Cap Dispenser Assembly

Abstract

A cap dispenser assembly comprising an outer frame, an inner frame, a dispensing shaft, and an actuator. The actuator may be configured to regulate the flow of contents through the cap dispenser assembly while shielding the dispensing shaft or the contents from a wet or moist environment. The actuator may be configured to reciprocate along a dispensing shaft.

Claims

1. A cap dispenser assembly comprising: an outer frame; an inner frame comprising a dispensing shaft, wherein the dispensing shaft comprises a first surface extending outwardly from a midpoint of the dispensing shaft; an actuator disposed between the outer frame and the inner frame and configured to receive the dispensing shaft; and wherein the inner frame is configured to move between a first position and a second position relative to the outer frame, wherein while the inner frame is in the first position the dispensing shaft forms a seal with the actuator.

2. The cap dispenser assembly of claim 1, wherein in first surface is substantially circular.

3. The cap dispenser assembly of claim 1, wherein while the inner frame is in the second position, the actuator is compressed creating an opening between the actuator and the first surface of the dispensing shaft.

4. The cap dispenser assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner frame further comprises three support ribs.

5. The cap dispenser assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer frame is coupled to the actuator.

6. The cap dispenser assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner frame is coupled to the actuator, and wherein a force applied to the inner frame causes the actuator to move from an uncompressed position to a compressed position.

7. The cap dispenser assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner frame comprises at least one cavity to guide the outer frame relative to the inner frame.

8. The cap dispenser assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer frame comprises at least one guiding fin to guide the outer frame relative to the inner frame.

9. The cap dispenser assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer frame comprises a threaded end.

10. A cap dispenser assembly comprising: a first frame comprising a first end; an actuator coupled to the first frame and disposed above the first end of the first frame; a dispensing shaft extending through the actuator and comprising a first surface outwardly extending from a midpoint of the dispensing shaft; and wherein the actuator is configured to compress between a first uncompressed position and a second compressed position, wherein while actuator is in the first uncompressed position the dispensing shaft forms a seal with the actuator.

11. The cap dispenser assembly of claim 10, wherein while the actuator is in the second compressed position there is an opening between the actuator and the dispensing shaft.

12. The cap dispenser assembly of claim 10, wherein the inner frame further three support ribs.

13. The cap dispenser assembly of claim 10, wherein the first frame comprises at least one cavity to guide the outer frame relative to the inner frame.

14. The cap dispenser assembly of claim 10, wherein a second frame comprises at least one guiding fin to guide the outer frame relative to the inner frame.

15. The cap dispenser assembly of claim 10, wherein a second frame comprises a threaded end

16. The cap dispenser assembly of claim 10, wherein the dispensing shaft is attached to the inner frame.

17. The cap dispenser assembly of claim 10, wherein the outer frame is coupled to the actuator.

18. The cap dispenser assembly of claim 10, wherein the first surface is substantially circular.

19. A cap dispenser assembly comprising: an outer frame; an inner frame comprising a first end and a dispensing shaft where in the dispensing shaft comprises a first surface; an actuator disposed between the outer frame and the inner frame and configured to compress between a first position and a second position; and wherein while in the first position the actuator forms a seal with the first surface of the dispensing shaft and wherein in the second position there is an opening between the actuator and the first surface of the dispensing shaft.

20. The cap dispenser assembly of claim 19, wherein the dispensing shaft is disposed throughout the actuator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Some features are shown by way of example, and not by limitation, in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like numerals reference similar elements.

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an example cap dispenser assembly that may be used to implement one or more illustrative aspects described herein.

[0012] FIG. 2a illustrates a perspective view of the example cap dispenser assembly of FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 2b illustrates a top-down perspective view of the example cap dispenser assembly of FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded perspective view of an example cap dispenser assembly that may be used to implement one or more illustrative aspects described herein.

[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-section view of an example cap dispenser assembly as indicated by the line FIG. 4 in FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom-up perspective view of the example cap dispenser assembly of FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 6a illustrates an exploded perspective view of an example cap dispenser assembly that may be used to implement one or more illustrative aspects described herein and a bottle.

[0018] FIG. 6b illustrates a front view of the example cap dispenser assembly that may be used to implement one or more illustrative aspects described herein and the bottle of FIG. 6a.

[0019] FIG. 7 illustrate a front view of another example of a cap dispenser assembly that may be used to implement one or more illustrative aspects described herein.

[0020] FIG. 8a illustrates a perspective view of the example cap dispenser assembly of FIG. 7.

[0021] FIG. 8b illustrates a top-down perspective view of the example cap dispenser assembly of FIG. 7.

[0022] FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded perspective view of an example cap dispenser assembly that may be used to implement one or more illustrative aspects described herein.

[0023] FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-section view of an example cap dispenser assembly as indicated by the line FIG. 10 in FIG. 7.

[0024] FIG. 11 illustrates a bottom-up perspective view of the example cap dispenser assembly of FIG. 7.

[0025] FIG. 12a illustrates an exploded perspective view of an example cap dispenser assembly that may be used to implement one or more illustrative aspects described herein and a bottle.

[0026] FIG. 12b illustrates a front view of the example cap dispenser assembly that may be used to implement one or more illustrative aspects described herein and the bottle of FIG. 12a.

[0027] FIG. 13a illustrates an additional example embodiment of FIG. 12a.

[0028] FIG. 13b illustrates an additional example embodiment of FIG. 13b.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In the following description of the various examples, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration various examples in which aspects may be practiced. References to embodiment, example, and the like indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) of the invention so described may include particular features, structures, or characteristics, but not every embodiment or example necessarily includes the particular features, structures, or characteristics. Further, it is contemplated that certain embodiments or examples may have some, all, or none of the features described for other examples. And it is to be understood that other embodiments and examples may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0030] Unless otherwise specified, the use of the serial adjectives, such as, first, second, third, and the like that are used to describe components, are used only to indicate different components, which can be similar components. But the use of such serial adjectives is not intended to imply that the components must be provided in given order, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other way.

[0031] Also, while the terms front, back, side, and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, for example, based on the example orientations shown in the figures and/or the orientations in typical use. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three dimensional or spatial orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of the claims.

[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an example cap dispenser assembly 100, 700 (hereinafter referred to as cap assembly) that may be used to implement one or more illustrative aspects described herein. Cap assembly 100, 700 may include outer frame 102, 702 and inner frame 104, 704. Outer frame 102, 702 and inner frame 104, 704 may be constructed from a wide variety of resilient materials, such as any number of thermoplastic polymers, cellulose acetate, etc. Outer frame 102, 702 and inner frame 104, 704 may be constructed according to a variety of geometries (i.e., substantially conical, substantially spherical, substantially cylindrical, etc.). In an example, outer frame 102, 702 and/or inner frame 104, 704 may be constructed with a substantially cylindrical geometry. Outer frame 102, 702 may be outwardly flared towards end 102a, 702a. Inner frame 104, 704 may be outwardly flared towards end 104a, 704a. Outer frame 102, 702 and inner frame 104, 704 may be substantially hollow. Inner frame 104, 704 may have a maximum outside diameter (or maximum width, as the case may be) that may be less than, equal to, or greater than that of outer frame 102, 702. Inner frame 104, 704 may partially nest inside of outer frame 102, 702. End 104a, 704a of inner frame 104, 704 may extend past end 102a, 702a of outer frame 102, 702. Outer frame 102, 702 and inner frame 104, 704 may be coupled or joined by an actuator (discussed in greater detail with respect to FIGS. 2c, 3, and 4 as well as FIGS. 9 and 10). Outer frame 102, 702 and inner frame 104, 704 may be vertically aligned with one another. That is, when outer frame 102, 702 and inner frame 104, 704 are nested, they may each have a center point that may be defined by the same vertical axis.

[0033] Cap assembly 100, 700 may be configured such that inner frame 104, 704 is able to be actuated towards outer frame 102, 702. Actuation of inner frame 104, 704 towards outer frame 102, 702 may expose an opening in a dispensing shaft (discussed in greater detail with respect to FIG. 4, 10) such that the contents of, for example, a bottle removably coupled to cap assembly 100, 700 may travel through the opening in the dispensing shaft and into a user's hands. Cap assembly 100, 700 may be configured to help restrict the flow of the bottle's contents while in a non-actuated state or position. Cap assembly 100, 700 may be configured to allow for a flow of content while in an actuated state or position. Cap assembly 100, 700 may be configured to actuate from a first position (i.e., a fully closed position) to a second position (i.e., a fully open position) through any number of intermediate positions (i.e., 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 75%, or 90% open positions, etc.) which may help regulate the flow of a variety of compositions of content.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 2a and 8a, outer frame 102, 702 may be configured to removably couple to another implement, such as, for example, a bottle (shown and discussed in greater detail with respect to FIGS. 6a and 6b, 12a and 12b). In an example, end 102b, 702b may include an internal threaded portion (or threads) 206, 806. Threads 206, 806 may be configured to engage with complementary threads from another implement, such as, for example, a bottle. End 102b, 702b may include a wide variety of coupling mechanisms and is not limited to threads. For example, end 102b, 702b may include a locking mechanism configured to interface with a corresponding push-tab on a bottle.

[0035] FIG. 2b illustrates a top down perspective view of cap assembly 100. As previously discussed, outer frame 102 may be substantially hollow. Outer frame 102 may define a channel through which contents of a bottle may travel. Outer frame 102 may include a plurality of support ribs 208 that may be integrally molded to outer frame 102. Support ribs 208 may be radially oriented about the center, or midpoint, of outer frame 102. Support ribs 208 may generally extend outwardly from the midpoint of outer frame 102. While there are five (5) support ribs 208 shown in FIG. 2b, it is contemplated that outer frame 102 may include more than five or fewer than five support ribs. Support ribs 208 may extend toward end 102a of outer frame 102 and may gradually taper into shaft 404 and/or fins 403 (discussed with respect to FIG. 4). Support ribs 208 may help prevent collapse of the actuator when a user actuates the cap assembly 100.

[0036] FIG. 8b illustrates a top down perspective view of cap assembly 700. As previously discussed, outer frame 702 may be substantially hollow. Outer frame 702 may define a channel through which contents of a bottle may travel. Outer frame 702 may include a plurality of guiding fins 1102 that may be integrally molded to outer frame 702. While there are two (2) guiding fins shown in FIG. 11, it is contemplated that outer frame 702 may include more than two or fewer than two guiding fins. Guiding fins 1102 may help guide the assembly 700 to actuate from a first position to a second position. Inner frame 704 may include one or more cavities 902 that may be integrally molded into the inner frame 704. The one or more of cavities may receive the guiding fins 1102 and assist in guiding the assembly 700 to actuate from a first position to a second position.

[0037] FIGS. 3 and 9 illustrates an exploded view of cap assembly 100, 700. As discussed above, cap assembly 100, 700 may include outer frame 102, 702, inner frame 104, 704, and actuator 210, 816. Actuator 210, 816 may be constructed from a variety of flexibly resilient materials such as a polymer including, but not limited to, silicone, or rubber. In other words, actuator 210, 816 may deform when subjected to sufficient force and may return to its original shape when the force ceases to be applied. In another example, actuator 210, 816 may be constructed from a rigid material. Actuator may be constructed according to a number of geometries without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In other words, actuator 210, 816 may be geometrically shaped to interface with outer frame 102, 702 and inner frame 104, 704, which themselves may be constructed according to a number of geometries. Actuator 210, 816 may include a spring. Actuator 210, 816 may be constructed primarily from a spring. Actuator 210, 816 may be formed from any number of mechanical structures that are capable of axially reciprocating along shaft 404, 820 (that is, reciprocating about the vertical axis defined by shaft 404, 820). FIG. 9. further illustrates inner frame 704. Inner frame 704 may include a plurality of support ribs 822 that may be integrally molded to inner frame 704. Support ribs 822 may be radially oriented about the center, or midpoint of inner frame 704. It is contemplated that inner frame 704 may include one or more that two or fewer than two support ribs. Support ribs 822 may extend away from end 704a of inner ring 910 of inner frame 704 and may gradually taper into shaft 820 and/or fins 818 (discussed with respect of FIG. 10). Support ribs 822 may help prevent collapse of the actuator when a user actuates the cap assembly 700.

[0038] Outer frame 102, 702 and/or inner frame 104, 704 may be coupled to actuator 210, 816. Actuator 210, 816 may include top appendage 304, 904 which may be configured to couple to outer frame 102, 702. In an example, top appendage 304, 904 may be configured as a ring-line structure or a gasket-like structure. Top appendage 304, 904 may couple with a corresponding channel of outer frame 104, 702 and may securely couple outer frame 102, 702 to actuator 210, 816 (shown in greater detail with respect to FIGS. 4 and 10). Actuator 210, 816 may include bottom appendage 306, 906 which may be configured to couple to inner frame 104, 704. Bottom appendage 306, 906 may be configured as a gasket-like structure. Inner frame 104, 704 may include an opening 302, 910 configured to receive bottom appendage 306, 906. Bottom appendage 306, 906 may include a channel which may interface with the walls of opening 302, 910 of inner frame 104, 704 and may securely couple inner frame 104, 704 to actuator 210, 816 (shown in greater detail with respect to FIGS. 4 and 10). Actuator 210, 816 may be co-molded to outer frame 102, 702 and/or inner frame 104, 704.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 10, which illustrates a vertical cross-section of cap assembly 100, 700, actuator 210, 816 may be removably coupled to outer frame 102, 702 and removably coupled to inner frame 104, 704. Actuator 210, 816 may be integrally formed with outer frame 102, 702 and/or inner frame 104, 704. Channel 402, 1002 may receive top appendage 304, 904 which may removably couple outer frame 102, 702 to actuator 210, 816. In an example channel 402, 1002 may receive top appendage 304, 904 to securely couple outer frame 102, 702 to actuator 210, 816. Bottom appendage 306, 906 may include a channel which may interface with the walls of opening 302, 910 and may removably couple inner frame 104, 704 to actuator 210, 816. In other examples bottom appendage 306, 906 may include a channel which may interface with the walls of opening 302, 910 and may securely couple inner frame 104, 704 to actuator 210, 816.

[0040] Outer frame 102 may include central dispensing shaft member 404 (hereinafter referred to as shaft 404 or dispensing shaft). Shaft 404 may be integrally molded to outer frame 102 and/or support ribs 208. Shaft 404 may be constructed according to a number of geometries. In an example, shaft 404 may be substantially cylindrical. Shaft 404 may gradually widen toward surface 405. Shaft 404 may include a plurality of fins 403 that may be integrally molded to shaft 404 or ribs 208. Fins 403 may extend from support ribs 208 through substantially the entirety of the length of shaft 404 to surface 405. Fins 403 may be configured similarly as support ribs 208 in that they may be radially oriented about the center, or midpoint, of outer frame 102. Fins 403 may be configured with a gradually decreasing width (as measured from the center, or midpoint, of outer frame 102) from support ribs 208 through substantially the entirety of the length of shaft 404. Fins 403 may merge with surface 405 of shaft 404. Fins 403 may define openings, or troughs (not shown), that extend from support ribs 208 through substantially the entirety of the length of shaft 404. The number of troughs may correspond to the number of support ribs 208 and/or fins 403. The troughs may be configured to allow passage of contents from a bottle through an opening between shaft 404 and actuator 210 to, for example, a user's hand(s), based on a force being applied to actuator 210 as discussed herein.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 9, the inner frame 704 may include central dispensing shaft member 820 (hereinafter referred to as shaft 820 or dispensing shaft). Dispensing shaft 820 may be integrally molded to inner frame 704 and/or support ribs 822. Dispensing shaft 820 may be constructed according to a number of geometries. In an example, dispensing shaft 820 may be substantially cylindrical. Dispensing shaft 820 may include a plurality of fins 818 that may be integrally molded to dispensing shaft 820 or support ribs 822. Fins 818 may extend from support ribs 822 through the length of the dispensing shaft 820 to the first surface 814. The first surface 814 may be constructed according to a number of geometries. In an example, the first surface 814 may be substantially circular. Fins 818 may be configured similarly as support ribs 822 in that they may be radially oriented about the center, or midpoint, of inner frame 704. Fins 818 may be configured with equal length or with a gradually decreasing width (as measured from the center, or midpoint, of inner frame 704) from support ribs 822 to the first surface 814. Fins 818 may merge with the first surface 814 of dispensing shaft 820. Fins 818 may define openings, or troughs, that extend from support ribs 822 through substantially the entirety of the length of dispensing shaft 820. The number of troughs may correspond to the number of support ribs 822 and/or fins 818. The troughs may be configured to allow passage of contents from a bottle through an opening between dispensing shaft 820 and actuator 816 to, for example, a user's hand(s), based on a force being applied to actuator 816 as discussed herein. Further, additional fins 810 may be integrally molded to dispensing shaft 820 and/or the first surface 814. Fins 808 may be integrally molded to dispensing shaft 820 and/or the second surface 812. Similar to the first surface 814, the second surface 812 may be constructed according to a number of geometries. In an example, the second surface 812 may be substantially circular. Fins 810 may extend from the dispensing shaft 820 between the first surface 814 and the second surface 812. Fins 808 may extend from the dispensing shaft 820 between the second surface 812 and the tip of the dispensing shaft 822. Fins 808, 810 may be configured similarly as support ribs 822 in that they may be radially oriented about the center, or midpoint, of inner frame 704. Fins 808, 810 may be configured with a gradually decreasing width as measured from the dispensing shaft 820 to the edge of the first surface 814a or the edge of the second surface 812a.

[0042] In FIG. 4, actuator 210 is shown in the non-actuated state or position. In the non-actuated position, actuator 210 and surface 405, of dispensing shaft 404 may act as a seal to prevent the contents from a bottle exiting or leaking through dispensing shaft 404. Specifically, when actuator 210 is in the non-actuated position, bottom appendage 306 may engage with the sidewalls of dispensing shaft 404 near surface 405 of dispensing shaft 404 and may create a seal between dispensing shaft 404 and actuator 210. The seal between dispensing shaft 404 and actuator 210 may help prohibit the inadvertent leaking of contents through cap assembly 100 while the cap assembly 100 and bottle are not in use.

[0043] In FIG. 10, actuator 816 is shown in the non-actuated state or position. In the non-actuated position, actuator 816 and first surface 814 of dispensing shaft 820 may act as a seal to prevent the contents from a bottle exiting or leaking through dispensing shaft 404. Specifically, when actuator 816 is in the non-actuated position top appendage 904 may engage with the first surface 814 and may create a seal between dispensing shaft 820 and actuator 816. The seal between dispensing shaft 820 and actuator 816 may help prohibit the inadvertent leaking of contents through cap assembly 700 while the cap assembly 700 and bottle are not in use.

[0044] Actuator 210, 816 may respond to a force 104f to inner frame 104. A sufficient force 104f, may cause an upward vertical displacement of inner frame 104. As inner frame 104 becomes vertically displaced, actuator 210 becomes deformed and transitions into an actuated state or position. Consequently, the junction (or seal) of bottom appendage 306 and the sidewalls of dispensing shaft 404 near surface 405 begins to break and exposes an opening between dispensing shaft 404 and actuator 210, such as one or more of the troughs of dispensing shaft 404. As the inner frame is vertically displaced (i.e., towards end 102b of outer frame 102) by force 104f, appendage 306 of actuator 210 may retain a diameter defined by dispensing shaft 404 and/or fins 403. The configuration of dispensing shaft 404 and/or fins 403 may help appendage 306 maintain a uniform diameter when translating from a first position (i.e., a closed, or non-actuated position) to a second position (i.e., an open or fully-actuated position) through any number of intermediate positions. Based on a user applying a sufficient force 104f to cause actuation of actuator 210, the contents of a bottle may be dispensed through cap assembly 100 into, for example, a user's hands. The flow of the contents may be aided by the force of gravity.

[0045] Alternatively, actuator 816 may respond to a force 704f to inner frame 704. A sufficient force 704f may cause an upward vertical displacement of inner frame 104, 704. As inner frame 704 becomes vertically displaced, actuator 816 becomes deformed and transitions into an actuated state or position. Consequently, the junction (or seal) of top appendage 904 and the first surface 814 begins to break and exposes an opening between the first surface 814 and actuator 816, such as one or more of the troughs of dispensing shaft 820. As the inner frame is vertically displaced (i.e., towards end 702b of outer frame 702) by force 704f, appendage 904 of actuator 816 may retain a diameter defined by dispensing shaft 820 and/or fins 818. The configuration of dispensing shaft 820 and/or fins 818 may help appendage 904 maintain a uniform diameter when translating from a first position (i.e., a closed, or non-actuated position) to a second position (i.e., an open or fully-actuated position) through any number of intermediate positions. Based on a user applying a sufficient force 704f to cause actuation of actuator 816, the contents of a bottle may be dispensed through cap assembly 700 into, for example, a user's hands. The flow of the contents may be aided by the force of gravity.

[0046] Cap assembly 100 may be configured to help prevent bottom surface 405 of dispensing shaft 404 and/or actuator 210 from contacting a wet or moist surface. The length of dispensing shaft 404 or the total height of inner frame 104, alone or in combination, may be configured to help prevent bottom surface 405 and/or actuator 210 from contacting the surface environment. The resiliency (i.e., resistance to deformity) and specific geometry of actuator 210 may restrict the upward vertical displacement of inner frame 104 to a predetermined distance relative to surface 405 of dispensing shaft 404. At full actuation, i.e., the maximum opening between dispensing shaft 404 and actuator 210, distance 404d between surface 405 and/or actuator 210 and end 104a of inner frame 104 may be less than the total height 104d of inner frame 104. In other words, end 104a of inner frame 104 may be the only point of contact with the surface environment. Surface 405 of dispensing shaft 404 and/or actuator 210 may therefore be appreciably elevated above the surface environment when actuator 210 is at partial or full actuation.

[0047] Cap assembly 700 may be configured to help prevent bottom surface 1006 of dispensing shaft 820 and/or actuator 816 from contacting a wet or moist surface. The cap assembly 700 is configured in such a way that the distance from the bottom surface 1006 to the end of the inner frame 704a remains constant when translating the cap assembly 700 from a first position (i.e., a closed, or non-actuated position) to a second position (i.e., an open or fully-actuated position) through any number of intermediate positions.

[0048] FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom-up perspective view of cap assembly 100. As discussed above, cap assembly 100 may include an outer frame member 102 and an inner frame member 104. Cap assembly 100 may include a dispensing shaft 404 configured to permit the flow of contents through cap assembly 100 when actuator 210 is compressed. Dispensing shaft 404 may include a surface 405 that interfaces with actuator 210, and specifically appendage 306, to restrict the flow of contents when actuator 210 is in a non-actuated state. Inner frame 104 may shield actuator 210, surface 405, and/or dispensing shaft 404 from environmental factors such as moisture or humidity.

[0049] FIG. 11 illustrates a bottom-up perspective view of cap assembly 700. As discussed above, cap assembly 700 may include an outer frame member 702 and an inner frame member 704. Cap assembly 700 may include a dispensing shaft 820 configured to permit the flow of contents through cap assembly 700 when actuator 816 is compressed Dispensing shaft 820 may include a surface 910 that interfaces with actuator 816, and specifically appendage 906, to restrict the flow of contents when actuator 816 is in a non-actuated state. Inner frame 704 may shield actuator 816, surface 910, and/or dispensing shaft 820 from environmental factors such as moisture or humidity.

[0050] FIGS. 6a, 12a illustrates an example cap dispenser and bottle assembly 500, 1200. Cap assembly 100, 700 may be configured to removably couple to a bottle, such as bottle 502, 1202. Bottle 502, 1202 may be constructed according to a number of geometries (i.e., columnar, spherical, cylindrical, pyramidal, conical, etc.). Bottle 502, 1202 may be constructed from a number of materials, including, but not limited to, stainless steel, aluminum, plastic, or any other resilient material. Cap assembly 100, 700 may be configured to removably couple to bottle 502, 1202 according to a number of mechanisms. In an example, bottle 502, 1202 may include a first end, or engaging end, 504, 1204. Engaging end 504, 1204 may include threads 506, 1206 that may correspond to and interface with threads 206, 1206 of bottle cap assembly 100, 700. Cap assembly 100, 700 may interface with engaging end 504, 1204 according to a number of mechanisms, including, but not limited to, a press-fit configuration. In an example, engaging end 504, 1204 may include a locking tab 908. Cap assembly 100, 700 may include a corresponding cavity 902 through which the locking tab removably couples bottle 502, 1202 to cap assembly 100, 700.

[0051] Cap and bottle assembly 500, 1200 may be configured to be used and stored in an orientation wherein inner frame 104, 704 supports cap and bottle assembly 500, 1200 on a surface, such as a user's hands, a shower cabinet, a countertop, etc. As shown in FIGS. 6b, 12b, a user may thread cap assembly 100, 700 to bottle 500, 1200 such that cap assembly 100, 700, specifically inner frame 104, 704, may support cap and bottle assembly 500, 1200 while in storage or otherwise not in use. End 104a, 704a may be configured to help prevent cap and bottle assembly 500, 1200 from tipping over. For example, end 104a, 704a may be flared to increase the diameter (or width, as the case may be) of end 104a, 704a. Bottle 502, 1202 may include a second end, or top end, 508, 1208. Top end 508, 1208 may be configured to allow cap and bottle assembly and/or simply bottle 502, 1202 to rest on a surface (i.e., a flat surface such as a countertop, shower cabinet, etc.). That is, a user may orient cap and bottle assembly such that top end 508, 1208 may contact the surface when the user refills the contents of bottle 502, 1202. Top end 508, 1208 may be configured such that if a user stores cap and bottle assembly 500, 1200 where top end 508, 1208 contacts the surface instead of inner frame 104, 704, cap and bottle assembly 500, 1200 might not rest perpendicularly to the surface. For example, top end 508, 1208 may be arcuate. Top end 508, 1208 may be arcuately constructed to various degrees. That is, top end 508, 1208 may allow cap and bottle assembly 500, 1200 to rest in a non-perpendicular orientation to a surface without necessarily causing cap and bottle assembly 500, 1200 to topple over. This might not be aesthetically pleasing to a user or may expose dispensing shaft 404, 820 and/or actuator 210, 816 to a wet environment, which may impair the flow of contents through cap assembly 100, 700. Accordingly, a configuration wherein top end 508, 1208 is arcuate may help to encourage a user to store cap and bottle assembly 500, 1200 in an orientation where inner frame 104, 704 contacts a surface and supports cap and bottle assembly 500, 1200. Inner frame 104, 704 may shield dispensing shaft 404, 820 and actuator 210, 816 from environmental factors such as humidity, moisture, and contact with liquids.

[0052] Actuator 210, 816 may be configured to respond to a sufficient force to enable the flow of contents from bottle 502, 1202 through dispensing shaft 404, 820 while exhibiting sufficient resiliency to prevent the unwanted flow of contents from bottle 502, 1202 when cap and bottle assembly 500, 700 is being stored on a surface, such as, for example, a shower cabinet, a countertop, and the like. The resiliency (i.e., resistance to deformity or actuation) of actuator 210, 816 (which may be in part due to the composition of actuator 210, 816), the specific geometry of actuator 210, 816, and/or the dimensions of actuator 210, 816, such as thickness, may help enable cap assembly 100, 700, and particularly inner frame 104, 704, to support the weight of bottle 502, 1202 and its contents while being stored (i.e., not in use) without disturbing actuator 210, 816 from a non-actuated position or state. Cap assembly 100, 700 may include a locking mechanism 908 that may prohibit the movement of inner frame 104, 704 relative to outer frame 102, 702 to prevent inadvertent dispensation. In an example, the locking mechanism may be integral to inner frame 104, 704 and/or outer frame 102, 702. In an example, the locking mechanism may couple to outer frame 104, 704 and may seal end 104a, 704a. The locking mechanism may contact end 102a, 702a and may prevent compression of actuator 210, 816 by restricting movement of inner frame 104, 704 relative to outer frame 102, 702. In other examples, the locking mechanism may include a cap or end piece that couples to inner frame and prevents content from exiting the cap assembly.

[0053] A cap assembly may comprise an inner frame, a dispensing shaft, and an actuator coupled to the inner frame and disposed above the inner frame. The actuator may be configured to reciprocate along the dispensing shaft from a first position to a second position. In the first position the actuator may form a seal with a first edge of the dispensing shaft. In the second position the actuator may provide an opening between the inner frame and the dispensing shaft. The dispensing shaft may comprise a plurality of support arms which may extend outwardly from a midpoint of the dispensing shaft and may be disposed above the actuator. The dispensing shaft may comprise a trough formed by a first support arm and a second support arm. The first support arm and the second support arm may be integrally formed with the dispensing shaft and may extend outwardly from a midpoint of the dispensing shaft. The dispenser cap may further comprise an outer frame coupled to the actuator, wherein the actuator may be disposed between the inner frame and the outer frame, and wherein the outer frame may comprise a threaded end. The inner frame may be nested inside the outer frame. The actuator may comprise silicone. The cap assembly may comprise a bottle configured to removably couple to the outer frame. The bottle may comprise a first engaging end and a second arcuate end. The actuator may comprise a spring.

[0054] A cap assembly may comprise an outer frame, a dispensing shaft comprising a first surface, an inner frame comprising a first end, and an actuator disposed between the outer frame and the inner frame and configured to reciprocate along the dispensing shaft from a first position to a second position. The first end of the inner frame may be configured to extend past the first surface of the dispensing shaft when the actuator is in the second position. In the first position the actuator may form a seal with an edge of the dispensing shaft. In the second position the actuator may provide an opening between the actuator and the dispensing shaft. The inner frame may be coupled to the actuator. A force applied to the inner frame may cause the actuator to travel from the first position to at least one of the plurality of intermediate positions or the second position. The outer frame may be coupled to the actuator. The dispensing shaft may comprise a plurality of support arms which may extend outwardly from a midpoint of the dispensing shaft and may be disposed above the actuator. The dispensing shaft may comprise a trough formed by a first support arm and a second support arm, wherein the first support arm and the second support arm may extend outwardly from a midpoint of the dispensing shaft. The outer frame may comprise a threaded end. The actuator may comprise silicone. The dispenser cap may further comprise a bottle configured to couple to the outer frame. The bottle may comprise a first engaging end and a second arcuate end.

[0055] A cap assembly may comprise an outer frame, an inner frame, a dispensing shaft comprising a first and second surface, and an actuator disposed between the outer frame and the inner frame and configured to reciprocate along the dispensing shaft from a first position to a second position. The second end of the outer frame may be configured to extend past the first surface of the dispensing shaft when the actuator is in the second position. In the first position, the actuator may form a seal with an edge of the dispensing shaft. In the second position, the actuator may provide an opening between the actuator and the dispensing shaft. The inner frame may be coupled to the actuator. A force applied to the inner frame may cause the actuator to travel from the first position to at least one of the plurality of intermediate positions or the second position. The outer frame may be coupled to the actuator. The dispensing shaft may comprise a plurality of support arms which may extend outwardly from a midpoint of the dispensing shaft and may be disposed above the actuator.

[0056] In the foregoing specification, the present disclosure has been described with reference to specific exemplary examples thereof. Although the invention has been described in terms of a preferred example, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications, examples or variations of the invention can be practiced within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The specification and drawings are, therefore, to be regarded in an illustrated rather than restrictive sense. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited except as may be necessary in view of the appended claims.