The Procter Gamble Company

Paul K Platt

Ronald W Kock

Robert H Van Coney

Theodore P Merz

Kenneth R Ericson

Elmer K Linman

A storage and dispensing package for fluent material capable of bimodal operation. The package has a first mode of operation capable of storing the fluent material without leakage when the package is subjected to unintentional external forces. The package is also provided with a second mode of operation capable of dispensing the fluent material when the package is subjected to external forces intentionally applied by the user. The second mode of operation is also capable of automatically isolating substantially all of the fluent material remaining in the package from the surrounding atmosphere as soon as the intentionally applied external forces are removed. In a preferred embodiment, the package comprises a container, means for applying pressure to the fluent material in the container, a fluid conduit having an inlet end for receiving the fluent material from the container and a discharge end remote from the inlet end. A first valve which does not open in response to pressure is provided at the inlet end of the conduit. In its 'closed' position, the valve prevents fluid communication between the fluent material in the container and the inlet end of the fluid conduit. In its 'open' position, the valve permits fluid communication between the fluent material in the container and the inlet end of the fluid conduit. The valve further includes means for switching the valve between its 'closed' and 'open' positions. A second normally closed valve is also provided at the discharge end of the fluid conduit. The second valve prevents fluid communicaton between fluent material contained in the fluid conduit and the surrounding atmosphere. The second valve is openable only in response to pressure applied by the fluent material in the fluid conduit, and is automatically closable whenever the pressure on the fluent material in the conduit is relieved.

Bimodal storage and dispensing package for fluent material

Spray dispensing of a metered quantity of a preferably semi-liquid product from a filled container having a fixed wall provided with at least one and preferably a plurality of generally open and unobstructed discharge passageways. A moveable wall spaced apart from the fixed wall is impacted with a moving mass to induce a pressure pulse in the product sufficient to surge a metered quantity of product less than the entire content of the container through the generally open and unobstructed discharge passageways with sufficient velocity as to break away from the passageways and the remaining product within the container for ballistic travel generally normal the fixed wall outwardly of the container. A plurality of uniform discharge passageways and a proper match of product formulation and energy input produces a generally uniformly moving cluster of generally uniformly defined and moving particles. The cluster of particles may be aimed toward a target surface and the deposition pattern thereon may, by proper selection of energy and product, define a projection of the discharge passageway pattern selectively comprising either a discrete projection of the individual discharge passageways or a generally uniform coverage of the passageway locus set. A specific, preferred embodiment is as a non-contact dispenser of a stable, non-crusting, anhydrous, thixotropic antiperspirant cream, dispensed at a relatively low velocity so as to adhere to axilla surfaces with a minimum of rebound.

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Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

Paul K Platt