 of tube 18. The portion of tube 31 within chamber 16' includes opposed openings 36 through the wall thereof to permit better access of water to the inside of that tube portion, and the lower open mouth 35 of tube 31 is positioned in relation to base wall 27 of the chamber 16' to permit exposure of approximately the whole of one of the solid portions carried within the tube. In addition, the open mouth 22 of tube 18 is arranged to face away from the solid portion exposed at the mouth 35 of the tube 31, so that the anti-blocking effect of the chamfer at mouth 22 is maximised.
In order to prevent the formation of a vacuum in tube 31 as the tablets or other solid portions descend to replace those which have dissolved, the apex of each opening 36 must be above the level of the uppermost portion of tube 18. While it is the case that any vacuum which might tend to develop would not be broken so long as the water level remains at that of the "full" condition, because in practice the water level constantly rises and falls, at least to a small extent, that rise and fall tends to break any incipient vacuum, provided the openings 36 are arranged as shown.
In the device illustrated, water from the cistern cannot rise up the tube 31 and hence the tablets or the like remain substantially dry at all levels above the apices of the openings 36. However, if the apices of openings 36 are not correctly sited, the descent of the tablets or the like into the concentrate will create a partial vacuum in tube 31. As a result the concentrate will begin to rise up tube 31, and to wet tablets or the like stored therein above the level of openings 36.
As before, the device is disposed on the base of a cistern having a minimum of water level 14 and a maximum water level 15. When thus-disposed, as shown, the upper mouths 19 and 32 of tubes 17 and 31 respectively project above water level 15.
In use, solid portions 24, e.g. tablets or the like, are charged through open mouth 32 of tube 31, after which cap 34 is screwed into place. The device 11' is then placed within the cistern, and chamber 16' and tube 17 fill with water via tube 18.
The water within chamber 16' comes into contact with the solid portions 24 exposed at the open mouth 35 of tube 31 and via openings 36, and the necessary concentrated solution is formed in chamber 16'. On discharge of the cistern, tube 17 empties (as before) and the charge of water in tube 17 represented by height "h" displaces an equal volume of concentrated solution from chamber 16'.
Also, as before, tube 17 refills when the cistern is recharged.
As use progresses, the lowermost solid portion 24 is consumed and chamber 16' is replenished from the stack of solid portions 24. Furthermore, when the stack is exhausted tube 31 may be recharged through mouth 32 without removing the device from the cistern.
The chamber 16' is generally rectangular in plan when viewed from above and includes a removable lid 37 in which the tubes 17, 18 and 31 are incorporated. If desired, the lid 37 and tubes 17, 18 and 31 may be integrally moulded as a single unit.
Typically, the chamber 16' may have a volume of about 250 ml and the tube 17 may have a dose volume of about 50 ml. However, once again other volumes and volume ratios may be employed, if desired.
In the devices of the invention, the quality ahd quantity of the dose dispensed will depend on a variety of factors in the devices themselves, in particular on: 1. The volume of water held in that portion of tube 17 above the level of tube 18 as a fraction of the volume of chamber 16/16'; 2. The disposition of the lower mouth 22 of tube 18 in relation to the base wall 27 of the chamber 16/16' and the upper level of the volume of liquid displaced in each discharge. If the mouth 22 is too near the base wall 27 the dose discharged can be too concentrated, whereas if it is too far from the base wall 27 the dose discharged can be too dilute; and 3.The volume of the chamber - which generally should be not less than about 50 or about 60 ml, and preferably may be at least about 250 ml, in order to provide satisfactory sanitization in a range of situations, as well as on a number of "external" factors as discussed above, such as the interval between flushes of the cistern, the volume of the cistern charge, and the type and solubility of the solid portions of sanitizing composition.
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, factors such as the interval between flushes, the surface area of the tablets or the like employed, the total number of tablets i.e. the total volume of solid material in tube 31, and the solubility rate of the tablets etc., while all having a bearing on the dose of sanitizing composition dispensed to the charge of flush water, may be the same whatever the system employed or equally variable.However, as an example, and taking a flush interval in the region of from about 25 to about 30 minutes between flushes, the devices described can give anything from about 10 to about 40 parts per million of available chlorine in the flush water when:: (i) 4 x 1" diameter x 11/16" thick slow-dissolving bleach tablets of about 14.3 grams each are in contact with the water in the chamber 16/16'; (ii) the chamber 16/16' has a total capacity of from about 250 to about 350 ml; and (iii) the dose (per flush) is of the order of about 50 ml.
With the above typical flush interval, the water in the chamber can reach a typical concentration of about 800 p.p.m. of available chlorine. This concentrated dose in about 50 ml of water is delivered into approximately a quarter of the flush water, i.e.
a quarter of a typical total flush charge of about 9 litres, thus giving, for example, a concentration of from about 10 to about 20 p.p.m. in the toilet bowl, typically about 18p.p.m. of available chlorine.
It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the devices specifically described above.
Thus, for example, the disposition of tubes 17 and 18 may be varied so that the lower end of either of tube 17 or tube 18 reaches down to the base of chamber 16/16'. In Figures 1 and 2, while the lower end of tube 18 is nearest the base of chamber 16/ 16', should manufacturing convenience require tube 17 to reach towards the base of the chamber, then the lower end of tube 18 would merely reach into the upper surface of the water in the chamber.
In either event, the performance of the devices would be very similar under the two different conditions because the cross flow from tube 17 to tube 18 (or vice versa) would still be retained. In addition, the water flow would remain across the tablets or the like, e.g. in tube 31. This would ensure that, for example, a cross flow at the top of the water in the chamber is avoided, as would be possible if the lower ends of both of tubes 17 and 18 terminated at say the same upper or lower level.
However, in calculating the dose strength, one must recognise that the concentration of dissolved sanitizing material varies from top to bottom of the chamber 16/16', with the highest concentration being adjacent the base wall 27 of the chamber. In practice, therefore, it is preferred to draw concentrate from adjacent the base wall of the chamber (i.e. from the strongest solution) and to calculate the "dose" accordingly. Thus, the arrangements shown are the preferred arrangements, and it is especially preferred that the lower tip of tube 18 should be sited at from about 118" to about 1/4" from the base wall 27 of chamber 16116'.
Also, if desired the general arrangement of the device shown in Figure 2 may be provided in a "throw away" version of the device. Such a version would not be refillable but would nevertheless have the self-feeding and long-life features discussed above. In such an arrangement, the device would be filled with a complete charge of tablets or the like at the factory and, of course, the design and the materials of construction could be as simple as possible to minimise cost.
Furthermore, as will be appreciated, domestic w.c. cisterns are used much less frequently than equivalent industrial or office installations and, hence, the chamber 16 may be much smaller and contain fewer tablets or the like for domestic devices. However, the device shown in Figure 2 is in any situation: i. capable of dealing with more frequent flush ings while still maintaining the required parts per million of available chlorine (or its equivalent) in each flush; and ii. capable of affording a longer life. The selffeeding tablet magazine tube 31 gives the device a life span (between renewals of the tablets or the like in the tube 31) which is far in excess of any known device, and in excess of the device shown in Figure 1.
Also, the device of Figure 2 even while it has a long life is nevertheless automatic, silent in operation, contains no moving parts and contains nothing which can malfunction and/or require servicing.
In practice, the device shown in Figure 2 will preferably be produced to a likely "highest common denominator" so that it is able to cope with the most frequent flush conditions even in industrial or office use. Furthermore, if such a "highest common denominator requires "x" tablets or the like to be exposed - say 6 tablets - the device could be adapted for less frequent flushings by simply placing one or more e.g. a number "y", dummy tablets of plastics material or the like at the base of the tablet column in tube 17 to reduce the number in contact with the liquid to x-y (say from 6 to 5, 4, 3 - and so on) as required. The dummy tablet or tablets would then remain in situ for as long as the use conditions requiring less frequent flushing prevailed.
In addition, if desired tube 17 may be closed at end 19 by a close-fitting cap having a pinhole therethrough to provide a dose discharge delay. Also, tube 17 may be shortened so that end 19 is below the full cistern water level, and if necessary the diameter of its bore enlarged. End 19 of tube 17 may then again be closed except for a small aperture therethrough e.g. closed by a close-fitting cap having a pinhole therethrough.

Claims (28)

1. A device for dispensing a dose of a concentrated aqueous solution of a sanitizing composition as herein before defined to a charge of flush water in a cistern, which device comprises a chamber to contain one or more portions of a slow-dissolving solid sanitizing composition, the chamber communicating with first and second hollow tubular members of different bore, the first tubular member having the greater bore and extending upwardly from the chamber to an extent greater than the second tubular member, and the tubular members being constructed and arranged such that when the device is disposed resting within a full cistern with the base of the chamber disposed at or about the base wall of the cistern the chamber communicates with a charge of water in the cistern through the second tubular member and a body of water can be tapped from within the cistern by the second but not the first tubular member each time the cistern is refilled following a discharge of flush water, thereby to supply the chamber and the first tubular member with a charge of water which within the chamber can dissolve solid sanitizing composition disposed therein to form said concentrated aqueous dose, the volume of water held within the first tubular member in that portion of the member which extends above the second tubular member being a sufficient fraction of the volume of water held in the chamber when the cistern if full to provide the desired dose volume in a range of situations, and the open ends of the tubular members within the chamber being disposed in relation to each other and spaced from the base wall of the chamber whereby the dose volume expelled from the chamber when water passes from the first tubular member into the chamber is at least only minimally diluted by that water.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the first tubular member is arranged to extend upwardly from the chamber to an extent sufficient to provide a passage to atmosphere from within the chamber when the device is disposed resting within a full cistern with the base of the chamber disposed at or about the base wall of the cistern.
3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the passage to atmosphere through the end of the first tubular member remote from the chamber is retricted.
4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the restricted passage to atmosphere is via a mouth having a diameter less than the diameter of the bore of the second tubular member.
5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the first tubular member is arranged to extend upwardly from the chamber so that its end remote from the chamber is below the full cistern water level when the device is disposed resting within a full cistern with the base of the chamber disposed at or about the base wall of the cistern and the said end provides a restricted passage to within the cistern through a mouth of diameter less than that of the bore of the second tubular member.
6. A device according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the end of the first tubular member remote from the chamber includes a removable cap having a through aperture of said reduced diameter.
7. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first tubular member is formed to permit passage therethrough of portions of solid sanitizing composition for replenishment of the chamber.
8. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the open end of the first tubular member within the chamber is at or adjacent the uppermost portion of the chamber, and the open end of the second tubular member within the chamber is at or adjacent the base wall of the chamber.
9. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second tubular member is arranged so that its open end outside the chamber is at or adjacent an upper portion of a wall of the chamber.
10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the open end of the second tubular member within the chamber is shaped so that one portion is closer to the base wall of the chamber than an opposite portion.
11. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, including means for feeding portions of solid sanitizing composition to the inside of the chamber whereby successive portions of composition can be exposed to water within the chamber.
12. A device according to claim 11, wherein the feed means comprise a third tubular member having one open end outside the chamber closable by a closure member, and its other open end positioned in a lower portion of the chamber, the third tubular member being arranged so as to permit a charge comprising a multiplicity of portions of ssolid sanitizing composition to be held in the device while exposing only part of the charge to the action of any water present in the chamber.
13. A device according to claim 12, wherein the extent of exposure of the charge is controlled by the positioning of the other open end of the third tubular member in relation to the base of the chamber.
14. A device according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the tubular member includes one or more openings through the wall thereof at or adjacent its other open end.
15. A device according to claim 14, wherein the top edge of each opening is above the level of the uppermost portion of the second tubular member.
16. A device according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the feed means is arranged to feed solid portions of sanitizing composition to a position in the flow path within the chamber between the open mouths of the first and second tubular members.
17. A device according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the feed means extends above the water level of a full cistern when the device rests therein.
18. A device according to any one of the preceding claims suitable for use with a sanitizing composition in which said portions are in tablet form.
19. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chamber is rectangular in plan when viewed from above.
20. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chamber includes a detachable lid incorporating said tubular members.
21. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ratio of the dose volume held in the first tubular member in that portion of the member which extends above the second tubular member to the chamber volume is from about 1:3 to about 1:500.
22. A device according to claim 21, wherein said ratio is from about 1:3 to about 1:6.
23. A device according to claim 21, wherein said ratio is about 1:500.
24. A device for dispensing a dose of a concentrated aqueous solution of a sanitizing composition as herein before defined to a charge of flush water in a cistern substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.
25. A device for dispensing a dose of a concentrated aqueous solution of a sanitizing composition as hereinbefore defined to a charge of flush water in a cistern, which device comprises a chamber to contain one or more portions of a slow-dissolving solid sanitizing composition, the chamber communicating with first and second hollow tubular members and including means for feeding portions of solid sanitizing composition to the inside of the chamber whereby successive portions of composition can be exposed to water within the chamber, the first tubular member extending upwardly from the chamber to an extent greater than the second tubular member, and the tubular members being constructed and arranged such that when the device is disposed resting within a full cistern with the base of the chamber disposed at or about the base wall of the cistern the chamber communicates with a charge of water in the cistern through the second tubular member and a body of water can be tapped from within the cistern by the second tubular member each time the cistern is refilled following a discharge of flush water, thereby to supply the chamber and the first tubular member with a charge of water which within the chamber can dissolve solid sanitizing composition disposed therein to form said concentrated aqueous dose, the volume of water held within the first tubular member in that portion of the member which extends above the second tubular member being a sufficient fraction of the volume of water held in the chamber when the cistern is full to provide the desired dose volume in a range of situations, and the open ends of the tubular members within the chamber being disposed in relation to each other and spaced from the base wall of the chamber whereby the dose volume expelled from the chamber when the water passes from the first tubular member into the chamber is at least only minimally diluted by that water.
26. A device according to claim 25 having one or more of the features defined in any one of claims 2 to 10 or 12 to 23.
27. A device according to any one of the preceding claims containing one or more solid portions of a sanitizing composition as herein before defined.
28. An assemblage of a device according to any one of the preceding claims and a supply of one or more solid portions of a sanitizing composition as hereinbefore defined.
GB08509997A 1984-04-18 1985-04-18 Device for dispensing a sanitizing composition Withdrawn GB2157731A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB848410109A GB8410109D0 (en) 1984-04-18 1984-04-18 Dispensing sanitizing composition

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8509997D0 GB8509997D0 (en) 1985-05-30
GB2157731A true GB2157731A (en) 1985-10-30

Family

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Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB848410109A Pending GB8410109D0 (en) 1984-04-18 1984-04-18 Dispensing sanitizing composition
GB08509997A Withdrawn GB2157731A (en) 1984-04-18 1985-04-18 Device for dispensing a sanitizing composition

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB848410109A Pending GB8410109D0 (en) 1984-04-18 1984-04-18 Dispensing sanitizing composition

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (2) GB8410109D0 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
RU2627320C1 (en) * 2016-04-27 2017-08-07 Владимир Иванович Кутепов Dispenser for toilet pan tank (versions)

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB745017A (en) * 1953-08-31 1956-02-15 Thomas Whittle An improved liquid dispenser

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB745017A (en) * 1953-08-31 1956-02-15 Thomas Whittle An improved liquid dispenser

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
RU2627320C1 (en) * 2016-04-27 2017-08-07 Владимир Иванович Кутепов Dispenser for toilet pan tank (versions)

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8410109D0 (en) 1984-05-31
GB8509997D0 (en) 1985-05-30

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