Abstract: The present invention is a system for dispensing horizontally stacked moist towelettes. One embodiment involves turning a tub upside down and providing a side door for accessing the stacked towels. Another embodiment involves orienting a tub in an upright position and providing a means for users to easily access the contents. Moist towelettes are dispensed one at a time, from beginning to end. Once one towelette is removed, the next is in position for removal. Any towelette that falls back into the tub can be easily retrieved through the opening without having to open the entire package.

Abstract: A strip dispenser (70) for dispensing one strip (S) from a plurality of strips (S). The strip dispenser (70) includes a container (2) that is constructed and arranged to hold a number of strips (S). There is a first structure (3) that defines one or more thin slots (8) that are generally parallel to the perimeter of the container (2), and that have a smallest dimension that is greater than the smallest dimension of a strip (S), where the slots (8) are configured and arranged to inhibit two strips that are stuck together back to back from passing through the slot (8) together. There is also a strip sorting structure (4) that inhibits a strip (S) that has at least partially passed through a slot (8) from fully leaving the container (2) until the strip (S) is pulled out of the container (2) by the user.

Abstract: Provided is a moisture retention seal for use with a package. The moisture retention seal includes an opened-ended canister having a plurality of canister sealing surfaces. Snap-fitted with spatial interference to the canister at its opened-end, is a moisture retention closure having a plurality of closure sealing surfaces. Each canister sealing surface cooperates with a corresponding one of the closure sealing surfaces to form a plurality of partial seals. At least one of the partial seals includes a micro-bead surface comprising one or more small, inwardly directed, narrowly spaced-apart, micro-bead elements. The package that includes a moisture retention seal of the present invention employs only molded parts and does not require gaskets or secondary seals.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus includes a container having an opening, and a doser coupled with the container about the container opening. The doser includes a housing forming a chamber with an interior wall, an inlet, and an outlet. The inlet is diametrically offset from the outlet, and substantially aligned with the opening of the container. The doser also includes a covering member to alternatively cover and open the inlet and the outlet. The covering member is movable about a range of positions to substantially completely cover at least one of the inlet and outlet at all positions in the range. The covering member covers no more than a portion of the chamber interior wall when the covering member completely opens the outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a flowable substance (e.g., a fluid) has a first housing with an indicating apparatus and a pour chamber. The indicating apparatus may have an indicating chamber with an indicating inlet for receiving fluid. The indicating apparatus also has indicia identifying amounts of fluid flowing through the pour chamber. The pour chamber has a pour inlet for receiving fluid, and an outlet in fluid communication with the pour inlet. To provide a definite separation, the first housing additionally has a wall between the indicating chamber and the pour chamber.

Abstract: Provided is a moisture retention seal for use with a package. The moisture retention seal includes an opened-ended canister having a plurality of canister sealing surfaces. Snap-fitted with spatial interference to the canister at its opened-end, is a moisture retention closure having a plurality of closure sealing surfaces. Each canister sealing surface cooperates with a corresponding one of the closure sealing surfaces to form a plurality of partial seals. At least one of the partial seals includes a micro-bead surface comprising one or more small, inwardly directed, narrowly spaced-apart, micro-bead elements. The package that includes a moisture retention seal of the present invention employs only molded parts and does not require gaskets or secondary seals.

Abstract: The new invention allows for easy retrieval of fall backs and eases the initial threading process upon initial opening/use of the package. Threading is done without removing the cap. Several of the embodiments allow refills to be inserted into the canister without removing the lid/cap. The layout of the dispensing system and the geometry and shape of the dispensing orifice/aperture minimize and mitigate product fall backs. The new invention improves performance of the orifices/apertures through unique geometry and shape as well as using different materials from existing products or the combination of multiple materials. Varying orifice diameter, co-molded density and stiffness or geometry of the actual lobes defining the dispensing aperture allows the precise amount of friction to be created in the dispensing opening for selectively grabbing or releasing the towelette, thereby tearing the towelette connecting perforations at just the right time.

Abstract: Provided is a moisture retention seal for use with a package. The moisture retention seal includes an opened-ended canister having a plurality of canister sealing surfaces. Snap-fitted with spatial interference to the canister at its opened-end, is a moisture retention closure having a plurality of closure sealing surfaces. Each canister sealing surface cooperates with a corresponding one of the closure sealing surfaces to form a plurality of partial seals. At least one of the partial seals includes a micro-bead surface comprising one or more small, inwardly directed, narrowly spaced-apart, micro-bead elements. The package that includes a moisture retention seal of the present invention employs only molded parts and does not require gaskets or secondary seals.

Abstract: Moving a lid dispenses single thin films from a container. A pad coated with TPE, rubber or silicone rotates downward and contacts the top thin film strip. The pad moves the strip toward a front opening. When the lid is fully opened, the strip has been ejected far enough for the user to remove it. A sliding top and lever dispense a strip. The user slides back the top of the container, causing lever with a living hinges and links to flex downward. A pad rotates downward towards the top strip and outward towards an opening exposed in the front of the container and the strip is ejected out this opening. The pad is connected to a lever on a gear. Sliding the top of the container rotates the gear. The pad contacts the strip and moves the strip through the uncovered front dispensing opening.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for opening blister packages. Generally, a cover attachment is fixed to a blister card. Buttons or tabs on the cover attachment are aligned with individual blisters on the blister card and have piercing edges or attachments. A user presses the buttons or lifts tabs and a cover layer over the blisters is pierced. The buttons or tabs are then moved or raised to allow the user to access the contents of the blister by conventional means. Embodiments include hinged tabs, slideable attachments, clamshell-like covers with moveable carriages, rotatable arms with piercing attachments, locking tab mechanisms, and flexible tethered tool devices. A variety of different blister configurations can be used. Additionally, the blister card attachments render the blister card/pack child resistant despite being easier to open.

Abstract: The new invention allows for easy retrieval of fall backs and eases the initial threading process upon initial opening/use of the package. Threading is done without removing the cap. Several of the embodiments allow refills to be inserted into the canister without removing the lid/cap. The layout of the dispensing system and the geometry and shape of the dispensing orifice/aperture minimize and mitigate product fall backs. The new invention improves performance of the orifices/apertures through unique geometry and shape as well as using different materials from existing products or the combination of multiple materials. Varying orifice diameter, co-molded density and stiffness or geometry of the actual lobes defining the dispensing aperture allows the precise amount of friction to be created in the dispensing opening for selectively grabbing or releasing the towelette, thereby tearing the towelette connecting perforations at just the right time.

Abstract: The present invention is a narrow neck dosage device for dispensing a predetermined quantity of product. An insert is installed in a narrow neck of a container with a bottom disk protruding into the body of the container and a top device within the neck of the container. The bottom disk initially hangs within the container body, while the top device rests on a divider that separates the neck from the container body. The top device can be upward angled blades, angled blades or a circular disc. A shaft connects the top devices and the bottom disk. The shaft also can have multiple configurations, such as spiral, flat helix, or random kinks. The shaft spins, rocks or oscillates and passes through a hole in the center of the divider. The divider has pre-sized holes that allow product to pass through. When the container is tipped into a dispensing position, fluid pressure moves the insert up the neck of the container until the bottom disk reaches the divider and seals the neck off from the body of the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a flowable substance (e.g., a fluid) has a first housing with an indicating apparatus and a pour chamber. The indicating apparatus may have an indicating chamber with an indicating inlet for receiving fluid. The indicating apparatus also has indicia identifying amounts of fluid flowing through the pour chamber. The pour chamber has a pour inlet for receiving fluid, and an outlet in fluid communication with the pour inlet. To provide a definite separation, the first housing additionally has a wall between the indicating chamber and the pour chamber.

Abstract: A method of pouring a fluid from a container (having a spout with a fluid outlet) tilts the container to at least one angle that causes fluid to enter the spout. As a result, fluid exits the spout through the fluid outlet. The fluid passing through the spout also causes the mechanical member to move. The method then correlates movement of the mechanical member with visual or other indicia showing the volume of fluid passing through the fluid outlet.