Container with retaining member

Abstract

Containers a retaining member disposed within the container which substantially obstructs the opening of the container are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the member enlarges to receive a dispensing instrument that is used to cap the container.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A combination comprising a container for holding liquids, said container having an initial liquid level, a dispensing instrument, a retaining member such that it substantially obstructs said opening of said container, said member including a biased passageway which enlarges to receive said dispensing instrument, and closes after removal of said dispensing instrument, said member further being positioned above the initial liquid level in said container, and a liquid containing a pharmaceutically active ingredient, wherein the pharmaceutically active ingredient is selected from the group containing ibuprofen, acetaminophen and psuedoephedrine, wherein the passageway of the retaining member expands radially to accept the dispensing instrument. 
     
     
       2. A combination comprising a container for holding liquids, said container having an initial liquid level, a dispensing instrument, a retaining member such that it substantially obstructs said opening of said container, said member including a biased passageway which enlarges to receive said dispensing instrument, and closes after removal of said dispensing instrument, said member further being positioned above the initial liquid level in said container, and a liquid containing a pharmaceutically active ingredient, wherein the pharmaceutically active ingredient is selected from the group containing ibuprofen, acetaminophen and psuedoephedrine, wherein the retaining member is resilient and has a slitted retaining wall. 
     
     
       3. The container of  claim 2  wherein the slitted retaining wall is conical. 
     
     
       4. The container of  claim 2  wherein the slitted retaining wall comprises a plurality of petals. 
     
     
       5. The container of  claim 4  wherein the slits in the petals are longitudinally oriented. 
     
     
       6. The container for holding liquids comprising: 
       a) a neck having an opening therein;  
       b) a shoulder integral with said neck;  
       c) a retaining member which substantially obstructs said opening, said retaining member including a biased passageway capable of receiving a dispensing instrument and closing after removal of a dispensing instrument; said retaining member is positioned substantially within the neck and the shoulder of the container, wherein the retaining member is resilient with a slitted conical retaining wall which closes after removal of the dispensing instrument.  
     
     
       7. The container of  claim 6  wherein the passageway of the retaining member expands radially to accept a dispensing instrument inserted therein. 
     
     
       8. A container for holding liquids comprising: 
       a) a neck having an opening therein;  
       b) a shoulder integral with said neck;  
       c) a retaining member which substantially obstructs said opening, said retaining member including a biased passageway capable of receiving a dispensing instrument and closing after removal of a dispensing instrument; said retaining member is positioned substantially within the neck and the shoulder of the container, wherein the retaining member is resilient and has a slitted retaining wall.  
     
     
       9. The container of  claim 8 , wherein the slitted retaining wall is conical. 
     
     
       10. The container of  claim 8 , wherein the slitted retaining wall comprises a plurality of petals. 
     
     
       11. The container of  claim 10  wherein the slits in the petals are longitudinally oriented.