Metered dose topical applicator

A topical applicator comprising:

• a housing comprising a tubular wall portion with an open first end, the housing further comprising an end wall at a second end partially closing said second end, the end wall having a central aperture;
• a dispense cap have a plurality of apertures closing the open first end;
• a cylindrically shaped knob portion positioned below the housing, the knob portion having an outer diameter equal to or greater than the diameter of the housing;
• an elevator slidingly and sealingly engaged with an interior surface of the housing, an open interior between the dispense cap and elevator defining a reservoir;
• a drive mechanism comprising a drive nut and a threaded drive screw connected intermediate the knob portion and elevator, whereby rotating the knob portion raises the elevator, the drive nut and threaded drive screw disengageable by an axial separation force;
• and
• a ratchet means to prevent rotation of said knob in a second direction.

A topical applicator comprising:

• a barrel with a first end and a second end;
• an elevator slidably disposed within said barrel, the barrel and elevator forming an empty cylindrical reservoir with a volumetric capacity of 20 to 200 ml, the reservoir open toward the second end of said barrel, wherein topical unguent components may be added to said reservoir at said second end of said barrel;
• an elevating mechanism;
• a knob connected to the elevating mechanism to move the elevator toward the second end;
• an dispense cap attachable to the second end of said barrel, the dispense cap including a plurality of holes for dispensing the topical unguent components from the applicator;
• the elevator or elevating mechanism exteriorly accessible through an access opening on a bottom of the barrel for overriding the elevating mechanism;
• a ratchet mechanism including portions of the housing and knob.