Fluid dispenser

A method of dispensing a fluid into a cistern, which method comprises mounting in a cistern a receptacle containing fluid, providing a scoop having a ladle and a channel, the channel comprising an elongate base and upstanding longitudinal side walls, the ladle comprising side walls and a base, the ladle being mounted at the first end of the channel, the ladle being in an elevated position with the base of the ladle being located above the base of the channel, at least one aperture being defined between the ladle and the first end of the channel, the ladle being positioned to collect an aliquot of fluid when the scoop is in the first position, the channel being located for dispensing fluid from the ladle into the cistern when the scoop is in the second position, the said at least one aperture comprising means for draining fluid from the channel when the scoop is in the first position, and for draining fluid from the channel until the scoop is in the second position, actuating the scoop to move, in response to actuation of the cistern, between a first position, in which an aliquot of fluid is collected by the ladle and a second position, in which fluid is dispensed from the ladle into the cistern via the channel, and draining fluid from the channel when the scoop is in the first position, and until the scoop is in the second position.

An apparatus for dispensing a fluid into a cistern, which apparatus comprises means for mounting the apparatus in a cistern, a receptacle for containing fluid to be dispensed into the cistern and a moveable scoop adapted to move, in use, in response to actuation of the cistern, between a first position, in which fluid is collected from the receptacle, and a second position, in which fluid is dispensed into the cistern, wherein the scoop comprises a ladle for collecting an aliquot of fluid in the first position, a channel, the channel comprising a first end and a second end, a base and a pair of upstanding side walls, for dispensing fluid from the ladle into the cistern in the second position, the ladle provided in an elevated position at the first end of the channel and comprising a base and a pair of upstanding side walls, the ladle comprising a base of substantially V-shaped cross section, the lower part of the V-section being connected to the base of the channel and apertures comprising a pair of triangular holes provided between the V-sectioned base of the ladle and the base and upstanding side walls of the channel, which comprise means for draining fluid from the channel when the scoop is in the first position, and until the scoop is in the second position with fluid from the ladle being dispensed via the second end of the channel.