# US 10,246,231 B2 · Container > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,246,231 B2 - Document ID: US10246231B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/125,458 - Filed: 2014-03-12 - Published: 2017-03-16 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2014-03-12 - Assignees: Colgate-Palmolive Company - Applicants: Colgate-Palmolive Company - Inventors: John Crawford - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10246231B2 ## CPC - B65D 51/24: combined {or co-operating} with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes - A45D 34/00: Containers or accessories specially adapted for handling liquid toiletry or cosmetic substances, e.g. perfumes - A61L 9/014: containing sorbent material, e.g. activated carbon - A61L 9/04: using substances evaporated in the air without heating - A61L 9/12: Apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor - B65D 25/42: Integral or attached nozzles or spouts - A45D 2034/002: {Accessories} - A61L 9/127: {comprising a wick} - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - A45D: HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT (wigs, toupees or the like A41G3/00, A41G5/00; hairdressers' chairs A47C1/04; hair cutting appliances, razors B26B); EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING - A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K) ## Abstract Disclosed is a container comprising a vessel defining a chamber storing a volume of a flowable substance having a fragrance, such as a personal care or a home care product; a body defining an opening through which the flowable substance is dispensable from the chamber; and a porous element for retaining a quantity of the flowable substance, the porous element being at a position relative to the volume of the flowable substance so that the flowable substance comes into contact with the porous element as a result of the flowable substance being dispensed from the chamber through the opening. The porous element may be comprised in the body or in a closure that is movable relative to the body between a first position, at which the closure isolates the opening from an exterior of the container, and a second position at which the opening is not isolated from the exterior. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A container, comprising: a vessel defining a chamber for storing a volume of a flowable substance having a fragrance; a body defining an opening through which the flowable substance is dispensable from the chamber; and a closure movable removably attached to the vessel and movable relative to the vessel between a first position at which the closure is attached to the vessel and isolates the opening from an exterior of the container and a second position at which the closure is removed from the vessel such that the opening is not isolated from the exterior of the container by the closure, the closure comprising a porous element for retaining a quantity of the flowable substance. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The container of claim 1, wherein the closure comprises a closure member, and wherein the porous element is affixed to the closure member or is unitary with the closure member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The container of claim 1, wherein the closure is movable relative to the vessel between the first position at which at least a portion of the porous member is in the opening and the second position at which none of the porous member is in the opening. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The container of claim 1, wherein the porous element forms a seal isolating an interior of the closure from an exterior of the container when the closure is at the first position relative to the vessel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The container of claim 1, wherein the porous element is compressed between the closure and one of the body and the vessel when the closure is at the first position relative to the vessel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The container of claim 1, wherein the porous element is in fluid communication with the chamber when the closure is at the first position relative to the vessel. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The container of claim 1, wherein the porous element is isolated from an exterior of the container when the closure is at the first position, and wherein the porous element is in fluid communication with the exterior of the container when the closure is at the second position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The container of claim 1, wherein the porous element partially or fully surrounds the body when the closure is at the first position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The container of claim 1, wherein one or more apertures extend through the closure, each of the one or more apertures being in fluid communication with the porous element when the closure is at the first position relative to the vessel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The container of claim 9, comprising a seal on the exterior of the closure, wherein the seal is movable relative to the closure between a first position at which the seal isolates the, or each, of the one or more apertures from an exterior of the container and a second position at which the seal does not isolate the, or each, of the one or more apertures from the exterior of the container. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The container of claim 1, wherein the opening is defined by a spout. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The container of claim 1, wherein the porous element comprises one or more of a wick, sintered plastic, pulp material, screen material, and pressed paperboard. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The container of claim 1, wherein the flowable substance is one of a personal care product and a home care product; optionally wherein the personal care product is one of a hand soap, a dentifrice, a hair care product, a body wash, and a mouthwash, or wherein the home care product is one of a laundry detergent, a dish washing detergent, a fabric softener, a fabric conditioner, a floor cleaner, and a surface cleaner.