Liquid dispensing device with secondary liquid entrance

Abstract

A device for dispensing liquid from the container to a toilet bowl is provided. The device is used with a liquid container having a normally sealed port. It includes a housing upon which the container is mounted, breaking the seal. The housing has a dispensing surface upon which liquid from the container is deposited and over which at least a portion of the flushed water stream passes. A conduit is provided for conducting liquid from the container to the liquid dispensing surface. The inlet end portion of the conduit has primary liquid entrance means, in the form of an open end, and secondary liquid entrance means, in the form of one or more openings in the conduit wall. The inlet end of the conduit extends through the container port with the open end of the conduit and the openings in the conduit wall both situated within the container. Thus, liquid can enter the channel from the container from either the open end of the conduit or the opening in the conduit wall, regardless of the position of the separated part of the seal.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING”, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an automatic liquid dispensing device of the type used for providing detergent or other liquid from a removable container to the stream of water in a toilet bowl, as the toilet is flushed, and more particularly to such a device in which the seal in the port of the liquid container is broken as it is pushed into the container to open the port, as the container is mounted on the device, by an open ended conduit formed of a cylindrical wall with one or more secondary liquid entrance openings such that liquid from the container can enter the device from the container, even if the open end of the conduit is partially or completely blocked by the broken seal.

2. Description of Prior Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

Devices of the general nature of the type to which this patent relates are known in the art and have been in common use for some time. An example of such a device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,505,356, issued Jan. 14, 2003 to Leonard et al. and entitled: “Dispensing Liquids”.

The Leonard patent discloses a liquid dispenser that includes a housing and a hook for suspending the housing from the rim of a lavatory bowl. A sealed inverted reservoir bottle is inserted onto the housing. As the bottle is mounted on the housing, the seal in the mouth of the bottle is broken. A plate located in the housing receives liquid from the bottle and conveys the liquid to a position within the stream of flushing water. The system is vented to permit free flow of the liquid.

Leonard teaches the use of a cylindrical conduit for conveying liquid from the bottle to the discharge plate. The conduit has an inlet portion with an open end for engaging the circular mouth of the bottle. The inlet portion of the conduit terminates obliquely so as to define a substantially elliptical aperture.

The mouth of the bottle is covered prior to use with a frangible seal that is arranged to be broken by insertion of the circular inlet portion of the conduit into the mouth of the bottle. Leonard teaches that the inlet portion of the conduit includes opening means for causing the frangible seal to be broken and retaining means for retaining the separated part of the seal in a position which does not block the mouth of the bottle, after the seal has been broken.

The seal is relatively rigid and part of the seal is arranged to be pivoted from the closed position to an open position about one side of the mouth of the bottle. If that part of the seal were to move back to a position where it blocks the open end of the conduit after it is broken, no liquid would flow into the housing. Hence, no liquid would enter the stream of flushed water, defeating the purpose of the liquid dispensing device.

The Leonard opening means is the obliquely truncated cylindrical wall of the conduit that is positioned to bear on one side of the seal. The retaining means takes the form of a second projection or stud extending from and beyond the edge of the opposite side of the cylindrical wall that bears on a face of the seal. That second projection or stud is designed to retain the separated part of the seal in the open position, such that it cannot move back to a position covering the inlet of the conduit and therefore cannot prevent liquid from flowing from the bottle through the conduit to the dispensing plate surface.

The Leonard retaining stud functions to keep the separated part of the seal away from the inlet of the conduit if that part of the seal has been pivoted from its closed position and remains attached to the side wall of the seal that remains lodged within the neck of the bottle at a point that is close to the stud. However, the retaining stud may not serve to keep the separated part of the seal from blocking the inlet of the conduit in all situations.

It has been observed that the extended section of the conduit wall does not always pivot the separated part of the seal to a position where the retaining stud can function to keep it away from the open inlet end of the conduit. Depending upon the strength of the consumer mounting the bottle on the housing, and the angle at which the conduit is pushed through the seal, the rupture of the seal may not be complete and the inlet to the conduit may remain partially obstructed.

Moreover, if the opening means on the conduit does separate the seal part completely from the mouth of the bottle, the separated seal part will float around in the liquid within the bottle. In that case, the seal part may settle down over the conduit inlet, completely or partially obstructing the free flow of liquid through the inlet.

It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide a liquid dispensing device for use in a toilet bowl that includes a conduit with a secondary liquid entrance which permits liquid flow from the liquid container to the dispensing surface even when the open inlet end of the conduit is partially or completely obstructed by part of the seal of the container port.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a liquid dispensing device that utilizes a simple structure to permit liquid flow from the liquid container to the dispensing surface even when the open inlet end of the conduit is obstructed by part of the seal of the container port.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a liquid dispensing device that utilizes a simple structure to permit liquid flow from the liquid container to the dispensing surface regardless of whether or not the consumer pushes the conduit completely into the mouth of the liquid container when mounting the liquid container on the housing.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a liquid dispensing device with a liquid conduit having a secondary liquid entrance that is inexpensive to fabricate.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a liquid dispensing device with a secondary liquid entrance designed to function reliably over an extended useful life.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

My invention overcomes the disadvantages of the Leonard retaining stud and does so in a simple and elegant manner, using a structure that is designed to function reliably in all situations and, at the same time, is inexpensive to fabricate. In my structure, a secondary liquid entrance to the liquid conducting member is provided. That entrance is situated in the wall of the liquid conduit such that liquid from the container can always enter the liquid conduit and flow to the dispensing surface, regardless of the state or position of the ruptured part of the container port seal.

Like the Leonard device, in my invention, the liquid container is placed over the inlet of the tubular conduit that conducts liquid from the container to the dispensing surface. The extended section of the inlet end portion of the conduit wall functions to break the seal in the container port, allowing liquid from the container to flow through the conduit to the dispensing surface.

However, in my invention, the extended section of the wall of the conduit member is provided with one or more additional openings which form a secondary liquid entrance to the interior of the conduit. Because of the arcuate shape of the extended section of the conduit wall, and the position of the secondary liquid entrance openings on that extended wall section, those openings cannot be blocked by the broken part of the seal at the same time that the broken part of the seal blocks the open inlet end of the conduit, which constitutes the primary liquid entrance. Thus, either the primary liquid entrance or the secondary liquid entrance of the conduit is always unobstructed. Liquid flow from the container, through the conduit, to the dispensing surface is always assured by this simple structure.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a device is provided for dispensing liquid from the container to a toilet bowl. The device is adapted to be used with a liquid container having a port. The device includes a housing. The housing includes means for mounting the housing in the stream of flushed water. It also includes a surface upon which liquid from the container is deposited and over which at least a portion of the water stream passes, and means for conducting liquid from the container and to the surface. The liquid conducting means includes inlet and outlet end portions and a channel extending between the end portions. The outlet end portion terminates proximate the surface. The inlet end portion has primary liquid entrance means and secondary liquid entrance means. The inlet end portion is adapted to extend through the container port with the primary liquid entrance means and the secondary liquid entrance means situated within the container. Thus, liquid can enter the channel from the container through the secondary liquid entrance means, even if the primary liquid entrance means is blocked.

The liquid conducting means has an axis. The inlet end portion includes a generally cylindrical wall defined in part by an edge extending in a plane generally perpendicular to the axis. It also includes an extended wall section that extends beyond the perpendicular plane. The secondary liquid entrance means is situated on the extended wall section.

The extended wall section includes an edge. That edge is inclined relative to the axis.

The secondary liquid entrance means includes an opening in the extended wall section. The opening extends from the edge of the extended wall section.

The secondary liquid entrance means preferably includes first and second openings in the extended wall section. The first and second openings extend from the edge of the extended wall section. The first and second openings are spaced from each other, defining a part therebetween.

The edge of the extended wall section lies in a plane. That part has a portion that extends beyond the plane of the extended wall section edge. That portion comprises a protrusion.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a device for dispensing liquid to a toilet bowl is provided. The device includes a housing and a liquid container with a port. The housing includes means for mounting the housing in the stream of flushed water, and means for removeably mounting the liquid container on the housing. It also includes a surface upon which liquid from the container is deposited and over which at least a portion of the water stream passes. The housing further includes means for conducting liquid from the container to the surface. The liquid conducting means includes inlet and outlet end portions and a channel extending between the end portions. The outlet end portion terminates proximate the surface. The inlet end portion includes primary liquid entrance means and secondary liquid entrance means. The inlet end portion is adapted to extend through the container port with the primary liquid entrance means and the secondary liquid entrance means situated within the container. Thus, liquid can enter the channel from the container through the secondary liquid entrance means, even if the primary entrance means is blocked.

The liquid conducting means has an axis. The inlet end portion includes a generally cylindrical wall having an edge extending in a plane generally perpendicular to the axis. The inlet end portion also includes an extended wall section that extends beyond the perpendicular plane. The secondary liquid entrance means is situated on the extended wall section.

The extended wall section includes an edge. That edge is inclined relative to the axis.

The secondary liquid entrance means includes an opening in the extended wall section. The opening extends from the edge of the extended wall section.

The secondary liquid entrance means preferably includes first and second openings in the extended wall section. The first and second openings extend from the edge of the extended wall section. The first and second openings are preferably spaced from each other, defining a part therebetween.

The edge of the extended wall section lies in a plane. That part includes a portion extending beyond the plane of the edge of the extended wall section. That portion forms a protrusion.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a device for dispensing liquid to a toilet bowl is provided. The device includes a housing and a liquid container with a port having a frangible seal. The housing includes means for mounting the housing in the stream of flushed water, and means for removeably mounting the liquid container on the housing. The housing also includes a surface upon which liquid from the container is deposited and over which at least a portion of the water stream passes. The housing further includes means for conducting liquid from the container to the surface. The liquid conducting means includes inlet and outlet end portions and a channel extending between the end portions. The outlet end portion terminates proximate the surface. The inlet end portion includes primary liquid entrance means and secondary liquid entrance means. The inlet end portion is adapted to push the seal into the container to open the container port, as the container is mounted on the housing, and to extend through the port with the primary liquid entrance means and the secondary liquid entrance means situated within the container. Thus, liquid can enter the channel from the container through the secondary liquid entrance means, even if the primary entrance means is blocked by part of the seal.

The liquid conducting means has an axis. The inlet end portion includes a generally cylindrical wall with an edge extending in a plane generally perpendicular to the axis. The inlet end portion also includes an extended wall section adapted to push the seal. The extended wall section extends beyond the perpendicular plane. The secondary liquid entrance means is situated on the extended wall section.

The extended wall section includes an edge. That edge is inclined relative to the axis.

The secondary liquid entrance means includes an opening in the extended wall section. The opening extends from the edge of the extended wall section.

The secondary liquid entrance means preferably includes first and second openings in the extended wall section. The first and second openings extend from the edge of the extended wall section.

The first and second openings are spaced from each other, defining a part therebetween. The edge of the extended wall section lies in a plane. That part includes a portion extending beyond the plane of the extended wall section edge. That portion forms a protrusion.

The primary liquid entrance means includes the open end of the inlet end portion.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a device for dispensing liquid to a toilet bowl is provided. The device includes a housing and a liquid container with a port having a frangible seal. The housing includes means for mounting the housing in the stream of flushed water, and means for removeably mounting the liquid container on the housing. The housing also includes a surface upon which liquid from the container is deposited and over which at least a portion of the water stream passes. The housing further includes generally tubular member for conducting liquid from the container to the surface. The tubular member includes a wall with inlet and outlet end portions. The outlet end portion terminates proximate the surface. The inlet end portion includes an open end and secondary liquid entrance means extending through the wall. The wall has an extended wall section adapted to separate and push part of the seal into the container to open the container port, as the container is mounted on the housing. The inlet end portion extends through the port with the open end and the secondary liquid entrance means situated within the container. Thus, liquid can enter the tubular member from the container through the secondary liquid entrance means, even if the open end of the inlet end portion is blocked by the separated part of the seal.

The tubular member has an axis. The inlet end portion includes an edge extending in a plane generally perpendicular to the axis. The extended wall section extends beyond the perpendicular plane. The secondary liquid entrance means is situated on the extended wall section.

The extended wall section includes an edge. The edge is inclined relative to the axis.

The secondary liquid entrance means includes an opening in the extended wall section. The opening extends from the edge of the extended wall section.

The secondary liquid entrance means preferably includes first and second openings in the extended wall section. The first and second openings extend from the edge of the extended wall section. The first and second openings are spaced from each other, defining a part therebetween.

The edge of the extended wall section lies in a plane. That part includes a portion extending beyond the plane of the extended wall section edge. That portion includes a protrusion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF DRAWINGS

To these and to such other objects that may hereinafter appear, the present invention relates to a liquid dispensing device with a secondary liquid entrance, as described in detail in the following specification and recited in the annexed claims, taken together with the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals relate to like parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view showing the front and one side of the liquid dispensing device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view showing the rear and other side of the housing of the liquid dispensing device of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the inlet end portion of the liquid conduit of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the liquid conduit taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view showing the front of the inlet end of the liquid conduit and the sealed neck portion of the container outlet port before the inlet portion of the liquid conduit enters the outlet port of the container;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view showing the side of the inlet end of the liquid conduit and the sealed neck portion of the container outlet port as the inlet portion of the liquid conduit enters the outlet port of the container and breaks the seal;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view showing the side of the inlet end of the liquid conduit and the sealed neck portion of the container outlet port after the inlet portion of the liquid conduit has entered the outlet port of the container and pivoted the seal to its open position;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view showing the side of the inlet end of the liquid conduit and the sealed neck portion of the container outlet port after the inlet portion of the liquid conduit has entered the outlet port of the container and the seal has moved from its open position to a position partially blocking the inlet end of the liquid conduit; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view showing the side of the inlet end of the liquid conduit and the sealed neck portion of the container outlet port after the inlet portion of the liquid conduit has entered the outlet port of the container and the seal has moved from its open position to a position totally blocking the inlet end of the liquid conduit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the liquid dispensing device of the present invention includes a housing, generally designated A, and a container, generally designated B. Container B is a reservoir for a liquid, that may be a detergent, or other cleaning or deodorizing agent such as bleach, to be dispensed by housing A into the stream of flushed water in the toilet bowl. Although the present invention is particularly useful for dispensing devices designed for dispensing a liquid only, and hence the reference throughout to a liquid container, it should be understood that the present invention is equally applicable in situations where the container has isolated compartments for dispensing a liquid and a solid separately.

Container B can be of any suitable shape and size and made of any suitable material. However, the container illustrated is generally elongated, to match the generally elongated shape of housing A, has an arcuate top and is fabricated of transparent plastic. Utilizing a transparent plastic for the container permits the user to observe the level of the liquid in the container and therefore ascertain when the container is empty and a refill is required.

Container B has a round, normally sealed outlet port 10 in the middle portion of its bottom wall 12. Port 10 is defined by a substantially cylindrical neck 14. A plastic seal in the form of a cylindrical cap 16, formed of a top part 18 and a generally cylindrical side wall 20, is situated within neck 14. Cap 16 functions to prevent the liquid within the container from exiting outlet port 10 until the container is mounted on the housing.

Housing A consists of a plastic outer side wall 22 with an open top. A plate 24 is situated within the housing. A liquid dispensing surface 26 is situated below plate 24. Liquid from container B is deposited on surface 26 with every flush. Below the open top of the housing is a divided guide surface 30 that is inclined towards the front of the housing so as to guide the flushing stream flowing from the rim of the toilet into the interior of the housing, such that it flows over dispensing surface 26, mixes with the liquid from container B present thereon, and thereafter exits from openings 31 near the bottom of the housing.

A foldable plastic strap 32, extending upward through an opening in guide surface 30 from dispensing surface 24, is provided to suspend the housing from the rim of the toilet bowl. A flap 34 is pivotally mounted to the rear of side wall 22. After housing A is suspended from the toilet bowl rim, flap 34 is pivoted to a position under the rim so that water flushed from the rim is guided by the flap on to guide surface 30 and thus into the interior of the housing and onto dispensing surface 26.

Anchored in and extending through plate 24 of housing A is a hollow, open ended generally tubular member that forms liquid conduit 36. Conduit 36 has an inlet end portion 38 and an outlet end portion 40. The inlet end portion 38 and outlet end portion 40 of conduit 36 are connected by an internal channel that guides liquid through the conduit. The outlet end portion 40 of the conduit has an open end that is situated proximate to and slightly above the dispensing surface 26. Within that channel is a restriction with a star shaped aperture (not shown) that, along with the vacuum created within container B as the liquid exits port 10, function to regulate the amount of liquid that travels through conduit 36 under the force of gravity, and thus is deposited on the dispensing surface.

As is best seen from FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the edge of inlet end portion 38 of conduit 36 defines the open inlet end 42 of the conduit. Inlet end portion 38 of the conduit is defined by a cylindrical wall. That wall includes a front section 44 (right as seen in FIG. 4) that has an edge which extends in a plane generally perpendicular to the axis of conduit 36, and thus generally parallel to, but spaced from, plate 24 of the housing; a rear section 46 (left as seen in FIG. 4) that has an edge situated in a plane that is spaced along the axis of the conduit from and is slightly inclined with respect to the plane of the edge of front section 44; and a connecting section 48 (center as seen in FIG. 4) that has an edge that extends from front section 42 to rear section 48, through a relatively steep angle, on each side of the conduit.

Sections 46 and 48 of the inlet end portion 38 of conduit 36 extend beyond the plane of the edge of front section 44. As seen in FIG. 6, those sections function as a means for opening seal 16 in outlet port 10 of container B, as the container is mounted onto housing A. As the inlet end portion 38 of conduit 36 enters the neck 14 of the container, the edge of the forward extending rear section 46 of the inlet end portion of the conduit contacts the top part 18 of the seal cap and causes that part to begin to separate from the side wall 20 of the cap. Referring now to FIG. 7, as the inlet end portion 38 of the conduit advances further into neck 14 of the container, the top part 18 of the seal cap continues to separate from the side wall 20 of the seal cap and moves out of the way, opening the container inlet port, such that liquid can flow into the open inlet end 42 of the conduit.

As can be best seen in FIG. 4, the forward most portion of the edge of rear section 46 is provided with a protrusion 50 that extends beyond the plane of the edge of rear section 46 by a small amount. The function of protrusion 50 is to assist the rear section 46 of the conduit in making the initial puncture into the seal cap and thus to begin the process by which the top part 18 is separated from the side wall 20 of the seal cap

As long as the top part 18 of the seal cap is situated in a position, such as seen in FIG. 7, where it does not obstruct the open inlet end of the conduit, liquid will flow freely into the inlet end of the conduit and the device will function as intended. However, it is not always the case that the top part 18 remains in that position.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate two situations where the top part 18 of the seal cap obstructs the open inlet end of the conduit, restricting the amount of liquid that can enter the inlet, thereby preventing the device from functioning as intended. FIG. 8 illustrates the situation where the top part 18 is not completely separated from the side wall 20 of the seal cap and remains connected to the side wall 20 at one point. In that situation, the top part 18 of the seal cap can pivot back over the open inlet end of the conduit, partially blocking the inlet and restricting the flow of liquid into the conduit. FIG. 9 illustrates the situation where the top part 18 of the seal cap is separated from the side wall 20 of the seal completely but subsequently is returned by gravity back to a position where the open inlet of the conduit is completely or partially covered, preventing all or a substantial portion of the liquid from entering the open end of the conduit.

My invention provides a simple structure for permitting liquid to enter the conduit even if the open inlet end of the conduit, which functions as the primary liquid inlet means, is partially or completely covered by the top part of the seal cap. That structure functions as a secondary liquid inlet means to the conduit. Because of the secondary liquid entrance means of my invention extends through the wall of the inlet end portion 38 of the conduit, it is impossible for it to be partially or completely blocked by the separated seal cap part at the same time as the seal cap part blocks the primary liquid entrance means, the open end of the conduit. Accordingly, the secondary liquid entrance means of my invention assures adequate liquid flow into the conduit, regardless of the position of the separated top part of the seal cap.

This simple structure preferably takes the form of an elongated opening or slit in the conduit wall through which liquid can enter the conduit. In its most preferred form, the secondary liquid entrance means takes the form of two spaced elongated openings or slits 52, 54 extending from the edge of rear section 46 of the inlet end portion 38 of the conduit toward plate 24 of the housing. In that most preferred embodiment, openings 52 and 54 define an elongated part 56 between them. Protrusion 50 is situated on the tip of part 56.

It will now be appreciated that the present invention is directed to a device for dispensing liquid from a liquid container to the flushed water stream in a toilet bowl. The device is designed to be used with a liquid container that has a normally sealed port. The device includes a housing upon which the container is mounted. When the container is mounted on the housing, part of the seal in the container port is broken to open the container port so that liquid can flow through the port into the housing. However, the broken part of the seal remains within the container.

The housing includes a foldable strap for mounting the housing in the stream of flushed water. The housing also includes a dispensing surface upon which liquid from the container is deposited and over which at least a portion of the water stream passes. A hollow tubular member in the form of a conduit is provided for conducting liquid from the container to the liquid dispensing surface.

The conduit includes inlet and outlet end portions and a channel extending between the end portions. The outlet end portion terminates proximate the dispensing surface. The inlet end portion has primary liquid entrance means, in the form of an open end, and secondary liquid entrance means, in the form of one or more openings through the conduit wall. The inlet end portion of the conduit is adapted to extend through the container port with the open end of the conduit and the openings through the conduit wall both situated within the container. Thus, liquid can enter the channel from the container from either the open end of the conduit or the openings through the conduit wall, regardless of the position of the broken part of the seal.

The inlet end portion of the conduit has a wall section that extends outwardly and functions to break and push part of the container port seal into the container, as the container is mounted on the housing. That extended wall section includes a protrusion that facilitates the initial rupture of the seal.

Preferably, the openings through the conduit wall are elongated, are located on the extended conduit wall section and extend from the edge thereof, in spaced parallel relation.

While only a single preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed herein for purposes of illustration, it is obvious that many variations and modifications could be made thereto. It is intended to cover all of those variations and modifications that fall within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the following claims:

Claims

1. A device for dispensing liquid from the container to a toilet bowl, adapted to be used with a liquid container having a port, said device comprising a housing, said housing comprising means for mounting said housing in the stream of flushed water, a surface upon which liquid from the container is deposited and over which at least a portion of the water stream passes, and means for conducting liquid from the container to said surface, said liquid conducting means comprising inlet and outlet end portions and a channel extending between said end portions, said outlet end portion terminating proximate said surface, said inlet end portion comprising primary liquid entrance means and secondary liquid entrance means, said inlet end portion being adapted to extend through said container port with said primary liquid entrance means and said secondary liquid entrance means situated within the container, such that liquid can enter said channel from the container through said secondary liquid entrance means, even if said primary liquid entrance means is blocked.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said liquid conducting means has an axis and said inlet end portion comprises a generally cylindrical wall defined in part by an edge extending in a plane generally perpendicular to said axis, and an extended wall section, said extended wall section extending beyond said perpendicular plane, said secondary liquid entrance means being situated on said extended wall section.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said extended wall section comprises an edge inclined relative to said axis.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said secondary liquid entrance means comprises an opening in said extended wall section.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said opening extends from said edge of said extended wall section.

6. The device of claim 3 wherein said secondary liquid entrance means comprises first and second openings in said extended wall section.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said first and second openings extend from said edge of said extended wall section.

8. The device of claim 6 wherein said first and second openings are spaced from each other, defining a part therebetween.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said edge of said extended wall section lies in a plane and wherein said part comprises a portion extending beyond said plane of said extended wall section edge.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein said portion of said part comprises a protrusion.

11. A device for dispensing liquid to a toilet bowl, said device comprising a housing and a liquid container with a port, said housing comprising means for mounting said housing in the stream of flushed water, means for removeably mounting said liquid container on said housing, a surface upon which liquid from said container is deposited and over which at least a portion of the water stream passes, and means for conducting liquid from said container to said surface, said liquid conducting means comprising inlet and outlet end portions and a channel extending between said end portions, said outlet end portion terminating proximate said surface, said inlet end portion comprising primary liquid entrance means and secondary liquid entrance means, said inlet end portion being adapted to extend through said container port with said primary liquid entrance means and said secondary liquid entrance means situated within the container, such that liquid can enter said channel from said container through said secondary liquid entrance means, even if said primary entrance means is blocked.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein said liquid conducting means has an axis and said inlet end portion comprises a generally cylindrical wall having an edge extending in a plane generally perpendicular to said axis, and an extended wall section, said extended wall section extending beyond said perpendicular plane, said secondary liquid entrance means being situated on said extended wall section.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein said extended wall section comprises an edge inclined relative to said axis.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein said secondary liquid entrance means comprises an opening in said extended wall section.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein said opening extends from said edge of said extended wall section.

16. The device of claim 13 wherein said secondary liquid entrance means comprises first and second openings in said extended wall section.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein said first and second openings extend from said edge of said extended wall section.

18. The device of claim 16 wherein said first and second openings are spaced from each other, defining a part therebetween.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein said edge of said extended wall section lies in a plane and wherein said part comprises a portion extending beyond the plane of said edge of said extended wall section.

20. The device of claim 19 wherein said portion of said part comprises a protrusion.

21. A device for dispensing liquid to a toilet bowl, said device comprising a housing and a liquid container with a port having a frangible seal, said housing comprising means for mounting said housing in the stream of flushed water, means for removeably mounting said liquid container on said housing, a surface upon which liquid from said container is deposited and over which at least a portion of the water stream passes, and means for conducting liquid from said container to said surface, said liquid conducting means comprising inlet and outlet end portions and a channel extending between said end portions, said outlet end portion terminating proximate said surface, said second end portion comprising primary liquid entrance means and secondary liquid entrance means, said inlet end portion being adapted to separate and push part of said seal into said container to open said container port, as said container is mounted on said housing, and to extend through said port with said primary liquid entrance means and said secondary liquid entrance means situated within said container, such that liquid can enter said channel from said container through said secondary liquid entrance means, even if said primary entrance means is blocked by said part of said seal.

22. The device of claim 21 wherein said liquid conducting means has an axis and said inlet end portion comprises a generally cylindrical wall with an edge extending in a plane generally perpendicular to said axis, and an extended wall section adapted to push said seal, said extended wall section extending beyond said perpendicular plane, said secondary liquid entrance means being situated on said extended wall section.

23. The device of claim 22 wherein said extended wall section comprises an edge inclined relative to said axis.

24. The device of claim 23 wherein said secondary liquid entrance means comprises an opening in said extended wall section.

25. The device of claim 24 wherein said opening extends from said edge of said extended wall section.

26. The device of claim 23 wherein said secondary liquid entrance means comprises first and second openings in said extended wall section.

27. The device of claim 26 wherein said first and second openings extend from said edge of said extended wall section.

28. The device of claim 26 wherein said first and second openings are spaced from each other, defining a part therebetween.

29. The device of claim 28 wherein said edge of said extended wall section lies in a plane and wherein said part comprises a portion extending beyond the plane of said extended wall section edge.

30. The device of claim 29 wherein said portion of said part comprises a protrusion.

31. The device of claim 21 wherein said primary liquid entrance means comprises the open end of said inlet end portion of said liquid conducting means.

32. A device for dispensing liquid to a toilet bowl, said device comprising a housing and a liquid container with a port having a frangible seal, said housing comprising means for mounting said housing in the stream of flushed water, means for removeably mounting said liquid container on said housing, a surface upon which liquid from said container is deposited and over which at least a portion of the water stream passes, and generally tubular means for conducting liquid from said container to said surface, said tubular means comprising a wall with inlet and outlet end portions, said outlet end portion terminating proximate said surface, said inlet end portion comprising an open end and secondary liquid entrance means extending through said wall, said wall having an extended wall section adapted to separate and push part of said seal into said container to open said container port, as said container is mounted on said housing, said inlet end portion extending through said port with said open end and said secondary liquid entrance means situated within the container, such that liquid can enter said tubular means from said container through said secondary liquid entrance means, even if said open end of said inlet end portion is blocked by said part of said seal.

33. The device of claim 32 wherein said tubular means has an axis and said inlet end portion comprises an edge extending in a plane generally perpendicular to said axis, said extended wall section extending beyond said perpendicular plane, said secondary liquid entrance means being situated on said extended wall section.

34. The device of claim 33 wherein said extended wall section comprises an edge inclined relative to said axis.

35. The device of claim 33 wherein said secondary liquid entrance means comprises an opening in said extended wall section.

36. The device of claim 35 wherein said opening extends from said edge of said extended wall section.

37. The device of claim 33 wherein said secondary liquid entrance means comprises first and second openings in said extended wall section.

38. The device of claim 37 wherein said first and second openings extend from said edge of said extended wall section.

39. The device of claim 37 wherein said first and second openings are spaced from each other, defining a part therebetween.

40. The device of claim 39 wherein said edge of said extended wall section lies in a plane and wherein said part comprises a portion extending beyond the plane of said extended wall section edge.

41. The device of claim 40 wherein said portion of said part comprises a protrusion.