Patent ID: RE42553

Claim:
A container and dispenser assembly comprising: a container having a flange, said flange having an upper surface and a generally substantially cylindrical sidewall defining an outside diameter; an annular fixing ring mounted on said flange of said container comprising a lower portion and an upper portion, said fixing ring upper portion having an upper portion height above said lower portion, said lower portion and said upper portion together defining a total height, said lower portion having a generally substantially circular-shaped interior defining a first inside diameter, said upper portion above said lower portion having a generally substantially cylindrical interior surface defining a second inside diameter substantially identical to said flange outside diameter, said upper portion having an inwardly-extending annular shoulder defining a lower surface for transferring an axial force to said flange upper surface, and having a turret extending upwardly from said shoulder, said turret defining a receiving cavity and having a central opening having a third inside diameter which is smaller than both said first inside diameter and said second inside diameter, at least a portion of the upper portion height of said fixing ring upper portion above said lower portion defining a generally substantially cylindrical exterior surface that is circumferentially continuous and that defines an outer diameter; a dispenser member mounted in said fixing ring, said dispenser member including a pump having a body extending into said fixing ring turret in engagement therewith and having an upwardly extending dispenser head which extends upwardly through said smaller diameter central opening of said turret and which includes an actuator button; an annular hoop mounted on said fixing ring having a central opening and comprising a bottom end, a top end, and an annular side wall having a height at least as great as the total height of said fixing ring so that said annular hoop peripherally surrounds said fixing ring preventing said lower portion of said fixing ring from splaying outwardly and maintaining said first inside diameter of said fixing ring smaller than said flange outside diameter, at least a portion of the height of said hoop annular side wall comprising a generally substantially cylindrical interior surface defining a first inner hoop diameter substantially identical with said outer diameter of said fixing ring cylindrical exterior surface above said lower portion so that frictional engagement between said hoop and said ring resists separation of said hoop from said ring, said interior surface of said hoop including a plurality of engaging structures extending along said annular side wall for engaging said fixing ring cylindrical exterior surface to increase axial resistance to separation of said hoop from said ring when oppositely directed forces are applied to said hoop and ring.