[0001] The present invention is related to methods and devices for dispensing a liquid into a volume of another liquid. In particular, the invention relates the methods and devices that rely on the hydraulic pressure created by a fluctuating volume of water.

Background of the invention

[0002] Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are not to be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or form part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] It would be attractive, practically and commercially, to be able to clean receptacles containing water without the use of additional water and/or an excess of cleaning products.

[0004] In particular, when considering methods for cleaning toilets, these methods generally involve the addition of an excess of cleaning products to the toilet bowl, and multiple flushes accompanied by scrubbing, thereby wasting water and product and forcing the user to have contact with the toilet bowl.

[0005] It would be preferable if there were a means to continually clean a toilet during its normal use, as this would save water and also save cleaning products (as the toilet would not require extensive cleaning after a period of time). It would also be desirable if there was a means to clean a toilet without having contact with the toilet bowl.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate the above discussed disadvantages of the prior art, or at least offer a useful alternative.

Summary of the invention

[0007] Accordingly, in a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a hydraulically activated liquid dispenser comprising a liquid reservoir with an air intake means, a hydraulic dispensing unit, and an anchoring means, wherein the liquid reservoir and dispensing unit are fluidly connected.

[0008] The dispenser is intended for use in applications where the liquid needs to be sporadically, routinely, regularly or responsively dispensed into a volume of another liquid (preferably water) in which the dispenser is placed when in use. The volume of water would generally exist in a receptacle, and this receptacle may be a sink, fountain, tub or cistern or any other receptacle that has a fluctuating water level. [0009] The liquid being dispensed may be any liquid, preferably a cleaning liquid. The reservoir serves to retain the bulk of the liquid, while the dispensing unit facilitates the dispensation of small volumes of the liquid into the receptacle. As such, at any given time, the majority of the liquid in the liquid dispenser will generally be retained by the reservoir.

[0010] The reservoir, dispensing unit and anchoring means may be integrally formed, or may be separate components capable of connecting to form the liquid dispenser. The reservoir and dispensing unit may be separate components whereby the connection is facilitated by a clip-in or lock-and-key configuration, or the separate components may be screwed together. In embodiments of the invention, the dispensing unit and the reservoir are sperate components that are screwed together for use.

[0011] The reservoir may have a means of being refilled with the liquid, thus rendering the liquid dispenser re-usable, and this may be an opening that is separate or the same as the air-intake means. The reservoir may be refilled by an opening anywhere on the reservoir, and this opening may reside in the region of the reservoir that is in fluid connection with the dispensing unit.

[0012] In one embodiment of the invention, the liquid dispenser is for dispensing a cleaning liquid, the dispensing unit and the reservoir are separate components and the reservoir is refillable.

[0013] In embodiments of the invention, the liquid dispenser dispenses a cleaning liquid suitable for use in a toilet, and the receptacle is a toilet cistern containing water. It would be understood that by releasing a cleaning liquid into the water of the cistern, this cleaning liquid will then enter the toilet bowl during flushing, thereby cleaning the toilet.

[0014] Accordingly, in a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of cleaning a toilet, comprising the placing a liquid dispenser as defined herein into the cistern of said toilet and flushing said toilet, wherein the liquid is a cleaning liquid.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the invention, the liquid dispenser is for dispensing a toilet cleaning liquid into a receptacle that is a toilet cistern, the dispensing unit and the reservoir are separate components and the reservoir of the liquid dispenser is refillable.

[0016] The liquid dispenser may be made of any material(s), and/or combinations thereof, that are suitable for housing a liquid in a liquid, wherein the liquid dispenser and/or parts thereof are capable of at least partially floating in the liquid in the receptacle. In embodiments of the invention, the liquid dispenser and parts thereof are made of plastic, rubber and/or metal components.

[0017] When in use, the hydraulic dispensing unit is in communication, and fluidly connected, with both the reservoir and the volume of water in the receptacle in which the liquid dispenser is placed. The fluid connection is a connection whereby a fluid can flow from the reservoir to the dispensing unit. By hydraulic dispensing unit is meant a dispensing unit that dispenses a liquid in response to a fluctuation of the water level in the receptacle. When the dispenser is placed in a receptacle for use, the water level must be capable of fluctuating sufficiently such that at least the dispensing unit is below the water level (i.e. submerged) when the maximum water level is reached, and the dispensing unit is above the water level when the minimum water level is reached. The water level may be such that the entirety or the majority of the liquid dispenser is below the water level when the maximum water level is reached, or at intermediate water levels.

[0018] The dispensing unit may be configured in any way such that: when the dispensing unit is submerged, a particular volume of the liquid can enter the dispensing unit by the fluid connection with the reservoir, but generally cannot exit the dispensing unit; when the dispensing unit is partially submerged when the water level is dropping, a particular volume of liquid can both enter the dispensing unit by the fluid connection with the reservoir and exit the dispensing unit into the receptacle; and when the dispensing unit is not submerged, a particular volume of liquid can enter the dispensing unit by the fluid connection with the reservoir, but generally cannot exit the dispensing unit into the receptacle; when the dispensing unit is partially submerged when the water level is rising, a particular volume of liquid can both enter the dispensing unit by the fluid connection with the reservoir and exit the dispensing unit into the receptacle.

[0019] In embodiments of the invention whereby the water level in the receptacle drops quickly, but rises slowly (such as, for example, a cistern of a flushing toilet), the liquid can generally only exit the dispensing unit during a short period when the dispensing unit is partially submerged when the water level is rising as the cistern refills.

[0020] It would be understood by the skilled addressee that the liquid dispenser works on the principles of liquid displacement, thereby necessitating the need for an air intake means in the reservoir. The air intake means is any hole or aperture in the reservoir that allows air to enter to compensate for the reduction in liquid during dispensation. [0021] The anchoring means may be any means that maintains the dispenser in an orientation whereby the reservoir is above the dispensing unit when in use in a receptacle with a water level above the dispensing unit. In embodiments of the invention, the anchor also provides a support for the liquid dispenser at the bottom of the receptacle that prevents the dispensing unit from touching the bottom of the receptacle and potentially being blocked. In embodiments of the invention, the anchor is a frame.

[0022] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the liquid dispenser further comprises a flow control means positioned between the liquid reservoir and the dispensing unit. Fluidly connected means that a fluid can flow from the reservoir to the dispensing unit, though in preferred embodiments of the invention, the flow is regulated by a flow control means. The flow control means may be any means that hinders, retards or impedes the flow of the liquid from the reservoir into the dispensing unit. The flow control means may be form part of the reservoir or the dispensing unit, or may form part of the reservoir and the dispensing unit (i.e. , the flow control means may form part of the connection between the reservoir and the dispensing unit).

[0023] In embodiments of the invention wherein the dispensing unit and reservoir are integrally formed, the flow control means may be a narrowing of a region that connects the dispensing unit and reservoir, or an aperture or perforation in an internal partition separating the internal volumes of the dispensing unit and reservoir.

[0024] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the liquid dispenser is for dispensing a cleaning liquid, the dispensing unit and the reservoir are integrally formed, the reservoir is refillable, and the liquid dispenser further comprises a flow control means that is a narrowing of a region that connects the dispensing unit and reservoir.

[0025] In another embodiment of the invention, the liquid dispenser is for dispensing a cleaning liquid, the dispensing unit and the reservoir are integrally formed, the reservoir is refillable, the anchor is a frame, and the liquid dispenser further com prises a flow control means that is an aperture or perforation in an internal partition separating the internal volumes of the dispensing unit and reservoir.

[0026] In embodiments of the invention wherein the reservoir and dispensing unit are separate components the flow control means may form part of the dispensing unit and/or the reservoir. For example, the flow control means may be a narrowing of the region of the reservoir that communicates with the dispensing unit, and/or a narrowing of the region of the dispensing unit that communicates with the reservoir. The flow control means may also be an aperture or perforation in a seal or plug positioned between the reservoir and the dispensing unit, or in the region of the reservoir that communicates with the dispensing unit, or in the region of the dispensing unit that communicated with the reservoir. It would be understood any of these means would hinder, retard or impede the flow of the liquid from the reservoir into the dispensing unit, either alone or when used in combination.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the flow control means comprises a narrowing of the region of the reservoir that communicates with the unit, and/or an aperture in a plug in the region of the dispensing unit that communicates with the reservoir. The narrower the region of the reservoir and/or the narrower the aperture, the lesser the flow of liquid from the reservoir to the dispensing unit.

[0028] In a further embodiment of the invention, the liquid dispenser is for dispensing a toilet cleaning liquid into a receptacle that is a toilet cistern, the dispensing unit and the reservoir are separate components, the reservoir of the liquid dispenser is refillable, and the liquid dispenser further comprises a flow control means that comprises a narrowing of the region of the reservoir that communicates with the dispensing unit, and/or a narrowing of the region of the dispensing unit that communicates with the reservoir.

[0029] In an additional embodiment of the invention, the liquid dispenser is for dispensing a cleaning liquid, the dispensing unit and the reservoir are separate components, the reservoir of the liquid dispenser is refillable, the anchor is a frame, and the liquid dispenser further comprises a flow control means that comprises an aperture or perforation in a seal or plug between the reservoir and the dispensing unit.

[0030] The dispensing unit has an internal hollow volume that receives the liquid from the reservoir, and this volume can contribute to the determination of the amount of liquid that is dispensed from the liquid dispenser when in use. The amount of liquid dispensed from the liquid dispenser when in use will determined by a number of factors besides the internal volume of the dispensing unit, such as the flow control means, the viscosity of the liquid being dispensed and the volume of the reservoir (as this will affect the rate of flow of the liquid).

[0031] In embodiments of the invention, the dispensing unit comprises a hollow channel and a three-dimensional stopper. The internal volume of the dispensing unit comprises a hollow channel with a cross-section having a shape complementary to the stopper, such that the stopper may move along parts of the length of the channel wherein the greatest cross-sectional width of the channel is wider than the greatest wide of the three-dimensional stopper. The channel runs the length of the dispensing unit from the end of the dispensing unit in communication with the reservoir to the open end of the dispensing unit in communication with the water of the receptacle when the liquid dispenser is in use.

[0032] In embodiments of the invention, the liquid dispenser is for dispensing a cleaning liquid, the dispensing unit and the reservoir are integrally formed, the reservoir is refillable, the liquid dispenser further comprises a flow control means that is a narrowing of a region that connects the dispensing unit and reservoir, and the dispensing unit comprises a hollow channel and a stopper.

[0033] In a further embodiment of the invention, the liquid dispenser is for dispensing a toilet cleaning liquid into a receptacle that is a toilet cistern, the dispensing unit and the reservoir are separate components, the reservoir of the liquid dispenser is refillable, and the liquid dispenser further comprises a flow control means that comprises a narrowing of the region of the reservoir that communicates with the dispensing unit, and/or a narrowing of the region of the dispensing unit that communicates with the reservoir, and the dispensing unit comprises a hollow channel and a stopper.

[0034] In an additional embodiment of the invention, the liquid dispenser is for dispensing a cleaning liquid, the dispensing unit and the reservoir are separate components, the reservoir of the liquid dispenser is refillable, the anchor is a frame, the liquid dispenser further comprises a flow control means that comprises an aperture or perforation in a seal or plug between the reservoir and the dispensing unit, and the dispensing unit comprises a hollow channel and a stopper.

[0035] In embodiments of the invention, the hollow channel has a circular cross- section, wherein the internal diameter of the hollow channel differs along the length of the channel, and the stopper is a sphere with a diameter that is greater than the smallest internal diameter of the hollow channel, whilst also being smaller than the greatest internal diameter of the hollow channel. It would be understood that such a stopper would be able to move along the length of the hollow channel wherein the internal diameter of the channel is greater than the diameter of the sphere, but that the stopper would not be able to move past a section of the hollow channel wherein the internal diameter of the channel is less than the diameter of the sphere. [0036] The hollow channel may further comprise a stopper barrier which may be any barrier at, or near, the end of the dispensing unit in communication with the water in the receptacle that prevents the stopper from exiting the dispensing unit, but still allows the liquid to exit the dispensing unit into the receptacle when appropriate. In embodiments of the invention, the stopper barrier is a region of the hollow channel at, or near, the end of the dispensing unit in communication with the water in the receptacle that has an internal diameter less than the diameter of the spherical stopper.

[0037] In embodiments of the invention, the hollow channel has two regions with an internal diameter less than the diameter of the sphere separated by a length of the channel, wherein the internal diameter of the length of the channel separating the two regions is greater than the diameter of the sphere.

[0038] The stopper may be made of any buoyant material and may be hollow or solid, or partially solid, provided the stopper is sufficiently rigid as to not be compressible. The stopper need only be sufficiently buoyant such that the stopper will float within the hollow channel (i.e. , along the length of the channel with an internal diameter greater than the greatest diameter of the stopper) in response to the fluctuations in water level in the receptacle that the liquid dispenser is in when in use. For example, the stopper must be sufficiently buoyant such that the stopper moves towards that end of the dispensing unit in communication with the reservoir as the water level in the receptacle increases from the minimum water level to the maximum water level.

[0039] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the liquid dispenser is for dispensing a cleaning liquid, the dispensing unit and the reservoir are integrally formed, the reservoir is refillable, the liquid dispenser further comprises a flow control means that is a narrowing of a region that connects the dispensing unit and reservoir and the dispensing unit comprises a hollow channel with a circular cross-section and spherical stopper.

[0040] In a further embodiment of the invention, the liquid dispenser is for dispensing a toilet cleaning liquid into a receptacle that is a toilet cistern, the dispensing unit and the reservoir are separate components, the reservoir of the liquid dispenser is refillable, the anchor is a frame, the liquid dispenser further comprises a flow control means that comprises a narrowing of the region of the reservoir that communicates with the dispensing unit, and/or a narrowing of the region of the dispensing unit that communicates with the reservoir, and the dispensing unit comprises a hollow channel with a circular cross-section and spherical stopper, wherein the hollow channel has two regions with an internal diameter less than the diameter of the sphere separated by a length of the channel, wherein the internal diameter of the length of the channel separating the two regions is greater than the diameter of the sphere.

[0041] In an additional embodiment of the invention, the liquid dispenser is for dispensing a cleaning liquid, the dispensing unit and the reservoir are separate components, the reservoir of the liquid dispenser is refillable, the anchor is a frame, the liquid dispenser further comprises a flow control means that comprises an aperture or perforation in a seal or plug between the reservoir and the dispensing unit, and the dispensing unit comprises a hollow channel with a circular cross-section and spherical stopper, wherein the hollow channel has two regions with an internal diameter less than the diameter of the sphere separated by a length of the channel, wherein the internal diameter of the length of the channel separating the two regions is greater than the diameter of the sphere.

Detailed description of the invention

[0042] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The detailed description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding summary of the invention in any way.

[0043] Specific embodiments of the present invention are described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0044] Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional drawing of a liquid dispenser of the invention; and

[0045] Figure 2 shows a close-up cross-section of the dispensing unit, illustrating the position of the stopper when a) the dispensing unit is below the water level of the receptacle (solid stopper), b) the water level of the receptacle is dropping below or rising above the dispensing unit (dashed, transparent stopper) and c) the dispensing unit is above the water level of the receptacle (dotted, transparent stopper).

[0046] Figure 1 depicts a hydraulically activated liquid dispenser (100), with a liquid reservoir (1 10) having an air intake means (11 1 ), a hydraulic dispensing unit (120), and an anchor (130). The hydraulic dispensing unit and the reservoir are separate components joined by a fluid connection, and the anchor is a frame that ensures the reservoir sits above the dispensing unit when the liquid dispenser is placed in water. The anchor (130) depicted in Figure 1 acts in two ways by weighing the liquid dispenser down at the dispensing unit end, and by providing a structural barrier that prevents the dispensing unit from resting on the bottom of the receptacle. The liquid dispenser depicted in Figure 1 is approximately 19-20cm at its longest length, but the liquid dispenser may be any size depending on the size of the receptacle and the volume of liquid the reservoir needs to contain, and the volume of liquid the dispensing unit needs to dispense.

[0047] Figure 2 depicts the flow control means (140) and dispensing unit (120) of the liquid dispenser (100) shown in Figure 1. As can be seen from Figure 2, the reservoir and dispensing unit are separate components that can be screwed together to form the liquid dispenser, and the flow control means effectively form part of the reservoir and the dispensing unit.

[0048] The flow control means (140) in Figure 2 comprises a narrowing of the region of the reservoir that communicates with the dispensing unit (141 ), as well as a plug (142) with an aperture (143) in the end of the dispensing unit that communicates with the reservoir. This configuration maintains the fluid connection between the reservoir and the dispensing unit, but hinders the flow of the liquid into the dispensing unit. The aperture may be any width, such as, for example, 0.5 - 5mm, depending on the flow of liquid desired. In the embodiment depicted in Figure 2, the aperture (143) has a width of 0.8mm.

[0049] In Figure 2, the dispensing unit (120) comprises a hollow channel (121 ) and a stopper (122). As the channel has a circular cross-section, the stopper is a sphere so that the stopper can move up and down the channel as the water level of the receptacle fluctuates. The movement of the stopper (122) is restricted by the internal diameter of the channel. For example, the stopper may move up and down the channel provided the internal diameter of the channel is greater than the diameter of the sphere, while the stopper will be unable to move beyond a region of the channel with an internal diameter less that the diameter of the sphere. In the embodiment of the invention depicted in Figure 2, the stopper has a diameter of 10mm, while, for example, the smallest internal diameter of the stopper barrier (123) is approximately 8.34mm.

[0050] In Figure 2, the stopper can only move between two regions of the channel (124, 123) with internal diameters less than the diameter on the stopper. The position of the solidly drawn stopper is typical of the space the stopper would occupy in the dispensing unit when the dispensing unit is fully submerged in water. As the stopper is buoyant, the stopper would be pushed upwards in the dispensing unit until it could move no further by virtue of the narrowing of the internal diameter of the channel (124). In this position, the liquid would be able to flow into the space above the stopper, but the stopper would prevent the liquid from exiting the dispensing unit into the receptacle.

[0051] In Figure 2, the position of the transparent, dashed stopper is typical of the space the stopper would occupy in the dispensing unit when the dispensing unit is partially submerged (i.e., when the water level is dropping or rising in the receptacle). The stopper would drop or rise with the water level due to its buoyancy. In this position, the liquid in the space above the stopper can flow down the channel via the free space between the stopper and the internal wall of the channel (which is created because the internal diameter of the channel is greater than the diameter of the stopper), and exit the dispensing unit into the receptacle.

[0052] In Figure 2, the position of the transparent, dotted stopper is typical of the space the stopper would occupy in the dispensing unit when the dispensing unit is not submerged (i.e., when the water level of the receptacle has dropped below the dispensing unit). The stopper would drop with the water level due to its buoyancy until it could move no further by virtue of the narrowing of the internal diameter of the channel (123). In this position, the liquid would be able to flow into the dispensing unit, but the stopper would prevent the liquid from exiting the dispensing unit into the receptacle.

[0053] The hydraulic pressure of the fluctuating water in the receptacle is controlling the dispensation of the liquid by pushing the buoyant stopper up and down in the hollow channel of the dispensing unit.

[0054] The skilled addressee would appreciate that the embodiment of the present invention described in Figures 1 and 2 can be triggered to dispense a volume of cleaning liquid by the flush and refill of a toilet cistern, and therefore reduce the amount of cleaning fluid and water required to clean a toilet. The invention also minimise that contact a person must have with the toilet for cleaning purposes as the liquid dispenser is added to cistern and does not require the user touch or clean the toilet bowl directly.

[0055] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term“comprises” and its variations, such as“comprising” and“comprised of” is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

[0056] Throughout the specification and claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term "substantially" or "about" will be understood to not be limited to the value for the range qualified by the terms.

[0057] Any embodiment of the invention is meant to be illustrative only and is not meant to be limiting to the invention. Therefore, it should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to any embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.