Patent Description:
<CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> disclose relevant prior art.

The present invention is directed to a container with the features of claim <NUM>, having a pressurized chamber containing a fluidic material and a dispensing assembly coupled thereto. The dispensing assembly includes a dispensing passageway for discharging the fluidic material from the container. A dispensing valve, a tilt valve, and a pump assembly are all operably coupled to the dispensing passageway. The tilt valve is alterable between a closed state in which the pressurized chamber is sealed and an open state in which the dispensing passageway is fluidly coupled to the pressurized chamber. The pump assembly is alterable between a first state in which a variable volume of the dispensing passageway in at a first volume and a second state in which the variable volume is at a second volume that is less than the first volume. Thus, the pump assembly creates a negative pressure behind the dispensing valve to prevent excess fluidic material from being dispensed.

One aspect not according to the invention may be a container comprising: a pressurized chamber containing a fluidic material; a dispensing assembly coupled to the pressurized chamber, the dispensing assembly comprising: a dispensing passageway for discharging the fluidic material from the container, the dispensing passageway having a variable volume; a dispensing valve operably coupled to the dispensing passageway; a tilt valve operably coupled to the dispensing passageway and alterable between a closed state in which the tilt valve seals the pressurized chamber and an open state in which the dispensing passageway is in fluid communication with the pressurized chamber; and a pump assembly operably coupled to the dispensing passageway between the dispensing valve and the tilt valve, the pump assembly alterable between a first state in which the variable volume is at a first volume and a second state in which the variable volume is at a second volume that is less than the first volume.

Another aspect not according to the invention may be a container comprising: a pressurized chamber containing a fluidic material; a dispensing assembly coupled to the pressurized chamber, the dispensing assembly comprising: a dispensing passageway having a dispensing orifice for discharging the fluidic material from the container; a tilt valve operably coupled to the dispensing passageway and alterable between a closed state in which the tilt valve seals the pressurized chamber and an open state in which the dispensing passageway is in fluid communication with the pressurized chamber; and a dispensing valve operably coupled to the dispensing passageway between the dispensing orifice and the tilt valve, the dispensing valve alterable between a dispensing state in which the fluidic material flows through the dispensing valve and a flow control state in which the valve pinches off a stream of fluidic material being dispensed from the container, the dispensing valve self-biased into the fluid-control state.

Yet another aspect not according to the invention may be a container comprising: a pressurized chamber containing a fluidic material; a dispensing assembly coupled to the pressurized chamber, the dispensing assembly comprising: a dispensing passageway having a dispensing orifice for discharging the fluidic material from the container, the dispensing passageway having a variable volume; a chamber valve operably coupled to the dispensing passageway and alterable between a closed state in which the chamber valve seals the pressurized chamber and an open state in which the dispensing passageway is in fluid communication with the pressurized chamber; and a pump assembly operably coupled to the dispensing passageway between the dispensing orifice and the chamber valve, the pump assembly alterable between a first state in which the variable volume is at a first volume and a second state in which the variable volume is at a second volume that is less than the first volume.

A further aspect not according to the invention may be a method of dispensing a fluidic material from a pressurized chamber of a container, the method comprising: a) opening a chamber valve so that the fluidic material within the pressurized chamber flows through a dispensing passageway and exits the container via dispensing orifice of the dispensing passageway; b) closing the chamber valve to seal the pressurized chamber and stop flow of the fluidic material out of the pressurized chamber and into the dispensing orifice; and c) generating a negative pressure in the dispensing passageway.

Referring first to <FIG>, a container <NUM> is illustrated schematically in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The container <NUM> comprises a body <NUM> that comprises or defines a pressurized chamber <NUM> containing a fluidic material <NUM>. Specifically, the body <NUM> has an inner surface <NUM> that defines the pressurized chamber <NUM>. The body <NUM> is only partially shown in <FIG>, but it should be appreciated that it forms a cylindrical structure having a fully enclosed bottom end as with conventional bottles and containers of this sort. The body <NUM> also has an opening <NUM> in its top end so that a dispensing assembly <NUM> can be operably coupled to the pressurized chamber <NUM> through the opening <NUM>. In addition to the fluidic material <NUM>, there may also be a gas <NUM> located inside of the pressurized chamber <NUM>. The gas <NUM> may be, for example without limitation, pressurized air so that upon an opening being created from the pressurized chamber <NUM> to a dispensing passageway, the fluidic material <NUM> is automatically dispensed from the pressurized chamber <NUM> to the dispensing passageway. Thus, no squeezing or pumping action is required to dispense the fluidic material <NUM> because it is located in the pressurized chamber <NUM>.

The body <NUM> may be formed from any material conventionally used to form such components. For example, the body <NUM> may be formed from plastic, such as high or low density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, post-consumer resin, bioplastic, or the like. The body <NUM> may be rigid so that it cannot be squeezed/compressed or it may be flexible (due to the thickness of its walls) so that it can be squeezed/compressed.

Although the exemplified embodiment is described whereby the pressurized chamber <NUM> is pressurized with the gas <NUM>, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments. The pressurized chamber <NUM> could be pressurized with an air/gas pressure, a piston that is biased, a pressurized bladder, or the like to name a few. Thus, there are many different ways to create the pressurized chamber <NUM> and the invention described herein is not intended to be limited to any one such way unless specifically claimed as such.

In the exemplified embodiment, the fluidic material <NUM> contained in the pressurized chamber <NUM> may be an oral care material. More specifically, the fluidic material <NUM> may be a toothpaste or a dentifrice. In some embodiments, where the fluidic material <NUM> is a toothpaste, the toothpaste may have a viscosity in a range of <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM> centipoise (<NUM> to <NUM> pascal-second). Of course, materials other than toothpaste/dentifrice could be stored in and dispensed from the pressurized chamber <NUM> in other embodiments. Any material that is desired to be dispensed from a container without creating an excess dispense situation may be contained in the pressurized chamber <NUM> in various other embodiments, including condiments such as ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise, oral care materials other than toothpaste such as tooth whitening materials, tooth anti-sensitivity compositions, or the like, personal care materials such as shampoo, conditioner, body soap, acne treatment compositions, or the like. Thus, the invention is not to be particularly limited by the material contained in the pressurized chamber <NUM> unless specifically claimed as such.

As mentioned above, the container <NUM> also comprises the dispensing assembly <NUM>, which is coupled to the pressurized chamber <NUM>. Specifically, portions of the dispensing assembly <NUM> extend through the opening <NUM> in the body <NUM> of the container <NUM> to fluidly couple the dispensing assembly <NUM> to the pressurized chamber <NUM>. The dispensing assembly <NUM> generally comprises a dispensing passageway <NUM>, a dispensing valve <NUM>, a chamber valve <NUM>, and a pump assembly <NUM>. The dispensing assembly <NUM> may also comprise a resilient grommet <NUM> in some embodiments.

The dispensing passageway <NUM> extends from the pressurized chamber <NUM> to a dispensing orifice <NUM> of the dispensing passageway <NUM> so that the fluidic material <NUM> can be discharged from the container. In the exemplified embodiment, the dispensing passageway <NUM> comprises a first section <NUM> that extends along a first axis A-A and a second section <NUM> that extends along a second axis B-B. In the exemplified embodiment, the second axis B-B is oblique to the first axis A-A. However, the invention is not to be limited by this structural arrangement of the dispensing passageway <NUM> in all embodiments. In some embodiments, the dispensing passageway <NUM> may comprise only the first section <NUM> and not the second section <NUM>. Thus, the entire dispensing passageway <NUM> may extend along the first axis A-A in some embodiments. Various different shapes are also possible for the dispensing passageway <NUM> in different embodiments, some examples of which are depicted in <FIG> and <FIG> described below.

The dispensing valve <NUM> is located adjacent to and, in the exemplified embodiment, immediately upstream of the dispensing orifice <NUM> of the dispensing passageway <NUM>. Thus, the fluidic material <NUM> must pass through the dispensing valve <NUM> prior to being dispensed from the container <NUM> through the dispensing orifice <NUM>. The dispensing valve <NUM> may be any valve that can permit the fluidic material <NUM> to be dispensed therethrough when the chamber valve <NUM> is opened. In the exemplified embodiment, the dispensing valve <NUM> may be a one-way valve, although this is not required in all embodiments and the dispensing valve <NUM> may be a two-way valve in other embodiments.

In the exemplified embodiment, the dispensing valve <NUM> comprises a resilient wall <NUM> having one or more slits or openings <NUM> therein. Of course, the dispensing valve <NUM> can take on other structural forms in other embodiments. Moreover, in some embodiments it may be possible to omit the dispensing valve <NUM> while still achieving a negative pressure to prevent excess dispensing as described herein below.

The dispensing valve <NUM> comprises a dispensing state (see, for example, <FIG>) in which the fluidic material <NUM> flows through the dispensing valve <NUM> for dispensing from the container <NUM>. The dispensing valve <NUM> also comprises a flow control state (see, for example, <FIG>) in which the dispensing valve <NUM> pinches off a stream of the fluidic material <NUM> being dispensed from the container <NUM> to prevent an excess amount from being dispensed. The dispensing valve <NUM> may be self-biased into the flow control state such that it is only in the dispensing state when the chamber valve <NUM> is opened and the fluidic material <NUM> is being dispensed. Stated another way, in the exemplified embodiment, the resilient wall <NUM> of the dispensing valve <NUM> is self-biased into the flow control state (<FIG>) and assumes the dispensing state (<FIG>) upon positive pressurization of the fluidic material <NUM> in the dispensing passageway <NUM>. Further details of this function and operation of the dispensing valve <NUM> will be described below.

The chamber valve <NUM> is operably coupled to the dispensing passageway <NUM> and at least partially defines the dispensing passageway <NUM> in the exemplified embodiment. Specifically, the chamber valve <NUM> comprises a valve stem <NUM>, a sealing member <NUM>, and one or more apertures <NUM>. In the exemplified embodiment, the one or more apertures <NUM> are located in the valve stem. An inner surface <NUM> of the valve stem <NUM> defines at least a part of the first portion <NUM> of the dispensing passageway <NUM>. When the chamber valve <NUM> is opened (<FIG>), the fluidic material <NUM> is made to flow into the dispensing passageway <NUM> through the one or more apertures <NUM> in the chamber valve <NUM>.

In the exemplified embodiment, the chamber valve <NUM> is a tilt valve, which is a valve that operates by tilting the valve structure relative to the body <NUM> to create an opening that leads from the pressurized chamber <NUM> into the dispensing passageway <NUM>. Such a tilt valve, when not being tilted relative to the body <NUM>, closes the pressurized chamber <NUM>. Thus, the chamber valve <NUM> is operably coupled to the dispensing passageway <NUM> and alterable between a closed state (<FIG>) in which the chamber valve <NUM> seals the pressurized chamber <NUM> and an open state (<FIG>) in which the dispensing passageway <NUM> is in fluid communication with the pressurized chamber <NUM> so that the fluidic material <NUM> can flow from the pressurized chamber <NUM> into the dispensing passageway <NUM> for dispensing through the dispensing orifice <NUM>.

When the chamber valve <NUM> is in the closed state as shown in <FIG>, there is no opening for the fluidic material <NUM> to pass through to enter into the dispensing passageway <NUM>. Thus, when the chamber valve <NUM> is in the closed state, the fluidic material <NUM> is not dispensed despite the fact that the fluidic material <NUM> is held in the pressurized chamber <NUM>. It is only when an opening is created by altering the chamber valve <NUM> into the open state as shown in <FIG> that the fluidic material <NUM> can be dispensed from the container <NUM>. The chamber valve <NUM> is biased into the closed state of <FIG> and is only moved into the open state of <FIG> when forced there by a user or other interaction.

In the exemplified embodiment, the pump assembly <NUM> is operably coupled to the dispensing passageway <NUM>. Specifically, the pump assembly <NUM> is located along the dispensing passageway <NUM> between the dispensing valve <NUM> and the chamber valve (or tilt valve) <NUM>. The purpose of the pump assembly <NUM> is to create a negative pressure (or back pressure) in the dispensing passageway <NUM> after dispensing of the fluidic material <NUM> is stopped, which thereby pulls excess fluidic material <NUM> back into the dispensing passageway <NUM> rather than allowing it to pass through the dispensing orifice <NUM>. As used herein, the term "negative pressure" and "back pressure" may refer to a negative volumetric being created in the dispensing passageway <NUM>. The pump assembly <NUM> is also the mechanism by which a user can actuate the chamber valve <NUM> from the closed state to the open state, although the user could alter the chamber valve <NUM> in this manner via direct contact with the chamber valve <NUM> rather than using the pump assembly <NUM>.

The pump assembly <NUM> generally comprises an actuator <NUM>, a pressurization element <NUM> that is driven by the actuator <NUM>, a resilient element <NUM> that biases the actuator <NUM> into the position shown in <FIG>, and a barrel wall <NUM>. The pump assembly <NUM> is alterable between a first state, shown in <FIG>, and a second state, shown in <FIG> (specifically, the actuator <NUM> of the pump assembly <NUM> is alterable from the first state to the second state). Altering the pump assembly <NUM> between the first and second states is achieved by movement of the actuator <NUM> (and simultaneously the pressurization element <NUM>) as will be described in more detail below. The resilient element <NUM> of the pump assembly <NUM> biases the actuator <NUM> (and hence also the pump assembly <NUM>) into the first state. Thus, a user must press the actuator <NUM> with sufficient force to overcome the biasing force of the resilient element <NUM> in order to alter the pump assembly <NUM> into the second state. In the exemplified embodiment, the resilient element <NUM> is a spring. However, the resilient element <NUM> can take on other structural forms in other embodiments, such as being a rubber-like material with compression capabilities, memory foam, weights and a lever, washers, or the like.

According to the invention, the actuator <NUM> and the pressurization element <NUM> are formed as a monolithic singular component. More specifically, the actuator <NUM> and the pressurization element <NUM> are formed of a resilient material and they form a monolithic component. In other embodiment, not covered by the appended claims, the actuator <NUM> and the pressurization element <NUM> could be separate components that are coupled together or that otherwise interact during operation to achieve the function described herein. In the exemplified embodiment, the pressurization element <NUM> is a plunger or a piston. In other embodiments, the pressurization element <NUM> could be a diaphragm. The pressurization element <NUM> comprises an end surface <NUM> that forms a movable wall of the dispensing passageway <NUM>, as described further below.

The actuator <NUM> is operably coupled to the barrel wall <NUM> by the resilient element <NUM>. The barrel wall <NUM> comprises an inner surface <NUM> that defines a third portion <NUM> of the dispensing passageway <NUM>, which extends along an axis C-C that is oblique to the first axis A-A. The axis C-C may be oblique or perpendicular relative to the second axis B-B. The pressurization element <NUM> is positioned within and moves within the third portion <NUM> of the dispensing passageway <NUM> along the axis C-C. Portions of the pressurization element <NUM> are in constant contact with and sealed against the inner surface <NUM> of the barrel wall <NUM> so that no fluids (gas or liquid) can pass beyond the end surface <NUM> of the pressurization element <NUM>.

The dispensing passageway <NUM> has a variable volume, which is dictated by the state of the pump assembly <NUM>. Specifically, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, when the actuator <NUM> of the pump assembly <NUM> is in the first state (<FIG>), the dispensing passageway <NUM> has a first volume and when the actuator <NUM> of the pump assembly <NUM> is in the second state (<FIG>), the dispensing passageway <NUM> has a second volume that is less than the first volume. Thus, actuating the actuator <NUM> from the first state to the second state decreases the volume of the dispensing passageway <NUM>. This is because the pressurization element <NUM> moves within the third portion <NUM> of the dispensing passageway <NUM> in a first direction that reduces the volume of the dispensing passageway <NUM> during actuation of the actuator <NUM>. Upon release of the actuator <NUM>, the actuator <NUM> will alter from the second state back to the first state, thereby increasing the volume of the dispensing passageway <NUM> and creating a negative pressure in the dispensing passageway <NUM> as described further below. The pump assembly <NUM> and the actuator <NUM> thereof are biased into the first state by the resilient member <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the operation and function of the container <NUM> will be described along with some additional features/structures thereof. In <FIG>, the chamber valve <NUM> is in the closed state, and the chamber valve <NUM> is biased into this state meaning that the closed state is the natural state of the chamber valve <NUM> when no pressure or forces are acting upon it. In the closed state, the chamber valve <NUM> seals the pressurized chamber <NUM> such that the fluidic material <NUM> cannot flow into the dispensing passageway <NUM>. This is due to an abutment between the grommet <NUM> and the sealing member <NUM> of the chamber valve <NUM> in the exemplified embodiment, although there are other ways of achieving this closed state in other embodiments. When the chamber valve <NUM> is in the closed state, the first axis A-A of the first portion <NUM> of the dispensing passageway <NUM> is coincident with a reference axis R-R.

In <FIG>, the chamber valve <NUM> is in the open state. The chamber valve <NUM> must be altered from its natural state (i.e., the closed state) into the open state. This can be achieved by applying a pressure or force onto the chamber valve <NUM> as described in more detail below. When such force is applied onto the chamber valve <NUM>, the sealing member <NUM> is pushed away from the grommet <NUM> on one side, and the fluidic material <NUM> in the pressurized chamber <NUM> is free to pass into a pathway <NUM> between the sealing member <NUM> and the grommet <NUM>, through the one or more apertures <NUM> in the chamber valve <NUM>, along the dispensing passageway <NUM> and through the dispensing orifice <NUM>. Thus, due to the pressurization of the pressurized chamber <NUM>, as soon as the pathway <NUM> is created the fluidic material <NUM> will begin flowing through the pathway <NUM> and into the dispensing passageway <NUM> where it can be dispensed from the container <NUM> through the dispensing orifice <NUM>. Specifically, because the fluidic material <NUM> is pressurized, upon the pathway <NUM> being opened the fluidic material <NUM> will flow through the pathway <NUM>, through the dispensing passageway <NUM>, and then through the slits or openings <NUM> in the dispensing valve <NUM>. Upon release of the force being applied onto the chamber valve <NUM>, the resilience of the grommet <NUM> may push the chamber valve <NUM> back into the position shown in <FIG>.

As seen in <FIG>, the pressure of the fluidic material <NUM> flowing through the dispensing passageway <NUM> causes the dispensing valve <NUM> to alter into the dispensing state. In the dispensing state, the fluidic material <NUM> is permitted to flow through the dispensing valve <NUM> and out of the container <NUM> via the dispensing orifice <NUM>.

In the exemplified embodiment, when the chamber valve <NUM> is in the open state, the chamber valve <NUM> is tilted relative to its natural, biased position. Thus, when the chamber valve <NUM> is in the open state, the chamber valve <NUM> is moved into a tilted orientation in which the first axis A-A of the first portion <NUM> of the dispensing passageway <NUM> is oblique to the reference axis R-R. Thus, the reference axis R-R does not move, but comparing <FIG> and <FIG> shows that the first axis A-A does move as the chamber valve <NUM> is altered from the closed state to the open state. In some embodiments, altering the chamber valve <NUM> from the closed state to the open state may comprise tilting the chamber valve <NUM> between <NUM>o and <NUM>o relative to the reference axis R-R.

In certain embodiments, a user will use the pump assembly <NUM> to alter the chamber valve <NUM> from the closed state to the open state. In that regard, it may be desirable in some embodiments for the biasing force of the resilient element <NUM> of the pump assembly <NUM> (i.e., the force required to alter the pump assembly from the first state to the second state) to be less than a biasing force of the chamber valve <NUM> (i.e., a force required to alter the chamber valve <NUM> from the closed state to the open state). As a result, if a user actuates the actuator <NUM> of the pump assembly <NUM>, first the actuator <NUM> of the pump assembly <NUM> will be altered from the first state (<FIG>) to the second state (<FIG>), and only after the actuator <NUM> has been altered into the second state will the chamber valve <NUM> be altered from the closed state (<FIG>) to the open state (<FIG>). Thus, in the exemplified embodiment the actuator <NUM>: (<NUM>) initially actuates the pump assembly <NUM> from the first state to the second state when subjected to an actuation force; and (<NUM>) subsequently actuates the chamber valve <NUM> from the closed state to the open state when subjected to continued application of the actuation force. In some embodiments, the actuator <NUM> is therefore operably coupled to actuate both the pump assembly <NUM> and the chamber valve <NUM>.

In the exemplified embodiment, a first transverse force component TF1 is required to move the chamber valve <NUM> from the closed state to the open state. The first transverse force component TF1 is transverse to the reference axis R-R in the exemplified embodiment. Moreover, a pump actuation force PF2 is required to alter the pump assembly <NUM> from the first state to the second state. The pump actuation force PF2 has a second transverse force component TF2 that is transverse to the reference axis R-R and a second axial force component AF2 that extends in the same direction as the reference axis R-R. The second transverse force component TF2 associated with the pump actuation force PF2, which is the force required to alter the pump assembly <NUM> from the first state to the second state, is less than the first transverse force TF1 that is required to move the chamber valve <NUM> from the closed state to the open state. This ensures that the pump assembly <NUM> is altered from the first state to the second state before the chamber valve <NUM> is altered from the closed state to the open state. Thus, when the chamber valve <NUM> is eventually altered into the open state, the pump assembly <NUM> will be in the second state such that the dispensing passageway <NUM> is at a reduced volume relative to its maximum volume.

The actuator <NUM> travels on an actuator path when altering the pump assembly <NUM> from the first state to the second state. In the exemplified embodiment, the actuator path is oblique to the reference axis R-R. However, the invention is not to be so limited. In other embodiments, the actuator path may be arcuate (see, for example, the embodiments of <FIG> and <FIG> described below). In still other embodiments, the actuator path may be transverse to the reference axis R-R.

Thus, as stated above, a user actuating the actuator <NUM> of the pump assembly <NUM> will first cause the pump assembly <NUM> to alter from the first state to the second state. After the pump assembly <NUM> is in the second state, continued force applied to the actuator <NUM> of the pump assembly <NUM> will alter the chamber valve <NUM> from the closed state to the open state. This is important in some embodiments because it ensures the creation of a negative or back pressure in the dispensing passageway <NUM> after completion of dispensing, as discussed below. Of course, a user could potentially avoid use of the pump assembly <NUM> altogether by applying the first transverse force component TF1 directly onto the chamber valve <NUM> rather than doing so indirectly via the pump assembly <NUM>. However, this type of usage will not generate a negative pressure as discussed herein and will not benefit from the same.

As discussed above, when the pump assembly <NUM> is altered from the first state to the second state, the volume of the dispensing passageway <NUM> decreases. This is because the pressurization element <NUM> moves along with the actuator <NUM> to reduce the volume of the dispensing passageway <NUM>. As the end surface <NUM> of the pressurization element <NUM> forms a wall of the dispensing passageway <NUM>, the location of the end surface <NUM> dictates the volume of the dispensing passageway <NUM>. As discussed above, the end surface <NUM> of the pressurization element <NUM> is tightly sealed against the inner surface <NUM> of the barrel wall <NUM> so that the end surface <NUM> forms a distinct end of the dispensing passageway <NUM>.

After dispensing is finished, a user will release the actuator <NUM>. This will result in the chamber valve <NUM> altering from the open state (<FIG>) back to the closed state (<FIG>). Furthermore, this will result in the pump assembly <NUM> altering from the second state (<FIG>) back to the first state (<FIG>). As the pump assembly <NUM> alters from the second state to the first state, the pressurization element <NUM> moves along the third axis C-C, which increases the volume of the dispensing passageway <NUM>. Because the chamber valve <NUM> is closed during at least some of the movement of the pressurization element <NUM>, the movement of the pressurization element <NUM> creates a negative or back pressure in the dispensing passageway <NUM>. Thus, the pump assembly <NUM> moving from the second state to the first state increases the volume in the dispensing passageway <NUM> and creates a back pressure in the dispensing passageway <NUM> behind the dispensing valve <NUM>, which causes the dispensing valve <NUM> to be altered from the dispensing state (<FIG>) to the flow control state (<FIG>). As the dispensing valve <NUM> is altered from the dispensing state to the flow control state, the dispensing valve <NUM> pinches off a stream of the fluidic material <NUM> that was being dispensed from the container <NUM> and ensures that no excess amounts of the fluidic material <NUM> will be dispensed or remain along the exterior of the container <NUM>. In the exemplified embodiment, the dispensing valve <NUM> is self-biased into the flow control state.

Although not shown in the exemplified embodiment, in some embodiments there may be a dip tube located in the pressurized chamber <NUM> to facilitate the dispensing of the fluidic material <NUM>. Specifically, during dispensing the gas <NUM> may push the fluidic material <NUM> downwardly towards a bottom of the body <NUM> rather than directly up through the pathway <NUM>. Thus, in order to facilitate proper dispensing, the dip tube may be provided so that as the gas <NUM> presses the fluidic material <NUM> downward, the fluidic material <NUM> can flow up along the dip tube to the pathway <NUM> and into the one or more apertures <NUM> for dispensing. Of course, whether or not a dip tube is needed will be dictated by the manner in which the pressurized chamber <NUM> is pressurized and the structure and arrangement of the remaining components of the container <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, another embodiment of a container <NUM> is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the container <NUM>, the container <NUM> comprises a body <NUM> comprising a pressurized chamber <NUM> containing a fluidic material <NUM> and a dispensing assembly <NUM> coupled to the pressurized chamber <NUM>. The dispensing assembly <NUM> comprises a dispensing passageway <NUM>, a dispensing valve <NUM>, a chamber valve (or tilt valve in some embodiments) <NUM>, and a pump assembly <NUM>. The container <NUM> is very similar to the container <NUM> in both its structure and operation and thus only the differences between the two will be described herein, it being understood that the description of the container <NUM> is otherwise applicable. The container <NUM> is generally designed and configured to generate a back pressure upon completion of a dispensing action much as described above to prevent excessive amounts of the fluidic material <NUM> from being dispensed.

The main difference between the container <NUM> and the container <NUM> is in the structure of the pump assembly <NUM> and how the pump assembly <NUM> interacts with the chamber valve <NUM>. Specifically, in this embodiment the chamber valve <NUM> comprises valve stem <NUM> comprising a rigid portion <NUM> and a resilient or elastomeric portion <NUM>. The resilient or elastomeric portion <NUM> may be a diaphragm or the like in some embodiments.

The pump assembly <NUM> comprises an actuator <NUM> and a pressurization element <NUM>. The pressurization element <NUM> may be referred to as a piston or a plunger in various embodiments. The pressurization element <NUM> is a protrusion that extends from the actuator <NUM> and is aligned with the resilient portion <NUM> of the valve stem <NUM>. Upon actuation of the actuator <NUM> (which may move in an arcuate actuator path in this embodiment), the pressurization element <NUM> will contact and compress/deform the resilient portion <NUM> of the valve stem <NUM>. The actuator <NUM> is actuated by exerting a force on the actuator <NUM> in a direction D. Continued actuation of the actuator <NUM> in the direction D will then cause the chamber valve <NUM> to alter from the closed state shown in <FIG> to an open state (not shown, but similar to the open state of <FIG>). Similar to the previous embodiment, preferably a smaller force is required to compress/deform the resilient portion <NUM> of the valve stem <NUM> than is required to move the chamber valve <NUM> from the closed state shown in <FIG> to the open state. In that way, the resilient portion <NUM> of the valve stem <NUM> will be compressed before the chamber valve <NUM> is opened. In some embodiments, the chamber valve <NUM> will not alter from the closed state into the open state until the actuator <NUM> of the pump assembly <NUM> has reached its limit of travel.

When the force on the actuator <NUM> is released, the chamber valve <NUM> closes and then the pressurization element <NUM> pulls away from the resilient portion <NUM> of the valve stem <NUM>. This operation generates a back pressure (or negative pressure) behind the dispensing valve <NUM>, which forces the dispensing valve <NUM> to close and pinch off any stream of the fluidic material <NUM> that was otherwise being dispensed. Thus, the container <NUM>, and particularly the dispensing assembly <NUM> thereof, has a different structure than that of the container <NUM> but a similar result.

Referring to <FIG>, another embodiment of a container <NUM> is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the container <NUM>, the container <NUM> comprises a body <NUM> comprising a pressurized chamber <NUM> containing a fluidic material <NUM> and a dispensing assembly <NUM> coupled to the pressurized chamber <NUM>. The dispensing assembly <NUM> comprises a dispensing passageway <NUM>, a dispensing valve <NUM>, a chamber valve (or tilt valve in some embodiments) <NUM>, and a pump assembly <NUM>. The container <NUM> is very similar to the containers <NUM>, <NUM> in both its structure and operation and thus only the differences will be described herein, it being understood that the description of the container <NUM> and also the container <NUM> are otherwise applicable. The container <NUM> is generally designed and configured to generate a back pressure upon completion of a dispensing action much as described above to prevent excessive amounts of the fluidic material <NUM> from being dispensed.

The main difference between the container <NUM> and the container <NUM> is in the structure of the pump assembly <NUM> and how the pump assembly <NUM> interacts with the chamber valve <NUM>. Specifically, in this embodiment the chamber valve <NUM> comprises valve stem <NUM> comprising a rigid portion <NUM> and a resilient or elastomeric portion <NUM>. The resilient or elastomeric portion <NUM> may be a diaphragm or the like in some embodiments. Furthermore, in this embodiment the dispensing assembly <NUM> comprises a rigid shell <NUM> that comprises an actuator <NUM>, a pressurization element <NUM>, and the dispensing valve <NUM>. Thus, in this embodiment the dispensing valve <NUM> is formed integrally with the components of the pump assembly <NUM>. As with the container <NUM>, the pressurization element <NUM> is aligned with the resilient portion <NUM> of the valve stem <NUM> to facilitate the generation of a negative pressure in the dispensing passageway <NUM> as has been described herein.

As noted above, the pump assembly <NUM> comprises the actuator <NUM> and the pressurization element <NUM>. The pressurization element <NUM> may be referred to as a piston or a plunger in various embodiments. The pressurization element <NUM> is a protrusion that extends from the actuator <NUM> and is aligned with the resilient portion <NUM> of the valve stem <NUM>. The pressurization element <NUM> may be flexible so that it can flex/move relative to the remainder of the rigid shell. Thus, pressure/force acting on the pressurization element <NUM> may cause the pressurization element <NUM> to move along an actuation path as has been described herein.

Upon actuation of the actuator <NUM> (which may move in an arcuate actuator path in this embodiment), the pressurization element <NUM> will contact and compress/deform the resilient portion <NUM> of the valve stem <NUM>. Continued actuation of the actuator <NUM> will then cause the chamber valve <NUM> to alter from the closed state shown in <FIG> to an open state (not shown, but similar to the open state of <FIG>). Similar to the previous embodiment, preferably a smaller force is required to compress/deform the resilient portion <NUM> of the valve stem <NUM> than is required to move the chamber valve <NUM> from the closed state shown in <FIG> to the open state. In that way, the resilient portion <NUM> of the valve stem <NUM> will be compressed before the chamber valve <NUM> is opened. In some embodiments, the chamber valve <NUM> will not alter from the closed state into the open state until the actuator <NUM> of the pump assembly <NUM> has reached its limit of travel.

In some aspects, regardless of the particular structural embodiment used, the invention may be directed to a method of dispensing a fluidic material <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> from a pressurized chamber <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of a container <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Such a method may comprise opening a chamber valve <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> so that the fluidic material <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> within the pressurized chamber <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> flows through a dispensing passageway <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and exits the container <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> via dispensing orifice (such as the dispensing orifice <NUM>) of the dispensing passageway <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Such opening of the chamber valve <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise applying an actuation force to an actuator <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, thereby causing a pump assembly <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to reduce a volume of the dispensing passageway <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and then continuing application of the actuation force on the actuator <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> until the chamber valve <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> opens. Next, after an adequate or desired amount of the fluidic material <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> has been dispensed, the method may include closing the chamber valve <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to seal the pressurized chamber <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and stop flow of the fluidic material <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> out of the pressurized chamber <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and into the dispensing orifice (such as the dispensing orifice <NUM>). Such closing of the chamber valve <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may include discontinuing or ceasing the actuation force on the actuator <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> so that the chamber valve <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> closes. Finally, the method may include generating a back-pressure in the dispensing passageway <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The back pressure may be generated by the action of discontinuing the actuation force on the actuator <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, which causes the pump assembly <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to increase the volume of the dispensing passageway <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A container (<NUM>) comprising:
a pressurized chamber (<NUM>) containing a fluidic material (<NUM>);
a dispensing assembly (<NUM>) coupled to the pressurized chamber (<NUM>), the dispensing assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
a dispensing passageway (<NUM>) for discharging the fluidic material (<NUM>) from the container (<NUM>), the dispensing passageway (<NUM>) having a variable volume;
a dispensing valve (<NUM>) operably coupled to the dispensing passageway (<NUM>);
a tilt valve (<NUM>) operably coupled to the dispensing passageway (<NUM>) and alterable between a closed state in which the tilt valve (<NUM>) seals the pressurized chamber (<NUM>) and an open state in which the dispensing passageway (<NUM>) is in fluid communication with the pressurized chamber (<NUM>); and
a pump assembly (<NUM>) operably coupled to the dispensing passageway (<NUM>) between the dispensing valve (<NUM>) and the tilt valve (<NUM>), the pump assembly (<NUM>) alterable between a first state in which the variable volume is at a first volume and a second state in which the variable volume is at a second volume that is less than the first volume;
wherein the pump assembly (<NUM>) further comprises an actuator (<NUM>) and a pressurization element (<NUM>) that is driven by the actuator (<NUM>), a surface of the pressurization element (<NUM>) forming a wall of the dispensing passageway (<NUM>); and
wherein movement or deflection of the pressurization element (<NUM>) varies volume of the variable volume of the dispensing passageway (<NUM>) between the first and second volumes; and
wherein the actuator (<NUM>) and the pressurization element (<NUM>) are formed of a resilient material as a monolithic singular component.