Patent ID: RE44710

Claim:
A unit for packaging and dispensing a liquid or semi-liquid product, comprising: a body forming a reservoir for the product and having a fixed portion surmounting the reservoir; a pump surmounting the reservoir; an actuating element mounted for actuating the pump; and a product outlet element having at least one opening and connected to the pump by a conduit forming a flexible connection, wherein the outlet element is held substantially immovably in position on the fixed portion of the body, and wherein the actuating element is mounted independent of said fixed portion of the body, wherein the body has a transverse partition separating a first space defining said reservoir from a second space surmounting the first space, said second space containing said pump mounted in said partition, the actuating element mounted on said pump, the outlet element and the conduit forming the flexible connection, wherein the second space has an end opposite said partition, further comprising a protective element closing said end, wherein at least one portion of said protective element is engagable with the actuating element and is formed by a flexible material to permit actuating said actuating element through said protective element.