Package and holder for dispenser

In a container comprising a holder having an effective mass of value M and defining an axis of rotation and an at least partially curvilinear external circumference;

• said holder further defining a well adapted to receive, and retain in a selected position, a selected dispenser for containing and dispensing a consumable product, wherein the dispenser and consumable product contained in the dispenser together have an effective mass having a value Mv when retained in the selected position, and where the mass Mv varies in response to the amount of consumable product contained in the dispenser;
• said holder adapted to rotate about the axis of rotatation along the curvilinear circumference when the curvilinear external circumference is placed on a substantially horizontal and smooth surface and the axis of rotation is substantially parallel to such surface;
• and wherein the well is positioned in the holder such that when the dispenser and consumable product contained in the dispenser are retained in the well in the selected position, and the curvilinear circumference is placed on the substantially horizontal and smooth surface with the axis of rotation substantially parallel to such surface, the effective mass of the dispenser is a first radial distance R1 from the axis of rotation, the effective mass of the holder is a second radial distance R2 from the axis of rotation, and the effective mass of the holder is positioned at a fixed angle of value θ relative to the effective mass of the dispenser, measured about the axis of rotation, such that, when the holder is at a position of equilibrium, the effective mass of the dispenser is positioned at a variable angle about the axis of rotation, having a value θv, whereby the value θv measured from the horizontal is uniquely associated with a specific amount of consumable product contained in the dispenser;
• and wherein the holder comprises an indicator mark for indicating a selected value of the angle θv associated with a particular amount of consumable product contained in the dispenser, the method of selecting fixed angle comprising the steps of:
• defining a first value of α when the dispenser is full, where α=R1Mv/R2M;
• calculating a second value of α associated with the value of Mv when the dispenser is empty;
• choosing θ such that θ is between 90° and 175° and such that a first value of θv when the dispenser is full minus a second value of θv when the dispenser is empty, where θv is 180°-θ-acos(α cos θv), is maximized while retaining sufficient sensitivity of response for all values of θv between the first value and the second value.

A container comprising:

• a holder having an effective mass of value M and defining an axis of rotation and an at least partially curvilinear external circumference;
• said holder further defining a well adapted to receive, and retain in a selected position, a selected dispenser for containing and dispensing a consumable product, wherein the dispenser and consumable product contained in the dispenser together have an effective mass having a value Mv when retained in the selected position, and wherein the mass Mv varies in response to the amount of consumable product contained in the dispenser;
• said holder adapted to rotate about the axis of rotation along the curvilinear circumference when the curvilinear external circumference is placed on a substantially horizontal and smooth surface and the axis of rotation is substantially parallel to such surface;
• and wherein the well is positioned in the holder such that when the dispenser and consumable product contained in the dispenser are retained in the well in the selected position, and the curvilinear circumference is placed on the substantially horizontal and smooth surface with the axis of rotation substantially parallel to such surface, the effective mass of the dispenser is a first radial distance R1 from the axis of rotation, the effective mass of the holder is a second radial distance R2 from the axis of rotation, and the effective mass of the holder is positioned at a fixed angle of value θ relative to the effective mass of the dispenser, measured about the axis of rotation, wherein θ is between 90° and 175°, such that, when the holder is at a position of equilibrium, the effective mass of the dispenser is positioned at a variable angle about the axis of rotation, having a value θv, according to the equation:
• θv =180°-θ-acos(α cos θv) where α=R1Mv/R2M, whereby the value θv measured from the horizontal is uniquely associated with a specific amount of consumable product contained in the dispenser;
• and
• wherein the holder comprises at least two indicator marks for indicating a selected value of the angle θv associated with a particular amount of consumable product contained in the dispenser and a unique preselected value of the mass Mv, such that when the mass Mv has approximated the unique preselected value, and the curvilinear external circumference is placed on the substantially horizontal and smooth surface with the axis of rotation substantially parallel to such surface, the indicator mark associated with the selected value of angle θv positioned adjacent to the surface, whereby a user may determine the approximate amount of consumable product remaining in the dispenser
• said container further comprising a cover removably attachable to the holder, such the cover and holder are adapted to fully enclose the dispenser when said dispenser is fixedly retained in the well.