What is claimed is:
1. A system for fitting a container to a distribution device comprising:
(i) a liquid distribution device comprising a recess; and
(ii) a container comprising a liquid composition, said container comprising a top, a bottom, and a side wall having an external surface extending between the top and the bottom, said container being releasably engageable in said recess;
wherein
(a) said recess and said container comprise a common longitudinal axis;
(b) said recess comprises a protrusion which engages a corresponding path on said surface of said side wall when said container is fitted in said recess;
(c) said path comprises a stop for said protrusion;
(d) said recess comprises an abutment for said container;
(e) said container can be fitted in said recess in a first, released position and a second, blocked position, and a fluid communication between said container and said device can only be established when said container is fitted in said second position; and
(f) said container is switcheable between said first and second positions by pushing said container once in a direction along its longitudinal axis.
2. The system according to claim 1 wherein said path comprises two portions elongated in the general direction of said longitudinal axis, said portions having a top end towards the top of the container and a bottom end towards the bottom of said container, and said portions are linked at their bottom end by a transition portion, said transition portion comprising a stop for blocking said protrusion when said container is engaged in said recess in said second position.
3. The system according to claim 1 wherein said path is a groove.
4. The system according to claim 1 wherein said path is a relief.
5. The system according to claim I wherein said path has a W shape.
6. A method for distributing a product comprising
(i) providing a system according to claim 1;
(ii) inserting said container into said recess in said first position;
(iii) pushing said container in a direction along its longitudinal axis until said container abuts against said abutment, and said protrusion reaches said stop in said path, thereby blocking said container in said second position;
(iv) distributing said product; and
(v) pushing said container in a direction along its longitudinal axis until said protrusion is disengaged from said stop in said path, thereby releasing said container to said first position.
7. A container suitable for use in a system according to claim 1 wherein said path comprises two portions elongated in the general direction of said longitudinal axis, said portions having a top end towards the top of the container and a bottom end towards the bottom of said container, and said portions are linked at their bottom end by a transition portion, said transition portion comprising a stop for blocking said protrusion when said container is engaged in said recess in said second position.
8. The container according to claim 7 wherein said path is a groove.
9. The container according to claim 7 wherein said path is a relief.
10. The container according claim 7 wherein said path has a W shape.
11. The container according to claim 7 wherein said container comprises a pierceable membrane.
12. The container according to claim 11 wherein said membrane is reclosable after it has been pierced.
13. The container according to claim 11 wherein said membrane is made of a PETelastomer multilayer material.
14. A device for dispensing a product comprising a recess for fitting a container, said container comprising a side wall having an external surface, said recess comprising a protrusion for engaging a corresponding path on said surface of said side wall of said container, and said recess further comprises an abutment for said container when it is fitted in said recess.
15. The device according to claim 14 wherein said recess is mounted on a basculating door.
16. The device according to claim 15 further comprising a piercing means and said container further comprising a pierceable membrane, wherein said piercing means is capable of piercing said membrane when said container is fitted in said recess and said basculating door is in a closed position.
17. The device according to claim 16 further comprising a protecting means which prevents access to said needle when said recess is not fitted with a container.
18. The device according to claim 17 wherein said protecting means is actuated by the basculating of said door.
19. The device according to claim 17 wherein said protecting comprises a movable protecting plate.
20. The device according to claim 12 wherein the device is housed within an apparatus for cleaning andor refreshing garments.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A cover assembly for use with an in-floor fitting of the type having an interior compartment that is accessible through an opening in the surface of the floor, the cover assembly comprising:
a frame overlying the fitting and including a passage that provides access to the fitting;
a lid pivotally secured to said frame and covering said passage, said lid being configured to pivot between a closed position at which said passage is closed, and an open position, in which said passage is open;
at least one egress door pivotally secured to said lid, said at least one egress door being configured to pivot relative to said lid between an open door position and a closed door position; and
a sealing membrane disposed on one side of said lid and said at least one egress door, said sealing membrane providing a moisture-tight seal when said lid and said at least one egress door are in said closed lid and closed door positions, respectively.
2. The cover assembly of claim 1, further comprising a gasket positioned over said frame, said gasket being sandwiched between said frame and said sealing membrane when said lid and said at least one egress door are in said closed lid and closed door positions, respectively.
3. The cover assembly of claim 1, further comprising a latch member having an engaging portion operatively connected to a clasp that secures said lid in said closed lid position with respect to said frame.
4. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one egress door is pivotally secured to said lid through at least one hinge.
5. The cover assembly of claim 2, wherein said lid is in the closed position and said at least one egress door is in the open door position, wherein said sealing membrane folds under said lid, and wherein an outer perimeter of said sealing membrane sealingly engages said gasket.
6. A cover assembly adapted to be mounted over an in-floor fitting, comprising:
a lid movably secured over the in-floor fitting;
an egress door movably secured to said lid;
a sealing membrane bonded to an underside of said lid and said egress door; and
a gasket positioned over the in-floor fitting, said gasket sealingly mating with said sealing membrane when said lid and said egress door are closed over said passage.
7. The cover assembly of claim 6, further comprising a latch member having an engaging portion operatively connected to a clasp that secures said lid in a closed lid position.
8. The cover assembly of claim 6, wherein said egress door is pivotally secured to said lid through a hinge.
9. The cover assembly of claim 6, wherein said egress door is slidably secured to said lid.
10. The cover assembly of claim 6, further comprising at least one additional egress door.
11. The cover assembly of claim 6, wherein said sealing membrane is formed of one of rubber, foam, and an elastomeric material.
12. A cover assembly adapted to be mounted over an in-floor fitting formed within a floor, comprising:
a frame configured to be secured to one of the floor and an upper surface of the in-floor fitting, said frame having a passage defined therethrough and configured to allow access into the in-floor fitting;
a lid pivotally secured to said frame and positioned over said passage;
an egress door movably secured to said lid, said egress door opening to provide access through said passage;
a sealing membrane bonded to an underside of said lid and said egress door, said sealing membrane configured to protect the in-floor fitting from moisture infiltration when said lid and egress door are closed; and
a gasket positioned over said frame, said gasket being disposed between said frame and said sealing membrane when said lid and said egress door are closed over said passage, said sealing membrane and said gasket forming a moisture-tight interface therebetween when said lid and said egress door are closed.
13. The cover assembly of claim 12, further comprising a latch member having an engaging portion operatively connected to a clasp that secures said lid in a closed lid position with respect to said frame.
14. The cover assembly of claim 12, wherein said egress door is pivotally secured to said lid through a hinge.
15. The cover assembly of claim 12, wherein said egress door is slidably secured to said lid.
16. The cover assembly of claim 12, further comprising at least one additional egress door.
17. The cover assembly of claim 12, wherein said sealing membrane is composed of one of rubber, foam, and an elastomeric material.
18. The cover assembly of claim 12, wherein said lid is in a closed position and said egress door is in an open door position, wherein said sealing membrane folds under said lid, and wherein an outer perimeter of said sealing membrane sealingly engages said gasket, said sealing membrane providing a moisture-tight seal when said lid and said egress door are closed.