Hold-open for container-in-container dispenser

Abstract

A hold-open device for a container-in-container dispenser has an elongate body that is flexible along its length. The elongate body defines a longitudinal internal passage extending along its length and through first and second longitudinal ends of the elongate body. The elongate body defines a plurality of longitudinal external channels extending along the length of the elongate body and through the first and second longitudinal ends of the elongate body. The hold-open device is to be received in an inner container of the container-in-container dispenser.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hold-open device for a pressurized container-in-container dispenser, the hold-open device comprising:
 an elongate body having opposite first and second longitudinal ends, a length extending between the first and second longitudinal ends, and a longitudinal axis extending along its length, the elongate body being generally flexible along its length, wherein the elongate body is sized and shaped to be received in an inner container of the container-in-container dispenser and includes
 a central longitudinal hub extending along the length of the elongate body, the central hub defining a longitudinal passage extending along the length of the elongate body and through the first and second longitudinal ends of the elongate body, 
 longitudinal ribs projecting radially outward from the central longitudinal hub and extending along the length of the elongate body, wherein the longitudinal ribs are spaced apart from one another about the longitudinal axis to define a plurality of longitudinal channels extending longitudinally along the elongate body. 
   
     
     
         2 . The hold-open device set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the elongate body is an integrally formed, monolithic, one-piece component. 
     
     
         3 . The hold-open device set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the elongate body is formed from plastic. 
     
     
         4 . The hold-open device set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal ribs extending along the entire length of the elongate body. 
     
     
         5 . The hold-open device set forth in  claim 1 , in combination with the pressurized dispenser-in-dispenser, wherein pressurized dispenser-in-dispenser includes an outer container having an interior pressurized by a propellant, an inner container received in interior of the outer container and having an interior containing the flowable product, and a valve secured to the outer and inner containers, wherein the valve is in fluid communication with the interior of the inner container,
 wherein the hold-open device is received in the interior of the inner container.   
     
     
         6 . The hold-open device in combination with the pressurized container-in-container dispenser set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the inner container is collapsible around the hold-open device when dispensing the flowable product. 
     
     
         7 . The hold-open device in combination with the pressurized container-in-container dispenser set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the inner container comprises deformable metal. 
     
     
         8 . The hold-open device in combination with the pressurized container-in-container dispenser set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the valve includes a mounting cup, a stem, and a seal attached to the stem and disposed between and interconnecting the stem and the mounting cup. 
     
     
         9 . The hold-open device set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the elongate body is generally non-compressible radially and longitudinally. 
     
     
         10 . A hold-open device for a pressurized container-in-container dispenser, the hold-open device comprising:
 an elongate body sized and shaped to be received in an inner container of the container-in-container dispenser, the elongate body having opposite first and second longitudinal ends, a length extending between the first and second longitudinal ends, and a longitudinal axis extending along its length,   wherein the elongate body being generally flexible along its length,   wherein the elongate body defines a longitudinal internal passage extending along the length of the elongate body and through the first and second longitudinal ends of the elongate body,   wherein the elongate body defines a plurality of longitudinal external channels extending along the length of the elongate body and through the first and second longitudinal ends of the elongate body, the longitudinal external channels being spaced apart from one another about the longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal external channels are open at an outer radial portion of the elongate body.   
     
     
         11 . The hold-open device set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the elongate body is an integrally formed, monolithic, one-piece component. 
     
     
         12 . The hold-open device set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the elongate body is generally non-compressible radially and longitudinally. 
     
     
         13 . The hold-open device set forth in  claim 10 , in combination with the pressurized container-in-container dispenser, wherein pressurized dispenser-in-dispenser includes an outer container having an interior pressurized by a propellant, an inner container received in interior of the outer container and having an interior containing the flowable product, and a valve secured to the outer and inner containers, wherein the valve is in fluid communication with the interior of the inner container,
 wherein the hold-open device is received in the interior of the inner container.   
     
     
         14 . The hold-open device in combination with the pressurized container-in-container dispenser set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the inner container is collapsible around the hold-open device when dispensing the flowable product. 
     
     
         15 . The hold-open device in combination with the pressurized container-in-container dispenser set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the inner container comprises deformable metal. 
     
     
         16 . The hold-open device in combination with the pressurized container-in-container dispenser set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the valve includes a mounting cup, a stem, and a seal attached to the stem and disposed between and interconnecting the stem and the mounting cup. 
     
     
         17 . A container-in-container dispenser for dispensing a flowable product, the container-in-container dispenser comprising:
 an outer container having an interior pressurized by a propellant;   an inner container received in interior of the outer container and having an interior containing the flowable product;   a valve secured to the outer and inner containers, wherein the valve is in fluid communication with the interior of the inner container; and   a hold-open device received in the interior of the inner container, the hold-open device comprising:
 an elongate body having opposite first and second longitudinal ends, a length extending between the first and second longitudinal ends, and a longitudinal axis extending along its length, 
 wherein the elongate body being generally flexible along its length, 
 wherein the elongate body defines a longitudinal internal passage extending along the length of the elongate body and through the first and second longitudinal ends of the elongate body, 
 wherein the elongate body defines a plurality of longitudinal external channels extending along the length of the elongate body and through the first and second longitudinal ends of the elongate body, the longitudinal external channels being spaced apart from one another about the longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal external channels are open at an outer radial portion of the elongate body. 
   
     
     
         18 . The container-in-container dispenser set forth in  claim 17 , wherein the elongate body is an integrally formed, monolithic, one-piece component. 
     
     
         19 . The container-in-container dispenser set forth in  claim 17 , wherein the elongate body is generally non-compressible radially and longitudinally. 
     
     
         20 . The container-in-container dispenser set forth in  claim 17 , wherein the inner container is collapsible around the hold-open device when dispensing the flowable product.