Abstract:
An adjustable dispensing cap for a container has a housing having an outwardly extending flange, an insert mounted for rotation within the housing, and a separate collar including a ring having an outer edge, an inwardly projecting flange for contacting a projecting flange portion of the dispensing cap, and an interior surface including coupling elements for coupling the collar and dispensing cap to said container opening. The separate collar can include an overcap integrally formed with the ring and including a rim portion selectively engable with the ring out edge, the overcap having a side wall and an end face coupled to the overcap rim, the overcap being coupled to the ring so that the overcap can be repeatedly moved between a closed position covering the ring and an open position permitting access to the container mouth.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is related to and claims all available benefit from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/024,644 filed Jan. 30, 2008. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention generally relates to caps for containers usable for storage and dispensing of liquids and particulate solids, and extends to caps of the type that are capable of dispensing a stored liquid or particulate solid in a measured amount that may be selected by the user without removal of the cap from the container. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    There are presently available a number of caps for containers that may be used to store liquids, such as detergents, and particulate solids. In addition, available caps may be capable of use for dispensing a measured portion of the liquid or particulate solid, by removal of the cap from the container, pouring the desired amount of liquid or particulate solid into the cap while disposed in an inverted position, and then pouring the liquid or particulate solid from the cap. The use of such caps requires that the container be of a size that it can be conveniently tipped or even inverted while full of the usual amount of liquid or particulate solid, which effectively limits the container size to only a few quarts or gallons. 
         [0006]    More recently, measuring dispensing caps have been developed that are capable of conveniently dispensing a measured portion of a liquid or particulate solid from a container without removal of the cap from the container, with the volume of material to be dispensed selected by the user to be any volume up to a maximum volume, and simultaneously preventing the remaining stored material from being dispensed or spilled during the dispensing operation. Such caps have the advantage of being used in connection with containers that might be too large for convenient tipping or inversion by the ordinary user. Examples of such caps are to be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,020,699; 6,041,979; and 6,783,031. 
         [0007]    The known measuring dispensing caps typically engage a finish portion surrounding an opening into the container through engagement with threads or other cap engaging features. The alignment of the cap engaging features of the finish on all containers of any given model is not necessarily uniform. As a result, the alignment of the measuring dispensing cap is not always at the most desirable orientation, which can cause the desired dispensing operation to be rather awkward, if not impossible. What is needed is a measuring dispensing cap that will accommodate variations in alignment of the cap engaging features on a finish to which the cap is to be secured. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A measuring dispensing cap can be adjustably mounted to a container holding a material such as a liquid or particulate solid so that the cap can be aligned by the consumer at any desired position. The cap can include a housing and an insert movable with respect to the housing to capture a measured amount of the material from the container, and then dispense that measured mount when desired. A separate collar can couple the housing to a cap engaging portion of the container surrounding a container opening. 
         [0009]    The housing can be formed to include a front surface that can include a tab bore and a dispensing aperture. The housing can include a cylindrical sleeve. The cylindrical sleeve can have a first opening. The housing front surface can be generally domed. The dispensing aperture can include a generally arcuate pouring mouth. The front surface can include a translucent or transparent region. The housing can also define at least one pressure relief passage, which can be included in the front surface. The housing can also include a flange extending radially outward from the cylindrical sleeve. The flange can have a first surface adapted to contact a confronting surface surrounding an opening into a container and a second surface obverse to the first surface. 
         [0010]    The separate collar can include a radially inwardly projecting ring adapted to contact the second surface of the radially extending flange. The collar can have an interior surface having coupling elements for coupling the collar and housing to a container opening. The coupling elements can be in the form of an inwardly extending screw thread for cooperative engagement with a similar thread included on a finish portion of the container opening. The coupling elements can also take the form of a bayonet coupling or tang structure for engagement with a suitably formed container finish surrounding the opening. 
         [0011]    The insert can be disposed generally within the housing and can have a portion extending through the tab bore. The insert can define a transfer compartment, and include first and second ends. A first end of the insert can be disposed to rotate within an annular slot defined by an end piece of the housing. The insert can further define an inlet orifice proximate to the first end and an outlet orifice proximate to a second end. The insert can include an insert cylindrical surface disposed generally coaxially with the housing cylindrical sleeve. The insert can have a domed portion disposed within the domed portion of the housing. Further, the outlet orifice of the insert can be formed to generally correspond with the dispensing aperture of the housing. The second end of the insert can include a translucent or transparent portion permitting visual determination of a quantity of material within the transfer compartment. 
         [0012]    The insert can have at least one pressure relief aperture communicating with the transfer compartment. The number and positions of the pressure relief apertures can be chosen to correspond with the number and position of the pressure relief passages of the housing. At least one pressure relief aperture can be aligned with at least one pressure relief passage as the insert is rotated with respect to the housing, so that air can flow into or out of the transfer compartment. The insert can include a projecting graspable tab disposed to project through the tab bore of the housing. By grasping the tab and applying torque, the insert may be rotated within the housing through a plurality of positions. 
         [0013]    In a first position, material present within the interior of the container can be transferred to the transfer compartment. When in the first position, at least one pressure relief aperture can be aligned with at least one pressure relief passage so that air within the transfer compartment can escape. The outlet orifice of the insert can be located so that material transferred into the transfer compartment cannot be dispensed from the container while the insert is in the first position. The insert may thereafter be rotated to a second position where the inlet orifice is disposed within and closed by the housing cylindrical sleeve, and the outlet orifice is generally aligned with the dispensing aperture of the housing. In the second position, material present within the transfer compartment can be dispensed from the cap through the outlet orifice and the dispensing aperture, but material within the container cannot be transferred into the transfer compartment. In the second position, at least one pressure relief aperture is disposed in alignment with at least one pressure relief passage, so that ambient air may enter the transfer chamber. Finally, the insert can be rotated to a third position where none of openings are aligned so that the contents of the container can be sealed. 
         [0014]    A measuring dispensing cap of the present invention can also be formed from three pieces including a protective overcap. The pieces can be telescopically received into a nesting relationship that permits the movement of a first piece relative to a second piece to achieve the measuring and dispensing functions of the cap. The cap can have a housing including a tapered sidewall defining a cylindrical chamber having an open first end. The housing can also have an end wall coupled to the housing sidewall that defines a partially closed second end of the chamber. The housing end wall can include an axial opening and a non-axial opening. The housing can also include a flange that protrudes radially outwardly from the housing side wall. The radially protruding flange can include a first surface adapted to contact a confronting surface surrounding an opening into a container and a second surface obverse to the first surface. The housing can also include an aperture in the housing sidewall through which material can flow from the container into the dispensing cap. 
         [0015]    The measuring dispensing cap of the present invention can also include an insert telescopically received into open first end of the cylindrical chamber of the housing. The insert preferably has a peripheral wall portion specifically dimensioned to conform to the cylindrical chamber interior surface so as to permit rotation of the insert within the chamber. A first insert end wall coupled to the peripheral wall portion can include a protruding portion extending through the axial opening in the housing end wall. An aperture can be provided in the insert peripheral wall portion for alignment with the housing sidewall aperture to permit the interior of the insert to be filled with material from the container to which the measuring dispensing cap is connected. The first insert can also include a non-axial opening positioned for alignment with the housing non-axial opening only when the insert is suitably positioned with respect to the housing to permit dispensing of any material from within the insert. A second insert end wall can be coupled to the insert peripheral wall portion opposite the insert first insert end wall. The second insert end wall can be integrally molded with the remainder of the insert to minimize assembly. The integral assembly can be in the form of an integral hinge portion that permits the displacement of the second insert end wall from an initial molded position to a closed position coupling the second insert end wall to the perimeter of the insert peripheral wall portion. 
         [0016]    The housing can be secured to a container finish with a collar having an inwardly extending ring that can clamp the outwardly protruding flange of the housing to a surface of the finish at a variety of positions to accommodate variations in alignment of the cap engaging features on the finish. The collar can have an interior surface having coupling elements for coupling the collar and housing to a container opening. The coupling elements can be in the form of an inwardly extending screw thread for cooperative engagement with a similar thread included on a finish portion surrounding the container mouth. The coupling elements can also take the form of a bayonet coupling or tang structure for engagement with a suitably formed container mouth. The collar can also include an over-cap that can be coupled to an outer rim of the collar for movement between an open position, permitting material to be dispensed through the housing end wall non-axial opening, and a closed position covering the housing end wall. 
         [0017]    The axial opening in the housing end wall can include an inwardly projecting ridge than can engage the insert to retain the insert in a fully nested position, yet permit the insert to be rotated within the housing portion to achieve the filling and dispensing operation of the cap. The protruding axial portion of the insert can include an outwardly projecting rim that can engage the inwardly projecting ridge in the axial opening of the housing end wall. During assembly the cooperative engagement of the projecting rim and ridge may cause an audible sound signifying the completed assembly of the two elements together. Once assembled, the insert can be manually rotated with respect to the housing portion to a first position wherein the insert peripheral wall opening is aligned with the housing sidewall aperture to permit the interior of the insert to be filled with material from the container to which the dispensing cap is connected. 
         [0018]    The end walls of the housing and insert can be made sufficiently transparent so that the filling operation can be viewed through the end walls of the housing and insert. When the interior of the insert is filled to a desired level, the insert can be rotated to a second position wherein the non-axial openings in the walls of the insert and housing portion are aligned, thus permitting the contents of the insert to be dispensed. Finally, the insert can be rotated to a third position where neither set of openings is aligned so that the contents of the container can be sealed. A further seal can be achieved by moving the over-cap coupled to the ring into position sealing the dispensing openings. 
         [0019]    A measuring dispensing cap of the present invention can also take the form of a housing having a cylindrical wall and radially outwardly protruding flange. The housing can have an end wall adjacent to an inner end of the cylindrical wall including a first opening. A second opening can be provided in the cylindrical wall adjacent to the cylindrical wall outer end. A collar can coupled the flange of the housing to an opening of a container at any desired orientation. The collar can have an inwardly extending ring that can clamp the outwardly protruding flange of the housing to a surface of the container opening at a variety of positions to accommodate variations in the desired direction for the cylindrical wall second opening. The collar can have an interior surface having coupling elements for coupling the collar and housing to a container opening. The coupling elements can be in the form of an inwardly extending screw thread for cooperative engagement with a similar thread included on a finish portion of the container mouth. The coupling elements can also take the form of a bayonet coupling or tang structure for engagement with a suitably formed container. 
         [0020]    The measuring dispensing cap can also include a handle portion adapted to surround the outer end of the housing cylindrical wall including the second opening. The handle portion can include a dispensing opening that can be aligned with the second opening of the housing cylindrical wall to permit the dispensing of the contents of container. The handle portion can also include an insert adapted to be received in the housing. The insert can include an outwardly protruding seal adapted to contact the inner surface of the housing cylindrical wall. The insert can include an inner end wall having an opening adapted to be aligned with the first opening of the housing to permit a measured amount of the material contained in the container to flow into the housing. The handle portion can include a transparent or translucent outer end wall permitting the monitoring of the amount of material in the housing. 
         [0021]    One feature of the present invention is a collar that can clamp the flange extending outwardly from the housing to a surface of the container opening at a variety of positions to accommodate variations in alignment of the cap dispensing features to permit optimal orientation of the measuring dispensing cap. This feature insures that the dispensing cap can be aligned to be directed as required by the consumer, which may vary depending on the individual consumer thereby avoiding any awkward manipulation of the container itself when dispensing the contents of the container. 
         [0022]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following disclosure of preferred embodiments of the present invention exemplifying the best mode of practicing the invention. The following disclosure references the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of a first dispensing cap of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is front elevation view of the dispensing cap shown in  FIG. 1 , the cap being in a position to permit material present within a container to inter the transfer compartment within cap. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1  of the housing portion of the dispensing cap. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of a collar adapted to secure the housing of the dispensing cap of  FIGS. 1-3  to a container, not shown. 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  is a front elevation view similar to  FIG. 1  with the insert having been rotated to permit material present within the transfer compartment to be dispensed through the dispensing outlet. 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  is a front elevation view similar to  FIGS. 1 and 5  with the insert having been rotated to a sealed position. 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  is an elevation view of a unitary ring and overcap of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the unitary ring and overcap shown in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  is an exploded sectional view of the unitary ring and overcap shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  in relation to a housing of another dispensing cap of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view of an insert designed to be received within the housing shown in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 11  is a sectional view of an assembled measuring dispensing cap formed from the portions shown in  FIGS. 7-10 , the insert being positioned in a sealed position. 
           [0034]      FIG. 12  is a front elevation view of the assembled measuring dispensing cap of  FIG. 11  attached to a container with the insert being rotated to a dispensing position. 
           [0035]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of another dispensing cap of the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 14  is an exploded perspective view of the dispensing cap shown in  FIG. 13 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0037]    A first dispensing cap  10  is shown in  FIGS. 1-6  to include a housing  12 , an insert  14 , and a collar  16 . The housing  12  can be formed to include a front surface  18  that can include a tab bore  20  and a dispensing aperture  22 . The housing  12  can include a cylindrical sleeve  24 . The cylindrical sleeve  24  can have a first opening  26 , which can be variously located around the sleeve  24 . The housing front surface  18  can be generally domed as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . The dispensing aperture  22  can include a generally arcuate pouring mouth  28 . The front surface  18  can include a translucent or transparent region  30 . The housing  12  can also define at least one pressure relief passage  32 , which can be included in the front surface  18 . The housing can also include a flange  34  extending radially outward from the cylindrical sleeve  24 . The flange  34 , shown in  FIG. 3 , can have a first surface  36  adapted to contact a confronting surface surrounding an opening into a container, not shown. The flange  34  can have a second surface  38  obverse to the first surface  36 . 
         [0038]    The separate collar  16  can include a radially inwardly projecting ring  40  adapted to contact the second surface  38  of the radially extending flange  34 . The collar  16  can have an interior surface  42  having coupling elements  44  for coupling the collar  16  and housing  12  to a container opening, not shown. The coupling elements  44  can be in the form of an inwardly extending screw thread  46  for cooperative engagement with a similar thread included on a finish portion of the container opening, not shown. The coupling elements can also take the form of a bayonet coupling or tang structure for engagement with a suitably formed container finish surrounding the opening, not shown. The collar  16  can clamp the flange  34  extending outwardly from the housing  12  to a surface of the container opening, not shown, at a variety of positions to accommodate variations in alignment of the dispensing features of the cap  10 , detailed below, to permit optimal orientation of the measuring dispensing cap  10 . This insures that the dispensing cap  10  can be aligned as required by the consumer to avoid any awkward manipulation of the container when dispensing the container contents. 
         [0039]    The insert  14  can be disposed generally within the housing  12  and can have a portion  48  extending through the tab bore  20 . The insert  14  can define a transfer compartment  50 , and include a first end  52  and a second end  54 . The first end  52  of the insert  14  can be disposed to rotate within an annular slot  55  that can be defined at least in part by an end piece  56  of the housing  12 . The insert  14  can further define an inlet orifice  58  proximate to the first end  52  and an outlet orifice  60  proximate to a second end  54 . The insert  14  can include an insert cylindrical surface  62  disposed generally coaxially with the cylindrical sleeve  24  of the housing  12 . The insert  14  can have a domed portion  64  disposed within the domed portion  19  of the housing  12 . Further, the outlet orifice  60  of the insert  14  can be formed to generally correspond with the dispensing aperture  22  of the housing  12 . The second end  54  of the insert can include a translucent or transparent portion  66  permitting visual determination of a quantity of material within the transfer compartment  50 . 
         [0040]    The insert  14  can have at least one pressure relief aperture  68  communicating with the transfer compartment  50 . The number and positions of the pressure relief apertures  68  can be chosen to correspond with the number and position of the pressure relief passages  32  of the housing  12 . At least one pressure relief aperture  68  can be aligned with at least one pressure relief passage  32  as the insert  14  is rotated with respect to the housing  12 , so that air can flow into or out of the transfer compartment  50 . The insert  14  can include a projecting graspable tab  70  disposed to project through the tab bore  20  of the housing  12 . By grasping the tab  70  and applying torque, the insert  14  may be rotated within the housing  12  through a plurality of positions. 
         [0041]    In a first position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , material present within the interior of the container surrounding the dispensing cap  10  can be transferred to the transfer compartment  50 . When in the first position, at least one pressure relief aperture  68  can be aligned with at least one pressure relief passage  32  so that air within the transfer compartment  50  can escape as the material surrounding the dispensing cap  10  enters the transfer compartment  50 . The outlet orifice  60  of the insert  14  can be located so that material transferred into the transfer compartment  50  cannot be dispensed from the container while the insert  14  is in the first position. The insert  14  may thereafter be rotated to a second position, shown in  FIG. 5 , where the inlet orifice  58  is disposed within and closed by the cylindrical sleeve  24  of the housing  12 , and the outlet orifice  60  is generally aligned with the dispensing aperture  22  of the housing  12 . In the second position, material present within the transfer compartment  50  can be dispensed from the cap  10  through the outlet orifice  60  and the dispensing aperture  22 , but material within the container cannot be transferred into the transfer compartment  50 . In the second position, at least one pressure relief aperture  68  can be disposed in alignment with at least one pressure relief passage  32 , so that ambient air may enter the transfer compartment  50  as the material exits through the outlet orifice  60 . Finally, the insert  14  can be rotated to a third position, shown for example in  FIG. 6 , where none of openings, orifices and apertures are aligned so that the contents of the container can be sealed. 
         [0042]    Another dispensing cap  10  is shown in  FIGS. 7-12  that can be formed from three pieces; namely a housing  12 , an insert  14 , and a separate collar  16  including a protective overcap  72 . The pieces  12 ,  14  and  16  can be telescopically received into a nesting relationship, as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 11 , which permits a suitable orientation of the housing  12  relative to any container and the movement of the insert  14  relative to the housing  12  to achieve the measuring and dispensing functions of the cap  10 . The cap  10  can have a housing  12 , shown in  FIG. 9 , including a tapered sidewall  74  defining a cylindrical chamber  76  having an open first end  78 . The housing  12  can also have an end wall  80  coupled to the housing sidewall  74  that defines a partially closed second end  82  of the chamber  76 . The end wall  80  of the housing  12  can include an axial opening  84  and a non-axial opening  86 . The housing  12  can also include a flange  34  that protrudes radially outwardly from the housing sidewall  74 . The radially protruding flange  34  can include a first surface  36  adapted to contact a confronting surface  88  surrounding an opening into a container  90 , shown in  FIG. 12 . The flange  34  can have a second surface  38  obverse to the first surface  36 . The housing  12  can also include an aperture  92  in the housing sidewall  74  through which material can flow from the container  90  into the dispensing cap  10 . The aperture  92  can be situated at any desired location around the sidewall  74  relative to the non-axial dispensing opening  86 . 
         [0043]    The dispensing cap  10  can also include an insert  14 , as shown in  FIG. 10 , which can be telescopically received into the open first end  78  of the cylindrical chamber  76  of the housing  12 . The insert  14  can have a peripheral wall portion  94  specifically dimensioned to conform to the interior surface  96  of the cylindrical chamber  76  so as to permit rotation of the insert  14  within the chamber  76 . A first insert end wall  98  coupled to the peripheral wall  94  can include a protruding portion  100  extending through the axial opening  84  in the housing end wall  80 . An aperture  102  can be provided in the insert peripheral wall portion  94  for alignment with the aperture  92  of the housing sidewall  74  to permit the interior  104  of the insert  14  to be filled with material from the container  90  to which the dispensing cap  10  is connected. The insert  14  can also include a non-axial opening  106  positioned for alignment with the non-axial opening  86  of the housing  12  only when the insert  14  is suitably positioned with respect to the housing  12  to permit dispensing of any material from the interior  104  of the insert  14 . 
         [0044]    A second end wall  108  of the insert  14  can be coupled to the peripheral wall portion  94  of the insert  14  at an end opposite the insert first insert end wall  98 . The second insert end wall  108  can be integrally molded with the remainder of the insert  14  to minimize assembly. The integral assembly can be achieved by including an integral hinge portion  110  that permits the displacement of the second insert end wall  108  from an initial molded position, shown in  FIG. 10 , to a closed position, shown in  FIG. 11 , coupling the second insert end wall  108  to a portion  112  of the perimeter  114  of the insert peripheral wall portion  94 . The second insert end wall  108  can include a ridge  116  sized to be received in a groove  118  present on the interior surface  120  of the peripheral wall portion  94 . 
         [0045]    The axial opening  84  in the housing end wall  80  can include an inwardly projecting ridge  122  than can engage the insert  14  to retain the insert in a fully nested position, as shown in  FIG. 11 , yet permit the insert  14  to be rotated within the housing  12  to achieve the filling and dispensing operation of the cap  10 . The protruding axial portion  100  of the insert  14  can include an outwardly projecting rim  124  that can engage the inwardly projecting ridge  122  in the axial opening  84  of the housing end wall  80 . During assembly, the cooperative engagement of the projecting rim  124  and ridge  122  may cause an audible sound signifying the completed assembly of the two elements  12  and  14  together. Once assembled, the insert  14  can be manually rotated with respect to the housing  12  to a first position wherein the insert peripheral wall opening  102  is aligned with the housing sidewall aperture  92  to permit the interior  104  of the insert  14  to be filled with material from the container  90  to which the dispensing cap  10  is connected. 
         [0046]    The end wall  80  of the housing  12  and the end wall  98  of the insert  14  can be made sufficiently transparent so that the filling operation can be viewed through one or more of the end walls. When the interior  104  of the insert  14  is filled to a desired level, the insert  14  can be rotated, by applying a torque to tab  70 , to a second position where the non-axial opening  86  of the housing end wall  80  and the non-axial opening  106  of the insert end wall  98  are aligned, thus permitting the contents of the insert  14  to be dispensed. Finally, the insert  14  can be rotated to a third position, shown for example in  FIG. 11 , where neither set of openings is aligned so that the contents of the container  90  can be sealed. 
         [0047]    The housing  12  shown in  FIGS. 9 and 11  can be secured to finish on the container  90  with a collar  16  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The housing  12  shown in  FIGS. 9 and 11  can also be secured to finish on the container  90  with a collar  16  as shown in  FIGS. 7-9 ,  11  and  12 . Both collars  16  can have an inwardly extending ring  40  that can clamp the outwardly protruding flange  34  of the housing  12  to a surface of the container finish at a variety of positions to accommodate variations in alignment of the engaging features of the cap  10  on the finish. Both collars  16  can have an interior surface  42  having coupling elements  44  for coupling the collar  16  and housing  12  to a container  90 . The coupling elements  44  can be in the form of an inwardly extending screw thread  46  for cooperative engagement with a similar thread included on a finish portion surrounding the container mouth, not shown. The coupling elements  44  can also take the form of a bayonet coupling or tang structure for engagement with a suitably formed container mouth. The collar  16  shown in  FIGS. 7-9 ,  11  and  12  can also include an over-cap  72  having a rim  126  that can be coupled to an outer rim  128  of the collar  16 . The over-cap  72  can be joined to the collar  16  by a flexible hinge  127  for movement between an open position, shown in  FIG. 8 , permitting material to be dispensed from the container  90 , and a closed position, shown in  FIG. 11 , covering the housing end wall. The over-cap  72  can have a sidewall  71  that positions the end wall  73  sufficiently far from rim  126  to ensure that the tab  70  can be included within the over-cap  72  when in the closed position. By moving the over-cap  72  to the closed position, a further seal can be achieved above that achieved by merely moving the insert  14  so that the various openings in the insert  14  and housing  12  are in a non-aligned position. The collar  16  shown in  FIGS. 7-9 ,  11  and  12  can also be used in conjunction with the housing  12  and insert  14  shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ,  5  and  6 . 
         [0048]    Another dispensing cap  10  is shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14  that can include a housing  12  having a cylindrical wall  130  and radially outwardly protruding flange  34 . The housing  12  can have an inner end wall, not shown, adjacent to an inner end  131  of the cylindrical wall  130  including a first opening, not shown. A second opening  134  can be provided in the cylindrical wall  130  adjacent to the cylindrical wall outer end  135 . A collar  16 , similar to the collar  16  shown in  FIG. 4 , can couple the flange  34  of the housing  12  to an opening of a container at any desired orientation. The collar  16  can have an inwardly extending ring  40  that can clamp the outwardly protruding flange  34  of the housing  12  to a surface of the container opening at a variety of positions to accommodate variations in the desired direction for the cylindrical wall second opening  134 . The collar  16  can have an interior surface  42  having coupling elements for coupling the collar  16  and housing  12  to a container opening. As disclosed in conjunction with  FIG. 4 , the coupling elements  44  can be in the form of an inwardly extending screw thread for cooperative engagement with a similar thread included on a finish portion of the container mouth. The coupling elements  44  can also take the form of a bayonet coupling or tang structure for engagement with a suitably formed container. 
         [0049]    A handle portion  128  can be adapted to surround the outer end  135  of the cylindrical wall  130  of housing  12 . The handle portion  128  can have a dispensing opening  138  that can be aligned with the opening  134  of the housing cylindrical wall  130  to permit the dispensing of the contents of a container to which the cap is secured. The handle portion  128  can also include an insert portion  140  adapted to be received in the housing  12 . The insert portion  140  can include an outwardly protruding seal  142  adapted to contact an inner surface of the housing cylindrical wall  130 . The insert  140  can include an inner end wall, not shown, having an opening adapted to be aligned with an opening of the housing inner end wall leading to the interior of the container to permit a measured amount of the material contained in the container to flow into the housing  12 . The handle portion  128  can include a transparent or translucent outer end wall  144  permitting the monitoring of the amount of material in the housing  12 . 
         [0050]    From the forgoing description of the structure and operation of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible to numerous modifications and embodiments within the ability of those skilled in the art and without exercise of the inventive facility. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined as set forth of the following claims.