US4450594A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tank dispenser with end-of-life indicator
Assignee: RT FRENCH COMPANY
•
Filing: 1983-05-02
•
Granted: 1984-05-29
•
Expires: 2003-05-02
Abstract
Abstract A disc-shaped, soluble, chlorine base tablet is supported in a disposable plastic container on the upper ends of a pair of spaced partitions, which extend between the sidewalls of the container adjacent its midpoint. Movably mounted between the partitions beneath the tablet is an inverted, cup-shaped member, which has a water soluble dye cast or otherwise secured in its closed, upper end. The container has therein a pair of vertically spaced ports, and is adapted to be mounted in an upright position adjacent the bottom of a conventional toilet tank so that the lower port in the container permits a limited amount of water to flow in and out of the container each time the tank is flushed. After repeated flushings the water soluble tablet dissolves to a point where it permits the inverted cup member to float upwardly in the container, and to swing towards its upright position so that water in the container flows into engagement with the dye compositions. The dye then dissolves and is dispensed with the flushing water into the toilet bowl to provide a visible indication that the container should be replaced.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter Hotchkin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 04:18
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D9/00; E03D9/02; E03D9/03; E03D9/033; E03D9/038; E03D2009/024
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A toilet tank dispenser, comprising a housing disposed to be suspended in a toilet tank, and having in its wall at least one port for admitting water into the interior of the housing when the toilet tank fills, and for permitting part of the water in the housing to be discharged therefrom each time the associated toilet is flushed, a generally cup-shaped member in said housing having therein a water soluble dye, and means in said housing including a water soluble, water-treating tablet releasably holding said member beneath the level of the water in said housing, and in an inverted, inoperative position in which the water in said housing is prevented from coming into contact with said dye, said tablet being disposed eventually to dissolve away after repeated flushing of the associated toilet thereby to release said member, which then floats to an upright position in said housing to allow water therein to contact said dye.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
A toilet tank dispenser, comprising a housing disposed to be suspended in a toilet tank, and having in its wall at least one port for admitting water into the interior of the housing when the toilet tank fills, and for permitting part of the water in the housing to be discharged therefrom each time the associated toilet is flushed, a generally cup-shaped member in said housing having therein a water soluble dye, and means in said housing including a water soluble, water-treating tablet releasably holding said member beneath the level of the water in said housing, and in an inverted, inoperative position in which the water in said housing is prevented from coming into contact with said dye, said tablet being disposed eventually to dissolve away after repeated flushing of the associated toilet thereby to release said member, which then floats to an upright position in said housing to allow water therein to contact said dye.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A toilet tank dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein said dye only partially fills said cup-shaped member and leaves therein an air bubble which prevents water in the housing flowing into contact with said dye when said member is in its inverted, inoperative position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A toilet tank dispenser as defined in claim 2, wherein said dye is secured against the closed end of said member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A toilet tank dispenser as defined in claim 2, wherein said dye is supported on a plurality of spaced projections formed around the open end of said cup-shaped member and projecting radially inwardly thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
A toilet tank dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein said member is made from a plastic material having a specific gravity such that it normally tends to float upwardly in the water in said housing when said water-treating tablet has been reduced to a predetermined size.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A toilet tank dispenser as defined in claim 5, wherein said tablet overlies said member, when the latter is in its inoperative position, and engages and holds said member in its inoperative position until said tablet reaches said predetermined size.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
A toilet tank dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein said holding means comprises a pair of spaced partitions formed in said housing and releasably engaged adjacent their upper ends with said tablet to support the latter substantially centrally of the interior of said housing, and said member is positioned in its inverted position between said partitions and beneath said tablet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A toilet tank dispenser as defined in claim 7, wherein said member is generally rectangular in cross section adjacent its open end, and has on its closed end an external, segmental spherical surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A toilet tank dispenser as defined in claim 7, including a third partition formed in said housing above said upper ends of said pair of partitions and disposed to overlie said water-treating tablet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
A toilet tank dispenser as defined in claim 9, including a fourth partition formed in said housing between said tablet and said port and having its lower end spaced from the lower end of said housing to permit water to flow in said housing beneath said lower end of said fourth partition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A toilet tank dispenser as defined in claim 1, wherein said tablet is made from a chlorine base compound and said dye includes solubility and dispersion controlling agents.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
150 words
A toilet tank dispenser, comprising a disposable, plastic housing vented adjacent its upper end, and having between its ends a port for admitting water to and discharging water from, the interior of said housing, when the latter is suspended in a toilet tank with said port located beneath the maximum water level in the tank, means defining an air chamber in said housing, said chamber containing a water soluble indicator adjacent one end thereof, and disposed to be positioned beneath the level of the water admitted to said housing, and means including a water soluble water-treating tablet in said housing operative normally to prevent water in said housing from entering said air chamber, said tablet being disposed eventually to dissolve away after repeated flushings of the associated toilet, and being operative upon being reduced to a predetermined size to permit water to flow into said chamber to dissolve said indicator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
150 words
A toilet tank dispenser, comprising a disposable, plastic housing vented adjacent its upper end, and having between its ends a port for admitting water to and discharging water from, the interior of said housing, when the latter is suspended in a toilet tank with said port located beneath the maximum water level in the tank, means defining an air chamber in said housing, said chamber containing a water soluble indicator adjacent one end thereof, and disposed to be positioned beneath the level of the water admitted to said housing, and means including a water soluble water-treating tablet in said housing operative normally to prevent water in said housing from entering said air chamber, said tablet being disposed eventually to dissolve away after repeated flushings of the associated toilet, and being operative upon being reduced to a predetermined size to permit water to flow into said chamber to dissolve said indicator.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A toilet tank dispenser as defined in claim 14, wherein said water soluble indicator comprises a dye composition
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
A toilet tank dispenser as defined in claim 12, wherein said water soluble indicator comprises a perfumed composition which emits a fragrance when dissolved.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
74 words
A toilet tank dispenser as defined in claim 12, wherein said means defining an air chamber comprises a cup-shaped member having said dye mounted therein adjacent its closed end, and having an air bubble in its opposite end, and said means for preventing water from entering said air chamber further includes means for removably supporting said member in an inverted position beneath said tablet until the latter has been reduced to said predetermined size.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US874393A
Cited
US3583005A
Cited
US3877081A
Cited
US3867101A
Cited
US4248827A
Cited
US4308625A
Cited
US4350666A
Cited
US4380772A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-05-29 | 1987-11-28 | 1988-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-05-29 | 1991-11-28 | 1992-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-05-29 | 1995-11-28 | 1996-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |