WO2016094756A1

WO2016094756A1 - Dispensing jar

Info

Publication number: WO2016094756A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/065164
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hong Shen; Qiang Li; Shenhui CHEN
Original assignee: Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc.
Priority date: 2014-12-11
Filing date: 2015-12-11
Publication date: 2016-06-16
Also published as: CN105691873A; CN205470536U; CN105691873B; HK1224261A1

Abstract

A dispensing jar (200) with a dispensing piston (230) above the product contained within and to be dispensed from the jar. The dispensing piston (230) may be pushed downwardly to dispense product through an aperture (235) in the dispensing piston (230). The piston (230) is configured to remain above the top edge of the walls of the jar so that the user need not insert her finger beyond the top edge of the walls of the jar.

Description

DISPENSING JAR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a jar configured to facilitate dispensing of the contents thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a jar that facilitates dispensing of the contents thereof while also maintaining the cleanliness of the contents. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to ajar that facilitates dispensing of the contents thereof in a comfortable and convenient manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Various products for consumer use are sold in the form of creams or lotions or other relatively viscous consistencies. If the product is sufficiently viscous, it may be convenient to package the product in a jar rather than in a tube or bottle. However, the user generally must insert a finger or two into the jar and onto the product to obtain the desired amount of product for use. As may be appreciated, direct contact of the product with fingers may lead to contamination of the product. Also, the user may access more product than desired. If the user has too much product on his or her fingers, he / she typically would wipe off some product along the inner edge of the jar, further increasing the potential for contamination of the remaining product in the jar.

[0003] Various prior art jars address the above-described potential for contamination and unintentional taking of too much product. One solution has been to provide a disk or piston or plate element on the product. Because of its bulk, or relatively viscous consistency, the product readily supports the piston thereon. Alternatively, the piston may be supported by internal threads on the interior wall of the jar. The piston generally is contoured or otherwise configured to allow the consumer to rotate the piston so it rides along the internal threads downwardly into the jar. The piston is provided with a dispensing aperture so that as the piston is moved downwardly into the jar, product is dispensed through the aperture. The piston is pushed downwardly into the jar until it reaches the bottom to dispense at least a majority of the product from within the jar.

[0004] Various embodiments of dispensing apertures for dispensing pistons as described above are also known. For instance, if the product to be dispensed is semi-solid, the aperture may be configured to extend at least a small extent below the major plane of the piston to act as a blade to "slice" the semi-solid product upon rotation of the piston. If the product is sufficiently flowable, then the aperture may remain in the plane of the piston, and the product is simply dispensed as a result of the piston moving downwardly. In some prior art embodiments, the upper surface of the piston is contoured to facilitate dispensing of the product. For instance, a raised or lowered area may be provided to assist in engaging the piston to cause it to rotate and to descend so that product is dispensed. A contoured area may also facilitate dispensing of and access to the dispensed product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In accordance with principles of the present invention, a dispensing jar is provided with a dispensing piston positioned above the product contained within and to be dispensed from the jar. The dispensing piston may be pushed downwardly into the product to dispense product through an aperture in the dispensing piston. In one embodiment of the present invention, the dispensing piston of the present invention does not descend into the jar. Instead, the piston is configured to remain above the top edge of the walls of the jar. Such configuration facilitates dispensing of product because the consumer does not have to put his / her fingers deep into the j ar to retrieve the product, with potential interference by the walls of the jar.

[0006] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, the scope of the invention being set out in the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The detailed description will be better understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters represent like elements, as follows:

[0008] FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing jar formed in accordance with principles of the present invention, with the lid open to show a pressing piston within the dispensing jar formed in accordance with principles of the present invention;

[0009] FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view along line X-X of FIGURE 1 , but with the lid closing the dispensing jar, and showing an exemplary embodiment of a dispensing jar formed in accordance with principles of the present invention; [0010] FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIGURE 2, but with the lid removed and illustrating the piston being pushed downwardly to dispense product therethrough;

[0011] FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIGURE 3, but with the piston in its lowest position and product within the dispensing jar substantially fully dispensed;

[0012] FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view along line X-X of FIGURE 1, but with the lid removed, showing another exemplary embodiment of a dispensing jar formed in accordance with principles of the present invention; [0013] FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIGURE 5, but with the piston illustrated as being pushed downwardly to dispense product therethrough; and

[0014] FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIGURE 6, but with the piston in its lowest position and product within the dispensing jar substantially fully dispensed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] An exemplary dispensing jar 100, to which principles of the present invention may be applied, is illustrated in FIGURE 1, with additional embodiments illustrated in FIGURES 2-4 and 5-7. In the following description, similar elements or components among the various illustrated embodiment of FIGURES 1-7 are designated with reference numbers that have the same last two digits, and, for the sake of brevity, the descriptions of the common features need not be repeated. It will be appreciated that features and descriptions of an element are applicable to elements with with similar reference numerals (with the same last two digits, and differing in value by a multiple of one hundred) unless otherwise noted. [0016] Dispensing jar 100 has a base member 110 supporting dispensing jar 100, and a lid or cap 112 (hereinafter, "lid" for the sake of convenience and simplicity), with product 202, 302 contained within dispensing jar 100 and enclosed therein by base member 110 and lid 112. Lid 112 may be coupled in any desired manner known to those of ordinary skill in the art (e.g., pivot joint, threads, friction fit, interference or snap fit with engaging ribs, etc.) to base member 110 to close the open top end 111 of base member. Lid 112 may be readily separable from base member 110 (such as if threadedly coupled thereto, or coupled by friction or interference fit), or coupled to base member 110 even when in an open configuration of lid 112 (e.g., via a pivot joint or hinge such as a living hinge) to permit access to product 202, 302 within base member 110. It will be appreciated that because lid 112 may be formed in any manner known to those of skill in the art and coupled to base member 110 in any manner known to those of skill in the art, illustration thereof is unnecessary for a full and complete understanding thereof.

[0017] Any of a variety of products 202, 302 (illustrated schematically in FIGURES 2- 7) may be contained within dispensing jar 100 for dispensing therefrom. In accordance with principles of the present invention, a dispensing piston 130, 230, 330 is provided to facilitate dispensing of product 202, 302 from dispensing jar 100, 200, 300, as will be described in further detail below. Dispensing piston 130, 230, 330 preferably maintains product 202, 302 in a substantially unadulterated form (as will be discussed in greater detail below), and preferably also facilitates access to product 202, 302 for removal from dispensing jar 100, 200, 300. Exemplary products 202, 302 include creams, lotions, and gels. Use of a dispensing piston 130, 230, 330 in accordance with principles of the present invention is particularly beneficial for use with products which are susceptible to water loss, such as gels, since a dispensing piston 130, 230, 330 formed in accordance with principles of the present invention encloses product 202, 302 within dispensing jar 100, 200, 300, thereby reducing exposure of product 202, 302 to air and, consequently, reducing water loss. It will be appreciated with further reference to the more detailed description of dispensing piston 130, 230, 330 below that cream products are particularly suitable for use with such dispensing piston 130, 230, 330 because the relatively high viscosity of a cream allows easy removal of product 202, 302 from dispensing piston 130, 230, 330.

[0018] In accordance with principles of the present invention, and with reference to exemplary dispensing jar 200 of FIGURES 2-4, product 202 is contained within product retaining area 203 within dispensing jar 200 by being supported by a product support member 220 that elevates product 202 so that product 202 is supported within dispensing jar 200 spaced above the bottom end 213 of base member 210. Preferably, product 202 is sufficiently elevated to be at the level of, and preferably above, side wall 214 of base member 210 so that product 202 is closer to top end 215 of base member 210 than to bottom end 213 of base member 210. Even more preferably, product 202 is sufficiently elevated so as not to be below top end 215 of base member 210 so that a user does not have to insert his or her finger below top end 215 of base member 210 (such as defined by the top end of side wall 214 of base member 210) to access and to remove product from dispensing jar 200, as will now be described in further detail below.

[0019] As may be appreciated with reference to the cross-sectional views of

FIGURES 2-4, product 202 is supported in dispensing jar 200 on a product supporting surface 222 of product support member 220. In accordance with principles of the present invention, product 202 is contained and enclosed within dispensing jar 200 so that product 202, in bulk form, is not exposed to the environment nor to direct contact with user's fingers. Thus, contamination of product 202, such as by dirt, debris, bacteria, or other environmental elements, is reduced, preferably significantly. It will be appreciated that if, in accordance with principles of the present invention, product 202 is supported on product support member 220, and product support member 220 is preferably closer to top end 215 of base member 210 than to bottom end 213 of base member 210, it is desirable, if not necessary, to enclose or to contain product 202 so that it does not overflow from and spill out from base member 210. Thus, in accordance with principles of the present invention, a dispensing piston 230 is provided over product 202 to cover and to enclose product 202 therein, as well as to protect product 202 from the environment. Dispensing piston 230 preferably is sized and dimensioned to reduce exposure of product 202 within dispensing jar 200 to air or contaminants or other external influences. In the embodiment of FIGURES 2-4, dispensing piston 230 has top wall 232, through which product 202 is dispensed, as will be described in greater detail below, and piston side wall 234 forming a downwardly depending skirt from top wall 232 to contain or to hold product 202 within dispensing piston 230. Dispensing piston top wall 232 is positioned above and may rest on product 202. Dispensing piston 230 preferably is sized and dimensioned to move downwardly into the storage area upon application of downward pressure thereto, as will be described in further detail below.

[0020] In accordance with principles of the present invention, it is preferable that, in its initial position (before product 202 is dispensed from dispensing jar 200), bottom end 233 of dispensing piston side wall 234 extend at least to be adjacent, and preferably to be slightly lower than, product supporting surface 222 of product support member 220. As such, the possibility of product 202 seeping downwardly out from within dispensing piston 230 and into gap 221 between side wall 224 of product support member 220 and side wall 214 of base member 210 is reduced. In order to dispense product 202, dispensing piston 230 is pressed downwardly in the direction of dispensing arrow D in FIGURE 3. Dispensing piston top wall 232 has a dispensing aperture 235 formed therein. Although a lid 112 (such as illustrated in FIGURE 1) preferably is coupled to base member 210 to cover and to enclose dispensing piston 230, a separate cover or seal may be provided over dispensing aperture 235 to prevent product 202 from inadvertently being released through dispensing aperture 235 until dispensing of product 202 is desired. As dispensing piston 230 is pressed downwardly, product 202 is pressed as well, and is forced outwardly through dispensing aperture 235, as illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4. Optionally, a dispensing depression 236 may be provided in top surface 231 of dispensing piston top wall 232 in the region of dispensing aperture 235, such as surrounding dispensing aperture 235, to facilitate scooping of product 202 with a user's finger as product 202 is dispensed through dispensing aperture 235. Dispensing depression 236 may simulate the shape of a finger or fingertip to facilitate swiping of the finger or fingertip across dispensing aperture 235 to remove the dispensed product 202. Dispensing aperture 235 may be offset from center to accommodate removal of product by either right-handed or left-handed swiping. For instance, if a right-handed user is to remove product from dispensing depression 236 that has been dispensed through dispensing aperture 235, dispensing aperture 235 may be offset to the left of center of dispensing depression 236 so that the user may swipe her finger from right to left across dispensing depression 236 to remove product 202 from dispensing aperture 235. Similarly, if a left-handed user is to remove product from dispensing depression 236 that has been dispensed through dispensing aperture 235, dispensing aperture 235 may be offset to the right of center of dispensing depression 236 so that the user may swipe her finger from left to right across dispensing depression 236 to remove product 202 from dispensing aperture 235. Of course, dispensing aperture 235 may be substantially centered within dispensing aperture 235 for equally ready access for right or left handed users.

[0021] If desired, a user may press down on dispensing depression 236 to move dispensing piston 230 downwardly to dispense product. Alternatively, an additional pressing depression 238 may be provided separate and spaced apart from dispensing depression 236 to facilitate depressing of dispensing piston 230. The user may press downwardly on dispensing piston 230 at pressing depression 238, and when the desired amount of product 202 has been dispensed through dispensing aperture 235, the user simply swipes her finger in dispensing depression 236 and across dispensing aperture 235 to scoop or remove the dispensed product 202 therefrom. The center of the pressing point of pressing depression 238 (e.g., the deepest portion of pressing depression 238, which is naturally the point at which the greatest amount of pressure is applied or at least is the natural point at which pressure is applied) could be located adjacent or substantially at the center of the piston, so that dispensing piston 230 will be substantially stable in dispensing jar 200 and tilting will be minimized as dispensing piston 230 is pressed downwardly in dispensing jar 200. If desired, pressing depression 238 can be oriented to be on a desired side of dispensing jar 100- e.g., pressing depression 238 can be oriented for right-handed dispensing or left-hand dispensing.

[0022] It will be appreciated that the configurations of dispensing depression 236, dispensing aperture 235, and pressing depression 238 may be applied to dispensing pistons other than the dispensing pistons formed in accordance with principles of the present invention and illustrated and described in detail herein. For example, the features of dispensing depression 236, dispensing aperture 235, and pressing depression 238 may be applied to dispensing pistons such as known in the prior art, resulting in improved dispensing pistons formed in accordance with selected principles of the present invention, but not having all of the inventive features of the inventive dispensing pistons illustrated and described herein.

[0023] In accordance with one embodiment, an engagement element 240 is provided or formed at the outer surface of piston side wall 234 adjacent bottom end 233 of piston side wall 234. Engagement element 240 preferably engages an inner surface 217 of base member side wall 214 as dispensing piston 230 is moved downwardly within base member 210 to dispense product 202. In one embodiment, such engagement serves to seal product 202 within dispensing piston 230 and dispensing jar 200 so that product 202 does not seep or leak out from product retaining area 203. In one embodiment, engagement element 240 includes one or more flanges or legs 242, 244 (hereinafter "legs" for the sake of convenience, without intent to limit). In one embodiment, engagement element 240 functions as a stabilizing element and stabilizes dispensing piston 230 as dispensing piston 230 is slid downwardly into base member 210 to dispense product 202. For instance, legs 242, 244 may function to stabilize dispensing piston to minimize lateral movement and preferably also tilting or pivoting movement of dispensing piston 230 as dispensing piston 230 is slid downwardly. In addition, engagement element 240 may function to push piston side wall 234 of dispensing piston 230 inwardly to engage product support member 220 to minimize seepage of product 202 into gap 221 between side wall 224 of product support member 220 and base member side wall 214. Accordingly, engagement element 240 preferably is configured to slide readily along inner surface 217 of base member 210, such as by appropriate configuration to reduce friction (e.g., configuration of legs 242, 244 so that contact with base member inner surface 217 is minimized to the necessary contact to achieve the desired function of engagement element 240 without interfering, such as frictionally, with base member inner surface 217) and / or provision of silicon oil on base member inner surface 217 to facilitate sliding of engagement

element 240 therealong, and / or appropriate selection of materials of base member 210 and dispensing piston 230 to facilitate the proper balance of sealing and sliding therebetween.

[0024] It will be appreciated that an engagement element such as engagement element 240 formed in accordance with principles of the present invention may be applied to dispensing pistons other than the dispensing pistons formed in accordance with principles of the present invention and illustrated and described in detail herein. For example, an engagement element such as engagement element 240 illustrated and described herein may be applied to dispensing pistons such as known in the prior art, resulting in dispensing pistons with improved stability during dispensing of product therethrough.

[0025] In accordance with principles of the present invention, the overall height of side wall 224 of product support member 220 is at least as high as the overall height of dispensing piston side wall 234 of dispensing piston 230 so that dispensing piston 230 can be lowered to a position at which dispensing piston top wall 232 rests on, or is at least close to resting on, product supporting surface 222 so that product 202 can be substantially fully dispensed, as shown in FIGURE 4. More particularly, dispensing piston 230 continues to be pressed downwardly during use of dispensingjar 200 until dispensing piston 230 cannot be pressed down any further, such as because bottom end 233 of dispensing piston 230 has reached the lowest position it can reach. It will be appreciated that the contour of the bottom surface of dispensing piston top wall 232 preferably substantially matches the contour of product supporting surface 222 to facilitate dispensing of substantially all of product 202 from product retaining area 203 through dispensing aperture 235. In the embodiment of FIGURES 2-4, as dispensing piston 230 moves downwardly, dispensing piston side wall 234 moves downwardly into gap 221 between base member side wall 214 and product support side wall 224 until dispensing piston side wall 234 cannot move any further, as illustrated in FIGURE 4. At such point, product 202 should be substantially fully dispensed from within dispensing piston 230 and dispensingjar 200. Preferably, dispensing piston side wall 234 forces any product that is within gap 221 upwardly and out of product retaining area 203 in dispensing piston 230 through dispensing aperture 235 for

substantially full dispensing of product 202 from dispensing jar 200.

[0026] In accordance with principles of the invention, dispensing piston top wall 232 has a top surface 231 which preferably remains at the level of, and preferably above, side wall 214 of base member 210. As such, dispensing piston top wall top surface 231 remains at least at the level of or above top end 215 of base member 210 so that a user does not have to insert his or her finger below top end 215 of base member 210 (such as defined by the top end of side wall 214 of base member 210) to access and to remove product from dispensing jar 200. [0027] In the embodiment of FIGURES 2-4, dispensing jar 200 is formed of two parts - - base member 210 is separately formed from product support member 220— to permit bottom filling. If dispensing jar 100 is not bottom filled, then base member 110 and product support member 120 can be formed as a single piece. In accordance with principles of the present invention, dispensing jar 200 preferably is bottom-filled to facilitate filling product 202 therein. More particularly, dispensing jar 200 is inverted so that dispensing piston 230 may be placed upside-down within inverted lid 212 and base member 210.

Product 202 may then be filled into inverted dispensing piston 230 preferably until dispensing piston 230 is substantially filled. Product support member 220 may then be inserted, also inverted, into dispensing jar 200 and base member 210, to enclose

product 202 within dispensing jar 200. Product support member 220 preferably is coupled to base member 210. In the embodiment of FIGURES 2-4, product support member 220 is provided with external threading 226 which threadedly engages internal threads 216 in base member 210 to threadedly couple product support member 220 and base member 210 together. Of course, other manners of coupling bottom support member 220 and base member 210 together may be implemented. A bottom wall 228 may be formed integrally with product support member 220 (such as being hingedly connected thereto, and moved into place to close the open end of product member 220) to form a closed bottom end 213 for dispensing jar 200. Alternatively, bottom wall 228 may be formed separately to facilitate insertion of product support member 220 into inverted dispensing jar 200 towards the end of the filling process. Bottom wall 228 may be coupled within and to the bottom of product support member 220 in any desired manner, such as by threading, friction fit, welding, gluing, etc.. If desired, if bottom wall 228 may be readily decoupled from the bottom of product support member 220, an applicator element (not shown, but of any form known to those of ordinary skill in the art, such as a nonwoven or foam pad) may be positioned in hollow space 223 within product support member 220.

[0028] Another exemplary configuration of product support member 320 and base member 310 is illustrated in the embodiment of FIGURES 5-7, in which product support member 320 includes outer wall member 344 which forms the outer wall of dispensing jar 300. More particularly, the bottom, main section of dispensing jar 300 of the embodiment of FIGURES 5-7 is formed from a product support member 320 with an outer wall member 344 circumferentially surrounding product support member side wall 324 which is fitted over base member 310 to circumferentially surround base member 310 as well. In one embodiment, product support member 320 is friction fitted over base member 310 so there is an interference / friction fit between base member 310 and base member outer wall member 344. Thus, product 302 preferably is filled into inverted dispensing piston 330 within inverted base member 310 and inverted lid 312. When filling is completed, product support member is inserted over product 302 such that base member 310 fits between product support member side wall 324 and outer wall

member 344. It will be appreciated that although support member side wall 324 and outer wall member 344 are illustrated as an integral element, these elements may be formed as separate elements instead.

[0029] It will be appreciated that features described with respect to one embodiment typically may be applied to another embodiment, whether or not explicitly indicated. The various features hereinafter described may be used singly or in any combination thereof. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to only the embodiments specifically described herein.

[0030] The exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures have several separate and independent inventive features, which each, at least alone, has unique benefits which are desirable for, yet not critical to, the present invention. Therefore, the various separate features of the present invention need not all be present in order to achieve at least some of the desired characteristics and / or benefits of the present invention. One or more separate features may be combined, or only one of the various features need be present in a dispensing jar formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0031] While the foregoing description and drawings represent exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that various additions, modifications and substitutions may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In particular, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms, structures, arrangements, proportions, and with other elements, materials, and components, without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be used with many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, materials, and components and otherwise, used in the practice of the invention, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from the principles of the present invention. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, the size or dimensions of the elements may be varied. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, and not limited to the foregoing description.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A dispensing jar for containing a product, said dispensing jar comprising:

a base member having a product support element configured to support the product to be contained by said dispensing jar; and

a piston having a top wall positioned above the product and having a dispensing aperture therein through which product may be dispensed upon pressing said piston downwardly onto the product;

wherein:

said base member has a bottom end and a top end opposite said bottom end, said bottom end and top end defining the full height of said base member;

said product support element is provided closer to said top end of said base member than to said bottom end of said base member;

upon depressing said piston downwardly onto the product, product is dispensed through said dispensing aperture; and

a top dispensing surface of said piston is positioned above said top end of said base member during dispensing of product through said aperture of said piston.

2. A dispensing jar as in claim 1, wherein said top dispensing surface of said piston is located above said top end of said base member when product is substantially fully dispensed from said dispensing jar.

3. A dispensing jar as in claim 1, wherein base member and said dispensing piston are configured and dimensioned such that said top dispensing surface of said piston does not extend below said top end of said base member during dispensing of product through said aperture of said piston.

4. A dispensing jar as in claim 1, wherein said piston further comprises a piston skirt extending circumferentially therearound and downwardly therefrom.

5. A dispensing jar as in claim 4, wherein:

said piston skirt has a bottom edge; and

said piston skirt bottom edge is at least alongside said product support element when said dispensing jar is full and product has not yet been dispensed therefrom so that the product is contained within said dispensing jar by being enclosed by said piston skirt and said product support element.

6. A dispensing jar as in claim 5, wherein:

said base member further comprises a side wall circumferentially extending around said product support member and spaced therefrom; and

a receiving space is defined in said base member between said product support member and said base member side wall for receiving said piston skirt as said piston is moved downwardly to dispense product.

7. A dispensing jar as in claim 6, wherein said piston skirt has a bottom edge positioned between product support member and said base member side wall when said dispensing jar is still full and before product has been dispensed therefrom such that the product is contained within a product reservoir defined by said product support member, said piston skirt, and said bottom surface of said piston.

8. A dispensing jar as in claim 7, wherein:

said piston has a height defined by the distance from said top surface of said piston to said piston skirt bottom edge; and

said piston height is no greater than said full height of said base member so that said piston skirt is received in said receiving space and said piston remains above said top end of said base member upon full dispensing of product from said dispensing jar.

9. A dispensing jar as in claim 4, wherein said base member has a side wall with an inner surface and said piston skirt further comprises an engagement element formed on an outer surface thereof positioned to engage said inner surface of said base member side wall.

10. A dispensing jar as in claim 9, wherein said engagement element seals against said base member inner surface.

11. A dispensing jar as in claim 9, wherein said engagement element stabilizes dispensing piston as said dispensing piston is slid downwardly into base member to dispense product.

12. A dispensing jar as in claim 1, wherein said product support element is provided at said top end of said base member.

13. A dispensing jar as in claim 1, wherein said product support element is provided above said top end of said base member.

14. A dispensingjar as in claim 1, wherein a dispensing depression is formed in said top dispensing surface of said piston surrounding said dispensing aperture.

15. A dispensingjar as in claim 14, wherein a pressing depression is formed in said top dispensing surface of said piston separate from and spaced apart from dispensing depression.

16. A dispensingjar as in claim 15, wherein said pressing depression is depressed in said top dispensing surface of said piston with a deepest point of depression adjacent the center of said dispensing surface of said piston.

17. A dispensing piston for ajar containing a product, said dispensing piston comprising:

a top wall having a bottom surface above the product in the jar, and a top dispensing surface opposite said bottom surface;

a dispensing aperture formed through said top wall, product being dispensed through said dispensing aperture upon depressing said piston downwardly onto the product; and

a dispensing depression formed in said top dispensing surface surrounding said

dispensing aperture.

18. A dispensingjar as in claim 17, wherein a pressing depression is formed in said top dispensing surface of said piston separate from and spaced apart from dispensing depression.

19. A dispensingjar as in claim 18, wherein said pressing depression is depressed in said top dispensing surface of said piston with a deepest point of depression adjacent the center of said dispensing surface of said piston.

20. A dispensing piston for ajar containing a product, said dispensing piston comprising:

a top wall;

a side wall extending downwardly from said top wall; and

an engagement element formed on an outer surface of said side wall positioned to

engage an inner surface of the jar.

21. A dispensing jar as in claim 20, wherein said engagement element seals against said base member inner surface.

22. A dispensing jar as in claim 20, wherein said engagement element stabilizes dispensing piston as said dispensing piston is slid downwardly into base member to dispense product.

23. A dispensing jar as in claim 20, wherein said engagement element comprises at least one leg configured to engage an inner surface of the jar.

24. A dispensing jar as in claim 20, wherein said engagement element is configured to facilitate sliding of said engagement element along the inner surface of the jar.