Fluid dispenser

Abstract

Provided is a fluid dispenser comprising a flexible container that contains the fluid, a rigid outer container that houses the flexible container, a dispensing member for drawing the fluid out from the flexible container, and optionally an interconnection piece. Also provided is a kit and a method thereof.

Claims

1. A fluid dispenser comprising: a flexible container (1) adapted to contain a fluid, wherein the flexible container (1) comprises an opening (2) and a neck (3) disposed about the opening (2); a rigid outer container (4) adapted to house the flexible container (1), wherein the rigid outer container (4) comprises an installation opening (5) for insertion of the flexible container (1) within the rigid outer container (4) and a supply opening (6) for detachably engaging with the neck (3) of the flexible container (1); and a dispensing member (7) for drawing the fluid through the opening (2) in the flexible container (1), wherein the dispensing member (7) comprises a connection piece (8) for attaching to the neck (3) of the flexible container (1); wherein the flexible container (1) is fixed within the rigid outer container (4) by engaging the neck (3) of the flexible container (1) with the supply opening (6) of the rigid outer container (4); wherein the connection piece (8) of the dispensing member (7) is indirectly attached to the neck (3) of the flexible container (1); and further comprising an interconnection piece for interconnecting the connection piece (8) of the dispensing member (7) and the neck (3) of the flexible container (1); wherein the supply opening (6) is detachably and indirectly engaged with the neck of the flexible container (1).

2. The fluid dispenser of claim 1, wherein the rigid outer container (4) comprises two joinable parts, wherein one joinable part is movable into a position for allowing access to the installation opening (5) of the rigid outer container (4).

3. The fluid dispenser of claim 2, wherein the two joinable parts comprise a body (15) and a cover (16), wherein the body comprises the installation opening (5) and the cover comprises the supply opening (6).

4. The fluid dispenser of claim 3, wherein the cover (16) is detachably joined to the body (15).

5. The fluid dispenser of claim 3, wherein the cover (16) is joined to the body (15) by means of a hinge (17).

6. The fluid dispenser of claim 2, wherein the two joinable parts comprise a body and a cover, wherein the body comprises the installation opening (5) and the supply opening (6).

7. The fluid dispenser of claim 1, wherein the rigid outer container (4) comprises at least one transparent or semi-transparent portion.

8. The fluid dispenser of claim 1, wherein the interconnection piece interconnects the supply opening (6) of the rigid outer container (4) and the neck (3) of the container (1).

9. The fluid dispenser of claim 1, wherein the supply opening (6) engages the neck (3) of the flexible container (1) or the connection piece (8) of the dispensing member (7) or the interconnection piece, such that least one of horizontal, vertical and rotational movement of the neck (3) of the flexible container (1) or the connection piece (8) of the dispensing member (7) or the interconnection piece is limited.

10. The fluid dispenser of claim 1, wherein the neck (3) of the flexible container (1) or the connection piece (8) of the dispensing member (7) or the interconnection piece comprises at least one annular ring (10), wherein the at least one annular ring (10) detachably engages with the supply opening (6) thereby fixing the flexible container (1) or the dispensing member (7) or the interconnection piece within the rigid outer container (4).

11. The fluid dispenser of claim 1, wherein the dispensing member (7) further comprises a pump means and a conveying tube (22), wherein the conveying tube (22) is disposed within the flexible container (1) when the connection piece (8) of the dispensing member (7) is attached to the neck (3) of the flexible container (1).

12. A fluid dispensing system comprising the fluid dispenser according to claim 1 and a fluid, wherein the fluid is contained in the flexible container (1) of the fluid dispenser and dispensed via the dispensing member (7).

13. A method for assembling the fluid dispenser according to claim 1, comprising the following steps: providing the flexible container (1) comprising an opening (2) and a neck (3) disposed about the opening (2); providing the rigid outer container (4) comprising an installation opening (5) and a supply opening (6); providing the dispensing member (7) comprising a connection piece (8); providing at least one interconnection piece; attaching, indirectly with the interconnection piece, the connection piece (8) of the dispensing member (7) to the neck (3) of the flexible container (1); inserting the flexible container (1) within the rigid outer container (4) via the installation opening (5); detachably engaging the supply opening (6) of the rigid outer container (4) with the neck (3) of the flexible container (1), indirectly with the connection piece of the dispensing member or the optional interconnection piece, thereby detachably fixing the flexible container (1) within the rigid outer container (4).

14. A fluid dispenser comprising: a flexible container (1) adapted to contain a fluid, wherein the flexible container (1) comprises an opening (2) and a neck (3) disposed about the opening (2); a rigid outer container (4) adapted to house the flexible container (1), wherein the rigid outer container (4) comprises an installation opening (5) for insertion of the flexible container (1) within the rigid outer container (4) and a supply opening (6) for detachably engaging with the neck (3) of the flexible container (1); and a dispensing member (7) for drawing the fluid through the opening (2) in the flexible container (1), wherein the dispensing member (7) comprises a connection piece (8) for attaching to the neck (3) of the flexible container (1); wherein the flexible container (1) is fixed within the rigid outer container (4) by engaging the neck (3) of the flexible container (1) with the supply opening (6) of the rigid outer container (4); wherein the connection piece (8) of the dispensing member (7) is indirectly attached to the neck (3) of the flexible container (1); and further comprising an interconnection piece for interconnecting the connection piece (8) of the dispensing member (7) and the neck (3) of the flexible container (1); wherein the supply opening (6) is detachably and indirectly engaged with the neck of the flexible container (1); wherein the interconnection piece is assembled prior to use of the dispenser.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following Figures:

(2) FIG. 1A illustrates a fluid dispenser comprising a flexible container, a rigid outer container and a dispensing member according to an embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 1B illustrates the fluid dispenser components of FIG. 1A assembled together according to an embodiment of the invention.

(4) FIG. 2 illustrates a flexible container according to an embodiment of the invention.

(5) FIG. 3 illustrates a neck and annular ring according to an embodiment of the invention.

(6) FIG. 4 is a top view of an annular ring with a square outer surface according to an embodiment of the invention.

(7) FIG. 5A illustrates a neck with screw threads according to an embodiment of the invention.

(8) FIG. 5B illustrates a neck comprising an upper portion 3a and a lower portion 3b according to an embodiment of the invention.

(9) FIG. 6 illustrates a rigid outer container of unitary construction according to an embodiment of the invention.

(10) FIG. 7 illustrates a rigid outer container including a body and a removable cover according to an embodiment of the invention.

(11) FIG. 8 illustrates a rigid outer container including a body and a cover attached to the body by a hinge according to an embodiment of the invention.

(12) FIG. 9 illustrates a rigid outer container of unitary construction according to an embodiment of the invention.

(13) FIG. 10A is a top view of a supply opening in the form of a tapered recess according to an embodiment of the invention.

(14) FIG. 10B is a top view of a supply opening in the form of a “lollipop” recess according to an embodiment of the invention.

(15) FIG. 10C is a top view of a supply opening in the form of a hole according to an embodiment of the invention.

(16) FIG. 11 illustrates a pump-type dispensing member according to an embodiment of the invention.

(17) FIG. 12 illustrates a pump-type dispensing member according to an embodiment of the invention.

(18) FIG. 13 illustrates a pump-type dispensing member and an interconnection piece according to an embodiment of the invention.

(19) FIG. 14 illustrates a pump-type dispensing member and an interconnection piece according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(20) Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the fluid dispenser according to the invention comprises: a flexible container 1 containing the fluid (not shown), wherein the flexible container 1 comprises an opening 2 and a neck 3 disposed about the opening 2; a rigid outer container 4 adapted to house the flexible container 1, wherein the rigid outer container 4 comprises an installation opening 5 for insertion of the flexible container 1 within the rigid outer container 4 and a supply opening 6 for detachably engaging with the neck 3 of the flexible container 1; and a dispensing member 7 for drawing the fluid through the opening 2 in the flexible container 1, wherein the dispensing member 7 comprises a connection piece 8 for attaching to the neck 3 of the flexible container 1; and wherein the flexible container 1 is fixed within the rigid outer container 4 by directly engaging the neck 3 of the flexible container 1 with the supply opening 6 of the rigid outer container 4. In alternative embodiments, the flexible container may be fixed within the rigid outer container by indirectly engaging the neck of the flexible container with the supply opening of the rigid outer container, via the connection piece of the dispensing member or via the interconnection piece.

(21) The fluid to be dispensed is contained within a flexible container 1, such as a bag or pouch, which can be inserted into the rigid outer container 4. Preferably, the flexible container 1 is made from a thin, tear-resistant material, for example, plastic (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate), polyamide, foil (e.g., aluminum), or laminated material (e.g., laminate of aluminum and plastic). The flexible container 1 can be made of opaque, transparent, semi-transparent materials or translucent, or a combination thereof. For example, a flexible container 1 may be made from an opaque or semi-transparent material with a transparent portion that enables the user to determine the amount of fluid remaining in the flexible container 1. Advantages of utilizing such a container include minimizing storage space and reducing the weight and the volume of waste as compared to rigid containers such as plastic bottles. In some embodiments, the flexible container 1 is designed to be disposed of after being emptied of its contents. In other embodiments, the flexible container 1 is designed to be reused, for example, by being refilled after each time it is emptied. In some embodiments, the flexible container 1 can be recycled after use.

(22) Referring to FIG. 2, the flexible container 1 has a container portion 9, an opening 2 for delivering the fluid, and a neck 3 disposed around opening 2. The neck 3 can be made from the same material as the container portion 9 of the flexible container 1 or a different material. In order to facilitate attachment to the dispensing member 7 and/or to provide adequate support for the connection between the flexible container 1 and the rigid outer container 4, the neck 3 can be less flexible and more rigid than the container portion 9 of the flexible container 1, although preferably the neck 3 still retains some flexibility.

(23) Referring to FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the neck 3 of the flexible container 1 comprises an annular ring 10 to facilitate the connection between the flexible container 1 and the rigid outer container 4. The annular ring 10 is positioned on the neck 3 to form a gap 11 having a certain height 12 between the bottom of the annular ring 10 and the top of the container portion 9. Height 12 of gap 11 is generally equal to or nearly equal to the thickness of the material that makes up the rigid outer container 4 surrounding the supply opening 6 to enable the flexible container 1 to be detachably fixed within the outer rigid container 4. In some embodiments, height 12 of gap 11 is smaller than the thickness of the material that makes up the rigid outer container 4 surrounding the supply opening 6. This embodiment requires a certain degree of flexibility of material that makes up the annular ring 10 and/or the top of the top of the container portion 9 in order for the neck 3 to fit within the supply opening 6. In other embodiments, height 12 of gap 11 is larger than the thickness of the material that makes up the rigid outer container 4 surrounding the supply opening 6.

(24) In some embodiments, the neck 3 of the flexible container 1 comprises more than one annular ring, for example, two annular rings to facilitate the connection between the flexible container 1 and the rigid outer container 4. The annular rings are positioned on the neck 3 to form a gap having a certain height between the top annular ring and the bottom annular ring. The height of this gap is generally equal to or nearly equal to the thickness of the material that makes up the rigid outer container 4 surrounding the supply opening 6 to enable the flexible container 1 to be detachably fixed within the outer rigid container 4.

(25) In some embodiments, the outer surface of annular ring 10 is circular in shape. In other embodiments, the outer surface of annular ring 10 is an angular shape (i.e., triangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, etc.) designed to reversibly fit with a similar angular shape of the supply opening 6 of the rigid outer container 4, thus limiting the horizontal, vertical and/or rotational movement of the neck 3 of the flexible container 1 within the supply opening 6. A top view of an embodiment of an annular ring 10 with a square outer surface is illustrated in FIG. 4.

(26) In some embodiments, the angular ring 10 includes a notch or groove that is designed to reversibly fit with a corresponding protrusion or tooth present in the supply opening 6 of the rigid outer container 4, thus limiting the horizontal, vertical and/or rotational movement of the neck 3 of the flexible container 1 within the supply opening 6. In other embodiments, the angular ring 10 includes a protrusion or tooth that is designed to reversibly fit with a corresponding notch or groove present in the supply opening 6 of the rigid outer container 4, thus limiting the rotational and/or horizontal movement of the neck 3 of the flexible container 1 within the supply opening 6.

(27) Referring to FIG. 5A, in some embodiments, the neck 3 of the flexible container 1 comprises outer screw threads 13 designed to engage with inner screw threads (not shown) of the connection piece 8 of the dispensing member 7. In some embodiments, the neck 3 contains both screw threads and an annular ring.

(28) Referring to FIG. 5B, in some embodiments, the neck 3 of the flexible container 1 comprises an upper portion 3a, which is designed to engage with the connection piece 8 of the dispensing member 7 (for example, by means of outer screw threads designed to engage with inner screw threads of the connection piece 8 of the dispensing member 7), and a lower portion 3b which is attached to the container portion 9. In some embodiments, the upper portion 3a and the lower portion 3b of neck 3 are different shapes. A non-limiting example is shown in FIG. 5B, wherein the upper portion 3a is cylindrical in shape (for example, to engage with a cylindrical connection piece 8 of dispensing member 7), and the lower portion 3b is elongated in order to match the dimensions of the container portion 9. In some embodiments, the lower portion 3b of neck 3 is further designed to facilitate the connection between the flexible container 1 and the rigid outer container 4, for example, by means of protrusions or grooves that enable the flexible container 1 to be detachably fixed within the outer rigid container 4. In these embodiments, the upper portion 3a and lower portion 3b of neck 3 can be less flexible and more rigid than the container portion 9 of the flexible container 1.

(29) In some embodiments, in order to maintain freshness of the fluid (e.g., prevent oxidation), or to prevent contamination or tampering, the opening 2 of the flexible container 1 is covered or sealed with a foil-type cover or lid which can be removed before use. In some embodiments, the opening 2 of the flexible container 1 is covered with a removable cap, for example, a cap that contains inner screw threads that engage with the outer screw threads 13 of the neck 3. In some embodiments, the opening 2 of the flexible container 1 is covered or sealed with a foil-type cover or lid and also a removable cap.

(30) The rigid outer container 4 is adapted to house the flexible container 1 and to hold it in place to enable the user to withdraw the fluid. The rigid outer container 4 can be made of any material that is capable of providing support to the flexible container 1 and withstanding the force of the dispensing unit 7 when in use, for example, plastic (e.g., polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel), wood or bamboo. The rigid outer container 4 can be made of material that is opaque, transparent, semi-transparent or translucent, or a combination thereof. For example, a rigid outer container 4 may be made from an opaque or semi-transparent material with a transparent portion that enables the user to determine the amount of fluid remaining in the flexible container 1.

(31) The rigid outer container 4 can be of any geometric shape, for example, rectangular, cubic, cylindrical, oval cylindrical and the like. The dimensions of the rigid outer container 4 are large enough to contain the flexible container 1 when it is completely full of the fluid.

(32) Referring to FIG. 6, rigid outer container 4 comprises an installation opening 5 for insertion of the flexible container 1 within the rigid outer container 4 and a supply opening 6 for detachably engaging with the neck 3 of the flexible container 1. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the rigid outer container 4 is a unitary construction and the installation opening 5 is defined by the open space between top 14a, bottom 14b, and sides 14c and 14d, and is opposite the front 14e. In other embodiments, front 14e may be absent and the rigid outer container 4 includes top 14a, bottom 14b, and sides 14c and 14d. In still other embodiments, sides 14c and 14d may be absent and the rigid outer container 4 includes top 14a, bottom 14b, and front 14e. In any of these embodiments, the flexible container 1 can be inserted into the rigid outer container 4 through the installation opening 5, and the neck 3 of the flexible container 1 engaged with the supply opening 6 of the rigid outer container 4 as described further herein.

(33) In another embodiment, the rigid outer container 4 includes two joinable parts, wherein one joinable part is movable into a position for allowing access to the installation opening 5 of the rigid outer container. Referring to FIG. 7, in some embodiments, the two joinable parts comprise a body 15a and a cover 16a that fits securely on the body 15a over the installation opening 5. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the installation opening 5 and the corresponding cover 16a are located on the top of the body 15a and the cover 16a includes the supply opening 6. In other embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the installation opening 5 and the corresponding cover 16b are located on a side of the body 15b, and the body 15b includes the supply opening 6.

(34) In some embodiments, the cover 16 is slightly larger than the top of the body 15, and the cover 16 includes a rim that runs long its outer edge in the downward direction such that when the cover 16 is placed on the body 15, the rim is in contact with the outside of the body 15, thus holding the cover 16 in place on the body 15. In other embodiments, the cover 16 is the same size as the top of the body 15, and the cover 16 includes a rim that runs parallel to its outer edge in the downward direction and is located a certain distance inward from the outer edge, such that when the cover 16 is placed on the body 15, the rim is in contact with the inside of the body 15, thus holding the cover 16 in place on the body 15. In yet another embodiment, the cover 16 is slightly smaller than the top of the body 15, and the body 15 includes a rim that runs parallel to the top edge of the installation opening 5 and is located a certain distance inward from the top edge of the installation opening 5, such that when the cover 16 is placed on the body 15, the bottom face of the cover 16 rests on the rim, thus holding the cover 16 in place on the body 15.

(35) In some embodiments, the cover 16a is removable and separate from body 15a, such as the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7. In some embodiments, the removable cover 16a can be locked or fixed in place on the body 15a, for example, by a slide-lock, twist-lock or bayonet-type mount.

(36) In some embodiments, such as the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the cover 16b is attached to the body 15b, for example, by means of a hinge 17. Such embodiments may include a latch or locking means on the body 15b and/or cover 16b in order to keep the cover 16b in the closed position.

(37) In some embodiments, the supply opening 6 is a recess 18 in the rigid outer container 4, as illustrated in FIG. 8. In such embodiments, the neck 3 of the flexible container 1 is slid into the recess 18 either before or after the dispensing member 7 is attached to the neck 3.

(38) For proper operation of the fluid dispenser, it is important to form a secure fit between the neck 3 of the flexible member 1 and the recess 18. In an alternative embodiment, the connection piece of the dispensing member or the interconnection piece may form a secure fit with the recess. To provide such a secure fit, in some embodiments, the supply opening 6 comprises a locking means for engaging the neck 3 of the flexible container 1, wherein the locking means limits horizontal, vertical and/or rotational movement of the neck 3 of the flexible container 1. In some embodiments, the width of the recess 18 may be slightly smaller than the diameter of the neck 3, provided the neck 3 is sufficiently flexible to slightly deform as it is fixed within the recess 18. Alternatively, in some embodiments the width of the recess 18 may be the same as or greater than the diameter of the neck 3. Such embodiments may be utilized with a flexible container 1 that includes an annular ring 10 disposed on the neck 3 (wherein the diameter of the annular ring is greater than the width of the recess 18), or with a dispensing member 7 that includes a connection piece 8 with a diameter that is greater than the width of the recess 18.

(39) As illustrated in FIG. 10A, another embodiment of a locking means includes a recess 18a that is wider at the edge nearest the installation opening 19 and tapers toward the end of the recess 20. In other embodiments, the recess 18b has a “lollipop” shape with a straight section that ends at a slightly wider circular portion (see, e.g., FIG. 10B).

(40) In other embodiments of a locking means, the shape of the recess 18 is designed to receive the shape of the neck 3 and/or annular ring 10 of the flexible container 1. For example, the shape of the end of the recess 18 can be semicircular in order to receive a round neck 3 and/or annular ring 10 (see, e.g., FIGS. 1A, 1B, 6-8, 10A and 10B), or it can be angular in order to receive an angular-shaped (e.g., triangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, etc.) neck 3 and/or annular ring 10. In some embodiments, the recess 18 includes a protrusion or tooth that is designed to reversibly fit with a notch or groove present in the neck 3 or angular ring 10 of the flexible container; in other embodiments, the recess 18 includes a notch or groove that is designed to reversibly fit with a protrusion or tooth present in the neck 3 or angular ring 10 of the flexible container. In another embodiment, one or more seals (e.g., rubber, silicone, etc.) can line the edges of the recess 18 to securely and reversibly contact the neck 3. Each of these embodiments can serve not only to hold the flexible container 1 in place, but also to reduce horizontal, vertical and/or rotational movement of the neck 3 and flexible container 1, thus improving the performance of the fluid dispenser.

(41) In other embodiments the supply opening is a hole 21, as illustrated in FIG. 10C. In such embodiments, the neck 3 of the flexible container 1 is inserted through the hole 21 and then the dispensing member 7 is attached to the neck 3. In some embodiments, the hole 21 includes a locking means for engaging the neck 3 of the flexible container 1, wherein the locking means limits horizontal, vertical and/or rotational movement of the neck 3 of the flexible container 1. In some embodiments, the locking means is a protrusion or tooth that is designed to reversibly fit with a notch or groove present in the neck 3 or angular ring 10 of the flexible container 1; in other embodiments, the hole 21 includes a notch or groove that is designed to reversibly fit with a protrusion or tooth present in the neck 3 or angular ring 10 of the flexible container 1. In another embodiment, one or more seals (e.g., rubber, silicone, etc.) can line the edges of the hole 21 to securely and reversibly contact the neck 3. Each of these embodiments can serve not only to hold the flexible container 1 in place, but also to reduce horizontal, vertical and/or rotational movement of the neck 3 and flexible container 1, thus improving the performance of the fluid dispenser.

(42) The dispensing member 7 for drawing the fluid through the opening 2 in the flexible container 1 can be any conventional pump, including the lotion-pump type or spray-pump type apparatus. The type of dispensing member 7 should be matched with the type of fluid being dispensed (e.g., spray-type for lower-viscosity fluids, lotion spray-type for higher-viscosity fluids). FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a pump-type fluid dispensing member 7, which includes a conveying tube 22, a connection piece 8 for attaching to the neck 3 of the flexible container 1, and a moveable head 23 which has a radially projecting outlet 24. FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a pump-type fluid dispensing member 7, which includes a conveying tube 22, an elongated connection piece 8 for attaching to the neck 3 of the flexible container 1, and a moveable head 23 which has a radially projecting outlet 24. FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a pump-type fluid dispensing member 7 and an interconnection piece 25a for attaching to the neck 3 of the flexible container 1, wherein the pump-type fluid dispensing member 7 includes a conveying tube 22, a connection piece 8 for attaching to the interconnection piece 25a, and a moveable head 23 which has a radially projecting outlet 24. FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a pump-type fluid dispensing member 7 and an interconnection piece 25b for attaching both to the neck 3 of the flexible container 1 and to the supply opening of the rigid outer container 4, wherein the pump-type fluid dispensing member 7 includes a conveying tube 22, a connection piece 8 for attaching to the interconnection piece 25b, and a moveable head 23 which has a radially projecting outlet 24.

(43) The connection piece 8 can attach to the neck 3 by any conventional means, such as screw threads, bayonet, clipping, etc. In some embodiments, the connection piece 8 reversibly attaches to the neck 3 of the flexible container 1, so that the flexible container 1 can be removed after use and the dispensing member 7 can be reused. In some embodiments, the connection piece 8 is an annular collar with inner screw threads designed to engage with outer screw threads (13) of the neck 3 of the flexible container 1 (see, e.g., FIG. 5). In some embodiments, the connection piece 8 irreversibly attaches to the neck 3 of the flexible container 1, so that the flexible container 1 and dispensing member 7 are both disposed of after use.

(44) The conveying tube 22 can be flexible or rigid. In some embodiments, the conveying tube 22 is straight; in other embodiments, the conveying tube 22 is angled or curved. The conveying tube 22 is of sufficient length to reach to or near to the bottom of the flexible container 1 so that the majority of the fluid can be dispensed from the flexible container 1.

(45) In order to use the fluid dispenser, the conveying tube 22 of the dispensing member 7 is inserted into the neck 3 of the flexible container 1 and through the opening 2. The dispensing member 7 is attached to the neck 3 of the flexible container 1 by way of the connection piece 8 (e.g., by screwing or clamping). Then flexible container 1 is inserted into the installation opening 5 of the rigid outer container 4 by engaging the neck 3 of the flexible container 1 with the supply opening 6 of the rigid outer container 4 (e.g., by sliding the neck 3 into the recess 18). Once the flexible container 1 is secure within the rigid outer container 4, then the dispensing member 7 may be actuated to dispense fluid from the flexible container 1 (e.g., by pressing down the movable head 23 of the dispensing member 7, thus suctioning the fluid through conveying tube 22 and out through the outlet 24).

(46) Alternatively, prior to attaching the dispensing member 7 to the neck 3 of the flexible container 1, the flexible container 1 can be inserted into the installation opening 5 of the rigid outer container 4 by engaging the neck 3 of the flexible container 1 with the supply opening 6 of the rigid outer container 4 (e.g., by sliding the neck 3 into the recess 18 or by inserting the neck 3 into the hole 21). Once the flexible container 1 is so situated, the dispensing member 7 can be attached to the neck 3 and the fluid dispensed.

(47) A fluid dispenser according to the invention may be used to dispense any fluid. Suitable non-limiting examples include hair products (e.g., shampoo, conditioner, masks, dyes, etc.), cleansing products (e.g., soap, facial scrub, hand sanitizer, etc.), skin care products (e.g., moisturizer, hand/face/body lotion, sunblock), and fragrances. The size of the fluid dispenser components, the materials that make up the fluid dispenser components, and the type of dispensing member 7 (e.g., lotion-pump type, spray-pump type, etc.) can be modified to accommodate the particular fluid being dispensed.

(48) Variations and modifications of the invention and further embodiments thereof, in addition to those described herein, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the full contents of this document. The subject matter herein contains information, exemplification and guidance that can be adapted to the practice of this invention in its various embodiments and equivalents thereof. It is intended that the appended claims cover all such variations, modifications, embodiments and equivalents.