Enhanced dispensing and dosaging techniques for fluid containers

Abstract

In various embodiments, the invention provides enhanced structures, devices, and techniques that allow fluids and liquid products, such as cosmetics, to dispense in a more even, smoother, and more predictable manner from fluid containers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for dispensing fluid, the apparatus comprising:
 a fluid repository in fluid communication with a nozzle, wherein the nozzle includes at least one dispensing orifice formed therein;   a plug positioned within at least a portion of the interior of the nozzle, wherein the plug comprises:
 a. a base, 
 b. a tip comprising a plurality of fingers extending from the base, wherein the fingers are structured to be resiliently biased in a closed state in the absence of a threshold fluid pressure within the interior of the plug, and 
 c. wherein the plurality of fingers are structured to extend outwardly from the interior of the plug in an open state to create a pathway for communicating fluid from the fluid repository to the dispensing orifice upon application of a threshold fluid pressure within the interior of the plug. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a retaining ridge formed in at least a portion of the interior of the nozzle. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the base of the plug includes a retaining segment structured for correspondingly mating with at least a portion of the retaining ridge of the nozzle. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the plug is positioned within the interior of the nozzle to establish a predetermined gap distance between an outflow region of the plug and the dispensing orifice. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the predetermined gap distance is structured in response to a fluid viscosity. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fingers of the plug comprise fiber bristles. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fingers of the plug comprise a polypropylene material. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fingers of the plug comprise a foam material. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the foam material includes a closed-cell or micro fiber material. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a selected number of fingers of the plug is sufficient to retain a fluid within the interior of the plug in the absence of exceeding a threshold fluid pressure within the interior of the plug. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a length of at least one of the fingers of the plug is sufficient to retain a fluid within the interior of the plug in the absence of exceeding a threshold fluid pressure within the interior of the plug. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the fingers is structured to flex outwardly from a longitudinal axis of the plug upon application of a threshold fluid pressure within the interior of the plug. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plug is structured to communicate fluid therethrough at a threshold fluid pressure not exceeding a pressure applied to the fluid repository. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plug is structured to communicate fluid therethrough at a threshold fluid pressure independent of a pressure applied to the fluid repository.