| (19) |
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(11) |
EP 0 956 802 A2 |
| (12) |
EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
| (43) |
Date of publication: |
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17.11.1999 Bulletin 1999/46 |
| (22) |
Date of filing: 17.02.1999 |
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| (51) |
International Patent Classification (IPC)6: A47K 5/12 |
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| (84) |
Designated Contracting States: |
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AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE |
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Designated Extension States: |
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AL LT LV MK RO SI |
| (30) |
Priority: |
17.02.1998 ZA 9801267
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| (71) |
Applicant: Turk, Marc Timothy |
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Pinetown (ZA) |
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| (72) |
Inventor: |
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- Turk, Marc Timothy
Pinetown (ZA)
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| (74) |
Representative: Hutchins, Michael Richard et al |
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FRY HEATH & SPENCE
The Old College
53 High Street
Horley
Surrey RH6 7BN
Horley
Surrey RH6 7BN (GB) |
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| |
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(57) A dispenser (10) for dish washing liquid comprises a reservoir which is fixed at
a suitable location and which has a flexible pipe (14) attached to its outlet, the
flexible pipe having a dispenser pump for discharge of a predetermined volume of the
liquid.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a dispenser for liquids such as soap solutions and the
like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Dishwashing liquid is invariably used directly from the container in which it is
purchased. This involves the squeezing of the container until, in the judgement of
the user, the desired amount has been added to the washing-up water. This is usually
a haphazard affair and generally results in far too much soap being added for the
quantity of dishes to be washed. In additions, there is the ever present container
next to the sink which is unsightly and which results in the deposit of excess soap
solution which oozes down the sides of the container. The container is more often
than not of a shape which is unstable and may easily be knocked over.
[0003] Substantially the same problems apply to washing machines, wash hand basins, showers
and the like.
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a dispense which eliminates the
above unsatisfactory aspects.
THE INVENTION
[0005] According to the invention a dispenser for a liquid includes a reservoir adapted
to be fixed at a location and having a flexible outlet with a dispenser pump adapted
to discharge a predetermined volume of the liquid.
[0006] In this specification a dispenser pump is intended to refer to a pump having a nozzle,
the latter being depressed to create a vacuum or partial vacuum in its chamber of
predetermined volume and which on being released causes a predetermined volume of
liquid to be ejected therefrom.
[0007] Thus, in a kitchen situation, the reservoir may be located above or remote from the
sink, the flexible outlet being long enough to reach the sink. The reservoir may include
a formation adapted to accommodate the dispenser pump.
EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0008] An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying
drawing which is a sectional view of a dispenser according to the invention.
[0009] In the drawing, a dispenser 10 is located above a sink and is provided with a flexible
tube 14 which, in its inoperative position is held in a clamp 16 which is above the
level of liquid in the dispenser. When required for dispensing the liquid, the flexible
tube is removed from the clamp 16 and guided to its required discharge position in
the sink. Actuation of the hand held spring operated nozzle 12 causes a predetermined
volume of the liquid to be discharged into the sink and the tube can then be returned
to its stored position.
1. A dispenser for a liquid includes a reservoir adapted to be fixed at a suitable location
and having a flexible outlet with a dispenser pump adapted to discharge a predetermined
volume of the liquid.
2. The dispenser according to claim 1 in which the reservoir is adapted to be located
above or remote from a kitchen sink.
3. The dispenser according to claim 1 in which the reservoir includes a formation adapted
to accommodate the dispenser pump in a stored position.