AU753432B2

AU753432B2 - Dispensing liquids

Info

Publication number: AU753432B2
Application number: AU97005/98A
Authority: AU
Inventors: James E Buhler; Robert Edward Corba; Scott W. Demarest; Marilyn Marie Johnson; Stephen Bowne Leonard; Allen Dale Miller; Steven B. Mineau
Original assignee: SC Johnson and Son Inc
Current assignee: SC Johnson and Son Inc
Priority date: 1998-06-15
Filing date: 1998-12-09
Publication date: 2002-10-17
Anticipated expiration: 2018-12-09
Also published as: KR20010052928A; AR015024A1; AR018682A1; GB2338496B; AU9700598A; AU8745698A; WO1999066140A1; KR100486384B1; GB0011204D0; GB2338496A; GB2345494A; ZA200007402B; ATE444413T1; GB9905828D0; GB9812892D0; CO5090853A1; GB2338495B; GB2338495A; MXPA99002525A; DE69941495D1

Description

k 1 DISPENSING LIQUIDS The present invention relates to liquid dispensers and in particular to arrangements for dispensing quantities of liquids, such as cleaning and/or refreshing liquids, from the rim of a lavatory 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.

One known device of this type is described in published European patent application EP-A-0 785 315. This application acknowledges the problem with such devices that as the liquid level in the bottle falls the rate at which liquid is dispensed falls with time and thereby renders the dispenser less effective.

The solution to this problem suggested by the above reference is to provide a structure between the mouth of the bottle and the wicking device so as to permit both the flow of the liquid from the bottle to the wicking device and also a return flow of air from outside the dispenser to the bottle.

However, the proposed structure is complex and therefore expensive to manufacture.

S•Furthermore, a given dispenser of the type described in this reference can function only S 20 with a lavatory system having a predefined relative position of the rim of the lavatory bowl and the stream of flushing water.

A further problem with prior-art liquid dispensers of this type is that, when the consumer causes the bottle to be opened, e.g. by inserting the inverted bottle in a dispensing unit, some ot" the liquid spurts out as a result of the liquid in the bottle being Sslightly above atmospheric pressure, possibly because the act of sealing the mouth of the bottle in the factory pressurises the liquid to some extent.

It would therefore be desirable to provide liquid dispensers and methods of filling 30 bottles for such dispensers which overcome, or at least mitigate, one or more of the above disadvantages of the prior-art dispenser.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a dispensing unit for dispensing a liquid from the rim of a lavatory bowl, the unit comprising a housing containing a wicking device for conveying liquid to be dispensed from a reservoir to a position within a stream of flushing water, wherein the position of the wicking device is adjustable relative to the housing, thereby enabling the unit to function with lavatory bowls with different shapes and different flushing systems.

The wicking device is preferably provided with at least one venting aperture, which when the device is adjustable, are positioned such that there is at least one functioning venting hole for every possible functional position of the adjustable wicking device.

A spillage tray is advantageously positioned in use below the wicking device having formed therein a vent channel arranged in communication with the at least one functioning venting aperture.

The or each venting aperture may be in the form of a substantially circular hole or an elongate slit.

The unit is preferably so structured as to permit the position of the wicking device to be adjusted between different positions so as to function with lavatory bowls with different shapes and different flushing systems.

The dispensing unit preferably further 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 engaging the circular mouth of a bottle 0 constituting the reservoir and preferably terminates obliquely so as to define a substantially elliptical aperture. The conduit may further comprise a substantially cylindrical outlet portion, e.g. of a D-shaped, circular or substantially rectangular crosso 25 section, having a cross-sectional area substantially less than that of the inlet portion, and the inlet portion of the conduit may be laterally displaced from the outlet portion. Such an arrangement is geometrically particularly advantageous when an adjustable wicking device is provided. When the outlet portion has a D-shaped cross-section, the bar of the :RA/ D" can be arranged to coincide with a diameter of the substantially circular inlet portion

[R:\LIBLLI

1 3 1 89specie.doc:keh 3 of the conduit when viewed vertically. The outlet portion of the conduit bears against the wicking device so as to create a substantially liquid-tight seal therebetween.

The outlet portion is preferably at least partially surrounded by a barrier wall, which may be cylindrical and of rectangular cross-section. This serves to prevent ingress of flushing water into the reservoir.

The wicking device preferably comprises a first portion for receiving liquid from the reservoir and a second portion arranged to be positioned in use in a dispensing position. The second portion may be arranged to be positioned in use within the stream of [R:\LIBLL 131 89spccie.doc:keh

'V'

aI 4 flushing water, in which case the second portion is preferably arranged to be positioned in use between the first portion and the rim of the lavatory bowl.

The dispensing unit is preferably structured such that the position of the wicking 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 may be formed with a depression for receiving the neck of a bottle constituting a said reservoir. The wicking device may be formed with one or more elongate apertures and the housing may comprise a corresponding one or more projections for engaging the elongate apertures so as to define the outermost possible operative position of the wicking device. In this case, the or each projection may comprises a spring finger which is arranged to engage its corresponding aperture in the wicking device when the wicking device is inserted into the housing.

The wicking device may comprise a projection for insertion in the mouth of a said reservoir in use, the projection having formed therethrough a vent channel.

The wicking device preferably comprises a porous pad but may alternatively comprise a plate with capillary channels or circular holes formed therein. The capillary channels eq may be formed as elongate apertures or elongate channels within the plate.

The invention extends to the combination of such a dispensing unit and means for S 25 suspending the unit from the rim of a lavatory bowl.

The invention extends to the combination of such a dispensing unit, which is provided with a conduit having an inlet portion of substantially circular cross-section, and a bottle constituting the reservoir, the bottle comprising an opening for dispensing the liquid S: 30 therefrom, the opening having a substantially circular cross-section greater than that of the inlet portion of the conduit.

The mouth of the bottle is covered prior to use with a frangible seal which is arranged to be broken in use by compressing the seal against the circular inlet portion of the conduit. Such an arrangement is particularly convenient for the user.

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 lavatory bowl.

The venting means may comprise a one-way valve, such as a duck-bill valve.

Alternatively, the venting means may comprise a removable plug, and said unit may comprise a co-operating projection which is positioned so as to remove the plug when the reservoir bottle is placed by a user in its operative position in relation to the io unit, thereby to create a venting aperture in the reservoir bottle.

In a further arrangement, the venting means may comprise a removable seal, and said unit may comprise a co-operating hollow projection which is positioned so as to remove the seal and project into the reservoir bottle when the reservoir bottle is placed by a user in its operative position in relation to the unit, the hollow projection constituting a venting channel.

[R:ALIBLL 13189spceic.doc:kch In a yet further arrangement, the venting means may comprise an air vent in the reservoir bottle which is sealed by a cover portion which either can be removed by a user prior to use or is automatically removed by a projection arranged on the unit so as to remove the cover portion when the reservoir bottle is placed by a user in its operative position in relation to the unit.

The invention extends to a method of filling and sealing a dispenser bottle for use as a reservoir within such a dispensing unit, the method comprising heating the liquid prior to sealing the reservoir bottle so as to create a partial vacuum within the bottle when the liquid cools to room temperature. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the bottle may lo be compressed after filling the bottle with the liquid, and the bottle sealed while compressed so as to create a partial vacuum within the bottle after sealing.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a liquid dispenser in accordance with 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 Figure 2 in a different configuration and without the reservoir bottle; Figure 4 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3 but without the reservoir bottle; Figures 4 to 4 illustrate plan views from underneath of three different structures of the outlet portion; Figure 5 is a front view of the liquid dispenser of Figures 1 to 4; 0aeo Figure 6 is a rear view of the liquid dispenser of Figure 1 to

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[R:\LIBLL] 13189specie.doc:keh 7 Figure 7 illustrates schematically the manner in which a porous pad may be inserted into the housing of a liquid dispenser of the preferred embodiment; Figure 8 illustrates schematically the relative position of the dispensing device of the preferred embodiment and a lavatory rim from which the device is suspended; Figure 9 illustrates schematically the relative position of the dispensing device of the preferred embodiment in another configuration and a different lavatory rim from which the device is suspended; Figure 10 is a chart illustrating different types of lavatory flushing arrangements; Figure 11 illustrates an optional arrangement of a spillage tray and vent channel for use with the preferred embodiment; Figure 12(a) illustrates a first alternative structure for the wicking device of the liquid dispenser shown in Figures 1 to Figure 12(b) is a cross-sectional view of the wicking device shown in Figure 12(a); Figure 13(a) illustrates a second alternative structure for the wicking device of the liquid dispenser shown in Figures 1 to Figure 13(b) is a cross-sectional view of the wicking device shown in Figure 13(a); •o Figure 14 illustrates a third alternative structure for the wicking device of the 30 liquid dispenser shown in Figures 1 to Figure 15(a) is a perspective view of a fourth alternative structure for the wicking device in combination with the reservoir bottle of the liquid dispenser shown in Figures 1 to Figure 15(b) is a cross-sectional view of the wicking device and reservoir bottle shown in Figure Figure 16(a) is a perspective view of a first alternative venting arrangement for the liquid dispenser shown in Figures 1 to Figure 16(b) is a cross-sectional view of the venting arrangement shown in Figure 16(a); Figure 17(a) is a perspective view of a second alternative venting arrangement for the liquid dispenser shown in Figures 1 to ~Figure 17(b) is a cross-sectional view of the venting arrangement shown in Figure 16(b); 0ee* S 20 Figure 17(c) is a portion of the cross-sectional view of Figure 17(b) illustrating ••o the release of the venting plug; Figure 18(a) is a perspective view of a third alternative venting arrangement for the liquid dispenser shown in Figures 1 to 0000 S•Figure 18(b) is a cross-sectional view of the venting arrangement shown in Figure 18(a); 00 Figure 18(c) is a portion of the cross-sectional view of Figure 18(b) illustrating S 30 the breaking of the venting seal; 9 Figure 19(a) is a perspective view of the top of the reservoir bottle and the housing in a fourth alternative venting arrangement for the liquid dispenser shown in Figures 1 to Figure 19(b) is a cross-sectional view of the venting arrangement shown in Figure 19(a) after insertion of the reservoir bottle in the housing; Figure 20(a) is perspective view of a fifth venting arrangement for the liquid dispenser shown in Figures 1 to Figure 20(b) is a perspective view of a portion of the reservoir bottle shown in Figure 20(a) showing the cover plate broken away to expose the vent hole; and Figure 20(c) is a cross-sectional view of a sixth venting arrangement, similar to that shown in Figures 20(a) and 20(b) but wherein the cover plate is broken away automatically by a projection on the housing of the liquid dispenser on insertion of the Sreservoir bottle into the housing.

With reference to Figures 1 to 7, a liquid dispenser 1 comprises a housing 2 and a 4Ss° S 20 sprung suspension hook 3 for suspending the housing 2 from the rim of a lavatory bowl So(not shown). For ease of manufacture, the suspension hook 3 is formed as a separate component from the housing 2, and the housing 2 is formed with an integral guide channel 4 (see Figure 2) of rectangular cross-section into which the lower end of the suspension hook 3 is inserted during manufacture. The lower end of the suspension 25 hook 3 comprises a raised, chamfered portion 5, such that, upon insertion, the hook 3 remains engaged within the channel 4 by a snap-fitting arrangement.

S

S.i Once the unit is thus suspended, a user inserts in the housing 2 a sealed inverted reservoir bottle 6 into the housing 2. The act of insertion causes the seal on the 30 reservoir bottle 6 to break, in a manner to be described below. A wicking device in the form of a porous pad 7 is located in a slot within the housing 2, and this pad conveys liquid from the reservoir bottle 6 to a position within the stream of flushing water within the lavatory by capillary action.

The housing includes a conduit 8 for conveying the liquid from the reservoir bottle 6 to the porous pad 7. The conduit 8 comprises an inlet portion 9 of circular cross-section which is sized so as to fit snugly within the circular mouth of the reservoir bottle 6. The inlet portion 9 terminates obliquely, as seen clearly in Figures 2 and 3, so as to form an elliptical mouth. The reservoir bottle 6 is sealed by a plastics or foil cap (not shown), and the act of inserting the inverted reservoir bottle 6 into the housing causes the cap to break, by virtue of the shape of the inlet portion 9 of the conduit 8 so as to permit liquid from the reservoir bottle 6 to fall under gravity into the conduit 8.

The conduit 8 further comprises an outlet portion 10 in the form of a cylinder which bears against the porous pad 7. The cross-sectional area of the outlet portion 10 is less than that of the inlet portion 9, and this helps to prevent, or at least minimise the amount of, flushing water entering the reservoir.

As can be seen from Figures 4 to 4 the cylinder of the outlet portion 10 can be D-shaped, circular or rectangular in cross-section, and the outlet portion 10 is partially or totally surrounded by a cylindrical barrier wall 10' of rectangular cross-section, o&eo •°which further acts to prevent ingress of flushing water.

too* In the arrangements shown in Figures 4 and 4 one of the two long sides of the rectangular cross-section of the barrier wall 10' coincides with a diameter of the circular cross-section of the inlet portion 8 when viewed vertically. This arrangement enables the position of the porous pad 7 to be adjusted so as to ensure that a portion is always in 25 the stream of the flushing water for a wide range of different lavatory bowls, whilst Sensuring that the outlet portion 10 of the conduit 8 is effectively closed by the porous Spad 7.

oo In the arrangement shown in Figure 4 the centre of the rectangular cross-section of 30 the outlet portion 10 coincides with the centre of the circular cross-section of the inlet portion 9 when viewed vertically. This arrangement is particularly suitable for use in conjunction with the embodiments of the wicking device described below with 11 reference to Figures 13 and 13 or Figure 14 or a wicking device in the form of a plate having elongate channels therein.

In the arrangements shown in Figures 4 and 4 the inlet and outlet portions 9, of the conduit 8 are separated by a membrane provided with a small circular aperture The manner in which the position of the porous pad 7 can be adjusted by a user is illustrated in Figure 7. The porous pad 7 is provided with two elongate guide slots 11 which are engaged by two corresponding spring fingers 12 in the housing 2. The guide slots 11 serve to define the two extreme positions of the range of possible positions of the porous pad 7 within the housing 2.

•i n order to allow air to replace liquid dispensed from the reservoir bottle 6, a series of .small vent holes 13, typically 1.3 mm (50/1000 inch) in diameter, are formed in the porous pad 7 and arranged such that, in whatever position of the porous pad 7 within the 15 range defined by the guide slots 11, there is always at least one vent hole 13 communicating air from beneath the porous pad 7 to the mouth of the reservoir bottle 6 via the conduit 8.

0 °The housing 2 is also formed with a series of comb-shaped apertures 14 at the bottom of the front side which allow the flushing water to drain away from above the porous pad 7.

The housing 2 is additionally provided with a number of horizontal rib-like projections for engaging a corresponding horizontal groove (not shown) at the top of the reservoir bottle 6 so as to retain the reservoir bottle 6 in the operative position within the housing 2 once it has been inserted by a user.

The functioning 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 lavatory with an open rim. With the dispensing device 1 suspended from the rim 16 of such a lavatory, it can be seen that the stream of flushing water, indicated by the thick arrow, passes through the porous pad 7 when the porous pad 7 is in the fully-inserted position. However, when used with a lavatory of the boxed-rim 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 flushing water emanating from the boxed rim 17 would not contact the porous pad 7, and the device would not therefore function optimally. With such a boxed-rim configuration, a longer porous pad is provided, and this is withdrawn to a fully-extended position, as shown in Figure 9, so as to expose a portion thereof to the stream of flushing water, indicated by the thick arrow, while ensuring that the outlet portion 10 of the conduit 8 is still closed by the inner portion of the porous pad 7. As described above, this is ensured by virtue of the guide slots 11 within the porous pad 7 abutting the spring fingers 12 within the housing 2.

The adjustability of the porous pad is of particular advantage when used either with open rim lavatories or with boxed rim lavatories, since there is a large range of 20 geometries within each type, as illustrated in Figure 10, which illustrates examples of to the various lavatory rim configurations for different countries, and thereby indicting the utility of being able to select the porous pad and also to adjust its position. More specifically, the drawing illustrates the distance between the position of the housing of the liquid dispenser and the stream of flushing water. The cross-hatched area indicates V 25 the limited range distances (up to 16 mm (0.625 inch)) for which prior-art liquid dispensers would be suitable, and the single-hatched area indicates the range of distances (up to 22 mm (0.875 inch)) for a single size of porous pad according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. With larger pad sizes, the distance of utility can be extended indefinitely, but in practice, the maximum distance required is about 48 30 mm (1.9 inches). The bars indicate the range of distances found in different countries, as follows: Australia; United Kingdom; Malaysia; South Africa; (e) France; Italy; Spain; Japan; Thailand; Brazil, Argentina and Mexico; (k) Korea; Philippines; (mn) and U.S.A. The vertical line intersecting the bars indicates an approximate dividing line between lavatories of the open-rim construction (to the left of the line) and those of the boxed-rim construction (to the right of the line).

In an alternative arrangement, shown in Figure 11, the housing 2 is provided with a spillage tray 18 incorporating a vertical vent channel 19 positioned in register with a vent hole 13 in the porous pad 7. This serves the function of collecting any excess liquid while still enabling venting of the reservoir bottle 6.

A first alternative structure of the wicking device is shown in a perspective view in Figure 12 and in a cross-sectional view in Figure 12 In this embodiment, the wicking device is in the form of a plate 20 having the same over-all shape as that illustrated in Figure 7, with the elongate guide slots 11 providing adjustability of position of the plate 20 to accommodate different lavatory geometries. However, the plate 20 is not porous but solid apart from a number of raised through-holes 21 formed therein. The holes serve to permit the liquid, when diluted with the flushing water to pass through, in the direction of the clear arrow, and also permit venting of the reservoir ,bottle 6, as shown by the solid arrow. The holes are sufficiently small to prevent the undiluted liquid from passing through.

A second alternative structure of the wicking device is shown in a perspective view in Figure 13 and in a cross-sectional view in Figure 13 As with the first alternative structure described above with reference to Figures 12 and the wicking device is in the form of a plate 22 having the same over-all shape as that illustrated in Figure 7, with the elongate guide slots 11 providing adjustability of position of the plate 22 to o, 1 25 accommodate different lavatory geometries. In this embodiment, the plate 22 is again o non-porous but solid apart from a number of elongate slots 23 formed therein in a o. 1 generally parallel but splayed configuration. The slots 23 permit the liquid, when diluted with the flushing water to pass through, in the direction of the clear arrow, and also permit venting of the reservoir bottle 6, as shown by the solid arrow. The slots 23 30 are sufficiently small to prevent the undiluted liquid from passing through.

A third alternative structure of the wicking device is shown in a perspective view in Figure 14. As with the second alternative structure described above with reference to 1 1 I 14 Figures 13 and the wicking device is in the form of a non-porous plate 24 having the same over-all shape as that illustrated in Figure 7, with the elongate guide slots 11 providing adjustability of position of the plate 24 to accommodate different lavatory geometries and having a number of elongate slots 25 formed therein. In this embodiment, the slots 25 are arranged in a parallel fashion and not splayed.

Furthermore, a recess 26 is formed within the plate 24 to accommodate the top of the inverted reservoir bottle 6.

A fourth alternative structure of the wicking device is shown in a perspective view in Figure 15 and in a cross-sectional view in Figure 15 As with the second and third alternative structures described above with reference to Figures 13 and and Figure 14, the wicking device is in the form of a non-porous plate 27 having the same over-all shape as that illustrated in Figure 7 and having a number of elongate slots 28 formed therein. In this embodiment, the slots 28 are arranged generally in a parallel 15 fashion but form a tapered geometry in the region of the mouth of the reservoir bottle 6.

The plate 27 comprises a venting post 29 which mates with the mouth of the reservoir bottle 6 in use so as to provided a vent channel. The venting post 29 is provided with a number of radial fins 30 which define conduits for the liquid between the reservoir bottle 6 and the plate 27. As with Figures 12 and 13 the flow of liquid and the venting are indicated by the clear and solid arrows respectively. It will be appreciated that, with this embodiment, a separate plate 27 will need to be provided for each different geometry of lavatory rim.

In the preferred embodiment, and in the alternative embodiments described above, the 25 venting has been achieved through the wicking device. However, the invention extends to arrangements wherein the venting is achieved in a more direct fashion by providing a venting aperture in the reservoir bottle itself, in addition to the mouth of the reservoir Sbottle through which the liquid is dispensed.

In a first alternative venting arrangement, as shown in a perspective view in Figure 16 and in a cross-sectional view in Figure 16 the top face of the reservoir bottle 31 is provided with a one-way valve in the form of a duck-bill valve 32. This permits air to pass into the reservoir bottle 31 when the pressure difference between the inside of the bottle and the outside reaches a predetermined level.

In a second alternative venting arrangement, as shown in a perspective view in Figure 17 and in cross-sectional views in Figures 17 and the top face of the reservoir bottle 33 is provided with a plug 34 which seals an aperture 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 by the clear arrow, the pin 37 bears on the plug 34, in the direction indicated by the solid arrow in Figure 17 and releases it into the reservoir bottle 33, as shown in Figure 17 The pin 37 is sized in relation to the aperture 35 so as to provide a vent channel between the pin 37 and the aperture In a third alternative venting arrangement, as shown in a perspective view in Figure 18 15 and in cross-sectional views in Figures 18 and the top face of the reservoir bottle 38 is provided with a breakable seal 39 which covers an aperture 40 within the reservoir bottle 38, and the housing 41 is provided with a corresponding tube member o e.o. 42 positioned and dimensioned such that, when a user inserts the reservoir bottle 38 into the housing 41, in the direction indicated by the clear arrow in Figure 18 the tube member 42 bears on the seal 39, in the direction indicated by the solid arrow in Figure 18(c), releases it into the reservoir bottle 38 and seals the aperture 40, as shown in Figure 18 A venting channel is thus provided along the bore of the tube member 42. The end of the tube member 42 is chamfered for ease of location within the aperture S: In a fourth alternative venting arrangement, as shown in a perspective view in Figure 19 and in a cross-sectional view in Figure 19 the top of the reservoir bottle 43 is provided with a venting aperture 44 distinct from, but proximate to, the mouth 45 of the reservoir bottle 43. Both the venting aperture 44 and the mouth 45 of the reservoir bottle 42 are sealed prior to use with a breakable seal (not shown). The housing 46 is provided with a post 47 positioned and dimensioned 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 the post 47 breaks the seal and is inserted in the venting aperture 44 seals the aperture 40, as shown in Figure 19 A venting channel is thus provided along the bore of the post 47.

In a fifth alternative venting arrangement, as shown in perspective views in Figures and the top of the reservoir bottle 48 is provided with a venting hole 49 covered by a removable tab 50, which is arranged to be broken away from the reservoir bottle 48 by a user, by manipulation as indicated by the clear arrows in Figure 20 prior to inserting the reservoir bottle 48 in the housing 51, as shown in Figure 20 In a variant of this embodiment, as shown in a cross-sectional view in Figure 20 the housing 51 is provided with a ramp projection 52 which is positioned so as automatically to remove the tab 50 a user inserts the reservoir bottle 48 in the housing 51.

The invention has been described above in relation to preferred embodiments.

oooo 15 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.

9coo For example, although the wicking device in the preferred embodiments has been 0: described as comprising a porous pad or a plate having circular or elongate apertures therethrough, the wicking device could alternatively comprise a plate having elongate channels therein, and the liquid would be dispensed from these channels by virtue of the flushing water displacing the liquid from the channels.

In addition, although the preferred embodiments concern arrangements for dispensing 25 liquid from the rim of a lavatory, the invention could also be applied to arrangements for releasing an insecticide or an air freshener into the atmosphere.

0

Claims

1. A dispensing unit for dispensing a liquid from the rim of a lavatory bowl, the unit comprising a housing containing a wicking device for conveying liquid to be dispensed from a reservoir to a position within a stream of flushing water, wherein the position of the wicking device is adjustable relative to the housing, thereby enabling the unit to function with lavatory bowls with different shapes and different flushing systems.

2. A dispensing unit as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the wicking device is provided with at least one venting aperture.

3. A dispensing unit as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the wicking device is provided with at least one venting aperture positioned such that there is at least one functioning venting hole for every possible functional position of the adjustable wicking device.

4. A dispensing unit as claimed in Claim 3, further comprising a spillage tray positioned in use below the wicking device, and having formed therein a vent channel arranged in communication with the at least one functioning venting aperture.

5. A dispensing unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wicking device is So. .provided with at least one venting aperture which in use communicates between ambient 0. air and the reservoir so as to enable air to displace liquid dispensed from said reservoir.

6. A dispensing unit as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 5, wherein said 20 at least one venting aperture comprises one or more substantially circular holes.

7. A dispensing unit as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 5, wherein said at least one venting aperture comprises one or more elongate slits.

8. A dispensing unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a conduit for conveying liquid from the reservoir to the wicking device.

9. A dispensing unit as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the conduit comprises a cylindrical inlet portion of substantially circular cross-section for engaging the circular mouth of a bottle constituting the reservoir. o

10. A dispensing unit as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the inlet portion terminates obliquely so as to define a substantially elliptical aperture.

11. A dispensing unit as claimed in Claim 9 or Claim 10, wherein the conduit further comprises a substantially cylindrical outlet portion having a cross- sectional area substantially less than that of the inlet portion.

12. A dispensing unit as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the inlet portion of PA the conduit is laterally displaced from the outlet portion. [R:\LIBLL 13189specie.doc:keh 18

13. A dispensing unit as claimed in Claim 11 or Claim 12, wherein the substantially cylindrical outlet portion has a substantially D-shaped cross-section.

14. A dispensing unit as claimed in Claim 11 or Claim 12, wherein the substantially cylindrical outlet portion has a substantially circular cross-section.

15. A dispensing unit as claimed in Claim 11 or Claim 12, wherein the substantially cylindrical outlet portion has a substantially rectangular cross-section.

16. A dispensing unit as claimed in any one of Claims 11 to 15, 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 water ingress in the reservoir.

17. A dispensing unit as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the barrier member is substantially rectangular in cross-section.

18. A dispensing unit as claimed in Claim 17, wherein one of the two long sides of the substantially rectangular cross-section of the barrier member portion coincides with a diameter of the substantially circular inlet portion of the conduit when viewed in longitudinal cross-section.

19. A dispensing unit as claimed in any one of Claims 11 to 18, and structured such that the outlet portion of the conduit bears against the wicking device so as to create a substantially liquid-tight seal therebetween.

20. A dispensing unit as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein 20 the wicking device comprises a first portion for receiving liquid from the reservoir and a second portion arranged to be positioned in use in a dispensing position.

21. A dispensing unit as claimed in Claim 20, when dependent on Claim 1, or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the second portion is arranged to be positioned in use within the steam of flushing water.

22. A dispensing unit as claimed in Claim 21, wherein the second portion is arranged to be positioned in use between the first portion and the rim of the lavatory bowl. 0 23. A dispensing unit as claimed in any one of Claims 19 to 22, when dependent on Claim 9, wherein the unit is structured so as to permit the position of the wicking device to be adjusted by sliding the first portion thereof against the outlet portion of the conduit.

24. A dispensing unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wicking device is substantially laminar. [R:\LIBLL] 131I89specic.doc:keh 19 A dispensing unit as claimed in Claim 24, wherein the laminar wicking device is formed with a depression for receiving the neck of a bottle constituting a said reservoir.

26. A dispensing unit as claimed in Claim 24 or Claim 25, wherein the wicking device is formed with one or more elongate apertures and the housing comprises a corresponding one or more projections for engaging the elongate apertures so as to define the outermost possible operative position of the wicking device.

27. A dispensing unit as claimed in Claim 26, wherein said one or more projections each comprises a spring finger which is arranged to engage its corresponding aperture in the wicking device when the wicking device is inserted into the housing.

28. A dispensing unit as claimed in Claim 24, wherein the wicking device comprises a projection for insertion in the mouth of a said reservoir in use, the projection having formed therethrough a vent channel.

29. A dispensing unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wicking device comprises a porous pad. A dispensing unit as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 27, wherein the wicking device comprises a plate with capillary channels formed therein.

31. A dispensing unit as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 30, wherein the wicking device comprises a plate with substantially circular holes formed therein.

32. A dispensing unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in combination with means for suspending the unit from the rim of a lavatory bowl.

33. A dispensing unit as claimed in Claim 9, or any claim dependent thereon, in combination with a bottle constituting the reservoir, the bottle comprising an opening for dispensing the liquid therefrom, the opening having a substantially circular cross-section greater than that of the inlet portion of the conduit.

34. A combination of a dispensing unit and a bottle, as claimed in Claim 33, wherein the mouth of the bottle is covered prior to use with a frangible seal which is arranged to be broken in use by compressing the seal against the circular inlet portion of the conduit.

35. A combination of a dispensing unit and a bottle, as claimed in Claim 33 or Claim 29, in combination with means for suspending the unit and the bottle from the rim of a lavatory bowl.

36. A combination as claimed in Claim 35 or Claim 33, wherein said T I-venting means comprises a one-way valve.

37. A combination as claimed in Claim 36, wherein said one-way valve comprises a duck-bill valve.

38. A combination as claimed in Claim 33, wherein said venting means comprises a removable plug and said unit comprises a co-operating projection which is positioned so as to remove the plug when the reservoir bottle is placed by a user in its operative position in relation to the unit, thereby to create a venting aperture in the reservoir bottle.

39. A combination as claimed in Claim 33, wherein said venting means comprises a removable seal and said unit comprises a co-operating hollow projection lo which is positioned so as to remove the seal and project into the reservoir bottle when the reservoir bottle is placed by a user in its operative position in relation to the unit, the hollow projection constituting a venting channel. A combination as claimed in Claim 33, wherein said venting means comprises an air vent in the reservoir bottle which is sealed by a cover portion which can be removed by a user prior to use.

41. A combination as claimed in Claim 33, wherein said venting means comprises an air vent in the reservoir bottle which is sealed by a cover portion, and wherein the unit comprises a projection arranged so as to remove the cover portion when the reservoir bottle is placed by a user in its operative position in relation to the unit. 20 42. A method of filling and sealing a dispenser bottle for use as a reservoir within a dispensing unit as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 30, the method comprising heating the liquid prior to sealing the reservoir bottle so as to create a partial vacuum within the bottle when the liquid cools to room temperature.

43. A method of filling and sealing a flexible dispenser bottle for use as a reservoir within a dispensing unit as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 30, the method comprising causing the bottle to be compressed after filling the bottle with the liquid and "sealing the bottle while compressed so as to create a partial vacuum within the bottle after sealing.

44. A dispensing unit, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [R:\LIBLL] 13189speci.doc:keh 21 A combination of a dispensing unit and a bottle, said combination substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated 22 August 2002 S.C. Johnson Son, Inc. Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON FERGUSON *oo [R:\LIBLL 13189specie.doc:keh