Abstract: The positive displacement pump delivers the products uniformly and with a low force to actuate the pump. The uniform delivery results from a close slideable fitting of the upper part into the lower part. A low force to actuate is accomplished in part by reduced surface area contact of the upper portion and lower portion during slideably interfitting operation. This is accomplished preferably by having transverse ribs on the exterior surface of the upper part and longitudinal ribs on the interior surface of the lower part. As a result the contact of the upper part and lower part during use is a transverse rib/longitudinal rib contact. The longitudinal ribs preferably are parallel to the vertical axis of the base with no draft angle. Further, there is a locking mechanism between the an upper part shroud and rams located in the lower part. The locking mechanism controls the movement of the reusable shroud.

Abstract: There is provided a toothbrush where the dose of dentifrice used is controlled by the use of bristles of at least two different colors. When the bristles of one color are covered with a dentifrice the dose will be within guidelines. In addition, the dentifrice and bristles of one of the colors can be the same to aid in controlling the dose of dentifrice. This will in turn limit the dose of fluoride and other components of a dentifrice.

Abstract: Microporous sintered polymeric materials can be used as the applicator surface for a dispenser if the material is insert molded to a substantially nonporous, relatively rigid frame. Further, the microporous sintered polymeric material should be flexible and have a thickness of less than about 0.060 inch. By being insert molded to substantially nonporous, the gel or lotion is dispensed at a more central location on the applicator surface preventing edge dispensing which leads to wastage and fouling of the container surface. In addition, by the use of a thinner section of microporous sintered polymeric material bonded to a relatively rigid nonporous frame, there is increased flexibility of the microporous sintered polymeric material but with a higher impact strength. Additionally, there is an increased ease in dispensing due to the decreased thickness of the microporous sintered polymeric material.

Abstract: A package for a solid stick product, including barrel for containing the stick product and, provided within the barrel, a product support member for supporting the stick product thereon. The product support member is movable in the longitudinal direction of the barrel for raising and lowering the stick product. The barrel has a longitudinally extending slot through a wall thereof. An adjustment button is provided on the outside of the barrel and is movable in the longitudinal direction of the barrel generally over the slot area. A tab extends through the slot and connects the adjustment button to the product support member, whereby movement of the adjustment button outside the barrel brings about an equivalent translational movement of the product support member and, therefore, the stick product within the barrel. Thus, by raising or lowering the adjustment button outside the barrel, the user can raise or lower the stick product to extract the product from or retract the product within the barrel.

Abstract: The cosmetic container has parts that are interchangeable so that the barrel can be used to contain different fill weights. Different fill weights are used at different times such as during promotions to give about 10 to 25 percent more product. By the selection of different effective length of projections on the lower surface of the cosmetic holder and/or projections and the upper surface of the base portion of the container the distance of the cosmetic holder above the base portion at full retraction can be set to different levels. The effective length is the length that a projection maintains the base portion and cosmetic holder apart. Since the space between the cosmetic holder and the top of the barrel will be filled with product for all product amounts the cosmetic holder setting above the base portion will determine the fill amount. In the technique fewer parts need to be stocked for the differing fill levels.