WO2001089984A1

WO2001089984A1 - Dispensing container

Info

Publication number: WO2001089984A1
Application number: PCT/US2001/016206
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ronald J. Jaketic
Original assignee: Carter-Wallace, Inc.
Priority date: 2000-05-23
Filing date: 2001-05-18
Publication date: 2001-11-29
Also published as: AU2001263292A1

Abstract

A dispensing container (30) includes a bottle (32) having an interior volume (66) for containing fluid, and has at least one sidewall (58), a bottom portion (72) with a substantially conical interior surface projecting away from the sidewall, and a top opening (64) in communication with the interior volume. The dispensing container further includes a pump apparatus (38) connected to the top opening, and adapted for drawing a quantity of fluid from an area proximate the lowest depth of the substantially conical interior surface of the bottom portion, and dispensing the fluid from an orifice of the pump assembly.

Description

DISPENSP G CONTAINER

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to containers, and more particularly to fluid dispensing containers.

Background of the Invention

Fluid dispensing containers are provided for enabling convenient storage and delivery of fluid contents in prescribed quantities. Dispensing containers are used extensively in many applications and products (i.e. cleaning fluids, fluid waxes, solvents, medicaments, and the like) which generally entails the application of the fluid product on a desired area. Such containers include a bottle made of a durable material for retaining fluid product therein, and a dispensing apparatus in fluid connection with the bottle for effecting a desired fluid discharge. The dispensing apparatus usually includes a dip tube having a distal end that extends into the bottle for transporting the fluid product into the apparatus where it is then discharged through an orifice. The fluid dispensing apparatus can be provided by any suitable means, for instance by a pump mechanism, by deformation of the bottle or by utilizing a suitable propellant. A protective cap may be provided for protecting the dispensing apparatus from unwanted contamination.

The dispensing container should be capable of furnishing a reliable delivery of fluid in

a precise dose for each use. However, the standard dispensing container has not provided an acceptable solution for dispensing fluid which is most effective at eliminating the persistent

problem of partial sprays. Partial sprays occur when the fluid product reaches a certain

critical level within the bottle and the dispensing apparatus is unable to effectively draw on

the fluid product even though there is an adequate amount in the bottle. More specifically, when the container is slightly tilted or even vertically oriented during low product levels,

excessive air or partial spray is often discharged. To minimize the partial spray problem,

dispensing containers must be substantially overfilled with fluid product during packaging to

ensure that the represented product quantity indicate on the product label will be actually supplied to the consumer.

The source of the partial spray problem dwells in the configuration of the bottle and the dispensing apparatus. Typically, the standard dispensing container includes an interior

bottom surface which is substantially flat or convex, and a dip tube being longer than the

length of the bottle. The reason for utilizing such a lengthy dip tube is to ensure that the open distal end remains immersed in the fluid product at the bottom of the container. This

adaptation results in the distal end being pressed off-center against the bottom surface and the

inlet opening being oriented slightly on its side for unobstructed fluid access. Unfortunately, as the fluid level reaches a certain point in the bottle and even though the bottle has adequate

amount of fluid for a full discharge, the inlet opening of the dip tube is partially or totally exposed above the product level, and cannot effectively draw up the fluid product - resulting

in a partial spray, or the dispensing of less than the required dosage in the case of dispensing

medicaments. The amount of product fluid remaining when partial spray occurs is the amount by which the product maker must overfill to ensure that the total proper amount or

dosage of product is supplied to the user within the allotted number of fluid deliveries or

usages.

It is highly desirable for dispensing containers to provide a precise quantity of fluid dose with each discharge. Present research is directed toward developing a dispensing

container for eliminating partial or inaccurate sprays that dispense less than a desired dose of

product as the fluid in the bottle reaches a critical level. If this can be achieved, then product

overfill will be significantly reduced while ensuring that the advertised amount of fluid product will be dispensed in accurate doses within the allotted number of total expected

doses. Such an improved dispensing container will reduce costs by eliminating product waste

due to the present necessity of overfilling containers, while increasing overall reliability and

accuracy in fluid storage and dispensing.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention is generally directed to a dispensing container comprised of a

bottle and a fluid dispensing apparatus for dispensing a quantity of fluid from the bottle in a

manner which provides the benefits of precise dosing for every fluid discharge during the operational life of the container, while significantly reducing product waste. A further benefit of the dispensing container is the ease of fabrication using available known methods of

container manufacturing.

In particular, one aspect of the present invention is directed to a fluid dispensing

container which includes a bottle having a dispenser connected to an opening of the bottle with the dispenser including a dip tube having an open end proximate a closed bottom end of

the bottle, for drawing fluid therefrom for dispensing, wherein the improvement comprises:

a well formed in the bottom of said bottle for collecting fluid;

said dip tube having its open end positioned proximate the bottom of said well,

for ensuring that substantially all of the fluid in said bottle can be dispensed therefrom.

In another aspect of the present invention, the dispensing container comprises:

a bottle defining an interior volume for containing fluid, the bottle including at

least one side wall, a closed bottom portion with a downwardly projecting well, and an

opening in communication with said interior volume; and a dispensing apparatus connected to said opening, said dispensing apparatus

being adapted for drawing a quantity of fluid from an area proximate the lowest depth of said

downwardly projecting well of the bottom portion, and delivering said quantity of fluid into

the atmosphere.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Various embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the drawings, in which like items are identified by the same reference designation, wherein: Figure 1 is an exploded assembly view of a prior art dispensing container;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the prior art dispensing container of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an exploded assembly view of a dispensing container in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of the assembled dispensing container of Figure 3;

Figure 4A is an enlarged detailed cross sectional view of a bottom portion of Figure 4;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the assembled dispensing container of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a partially broken away bottom plan view of the dispensing container of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a front elevational view of a bottle portion with dimensions indicated of the dispensing container for another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 8 is a front elevational view of a bottle portion with dimensions indicated of a dispensing container for a third embodiment of the invention;

Figure 9 is an exploded cross sectional view of a lower portion of a dispenser bottle for a fourth embodiment of the invention; Figure 10 is an exploded cross sectional view of a lower portion of a dispenser bottle

or a fifth embodiment of the invention;

Figure 11 is an exploded cross sectional view of a lower portion of a dispenser bottle

or a sixth embodiment of the invention;

Figure 12 is an exploded cross sectional view of a lower portion of a dispenser bottle

for a seventh embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 13 is an exploded cross sectional view of a lower portion of a dispenser bottle

for an eighth embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention is generally directed to a dispensing container constructed in a

manner which provides a reliable and efficient fluid storage and dispensing device for the

user. The term "dispensing container" as used hereinafter refers to a container used for

storing and dispensing a fluid such as liquid, gas-liquid mixture, emulsion, gel, foam, colloid

solution, sol, dispersion solution, and other materials having fluid-like properties such as semi-liquids of pulverized solids, fine particles in liquid, powders, and mixtures thereof, and

which can be dispensed as a fluid by a suitable propellant or other suitable fluid transport

means. The cost efficient and effective manner by which the containers may be fabricated

using current known means of manufacture makes such containers especially suitable for

consumer use. The precise full dosing and reliable dispensing of the product fluid within the allotted number of doses further makes such containers especially suitable for dispensing medicaments. It will be understood that the dispensing container as contemplated by the present invention is not limited only to the type described herein, but includes other types of dispensing containers where the container functions to store and deliver fluid.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a prior art dispensing container 1 for administering individual doses of a fluid, containing a pump assembly 2 for ejecting the fluid, i.e. nasal spray solution. The dispensing container comprises a bottle 3 having a collar cap 4 with a nozzle member 5 fitted thereon. The upper portion of the nozzle member 5 is adapted for insertion into a body orifice such as a nasal passageway for applying a quantity of nasal spray solution. The nozzle member 5 may be covered by a protective cap 6 when the dispensing container 1 is not in use. The cap 6 is provided with a cylindrical side wall and an end wall.

Referring now specifically to Figure 1, the bottle 3 includes a neck portion 7 having an opening 8 in fluid connection with an interior volume 9 (as best shown in Figure 2). The collar cap 4 houses the main components of the pump assembly 2 which includes a dip tube 10 which extends into the interior volume 9 for drawing the fluid product therefrom, and an outlet tube 11 for expelling the drawn fluid through an orifice 15 of nozzle member 5.

The collar cap 4 further includes a set of internal threads 26 (see Figure 2) located on a bottom portion 12 thereof. The internal threads are adapted for threaded engagement with a set of complementary exterior threads 13 which extend around the neck portion 7 of the bottle 3 for secure connection therebetween. The lower end of the nozzle member 5 is slip fitted into a top portion 14 of the collar cap 4 for providing a fluid connection between the outlet tube 11 and the orifice 15 located at the tip of the nozzle member 5 for releasing the fluid to

the outside. The nozzle member 5 includes a pair of finger tabs 16, one on each side thereof as shown for permitting the user's fingers to be placed thereon for actuating the pump assembly 2, for example, by holding the user's thumb on the bottom of the bottle 3, and

pushing down on the tabs 16, to dispense a dose of fluid.

Referring specifically to Figure 2, the typical pump assembly 2 further includes a

pump cylinder 17 having a coil spring 18 therein which is operatively engaged with the outlet tube 11 for biasing the outlet tube 11 into an upward position. The pump cylinder 17

comprises an inlet port 19 for fluid connection with the dip tube 10 and an outlet port 20 for

fluid connection with the outlet tube 11. The pump cylinder 17 is appropriately sealed to

prevent leakage at the associated connection points with the tubes 10 and 11 as generally

known in the art. Together, the parts of the pump assembly 2 operates to draw fluid from the

bottle 3 and to force the fluid to flow from the pump cylinder 17, and through the outlet tube

11 itself, for a fluid discharge from the orifice 14 in the form of a spray, stream or a plurality

of droplets. An annular gasket 21 is provided in the bottom portion 12 of the collar cap 4 for providing a fluid seal between the collar cap 4 and the neck portion 7 of the bottle 3 when

screwed together.

During operation, as generally known in the art, the outlet tube 11 moves upwards,

under the action of the coil spring 18, to draw the fluid into the pump cylinder 17 by plunger- action through the dip tube 10. When the user presses down on the tabs 16, the nozzle

member 5 is moved downward toward the closure cap 4. This action also moves the outlet

tube 11 downward to force the fluid to flow from the pump cylinder 17, and through the outlet tube 11 itself, for discharge from the orifice 14 in the form of a spray, stream or a

plurality of droplets. The pump assembly 2 includes internal one-way valves to control the travel of liquid, in a generally known manner which, for simplicity, will not be described

herein.

The bottle 3 of the prior art dispensing container 1 further includes a substantially

cylindrical body portion 22 having a slightly convex bottom wall 23, as shown. The dip tube

10 includes an inlet opening 24 at the distal end 25 thereof. Generally, the dip tube 10 is

adapted to extend beyond the longitudinal length of the interior volume 9. This ensures that

the distal end 25, and thus, the inlet opening 24, remains at the bottom wall 23 of the bottle 3.

Additionally, the bottom wall 23 operates to orient the distal end 25 of the dip tube 10 in a

manner to maintain an unobstructed fluid flow through the inlet opening 24. However, this

arrangement of the dip tube 10 within the interior volume 9 produces unfavorable results in

dispensing performance and efficiency as will be described.

When the fluid level in the interior volume 9 reaches a critical point, the dispensing

container 1 has a tendency to produce partial discharges or sprays of fluid. Such partial

discharges occur especially when the container 1 is slightly tilted in one direction causing the fluid to drastically shift away from the distal end 25 of the dip tube 10. Partial discharges

also occur when the fluid level reaches below that where the inlet opening 24 is located. The

user must find the optimal tilt of the container 1 to cause the remaining fluid to pool

beneficially around the inlet opening 24 to obtain a more complete dose. This tilting

typically puts the container 1 in an awkward or non-ideal orientation for convenient

dispensing. Furthermore, due to the convex shape of the bottom wall 23, the remaining fluid product pools along the sides of the container 1 and oftentimes beyond the reach of the dip tube 10. The above described arrangement of the prior art dispensing container requires the product maker to substantially overfill the container 1 to compensate for the partial spray or discharge and to ensure that the advertised quantity will be dispensed.

A dispensing container 30 according to the present invention is shown in Figure 3.

The dispensing container 30 includes a bottle 32 for holding fluid therein and a dispenser assembly 34 adapted for attachment with the bottle 32 for dispensing the fluid from the bottle 32. The dispenser assembly 34 comprises an internally threaded collar cap 36 housing a centrally located pump assembly 38, a nozzle member 40, a dip tube 42 coupled to an inlet port 44 of the pump assembly 38, and an outlet tube 46 coupled to an outlet port 48 of the pump assembly 38.

During use, the inlet port 44 draws fluid in and the outlet port 48 expels fluid out of the pump assembly 38 through the associated tubes 42 and 46, respectively. The nozzle member 40, which is in operative engagement with the pump assembly 38, includes a centrally-located orifice 50 through which the fluid is expelled, a pair of finger tabs 52, and an open cylindrical skirt 54 depending from the bottom of the nozzle member 40 for slip-fit engagement with the collar cap 36 as will be described. A protective cap 56 is provided for protecting the nozzle member 40 from dirt and unwanted contamination during non-use.

With reference to Figures 3 and 4, the bottle 32 of the dispensing container 30 comprises a substantially cylindrical body portion 58, an externally threaded neck portion 60 configured for threaded attachment with the collar cap 36, and a cylindrical base portion 62 for providing a stable base support. An opening 64 is provided in the neck portion 60 of the bottle 32 which is in fluid communication with an interior volume 66 thereof for holding fluid. The dip tube 42 extends into the interior volume 66 through the opening 64 for

drawing fluid from the bottle 32 as will be described. The collar cap 36 includes an annular sealing chamfer 92 downwardly depending from the bottom thereof. The sealing chamfer 92

is made of a sufficiently ductile and resilient material such as polyurethane, polyethylene,

polypropylene, polybutane, polystyrene, and the like, and is configured to bias outwardly to

form a tight seal with the interior surface of the neck portion 60 of the bottle 32 during

threaded engagement between the collar cap 36 and the bottle 32. It is believed that the use of

the sealing chamfer 92 reduces the introduction of unwanted particulates into the fluid product as often observed in prior art dispensing containers using annular sealing gaskets

which over time tend to deteriorate and flake.

Referring to Figure 4, the assembled dispensing container 30 of the present invention

is shown in a detailed cross sectional view. The collar cap 36 is threadedly engaged with the

neck portion 60 of the bottle 32. The collar cap 36 further includes a cylindrical upper wall

portion 68 extending around a top portion thereof. The wall portion 68 includes a diameter

greater than the diameter of the nozzle skirt 54, and configured for vertical sliding

engagement therebetween. The outlet tube 46 is oriented vertically for insertion into a

tapering fluid bore 70 within the nozzle member 40 for tight frictional seal and retainment therebetween.

The bottle 32 further comprises a downwardly-projecting substantially conical bottom wall 72 with a tapering interior bottom surface 73 extending from the interior lower end of the body portion 58 to a central point 74 of the bottom wall 72. The lower end of the body portion 58 includes a grooved indentation 76 extending along the periphery thereof. The base portion 62 comprises a base wall 78, a vertical side wall 80 extending along the edge of the base wall 78, and an annular, circumferential bead 82 extending along the inside rim portion of the side wall 80. The annular bead 82 is configured to fit into the grooved indentation 76 of the bottle body portion 58. The inwardly biasing annular bead 82 of the base portion 62 snaps into the grooved indentation 76 of the bottle 32 for secure retention of the base portion 62 to the body portion 58. The base portion 62 provides a stable support base for the dispensing container 30 in an upright, vertical orientation, and shrouds the substantially conical bottom wall 72 of the bottle 32.

The dip tube 42 includes an inlet opening 84 formed at a distal end 86. The inlet opening 84 is positioned centrally and substantially in proximity to the lowest central point 74 of the substantially conical bottom wall 72. The cone-like shape of the interior bottom surface 73 of the substantially conical bottom wall 72 compels the fluid in the interior volume 66 to flow to the point 74 when the bottle 32 is vertically or near vertically oriented relative to its longitudinal axis. In essence, the converging side portions of the bottom wall 72 form a fluid drain or well 94. With this configuration, even when the bottle 32 is tilted during discharge, the fluid will substantially remain in the vicinity of the dip tube inlet opening 84 for providing an efficient fluid draw. This configuration further enables the dispensing container 30 to draw substantially all of the fluid product stored within the bottle 32 over successive dispensing operations for the allotted number of doses, thereby eliminating the need for product overfill during packaging, and thereby substantially reducing product waste. In operation, the nozzle member 40 and the outlet tube 46 moves upward, under the

action of a coil spring 90, to draw the fluid into the pump assembly 38 through the dip tube 42. Upon pressing the finger tabs 52 of the nozzle member 40 downward, the outlet tube 46 moves downward to expel the fluid held inside the pump assembly 38 through the outlet tube

46 itself, into the bore 70 of the nozzle member 40. Since the bore 70 is in fluid

communication with the nozzle orifice 50, the discharged fluid exiting the outlet tube 46 is

forcefully expelled through the orifice 50 in the form of a spray, stream or a plurality of

droplets. The pump assembly 38 includes known internal one-way valves which, for

simplicity, are not described herein.

The dispensing container 30, for its various components other than the spring 90, is

preferably fabricated from a durable material such as molded or extruded plastic polymers or the like, and more preferably a plastic polymer such as polycarbonate, polyethylene,

polybutane, polystyrene or polypropylene.

Referring to Figure 4A, the inlet opening 84 at the distal end 86 of the dip tube 42 includes a split-angled edge portion 88 for allowing fluid to enter the inlet opening 84 from

opposing sides thereof and the bottom. This edge portion 88 ensures that the fluid path

remains unobstructed in the event the distal end 86 is abutted against the interior bottom

surface 73 of the bottom wall 72. The fluid path clearance can be adjusted by changing the

angle of the edge portion 88 as required. It will be understood that other distal end configurations such as angle tips, side inlets, incurvate tips and the like may be utilized to

ensure unobstructed fluid flow into the dip tube 42 even when the tip abuts against the bottom surface of the bottle. With reference to Figure 5, a perspective view of the assembled dispensing container

30 is shown. The protective cap 56 is mounted on the nozzle member 40 for protection

against dirt and contamination.

Referring to Figure 6, a bottom plan view is shown with the base wall 78 of the base

portion 62 partially broken away to reveal the bottom wall 72 and the lowest central point 74

for forming the fluid well 94 (see Figure 4). The base portion 62 provides the dispensing

container 30 a stable base support on the bottom. In an alternative embodiment, the base wall

78 may be omitted since the vertical side wall 80 may adequately provide a stable base

support.

In Figures 7 and 8, two embodiments of the bottle 32 are shown with representative

dimensions. These dimensions are shown for illustrative purposes only and are not to be

construed as limiting in scope. It is understood that other sizes, dimensions and shapes may be utilized as required for fabricating dispensing containers in accordance with the principles

of the present invention.

As described above, the well 94 is conical for a preferred embodiment of the

invention, as shown in Figures 4, 4A, 6, 7 and 8, or can be otherwise configured. For

example, as shown in Figure 9, a fourth embodiment of the invention is shown. The bottle 32

may alternatively include a well 95 which is configured slightly different from the previous

embodiments. In this embodiment, the well 95 is a small, downwardly projecting cone

extending from a central portion of an otherwise flat bottom portion 96. The fluid product collects within the well 95 in substantially the same manner as described for the previous embodiments. The open distal end 86 of the dip tube 42 is located at the lowest point of the

well 95.

As shown in Figure 10, a fifth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In

this embodiment, the bottle 32 includes a small, downwardly projecting stepped well 97

extending from a central portion of a flat bottom portion 96. The open distal end 86 of the

dip tube 42 is located at the lowest point of the well 97.

Referring to Figure 11, for a sixth embodiment of the invention, the bottle 32 includes

a hemispherical well 98 which projects downwardly from a central portion of a flat bottom

portion 96. The open distal end 86 of the dip tube 42 is located at the lowest point of the well

98.

Referring to Figure 12, for a seventh embodiment of the invention, the bottle 32 includes a concave well 99 with the open distal end 86 of the dip tube 42 located at the lowest

point of the well 99.

Referring to Figure 13, an eighth embodiment of the invention is shown. In this

embodiment, the bottle 32 includes a sloping downwardly projecting well 100 located at a

corner portion of the bottom for effecting collection of the remaining fluid product. The open

distal end 86 of the dip tube 42 is located at the lowest point of the well 100 proximate to the

sides of the bottle 32. The dip tube 42 extends downward until it reaches the bottom wall of

the well 100 and is guided therefrom into the lowest point in the well 100. The dispensing container further includes an apron which is slightly modified to accommodate the alternative bottom end with one side higher than the other.

The present invention is not limited to the above disclosed sizes and shapes, and may

include other well volume shapes such as spherical, rectangular, cylindrical, polygonal, and the like, and other configurations which function to maximize a given remaining volume of

fluid product substantially around the open distal end of the dip tube. In effect, the present

invention enables a dispensing container to efficiently dispense all or substantially all the

contents of the fluid product stored therein within the allotted number of fixed dosages.

Although various embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, they

are not meant to be limiting. It is understood that those of skill in the art may recognize various modifications to these embodiments, which modifications are meant to be covered by

the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

What is Claimed is:

1. A dispensing container including a bottle having a dispenser connected to an opening of the bottle with said dispenser including a dip tube having an open end proximate a

closed bottom end of the bottle, for drawing fluid therefrom for dispensing, wherein the

improvement comprises:

a well formed in the bottom of said bottle for collecting fluid;

said dip tube having its open end positioned proximate the bottom of said well, for ensuring that substantially all of the fluid in said bottle be dispensed therefrom.

2. The dispensing container of claim 1, wherein the well further comprises a

substantially conical shape.

3. The dispensing container of claim 1, wherein the well is concave.

4. The dispensing container of claim 1 , wherein the bottom of said bottle is

substantially flat with the well extending downwardly from a central portion.

5. The dispensing container of claim 4, wherein said well is conically shaped.

6. The dispensing container of claim 4, wherein said well is cylindrically shaped.

7. The dispensing container of claim 4, wherein said well is hemispherically shaped.

8. The dispensing container of claim 1, wherein said well tapers downwardly at a slope from one side of the bottle to an opposing side.

9. The dispensing container of claim 1, further comprising:

a base portion extending around the bottom end of said bottle for providing

stable support.

10. The dispensing container of claim 9, wherein said base portion further includes

an open lower end.

11. The dispensing container of claim 9, wherein said base portion comprises:

a bottom cap member with a base wall and a vertical wall extending along the periphery of said base wall, and being adapted for secure engagement with the bottom end of

said bottle; and

a circumferential ring projecting radially inward along an inside edge portion

of said bottom cap member.

12. The dispensing container of claim 11 , wherein said bottle comprises:

an annular groove extending along the radial periphery of the bottom end of said bottle, said annular groove being adapted for receiving the circumferential ring of said bottom cap member for secure retainment therebetween.

13. The dispensing container of claim 1 , wherein the open end of said dip tube is configured for lateral fluid passage at the distal end thereof.

14. The dispensing container of claim 13, wherein the open end of said dip tube includes a split-angle inlet opening.

15. The dispensing container of claim 13, wherein the cross sectional face of the open end of said dip tube is oriented at an angle from horizontal.

16. The dispensing container of claim 1 , wherein said bottle and said base portion consists of a durable plastic material.

17. A dispensing container comprising:

a bottle defining an interior volume for containing fluid, said bottle including

at least one side wall, a closed bottom portion with a downwardly projecting well, and an opening in communication with said interior volume; and

a dispensing apparatus connected to said opening, said dispensing apparatus being adapted for drawing a quantity of fluid from an area proximate the lowest depth of said

downwardly projecting well of the bottom portion, and delivering said quantity of fluid into the atmosphere.

18. The dispensing container of claim 17, wherein said downwardly projecting well is provided by configuring said bottom to have a concave interior surface.

19. The dispensing container of claim 17, wherein said downwardly projecting well is provided by configuring said bottom to have a substantially conically shaped interior surface.

20. The dispensing container of claim 17, wherein said fluid is selected from the group consisting of liquid, gas, powder, sol, emulsion, foam and mixtures thereof.

21. The dispensing container of claim 17, wherein said dispensing apparatus comprises:

a pump having an outlet and an inlet; and

a dip tube extending from said inlet into said interior volume, said dip tube having an opening located at a distal end positioned adjacent to the lowest depth of said well

relative to the longitudinal axis of said bottle.

22. The dispensing container of claim 17, wherein said interior volume of said

bottle further comprises a propellant for forcing said fluid through said dispensing apparatus

during fluid delivery.

23. The dispensing container of claim 22, wherein said dispensing apparatus comprises:

an actuable valve having an inlet and an outlet; and

a dip tube including an opening located at the distal end positioned adjacent to the lowest depth of said well of the bottom portion of said bottle.

24. The dispensing container of claim 17, wherein said bottom wall includes a

downwardly projecting conical wall portion for providing a conical well at the bottom of the interior volume of said bottle.

25. The dispensing container of claim 17, wherein said side wall is continuous for- forming a substantially cylindrical bottle.

26. The dispensing container of claim 25, wherein said bottle further comprises:

a neck portion at the top end thereof, including external threads extending therealong; and

said conical bottom wall projecting away from said bottom end of said side

wall for providing a conical well at the bottom of said interior volume.

27. The dispensing container of claim 26, wherein said bottle further comprises a

downwardly depending skirt extending along the periphery of said conical bottom wall, said

skirt including a base wall enclosing the end thereof.

28. The dispensing container of claim 26, wherein said bottle further comprises:

a grooved indentation extending along the periphery of the bottom end of said side wall;

a tubular skirt having top and bottom ends, said top end including an annular bead configured for snap fit mating engagement with said indentation of said side wall, extending along an inside surface thereof; and a closed base wall connected to the bottom end of said tubular shirt for enclosing said conical bottom wall.

29. The dispensing container of claim 17, wherein said dispensing assembly

further comprises an elongated nozzle including an outlet for delivery of the fluid into a nasal passageway of a user.

30. The dispensing container of claim 17, wherein said interior concave surface provides a conical well at the bottom of said interior volume.

31. The dispensing container of claim 25, wherein said dispensing apparatus, comprises:

a collar cap having top and bottom ends, said bottom end including a set of internal threads configured for threaded engagement with the set of external threads located

on the neck portion of said bottle for secure retainment and fluid seal therebetween;

a pump mechanism housed within said collar cap, having an inlet port

proximate said bottom end of said collar cap, and an outlet port proximate said top end of said collar cap;

a dip tube extending downward from said inlet port into said interior volume,

said dip tube having an opening at a distal end positioned adjacent to the lowest depth of said conical well of said bottom wall;

an outlet tube extending upward from said outlet port; an elongate nozzle member including at a bottom end a pair of finger tabs on

opposing sides thereof, respectively, a fluid bore, and an orifice centrally located at a top end

thereof and in communication with said fluid bore; and

said outlet tube being adapted for fluid coupling to the fluid bore of said

nozzle member thereby providing fluid passage to the orifice.

32. The dispensing container of claim 31 , wherein the bottom of said bottle

includes a conical well.

33. The dispensing container of claim 17, wherein said bottle consists of plastic material.

34. The dispensing container of claim 31 , further comprising:

a downwardly extending ductile annular chamfer projecting from the bottom

end of said collar cap, said chamfer adapted for sealing engagement with an inside surface of

said neck portion of said bottle during threaded engagement between said collar cap and said

neck portion.

35. A dispensing container comprising:

a bottle having upper and lower ends, an interior volume for holding fluid, a

closed bottom portion having downwardly extending converging wall portions from the lower end of said bottle forming a lowermost point for the interior volume, a groove extending

along the periphery of said bottom wall, and a neck portion having external threads and an opening in communication with said interior volume; an apron portion having an annular protrusion extending along an inside

circumferential rim portion, said protrusion being configured for snap-in retaining

engagement with the groove of said bottle;

a collar cap having upper and lower portions, said lower portion including

internal threads adapted for threaded engagement with the external threads of said bottle, a

ductile annular chamfer projecting away from an interior portion of said collar cap for sealing

engagement with an inside surface of said neck portion during threaded engagement between said collar cap and said bottle, and a sidewall portion extending vertically away from the

periphery of the upper portion of said collar cap;

a pump housed within said collar cap, said pump including an inlet port and an outlet port;

a dip tube extending from the inlet port of said pump, said dip tube having a distal end adjacent to the lowest depth of said interior volume, said distal end further

including a split-angle opening therein;

an outlet tube extending from the outlet port of said pump;

an elongated nozzle member having a pair of finger tabs, each located on

opposing sides thereof, a fluid bore, said fluid bore being configured for receiving and

retaining an end portion of said outlet tube, and an orifice in communication with said bore located at the tip of the nozzle member; and

a removable protective cap mounted on said nozzle member.

36. The dispensing container of claim 35, wherein said bottom portion is conically

shaped.

37. The dispensing container of claim 36, wherein said apron includes a closed flat bottom portion proximate the bottom of said bottle.