Container with retaining member

Abstract

The present invention is directed to containers with a retaining member disposed within the container which substantially obstructs the opening of the container. In a preferred embodiment of the invention said 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, a dispensing instrument having a length and an opening, 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, a liquid optionally containing a pharmaceutically active ingredient, and said dispensing instrument having an area of reduced cross-sectional area along its length and distal to the opening. 
     
     
       2. The combination of  claim 1  wherein the reduced cross-sectional area of the dispensing instrument corresponds to the biased passageway when the dispensing instrument is placed into the container. 
     
     
       3. The combination of  claim 2  wherein the dispensing instrument is further comprised of an area of non-reduced cross-sectional area, and the reduced cross-sectional area of the dispensing member is less than about 80 percent of the non-reduced cross sectional area. 
     
     
       4. The combination of  claim 3  wherein the reduced cross-sectional area of the dispensing member is less than about 50 percent of the non-reduced cross sectional area. 
     
     
       5. The combination of  claim 1  wherein a pharmaceutically active ingredient is present in the liquid. 
     
     
       6. The combination of  claim 5  wherein the pharmaceutically active ingredient is selected from the group containing ibuprofen, acetaminophen and pseudoephedrine. 
     
     
       7. A combination comprising: 
       a) a container for holding liquids, said container having a neck and a shoulder;  
       b) a dispensing instrument having an area of reduced cross-sectional area;  
       c) 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, said member is contained substantially within the neck and shoulder and closes after removal of said dispensing instrument; and  
       d) a liquid optionally containing a pharmaceutically active ingredient.  
     
     
       8. A container for holding liquids, said container having a neck and a shoulder; a dispensing instrument having an area of reduced cross-sectional area; and 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, said member contained substantially within the neck and shoulder and closes after removal of said dispensing instrument.