MEASURING CHAMBERS

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present invention is a Continuation-In-Part of Utility Application

No. 14/525,444 filed on October 28, 2014.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to dispensing containers and, more specifically, to dispensing cap constructions enabling a predetermined amount of contents of the container to be measured and dispensed from the cap.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Various measuring and dispensing container configurations are known in the art as can be seen from U.S. Patent No. 8,720,748; U.S. Patent No. 7,748,579; U.S. Patent No. 7,451,901; U.S. Patent No. 6,948,641; U.S. Patent No. 6,422,426; U.S. Patent No. 5,890,627; U.S. Patent No. 5,839,619; and U.S. Patent No.

5,509,582.

SUMMARY

[0004] While the known measuring and dispensing containers are generally suitable for their intended use, it would be desirable to provide a measuring and dispensing cap that could be readily placed on different containers having different contents in order to reduce the cost and complexity of manufacturing and assembling of a container having measuring and dispensing capability. It would be desirable to provide a measuring and dispensing container capable of measuring and dispensing the contents of the container from a cap located on a bottom of the container, or from a cap located on a top of the container when the container is in an inverted position. It would be desirable to provide a measuring container having a return function allowing the container to automatically return to a normal mode of operation after measuring and dispensing the measured contents.

[0005] An apparatus for measuring and dispensing pourable material can have a removable closure or cap. The cap can include a body having a cylindrical sidewall defining a primary axis and a first chamber and a second chamber separated longitudinally from one another by a radial panel extending transversely with respect to the primary axis. The radial panel can define an arcuate aperture allowing passage of the pourable material from the first chamber to the second chamber. The cap can include a cylindrical sleeve member located coaxial with respect to the primary axis and sheathing an outer circumference of the cylindrical sidewall of the body. The cylindrical sleeve member can define at least one measuring compartment defined by dispensing chambers received within the second chamber of the cylindrical sidewall of the body and can be rotatable with respect to the cylindrical sidewall of the body for aligning the at least one measuring compartment with the arcuate aperture of the body for allowing pourable material flow through the arcuate aperture for measuring a predetermined measured amount of the pourable material within the at least one measuring compartment aligned in fluid communication with the arcuate aperture. The cap can further include a biasing spring engageable between a portion of the body and a portion of the sleeve member for biasing the cylindrical sleeve member toward a predetermined home position with respect to the cylindrical sidewall of the body.

[0006] A measuring and dispensing container can include a receptacle for receiving an amount of pourable material and a cap. The cap can include a body having a cylindrical sidewall defining a primary axis with an end attachable to the receptacle, a cylindrical sleeve member located coaxial with respect to the primary axis and sheathing an outer circumference of the cylindrical sidewall of the body, and a biasing spring engageable between a portion of the body and a portion of the sleeve member. The cylindrical sidewall of the body can define a primary axis, a first chamber and a second chamber separated longitudinally from one another by a radial panel extending transversely with respect to the primary axis. The radial panel can define an arcuate aperture allowing passage of the pourable material from the first chamber to the second chamber. The cylindrical sleeve member can define a plurality of measuring compartments defined by dispensing chambers received within the second chamber of the cylindrical sidewall of the body and can be rotatable with respect to the cylindrical sidewall of the body for aligning at least one the plurality of measuring compartments with the arcuate aperture of the body for allowing pourable material flow therethrough for measuring a predetermined measured amount of the pourable material within measuring compartments aligned in fluid communication therewith. The cylindrical sleeve member can include a non-measuring dispensing passage adjacent the plurality of measuring compartments. The non-measuring dispensing passage can be received within the second chamber of the cylindrical sidewall of the body and rotatable into fluid communication with the arcuate aperture of the radial panel of the body for dispensing a non-measured amount of pourable material. An interacting plurality of ridges and grooves extending in an axial direction can be formed on opposing surfaces located between an interface of the cylindrical sleeve member and the body. The plurality of ridges and grooves can interact with one another for providing tactile feedback during rotation of the cylindrical sleeve member with respect to the cylindrical sidewall of the body. The biasing spring can bias the cylindrical sleeve member toward a predetermined home position with respect to the cylindrical sidewall of the body.

[0007] A cap can be assembled to be attached to a receptacle for receiving a pourable material. The method can include inserting a biasing spring between a portion of a body defining a primary axis and a portion of a cylindrical sleeve member for biasing the cylindrical sleeve member toward a predetermined rotational home position with respect to the cylindrical sidewall of the body. The body can have a first chamber and a second chamber longitudinally separated by a radial panel extending transversely with respect to the primary axis. The radial panel can define an arcuate aperture allowing passage of pourable material from the first chamber to the second chamber. The cylindrical sleeve member can be located coaxial with respect to the primary axis and can define a plurality of measuring compartments defined by dispensing chambers received within the second chamber of the cylindrical sidewall of the body. The cylindrical sleeve member can be rotatable with respect to the cylindrical sidewall of the body for aligning at least one the plurality of measuring compartments with the arcuate aperture of the body for allowing pourable material flow through the arcuate aperture for measuring a predetermined measured amount of pourable material within measuring compartments aligned in fluid communication with the arcuate aperture. The method can further include sheathing an outer circumference of the cylindrical sidewall of the body with the cylindrical sleeve member with the biasing spring interposed therebetween.

[0008] Other applications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description of the best mode contemplated for practicing the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0010] Figure 1 is an exploded view of a removable cap in an apparatus for measuring and dispensing pourable material showing the cap having a body having a cylindrical sidewall defining a primary axis, a cylindrical sleeve member located coaxial with respect to the primary axis and sheathing an outer circumference of a cylindrical sidewall of the body, and a biasing spring engageable between a portion of the body and a portion of the sleeve member for biasing the cylindrical sleeve member toward a predetermined home position with respect to the cylindrical sidewall of the body;

[0011] Figure 2 is a top view of the body showing a radial panel defining an arcuate aperture allowing passage of the pourable material from a first chamber to a second chamber defined by the body; and

[0012] Figure 3 is a top view of the cylindrical sleeve member showing the cylindrical sleeve member defining at least one measuring compartment defined by at least one arcuate pie- shaped dispensing chamber, where the cylindrical sleeve member is rotatable with respect to the cylindrical sidewall of the body for aligning at least one measuring compartment with the arcuate aperture of the body for allowing pourable material flow therethrough.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Referring now to Figure 1-3, there is shown a removable closure or cap 10 for an apparatus for measuring and dispensing pourable material. The removable cap 10 can be secured to a top or bottom portion of a receptacle 60 which can contain a pourable material. The cap 10 can include a body 12, a cylindrical sleeve member 14, and a biasing spring 16 engageable between the body 12 and the cylindrical sleeve member 14. The body 12 can include a cylindrical sidewall 20 defining a primary axis, a first chamber 22, and a second chamber 24 separated longitudinally from one another by a radial panel 26 extending transversely with respect to the primary axis. The radial panel 26 can define an arcuate aperture 28 allowing passage of the pourable material from the first chamber 22 to the second chamber 24. The cylindrical sleeve member 14 can be located coaxial with respect to the primary axis and can sheath an outer circumference of the cylindrical sidewall 20 of the body 12. The cylindrical sleeve member 14 can define at least one measuring compartment 30 defined by at least one arcuate pie-shaped dispensing chamber 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d. The at least one measuring compartment 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d can be received within the second chamber 24 of the cylindrical sidewall 20 of the body 12 when assembled. The cylindrical sleeve member 14 can be rotatable with respect to the cylindrical sidewall 20 of the body 12 for aligning the at least one measuring compartment 30 with the arcuate aperture 28 of the body 12 for allowing pourable material flow therethrough for measuring a predetermined measured amount of the pourable material within the at least one measuring compartment 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d aligned in fluid communication therewith. The at least one measuring compartment can include a plurality of measuring compartments 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d. The cylindrical sleeve member 14 can include a non-measuring dispensing passage 32 adjacent the plurality of measuring compartments 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d. The non- measuring dispensing passage 32 can be in fluid communication with the second chamber 24 of the cylindrical sidewall 20 of the body 12. The non-measuring dispensing passage 32 can be rotatable into fluid communication with the arcuate aperture 28 of the radial panel 26 of the body 12 for dispensing a non-measured amount of pourable material.

[0014] The biasing spring 16 can bias the cylindrical sleeve member 14 toward a predetermined home position with respect to the cylindrical sidewall 20 of the body 12 with the radial panel 26, by way of example and not limitation, such as for closing access to the at least one measuring compartment 30 during dispensing of the predetermined measured amount of the pourable material. The biasing spring 16 can be pre-loaded and can be formed of a suitable material by any known method of torsion spring manufacturing, by way of example and not limitation, such as stamping, bending, rolling, hot working, cold forming material or any combination thereof. The body 12 can include a fastener 50 connected to the radial panel 26 and located coaxial with respect to the primary axis and extending axially through the second chamber 24. The fastener 50 can support one end of the biasing spring 16. The second end of the biasing spring 16 can act against a surface 54 formed in the cylindrical sleeve member 14 spaced radially from the primary axis as best seen in Figure 3. The cylindrical sleeve member 14 can define a central aperture 52 located coaxial with respect to the primary axis. The central aperture 52 can receive the fastener 50 and the biasing spring 16 allowing the biasing spring 16 to be engageable between the body 12 and the cylindrical sleeve member 14 for biasing the cylindrical sleeve member 14 toward the predetermined home position. By way of example and not limitation, the predetermined home position can be defined by the cylindrical sleeve member 14 rotated into a position where the non-measuring dispensing passage 32 is in fluid communication with the arcuate aperture 28 of the radial panel 26 of the body 12 for dispensing a non-measured amount of pourable material. The predetermined home position can be defined by the cylindrical sleeve member 14 rotated into a position where at least one measuring compartment, by way of example and not limitation, such as a first measuring compartment 30a, is in fluid

communication with the arcuate aperture 28 of the radial panel 26 of the body 12 for allowing pourable material flow therethrough for measuring a lowest predetermined measured amount of the pourable material. It should be recognized that the predetermined home position can correspond to a position of either the at least one measuring compartment 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d in a dispensing position isolated from the first chamber 22 or corresponding to the at least one measuring compartment 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d in a filling position in fluid communication with the first chamber 22, depending on the method of operation desired. A stop 56 can be formed on the body 12 for engagement with a wall 33a, 33b of one of the measuring compartments 30a, 30d to limit rotational movement of the body 12 with respect to the sleeve member 14 to define the home position at a first angular end position and a maximum capacity measuring position or maximum capacity dispensing position at a second angular end position, depending on the method of operation desired.

[0015] By way of example and not limitation, the predetermined home position can be defined by the at least one measuring compartment 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d in a measuring position in fluid communication with the first chamber 22 of the body 12 allowing pourable material flow through the arcuate aperture 28 of the body 12 into the at least one measuring compartment 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d. In this

configuration, the apparatus can dispense pourable material when the at least one measuring compartment 30a is rotated from the predetermined home position to a dispensing position. The cap 10 can be in an orientation below the receptacle or can be oriented in an inverted position, such that in either case the measuring

compartment 30a can be in fluid communication with the first chamber 22. By way of example and not limitation, in operation, when the cap is located on the top of a receptacle, a user can invert the receptacle and cap 10 such that the at least one measuring compartment 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d is in the predetermined home position and in a measuring position in fluid communication with the chamber 22. The at least one measuring compartment 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d can be pre-filled with a predetermined amount of pourable material. The user can then rotate the cylindrical sleeve member 14 such that the at least one measuring compartment 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d can be rotated between the predetermined home position to a dispensing position for dispensing the predetermined amount of pourable material selected by the user. The user can then release the cylindrical sleeve member 14 after dispensing the measured quantity of pourable material from the at least one measuring compartment 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d allowing spring biased rotation back to the home position. The cylindrical sleeve member 14 can then be biased by the biasing spring 16 toward the predetermined home position where the measuring compartment 30a can be in fluid communication with the first chamber 22 of the body 12 again. The user can repeatedly rotate the cylindrical sleeve member 14 from the predetermined home position for dosing a specified amount of pourable material. The amount of pourable material dispensed after each rotation will have approximately an equal volume. [0016] The cylindrical sleeve member 14 can be rotated for measuring the pourable material and for dispensing the pourable material when the cap 10 is in an inverted position. As illustrated in Figure 1 and 3, by way of example and not limitation, the at least one measuring compartments 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d can include at least two measuring compartments 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d having an equal volume. As best illustrated in Figure 3, each of the plurality of measuring compartments 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d can be separated by axial walls 31a, 31b, 31c defined by the cylindrical sleeve member 14. By way of example and not limitation, the at least one measuring compartments 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d can include at least two measuring compartments 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d having a different volume. As illustrated in Figure 1, the cap 10 can further include a sprinkle panel 34a, 34b having a plurality of dispensing openings 36 in communication with the non-measuring dispensing passage 32 at least partially interfering with flow out of the non-measuring dispensing passage 32. The sprinkle panel 34a, 34b can be releasibly connected to the cylindrical sleeve member 14 and can be removable if desired. The sprinkle panel 34a, 34b can include a first sprinkle panel 34a having a plurality of dispensing openings 36a and a second sprinkle panel 34b having a plurality of dispensing openings 36b. The plurality of dispensing openings 36a of the first sprinkle panel 34a can have a smaller diameter with respect to the plurality of dispensing openings 36b of the second sprinkle panel 34b. The first and second sprinkle panel 34a, 34b can be removable and

interchangeable.

[0017] As illustrated in Figure 1, the cylindrical sidewall 20 of the body 12 can include a plurality of measuring indicia 38 located on an outer surface of the cylindrical sidewall 20 of the body 12. Each of the plurality of measuring indicia 38 can correspond to at least one measuring compartment 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d located in fluid communication with the arcuate aperture 28 of the body 12. The cylindrical sleeve member 14 can include a window 40 defined therein such that the cylindrical sleeve member 14 can be rotatable with respect to the cylindrical sidewall 20 of the body 12 to display one of the plurality of measuring indicia 38 corresponding to a predetermined amount of pourable material to be measured within corresponding measuring compartments 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d aligned with the arcuate aperture 28 of the body 12. The cylindrical sleeve member 14 can include a hinge 42 formed at a dispensing end of the cylindrical sleeve member 14. The hinge 42 can be formed on the cylindrical sleeve member 14. The hinge 42 can include a first end 42a and a second end 42b. At least one flap member 44a, 44b can be connected to the hinge 42 for opening and closing the at least one measuring compartment 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d. By way of example and not limitation an axial pin can extend between the first and second end 42a, 42b for supporting the at least one flap member 44a, 44b, or the hinge can be integrally formed with the at least one flap member 44a, 44b and the sleeve member 14 as a living hinge. The at least one flap member 44a, 44b can include a first flap member 44a and a second flap member 44b connected to the hinge 42. The first flap member 44a can be connected for opening and closing the at least one measuring compartment 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d and the second flap member 44b can be connected for opening and closing the non-measuring dispensing passage 32.

[0018] An interacting plurality of ridges 46 and grooves 48 extending in an axial direction can be formed on opposing surfaces located at an interface between the cylindrical sleeve member 14 and the cylindrical sidewall 20 of the body 12. The plurality of grooves 48 can be engageable with respect to the plurality of ridges 46 for providing tactile feedback during rotation of the cylindrical sleeve member 14 with respect to the cylindrical sidewall 20 of the body 12 and for temporarily preventing rotation of the cylindrical sleeve member 14 with respect to the cylindrical sidewall 20 of the body 12 by temporarily locking the cylindrical sleeve member 14 with respect to the cylindrical sidewall 20 of the body 12 in response to external pressure directed radially inward to engage at least one of the plurality of ridges 46 within at least one of the grooves 48. By way of example and not limitation, external pressure directed radially inward can allow dispensing of the pourable material into at least one of the plurality of measuring compartments 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d. By way of example and not limitation, the body 12 and the cylindrical sleeve member 14 can be formed of an injection molded material. Each of the at least one measuring compartment 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d can be separated by an axial wall 31a, 31b, 31c, 3 Id formed in the cylindrical sleeve member 14. [0019] A measuring and dispensing container can include a receptacle 60 for receiving an amount of pourable material. The container can include a body 12 having a cylindrical sidewall 20 with an end 21 attachable to the receptacle with any known attachment configuration, by way of example and not limitation, such as a snap fit or a threaded connection. The cylindrical sidewall of the body 12 can define a primary axis, a first chamber 22 and a second chamber 24 separated longitudinally from one another by a radial panel 26 extending transversely with respect to the primary axis. The radial panel 26 can define an arcuate aperture 28 allowing passage of the pourable material from the first chamber 22 to the second chamber 24. The body 12 can include a plurality of grooves 48 formed on an external surface of the cylindrical sidewall 20. The container can further include a cylindrical sleeve member 14 located coaxial with respect to the primary axis and sheathing an outer circumference of the cylindrical sidewall 20 of the body 12. The cylindrical sleeve member 14 can define a at least one measuring compartment 30 defined by at least one arcuate pie-shaped dispensing chamber 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d received within the second chamber 24 of the cylindrical sidewall 20 of the body 12. The cylindrical sleeve member 14 can be rotatable with respect to the cylindrical sidewall 20 of the body 12 for aligning at least one measuring compartments 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d with the arcuate aperture 28 of the body 12 for allowing pourable material flow through the arcuate aperture 28 for measuring a predetermined measured amount of the pourable material within the at least one measuring compartment 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d aligned in fluid communication with the arcuate aperture 28. The cylindrical sleeve member 14 can include a non-measuring dispensing passage 32 adjacent the at least one measuring compartment 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d. The non-measuring dispensing passage 32 can be in fluid communication with the second chamber 24 of the cylindrical sidewall 20 of the body 12 and rotatable into fluid communication with the arcuate aperture 28 of the radial panel 26 of the body 12 for dispensing a non- measured amount of pourable material. The cylindrical sleeve member 14 can have a plurality of ridges 46 formed on an internal surface of the cylindrical sleeve member 14 engageable with respect to the plurality of grooves 48 formed on the external surface of the cylindrical sidewall 20 of the body 12. The plurality of ridges 46 and the plurality of grooves 48 can provide tactile feedback during rotation of the cylindrical sleeve member 14 with respect to the cylindrical sidewall 20 of the body 12. The measuring and dispensing container can further include a biasing spring 16 engageable between a portion of the body 12 and a portion of the sleeve member 14 for biasing the cylindrical sleeve member 14 toward a predetermined home position with respect to the cylindrical sidewall 20 of the body 12. By way of example and not limitation, the predetermined home position can be defined where the radial panel 26 closes access to the at least one measuring compartment 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d during dispensing of the predetermined measured amount of the pourable material when in the home position.

[0020] The measuring and dispensing container can include the cylindrical sleeve member 14 rotatable for measuring the pourable material and for dispensing the pourable material when the cap is located below the storage receptacle 60, by way of example and not limitation, when the storage receptacle 60 is in an inverted position, or when the cap 60 is attached to a "bottom" surface of the container. Each of the at least one measuring compartment 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d can have an equal volume or a different volume adding up to a determined measurement of the pourable material. The measuring and dispensing container can include a sprinkle panel 34a, 34b having a plurality of dispensing openings 36a, 36b in communication with the non-measuring dispensing passage 32 at least partially interfering with flow out of the non-measuring dispensing passage 32. The sprinkle panel 34a, 34b can be releasibly connected to the cylindrical sleeve member 14 and can be removable. The measuring and dispensing container can include a plurality of measuring indicia 38 located on an outer surface of the cylindrical sidewall 20 of the body 12. Each of the plurality of measuring indicia 38 can correspond to at least one of the at least one measuring compartment 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d located in fluid communication with the arcuate aperture 28 of the body 12. The cylindrical sleeve member 14 can include a window 40 defined therein such that the cylindrical sleeve member 14 can be rotatable with respect to the cylindrical sidewall 20 of the body 12 to display one of the plurality of measuring indicia 38 corresponding to a predetermined amount of pourable material to be measured within corresponding measuring compartments 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d aligned with the arcuate aperture 28 of the body 12. By way of example and not limitation , the cylindrical sleeve member 14 can include a connection 42, such as a hinge, formed at a dispensing end of the cylindrical sleeve member 14. By way of example and not limitation, the hinge 42 can formed as a living hinge integral with the sleeve member 14 and at least one flap member 44a, 44b, or can include a first end 42a and a second end 42b for receiving a hinge pin (not shown) extending between the first and second ends 42a, 42b or can be a flexible tab or a heat staked pin connection. At least one flap member 44a, 44b can be connected to the hinge 42 for opening and closing the plurality of measuring compartments 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d.

[0021] In operation, a user can rotate the cylindrical sleeve member 14 to a desired measured indicia 38 located on the cylindrical sidewall 20 of the body 12 corresponding to one of the at least one measuring compartments 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d. By way of example and not limitation, a measuring and dispensing container including the cylindrical sleeve member 14 and the body 12 can be in an upright position (bottom located cap 10) or inverted position (top located cap 10). The corresponding measuring compartment 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d can be placed in fluid communication with the arcuate aperture 28 of the body 12 in response to the rotation by a user. The plurality of measuring compartments 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d can be accumulatively opened by repeated rotations for increasing the predetermined measurement. More than one of the at least one measuring compartment 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d can be in fluid communication with the arcuate aperture 28. A plurality of ridges 46 formed on an internal surface of the cylindrical sleeve member 14 can engage a plurality of grooves 48 formed on the cylindrical sidewall 20 of the body 12 providing tactile feedback during rotation of the cylindrical sleeve member 14. If the container having the cap is in the upright position, the container can be inverted for dispensing the pourable material. The cylindrical sleeve member 14 can be released by the user such that a pre-loaded biasing spring 16 can bias the cylindrical sleeve member 14 to rotate towards a predetermined home position prior to opening the flap for dispensing the measured amount of pourable material. By way of example and not limitation, when in the home position, additional pourable material is prevented from entering the measuring chambers thereby preventing the dispensing of an amount greater than the desired measured amount within the measuring

compartments 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d.

[0022] Referring now to Figure 3, by way of example and not limitation, the biasing spring 16 can bias the at least one measuring compartment 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d in a counterclockwise direction as illustrated. The user can rotate the cylindrical sleeve member 14 in a clockwise direction up to 180°. By way of example and not limitation, the user can rotate the cylindrical sleeve member 14 in increments of approximately 45° to accumulatively open each of the at least one measuring compartments 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d while holding the receptacle in a "cap-below- receptacle" position to fill the opened measuring compartments with pourable material. The cylindrical sleeve member 14 can then be biased to rotate in the counterclockwise direction to close access to the plurality of the measuring compartments 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d when released by the user. The user can then open the dispensing flap covering the measuring compartments to expose the measuring compartments and dispense the predetermined measured amount of the pourable material. In operation, the measuring and dispensing container can also be used in an inverted position when the cylindrical sleeve member 14 is in the predetermined home position to dispense a non-measured amount of the pourable material through a non-measuring dispensing passage 32 adjacent the plurality of measuring

compartments 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d through the other of the plurality of flaps 44a, 44b. By way of example and not limitation, the user can apply pressure to the plurality of ridges 46 formed on the internal surface of the cylindrical sleeve member 14 when the plurality of ridges 46 are engaged with the plurality of grooves 48 formed on the cylindrical sidewall 20 of the body 12. The pressure applied can temporarily lock the cylindrical sleeve member 14 and the body 12 against relative rotation with respect to one another such that the at least one measuring compartment 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d can be held in fluid communication with the arcuate aperture 28 of the body 12 to ensure the at least one measuring compartment 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d is entirely filled with the pourable material and dispenses the entire amount of pourable material. When pressure is applied to the cylindrical sleeve member 14, i.e. the cylindrical sleeve 14 is squeezed by the user, the biasing spring 16 can be temporarily prevented from rotating the cylindrical sleeve member 14 toward the home position.

[0023] A cap 10 can be attached to a receptacle for receiving a pourable material. The cap 10 can be assembled by a method including inserting a biasing spring 16 between a portion of a body 12 defining a primary axis and a portion of a sleeve member 14 located coaxial with respect to the primary axis. The biasing spring 16 can be pre-loaded for biasing the cylindrical sleeve member 14 toward a predetermined rotational home position with respect to the cylindrical sidewall 20 of the body 12. The body 12 can have a first chamber 22 and a second chamber 24 longitudinally separated by a radial panel 26 extending transversely with respect to the primary axis. The radial panel 26 can define an arcuate aperture 28 allowing passage of pourable material from the first chamber 22 to the second chamber 24. The cylindrical sleeve member 16 can define at least one compartment 30, or a plurality of measuring compartments 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d defined by at least one arcuate pie-shaped dispensing chamber 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d received within the second chamber 24 of the cylindrical sidewall of the body 12. The cylindrical sleeve member 14 can be rotatable with respect to the cylindrical sidewall 20 of the body 12 for aligning at least one measuring compartment 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d with the arcuate aperture 28 of the body 12 for allowing pourable material flow through the arcuate aperture 28 for measuring a predetermined measured amount of pourable material within at least one measuring compartment 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d aligned in fluid communication with the arcuate aperture 28 of the body 12. The method can further include sheathing an outer circumference of the cylindrical sidewall 20 of the body 12 with the cylindrical sleeve member 14 with the biasing spring 16 interposed between the body 12 and the cylindrical sleeve member 14. By way of example and not limitation, the rotational home position can locate the radial panel 26 to close access to the at least one measuring compartment 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d during dispensing of the predetermined measured amount of the pourable material.

[0024] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.