Dispenser and related dispensing method

Abstract

A dispenser for dispensing topically applied viscous fluids from a container is provided. The dispenser includes a cap arranged on the container and having a dispensing orifice therein. The dispensing orifice includes a center portion and at least three legs which radiate outward from the center portion such that viscous fluid dispensed from the container has an upper surface with a plurality of ridges formed therein. A lid is also provided. The lid has a projection arranged thereon. The projection on the lid having a configuration that is complementary to the dispensing orifice and being arranged on the lid such that the projection extends into the dispensing orifice when the lid is in the closed position.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for dispensing a topically-applied viscous fluid from a container comprising: 
 forcing the topically-applied viscous fluid through a dispensing orifice provided in the container, the dispensing orifice having a center portion and at least three legs which radiate outward from the center portion of the dispensing orifice such that the dispensed viscous fluid has a plurality of ridges formed in the surface thereof; and    closing the dispensing orifice with a lid that includes a projection having a configuration that is complementary to the dispensing orifice such that the projection extends into the dispensing orifice.    
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the step of forcing the topically-applied fluid through the dispensing orifice is accomplished by squeezing the container.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the step of closing the dispensing orifice is accomplished by pivoting the lid about a hinge connecting the lid to a container cap within which the orifice is arranged.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the viscous fluid is a body lotion.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the dispensing orifice has from 4 to 6 legs.  
     
     
         6 . A dispenser for dispensing topically-applied viscous fluids from a container comprising: 
 a cap arranged on the container and having a dispensing orifice therein, the dispensing orifice including a center portion and at least three legs which radiate outward from the center portion of the dispensing orifice; and    a lid connected to the cap by hinge such that the lid is movable between open and closed positions, the lid having a projection arranged thereon, the projection having a configuration that is complementary to the dispensing orifice and being arranged on the lid such that the projection extends into the dispensing orifice when the lid is in the closed position.    
     
     
         7 . The dispenser according to  claim 6  wherein the orifice is arranged in a raised portion of an upper wall of the cap.  
     
     
         8 . The dispenser according to  claim 7  wherein a wall is arranged on the lid in surrounding relation to the projection such that when the lid is in the closed position the wall extends in surrounding relation to the raised portion of the upper wall of the cap.  
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the viscous fluid is a body lotion.  
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the dispensing orifice has from 4 to 6 legs.  
     
     
         11 . A dispenser for dispensing topically-applied viscous fluids from a container comprising: 
 a cap arranged on the container and having a dispensing orifice therein, the dispensing orifice including a center portion and at least three legs which radiate outward from the center portion of the dispensing orifice; and    a lid having a projection arranged thereon, the projection having a configuration that is complementary to the dispensing orifice and being arranged on the lid such that the projection extends into the dispensing orifice when the lid is in the closed position.    
     
     
         12 . The dispenser according to  claim 11 , wherein the orifice is arranged in a raised portion of an upper wall of the cap.  
     
     
         13 . The dispenser according to  claim 12  wherein a wall is arranged on the lid in surrounding relation to the projection such that when the lid is in the closed position the wall extends in surrounding relation to the raised portion of the upper wall of the cap.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the viscous fluid is a body lotion.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the dispensing orifice has from 4 to 6 legs.  
     
     
         16 . A dispenser for dispensing topically-applied viscous fluids from a container comprising a cap arranged on the container and having a dispensing orifice therein, the dispensing orifice including a center portion and at least three legs which radiate outward from the center portion of the dispensing orifice such that viscous fluid dispensed from the container has an upper surface with a plurality of ridges formed therein.  
     
     
         17 . The dispenser according to  claim 16  further including a lid that can be arranged over the dispensing orifice.  
     
     
         18 . The dispenser according to  claim 17  wherein the lid is a flip-top lid.  
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the viscous fluid is a body lotion.  
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the dispensing orifice has from 4 to 6 legs.