Abstract: A manually operated pump including: an inlet one-way valve; a pump chamber downstream of and in fluid communication with the inlet one-way valve; a piston interior to the pump chamber and slideably engaged with the pump chamber; an actuator engaged with the piston or the pump chamber; a block thermoplastic elastomeric spring engaged with the actuator to move the actuator as the block thermoplastic elastomeric spring relaxes; and an optional outlet one-way valve downstream of and in fluid communication with the pump chamber.

Abstract: A manually operated pump including: an inlet one-way valve; a pump chamber downstream of and in fluid communication with the inlet one-way valve; a piston interior to the pump chamber and slideably engaged with the pump chamber; an actuator engaged with the piston or the pump chamber; a block thermoplastic elastomeric spring engaged with the actuator to move the actuator as the block thermoplastic elastomeric spring relaxes; and an optional outlet one-way valve downstream of and in fluid communication with the pump chamber.

Abstract: An outer container for an aerosol dispenser. The outer container has a closed end bottom and a longitudinally opposed open, open neck. A complementary valve can be received in the neck. A cap overlays the valve and engages the outer container, valve, or both, to prevent removal of the valve. The cap may have threads, ratchets/pawls, splines, spikes, bayonet fitting or combination thereof to engage the valve or outer container.

Abstract: A manually operated pump including: an inlet one-way valve; a pump chamber downstream of and in fluid communication with the inlet one-way valve; a piston interior to the pump chamber and slideably engaged with the pump chamber; an actuator engaged with the piston or the pump chamber; a compression spring engaged with the actuator; and an optional outlet one-way valve downstream of and in fluid communication with the pump chamber; wherein the compression spring includes a continuous thermoplastic elastomeric tube supported between opposing offset tube supports.

Abstract: An aerosol foam dip tube dispenser with an axis of symmetry with a pressurizable outer container for storing a propellant and a composition under pressure and an actuator. The aerosol dispenser is ergonomic and promotes upright dispensing in order to avoid degassing.

Abstract: A preform suitable for blow molding into for an outer container usable for a pressurized aerosol dispenser. The preform has a longitudinal axis and a closed end bottom, an open neck. The neck has threads for accepting a valve having complementary threads. At least one pawl or ratchet is operatively juxtaposed with the periphery of the preform. The at least one pawl or ratchet allows onward rotation of the complementary valve in an onward direction, and prevents detachment of the valve in a reverse rotation direction. Any such preform can be blow molded into a corresponding outer container, and any such outer container can be blow molded from a corresponding preform.

Abstract: An aerosol container for an aerosol dispenser. The aerosol container has an outer container. The outer container has a closed end bottom and a longitudinally opposed threaded open neck. The open neck has one or more pawls or ratchets disposed near the neck. The pawls or ratchets allow a complementary valve to be threaded onto the neck. The valve has complementary ratchets or pawls. The ratchet and pawl combination co-acts to impede or even prevent reverse rotation and subsequent removal of the valve. The outer container may be made from a preform having the ratchets and/or pawls integrally molded as part of the injection molding process. A valve having a housing may have ratchets and or pawls integrally molded as part of the injection molding process.

Abstract: An aerosol container suitable for use as an aerosol dispenser. The aerosol container includes at least a valve and product delivery device joined to an outer container. The valve and product delivery device have respective annular welds or other seals joining the valve and product delivery to the outer container. The welds, or other seals may be concentric, with one circumscribing the other, in the same plane or different planes. Suitable product delivery devices include bags and dip tubes.

Abstract: A tampon product including a tampon within an applicator assembly is disclosed. The applicator assembly includes a barrel portion joined to a gripping portion, imparted with features that improve utility and convenience for the user. In one example the gripping portion has a rearward edge defining differing first and second lengths. In another example the gripping portion has a lateral outer cross section profile that is substantially oval-shaped, ovoid-shaped, elliptical or stadium-shaped and has major and minor axes, each perpendicular to a longitudinal axis, along first and second lateral perpendicular directions, wherein following absorption of fluid the tampon will expand laterally to a first lateral dimension to a greatest extent along a first lateral direction, and to a lesser second lateral dimension along a second lateral direction 90 degrees from the first lateral direction, wherein the first lateral direction is substantially parallel to one of the major and minor axes.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a dispenser. The valve assembly includes a valve body that extends about a longitudinal axis and defines an outer surface and an inner passageway. A valve stem extends through the inner passageway and includes an outer stem surface, an inner stem surface opposite the outer stem surface, a fin extending radially outward from the outer stem surface, and a first orifice extending from the outer stem surface to the inner stem surface. The fin operatively engages a portion of the inner passageway forming a first seal and providing controlled dispensing through the orifice. A valve seal may be joined to the valve steam. The vale seal may operatively engage a portion of the valve body forming a second seal.

Abstract: An aerosol container suitable for use as an aerosol dispenser. The aerosol container includes at least a valve and product delivery device joined to an outer container. The valve and product delivery device have respective annular welds or other seals joining the valve and product delivery to the outer container. The welds, or other seals may be concentric, with one circumscribing the other, in the same plane or different planes. Suitable product delivery devices include bags and dip tubes.

Abstract: An aerosol foam dip tube dispenser with an axis of symmetry with a pressurizable outer container for storing a propellant and a composition under pressure and an actuator. The aerosol dispenser is ergonomic and promotes upright dispensing in order to avoid degassing.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a dispenser. The valve assembly includes a valve body that extends about a longitudinal axis and defines an outer surface and an inner passageway. A valve stem extends through the inner passageway and includes an outer stem surface, an inner stem surface opposite the outer stem surface, and a first orifice extending from the outer stem surface to the inner stem surface. The valve assembly includes a retaining member joined to the valve stem, wherein the retaining member extends outward from the outer stem surface. The valve assembly includes a resilient member and one or more force concentrators configured to operatively engage the resilient member.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a dispenser. The valve assembly includes a valve body that extends about a longitudinal axis and defines an outer surface and an inner passageway. A valve stem extends through the inner passageway and includes an outer stem surface, an inner stem surface opposite the outer stem surface, a fin extending radially outward from the outer stem surface, and a first orifice extending from the outer stem surface to the inner stem surface. The fin operatively engages a portion of the inner passageway forming a first seal and providing controlled dispensing through the orifice. A valve seal may be joined to the valve steam. The vale seal may operatively engage a portion of the valve body forming a second seal.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a dispenser. The valve assembly includes a valve body that extends about a longitudinal axis and defines an outer surface and an inner passageway. The valve body includes a valve body cavity. The valve body cavity may be positioned between the inner passageway and the outer surface. The valve assembly includes a valve seal including a first seal surface and a second seal surface. The first seal surface abuts at least a portion of the passageway surface. A portion of the valve seal extends from the inner passageway about the second passageway opening and into at least a portion of the valve body cavity. A valve stem extends through the inner passageway and includes an outer stem surface and an inner stem surface. A portion of the second surface of the valve seal operatively engages a portion of the outer stem surface.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a dispenser. The valve assembly includes a valve body. The valve body includes a first hoop member, a second hoop member, and a transition portion defined by the joining of the first hoop member and the second hoop member. The first hoop member includes a first hoop outer portion positioned, a first hoop inner portion, a first hoop upper surface, and a first hoop lower surface. The second hoop member includes a second hoop outer portion, a second hoop inner portion, a second hoop upper surface, and a second hoop lower surface. The second hoop inner portion extends about the longitudinal axis defining a passageway. The passageway comprises a first passageway opening, a second passageway opening opposite the first passageway opening, and a passageway surface extending from the first passageway opening to the second passageway opening.

Abstract: An aerosol foam dip tube dispenser with an axis of symmetry with a pressurizable outer container for storing a propellant and a composition under pressure and an actuator. The aerosol dispenser is ergonomic and promotes upright dispensing in order to avoid degassing.

Abstract: An aerosol foam dip tube dispenser with an axis of symmetry with a pressurizable outer container for storing a propellant and a composition under pressure and an actuator. The aerosol dispenser is ergonomic and promotes upright dispensing in order to avoid degassing.