A shuttle container (2) is used in conjunction with a dispenser (22) to receive a metered dose of a liquid from a reservoir (26). The dispenser (22) includes a metering chamber which is filled and emptied by a pair of valves (43 and 58) operated by a common shaft (40). The shuttle container (2) has a locating sleeve (12) which engages with a locating slot (36) in the dispenser (22) to axially align the shuttle container (2) with the dispenser. The shuttle (2) carries a spigot (14) engage the shaft (40) to effect a discharge of liquid into the shuttle container (2). The collar (6) of the shuttle container (2) has a pair of dogs (8) which engage respective slots (38) in the outer circumference of the dispenser (22). Before the dogs (8) can engage the slots (38), the profiled end of the spigot (14) must engage a matingly profiled recess in the shaft (40). Before the shaft (40) can be displaced, it must be rotated to move a projection (52) on the shaft out of alignment with an abutment (50). The slots (38) guide the dogs (8) to achieve the required angular and axial displacement of the shaft (40) to release it from the locking action of the abutment (50) then displace it to operate the valves (43 and 58) to effect the dispensing of the metered dose into the shuttle container (2).