Patent Abstract:
Devices for dispensing toilet treatment tablets into toilet bowls when a button is actuated are disclosed. In one version, the device includes: (i) a toilet cover; (ii) a dispenser mounted to the cover; (iii) a plurality of solid tablets stored in the dispenser so as to be dispensable therefrom, wherein at least one of the tablets includes a toilet treatment chemical; and (iv) an actuator for moving a tablet from a ready position of the dispenser to a release position. In another version, the invention provides a handheld device including a body having a cover and a hollow wall connected to the cover. The cover and the wall define an interior space in the body, and the cover includes a dispensing slot. The device also includes a removable tablet holder suitable for holding a plurality of solid tablets. A tablet retainer of the tablet holder is located within the cover when the tablet holder is installed within the body. The tablet retainer retains a tablet in a ready position for dispensing. An actuator is disposed in the cover for moving a tablet from the ready position out through the dispensing slot.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority based on U.S. provisional application 61/039,234, filed Mar. 25, 2008. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to devices for dispensing toilet bowl treating chemicals (e.g. cleaners, disinfectants, deodorizers, etc.). More specifically, it relates to devices that allow a consumer to direct a toilet treatment tablet into the toilet bowl when a button is actuated. 
         [0004]    Toilet bowls require care to prevent the buildup of unsightly deposits, to reduce odors and to prevent bacteria growth. Traditionally, toilet bowls have been cleaned, deodorized and/or disinfected by manual scrubbing with a liquid or powdered cleaning/sanitizing agent that is added to the bowl water by hand. This task has required manual labor to keep the toilet bowl clean. 
         [0005]    To reduce or in some cases eliminate the need for such manual scrubbing, various automatic toilet bowl cleaning systems have been proposed. One type of system delivers the cleaning chemical by adding it to the flush water while the flush water is still stored in the toilet tank. Some embodiments of this type of system add the chemical to the flushing cycle in liquid form. Others place a block of cleaning chemical in the toilet tank, to slowly dissolve over several weeks or longer. 
         [0006]    However, in systems which rely on adding the chemical to the toilet tank, precise control over the quantity of chemical to be delivered may be difficult. For example, different water hardness from the supply may cause different cleaning blocks to dilute at different rates. Further, the objective is to keep the toilet bowl clean, not the water holding tank. Since all the cleaner is dispensed into the toilet tank, rather than the toilet bowl, much of the cleaner may be flushed down the drain without cleaning the toilet bowl at all. 
         [0007]    An alternative type of system hangs a dispenser adjacent and/or immediately under the toilet bowl rim. Water flowing from the rim washes over the dispenser, thereby triggering dispensing of the stored chemical directly into the bowl water. However, some consumers may prefer not to have the ornamental exterior of their toilet disrupted by the presence of a hook hanger. 
         [0008]    In any event, such systems are designed to dispense in response to each flush. In some situations where increased amounts of flushing are occurring (e.g., a large number of guests) cleaning chemicals may not be necessary after every flushing. Thus, some of these systems may use up more cleaning chemicals than is actually needed. 
         [0009]    There have been attempts to associate toilet bowl chemical dispensers with the lids or other coverings of toilets, or near them. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 713,978, 749,963, 979,386, 988,178, 3,840,914, 4,216,553, 4,819,276 and 6,745,417, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0097189. However, these systems suffer from various of the deficiencies noted above. For example, it is typical with many of such systems to have dispensing occur with every toilet lid movement, regardless of need. 
         [0010]    It can therefore be seen that improvements are desired with respect to toilet bowl cleaning devices that dispense toilet bowl treatment chemicals. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    In one aspect, the invention provides a toilet bowl cleaning device including a plurality of solid tablets stored in a stacked configuration in a tablet dispenser so as to be dispensable from the dispenser. The tablets can include one or more components that perform cleaning and/or disinfecting and/or deodorizing functions in the toilet bowl and/or the toilet tank. By the term “tablet”, it is intended to mean a solid mass of a size larger than what would be viewed as powder, regardless of shape. Hence, the tablets may be disk shaped, or spherical, or elongated, or have other configurations. The tablets preferably will be supplied in a refill unit which can be separated from the dispenser when the tablets have all been dispensed from the dispenser. The solid tablets can be stored in the dispenser in a stack with adjacent tablets abutting each other in face-to-face fashion. 
         [0012]    In one aspect, the invention provides a device for dispensing a toilet treatment chemical to a toilet bowl. The device includes: (i) a cover (e.g. the toilet lid or seat) suitable to be pivotably mounted to a rearward portion of the toilet bowl so as to pivot between a somewhat upright position and an essentially horizontal position; (ii) a dispenser mounted to the cover; (iii) a plurality of solid tablets stored in the dispenser so as to be dispensable therefrom, wherein at least one of the tablets includes a toilet treatment chemical; and (iv) an actuator for moving a tablet from a ready position of the dispenser into the toilet bowl. The cover can be a toilet seat or a toilet lid. 
         [0013]    The actuator moves the tablet from the ready position of the dispenser into the toilet bowl in response to a manual force having been applied to the actuator. The actuator can be linked to a return spring such that after a tablet is moved from the ready position of the dispenser into the toilet bowl the spring will cause the actuator to move back to a rest position. The actuator can include a slide for driving the tablet from the ready position of the dispenser into the toilet bowl. The actuator can include a button accessible at a top surface of the cover. In one form, the cover includes a delivery slot, and the actuator moves the tablet from the ready position of the dispenser through the delivery slot and into the toilet bowl. The actuator can include a lock which inhibits use of the actuator when the cover is in the upright position. 
         [0014]    In another aspect, the invention provides a handheld device for dispensing a toilet bowl treatment tablet into the toilet bowl. The device includes a body having a cover and a hollow wall connected to the cover. The cover and the wall define an interior space in the body, and the cover includes a dispensing slot. The device also includes a removable tablet holder suitable for holding a plurality of solid tablets. The tablet holder can be provided as a refill unit. At least one of the tablets can include a toilet treatment chemical. The tablet holder is dimensioned to fit within the interior space of the body. The tablet holder has a tablet retainer at a dispensing end of the tablet holder, and the tablet retainer is located within the cover when the tablet holder is installed within the space of the body. The tablet retainer retains a tablet in a ready position for dispensing. The device also includes an actuator disposed in the cover. The actuator is suitable for moving a tablet from the ready position out through the dispensing slot. 
         [0015]    In one form, the tablet retainer includes opposed elastic arms for retaining a tablet in the ready position for dispensing. At least one of the arms can include an inwardly directed flange for preventing movement of a tablet longitudinally beyond the flange. The tablet retainer can include a notch, and the actuator can include a slide dimensioned to be movable into the notch for pushing a tablet from the ready position out through the dispensing slot. The actuator can include a button arranged in a surface of the cover. The actuator can move the tablet from the ready position out through the dispensing slot in response to a manual force having been applied to the actuator by a user. The actuator can be linked to a return spring such that after a tablet is moved from the ready position out through the dispensing slot the spring will cause the actuator to move back to a rest position. 
         [0016]    In one form, the tablet holder includes a locking mechanism for holding the tablet holder within the space of the body. The locking mechanism can include a pin attached to an outer surface of the tablet holder and a throughhole in a section of the wall of the body. The throughhole receives the pin in a mating locking connection. The section of the wall of the body having the throughhole is movable with respect to the wall of the body to assist in mating the pin and the throughhole. 
         [0017]    In yet another aspect, the invention provides a refill unit for a device for dispensing a tablet wherein the dispensing device includes a body having a cover and a hollow wall connected to the cover, and an actuator disposed in the cover. The cover and the wall of the dispensing device define an interior space in the body, and the cover includes a dispensing slot. The actuator is suitable for moving a tablet from a ready position within the cover out through the dispensing slot of the dispensing device. The refill unit includes a housing suitable for holding a plurality of solid tablets, and a tablet retainer connected to the housing at a dispensing end of the housing. The tablet retainer is suitable for retaining a tablet in a ready position for dispensing. The housing and the tablet retainer of the refill unit are dimensioned to fit within the interior space of the body of the dispensing device, and the housing and the tablet retainer of the refill unit are dimensioned such that tablet retainer is located within the cover of the dispensing device when the refill is installed within the space of the body of the dispensing device. 
         [0018]    In one form of the refill unit, the tablet retainer includes opposed elastic arms for retaining a tablet in the ready position for dispensing. At least one of the arms includes an inwardly directed flange for preventing movement of a tablet longitudinally beyond the flange. The tablet retainer can include a notch dimensioned for receiving the actuator such that a tablet may be moved by the actuator from the ready position out through the dispensing slot of the dispensing device. The housing of the refill unit can include a locking mechanism for the holding the tablet holder within the space of the body of the dispensing device. A plurality of tablets can be stored in the housing of the refill unit, and at least one of the tablets comprises a toilet treatment chemical. The plurality of tablets can be stored in the housing in a stack with adjacent tablets abutting each other in face-to-face fashion. A spring can be used for biasing the tablets toward the tablet retainer of the refill unit. 
         [0019]    In still another aspect, the invention provides a method for cleaning and/or disinfecting and/or deodorizing a toilet bowl. The method uses a handheld device including a body, a tablet holder, and an actuator. The body has a cover and a hollow wall connected to the cover. The cover and the wall define an interior space in the body, and the cover includes a dispensing slot. The tablet holder holds a plurality of solid tablets. The tablet holder is located within the interior space of the body, and the tablet holder retains a tablet in a ready position within the cover for dispensing. The actuator is disposed in the cover, and is suitable for moving a tablet from the ready position out through the dispensing slot. A user applies a manual force to the actuator to move a tablet from the ready position out through the dispensing slot and into the toilet bowl where the tablet dissolves to clean and/or disinfect and/or deodorize the toilet bowl. 
         [0020]    The foregoing and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description. In that description reference will be made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof, and in which there is shown by way of illustration example embodiments of the invention. The example embodiments do not limit the full scope of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a top, front, left perspective view of an embodiment of a dispensing device according to the invention integrated into a toilet lid resting on a toilet seat. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is exploded perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1  showing a top section of the toilet lid removed from a base section of the toilet lid. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the base section of the toilet lid of  FIG. 2  taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a detailed cross-sectional view of the tablet dispenser and actuator of the base section of the toilet lid of  FIG. 3  with the toilet seat removed taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a detailed view of the tablet dispenser and actuator of  FIG. 4  taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is an exploded top, front, left perspective view of another embodiment of a dispensing device according to the invention showing a refill unit and the dispenser body. 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is an exploded top, front, left perspective view of the dispensing device of  FIG. 6  showing a refill unit installed in the dispenser body. 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a front view of the dispensing device of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a left side view of the dispensing device of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  is a right side view of the dispensing device of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing device of  FIG. 7  taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]    Turning first to  FIGS. 1 to 5 , there is shown a dispensing device  10  according to a first example embodiment of the invention. The dispensing device  10  is integrated into a toilet lid  12  resting on a toilet seat  14 . The toilet lid  12  and the toilet seat  14  are pivotably mounted in a conventional manner to a rearward portion of a toilet bowl (not shown) so as to pivot between a somewhat upright position and an essentially horizontal position on the rim of the toilet bowl. The toilet lid  12  shown is generally oval shaped. However, the invention is not limited to oval shaped lids. Other shapes for the lid (e.g. more round) are also suitable. 
         [0033]    Looking at  FIG. 2 , the toilet lid  12  includes a separate top section  16  having a top surface  17  that may optionally include a transparent window  18  for viewing toilet treatment tablets  19  that are dispensed to the toilet bowl as described below. The window  18  helps show when the tablets  19  need to be replaced. The top section  16  of the toilet lid  12  has a downwardly directed curved forward wall  21  having opposed elastic mounting tabs  22 L,  22 R at the rear of the forward wall  21 . A mounting rib  23  is at the rear of the top section  16 , and an arcuate opening  24  with a downwardly directed support wall  25  with openings  26  is provided at the front portion of the top surface  17  of the top section  16  of the toilet lid  12 . 
         [0034]    Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the toilet lid  12  includes a separate base section  27  that rests on the toilet seat  14 . The base section  27  includes a bottom wall  28  and a curved rear wall  30  that extends upwardly from the bottom wall  28 . The bottom wall  28  includes a rectangular dispensing slot  29 . The rear wall  30  includes an inwardly directed flange  31  that creates a space  32  at the rear of the base section  27 . The rear wall  30  that opposed mounting holes  33 L,  33 R at the forward ends of the rear wall  30 . The top section  16  of the toilet lid  12  is installed on the base section  27  by inserting mounting rib  23  in the space  32  and inserting the mounting tabs  22 L,  22 R in the mounting holes  33 L,  33 R. The top section  16  of the toilet lid  12  is removed from the base section  27  by pushing mounting tabs  22 L,  22 R out of the mounting holes  33 L,  33 R and pulling forwardly and upwardly on the top section  16 . The top section  16  and the base section  27  of the toilet lid  12  may be formed from a polymeric material such as polyethylene or polypropylene. 
         [0035]    Looking at  FIGS. 2-5 , the base section  27  of the toilet lid  12  includes a tubular tablet dispenser housing  35  mounted to the bottom wall  28  of the base section  27  of the toilet lid  12 . The tablet dispenser housing  35  receives a tablet bottle  37  containing the tablets  19  by way of open end  38  of the tablet dispenser housing  35 . The base section  27  of the toilet lid  12  may hold two tablet bottles  37  at one time as shown in  FIGS. 2-5 , that is, one tablet bottle  37  may be installed in the tablet dispenser housing  35  and one tablet bottle  37  may be clipped to the bottom wall  28  of the base section  27  of the toilet lid  12  by way of clips  39 . In this configuration, when the last tablet  19  in the tablet bottle  37  in the tablet dispenser housing  35  is dispensed into the toilet bowl, the tablet bottle  37  in the tablet dispenser housing  35  can be removed and the tablet bottle  37  held by clips  39  can be inserted in the tablet dispenser housing  35 . 
         [0036]    The tablet bottle  37  includes a transparent tubular outer wall  41  that is closed off at one end by bottom wall  43 . The opposite end of the outer wall  41  is open end  45 . A finger indent  47  for ease of handling the tablet bottle  37  is below bottom wall  43  of the outer wall  41 . A mounting protrusion  48  is provided on an outer surface of the outer wall  41  of the tablet bottle  37 . The outer wall  41  may be formed from a polymeric material such as polyethylene or polypropylene. 
         [0037]    The tablets  19  are held in the tablet bottle  37  between a compression spring  49  and a tablet retainer  55  which partially covers the open end  45  of the tablet bottle  37 . The tablet retainer  55  may be formed from an elastic material such as nylon or acetal. The tablet retainer  55  has a curved body  56  with arms  58   a,    58   b  that terminate in ends  59   a,    59   b  that define an open spacing  61  between the ends  59   a,    59   b  of the tablet retainer  55 . Inwardly directed flanges  63   a,    63   b,    63   c,    63   d  are located at the end  64  of the tablet retainer  55 . A notch  65  is located in the end  64  opposite the spacing  61 . Mounting arms  66   a,    66   b  (not shown) hold the tablet retainer  55  on the open end  45  of the tablet bottle  37 . Looking at  FIGS. 3-5 , it can be seen that the spring  49  biases a stack of the tablets  19  away from the bottom wall  43  of the tablet bottle  37  toward the tablet retainer  55 . The arms  58   a,    58   b  and the flanges  63   a,    63   b,    63   c,    63   d  of the tablet retainer  55  hold an end tablet  19   e  of the stack in a ready position for dispensing, which is explained below. 
         [0038]    A full stack of tablets may include any number of tablets depending on the size of the tablets  19  and the size of the tablet bottle  37 . For example, thirty tablets could be provided in a full stack for a thirty day supply of once a day tablets. While the solid tablets  19  are shown being stored in the tablet bottle  37  in a stack with adjacent tablets  19  abutting each other in face-to-face fashion, the tablets can also be stored in an edge-to-edge orientation. Also, the tablets can be any shape, with circular disc tablets being preferred. The tablets can include various components such as cleaners (e.g., anionic, non-ionic, cationic, amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants), disinfectants (e.g., chlorinating agents), and deodorizers (e.g., zinc ricinoleate). 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , the dispensing device  10  includes an actuator  68  for moving a tablet  19  from a ready position of the dispensing device  10  into the toilet bowl. The actuator  68  includes an arcuate push button  70  having a top wall  72  and a side wall  74  that depends downwardly from the top wall  72 . Protrusions  76   a,    76   b,    76   c,    76   d  extend outward from the side wall  74  of the button  70 . The button  70  may be formed from a polymeric material such as polyethylene or polypropylene. 
         [0040]    The button  70  is slidingly arranged in the opening  24  of the top section  16  of the toilet lid  12 . Each of the protrusions  76   a,    76   b,    76   c,    76   d  of the button  70  are placed in a mating opening  26  in the support wall  25  (see  FIG. 2 ) to guide the each of the protrusions  76   a,    76   b,    76   c,    76   d  in an associated opening  26  in the support wall  25 . Looking at  FIGS. 4 and 5 , compression springs  78   a,    78   b  are arranged between a bottom surface  79  of the button  70  and a top surface  81  of the bottom wall  28  of the base section  27  of the toilet lid  12 . The compression springs  78   a,    78   b  bias the button  70  upward. The button  70  also includes a slide  85  that protrudes outwardly from the protrusion  76   a.  The actuator can also comprise other configurations. For example, the actuator can include spaced apart separate buttons that both need to be pressed in order to deliver a tablet to the toilet bowl. 
         [0041]    Looking at  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the top surface  81  of the bottom wall  28  of the base section  27  of the toilet lid  12  includes an inverted L-shaped lock  88  that pivots in direction R around a pivot pin  89  of a mounting bracket  91  on the top surface  81  of the bottom wall  28  of the base section  27  of the toilet lid  12 . A top surface  92  of the lock  88  interfaces with a lower surface  98  of a stop  96  that depends downwardly from the top wall  72  of the button  70 . 
         [0042]    Having described the parts of the dispensing device  10 , its operation can be explained further. The top section  16  of the toilet lid  12  is removed from the base section  27  by pushing mounting tabs  22 L,  22 R out of the mounting holes  33 L,  33 R and pulling forwardly and upwardly on the top section  16 . A user then inserts a tablet bottle  37  into the open end  38  of the tablet dispenser housing  35 . The tablet bottle  37  is inserted with the tablet retainer  55  going into the open end  38  first. The finger indent  47  provides for ease of handling of the tablet bottle  37 . Mounting protrusion  48  of the tablet bottle  37  engages a recess on the base section  27  of the toilet lid  12  to retain the tablet bottle  37  in the tablet dispenser housing  35 . The top section  16  of the toilet lid  12  is then installed on the base section  27  by inserting mounting rib  23  in the space  32  and inserting the mounting tabs  22 L,  22 R in the mounting holes  33 L,  33 R. 
         [0043]    Looking at  FIGS. 3-5 , the spring  49  biases the stack of the tablets  19  against the tablet retainer  55 . The arms  58   a,    58   b  and the flanges  63   a,    63   b,    63   c,    63   d  of the tablet retainer  55  hold an end tablet  19   e  of the stack in a ready position for dispensing. A user applies a downward force F on the top wall  72  of the button  70  (see  FIG. 4 ) overcoming the biasing force of springs  78   a,    78   b,  and slide  85  of the button  72  moves downward in notch  65  of the tablet retainer  55 . The slide  85  moves tablet  19   e  downward in direction D (see  FIG. 4 ) and elastic arms  58   a,    58   b  move in directions O in  FIG. 5  thereby releasing tablet  19   e  downward through rectangular dispensing slot  29  in the bottom wall  28  of the base section  27  of the toilet lid  12  and into the toilet bowl. The user then releases the downward force F on the button  70  and the button  70  returns to the rest position shown in  FIG. 4  because of the upward biasing force of the springs  78   a,    78   b.  The spring  49  in the tablet bottle  37  then moves the stack of tablets  19  toward the tablet retainer  55  such that the next tablet in the stack is now the end tablet  19   e  of the stack in a ready position for dispensing. 
         [0044]    In certain positions of the toilet lid  12 , the button  70  is prevented from being pushed. In the view of  FIG. 4 , the toilet lid  12  is in an essentially horizontal position, and the top surface  92  of the lock  88  is clear of the lower surface  98  of the stop  96  such that button  70  can be depressed using a downward force F. However, when the toilet lid  12  is raised into a somewhat upright position, the lock  88  rotates in direction R 1  of  FIG. 4  until the top surface  92  of the lock  88  is placed adjacent or in contact with the lower surface  98  of the stop  96 . When the top surface  92  of the lock  88  is adjacent or in contact with the lower surface  98  of the stop  96   a  and a user presses the button  70  using a downward force F downward motion is inhibited due to the lock  88  blocking the stop  96 . Thus, the button  70  is locked when the toilet lid  12  is open in a somewhat upright position, and as the toilet lid  12  is closed, the lock  88  releases by rotating away from the stop  96 . 
         [0045]    Turning now to  FIGS. 6 to 11 , there is shown a handheld dispensing device  110  according to a second example embodiment of the invention. The dispensing device  110  has a tubular body  112  having an outer wall  114  with an upper end  116  and a lower end  118 . A lower opening  120  is provided at the lower end  118  of the body  112 . A pair of slots  122  in the lower end  118  of the body  112  define a tab  124  that can flex inward and outward. The tab  124  has a throughhole  126 . The outer wall  114  has ribs  128  that provide a hand grip for the fingers of a user. The body  112  may be formed from a polymeric material such as polyethylene or polypropylene. 
         [0046]    The dispensing device  110  also has a cover  133  that along with the outer wall  114  of the body  112  defines an interior space  135  of the body  112 . The cover  133  has a top wall  139 , and a side wall  141  that extends downwardly from the top wall  139 . A dispensing slot  143  is provided in the side wall  141 . A bottom section  145  of the cover  133  is attached to the upper end  116  of the body  112 . The top wall  139 , the side wall  141  and the bottom section  145  of the cover  133  define an interior space  147  of the cover  133 . The cover  133  may be formed from a polymeric material such as polyethylene or polypropylene. 
         [0047]    The dispensing device  110  also has removable tablet holder  150 . The tablet holder  150  can be sold as a refill unit. The tablet holder  150  includes a bottom wall  151  and a tubular side wall  153  that extends upwardly from the bottom wall  151 . The side wall has a pin  154  that extends outwardly from the side wall  153 . The tablet holder  150  has a handle  156  and a finger indent  158  for ease of handling the tablet holder  150 . The tablet holder  150  has a longitudinal axis A (see  FIG. 6 ). The tablet holder  150  may be formed from an opaque or transparent polymeric material such as polyethylene or polypropylene. 
         [0048]    At an end of the tablet holder  150  opposite the bottom wall  151 , there is provided a tablet retainer  161  having a curved body  162  with arms  164   a,    164   b  that terminate in ends  165   a,    165   b  that define an open spacing  166  between the ends  165   a,    165   b  of the tablet retainer  161 . Inwardly directed flanges  168   a,    168   b,    168   c,    168   d  are located on the tablet retainer  161 . A notch  170  is located in the tablet retainer  161  opposite the spacing  166 . Looking at  FIG. 11 , a spring  171  biases a stack of the tablets  172  away from the bottom wall  151  of the tablet holder  150  toward the tablet retainer  161 . (In  FIG. 11 , the central tablets in the stack are not shown.) The arms  164   a,    164   b  and the flanges  168   a,    168   b,    168   c,    168   d  of the tablet retainer  161  hold an end tablet  172   e  of the stack in a ready position for dispensing, which is explained below. 
         [0049]    The dispensing device  110  also includes an actuator  176  for moving a tablet  172  from a ready position of the dispensing device  110  into the toilet bowl. The actuator  176  includes a push button  178  arranged in the side wall  141  of the cover  133 . The push button  178  has a side wall  179  and a slide  180  that extends away from the side wall  179 . The push button  178  also has a skirt  182  that extends away from the side wall  179 . The actuator  176  also includes a compression spring  185  positioned between an end section  186  of the skirt and shoulders  188   a,    188   b  of the inside of the cover  133 . The spring  185  biases the push button  178  away from the interior space  147  of the cover  133 . 
         [0050]    Having described the parts of the dispensing device  110 , its operation can be explained further. A user inserts the tablet holder  150  into the lower opening  120  at the lower end  118  of the body  112  as shown in  FIG. 6 . The pin  154  of the tablet holder  150  enters the throughhole  126  of the body  112  to retain the tablet holder  150  in the body  112  (see  FIG. 7 ). 
         [0051]    Looking at  FIG. 11 , the spring  173  biases the stack of the tablets  172  against the tablet retainer  161 . The arms  164   a,    164   b  and the flanges  168   a,    168   b,    168   c,    168   d  of the tablet retainer  161  hold an end tablet  172   e  of the stack in a ready position for dispensing. A user applies a force F on the side wall  179  of the button  178  (see  FIG. 11 ) overcoming the biasing force of spring  185  and slide  180  of the button  178  moves sideways in notch  170  of the tablet retainer  161 . The slide  180  moves tablet  172   e  in direction O (see  FIG. 11 ) and elastic arms  164   a,    164   b  move apart in directions X in  FIG. 6  thereby releasing tablet  172   e  sideways through dispensing slot  143  in the side wall  141  of the cover  133  and into the toilet bowl. The user then releases the force F on the button  178  and the button  178  returns to the rest position shown in  FIG. 11  because of the outward biasing force of the spring  185 . The spring  173  in the tablet holder  150  then moves the stack of tablets  172  toward the tablet retainer  161  such that the next tablet in the stack is now the end tablet  172   e  of the stack in a ready position for dispensing. The flanges  168   a,    168   b,    168   c,    168   d  of the tablet retainer  161  prevent the end tablet  172   e  from moving longitudinally along axis A beyond the flanges  168   a,    168   b,    168   c,    168   d.    
         [0052]    In another version of the invention, the handheld dispensing device  110  can be mounted to the underside of a toilet lid or toilet seat by using a fastener that mounts the tubular body  112  to the underside of the toilet lid or toilet seat. Non-limiting examples of fasteners include one or more clips on the underside of the toilet lid or toilet seat that engage the tubular body  112 . In one configuration, the handheld dispensing device  110  can be mounted to the underside of the toilet lid or toilet seat with the dispensing slot  143  facing laterally from the center of the underside of the toilet lid or toilet seat and with the push button  178  facing laterally in a opposite direction from the center of the underside of the toilet lid or toilet seat. 
         [0053]    Thus, the invention provides devices that allow a consumer to direct a toilet treatment tablet into the toilet bowl when a button is actuated. In one version of the invention, there is provided a device that incorporates a dispenser type unit in the top of a toilet lid and dispenses a tablet into the toilet when the lid is closed and a button is actuated. A stop prevents a tablet ejecting from any position (up or down) except when the lid is fully closed (down). The stop is positioned behind the actuator button in a way that it is assisted by gravity that when the toilet lid is up such that the safety stop renders the button inoperable. This prevents any chance of consumer contact whether it is an adult or an unattended child. As the lid is closed and is near to its bottom resting point, the safety stop rotates 90 degrees such that the dispenser will now allow a tablet to be ejected. 
         [0054]    In another version of the invention, there is provided a hand held device that dispenses tablets. The device fits in a user&#39;s hand. To use, one takes aim in the toilet, and the thumb depresses the button to send a tablet into the toilet. The refill unit is accessed on the bottom by overcoming the locking pin on the side of the unit. The device could be stored in many places such as hanging off the side of the toilet reservoir, or on top of the reservoir. The device can also be mounted on the underside of the toilet lid or toilet seat during use. 
         [0055]    The above description has been that of example embodiments of the present invention. It will occur to those that practice the art, however, that still other modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Hence, the scope of the invention should not be entirely judged by just the example embodiments. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0056]    The present invention provides dispensers that allow a consumer to direct a tablet into the toilet bowl when a button is actuated.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4