Dispenser for Storing and Advancing a Product

Abstract

A dispenser with a hollow body, a sleeve, a cap and sealing element is disclosed. The hollow body is open at both ends with sealing surfaces proximal to a first end. The sleeve is fixed to and extends beyond the hollow body. The sleeve has a complementary region proximal to the sealing surfaces. The cap has a closed end and an opposed open end defined by a wall with an irregular surface proximal to the open end. A sealing element is located in a cavity defined by the sealing surfaces of the hollow body, the complementary region of the sleeve and the irregular surface of the cap. The sealing element is arranged with sets of surfaces that are in contact with respective surfaces of the sleeve and the body at all times and is further in contact with a third set of surfaces when the cap is attached to the sleeve.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A dispenser, comprising:
 a hollow body having a first end and an opposed base end, the hollow body having an inner surface with an engagement feature located between the first end and the opposed base end, the hollow body further having sealing surfaces proximal to the first end;   a sleeve fixed to and extending beyond the hollow body, the sleeve having a first end, an opposed end, and an outer surface with a complementary region;   a cap having a closed end and an opposed open end defined by a wall with an irregular surface proximal to the opposed open end; and   a sealing element located in a cavity defined by the sealing surfaces of the body, the complementary region of the sleeve and the irregular surface of the cap.   
     
     
         2 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the hollow body, the sleeve, the cap and the sealing element are arranged about a longitudinal axis of the dispenser. 
     
     
         3 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing element is made from a compliant material. 
     
     
         4 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing surfaces include a surface that abuts the wall of the cap. 
     
     
         5 . The dispenser of  claim 4 , wherein the surface that abuts the wall of the cap also abuts the sealing element. 
     
     
         6 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the sealing surfaces is annularly arranged and interferes with the sealing element. 
     
     
         7 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the irregular surface of the cap interferes with respective surfaces of the sealing element. 
     
     
         8 . The dispenser of  claim 7 , wherein the irregular surface of the cap opposes respective surfaces of the sealing element. 
     
     
         9 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises at least one transition surface located between respective sealing surfaces. 
     
     
         10 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the cap comprises a transition surface located between an end face and the irregular surface. 
     
     
         11 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the cavity defined by the sealing surfaces of the body, the complementary region of the sleeve and the irregular surface of the cap remains unfilled. 
     
     
         12 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the complementary region of the sleeve includes a surface that interferes with the sealing element. 
     
     
         13 . The dispenser of  claim 12 , wherein the sealing element is arranged to abut at least two surfaces of the sleeve. 
     
     
         14 . The dispenser of  claim 13 , wherein the at least two surfaces of the sleeve intersect at a junction. 
     
     
         15 . The dispenser of  claim 14 , wherein the sealing element has complimentary surfaces that abut the at least two surfaces of the sleeve proximal to the junction. 
     
     
         16 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing element is compressed along substantially orthogonal surfaces by the cap when the cap is engaged to the sleeve. 
     
     
         17 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing element is compressed by opposed surfaces of the hollow body and the sleeve. 
     
     
         18 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cup located in the sleeve, the cup including an outer surface that defines a channel; and   a second sealing element located in the channel defined by the cup.   
     
     
         19 . The dispenser of  claim 18 , wherein the second sealing element is made from a compliant material. 
     
     
         20 . The dispenser of  claim 19 , wherein the second sealing element is arranged to interfere with at least opposed surfaces of the sleeve and the cup.