MXPA00012552A - Dispensing liquids - Google Patents

Abstract

A liquid dispenser (1) comprises a housing (2) and a hook (3) for suspending the housing (2) from the rim of a lavatory bowl. A user inserts a sealed inverted reservoir bottle (6) into the housing (2), which breaks the seal. A porous pad (7) located in the housing (2) conveys liquid from the bottle (6) to a position within the stream of flushing water. The pad (7) can be adjusted to accommodate different lavatories and has two guide slots which are engaged by two fingers in the housing which define two extreme positions of the pad (7). To allow venting of the bottle (6), small vent holes (14) are formed in the pad (7). The pad may alternatively be a solid plate of the same shape but having a number of raised holes or elongate slots. The plate may have a venting post which mates with the mouth of the bottle (6). Venting may be achieved by providing an aperture in the bottle. The top of the bottle may be provided with:a one-way valve;with a plugwhich seals the aperture, the housing having a pin which bears on the plug and releases it into the bottle;a breakable seal which covers the aperture, the housing being provided with a tube member which seals the aperture;or a removable tab which covers the aperture and which is broken away from the bottle prior to insertion, either by the user or, automatically, by a projection within the housing.

Description

SURTI DOR OF LÍQUI DOS The present invention relates to liquid dispensers and in particular to arrangements for dispensing quantities of liquids, such as liquids for (impieza and / or refreshing liquids, from the edge of a toilet bowl.) Such dispensers typically comprise a reservoir in the form of an inverted bottle, which supplies the liquid to a wicking device, such as a porous pad A known device of this type is described ep (at the request of published European Patent EP-AO 785 315. This application recognizes the problem with such devices that, as the liquid level drops, the rate at which the liquid is being supplied drops with the passage of time and therefore returns to the less effective source.The solution to this problem suggested by the previous reference is to provide a structure between the mouth of the bottle and the wick device to allow both the flow of liquid from the bottle to the wick device and as a return flow of air from outside the assortment to the bottle. However, the proposed structure is complex and therefore expensive to manufacture. In addition, a given spout of the type described in this reference can only operate with a toilet system having a predefined relative position of the boundary of the toilet bowl when the water is allowed to run. An additional problem with prior art liquid dispensers of this type is that, when the user opens the bottle, v. g .. inserting the inverted bottle into a dispensing unit, some of the liquid splashes out as a result of the liquid in the bottle being slightly above atmospheric pressure, possibly because in the act of sealing the mouth of the bottle in the factory pressurizes the liquid to some degree. It would therefore be desirable to provide liquid dispensers and methods for filling bottles for such dispensers that exceed, or at least mitigate, one or more of the above disadvantages of the prior art dispenser. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a liquid dispensing device as defined in claim 1. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a housing as defined in claim 14. According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a liquid dispenser unit as defined in claim 15. The device of The wick is preferably provided with at least one ventilation opening, which when the device is adjustable, is arranged so that there is at least one ventilation hole functioning for each possible functional position of the adjustable wick device. A spill tray is advantageously placed in use under the wicking device having therein formed a ventilation duct disposed in communication with the at least one vent opening in operation. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a liquid dispensing unit as defined in claim 19. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a dispensing unit as defined in claim 20. The or each ventilation opening may be in the form of a substantially circular hole or an elongated slot. The unit is preferably structured so as to allow the position of the wick device to be adjusted between different positions to operate with toilet bowls with different shapes and different systems for letting water run. The dispensing unit further preferably comprises a conduit for conveying liquid from the reservoir to the wicking device. The conduit may comprise a cylindrical inlet portion of substantially circular cross-section for coupling with the circular mouth of a bottle which constitutes the reservoir and ends preferably obliquely to define a substantially elliptical opening. The conduit may further comprise a substantially cylindrical outlet portion., v. g. , or of a D-shaped, circular or substantially rectangular cross section having a cross-sectional area, substantially smaller than that of the inlet portion, and the inlet portion of the duct may be laterally displaced from the outlet portion. Such an arrangement is geometrically particularly advantageous when an adjustable wick device is provided. When the outlet portion has a D-shaped cross section, the "D" bar may be arranged to coincide with a diameter of the substantially circular inlet portion of the duct when viewed vertically. The outlet portion of the conduit abuts against the wick device to create a substantially liquid-tight seal between them. The outlet portion is preferably surrounded at least partially by a barrier wall, which may be cylindrical and rectangular in cross section. This serves to prevent the ingress of water that is allowed to flow into the tank. The wicking device preferably comprises a first portion for receiving liquid from the reservoir and a second portion arranged to be placed in use in a dispensing position. The second portion may be arranged to be placed in use within the stream of the water that is allowed to run, in which case the second portion is preferably arranged to be placed in use between the first portion and the edge of the first portion. toilet bowl. The dispensing unit is preferably structured so that the position of the wick device can be adjusted by sliding the first portion thereof against the outlet portion of the conduit. The wicking device is preferably substantially laminar and can be formed with a depression for receiving the neck of a bottle constituting said tank. The wicking device may be formed with one or more elongated openings and the housing may comprise one or more corresponding projections for coupling with the elongated openings to define the most external operative position possible of the wicking device. In this case, each or each projection may comprise a spring finger which is arranged to engage with its corresponding opening in the wick device when the wick device is inserted in the housing. The wick device may comprise a projection for insertion into the mouth of said reservoir in use, the projection having a ventilation channel formed therethrough. The wick device preferably comprises a porous pad, but may alternatively comprise a plate with circular channels or holes formed therein. The channels may be formed as elongated openings or elongated channels within the plate and may be arranged in an open configuration to thereby transport the liquid from the reservoir in divergent paths. The invention extends to the combination of such a unit and its means for suspending the edge unit of an inoculum cup. The invention extends to the combination of such a dispensing unit, which is provided with a conduit having an input portion of substantially circular cross-section, and a bottle constituting the reservoir, the bottle comprising an aperture for supplying the liquid therefrom, the opening having a substantially circular cross-section greater than that of the inlet portion of the duct, the opening and the inlet portion of the duct which is preferably sized to form a seal substantially liquid-tight when the cylinder It is inserted in the mouth of the tank. The mouth of the bottle is covered before being used with a brittle seal which is arranged to be broken in use by compressing the seal against the circular entrance portion of the conduit. Such an arrangement is particularly convenient for the user. The cylindrical inlet portion of the conduit preferably comprises opening means for causing the frangible seal to break thereby and retaining means for retaining the frangible seal in a position that does not block the mouth of the bottle. The seal is preferably substantially rigid and arranged to be pivoted between open and closed positions around one side thereof, the angle through which the seal moves between said open and closed positions being substantially 90 degrees. The opening means may compose a projection disposed to rest on the side of the closure member generally opposite to this one side. The retaining means may comprise a projection more ready to rest on one face of the closure member when in its open position. The seal is preferably substantially circular, and the opening means and retaining means may be arranged in diametrically opposed positions relative to the seal. The opening means and the retaining means may be formed in an oblique substantially circularly routed cylinder which is arranged to be inserted into the mouth of the reservoir to cause the seal to move to its open position. The opening means may comprise the end portion of the truncated cylinder obliquely.

The retaining means may comprise a projection of the cylinder, such as a tack. The invention extends to the combination of such a dispensing unit and bottle and means for suspending the unit and the bottle from the rim of a toilet bowl. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a liquid dispenser unit as defined in claim 64. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a dispenser unit as defined in claim 65. Ventilation means may comprise a one-way valve, such as a leg valve. Alternatively, the ventilation means may comprise a removable plug, and said unit may comprise a cooperating projection which is positioned to remove the plug when the reservoir bottle is placed by a user in its operative position in relation to the unit, to create with this a ventilation opening in the tank bottle. In a further arrangement, the ventilation means may comprise a removable seal, and said unit may comprise a co-operating hollow projection which is positioned to remove the seal and project to the reservoir bottle when the reservoir bottle is placed by a reservoir. user in his operative position in relation to the unit, the hollow projection that constitutes a ventilation channel. In a further arrangement, the ventilation means may comprise an air vent in the reservoir bottle which is sealed by a cover portion that can be removed by a user before use or is automatically removed by a projection disposed in the container. unit for removing the cover portion when the tank bottle is placed by a user in its operative position relative to the unit. The invention extends to a method for filling and sealing a dispenser bottle for use as a reservoir within such a dispensing unit, the method comprising heating the liquid before sealing the reservoir bottle to create a partial vacuum inside the bottle when the The liquid is cooled to room temperature. Alternatively, or in addition to this, the bottle can be compressed after filling the bottle with the liquid, and the bottle sealed while compressing to create a partial vacuum inside the bottle after sealing. The invention further extends to a liquid dispensing device comprising a liquid reservoir having a mouth and a closure member disposed, when in its closed position, to seal the mouth and which can be moved to an open position, in the As the liquid can be dispensed from the reservoir, the device further comprises opening means for causing the closure member to thus move to said open position and means for retaining said closure member in its open position. Such an arrangement allows the liquid to be dispensed from the reservoir, once opened, while preventing the closure from returning to its closed position, v. g. , by the weight of the liquid remaining in the deposit in the case of an inverted deposit. The closure member is preferably substantially rigid and arranged to be pivoted between said open and closed positions around one side thereof. The angle through which the closure member moves between said open and closed positions can be substantially 90 degrees. This reduces the force exerted by the weight of the liquid remaining in the reservoir on the closure member, in the case of an inverted reservoir. The aperture means preferably comprises a projection disposed to rest on the side of the closure member generally opposite said one side, and the retaining means preferably comprises a projection more disposed to rest on a face of the closure member when it is in its open position. The closing member can be substantially circular, and the opening means and the closing means are preferably arranged then in diametrically opposite positions relative to the closing member. The opening means and the retaining means are preferably formed in a sub-circularly oblique truncated cylinder which is arranged to be inserted into the mouth of the reservoir to cause the closure member thereof to move to its open position . In this case, the opening means preferably comprises the end portion of the truncated cylinder obliquely, and the retaining means comprises a projection of the cylinder in the shape of a tack. The cylinder and the mouth of the reservoir are preferably sized to form a substantially liquid-tight seal when the cylinder is inserted into the reservoir mouth. The opening means and the retaining means conveniently form part of a housing for the reservoir, and the housing can comprise means for suspending the device so that, when the opening means and the retaining means are inserted in the mouth of the reservoir , the tank is supported in an inverted position with the mouth in the lowest part, so that the liquid can be supplied from the tank. For example, the device may be arranged to be suspended from the edge of a toilet, and the liquid may be a cleaning and / or refreshing liquid. The invention further extends to a housing for a liquid reservoir having a mouth and a closure member disposed, when in its closed position, to seal the mouth and which can be moved to an open position, in which the liquid may be dispensed from the reservoir, said housing comprising opening means for causing the closure member to thus move to said open position and means for retaining said closure member in its open position.

The invention further extends to a liquid dispenser unit comprising a housing containing a plate having channels formed therein for transporting liquid to be dispensed from a reservoir to an assortment position. In a further aspect, the present invention provides a dispensing unit as defined in claim 74. The plate is thus preferably held in a generally horizontal plane. In a preferred embodiment, the plate has a first portion for receiving liquid from said reservoir and a second portion that is intended to be placed within the stream of the letting water, wherein the second portion of the plate ends at a curved edge. The second portion can be formed with a wall. The capillary channels may be arranged in a substantially parallel manner, and the plate may be formed with a depression extending transversely to the direction of the channels. The depression preferably communicates with the channels, the bottom of the depression being preferably substantially flat, preferably without capillary channels formed therein. The plate may comprise a projection for insertion into the mouth of the reservoir, the projection being preferably of the shape of a post provided with a plurality of radial fins defining conduits for the liquid between the reservoir and the plate. Now preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a liquid dispenser according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a detail of the cross-sectional view of the Figure 2 in a different configuration and without the tank bottle; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, but without the reservoir bottle; Figures 4 (a) to (c) illustrate bottom plan views of three different structures of the exit portion; Fig. 5 is a front view of the liquid jet of Figs. 1 to 4; Figure 6 is a rear view of the liquid spout of Figures 1 to 5; Figure 7 schematically illustrates the manner in which a porous pad can be inserted into the housing of a liquid dispenser of the preferred embodiment; Figure 8 schematically illustrates the relative position of the device of the preferred embodiment and a toilet rim from which the device is suspended; Figure 9 schematically illustrates the relative position of the device of the preferred embodiment in another configuration and a different toilet rim from which the device is suspended; Figure 10 is a chart illustrating different types of arrangements for flushing water in toilets; Figure 11 illustrates an optional arrangement of a spill tray and vent channel for use with the preferred embodiment; Figure 12 (a) illustrates a first alternating structure for the wick device of the liquid jet shown in Figures 1 to 10; Figure 12 (b) is a cross-sectional view of the wick device shown in Figure 12 (a); Figure 13 (a) illustrates a second alternating structure for the wick device of the liquid jet shown in Figures 1 to 10; Figure 13 (b) is a cross-sectional view of the wick device shown in Figure 13 (a); Figures 14 (a) and (b) respectively illustrate third and fourth alternating structures for the wick device of the liquid dispenser shown in Figures 1 to 10; Figure 15 (a) is a perspective view of a fifth alternating structure for the wicking device in combination with the reservoir bottle of the liquid dispenser shown in Figures 1 to 10; Figure 15 (b) is a cross-sectional view of the wick device and the reservoir bottle shown in Figure 15 (a); Figure 16 (a) is a perspective view of a first alternating ventilation arrangement for the liquid jet shown in Figures 1 to 10; , Figure 16 (b) is a cross-sectional view of the ventilation arrangement shown in Figure 16 (a); Figure 17 (a) is a perspective view of a second alternate ventilation arrangement for the liquid spout shown in Figures 1 to 10; Figure 17 (b) is a cross-sectional view of the ventilation arrangement shown in Figure 16 (b); Figure 17 (c) is a portion of the cross-sectional view of Figure 17 (b) illustrating the release of the vent plug; Figure 18 (a) is a perspective view of a third alternating ventilation arrangement for the liquid jet shown in Figures 1 to 10; Figure 1 8 (b) is a cross-sectional view of the ventilation arrangement shown in Figure 18 (a); Figure 1 8 (c) is a portion of the cross-sectional view of Figure 1 8 (b) illustrating the rupture of the vent seal; Figure 19 (a) is a perspective view of the upper part of the reservoir bottle and the housing in a fourth alternating ventilation arrangement for the spout shown in Figures 1 to 10; Figure 1 9 (b) is a cross-sectional view of the ventilation arrangement shown in Figure 19 (a) after insertion of the reservoir bottle into the housing; Figure 20 (a) is a perspective view of a fifth vent arrangement for the liquid jet shown in Figures 1 to 10; Figure 20 (b) is a perspective view of a portion of the reservoir bottle shown in Figure 20 (a) showing the broken cover plate to expose the ventilation hole; and Figure 20 (c) is a cross-sectional view of a sixth ventilation arrangement, similar to that shown in Figures 20 (a) and 20 (b), but wherein the cover plate is automatically broken by a projection in the housing of the liquid spout at the insertion of the reservoir bottle into the housing. With reference to Figures 1 to 7, a liquid dispenser 1 comprises a housing 2 and a suspension hook 3 armed with springs for suspending the housing 2 from the rim of a toilet bowl (not shown). For ease of manufacture, the suspension hook 3 is formed as a separate component of the housing 2, and the housing 2 is formed with an integral guide channel 4 (see Figure 2) of rectangular cross-section in which the lower end is inserted. of the suspension hook 3 during manufacture. The lower end of the suspension hook 3 comprises a raised, bevelled portion 5, so that, when inserted, the hook 3 remains engaged within the channel 4 by a snap-fit arrangement. Once the unit is suspended as such, a user inserts into the housing 2 a bottle 6 of inverted reservoir sealed to the housing 2. The act of insertion causes the seal to break in the reservoir bottle 6, in a manner as shown in FIG. describe later. A wick device in the form of a porous pad 7 is placed in a slot within the housing 2, and this pad carries liquid from the reservoir bottle 6 to a position within the stream of water that is allowed to run in the toilet by capillary action. The housing 2 includes a conduit 8 for transporting the liquid from the reservoir bottle 6 to the porous pillow 7. The duct 8 comprises an inlet portion 9 of circular cross-section which is im- pressed to fit comfortably within the circular mouth of the tank bottle 6. The inlet portion 9 ends obliquely, as clearly seen in Figures 2 and 3, to form an elliptical mouth. The reservoir bottle 6 is sealed by a cover 6 'of plastic or sheet, and the act of inserting the inverted reservoir bottle 6 into the housing 2 causes the cap 6' to break, by virtue of the shape of the inlet portion 9 of the conduit 8 to allow the liquid in the reservoir bottle 6 to fall by gravity into the conduit 8. The inlet portion 9 is provided with a projection in the shape of a tack 9. 'which serves to retain the lid 6' in its open position. It will be appreciated that, in the absence of such a tack, the lid 6 'could be forced, but the weight of the remaining liquid in the reservoir bottle 6, to fall back to its original position, thereby preventing the supply of liquid. additional liquid. As can be seen in Figures 2, 3 and 4, tack 9 'extends parallel to the axis of input section 9 and contiguous with entry portion 9 at its shortest point. The tack 9 'is formed integrally with the inlet portion 9. Thus, the far end of the inlet portion 9 bears against one side of the lid 6 'of the tank bottle 6, causing it to break and pivot about an axis on the opposite side. By inserting the inlet portion 9 into the tank bottle 6, the tack 9 'is completely caused to rest against the outer face of the cover 6' to prevent it from falling back into its closed position. The blade 9 'extends along the entire length of the cylindrical inlet portion 9, for ease of manufacture, v. g. , by molding. The conduit 8 further comprises an outlet portion 10 in the shape of a cylinder which abuts against the porous pad 7. The cross-sectional area of the exit portion 10 is smaller than that of the entrance portion 9, and this helps to prevent, or at least minimize, the amount of water that is left flowing to the tank 6. As can be seen in Figures 4 (a) to 4 (c), the cylinder of the exit portion 1 0 may be of D-shaped cross-section, circular or rectangular, and the exit portion 1 0 is partial or completely enclosed by a wall 1 0 'cylindrical barrier rectangular cross section, which also acts to prevent the ingress of water that is left to run. In the arrangements shown in Figs. 4 (a) and 4 (b), one of the two long sides of the rectangular transverse section of the barrier wall 1 0 'coincides with a diameter of the circular cross-section of the barrier. 8 inlet portion when viewed vertically. This arrangement allows the position of the porous pad 7 to be adjusted to ensure that a portion is always in the stream of water that is left running for a wide range of different toilet bowls, while ensuring that the outlet portion 10 of the conduit 8 is effectively closed by the porous pad 7. In the arrangement shown in Figure 4 (c), the center of the rectangular cross section of the outlet portion 10 coincides with the center of the circular cross section of the inlet portion 9 when it looks vertically. This arrangement is particularly suitable for use in conjunction with the wick device embodiments described below with reference to Figures 1 3 (a) and 13 (b) or Figure 1 4 or a wick device in the form of a plate that It has elongated channels in it. The manner in which the position of the porous pad 7 can be adjusted by a user is illustrated in Fig. 7. The porous pad 7 is provided with two elongated guide slots 1 1 which are engaged by two fingers 1 2 of corresponding spring in the housing 2. The guide slots 1 1 serve to define the two extreme positions of the range of possible positions of the porous pad 7 within the housing 2. In order to allow the air to replace the liquid assorted the tank bottle 6, in the porous pad 7 are formed a series of small vent holes 1 3, typically 1 .3 mm in diameter, and arranged so that, in any position of the pore pad 7 within the range defined by guide slots 1 1, there is always at least one ventilation hole 13 communicating air from below the porous pad 7 to the mouth of the reservoir bottle 6 via the conduit 8.

The housing 2 is also formed with a series of openings 14 in the form of a comb on the bottom of the front side which allows water to be drained from above the porous pad 7. The housing 2 is additionally provided with a number of projections 1 5 horizontally as ribs for coupling with a corresponding horizontal groove (not shown) in the upper part of the tank bottle 6 to retain the tank bottle 6 in the operative position within the housing 2 once it has been inserted by a user . The operation of the adjustable porous pad 7 will now be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. Figure 8 illustrates the configuration of the dispensing device 1 when used with a toilet with an open edge. With the device its spout 1 suspended from the edge 16 of such a toilet, it can be seen that the running stream of water, indicated by the thick arrow, passes through the porous pad 7 when the porous pad 7 is in place. the position fully inserted. However, when used with a toilet of the boxed edge configuration, as shown in Figure 9, a longer porous pad is provided. However, it can be seen that, even if this longer porous pad 7 were to remain in its fully inserted position, the stream of water left running from the boxed edge 17 would not contact the porous pad 7, and therefore the device would not work optimally. With such boxed edge configuration, a longer porous pad is provided, and this is removed to a fully extended position, as shown in Figure 9, to expose a portion thereof to the water stream that it is allowed to run, indicated by the thick arrow, while making sure that the outlet portion 10 of the conduit 8 is still closed by the internal portion of the porous pad 7. As described above, this is assured by virtue of the guide slots 1 1 within the porous pad 7 bordering the spring fingers 12 within the housing 2. The porous pad adjustment is of particular advantage when used with either open-edge or edge-on toilets. box, since there is a large range of geometries within each type, as illustrated in Figure 1 0, which illustrates examples of different toilet bowl configurations for different countries, and letting with this the usefulness of being able to select the porous pad and also adjust its position. More specifically, the drawing illustrates the distance between the position of the housing of the liquid spout and the stream of water left to run. The transverse shaded area indicates the end distances of the nose (up to 16 mm) for which the prior art liquid jets would be suitable, and the simple shaded area indicates the range of distances (up to 22 mm) for a single size of porous pad according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. With larger pad sizes, the useful distance can be extended indefinitely, but in practice, the maximum distance required is approximately 48 mm. The bars indicate the range of distances found in different countries, as follows: (a) Australia; (b) United Kingdom; (c) Malaysia; (d) South Africa; (e) France; (f) Italy; (g) Spain; (h) Japan; (i) Thailand; (j) Brazil, Argentina and Mexico; (k) Korea; (1) Philippines; (m) and (n) E. U. A. The vertical line that intersects the bars indicates an approximate dividing line between toilets of the open edge construction (to the left of the line) and those of the box edge construction (to the right of the line). In an alternative arrangement, shown in Figure 1 1 the housing 2 is provided with a spill tray 1 8 incorporating a vertical ventilation channel 19 placed in register with a ventilation hole 1 3 in the porous pad 7. This serves to the function of collecting any excess liquid while still allowing to ventilate the 6 bottle of deposit. A first alternating structure of the wicking device is shown in a perspective view in Figure 1 2 (a) and in a cross-sectional view in Figure 12 (b). In this modality, the wick device is in the form of a plate 20 having the same overall shape as that illustrated in Figure 7, with the elongated guide slots 1 1 providing the position adjustment of the plate 20 to accommodate different geometries of toilets. However, the plate 20 is not porous but solid apart from a number of raised side-to-side holes 21 formed therein. The holes serve to allow the liquid, when diluted with running water to pass through, in the direction of the ciara arrow, and also allows ventilation of the reservoir bottle 6, as shown by the solid arrow. The holes are small enough to prevent undiluted liquid from passing through them. A second alternating structure of the wicking device is shown in a perspective view in Figure 13 (a) and in a cross-sectional view in Figure 13 (b). As with the first alternating structure described above with reference to Figures 12 (a) and (b), the wicking device is in the form of a plate 22 having the same overall shape as that illustrated in Figure 7, with the elongated guide slots 1 1 providing the position adjustment of the plate 22 to accommodate different toilet geometries. In this embodiment, the plate 22 is again non-porous but solid apart from a number of elongated slots 23 formed therein in a generally parallel, but spaced configuration. The slots 23 allow the liquid, when diluted with running water to pass through, in the direction of the clear arrow, and also allows ventilation of the reservoir bottle 6, as shown by the solid arrow. The slots 23 are small enough to prevent undiluted liquid from passing through them. Third and fourth alternating structures of the wicking device are shown in perspective views in Figures 14 (a) and (b) respectively. As with the second alternating structure described above with reference to Figures 13 (a) and (b), the wicking device is in the form of a non-porous plate 24, 24 'having the same overall shape as that illustrated in FIG. Figure 7, with the elongated guide slots 1 1 providing the position adjustment of the plate 24, 24 'to accommodate different toilet geo-metries and having a number of elongated slots 25, 25' formed therein. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 14 (a), the slots 25 are arranged in a parallel mode and not spaced apart. In addition, a depression 26 is formed within the plate 24 to accommodate the upper part of the inverted reservoir bottle 6. In the arrangement shown in Figure 14 (b), the slots 25 'are arranged in a separate manner which allows the liquid to be transported from the reservoir in divergent paths. In this arrangement, a T-shaped depression 26 'is formed in the plate, but there are no capillary canals in this depression. The depression 26 'is formed so that the leg of the "T" is slightly more superficial than the bar of the T, as can be seen in Figure 1 4 (b). The leg serves as a ventilation for air. A fifth alternating structure of the wicking device is shown in a perspective view in Figure 1 5 (a) and in a cross-sectional view in Figure 15 (b). As with the second, third and fourth alternate structures described above with reference to Figures 1 3 (a) and (b) and Figures 1 4 (a) and y) (b), the wicking device is in the form of a plate 27 non-porous having the same overall shape as that illustrated in Figure 7 and having a number of slots 28 formed therein. In this embodiment, the slots 28 are generally arranged in a parallel mode, but form a tapered geometry in the region of the mouth of the reservoir bottle 6. The plate 27 comprises a ventilation post 29 that matches the mouth of the reservoir bottle 6 in use to provide a ventilation channel. The vent post 29 is provided with a number of radial fins 30 defining conduits for the liquid between the reservoir bottle 6 and the plate 27. As with Figures 1 2 (b) and 13 (b), the liquid flow and the ventilation are indicated by the arrows ciara and solid respectively. It will be appreciated that, with this embodiment, it will be necessary to provide a separate plate 27 for each different toilet edge geometry. In the preferred embodiment, and the alternate embodiments described above, ventilation has been achieved through the wicking device. However, the invention extends to arrangements where ventilation is achieved in a more direct way by providing a ventilation opening in the same tank bottle, in addition to the mouth of the tank bottle through which the tank is removed. liquid. In a first alternate ventilation arrangement, as shown in a perspective view in Figure 16 (a) and in a cross-sectional view in Figure 1 6 (b), the upper face of the reservoir bottle 31 is provided. with a one-way valve in the form of a leg valve 32. This allows air to pass to the tank bottle 31 when the pressure difference between the inside of the bottle and the outside reaches a predetermined level. In a second alternate ventilation arrangement, as shown in a perspective view in Figure 17 (a) and in cross-sectional views in Figures 17 (b) and (c), the upper face of the reservoir bottle 33 is provided with a plug 34 which seals an opening 35 within the reservoir bottle 33, and the housing 36 is provided with a corresponding pin 37 positioned such that, when a user inserts the reservoir bottle 33 into the housing 36, in the direction indicated in Figure 17 (b) by the clear arrow, the pin 37 rests on the plug 34, in the direction indicated by the solid arrow in Figure 17 (c), and releases it in the tank bottle 33 , as shown in Figure 17 (c). The pin 37 is dimensioned relative to the opening 35 to provide a ventilation channel between the pin 37 and the opening 35. In a third alternate ventilation arrangement, as shown in a perspective view in Figure 18 (a) and in cross-sectional views in Figures 1 8 (b) and (c), the upper face of the reservoir bottle 38 is provided with a seal 39 which can be broken which covers an opening 40 within the bottle 38. of reservoir, and the housing 41 is provided with a correspondingly positioned member 42 and positioned so that, when a user inserts the reservoir bottle 38 into the housing 41, in the direction indicated by the clear arrow in Figure 18. (b), the holding member 42 rests on the seal 39, in the direction indicated by the solid arrow in Fig. 1 8 (c), releases it into the reservoir bottle 38 and seals the opening 40, as shown in FIG. a lot in Figure 18 (c). A ventilation channel is thus provided along the perforation of tube member 42. The end of the tube member 42 is bevelled for ease of placement within the opening 40.

In a fourth alternate ventilation arrangement, as shown in a perspective view in Figure 19 (a) and in a cross-sectional view in Figure 19 (b), the upper part of the reservoir bottle 43 is provided with a vent opening 44 other than, but close to, the mouth 45 of the reservoir bottle 43. Both, the vent opening 44 and the mouth 45 of the reservoir bottle 42 are sealed before use with a tamper-evident seal (not shown). The housing 46 is provided with a post 47 positioned and sized such that, when a user inserts the reservoir bottle 43 into the housing 46, in the direction indicated by the clear arrow in Figure 19 (a), the post 47 breaks the seal and is inserted into the opening 44 and seals the opening 40, as shown in Figure 1 9 (b). A ventilation channel is thus provided along the perforation of the post 47. In a fifth alternate ventilation arrangement, as shown in the perspective views in Figures 20 (a) and (b), the upper part of the reservoir bottle 48 is provided with a vent hole 49 covered with a removable tab 50, which is arranged to be broken from the reservoir bottle 48 by a user, by manipulation as indicated by the clear arrows in Figure 20 (a), before inserting the tank bottle 48 into the housing 51, as shown in Figure 20 (b). In a variant of this embodiment, as shown in a cross-sectional view in Figure 20 (c), the housing 51 is provided with a ramp projection 52 which is positioned to automatically remove the tab 50 when a user inserts the tank bottle 48 into the housing 51. The invention has been described above in relation to preferred embodiments. However, many variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the scope of the invention is defined solely by the claims appended hereto. For example, although the wick device in the preferred embodiments has been described as comprising a porous pad or a plate having circular or elongated openings therethrough, the wicking device could alternatively comprise a plate having elongated channels in it. the same, and the liquid would be supplied from these channels by virtue of the fact that the water that is allowed to run displaces the liquid from the channels. In addition, although preferred embodiments refer to arrangements for pouring liquid from the rim of a toilet, the invention could also be applied to arrangements for releasing an insecticide or an air freshener into the atmosphere.

Claims (85)

1. CLAIMS. __ 1. A liquid dispensing device comprising a liquid reservoir having a mouth and a closing member disposed, when in its closed position, to seal the mouth and which can be moved to an open position, in which it can supplying liquid from the reservoir, the device further comprising means of opening to cause the closure member to thus move to said open position and means to retain said closure member in its open position, characterized in that said closure member is substantially rigid and is arranged to be pivoted between said open and closed positions around one side thereof. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angle through which said closing member moves between said open and closed positions is substantially 90 degrees. A device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said opening means comprises a projection disposed to abut on the side of the closure member generally opposite said one side. 4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said retaining means comprises a projection disposed to rest on a face of the closure member when in its open position. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said closure member is substantially circular and said opening means and said retaining means are disposed in diametrically opposed positions relative to the closure member. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said opening means and said retaining means are formed in an obliquely substantially circular truncated cylinder which is arranged to be inserted into the mouth of the reservoir to cause the member to close it to its open position. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said opening means comprises the end portion of the truncated cylinder obliquely. 8. A device as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein said retaining means comprises a projection of the cylinder. 9. A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said projection comprises a tack. A device as claimed in any of claims 6 to 9, wherein the cylinder and the mouth of the reservoir are thus sized to form a seal substantially liquid-tight when the cylinder is inserted in the mouth of the reservoir. 11. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the opening means and the retaining means form part of a housing for the tank. A device as claimed in claim 11, wherein said housing comprises means for suspending the device so that, when the opening means and the retaining means are inserted in the mouth of the reservoir, the reservoir is supported on a inverted position with the mouth in the lowest part, so that the liquid of the deposit can be supplied. 13. A device as claimed in any preceding claim and arranged to be suspended from the rim of a toilet. 14. A housing for a liquid reservoir having a mouth and a closure member disposed, when in its closed position, to seal the mouth and which can be moved to an open position, in which the liquid can be dispensed of the reservoir, said housing comprising opening means for causing the closure member to thus move to said open position and means for retaining said closure member in its open position, characterized in that said closure member is substantially rigid and is arranged to to be pivoted between said open and closed positions around one side thereof. 1 5. A dispensing unit for supplying a liquid from the rim of a toilet bowl, the unit comprising a housing containing a wick device for transporting liquid that is going to flow from a reservoir to a position within the stream of water that is allowed to run, characterized in that the unit is structured in a manner to allow that the position of the wick device is adjusted between different positions to work with toilet bowls with different shapes and different systems to let the water run. 16. An assortment unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wicking device is provided with at least one vent opening. 17. An assortment unit as claimed in the claim 1 5, wherein the wick device is provided with at least one vent opening positioned such that there is at least one vent hole functioning for each possible functional position of the adjustable wick device. 1 8. A unit to its supplier as claimed in the claim 17, further comprising a spill tray placed in use below the wicking device, and having formed therein a ventilation channel disposed in communication with at least one venting opening in operation. 9. A dispensing unit comprising a housing containing a wick device for transporting liquid to be supplied from a reservoir to a dispensing position, characterized in that the mech device is provided with at least one ventilation opening. which in use communicates between the ambient air and the tank to allow the air to move liquid assortment from the tank. 20. A dispensing unit for dispensing a liquid from the rim of a toilet bowl, the unit comprising a housing containing a wick device for transporting liquid to be dispensed from a reservoir to a position within the water stream which is left running characterized in that the wicking device is provided with at least one ventilation opening which in use communicates between ambient air and the tank to allow the air to move the assorted liquid from the tank. 21. A dispensing unit as claimed in any of claims 16 to 22, wherein said at least one vent comprises one or more substantially circular holes. 22. A dispensing unit as claimed in any of claims 16 to 22, wherein said at least one vent comprises one or more elongated slots. 23. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 20 or any claim dependent thereto, wherein the unit is structured to allow the position of the wick device to be adjusted between different positions to operate with toilet bowls with different shapes and different systems to let the water run. 24. A dispensing unit as claimed in any of claims 15 to 23, further comprising a conduit for conveying liquid from the reservoir to the wicking device. 25. An assortment unit as claimed in claim 24, wherein the conduit comprises a cylindrical inlet portion of substantially circular cross-section for coupling with the circular mouth of a bottle constituting the reservoir. 26. An assortment unit as claimed in claim 25, wherein the inlet portion ends obliquely to define a substantially elliptical opening. 27. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 25 or claim 26, wherein the pipe further comprises a substantially cylindrical outlet portion having a cross-sectional area substantially smaller than that of the inlet portion. 28. An assortment unit as claimed in claim 27, wherein the inlet portion of the conduit is laterally offset from the outlet portion. 29. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 27 or claim 28, wherein the substantially cylindrical outlet portion has a substantially D-shaped cross-section. 30. A sourcing unit as claimed in the claim. 27 or claim 28, wherein the substantially cylindrical outlet portion has a substantially circular cross section. 31 An as-built unit as claimed in claim 27 or claim 28, wherein the substantially cylindrical outlet portion has a substantially rectangular cross-section. 32. A dispensing unit as claimed in any of claims 27 to 31, wherein the housing further comprises a cylindrical barrier member at least partially surrounding the outlet portion of the conduit to act as a barrier against the ingress of water into the container. Deposit. 33. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 32, wherein the barrier member is substantially rectangular in cross section. 34. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 33, wherein one of the two long sides of the substantially rectangular cross section of the barrier member coincides with a diameter of the substantially circular inlet portion of the conduit when seen in cross section longitudinal. 35. An assortment unit as claimed in any of claims 27 to 34, and structured so that the outlet portion of the conduit bears against the wicking device to create a substantially liquid-tight seal therebetween. 36. A dispensing unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 35, wherein the wicking device comprises a first portion for receiving liquid from the reservoir and a second portion disposed to be placed in use in a dispensing position. 37. An assortment unit as claimed in the claim 36, when dependent on Claim 1 5 or Claim 20 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the second portion is arranged to be placed in use within the stream of water that is allowed to run. 38. A unit its supplier as claimed in the claim 37, wherein the second portion is arranged to be placed in use between the first portion and the rim of the toilet bowl. 39. A dispensing unit as claimed in any of claims 35 to 38, when dependent on claim 25, wherein the unit is structured to allow the position of the wick device to be adjusted by sliding the first portion thereof against the exit portion of the conduit. 40. An assortment unit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 39, wherein the wicking device is substantially laminar. 41 A unit as set forth in claim 40, wherein the laminar wick device is formed with a depression for receiving the neck of a bottle constituting said tank. 42. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 40 or claim 41, wherein the wicking device is formed with one or more elongated openings and the housing comprises one or more corresponding projections for coupling with the elongated openings for define the most external possible operating position of the wick device. 43. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 42, wherein said one or more projections each comprise a spring finger which is arranged to engage with its corresponding opening in the wicking device when the wicking device is inserted in the wicking device. accommodation. 44. An assortment unit as claimed in claim 40, wherein the wick device comprises a projection for insertion into the mouth of said reservoir in use, the projection having a ventilation channel formed therethrough. 45. An assortment unit as claimed in any of claims 15 to 43, wherein the wick device comprises a porous pad. 46. An assortment unit as claimed in any of claims 15 to 43, wherein the wick device comprises a plate with channels formed therein. 47. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 46, wherein said channels are arranged in a separate configuration to thereby transport the liquid in the reservoir in divergent paths. 48. A dispensing unit as claimed in any of claims 15 to 43, wherein the wicking device comprises a plate with substantially circular holes formed therein. 49. An assortment unit as claimed in any of claims 15 to 48, in combination with means for suspending the edge unit of a toilet bowl. _ 50. An assortment unit as claimed in the claim 25, or any dependent claim thereto, in combination with a bottle constituting the tank, the bottle comprising an opening for supplying the liquid therefrom, the opening having a substantially circular cross-section greater than that of the portion of the tank. conduit entrance. 3? 51. An assortment unit as claimed in the claim 50, wherein the opening and the inlet portion of the conduit are dimensioned so as to form a seal substantially liquid-tight when the inlet portion is inserted into the opening. 52. A combination of a dispensing unit and a bottle, as claimed in claim 50 or claim 51, wherein the mouth of the bottle is covered before being used with a breakable seal which is arranged to be broken in Use compressing the seal against the cylindrical entrance portion of the duct. 53. A combination as claimed in claim 52, wherein the cylindrical inlet portion of the conduit comprises opening means for causing the rupturable seal and retaining means to rupture to retain the tamper-evident seal. a position that does not block the mouth of the bottle. 54. A combination as claimed in claim 53, wherein the breakable seal is substantially rigid and is arranged to be pivoted between its open and closed positions around one side thereof. 55. A combination as claimed in claim 54, wherein the angle through which the breakable seal moves between said open and closed positions is substantially 90 degrees. 56. A combination as claimed in claim 54 or claim 55, wherein said opening means comprises a projection disposed to abut on the side of the generally breakable seal opposite said one side. 57. A combination as claimed in claim 56, wherein said retaining means comprises a projection further disposed to abut on a seal face that can be broken when in its open position. 58. A device as claimed in claim 57, wherein said rupturable seal is substantially circular and said opening means and said retaining means are disposed in diametrically opposite positions relative to the seal that can be broken. 59. A combination as claimed in claim 58, wherein said opening means and said retaining means are formed in an oblique substantially circular truncated cylinder which is arranged to be inserted into the mouth of the bottle for cause the seal that can break to move to its open position. 60. A combination as claimed in claim 59, wherein the aperture means comprises the final portion of the truncated cylinder obliquely. 61 A combination as claimed in claim 59 or claim 60, wherein said retaining means comprises a projection of the cylinder. 62. A combination as claimed in claim 61, wherein said projection comprises a nap. 63. A combination of a dispensing unit and a bottle, as claimed in any of claims 49 to 62, in combination with means for suspending the unit and bottle from the rim of a toilet bowl. 64. A liquid dispensing unit comprising a wick device for transporting liquid to be dispensed from a reservoir to a dispensing position, in combination with a reservoir bottle characterized in that the reservoir bottle is provided with ventilation means to allow that the ambient air enters the bottle to displace assorted liquid from it. 65. A dispensing unit to supply a liquid from the rim of a toilet bowl, in combination with a reservoir bottle, the unit comprising a wick device for transporting liquid to be dispensed from the reservoir bottle to a position within the stream of running water, characterized in that the reservoir bottle is provided with ventilation means to allow that the ambient air enters the bottle to displace assorted liquid from it. 66. A combination of a dispensing unit and a reservoir bottle, as claimed in claim 64 or claim 65, wherein said ventilation means comprises a one-way valve. 67. A combination as claimed in claim 66, wherein said one-way valve comprises a leg valve. 68. A combination of a dispensing unit and a bottle, as claimed in claim 64 or claim 65, wherein said ventilation means comprises a removable cap and said unit comprises a co-operating projection which is positioned to remove the cap when the cap is removed. The reservoir bottle is placed by a user in its operative position relative to the unit, to thereby create a vent in the reservoir bottle. 69. A combination of dispenser unit and bottle, as claimed in claim 64 or claim 65, wherein said vent means comprises a removable seal and said unit comprises a co-operating hollow projection which is positioned to remove the seal and projecting to the tank bottle when the tank bottle is placed by a user in its operative position in relation to the unit, the hollow projection constituting a ventilation channel. 70. A combination of dispenser unit and bottle, as claimed in claim 64 or claim 65, wherein said ventilation means comprises an air vent in the reservoir bottle which is sealed by a cover portion that can be removed by a user before use. 71. A combination of dispensing unit and bottle, as claimed in claim 64 or claim 65, wherein said ventilation means comprises an air vent in the reservoir bottle which is sealed by a cover portion, and wherein the unit comprises a projection arranged to remove the cover portion when the reservoir bottle is placed by a user in its operative position relative to the unit. 72. A method for filling and sealing a dispenser bottle for use as a reservoir within a dispensing unit as claimed in any of claims 15 to 48, characterized in that the method comprises heating the liquid before sealing the bottle. deposit to create a partial vacuum inside the bottle when the liquid is cooled to room temperature. 73. A method for filling and sealing a flexible dispenser bottle for use as a reservoir within a dispensing unit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 48, characterized in that the method comprises causing the bottle to be compressed after filling the bottle with the liquid and seal the bottle while it is compressed to create a partial vacuum inside the bottle after sealing. 74. A dispensing unit for dispensing a liquid from the rim of a toilet bowl, the unit comprising a housing containing a wick device for transporting liquid to be dispensed from a reservoir to a position within the container. water stream to be left running, wherein the wick device is in the form of a plate with capillary rings formed thereon, the unit further comprising means for suspending the accommodation of said rim of a toilet bowl, the arrangement being such that the plate is retained in a substantially fixed position when in use in the toilet bowl. 75. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 74, wherein the plate is thus retained in a generally horizontal plane. 76. An assortment unit as claimed in claim 74 or claim 75, wherein the plate has a first portion for receiving liquid from said reservoir and a second portion for the purpose of being placed within the stream of water that is allowed to run, wherein the second portion of the plate ends at a curved edge. 77. An assortment unit as claimed in claim 76, wherein the second portion of the plate is formed with a wall. 78. An assortment unit as claimed in claim 74 or claim 75, wherein the plate has a first portion for receiving liquid from said reservoir and a second portion for the purpose of being placed within the stream of water that is left running. , wherein the second portion of the plate is formed with a wall. 79. An assortment unit as claimed in any of claims 74 to 78, wherein the capillary channels are disposed in a substantially parallel mode. 80. An assortment unit as claimed in any of claims 74 to 79, wherein the plate is formed with a depression extending transversely to the direction of the channels. 81. An assortment unit as claimed in claim 80, wherein the depression communicates with the channels. 82. An assortment unit as claimed in claim 80 or claim 81, where the bottom of the depression is substantially planar. 83. An assortment unit as claimed in any of claims 80 to 82, wherein the bottom of the depression has no capillary channels formed therein. 84. A dispensing unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the plate further comprises a projection for insertion into the mouth of said reservoir. 85. An assortment unit as claimed in claim 84, wherein the projection is in the form of a pole provided with a plurality of radial fins defining lines for the liquid between that of the tank and the plate. RESU M EN A liquid dispenser comprises a housing and a hook to suspend the housing of the rim of a toilet bowl. A user inserts a sealed inverted reservoir bottle into the housing, which breaks the seal. A porous pad placed in the housing transports liquid from the bottle to a position within the stream of water that is allowed to flow. The pad can be adjusted to accommodate different in odors and has two guide grooves which are engaged by two fingers in the housing defining two extreme positions of the pad. To allow ventilation of the bottle, small ventilation holes are formed in the pad. The pad may alternatively be a solid plate of the same shape, but having a number of raised holes or elongated slots. The plate can have a ventilation post which is beautiful with the mouth of the bottle. Ventilation can be achieved by providing an opening in the bottle. The upper part of the bottle may be provided with: a one-way valve; with a plug which seals the opening, the housing having a pin which rests on the stopper and releases it in the bottle; a rupturable seal covering the opening, the housing being provided with a tube member which seals the opening; or a removable tab that covers the opening and that separates from the bottle before insertion, either by the user or, automatically, by means of a projection inside the housing.