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(11) | EP 0 943 039 B1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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| (54) |
DISPENSING DEVICE ABGABEVORRICHTUNG DISPOSITIF DISTRIBUTEUR |
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| Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention). |
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a dispenser for dispensing a product into the bowl of a water closet (toilet). In particular, it relates to a dispenser as defined in the preamble of claim 1 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. Such a dispenser is known from EP-A-0 517 562.
Background Art
[0002] 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.
[0003] 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.
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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
[0006] 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.
[0007] 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 operatec simultaneously in a convenient way.
Disclosure of Invention
[0009] 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.
[0010] 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.
[0011] The two body parts may be hinged together so that the hinge is at one side of the body (the side carrying the hook being considered as the top). Preferably the hinge is on the lower side of the body opposite the hook, so that the second body part is opened by rotating it downwards.
[0012] As discussed above, the indirect catches are opened by exerting pressure on the body rather than on the catches themselves. The 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.
[0013] 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.
[0014] It may be desirable to provide a depression in the outer surface of the body part carrying a projecting portion, said depression being adjacent to the catch so as to facilitate the application of finger pressure on the body part to open the catch.
[0015] The second indirect catch may be constructed in a similar way to the first catch. It is preferred to provide only one indirect catch on the second body part, and it may be desirable to make this catch somewhat larger than the first indirect catches. However, because it is an indirect catch, it is not necessary to provide a projecting portion which is as large as would be required if the catch were a direct catch released by direct finger pressure on the projection portion itself. Furthermore, it is not necessary to provide an aperture in the first body part through which the projecting portion can be subjected to direct finger pressure. As a result, it is possible to use a catch which extends forward of the second body part t a lesser extent than would be the case if a direct catch were to be used.
[0016] The significance of the ability to use a shorter catch is that toilet blocks are often introduced into dispensers in mechanized filling lines. in such filling lines, the block is placed inside the unfolded open dispenser. The dispenser is then closed by hinging one body-part towards the other. The dispensers are inexpensive plastics moldings and the hinges will not always be perfect. If there are excessively long lugs or the like projecting from one body part towards the other body part, there is a risk that the catches will not engage correctly when the body is closed in the manufacturing process. Thus lugs may extend over the outer surface where they are intended to engage with an inner surface.
[0017] Preferably, the first indirect catches are in the form of lugs carrying the projections mounted on the first body part (which carries the hook) which interact with apertures in the second body part. This enables the pressure from opposed sides of the first body part necessary to release the indirect catches to be applied by extending a hand across the length of the dispenser, leaving the other hand free to act from the front to rotate the second body part about the hinge when the direct catch has been released.
If the direct catches are all placed so as to be released by pressure on the same body part, then pressure on that body part parallel to the hinge to release the first catches will tend to deform the opposed sides so that the second catch or catches tend to lock more firmly.
[0018] It is thus preferred to have the first catches and the second catch or catches on different body parts. However, there is then a tendency for pressure in directions parallel to the hinge to open not only the first catches which it is intended to release by such pressure, but also to deform the second body part so as to release the second catch.
[0019] In order to counteract this tendency, pressure members are provided projecting from one body part and bearing against the other body part, the pressure members being so disposed so as to resist any deformation of a body part which results indirectly from the manipulation of that body part to release a catch of one type (first or second catches) and which tends to release a catch of the other type. These pressure members are to be distinguished from the catches mentioned above in that the pressure members do not engage with a body part so as to resist opening and closing the body by hinging the body parts together.
[0020] The pressure members may conveniently be ribs projecting from one body part towards the other body part and which bear against an inner surface of the other body part when the body is closed. The ribs may be provided with curved ends to facilitate the closure of the body when the other body part rides over the curved end of the rib as the body parts are hinged together.
[0021] It is preferred to provide a pressure member to counteract the involuntary opening of the second catch or catches resulting from the force applied to open the first catch. Preferably at least two pressure members are provided disposed to bear against an inner surface of the second body part on either side of the second catch. Preferably pressure members, more preferably two for each catch, are provided corresponding to all the catches on the dispenser body.
[0022] 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.
[0023] 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
[0024] 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 open position according to the invention, and
Figure 2 is a plan view of a dispenser similar to that shown in Figure 1 in the open position showing the surfaces that form the exterior of the dispenser in the closed position,
Figure 3 is a cross section of an open dispenser taken through the center line of the view shown in Figure 2,
Figure 4 is a view of one end of the molding of Figure 2, and
Figure 5 is a view of the opposite end of the open dispenser of Figure 2.
Modes of Carrying Out the Invention
[0025] 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) of conventional form (shown only in part) 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.
[0026] As can be seen from Figure 1, 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).
[0027] The body parts (4,5) carry three locking members (7,8,9) comprising short projecting lugs which terminate in barbs (10,11,12). When the first and second body parts are brought together by rotation about the hinges (6), the lugs and barbs in body part (4) (8,9,11,12) engage with two apertures (13) in body part (5) (only one of which is visible in the drawing), and the lug and barb in body part (5) engage with a recess (14) (not visible in Figure 1). The body parts and projections are sufficiently flexible to allow the barbs to enter the corresponding apertures so as to hold the body (1) dosed. The barbs, however, resist separation of the two body parts (4) and (5).
[0028] The catches (8,9) in body part (4) are provided in extensions (15,16) of the body part which are dished so as to facilitate the application of finger pressure to the body part in the vicinity of the lugs and barbs (8,11,9,12). When the body is dosed, these extensions dose corresponding spaces (17,18) provided in the body part-(5). A dished portion (19) in body part (5) facilitates the application of finger pressure in the vicinity of barb (10).
[0029] Two projecting ribs (20) are provided extending from body part (4). The ends (21) of these ribs are curved on their upper sides.
[0030] When the two body parts are hinged together to close the body, the inner surface of the body part (5) will ride over the curved ends of the ribs (21). The barb (10) on catch (7) will ride over the inner surface of body part (4) until it engages the internal recess in body part (4) and is held in engagement. Similarly, the catches (8,9) engage with apertures (13) in body part (5).
[0031] 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. This will be difficult for a small child.
[0032] Pressure on the dished portions of body part (4) to press the side walls inward to release catches (8,9) will tend to cause the top and bottom walls to deform outwards. This would tend to release the catch (7). However, any outward movement of the top wall of the body part (4) will cause the ribs (20) to exert pressure on body part-(5) so as to counteract any tendency of the catch (7) to open.
[0033] The embodiment shown in Figures 2,3,4 and 5 is similar to that shown in Figure 1, and the same numbers are used to identify the same parts as in Figure 1. The embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 5 has projecting ribs (22) with curved ends (23) (similar to ribs (20)) in body part (5) on either side of the apertures (13). The edge of the body part (4), which faces towards a corresponding edge of body part (5) in the closed position, has a barb (24) over which the barb (10) can ride when the body parts are rotated towards each other to close the body and which retains the barb (10) in recess (14) so as to hold the body parts together.
[0034] The body part (4) has an aperture (25) communicating with the recess (14). This aperture is provided for convenience in molding the dispenser but plays no part in the use of the dispenser. The body part (5) has a recess (26) which is also provided for convenience in molding but plays no part in the use of the dispenser.
Industrial Applicability
1. A dispenser suitable for attachment to the rim of a toilet bowl which comprises 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 (1) from the rim of
a toilet bowl, said body (1) comprising first and second body parts (4; 5) relatively
rotatable about a hinge (6) and at least one releasable catch (7; 8, 9) for holding
the said body parts (4; 5) in a closed position, said hook (2) being attached to said
first body part (4), characterised in that the dispenser has a plurality of catches (7; 8, 9) for holding the body parts ( 4;
5) in a closed position, at least two first indirect catches (8, 9) being disposed
such that pressure on the body (1) on opposed sides of the body substantially parallel
to the hinge (6) is required to release the catches (8, 9), and at least one second
indirect catch (7) is disposed on the dispenser opposite the hinge (6), said second
indirect catch (7) or catches being releasable by pressure directly on the second
body part (5) in a direction substantially at right angles to the hinge (6), said
catches (7; 8, 9) being so shaped that all the catches (7; 8, 9) must be released
simultaneously to open the body (1), and pressure members (20; 23), projecting from
one body part (4; 5), are provided for bearing against the other body part (4; 5)
in the closed position, the pressure members (20; 23) being so disposed as to resist
deformation of a body part (4; 5) which results indirectly from the manual manipulation
of that body part (4; 5) to release a catch or catches of one type (7; 8, 9) and which
involuntarily tends to release a catch (7; 8, 9) of the other type.
2. A dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the pressure members are ribs (20; 23) projecting
from one body part (4; 5) towards the other body part (4; 5) and which bear against
an inner surface of the other body part (4; 5) when the body (1) is closed.
3. A dispenser according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein a pressure member (20) is provided
to counteract opening of the second catch (7) or catches resulting from the force
applied to open the first catches (8, 9).
4. A dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the hinge (6) is
on the lower side of the body (1) opposite the hook (2), when the body (1) is suspended.
5. A dispenser according to any of the preceding claims wherein the catches (7; 8, 9)
are in the form of a lug projecting forwardly from a body part and carry a projection
(10; 11; 12) engaging with a locking member (13; 14) in the other body part.
6. A dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first indirect
catches (8, 9) comprise lugs mounted on said first body part (4) and carrying projections
(11; 12) interacting with apertures (13) in said second body part (5).
7. A dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the second indirect
catch (7) comprises a lug mounted on said second body part (5) engaging with the first
body part (4).
8. A dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the hinge (6) is
on the lower side of the body (1) opposite the hook (2) when the body (1) is suspended,
so that the body (1) is opened by rotating the second body part (5) downwards.
9. A dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a depression is provided
in the outer surface of the body part (4) carrying a projecting portion (15; 16),
said depression being adjacent to the catch (8, 9) so as to facilitate the application
of finger pressure on the body part (4) to open the catch (8, 9).
1. Distributeur adapté pour être fixé au rebord d'une cuvette de cabinets qui comprend
un corps (1) adapté pour recevoir un bloc de produit à distribuer dans la cuvette
des cabinets et un crochet (2) fixé au corps (1) pour suspendre le corps (1) au rebord
d'une cuvette de cabinets, ledit corps (1) comprenant des première et deuxième parties
de corps (4 ; 5) pouvant tourner de manière relative autour d'une articulation (6)
et au moins un cliquet libérable (7 ; 8, 9) pour maintenir lesdites parties de corps
(4 ; 5) dans une position fermée, ledit crochet (2) étant fixé à ladite première partie
de corps (4), caractérisé en ce que le distributeur comporte une pluralité de cliquets (7 ; 8, 9) pour maintenir les
parties de corps (4 ; 5) dans une position fermée, au moins deux premiers cliquets
indirects (8, 9) étant disposés de telle sorte qu'une pression sur le corps (1) sur
des côtés opposés du corps sensiblement parallèles à l'articulation (6) est nécessaire
pour libérer les cliquets (8, 9), et au moins un deuxième cliquet indirect (7) est
disposé sur le distributeur à l'opposé de l'articulation (6), ledit deuxième cliquet
indirect (7) ou les cliquets étant libérables par pression directement sur la deuxième
partie de corps (5) dans une direction sensiblement à angle droit par rapport à l'articulation
(6), lesdits cliquets (7 ; 8, 9) présentant une forme telle que tous les cliquets
(7 ; 8, 9) doivent être libérés simultanément pour ouvrir le corps (1), et des éléments
de pression (20 ; 23), faisant saillie à partir d'une partie de corps (4 ; 5), sont
prévus pour reposer contre l'autre partie de corps (4 ; 5) dans la position fermée,
les éléments de pression (20 ; 23) étant disposés de manière à résister à une déformation
d'une partie de corps (4 ; 5) qui résulte indirectement de la manipulation manuelle
de cette partie de corps (4 ; 5) pour libérer un cliquet ou des cliquets d'un type
(7 ; 8, 9) et qui tend involontairement à libérer un cliquet (7 ; 8, 9) de l'autre
type.
2. Distributeur selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les éléments de pression sont des
nervures (20 ; 23) faisant saillie à partir d'une partie de corps (4 ; 5) vers l'autre
partie de corps (4 ; 5) et qui reposent contre une surface intérieure de l'autre partie
de corps (4 ; 5) lorsque le corps (1) est fermé.
3. Distributeur selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, dans lequel un élément
de pression (20) est prévu pour empêcher l'ouverture du deuxième cliquet (7) ou des
cliquets résultant de la force appliquée pour ouvrir les premiers cliquets (8, 9).
4. Distributeur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'articulation
(6) se trouve sur le côté inférieur du corps (1) à l'opposé du crochet (2), lorsque
le corps (1) est suspendu.
5. Distributeur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel les
cliquets (7 ; 8, 9) ont la forme d'une languette s'étendant vers l'avant à partir
d'une partie de corps et supportent une protubérance (10 ; 11, 12) qui se met en prise
avec un élément de verrouillage (13 ; 14) dans l'autre partie de corps.
6. Distributeur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel les
premiers cliquets indirects (8, 9) comprennent des languettes montées sur ladite première
partie de corps (4) et supportent des protubérances (11 ; 12) qui interagissent avec
des ouvertures (13) dans ladite deuxième partie de corps (5).
7. Distributeur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le
deuxième cliquet indirect (7) comprend une languette montée sur ladite deuxième partie
de corps (5) qui se met en prise avec la première partie de corps (4).
8. Distributeur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'articulation
(6) se trouve sur le côté inférieur du corps (1) à l'opposé du crochet (2) lorsque
le corps (1) est suspendu, de sorte que le corps (1) est ouvert en tournant la deuxième
partie de corps (5) vers le bas.
9. Distributeur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel un
creux est prévu dans la surface extérieure de la partie de corps (4) supportant une
partie saillante (15, 16), ledit creux étant adjacent au cliquet (8, 9) de manière
à faciliter l'application d'une pression du doigt sur la partie de corps (4) pour
ouvrir le cliquet (8, 9).
1. Abgabevorrichtung zum Ansetzen an den Rand einer Toilettenschüssel, mit einem Körper
(1) zur Aufnahme eines in die Toilettenschüssel auszugebenden Produktsteins und mit
einem an dem Körper (1) befestigten Haken (2), mit dem der Körper (1) an den Rand
einer Toilettenschüssel hängbar ist, wobei der Körper (1) einen ersten und einen zweiten
Körperteil (4; 5), die in einem Scharnier (6) relativ zueinander drehbar sind, sowie
mindestens eine lösbare Sperre (7; 8, 9) aufweist, mit der die Körperteile (4; 5)
in einem Schließzustand haltbar sind, wobei der Haken (2) an dem ersten Körperteil
(4) befestigt ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Abgabevorrichtung eine Vielzahl von Sperren (7; 8, 9) aufweist, mit denen die
Körperteile (4; 5) in einem Schließzustand haltbar sind, wobei mindestens zwei erste
indirekte Sperren (8, 9) so angeordnet sind, dass das Aufbringen von Druck auf gegenüberliegende
Seiten des Körpers (1) im wesentlichen parallel zum Scharnier (6) erforderlich ist,
um die Sperren (8, 9) zu lösen, dass mindestens eine zweite indirekte Sperre (7) an
der Abgabevorrichtung dem Scharnier (6) gegenüber vorgesehen ist, wobei die zweite(n)
indirekte(n) Sperre(n) (7) durch direkt auf den zweiten Körperteil (5) im wesentlichen
rechtwinklig zum Scharnier (6) aufgebrachten Druck lösbar ist, wobei die Sperren (7;
8, 9) so geformt sind, dass alle Sperren (7; 8, 9) gleichzeitig gelöst werden müssen,
um den Hauptteil (1) zu öffnen, und dass Druckelemente (20; 23) vorgesehen sind, die
aus einem der Körperteile (4; 5) vorstehen, sich im Schließzustand an den jeweils
anderen Körperteil (4; 5) anlegen und so angeordnet sind, dass sie einer Verformung
eines der Körperteile (4; 5) entgegenwirken, die indirekt durch ein Manipulieren dieses
einen Körperteils (4; 5) zum Lösen einer Sperre bzw. von Sperren des einen Typs (7;
8, 9) verursacht wird und die unfreiwllig eine Sperre (7; 8, 9) des anderen Typs lösen
will.
2. Abgabevorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, bei der die Druckelemente Rippen (20; 23) sind,
die aus einem der Körperteile (4; 5) zum jeweils anderen Körperteil (4; 5) hin vorstehen
und bei geschlossenem Hauptteil an einer Innenfläche des anderen Körperteils (4; 5)
anliegen.
3. Abgabevorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, bei der ein Druckelement (20) vorgesehen
ist, um einem Öffnen der zweiten Sperre(n) (7) infolge der zum Öffnen der ersten Sperren
(8, 9) aufgebrachten Kraft entgegen zu wirken.
4. Abgabevorrichtung nach einem der vorgehenden Ansprüche, deren Scharnier sich bei eingehängtem
Körper (1) auf dessen dem Haken (2) abgewandter Unterseite befindet.
5. Abgabevorrichtung nach einem der vorgehenden Ansprüche, bei der die Sperren (7; 8,
9) in Form einer Lasche vorliegen, die von einem Körperteil aus vorsteht und einen
Vorsprung (10; 11; 12) trägt, der in den Eingriff mit einem Sperrelement (13; 14)
im jeweils anderen Körperteil tritt.
6. Abgabevorrichtung nach einem der vorgehenden Ansprüche, bei der die ersten indirekten
Sperren (8, 9) Laschen aufweisen, die auf dem ersten Körperteil (4) angeordnet sind
und Vorsprünge (11; 12) tragen, die mit Öffnungen (13) im zweiten Körperteil interagieren.
7. Abgabevorrichtung nach einem der vorgehenden Ansprüche, deren zweite indirekte Sperre
(7) eine Lasche aufweist, die auf dem zweiten Körperteil (5) angeordnet ist und in
den Eingriff mit dem ersten Körperteil (4) tritt.
8. Abgabevorrichtung nach einem der vorgehenden Ansprüche, deren Scharnier (6) bei eingehängtem
Körper (1) sich auf dessen vom Haken (2) abgewandter Unterseite befindet, so dass
der Körper (1) durch Abwärtsschwenken des zweiten Körperteils (5) geöffnet wird.
9. Abgabevorrichtung nach einem der vorgehenden Ansprüche, bei der in der Außenfläche
des Körperteils (4), die einen Vorsprung (15; 16) trägt, an der Sperre (8, 9) eine
Vertiefung vorgesehen ist, um das Aufbringen von Druck mit den Fingern auf den Körperteil
(4) zum Öffnen der Sperre (8, 9) zu erleichtern.