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AssigneeConopco, Inc., d/b/a UNILEVER
InventorsSimon Lewis BILTON, Christopher John JONES, Rebecca Anne NELSON, Benjamin George OGLESBY, Guy Richard THOMPSON, Iain Andrew WEDDELL
Estimating the term…
A dispenser (1) suitable for delivery of a cream, gel or soft solid composition comprising: (vi) a convex applicator surface (6) at an upper end; (vii) a replaceable cartridge (12) containing a composition to be dispensed; (viii) a passageway between the cartridge and the applicator surface; (ix) a drive mechanism for forcing the composition from the cartridge through the passageway and onto the applicator surface; and (x) an outer body (3) containing features (ii) to (iv); the drive mechanism comprising a dial unit (4) and a plunger (47), rotation of the dial unit (4) in a first direction advancing the plunger (47) axially upwards, the plunger (47) acting upon a piston seal (8) at the base of the replaceable cartridge (12), thereby forcing the contained composition upwards and outwards through the passageway and onto the applicator surface (6); rotation of the dial unit (4) in a second direction, counter to the first, rotationally re-setting the dial unit (4) relative to the plunger (47) in readiness for a further advancement of the plunger (47), rotation in the second direction not causing significant axial movement of the plunger (47).
A dispenser suitable for delivery of a cream, gel or soft solid composition comprising:
A dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plunger may be rotated, independent of the dial unit, to a rotational position in which the plunger is disengaged from the dial unit, allowing the plunger to drop back to its start position.
A dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a holding unit for the replaceable cartridge.
A dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, comprising stop faces that restrict rotational movement of the dial unit in its first direction to less than 180°.
A dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an advancing ratchet which is rotationally locked to the dial unit interacts with advancing teeth on the plunger to cause the plunger to be raised axially upwards when the dial unit is rotated in its first direction.
A dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the passageway between the cartridge and the applicator surface has a minimum cross-sectional area of at least 1.0 mm2.
A dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the replaceable cartridge may be removed from the cylindrical body or a refill holder within the cylindrical body by means of a removable applicator head bearing the convex applicator surface at its top.
A method of applying an antiperspirant composition that is a cream, gel, or soft solid to the surface of the human body comprising the use of a dispenser according to any of the preceding claims.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.