DISPENSING DEVICE

Abstract: A dispenser suitable for attachment to the rim of a toilet bowl comprising a body (1) adapted to receive a block of product to be dispensed into the toilet bowl and a hook (2) attached to the body (1) for suspending the body from the rim of a toilet bowl. The body contains first and second body parts (4, 5) relatively rotatable about a hinge and at least one releasable catch for holding the body parts in a closed position. The body has at least three catches for holding the body parts in a closed position, the catches being releasable by simultaneous manipulation of three spaced locations on the dispenser.

Description: DISPENSING DEVICE Technical Field The present invention relates to a device for dispensing a product into the bowl of a water closet (toilet). In particular, it relates to a device adapted to be hooked under the rim of a toilet bowl to interrupt the flow of water as the toilet is flushed and to dispense the product directly into the toilet bowl. Background Art The product placed in such a dispenser is in the form of a block of solid material, and is sometimes known as a rim block. The dispenser is sometimes described as a rim block cage. In the past, rim blocks usually consisted only of fragrancing materials. Refillable rim block dispensers were known, but there was not a great need to provide them with child resistant closures. More recently, rim blocks containing bleaching agents have been put on the market, and the desirability of ensuring the child resistance of any refillable dispensers has increased. A number of refillable dispensers have been placed on the market in some countries. For example, one company markets a bleaching rim block in a dispenser with a catch released by pressing the end of the suspension hook into the cage. Other refillable dispensers currently on the market are not reliably child resistant. Toilet blocks are relatively low cost products. They are used in dispensers which are attached to the rim of toilet bowls. The dispensers, for reasons of cost, are often produced as a single plastics molding which includes a hook and two body parts joined by a molded hinge. Once the toilet block has been placed in the dispenser by the manufacturer, no one will wish to obtain access to the toilet block within the cage. Any need to open the dispenser will only arise in the case of refillable dispensers when a replacement block will be inserted after the original block has been exhausted. Child-resistant packages based on containers with a hinged cover are known for other products such as medicines. In such containers, the user needs to gain access to the container at relatively frequent intervals in order to remove the medicine contained within. Hinged containers for medicines in which the catches on one part of the container engage with apertures on another part of the container are disclosed, for example, in US Patent No. 5,346,069. This patent discloses the use of two types of catches. Both types must be opened before the container itself can be opened. However, the catches are designed to be opened sequentially. The ability to open each set of catches in sequence simplifies the opening procedure, which is desirable for a container intended to be frequently opened. Attempts to operate all the catches simultaneously are stated to be counter-productive. It has now been found that an improved child resistant dispenser for attachment to toilet bowls can be produced by disposing selected types of catch so that they must be operated simultaneously in a convenient way. Disclosure of Invention According to the present invention, a dispenser suitable for attachment to the rim of a toilet bowl comprises a body adapted to receive a block of product to be dispensed into the toilet bowl and a hook attached to the body for suspending the body from the rim of a toilet bowl. The body comprises first and second body parts relatively rotatable about a hinge and at least one releasable catch for holding the said body parts in a closed position, said hook being attached to said first body part. In one embodiment, the body has at least three catches for holding the body parts in a closed position, said catches being releasable by simultaneous manipulation of three spaced locations on the dispenser. In a second embodiment, the dispenser has a plurality of catches for holding the body parts in a closed position, and at least two first indirect catches are disposed such that pressure on the body on opposed sides of the body in a direction substantially parallel to the hinge is ' required to release the catches, and at least on e second indirect catch is disposed on the dispenser opposite the hinge, said indirect catch being releasable by pressure on the second body part in a direction substantially at right angles to the hinge, the said catches being so shaped that all the catches must be released simultaneously to open the body. A catch for use in the present invention will generally comprise an engaging member which projects from one body part and is sufficiently resilient to ride over a locking member associated with the other body part as the body is caused to close, the locking member retaining the engaging member and so holding the body closed until the catch is released. Catches used in child resistant containers may be classified as direct or indirect catches. Direct catches are opened by manipulating the engaging member directly. Indirect catches are opened by manipulating the body rather than the engaging means itself. It is preferred to use catches which are released by compressive forces applied towards the interior of the body. In other words, it is preferred to open the body by pressing rather than pulling. The indirect catch may be in the form of an engaging means in the form of a lug projecting forwardly from the edge of one body part towards the other body part (when the body is closed) and which carries a outwardly projecting part (outwardly in relation to the surface of the adjacent body part) which engages with a locking member in the other body part. The locking member may be an aperture extending thorough the body part or a recess within the body part. If the body is made of material which is resiliently deformable under pressure, then the body part carrying the lugs can be deformed by pressing on it adjacent to the lugs so as to deform it sufficiently to move the lugs inwardly (towards the interior of the body) to disengage the projecting portions on the lugs from the locking members in the other body part. By making the projecting portions sufficiently small and the lugs sufficiently rigid, the catches can be made resistant to opening by direct pressure on the catches, even if the catches are accessible through apertures in the body. Alternatively, the indirect catches may be/have forwardly projecting lugs that lie outside the other body part, and inwardly directed projections which engage locking members, e.g. apertures, in the other body part. Such catches will be released by applying pressure on the body part which carries the locking member rather than the part which carries the lugs. Preferably, any direct catch comprises a lug mounted on the first body part. In forms of the invention in which indirect catches are provided which are released by pressure substantially parallel to the hinge, such pressure on opposed sides of the first body part to force the sides inward to release the catches on those two sides will tend to force the other two sides outwards, If the catch opposite the hinge is an indirect catch with a lug on the first body portion, it will be forced outwards gripping the second body part more firmly, If the lug is on the second body portion, then pressure on one set of opposed sides will tend to open all the catches. The arrangement in which there are indirect and direct catches which all comprise lugs on the first body part interacting with apertures on the second body part is particularly advantageous. In the manufacture of filled dispensers, it is necessary to place toilet blocks in opened dispensers and then to close the dispenser by folding the two body parts together, often using automatic equipment. Some forms of the invention may be particularly advantageous for the manufacturing process because they reduce the risk that the dispenser will not be closed satisfactorily during filling at the manufacturing stage. In the form of the invention in which indirect catches are provided which require pressure on both body parts to release the catches, it is preferred to provide the catches such that they are all released by pressure applied substantially at right angles to the hinge. This can be achieved by providing projecting lugs with projecting portions on the edges which are the top edges of each body part in the closed position. The lugs and projecting portions can be made smaller as a result of using indirect catches, and successful closure of the body is facilitated by having all the catches locking on engagement of only two opposed edges of the body parts. It may be desirable to provide one or both body parts with guide members projecting from the body part to bear against the inner surface of the other body part to guide the body parts together. The guide members may also help to apply pressure to the body parts which they bear against in the closed position so as to help to hold the catches in engagement with the locking members. The catches are so shaped that one catch cannot be released by the application of pressure and left in a released state while the other catches are still engaged. While the body parts are together, the catches are only in a released state when pressure is applied, and return to the engaged position as soon as pressure is released. All catches must therefore be released simultaneously to open the body. The skilled person will be readily able to provide catch arrangements meeting this condition. The catches are preferably provided with means, such as barbs, which facilitate locking the catches when the body parts are brought together, but which resist release unless pressure is applied to the body to release the catches. Brief Description of Drawings The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of dispenser in the closed position according to the invention, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the dispenser of Figure 1 in the open position, Figure 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the dispenser in the open position, and Figure 4 is a perspective view of the dispenser of Figure 3 in the closed position. Modes of Carrying Out the Invention As can be seen from Figure 1, the dispenser comprises a body (1) for receiving a block of material (not shown) and a hook (2) attached to its upper end by which the dispenser may be attached to the rim of a toilet bowl. The body (1) is provided with apertures (3) by which water may enter and/or leave the body (1) when the toilet bowl is flushed. Water entering the dispenser dissolves material from a block (not shown) contained in the body. As can be seen from Figure 2, the dispenser is a single molding made from a suitable thermoplastics material. The molding comprises a first part which comprises the hook (2) and a first body part (4) which is linked to a second part comprising a second body part (5) by molded hinge portions (6). The first body part (4) carries three engaging members (7,8, and 9) comprising short projecting lugs which terminate in barbs (10,11, and 12). These lugs and barbs interact with three apertures (13,14, and 15) when the first and second body parts are brought together by rotation about the hinges (6). The body parts and projections are sufficiently flexible to allow the barbs to enter the corresponding apertures so as to hold the body (1) closed. The barbs, however, resist separation of the two body parts (4) and (5). The catch (7) has a relatively large portion (the upper surface of the barb (10)) which projects through the corresponding aperture in body position (5) when the body (1) is closed. The exposed portion of the catch is sufficiently large that finger pressure on the exposed portion in a downward direction will depress the catch sufficiently to release the barb (10). The two catches (8) and (9) on opposed sides of body part (5) are relatively small. The portions of the barbs (11) and (12) projecting through the apertures (14) and (15) in the closed position of body (1) are too small for them to be released by finger pressure on the barbs. However, they can be released by finger pressure on opposed sides of body part (1) so as to press the sides of body part (1) carrying the catches (8) and (9) inwards so moving the barbs (11) and (12) clear of the body part (5). It will be apparent that the body (1) cannot be opened by releasing only catch (7) or catches (8) and (9). All the catches must be released simultaneously to allow the body to be opened. This requires pressure to be applied simultaneously in two directions at right angles. In practice it will be found that if one hand is required to release catch (7) then the catches (8) and (9) will require simultaneous pressure from opposed fingers of the other hand. The width of the hand of a small child will not be sufficient to allow such simultaneous pressure. The arrangement shown in the drawings is particularly convenient because catches released by pressure on the body and a catch released by pressure on the catch are all provided on the body part carrying the hook. The hand pressing on the body will be at the rear of the body behind the hook where it will not obstruct the hand pressing on the catch in front of the hook. Referring now to figures 3 and 4, a dispenser comprises a body (1), a hook (2) (only part shown) and apertures (3) in the body as in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2. As in the embodiment of figures 1 and 2, the body is a single molding of thermoplastics material, comprising first (4) and second (5) body parts linked by hinges (6). The second body part carries an engaging member (7) comprising a short projecting lug carrying a barb (10). The first body part carries two engaging members (8,9) also terminating in barbs (11 ,12). The engaging means carried by each body part engage with locking members (not shown) in the form of recesses in the other body part to hold the body closed. As the engaging members are not accessible from the exterior of the body when the body is closed, it will be seen that the catches are indirect catches. Portions (16,17) of the first body part adjacent to the engaging members (8,9) are dished to provide locations at which finger pressure can be applied to the first body part. A dished portion (18) is provided on the second body part adjacent to the engaging member (7) to provide a location at which finger pressure can be applied to the first body part. A dished portion (18) is provided on the second body part adjacent to the engaging member (7) to provide a location at which finger pressure can be applied to the second body part. Guide members (20) are provided on each the second body part on either side of the engaging member (7). The guide members have curved ends (21). Guide members (22) with curved ends (23) are also provided on the first body part adjacent to the engaging members (8,9). The guide members extend rearwardly along the inner surface of the body part to which they are attached. All the catches are on a side of the body parts opposite the hinge, and the projecting lugs can be made relatively short as a result of using indirect catches. As a result, the closure of the dispenser after filling during manufacture is facilitated. The guide members help to guide the two body parts into engagement. They also help to press upward the body part which they bear against. This in turn urges the barbs on the engaging members associated with that body outwards so helping to keep the catch closed. When it is desired to open the body to replace the toilet block, the body can be placed with the hinge against a hard surface. Pressure is applied simultaneously to the three dished portions so as to press the upper part of both body parts inward. As a result the adjacent engaging means are caused to move out of engagement with the locking members. Industrial Applicability The dispenser of the present invention may be manufactured utilizing inexpensive molding, without compromising the ability of the unfolded open dispensers to be filled with toilet block product and successfully closed by hinging one body part towards the other on mechanized filling lines.

Claims: Claims 1. A dispenser suitable for attachment to the rim of a toilet bowl which comprises a body adapted to receive a block of product to be dispensed into the toilet bowl and a hook attached to the body for suspending the body from the rim of a toilet bowl, said body comprising first and second body parts relatively rotatable about a hinge and at least one releasable catch for holding the said body parts in a closed position, said hook being attached to said first body part wherein the body has at least three catches for holding the body parts in a closed position, said catches being releasable by simultaneous manipulation of three spaced locations on the dispenser. 2. A dispenser according to claim 1 wherein at least two indirect catches are disposed such that pressure on the body on opposed sides of the body and substantially parallel to the hinge is required to release the catches, and a direct catch is disposed on the body opposite the hinge, said direct catch being releasable by pressure directly on the catch in a direction substantially at right angles to the hinge, the said catches being so shaped that both indirect and direct catches must be released simultaneously to open the body. 3. A dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the catches are all indirect catches released by the application of pressure and are provided on both body parts opposite the hinge. 4. A dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the hinge is on the lower side of the body opposite the hook. 5. A dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one catch is in the form of a lug which projects forwardly from one body part and carries a projection engaging with an aperture in the other body part. 6. A dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims wherein any indirect catches comprise lugs which are mounted on said first body part and which carry projections which engage with apertures in said second body part. 7. A dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims wherein any direct catch present comprises a lug mounted on said first body part and which engages with an aperture on the second body part. 8. A dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one guide means is provided which projects from a body part to guide the other body part into engagement to close the body. 9. A dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims wherein depressions are provided in the body adjacent to any indirect catches to facilitate opening of the catches by finger pressure in the depressions.

Inventors: THOMPSON GUY R, THOMPSON, GUY, R.
Applicants: JOHNSON & SON INC S C, THOMPSON GUY R, S.C. JOHNSON & SON, INC., THOMPSON, GUY, R.
Application year: 1997
Main classification: E03D9
IPC codes: E03D9