US4490861A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rotating toilet bowl dispenser
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-02-01
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Granted: 1985-01-01
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Expires: 2004-02-01
Abstract
Abstract Dispensing apparatus for dispensing bleach and/or detergent or the like into a toilet tank on a controlled basis. The dispenser is rotatable or tiltable; being divided into several portions, one of which is a reservoir, preferably provided at the top of the structure, such reservoir determining the controlled "shot" or dosage to be dispensed. In operation, the dispenser is buoyed up by incoming water such that it rotates, and the reservoir becomes partly filled; but water cannot enter, to any significant extent, from the reservoir into the main chamber of the dispenser. When the water level drops sufficiently in the tank, the device then rotates to an upright position, the trapped air no longer contributing to the buoyancy of the device. Also, the water present in the reservoir can now enter the container and cause the cleaning solution, formed from a cake of bleach or blue dye/detergent, to overflow and be dispensed into the toilet tank and thence to the toilet bowl.
Inventors
- 👤 John E. Dolan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:00
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D9/00; E03D9/02; E03D9/03; E03D9/033; E03D9/038; E03D2009/024
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A dispenser immersible in a body of liquid in a toilet tank for dispensing cleaning solution or the like into said tank comprising a container having a main chamber in which cleaning solution is disposed; buoyancy enhancing means in the form of an air trap situated in the upper portion of said container; means for rotating said container in a first direction responsive to the level of the body of liquid rising sufficiently to produce buoyancy effects on the container due to said buoyancy enhancing means; a reservoir above said chamber for determining or defining the dose amount of cleaning solution to be dispensed, said reservoir having an opening communicating with the interior of said container adjacent one side thereof; said reservoir being partly filled as said liquid level rises sufficiently in the tank; means for rotating said container in a second direction opposite to the first direction responsive to the level of the body of liquid dropping sufficiently to negate the buoyancy effects on the container, whereby said dose amount of cleaning solution is then dispensed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
A dispenser immersible in a body of liquid in a toilet tank for dispensing cleaning solution or the like into said tank comprising a container having a main chamber in which cleaning solution is disposed; buoyancy enhancing means in the form of an air trap situated in the upper portion of said container; means for rotating said container in a first direction responsive to the level of the body of liquid rising sufficiently to produce buoyancy effects on the container due to said buoyancy enhancing means; a reservoir above said chamber for determining or defining the dose amount of cleaning solution to be dispensed, said reservoir having an opening communicating with the interior of said container adjacent one side thereof; said reservoir being partly filled as said liquid level rises sufficiently in the tank; means for rotating said container in a second direction opposite to the first direction responsive to the level of the body of liquid dropping sufficiently to negate the buoyancy effects on the container, whereby said dose amount of cleaning solution is then dispensed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, in which said dose amount of cleaning solution is dispensed due to the liquid disposed in the reservoir entering the container and causing an equivalent amount of cleaning solution therein to discharge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, in which said container includes bottom, top and side walls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, in which said cleaning solution is formed by tank water dissolving a solid cake of bleach or detergent inside said container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, in which a first compartment is defined at the upper end of said container so as to provide an air trap.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5, in which said first compartment serving as an air trap is defined by the top wall of said container and by side walls extending downwardly into said container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5, in which a discharge tube, which is open at both ends, communicates at its lower end with said first compartment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5, in which a second compartment serves as said reservoir, said compartment being defined by the top wall of said container and by side walls extending above said main chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8, in which a third compartment is defined at the lower end of said container.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9, in which a baffle extends downwardly into said container from said top wall.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-01-01 | 1988-07-02 | 1989-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-01-01 | 1992-07-02 | 1993-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-01-01 | 1996-07-02 | 1997-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |