This invention relates to a dispensing apparatus, in particular a dispensing apparatus which is adapted to retain a container for applying fluids.

A current method of dispensing fluids, for example for removing stains from a surface to be cleaned or applying a protective fluid, for example a polish or a varnish, to a surface, employs a liquid material which is stored in a reservoir enclosed within a body of a dispensing apparatus.

When the reservoir becomes empty, a portion of the dispensing apparatus must be removed in order to provide access to the reservoir to enable the reservoir to be refilled with liquid material. Consequently, the act of refilling the reservoir is relatively time-consuming and inefficient.

In general, the liquid material for use within the reservoir is prepared from a concentrate which must be premixed with water in the required proportions prior to use. The need to prepare the premixed concentrate and water is time consuming and could result in the liquid material used in the dispensing apparatus having the wrong proportions of concentrate and water.

Consequently, the liquid material may be too diluted to remove a stain efficiently or may be too concentrated and may cause damage to the surface to be cleaned.

As the liquid material must be prepared and placed into the reservoir, there is a potential for the wrong volume of material to be placed in the dispensing apparatus. If too little liquid material is placed in the apparatus for a required application, it will be necessary to refill the reservoir before the required application is completed. If too much liquid material is placed in the apparatus, liquid material may remain in the reservoir after use and could, if left for a period of time, form a blockage within the apparatus.

There is a need for an apparatus in which the liquid material is contained in a readily accessible removable container such that the time taken to replenish a quantity of the liquid material within the apparatus is minimised.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing apparatus which overcomes or minimises these problems.

According to the present invention there is provided a dispensing apparatus having a body including: a containment portion adapted to contain a container of a fluid for application of the fluid; retaining means mounted relative to the containment portion of the body adapted to retain the container; and means for releasing the fluid from the container.

The containment portion may have an open external face.

The container may be a pressurised container.

The retaining means may be in the form of a catch arrangement mounted in the containment portion and adapted to secure to a region, preferably a forward region, of the container. A portion of the catch arrangement, nearest in use to the secured region of the container, may have a bevelled edge. The catch arrangement may be a spring-biased catch arrangement. Detents may be provided within the containment portion to restrain movement of a nozzle of the container relative to the containment portion.

Alternatively, the retaining means may comprise a retaining member pivotally mounted on the containment portion of the body. The retaining member may be provided with clip means for maintaining the retaining member in position relative to the containment portion. The retaining member may be provided with detents to restrain movement of a nozzle of the container relative to the containment portion.

The means for releasing fluid from the container may comprise a lever arrangement. The lever arrangement may be adapted to move a body of the container within the containment portion relative to a nozzle thereof.

The lever arrangement may be provided with retaining means, preferably hook- shaped retaining means, to retain a region, preferably a rearward region, of the container within the containment portion of the body.

The retaining means on the lever and the retaining means mounted relative to the containment portion may act so as to apply pressure to the container.

The container may be provided with a nozzle having an aperture substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the container.

The container may be provided with a nozzle which is adapted to be positioned in use within the containment portion at an inclined angle to a surface to which the fluid is to be applied. The inclined angle may be in a range from 15 degrees to 75 degrees, preferably in a range from 30 degrees to 60 degrees, and most preferably substantially 50 degrees.

The containment portion may be provided in a lower region of the body.

The released fluid may be a cleaning fluid, for example a premixed cleaning fluid.

Means may be provided to remove the released fluid from a surface, for example suction generating means.

The fluid removed from the surface may be retained in a fluid containing portion of the body.

The fluid containing portion may be provided in a forward region of the body.

The fluid containing portion may be provided with an inlet adapted to permit the removal of the fluid from the surface.

A duct may be provided extending from the inlet towards the suction generating means. The duct may terminate at an end within the fluid containing portion.

A baffle member adapted to deflect away the cleaning fluid removed from the surface from the suction generating means may be provided in the fluid containing portion. The baffle member may be provided adjacent to the end of the duct within the fluid containing portion.

The fluid containing portion of the body may be removable from the body to enable the fluid within the fluid containing portion to be discharged. Alternatively, a part of the fluid containing portion may be movable, preferably removable, to enable the fluid within the fluid containing portion to be discharged.

The suction generating means may comprise a motor and a fan.

The motor may be provided in a rearward region of the body. Connection means between the motor and a mains power supply may be provided. Alternatively, a battery may be provided to power the motor.

Switch means may be provided to energise the motor.

The fan may be positioned between the fluid containing portion of the body and the motor.

The fluid containing portion, the motor and the fan may be positioned above the containment portion.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, byway of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic view, partially in cross-section, of an embodiment of a dispensing apparatus in accordance with the present invention orientated, as in use, relative to a surface;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a forward portion of the dispensing apparatus in Figure 1 viewed from the front of the apparatus;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the forward portion in Figure 1 , viewed from a side of the apparatus;

Figure 4 is a bottom view of a lower portion of the dispensing apparatus in Figure

1 ;

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of part of a further embodiment of a dispensing apparatus according to the present invention; and

Figure 6 is an end elevational view of the dispensing apparatus part shown in Figure 5.

As shown in Figure 1 , an embodiment of a dispensing apparatus comprises a body 1 having effectively four portions. Three portions 3, 5, 7 form an upper region of the body 1 and a further portion 8 forms a lower region of the body 1.

The body 1 of the dispensing apparatus is suitably moulded of plastics material.

A rearward portion 3 of the upper region of the body 1 houses an electric motor 9 and connection means (not shown) to a mains power supply.

Switch means 11 is provided to permit a user to energise and de-energise the motor 9 as desired.

A curved handle means 13 is provided on an outer face of the rearward portion 3.

Extending through the rearward portion 3 is a lever arrangement incorporating a lever 15. The lever 15 is arranged to pivot about a pivot pin 17 arranged substantially parallel to a surface 19 to be cleaned and perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the apparatus. The pivot pin 17 is provided within the rearward portion 3. An upper end 21 of the lever 15 extends from an aperture in an upper face of the rearward portion 3. The upper end 21 of the lever is provided with a grip means to facilitate the movement of the lever by a user. The lever 15 will be discussed further hereinafter.

An intermediate portion 5 of the upper region of the body 1 houses a fan 23 adapted to generate suction within the body of the dispensing apparatus. The fan 23 is rotatably connected to the motor 9. A wall 25 separating the rearward portion 3 from the intermediate portion 5 supports the fan 23 in position. Exhaust means (not shown) for the fan 23 are provided in side walls of the intermediate portion.

As shown in Figure 2, a forward portion 7 of the upper region of the body 1 is provided with an elongate inlet 29 in a lower wall 31 of the forward portion 7. The elongate inlet 29 extends substantially across the entire width of the lower wall

31 of the forward portion. A duct 33 extends within the forward portion 7 from the inlet 29 to a rearward region of the forward portion 7. An upper wall 37 of the duct 33 is formed by a forward wall of the forward portion 7. The duct 33 has a fluted shape at its lower end such that in a region of the duct 33 adjacent to the inlet 29, the duct 33 widens to extend substantially across the entire width of the inlet 29. The duct enables material, for example a liquid-form cleaning material, to be drawn up from a surface into the body of the dispensing apparatus. A

rearward end of the duct, furthest from the inlet 29, may be provided with curved members adapted to disperse material exiting the duct.

Provided in a rear wall 41 of the forward portion 7 is an aperture (not shown) through which suction generated by the fan 23 is transmitted into the forward portion 7. A substantially box-shaped shield member 45 is provided over the aperture in the rear wall 41 to prevent liquid being drawn into the fan 23.

Apertures 47 provided in upper regions of side walls of the shield member 45 provide pathways through which the suction can be transmitted into the forward portion 7.

Provided within the forward portion 7 between the box-shaped shield member 45 and the rearward end of the duct 33 is a removable baffle member 49 which is attached to the rear wall 41. The baffle member 49 may be tapered so as to be laterally narrower at its forward end. The baffle member is dimensioned such that the baffle member extends across an entire open face of the forward portion 7. Side walls of the baffle member are releasibly held in position relative to side walls of the forward portion 7, for example by friction, with an elastomeric seal being provided between the periphery of the rear wall and the side walls of the forward portion 7.

The baffle member 49 is shaped and dimensioned to deflect liquid, drawn up the duct 33 by the generated suction, away from the rear wall of the forward portion, and thus away from the suction generating means, such that the liquid is retained within a front region of the forward portion 7.

If foamed material is drawn up into the apparatus, the baffle member 49 deflects the foam such that air and liquid components of the foam are separated. The liquid flows forward under gravity into the front region of the forward portion while the separated air is drawn out of the forward portion via the aperture in the rear wall 41.

The baffle member 49, as shown in Figures 1 , 2 and 3, is provided with an upper concave deflecting surface 51 positioned a distance from the rearward end of the duct 33, an intermediate arcuate deflecting surface 53 positioned adjacent to the rearward end of the duct 33, and a lower planar deflecting surface 55 arranged, in use, to slope downwards towards the lower wall 31 of the forward portion 7 and a liquid storage compartment 56.

The forward portion 7 is detachable from the rear wall 41 , for example to enable liquid within the liquid storage compartment 56 of the forward portion to be discharged and to allow for cleaning of the forward portion. The forward portion

7 is retained in place on the body 1 by lower securing pegs 59 and an upper spring-biased catch arrangement 61 , as shown in Figure 1.

As an alternative to the arrangement shown in Figure 3, an aperture may be formed in the surface of the baffle between the upper deflecting surface 51 and the intermediate deflecting surface 53 to allow foam to pass into an inner compartment where liquid and gas are able to separate. The lower wall of the inner compartment is formed with an aperture to allow liquid to pass into the liquid storage compartment 56. The forward portion 7 is detachable from the rear wall 41 , for example to enable liquid within the front region of the forward portion to be discharged and to allow for cleaning of the forward portion. The forward portion 7 is retained in place on the body 1 by lower securing pegs 59 and an upper spring-biased catch arrangement 61, as shown in Figure 1.

A lower portion 8, forming the lower region of the body 1 is position beneath the rearward portion 3, intermediate portion 5 and forward portion 7, as shown in Figure 1.

The lower portion 8 houses a container in the form of a pressurised aerosol spray canister 65 comprising a body 67 and an outlet nozzle 69 arrangement as known to a person skilled in the art. The pressurised aerosol spray canister 65 contains a cleaning material, preferable a premixed cleaning material, in theform

of a liquid which foams on release from the pressurised aerosol spray canister 65.

A lower face 71 and a first rearward face 73 of the lower portion 8, shown in Figure 1 , are open.

A support strut 75 (see Figure 4) may be provided extending across a lower rear region of the first rearward face 73 of the lower portion 8 to retain a rearward part of the body of the pressurised aerosol spray canister 65 within the lower portion 8.

Provided at a rearward end of the first rearward face 73 is a second rearward face 77, the second rearward face 77 being open in a lower region and being provided in an upper region with a pair of spaced apart substantially planar rear detents 79, as shown in Figure 4. The rear detents 79 prevent the removal of the pressurised aerosol spray canister 65 from the lower portion 8 in the direction of the second rearward face 77.

Positioned within a space between the rear detents 79 is a lower end 81 of the lever 15 which passes through the rearward portion 3, as described hereinbefore.

The lower end 81 of the lever 15 is in the shape of a hook. The lower end is adapted to hook into a recess 83 provided in a rearward region of the pressurised aerosol spray canister 65 (see Figure 1). The lower end 81 of the lever 15 retains a rear part of an upper side of the pressurised aerosol spray canister 65 substantially in contact with an upper face 85 of the lower portion 8.

As shown in Figure 4, a pair of forward detents 87 are provided on a front face 89 of the lower portion 8. The forward detents 87 are arranged to abut either side of a forwardly facing region of the outlet nozzle 69 of the pressurised aerosol spray canister 65. A space is provided between the forward detents 87

corresponding to the position of an aperture in the nozzle 69. The aperture of the nozzle 69 is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the aerosol spray canister 65.

A spring-biased catch arrangement 91 , biased by spring 99, is provided in a forward upper region of the lower portion 8. The spring-biased catch arrangement 91 is provided with a retaining member 93 on the end of an arm. The arm of the spring-biased catch arrangement is pivotable about a pivot pin 97 within the lower portion 8.

A bevelled, that is sloping, edge 94 of the retaining member 93 is positioned, in use, in a recess 95 provided in an upper forward edge of the pressurised aerosol spray canister 65 (see Figure 1). The bevelled edge 94 narrows as it extends away from the front face 89 of the lower portion 8. The spring-biasing of the bevelled edge 94 of the retaining member within the recess 95 enables the retaining member to allow for manufacturing tolerances which might occur in the size of the recess 95 of the pressurised aerosol spray canister 65. The spring- biasing of the bevelled edge 94 also facilitates the insertion of the retaining member into the recess as will be explained further hereafter.

The retaining member 93 of the spring-biased catch arrangement 91 retains a forward part of the upper side of the pressurised aerosol spray canister 65 substantially in contact with the upper face 85 of the lower portion 8.

The retaining member 93 of the spring-biased catch arrangement 91 and the lower end 81 of the lever 15 urge the pressurised aerosol canister 65 towards each other. However, movement of the nozzle 69 of the canister in the direction urged by the lower end of the lever 15 is resisted by the forward detents 87. This allows only the body of the canister to move, and not the nozzle, effectively causing depression of the nozzle and actuation of the spray while the nozzle remains in a constant position relative to the body of the apparatus. Maintaining the nozzle in a constant position has the advantage that the direction and spread

of the spray from the nozzle relative to the surface 19 to be cleaned remains consistent.

A dispensing apparatus in accordance with the present invention can be used to clean stains and marks from a surface 19.

In use of an embodiment of a dispensing apparatus according to the present invention, as shown in Figure 1 , the body 1 of the dispensing apparatus is held by the handle means 13 in an inclined orientation relative to a surface 19 to be cleaned such that a substantially planar face of the inlet 29 of the forward portion

7 is substantially in contact with the surface 19 to be cleaned.

The forward face of the lower portion 8 is positioned in a region of the surface 19 to be cleaned corresponding to a stain on the surface 19. Consequently, the outlet nozzle 69 of the aerosol spray canister is positioned within the lower portion 8 at an inclined angle of substantially 50 degrees to the surface to be cleaned. It should be appreciated that the angle of inclination could be in a range from 15 degrees to 75 degrees, preferable in a range from 30 degrees to 60 degrees.

Movement of the upper end 21 of the lever 15, extending from the rearward portion 3, in a rearward direction relative to the body of the dispensing apparatus causes the lever 15 to pivot about the pivot pin 17 and to urge the lower end 81 of the lever 15 against the lower part of the body 67 of the pressurised aerosol spray canister 65 positioned in the lower portion 8. Pressure from the lower end of the lever 15 on the pressurised aerosol spray canister 65 causes the body 67 of the pressurised aerosol spray canister 65 to be moved towards the forward face of the lower portion 8.

The forward detents 87 of the body 1 substantially prevent movement of the nozzle 69 of the pressurised aerosol spray canister 65 towards the forward face of the lower portion 8. Consequently, applied force from the lower end 81 of the

lever 15 moves the body 67 of the pressurised aerosol spray canister 65 relative to the nozzle 69 arrangement. When sufficient pressure is applied by the lever 15 to the body 67 of the pressurised aerosol spray canister 65, a quantity of the liquid-form cleaning material within the pressurised aerosol spray canister 65 is expelled from the nozzle in a manner known to a person skilled in the art.

The expelled liquid-form cleaning material from within the pressurised aerosol spray canister 65 passes through the aperture in the forward wall of the lower portion 8 and the liquid-form cleaning material is deposited on the stain on the surface 19 to be cleaned. Due to the angle of inclination of the nozzle 69 of the pressurised aerosol spray canister 65 to the surface 19 to be cleaned, the liquid- form cleaning material impinges on the stain at an oblique angle. In the case of a stain on a surface 19 with a pile, for example a carpet, the application of the liquid-form cleaning material at an angle to the surface 19 enables the liquid- form cleaning material to penetrate the pile and to substantially coat components of material forming the stain within the pile of the surface 19 to be cleaned.

The liquid-form cleaning material, as it is designed to foam on release from the pressurised aerosol spray canister 65, agitates components of the stain on the surface 19 to be cleaned, dislodging components of the stain from the surface

19.

To remove the stain from the surface 19 to be cleaned, the motor 9 of the dispensing apparatus is energised by the switch means 11. The energised motor 9, and the associated fan 23, cause suction to be generated in the duct 33 and at the inlet 29 of the forward portion 7.

The dispensing apparatus is moved backwards and forwards relative to the surface 19 to be cleaned such that the inlet 29 of the dispensing apparatus is repeatedly passed over the position of the stain and the expelled liquid-form cleaning material.

The movement of the inlet 29 relative to the stain and the liquid-form cleaning material agitates the cleaning material with the components of the stain on the surface 19 to be cleaned. The suction generated at the inlet 29 causes the liquid-form cleaning material and the components of the stain entrapped therein to be drawn into the inlet 29 and though the duct 33 to the baffle member 49 of the forward portion 7.

As shown by arrows 201 in Figure 3, the liquid-form cleaning material and the components of the stain, on exiting the upper end of the duct 33, impinge on the upper concave deflecting surface 51 and are deflected away from the upper end of the duct 33, over the intermediate arcuate deflecting surface 53 and onto the lower planar deflecting surface 55 before settling in the front region of the forward portion 7.

The arrangement of the arcuate deflecting surfaces and the planar surface causes any air bubbles formed within the liquid-form cleaning material drawn into the body 1 to be dissipated thus preventing a build up of entrapped air within the liquid-form cleaning material accumulated in the forward portion 7.

The steps of expelling liquid-form cleaning material onto a surface 19 and removing the liquid-form cleaning material from the surface 19 can be repeated as many times as is necessary to remove the stain from the surface 19.

The liquid-form cleaning material removed from a surface 19 to be cleaned is temporarily accumulated in the liquid storage compartment 56 of the forward portion 7.

When the forward portion 7 is to be emptied, the spring-biased catch arrangement 61 is released and the forward portion 7 is detached from the body 1 of the dispensing apparatus. The liquid-form cleaning material and entrained stain components within the forward portion 7 can be readily discharged from within the forward portion by removing the baffle member 49. After the liquid-

form cleaning material and stain components within the forward portion has been discharged, the baffle member 49 is replaced and the forward portion 7 is replaced on the body 1 of the dispensing apparatus.

As described hereinbefore, the pressurised aerosol spray canister 65 of a dispensing apparatus in accordance with the present invention is retained within the lower portion 8 by the rear detents 79, the hook-shaped lower end 81 of the lever 15, the forward detents 87 and the retaining member 93 of the spring- biased catch arrangement 91. When empty, the aerosol spray canister 65 can be removed from the lower portion 8 for refilling or for replacement.

To remove the aerosol spray canister 65, the retaining member 93 of the spring- biased catch arrangement 91 is released from the recess 95 in the forward edge of the aerosol spray canister. The aerosol spray canister is then extracted from the lower chamber through the first rearward face 73.

The replacement or refilled aerosol spray canister is inserted into the lower portion 8 of the dispensing apparatus, via the first rearward face 73 of the lower portion 8, such that the nozzle 69 of the pressurised aerosol spray canister 65 abuts the forward detents 87 of the lower portion 8 and the hook-shaped lower end 81 of the lever 15 is positioned in the recess 83 in the rearward region of the pressurised aerosol spray canister.

As the pressurised aerosol spray canister is inserted into the lower portion 8, the bevelled edge 94 of the retaining member 93 is urged against an outer edge of the forward edge of the aerosol spray canister recess 95. Continued insertion of the aerosol spray canister causes the bevelled edge to move relative to the outer edge of the canister until the bevelled edge can be urged by the spring-biasing into the recess 95 in the forward edge of the aerosol spray canister. The retaining member 93 of the spring-biased catch arrangement 91 is then positioned in the recess 95 in the forward edge of the aerosol spray canister to secure the canister within the lower portion.

Although the use of mains power has been described for energising the motor 9, it should be appreciated that a dispensing apparatus in accordance with the present invention could incorporate an internal power source, for example a battery. The battery may be rechargeable, either within the dispensing apparatus or externally of the dispensing apparatus. Alternatively the battery may be replaceable.

It should also be appreciated that a non-pressurised container may be used in a dispensing apparatus in accordance with the present invention to contain a liquid-form material, and that the liquid form material may not be premixed prior to use.

Although the lever 15 has been described as releasing the cleaning material from the pressurised canister 65 by moving the canister relative to a restrained nozzle, it should be appreciated that a lever, for example positioned in a suitable position on the body, could be used to release the cleaning material by other means, for example by pressing directly on a portion of the nozzle.

Although a specific configuration of deflecting surfaces has been described for the baffle member 49, it should be appreciated that the baffle member 49 could comprise other configurations of deflecting surfaces.

It should be appreciated that the forward portion 7 may not be removable from the body 1 of the dispensing apparatus and as such liquid temporarily contained within the forward portion 7 could be discharged through a movable wall, for example a removable wall, provided in the forward portion 7 of the body 1.

It should be appreciated that a dispensing apparatus in accordance with the present invention may not have means for removing released fluid from a surface and consequently may not have a portion of the body for containing removed fluid. A dispensing apparatus in accordance with the present invention may apply a fluid onto a surface for a purpose other than for cleaning the

surface, for example for the application of a protective material such as a polish or a varnish.

Figures 5 and 6 show part of a further embodiment of a dispensing apparatus according to the present invention provided with an alternative arrangement for retaining the forward part of the pressurised aerosol spray canister (not shown in Figures 5 and 6 for clarity). The pressurised canister extends between side walls of the lower portion 8 of the apparatus and is retained in place by a pivotable retaining member 101 , for example of clear plastics material. The retaining member 101 is pivotably mounted at a forward end thereof for rotation about a generally horizontal sleeve 103. The sleeve 103 is connected to a main body of the retaining member by way of a plurality of curved legs 105. The nozzle of the pressurised canister is adapted to pass between the two inner legs 105 and to bear against a curved lip 107 between the legs. Integrally formed with the two outer legs 105 are two forward detents 109 which are adapted to engage either side of the outlet nozzle of the aerosol canister such that forward movement of the aerosol canister results in cleaning material being dispensed and subsequent rearward movement of the canister seals the nozzle once again. A forward region 111 of the retaining member is bulbous to accommodate the aerosol canister.

Two clips 113 are provided, one at each side of a rear region of the retaining member 101. The clips 113 are resilient and are formed with a recess 115 for engaging with each side of the lower portion 8 of the apparatus. In this way the clips can be urged towards each other to release and engage the rear region of the retaining member relative to the sides of the lower portion 8 and can be released to allow the recess 115 to engage with the side of the lower portion to maintain the retaining member in position with an aerosol canister between the sides of the lower portion 8.

For additional stability a locking member 117 extends upwardly from the retaining member and engages either side of a web 119 formed in the side walls of the lower portion 8.