# US 2014/0151398 A1 · Enhanced dispensing and dosaging techniques for fluid containers

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- Number: US 2014/0151398 A1
- Document ID: US20140151398A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/692,439
- Filed: 2012-12-03
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2012-12-03
- Assignees: RLM Group Ltd.
- Inventors: Robert L. Murphy; Charles A. Curtiss
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140151398A1

## CPC

- B65D 35/28: for expelling contents
- B65D 47/043: {with pouring baffles, e.g. for controlling the flow}
- 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

## Abstract

In various embodiments, the invention provides enhanced structures, devices, and techniques that allow fluids and liquid products, such as cosmetics, to dispense in a more even, smoother, and more predictable manner from fluid containers.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus for dispensing fluid, the apparatus comprising:
a fluid repository in fluid communication with a nozzle, wherein the nozzle includes at least one dispensing orifice formed therein;
a plug positioned within at least a portion of the interior of the nozzle, wherein the plug comprises:
a. a base,
b. a tip comprising a plurality of fingers extending from the base, wherein the fingers are structured to be resiliently biased in a closed state in the absence of a threshold fluid pressure within the interior of the plug, and
c. wherein the plurality of fingers are structured to extend outwardly from the interior of the plug in an open state to create a pathway for communicating fluid from the fluid repository to the dispensing orifice upon application of a threshold fluid pressure within the interior of the plug.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a retaining ridge formed in at least a portion of the interior of the nozzle.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the base of the plug includes a retaining segment structured for correspondingly mating with at least a portion of the retaining ridge of the nozzle.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the plug is positioned within the interior of the nozzle to establish a predetermined gap distance between an outflow region of the plug and the dispensing orifice.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the predetermined gap distance is structured in response to a fluid viscosity.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fingers of the plug comprise fiber bristles.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fingers of the plug comprise a polypropylene material.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fingers of the plug comprise a foam material.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the foam material includes a closed-cell or micro fiber material.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a selected number of fingers of the plug is sufficient to retain a fluid within the interior of the plug in the absence of exceeding a threshold fluid pressure within the interior of the plug.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a length of at least one of the fingers of the plug is sufficient to retain a fluid within the interior of the plug in the absence of exceeding a threshold fluid pressure within the interior of the plug.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the fingers is structured to flex outwardly from a longitudinal axis of the plug upon application of a threshold fluid pressure within the interior of the plug.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plug is structured to communicate fluid therethrough at a threshold fluid pressure not exceeding a pressure applied to the fluid repository.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plug is structured to communicate fluid therethrough at a threshold fluid pressure independent of a pressure applied to the fluid repository.