Dispensing Means for a Liquid

Abstract

A dispensing means for delivering a dose of a first liquid into a second liquid is provided, the dispensing means comprising an enclosure ( 2, 3, 4 ) for accommodating the first liquid ( 12, 13 ), and dispersion means ( 15, 16 ), the dispersion means being adapted to receive a dose of the first liquid from the enclosure, and to deliver a dose of the first liquid into the second liquid when subjected to a flow of the second liquid. The dispersion means comprises a structure ( 15, 16 ) along which the first liquid is transportable and, in use, substantially all of the surface area of the dispersion means is exposed to the atmosphere. A surface of the dispersion means is curved such that the flow of the liquid when incident upon the surface is drawn over at least a portion of the surface.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
   
   
       23 . Dispensing means for delivering a dose of a first liquid into a second liquid, the dispensing means comprising an enclosure for accommodating the first liquid, and dispersion means, the dispersion means being adapted to receive a dose of the first liquid from the enclosure, and to deliver a dose of the first liquid into the second liquid when subjected to a flow of the second liquid, wherein the dispersion means comprise a structure along which the first liquid is transportable, the structure being a tube, characterised in that, in use, a wall of the tube is substantially vertical and both an internal and an external surface of the tube are exposed to the atmosphere, such that substantially all of the surface area of the dispersion means is exposed to the atmosphere. 
   
   
       24 . Dispensing means according to  claim 23 , wherein the dispensing means are for suspension below a rim of a lavatory bowl, the first liquid being a suitable additive to water (forming the second liquid) being flushed into the lavatory bowl. 
   
   
       25 . Dispensing means according to  claim 23 , wherein the structure is formed with at least one capillary channel for transporting the first liquid along the structure by capillary action. 
   
   
       26 . Dispensing means according to  claim 23 , wherein the structure is formed from a porous material capable of transporting the first liquid along the structure by capillary action. 
   
   
       27 . Dispensing means according to  claim 23 , wherein a surface of the dispersion means is curved such that the flow of the second liquid, when incident upon the surface, is drawn over at least a portion of the surface. 
   
   
       28 . Dispensing means according to  claim 27 , wherein the enclosure is divided into two separate enclosures, each with respective dispersion means, and the surface of at least one of the dispersion means is curved such that when the dispersion means are subjected to the flow of the second liquid, the second liquid incident on the surface is drawn over at least a portion of the surface and directed onto a surface of the other dispersion means. 
   
   
       29 . Dispensing means according to  claim 28 , wherein the surfaces of both the dispersion means are curved such that when either dispersion means are subjected to the flow of the second liquid, the second liquid incident on the surface of the dispersion means is drawn over at least a portion of the surface and directed onto a surface of the other dispersion means. 
   
   
       30 . A liquid rim dispenser intended for suspension from a rim of a toilet bowl adjacent a wall thereof, in the path of flushing water during a flushing operation, said liquid rim dispenser comprising a container for holding at least one liquid active composition, a base for holding the container, at least one cylindrical hollow porous substrate supported by the base and means for suspending the base from the rim of a toilet bowl, the internal surface of the hollow porous substrate being open to the surrounding atmosphere, characterised in that the hollow porous substrate is arranged such that, in use, the wall of the substrate is substantially vertical and becomes loaded with the at least one liquid active composition from the top downwards, and the external surface of the substrate is exposed to the flushing water.