In-tank toilet bowl cleaner dispenser

A dispenser (10) for use in a flush tank of a toilet is disclosed. The flush tank has a first water level (17) during quiescent periods and a second water level (18) when the toilet is flushed. The dispenser (10) includes a housing (11) having a top (11a) and bottom (11b). The housing (11) defines a reservoir (12) having an inlet (13) proximate the top (11a) and an outlet (14) positioned lower than the inlet (13). The reservoir (12) holds the product to be dispensed, the product dissolving in water and forms a solution. A first valve means (16) for regulating flow of water from the flush tank into the reservoir (12) through the inlet (13) is provided. The first valve means (16) is responsive to changes from the first water level (17) to the second water level (18). The second valve means (24) regulates flow of solution out of the reservoir (12 ) through the outlet (14). The second valve means (24) is also responsive to changes from the first water level (17) to the second water level (18), whereby when the water rises to its first water level (17), the second valve means (24) is closed. Water enters the reservoir (12) through the inlet (13) until the reservoir (12) is filled causing the first valve means (16) to close. The first valve means (16) and second valve means (24) minimize migration of the solution out of the reservoir (12) during quiescent periods. When the water is at the second water level (18), the second valve means (24) opens and allows the solution to flow out of the outlet 14.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates generally to an in-tank dispenser and more 
particularly to a dispenser in which a solid product or products contained 
within the dispenser are dissolved in a reservoir containing water, 
thereby forming a solution and a measured amount of the solution is 
released as water in the toilet tank recedes when the flush valve is 
operated. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Prior art means for treating toilet tank water include a solid cake of 
product being placed at the bottom of the toilet tank. The solid cake 
would slowly dissolve and migrate into the tank water by diffusion. 
Another prior art device provides an enclosure and a reservoir for slowly 
dissolving a solid cake. The enclosure has openings that discharge the 
solution when the toilet is flushed and refilled when the water tank is 
refilled. This dispenser is generally located at the bottom of the tank 
and weighted down by a container weight or by placing gravel within the 
container. A major disadvantage of this type of dispenser is that there is 
migration or diffusion of the product into the tank water during long 
quiescent periods thereby resulting in over-dispensing. 
Another prior art dispenser provides for dispensing a liquid concentrate 
into the tank water. A flow actuated mechanism releases the liquid 
concentrate from a liquid reservoir when the water level in the toilet 
tank drops and reseals the reservoir when the water level forces the float 
against a seal. While this dispenser works well for solutions of low 
surface tension, it is inoperative when surface tension is near that of 
water, or approximately 73 dynes per centimeter. Accordingly, this 
dispenser will not dispense liquid chlorine such as sodium hypochlorite 
unless a surface tension reducing agent is added. Sodium hypochlorite is a 
strong oxidizing agent and organic surfactants or other organic treatment 
materials have limited compatibility with a resulting loss in available 
chlorine or surfactant activity. 
More recently, a passive dosing dispenser has been used in toilet tanks. 
The passive dosing dispenser includes a trapped air bubble to provide an 
air lock to isolate the product in the dispenser from the water in the 
tank. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention provides a dispenser for use in a flush tank of a 
toilet. The flush tank has a first water level during quiescent periods 
and a second water level when the toilet is flushed. The dispenser 
includes a housing having a top and bottom. The housing defines a 
reservoir having an inlet proximate the top and an outlet positioned lower 
than the inlet. The reservoir holds a product to be dispensed. The product 
dissolves in water and forms a solution. A first valve means is provided 
for regulating flow of water from the flush tank into the reservoir 
through the inlet. The first valve means is responsive to changes from the 
second water level to the first water level. A second valve means is 
provided for regulating flow of the solution out of the reservoir through 
the outlet. When the water is at the second water level, the second valve 
means opens and allows the solution to flow out of the outlet. The second 
valve means is responsive to changes from the second water level to the 
first water level, whereby when the water rises to its first water level, 
the second valve means is closed and water enters the reservoir through 
the inlet until the reservoir is filled, causing the first valve means to 
close. The first and second valve means minimize migration of the solution 
out of the reservoir. 
In a preferred embodiment, the dispenser also includes an upwardly 
extending wall means cooperatively connected to the housing. The wall 
means defines a cavity having an open top end and an open bottom. The 
bottom is positioned over the outlet and the open top end is in fluid 
communication with the reservoir. Only the solution that is in the cavity 
and in the reservoir that is above the point where the cavity is in fluid 
communication with the reservoir flows out of the outlet. Further, the 
wall means is adjustable in height to provide for a variable amount of 
solution that will be dispensed with each flush of the toilet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring to the Drawing, wherein like numerals represent like parts 
throughout the several views, an in-tank toilet bowl cleaner dispenser 
designated generally at 10 is shown in FIGS. 1 through 4. A housing 11 has 
sidewalls 11c, 11d, 11e, and 11f cooperatively connected to a top 11a and 
a bottom 11b to form a liquid-tight housing. The housing defines an 
interior reservoir 12. The housing 11 has an inlet 13 formed in the top 
11a and an outlet 14 formed in the bottom 11b. The product 15 to be 
dispensed may be any suitable agent including detergents, water 
conditioners, dyes, perfume, surfactants, or scale inhibitors. The product 
may take the shape of either the solid, gel, or powder. Water that enters 
the reservoir 12 dissolves a portion of the product 15 forming a solution 
to be dispensed. A hinged flap valve 16 is cooperatively connected to the 
top 11a and regulates the flow of water from the flush tank into the 
reservoir 12 through the inlet 13. The valve 16 includes two L-shaped wire 
hinged members, only one being shown in the cross-section in FIG. 2. Each 
L-shaped hinge member 16b has a first end cooperatively connected to the 
top 11a and a second end cooperatively connected to float portion 16a. The 
hinges 16b and float 16a form the valve 16 that is responsive to changes 
to the level of water in the flush tank, as will be more fully described 
hereinafter. The float portion 16a may be made of any material that is 
less dense than water and will not become water logged. A closed cell foam 
material, such as a closed cell polyethlene foam with a smooth skin is 
preferred. It is understood that the flap 16 may be replaced by other 
suitable valve systems, such as a ball check valve, umbrella valve, or any 
suitable valve. In FIG. 2, the solid line indicates the valve 16 in a 
closed position and the dashed line indicates the valve 16 in an open 
position. The inlet 13 has a lip 13a. The float portion 16a floats upward 
with the rise of water in the reservoir 12 and seals the inlet 13. 
When the dispenser 10 is placed in a flush tank, the flush tank will have a 
first water level, indicated by the dashed line 17 during quiescent 
periods and a second water level, indicated by the dashed line 18 when the 
toilet is flushed. An air vent 19 is cooperatively connected to the top 
11a and has a first end 19a in fluid communication with the reservoir 12 
and a second end 19b that will extend above the first water level 17 and 
be open to the atmosphere. 
A standpipe 20, or outer tubing, is cooperatively connected to the bottom 
11b. The standpipe 20 has an open top end 20a and an open bottom end 20b 
positioned over the outlet 14. The standpipe 20 makes a liquid-tight seal 
with the bottom 11b of the housing 11. The standpipe 20 defines an 
internal cavity 21. An inner tube 22 of a smaller diameter than the 
standpipe 20 fits snuggly into the standpipe 20. The standpipe 20 has an 
indentation 20c to which an O-ring 23 is cooperatively connected. The 
O-ring 23 provides a fluid-tight seal between the standpipe 20 and inner 
tube 22. The inner tube 22 may be slid up and down within the standpipe 
20, thereby effectively lengthing or shortening the standpipe 20, thereby 
decreasing or increasing the amount of solution dispensed, as will be more 
fully described hereinafter. 
A float valve assembly 24 regulates the flow of solution out of the 
reservoir 12 through the outlet 14. The float valve assembly 24 is 
responsive to changes from the first water level 17 to the second water 
level 18, as will be more fully described hereinafter. The float valve 
assembly 24 includes a float 24a in the general shape of a cylinder having 
an open bottom. A conical top portion 24b is cooperatively connected to 
the float 24a. A stem 24c is cooperatively connected to the conical top 
24b and extends inside the inner tube 22. A pin 24d is cooperatively 
connected to the stem 24c and rests on the inner tube 22 when the float 
assembly 24 is in an open position. The open position is shown in FIG. 2 
by the dashed lines and the closed float position is shown by the solid 
lines. Spacers 25 are positioned around and cooperatively connected to the 
stem 24c. The spacers 25 act as a bearing to keep the stem 24c in 
alignment as the float valve assembly travels up and down. The spacers are 
smaller than the inner diameter of the inner tube 22 and provide for a 
passageway of solution as the solution leaves the reservoir 12 through the 
inner tube 22 to the outlet 14. It is to be understood that this float 
valve assembly including the float, the conical top, stem, spacer and pin 
may be molded in one piece from a resilient material such as polyethylene, 
the pin behaving as a toggle. 
A bracket 26 is cooperatively connected to the sidewall 11f. The bracket 
has a protrusion which forms a slot to receive a hanger 27. The hanger 27 
has a hook at a top end which is slid over a wall of the tank. The hanger 
26 is slideable within the slot of the bracket 26, thereby the depth to 
which the dispenser 10 is immersed in the flush tank may be controlled. 
The bracket 26 has a protrusion 26a to cause a tighter friction fit 
between the bracket 26 and hanger 27. 
The top 11a of the housing 11 may be removable so that the product 15 may 
be inserted in the reservoir 12. The product 15 is normally filled to a 
level below the level of the standpipe 20 so that there is some reservoir 
of solution of dissolved solid products when the dispenser 10 has released 
a premeasured amount of solution from the dispenser. This insures that 
there will be solution to be released when the toilet is flushed 
successively without a long quiescent period in between flushes. 
In a preferred embodiment, the top 11a has one end relatively higher than 
its other end. The air vent 19 is cooperatively connected to the higher 
end. This insures that any entrapped air in the reservoir 12 will be at a 
minimum. Alternatively the top may be gabled with the air vent located at 
its apex. The vent may maintain atmospheric pressure in the reservoir 
independent of the first valve means although the weight of the valve will 
cause it to drop in elevation. 
Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 5, and the 
dispenser is generally designated at 40. The dispenser 40 includes a 
housing 41 having a top 41a, bottom 41b, both cooperatively connected by 
sidewalls 41c, 41e and 41f, to form a liquid-tight dispenser. The sidewall 
which would correspond to sidewall 11d is not shown, but completes the 
housing 41. The liquid-tight dispenser 42 defines a reservoir 42 having an 
inlet 43 and outlet 44. An inlet valve 46 regulates the flow of water 
through the inlet 13 to the reservoir 42. The valve 46 has a stem 46a to 
which a float portion 46b is cooperatively connected. The stem 46a has 
molded pins 46c at the opposite end to which the float 46b is attached. 
The float 46b is of a material similar to that of the float 16a. The stem 
46a is inserted through a hole 47 in the top 41a. As the stem is forced 
through the hole 47, the pins 46c are compressed along the side of the 
stem 46a. Once the stem 46a is inserted far enough into the hole 47, the 
pins 46c will be free to spring back in the outward position, as shown in 
FIG. 7, to secure the valve 47 to the top 41a. When the float 46b rises 
due to water entering the reservoir 42, the float 46b will close the 
inlets 43. An air vent 49 is cooperatively connected to the top 41a 
similar to the vent 19 of the dispenser 10. The outlet 44 is a plurality 
of small holes that are sealed by a float valve 54 similar to construction 
to the valve 46. The open position of the valve 46 is shown in dashed 
lines and the closed position in solid lines in FIG. 5. 
A septum 50 is cooperatively connected to the bottom 41b and the two 
sidewalls perpendicular to sidewall 41e. The septum 50 and sidewalls 
define an inner cavity 51 is similar to the inner cavity 21 of dispenser 
10. The clip 52 is slideably attached to the septum 50, to effectively 
increase or decrease the height of the septum 50. A bracket 56 and hanger 
57 similar to bracket 26 and hanger 27 is secured to the housing 41 
holding the dispenser 40 in position on the flush tank. 
Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and 
is generally designated as 60. The dispenser 60 has a housing 61 in the 
general shape of a triangular prismatic shape dispenser. Such a dispenser 
would fit into the corners of a toilet tank. The dispenser 70 as is its 
various components, components that are similar to those previously 
described for dispensers 10 and 40. Dispenser 60 has a housing 61, inlet 
62, outlet 63, air vent 64, inlet valve 65, outlet valve 66, standpipe 67, 
reservoir 68, inner cavity 69. 
FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of a dispenser having a recessed outlet 
valve 70. While the entire dispenser is not shown, it is understood that 
the dispenser may be similar to any of the previously described 
dispensers. A recess outlet valve 70 would be used to minimize damage 
during handling or shipping of the dispenser. When the flotation part 70a 
of valve 70 is in the open position, as indicated by the dashed lines in 
FIG. 10, the bottom 71 of the housing end sidewall 72 of the housing would 
prevent damage to the flap valve 70. 
Still another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 13 and 
the dispenser is designated generally as 100. The dispenser 100 has a 
housing 101 in the general shape of an inverted L-shaped box. Sidewalls 
101a, 101b, and 101c are cooperatively connected to the front wall 101d 
and back wall 101e and the bottom wall 101f, intermediate bottom wall 101g 
and top 101h to form a liquid-tight dispenser defining a resevoir 112. The 
top 101h may be removable and forms a liquid-tight seal with the 
sidewalls. The dispenser 100 has an inlet 113 and an outlet 114 which are 
similar to the inlets and outlets previously described in the other 
embodiments. Similarly, an inlet valve (not shown), outlet valve 116 and 
air vent 117 are likewise similar to the previously described inlet 
valves, outlet valves and air vents. As can be seen, the intermediate 
bottom wall 101g defines a reservoir 112 that has two different heights. 
The heights between the bottom wall 101f and top 101h being greater than 
the height between the intermediate bottom wall 101g and top 101h. The 
advantages of having this height differential will be more fully discussed 
hereinafter. 
The previously described dispensers, 10, 40, 60 and 100 may be constructed 
by various manufacturing techniques well-known in the art. The previously 
described dispensers 10, 40, 60 and 100 may be constructed by various 
manufacturing techniques well-known in the art, one such method of 
fabrication would be to fabric the housings by injection molding using 
polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, Plexiglass, or the like. 
If a reusable dispenser is desired, the top section of the housing could 
be constructed with a water-tight snap fit. The dispensers would also be 
made by vacuum thermal forming or pressure molding using chemically inert 
material such as polyvinyl chloride for a disposable heat sealed unit for 
a low cost unit. A chemically inert material such as polyvinyl chloride or 
polyethylene is especially desireable when a strong oxidizing agent such 
as a hypohalite yielding material is to be dispensed. Another method, but 
not as economical as the above mentioned methods would be to fabricate the 
housings out of rigid Plexiglass.RTM. material or the like. The sections 
of the housing would be adhesively secured to one another except for the 
top section of the housing which would constructed with a water-tight snap 
fit. It may be also advantageous to provide the top of the housing with a 
seal means to further insure a liquid-tight seal. In addition, the 
dispensers could be constructed at relatively low cost by using high speed 
manufacturing techniques well-known in the art. One such example would be 
to use injection molding or vacuum thermal forming using a polyvinyl 
chloride material. 
An embodiment showing a dispenser that has been been vacuum molded, is 
shown in FIG. 14. The dispenser 120 has a housing 121 having a back 
portion 121a and a formed front portion 121b. The formed front 121b forms 
a reservoir 122. Intermediate sidewalls 123 along with the sidewall 124 
form an inner cavity 125 similar to the previously described cavities in 
the other embodiments of this invention. The housing has an inlet 126 and 
an inlet valve (not shown) similar to the previously described inlets and 
inlet valves. Likewise, an outlet 127 and an outlet valve means (not 
shown) is similar to the previously described outlet and outlet valve in 
the other embodiments of this invention. The back 121a of the housing has 
a slot 128 to receive a hanger that may be used to support the dispenser 
120 in the flush tank of a toilet. 
In operation of the dispenser 10, the dispenser 10 is inserted into the 
flush tank of a toilet and is held in position by the hanger 27. During 
quiescent periods, the water level is at the first water level 17. The 
water in the flush tank enters the reservoir 12 through the inlet 13. The 
water enters the inlet 13 due to the differences between the pressure 
within and without the reservoir 12. As the water rises in the reservoir 
12, the float portion 16a of the valve 16 begins to rise. The valve 16 
closes when the reservoir 12 is filled with water, thereby sealing the 
solution formed inside the reservoir 12 from the tank water. Any entrapped 
air that may be in the reservoir 12 is vented through the air vent 19. The 
sloped top 11a insures that any entrapped air is vented through the air 
vent 19. It is understood that the dispenser 10 could have a straight top 
and the dispenser could be hung at any angle with the air vent being 
higher. This would also insure that trapped air would go to the air vent. 
The outlet float valve assembly 24 is closed because of air entrapment in 
the float 24a. This seals the outlet 14, thereby isolating the solution 
within the reservoir 12 from the tank water. The valve 16 and float valve 
24 minimize or prevent any migration out of the reservoir 12 into the 
flush tank during quiescent periods. When the toilet is flushed, the water 
recedes to its second water level 18 which is below the float valve 
assembly 24. The float valve assembly 24 opens due to the weight of the 
float valve assembly 24. The travel of the float valve assembly 24 is 
limited by pin 24d which rests on the top of the inner tube 22. The space 
between the stem 24d and the inner tube 22 allows the solution from the 
reservoir 12 to flow through the inner tube 22 and into the toilet tank 
and the flush water, thereby filling the toilet bowl water with a solution 
of the treatment chemical. The stem 24c of the float valve assembly 24 has 
a star shaped spacer 25 which allows the solution flow through the inner 
tube 22. The water that enters the reservoir 12 dissolves the product 15 
forming a solution that is discharged through the outlet 14. The amount of 
solution that is discharged can be effectively controlled by sliding the 
inner tube 22 up or down within the standpipe 20. Only the solution that 
is located above the top end of the inner tube 22 and the amount of 
solution inside the inner tube 22 is actually discharged. The remaining 
solution stays within the reservoir 12. Then on successive flushes, 
additional water is allowed to enter through the inlet 13, thereby 
bringing the level of fluid in the reservoir 12 to be above the top of the 
inner tube 22. One of the advantages of not draining all of the solution 
out of the reservoir 12 is that solution will be available to be released 
when the toilet is flushed successively without a long quiescent period in 
between. 
The operation of the dispenser 40 is very similar to the operation of 
dispenser 10. The septum 50 and sidewalls now form the equivalent of the 
standpipe 20 and inner tube 22. The adjustable clip 52 likewise provides 
for an adjustment of the height of the septum 50 which in turn regulates 
the amount of solution that will be discharged with each flush of the 
toilet. In dispenser 40, the float valve 54 replaces the float valve 
assembly 24. This design has the advantage of making the overall height of 
the dispenser shorter. The shorter overall height is advantageous in use 
for dispensers in a water saver toilet. 
The operation of dispenser 100 is very similar to the operation of the 
previously described dispensers. However, the dispenser 100 does not have 
a standpipe or septum. The previously described standpipes or septums 
provide the advantage of allowing only a portion of the solution within 
the reservoir 12 to drain from the reservoir 12. In the operation of the 
dispenser 100, the raised intermediate bottom 101g effectively prevents 
the discharge of all of the solution within the reservoir 112. Only that 
solution that is above the intermediate bottom 101g will be discharged 
through the outlet 114. 
It is understood that the amount of solution to be dispensed could also be 
controlled by having the inlet valve regulate the amount of water entering 
the reservoir. The inlet valve could be constructed to close, and thereby 
seal off any incoming water, before the reservoir is completely filled. 
There would therefore be less to dispense. 
Other modifications of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in 
the art in light of the foregoing description. This description is 
intended to provide specific examples of individual embodiments which 
clearly disclose the present invention. Accordingly, the invention is not 
limited to these embodiments or to the use of elements having specific 
configurations and shapes as presented herein. All alternative 
modifications and variations of the present invention which follows in the 
spirit and broad scope of the appended claims are included.