Dispenser

Abstract

A measured dispenser includes a first container for containing a substance to be dispensed; a second measured container mounted on the first container; and a one-way valve through which liquid from the first container can be moved to and retained in the second container by the one-way valve, wherein the second container is provided with one or more markings indicating the measured amount. A child-resistant locking mechanism is also disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a dispenser. In particular, the present invention relates to a dispenser for dispensing a portion of the contents of a container in a convenient and safe manner. Background Art

[0002] In many cases, it is necessary to dispense measured amounts of the contents of a container. For example, in the case of a container containing a drug or medication in liquid form, a specific dose of the drug may need to be dispensed to a patient, who may typically be a child. There are many other types of dispensings that require the dispensing of measured amounts, such as contents that are mixed with other liquids in specific proportions or batches for preparation purposes, concentrates that are diluted to produce a beverage, concentrates that are mixed to form a bulk dilution or mixed substance (for any other cleaning purposes, weed control, etc.).

[0003] Currently, when dispensing medication for children, the medication is typically in liquid form, and a bottle containing a relatively large amount is provided to the child's caregiver or parent. The caregiver must then dispense a measured amount (e.g., 2.5 ml or 5 ml) to the child. This can be accomplished by pouring a known amount of liquid from the bottle into a teaspoon, which is then fed to the child. Alternatively, a syringe device can be used, in which a syringe is used to extract the required, measured amount of medication from the bottle, and then the syringe is emptied into the child's mouth or into a container. These methods, and other currently known methods, can be cumbersome, particularly since many children's medications are "sticky," and can also lead to potential inaccuracies in measuring or dispensing. These methods, and other currently known methods, also require the bottle to be kept close to the child for use when dispensing the medication. This can result in the bottle being knocked over or the contents spilling, or even pose a safety risk if an older child is able to grab the bottle itself and ingest an unsafe amount of the contents (if the cap has been removed). Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to the present invention, a measured dispenser is provided, comprising: a first container for containing a substance to be dispensed; a measured second container mounted on the first container; a one-way valve, through which liquid from the first container can be moved into the second container and retained in the second container by the one-way valve, and wherein the second container is provided with one or more markings indicating the measured amount; and a child-resistant locking mechanism, comprising: a bayonet ring, adapted to be mounted relative to the first container so that the bayonet ring can surround a portion of the first container, can freely rotate in either direction relative to the first container but remain on the first container, the bayonet ring having at least one bayonet channel, the bayonet channel extending from a proximal opening on the top surface of the bayonet ring to a closed distal end, and having a cavity at or towards the closed distal end and a resiliently deflectable tongue, the tongue extending into the cavity and having an inclined surface at the free end of the tongue. The second container may be provided with a portion of the child-resistant locking mechanism having at least one bayonet follower on an outer surface thereof, wherein, with the bayonet ring fixed in position relative to the first container by holding the bayonet ring and the first container stationary relative to each other, the second container is rotatable relative to the bayonet ring such that the bayonet follower moves within the bayonet channel to deflect the free end of the deflectable tongue and then remains within the cavity to retain the second container relative to the first container.

[0005] The second container is removable from or securable to the first container.

[0006] The one-way valve is preferably located between the first container and the second container, or is provided on the one container or the other container at a position where one of the first container and the second container meets the other container.

[0007] Preferably, a tube is provided from the connection between the first container and the second container towards the bottom of the first container, through which tube the liquid to be dispensed is dispensed.

[0008] Preferably, the first container is squeezable to dispense liquid from the first container to the second container via one or more valves.

[0009] Alternatively or additionally, the first container and the second container are invertible when connected to dispense liquid from the first container to the second container.

[0010] Alternatively or additionally, a pump action mechanism may be provided to dispense liquid from the second container. The second container may be mounted so that the second container can be pushed downwards to operate a spring-guided pump action, causing liquid to flow through the one-way valve into the second container where it can be measured.

[0011] The first container may also be provided with a one-way valve at or towards its bottom, particularly but not necessarily when the first container is a squeezable container, to allow air to replenish liquid dispensed from the first container to the second container.

[0012] The second container may be rigid, or may be flexible so as to be squeezable, such that squeezing of the second container allows fluid to be dispensed from the first container to the second container, and / or allows a measured amount of liquid to be dispensed from the second container after the second container has been removed from the first container.

[0013] The device can be used to dispense medication, particularly for children. The invention allows, for example, a measured amount of medication to be dispensed from a first container to a second container while an infant is being put to bed. The second container can then be removed from the first container and placed in a convenient location near the child's bed. The child or infant's caregiver can then administer a measured amount of liquid from the second container when needed. Alternatively, older children, or those deemed responsible enough, can self-administer the measured amount without the risk of overdose.

[0014] The measured amount of liquid can be dispensed from the top and / or bottom surface of the second container. The top surface can be open or can have a removable cover. The top surface can also have an attached one-way valve so that the person receiving the measured dose must suck on the top to obtain the liquid through the one-way valve.

[0015] In some embodiments, the one-way valve is preferably provided at the bottom of the second container, but it may alternatively or additionally be provided at the top of the first container.

[0016] In many, but not all, embodiments of the present invention, it is important that the person who ultimately receives the dispensed product does not receive too much product, or that the use of the product is carefully controlled (e.g., the ingestion of any amount of the product is toxic or potentially harmful to health). In such cases, it is very useful to be able to prevent children or other people from simply dispensing the liquid themselves, and a tamper-proof mechanism or child-proof locking mechanism or lid mechanism is very useful for this. For example, where the product is a medication, children cannot dispense the medication themselves and adults can dispense the medication, a tamper-proof mechanism or child-proof locking mechanism or lid mechanism can be very important. Therefore, embodiments of the present invention provide a tamper-proof mechanism, which means that the contents can only be accessed when the tamper-proof mechanism has been opened. Note that the child-proof mechanisms of the type described and included in the present invention can be effectively used with a measurable container as described herein, but can also be used with many different types of containers.

[0017] The present invention also provides a child-resistant locking mechanism for use on a container, the child-resistant locking mechanism comprising: a bayonet ring adapted to be mounted relative to the container so that the bayonet ring can surround a portion of the container and can freely rotate relative to the container in any direction but remain on the container, the bayonet ring having at least one bayonet channel extending from a proximal opening on a top surface of the bayonet ring to a closed distal end, and having a cavity and a resiliently deflectable tongue at or toward the closed distal end, the tongue extending into the cavity and having an inclined surface at the free end of the tongue; a top cover portion configured to be located between the bayonet ring and the surface of the container and having at least one bayonet follower on an outer surface of the top cover portion, wherein, with the bayonet ring fixed in position relative to the container, by keeping the bayonet ring and the container stationary relative to each other, the top cover portion can be rotated relative to the bayonet ring so that the bayonet follower moves in the bayonet channel to deflect the free end of the deflectable tongue and then remains in the cavity to hold the top cover portion relative to the container.

[0018] The metered dispenser preferably includes a child-resistant locking mechanism as disclosed.

[0019] In other non-limiting aspects, the present invention provides any of the following:

[0020] A. A metered liquid dispenser container that can be filled from the top or bottom using a one-way or two-way valve (such as with one or more leaves) or a mechanical ball valve.

[0021] B. A measured liquid dispensing container that can be filled from the top or bottom using a one-way or two-way valve (such as one with one or more leaves) or a mechanical ball valve, and the liquid can be squeezed or poured or drunk from the top or bottom of the container, or can be drunk by sucking from a flexible nipple.

[0022] C. Drinking container that can be held and stored on a sealed base for use when needed.

[0023] D. Drinking container that can be filled using a squeezable pump action or by pouring from a child-resistant snap-on dispenser.

[0024] E. Drinking containers that can be kept on existing childproof locks.

[0025] F. A drinking container that is a locking top with a child-resistant locking bayonet ring that can be filled from a one-way valve (e.g., a heart valve or a ball valve).

[0026] G. Liquid dispenser container that secures to a squeezable dispenser bottle and can be squeezed to dispense an exact amount.

[0027] F. The valve may be a single leaflet valve of the type similar to a heart valve. It may be a trileaflet valve, or have more or fewer leaflets than three. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described schematically, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] Figure 1 A measurable dispenser is shown;

[0030] Figure 2 and Figure 3 A measurable dispenser is shown;

[0031] Figures 4(a), 4(b), and 4(c) show a leaf valve;

[0032] Figure 5 and Figure 6 A measurable container is shown;

[0033] Figure 7 A measurable container with a stand is shown;

[0034] Figure 8 A metered dispenser with a child lock is shown;

[0035] Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of a metered dispenser with a child lock is shown;

[0036] Figure 10(a) to Figure 10(d) Details of the child lock mechanism are shown;

[0037] Figure 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of a bayonet ring attached to a container;

[0038] Figure 12 、 Figure 13 and Figure 14 A metered dispenser with a child lock is shown;

[0039] Figure 15 An optional dispenser with a child lock is shown; and

[0040] Figure 16 Details of the container and lid are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Figure 1 Schematically shown is a dispenser comprising a first container, which may be a bottle, having a liquid feed tube extending from a position towards the bottom to the top of the container 1, where there is a one-way valve 3. The one-way valve 3 may be of different types, such as a leaf valve, a ball valve or others.

[0042] A measurable second container 4 (usually smaller) is mounted on top of the first container. The measurable second container 4 can be permanently attached to the top of the first container or can be removable from the top of the first container. The measurable second container 4 will have at least a sidewall 5 and a base 6 and one or more markings 7, which can, for example, be vertically spaced lines indicating the measurable amount. The lowest line can represent a measurable amount of 5 ml, so if the container is filled to this line, there is 5 ml, the second line is 10 ml, and so on. The base 6 includes an orifice. The base 6 can be provided with a one-way valve 3, or the one-way valve can be provided in the bottom (main) container 1.

[0043] Where the measurable container is removable, it may be removed in a number of ways, for example, it may simply be clamped (by a mechanism not shown), screwed into place using mating threads, or by a number of other means.

[0044] In use, the sides of the container 1 are squeezed, which causes the liquid to flow up the tube 2 and through the one-way valve 3 into the measuring container 4 to the required amount. This allows the required, measured amount of liquid to flow into the measuring container, which can then be dispensed without worrying about dispensing too much liquid. The one-way valve prevents the measured amount of liquid from flowing back.

[0045] Figure 2An embodiment similarly using a squeezable primary container 1 and a measuring container 4 is shown. In this embodiment, in addition to the one-way valve 3, another one-way valve 8 is provided at or toward the bottom of the primary container. The one-way valve 8 acts as a vent that allows air to enter when the tube is squeezed to replenish the liquid dispensed into the secondary container 4. Figure 2 The embodiment also includes a cap 10 that secures the top of the measuring container 4 to prevent spillage. The cap is shaped and configured to simply snap onto the top of the container and is held in place by a cord 11, which may be an integral part of the bottle or otherwise secured to the bottle at its other end, so that the cap will not become lost when not in place on top of the measuring container 4. Thus, the main container 1 can be squeezed to obtain a measured amount of liquid into the measuring container 4, and then when dispensing is desired, the cap 10 is removed and the measured amount can be poured from the measuring container 4.

[0046] Figure 3 A similar embodiment is shown, but in this case, the measurable container includes another one-way valve 12 toward its top end and is closed rather than open at its top edge. In this illustrated embodiment, the top is a closed, generally dome-shaped top 13 with an orifice 14. In this case, liquid can be dispensed from the measurable container 4 by squeezing, which causes the measured amount of liquid dispensed into the measurable container to be dispensed into another container through the one-way valve 12.

[0047] Figure 2 and Figure 3 Both embodiments also show a cap 15 mounted on top of the main check valve 3. The cap 15 has a small opening, preferably in its center, through which the liquid can flow into the measurable container once it has passed through the check valve. This small opening is shown at opening 16. This cap is not required, but it can be used to protect the delicate valve (especially in the case of a leaf-type valve) and to provide a controlled flow into the measurable container. This reduces the chance of the valve becoming clogged by debris or particles in the liquid.

[0048] 4 (a), 4 (b) and 4 (c) schematically illustrate a leaflet valve having two or more leaves (three in the illustrated embodiment) that open relative to one another when flow is from bottom to top, but close relative to one another when flow is attempted from top to bottom, thereby allowing liquid to flow in only one direction. This mechanism will, of course, be known from that of, for example, a heart valve that operates in a similar manner. The valve may comprise a base disc 3a having a central orifice 3e and three leaves 3b, 3c and 3d. However, other designs may be used.

[0049] Figure 5An alternative embodiment is shown in which a liquid feed tube 17 leads to a relatively narrow, squeezable, metering container, such that after the container has been filled with a measured amount of liquid, the metering container 4 can be removed and then, by squeezing, the measured amount can be dispensed through the bottom of the metering container. The container is closed at its top 19 (typically a dome-shaped top with a vent 18), such that when it is squeezed, liquid flows out through the bottom and air is replenished through the vent 18.

[0050] Figure 6 An alternative embodiment is shown and this embodiment shows a measured container which, after being filled through its one-way valve 3, can be squeezed to dispense liquid through the nipple 20. Of course, this measured container can be used to feed a toddler or infant.

[0051] Figure 7 Shows something like Figure 6 The embodiment of the invention is shown in which a lid 21 is attached by a string and is used to close the top of the nipple for hygiene. The figure also shows a base 22 which can be used to place the nipple in a measuring container 4 (in the figure or Figure 6 The base is shown in Figure 1 and stores the measurable container 4 after it has been filled from the main container and is ready for use. Thus, the measurable container (e.g., filled with a measured amount of liquid) can be stored on a bedside table on this base. The base includes a frustoconical body 22 having a cavity 23 suitable for receiving the lower end 24 of the measurable container 4 and holding it in an upright position.

[0052] In some embodiments, instead of squeezing the main container to dispense the liquid, a more rigid or completely rigid container can be used, and a pump-action dispenser can be used. This can be used with any embodiment of the present invention. Examples are shown later, but pump-action dispensers are well known and often used, for example, for soap products and similar products. Instead of squeezing the side container, an upper container is mounted in such a way that it can be pushed downward to operate a spring-driven pump action, causing the liquid to flow through a one-way valve into an upper, metered container. Many different types of pump-action dispensers are known.

[0053] In many, but not all, embodiments of the present invention, it is important that the person who ultimately receives the dispensed product does not receive too much product, or that the use of the product is carefully controlled (e.g., the ingestion of any amount of the product is toxic or potentially harmful to health). In such cases, it is very useful to be able to prevent children or other people from simply dispensing the liquid themselves, and a tamper-proof mechanism or child-proof locking mechanism or lid mechanism is very useful for this. For example, where the product is a medication, children cannot dispense the medication themselves and adults can dispense the medication, a tamper-proof mechanism or child-proof locking mechanism or lid mechanism can be very important. Therefore, embodiments of the present invention provide a tamper-proof mechanism, which means that the contents can only be accessed when the tamper-proof mechanism has been opened. Note that the child-proof mechanisms of the type described and included in the present invention can be effectively used with a measurable container as described herein, but can also be used with many different types of containers.

[0054] Figure 8 and Figure 9 One example of a child-resistant tamper-evident mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.

[0055] Figure 8 The top portion of the main container 1 is shown, which also includes a liquid feed pipe bayonet and a one-way valve 40 at its bottom. This is a type that includes a cover 42 in addition to a leaf 41.

[0056] In this embodiment, the upper measurable container 43 is fixed to the main container, but of course it can be removable. In this and other embodiments, the measurable container 43 can be a single structure made from one item, or can be separate pieces fixed together in any convenient way.

[0057] The two are connected via a one-way valve 44 . Figure 8 and Figure 9 The particular valve 44 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 4 comprises a plurality of leaves 45 capable of unidirectional action and a cover 46. In this case, the cover is solid at its top (i.e., has no orifices at its top), but rather has a series of orifices or outlets 48 at the side of the cover (at the Figure 8 Thus, when the main container is squeezed, liquid is fed through the leaves through the tube 2 and then dispensed generally laterally through the aperture or outlet 48 into the measurable container 43. The measurable container includes a plurality of markings 49, 50 indicating the measured value of the liquid.

[0058] In this case, the childproof cover includes a locking bayonet ring that includes a plurality (in this case, four equally spaced apart, but there may be only one or more) of bayonet channels extending from a top end. The bayonet ring is mounted to the neck portion of the container (the neck is typically the portion between the main container and the container to be secured, if applicable) in such a manner that the bayonet ring remains thereon but is free to rotate. Figure 8 As shown in FIG, this can be accomplished by a neck portion comprising one or more ribs 53, wherein the bayonet ring 52 has a recess 54 or groove which, when pushed downward, deforms to allow the ring to move and be positioned in place so that once in place, the bayonet ring can be freely rotated in either direction relative to the container, but cannot be easily removed. Other mechanisms for positioning the ring so that it can be freely rotated in either direction but not removed will be readily apparent. The ring can simply be deformed or elastically deformed to be positioned against the ring.

[0059] As shown, the bayonet channel has a proximal opening located at the top of the container and a first portion 56 extending from the proximal opening at a generally acute angle to the top reference surface of the ring. A second portion 58, generally horizontal with the opening in the figure, but not necessarily so (where horizontal is generally parallel to the main portion of the top of the ring), forms the channel 58 with a confined, narrow waist 60. From here, the channel leads to a wider portion 62 or cavity having a resiliently deflectable tongue or spring member 64 extending therein. The tongue or spring member 64 is mounted at a closed distal end 66 and extends into the channel 62. The deflectable tongue has a width less than the width of the channel and is resiliently deflectable in the longitudinal direction of the ring (i.e., perpendicular to the plane of the top and bottom of the ring). The tongue includes a first portion 64a extending from the distal end of the bayonet channel into the cavity 62 and then includes a second portion 64b which may extend generally downward (the first portion 64a extends generally upward), but which has an inclined surface 64c located near the portion where the wider channel of the channel meets the narrower channel 58.

[0060] Thus, it will be appreciated that as the bayonet follower moves in a generally horizontal direction relative to the bayonet between portion 58 and portion 62, it will cause the deflectable tongue 64 to move downward as the bayonet follower strikes the inclined surface 64c until the follower is positioned within the upper portion 62a of the cavity 62 above the tongue, locking it in place. As shown, in one embodiment, a similar bayonet channel is provided on the bayonet ring 52. The follower is retained in the cavity, and movement of the follower will also cause the bayonet ring to move.

[0061] This mechanism also comprises top cover 70.Top cover 70 also can be used as measurable container, to illustrate the volume of the liquid being measured.At the open end (when placing bayonet mechanism, open end will be positioned at bottom) of top cover 70, be provided with a plurality of bayonet follower or protrusion 74.In the embodiment shown, a plurality of bayonet follower or protrusion 74 are all roughly M-shaped, have two " peaks " 74a, 74b and be positioned at the valley 74c between two " peaks " 74a, 74b at their upper surface.Usually, the bayonet follower 74 of the same number as the number of bayonet rings will be provided.Usually, bayonet follower 74 will be four, and will be equidistant at its (bottom) open end or towards its (bottom) open end around the circumference of the ring.Upper container also comprises the edge seal 77 at its closed end, and edge seal 77 can utilize plastics or other materials to make, and edge seal 77 can seal the top surface of the fixed measurable container 43 again to stop liquid leakage.

[0062] In some, but not necessarily all, embodiments, the top container 70 may further include a slidable rim 70a comprising an annular portion having a generally cylindrical body 80 that tapers toward its end 82 (i.e., it is generally frustoconical), and the slidable rim 70a is held in place between two ribs (a first rib 84 is shown, while a second rib is not shown) such that the slidable rim 70a can slide a limited amount S to cover or uncover the protrusion 74. The slidable rim 70a is useful for providing a protective cover structure when the top itself is used as a measurable container.

[0063] To operate the childproof locking mechanism, the disc-shaped ring must be grasped by the user with the bayonet ring 52 in place and freely rotatable relative to the container, and the container also held so that they cannot move relative to each other. The upper top component 70 is then moved over the upper container 43 until the bayonet follower 74 engages the open portion of the bayonet channel 56. The component 70 is then moved downward and rotated (clockwise in the illustrated embodiment) until the bayonet follower 74 is located within the portions 58, 60 of the channel, such that the valley 74c is located within the narrowed waist 60. This forms an intermediate stop position. It is then held in place. Further clockwise rotation of the component 70 relative to the ring and container then causes the follower 74 to strike the free end of the tongue 64, causing it to shift downward. This allows the follower to move into the upper portion 62a of the cavity 62 and be locked in place, with the tongue snapping upward and preventing flow.

[0064] Thus, the top 70 is fixed relative to the ring, and when the container itself is released, rotation of one or the other of the ring or the top will cause them to rotate together. The ring and top cannot be easily removed from each other. Therefore, the contents of the measuring container 43 are fixed and cannot be accessed. In order to open the container and release the child-resistant assembly, the ring and container must be held together again so that they cannot rotate relative to each other. Then, the upper top container 70 must be pushed downward to deflect the tongue 64 downward, and then the upper top container 70 must be rotated to release the follower 74. The follower moves to a momentary position where it is again held in place by the waist 60. Further relative movement between the top 70 and the ring 52 then causes the bayonet follower to be released and follow the channel to the opening of the channel, whereby the component is released and the top can be removed from the ring and container.

[0065] like Figure 9 As shown in FIG, the bayonet ring most preferably comprises two rings, an outer ring 100 and an inner ring 102. The outer ring 100 and the inner ring 102 are connected by a common annular base 104 fixed to the bottom, so that they are fixed to the bottom but still free to rotate. A bayonet channel is provided in the inner ring 102, and the figure shows the follower 74 located within the bayonet channel. The bayonet ring is preferably a single structure, such as a molded plastic structure.

[0066] The outer ring does not include a bayonet channel and is therefore typically solid. The outer ring is most preferably flush with the top of the inner ring 102 or above the top of the inner ring 102 (e.g., Figure 9 ).

[0067] Then, in use, it can be seen that the bayonet ring, comprising both the inner ring 102 and the outer ring 100, is first mounted in place on the bottle (or the very top of the bottle, which may be a top protrusion of reduced width compared to the rest of the bottle) by securing it to a suitable rim or other method so that the bayonet ring is fixed but free to rotate.

[0068] The bayonet ring and main container are then held so that they cannot move relative to each other. The top container 70, which includes an edge 70a, is then positioned. This edge is preferably in an extended (downward) position so that it protects the lug and also helps to position the lug. When the upper container 70 moves downward, the follower is positioned in the top of the bayonet channel, and the top container can then be rotated and moved downward so that the follower engages with the channel and moves within the channel as described above. Once positioned in place, the top container is fixed to the bayonet ring and can be moved relative to the main container together with the bayonet ring, but the top portion is not easily removed, thereby providing a child protection mechanism or tamper-proof mechanism.

[0069] Thus, the body of the top container's follower / lug is located inside the inner ring, allowing the lug to be located within the bayonet channel, and the slidable edge 70a is located between the inner and outer rings. The slidable edge 70a is accordingly dimensioned to have an inner diameter between the outer diameter of the inner ring and the inner diameter of said outer ring.

[0070] To subsequently remove the top container, the bayonet ring and the main container must be held together again and the top container moved relative to each other to disengage the bayonet follower from the bayonet channel.

[0071] The lip 70a also provides a seal to seal the gap between the inner and outer bayonet rings, thereby reducing the amount of liquid or debris that may enter between the two and potentially clog the bayonet rings. Thus, the lip not only shields and protects the bayonet follower, but also provides some protection from debris that could damage the bayonet mechanism.

[0072] Any measured amount of liquid in the fixed, measureable container 43 may then be dispensed directly, or may be poured into the top member 70 (when visibly inverted) for further dispensing.

[0073] In addition to the specific mechanisms described and shown, other mechanisms or other devices that can deflect the tongue and bayonet channel can be used.

[0074] Figures 10(a), 10(b), 10(c) and 10(d) show the mechanism in more detail and show the follower 74 travelling through the channel 56. This figure (which is an exploded cross-sectional view) also shows the position of the follower 74 when it locks into the narrowed waist 60 of the channel.

[0075] Figure 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment showing the ring 52 and top 70 and illustrating how the protrusions hold the two components together.

[0076] Figures 12 to 14 An alternative embodiment is shown in which, instead of a fixed (non-removable or adapted to be non-removable) measurable container attached to a main container, there is a lid or top member 70 that acts as a child-resistant mechanism for the measurable container. The version shown includes a pump-action dispenser. It should be understood that, as previously described, a pump-action mechanism can be used in any embodiment of the present invention.

[0077] Child protection agencies and Figure 8 and Figure 9The embodiment is the same as in FIG, but in this case, the marking 80 on the top container is, of course, inverted. The liquid feed tube leads to a nozzle 82, which extends out of the top of the main container. The closed end 84 of the top, measurable container includes a component that seals the nozzle 82, and this component is shown at 84. This includes another one-way valve 86 that leads to the top of the container. Therefore, when the container is applied and rotated into the locked position, the pump nozzle is sealed, and liquid cannot escape.

[0078] Figure 13 Shown when the child-resistant mechanism is released to remove the upper container Figure 12 This then destroys the seal with the top of the nozzle 82.

[0079] like Figure 14 As shown in the top container 70 can then be inverted and placed in position over the pump nozzle 82. By pumping downwards, this then allows the liquid to flow through the nozzle, through the one-way valve 86 and into the measuring container. The figure also shows a separate lid 88 fixed to the movable edge, and this lid 88 can simply be a generally cylindrical body made of plastic, for example, which is clipped on to provide a cover in the event that the container is knocked over or spilled. Figure 16 As shown in FIG, the lid 88 may be formed with a plurality of flats 88a around its periphery. These allow air to escape and thus act as vents as this provides a gap between the inner circumference of the container 70 (or rim 70a) and the lid. This may be necessary to enable the container to be filled as it allows air to escape as liquid is drawn in.

[0080] Figure 15 An alternative embodiment is shown. Instead of a deflectable tongue 64, a spring-loaded mechanism is used to position the protrusion 74. In this embodiment, the upper container includes a spring 90 at its top end (i.e., the end removed from the main container 1). Thus, this embodiment provides a spring-loaded edge seal, bayonet ring 52, and outer cover 92. When the outer cover is pushed downward, the protrusion 74 moves downward and crosses laterally into the bayonet channel 60. When the protrusion 74 is located within the distal enlarged cavity 62, the pressure is released and the spring pulls the body including the protrusion 74 upward, thereby locking it into place in the cavity 62.

[0081] Likewise, in order to activate the childproof mechanism, the bayonet ring must be retained with the main container so that the bayonet ring does not rotate with the main container when the upper container is rotated relative to the main container.

Claims

1. A measurable dispenser comprising: a first container for containing a substance to be dispensed; a second measurable container mounted on the first container; a one-way valve through which liquid from the first container can be moved into the second container and retained in the second container by the one-way valve, and wherein the second container is provided with one or more markings indicating the measured amount; and A child-resistant locking mechanism, comprising: a bayonet ring adapted to be mounted relative to a first container such that the bayonet ring can surround a portion of the first container and can freely rotate in either direction relative to the first container but remains on the first container, the bayonet ring having at least one bayonet channel extending from a proximal opening in a top surface of the bayonet ring to a closed distal end and having a cavity at or toward the closed distal end and a resiliently deflectable tongue extending into the cavity and having an inclined surface at a free end of the tongue, wherein the bayonet ring comprises an inner ring and an outer ring connected by a common annular base, and the bayonet channel is provided on the inner ring, and wherein the second container is provided with a portion of the childproof locking mechanism, the portion of the childproof locking mechanism having at least one bayonet follower on an outer surface thereof, wherein, with the bayonet ring fixed in position relative to the first container by holding the bayonet ring and the first container stationary relative to each other, the second container is capable of rotating relative to the bayonet ring such that the bayonet follower moves within the bayonet channel to deflect the free end of the deflectable tongue and then remains within the cavity to hold the second container relative to the first container.

2. The measurable dispenser of claim 1, wherein: The second container is removable from the first container.

3. The measurable dispenser of claim 1, wherein: The second container is secured to the first container.

4. A metered dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The one-way valve is located between the first container and the second container, and is provided on one or the other of the first container and the second container at a position where liquid can flow between the first container and the second container.

5. A measurable dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein A tube is provided from the connection between the first container and the second container towards the bottom of the first container, through which the liquid to be dispensed is dispensed.

6. The measurable dispenser of claim 5, wherein: The first container is squeezable to dispense liquid.

7. The metered dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a pump action mechanism for dispensing liquid from the first container to the second container, wherein The second container is mounted so that the second container can be pushed downwards to operate a spring-guided pump action, causing liquid to flow through the one-way valve into the second container where it can be measured.

8. A measurable dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein A one-way valve is provided toward the bottom surface of the first container.

9. A child-resistant locking mechanism for use on a container, comprising: a bayonet ring adapted to be mounted relative to a container such that the bayonet ring can surround a portion of the container, is freely rotatable relative to the container in either direction but is retained on the container, the bayonet ring having at least one bayonet channel extending from a proximal opening in a top surface of the bayonet ring to a closed distal end and having a cavity at or towards the closed distal end and a resiliently deflectable tongue extending into the cavity and having an inclined surface at a free end of the tongue, wherein the bayonet ring comprises an inner ring and an outer ring connected by a common annular base, and the bayonet channel is provided on the inner ring; and a top cover portion configured to be positioned between the bayonet ring and a surface of the container and having at least one bayonet follower on an outer surface of the top cover portion, wherein, with the bayonet ring fixed in position relative to the container by holding the bayonet ring and the container stationary relative to each other, the top cover portion is rotatable relative to the bayonet ring such that the bayonet follower moves within the bayonet channel to deflect the free end of the deflectable tongue and then remains within the cavity to hold the top cover portion relative to the container.

10. The child-resistant locking mechanism of claim 9, wherein: The deflectable tongue has an inclined surface that causes the tongue to be urged downwardly when the follower moves relative to the tongue away from the opening of the bayonet channel.

11. The childproof locking mechanism according to claim 9, wherein: Each bayonet channel has an intermediate portion between the proximal opening and the distal end of the bayonet channel, the intermediate portion having a narrowed waist to provide an intermediate stop position.

12. The child-resistant locking mechanism of claim 11, wherein: The waist provides a protrusion which extends into the channel providing a narrowed waist and each follower has a valley against which the protrusion forms the stop position.

13. The child-resistant locking mechanism of claim 11, wherein: Each follower has an M-shaped top with two peaks and a central valley.

14. The child-resistant locking mechanism of claim 13, wherein: The top portion is urged against the action of a spring and rotates relative to one or more of the bayonet channels.

15. A child-resistant locking mechanism according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein: The outer ring is flush with or above the top of the inner ring.

16. The child-resistant locking mechanism of claim 9, wherein: The top cover portion has a slidable edge that is dimensioned such that, in use, the slidable edge is located between the inner and outer rings of the bayonet ring.

17. A child-resistant locking mechanism according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein: A tube is provided for dispensing liquid from the container into the top cap portion, the tube terminating in a nozzle extending out of the container, and wherein when the top cap portion is positioned in place by the bayonet ring, the top cap portion receives liquid from the nozzle and has a seal at the closed end of the top cap portion for sealing the nozzle to prevent liquid leakage.

18. The child-resistant locking mechanism of claim 17, wherein: The top cap portion has a one-way valve at the end having the seal so that after the top cap is removed from the bayonet ring, the top cap portion can be inverted and then placed relative to the nozzle so that liquid can be dispensed through the tube, nozzle and one-way valve into the top cap portion in the inverted position.

19. The child-resistant locking mechanism of claim 18, wherein: The one-way valve includes a valve assembly and a cover having one or more apertures therein.

20. The child-resistant locking mechanism of claim 19, wherein: The cap includes an unperforated top and a plurality of apertures at the sides such that liquid passing through the one-way valve mechanism is dispensed in a lateral direction.

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