Patent Publication Number: US-2021163212-A1

Title: Dosing dispenser system

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/807,154, filed on Mar. 2, 2020 and entitled DOSING DISPENSER SYSTEM, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/545,956, filed on Aug. 20, 2019 and entitled DOSING DISPENSER SYSTEM, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,919,685, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/847,167, filed Dec. 19, 2017 and entitled DOSING DISPENSER SYSTEM, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,435,226, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/439,280, filed Dec. 27, 2016 and entitled DOSING DISPENSER SYSTEM AND METHOD, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This application relates to dispensers for flowable compositions, and more particularly to a dispenser having a base which causes a plunger to urge a predetermined amount of flowable composition through an opening in the dispenser. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Traditionally, topically administered medicine was often formulated as liquids. Applying a liquid to a skin surface often resulted in a portion of the dose spreading beyond the target area. Cream-based formulations were developed as viscous liquids to prevent the unintended application of the medicine to an unaffected area. More recently, pharmacists have been taking traditional medicines and “compounding” them in a cream base. 
     Administering the cream-based medicines is a challenge because providing an accurate measured dose is not easy. One common form of a dispenser is a traditional hypodermic syringe, without the needle. The user can depress the plunger to force an amount of cream out of the barrel as indicated by markings on the side of the barrel. For older patients, it is not always easy to measure out 0.1 ml or so of medicine, as this may require more dexterity than is available. In addition, it may be difficult for patients to visually track the amount of liquid dispensed by relying on the markings on the side of the barrel because eyesight may vary from patient to patient. Furthermore, depending on the dispenser, more or less liquid may appear to be dispensed compared to the actual amount dispensed when relying on the markings. 
     SUMMARY 
     The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” and “the present invention” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various embodiments of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings, and each claim. 
     According to various examples, a dosing dispenser includes a housing defining a chamber, a traveler within the chamber, and a plunger within the chamber. In some aspects, the traveler is movable along an axis between an engaged position and a disengaged position relative to the plunger, and the traveler is spaced apart from the plunger in the disengaged position. 
     In some cases, the plunger includes a first end and a second end, the second end of the plunger defines a plunger cavity, and the plunger defines a filling portion of the chamber between the first end of the housing and the first end of the plunger. In certain aspects, the traveler is configured to abut and selectively position the plunger in the engaged position. In various aspects, the traveler includes a first end and a second end, and the first end includes a plunger driver configured to selectively engage the plunger within a plunger cavity of the plunger and movably position the plunger within the chamber. 
     In various examples, a base assembly is coupled to the housing. In certain examples, the base assembly includes a base and is configured to movably position the traveler within the chamber through rotation of the base. According to some examples, in the disengaged position, the traveler is spaced apart from the plunger, and in the engaged position, a plunger driver of the traveler abuts the plunger within a plunger cavity of the plunger. In various aspects, the housing includes a dispensing channel, the plunger includes a crown, the plunger defines a filling portion of the chamber between the dispensing channel and the plunger, and at least a portion of the crown is positionable within the dispensing channel of the housing when a volume of the filling portion of the chamber is at a minimum. According to certain examples, the housing further includes an intermediate chamber between the chamber and the dispensing channel, and at least a portion of the crown is positionable within the intermediate chamber when the volume of the filling portion of the chamber is at the minimum. 
     According to some examples, a dosing dispenser includes a housing defining a chamber, a traveler positionable within the chamber, and a plunger positionable within the chamber. In certain cases, the traveler is independently positionable along an axis relative to the plunger in at least one direction within the chamber. 
     In various aspects, the chamber includes a first end and a second end, the housing further includes a dispensing channel in fluid communication with the chamber at the first end, and the at least one direction is away from the first end. In some cases, the housing further includes a dispensing channel in fluid communication with the chamber, and the at least one direction is away from the dispensing channel. In some examples, the traveler is configured to abut and selectively position the plunger in the a direction opposite the at least one direction. 
     In certain examples, a base assembly is configured to movably position the traveler within the chamber. In some aspects, the base assembly includes a base, a drive screw threadably engaged with the traveler and coupled to the base such that rotation of the base rotates the drive screw and axially moves the traveler within the chamber, a base support rotatably supporting the drive screw and the base, the base support including a mounting portion and a supporting portion, the supporting portion including at least one notch, and a cam mounted on the drive screw and including at least one extension configured to engage the at least one notch as the cam is rotated through the drive screw. In various aspects, a cross-sectional shape of the plunger is substantially similar to a cross-sectional shape of the chamber such that the plunger forms a fluid tight seal with the housing within the chamber as the plunger is movably positioned within the chamber. 
     According to certain examples, a method of dispensing a flowable composition with a dosing dispenser includes positioning a plunger within a chamber defined by a housing of the dosing dispenser, positioning a traveler within the chamber such that the traveler is spaced apart from the plunger, and loading the flowable composition within the chamber. 
     In certain examples, the housing includes a first end and a second end, the first end includes a dispensing channel in fluid communication with the chamber, positioning the plunger within the chamber includes abutting the plunger against the first end of the housing within the chamber, and loading the flowable composition includes loading the flowable composition through the dispensing channel. In some cases, the plunger includes a crown, and positioning the plunger within the chamber includes positioning at least a portion of the crown within the dispensing channel. 
     In various cases, loading the flowable composition includes loading a predetermined volume of the flowable composition within the chamber between a dispensing end of the housing and a first end of the plunger facing the dispensing end, and the method further includes advancing the traveler within the chamber such that the traveler abuts a second end of the plunger opposite the first end after the predetermined volume is loaded, and dispensing the flowable composition from the dispensing end of the housing by advancing the traveler towards the dispensing end. According to some examples, the method includes positioning the traveler within the chamber such that the traveler abuts the plunger after the flowable composition is loaded, and advancing the traveler within the chamber such that the traveler movably positions the plunger within the chamber and dispenses the flowable composition from the housing. 
     Various implementations described in the present disclosure can include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which cannot necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features and components of the following figures are illustrated to emphasize the general principles of the present disclosure. Corresponding features and components throughout the figures can be designated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity. 
         FIG. 1  is a partially-exploded perspective view of a dosing dispenser including a housing, a base assembly, a drive screw, a traveler, an application tool, a cap, and a plunger according to aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the traveler of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the traveler of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the drive screw of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the plunger of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is an end view of the plunger of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is an end view of a plunger for a dosing dispenser according to an example of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a base support of the base assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is a sectional view of the base support of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is an end view of the base support of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 11  is an end view of a cam of the base assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 12  is an end view of the cam of  FIG. 11  mounted on the base support of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded assembly view of the drive screw of  FIG. 1  with the base support of  FIG. 8  and the cam of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 14  is a partially exploded assembly view of the drive screw, base support, and cam of  FIG. 13  with a base of the base assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the drive screw, base support, cam, and base of  FIG. 14  with the traveler of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 16  is a sectional view of the drive screw, base support, cam, base, and traveler of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the driver screw, base support, cam, base, and traveler of  FIG. 15  with the housing and plunger of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 18  is a partially exploded assembly view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1  with the cap and application tool removed. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a dispensing end of the housing. 
         FIG. 20  is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the dispenser of  FIG. 1  including the plunger, housing, cap, and application tool. 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the dosing dispenser of  FIG. 1  with the cap and application removed, a flowable composition in the housing, and the plunger and traveler in a first position. 
         FIG. 23  is perspective view of the dosing dispenser of  FIG. 22  with the plunger and traveler in a second position. 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of the dosing dispenser of  FIG. 23  with the application tool attached to the housing and the cap removed. 
         FIG. 25  is sectional view of an application tool according to aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 26  is sectional view of another application tool according to aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 27  is sectional view of another application tool according to aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 28  is a perspective view of a portion of a housing of a dispenser according to aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 29  is an enlarged sectional view of the portion of the housing of  FIG. 28  with a plunger. 
         FIG. 30  is a perspective view of a portion of a dispenser including a cap and housing. 
         FIG. 31  is a detail sectional view of the dispensing end of  FIG. 28  with an application tool and cap. 
         FIG. 32  is a sectional view of a portion of a dosing dispenser according to aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 33  is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the dosing dispenser of  FIG. 32 . 
         FIG. 34  is a perspective view a portion of a dosing dispenser with a lock tab in a disengaged configuration according to aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 35  is a perspective view of the portion of the dosing dispenser of  FIG. 34  with the lock tab in an engaged configuration. 
         FIG. 36  is an exploded assembly view of a dosing dispenser according to aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 37  is a sectional view of the dosing dispenser of  FIG. 36 . 
         FIG. 38  is an exploded assembly view of a dosing dispenser according to aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 39  is a sectional view of the dosing dispenser of  FIG. 38 . 
         FIG. 40  an exploded assembly view of a dosing dispenser according to aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 41  is a sectional view of the dosing dispenser of  FIG. 40 . 
         FIG. 42  is a partially exploded assembly view of a dosing dispenser according to aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 43  is a sectional view of the dosing dispenser of  FIG. 42 . 
         FIG. 44  is a sectional view of a dosing dispenser according to aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 45  is an exploded assembly view of a dosing dispenser according to aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 46  is a perspective view of a portion of the dosing dispenser of  FIG. 45 . 
         FIG. 47  is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the dosing dispenser of  FIG. 45  including a housing, plunger, applicator tool, and cap. 
         FIG. 48  is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the dosing dispenser of  FIG. 45  including a housing and applicator tool. 
         FIG. 49  is a perspective view of an applicator tool of the dosing dispenser of  FIG. 45 . 
         FIG. 50  is a perspective view of a portion of a dosing dispenser according to aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 51  is a perspective sectional view of the portion of the dosing dispenser of  FIG. 50 . 
         FIG. 52  is a perspective view of a dosing dispenser according to aspects of the present invention. 
         FIG. 53  is a sectional view of the dosing dispenser of  FIG. 52 . 
         FIG. 54  is a sectional view of a portion of the dosing dispenser of  FIG. 52  engaged with a refilling device. 
         FIG. 55  is a sectional view of a portion of the dosing dispenser of  FIG. 52 . 
         FIG. 56  is a perspective view of a traveler and drive screw of the dosing dispenser of  FIG. 52 . 
         FIG. 57  is a perspective view of the traveler, drive screw, base support, cam, and base of the dosing dispenser of  FIG. 52 . 
         FIG. 58  is a perspective view of the traveler, housing, plunger, drive screw, base support, cam, and base of the dosing dispenser of  FIG. 52 . 
         FIG. 59  is a perspective view of the traveler, housing, applicator tool, cap, plunger, drive screw, base support, cam, and base of the dosing dispenser of  FIG. 52   
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described. Directional references such as “forward,” “aft,” “up,” “down,” “top,” “left,” “right,” “front,” and “back,” among others are intended to refer to the orientation as illustrated and described in the figure (or figures) to which the components and directions are referencing. 
     Disclosed is a dosing dispenser and associated methods, systems, devices, and various apparatus. The dispenser includes a housing, a plunger, a drive screw, and a traveler. It will be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art that the disclosed dispenser is described in but a few examples among many. 
     To ensure that the dispenser provides an accurate dosage, the patient may be consistently alerted to stop rotation of the drive screw at the appropriate location, and the amount of medicine that is pushed through a dispensing end may not vary due to leaks or fluctuation in the movement of the plunger. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates example of a dispenser  10  that is configured to dispense a flowable composition. The flowable composition may include but is not limited to creams or semi-solid emulsions such as oil-in-water creams and water-in-oil creams, gels, sols, colloids, suspensions, solutions, liquids with positive viscosity such as syrups, or other suitable flowable compositions or medicaments. In various examples, the dispenser  10  includes a housing  100 , a plunger  200 , a traveler  300 , a drive screw  400 , a base support  500 , a cam  600 , a base  700 , a cap  800 , and an applicator  900 . Some or all of the parts that comprise the dispenser  10  may be formed of materials including but not limited to polymer, plastic, composite, or other formable or moldable material. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the housing  100  includes a body  102  having a first end  104  and a second end  106 . In various aspects, the body  102  defines a chamber  108  extending from the first end  104  to the second end  106  that is dimensioned and configured to store the flowable composition. The chamber  108  may have any cross-sections desired. In some cases, a shape of the chamber  108  may be different from an exterior shape of the body  102 . In some examples, the exterior shape of the body  102  may be oval, elliptical, triangular, square, hexagonal, pentagonal, circular, rectilinear, parabolic, hexagonal, other polygonal, irregular circular, or any other desired shape. In some cases, the body  102  is an ergonomic shape. 
     In various examples, the first end  104  is a dispensing end of the housing  100  that includes a dispensing aperture  110 . As described in detail below, during use of the dispenser  10 , the flowable composition may flow into or out of the chamber  108  through the dispensing aperture  110 . 
     In various examples, the first end  104  of the housing  100  also includes an applicator locking interface  112  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 18-20 ). In some examples, the locking interface  112  has a male Luer-style surface (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 28-31 ) or a female Luer-style surface (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 19-20 ). In these examples, and as described below, the applicator  900  may include a locking interface  906  that is complimentary to the locking interface  112  of the housing  100 . In various cases, the locking interface  112  may also optionally include anti-rotation ribs  122 . In these examples, the anti-rotation ribs  122  may provide an interface that resists casual rotation of the applicator  900  while the dispenser  10  is being used. In some cases where the locking interface  112  includes the anti-rotation ribs  122 , the applicator  900  may optionally include complimentary anti-rotation grooves (not shown) that are configured to engage with the anti-rotation ribs  122 . In various examples, the anti-rotation ribs  122  may be provided on the applicator  900  and the first end  104  may include the complimentary anti-rotation grooves. 
     In some examples, the first end  104  may also include threading  118  that is configured to engage with threading  806  of the cap  800 . In various cases, the first end  104  may optionally comprise ribs  120  that are configured to engage with grooves  808  of the cap  800  to provide a stopping interface and align a shape of the cap  800  with a shape of the housing  100 . In other examples, the grooves may be provided on the first end  104  and the ribs  120  may be provided on the cap  800 . 
     In various examples (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 1 and 21 ), the housing  100  may optionally include mounting slots  114  that are configured to engage the base support  500  in a snap-fit configuration. In some cases, the mounting slots  114  are provided proximate to the second end  106  of the housing  100 , although they need not be. It will be appreciated that the disclosure of mounting slots  114  should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure as in various other examples, various other suitable mounting mechanisms may be utilized to assemble the base support  500  with the housing  100 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 5, and 6 , the plunger  200  includes a body  202  having a first end  204  and a second end  206 . The shape of the plunger  200  is selected such that the body  102  of the housing  100  and the plunger  200  may form a fluid tight seal within the chamber  108  and engage with each other in a way that prevents the plunger  200  from freely rotating within the chamber  108  as the plunger  200  is moved axially along the chamber  108 , as described in detail below. For example and without limitation, in some examples, the chamber  108  and the plunger  200  may have any suitable interlocking shapes such as oval, elliptical, triangular, rectilinear, parabolic, hexagonal, other polygonal, irregular circular, or any other interlocking shapes. As one non-limiting example,  FIG. 6  illustrates the plunger  200  having one cross-sectional profile shape, and  FIG. 7  illustrates a plunger  200  having another cross-sectional profile shape. 
     The plunger  200  is shaped to snugly fit within the chamber  108  without freely rotating within the chamber  108 . In certain embodiments, the chamber  108  may have some variation in size from top to bottom, with the second end typically being slightly smaller in cross-sectional area than the first end. Also, there may be some variation in sizes among chambers  108  and plungers  200 . Therefore, the plunger  200  is configured with a flexible design that provides a fluid tight seal along the entire length of the chamber  108  and between variations among housing  100  sizes. In these embodiments, the plungers  200  may be formed to have a greater degree of flexibility that allows the plunger  200  to bend or compress as needed to form a fluid tight seal inside smaller cross-section areas, and to flex or expand as needed to form a fluid tight seal inside larger cross-section areas. 
     In certain embodiments, the plunger  200  includes a sealing member  214  that includes a flexible design configured to flexibly bend, compress, flex, and/or expand as needed to allow the plunger  200  to maintain a fluid tight seal within the chamber  108 . In the present example, the plunger  200  includes two sealing members  214 , although it will be appreciated that any desired number of sealing members  214 , including zero sealing members  214 , may be used. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , in various cases, the first end  204  of the plunger  200  may optionally include a crown  216 . The crown  216  may be provided to reduce the volume of residual flowable composition within the chamber  108  after use of the dispenser  10 . In some examples, the crown  216  may partially extend into the dispensing aperture  110  before the chamber  108  is filled with the flowable composition, at various positions or dosages while or after the flowable composition is being dispensed, or both. In some cases, the crown  216  may be provided to provide resistance to fold-over of the plunger  200  during filling of the chamber  108  with the flowable composition. In other cases, the first end  204  of the plunger  200  may be flat, arcuate, angled, or have various other suitable shapes as desired. 
     In some examples, the first end  204  of the plunger  200  may also include ribs  218 . The ribs  218  may provide air passages between adjacent ribs  218  which may allow for pressure to build up across the first end  204  and reduce the initial force needed to start filling the chamber  108  with the flowable composition. 
     In various cases, second end  206  of the plunger  200  defines a cavity  208  having a cavity sidewall  210  and a cavity end wall  212 . The cavity  208  is dimensioned and configured to engage a plunger driver  314  of the traveler  300  such that the plunger  200  is movably positioned within the chamber  108  through the traveler  300 . In various cases, a skirt of the plunger  200 , or the portion of the body that extends from the cavity end wall  212  to the second end  206 , is provided to reduce fold-over or rotation of the plunger  200  during filling or dispensing of the flowable composition. In various examples, the plunger  200  is configured to be positioned within the chamber  108  such that the first end  204  of the plunger  200  faces the first end  104  of the housing  100  and the second end  206  faces the second end  106  of the housing  100 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the traveler  300  includes a body  302  having a first end  304  and a second end  306 . In various aspects, the body  302  defines a chamber  308  that extends from the first end  304  to the second end  306 . The chamber  308  is shaped and dimensioned to accommodate the drive screw  400 , as described in detail below. In some aspects, the chamber  308  includes threading  310  that are configured to threadably engage the drive screw  400 . In various cases, at least a portion of the chamber  308 , such as a portion of the chamber  308  proximate to the second end  306 , includes the threading  310 . In other cases, the threading  310  may be provided throughout the chamber  308  from the first end  304  to the second end  306 . 
     In various examples, the traveler  300  includes collars  312  at various positions on the body  302 . The collars  312  have a shape that is complimentary to the shape of the chamber  108  of the housing  100  such that rotation of the traveler  300  is resisted as the drive screw  400  moves the traveler  300  axially along the drive screw  400  within the chamber  108 . The number of collars  312 , the shape of the collars  312 , or the location of the collars  312  on the body  302  should not be considered limiting on the present disclosure. In the present example, the traveler  300  includes two collars  312 A and  312 B. In this example, the collar  312 B is proximate to the second end  306  of the body  302  and the collar  312 A is proximate to the first end  304 . 
     In some cases, the traveler  300  includes a plunger driver  314  extending from proximate the first end  304 . The plunger driver  314  is shaped and dimensioned such that the plunger driver  314  may engage the plunger  200  within the plunger cavity  208  to movably position the plunger  200  within the chamber  108 . In various cases, an end  316  of the plunger driver  314  is configured to engage the plunger  200 . Thus, the plunger driver  314  may have a cross-sectional profile shape that is complimentary to the shape of the plunger cavity  208 . In various cases, the plunger driver  314  may optionally define a plunger drive chamber  318  that is in fluid communication with the chamber  308 . In such cases, the end  316  of the plunger driver  314  may define an opening  320 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . However, in other examples, the end  316  may be solid. In various other cases, the entire plunger driver  314  may be solid (i.e. the plunger driver  314  does not define a plunger drive chamber  318 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the drive screw  400  includes a body  402  having a first end  404 , a second end  406 , and a support collar  410  between the first end  404  and the second end  406 . In various cases, the body  402  includes threading  408  between the first end  404  and the support collar  410  that are configured to threadably engage the threading  310  of the traveler  300  such that rotation of the drive screw  400  axially moves the traveler  300  along the body  402 . In various cases, at least a portion of the body  402  between support collar  410  and the second end  406  is a key  412  having a key profile that is configured to engage the base  700  such that rotation of the base  700  rotates the drive screw  400 , as described in detail below. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8-10 , the base support  500  includes a body  502  having a first end  504  and a second end  506 . In various cases, the body  502  defines a central opening  508  extending through the body  502  from the first end  504  to the second end  506  that is dimensioned to accommodate the drive screw  400 . In some cases, the body  502  has a mounting portion  510  proximate to the first end  504  and a supporting portion  512  proximate to the second end  506 . In various examples, the base support  500  optionally defines an attachment groove  514  between the mounting portion  510  and the supporting portion  512  that is configured to engage the base  700  such that the base  700  is rotatably supported on the base support  500 , as described in detail below. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 8-10 , in some cases, the mounting portion  510  and the supporting portion  512  may have different cross-sectional profile shapes. In other cases, the mounting portion  510  and the supporting portion  512  may have similar cross-sectional profile shapes. In the present example, the mounting portion  510  has a profile shape that is complimentary to the shape of the chamber  108  such that the mounting portion  510  may be inserted into the chamber  108  to couple the base support  500  with the housing  100 . Optionally, in this example, the mounting portion  510  may include engagement projection  524  which are configured to engage the mounting slots  114  of the housing  100  in a snap-fit engagement. This engagement may also resist rotation of the base support  500  during use. It will be appreciated that in various other examples, various other suitable attachment mechanisms for engaging the base support  500  with the housing  100  may be used, such as screws, pins, bolts, clips, clasps, etc. 
     The mounting portion  510  defines a mounting portion cavity  516  that is dimensioned and configured to accommodate the support collar  410  of the drive screw  400 . In some cases, mounting projections  518  are provided within the mounting portion cavity  516  to retain the drive screw  400  axially relative to the base support  500  while allowing for rotation of the drive screw  400  relative to the base support  500 . In some cases, the mounting projections  518  provide a snap-fit engagement with the support collar  410  of the drive screw  400 . In various other examples, other suitable mechanisms for retaining the drive screw  400  relative to the base support  500  while allowing for rotation of the drive screw  400  relative to the base support  500  may be used. 
     The supporting portion  512  defines a supporting portion cavity  520  that is dimensioned and configured to accommodate the cam  600 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 8-10 and 12 , the supporting portion  512  defines notches or slots  522  that are configured to engage arms  606  of the cam  600 , as described in detail below. The number of shape of the slots  522  should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure. The slots  522  define one or more home or “click” positions that are provided at predetermined intervals on the supporting portion  512 . The intervals of the slots  522  may correspond with a predefined amount of flowable composition is dispensed from the dispenser  10  upon rotation of the drive screw  400  between successive home positions, as described in detail below. In some cases, the slots  522  may be omitted and a sidewall of the supporting portion  512  may define projections and recesses that are configured to engage with the cam  600  in a similar manner (see  FIGS. 46-51 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , the cam  600  includes a body  602  that defines a keyhole  604 . The keyhole  604  has a shape that is complimentary to the key  412  of the drive screw  400  such that the key  412  is insertable through the keyhole  604 , and rotation of the drive screw  400  rotates the cam  600 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the cam  600  includes at least one arm  606 . In the present example, the cam  600  includes three arms  606 . Some or all of the arms  606  may have the same engagement end  608 , or each arm  606  may have a different engagement end  608 , depending on the purpose of each arm  606 . In various cases, the cam  600  may include the same number of arms  606  as the number of slots  522  of the base support  500 . 
     In various cases, at least one engagement end  608  includes a projection  610  and a trailing edge  612 . In some cases, the trailing edge  612  is configured to engage the supporting portion  512  when the projection  610  is within one of the slots  522  to prevent rotation of the cam  600  in the direction of the trailing edge  612 . The trailing edge  612  may have various suitable profiles and geometries that provide an interface that resists rotation of the cam  600  in the direction of the trailing edge  612  when the projections  610  are within the slots  522 . In some cases, the trailing edge  612  may have a profile that engages the supporting portion  512  such that the arms  606  of the cam  600  will break before allowing back rotation. 
     In some cases, at least one projection  610  also has a clicking profile  614 . In various examples with multiple arms  606 , one, some, or all of the projections  610  may have the clicking profile  614 . The clicking profile  614  is configured to sufficiently radially bend the engagement end  608  so as to emit an audible “click” when the engagement end  608  returns to an unbent stage after travelling over the supporting portion  512  and engages one of the slots  522 . Thus, in certain embodiments, the interaction between at least one of the projections  610  with the clicking profile  614  and at least one of the slots  522  may provide the audible “click” response, while the interaction between at least one of the projections  610  without the clicking profile  614  merely provide the anti-reverse rotation feature. 
     The interaction between at least one of the projections  610  with the clicking profile  614  and at least one of the slots  522  may also provide tactile feedback. In other embodiments, the interaction between at least one of the projections  610  without the clicking profile  614  (or with an additional clicking profile  614 ) may provide a back-up audible “click” to the audible “click” that is also emitted by the interaction between at least one of the projections  610  with the clicking profile  614  and at least one of the slots  522 . As described in detail below, the auditory and/or tactile feedback from the interaction between at least one of the projections  610  with the clicking profile  614  and at least one of the slots  522  may alert the user that a predetermined amount of the flowable composition was dispensed. 
     The base  700  includes a body  702  having a first end  704  and a second end  706 . The base  700  may have a profile shape that is similar to the profile shape of the base support  500  and/or the housing  100 , although it need not. In various other cases, the base  700  may have any desired profile shape. The base  700  defines a keyhole  708  that is dimensioned to accommodate and receive the key  412  of the drive screw  400 . The base  700  defines a base cavity  710  that is configured to accommodate the cam  600  and the supporting portion  512 . In some aspects, the base  700  includes projections  712  which are configured to engage the attachment groove  514  such that the base  700  is retained on the base support  500  while being rotatable relative to the base support  500 . In various other examples, various other mounting mechanisms may be utilized. 
     When assembled on the base support  500 , the base  700  retains the cam  600  on the drive screw  400  between the base support  500  and the base  700 . In some cases, the base  700  may provide visual feedback to the user to indicate when at least one of the projections  610  with the clicking profile  614  is engaged with at least one of the slots  522 . For example, in some cases where the base  700  has a profile shape that is similar to the profile shape of the base support  500  and/or the housing  100 , the base  700  may provide visual feedback that the at least one projection  610  is not engaged with the slot  522  when the profile of the base  700  is misaligned with the profile of the base support  500  and/or the housing  100 . In a similar manner, the base  700  may provide visual feedback that the at least one projection  610  is engaged within the slot  522  when the profile of the base  700  is aligned with the profile of the base support  500  and/or the housing  100 . Various other visual feedback may be provided by the base  700  when compared to the base support  500  and/or the housing  100 . 
       FIGS. 13-18  illustrate another non-limiting example of steps for assembling the dispenser  10 . In  FIG. 13 , the drive screw  400  is inserted through the central opening  508  of the base support  500  and the support collar  410  of the drive screw  400  is snap-fit into the mounting portion cavity  516  of the base support  500 . The keyhole  604  of the cam  600  is aligned with the key  412  of the drive screw  400  and the cam  600  is slid onto the drive screw  400 . 
     In  FIG. 14 , the base  700  is rotatably mounted on the base support  500  such that the cam  600  is captured on the drive screw  400  between the base  700  and the base support  500 . In  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the traveler  300  is threaded onto the drive screw  400  and run along the drive screw  400  such that the second end  306  of the traveler  300  is relatively close to the support collar  410  of the drive screw  400 . In some cases, the second end  306  may abut the support collar  410 , although it need not. 
     In  FIG. 17 , the plunger  200  is inserted into the chamber  108  of the housing  100  such that the first end  204  of the plunger  200  faces the first end  104  of the housing  100  and the second end  206  of the plunger  200  faces the second end  106  of the housing  100 . In some cases, the plunger  200  is inserted such that the first end  204  abuts the first end  104  of the housing  100  within the chamber  108 . In various examples where the plunger  200  includes the crown  216 , a portion of the crown  216  may be inserted into the dispensing aperture  110  of the housing  100 . The base support  500 , which indirectly supports the traveler  300 , the drive screw  400 , the cam  600 , and the base  700 , is coupled to the housing  100 . In the present embodiment, the base support  500  is coupled to the housing  100  by inserting the mounting portion  510  of the base support  500  within the chamber  108  and snap-fitting the engagement projections  524  of the mounting portion  510  with the mounting slots  114  of the housing  100 . As described in detail below, various other mounting mechanisms and configurations may be used to mount the base support  500 , traveler  300 , drive screw  400 , cam  600 , and base  700  to the housing  100 . 
     In  FIG. 18 , the desired applicator  900  is attached to the first end  104  of the housing  100 . In addition, the cap  800  is removably attached to the housing  100  at the first end  104 . 
     The cap  800  includes a body  802  that defines a cavity  804 . In various aspects, at least a portion of the cavity  804  includes threading  806  that is configured to engage the threading  118  of the housing  100 . As described previously, in some cases, the cap  800  includes grooves  808  that are configured to engage the ribs  120  to provide a stopping interface and align a shape of the cap  800  with a shape of the housing  100 . In other examples, the grooves may be provided on the first end  104  and the ribs  120  may be provided on the cap  800 . 
     The applicator  900  includes a body  902  having an applicator surface  904  and a housing locking interface  906 . A dispensing channel  908  is defined through the body  902 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 25-27 , the applicator surface  904  may have various profiles depending on an intended use of the dispenser  10 . For example and without limitation, the applicator surface  904  may have an angled profile (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 25 and 27 ), arcuate profile (see, e.g.,  FIG. 26 ), ribbed profile, flat profile, or various other suitable profiles as desired. 
     The housing locking interface  906  is complimentary to the applicator locking interface  112 . For example, in some cases, the locking interface  906  may be a male Luer-style interface or a female Luer-style interface. In some cases, the locking interface  906  (or the locking interface  112 ) may be tamper-proof such that a user may not remove the applicator  900  after a doctor or other person initially fills the dispenser with the flowable composition and attaches the applicator  900  to the housing  100 . When assembled, the dispensing channel  908  is in fluid communication with the chamber  108  and dispensing aperture  110  of the housing  100 . 
       FIGS. 19 and 20  illustrate the applicator locking interface  112  and the applicator locking interface  112  engaged with the housing locking interface  906 .  FIG. 21  illustrates the dispenser  10  fully assembled and with the cap  800  attached. 
       FIGS. 22-24  illustrate steps for dispensing a flowable composition  1000  using the dispenser  10 . In various cases, before distribution to a patient, the chamber  108  of the housing  100  is filled with the flowable composition  1000  by injecting the flowable composition through the dispensing aperture  110  and into the chamber  108  between the plunger  200  and the first end  104  of the housing  100 . In various cases, when the flowable composition  1000  is injected into the chamber  108 , only the flowable composition  1000  is between the plunger  200  and the first end  104  of the housing  100 . As illustrated in  FIG. 22 , in some cases, the flowable composition  1000  may initially cause the plunger  200  to “float” within the chamber  108  between the traveler  300  and the first end  104  of the housing  100 . In some examples, the floating plunger  200  may reduce or limit the formation of air bubbles within the flowable composition as additional components that may cause bubble formation are reduced or eliminated within the chamber  108  between the plunger  200  and the first end  104 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 23 , after the base  700  has been sufficiently rotated, which in turn rotates the drive screw  400  and axially moves the traveler  300 , the traveler  300  engages the plunger  200 . In various cases, the plunger driver  314  engages the plunger  200  within the plunger cavity  208 . In some examples, the end  316  of the plunger driver  314  engages the cavity end wall  212  of the plunger  200 . In  FIG. 24 , the applicator  900  is attached to the first end  104  of the housing  100 . 
       FIGS. 25-27  illustrate various non-limiting examples of applicators  900  having the applicator surface  904  with various profiles. 
       FIGS. 28-31  illustrate an example of the dispenser  10  where the locking interface  112  of the housing  100  is a male Luer-style surface and the locking interface  906  of the applicator  900  is a female Luer-style surface. As illustrated in  FIG. 30 , in some cases, the housing  100  includes ribs  128 . The ribs  128  may provide a stopping interface with the locking interface  906 , somewhat similar to the ribs  120 . As illustrated in these figures, in some cases, the locking interface  112  may extend a certain distance above the threads  118 , which may help reduce the amount of flowable composition that may get caught in the threads  118  during use. 
       FIGS. 32 and 33  illustrate an example of a dispenser  20  that is substantially similar to the dispenser  10  except that the first end  204  of the plunger  200  is flat and does not include the crown  216 . 
       FIGS. 34 and 35  illustrate another example of a dispenser  30  that is substantially similar to the dispenser  10  except that the housing  100  of the dispenser  30  optionally includes a locking tab  116  at the second end  106  that is movable between an unlocked position ( FIG. 34 ) and a locked position ( FIG. 35 ). In various examples, the locking tab  116  may be manually movable relative to the housing  100  or mechanically movable relative to the housing  100 , such as through springs, biasing members, etc. In these examples, the locking tab  116  is configured to engage a corresponding locking groove  714  on the base  700 . In some cases, the locking tab  116  engages the locking groove  714  automatically after a single turn of the base  700 , as described in detail below. In other examples, the locking tab  116  may engage the locking groove  714  as desired by the user. The locking tab  116  engaged with the locking groove  714  may prevent inadvertent rotation of the base  700 . The locking tab  116  may also be provided for child-resistant operation of the dispenser  10 . 
       FIGS. 36 and 37  illustrate an example of a dispenser  40  that is substantially similar to the dispenser  10  except that the traveler  300  and base support  500  are modified. In this example, the base support  500  includes two halves  526 A-AB that are coupled to each other through snap-fitting or various other suitable attachment mechanisms. Each half  526 A-B includes a locking groove  528  that is configured to retain the support collar  410  of the drive screw  400  when the halves  526 A-B are assembled. The mounting portion  510  of each half includes a guide  530 . The guides  530  are configured to engage projections  322  provided along the body  302  of the traveler  300  to prevent rotation of the traveler  300  as the traveler  300  is axially positioned along the drive screw  400 . In this example, the cross-sectional shape of the assembled base support  500  is different that the cross sectional shape of the housing  100 . Optionally, the base support  500  and housing  100  of the dispenser  40  have a circular shape, although they need not. 
     In addition, in this example, the base support  500  is coupled to the housing  100  in a snap-fit configuration such that a portion of the base support  500  overlaps a portion of the housing  100 . For example, the second end  106  of the housing  100  is within the mounting portion cavity  516  of the base support  500 . In various cases, the base  700  includes a base projection  716  that is insertable into the supporting portion cavity  520  of the base support such that the base  700  is rotatably supported by the base support  500 . 
       FIGS. 38 and 39  illustrate an example of a dispenser  50  that is substantially similar to the dispenser  40  except that the drive screw  400  includes an intermediate drive screw  414 . As illustrated, in this example, the intermediate drive screw  414  includes a body  416  having a first end  418  and a second end  420 . The body  416  defines a central channel  422  that extends from the first end  418  to the second end  420 . Threads  424  are provided along the central channel  422  and are configured to engage with the threading  408  of the drive screw  400 . As illustrated in  FIG. 39 , in some cases, the threads  408  of the drive screw  400  may only be provided along a portion of the body  402 . Threads  426  are provided along the outer surface of the body  416  and are configured to engage with the threads  310  of the traveler  300 . In some cases, a first stopper  428  may be provided on the outer surface proximate to the first end  418  to prevent disengagement of the traveler  300  from the intermediate drive screw  414 . In a similar manner, a second stopper  430  may be provided within the central channel  422  proximate to the second end  420  to prevent disengagement of the intermediate drive screw  414  from the drive screw  400 . In various examples, this screw within a screw arrangement of the traveler  300 , intermediate drive screw  414 , and drive screw  400  may be used to reduce an overall length of the dispenser  50 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 38 and 39 , the traveler  300  also includes a traveler cover  324 . The traveler cover  324  includes at least one slot  326  that may be used as a guide for projections  328  of the traveler  300 . The traveler cover  324  may also include projections  330  that are configured to engage with the housing  100  or the base support  500  to reduce or restrict rotation of the traveler  300  and traveler cover  324  during use. 
       FIGS. 40 and 41  illustrate an example of a dispenser  60  that is substantially similar to the dispenser  40  except that the halves  526 A-B define the attachment groove  514 . Similar to the dispenser  10 , in this example, the base  700  attaches to the base support  500  by engaging the attachment groove  514  such that at least a portion of the base support  500  is within the base cavity  710 . In this example, the dispenser  60  may function as a syringe when the halves  526 A-B are omitted. 
       FIGS. 42 and 43  illustrate an example of a dispenser  70  that is similar to the dispenser  60  except that the base support  500  is a unitary piece rather than having the two halves  526 A-B that are detachably connected. 
       FIG. 44  illustrates another example of a dispenser  80  in which the traveler  300  and plunger  200  are integrally formed as a single component  201 . The housing  100 , base support  500  and/or base  700  may be similar to that of any of the dispensers described previously. 
       FIGS. 45-49  illustrate an example of a dispenser  90  that is substantially similar to the dispenser  10  except that the locking interface  112  of the housing  100  is a female Luer-style surface and the locking interface  906  of the applicator  900  is a male Luer-style surface. In some examples, the female Luer-style locking interface  112  may allow for direct attachment of the dispenser  90  to various Luer-lock syringes on the market for filling without an adapter. 
     In various examples, as illustrated in  FIGS. 45 and 47-49 , the housing locking interface  906  includes an engagement collar  918  that is configured to snap-fit onto the housing  100  within the chamber  108  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 47 ). The snap-fit engagement between the applicator  900  and the housing  100  through the engagement collar  918  may provide a more consistent and/or tight gap between the housing  100  and the applicator  900 . In some examples, the snap-fit engagement through the engagement collar  918  may limit or prevent removal of the applicator  900  from the housing  100 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 47 , in some examples where the applicator  900  includes the engagement collar  918 , the crown  216  of the plunger  200  optionally includes an applicator recess  220  that is dimensioned to accommodate the engagement collar  918  when the plunger  200  abuts the first end  104  of the housing  100  within the chamber  108 . In these examples, the crown  216  may or may not be insertable within the dispensing channel  908 . In other examples, the applicator recess  220  is omitted from the plunger  200 . The size and shape of the applicator recess  220  should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure. 
       FIGS. 50 and 51  illustrate an example of a dispenser  1100  that is substantially similar to the dispenser  10  except that the locking interface  112  of the housing  100  is a female Luer-style surface that further includes internal cored sections  1102  and external cored sections  1104 . In certain examples, the cored sections  1102  and  1104  may reduce thick sections of the housing  100  that may otherwise be present, and therefore reduce the weight of the dispenser  1100 . In certain cases, the cored sections  1102  and  1104  alternate around a perimeter of the dispensing aperture  110 , although they need not. As illustrated in  FIGS. 50 and 51 , in various examples, the internal cored sections  1102  are offset from the external cored sections  1104 , which may allow for thickness reduction of the housing  100  while maintaining the chamber  108 . 
       FIGS. 52-59  illustrate an example of a dispenser  1200  that is substantially similar to the dispenser  10  except that the crown  216  of the plunger  200  is modified and the housing  100  defines an intermediate chamber  124  between the chamber  108  and the dispensing aperture  110 . In certain examples, as illustrated in  FIG. 54 , the crown  216  may partially extend into the dispensing aperture  110  and/or the intermediate chamber  124  before the chamber  108  is filled with the flowable composition, at various positions or dosages while or after the flowable composition is being dispensed, or both. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 54 , in some examples, the crown  216  optionally may engage a refilling device  1202  (e.g., a filling syringe) during filling of the dispenser  1200  with the flowable composition, although it need not. Optionally, air gaps  1204  are defined in the intermediate chamber  124  when the plunger  200  is in the intermediate chamber  124 . In other examples, the air gaps  1204  may be omitted. 
     In various examples, as illustrated in  FIG. 55 , the housing  100  also includes a locking tab  126  or other similar mechanism in or proximate to the dispensing aperture  110 . As illustrated in  FIG. 55 , the locking tab  126  may facilitate engagement and securing the applicator  900  on the housing  100  (and optionally within the dispensing aperture  110 . 
       FIGS. 56-59  illustrate a non-limiting example of steps for assembly the dispenser  1200 . In some examples, in a first step, the traveler  300  is run all the way up the drive screw  400  (see  FIG. 56 ). Optionally, the traveler  300  is run up the drive screw  400  such that the traveler abuts the support collar  410 . In various examples, in a second step, the base support  500 , cam  600 , and base  700  are assembled and secured onto the drive screw  400  (see  FIG. 57 ). Optionally, in a third step the plunger  200  is positioned within the chamber  108  of the housing  100 . In some examples, the plunger  200  is inserted such that the plunger is at least partially positioned within the intermediate chamber  124  (see  FIG. 58 ). After the plunger  200  is positioned within the chamber  108 , the assembled traveler  300 , drive screw  400 , base support  500 , cam  600 , and base  700  are assembled with the housing  100  such that the traveler  300  is movable within the chamber  108  (see  FIG. 59 ). 
     In general, once the dispenser  10  (or any of the dispensers  20 ,  30 ,  40 ,  50 ,  60 ,  70 ,  80 ,  90 ,  1100 , or  1200 ) is assembled but prior to coupling of the applicator  900 , the chamber  108  is filled with the appropriate measured amount of flowable composition. The base  700  is turned so that the drive screw  400  turns and advances the plunger  200  and flowable composition toward the first end  104  of the housing  100 . The applicator  900  is then snapped onto the first end  104  of housing  100 . The base  700  is turned and the plunger  200  is advanced until there is essentially no air inside the chamber  108  between the flowable composition and the applicator  900 . The cap  800  is placed on the applicator  900  and the dispenser  10  is ready for use. 
     The user removes the cap  800  and turns the base  700  the appropriate amount of clicks (typically as directed on the instructions given to the user by the dispensing physician or pharmacy). As the base  700  is turned, the arms  606  of the cam  600  flex and move over the cam  600  as described above, and/or at least projection  610  moves toward at least one of the slots  522 . As the projection  610  passes over and into the slot  522 , at least one audible “click” is heard when the base  700  reaches a home or “click” position. Also, the user may sense a vibration when the base  700  reaches a home or “click” position. 
     With each click, a predetermined amount of flowable composition  1000  is forced by the rising plunger  200  to be dispensed through the applicator  900 . In the embodiments where the flowable composition  1000  is an emulsion, cream, or other semi-solid composition, the dispensed flowable composition  1000  may form a bead or pool over the central area of the applicator surface  904  of the applicator  900 . The user applies the flowable composition  1000  to the skin by rubbing the applicator  900  on the skin. The flowable composition  1000  at least partially spreads out over the applicator surface  904  and is rubbed into the skin. 
     The tactile and audible click heard as the base  700  is rotated provides feedback as to how much flowable composition  1000  is dispensed. For example, the prescription might be for 1 cc of flowable composition  1000  per dose to be applied to the skin. If each click is 0.25 cc, for example, then the prescription might instruct the user to turn the base  700  to hear four clicks so as to dispense 1 cc of flowable composition  1000 . The design of the present invention substantially prevents reverse rotation of the base  700  with respect to the housing  100  so that flowable composition  1000  is not inadvertently sucked back into the dispenser  10 , which may reduce the effective dosage dispensed and may contaminate the flowable composition  1000  in the chamber  108 . The click also provides positive feedback when the right amount of flowable composition  1000  has been dispensed per turn. In various cases, the amount of flowable composition  1000  dispensed per click may be adjusted or varied by changing the distance or amount of rotation of the base  700  between clicks. In some cases, changing the amount of rotation of the base  700  between clicks may include changing the size, number, or shape of the slots  522  of the base support  500 , changing the threads  408  on the drive screw  400 , and/or changing the size, number, or shape of the arms  606  of the cam  600 , among others. 
     In certain embodiments, the dispenser  10  of the present invention may optionally include a vibration mechanism whereby the dispenser  10  and, in particular, the applicator  900  area vibrates when activated so as to improve transfer of the flowable composition  1000  to the skin. The vibration mechanism may be one of several possible mechanisms known to those skilled in the art. 
     The dispenser of the present invention may also include an indicator mechanism either to show the approximate number of remaining doses or to show when the chamber  108  is near empty, both so that the user can have advance awareness that a refill may be needed. 
     In certain embodiments, the indicator may be a visual indicator, such as ruler with a set of marks along the side of the housing  100 , with each mark being correlated to a particular quantity of flowable composition  1000  remaining in the dispenser  10 . In these embodiments, the housing  100 , or at least a portion thereof (such as an elongated window extending from near the first end  104  to near the second end  106 ) may be clear or translucent. As one non-limiting example,  FIG. 18  illustrates the dispenser with a visual indicator  101  wherein the visual indicator  101  includes at least one mark. In certain examples, the visual indicator  101  may provide a visual indication for home or “click” positions. In other examples, the visual indicator  101  may be through a shape of components, such as the shape of the base  700  and the shape of the body  102 . In one non-limiting example, the dispenser  10  provides a visual indication of the home or “click” positions when the shape or outline of the base  700  aligns with the shape or outline of the body  102  as the base  700  is rotated relative to the body  102 . For example, both the body  102  and the base  700  may be triangular shaped, and a home or “click” position is visually indicated when the corners of the base  700  align with the corners of the body  102 . Various other visual indicators may be provided for providing visual indication of the home or “click positions,” including, but not limited to, aligning components, marks, dots, stripes, colors, etc. 
     In that various components may be reused in different capacities. For example, in one aspect, the volume is modular so that different housings  100  having chambers  108  with different volumes may be interchanged while using the same plunger  200 , base support  500 , cam  600 , base  700 , cap  800 , and applicator  900 . In some cases, the same traveler  300  and drive screw  400  may be used with the different sized housing  100 , or the size of the traveler  300  and drive screw  400  may be adjusted depending on the size of the chamber  108 . 
     A collection of exemplary embodiments, including at least some explicitly enumerated as “ECs” (Example Combinations), providing additional description of a variety of embodiment types in accordance with the concepts described herein are provided below. These examples are not meant to be mutually exclusive, exhaustive, or restrictive; and the invention is not limited to these example embodiments but rather encompasses all possible modifications and variations within the scope of the issued claims and their equivalents. 
     EC 1. A dosing dispenser including: a housing having a first end and a second end, the housing defining a chamber extending from the first end to the second end, the first end of the housing including a dispensing channel in fluid communication with the chamber; a plunger including a first end and a second end, the plunger positionable within the chamber with the first end proximate to the first end of the housing and the second end proximate to the second end of the housing, the second end of the plunger defining a plunger cavity, the plunger defining a filling portion of the chamber between the first end of the housing and the first end of the plunger; and a traveler including a first end and a second end, the traveler positionable within the chamber, the first end including a plunger driver configured to selectively engage the plunger within the plunger cavity and movably position the plunger within the chamber. 
     EC 2. The dosing dispenser of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, further including a base assembly coupled to the second end of the housing, the base assembly including a base and configured to movably position the traveler within the chamber through rotation of the base. 
     EC 3. The dosing dispenser of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the base assembly further includes: a drive screw threadably engaged with the traveler and coupled to the base such that rotation of the base rotates the drive screw and axially moves the traveler within the chamber; a base support rotatably supporting the drive screw and the base, the base support including a mounting portion and a supporting portion, the supporting portion including at least one notch; and a cam mounted on the drive screw and including at least one extension configured to engage the at least one notch as the cam is rotated through the drive screw. 
     EC 4. The dosing dispenser of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the drive screw includes a first end, a second end, and a support collar between the first end and the second end, wherein the drive screw includes external threads between the first end and the support collar configured to threadably engage the traveler, and wherein the base support axially retains the drive screw relative to the base support through engagement of the base support with the support collar of the drive screw. 
     EC 5. The dosing dispenser of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the traveler is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position relative to the plunger; wherein in the disengaged position, the traveler is spaced apart from the plunger, and wherein in the engaged position, the plunger driver of the traveler abuts the plunger within the plunger cavity. 
     EC 6. The dosing dispenser of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the plunger is substantially similar to a cross-sectional shape of the chamber such that the plunger forms a fluid tight seal with the housing within the chamber as the plunger is movably positioned within the chamber. 
     EC 7. The dosing dispenser of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the first end of the plunger includes a crown, and wherein at least a portion of the crown is positionable within the dispensing channel of the housing when a volume of the filling portion of the chamber is at a minimum. 
     EC 8. A dosing dispenser including: a housing having a first end and a second end, the housing defining a chamber extending from the first end to the second end, the first end of the housing including a dispensing channel in fluid communication with the chamber; a plunger including a first end and a second end, the plunger positionable within the chamber with the first end proximate to the first end of the housing and the second end proximate to the second end of the housing, the second end of the plunger defining a plunger cavity, the plunger defining a filling portion of the chamber between the first end of the housing and the first end of the plunger; and a base assembly coupled to the second end of the housing, the base assembly including a base and configured to movably position the plunger within the chamber through rotation of the base. 
     EC 9. The dosing dispenser of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, further including a traveler within the chamber and coupled to the base assembly, wherein the traveler includes a plunger driver configured to selectively engage the plunger within the plunger cavity, and wherein the traveler is configured to axially move within the chamber through rotation of the base of the base assembly. 
     EC 10. The dosing dispenser of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the base assembly further includes a drive screw, wherein the base is coupled to the drive screw such that rotation of the base rotates the drive screw, and wherein the drive screw is threadably engaged with the traveler such that rotation of the drive screw axially moves the traveler. 
     EC 11. The dosing dispenser of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the traveler is movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position relative to the plunger, wherein in the disengaged position, the traveler is spaced apart from the plunger within the chamber, and wherein in the engaged position, the plunger driver abuts the plunger within the plunger cavity. 
     EC 12. The dosing dispenser of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the base assembly further includes: a base support including a mounting portion and a supporting portion, wherein the mounting portion is coupled to the second end of the housing, wherein the supporting portion defines a supporting portion cavity and at least one notch, and wherein the base support rotatably supports the base relative to the housing; and a cam including a body and at least one arm, wherein the cam is retained within the supporting portion cavity and rotatable relative to the base support, and wherein the cam is configured to provide auditory feedback upon engagement of the at least one arm with the at least one notch as the cam is rotated. 
     EC 13. The dosing dispenser of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the mounting portion of the base support is different from a cross-sectional shape of the supporting portion of the base support, and wherein a cross-sectional shape of the housing is substantially similar to a cross-sectional shape of the base. 
     EC 14. The dosing dispenser of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the plunger is substantially similar to a cross-sectional shape of the chamber such that the plunger forms a fluid tight seal with the housing within the chamber as the plunger is movably positioned within the chamber. 
     EC 15. A dosing dispenser including: a housing having a first end and a second end, the housing defining a chamber extending from the first end to the second end, the first end of the housing including a dispensing channel in fluid communication with the chamber; a plunger including a first end and a second end, the plunger positionable within the chamber with the first end proximate to the first end of the housing and the second end proximate to the second end of the housing, the second end of the plunger defining a plunger cavity, the plunger defining a filling portion of the chamber between the first end of the housing and the first end of the plunger; and a traveler including a plunger driver, the traveler configured to movably position the plunger within the chamber, the traveler movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position relative to the plunger, wherein in the disengaged position, the traveler is spaced apart from the plunger within the chamber, and wherein in the engaged position, the plunger driver abuts the plunger within the plunger cavity. 
     EC 16. The dosing dispenser of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein in the engaged position, the traveler and plunger are movable within the chamber between a filled position and a dispensed position, wherein in the filled position, the first end of the plunger is spaced apart from the first end of the housing and volume of the filling portion of the chamber is at a maximum, and wherein in the dispensed position, the first end of the plunger abuts the first end of the housing and the volume of the filling portion of the chamber is at a minimum. 
     EC 17. The dosing dispenser of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the traveler includes a first end and a second end, wherein the plunger driver extends from the first end of the traveler, wherein the traveler includes at least one collar between the first end and the second end that is configured to resist rotation of the traveler as the traveler is movably positioned within the chamber. 
     EC 18. The dosing dispenser of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the traveler defines a traveler chamber extending from the first end to the second end, wherein at least a portion of the traveler chamber includes threading, and wherein the dosing dispenser further includes a drive screw threadably engaged with the threading of the traveler and configured to movably position the traveler within the chamber. 
     EC 19. The dosing dispenser of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, further including a base assembly coupled to the second end of the housing, the base assembly including a base and configured to movably position the traveler within the chamber through rotation of the base, wherein the base assembly further includes: a drive screw threadably engaged with the traveler and coupled to the base such that rotation of the base rotates the drive screw and axially moves the traveler within the chamber; a base support rotatably supporting the drive screw and the base, the base support including a mounting portion and a supporting portion, the supporting portion including at least one notch; a cam mounted on the drive screw and including at least one extension configured to engage the at least one notch as the cam is rotated through the drive screw. 
     EC 20. The dosing dispenser of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the drive screw includes a first end, a second end, and a support collar between the first end and the second end, wherein the drive screw includes external threads between the first end and the support collar configured to threadably engage the traveler, wherein the drive screw includes a key between the support collar and the second end, and wherein the base and cam each define a keyhole dimensioned to accommodate the key. 
     EC 21. A dosing dispenser comprising: a housing defining a chamber; a traveler within the chamber; and a plunger within the chamber, wherein the traveler is movable along an axis between an engaged position and a disengaged position relative to the plunger, and wherein the traveler is spaced apart from the plunger in the disengaged position. 
     EC 22. The dosing dispenser of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the plunger comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the plunger defines a plunger cavity, and wherein the plunger defines a filling portion of the chamber between the first end of the housing and the first end of the plunger. 
     EC 23. The dosing dispenser of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the traveler is configured to abut and selectively position the plunger in the engaged position. 
     EC 24. The dosing dispenser of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the traveler comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises a plunger driver configured to selectively engage the plunger within a plunger cavity of the plunger and movably position the plunger within the chamber. 
     EC 25. The dosing dispenser of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, further comprising a base assembly coupled to the housing, the base assembly comprising a base and configured to movably position the traveler within the chamber through rotation of the base. 
     EC 26. The dosing dispenser of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein in the disengaged position, the traveler is spaced apart from the plunger, and wherein in the engaged position, a plunger driver of the traveler abuts the plunger within a plunger cavity of the plunger. 
     EC 27. The dosing dispenser of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the housing comprises a dispensing channel, wherein the plunger comprises a crown, wherein the plunger defines a filling portion of the chamber between the dispensing channel and the plunger, and wherein at least a portion of the crown is positionable within the dispensing channel of the housing when a volume of the filling portion of the chamber is at a minimum. 
     EC 28. The dosing dispenser of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the housing further comprises an intermediate chamber between the chamber and the dispensing channel, and wherein at least a portion of the crown is positionable within the intermediate chamber when the volume of the filling portion of the chamber is at the minimum. 
     EC 29. A dosing dispenser comprising: a housing defining a chamber; a traveler positionable within the chamber; and a plunger positionable within the chamber, wherein the traveler is independently positionable along an axis relative to the plunger in at least one direction within the chamber. 
     EC 30. The dosing dispenser of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the chamber comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the housing further comprises a dispensing channel in fluid communication with the chamber at the first end, and wherein the at least one direction is away from the first end. 
     EC 31. The dosing dispenser of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the housing further comprises a dispensing channel in fluid communication with the chamber, and wherein the at least one direction is away from the dispensing channel. 
     EC 32. The dosing dispenser of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the traveler is configured to abut and selectively position the plunger in the a direction opposite the at least one direction. 
     EC 33. The dosing dispenser of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, further comprising a base assembly configured to movably position the traveler within the chamber. 
     EC 34. The dosing dispenser of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the base assembly comprises: a base; a drive screw threadably engaged with the traveler and coupled to the base such that rotation of the base rotates the drive screw and axially moves the traveler within the chamber; a base support rotatably supporting the drive screw and the base, the base support comprising a mounting portion and a supporting portion, the supporting portion comprising at least one notch; and a cam mounted on the drive screw and comprising at least one extension configured to engage the at least one notch as the cam is rotated through the drive screw. 
     EC 35. The dosing dispenser of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the plunger is substantially similar to a cross-sectional shape of the chamber such that the plunger forms a fluid tight seal with the housing within the chamber as the plunger is movably positioned within the chamber. 
     EC 36. A method of dispensing a flowable composition with a dosing dispenser, the method comprising: positioning a plunger within a chamber defined by a housing of the dosing dispenser; positioning a traveler within the chamber such that the traveler is spaced apart from the plunger; and loading the flowable composition within the chamber. 
     EC 37. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the housing comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises a dispensing channel in fluid communication with the chamber, wherein positioning the plunger within the chamber comprises abutting the plunger against the first end of the housing within the chamber, and wherein loading the flowable composition comprises loading the flowable composition through the dispensing channel. 
     EC 38. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein the plunger comprises a crown, and wherein positioning the plunger within the chamber comprises positioning at least a portion of the crown within the dispensing channel. 
     EC 39. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein loading the flowable composition comprises loading a predetermined volume of the flowable composition within the chamber between a dispensing end of the housing and a first end of the plunger facing the dispensing end, and wherein the method further comprises: advancing the traveler within the chamber such that the traveler abuts a second end of the plunger opposite the first end after the predetermined volume is loaded; and dispensing the flowable composition from the dispensing end of the housing by advancing the traveler towards the dispensing end. 
     EC 40. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, further comprising: positioning the traveler within the chamber such that the traveler abuts the plunger after the flowable composition is loaded; and advancing the traveler within the chamber such that the traveler movably positions the plunger within the chamber and dispenses the flowable composition from the housing. 
     EC 42. A method of dispensing a flowable composition with a dosing dispenser, the method comprising: positioning a plunger within a chamber defined by a housing of the dosing dispenser; positioning a traveler within the chamber such that the traveler is spaced apart from the plunger; and loading the flowable composition within the chamber, wherein loading the flowable composition within the chamber abuts the flowable composition against the plunger and moves the plunger within the chamber independently from the traveler. 
     EC 43. The method of any of the preceding or subsequent example combinations, wherein loading the flowable composition within the chamber abuts the flowable composition against the plunger such that no air gaps are formed between the plunger and the flowable composition. 
     The above-described aspects are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. In some of the figures, various components are illustrated as transparent (represented by dashed lines) to show additional features of the dosing dispenser. It will be appreciated that in other examples, the components need not be transparent and may be opaque and/or have any other colors or shading. Many variations and modifications can be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims which follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the described invention, nor the claims which follow.