Patent Publication Number: US-2021188523-A1

Title: Moisture-sensitive pod dispenser and method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/574,139, filed Oct. 18, 2017, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if recited in full herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to dispensers for dispensing moisture-sensitive pods and methods of use therewith, and especially dispensers and methods for dispensing moisture-sensitive pods comprising personal care formulations. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Personal care formulations such as soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and other cleansers and/or care formulations, are conventionally provided in a variety of different forms, according to consumer preference and ease of use. For example, liquid formulations of hair care products and even soap and body wash formulations are typically provided in a bottled form, and it is also known to provide personal care formulations in the form of gels, sprays and powders, in bottles or other containers. The containers may be designed to be aesthetically pleasing to use, and to efficiently dispense product for use by the consumer, such as for example via a pour spout, pump, spray, or other dispensing means. 
     However, a problem with many conventional personal care product containers is that they typically are made of plastic, and/or may not be manufactured with the intention of being reusable, and thus are generally not environmentally friendly. Even those products that are at least technically capable of being refilled, such as e.g. shampoo or body wash bottles, are typically not re-used by consumers, as convenient means for refilling such containers for the most part simply do not exist. Accordingly, many consumers simply purchase fresh bottles of personal care product rather than going to the hassle of finding ways to re-use, with used plastic personal care product bottles simply being disposed of, as only a small percentage of consumers recycle bathroom packaging. Outside the home, hotels offer amenities of myriad small plastic bottles which are refreshed daily for consumption. It can be readily appreciated that if each consumer in the U.S. purchases and uses several tens of bottles&#39; worth of personal care product every year, and these plastic bottles are subject to disposal rather than re-use, the amount of waste generated by the disposal of these products and/or the energy required for recycling used containers into new products, is unreasonably excessive and potentially damaging to the long-term health of the environment. Further exacerbating this problem is that plastic is a material that does not readily decompose or break-down upon disposal. Accordingly, as many consumers do not bother recycling plastic personal care product containers, these plastic materials can end up in landfills as relatively non-decomposable material that can persist for generations to come, or as hazardous debris in the oceans that can impact the food chain, among the various ways that non-recycled plastic materials can blight the environment. 
     Recently, single use laundry detergent products have been developed that contain laundry formulations contained within a water-soluble package, such as a pouch made with PVOH films or material with similar characteristics, which can be an attractive alternative to more conventional bulk liquid or powder laundry product forms (see, e.g., WO 2011/094470). Such products may improve ease of use of laundry products, as the pre-measured single use water-soluble package simply dissolves and washes away during use of the laundry detergent product, eliminating the need for the consumer to measure the proper amount of detergent for each load, as well as being more portable when the washing machine is located away from a residence, as in apartment buildings. Individual water-soluble pouches containing laundry product are generally packaged as a batch together in a plastic tub or bag. Furthermore, consumer handling of the product typically occurs in an environment that is relatively dry, such as while loading a laundry machine before a wash cycle is performed. Additionally, when removing laundry pods, consumer hands are likely dry, thus removing one pod by hand from a batch of pods in a container would not compromise the remaining pods in the batch. 
     However, it has been a challenge to convert such single use products into forms suitable for personal care products, as the functional requirements for laundry detergent products are different than those for personal care formulations. In particular, recent focus has been on making substantially thinner water-soluble films for personal care “pods” containing personal care formulations therein, such that the pods can release personal care products to the consumer as the outer films dissolve in an efficient and pleasing manner during washing, bathing, showering, etc. However, a problem with such pods is that the thin external water-soluble film can have an inherent moisture sensitivity that complicates their day-to-day use. Specifically, the water-soluble films that make up the pod “shells” can be easily susceptible to deterioration when exposed to ambient moisture or wet hands, which can be particularly problematic for the types of moisture-rich environments in or near sinks, showers and bathtubs where they are most likely to be used, and with the product being handled by users with wet hands in the bath or shower. Prolonged exposure of the pods to excessive ambient moisture levels and wet hands can result in deterioration of the waster-soluble films to a point where they exhibit a tacky or unpleasantly sticky feel, and can even result in failure of the water-soluble film and leakage of the personal care product. Wide-spread consumer adoption of such moisture-sensitive pods thus depends on the ability to maintain the structural integrity of the pods even in moisture-rich environments. 
     Accordingly, there remains a need for systems and methods for providing moisture-sensitive pods for use by consumers, including in moisture-rich environments, without excessive degradation of the moisture-sensitive pods. There remains a need for providing moisture-sensitive pods for use by consumers, including the ability to dispense a single pod with wet hands without compromising the remaining unused pods in a package. There further remains a need for systems and methods for providing more environmentally friendly personal products, such as for example with less plastic packaging, and/or with less packaging waste, and/or with packaging that is not as harmful to the environment. 
     SUMMARY 
     Aspects of the disclosure provide a dispenser for the dispensing of moisture-sensitive pods which may be suitable for use in a variety of different locations and/or applications. For example, embodiments of the dispenser may be suitable for use at home, such as for use during showering, bathing or washing at home, as well as for personal use during travel. The dispenser may also be suitable for use at locations remote from a consumer&#39;s home, either as transported by a consumer or as provided at that remote location, such as at a hotel, gym, school, military barracks, pool, park, prison, public restroom, movie theater, mall, hospital, plane, spa, or any other place where personal care products may be used outside the home. According to one aspect, the dispenser may at least partially replace environmentally unfriendly single-use plastic packaging omnipresent in personal care industry with, for example, a re-usable (i.e. permanent) dispenser, and/or with paper packaging which may be more environmentally friendly due to its being renewable, more easily recyclable, and/or biodegradable. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a dispenser is provided for dispensing a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods containing personal care liquid or gel formulations. The dispenser comprises a dispenser body having one or more water-resistant walls at least partially defining an interior volume of the dispenser; a holding area configured to hold a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods in the interior volume of the dispenser, wherein the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods held in the holding area are contained in a plurality of sealable holding compartments comprising compartment walls that separate each moisture-sensitive pod from one another in adjacent holding compartments; and at least one dispenser outlet configured to dispense a moisture-sensitive pod from at least one of the plurality of holding compartments. The one or more walls of the dispenser body inhibit the penetration of moisture into the interior volume of the dispenser, and each moisture-sensitive pod is maintained in a substantially moisture-free environment until it is dispensed. 
     In another embodiment, a dispenser is provided for dispensing moisture-sensitive pods comprising personal care formulations. The dispenser comprises a dispenser body having a base and one or more sidewalls extending from the base to define an interior volume; a receiving area configured to receive a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods in the interior volume of the dispenser, the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods being contained in a plurality of sealable holding compartments comprising compartment walls that separate each moisture-sensitive pod from one another in adjacent holding compartments; and at least one dispenser outlet at an end of the dispenser body that is configured to provide access to one or more of the moisture-sensitive pods in the interior volume. The one or more walls of the dispenser body inhibit the penetration of moisture into one or more of the plurality of holding compartments, and each moisture-sensitive pod is maintained in a substantially moisture-free environment until it is dispensed. 
     In a further embodiment, a dispenser is provided for dispensing a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods containing personal care liquid or gel formulations. The dispenser comprises a dispenser body having a base and one or more sidewalls extending from the base to define an interior volume; a holding area configured to hold a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods in the interior volume of the dispenser, wherein the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods held in the holding area are contained in a plurality of sealable holding compartments comprising compartment walls that separate each moisture-sensitive pod from one another in adjacent holding compartments; and dispenser outlets comprising a plurality of apertures formed in the one or more sidewalls and configured to dispense moisture-sensitive pods from at least one of the plurality of holding compartments. The one or more walls of the dispenser body inhibit the penetration of moisture into the interior volume of the dispenser, and each moisture-sensitive pod is maintained in a substantially moisture-free environment until it is dispensed. 
     In yet another embodiment, a dispenser is provided for dispensing a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods containing personal care liquid or gel formulations. The dispenser comprises a dispenser body having one or more sidewalls that at least partially define an interior volume, the one or more sidewalls at least partially surrounding a central axis of the interior volume, and the one or more sidewalls defining an opening between opposing edges thereof; a holding area configured to hold a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods in the interior volume of the dispenser, wherein the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods held in the holding area are contained in a plurality of sealable holding compartments comprising compartment walls that separate each moisture-sensitive pod from one another in adjacent holding compartments; and dispenser outlets comprising a plurality of apertures formed along the one or more sidewalls and configured to dispense moisture-sensitive pods from at least one of the plurality of holding compartments. The one or more sidewalls of the dispenser body inhibit the penetration of moisture into the interior volume of the dispenser, and each moisture-sensitive pod is maintained in a substantially moisture-free environment until it is dispensed. 
     In yet another embodiment, a dispenser is provided for dispensing a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods containing personal care liquid or gel formulations, the dispenser comprising a dispenser body having one or more water-resistant walls at least partially defining an interior volume of the dispenser; a holding area configured to hold a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods in the interior volume of the dispenser, wherein the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods held in the holding area are contained in a plurality of sealable holding compartments at least partially encircling a central axis of the interior volume, the plurality of sealable holding compartments comprising compartment walls that separate each moisture-sensitive pod from one another in adjacent holding compartments; and at least one dispenser outlet configured to dispense a moisture-sensitive pod from at least one of the plurality of holding compartments. The one or more sidewalls of the dispenser body inhibit the penetration of moisture into the interior volume of the dispenser, and each moisture-sensitive pod is maintained in a substantially moisture-free environment until it is dispensed. 
     In yet another embodiment, a dispenser is provided for dispensing a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods containing personal care liquid or gel formulations, the dispenser comprising a dispenser body having one or more water-resistant walls at least partially defining an interior volume of the dispenser, a holding area configured to hold a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods in the interior volume of the dispenser, wherein the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods held in the holding area are contained in a plurality of sealable holding compartments comprising compartment walls that separate each moisture-sensitive pod from one another in adjacent holding compartments, and at least one dispenser outlet configured to dispense a moisture-sensitive pod that is ejected from at least one of the plurality of holding compartments into the interior volume. The one or more water-resistant walls comprise a plurality of selection regions formed therein, each selection region being aligned with a respective sealable holding compartment in the holding area such that application of an external pressure to a selection region ejects a moisture-sensitive pod from the holding compartment that is aligned therewith into the interior volume of the dispenser, for dispensing of the moisture-sensitive pod from the dispenser. The one or more walls of the dispenser body inhibit the penetration of moisture into the interior volume of the dispenser, and each moisture-sensitive pod is maintained in a substantially moisture-free environment until it is dispensed. 
     In yet another embodiment, an insert is provided that is adapted for use a dispenser, the insert comprising a plurality of compartments, each compartment configured to house a single moisture-sensitive pod containing a personal care liquid or gel concentrate formulation, each compartment further adapted to maintain each moisture-sensitive pod in a substantially moisture-free environment and each compartment configured to allow access to each pod on an individual basis without impacting the moisture-free environment of adjacent compartments. The insert may, in certain embodiments, be a single-use insert formed of an environmentally friendly material such as a fiber-based material, a recyclable material, and/or a compostable material. In yet another embodiment, the insert may be formed of an environmentally friendly multi-use insert. 
     These and other aspects of the invention are further disclosed in the detailed description and examples which follow. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following drawings form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the present invention. The invention may be better understood by reference to one or more of these drawings in combination with the detailed description of specific embodiments presented herein. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective front view of an embodiment of a dispenser for dispensing a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods containing personal care liquid or gel formulations, according to one aspect. 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a dispenser for dispensing a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods containing personal care liquid or gel formulations, according to one aspect. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective side view of the dispenser embodiment of  FIG. 1 , also showing a removable insert for refill of a plurality of the moisture sensitive pods, according to one aspect. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view of an embodiment of a tongue-in-groove mechanism for inserting a removable insert in a dispenser, according to one aspect. A tongue-in groove-mechanism may also be used, according to one aspect, to mechanically link one or more insert panels to corresponding panels of the dispenser, such that opening of an individual dispenser panel simultaneously opens an insert panel that is in mechanical communication with the dispenser panel, thereby to expose a pod in a holding compartment covered by insert panel without exposing pods in adjacent compartments. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective front view of an embodiment of a dispenser for dispensing a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods containing personal care liquid or gel formulations, having a plurality of apertures in a sidewall thereof for the dispensing of moisture-sensitive pods, of according to one aspect. 
         FIG. 6  is another perspective view of the embodiment of the dispenser of  FIG. 5 , also showing a removable insert for refill of a plurality of the moisture sensitive pods. 
         FIG. 7  is another perspective view of the embodiment of the dispenser of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , showing the dispenser according to a free-standing aspect. 
         FIGS. 8 and 9  are further perspective views of the embodiment of the dispenser of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , also showing mounting mechanisms for hanging the dispenser, according to one aspect. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective front view of another embodiment of a dispenser for dispensing a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods containing personal care liquid or gel formulations, having one or more sidewalls at least partially surrounding a central axis, and a plurality of apertures in the sidewalls, according to one aspect. 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  are another perspective front view of the dispenser embodiment of  FIG. 10  ( FIG. 11A ), with inset ( FIG. 11B ) showing access to a moisture-sensitive pod via an aperture in the dispenser, according to one aspect. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective side-angle view of an embodiment of inserts for a dispenser, the inserts having a plurality of sealable holding compartments to hold the moisture sensitive pods, according to one aspect. 
         FIG. 13  is another perspective view of the dispenser embodiment of  FIGS. 10 and 11 , showing refill of a removable insert having a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods, according to one aspect. 
         FIG. 14  is perspective front view of another embodiment of a dispenser for dispensing a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods containing personal care liquid or gel formulations, having a plurality of sealable holding compartments at least partially encircling a central axis, according to one aspect. 
         FIG. 15  is a front view of a plurality of the dispensers of embodiment of  FIG. 14 , in a stackable form, according to one aspect. 
         FIGS. 16 and 17  are further perspective views of the dispenser embodiment of  FIG. 14 , also showing dispensing of a moisture-sensitive pod from one of the sealable holding compartments, according to one aspect. 
         FIG. 18  is an exploded perspective view of the dispenser embodiment of  FIGS. 14 and 16-17 , according to one aspect. 
         FIG. 19  is another perspective view of the dispenser embodiment of  FIGS. 14, 16-17 and 18 , and also showing portability of the dispenser for travel, according to one aspect. 
         FIG. 20  is another perspective view of the dispenser embodiment of  FIGS. 14, 16-17 and 18 , showing a carrier configuration in which dispensers can be stacked vertically, according to one aspect. 
         FIG. 21  is another perspective view of the dispenser embodiment of  FIGS. 14, 16-17 and 18 , showing a carrier configuration in which dispensers can be stacked horizontally, according to one aspect. 
         FIG. 22  is another perspective view of the dispenser embodiment of  FIGS. 14, 16-17 and 18 , showing a configuration in which dispensers can be stacked horizontally and mounted with a mounting mechanism, according to one aspect. 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective front view of an embodiment of a dispenser for dispensing a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods containing personal care liquid or gel formulations, according to one aspect. 
         FIG. 24  is another perspective front view of the dispenser embodiment of  FIG. 23  showing loading of a removable insert having moisture-sensitive pods into the dispenser, according to one aspect. 
         FIG. 25  is an exploded perspective front view of the dispenser embodiment of  FIGS. 23-24  showing removable inserts, a dispenser body, and a flexible sleeve, according to one aspect. 
         FIG. 26  is a cut-away perspective front view of the dispenser embodiments of  FIGS. 23-25  illustrating dispensing of a moisture-sensitive pod from a base of the dispenser, according to one aspect. 
         FIGS. 27A-27B  are a perspective front view, and a schematic top view, of an embodiment of a dispenser for dispensing a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods containing personal care liquid or gel formulations, according to one aspect. 
         FIG. 27C  is a perceptive front view and schematic side view of an embodiment of removable inserts that may be used with the dispenser embodiment of  FIGS. 27A-27B , according to one aspect. 
         FIGS. 28A-28B  are schematic cut-away side views of removable inserts for containing moisture-sensitive pods in a dispenser, according to one aspect. 
         FIGS. 29A-29D  are schematic side views of removable inserts contained within a dispenser for dispensing of moisture-sensitive pods therefrom, according to one aspect. 
         FIG. 30  is a perspective front view of a removable panel having re-sealable valves formed therein, for dispensing of moisture-sensitive pods from a dispenser, according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 31  is a perspective front view of another embodiment of a dispenser for dispensing a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods containing personal care liquid or gel formulations, according to one aspect. 
         FIGS. 32A-32B  are a perspective front view, and a schematic top view, of an embodiment of a dispenser for dispensing a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods containing personal care liquid or gel formulations, according to one aspect. 
         FIG. 32C  is a perceptive front view and schematic side view of an embodiment of removable inserts that may be used with the dispenser embodiment of  FIGS. 32A-32B , according to one aspect. 
         FIG. 33  is a perspective front view of another embodiment of a dispenser for dispensing a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods containing personal care liquid or gel formulations, illustrating loading of a removable insert having a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods into the dispenser, according to one aspect. 
         FIG. 34  are perspective front views of the dispenser embodiment of  FIG. 33  illustrating dispensing of a moisture-sensitive pod to a tray of the dispenser, according to one aspect. 
         FIGS. 35A-35B  are a perspective front view, and a schematic side view, of an embodiment of a dispenser for dispensing a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods containing personal care liquid or gel formulations, according to one aspect. 
         FIG. 35C  is a perceptive front view and schematic side view of an embodiment of removable inserts that may be used with the dispenser embodiment of  FIGS. 35A-35B , according to one aspect. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     To address the issue of moisture sensitivity for pods containing personal care liquid or gel formulations, in one embodiment a dispenser  100  is provided that is capable of maintaining each of a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods  102  in a substantially moisture-free environment until, the moisture sensitive pod is dispensed for use. By maintaining the moisture-sensitive pods in a substantially moisture-free environment, the structural integrity of the pods and especially any water-soluble films making up the shells of the pod can substantially be maintained, such that the dispensed pod remains pleasing and suitable for use upon dispensing. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-2, 10 and 14 , embodiments of suitable dispensers  100  for dispensing the moisture-sensitive pods are shown. In one embodiment, the dispenser  100  for dispensing a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods  102  (see, e.g.  FIGS. 11 and 12 ) containing personal care liquid or gel formulations comprises a dispenser body  104  having one or more water-resistant walls  106  at least partially defining an interior volume  108  of the dispenser  100 . The dispenser  100  further comprises a holding area  110  configured to hold a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods  102  in the interior volume  108  of the dispenser  100 . The holding area  110  is configured such that the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods  102  held therein are contained in a plurality of sealable holding compartments  112  comprising compartment walls  114  that separate each moisture-sensitive pod  102  from one another in adjacent holding compartments  112 . The dispenser further comprises at least one dispenser outlet  116  configured to dispense a moisture-sensitive pod  102  from at least one of the plurality of holding compartments  112 . The one or more walls  106  of the dispenser body  104  inhibit the penetration of moisture into the interior volume  108  of the dispenser  100 , and each moisture-sensitive pod is maintained in a substantially moisture-free environment until it is dispensed. 
     This dispenser body  104  may comprise a variety of different shapes, according to for example the type of product being dispensed, consumer preference, the environment where the dispenser will be located, etc. In one embodiment, as shown for example in  FIGS. 1-2 and 10 , the dispenser body  104  has an elongated shape. In yet another embodiment, as shown for example in  FIGS. 1-2, 10 and 14 , at least a portion of the walls  106  give the dispenser body  104  a rounded shape. In yet another embodiment, as shown for example in  FIG. 14 , the dispenser body  104  has a disc shape. The one or more walls  106  of the dispenser body  104  can comprise one or more sidewalls  118 , and optionally also one or more of a top  120  and/or bottom wall  122 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . The walls  106  including sidewalls and/or top and/or bottom walls define the interior volume  108  of the dispenser  100  where the moisture-sensitive pods  102  are held. Furthermore, the walls  106  of the dispenser body  104  may preferably be constructed of a material that inhibits the penetration by moisture, so as to facilitate maintaining the pods  102  in a moisture free environment. In yet another embodiment, the walls  106  of the dispenser body may be formed of an environmentally friendly material, such as a recyclable material or biodegradable material, and/or a post-consumer recycled material. Suitable materials for forming the dispenser body  104  include plastics, such as bioplastics obtained from renewable biomass sources including starch-based plastics and cellulose based plastics, poly-lactic acid-based plastics, recycled PET plastics, bioresins, biodegradable plastics, recycled plastics, glass, metals (including recyclable metals such as aluminum), ceramics, composite materials, and paper or fiber-based materials such as paper, paperboard, corrugated and reinforced paper products, and material made from natural fibers. The dispenser body  104  can also comprise rubber or other materials to aid in gripping the dispenser  100 , such as rubber pads or stripes on the body  104  of the dispenser  100 . The dispenser body  104  may also optionally be coated with a water-resistant coating to further inhibit moisture penetration into the holding area  110  of the dispenser  100 . Furthermore, while the dispenser  100  is configured to inhibit penetration of moisture into at least some of the holding compartments  112  to protect moisture-sensitive pods  102 , it is also contemplated that the dispenser  100  may be capable of dispensing one or more pods  102  that have little or no moisture sensitivity. 
     In one embodiment, the plurality of holding compartments  112  comprise at least one removable insert  124  that is configured to be removed from the dispenser body  104  for refill of the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods, as shown for example in  FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, 13 and 18 . According to one aspect, the at least one removable insert  124  comprises a plurality of holding compartments  112  positioned along an insert strip  126  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 12 ), each holding compartment  112  configured to contain an individual moisture-sensitive pod  102 . For example, the insert  124  may comprise up to 10 and even more holding compartments  112 , such as at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 5, at least 7, at least 8, and at least 9 holding compartments. In yet another embodiment, the insert  124  may comprise just a single holding compartment  112 . In yet another embodiment, the plurality of holding compartments  112  comprise a plurality of separate removable inserts  124 , each containing a single holding compartment  112  configured to contain an individual moisture-sensitive pod  102 . The holding compartments  112  typically will be configured to accommodate just a single pod  102 , although the holding compartments may in some situations be configured to contain more than one pod  102 , such as for example when two pods are intended to be used substantially simultaneously. Furthermore, the holding area  110  of the dispenser  100  may be configured to accommodate a plurality of removable inserts  124  having the plurality of holding compartments  112  in the interior volume  108  of the dispenser  100 . For example, the holding area  110  may be configured to contain up to 10 and even more removable inserts  124 , such as at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 5, at least 7, at least 8, and at least 9 removable inserts  124 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates an embodiment of a removable insert  124  suitable for a dispenser  100  according to aspects of the invention. In this figure, the insert  124  comprises a plurality of compartments  112 , each compartment  112  configured to house a single moisture-sensitive pod  102  containing a personal care liquid or gel concentrate formulation. Each compartment  112  is further adapted to maintain each moisture-sensitive pod  102  in a substantially moisture-free environment, such as for example by providing walls  114  that at least partially surround and isolate the pods  112  from each other and/or the external environment. According to one aspect, each compartment  112  is further configured to allow access to each pod  102  on an individual basis, without impacting the moisture-free environment of adjacent compartments  112 . For example, referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , it can be seen that each holding compartment  112  has a compartment panel  128  that can be opened to access the contents of the individual compartment  112 . The compartment panel  128  can form a part of the sealable walls of the compartment  112  that seal the compartment  112  when closed, but can be opened by a consumer to access a pod therein, such as by peeling back the compartment panel  128  from the insert (as shown in  FIGS. 11A-11B ). In one embodiment, the insert strip  126  comprises perforations at various points along the width thereof, to allow for access to individual compartments  112  by tearing back a portion of the strip  126  between perforations, without exposing adjacent compartments  112 . In yet another embodiment, the insert  124  may comprise compartment panels  128  that are separately openable as doors on hinges, such that the contents of one compartment  112  behind one panel  128  can be exposed without exposing adjacent compartments  112  behind panels  128  that remain closed. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 , compartment panels  128  for each compartment  112  are separated by a perforated sealing section  130  in an insert strip  126  that allows for each panel  128  to be separately opened while adjacent compartments can remain sealed. That is, the plurality of compartments  112  may be sealed by a peelable portion of an insert strip  126  that is adhered to the plurality of compartments and seals an opening of the compartments  112 , with the insert strip  126  being perforated widthwise at a plurality of positions along the length thereof to allow individual peeling of sections of the strip corresponding to the compartment panels  128 . In the embodiment, the compartment  112  behind a panel  128  can be exposed by peeling back the section of the strip  126  between perforations that corresponds to the panel  128 , without exposing adjacent compartments behind the other panels that have not been opened. Other embodiments for separate opening of the compartment panels  128  are also possible, including providing an insert  124  with pre-made separate compartments each having separate compartment panels  128 , where the separate compartments are connected together, such as by being adhered to one another side by side to form the insert  124 , and such that the compartments panels  128  of each are individually openable without opening the compartment panels  128  of other compartments  112  in the insert  124 . 
     The removable inserts  124  can comprise a shape suitable to accommodate the holding area  110  of the dispenser  100 , and vice versa. For example, for a dispenser body  104  having an elongate shape as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the removable insert  124  may similarly comprise an elongate shape, whereas for a dispenser body having a disc shape as in  FIG. 14  the removable insert  124  may also be in the shape of a disc. In one embodiment, the removable inserts  124 , are formed of an environmentally friendly material, such as at least one of an environmentally friendly plastic, including recycled, recyclable and/or biodegradable plastic, such as bioplastics obtained from renewable biomass sources including starch-based plastics and cellulose based plastics, as well as a paper and/or fiber-based material, such as a paper, paperboard, cardboard, and/or corrugated paper product, and products produced from natural fibers, and including recycled products, and recyclable and/or biodegradable products. The insert  124  can also comprise combinations of different materials, such as a first material for the sealable holding compartments  112 , and a second material serving as panels  128  for the compartments, such as a second material for an insert strip  126  that is used to seal the openings of the compartments  112 . The insert  124  may also be coated with a water-resistant coating to inhibit the penetration of moisture into the holding compartments. In one embodiment, the insert  124  comprises a paper or fiber-based material, such as a molded paper product, that is coated with a water-resistant coating, such as a polymer-based coating. 
     In the embodiment where the holding area  110  accommodates one or more refillable inserts  124 , the dispenser  100  may be refilled to replace used pods  102  by removing used inserts and inserting fresh inserts  124  into the dispenser  100 . In a case where a plurality of inserts may be contained in the dispenser  100 , the inserts  124  may be individually replaced one at a time, or the inserts may be entirely removed and replaced with fresh inserts. Also, in one embodiment the inserts  124  might be provided to a user “pre-loaded” with pods  102  already inserted into the holding chambers  112 , or a user may be provided with pods  102  separately from the inserts  124 , so as to allow the user to load the inserts  124  with pods according to their preference, and replace the inserts  124  into the dispenser  100  with a customized pod selection. In one embodiment, both the holding compartments  112  and walls  106  of the dispenser body  104  are configured to inhibit the penetration of moisture, such as by being shaped to inhibit moisture and made of moisture-resistant materials. However, it may also be the case that the walls  106  of the dispenser body are more water-impermeable than the walls  114  of the holding compartments  112 , or vice versa. 
     In one embodiment, the one or more inserts  124  and/or dispenser body  104  may be configured to releasably attach and/or secure the inserts to the dispenser body, when the inserts are placed into the holding area. For example, referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a tongue-in-groove configuration can be provided to secure the insert to the dispenser body. In one embodiment, the body of the dispenser  100  comprises longitudinal slots  156  extending down at least a portion of the length of the dispenser body  104 , and which are configured to engage the lateral sides  158  of the inserts  124  to retain the inserts  124  in the holding area  110 . The inserts can be engaged with the dispenser body  104  by sliding the lateral sides  159  of the inserts in the longitudinal slots such that the sides  159  of the inserts are fixed in position by the slots. Other means of securing the inserts  124  within the dispenser body  104  can also be provided. For example, the inserts can be affixed by a releasable attachment means, such as a releasable adhesive, magnetic means, by providing anchoring means within the dispenser body, or by a snap in configuration. For example, in one embodiment, the dispenser body may have upper and lower slots to accommodate upper and lower edges of an insert, and the insert is longitudinally squeezed to fit the ends thereof in the slots, whereupon relaxing of the insert extends the length of the insert so it is snug against the slots. 
     In yet another embodiment, the tongue-in-groove configuration can form a part of the dispenser panels  136  that can be opened to individually access the compartments  112 . For example, referring to  FIG. 3 , the means for securing the insert  124  can comprise longitudinal slots  156  (e.g., grooves) as shown, that engage with the lateral sides  158  of the insert  124 , with each panel  136  having its own independent tongue-in-groove configuration with slots  156  that are independent of the slots  156  of other panels  136 . That is, the panels  136  may have an extending structure  137  that extends away from a surface of the panel  136  facing the insert, and that hooks around and forms a channel (the slot  156 ) for receiving a side  158  of the insert. Each panel  136  may have its own separate extending structures  137  and/or hooking means for separately engaging the adjacent lip or lateral side of the insert. Accordingly, an insert panel  128  can be opened to access an individual compartment by opening the dispenser panel  136 , as opening of the panel  136  simultaneously engages the lateral side  158  of the insert, causing the panel  128  to open via tearing or lifting of the lateral side  158  away from the rest of the insert body, such as for example by tearing along perforated lines formed in an insert strip  126 . Thus, the tongue-in-groove configuration can provide for securing of an insert to the dispenser body, and may also provide for individual access to each of the compartments by opening the panels  136 , without exposing adjacent compartments. In certain embodiments, the tongue in groove configuration may also allow for the compartments to be accessed without requiring a separate step of opening the insert panels  128  before and/or after opening the dispenser panel  136 , as the dispenser panels  136  and insert panels  128  may be opened substantially simultaneously. 
     In yet another embodiment, it is contemplated that at least a portion, and even all, of the plurality of holding compartments  112  is permanently affixed to the dispenser body  104 , such as to sidewalls  106  of the dispenser body. For example, at least a portion of the compartment walls  114  of the holding compartment  112  may be attached to the dispenser body, such as by being adhered or otherwise bonded to the dispenser body  104 , or even forming a part of a same piece with the dispenser body. In this embodiment, at least a portion and even all of the plurality of holding compartments  112  form a permanent part of the dispenser body  104 , and so are not removable for refill of the dispenser  100 , unlike in the case where holding compartments are contained in removable inserts. Instead, in this embodiment, the holding compartments  112  may be individually accessed by a user for refill thereof, for example by providing an opening  132  in the dispenser body  104  that is sufficiently large to allow a user to access the holding area  110  and holding compartments  112  therein, so the compartments  112  can be re-filled with fresh pods  102 , or by access via apertures  134  (e.g., by opening panels  136 ). 
     In one embodiment, the dispenser  100  comprises at least one dispenser outlet  116  that is configured to provide access to only a single holding compartment  112  at the same time. For example, as shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the dispenser comprises a plurality of outlets  116 , and each outlet allows access to only a single holding compartment  112 , as also shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 11A-11B , such that a pod  102  loaded into the compartment  112  can be accessed for use thereof, substantially without exposing other pods in adjacent holding compartments  112  to the ambient environment. In the embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 11 , the outlets  116  comprise one or more apertures  134  formed in a wall  106  of the dispenser body  106  that are sized and shaped to allow pods  102  to be dispensed therethrough. In order to access the plurality of pods  102  held by the dispenser  100 , the dispenser can comprise a plurality of individual outlets with apertures  134  such that each holding compartment  112  is accessed by its own aperture  134 . In yet another embodiment, the dispenser  100  can comprise a dispenser outlet  116  that is configured to provide access to a plurality of holding compartments at the same time. For example, in one embodiment, the dispenser outlets can comprise a plurality of elongated apertures  134  in the dispenser body that expose a plurality of holding compartments  112  in the interior volume  108 . In this embodiment, the holding compartments  112  may be separately sealed from one another, such that opening of the elongate outlet does not expose the interiors of the multiple holding compartments  112  adjacent a holding compartment that is targeted for access. For example, the holding compartments may be sealed by a perforated sealing portion of an insert strip  126  that connects the holding compartments together while also allowing for individual access into the holding compartments  112 , as has been described above. In one embodiment, the dispenser outlet  116  is itself sealable to inhibit penetration of moisture into the plurality of holding compartments  112 . For example, in one embodiment, the at least one dispenser outlet  116  can comprise one or more openable panels  136  located on one or more sides of the dispenser, as shown for example in  FIGS. 11A-11B , where the panels may be configured to engage with the dispenser body  104  so as to inhibit the penetration of moisture through the panels  136 , e.g. by forming a seal with the walls of the dispenser body. The panels  136  may be openable via a hinge mechanism or sliding mechanism or other suitable mechanism, or may be adhered via magnetic strip or other adhering mechanism to the body  104  of the dispenser  100 . In yet another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the dispenser outlet  116  may be located at the top or bottom of the dispenser  100 . In a case where the dispenser outlet  116  or other opening is located a top  140  or bottom  142  of the dispenser, the dispenser outlet  116  may further comprise a dispenser lid  138  to cap off the outlet and inhibit the penetration of moisture into the dispenser, as shown for example in the embodiment of  FIG. 6 . In yet another embodiment, the at least one dispenser outlet  116  is rotatable with respect to one or more of the plurality of holding compartments  112 , so as to provide access to individual holding compartments  112  via rotation. 
     In one embodiment, the dispenser  100  is configured such that the interior volume  108  of the dispenser is substantially entirely surrounded by the water-resistant walls of the dispenser body  104 , as shown for example in the embodiment of  FIG. 10 . However, in yet another embodiment, the water-resistant walls  106  of the dispenser body  104  define an opening  132  in the dispenser body  104  that is configured to provide access for refilling of moisture-sensitive pods  102  in the plurality of holding compartments  112 , as shown for example in the embodiments of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In this embodiment, the plurality of holding compartments  112  are themselves sealable so as to inhibit penetration of moisture that could enter the holding area  110  through the opening  132 . Moreover, the plurality of holding compartments  112  may be configured to be individually reloaded. 
     The dispenser  100  can be configured to optimize ease of use and to provide a pleasant experience for a person using the dispenser to dispense personal care pods  102 . For example, in one embodiment, the dispenser comprises a dispenser body  104  having one or more walls  106  with indentations therein, to facilitate gripping of the dispenser  100  by a user, as shown for example in the embodiment of  FIG. 10 . In yet another embodiment, the dispenser comprises a mounting mechanism  146  for mounting the dispenser  100  to one or more of a wall and a fixture. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 8-9 and 22 , the mounting mechanism  146  can comprise a hook  148  or strap configured to hang the dispenser  100 . The dispenser  100  may also comprise a mounting mechanism  146  comprising at least one of an adhesive strip, velcro and/or magnetic mechanism for mounting to a surface, or may be free-standing (see, e.g.,  FIG. 7 ). 
     The liquid or gel formulations contained in the pods  102  dispensed by the dispenser comprise at least one of personal care and cleansing formulations. For example, the formulations can comprise at least one of shampoo, conditioner, shampoo-conditioner combinations, body wash, body wash-shampoo combinations, soap, face wash, face scrub, shower gel and shaving gel, as well as combinations thereof, although the formulations are not limited to this list, and other formulations for personal care or general cleansing may be provided. The dispenser  100  according to embodiments of the invention may be configured to comprise up to 10 and even more pods having personal care compositions therein, as described above, which may be the same or different compositions. 
     In one embodiment, the dispenser is configured to dispense pods  102  having different compositions from one another. For example, the plurality of pods  102  contained by the dispenser  100  for dispensing thereof can comprise a first moisture-sensitive pod  102  having a first personal care composition, and a second moisture-sensitive pod  102  having a second personal care composition, the first composition being different than the second composition. According to yet another embodiment, the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods may further comprise a third moisture-sensitive pod having a third personal care composition that is different than the first and second compositions. In yet another embodiment, the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods further comprises a fourth moisture-sensitive pod having a fourth personal care composition that is different than the first, second and third compositions. For example, in one embodiment, the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods comprise a first moisture-sensitive pod having a shampoo formulation, a second moisture-sensitive pod having a conditioner formulation, and a third moisture-sensitive pod having a body wash formulation. 
     According to yet another embodiment, the plurality of holding compartments  112  comprise a first removable insert  124   a  having one or more moisture-sensitive pods comprising a first personal care composition, and a second removable insert  124   b  having one or more moisture-sensitive pods comprising a second personal care composition, the first composition being different than the second composition, as shown for example in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 . In yet another embodiment, the plurality of holding compartments  112  further comprises a third removable insert  124  comprising a third personal care composition that is different than the first composition and the second composition. In yet another embodiment, the plurality of holding compartments  112  further comprises a fourth removable insert  124  comprising a fourth personal care composition that is different than the first, second, and third compositions. For example, the plurality of holding compartments  112  can comprise a first removable insert  124  having a moisture-sensitive pods comprising a shampoo formulation, a second removable insert  124  having moisture-sensitive pods comprising a conditioner formulation, and a third removable insert having moisture-sensitive pods comprising a body wash formulation. In yet another embodiment, a same insert may have a plurality of different pods having different compositions in the same insert  124 . For example, the plurality of holding compartments  112  may comprise at least one removable insert  124 , and wherein the at least one removable insert  124  comprises a first moisture-sensitive pod having a first personal care composition, and a second moisture-sensitive pod having a second personal care composition, the first composition being different than the second composition, on the same insert. In a further embodiment, the same removable insert  124  comprises a third moisture-sensitive pod having a third personal care composition, the third composition being different than the first and second composition, on the same insert. In yet a further embodiment, the same removable insert  124  comprises a fourth moisture-sensitive pod having a fourth personal care composition, the fourth composition being different than the first, second and third composition, on the same insert. For example, the same removable insert  124  may comprise a first moisture-sensitive pod having a shampoo formulation, a second moisture-sensitive pod having a conditioner formulation, and a third moisture-sensitive pod having a body wash formulation, on the same insert. 
     According to embodiments of the present invention, the moisture-sensitive pods that are dispensed by the dispenser comprise the liquid or gel formulations enveloped in an at least partially water soluble film. The water-soluble film may be one that, upon exposure to water, at least partially dissolves and/or degrades, so as to release the contents of the moisture-sensitive pod, and in some embodiments the water-soluble film may even entirely dissolve and/or degrade leaving only the formulation behind (e.g., to reduce any waste and provide a more pleasant experience for the user), and/or may entirely dissolve and/or degrade substantially simultaneously with the use of the formulation. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the personal care formulations may be formulated to be have a relatively low water content (and even be substantially anhydrous), so as to preserve the integrity of the water-soluble film in which the composition is contained. In one embodiment, the cumulative water content of the personal care formulation may be less than 20% by weight, such as less than 15% by weight and even less than 10% by weight of the personal care formulation, although the cumulative water content will generally be at least 7.6% by weight of the personal care formulation. The water-soluble film can comprise any suitable water-soluble material that is compatible with the formulation, such as a water-soluble polymer or algae-derived materials. Examples of suitable water-soluble polymers include polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyethylene glycol (PEG) and carboxymethyl cellulose (see, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 2016/0317397, GB 2118961, EP 1512701 and WO 2011/094470). 
     According to yet another embodiment of the invention, a method of providing a personal care liquid or gel formulation, comprises dispensing a moisture-sensitive pod comprising the liquid or gel formulation from any of the embodiments of the dispenser  100  described herein. Furthermore, it is contemplated that a person dispensing pods from the dispenser  100  may be the same person that also refills the dispenser  100 , for example, when the dispenser is for home or personal use. Alternatively, the dispenser  100  may be refilled be a separate person, such as an employee of a hotel, spa, etc., and a customer may be the one who dispenses pods from a pre-filled dispenser  100 . For example, a hotel may fill dispensers  100  with the types of pods commonly used by hotel guests, such as shampoo, conditioner, and body-wash, making it easy for the guest to access the appropriate pods. The dispenser  100  can be provided with labels to identify which holding compartments and/or inserts contain what formulation, or the pods may be loaded in a pre-defined order into the dispenser, or color-coded, etc., for ease of dispensing. In one embodiment, the dispenser  100  may comprise panels  136  that are at least partially and even fully transparent, so that a person can see whether a compartment behind the panel  136  has been accessed, and/or what the compartment contents might be. For example, an insert  124  may have panels  128  labelled with the contents therein, e.g. shampoo, conditioner, etc., and the labels of the panels  128  may be viewed through the at least partially transparent panels  136 . A person may also be able to tell whether a pod is in the compartment  112  or has already been accessed, such as for example by identifying that a perforated insert panel  128  has already been opened. Other parts of the dispenser  100  and/or strip  124  may also be labelled to indicate the contents of compartments  112  and/or strips  124 . 
     The following are further detailed embodiments of the invention, described with reference to  FIGS. 1-22 . The features such as structures, functions, compositions, etc. of the dispenser described above are also intended to apply to the below-described embodiments, where suitable, and any features described below are likewise considered to be applicable to other embodiments and not necessarily restricted to the particular embodiment with reference to which they are described. 
     Referring to the embodiments as shown in  FIGS. 2-9 , the dispenser  100  for dispensing moisture-sensitive pods  102  comprising personal care formulations comprises a dispenser body  104  having a base  154  and one or more sidewalls  106  extending from the base  154  to define an interior volume  108 . The dispenser  100  further comprises a holding area  110  configured to hold a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods in the interior volume  108  of the dispenser  100 , the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods  102  being contained in a plurality of sealable holding compartments  112  comprising compartment walls  114  that separate each moisture-sensitive pods  102  from one another in adjacent holding compartments  112 . The dispenser  100  further comprises at least one dispenser opening  132  at an end  120 ,  122  of the dispenser body  100  that is configured to provide access to one or more of the moisture-sensitive pods  102  in the interior volume  108 . The one or more walls  106  of the dispenser body  104  inhibit the penetration of moisture into one or more of the plurality of holding compartments  112 , and each moisture-sensitive pod  102  is maintained in a substantially moisture-free environment until it is dispensed. 
     In one embodiment, the dispenser  100  comprises an elongate shape, and in the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 2  has a shape that tapers in towards a middle of the length of the dispenser  100 , and flares out towards a top. Other shapes and materials may also be suitable, such as for example for ergonomic reasons, or to facilitate gripping and/or for aesthetic reasons. In the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 2 , the dispenser comprises only a single dispenser opening  132  located at a top  120  of the dispenser body  104 , which may be used both for replacement and dispensing of pods from the dispenser (e.g., as a dispenser outlet  116 ). In the embodiments as shown in  FIGS. 5-9 , the dispenser  100  comprises further dispenser outlets  116  along sidewalls  118  of the dispenser body  104 , and an opening at a top and/or bottom  120 ,  122  may be sized to access the interior volume for replacing and/or dispensing pods therefrom. 
     In one embodiment, the dispenser  100  comprises a holding area  110  that is configured to hold at least one removable insert  124  comprising the plurality of holding compartments  112  for the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods  102 , the at least one removable insert  124  being configured to be removed from the dispenser body  100  for refill and/or replacement of the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods  102 . In one embodiment, as shown in the  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the holding area  110  comprises a plurality of longitudinal slots  156  configured to engage lateral sides  158  of the at least one removable insert  124 . According to one embodiment, the at least one removable insert  124  comprises a plurality of holding compartments  112  positioned along an insert strip  126 , each holding compartment  112  configured to contain an individual moisture-sensitive pod  102 . 
     In one embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 2-9 , the holding area  110  is configured to accommodate a plurality of removable inserts  124  having the plurality of holding compartments  112  in the interior volume  108  of the dispenser  100 . In another embodiment, the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods comprises up to 10 pods having personal care compositions. For example, the plurality of pods  102  can comprising a first moisture-sensitive pod having a first personal care composition, and a second moisture-sensitive pod having a second personal care composition, the first composition being different than the second composition. In yet another embodiment, the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods further comprises a third moisture-sensitive pod having a third personal care composition that is different than the first and second compositions. According to yet another embodiment, the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods further comprises a fourth moisture-sensitive pod having a fourth personal care composition that is different than the first, second and third compositions. In one embodiment, the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods comprise a first moisture-sensitive pod having a shampoo formulation, a second moisture-sensitive pod having a conditioner formulation, and a third moisture-sensitive pod having a body wash formulation. 
     In yet another embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 2-9 , the plurality of holding compartments  112  comprise a first removable insert  124  having one or more moisture-sensitive pods comprising a first personal care composition, and a second removable insert  124  having one or more moisture-sensitive pods  102  comprising a second personal care composition, the first composition being different than the second composition. In one embodiment, the plurality of holding compartments  112  further comprises a third removable insert  124  comprising a third personal care composition that is different than the first composition and the second composition. In yet another embodiment, the plurality of holding compartments  112  further comprises a fourth removable insert  124  comprising a fourth personal care composition that is different than the first, second, and third compositions. In one embodiment, the dispenser comprises a first removable insert  124  having moisture-sensitive pods  102  comprising a shampoo formulation, a second removable insert  124  having moisture-sensitive pods  102  comprising a conditioner formulation, and a third removable insert  124  having moisture-sensitive pods  102  comprising a body wash formulation. In yet another embodiment, the plurality of receiving compartments  110  comprise at least one removable insert  124 , and the at least one removable insert  124  comprises a first moisture-sensitive pod  102  having a first personal care composition, and a second moisture-sensitive pod  102  having a second personal care composition, the first composition being different than the second composition, on the same insert. In a further embodiment, the insert  124  comprises a third moisture-sensitive pod  102  having a third personal care composition, the third composition being different than the first and second composition, on the same insert. In another embodiment, the insert further comprises a fourth moisture-sensitive pod  102  having a fourth personal care composition, the fourth composition being different than the first, second and third composition, on the same insert  124 . In one embodiment, the at least one removable insert  124  comprises a first moisture-sensitive pod having a shampoo formulation, a second moisture-sensitive pod having a conditioner formulation, and a third moisture-sensitive pod having a body wash formulation, on the same insert  124 . 
     In one embodiment as shown in  FIG. 2 , the at least one dispenser opening  132  is sized and configured to provide access to multiple removable inserts  124  at a same time. For example, the dispenser opening  132  may be configured to provide access to the receiving area for refill of one or more of the plurality of removable inserts in the dispenser. The at least one dispenser opening  132  can be located in opposing relation to the base  154  of the dispenser body  100 . In one embodiment, at least one dispenser opening  132  is located in the base  154  of the dispenser body. In another embodiment, the at least one dispenser opening  132  comprises a lid  138  that is closeable to cover the opening, for example as shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 6 . The at least one dispenser opening may further be sealable to inhibit penetration of moisture into the plurality of holding compartments  112 . 
     In the embodiments as shown in  FIGS. 3-9 , the interior volume  108  is substantially entirely surrounded by the water-resistant walls  106  of the dispenser body  100 . The dispenser can further comprise a mounting mechanism  146  for mounting the dispenser  100  to one or more of a wall and a fixture, as shown in  FIGS. 8-9 . In one embodiment, the mounting mechanism  146  comprises a hook  148  or strap configured to hang the dispenser  100 . The mounting mechanism can also comprise at least one of an adhesive strip, velcro and/or magnetic mechanism for mounting to a surface, and/or the dispenser may be free-standing, as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     In one embodiment, each of the plurality of holding compartments  112  is secured to a wall  106  of the dispenser  100 . Furthermore, as shown in the embodiments of  FIGS. 3-4 , each of the plurality of holding compartments  112  can be secured to the wall  106  of the dispenser  100  by way of a tongue-in-groove configuration, such as any of the tongue-in-groove configurations described above. 
     In one embodiment, the dispensers  100  as shown in the embodiments of  FIGS. 2-9  are configured to dispense pods having liquid or gel formulations are at least one of personal care and cleansing formulations. For example, the formulations comprise at least one of shampoo, conditioner, shampoo-conditioner combinations, body wash, body wash-shampoo combinations, soap, face wash, face scrub, shower gel and shaving gel. Further, the moisture-sensitive pods  102  can comprise the liquid or gel formulations enveloped in an at least partially water soluble film, as has been discussed above, such as a water soluble film comprising a water soluble polymer. Generally, an embodiment of a method of providing a personal care liquid or gel formulation can comprise dispensing a moisture-sensitive pod  102  comprising the liquid or gel formulation from the dispenser according to any of the embodiments as shown in  FIGS. 2-9 . 
     In one embodiment, an insert  124  adapted for use in the dispenser  100  according to any embodiment as depicted in  FIGS. 14-22  comprises a plurality of compartments  112 , each compartment  112  configured to house a single moisture-sensitive pod  102  containing a personal care liquid or gel concentrate formulation, each compartment further adapted to maintain each moisture-sensitive pod in a substantially moisture-free environment and each compartment  112  configured to allow access to each pod on an individual basis without impacting the moisture-free environment of adjacent compartments  112 . 
     Referring to the embodiments as shown in  FIGS. 10-13 , a dispenser for dispensing a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods containing personal care liquid or gel formulations comprises a dispenser body  104  having a base  154  and one or more sidewalls  118  extending from the base to define an interior volume  108 . The dispenser  100  comprises a holding area  110  configured to hold a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods  102  in the interior volume  108  of the dispenser  100 . The plurality of moisture-sensitive pods  102  held in the holding area  110  are contained in a plurality of sealable holding compartments  112  comprising compartment walls  114  that separate each moisture-sensitive pod  102  from one another in adjacent holding compartments  112 . The dispenser  100  further comprises dispenser outlets  116  comprising a plurality of apertures  134  formed in the one or more sidewalls  118 , and configured to dispense moisture-sensitive pods  102  from at least one of the plurality of holding compartments  112 . The one or more walls  118  of the dispenser body  100  inhibit the penetration of moisture into the interior volume  108  of the dispenser  100 , and each moisture-sensitive pod  102  is maintained in a substantially moisture-free environment until it is dispensed. 
     In the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 10 , the dispenser body  100  has an elongated shape. The dispenser body  100  further comprises indentations  144  in sidewalls  118  thereof therein to facilitate gripping of the dispenser  100 . In one embodiment as shown in  FIG. 10 , indentations  144  comprise plural elongate indentations formed in the sidewalls  118  about a central axis  150  of the dispenser body  104 , and extending at least a portion of the distance from a top of the sidewalls  118  to the base  154 . 
     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 13 , the plurality of holding compartments  112  comprise at least one removable insert  124  configured to be removed from the dispenser body  100  for refill of the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods  102 . In one embodiment, the at least one removable insert  124  comprises a plurality of sealable holding compartments  112  positioned along an insert strip  126 , each sealable holding compartment  112  configured to contain an individual moisture-sensitive pod  102 . In one embodiment, the holding area  110  is configured to accommodate a plurality of removable inserts  124  having the plurality of holding compartments in the interior volume of the dispenser. In another embodiment, the plurality of holding compartments  112  are each configured to contain an individual moisture-sensitive pod  102 , which is maintained in a substantially moisture free environment until accessed. 
     In one embodiment, the dispenser comprises a holding area  110  with compartment walls  114  that are attached to at least a portion of the dispenser body  104 . For example, although not shown in  FIGS. 10-13 , the holding area  110  can comprises a plurality of longitudinal slots  156  configured to engage lateral sides  158  of at least one removable insert  124 , such as is shown in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 . In yet another embodiment, each of the plurality of holding compartments  112  is secured to a wall  118  of the dispenser  100 , such as for example by way of a tongue-in-groove configuration, including any of the tongue-in-groove configurations described above. For example, the tongue-in-groove configuration can form a part of the dispenser panels  136  that can be opened to individually access the compartments  112 . For example, referring to  FIGS. 11A-11B , the means for securing the insert  124  can comprise longitudinal slots  156  (e.g., grooves), that engage with the lateral sides  158  of the insert  124 , with each panel  136  having its own independent tongue-in-groove configuration with slots  156  that are independent of the slots  156  of other panels  136 . That is, the panels  136  may have an extending structure  137  that extends away from a surface of the panel  136  facing the insert, and that hooks around and forms a channel (the slot  156 ) for receiving a side  158  of the insert. Each panel  136  may have its own separate extending structures  137  and/or hooking means for separately engaging the adjacent lip or lateral side of the insert. Accordingly, an insert panel  128  can be opened to access an individual compartment by opening the dispenser panel  136 , as opening of the panel  136  simultaneously engages the lateral side  158  of the insert, causing the panel  128  to open via tearing or lifting of the lateral side  158  away from the rest of the insert body, such as for example by tearing along perforated lines formed in an insert strip  126 . Thus, the tongue-in-groove configuration can provide for securing of an insert to the dispenser body, and may also provide for individual access to each of the compartments by opening the panels  136 , without exposing adjacent compartments. In certain embodiments, the tongue in groove configuration may also allow for the compartments to be accessed without requiring a separate step of opening the insert panels  128  before and/or after opening the dispenser panel  136 , as the dispenser panels  136  and insert panels  128  may be opened substantially simultaneously. 
     In one embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 10-11 and 13 , the holding compartments  112  comprise a series of compartments  112  extending along the sidewalls  118  between the base  154  and a top  120  of the dispenser body  104 , each compartment  112  being adjacent to at least one aperture  134  of the plurality of apertures  134 . In one embodiment, the dispenser outlets  116  are configured to provide access to only a single holding compartment  112  via an aperture  134  at a same time. In a further embodiment, the dispenser outlets  116  comprise panels  136  that are openable to expose an aperture  134  and a compartment  112  adjacent the aperture  134 , as shown in  FIGS. 10-11 and 13 . In one embodiment, the panels  136  are sealable to inhibit the penetration of moisture into the holding compartments  112 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11A-11B , it can be seen that in one embodiment a panel  136  of a dispenser outlet  116  may be simultaneously openable with a compartment panel  128  of a holding compartment  112 . For example, the compartment panel  128  of the holding compartment may be attached or adhered to the outer panel  136  of the dispenser body outlet, such that opening of the exterior panel  136  also results in opening of the compartment panel  128  leading to the holding compartment. The simultaneous action of the exterior panel  136  and compartment panel  128  may be achieved, for example, by applying an adhesive to one or more of the interior surface of the panel  136  or exterior surface of the compartment panel  128 . The panels  128 ,  136  may also be made to stick together through magnetic means, Velcro, or other adhesive means. In one embodiment, insertion and placement of the insert  124  in the dispenser body aligns with compartment panels  128  with the outer panels  136 , and a piercing portion located on an inner surface of the outer panel at least partially pierces the compartment panel  128  to adhere the panels  128 ,  136  together. While the panels  128 ,  136  may be made to simultaneously open, in other embodiments the panels  128 ,  136  may be opened separately from one another. 
     In one embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 10-11 and 13 , the dispenser outlets  116  comprise a column  160  of apertures  134  extending along the sidewalls  118  at least a portion of the distance from the base  154  of the dispenser body  104  to a top end  120  of the dispense body  104  opposing the base  154 . In one embodiment, multiple columns  160  of apertures  134  are formed on sidewalls  118  of the dispenser body  100  about a central axis  150  of the dispenser  100 . Furthermore, the dispenser  100  can comprise one or more elongate indentations  144  formed about the central axis  150  and in between the columns  160  of apertures  134 . 
     In the embodiments as shown in  FIGS. 10-13 , the plurality of holding compartments comprise at least one removable insert  124 , and the removable insert  124  comprises an openable panel  128  that allows for access of a moisture-sensitive pod  120  in a holding compartment  112  of the insert  124  via an aperture  134  of the dispenser outlet  116 . In one embodiment, the at least one dispenser outlet  116  comprises a plurality of elongated apertures  134  in the dispenser body  104  configured to expose a plurality of openable panels  128  of the at least one removable insert  124 . As discussed above, when the apertures  134  are configured to expose a plurality of openable panels  128  of the insert  124 , the panels  128  may be configured to be separately sealable such that opening of one panel  128  does not expose adjacent pods  102  behind other panels  128 . 
     According to yet another embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 10-13 , the dispense comprises an opening  132  formed in the dispenser body  104  to allow for access to the interior volume  108  of the dispenser  100  for replacement of at least one removable insert  124 . In one embodiment, the opening  132  is formed at a top end  120  of the dispenser body  104  opposing the base  154 , as shown in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 13 . In another embodiment, the opening  132  is formed in the base  154 . In another embodiment as shown in  FIG. 13 , the dispenser  100  comprises a lid  138  to cover the refill opening  132 . Furthermore, in the embodiments as shown in  FIGS. 10-11 and 13 , the interior volume  108  is substantially entirely surrounded by the water-resistant walls  118  of the dispenser body  104 , optionally including the lid  138  to cover an opening  132  formed in the dispenser body  100 . 
     Although not shown in  FIGS. 10-13 , the dispenser  100  may further comprise a mounting mechanism  146  for mounting the dispenser to one or more of a wall and a fixture, for example as shown in the embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 8-9 and 22 . For example, the mounting mechanism  146  can comprise a hook  148  or strap configured to hang the dispenser  100 . In one embodiment, the mounting mechanism  146  comprises at least one of an adhesive strip, velcro and/or magnetic mechanism for mounting to a surface, or the dispenser  100  can be free-standing, as shown in the embodiments of  FIGS. 10-11 and 13 . 
     As discussed above, the dispenser  100  as shown in the embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 10-13  may be configured to dispense liquid or gel formulations that are at least one of personal care and cleansing formulations. For example, the formulations can comprise at least one of shampoo, conditioner, shampoo-conditioner combination, body wash, body-wash-shampoo combinations, soap, face wash, face scrub, shower gel and shaving gel. Furthermore, the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods can comprise up to 10 pods having personal care compositions. For example, the plurality of pods comprising a first moisture-sensitive pod  102  having a first personal care composition, and a second moisture-sensitive pod  102  having a second personal care composition, the first composition being different than the second composition. In yet another embodiment, the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods  102  further comprises a third moisture-sensitive pod  102  having a third personal care composition that is different than the first and second compositions. In yet another embodiment, the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods  102  further comprises a fourth moisture-sensitive pod  102  having a fourth personal care composition that is different than the first, second and third compositions. For example, the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods  102  can comprise a first moisture-sensitive pod  102  having a shampoo formulation, a second moisture-sensitive pod  102  having a conditioner formulation, and a third moisture-sensitive pod  102  having a body wash formulation. 
     In one embodiment, such as for example the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 12 , the dispenser  100  can comprise a plurality of holding compartments having a first removable insert  124  having one or more moisture-sensitive pods  102  comprising a first personal care composition, and a second removable insert  124  having one or more moisture-sensitive pods  102  comprising a second personal care composition, the first composition being different than the second composition. In yet another embodiment, the plurality of holding compartments  112  further comprises a third removable insert  124  comprising a third personal care composition that is different than the first composition and the second composition. In yet another embodiment, the plurality of holding compartments  112  further comprises a fourth removable insert  124  comprising a fourth personal care composition that is different than the first, second, and third compositions. For example, in one embodiment, the dispenser  100  comprises a first removable insert  124  having a moisture-sensitive pods  102  comprising a shampoo formulation, a second removable insert  124  having moisture-sensitive pods  102  comprising a conditioner formulation, and a third removable insert  124  having moisture-sensitive pods  102  comprising a body wash formulation. 
     In yet another embodiment, the plurality of holding compartments  112  comprise at least one removable insert  124 , and wherein the at least one removable insert  124  comprises a first moisture-sensitive pod  102  having a first personal care composition, and a second moisture-sensitive pod  102  having a second personal care composition, the first composition being different than the second composition, on the same insert  124 . In a further embodiment, the plurality of holding compartments  112  comprises a third moisture-sensitive pod  102  having a third personal care composition, the third composition being different than the first and second composition, on the same insert  124 . Further, the plurality of holding compartments  112  can have a fourth moisture-sensitive pod  102  having a fourth personal care composition, the fourth composition being different than the first, second and third composition, on the same insert  124 . For example, in one embodiment the at least one removable insert  124  comprises a first moisture-sensitive pod  102  having a shampoo formulation, a second moisture-sensitive pod  102  having a conditioner formulation, and a third moisture-sensitive pod  102  having a body wash formulation, on the same insert  124 . 
     As discussed above, the moisture-sensitive pods  102  comprise the liquid or gel formulations enveloped in an at least partially water soluble film, such as a water soluble film comprising a water-soluble polymer. Generally speaking, method of providing a personal care liquid or gel formulation can comprise dispensing a moisture-sensitive pod  102  comprising the liquid or gel formulation from a dispenser corresponding to any of the embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 10-13 . 
     In one embodiment, an insert  124  adapted for use in the dispenser  100  according to any embodiment as depicted in  FIGS. 10-23  comprises a plurality of compartments  112 , each compartment  112  configured to house a single moisture-sensitive pod  102  containing a personal care liquid or gel concentrate formulation, each compartment further adapted to maintain each moisture-sensitive pod in a substantially moisture-free environment and each compartment  112  configured to allow access to each pod on an individual basis without impacting the moisture-free environment of adjacent compartments  112 . 
     Referring to the embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3-9 , the dispenser  100  for dispensing a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods containing personal care liquid or gel formulations comprises a dispenser body  104  having one or more sidewalls  118  that at least partially define an interior volume  108  thereof. The dispenser  100  comprises a holding area  110  configured to hold a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods  102  in the interior volume  108  of the dispenser  100 . The plurality of moisture-sensitive pods  102  held in the holding area  110  are contained in a plurality of sealable holding compartments  112  comprising compartment walls  114  that separate each moisture-sensitive pod  102  from one another in adjacent holding compartments  112 . In the embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3-9 , the dispenser  100  comprises dispenser outlets  116  comprising a plurality of apertures  134  formed along the one or more sidewalls  118  and configured to dispense moisture-sensitive pods from at least one of the plurality of holding compartments  112 . The one or more sidewalls  118  of the dispenser body  104  inhibit the penetration of moisture into the interior volume of the dispenser, and each moisture-sensitive pod is maintained in a substantially moisture-free environment until it is dispensed. 
     In the embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3-9 , the dispenser body  109  comprises an elongate shape. Furthermore, in the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 1 , the one or more sidewalls  118  further form an arcuate shape about the interior volume. Furthermore, in the embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the dispenser  100  comprises one or more sidewalls  118  at least partially surrounding a central axis  150  of the interior volume  108 , and the one or more sidewalls  118  define an opening  132  between opposing edges  152   a,b  thereof. The opening  132  defined by the opposing edges  152   a,b  of the one or more sidewalls  118  is configured to provide access for replacement of moisture-sensitive pods in the plurality of holding compartments  112 . In yet another embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 5-9 , the dispenser comprises sidewalls  118  that entirely surround the central axis  150  of the interior volume. 
     In one embodiment, the dispenser  100  comprises a dispenser body  104  that is open at opposing ends  120 ,  122  of the interior volume  108 . In another embodiment, the dispenser  100  comprises at least one end of the dispenser body  104  that is configured to be closeable. 
     In one embodiment, such as form example as depicted in the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1, 3-4 and 6 , the plurality of holding compartments  112  comprise at least one removable insert  124  configured to be removed from the dispenser body  104  for replacement of the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods. In one embodiment, the at least one removable insert  124  comprises a plurality of holding compartments  112  positioned along an insert strip  126 , each holding compartment  112  configured to contain an individual moisture-sensitive pod  102 . In another embodiment, the holding area  110  is configured to accommodate a plurality of removable inserts  124  having the plurality of holding compartments  112  in the interior volume  108  of the dispenser  100 . In another embodiment, the plurality of holding compartments  120  are each configured to contain an individual moisture-sensitive pod  102  in a substantially moisture-free environment. 
     In one embodiment as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 3-4 , the holding area  110  comprises compartment walls  114  that are attached to at least a portion of the dispenser body  104 . For example, as depicted in the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 3-4 , the holding area  110  can comprises a plurality of longitudinal slots  156  configured to engage lateral sides  158  of at least one removable insert  124 . In yet another embodiment, each of the plurality of holding compartments  112  is secured to a wall  118  of the dispenser  100 . For example, each of the plurality of holding compartments  112  can be secured to the wall  118  of the dispenser  100  by way of a tongue-in-groove configuration, such as any of those described above. For example, the tongue-in-groove configuration can form a part of the dispenser panels  136  that can be opened to individually access the compartments  112 . For example, referring to  FIG. 3 , the means for securing the insert  124  can comprise longitudinal slots  156  (e.g., grooves), that engage with the lateral sides  158  of the insert  124 , with each panel  136  having its own independent tongue-in-groove configuration with slots  156  that are independent of the slots  156  of other panels  136 . That is, the panels  136  may have an extending structure  137  that extends away from a surface of the panel  136  facing the insert, and that hooks around and forms a channel (the slot  156 ) for receiving a side  158  of the insert. Each panel  136  may have its own separate extending structures  137  and/or hooking means for separately engaging the adjacent lip or lateral side of the insert. Accordingly, an insert panel  128  can be opened to access an individual compartment by opening the dispenser panel  136 , as opening of the panel  136  simultaneously engages the lateral side  158  of the insert, causing the panel  128  to open via tearing or lifting of the lateral side  158  away from the rest of the insert body, such as for example by tearing along perforated lines formed in an insert strip  126 . Thus, the tongue-in-groove configuration can provide for securing of an insert to the dispenser body, and may also provide for individual access to each of the compartments by opening the panels  136 , without exposing adjacent compartments. In certain embodiments, the tongue in groove configuration may also allow for the compartments to be accessed without requiring a separate step of opening the insert panels  128  before and/or after opening the dispenser panel  136 , as the dispenser panels  136  and insert panels  128  may be opened substantially simultaneously. 
     In the embodiments as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3-9 , the holding compartments  12  comprise a series of compartments  112  extending along the sidewalls  118  between opposing ends  120 ,  122  of the dispenser body  104 , each compartment  112  being adjacent to at least one aperture  134  of the plurality of apertures  134 . Further, dispenser outlets  116  may in one embodiment be configured to provide access to only a single holding compartment  112  via an aperture  134  at the same time. In one embodiment, the dispenser outlets  116  comprise panels  136  that are openable to expose an aperture  134  and a compartment  112  adjacent the aperture  134 . The panels  136  may be sealable to inhibit the penetration of moisture into the holding compartments  112 . 
     In the embodiments as shown in  FIGS. 1, 3 and 5-9 , the dispenser outlets  116  comprise a column  160  of apertures  134  extending along the sidewalls  118  at least a portion of the distance between opposing ends  120 ,  122  of the dispenser body  104 . For example, multiple columns  160  of apertures  134  may be formed on sidewalls  118  of the dispenser body  100  about a central axis  160  of the dispenser  100 , as shown in the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , or may be formed on a front face  162  of the dispenser body, as shown in the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 5-9 . In the embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the multiple columns  160  of apertures  134  are formed on a side of the sidewalls  118  opposite the opening  132  defined by the opposing edges  152   a, b  of the sidewalls  118 . 
     In one embodiment, the plurality of holding compartments  112  comprise at least one removable insert  124 , and the removable insert  124  comprises an openable panel  128  that allows for access of a moisture-sensitive pod in a holding compartment  112  of the insert  124  via an aperture  134  of the dispenser outlet  116 . In another embodiment, the at least one dispenser outlet  116  comprises a plurality of elongated apertures in the dispenser body  100  configured to expose a plurality of openable panels  128  of the at least one removable insert  24 . In this embodiment, the openable panels may be separately sealable such that holding compartments  112  that behind the elongate aperture are not exposed to moisture when an adjacent holding compartment  112  is opened. 
     As shown in the embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 8-9 , the dispenser can comprise a mounting mechanism  146  for mounting the dispenser  100  to one or more of a wall and a fixture. For example, the mounting mechanism  146  can comprise a hook  148  or strap configured to hang the dispenser  100  therefrom. In one embodiment, the mounting mechanism comprises at least one of an adhesive strip, velcro and/or magnetic mechanism for mounting to a surface. In another embodiment, the dispenser is free-standing, as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     As discussed above, the dispenser embodiments of  FIGS. 1 and 3-9  may be configured to dispense liquid or gel formulations that are at least one of personal care and cleansing formulations. For example, the formulations can comprise at least one of shampoo, conditioner, shampoo-conditioner combination, body wash, body wash-shampoo combinations, soap, face wash, face scrub, shower gel and shaving gel. 
     In the embodiments as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 3-9 , the dispenser  100  can contain and dispense up to 10 pods having personal care compositions. For example, the plurality of pods  102  can comprise a first moisture-sensitive pod  102  having a first personal care composition, and a second moisture-sensitive pod  102  having a second personal care composition, the first composition being different than the second composition. Furthermore, the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods can further comprise a third moisture-sensitive pod having a third personal care composition that is different than the first and second compositions. Even further, the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods  102  can further comprise a fourth moisture-sensitive pod  102  having a fourth personal care composition that is different than the first, second and third compositions. In one embodiment, the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods  102  comprise a first moisture-sensitive pod having a shampoo formulation, a second moisture-sensitive pod having a conditioner formulation, and a third moisture-sensitive pod having a body wash formulation. 
     In the embodiments as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 3-9 , the plurality of holding compartments  112  can comprise a first removable insert  124  having one or more moisture-sensitive pods  102  comprising a first personal care composition, and a second removable insert  124  having one or more moisture-sensitive pods  102  comprising a second personal care composition, the first composition being different than the second composition. Furthermore, the plurality of holding compartments  112  can further comprise a third removable insert  124  comprising a third personal care composition that is different than the first composition and the second composition. Even further, the plurality of holding compartments  112  can further comprise a fourth removable insert  124  comprising a fourth personal care composition that is different than the first, second, and third compositions. For example, the plurality of inserts can comprise a first removable insert having moisture-sensitive pods  102  comprising a shampoo formulation, a second removable insert having moisture-sensitive pods  102  comprising a conditioner formulation, and a third removable insert having moisture-sensitive pods  102  comprising a body wash formulation. 
     In yet another embodiment, the plurality of holding compartments comprise at least one removable insert  124 , and wherein the at least one removable insert  124  comprises a first moisture-sensitive pod  102  having a first personal care composition, and a second moisture-sensitive pod  102  having a second personal care composition, the first composition being different than the second composition, on the same insert  124 . Further, the insert can comprise a third moisture-sensitive pod  102  having a third personal care composition, the third composition being different than the first and second composition, on the same insert  124 . Even further, insert can comprise a fourth moisture-sensitive pod  102  having a fourth personal care composition, the fourth composition being different than the first, second and third composition, on the same insert. For example, the at least one removable insert can comprise a first moisture-sensitive pod  102  having a shampoo formulation, a second moisture-sensitive pod  102  having a conditioner formulation, and a third moisture-sensitive pod  102  having a body wash formulation, on the same insert  124 . 
     As discussed above, the embodiments as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3-9  can comprise moisture-sensitive pods  102  comprise the liquid or gel formulations enveloped in an at least partially water soluble film, such as a water-soluble film comprising a water-soluble polymer. Accordingly, a general method of providing a personal care liquid or gel formulation comprises dispensing a moisture-sensitive pod comprising the liquid or gel formulation from the dispenser according to any of the embodiments as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 3-9 . 
     In one embodiment, an insert  124  adapted for use in the dispenser  100  according to any embodiment as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 3-9  comprises a plurality of compartments  112 , each compartment  112  configured to house a single moisture-sensitive pod  102  containing a personal care liquid or gel concentrate formulation, each compartment further adapted to maintain each moisture-sensitive pod in a substantially moisture-free environment and each compartment  112  configured to allow access to each pod on an individual basis without impacting the moisture-free environment of adjacent compartments  112 . 
     Referring to the embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 14-22 , the dispenser  100  for dispensing the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods  102  containing personal care liquid or gel formulations comprises a dispenser body  104  having one or more water-resistant walls  106  at least partially defining an interior volume  108  of the dispenser  100 . The dispenser comprises a holding area  110  configured to hold a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods  102  in the interior volume  108  of the dispenser  100 , wherein the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods  102  held in the holding area  110  are contained in a plurality of sealable holding compartments  112  at least partially encircling a central axis  150  of the interior volume  108 , the plurality of sealable holding compartments  112  comprising compartment walls  114  that separate each moisture-sensitive pod  102  from one another in adjacent holding compartments  112 . The dispenser  100  further comprises at least one dispenser outlet  116  configured to dispense a moisture-sensitive pod  102  from at least one of the plurality of holding compartments  112 , The one or more walls  106  of the dispenser body  104  inhibit the penetration of moisture into the interior volume  108  of the dispenser  100 , and each moisture-sensitive pod  102  is maintained in a substantially moisture-free environment until it is dispensed. 
     In certain embodiments, the dispenser  100  as shown in  FIGS. 14-22  may be particularly well-suited for travel, due to its portability and convenience.  FIG. 19  demonstrates how embodiments of the dispenser  100  can be made to be carried comfortably by hand, and with a compact shape that lends itself well to stowing on luggage and bags. In the embodiments as shown in  FIGS. 14-22 , the dispenser body  104  has a rounded shape.  FIGS. 14-22  further depict embodiments where the dispenser body  104  has a disc shape. 
     In one embodiment, for example as depicted in  FIG. 14 , the at least one dispenser outlet  116  comprises an aperture  134  formed in a sidewall  118  of the dispenser body  104 , the sidewall  114  extending about the central axis  150  of the interior volume  108 . Furthermore, according to yet another embodiment, the at least one dispenser outlet  116  can comprises a plurality of apertures  134  in a sidewall  118  of the dispenser body  104  and at least partially encircling the central axis  150  of the interior volume  108 , so as to provide access to individual holding compartments  112  in communication with each aperture  134 . 
     In one embodiment, the at least one dispenser outlet  116  is rotatable with respect to one or more of the plurality of holding compartments  112 , so as to provide access to individual holding compartments  112  via rotation. For example, in one embodiment as shown in  FIG. 18 , the one or more holding compartments  112  comprise an annular carousel  164  having a plurality of segmented chambers  166  at least partially encircling the central axis  150 . In another embodiment, the annular carousel  164  with segmented chambers  166  as depicted in  FIG. 18  is not rotatable. However, in yet another embodiment, the dispenser outlet  116  is rotatable with respect to the annular carousel  164  by rotation of the sidewall  118  about the central axis  150 . For example, a user may rotate the sidewall  118  with respect to the central axis  150  to rotate the dispenser outlet  116  with respect to the compartments  112 . In yet another embodiment, the dispenser outlet  116  is rotatable with respect to the annular carousel  164  by rotation of the carousel  164  about the central axis. That is, a user may rotate the carousel  164  itself about the central axis, so as to rotate the compartments  112  with respect to the dispenser outlet  116 . 
     In one embodiment, the dispenser body can comprise a tongue-in-groove confirmation to retain the an insert  124  inside the dispenser body  104 , and/or to provide separately openable compartments that can be opened without opening adjacent compartments. For example, the tongue in groove configuration may be any described above, where slots  156  are provided to one or more engage sides  158  and/or to engage insert panels  128 . In one embodiment, the tongue-in-groove configuration can form a part of the dispenser panels  136  that can be opened to individually access the compartments  112 . For example, referring to  FIG. 18 , the means for securing the insert  124  can comprise one or more longitudinal slots  156  (e.g., grooves), that engage with the lateral sides  158  and/or panels  128  of the insert  124 , with each panel  136  having its own independent tongue-in-groove configuration with slots  156  that are independent of the slots  156  of other panels  136 . That is, each of the individual panels  136  may have an extending structure  137  (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 3 ) that extends away from a surface of the panel  136  facing the insert, and that hooks around and forms a channel (the slot  156 ) for receiving a side  158  of the insert and/or panel  128 . However, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 18 , the insert  124  has an annular shape, as opposed to the longitudinal strips as shown, e.g., in  FIG. 3 . Accordingly, in order to engage sides  158  of the insert panels  128  with the slots  156  formed by the extending structures  137  of the dispenser body panels  136 , according to one aspect the insert  124  may be inserted into a portion of the dispenser body having the panels  136 , and the insert  124  may be slightly rotated to insert the panel sides  158  of the individual insert panels  128  into the slots  156  formed in the dispense body panels  136 . That is, the slots  156  are formed in the dispenser body panels  136  such that they each individually engage one of a plurality of insert panels  128  that are distributed circumferentially about a perimeter of the annular insert. Furthermore, the sides  158  of the insert panels  128  that may be engaged by the slots and/or tongue-in-groove mechanism of the dispenser panels  136  may be located at discrete positions circumferentially about the perimeter of the annular insert, such as vertical sides of the panels as shown in  FIG. 18  (e.g., such that the insert panel opens in a direction of curvature of the annular insert), and/or the dispenser panels  136  may be configured to engage one or more of the top and/or bottom annular edges of the insert, e.g. as in the longitudinal insert as shown in  FIG. 3  but as formed into annular shape (e.g., such that the insert panel opens in a vertical and/or orthogonal direction to the direction of curvature of the annular insert). Other configurations may also be provided. Furthermore, each panel  136  may have its own separate extending structures  137  and/or hooking means for separately engaging the adjacent lip or lateral side of the insert, and which is separate from extending structures  137  and/or slots of other panels. Accordingly, an insert panel  128  can be opened to access an individual compartment by opening the dispenser panel  136 , as opening of the panel  136  simultaneously engages the lateral side  158  of the insert, causing the panel  128  to open via tearing or lifting of the lateral side  158  away from the rest of the insert body, such as for example by tearing along perforated lines  159  formed along a circumference of the insert  124 . Thus, the tongue-in-groove configuration can provide for securing of an insert to the dispenser body, and may also provide for individual access to each of the compartments by opening the panels  136 , without exposing adjacent compartments. In certain embodiments, the tongue in groove configuration may also allow for the compartments to be accessed without requiring a separate step of opening the insert panels  128  before and/or after opening the dispenser panel  136 , as the dispenser panels  136  and insert panels  128  may be opened substantially simultaneously. 
     In one embodiment, for example as depicted in  FIG. 18 , the plurality of segmented chambers  166  of the annular carousel  164  comprise radially extending chamber sidewalls  114 , to separate individual moisture-sensitive pods  102  in each segmented chamber  166 . In yet another embodiment, the plurality of holding compartments  112  comprise at least one removable insert  124  configured to be removed from the dispenser body  104  for replacement of the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods, for example as shown in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 18 . For example, the at least one removable insert  124  can comprise an annular carousel  164  having a plurality of segmented chambers  166  that is configured to be positioned about the central axis  150  of the interior volume  108 , each segmented chamber  166  being configured to contain an individual moisture-sensitive pod  102 . 
     In one embodiment, the dispenser  100  comprises a holding area configured to accommodate a plurality of removable inserts  124  having the annular carousel  164  in the interior volume  108  of the dispenser  100 . In another embodiment, the plurality of holding compartments  112  comprise a plurality of inserts  124  comprising the holding compartments  112 , and the inserts are configured to be positioned in a pattern that at least partially encircles the central axis  150  of the interior volume  108 . 
     In one embodiment, the plurality of holding compartments  112  comprise at least one annular insert  124  having a plurality of segmented chambers at least partially encircling the central axis  150  of the interior volume. In yet another embodiment, the plurality of holding compartments  112  comprise a plurality of inserts  124  each configured to be arranged to at least partially encircle the central axis  150  of the interior volume, and to protect the moisture-sensitive pods from moisture. The annular inserts may similarly comprise perforations to allow for opening of the panels  128  about a circumference of the inserts. 
     In one embodiment, at least a portion of the compartment walls  114  of the plurality of holding compartments  112  are attached one or more walls  106  of the dispenser body  100 . In yet another embodiment as depicted in  FIG. 14 , the sidewalls  118  of the dispenser body  104  are at least partially curved at opposing ends  120 ,  122  of the body  104  to at least partially contain an annular carousel  164  comprising segmented chambers  166  in the interior volume  108 . 
     In one embodiment, the at least one dispenser outlet  116  is configured to provide access to only a single holding compartment  112  at the same time. In yet another embodiment, the at least one dispenser outlet  116  is configured to provide access to a plurality of holding compartments  112  at the same time. Furthermore, the at least one dispenser outlet  116  may be sealable to inhibit penetration of moisture into the plurality of holding compartments. Furthermore, in the embodiments as shown in in  FIGS. 16-19 , the dispenser  100  comprises a plurality of dispenser outlets  116  at least partially encircling the central axis  150 , and each outlet having a closeable panel  136  to close off and protect a holding compartment  112  located behind the panel  136 . 
     According to one embodiment, the dispenser body comprises at least one dispenser opening  132  which comprises a dispenser lid  138  located at a top  120  or bottom  122  of the dispenser  100 . In yet another embodiment, the dispenser body  104  is resealably openable at one or more opposing ends  120 ,  122  thereof. In one embodiment, the at least one dispenser outlet  116  comprises one or more openable panels  136 . In yet another embodiment, the interior volume  108  is substantially entirely surrounded by the water-resistant walls  106  of the dispenser body  104 . In another embodiment, an opening  132  at one or more opposing ends  120 ,  122  of the dispenser body  104  is configured to provide access for replacement of moisture-sensitive pods in the plurality of holding compartments  112 . 
     In one embodiment as shown for example in  FIG. 20-22 , the dispenser comprises a mounting mechanism  146  for mounting the dispenser  100  to one or more of a wall and a fixture. For example, as shown in  FIG. 22 , the mounting mechanism  146  can comprise a hook  148  or strap configured to hang the dispenser  100  therefrom. In yet another embodiment, a carrier  168  is provided to hold a plurality of dispensers  100  in a stacked formation, as shown in  FIGS. 20-22 . For example, the dispenser body  104  may be configured to be stacked vertically with other dispensers, either in contact with the other dispensers or in a carrier  168  with shelves for receiving the dispensers, as shown in  FIG. 20 . The dispenser body  104  may also be configured to be stacked horizontally, either in contact with one or more other dispensers, and/or in a carrier  168  configured to assist with stacking, as shown in  FIGS. 21-22 . In yet another embodiment, the dispenser  100  comprises a mounting mechanism comprises at least one of an adhesive strip, velcro and/or magnetic mechanism for mounting to a surface, or the dispenser may be free-standing. 
     In one embodiment, referring again to  FIGS. 15-16 , the dispensers  100  may themselves be configured to be stackable by attaching to one another. For example, one or more of a top surface  200   a  of the dispenser body  104  and the bottom surface  200   b  of the dispenser body may comprise a connector  201  that is configured to connect one dispenser body  104  of one dispenser  100  to another dispenser body  104  of another dispenser  100 , such that the dispensers  104  can be stacked together in a stable manner. As examples, the surfaces  200   a ,  200   b  may comprise a connector  201  that is complimentary to a connector on another dispenser body, such as a knob and/or complimentary indentation that allows for connection via a click-in attachments, complimentary screw-in attachments, or even Velcro or other releasable adhesive, such that each dispenser body  104  can be releasably attached to another dispenser body. In one embodiment, the dispensers  100  can be attached to one another to form an overall bottle shape, such as for example to fit on shower and sink ledges that are normally sized to accommodate bottles for personal care products. For example, a “bottle” shaped stack of such dispensers could comprise 3 dispensers  100  of body wash, 3 of shampoo, and 3 of conditioner. Alternatively, the stacks of inserts  124  and/or dispensers  100  could be stacked inside a separate exterior bottle container, or could be stacked onto an interior dowel or rod, e.g. with a base and a hook, to improve the stability of the stack. 
     In one embodiment, the dispenser body  104  is configured to be stackable with other dispensers  100  having the same or different personal care formulations. For example, in one embodiment, the dispenser body  104  is stackable to form a personal care system  170  having two or more dispensers  100 , the dispensers having the same or different compositions. In one embodiment, the personal care system  170  comprises three dispensers  100 , a first dispenser with moisture-sensitive pods  102  comprising shampoo, a second dispenser  100  with moisture-sensitive pods  102  comprising conditioner, and a third dispenser  100  with moisture-sensitive pods  102  comprising body wash. In yet another embodiment, the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods  102  in the same dispenser  100  can comprise the same or different personal care formulations. 
     As discussed above, the dispenser embodiments as shown in  FIGS. 14-22  may be configured to dispense liquid or gel formulations that are at least one of personal care and cleansing formulations. In one embodiment, the formulations comprise at least one of shampoo, conditioner, shampoo-conditioner combination, body wash, body wash-shampoo combinations, soap, shower gel, face wash, face scrub, and shaving gel. As also discussed above, the moisture-sensitive pods can comprise the liquid or gel formulations enveloped in an at least partially water soluble film, such as a water-soluble film comprising a water soluble polymer. Accordingly, a general method for providing a personal care liquid or gel formulation comprises dispensing a moisture-sensitive pod comprising the liquid or gel formulation from the dispenser embodiments as depicted in  FIGS. 14-22 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 23-35C , yet another embodiment of a dispenser  100  is shown. In this embodiment, similarly to the dispensers described above, a dispenser  100  is provided for dispensing a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods  102  containing personal care liquid or gel formulations. The dispenser  100  comprises a dispenser body  104  having one or more water-resistant walls  118  at least partially defining an interior volume  108  of the dispenser. The dispenser further comprises a holding area  110  configured to hold a plurality of moisture-sensitive pods  102  in the interior volume  108  of the dispenser  100 . The plurality of moisture-sensitive pods  102  held in the holding area  110  are contained in a plurality of sealable holding compartments  112  comprising compartment walls  114  that separate each moisture-sensitive pod  102  from one another in adjacent holding compartments  112 . The dispenser  100  further comprises at least one dispenser outlet  116  configured to dispense a moisture-sensitive pod  102  that is ejected from at least one of the plurality of holding compartments  112  into the interior volume  108 . In the embodiments as shown, the one or more water-resistant walls  118  comprise a plurality of selection regions  180  formed therein, each selection region  180  being aligned with a respective sealable holding compartment  112  in the holding area  110 , such that application of an external pressure  182  to a selection region  180  ejects a moisture-sensitive pod  102  from the holding compartment  112  that is aligned therewith into the interior volume  108  of the dispenser  100 , for dispensing of the moisture-sensitive pod  102  from the dispenser  100 . The one or more walls  118  of the dispenser body  104  further inhibit the penetration of moisture into the interior volume  108  of the dispenser, and each moisture-sensitive pod  102  is maintained in a substantially moisture-free environment until it is dispensed. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 23-27B  an embodiment is shown where the dispenser  100  comprises an elongate body  104 , such as in the shape of a tower, for dispensing of the moisture-sensitive pods  102 . In the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 25 , the one or more water-resistant walls  118  comprise a first wall enclosure  118   a  comprising a plurality of apertures  184  therein that are aligned at the plurality of selection regions  180 , each of which apertures  184  is configured to engage a respective one of the plurality of sealable holding compartments  112 . According to the embodiment as shown, the first enclosure wall  118   a  is inserted inside a second enclosure wall  118   b , and external pressure  182  can be applied through the apertures  184  to the sealable holding compartments  112  to eject the moisture-sensitive pods  102  therefrom and into the interior volume  108  for dispensing of the moisture-sensitive pods  102  from the dispenser  100 . In one embodiment, the plurality of selection regions  180  comprise one or more flexible layers  186  over the plurality of apertures  184  that can be depressed to eject moisture-sensitive pods  102  from respective sealable holding compartments  112  that are aligned with the selection regions  180 . For example, in one embodiment, the or more water-resistant walls  118  comprises a second wall enclosure  118   b  external to the first  118   a , the second enclosure wall comprising a flexible material, such as for example a silicone or other elastomeric material, that can be depressed at the plurality of selection regions  180  to eject moisture-sensitive pods  102  from respective sealable holding compartments  112  that are aligned with the selection regions  180 . In the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 25 , a plurality of sealable holding compartments  112  in the form of removable insert strips  126  are inserted into the interior of the first enclosure wall  118   a , which may be a molded plastic or other structure, and the holding compartments  112  engage with apertures  194  formed in the first enclosure wall  118   a , such as for example by aligning with such apertures and/or other openings in the first enclosure wall. Furthermore, in the embodiment of  FIG. 25 , the second enclosure wall  118   b  comprising a silicon sleeve or other flexible layer is placed about the first enclosure wall  118   a . The silicon sleeve or other flexible layer can be depressed at one or more selection regions  180  aligned with the apertures  184  formed in the first enclosure wall  118   a , which are engaged with the holding compartments  112 , to eject the moisture-sensitive pods  102  being held in the inserts  126  into the interior volume  108  and to thus dispense the pods  102  from the dispenser. 
     Further aspects are described with reference to  FIGS. 28A-28B, 29A-29D and 30 . In the embodiments as shown, each of the plurality of sealable holding compartments  112  comprise an interior compartment wall portion  188   a  facing the interior volume  108 , the interior compartment wall portion  188   a  comprising an internal sealable aperture  190  that allows ejection of the moisture-sensitive pod from the holding compartment  112  into the interior volume  108  upon application of pressure to the internal sealable aperture  190 . The internal sealable aperture  190  may be, for example, an interior compartment wall portion  188   a  of a removable insert  124  that faces the interior volume  108  of the dispenser  100  when inserted into the dispenser. According to yet another embodiment, the internal sealable aperture  190  may be a separate layer separating a holding compartment of an insert  124  from the interior volume  108  of the dispenser. In one embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 29A-29B and 30 , the internal sealable aperture  190  comprises a valve  192  with one or more flexible panels  194  that allow ejection of the moisture-sensitive pod  102  from the holding compartment  112  into the interior volume  108  upon application of pressure to the one or more flexible panels  194 . For example, according to one embodiment, pressure may be exerted against the one or more flexible panels  194  of the valve  192  to open the valve  192  and eject a moisture-sensitive pod  102  contained in a sealable holding compartment  112  into the interior volume  108  via application of the external pressure  182  to the selection region  180 . Furthermore, in one embodiment, the valve  192  can comprise one or more flexible panels  194  that are at least partially resealable following ejection of a moisture-sensitive pod  102  from the sealable holding compartment  112 . 
     In the embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 29A-29D and 30 , the interior wall portion  188   a  of the holding compartments  112  comprises a layer of silicone having opening slots  198  formed therein to provide the valve  192  having the one of more flexible panels  194 . In yet another embodiment, the internal wall portion  118   a  comprises a removable panel  196  having a plurality of valves therein, which is configured to be inserted into the dispenser  100  such that the plurality of valves  192  are aligned with the respective plurality of sealable holding compartments  112 . The panel  196  may also be a permanent feature of the dispenser body  106 , with the valves  192  being positioned therein to be aligned with the sealable holding compartments  112  to allow ejection therefrom. According to yet another embodiment, the sealable aperture  190  comprises a penetrable sealing layer  202  that allows ejection of the moisture-sensitive pod  102  from the holding compartment  112  into the interior volume  108  upon application of pressure to penetrate the penetrable sealing layer, for example by pressure of the moisture pod  102  against the penetrable sealing layer  202  via application of the external pressure  182  at the selection region  180 . In yet another embodiment, the penetrable sealing layer  202  may be at least partially penetrated by another structure of the holding compartment upon application of the external pressure  182 , to open the sealable aperture  190  and dispense the pod  102  from the holding compartment  112 . In one embodiment, the penetrable sealing layer  202  comprises a thin layer of readily penetrable material, such as a foil or paper film. In one embodiment, the penetrable sealing layer  202  is provided as the interior wall portion  188   a  of a removable insert  124 . That is, the insert  124  may comprise the penetrable sealing layer  202  as the seal to the sealable apertures  190 . As yet another option, the insert  124  can comprise an interior wall portion  188   a  having a valve with flexible panels as the seal to the sealable apertures  190  of the insert, although in other embodiments the panel  196  having the valve  192  may be provided separately from the insert  124 , such as in the form of a removable or permanent structure of the dispenser body. In the embodiments as shown in  FIGS. 29A-29B , the interior wall portion  188   a  comprises just a single wall layer, such as the panel  196  having the valves formed therein, or the penetrable sealing layer  202  (not shown in  FIGS. 29A-29B ). For example, the insert  124  can comprise a removable layer  204  covering the apertures  190  that is removed before during or after insertion of the insert into the dispenser, and the panel  196  having the one or more resealable valves  192  may serve as the internal wall portion  188   a  that seals the holding compartments of the insert to protect the pods from moisture. In another embodiment, the insert  124  comprises a penetrable sealing layer  202  that itself serves as the internal wall portion  188   a , such that it is not required to provide the panel  196  having the valves  192  to provide moisture protection along with an ejection mechanism. In yet a further embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 29C-29D , both a penetrable sealing layer  202  of the insert  124  and a panel  196  having the at least one valve is provided, to provide moisture protection to the pods in the holding containers. In this embodiment, the application of the external pressure pushes the pod through the penetrable sealing layer to the valve that is aligned with the holding compartment containing the pod, and ultimately through the valve for dispensing of the pod, with both the penetrable sealing layer and panel with valve providing moisture protection for the pod while it is held in the holding compartment prior to dispensing. 
     According to yet another embodiment, a removable insert  124  can comprise a relatively thin layer of material corresponding to a removable sealing layer  204  at a wall portion  188   a  thereof (see, e.g.,  FIG. 24 ), such as a foil or paper film, which removable sealing layer  204  is removed before, after, or during insertion of the insert  124  into the dispenser. The removable sealing layer  204  may protect the pods  102  from moisture, but may be removed to allow the pods to be dispensed from the compartments  112  when provided in the dispenser, for example in cooperation with the removable panel  196  having the valves  192  that may be provided as the internal wall portion  188   a  of the compartments  112  when the insert  124  is inserted into the dispenser  100 . 
     Furthermore, according to certain embodiments as shown in  FIGS. 28A-28B and 29A-29D , the plurality of sealable holding compartments  112  can each comprise an exterior wall portion  188   b  that is configured to be engaged via application of the external pressure  182  to the selection region  180  aligned with the respective sealable holding compartment, the external wall portion  188   b  having a flexible region  206  that guides the moisture-sensitive pod  102  towards the internal sealable aperture  190  upon application of the external pressure  182 , to eject the moisture-sensitive pod  102  from the holding compartment  112  via the internal sealable aperture  190 . 
     According to one embodiment, the flexible region  206  of the exterior wall portion comprises a moisture-sensitive pod enclosing region  208   a  and extended travel regions  208   b  adjacent the moisture-sensitive pod enclosing region  208   a  that provide for travel of the moisture-sensitive pod enclosing region  208   a  in the direction towards the internal sealable aperture  190  upon application of the external pressure  182 . In one embodiment, the extended travel regions  208   b  of the flexible regions  206  of the exterior wall portions  188   b  comprise elastic regions that are configured to translate the moisture-sensitive pod enclosing region in the direction of the internal sealable aperture substantially without deformation of the moisture-sensitive pod enclosing region  208   a . In one embodiment, the extended travel regions  208   b  comprise exterior wall bumps  210  suspending the moisture-sensitive pod enclosing region  208   a  of the exterior wall portion  188   b  therebetween, and wherein application of the external pressure at least partially deforms the exterior wall bumps  210  in the direction of the internal sealable aperture to translate the moisture-sensitive pod enclosing region  208   a  towards the internal sealable aperture  190 . 
     Returning to  FIGS. 23-27A, 29A-29D, 31-32A and 33-35 , in certain embodiments the plurality of selection regions  180  comprise a plurality of depressible buttons  212  that provide for ejection of moisture-sensitive pods from the plurality of holding compartments  112  aligned with the respective depressible buttons  212  upon application of external pressure  182  thereto. Referring to  FIGS. 23-25, 27A-27B, 31, and 32A-32B , in one embodiment, the plurality of selection regions  180  are arranged in columns  214  at a plurality of locations about a periphery  216  of the dispenser. For example, in the embodiments as shown in these figures, the dispenser  100  according to comprises an elongate dispenser body  104  having a plurality of columns  214  with depressible buttons  212  corresponding to the plurality of selection regions  180  about a periphery  216  thereof. In the embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 23-24, 27A, 31, 32A-32B and 35A-35B , the dispenser  100  further comprises a dispenser lid  138  at a top end of the dispenser, which may be provided to further seal the interior volume  108  and any moisture-sensitive pods  102  provided therein. In the embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 31 and 32A-32B , the dispenser body  104  further comprises a rotatable cover  220  having an elongate slot formed in a side wall therein that is sized to selectively expose the columns of depressible buttons, the rotatable cover  220  being rotatable along a longitudinal axis of the dispenser body  104  to selectively expose each of the columns  214  upon rotation of the elongate slot  222  to a position along the periphery  216  of the dispenser body  204  corresponding to each column  214 .  FIGS. 27C and 32C  furthermore illustrate examples of inserts  126  that may be provided as the sealable holding compartments  112  in the dispensers  100  as shown. Furthermore, in the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 26 , the at least one dispenser outlet  116  comprises an outlet in communication with the interior volume  108  and formed in a bottom surface of a base  154  of the dispenser body  104 . In the embodiment as shown, applying the external pressure  182  to the depressible button  212  ejects the pod in the holding compartment  112  that is aligned with the button  212  into the interior volume, where the pod  102  may be pulled via gravity (or alternatively by shaking the dispenser) to the outlet  116  at the base of the dispenser, thereby dispensing the moisture-sensitive pod  102 . 
     According to yet another embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 33-35B , the dispenser  100  comprises a plurality of selection regions  180  that are arranged in a plurality of columns  214  on at least one of a front panel  224   a  and a rear panel  224   b  of the dispenser. For example, according to certain embodiments, the dispenser can comprise front and rear panels  224   a ,  224   b , with the interior volume  108  located between the front and rear panels, and further comprising a plurality of selection regions in the form of a plurality of columns with depressible buttons  212  arranged on at least one of the front and rear panels  224   a ,  224   b  of the dispenser  100 .  FIG. 35C  further illustrates the removal inserts  126  that may be used as the holding compartments  112  of the dispenser in the embodiments as shown. In the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 33 , the top portion of the dispenser body  104  may have one or more slots therein that are sized to insert the removable inserts  126  therein to, such as for convenient refilling of the dispenser  100 . Furthermore, in the embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 33 and 34 , the dispenser comprises an outlet  116  in communication with the interior volume  108  and further in communication with a tray  226  configured to receive moisture-sensitive pods  102  ejected from the sealable holding compartments  112 , the tray  226  being formed at a base  154  of the dispenser body  100 . 
     The dispenser embodiments as shown in  FIGS. 23-35C  may be used with any of the formulations, pod or pod combinations, or insert combinations as otherwise described herein. For example, according to certain embodiments, the plurality of holding compartments can comprise at least one removable insert configured to be removed from the dispenser body for refill of the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods. The at least one removable insert can comprise a plurality of holding compartments positioned along an insert strip, each holding compartment configured to contain an individual moisture-sensitive pod. In one embodiment, the holding area is configured to accommodate a plurality of removable inserts having the plurality of holding compartments in the interior volume of the dispenser. In another embodiment, the plurality of holding compartments comprise a plurality of separate removable inserts, each containing a single holding compartment configured to contain an individual moisture-sensitive pod. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the compartment walls of the plurality of holding compartments are attached to the dispenser body. In another embodiment, the interior volume is substantially entirely surrounded by the water-resistant walls of the dispenser body. In a further embodiment, the water-resistant walls of the dispenser body define an opening in the dispenser body that is configured to provide access for refilling of moisture-sensitive pods in the plurality of holding compartments. 
     According to one embodiment, the liquid or gel formulations provided in the pods are at least one of personal care and cleansing formulations. For example, the formulations can comprise at least one of shampoo, conditioner, shampoo-conditioner combinations, body wash, body wash-shampoo combinations, soap, face wash, face scrub, shower gel and shaving gel. In one embodiment, the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods comprise up to 10 pods having personal care compositions, the plurality of pods comprising a first moisture-sensitive pod having a first personal care composition, and a second moisture-sensitive pod having a second personal care composition, the first composition being different than the second composition. In yet another embodiment, the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods further comprise a third moisture-sensitive pod having a third personal care composition that is different than the first and second compositions. In one embodiment, the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods further comprises a fourth moisture-sensitive pod having a fourth personal care composition that is different than the first, second and third compositions. In one embodiment, the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods comprise a first moisture-sensitive pod having a shampoo formulation, a second moisture-sensitive pod having a conditioner formulation, and a third moisture-sensitive pod having a body wash formulation. 
     In another embodiment, the plurality of holding compartments comprise a first removable insert having one or more moisture-sensitive pods comprising a first personal care composition, and a second removable insert having one or more moisture-sensitive pods comprising a second personal care composition, the first composition being different than the second composition. In another embodiment, the plurality of holding compartments further comprises a third removable insert comprising a third personal care composition that is different than the first composition and the second composition. In a further embodiment, the plurality of holding compartments further comprises a fourth removable insert comprising a fourth personal care composition that is different than the first, second, and third compositions. In one embodiment, a first removable insert comprises a moisture-sensitive pods comprising a shampoo formulation, a second removable insert comprises moisture-sensitive pods comprising a conditioner formulation, and a third removable insert comprises moisture-sensitive pods comprising a body wash formulation. 
     In another embodiment, the plurality of holding compartments comprise at least one removable insert, and wherein the at least one removable insert comprises a first moisture-sensitive pod having a first personal care composition, and a second moisture-sensitive pod having a second personal care composition, the first composition being different than the second composition, on the same insert. In a further embodiment, a third moisture-sensitive pod having a third personal care composition is provided, the third composition being different than the first and second composition, on the same insert. In yet a further embodiment, a fourth moisture-sensitive pod having a fourth personal care composition is provided, the fourth composition being different than the first, second and third composition, on the same insert. In one embodiment, the at least one removable insert comprises a first moisture-sensitive pod having a shampoo formulation, a second moisture-sensitive pod having a conditioner formulation, and a third moisture-sensitive pod having a body wash formulation, on the same insert. In yet another embodiment, the moisture-sensitive pods comprise the liquid or gel formulations enveloped in an at least partially water soluble film. For example, the at least partially water soluble film can comprise a water-soluble polymer. In yet another embodiment, a method of providing a personal care liquid or gel formulation is provided, the method, comprising dispensing a moisture-sensitive pod comprising the liquid or gel formulation from the dispenser according to any of those illustrated in the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 23-35C . 
     In one embodiment, an insert  124  adapted for use in the dispenser  100  according to any embodiment as depicted in  FIGS. 14-22  comprises a plurality of compartments  112 , each compartment  112  configured to house a single moisture-sensitive pod  102  containing a personal care liquid or gel concentrate formulation, each compartment further adapted to maintain each moisture-sensitive pod in a substantially moisture-free environment and each compartment  112  configured to allow access to each pod on an individual basis without impacting the moisture-free environment of adjacent compartments  112 . In one embodiment, the insert  124  comprises a first compartment wall region  188   a  comprising a sealable aperture  190 . In another embodiment, the sealable aperture  190  comprises a valve  192  with one or more flexible panels  194  that allow ejection of the moisture-sensitive pod  102  from the holding compartment  112  upon application of pressure to the one or more flexible panels  194 . In yet another embodiment, the valve  192  comprises one or more flexible panels  194  that are resealable following ejection of a moisture-sensitive pod  102  from the sealable holding compartment  112 . In one embodiment, the first compartment wall portion  188   a  comprises a layer of silicone having opening slots formed therein to provide the valve having the one of more flexible panels. In yet another embodiment, the first compartment wall portion  188   a  comprises a penetrable sealing layer that allows ejection of the moisture-sensitive pod from the holding compartment upon application of pressure to penetrate the penetrable sealing layer. According to certain embodiments, the penetrable sealing layer comprises a foil or paper film. In yet another embodiment, the first compartment wall portion  188   a  comprises a removable sealing layer that can be removed to expose the sealable aperture prior to, during or following insertion of the insert into the dispenser, such as a removable sealing layer comprises a foil or paper film. 
     According to yet another embodiment, the insert  124  comprises a plurality of holding compartments  112  each comprise an exterior wall portion  188   b  having a flexible region that guides the moisture-sensitive pod towards the internal sealable aperture upon application of external pressure to the exterior wall portion, to eject the moisture-sensitive pod from the holding compartment via the sealable aperture. In one embodiment, the flexible region of the exterior wall portion  188   b  comprises a moisture-sensitive pod enclosing region and extended travel regions adjacent the moisture-sensitive pod enclosing region that provide for travel of the moisture-sensitive pod enclosing region in the direction towards the internal sealable aperture upon application of the external pressure. In one embodiment, the extended travel regions of the flexible regions of the exterior wall portions comprise elastic regions that are configured to translate the moisture-sensitive pod enclosing region in the direction of the internal sealable aperture substantially without deformation of the moisture-sensitive pod enclosing region. In yet another embodiment, the extended travel regions comprise exterior wall bumps suspending the moisture-sensitive pod enclosing region of the exterior wall portion therebetween, and wherein application of the external pressure at least partially deforms the exterior wall bumps in the direction of the internal sealable aperture to translate the moisture-sensitive pod enclosing region towards the internal sealable aperture. 
     According one embodiment, the insert  124  that may optionally be provided with any of the dispenser embodiments herein, may comprise a single use insert that is intended to be used only a single time, to dispense one or more moisture-sensitive pods from the insert, before the insert is removed from the dispenser  100  and disposed of. For example, the insert  124  may be a single-use, disposable insert that is made of an environmentally friendly material comprising any of a fiber-based material, a recyclable material and a compostable material. Following dispending of a desired number of moisture-sensitive pods from the single-use insert, the insert  124  may be disposed of by submitting to disposal facilities for recycling and/or composting, according to the materials being used. For example, in a case where the insert is made of a fiber-based material, such as paper, cardboard, textile or other fibrous material, the insert may be allowed to compost in an environmentally friendly fashion. According to this embodiment, the insert  124  may be pre-loaded with the moisture-sensitive pods (e.g., pre-loaded prior to use by a consumer), such that the insert  124  can be simply disposed of in an appropriate and environmentally friendly reminder following use of the insert in the dispenser, and a subsequent single-use insert  124  can be used to replace the used insert. In an alternative embodiment, the insert comprises a reusable, multi-use insert, for example made of a more durable material than the single-use insert, although the multi-use insert may also be made of any of a fiber-based, recyclable and/or compostable material such that it is environmentally friendly. In one embodiment, the reusable, multi-use insert may be fillable with moisture-sensitive pods by the consumer, and/or the consumer may be able to re-fill the multi-use inserts following dispensing of one or more pods from the insert. That is, the reusable insert is configured to be manually and/or mechanically re-loaded with the plurality of moisture-sensitive pods for dispensing from the dispenser. For example, in one embodiment, the insert  124  can comprise holding compartments  112  having sealable apertures  190  and/or valves formed in at least one wall portion thereof  188   a,b  that are at least partially resealable such that the holding compartments can be re-used to contain and protect moisture-sensitive pods therein from moisture. 
     All documents cited in this application are hereby incorporate by reference as if recited in full herein. 
     Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to those described, and that various other changes or modifications may be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.