GB2269103A

GB2269103A - Housing with non-uniform cross-sectional area for a chemical product

Info

Publication number: GB2269103A
Application number: GB9311631A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael J Chaffe
Original assignee: MJC ASS Ltd
Current assignee: MJC ASS Ltd
Priority date: 1992-07-31
Filing date: 1993-06-04
Publication date: 1994-02-02
Also published as: GB9311631D0; GB9216373D0

Abstract

There is disclosed a housing for a chemical product of the kind referred to below comprising a body having a lower portion (12) and an upper portion (11), means whereby the junction between the upper and lower portions is of greater cross-sectional area than that of the lower portion, means (14) enabling access to the interior of said body for introduction of said chemical product and apertures (15) through the walls of both the upper and lower portions of said body. The upper portion may be of greater cross-sectional area than the lower portions, its base (13) comprising said means of greater cross-sectional area. Alternatively, there may be an outwardly directed flange (30, see figure 3), intermediate said upper and lower portions, which comprises said means of greater cross-sectional area. The chemical product, which may be a disinfectant, deodorant, insect-repellent, insecticide or combination thereof, is of the kind which either sublimates to atmosphere or dissolves in water. <IMAGE>

Description

HOUSING FOR A CHEMICAL PRODUCT This invention concerns a housing for a chemical product of the kind (hereinafter termed 'of the kind referred to') which either sublimates to atmosphere or dissolves in water.

According to the present invention there is provided a housing for a chemical product of the kind referred to comprising a body having a lower portion and an upper portion, means of greater cross-sectional area than that of the lower portion at the junction between the upper and lower portions, means enabling access to the interior of said body for introduction of said chemical product and apertures through the walls of both the upper and lower portions of said body.

The upper portion may be of greater cross-sectional area than the lower portions, its base comprising said means of greater cross-sectional area.

There may be an outwardly directed flange intermediate said upper and lower portions and comprising said means of greater cross-sectional area.

The upper and lower portions may be of circular cross-section.

The access means may comprise an enlarged slot in either the upper or lower body portion.

The access means may comprise a removable cap closing the upper end of the upper portion or the lower end of the lower portion.

The removable cap may engage the body with a screw-threaded connection.

The invention includes a drain cover adapted to receive a housing as aforesaid with the lower portion of the body below the top of the cover, the top of the cover being formed to direct water impinging thereon through the housing before entry to the drain beneath the cover.

The invention also includes a dustbin having a lid with a housing as aforesaid fitted therethrough, the upper and lower body portions of the housing being disposed above and below the lid respectively.

The chemical product may be a disinfectant, deodorant, insect-repellent, insecticide or some combination thereof.

The invention will be further apparent from the following description with reference to the several figures of the accompanying drawings, which show, by way of example only, a number of embodiments thereof.

Of the drawings : Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a first form of housing; Figure 2 shows a cross-section through the first form of housing on the line II-II of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a side elevation of a second form of housing; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a drain cover; Figure 5 shows a cross-section of the drain cover on the line V-V of Figure 4; and Figure 6 shows a side elevation of a dustbin.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, it will be seen that a first form of housing 10 comprises upper and lower body portions 11 and 12 respectively, each of circular cross-section. The upper portion 11 is of greater cross-sectional area than the lower portion 12, whereby its bottom wall 13 forms an abutment to support the housing 10 when positioned in an aperture which receives the lower portion 12.

A slot-like aperture 14 is provided in the cylindrical wall of the lower portion 12 enabling introduction of a chemical product of the kind referred to, and likely in the form of a tablet or lozenge, to the interior of the housing 10.

Apertures 15 are provided in each of the upper and lower portions 11 and 12 whereby water entering those in the upper portion dissolves some of the chemical product present in the housing 10 before exiting, as solution, through those of the lower portion; or whereby vapours from a sublimating product egress through the apertures 15 in both upper and lower portions.

The housing of Figure 3 is generally similar to that of Figures 1 and 2, save that the portions 11 and 12 are of equal diameter and separated by an outwardly directed flange 30 which forms the abutment. Also, the upper portion 11 is provided with a removable snap-on or screw-on lid 31 in place of the slot 14.

Figures 4 and 5 show a drain cover, primarily designed to prevent ingress of detritus to a drain.

It's top wall 40 can be cut as indicated by chain-dotted line 41 to permit entry of a down spout or the like.

The top wall is also dished to slots 42 to enable water falling - or sprayed - thereon to run through and into the drain. However, the slots 42 are of sufficient extent to provide small bridges 43 which can easily be ruptured to form an aperture adapted to receive a housing 10 as described above. Such housing might be charged with a disinfectant to maintain cleanliness of the drain. Any rain falling onto the wall 40 will carry disinfectant solution into the drain. Absent rain, the user might "water" the wall 40 along with surrounding plants.

Of course, a tablet-like unit of disinfectant could be positioned in the dish formation of the wall 40 without rupture of the bridges 43.

Figure 6 shows a dustbin 60 whose lid 61 usually of plastics or rubber - has been provided with a circular aperture to receive one of the housings 10 as described above. Such would be charged with a chemical product which sublimates to discharge into and over the bin 60. These might comprise a deodorant, an insect-repellent, and insecticide, a disinfectant or some combination thereof.

It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations, such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art, being possible, without departing from the scope thereof.

Claims

1. A housing for a chemical product of the kind referred to comprising a body having a lower portion and an upper portion, means of greater cross-sectional area than that of the lower portion at the junction between the upper and lower portions, means enabling access to the interior of said body for introduction of said chemical product and apertures through the walls of both the upper and lower portions of said body.

2. A housing according to claim 1 wherein the upper portion is of greater cross-sectional area than the lower portions, its base comprising said means of greater cross-sectional area.

3. A housing according to claim 1 wherein there is an outwardly directed flange intermediate said upper and lower portions and comprising said means of greater cross-sectional area.

4. A housing according to claim 1 wherein the upper and lower portions are of circular cross-section.

5. The housing according to any preceding claim wherein the access means comprises an enlarged slot in either the upper or lower body portion.

6. The housing according to any of claims 1-4 wherein the access means comprises a removable cap closing the upper end of the upper portion or the lower end of the lower portion.

7. The housing according to claim 6 wherein the removable cap engages the body with a screw-threaded connection.

8. A housing according to any of claims 1-7 containing said chemical product which comprises a disinfectant, deodorant, insect-repellent, insecticide or some combination thereof.

9. A drain cover fitted with a housing according to any preceding claim with the lower portion of the body below the top of the cover, the top of the cover being formed to direct water impinging thereon through the housing before entry to the drain beneath the cover.

10. A dustbin having a lid with a housing according to any of claims 1-8 fitted therethrough, the upper and lower body portions of the housing being disposed above and below the lid respectively.