WO2022047508A1

WO2022047508A1 - A dispenser

Info

Publication number: WO2022047508A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2021/050048
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hartmut Heinrich Johannes
Original assignee: Hartmut Heinrich Johannes
Priority date: 2020-08-28
Filing date: 2021-08-30
Publication date: 2022-03-03
Also published as: ZA202303157B

Abstract

A dispenser (10) including a body (12) sized, shaped and configured to be received by a cistern (14) of a toilet, the body (12) defining a flow passage (16) for allowing fluid to flow therethrough, the body including a base (26) and walls (28) extending therefrom which are shaped to facilitate moulding thereof from a single mould, a receiving zone (18) defined in the passage (16) of the body (12) for receiving a dissolvable sanitiser (20) therein, and first and second openings (22) and (24) defined in the body (12) which are spaced differently from the base (26) of the body (12) so as to permit fluid to flow through the passage (16) and to be dispensed into the cistern (14) from the opening proximal the base (26) during a flushing condition of the toilet.

Description

A DISPENSER

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a dispenser. In particular, this invention relates to a dispenser for dispensing dissolvable sanitiser into a cistern for a toilet.

BACKGROUND

Dissolvable sanitising substances for toilets, typically being compressed into blocks commonly known as toilet blocks, are typically used to sanitise, clean, disinfect, sterilise, colour, scent and/or deodorise toilets upon flushing thereof.

In some cases, solid blocks of soluble substances are mounted, via a porous holder, to a rim of a toilet bowl and upon flushing, water passes through the holder and dissolves a portion of the block into the flushing water which passes over and sanitises the surfaces of the toilet bowl. In other cases, solid blocks of sanitising substances are placed directly into a cistern of the toilet, also known as “in-cistern” blocks, in which the block slowly dissolves into the cistern’s water so that upon flushing, water having the sanitising substance dissolved therein, flushes through the toilet thereby sanitising the surfaces of the toilet bowl on each flush.

A disadvantage of inserting the toilet block directly into the cistern is that, because the block is constantly in contact with surrounding water in the cistern, the block dissolves relatively quickly which requires relatively frequent replacement of the block. Accordingly, much of the dissolved sanitising substance is drained from the toilet bowl during the flushing cycle and hence the concentration of sanitising substance in the water that stays behind in the toilet bowl is lower than the concentration in the water that has passed through earlier in the flushing cycle, alluding to a waste of sanitising substance. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a dispenser including: - a body sized, shaped and configured to be received by a cistern of a toilet, the body defining a flow passage for allowing fluid to flow therethrough, the body including a base and walls extending therefrom which are shaped to facilitate moulding thereof from a single mould; a receiving zone defined in the passage of the body for receiving a dissolvable sanitiser therein; and first and second openings defined in the body which are spaced at different distances from the base of the body so as to facilitate and/or encourage fluid flow of dissolved sanitiser through the passage in a direction towards the opening closest to the base during a flushing condition of the toilet.

The body may have a generally compact shape, preferably being generally elongate in cross-section, for facilitating receipt thereof by the cistern. The base and walls of the body may be shaped so as to facilitate moulding thereof, preferably for allowing the body to be manufactured from a single mould. Preferably, the base and walls may be arranged to extend substantially normally relative each other. The body may be sized so as to receive a volume of fluid in the range of 200cm³ to 460cm³, preferably being in the region of 360cm³. More particularly, the body may have a length, width and height in the ranges of 75mm to 200m, 20mm to 40mm and 75mm to 400mm, respectively, preferably being in the region of 124mm, 28mm and 125mm, respectively. The walls of the body may have a thickness in the range of 0.5mm to 5mm, preferably being in the region of 2mm. The body may be manufactured from any suitable synthetics, plastics or metallic material. More particularly, the body may be manufactured from a material having a weight sufficient to remain at the bottom of a filled cistern. It is to be appreciated that a body capable of floating in water would move around the cistern excessively upon continued flushing, and such movement may lead to tipping which may render the dispenser inoperable. Preferably, the body may be manufactured from a plastic material. The plastic material may include a filler for increasing a weight thereof. Further preferably, the body may be manufactured from any one or more of the group including polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polypropylene.

The receiving zone may be sized, shaped and/or configured to receive the dissolvable sanitiser therein, the dissolvable sanitiser preferably being in the form of a soluble block. The receiving zone may be located substantially within the passage of the body. The receiving zone may be spaced apart from the base of the body for spacing the soluble block away from the base, preferably for facilitating passage of undissolved remnants of the soluble block out of the second opening during the flushing condition. It is to be appreciated that the receiving zone is spaced away from the base so that remnants of the soluble block do not get stuck in a low flow or corner region of the body. The receiving zone may be defined by a support member which may extend from a side wall of the body. The support member may be in the form of extensions which extend inwardly from opposing inner surfaces of the side walls of the body. The extensions may define a gap therebetween for allowing dissolved sanitiser to fall to an operative lower region of the body or flow passage.

Alternatively, the receiving zone is defined by a support member which may be in the form of a flow guide member for supporting the soluble block away from the base of the body and for guiding flow of fluid through the body via an operative lower end region thereof before flowing towards the second opening during flushing. The flow guide member may be in the form of a tube or pipe which may be sized so as to fit within the body and extend between opposing end regions of the operative lower end region of the body. It is to be appreciated that the tube or pipe serves to improve flow of fluid through the body by reducing a likelihood of blockage-causing-build-up of undissolved remnants of the soluble block. Further, retaining members may extend inwardly from a side wall of the body, preferably being spaced apart a distance which may correspond to a length of the tube or pipe so as to allow the tube or pipe to be received and retained complementally therebetween. It is to be appreciated that the retaining members may serve to inhibit displacement of the tube or pipe along a longitudinal direction thereof and ensure that flow communication from one end to the other is maintained i.e., the pipe or tube is unable to move to one end of the body thereby blocking itself off against the side wall of the body.

The openings may be spaced apart along a height of the body in the operative condition. The first opening may be located further away from the base and the second opening may be located closer to the base for encouraging a discrete quantity of dissolved sanitiser to flow towards, and typically out of the second opening. A distance between the openings may define the discrete quantity of fluid to be dispensed from the body in the flushing condition. The openings may be defined in any wall of the body. Preferably, the openings may be located towards an operative upper end region of the body. Typically, the first opening may be configured to serve as a breather opening for allowing air to enter the body in order to facilitate smooth flow of fluid through the passage of the body and out of the second opening during the flushing condition. The openings may be in the form of any one or more of the group including a vent, hole, aperture, slot, slit, perforation, cut, gap and the like, for allowing fluid to pass therethrough. The openings may be of any suitable size and/or shape for permitting fluid flow therethrough. The openings may extend from each other, preferably forming one opening which includes a breather portion and an outlet portion, wherein the breather portion may be defined towards the operative upper end region of the body and wherein the outlet portion may be defined in an operative side wall of the body.

A guide member may be provided for guiding fluid flowing through the passage via a zone having a higher concentration of dissolvable sanitiser dissolved therein. The zone having a higher concentration of dissolvable sanitiser dissolved therein may be located proximal the base of the body, typically being located towards an operative lower region of the body as a result of the dissolved sanitiser being denser than the surrounding fluid. It is to be appreciated that the fluid with the highest concentration of sanitiser dissolved therein sinks to the bottom of the body thereby defining the high concentration zone. The guide member may extend into the high concentration zone thereby guiding the flow of fluid therethrough while flowing through the body during the flushing condition. The guide member may be in the form of a wall which may be formed integrally with and extend from the walls of the body. The guide member may be in the form of a separator member for separating breather and outlet portions of a single opening defined by the first and second openings. The separator member may be of generally elongate planar form. The separator member may be sized to be received complementally by a receiving formation defined in the side walls of the body. The receiving formation may extend along a height of the body. The receiving formation may be defined by a wave-like profile formed in the side wall of the body. The separator member may be configured to extend towards the base of the body and into the high concentration zone. The separator member may have a length and width which corresponds to the height and width of the body, respectively. The separator member may have a length, width and thickness in the ranges of 75mm to 400mm, 20mm to 40mm and 0.25mm to 3mm, respectively, preferably being in the region of 141 mm, 24mm and 1 mm, respectively.

A control means may be provided for controlling a quantity of dissolvable sanitiser dispensed from the body during the flushing condition.

The control means may be in the form of a volume adjustment arrangement for adjusting the volume of fluid dispensed from the body. The volume adjustment arrangement may be configured to adjust the volume of a cavity within the body extending between the openings defined therein.

The volume adjustment arrangement may be in the form of a wall of the body which may be displaceably mounted on the body. The wall may be displaceable between a low-volume position wherein an operative upper edge of the wall is located nearer to the base of the body and a high-volume position wherein the operative upper edge of the wall is located further from the base of the body. It is to be appreciated that adjustment of the position of the operative upper edge of the wall, which upper edge partly defines the first opening, relative to the base of the body serves to reduce a maximum quantity of fluid capable of being held by, and dispensed by, the body due to the reduction in height difference between the first and second openings. In one form of the invention, the wall may be in the form of an operative rear wall of the body. The rear wall may be mounted on the body so that an operative upper portion of the rear wall may be displaceable relative adjacent side walls of the body.

The rear wall may be mounted on the body so that the operative upper portion of the rear wall may be capable of extending inwardly the body, preferably by bending of the rear wall relative adjacent side walls of the body. The rear wall of the body may be displaceable, preferably bendable, between the low-volume position wherein the rear wall is angled or bent inwards relative the adjacent side walls thereby lowering the operative upper edge thereof relative the base and reducing the size of the cavity between the openings, and the high-volume position wherein the rear wall is positioned substantially normally relative the adjacent side walls. It is to be appreciated that the rear wall in the high-volume position is positioned to stand substantially upright together with the adjacent side walls of the body.

Alternatively, the rear wall may be mounted on the body so that the operative upper portion of the rear wall may be capable of sliding relative adjacent side walls of the body. The rear wall of the body may be displaceable, preferably slidable, between the low-volume position wherein the operative upper edge of the rear wall is positioned nearer to the base, the lower position of the operative upper edge typically reducing a maximum filling height of the body, and the high-volume position wherein the operative upper edge of the rear wall is positioned further from the base thereby increasing the maximum filling height of the body. It is to be appreciated that the operative upper edge of the rear wall may be flush with operative upper edge regions of adjacent side walls in the high-volume position.

In another form of the invention, the wall may form part of an operative side wall of the body, preferably defining an adjustment member which may be displaceably mounted on the side wall of the body. The adjustment member may be pivotally mounted on the side wall of the body and positioned in an eccentric manner for allowing an opening defined in the side wall to be covered in the high-volume position and uncovered in the low-volume position. The adjustment member may have a shape which permits gradual variation of a degree of covering of the opening in the side wall. The adjustment member may have a shape which may gradually increase in radius, relative a pivot point of the adjustment member, along an outer edge region thereof. The adjustment member may have a shape which may resemble a spiral-type shell when viewed in plan.

Retaining formations may be provided for retaining the wall, preferably the displaceable wall or operative rear wall, in various positions between the high and low- volume positions, typically so as to allow a user to set the quantity of dissolvable sanitiser to be dispensed into the cistern during the flushing condition according to his/her preferences. The retaining formations may be in the form of protrusions which may protrude inwardly from the adjacent side walls of the body.

Alternatively, the control means may be in the form of a concentration adjustment arrangement for adjusting a concentration of dissolvable sanitiser in the fluid dispensed from the body. The concentration adjustment arrangement may be in the form of a guide member which may be displaceably mounted within the passage in the body. The guide member may be displaceable between a high concentration position wherein the guide member extends furthest into the passage, preferably extending into a zone having a higher concentration of dissolvable sanitiser dissolved therein, and a low concentration position wherein the guide member is spaced furthest away from the high concentration zone thus permitting fluid having a lower concentration of dissolvable sanitiser dissolved therein to flow to and out of the second opening during the flushing condition.

A receiving formation may be defined in the body for receiving the guide member displaceably therein. The receiving formation may be in the form of any one of the group including a slot, track, groove, recess, and the like, which may be sized to receive the guide member complementally therein and permit displacement, typically sliding displacement, of the guide member between the high and low concentration positions. The receiving formation may be defined by a generally wavelike profile formed in opposing side walls of the body and extending along a height of the body.

A retaining means may be provided for releasably retaining the guide member in any position relative the body between and including the high and low concentration positions. The retaining means may be in the form of a biasing arrangement for biasing the guide member towards friction fit engagement with the receiving formation. Typically, the guide member may be manufactured with a bend defined therein such that the guide member presses itself into sides of the receiving formation when received, thereby holding it in position relative the body. The bend may be such that it requires little force to overcome the co-efficient of friction between the guide member and the receiving formation but the co-efficient of friction is sufficient to retain the guide member in the required position in use.

Further alternatively, the control means may be in the form of a displacement arrangement for allowing a user to displace one of the openings relative the other.

A stabilising arrangement may be provided for stabilising the body in a substantially upright position relative the cistern in an operative condition. The stabilising arrangement may be in the form of an extension arrangement, preferably in the form of a foot, which may extend from an operative lower end region of the body for increasing an overall width of the dispenser and thereby reducing a likelihood of the body falling over once received within a cistern. Alternatively, the stabilising arrangement may be in the form of a stabilising formation which is formed integrally with the side wall of the body and which maintains its shape and form throughout a height of the body thereby allowing the body and the stabilising formation to be manufactured from a single mould. A mounting arrangement may be provided for mounting the body on an inner side wall of a cistern.

The mounting arrangement may extend between and interconnect the body and the inner side wall of the cistern. The mounting arrangement may include a body connecting portion and cistern connecting portion. The body and cistern connecting portions may be formed integrally with and/or extend from each other. The body connecting portion may be in the form of a hook and loop formation, wherein a hook thereof may extend from either the mounting arrangement or the wall of the body, and a loop thereof may be defined by either the mounting arrangement or an aperture defined in the wall of the body. The cistern connecting portion may be in the form of a hook which is sized, shaped and/or configured to engage an edge region of the cistern so as to allow the body to hang therefrom.

The mounting arrangement may be in the form of an elongate member which is bent to form a pair of body connecting portions at opposing end regions thereof and a cistern connecting portion at a generally central region thereof. The elongate member may be manufactured from any suitable synthetic, plastic or metallic material, preferably being manufactured from a metallic wire. Preferably, the loop of the hook- and-loop formation may be defined by an aperture defined in an operative upper edge region of the wall of the body and the hook may extend from the mounting arrangement.

An adjustment arrangement may be provided for adjusting a position of the body relative the side wall of the cistern for allowing a timing of dispensing sanitiser to be set relative a duration of a flush during the flushing condition. In particular, the adjustment arrangement may be configured to permit adjustment of a length of the mounting arrangement extending between the body and an attachment point of the mounting arrangement on the side wall of the cistern. The adjustment arrangement may be configured to permit variation of the timing of dispensing sanitiser relative to the duration of the flushing condition. More particularly, the adjustment arrangement may be configured to allow a user to set the timing of dispensing sanitiser such that sanitiser is dispensed nearer to the beginning or the end of the flushing condition, the timing typically being set according to user preferences. The adjustment arrangement may be in the form of a rack-and-ratchet assembly for allowing a user to adjust a substantially vertical position of the body relative the cistern.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A dispenser in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of the following, non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: -

Figure 1 is a three-dimensional schematic of a dispenser in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a three-dimensional partially sectioned view of the dispenser shown in Figure 1 ;

Figures 3 to 5 are sectioned side views of the dispenser shown in Figures 1 and 2 in a pre-flushing condition, a flushing condition and a flushed condition of a toilet;

Figures 6a and 6b are sectioned side and three-dimensional views of a part of the dispenser in a high concentration position;

Figures 7a and 7b are sectioned side and three-dimensional views of a part of the dispenser in an intermediate concentration position;

Figures 8a and 8b are sectioned side and three-dimensional views of a part of the dispenser in a low concentration position;

Figure 9 is a three-dimensional schematic of a dispenser in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 10 is a three-dimensional partially sectioned view of the dispenser shown in Figure 9; Figure 11 is a three-dimensional schematic of a dispenser in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention;

Figure 12 is a three-dimensional partially sectioned view of the dispenser shown in Figure 1 1 ;

Figures 13 to 15 are sectioned side views of a part of the dispenser shown in Figures 11 and 12 in a high, intermediate and low-volume positions, respectively.

Figures 16 and 17 are three-dimensional and sectioned views showing a dispenser in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the invention;

Figure 18 is a three-dimensional schematic of a dispenser in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention;

Figure 19 is a three-dimensional schematic of a dispenser in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention; and

Figures 20 and 21 are three-dimensional and sectioned views showing a dispenser in accordance with the seventh embodiment of the invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In a first embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 1 to 8, reference numeral 10 refers generally to a dispenser in accordance with the present invention.

In this embodiment, the dispenser 10 includes a body 12 sized, shaped and configured to be received by a cistern 14 of a toilet (not shown), the body 12 defining a flow passage 16 for allowing fluid to flow therethrough, the body including a base 26 and walls 28 extending therefrom which are shaped to facilitate moulding thereof from a single mould, a receiving zone 18 defined in the passage 16 of the body 12 for receiving a dissolvable sanitiser 20, typically in the form of a soluble block of dissolvable sanitiser, therein, and first and second openings 22 and 24 defined in the body 12 which are spaced differently from the base 26 of the body 12 so as to permit fluid to flow through the passage 16 and to be dispensed into the cistern 14 from the opening proximal the base 26, typically the second opening 24, during a flushing condition of the toilet (not shown).

The body 12 has a generally compact shape, preferably being generally elongate in cross-section, for facilitating receipt thereof by the cistern 14. The base 26 and walls 28 of the body 12 are shaped so as to facilitate moulding thereof, typically for allowing the body 12 to be manufactured from a single mould. Preferably and as shown in the Figures, the base 26 and walls 28 are arranged to extend substantially normally relative each other. The body 12 is sized so as to receive a volume of fluid in the range of 200cm³ to 460cm³, preferably being in the region of 360cm³. More particularly, the body 12 has a length, width and height in the ranges of 75mm to 200m, 20mm to 40mm and 75mm to 400mm, respectively, preferably being in the region of 124mm, 28mm and 125mm, respectively. The walls 28 of the body 12 have a thickness in the range of 0.5mm to 5mm, preferably being in the region of 2mm. The body 12 is manufactured from any suitable synthetics, plastics or metallic material. More particularly, the body 12 is manufactured from a material having a weight sufficient to remain at the bottom of a filled cistern. It is to be appreciated that a body capable of floating in water would move around the cistern excessively upon continued flushing, and such movement may lead to tipping which may render the dispenser inoperable. Typically, the body 12 is manufactured from a plastic material. The plastic material includes a filler (not shown) for increasing a weight thereof. Further typically, the body 12 is manufactured from any one or more of the group including polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polypropylene.

The receiving zone 18 is sized, shaped and configured to receive the dissolvable sanitiser 20 therein. The receiving zone 18 is located substantially within the passage 16 of the body 12. The receiving zone 18 is spaced apart from the base 26 of the body 12 for spacing the soluble block 20 away from the base 26, preferably for facilitating passage 16 of undissolved remnants of the soluble block 20 out of the second opening 24 during the flushing condition. It is to be appreciated that the receiving zone 18 is spaced away from the base 26 so that remnants of the soluble block 20 do not get stuck in a low flow or corner region of the body 12. The receiving zone 18 is defined by a support member 30 which extends from a side wall 28.1 of the body 12. The support member 30 is in the form of extensions 32 which extend inwardly from opposing inner surfaces 34 of side walls 28.1 of the body. The extensions 32 define a gap (not shown) therebetween for allowing dissolved sanitiser 20 to fall to an operative lower region 36 of the body 12 and flow passage 16.

The openings 22 and 24 are spaced apart along a height of the body 12 in the operative condition. The first opening 22 is located further away from the base 26 and the second opening 24 is located closer to the base 26 for encouraging a discrete quantity of dissolved sanitiser to flow towards, and typically out of the second opening 24. As shown most clearly in Figures 13 to 15, a distance between the openings defines the discrete quantity or volume of fluid to be dispensed from the body 12 in the flushing condition. The openings 22 and 24 are defined in any wall of the body 12. As shown in Figure 1 , the openings 22 and 24 are formed from the same hole and are located towards an operative upper end region 38 of the body 12. Typically, the first opening 22 is configured to serve as a breather opening for allowing air to enter the body 12 in order to facilitate smooth flow of fluid through the passage 16 of the body 12 and out of the second opening 24 during the flushing condition. Although, the openings 22 and 24 are shown to be in the form of apertures cut out from the body, the openings 22 and 24 can be in the form of any one or more of the group including a vent, hole, aperture, slot, slit, perforation, cut, gap, and the like, for allowing fluid to pass therethrough. The openings 22 and 24 are of any suitable size and shape for permitting fluid flow therethrough. More particularly, the first opening 22 is sized and shaped to permit air to flow therethrough and the second opening 24 is sized and shaped to permit liquid to flow therethrough. It is to be appreciated that the first opening need not be large. In the Figures, the opening 22 is large enough to receive the soluble block of dissolvable sanitiser 20 therein and allow the block 20 to enter the passage 16 of the body 12. As shown in Figures 1 to 8, the openings 22 and 24 extend from each other, typically forming one opening which includes a breather portion 40 and an outlet portion 42, wherein the breather portion 40 is defined towards the operative upper end region 38 of the body 12 and wherein the outlet portion 42 is defined in an operative side wall 28.1 of the body 12. A guide member 44 is provided for guiding fluid flowing through the passage 16 via a zone 46 having a higher concentration of dissolvable sanitiser 20 dissolved therein. The zone 46 having a higher concentration of dissolvable sanitiser 20 dissolved therein is located proximal the base 26 of the body 12, typically being located towards the operative lower region 36 of the body 12 as a result of the dissolved sanitiser 20 being denser than the surrounding fluid typically in the form of conventional tap water or toilet supply water. It is to be appreciated that the fluid with the highest concentration of dissolvable sanitiser 20 dissolved therein sinks to the bottom of the body 12 thereby defining the high concentration zone 46. The guide member 44 extends into the high concentration zone 46 thereby guiding the flow of fluid therethrough while flowing through the body 12 during the flushing condition. Although not shown in the Figures, the guide member 44 can be in the form of a wall which is formed integrally with and extends from the walls 28 of the body 12. As shown in Figures 1 to 10, in both the first and second embodiments of the invention, the guide member 44 is in the form of a separator member 48 for separating the breather and outlet portions 40 and 42 of the single opening defined by the first and second openings 22 and 24 which extend from each other. The separator member 48 is of generally elongate planar form. The separator member 48 is sized to be received complementally by a receiving formation 50 defined in the side walls 28 of the body 12. The receiving formation 50 extends along the height of the body 12. The receiving formation 50 is defined by a wave-like profile 51 formed in the side wall 28.1 of the body 12. The separator member 48 is configured to extend towards the base 26 of the body 12 and into the high concentration zone 46. The separator member 48 has a length and width which corresponds to the height and width of the body 12, respectively. The separator member 48 has a length, width and thickness in the ranges of 75mm to 400mm, 20mm to 40mm and 0.25mm to 3mm, respectively, preferably being in the region of 141 mm, 24mm and 1 mm, respectively.

A control means is provided for controlling a quantity of dissolvable sanitiser 20 dispensed from the body 12 during the flushing condition. In the first embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 8, and most clearly in Figures 6 to 8, and in the second embodiment, as shown in Figures 9 to 10, the control means is in the form of a concentration adjustment arrangement 52 for adjusting a concentration of dissolvable sanitiser 20 in the fluid dispensed from the body 12. The concentration adjustment arrangement 52 is in the form of the guide member 44 which is mounted displaceably within the receiving formation 50. The guide member 48 is displaceable between a high concentration position, as most clearly shown in Figure 6a and 6b, wherein the guide member 48 extends furthest into the passage 16, typically extending into the zone 46 having a higher concentration of dissolvable sanitiser 20 dissolved therein, and a low concentration position, as most clearly shown in Figure 8a and 8b, wherein the guide member 48 is spaced furthest away from the high concentration zone 46 thus permitting fluid having a lower concentration of dissolvable sanitiser 20 dissolved therein to flow to and out of the second opening 24 during the flushing condition. It is to be appreciated that the further the guide member 44 is spaced from the high concentration zone 46, the shorter the flow path is to the second opening 24 or outlet portion 42 for fluid having low concentrations of sanitiser dissolved therein which causes a smaller quantity of fluid having a high concentration of sanitiser dissolved therein to be dispensed from the body 12.

The receiving formation 50 is in the form of any one of the group including a slot, track, groove, recess, and the like, which is sized to receive the guide member 44 complementally therein and permit displacement, typically sliding displacement, of the guide member 44 between the high and low concentration positions.

A retaining means (not shown) is provided for releasably retaining the guide member 44 in any position relative the body 12 between and including the high and low concentration positions. The retaining means (not shown) is in the form of a biasing arrangement (not shown) for biasing the guide member 44 towards friction fit engagement with the receiving formation 50. Typically, the guide member 44 is manufactured with a bend (not shown) defined therein such that the guide member 44 presses itself into sides of the receiving formation 50 when received, thereby holding it in position relative the body 12. The bend (not shown) is such that it requires little force to overcome the co-efficient of friction between the guide member 44 and the receiving formation 50 but the co-efficient of friction is sufficient to retain the guide member 44 in the required position in use.

Alternatively, and although not shown, the control means can be in the form of a displacement arrangement for allowing a user to displace one of the openings 22 or 24 relative the other.

A stabilising arrangement 54 is provided for stabilising the body 12 in a substantially upright position relative the cistern 14 in an operative condition.

In a second embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 9 and 10, reference numeral 110 refers generally to a dispenser having separated first and second openings 122 and 124.

In a third embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 1 1 to 15, reference numeral 210 refers generally to a dispenser having separated first and second openings 222 and 224 and a control means in the form of a volume adjustment arrangement 256.

In this embodiment, the volume adjustment arrangement 256 is configured to adjust the volume of fluid dispensed from body 212. In particular, the volume adjustment arrangement 256 is configured to adjust the volume of a cavity 258 within the body 212 extending between the openings 222 and 224 defined therein. More particularly, the volume adjustment arrangement 256 is in the form of a wall 228 of the body 212, typically an operative rear wall 228.2 thereof, which wall 228.2 is mounted displaceably on the base 226 and side walls 228.1 of the body 212. As shown most clearly in Figures 13 to 15, the rear wall 228.2 is displaceable between a low-volume position wherein an operative upper edge 229 of the rear wall 228.2 is located nearer to the base 226 of the body 212 and a high-volume position wherein the operative upper edge 229 of the rear wall 228.2 is located further from the base 226 of the body 212. It is to be appreciated that adjustment of the position of the operative upper edge 229 of the rear wall 228.2, which upper edge 229 partly defines the first opening 222, relative to the base 226 of the body 212 serves to reduce a maximum quantity of fluid capable of being held by, and dispensed by, the body 212 due to the reduction in height difference between the first and second openings 222 and 224. The rear wall 228.2 is mounted on the body 212 so that an operative upper portion of the rear wall 228.2 is displaceable relative adjacent side walls 228.1 of the body 212.

More particularly, the rear wall 228.8 is mounted on the body 212 so that the operative upper portion of the rear wall 228.2 is capable of extending inwardly the body 212, typically by bending of the rear wall 228.2 relative adjacent side walls 228.1 of the body 212.

Further, the rear wall 228.2 of the body 212 is bendable between the low- volume position wherein the rear wall 228.2 is angled or bent inwards relative the adjacent side walls 228.1 thereby lowering the operative upper edge 229 thereof relative the base 226 and reducing the size of the cavity 258 between the openings 222 and 224, and the high-volume position wherein the rear wall 228.2 is positioned substantially normally relative the adjacent side walls 228.1 . It is to be appreciated that the rear wall 228.2 in the high-volume position is positioned to stand substantially upright together with the adjacent side walls 228.1 of the body 212.

Retaining formations 260 are provided for retaining the rear wall 228.2 in various positions between the high and low-volume positions, typically so as to allow a user to set the quantity of sanitiser 220 to be dispensed into the cistern 214 during the flushing condition according to his/her preferences. The retaining formations 260 are in the form of protrusions which protrude inwardly from the adjacent side walls 228.1 of the body 212. Furthermore, the guide member 244 is in the form of a bent tubular member

262.

In a fourth embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 16 and 17, reference numeral 310 refers generally to a dispenser having a mounting arrangement 364 for mounting the body 312 on an inner side wall (not shown) of a cistern (not shown).

The mounting arrangement extends between and interconnects the body 312 and the inner side wall (not shown) of the cistern (not shown). The mounting arrangement 364 includes a body connecting portion 366 and cistern connecting portion 368. The body and cistern connecting portions 366 and 368 are formed integrally with and extend from each other. The body connecting portion 366 is in the form of a hook-and-loop formation 370, wherein a hook 372 thereof extends from the mounting arrangement 364, and a loop thereof is defined by an aperture 376 defined in the wall 328 of the body 312. As shown in Figure 16, apertures 376 are defined in both side walls 328.1 of the body 312 to allow a user to orientate the body 312 relative the cistern (not shown) according to his/her preferences. The cistern connecting portion 368 is in the form of a hook formation 378 which is sized, shaped and configured to engage an edge region (not shown) of the cistern (not shown) so as to allow the body 312 to hang therefrom.

More specifically, and as shown in Figures 16 and 17, the mounting arrangement 364 is in the form of an elongate member 380 which is bent to form a pair of body connecting portions 366 at opposing end regions thereof and a cistern connecting portion 368 at a generally central region thereof. The elongate member 380 is manufactured from a metallic wire.

An adjustment arrangement (not shown) is provided for adjusting a position of the body 312 relative the side wall (not shown) of the cistern (not shown) for allowing a timing of dispensing sanitiser to be set relative a duration of a flush during the flushing condition. In particular, the adjustment arrangement (not shown) is configured to permit adjustment of a length of the mounting arrangement 364 extending between the body 312 and an attachment point (not shown) of the mounting arrangement 364 on the side wall (not shown) of the cistern (not shown). The adjustment arrangement (not shown) is configured to permit variation of the timing of dispensing sanitiser relative to the duration of the flushing condition. More particularly, the adjustment arrangement (not shown) is configured to allow a user to set the timing of dispensing sanitiser such that sanitiser is dispensed nearer to the beginning or the end of the flushing condition, the timing typically being set according to user preferences. The adjustment arrangement (not shown) is in the form of a rack-and-ratchet assembly (not shown) for allowing a user to adjust a vertical position of the body 312 relative the cistern (not shown).

Also shown in this embodiment, and referring specifically to Figure 17, support member 330 is in the form of a flow guide member 382 for supporting the soluble block (not shown) away from the base 326 of the body 312 and for guiding flow of fluid through the body 312 via an operative lower end region 336 thereof before flowing towards the second opening 324 during flushing. The flow guide member 382 is in the form of a pipe 384 which is sized so as to fit within the body 312 and extend between opposing end regions of the operative lower end region of the body. It is to be appreciated that the pipe 384 serves to improve flow of fluid through the body 312 by reducing a likelihood of blockage-causing-build-up of undissolved remnants of the soluble block (not shown). Further, retaining members 386 extend inwardly from a side wall 328 of the body 312, typically being spaced apart a distance which corresponds to a length of the pipe 384 so as to allow the pipe 384, and the soluble block (not shown), to be received and retained complementally therebetween. It is to be appreciated that the retaining members 386 serve to inhibit displacement of the pipe 384 and the soluble block (not shown) along a longitudinal direction thereof and ensure that flow communication from one end to the other is maintained i.e., the pipe 384 and the soluble block (not shown) is unable to move to one end of the body 312 thereby blocking itself off against the side wall 328 of the body 312. In a fifth embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figure 18, reference numeral 410 refers generally to a dispenser having a stabilising arrangement 454 in the form of a stabilising formation 488 which is formed integrally with the side wall 428 of the body 412 and which maintains its shape and form throughout a height of the body 412 thereby allowing the body 412 and the stabilising formation 488 to be manufactured from a single mould.

In a sixth embodiment of the invention, shown in Figure 19, reference numeral 510 refers generally to a dispenser having a volume adjustment arrangement 556 in the form of an operative rear wall 528.2 mounted slidably on the body 512.

In this embodiment, the rear wall 528.2 is mounted on the body 512 so that the operative upper portion of the rear wall 528.2 is capable of sliding relative adjacent side walls 528.1 of the body 512.

The rear wall 528.2 of the body 512 is slidable between the low-volume position wherein the operative upper edge 529 of the rear wall 528.2 is positioned nearer to base 526 of the body 512, the lower position of the operative upper edge 529 typically reducing a maximum filling height of the body 512, and the high-volume position wherein the operative upper edge 529 of the rear wall 528.2 is positioned further from the base 526 thereby increasing the maximum filling height of the body 512. It is to be appreciated that the operative upper edge 529 of the rear wall 528.2 is flush with operative upper edge regions 531 of adjacent side walls 528.1 in the high-volume position.

In a seventh embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 20 and 21 , reference numeral 610 refers generally to a dispenser having a volume adjustment arrangement 656 in the form of an adjustment member 690 mounted displaceably on a side wall 628.1 of the body 612. In this embodiment, the adjustment member 690 is pivotally mounted on the side wall 628.1 of the body 612 and positioned in an eccentric manner for allowing an opening 692 defined in the side wall 628.1 to be covered in the high-volume position, as shown in Figure 20, and uncovered in the low-volume position, as shown in Figure 21. The adjustment member 690 has a shape which permits gradual variation of a degree of covering of the opening 692 in the side wall 628.1. The adjustment member 690 has a shape which gradually increases in radius, relative a pivot point 694 of the adjustment member 690, along an outer edge region thereof. The adjustment member 690 has a shape which resembles a spiral-type shell when viewed in plan.

It is, of course, to be appreciated that the dispenser in accordance with the invention is not limited to the precise constructional and functional details as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings and which is varied as desired.

Although only certain embodiments of the invention have been described herein, it will be understood by any person skilled in the art that other modifications, variations, and possibilities of the invention are possible. Such modifications, variations and possibilities are therefore to be considered as falling within the spirit and scope of the invention and hence form part of the invention as herein described and/or exemplified. It is further to be understood that the examples are provided for illustrating the invention further and to assist a person skilled in the art with understanding the invention and is not meant to be construed as unduly limiting the reasonable scope of the invention.

The inventor believes that the dispenser in accordance with the present invention is advantageous in that it permits a discrete quantity of dissolvable sanitiser to be dispensed into the cistern during flushing of a toilet. The dispenser serves to prolong the lifespan of a single soluble toilet block. Further, the inventor believes that the dispenser prevents excessive quantities of dissolvable sanitiser from being wasted during a flush. The inventor believes that the dispenser provides a smaller volume of fluid which is exposed to the toilet block after a flush, which causes the smaller volume to reach a saturation point more quickly and prevent further dissolvable sanitiser from dissolving into the fluid. Still yet further, the inventor believes the shape of the body of the dispenser is particularly advantageous in that it allows the body to be manufactured from a single mould which greatly reduces moulding and tooling costs.

Claims

1. A dispenser including: - a body sized, shaped and configured to be received by a cistern of a toilet, the body defining a flow passage for allowing fluid to flow therethrough, the body including a base and walls extending therefrom which are shaped to facilitate moulding thereof from a single mould; a receiving zone defined in the passage of the body for receiving a dissolvable sanitiser therein; and first and second openings defined in the body which are spaced at different distances from the base of the body so as to facilitate and/or encourage fluid flow of dissolved sanitiser through the passage in a direction towards the opening closest to the base during a flushing condition of the toilet.

2. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein a control means is provided for controlling a quantity of dissolvable sanitiser dispensed from the body during the flushing condition.

3. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the body has a generally compact shape for facilitating receipt thereof by the cistern.

4. A dispenser as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the base and walls are arranged to extend substantially normally relative each other.

5. A dispenser as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the body is sized so as to receive a volume of fluid in the range of 200cm³ to 460cm³.

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6. A dispenser as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the body has a length, width and height in the ranges of 75mm to 200m, 20mm to 40mm and 75mm to 400mm, respectively.

7. A dispenser as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the walls of the body have a thickness in the range of 0.5mm to 5mm.

8. A dispenser as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the body is manufactured from a plastic material.

9. A dispenser as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the body is manufactured from any one or more of the group including polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polypropylene.

10. A dispenser as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the receiving zone is sized, shaped and configured to receive the dissolvable sanitiser therein, the dissolvable sanitiser being in the form of a soluble block.

1 1. A dispenser as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the receiving zone is located substantially within the passage of the body.

12. A dispenser as claimed in claim 10 or 1 1 wherein the receiving zone is spaced apart from the base of the body for spacing the soluble block away from the base, typically for facilitating passage of undissolved remnants of the soluble block out of the second opening during the flushing condition.

13. A dispenser as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the receiving zone is defined by a support member which extends from a side wall of the body.

14. A dispenser as claimed in claim 13 wherein the support member is in the form of extensions which extend inwardly from opposing inner surfaces of the side walls of the body.

15. A dispenser as claimed in claim 14 wherein the extensions define a gap therebetween for allowing dissolved dissolvable sanitiser to fall to an operative lower region of the body.

16. A dispenser as claimed in any one or more of the claims 1 to 12 wherein the receiving zone is defined by a support member in the form of a flow guide member for supporting the soluble block away from the base of the body and for guiding flow of fluid through the body via an operative lower end region thereof before flowing towards the second opening during flushing.

17. A dispenser as claimed in claim 16 wherein the flow guide member is in the form of a pipe which is sized so as to fit within the body and extend between opposing end regions of the operative lower end region of the body.

18. A dispenser as claimed in claim 16 or 17 wherein retaining members extend inwardly from a side wall of the body so as to allow the pipe and soluble block to be received and retained complementally therebetween.

19. A dispenser as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the first and second openings are spaced apart along a height of the body in the operative condition.

20. A dispenser as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the first opening is located further away from the base and the second opening is located closer to the base for encouraging a discrete quantity of dissolved sanitiser to flow towards, and out of, the second opening.

21 . A dispenser as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the openings are in the form of any one or more of the group including a vent, hole, aperture, slot, slit, perforation, cut, gap and the like, for allowing fluid to pass therethrough.

22. A dispenser as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein the openings extend from each other, typically forming one opening which includes a breather portion and an outlet portion, wherein the breather portion is defined towards the operative upper end region of the body and wherein the outlet portion is defined in an operative side wall of the body.

23. A dispenser as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein a guide member is provided for guiding fluid flowing through the passage via a zone having a higher concentration of dissolvable sanitiser dissolved therein.

24. A dispenser as claimed in claim 23 wherein the zone having a higher concentration of dissolvable sanitiser dissolved therein is located proximal the base of the body, the zone being located towards an operative lower region of the body as a result of the dissolved sanitiser being denser than the surrounding fluid.

25. A dispenser as claimed in claim 24 wherein the guide member extends into the high concentration zone thereby guiding the flow of fluid therethrough while flowing through the body during the flushing condition.

26. A dispenser as claimed in any one or more of the claims 23 to 25 wherein the guide member is in the form of a wall which is formed integrally with and extend from the walls of the body.

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27. A dispenser as claimed in any one or more of the claims 23 to 25 wherein the guide member is in the form of a separator member for separating breather and outlet portions of a single opening defined by the first and second openings.

28. A dispenser as claimed in claim 27 wherein the separator member is of generally elongate planar form.

29. A dispenser as claimed in claim 27 or 28 wherein the separator member is sized to be received complementally by a receiving formation defined in the side walls of the body.

30. A dispenser as claimed in claim 29 wherein the receiving formation extends along a height of the body.

31. A dispenser as claimed in claim 29 or 30 wherein the receiving formation is defined by a wave-like profile formed in the side wall of the body.

32. A dispenser as claimed in any one or more of the claims 29 to 31 wherein the separator member has a length and width which corresponds to the height and width of the body, respectively.

33. A dispenser as claimed in any one or more of the claims 2 to 32 wherein the control means is in the form of a volume adjustment arrangement for adjusting the volume of fluid dispensed from the body.

34. A dispenser as claimed in claim 33 wherein the volume adjustment arrangement is configured to adjust the volume of a cavity within the body extending between the openings defined therein.

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35. A dispenser as claimed in claim 33 or 34 wherein the volume adjustment arrangement is in the form of a wall of the body which may be displaceably mounted on the body.

36. A dispenser as claimed in claim 35 wherein the wall is displaceable between a low-volume position wherein an operative upper edge of the wall is located nearer to the base of the body and a high-volume position wherein the operative upper edge of the wall is located further from the base of the body.

37. A dispenser as claimed in claim 35 or 36 wherein the wall is in the form of an operative rear wall of the body which is mounted on the body so that an operative upper portion of the rear wall is displaceable relative adjacent side walls of the body.

38. A dispenser as claimed in any one or more of the claims 35 to 37 wherein retaining formations are provided for retaining the wall in various positions between the high and low-volume positions, typically so as to allow a user to set the quantity of dissolvable sanitiser to be dispensed into the cistern during the flushing condition according to his/her preferences.

39. A dispenser as claimed in any one or more of the claims 2 to 32 wherein the control means is in the form of a concentration adjustment arrangement for adjusting a concentration of dissolvable sanitiser in the fluid dispensed from the body.

40. A dispenser as claimed in claim 39 wherein the concentration adjustment arrangement is in the form of a guide member which is displaceably mounted within the passage in the body.

41 . A dispenser as claimed in claim 40 wherein the guide member is displaceable between a high concentration position wherein the guide member extends furthest into

28 the passage, typically extending into a zone having a higher concentration of dissolvable sanitiser dissolved therein, and a low concentration position wherein the guide member is spaced furthest away from the high concentration zone thus permitting fluid having a lower concentration of dissolvable sanitiser dissolved therein to flow to and out of the second opening during the flushing condition.

42. A dispenser as claimed in claim 41 wherein a receiving formation is defined in the body for receiving the guide member displaceably therein.

43. A dispenser as claimed in claim 41 or 42wherein the receiving formation is in the form of any one of the group including a slot, track, groove, recess, and the like, which is sized to receive the guide member complementally therein and permit displacement, typically sliding displacement, of the guide member between the high and low concentration positions.

44. A dispenser as claimed in any one or more of the claims 40 to 43 wherein the guide member is manufactured with a bend defined therein such that the guide member presses itself into sides of the receiving formation when received, thereby holding it in position relative the body.

45. A dispenser as claimed in any one or more of the claims 2 to 32 wherein the control means is in the form of a displacement arrangement for allowing a user to displace one of the openings relative the other.

46. A dispenser as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein a stabilising arrangement is provided for stabilising the body in a substantially upright position relative the cistern in an operative condition.

47. A dispenser as claimed in claim 46 wherein the stabilising arrangement is in the form of a stabilising formation which is formed integrally with the side wall of the body

29 and which maintains its shape and form throughout a height of the body thereby allowing the body and the stabilising formation to be manufactured from a single mould.

48. A dispenser as claimed in any one or more of the preceding claims wherein a mounting arrangement is provided for mounting the body on an inner side wall of a cistern.

49. A dispenser as claimed in claim 48 wherein an adjustment arrangement is provided for adjusting a position of the body relative the side wall of the cistern for allowing a timing of dispensing sanitiser to be set relative a duration of a flush during the flushing condition.

50. A dispenser as claimed in claim 49 wherein the adjustment arrangement is configured to permit adjustment of a length of the mounting arrangement extending between the body and an attachment point of the mounting arrangement on the side wall of the cistern.

51 . A dispenser as claimed in any one or more of the claims 48 to 50 wherein the adjustment arrangement is in the form of a rack-and-ratchet assembly for allowing a user to adjust a substantially vertical position of the body relative the cistern.

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