GB2164633A - Dispensers - Google Patents

Abstract

A dispenser comprising a body (1) having a plurality of compartments (2, 3) for containing a respective plurality of different liquids, with each compartment having means (6) for dispensing the associated liquid therefrom. The liquids may be shampoo, hair conditioner, or the like, and the dispenser may have a soap-dish (18) thereabove, and may also have a face-flannel holder; it may be detachably hung from wall-mounted brackets (23). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Dispensers This invention relates to dispensers and more particularly to dispensers for dispensing a plurality of liquids.

The invention was conceived when considering the problem of having a number of different liquids for application to the hair when washing the same and will be discussed primarily in relation thereto. However, the invention has general application and is in no way limited to this aspect.

When washing one's hair oneself, difficulty is often experienced in locating the various liquids to be applied to the hair and in dispensing the appropriate quantity as one's vision is obscured by wet hair. As is known, a washing sequence may involve first applying shampoo to the wetted hair, rinsing, possibly followed by a second application and rinsing, and then applying hair conditioner. As mentioned, with obscured vision these liquids are difficult to locate, dispense in the correct quantity and relocate, and the containers are often knocked over thus wasting some of the contents. These problems are aggravated if the hair washing operation is effected whilst showering.

According to the present invention there is provided a dispenser comprising a body having a plurality of compartments for containing a respective plurality of different liquids, with each compartment having means for dispensing the associated liquid therefrom.

The body may be open topped to facilitate the filling of the compartments with the respective liquids, the body then being provided with a lid which may be arranged to serve a useful purpose other than closing the body. For example, the lid may be in the form of a soap dish and/or a holder for another liquid such as a hair colour rinse.

Conveniently, the dispenser is arranged for wall mounting with the liquids being dispensable from the underside. In order to permit mounting at a low level for easy reach when washing one's hair by leaning over a hand basin, for example, and mounting at a higher level when hair washing whilst showering, the body may be provided with mounting means which cooperate with bracket means attached to the wall(s) at the required locations.

The dispensing means associated with the respective compartments may each comprise a spring-loaded plunger having an offset aperture extending therethrough which, on movement of the plunger against the spring, is aligned with an aperture in the bottom of the compartment and an aperture in the bottom of the dispenser means to allow liquid to flow under gravity from the compartment. On release of the plunger, the latter seals the aperture in the compartment and the dispensing means although to effect a more positive sealing, a ball may be carried on the underside of the plunger so as to engage the aperture in the bottom of the dispensing means when the plunger is released. The aperture in the bottom of the dispensing means is preferably fitted with a tube through which liquid is dispensed as this enables the user more readily to locate the dispensing position when vision is obscured.The bottom of each compartment may slope downwardly towards the aperture therein and the lid may also slope downwardly from rear to front to shed any water which may fall thereon during showering, for example. If the liquid to be dispensed is relatively viscous, then the dispensing means may be of the pump type.

A dispenser constructed in accordance with the present invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the dispenser shown below a mounting bracket, and Figure 2 is a side view, partly in section of Figure 1.

The illustrated dispenser is designed to hold shampoo and hair conditioner and comprises an open-topped body 1 which is shown composed of a transparent synthetic plastics material for ease of illustration but which will probably be opaque and coloured. The body 1 is divided into two separate compartments 2 and 3 by a dividing wall 4, the compartments providing separate containers for the shampoo and hair conditioner. The bottom or floor 4 of each of the compartments 2 and 3 has a central outlet aperture 5 to which the floor slopes downwardly from all sides.

Beneath the floor 4 of each compartment 2 and 3 there is mounted a dispensing mechanism 6 comprising a body 7 in which is slidable a block or plunger 8 which is urged to the non-dispensing position shown in Figure 2 by a compression spring 9, in which position the plunger engages the front wall of the body 7. Each plunger has a through aperture 11 offset from the centre thereof so that in the normal position (that of Figure 2) it is not aligned with the associated aperture 5 of the compartment floor 4.

The underside of each plunger 8 is formed with a central recess 12 which contains a ball 13 which is held captive by the recess in conjunction with the bottom of the body 7. In the non-dispensing position of plunger 8 the ball 13 seats in the top of a dispensing tube 14 which is fitted in an aperture in the bottom of the body 7. Each plunger 8 is provided with a button 15 which extends through the front wall of the associated body for actuation by the user.

The main body 1 of the dispenser is fitted with a lid 16 also composed of a synthetic plastics material and having a depending skirt 17 which fits inside the top of the body 1. The lid 16 has a sloping top and is formed with a recess having two ribbed walls 18, 19 with the wall 18 sloping downwardly towards the front edge of the lid. The recess 16 forms a soap holder.

The dispenser is designed for wall mounting on a bracket 21 comprising a plate 22 which is apertured for receiving screws or the like for fastening to a wall, and further comprising two spaced hook portions 23 extending upwardly from the plate.

The rear wall of the body 1 of the container has two spaced hollow members 24 adapted to receive the respective hook portion 23 and hence be retained on the wall. In order to retain the dispenser vertical, spacers 25 is provided on the back of the body 1 below the respective members 24.

In order to dispense shampoo or hair conditioner, the appropriate button 15 is pressed which moves the associated plunger 8 against the spring 9 and in so doing the ball 13 is removed from the top of the dispensing tube 14 which it previously sealed. When the button 14 is fully depressed, the aperture 11 is aligned with the aperture 4 in the floor of the compartment and the related dispensing tube 14, whereby the shampoo or hair conditioner flows down the tube to the user's hand which is placed therebeneath. As soon as the button 15 is released, the spring 9 returns the plunger 8 to the non-dispensing position in which the ball 13 re-engages and seals the top of the dispensing tube 14.

It will be appreciated that the shampoo or hair conditioner can be disposed even when the user has obscured vision as it is easy to locate the buttons 15 and the dispensing tubes 14. Furthermore, the amount of liquid dispensed is very easily controlled. If more than one bracket 21 is provided in the bathroom, or other area of use, the dispenser is readily moved from one to the other according to the most advantageous position for the user, perhaps depending on whether the hair is being washed whilst showering. If the dispenser is subjected to water, for example when located in a shower, this if of no consequence as it is watertight and the sloping lid in general, and the sloping soap holder floor 18 in particular, prevent water from accumulating. The compartments 2 and 3 are replenished simply by removing the lid 16.

The dispenser may be fitted with means for holding a colour rinse, or a face flannel, for example, and if necessary can be formed with one or more further compartments to hold liquid soap for showering, body lotion, etc. The dispenser may also be made free standing in which case the liquids would have to be dispensed other than from the bottom. Also, if relatively viscous liquids are involved which do not readily flow under gravity, then the dispensing means may be of the pump type.

As already mentioned, the present invention finds general application where a plurality of liquids need to be dispensed from the same general location so that the invention is not limited to the dispensing of liquids associated with hair washing.

Claims (12)

1. A dispenser comprising a body having a plurality of compartments for containing a respective plurality of different liquids, with each compartment having means for dispensing the associated liquid therefrom.

2. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the body is open-topped to facilitate filling of the compartments, the dispenser further comprising a lid for closing the body.

3. A dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the lid so formed as to accommodate one or more items.

4. A dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lid has an inclined surface so as to shed any water which may fall thereon.

5. A dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein means are provided for wall mounting the dispenser and the liquids are dispensable from the underside of the body.

6. A dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the body is provided with one or more hollow members for receiving respective extension on a wall-mounted bracket to wall-mount the dispenser, and one or more spacers to maintain the body generaily vertical when received by the wallmounted bracket.

7. A dispenser according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the dispenser means associated with each compartment comprise a spring-loaded plunger having an offset aperture extending therethrough which, on movement of the plunger against the spring, is aligned with an aperture in the bottom of the compartment and an aperture in the dispensing means to allow liquid to flow under gravity from the associated compartment.

8. A dispenser according to claim 7, wherein each plunger carries a ball which engages, and hence seals, the associated aperture in the dispensing means when the plunger is not in the dispensing position.

9. A dispenser according to claim 7 or 8, wherein a tube is filled to each aperture in the dispensing means through which liquid is dispensed.

10. A dispenser according to any of claim 7 to 9, wherein the bottom of each compartment slopes downwardly towards the aperture therein.

11. A dispenser according to any of claim 1 to 6, wherein the dispensing means are of the pump type.

12. A dispenser substantially as herein particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings.