Dispenser For Oral Care Composition

Abstract

A dispenser having a nozzle, wherein the distal opening is larger than the proximate opening, has an improved user experience in dosing oral care compositions (such as toothpaste on a toothbrush).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dispenser ( 1 ) for an oral care product, comprising:
 a base ( 9 ) functionally attachable to a container containing an oral care composition (not shown);   a nozzle ( 13 ) extending from the base ( 9 ), having a proximal opening ( 19 ) at the interface of the nozzle ( 13 ) and the base ( 9 ), and an opposing distal opening ( 17 );   a longitudinal axis ( 15 ) intersecting a centroid of a cross section of the proximal opening ( 19 ) and a centroid of a cross section of the distal opening ( 17 );   wherein the distal opening ( 17 ) has a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the proximal opening ( 19 ); and   wherein the nozzle ( 13 ) is capable of being in fluid communication with the functionally attached container containing the oral care composition.   
     
     
         2 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional area of the distal opening ( 17 ) is 5% to 115% larger than the cross-sectional area of the proximal opening ( 19 ), preferably 10% to 70%, more preferably 20% to 46% larger. 
     
     
         3 . The dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the nozzle ( 13 ) further comprising a middle opening ( 21 ) in-between the proximal opening ( 19 ) and the distal opening ( 17 ), wherein the middle opening ( 21 ) cross-sectional area: is larger, preferably 3% to 55% larger, than the cross-sectional area of the proximal opening ( 19 ); but is smaller, preferably 3% to 30% smaller, than the cross-sectional area of the distal opening ( 17 ). 
     
     
         4 . The dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the distal opening ( 17 ) has the same cross-sectional shape as the proximal opening ( 19 );
 preferably the distal opening ( 17 ) and the proximal opening ( 19 ) each have a circular shape;   more preferably a middle opening ( 21 ), in-between the proximal opening ( 19 ) and the distal opening ( 17 ), also has a circular cross-sectional shape.   
     
     
         5 . The dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the nozzle ( 13 ) has a height measured along the longitudinal axis ( 15 ), from 3 mm to 20 mm, preferably from 4 mm to 12 mm. 
     
     
         6 . The dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cross-sectional area of the distal opening ( 17 ), proximate opening ( 19 ), and a middle opening ( 21 ) longitudinally midway in-between the distal opening ( 17 ) and proximate opening ( 19 ), is each independently from 15 mm 2  to 205 mm 2 , preferably from 30 mm 2  to 115 mm 2 . 
     
     
         7 . The dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a cap ( 3 ) for releasably capping the nozzle ( 13 ) closed. 
     
     
         8 . The dispenser according to  claim 7 , wherein the cap ( 3 ) is hinged ( 5 ). 
     
     
         9 . The dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the nozzle ( 13 ) and base ( 9 ) have a height, measured along the longitudinal axis ( 15 ), from 2 mm to 20 mm, preferably from 3 mm to 13 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the base ( 9 ) comprises threading, preferably inwardly facing threading ( 11 ). 
     
     
         11 . The dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a skirt ( 7 ) extending circumferential outward and around at least the base ( 9 ). 
     
     
         12 . The dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a container containing an oral care composition functionally attached to the base,
 preferably the oral care composition is a toothpaste paste composition;   preferably the container and base ( 9 ) are functionally attached to each other by threading.   
     
     
         13 . The dispenser of  claim 12 , wherein the paste composition comprises a viscosity from 150,000 centipoise to 850,000 centipoise. 
     
     
         14 . The dispenser of  claim 13 , wherein the container is a tube, preferably a flexible tube and wherein the paste composition is toothpaste. 
     
     
         15 . The dispenser of according to any of the preceding claims, made from plastic, preferably wherein the plastic is polypropylene, more preferably injection molding of said plastic.