Dispensing device

Abstract

A dispensing device for suspension from a rim of a lavatory bowl to dispense an additive into a flow of water when the lavatory is flushed, the device comprising a receptacle for the additive, dispensing means ( 36, 42, 60 ) operable when subjected to the flow of water to dispense a portion of the additive into the water, a guide member ( 20 ) slidable between an extended position and a retracted position and operable to direct the flow of water onto the dispensing means ( 36, 42, 60 ), and a hanger engageable with the rim of the bowl to suspend the device in the bowl, wherein the device further includes biasing means ( 58, 62 ) arranged to urge the guide member ( 20 ) into the extended position, such that when the dispensing device is suspended from the rim, the guide member ( 20 ) engages with a wall of the bowl.

1 . A dispensing device for suspension from a rim of a lavatory bowl to dispense an additive into a flow of water when the lavatory is flushed, the device comprising a receptacle for the additive, dispensing means operable when subjected to the flow of water to dispense a portion of the additive into the water, a guide member slidable between an extended position and a retracted position and operable to direct the flow of water onto the dispensing means, and a hanger engagable with the rim of the bowl to suspend the device in the bowl, wherein the device further includes biasing means arranged to urge the guide member into the extended position, such that when the dispensing device is suspended from the rim, the guide member engages with a wall of the bowl. 
   
   
       2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle comprises a reservoir for a liquid additive, and the dispensing means comprise a structure adapted to receive the portion of the additive from the reservoir and to release the portion of the additive into the water when subjected to the flow of water. 
   
   
       3 . A device according to  claim 2 , wherein the structure comprises a porous element, the portion of the additive being received into the porous element and rinsed from the element by the flow of water. 
   
   
       4 . A device according to  claim 3 , wherein the element comprises a tube that is disposed such that when the device is suspended from the rim, an axis of the tube is generally vertical. 
   
   
       5 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the biasing means comprise at least one elongate element, the at least one element being secured by at least one end within the device and urged into engagement with a component of the device so as to exert a force on the component that acts to urge the guide member into the extended position. 
   
   
       6 . A device according to  claim 5 , wherein the biasing means include spring means operable to urge the at least one element into engagement with the component of the device. 
   
   
       7 . A device according to  claim 6 , wherein the at least one element is pivotally secured by one end within the device, and pivotable about said end by the spring means into engagement with the component of the device. 
   
   
       8 . A device according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one element is resiliently deformable, and deformed such that the resilience of the element urges it into engagement with the component of the device. 
   
   
       9 . A device according to  claim 5 , wherein the engagement of the at least one element with the component of the device is such that the direction of movement of the guide member as the guide member slides from the extended position to the retracted position forms an acute angle with at least a portion of the or each element in contact with the component of the device, and movement of the guide member from the extended position to the retracted position causes said acute angle to decrease. 
   
   
       10 . A device according to  claim 8 , wherein the biasing means comprise first and second resilient elongate elements, one end of each element being secured within the device and the other end of each element, or a region near to the other end of each element, engaging the component of the device such that each element is deformed and exerts a force on the component that acts to urge the guide member into the extended position. 
   
   
       11 . A device according to  claim 5 , wherein the biasing means comprise first and second substantially rigid elongate elements and spring means, one end of each element being pivotally secured within the device and the spring means acting on each element so as to cause an angular displacement of each element about the secured end, such that the other end of each element, or a region near to the other end of each element, engages the component of the device and thereby exerts a force on the component that acts to urge the guide member into the extended position. 
   
   
       12 . A device according to  claim 8 , wherein the biasing means comprise a single elongate element, the ends of the element being secured within the device and the element forming a first curve in one direction so as to define an outer edge of the element, and the outer edge of the element engaging the component so as to deform at least a portion of the first curve by forming a second curve in the opposite direction, and sliding the guide member from the extended position to the retracted position enlarges the second curve. 
   
   
       13 . A device according to  claim 12 , wherein the elongate element is formed with the first curve and the ends of the element are secured within the device with the first curve directed in the first direction to define the outer edge of the element. 
   
   
       14 . A device according to  claim 13 , wherein the first curve is an arc of a circle. 
   
   
       15 . A device according to  claim 12 , wherein the elongate element is a strip, the ends of the strip are fastened to the guide member, a face of the strip forms said outer edge, and said outer edge engages the dispensing means. 
   
   
       16 . A device according to  claim 15 , wherein the engagement of the outer edge of the resilient element with the dispensing means is such that when the guide member is in the retracted position, the resilient element forms the first curve in the first direction and a portion of the element forms the second curve in the opposite direction.