Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A dispenser (10) for a detergent (13) is disclosed. A housing (10) defining an inner cavity (12) holds the detergent (13). The cavity (12) has a circular opening. An insert (14) of a substance not chemically compatible with the detergent (13) is retained in the opening of the inner cavity (12). The insert (14) is retained by retaining ring (20) and a cover (26). In a preferred embodiment, the retaining ring (20) defines an inner aperture (21a) and has a plurality of generally upwardly extending resilient fingers (24) cooperatively connected to the retaining ring (20) proximate the inner aperture (21b). A cover (26) is cooperatively connected to and secured by the fingers (24), wherein said insert (14) is placed over said fingers (24) and said cover (26) over said insert (14), whereby said fingers (24) and said cover (26) control the dissolving of the insert (14 ) by controlling the surface area of the insert (14) exposed to the detergent solution. A spray forming nozzle (15) is mounted to and extends into the cavity (12) through the opening for directing a pressurized spray of liquid at the detergent. The hydraulic action of the nozzle directed spray (16) dissolves a portion of the detergent (13), forming a detergent solution which passes by gravity over the insert (14) and dissolves a portion of the insert (14), and the detergent solution and dissolved insert are discharged through the opening.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim