Abstract: A dispensing package for a cosmetic/antiperspirant/deodorant or other stick product. The dispensing package can have a tear-away seal integrally molded with the applicator end of the package barrel. The tear-away seal, or a frangible bead forming part of the tear-away structure, can contain a tab for the user to grip when removing the tear-away seal to open the product. The dispensing package can be actuated by rotating a thumb-wheel held in place by two slots in opposing sides of the package barrel. The elevator component that ejects product from the dispensing package can be molded with an unthreaded, self-tapping hole that is tapped by insertion of the actuator spindle during assembly of the dispensing package.

Abstract: A device for marking upon a surface including a body assembly made of a resilient material, a cover member, a base assembly and a bottom cover. The body assembly has an outer wall, a central opening an upper end and a bottom end. The base assembly includes a marker rigidly attached to the center of the upper surface and a bottom surface. The upper surface is fixedly secure upon the bottom end of the body assembly in a way that the marker is housed within central opening. The bottom cover protects bottom surface. Cover member protects the upper end and the opening of the body assembly and prevents the marker from drying when the device for marking is not in use.

Abstract: A packaging and dispenser device may include: a receptacle containing a first substance; an application surface secured to the receptacle during application of the first substance; and a closure capsule configured to be removably fixed on the receptacle. The closure capsule may be configured to enable the closure capsule to be fixed on the receptacle. The packaging and dispenser device may also include at least one housing containing a second substance, the housing being suitable for opening from an end of the capsule remote from a part of the closure capsule configured to enable the closure capsule to be fixed on the receptacle, so that the second substance in the housing may be removed.

Abstract: A stick-type glue dispenser for dispensing solid or liquid glue content, which allows a cap to be easily separated from the glue dispenser by a simple operation. The glue dispenser includes an inner tube, an outer tube coupled to the inner tube at an upper end thereof in such a way to allow a lower end of the outer tube to be pressed radially inward, and a cap coupled to a lower end of the inner tube, with an upper end of the cap having a slant face. The cap is separated from the inner tube by a sliding contact between the lower end of the outer tube and the slant face of the cap when a lower part of the outer tube is pressed raidally inward. In one embodiment, the inner tube contains a holder for holding solid glue content. The holder is threadedly coupled to a screw which passes through the inner tube, thereby enabling the holder to move the solid liquid content in the inner tube by rotating the screw. In another embodiment, the inner tube contains liquid glue content therein.

Abstract: A distributor includes a body, typically provided with a lateral skirt and a bottom, and a cap, provided with an inner dome. The body includes at least one orifice for filling a cavity with the product, a device for closing the orifice, a device for attaching the product to the body, and a lower skirt forming a lower cavity with the bottom, capable of cooperating with the cap so as to form a system for stacking the distributor.

Abstract: An improved lip product applicator for applying a pasty or semi soft lip product to a user's lips comprising a body is described. The body has a product reservoir extending therefrom. The product reservoir is generally hollow and has a tip extending from an end of the reservoir opposite the body. The reservoir has a means for discharging product contained therein through an orifice in said tip. The tip is made of a clear material that permits the user to view the color of the product contained therein. The tip is also tapered and retains its tapered shape as lip product is applied to a user's lips.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing and safely housing lipstick, the apparatus comprises a lipstick casing and an assembled refilling cartridge. The lipstick casing has a top cap, an O-ring connected to the attachment of the top cap, a hollow body including a retainer lip formed inside the body, and an end cap. The assemble refilled cartridge has a plastic cup, a s-cut sheath, a spiral cut sheath, and a cartridge end cap. The lipstick casing provides the slip free grip and housing protection for the assembled refilled cartridge and allow the user to use the fully assembled refill cartridge without removing the refill cartridge from the lipstick casing.

Abstract: A combination solid material storage container and applicator assembly for solid materials, such as surf board wax, is disclosed. The assembly includes a symmetrical storage container member, which has an open top end, an open bottom end, and an interior surface. A pusher member is positioned inside the container member and includes a sealing lip portion, which provides a continuous seal between the pusher member and the container member interior surface. The pusher member supports a slug of solid material within the container member. An applicator cap member is releasably secured to the open top end of the container member. The cap member includes a blade portion with a scraper edge and a comb edge. The blade portion is used for manipulating the solid material once applied to a surface.

Abstract: An applicator device in which a product is held within a recess at least partially defined by a support and a lateral enclosure which is slidably mounted on the support. The lateral enclosure includes at least one opening at an end opposite to the support such that as the lateral enclosure is moved relative to the support the product is progressively exposed. Where the product is a solid or stick form, the opening of the lateral enclosure can be provided across the entire cross-section of the lateral enclosure. Where the product is a semi-solid or a viscous liquid, such as a gel, a plurality of openings can be provided, with the product urged through the plurality of openings as the lateral enclosure is moved relative to the support.

Abstract: An applicator (1) is provided, such that an end closure or a proximal plug (3) fitted in a cylindrical body (2) of the applicator can be removed easily without use of a coin or the like tool. Repeated easy operations for attaching and detaching the plug will not impair firm engagement of the plug with the body, protecting the plug from inadvertently slipping off. The plug (3) is a double-cylinder composed of an outer tube (15) combined with an inner tube (16), and two slots (30,31) are formed in the outer tube so as to extend from its rear end to, and desirably across, a flange (25). Fore ends of the slots continue to a cutout (35). An exposed part of the plug can be pinched in part to reduce its apparent diameter, thus making the outer tube sections (40,41) distort themselves elastically towards each other, thus facilitating removal of the plug.

Abstract: A cap positioning construction for positioning and mounting a cap to a barrel, includes a triangular notch formed in a step face of a barrel on which the end of a cap abuts, and a triangular extension formed at the end of the cap. The triangular extension extends toward the notch and matches the notch 12e. By fitting the extension in the notch, the cap is positioned relative to the barrel when the cap is mounted on the barrel.

Abstract: A holder that is designed to hold within a single molded structure up to four marking implements such as a carpenter's pencil or a lumber crayon. The marker holder, which is configured to resemble a Greek cross, consists of a vertical tube having a rectangular or circular cross-section, a right wall and a left wall. To the two walls is respectively attached a right horizontal tube and a left horizontal tube. Each tube includes a set of marker support tabs that grip and accessively retain the carpenter's pencil and the lumber crayon.

Abstract: A cap of a marking device such as a felt tip marker is attached by a cap retaining device adjacent the body of a user. The barrel or marking portion of the marking device may then be readily removed, used for marking and then reinserted into the cap using only a single hand.

Abstract: A thrust-out type container for a rod-like article such as a lipstick basically comprising a body and a cap. The body has an axis C extending in a vertical direction and comprises, around the axis C and radially outward from the axis C, a movable member, an inner cylindrical tube, an outer cylindrical tube and a control tube in this order. An intermediate cylindrical tube is interposed between the outer cylindrical tube and the control tube. The intermediate cylindrical tube is fixed to the control tube and rotatable around the outer cylindrical tube. An outer peripheral surface of the intermediate cylindrical tube and an inner peripheral surface of the cap come in air-tight contact with each other. The intermediate cylindrical tube extends downward beyond respective lower ends of the inner and outer cylindrical tubes and has a bottom covering the respective lower ends of these tubes.

Abstract: An improved lip product applicator for applying a pasty or semi soft lip product to a user's lips comprising a body is described. The body has a product reservoir extending therefrom. The product reservoir is generally hollow and has a tip extending from an end of the reservoir opposite the body. The reservoir has a means for discharging product contained therein through an orifice in said tip. The tip is made of a clear material that permits the user to view the color of the product contained therein. The tip is also tapered and retains its tapered shape as lip product is applied to a user's lips.

Abstract: A cosmetic package is provided for a stick cosmetic, such as lipstick, which allows the color of the lipstick to be visible without opening the package. The package includes a base, a protective sleeve and a collar. The base includes inner and outer cylindrical walls joined at the bottom to form a cylindrical space therebetween. The protective sleeve is adapted to fit into this annular space. The collar is rotatably mounted on the base and has a helical track adapted to engage a corresponding lug on the sleeve. When the collar is rotated, the sleeve is propelled upwardly to surround and protect the cosmetic. When rotated in the other direction, the collar causes the sleeve to be retracted to allow for application of the cosmetic. The protective sleeve may be transparent so that the color shade of the lipstick is evident when the sleeve is in the upwardly extended position surrounding the lipstick.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable casing for a soap bar which has a structure such as a lipstick container so that it receives a soap bar in such a fashion that the soap bar is normally in a retracted state within the casing while being extended from the casing by a desired length only when it is desired to be used, in order to allow the user to lather his desired body portion, thereby being convenient to use, carry, and store the soap bar. The portable soap bar casing includes a cylindrical casing body having a threaded hole, and a carrier member adapted to carry a soap bar and directly coupled to the threaded hole of the cylindrical casing body so as to directly receive a force from the cylindrical casing body for vertically moving the soap bar.

Abstract: There are provided a cosmetic container for housing a stick type cosmetic material in such a manner that the cosmetic material can be fed and a cartridge for the cosmetic container which can easily be manufactured or assembled at a low cost, have considerable flexibility in design and are applicable to stick type cosmetic materials having various diameters and hardness. A cylindrical body 20 is housed in a lower part 13 of a front cylinder 10 which is rotatably housed in a container body 2 and a rod 30 is incorporated extending over an inside of the cylindrical body 20 and a cosmetic material housing section 11A of an upper part 11 of the front cylinder 10, whereby a cartridge 1 is constituted.

Abstract: A writing instrument is provided including a gripping section arranged along a portion of the writing instrument normally used for gripping and a writing tip extending from the gripping section. The gripping section may be provided on a replaceable cartridge element which is inserted into a cartridge-receiving cavity in the writing instrument body. A soft, resiliently deformable gripping member is provided on the gripping section and is preferably tubular in shape. The gripping member includes a smooth surface which may include a slightly elevated or raised pattern. The elevated pattern may comprise a plurality of interconnected parts so as to form a continuous lattice or pattern such as hexagons. The pattern is preferably continuous over the entire smooth surface. The elevated pattern is resiliently compressible with respect to the smooth surface so that a user's fingers may deform the elevated pattern to provide additional traction during use.

Abstract: A grip element for mounting over a free end of a gripped article includes a gripping surface and an engagement surface extending from the gripping surface. The engagement surface is configured and dimensioned for engagement by a pushing device such that the pushing device sufficiently engages the engagement surface to push the engagement surface without use of an additional pushing device. The grip element is further configured and dimensioned with respect to the article such that the pushing device moves the grip element substantially completely onto the article without requiring lubrication or separate expansion of the grip element. Various features which improve the assembly of the grip element or article may be provided separately or in combination. A method of assembling the grip element onto the article is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pen having a 3-dimensional pattern has at least one flexible strip. The flexible strip is sandwiched between a pattern ring and a liner ring with the 3-dimensional pattern partially protruding out of the pattern ring from a corresponding through hole. The liner ring abuts a bottom end of a connecting ring. The connecting ring is formed with an annular flange on its outer surface. The pattern ring abuts the annular flange to enclose the liner ring. A top end of the connecting ring is clamped onto a barrel of the pen, and a bottom end of the liner ring is threadingly connected to a tip of the pen.

Abstract: The cosmetic dispenser is comprised of a barrel that is closed at a lower end by a screw and elevator assembly and on the upper end by an integrally molded top wall. The integrally molded top wall has a weakened area at its periphery and a gripping means such as a loop whereby the top wall can be removed by severing the weakened area. The removed top wall is discarded and the screw turned to raise a portion above the sidewalls. The integrally molded top wall can be integrally molded with the barrel or it can be integrally molded to an adaptor which fits onto the top of the barrel to provide a compound curved top edge for comfort in applying the cosmetic to a skin surface. In this latter embodiment the top wall has a peripheral weakened area whereby the top wall is removed by severing this top wall at the peripheral weakened area. The structure of these embodiments provides a positively sealed and easily opened cosmetic dispenser.

Abstract: A glue stick product allows a user to hold the product in a natural pen-like orientation when applying glue to a substrate. The product has a cap which is separable along a mating line offset from perpendicular at about 35° with the upper part of the cap connected to the lower part by means of a live hinge.

Abstract: A pen having a pen cap, and a penholder. The pen cap has a blocking cover with a loop cord for carrying and an opening at the other end. The penholder provides a center stick therein with a writing head of the center stick extending outwardly from a conical part at an end of the penholder. A magnetic ring is fixed in the pen cap. The conical part is made of magnet inducing material. The pen cap engages the penholder by way of the magnetic ring attracting the conical part when the conical part is inserted into the pen cap from the open end.

Abstract: A dispensing system is provided for a multi-component product. The dispensing system includes (a) a body, containing a first component of the product and having a dispensing end constructed to apply a portion of the first component to a surface; and (b) a cap, constructed to cover the dispensing end, containing a reservoir adapted to receive a second component of the product and being constructed to apply a portion of the second component to the dispensing end prior to applying the first component to the surface.

Abstract: A writing instrument is provided including a cartridge carrying a writing or highlighting medium, and a writing tip exposed at one end of the cartridge. The cartridge includes a reduced cross-section which forms an annular recessed and tapered cavity. A gripping member is received in the cavity and is preferably tubular in shape and is tapered to follow the tapered contour of the cartridge. The gripping member includes a smooth surface which may include a slightly elevated or raised pattern. The elevated pattern may comprise a plurality of interconnected parts so as to form a continuous lattice or pattern such as hexagons. The pattern is preferably continuous over the entire smooth surface. The elevated pattern is resiliently compressible with respect to the smooth surface so that a user's fingers may deform the elevated pattern to provide additional traction during use. The writing instrument may also include a vented cap.

Abstract: A pen includes a vertical pen barrel, a mounting seat mounted fixedly on a top end of the pen barrel, and a molded metal unitary unit. The unit includes a pen top disposed swingably on the seat, and a pen clip extending integrally and downwardly from the pen top. The clip has a clamping end, which is movable relative to the pen barrel between a clamping position, where the clamping end presses against the pen barrel, and a releasing position, where the clamping end is spaced apart from the pen barrel. A biasing unit biases the clip to the clamping position.

Abstract: A cap for retaining a marking device, such as a felt tip marker, is attached adjacent the body of a user. The barrel or marking portion of the marking device may then be readily removed, used for marking and then reinserted into the cap using only a single hand.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a stick of product includes a holder configured to hold the stick of product and a housing containing the holder. The housing has a first end, a second end, and an opening in the first end. The housing is configured to move the holder in a first direction toward the opening to allow dispensing of the product and in a second direction away from the opening to allow storage of the product. The dispenser further includes a removable closure configured to sealably close the opening during storage of the product. A sealing member is provided for sealing at least a portion of the housing between the holder and the opening from at least a portion of the housing between the holder and the second end. The dispenser also includes an elastic member between the holder and the second end of the housing. The elastic member is configured to deform and thereby allow for movement of the holder in the second direction when excessive pressure is formed between the holder and the opening.

Abstract: A writing implement support system for releasably positioning a writing implement with respect to a recipient surface comprises a suction cup that has a generally hemispherical shape. The suction cup is configured to be compressed against a generally flat recipient surface. The compression forms a first bond having a holding force of an intermediate magnitude. A connector is located on the outer convex surface of the suction cup. A writing implement has a writing end and a non-writing end. A writing implement cap is configured to form a second bond with the writing implement. The second bond has a holding force of a weak magnitude. The cap is also configured to form a third bond with the connector. The third bond has a holding force of a strong magnitude.

Abstract: A cartridge type container for feeding a stick type cosmetic material includes a cartridge 2 having a stick type cosmetic material built-in, a container body 4 which can easily be attached to or detached from the cartridge 2, and a cap 3 which is composed of a cylinder 37 and a lid 31. The cylinder 37 is attached to a periphery of the container body 4 in such a manner that the cylinder 37 can slide in an axial direction and never comes off. The lid 31 is installed in such a manner that it can open and close an upper end opening of the cylinder 37. Further, the stick type cosmetic material can be advanced and returned by synchronously rotating the container body 4 and the cylinder 37.

Abstract: The chapstick dispensing apparatus provides convenient use and asymmetrical, tactile geometry, aiding manual determination of the disposition of the device. The cap for the chapstick dispensing apparatus is slidably, pivotably, or hingeably attached to a housing so that no separate cap is present with its accompanying risk of loss or of being dropped. The housing is generally asymmetrical and may have an asymmetrical series of tactile protrusions to help determine the disposition or attitude of the chapstick dispensing apparatus, even though manual dexterity is limited as by gloves or mittens. A cover having a cap and finger cradle may slidably engage the housing to open or close the dispensing apparatus. The lip balm product is disposed within the housing and may be ejected or retracted by an ejector such as a threaded rod and turnwheel or an elevator controlling a platform. The housing may form a channel for the lips to facilitate application of the lip balm product.

Abstract: The cap of a marking device such as a felt tip marker is attached by a cap retaining device adjacent the body of a user. The barrel or marking portion of the marking device may then be readily removed, used for marking and then reinserted into the cap using only a single hand.

Abstract: A marker device with attached cap for preventing the loss of caps for markers. The marker device with attached cap includes a marker having a body and a writing member disposed at a writing end thereof; and also includes a cap member removably disposed upon the writing member and being hingedly attached to the marker; and further includes a tether-like member having ends securely connected to the body of the marker and to a wall of the cap member; and also includes a cap attachment assembly for removably attaching the cap member to the body of the marker.

Abstract: A lipstick housing includes a barrel and a ferrule having a tube rotatably engaged in the barrel. The tube has one or more slots formed in the longitudinal direction. A seat is slidably received in the tube for holding a lipstick material and is guided to move along the tube when the tube is rotated relative to the barrel. The free end of the barrel includes a peripheral flange extended and curved radially inward and then extended downward for forming a reinforcing end portion and for preventing the barrel from being deformed by a user when the user holds the barrel.

Abstract: The lipstick tube (20) has a cap (5) to be coupled by pressure on a collar (4) emerging axially from the tube body (1), characterised in that it comprises a ring of material (6) having a flexible free end (16), said ring (6) being provided with an external rabbet or recess (9) around the periphery close to its free end defining an annular void (10) between the free end (16) of the ring (6) and, respectively, the cap (5) or the collar (4), towards which the ring (6) may be elastically deformed when it is connected, respectively, to the collar (4) of the tube body or to the cap (5), to make an airtight closure of the tube (20).

Abstract: A sealed cosmetic container provides an airtight receptacle for a cosmetic stick in a dispenser with a slim appearance. The dispenser includes a nose piece with a movable elevator which operates by engagement between screw threading on a stem under the elevator cup and on a cam piece or between a lug under the elevator cup and helical tracks on a cam piece. The cam piece fits into the lower end of the nose piece and the parts are snapped together, with a bead inside the nose piece tightly engaging a lip or bead on the outside of the cam piece, to provide a seal between the two parts to prevent premature drying out of a cosmetic stick. The engaged beads also provide an enhanced swivel torque.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a pasty product in a body enclosed in a casing having a stationary hollow body and a cap for closing and opening the casing to permit the use of the pasty product, wherein the bottom portion of the body of the pasty product is anchored in the hollow body and the cap encloses a free usable portion of the body of the pasty product. The invention is usable for dispensing a cosmetic product such as lipstick.

Abstract: A writing instrument is provided including a cartridge carrying a writing or highlighting medium, and a writing tip exposed at one end of the cartridge. The cartridge includes a reduced cross-section which forms an annular recessed and tapered cavity. A gripping member is received in the cavity and is preferably tubular in shape and is tapered to follow the tapered contour of the cartridge. The gripping member includes a smooth surface which may include a slightly elevated or raised pattern. The elevated pattern may comprise a plurality of interconnected parts so as to form a continuous lattice or pattern such as hexagons. The pattern is preferably continuous over the entire smooth surface. The elevated pattern is resiliently compressible with respect to the smooth surface so that a user's fingers may deform the elevated pattern to provide additional traction during use. The writing instrument may also include a vented cap.

Abstract: A ball-point pen which includes a shaft 16 which engages with balls 10 and 18 of rubbery elastic material at each end, ball 10 acting as the cap of the pen. When dropped or thrown, these balls will cause it to bounce in an entertaining fashion. The shaft 16 also has a relatively soft rubber sleeve 28.

Abstract: A storage and dispensing device for a doughy cosmetic includes a tubular container, a holder for the cosmetic and a rear cap. The holder includes a front cup for holding the cosmetic and a rear, externally threaded portion which interacts with an internally threaded portion of the container. The rear cap is coupled to the holder such that rotating the rear cap rotates the holder, resulting in forward motion to dispense the cosmetic or rearward motion to store the cosmetic.

Abstract: A device for packaging and applying a crumbleable solid product in the form of a stick, includes a case of with a longitudinal axis, a first end of which includes a free edge delimiting an exit orifice for the product, a cup supporting the stick inside the case, a drive mechanism capable of causing the cup to slide axially in the case, a cap which is removable so that it can close off the exit orifice, the cap being closed at one of its ends, a first seal provided in the closed end of the cap, the first seal having a face which is substantially leaktight to the product, and which is intended to rest against the free edge of the case when the cap is held fixed on the case, wherein the first seal comprises at least one block of a cellular material which is elastically compressible in many directions, so as to allow the sealed face to interact in a sealing way with the free edge of the case, irrespective of the profile of the edge.

Abstract: An applicator holder device including a holder and a pusher mechanism. The pusher mechanism can be actuated so as to pass selectively from a rest position inside the holder into an active position. The pusher mechanism is able to drive an applicator that can be displaced in translation in an axial duct arranged in a head mounted in a detachable manner on the holder. The pusher mechanism can be automatically returned to its rest position when the head is removed from the holder.

Abstract: A protective shell for a cosmetic container including a tubular topshell and a tubular baseshell for maintaining the moisture level of a cosmetic housed therein. The tubular topshell and tubular baseshell each include a mating portion and a mating member. The mating portion of the topshell is defined by an outwardly tapered sidewall portion. The mating portion of the baseshell is defined by an inwardly tapered sidewall portion. The topshell is placed on the baseshell and a seal is formed between the mating portions. The topshell mating member according to one embodiment is defined by a circumferential rib and the baseshell mating member is defined by a circumferential channel which receives the topshell rib. According to a second embodiment, the topshell mating member is defined by a circumferential band of depending projections and the baseshell mating member is defined by a circumferential band of upending projections for mating with the topshell depending projections.

Abstract: A pen structure with a pair of leg seats formed on two end sections of the pen stem thereof is disclosed. A cap member is removably fitted with one end of the pen stem. The pen stem, leg seats and cap member are made of soft rubber material and together form the pen structure with a specific pattern.

Abstract: A pen having a 3-dimensional pattern thereon is disclosed. There is a aperture defined in a sidewall of the barrel or pen cap of the pen. A flexible strip having a 3-dimensional pattern thereon is suitably deformed and placed inside the barrel or pen cap whereby the 3-dimensional pattern of the flexible strip protrudes through the aperture. A liner ring is further plugged into the barrel or the pen cap so that the flexible strip is securely clamped between the barrel or pen cap and the liner ring. Consequently, the 3-dimensional pattern is securely fixed on the pen.

Abstract: An eraser is placed on or near the end of the cover of a felt tip pen. The cover is inserted into the bottom of the pen or on the bottom of the pen itself. For a tapered cover type of pen, the eraser is placed on the flat upper end. For a raised or dimple type of cover, the eraser is placed concentrically around the end away from the dimple like a girdle or belt or flat on the bottom of the pen body. On a type of pen that resembles a fountain pen, the eraser is placed on the top cover on a flat area that may be slightly angled. The eraser can also be an annular ring on the base of the pen body. The eraser can be removable from the pen or can be attached with adhesive.

Abstract: A pomade dispenser having an air-tight seal is disclosed. The pomade dispenser of the present invention includes a base having a resiliently deformable tapered sealing extension at an end of the base, a cap having an internal reverse taper, and cooperating features for holding the cap to the base. The deformable tapered sealing extension includes an extension sealing surface for contacting a cap sealing surface included on the internal reverse taper of the cap.

Abstract: The present invention is an airtight case comprising a base for receiving a stick-type product, a hollow cap, and a hollow plug sleeve inserted within the cap. The plug sleeve has an open end and a closed end, the closed end being a flexible bellows.This case is useful in reducing the adverse effects caused by the pressure build-up associated with sealing or airtight cases. When the cap of the present invention is placed on the base of the case the bellows expands in response to the compressing of the air located within the inner chamber of the case, thus preventing the cap from being pulled away from the base. Also, when the cap is removed, the bellows contracts and prevents the product from being pulled out of the base.

Abstract: A ring element for mounting in a peripherally extending groove of a cylindrical portion of a first body, wherein the ring element (10) projects out of the groove and bears at the inside against a cylindrical portion of a second body which can be fitted onto the first body. The ring element (10) has at its outer peripheral surface (12) a number of raised portions (14). Associated with each outside raised portion (14) on the inner peripheral surface (16) are a pair of inside raised portions (18) which are disposed in symmetrically laterally displaced relationship with respect to the associated outside raised portion (14).