GB2492569A - A dispensing device for a dispensing a unitary dose - Google Patents

Abstract

A dispensing device (1) for a dispensing a unitary dose of a treatment composition to a surface of sanitary ware. The dispensing device comprises a housing (10) having a cavity for a supply of treatment compositions to be dispensed and an actuator (20) comprising a threaded shaft supporting a piston head. An actuator handle (22) is secured to one end of the housing and there is a dispensing member (31) at an other end of the housing. The dispensing member (31) has at least one aperture for dispensing a dose of treatment composition. Rotation of the actuator handle relative to the housing causes the piston head to move relative to the housing in the direction of the dispensing member.

Description

I

DEVICE FOR DISPENSING A CONTROLLED DOSE OF A TREATMENT

COMPOSITION

The invention relates to a device for dispensing controlled doses of a flowable material, and more particularly to a device for applying controlled doses of a treatment composition to sanitary ware.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,667.286 describes a viscous gel-like substance that may be applied directly to the inner surface of a toilet bowl for cleaning and/or disinfecting andlor fragrancing the toilet bowl. The substance can be applied from a suitable applicator directly onto the inner surface of the toilet bowl, to which the substance adheres. The substance remains on the inner surface of the toilet bowl even after being contacted with flush water, and typically the substance is only flushed away completely after a large number of flushes. The substance is also suitable for application to other surfaces such as urinals, lavatory or industrial sinks, showers, bathtubs, dishwashing machines and the like, Various applicators for such adhesive gel-like substances have been proposed.

For example, PCI International Patent Application WO 031043906 discloses a syringe-type dispensing device suitable for use in applying such adhesive gel-like substances to a surface. PCT International Patent Application WO 2004/043825 also discloses a syringe-type dispensing device for applying such adhesive gel-like substances to a surface.

The above referenced applicators do succeed in applying the adhesive gel-like substances to a surface; some users of these applicators have difficulty deciding when to stop applying the adhesive gel-like substances to a surface. For instance, some users continue pressing on the plunger of the syringe and apply a bead of the adhesive gel-like substance around the entire circumference of the inner surface of the toilet bowl. This leads to overuse of the adhesive gel-like substance and an unnecessarily quick need for refill of the syringe or replacement purchase in the case of a disposable device. Another problem is that some users do not apply enough of the substance which minimizes efficacy of substance. Consequently, EP-A-1 901972 discloses a device including a tubular body and a plunger. The body has a wall defining a cavity, and the body has a first open end and an opposite second end having a dispensing orifice. A flowable adhesive material is contained in the cavity of the body filled between the dispensing orifice and the first end. The plunger has an outer sleeve dimensioned for surrounding at least a section of the body and an inner pushing structure dimensioned for axial movement in the cavity of the body. The device has means for indexed positioning of the second end of the body and an inner end of the inner pushing structure of the plunger relative to each other to provide controlled doses of the flowable adhesive material such that the controlled unitized doses of the flowable adhesive material may be applied to the surface when the plunger (also called the holder1') is moved toward the body by a user. The body includes a shroud that extends away from the second end of the body and surrounds the dispensing orifice. A cap covers the tubular body opening during storage. It is alleged that this device for applying a flowable adhesive material to a surface such allows a user to apply a unitized discrete controlled dose accurately and thereby avoid (I) overuse and waste of the adhesive material or (ii) under use and decreased efficacy of the material.

An alternative to the device disclosed in EP-A-1 901972 is desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a dispensing device for a dispensing a unitary doss of a treatment composition, comprising a housing having a cavity for a supply of treatment compositions to be dispensed; an actuator comprising a threaded shaft supporting a piston head, and an actuator handle secured to one end of the housing; a dispensing member at an other end of the housing and having at least one aperture for dispensing a dose of treatment composition; wherein rotation of the actuator handle relative to the housing causes the piston head to move relative to the housing in the direction of the dispensing member. The dispenser of the invention provides a new device for dispensing treatment compositions to sanitary ware in a controlled dose.

The housing cavity may define a cylindrical space having a non-circular cross-section, optionally an elliptical cross-section, and the piston head has a cross-section corresponding to that of the cylindrical space. This feature prevents the piston head rotating with the threaded shaft relative to the housing.

The dispensing member has a plurality of apertures. Allows the deposition of novel patterns on the surface to which the treatment composition is applied. Also allows multiple deposits of treatment compositions in a single dose.

The dispensing device may comprise a closure member including a lid for closing the apertures of the dispensing member. The lid may be attached by a hinge to the dispensing device. The dispensing device may include retaining means for retaining the lid in an open position during use.

The housing and the actuator handle may each include a visual indicator, wherein the respective visual indicators are aligned before and after each unitary dose of treatment composition is dispensed.

The housing and actuator handle may have cooperating elements that provide a tactile andi or audible indication when a unitary dose of treatment composition has been dispensed.

The dispensing device may include a standoff portion extending from the end of the device having the closure member. The standoff portion may have one, two, three, four, five or six members. The member or members are preferably of equal length.

The dispensing device may be arranged to dispense a unitary dose of treatment composition by rotating the actuator handle relative to the housing by between 45 and 360 degrees, optionally, between 90 and 270 degrees, optionally, 180 degrees of rotation.

The dispensing device may comprise a supply of treatment composition within the housing cavity.

The treatment composition may have at least one of a cleaning effect, a disinfecting effect, a perfuming effect, a deodorising effect, and a colouring effect.

The treatment composition may include a paste, or a gel.

The treatment composition tested using a Brookfield CT3 Texture Analyser with a speed of 0.5 mm/sec at a deformation of 5mm, gives a final load value in the range lOOg to 1500g, preferably, 200 -1000g. more preferably 300 to aGOg, most preferably 400 to 700g.

The invention will now be described in more detail and by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings:-Figures 1A, 1 B and IC are front, rear and side views respectively of a device according to an embodiment of the invention in a closed configuration; Figures 2A, 28, and 2C are front, rear and side vtews respectively of the embodiment of the invention in an open configuration; Figures 3A and 36 are side and front views of the embodiment in cross-section.

Figure 4A and 4B are perspective views of a closure component of the embodiment in an open configuration Figures 5A and SB are a front view and a perspective view of a component of the device of the embodiment Figures 6A and 6B are side and perspective views of a piston component of the device of the embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The device 1 of the present invention is used in conjunction with a treatment composition for treating sanitary ware especially toilet bowls and is especially useful for applying a treatment composition to the internal surface of a toilet bowl. The treatment composition has a deodorising, perfuming/ fragrancing, colouring, disinfecting or other cleaning effect, or a combination of any of these effects. The treatment composition can be applied directly onto the inner surface of the toilet bowl, to which the substance adheres. The treatment composition remains on the inner surface of the toilet bowl even after being contacted with flush water, and typically the treatment composition is only flushed away completely after a large number of flushes. The treatment composition is also suitable for application to other surfaces such as urinals, lavatory or industrial sinks, showers, bathtubs, dishwashing machines and the like.

The figures show a dispensing device 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The dispensing device 1 has a main body 10 of generally cylindrical configuration for housing an actuator 20 and the treatment composition to be dispensed. The main body 10 is connected to an actuator handle 22 at one end substantially closed by an end wall 11. The main body 10 is closed by a closure member 30 at the other end from the handle 22. The closure member having a dispensing portion 31 and a hinged lid 32. The dispensing portion 31 also acts as an attachment portion for attaching the closure member 30 to the main body 10. In the present embod iment the main body 10 has an elliptical cross-section. In this document the term cylindrical', in all its forms, is not restricted to circular cross-sections and encompasses any cylinder with any shape of cross-section.

The main body 10 having a generally cylindrical wall, in this embodiment having an elliptical cross-section1 defines a housing for containing treatment composition within the interior of the main body. Embodiments of the treatment composition are discussed below in more detail, and the requirements for the treatment composition are also discussed.

The main body 10 has a flared flange 12 at one end for connecting the closure member 30 to the main body 10. The closure member 30 has flexible retaining elements 33 extending from the dispensing portion 31. The retaining elements 33 are received in corresponding retaining apertures 14 in the flange 12 of the main body 10.

The closure member 30 could be affixed to the main body by any convenient method, for example, by a screw fit.

Figures 1A, lB and 1C also show the hinge 34 connecting the lid 32 to dispensing portion 31 of the closure member 30. A lid lip 36 is provided for ease of opening the lid 32 using the user's thumb, for example. In Figure IA a retaining means for retaining the lid 32 of the closure member 30 in an open position is shown. The retaining means comprises, in this embodiment, a snap lock formed by a buttress 18 on the main body 10 having a portion 19 which is received by cooperating flanges 38 on the back of the lid 32 by a press fit action.

The handle 22 of the actuator 20 includes an indicator portion 24-in this case on both sides -for indicating the direction of operation of the handle for dispensing the treatment composition. The handle 22 twists relative to the main body 10, and a 180 degree turn suffices to dispense a unit dose of treatment composition. Of course, the figure 180 has been chosen for convenience and the device could be constructed to provide a unit dose of treatment composition by using any rotation amount of the handle 22, for example, 90 or 360 degrees. The 180 degree figure has been selected to give a reasonable trade off between ease of dispensation of the treatment composition against inconvenience of providing more rotational movement. Clearly the lower the rotational movement for one unit dose, the greater force will be required to dispense the treatment composition.

The main body 10 and handle 22, in this embodiment have visual indicators 16, 26 for indicating start and finish positions of the handle and main body portions when dispensing a unit dose. In this embodiment the visual indicators are aligned when the handle and main body are in their start! finish positions for dispensing a unit dose.

In the present embodiment there are three indicators that a unit dose has been dispensed. The visual indicator's 16, 26 mentioned above, and a physical or tactile indication, and an audible indication as explained below.

In the present embodiment, the handle 22 and the closure member 30 each have a flat surface on which the dispensing device can rest. It will be convenient to rest the device 1 on the flat surface 35 of the lid 32 since, as the unitary treatment composition doses are dispensed, the distribution of the treatment composition and, therefore, the weight in the device will be shifted towards the end of the device having the closure member 30, Figures 2A, 2B and 2C show the dispensing device 1 in an open configuration.

As most easily seen in Figure 2C, the lid 32 is fully opened so that the portion 19 (shown in figures 1A, B and C) on the buttress 18 is received by the flanges 38 on the lid 32. The lid is then kept open whilst the device is in operation and does not interfere with operation of the device. One alternative would be for the lid 32 to screw fit to the dispensing portion 31 of the closure member 30. The hinged design of the present embodiment prevents the lid 32 becoming mislaid. If the lid 32 were mislaid then those portions of the device 1 which contact the sanitary ware in use would not be covered between uses, which might be considered unsanitary. Furthermore, the hinged design of the present embodiment allows the entire closure member to be fabricated as a one piece, for example by injection moulding the closure member from a suitable plastic in this case polypropylene. A feature of the present embodiment is that there are relatively few parts. Each of the parts may conveniently be made by injection moulding a suitable thermoplastic polymer.

When the closure member 30 is in the closed position the lid is retained shut by a protrusion 37 on an external, circumferential surface of the dispensing portion 31, which is received in a corresponding recess 39 (see figure 4A) on an internal surface of the lid 32.

The dispensing portion 31 is provided with downwardly extending standoff portions 3, extending from a major external surface 31 a of the dispensing portion 31. In this embodiment there are three standoff portions 3, which in use are positioned on the surface of the sanitary ware to allow dispensing of the treatment composition into the space between the sanitary ware surface and the opposing major surface 31a of the dispensing portion 31.

Figures 3A and SB are cross sections through the device 1 viewed from one side and the front respectively.

It can be seen that in this embodiment the actuator handle 20 is formed from one piece and includes a boss 21 at one end having an undercut 23 (see figure 5A) which is used to retain the actuator 20 on the end of the main body 10 at the end wall 11. Flexible retaining flanges 13 project internally of the main body 10 from the end wail 11 and define an aperture receiving the boss 21 of the handle 22. Opposing faces 23a, 13a of the undercut 23 of the boss 21 and the flexible retaining flanges 13, abut to secure the actuator 20 in rotatable relationship with the main body 10. The handle 22 is, therefore, rotatably attached to the main body 10. The handle 22 is generally freely rotatable in relation to the main body 10. However, projections 25 on the surface 27 of the handle that abuts the end wall 11 of the main body 10 cooperate with projections on the end wall 11 of the main body 10, such that a rotational force is required to rotate the handle relative to the main body in order to remove the projections 25 past the corresponding projections 15. The projections 25 and 15 provide the tactile and audible indicators that a unitary dose of treatment composition has been dispensed.

A threaded shaft 28 extends from the boss 21 substantially the length of the main body and a piston 29, having a cooperating screw threaded aperture 29a, is located on the threaded shaft 28. The thread on the shaft 28 is interrupted and is keyed into the surface of the shaft. The threaded aperture 29a has a half turn thread such that the piston moves the length of the threaded aperture 29a with one half turn of the handle 22. The interrupted thread on the shaft 28 is a quadruple thread providing four threads per turn. The co-operation of the thread on the shaft 28 with the thread in the aperture 29a allows sufficient pressure to be applied and sufficient distance to be travelled by the piston head 29 in a half turn of the handle 28 to dispense sufficient treatment compositions for a single dose to be applied to the surface of the sanitary ware.

In an embodiment, a unit dose is defined by the cross-sectional area of the internal space defined by the main body 10 and the length of the aperture 29a, that is the length of travel of the piston in one half turn of the handle 22.

When the handle 22 is rotated relative to the main body 10 (in the direction indicated by the direction indicator 24) the cooperating screw threads on the threaded shaft 28 and piston aperture 29a force the piston 29 to travel in the direction of the dispensing portion 31. This is the same concept as, say, a lipstick or solid glue dispenser. The shafi 28 is sufficiently long that the face 29b of the piston head 29 will eventually abut the internal face of the dispensing portion 31 if the handle 22 is rotated far enough.

Because, in this embodiment, the main body 10 has an elliptical cross-section and the piston has a corresponding circumferential shape, the piston 29 is prevented from rotating relative to the main body 10 ensuring that all of the rotational force is converted to translational movement of the piston 29 in the direction of the dispensing portion 31. Other techniques are known for providing this function. In a main body with a circular internal cross-section, a circular piston might be provided with fins to engage with longitudinal grooves on the internal wall of the main body so as to prevent rotation whilst allowing translational movement in the required direction, Of course, grooves could be provided in the piston external surface to receive longitudinal fins provided on a the surface of the main body internal surface. A single fin and recess combination might also suffice.

Figures 4A and 4B show the closure member 30 in more detail. The dispensing portion 31 is in the form of an orifice plate closing the end of the cylindrical main body 11. The dispensing portion 31 has a pattern of apertures 300 extending through the major surface 31a. The treatment composition contained in the main body 10 is dispensed through the apertures 300. The treatment composition will typically be in the form of a gel or paste. Thus, the treatment composition will have sufficient consistency or viscosity not to flow out of the aperture or apertures 300 in the dispensing portion 30 without the application of force provided by the piston 29 when the actuator handle 22 is rotated relative to the main body 10. The lid 32 is shaped to have a recess 32a to receive the standoff portions 3, whilst having a major surface 32b for closing the apertures 300 when the lid 32 is in the closed position.

In this embodiment the major surface 31a is fiat, but the surface 31a could be concave or convex and the face 29b of the piston head 29 would then need to be concave or convex to correspond. The end result is preferable that the surface 29b can be made flush with the internal surface of the surface 31a so that all of the treatment composition can be dispensed.

Whist in this embodiment there are a plurality of separate apertures 300 there may be more or fewer apertures, including a single aperture. The apertures maybe so arranged that the dispensed dose forms a substantially continuous form in a shape resulting from the configuration of the apertures. However, in the embodiment shown the unitary dose, for example 8.5g of treatment composition, is dispensed in a pattern of separate individual portions that are distinct on the surface of the sanitary ware once dispensed. Since the life of a dose of sanitary ware treatment compositions depends on many factors which include the size and shape of the dispensed dose; the dispensing of separate portions in a single dispensed dose allows the use of treatment compositions that would otherwise have too long a life for practicable use.

Figures 5A and 56 show the actuator 20 separated from the main body for convenience. The projections 25 are indicated on the surface 27. The projections 15 on the end wall 11 of the main body 10 are shown in figure 38. The actuator 20 is secured to the main body 10 by cooperation of the under cut 23 on the boss 21 of the handle 22 with the flexible retaining flanges 13 as discussed above in relation to Figure 3A and 38. With the projections 25 engaging respective projections 15, some force is required to initially twist the handle 22 to start dispensing a dose of the treatment composition.

The projections 25 include inclined or ramped surfaces 25a at a leading end. The inclined surfaces 25a cooperate with inclined surfaces (not shown) on the projections to make it easier to twist the handle 22 in the correct direction. The other end of each projection 25 has a square shoulder 25b, which abuts an opposing shoulder (not shown) of the projections 15 to make twisting the handle 22 in an incorrect direction more difficult.

Whilst the inclined surface 25a is shown on a side wall of the projection 25, the inclined surface 25a could just as conveniently and effectively be provided on the top surface at one end of the projection 25; the projections 15 could be replaced by recesses have an inclined surface in the appropriate orientation to cooperate with the inclined surface of the projection 25 and a square shoulder at the other end of the recess to abut the square shoulder 25b.

Furthermore, once the handle has been twisted 180 degrees the square shoulder 25b clears the said opposing shoulder of the projection or recess 15 and the projection 25 moved past the projection 15, or is received into the recess, with an audible click and a tactile feedback as the handle 22 move perceptibly towards the main body 10 under pressure of the retaining flanges 13 pressing against the surface 23a of the undercut 23 in the boss 21. Thus, there is a physical, tactile indication as well also an audible indication (a click) that dispensing of a unit dose has been completed.

Figures SA and 6B show the configuration of the piston 29 having a threaded aperture 29a and a top surface 29b that conforms to the internal dimensions of the main body 10 so that when the piston 29 moves up the piston screw in the direction of the dispensing portion 31, the treatment composition in the main body 10 is pushed in the same direction.

The device of the present embodiment is supplied with treatment composition already contained in the main body 10. The treatment composition may be a gel or a paste. Any of the Gel compositions disclosed in EP-A-1901972 could be dispensed using the device of the invention. Furthermore, the adhesive compositions disclosed in US-A-6667286 could also be dispensed by the device of the invention.

Examples of the treatment composition: Specific examples of treatment compositions are as follows: 1. Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate (Anionic paste 70% active) 64.00 Aqua 26.49 Laponite EP 3.0 (Organically modified synthetic magnesium silicate) Mineral Oil 0.5 Hydrophilic Fumed Silica 6.0 Perfume 0.01 2. Marlinat 242190 M (Anionic see below) 50.0 Fumed Silica 8.00 Mineral Oil 36.99 Perfume 5.0 Dyes 0.01 Marlinat 242/90 T is 90% Triisopropanol Ammonium Fatty Alcohol Ether Sulphate and 10% 1,2 propane diol.

3. Sodium Alpha Olefin Sulphonate (AOS) 40.0 Sodium Linear Alkylbenzene Sulphonate. 10.0 Sodium Sulphate 28.99 Laureth 7 Citrate 4.0 Mineral Oil 12 Perfume 5.0 Dyes 0.01 1. The Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphonate based formulas gave quite clearish, but slightly fibrous gels. However, they this type of compound is difficult to mix and fill into the device.

2. Products based on Triisopropanol Ammonium Fatty Alcohol Ether Sulphate gave very good looking clear gels which would also be relatively easy to manufacture.

3. The formulations based on AOS gave good appearance (an opaque paste) with good performance on the Toilet (foam, perfume and lifetime).

Whilst example compositions have been given it is clear that a wide range of formulations could be dispensed having different properties including different treatment effects, such as fragrancing, cleaning, deodorising, disinfecting or a mixture of any number of these effects.

A paste composition in accordance with Example 3 was tested using a Brookfield CT3 Texture Analyser with a speed of 0.5 mmlsec at a deformation of 5mm, the final load was 665g, on an average of 6 tests. A useful gel product might give a value of 455g. Gels and pastes useful with the device of the invention have a texture derived as mentioned above giving values of final load in the range lOOgto 1500g, preferably, 200-l000g, more preferably 300 to BOOg, most preferably 400 to 700g.

The bulk density of the paste is about 1.3 g/cm3, whereas an example gel has a value of 1.0 glcm3.

A unitary dose of the treatment composition will typically weigh about 5g to 12g, preferably 7 to lOg, more preferably S to 9g.

The invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment and examples, but these are not intended to be restrictive and modifications will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims (1)

1. <claim-text>CLAIMS: 1. A dispensing device for a dispensing a unitary does of a treatment composition, comprising: a housing having a cavity for a supply of treatment compositions to be dispensed; an actuator comprising a threaded shaft supporting a piston head, and an actuator handle secured to one end of the housing; a dispensing member at an other end of the housing and having at least one aperture for dispensing a dose of treatment composition; wherein rotation of the actuator handle relative to the housing causes the piston head to move relative to the housing in the direction of the dispensing member.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A dispensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing cavity defines a cylindrical space having a non-circular cross-section, optionally an elliptical cross-section, and the piston head has a cross-section corresponding to that of the cylindrical space.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A dispensing device as claimed in claim I or 2, wherein the dispensing member has a plurality of apertures.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A dispensing device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising a closure member including a lid for closing the apertures of the dispensing member.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A dispensing device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the lid is attached by a hinge to the dispensing device, 6. A dispensing device as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the dispensing device includes retaining means for retaining the lid in an open position during use.7. A dispensing device as claimed in any one preceding claim wherein the housing and the actuator handle each include a visual indicator, wherein the respective visual indicators are aligned before and after each unitary dose of treatment composition is dispensed.8. A dispensing device as claimed in any one preceding claim, wherein the housing and actuator handle have cooperating elements that provide one or more of a tactile indication and an audible indication that a unitary dose of treatment composition has been dispensed.9. A dispensing device as claimed in any one preceding claim, comprising a standoff portion extending from the end of the device having the closure member.10, A dispensing device as claimed in any one preceding claim, wherein the device is arranged to dispense a unitary dose of treatment composition by rotating the actuator handle relative to the housing by between 45 and 360 degrees, optionally, between 90 and 270 degrees, optionally, 180 degrees of rotation.11. A dispensing device as claimed in any one preceding claim, wherein the device comprises a supply of treatment composition within the housing cavity.12. A dispensing device as claimed in any one preceding claim, wherein the treatment composition has at least one of a cleaning effect, a disinfecting effect, a perfuming effect, a deodorising effect, and a colouring effect.13. A dispensing device as claimed in any one preceding claim, wherein the treatment composition includes a paste, or a gel.14. A dispensing device as claimed in any one preceding claim, wherein the treatment composition tested using a Brookfield CT3 Texture Analyser with a speed of 0.5 mm/sec at a deformation of 5mm, gives a final toad value in the range bOg to 1500g, preferably, 200 -I000g, more preferably 300 to 800g, most preferably 400 to 700g.</claim-text>