Retention element, dispensing device, and method of use
AssigneeL'oreal
InventorFrank Lacout
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device for packaging and metered dispensing of a product includes a container having an opening that receives a retention element defining a metering cavity. The device may be equipped with a pump for dispensing the contents of the metering cavity. The retention element may also include a first passage and a second passage, with the second passage located between the opening of the container and the first passage. The first and second passages are intended to be brought into communication with the product by at least partially inverting the container. Ribs may be provided within the retention element for channeling all or some of the product entering the retention element via the second passage towards the metering cavity.
Claims83
A device for metered dispensing of a product, the device comprising:
- a container having an opening;
- a retention element mounted at least partially within the container, the retention element comprising:
- a metering cavity configured to contain a product intended to be dispensed when the device is oriented in a substantially upright orientation,
- at least one first passage located at an axial position defining a maximum volume of the metering cavity, and
- at least one second passage located at an axial position intermediate the opening of the container and the axial position of the first passage,
- wherein the first and second passages are configured to be in flow communication with product when the device is at least partially in an inverted orientation;
- at least one channel configured such that when the device is moved from the at least partially inverted orientation to the substantially upright orientation, at least some of the product entering the retention element via the second passage is channeled toward the metering cavity;
- and
- a pump configured to dispense product from the metering cavity.
A retention element for metering an amount of a product to be dispensed from a container, the retention element comprising:
- a tubular member comprising an interior, an end wall, and an open end opposite the end wall;
- at least one first passage intermediate the end wall and the open end;
- a metering cavity defined between the end wall and the first passage;
- and
- at least one second passage adjacent the open end,
- wherein the first and second passages are configured to allow entry of a product into the interior of the tubular member via the second passage when the container is at least partially inverted, and further to allow metering of the product when the container is at least substantially uprighted resulting in a metered amount of the product being in the metering cavity while excess product is returned to the container by exiting the tubular member through the first passage,
- wherein the at least one second passage is located at an axial position different from an axial position of the at least one first passage.
A retention element for metering an amount of a product to be dispensed from a container, the retention element comprising:
- a tubular member comprising an interior, an end wall, and an open end;
- at least one first passage intermediate the end wall and the open end;
- a metering cavity defined between the end wall and the first passage;
- at least one second passage adjacent the open end;
- and
- ribs configured to cooperate with the first and second passages to allow entry of the product into the interior of the tubular element when the container is at least partially inverted, and further to allow metering of the product when the container is at least substantially uprighted resulting in a metered amount of the product being in the metering cavity while excess product is returned to the container by exiting the tubular member through the first passage.
A retention element for metering an amount of a product to be dispensed from a container, the retention element comprising:
- a tubular member comprising an interior, an end wall, and an open end opposite the end wall;
- at least one first passage intermediate the end wall and the open end;
- a metering cavity defined between the end wall and the first passage;
- and
- at least one second passage adjacent the open end,
- wherein the first and second passages are configured to allow entry of a product into the interior of the tubular member via the second passage when the container is at least partially inverted, and further to allow metering of the product when the container is at least substantially uprighted resulting in a metered amount of the product being in the metering cavity while excess product is returned to the container by exiting the tubular member through he first passage,
- wherein the end wall lacks any passage such that product flow is prevented via the end wall.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.