Dispenser system and method

Abstract

A dispensing system for dispensing material from a container having an opening secured by a cap through which material from the container is dispensed. The dispensing system comprises a dispenser defining a receptacle shaped to receive the container and a retainer releasably engagable with the cap, wherein the retainer is engagable with the cap via a releasable and resiliently deformable connection providing resistance against withdrawal of the container from the receptacle. In some embodiments, an aperture defined in the retainer is shaped and dimensioned to receive a portion of the cap. In some embodiments, a portion of the retainer is resiliently deformable, and at least partially defines the resiliently deformable connection. In some embodiments, the portion of the retainer is a protrusion extending in a direction toward the receptacle. In some embodiments, the releasable and resiliently deformable connection provides a snap fit engagement between the retainer and the cap.

1 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A dispensing system for dispensing material from a container, the dispensing system comprising:
 a dispenser defining a receptacle shaped to receive the container;   a closure secured to the container and supported by the receptacle, the closure including a cap having an opening through which material from the container is dispensable, a portion of the closure movable relative to the cap to selectively expose the opening in the cap;   a drive system operably engaged with the closure to drive the movable portion to selectively dispense material from the container; and   a retainer coupled to the receptacle and releasably engageable with the cap, the cap and the retainer having a keyed relationship and engageable with each other via a resiliently deformable connection to resist removal of the container from the receptacle and to maintain engagement of the drive system with the closure during use.   
     
     
         7 . The dispensing system of  claim 6 , wherein the retainer defines at least a portion of an upstanding wall of the receptacle. 
     
     
         8 . The dispensing system of  claim 6 , wherein the cap has a key and the retainer has an aperture shaped and positioned to receive the key, and wherein a portion of the retainer is resiliently deformable by the key to permit installation and removal of the container relative to the receptacle. 
     
     
         9 . The dispensing system of  claim 8 , wherein the retainer defines at least a portion of a wall of the receptacle and the retainer portion includes a protrusion extending outward from the wall portion into the receptacle. 
     
     
         10 . The dispensing system of  claim 6 , wherein the releasable and resiliently deformable connection provides a snap fit engagement between the retainer and the cap. 
     
     
         11 . The dispensing system of  claim 6 , wherein the retainer is removable and interchangeable with another retainer keyed to another cap. 
     
     
         12 . A dispensing system for dispensing material from a container, the dispensing system comprising:
 a dispenser defining a receptacle shaped to receive the container;   a closure secured to the container and supported by the receptacle, the closure including a cap having an opening through which material from the container is dispensable, a portion of the closure movable relative to the cap to selectively expose the opening in the cap;   a drive system operably engaged with the closure to drive the movable portion to selectively dispense material from the container; and   a retainer defining at least a portion of the receptacle supporting the closure and including a protrusion extending into the receptacle and resiliently engageable by the cap to permit installation and resist removal of the container relative to the receptacle, and to maintain engagement of the drive system with the closure during use.   
     
     
         13 . The dispensing system of  claim 12 , wherein the retainer has a wall defining at least the portion of the receptacle, and wherein the protrusion extends outward from the wall. 
     
     
         14 . The dispensing system of  claim 13 , wherein the wall is curved. 
     
     
         15 . The dispensing system of  claim 13 , wherein one of the protrusion and the wall is engageable and resiliently deformable by the cap. 
     
     
         16 . The dispensing system of  claim 13 , wherein the wall is flexible relative to the remainder of the retainer and is resiliently deformable in response to engagement of the protrusion by the cap. 
     
     
         17 . The dispensing system of  claim 16 , wherein the protrusion is disposed adjacent a free end of the wall. 
     
     
         18 . The dispensing system of  claim 12 , wherein the retainer has a flange extending radially outward and engageable with the dispenser adjacent a bottom of the receptacle. 
     
     
         19 . The dispensing system of  claim 12 , wherein the resiliently engageable protrusion and the cap define a snap fit engagement between the retainer and the cap. 
     
     
         20 . The dispensing system of  claim 12 , wherein the retainer is removable and interchangeable with another retainer. 
     
     
         21 . A dispensing system for dispensing material from a container, the dispensing system comprising:
 a dispenser defining a receptacle shaped to receive the container;   a closure secured to the container and supported by the receptacle, the closure including a cap having an opening through which material from the container is dispensable, a portion of the closure movable relative to the cap to selectively expose the opening in the cap;   a drive system operably engaged with the closure to drive the movable portion to selectively dispense material from the container; and   a retainer having a wall defining at least a portion of the receptacle supporting the closure, one of at least a portion of the wall and the cap resiliently deformable upon engagement of the wall portion by the cap to permit installation and resist removal of the container relative to the receptacle, and to maintain engagement of the drive system with the closure during use,   wherein the retainer is removable and interchangeable with another retainer keyed to another cap.   
     
     
         22 . The dispensing system of  claim 21 , wherein the wall is flexible relative to the remainder of the retainer and is resiliently deformable in response to engagement by the cap. 
     
     
         23 . The dispensing system of  claim 22 , wherein the wall is curved. 
     
     
         24 . The dispensing system of  claim 21 , wherein the wall portion is resiliently deformable in response to engagement by the cap and is disposed adjacent a free end of the wall. 
     
     
         25 . The dispensing system of  claim 21 , wherein the wall portion and the cap define a snap fit engagement between the retainer and the cap.