Patent ID: 7293931

Claim:
A fluid dispenser assembly, the assembly comprising: a container body for storing a liquid material, the body having a reservoir and a dispensing opening on an upper end with an axis; a cup-shaped insert stationarily installed within the container body at the dispensing opening, the insert having an interior and a passage leading to the interior for communication with the reservoir of the container body; a dispenser in the dispensing opening and having an inner portion that extends into the interior of the insert, the dispenser being axially moveable with respect to the container body and the insert between an open position opening the passage in the insert and a closed position wherein the inner portion of the dispenser blocks the passage in the insert, the dispenser having an aperture formed therein for allowing liquid material in the container to flow from the passage in the insert into the dispenser while in the open position; a cap releasably secured to the container body, the cap causing the dispenser to move to the closed position when closing the cap on the container body; an applicator mounted to and protruding from the dispenser for receiving liquid material flowing through the aperture in the dispenser and for applying the liquid material to an object, the applicator being enclosed by the cap while the cap is closed on the container; a coiled spring in an annular space between the insert and the dispenser that urges the dispenser toward the open position, the spring being located within the interior of the insert and isolated from a flow path for the liquid material while the dispenser is in the open position; and the insert and the dispenser having mating wall surfaces that slidingly contact each other and are located below the spring to prevent entry of the liquid material into the annular space and into contact with the spring while the dispenser is in the open position.