Device for storage, mixing, and dispensing of two different fluids

A device for storage, mixing, and dispensing of two separate materials, including but not limited to liquids, semi-liquids, powders, and granulated materials. The first and second containers include neck portions which are matably slidable within one another, the necks defining openings into each container. A plug member is retentively held in the neck of either container, and extends to a stopper portion which blocks fluid flow through the neck of the one container when it is positioned in the neck of the other container, thus separating the two independent materials during storage. A sleeve extends over the second container and at least a portion of the first container. A removable collar can be positioned between the second container and the first container to hold them in a position where the materials are separated for storage. By removal of the collar, the second container can be moved with respect to the first which moves the stopper portion out of the sealing position and allows communication between the containers for mixing. The second container can also include an opening sealingly closed by a second plug which allows a needle, cannula or other conduit to be inserted therethrough to withdraw the mixed fluids for dispensing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a fluid container, and in particular, to a 
device for reliable storage, mixing, and dispensing of two different 
fluids or a fluid and a powder. 
2. Problems in the Art 
There are a number of times where two different fluids are required to be 
mixed into a formulation and then subsequently utilized. If the mixture 
does not need to be exact, conventionally, each separate fluid is stored 
in an independent container, and mixing is accomplished by approximating 
the quantities of each fluid to be mixed together. 
However, there are many applications where the mixture must be very exact. 
An example is in the medical field whereby two different fluids must be 
stored separately, but then be able to be quickly and easily mixed in 
exact proportions, and then available for dispensing. 
One way to accomplish this is to store the two separate containers, each 
being of the appropriate size to hold the exact amount of each fluid 
needed for the desired formulation. In assembly of transfer tubes, 
canulas, and other equipment that would be used to transfer one fluid into 
the container of the other, or transfer both fluids out of their 
containers into a third container. Such a procedure is cumbersome, subject 
to error, requires substantial amount of time, and extra equipment and 
materials. Additionally, especially in situations such as medical 
applications, the risk of contamination is increased. 
There have been some attempts to remedy this problem by combining the exact 
quantities of the two fluids into one device for storage, mixing, and 
dispensing. However, these attempts are still deficient in a number of 
respects. Many are unreliable because they do not adequately prevent 
accidental mixing during handling and storage. Additionally, some of these 
devices do not sufficiently prevent against inadvertent dispensing of the 
fluids, either mixed or unmixed. Others are problematic in that they 
require somewhat complex structure and method steps to mix or dispense 
fluids, and some are simply complex in their structure and operation so as 
to make them expensive to manufacture and difficult to utilize. 
Additionally, it would be advantageous to have a device which would allow a 
user to easily and immediately be able to discern, upon visual inspection 
of the device, whether it had been tampered with, whether the device has 
been put in a mixing mode, and whether mixing is complete. These features 
would enhance the reliability and safety of the device. 
There are also many situations where sterility is needed. The aseptic 
condition of the container is particularly important in medical 
applications. Problems in the art exist with respect to achieving this 
desirable goal. While some can maintain aseptic conditions during storage, 
mixing, or dispensing, the art is deficient in providing this capability 
through all stages, including the filling of the two different fluids into 
the device. 
An additional need in some instances involves screening or filtering 
particulate matter, or other contaminating matter from the mixed fluid as 
it is dispensed. This need is particularly important in some medical 
situations whereby the absence of particulate matter must be assured in 
the dispensed formulation. As can be appreciated, this is particularly 
important in ophthalmological formulations which are administered to a 
person's eye. 
It is to be understood that similar problems exist with the storage, 
mixing, and dispensing of a fluid and a powder. 
There is therefore a real need in the art for a device which allows for 
storage, mixing, and dispensing of two different fluids or a fluid and a 
powder with all the advantageous properties associated therewith. 
It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide a 
device for storage, mixing and dispensing of two different fluids or a 
fluid and a powder which improves over or solves the deficiencies and 
problems in the art. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device as above 
described which in one unitary structure accomplish these goals. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device as above 
described, which securely stores two independent fluids or a fluid and a 
powder, in precise quantities, but which can easily be operated to achieve 
mixing and dispensing of the mixed fluid. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device as above 
described, which is reliable in storage, mixing, and dispensing, and 
prevents accidental or inadvertent mixing or dispensing. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device as above 
described, which is mechanically non-complex, and easy to manufacture, 
assemble, and operate. 
A further object of the present invention is to provide a device as above 
described, which allows maintenance of aseptic conditions during filling, 
storage, mixing and dispensing. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device as above 
described, which provides safety mechanisms to prevent unintentional 
mixing and dispensing, and provides visual indication of whether any 
tampering has occurred, or whether any mixing has occurred. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a device as above 
described, which is efficient, durable, and economical. 
These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention 
will become more apparent with reference to the accompanying specification 
and drawings. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is a device for storage, mixing, and dispensing of 
two different fluids. It is to be understood that although the invention 
will be described with respect to being used with two different fluids, 
one of the fluids could be substituted by a powder. A first and second 
fluid holding container each have a neck portion defining an opening into 
respective fluid holding compartments. In assembly, the neck of the second 
container is slidably positioned within the neck of the first container. A 
plug assembly is retentively mounted, integrated, or frictionally fit in 
the neck of the second container and extends outside of that neck to a 
stopper or sealing portion which is of sufficient material, and shape, to 
seal against the interior of the neck of the first container. In that 
position, fluid contained in the first container cannot pass out of the 
neck of the first container, and fluid in the second container cannot pass 
into the first container and mix with its contents. 
Coaxial movement of the two containers toward one another, however, would 
result in the sealing or stop portion of the plug member in the neck of 
the second container to move out of the neck of the first container and 
into the first container fluid holding chamber. The passageway exists 
through the portion of the plug means retentively held or otherwise 
positioned in the neck of the second container to allow fluid from the 
second container to communicate with fluid in the first container, when 
the containers are in this position. 
One of the containers can then include an aperture sealed by an access or 
second plug. By utilizing appropriate means, the mixed fluid can then be 
withdrawn through that aperture or second plug. One conventional way is to 
utilize a needle or cannula inserted through the second plug to draw out 
the mixed fluid. As another example, the invention can be used with 
irrigation or intravenous (IV) sets in medical applications. In one 
embodiment of the invention, an overcap assembly, including a sleeve and 
overcap are included which cover the second container and at least a 
portion of the neck of the first container. The overcap would also cover 
the aperture and second plug in the second container to prevent 
inadvertent or premature access to the interior of the device before 
mixing has occurred. The sleeve and overcap would also function to provide 
a stop or end limit means to define the extent to which the neck of the 
second container can travel down into and through the neck of the first 
container. The sleeve and overcap also operate to prevent inadvertent 
mixing of the fluids. A removable collar or other intermediate member can 
be positioned between the sleeve and the first container to prohibit 
travel of the second container with respect to the first. Once the collar 
is removed, travel is allowed and mixing can occur. Removal of the collar 
signals that the device is in the mixing mode. In a still further 
embodiment, once the second container has been moved relative to the first 
to allow mixing, means are utilized to hold the second container in that 
position. This would allow a visual indication that mixing has occurred. 
Furthermore, a removeable insert disc in the overcap can be ejected upon 
moving the containers to a mixing mode, also giving a visual indication of 
mixing. Moreover, the containers can be transparent enough to visually 
confirm that the plug member is moved to the mixing position. 
It can therefore be seen that the present invention presents a device which 
is non-complex in structure, is easy to operate and is safe and reliable 
for storage, mixing and dispensing of two different fluids.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
With reference to the drawings, the preferred embodiments of the invention 
will now be described. It is to be understood that the preferred 
embodiments are set forth for purposes of example only to depict specific 
ways in which the invention can be embodied. 
The invention represents a means for reliably storing exact quantities of 
two different and segregated fluids, in exact quantities, and then 
allowing reliable, easy, and accurate mixing of the two fluids. The 
preferred embodiment will be described with respect to mixing, storage, 
and dispensing of two fluids. However, the invention is equally applicable 
to mixing, storage and dispensing a fluid and a powder, as can be 
understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. 
A first preferred embodiment of the invention is depicted in cross-section 
in FIG. 1. This first embodiment will be referred to generally by 
reference numeral 10. A first fluid holding container 12 includes a body 
14, which defines a chamber 16 for holding a first fluid. An aperture 18 
exists in the upper end of body 14. A neck 20 surrounds aperture 18 and 
extends outwardly or distally from body 14, and terminates in open end 22. 
A second fluid holding container 24, inverted with respect to first 
container 12, has a body 26, second fluid holding chamber 28, and a neck 
30 terminating in open end 32. As can be seen in FIG. 1, neck 30 is of a 
diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of neck 20 of first 
container 12, and matably is slidable in neck 20 of first container 12. 
First and second containers 12 and 24 thus are translatably movable 
towards and away from one another along longitudinal axis designated by 
line 34. 
Stopper member 36, in the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, consists of three 
parts. A retaining portion 38 retentively fits in the open end 32 of 
second container 24. Alternatively, stopper member 36 can be frictionally 
inserted into neck 20 of first container 12. It is to be understood that 
retaining portion 38 has a hollow center 40 (shown in FIG. 3) which allows 
fluid to pass from chamber 28 of second container 24 outwardly of open end 
32 of second container 24. 
An extension portion 42 extends from retaining portion 38 distally of open 
end 32 of second container 24. Extension portion 42 consists of four 
evenly spaced apart legs 44 which extend to stopper portion 46. Stopper 
portion 46 consists of a sealing member which sealingly but slidably fits 
in neck 20 of first container 12, and prevents fluid from passing out of 
chamber 16 of first container 12 when in neck 20 of first container 12. 
Stopper portion 46 also prevents fluid from second container 24 from 
passing into chamber 16 of first container 12 when stopper portion 46 is 
in sealing position in neck 20 of first container 12. In the preferred 
embodiment, stopper portion 46 consists of at least three sealing rings 48 
positioned in spaced apart relation around radially of longitudinal axis 
34. 
In the preferred embodiment, stopper member 36 is made of an elastomeric 
material suitable for removable retention in open end 32 of second 
container 24, and sealing manner in neck 20 of first container 12. It is 
to be understood that any movement of second container 24 with respect to 
first container 12 results in movement of stopper member 36. It can 
therefore be further understood that when second container 24 is moved 
proximally towards first container 12, from the position shown in FIG. 1, 
stopper portion 46 of plug member 36 would move first through aperture 18 
of first container 12, and then into chamber 16 of first container 12. At 
the point where top sealing ring 48 of stopper portion 46 clears aperture 
18 into chamber 16 of first container 12, fluid communication would exist 
between second container 24 and first container 12 through hollow center 
40 of retaining portion 38 and extension portion 42. 
It can therefore be seen that embodiment 10 can function as a storage means 
for two different fluids in the position shown in FIG. 1, but also 
function as a mixing container by coaxial movement of second fluid 
container 24 with respect to first container 12. 
Additional structure of the embodiment 10 of FIG. 1 allows additional 
features for the invention. First container 12 has a shoulder 50 
surrounding the junction of neck 20 and body 14. Second container 24 has 
two shoulders; a first shoulder 52 generally defining the junction between 
neck 30 and body 26 of second container 24, and a second shoulder 54 at 
the end of second container 24 opposite of open end 32. As can be seen in 
FIG. 1, second shoulder 54 is wider in diameter than first shoulder 52. It 
is to be understood that because second container 24 is inverted, fluid 
can be held in the entire cavity defined by chamber 28, neck 30, hollow 
40, and voids 56 surrounding extension portion 42 of plug member 36. As 
can be further seen, O-rings 58 are retentively positioned on the outside 
of neck 30 of second container 24 near open end 32 to seal any leakage of 
fluid upwards between necks 30 and 20. 
The upper end of neck 20 of first container 12 consists of a raised rim 60 
which is aligned to receive in abutting engagement first shoulder 52 of 
second container 24. A lower rim 62 outside of raised rim 60, comprises 
the rest of the upper end of neck 20. 
Second container 24 has a second aperture 64 at its end opposite open end 
32. A second plug 66 of elastomeric material sealingly and retentively 
fits into second aperture 64. Second plug 66 serves to allow access to 
second container 24 to withdraw mixed first and second fluids from first 
embodiment 10. 
In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, includes some other features which 
contribute to the reliability and accuracy of embodiment 10 for storage, 
mixing, and dispensing of two independent fluids. An overcap assembly 68 
consisting of a generally tubular portion 70 which surrounds most if not 
all of second container 24, and a portion of neck 20 of first container 
12. A cap 72 is secured to tubular portion 70 and covers the top end of 
inverted second container 24, including second plug 66 and second aperture 
64. A pop-out insert 74 is removably retained with an aperture 76 in cap 
72, and is aligned directly above second plug. 
It can be seen that the interior of tubular portion 70 of overcap assembly 
68 has inwardly extending annular portion 78 . having an upper shoulder 80 
and a lower shoulder 82. Upper shoulder 80 abuts second shoulder 54 of 
second container 24 in the position shown in FIG. 1. It can be seen that 
pop-out insert 74 has a downwardly extending rim 84 which contacts second 
plug 66. The outer wall of portion 26 of second container 24 frictionally 
abutts against the inner wall of portion 78 of tubular portion 70 of 
overcap assembly 68. This allows container 24 to move in unison with 
overcap assembly 68 until sufficient force overcomes that frictional 
relationship. 
FIG. 1 also shows that a collar 86 can be positioned between the lower edge 
of overcap assembly 68, and shoulder 50 of first container 12. Collar 86 
can be frangeably or otherwise removably connected to overcap assembly 68 
to allow it to essentially be an intermediate member between overcap 
assembly 68 and first container 12 to hold second container 24 in position 
shown in FIG. 1. Collar 86 can also be a separate piece. This facilitates 
reliable storage without significant risk of inadvertent or accidental 
mixing of the first and second fluids. As can be seen, and as later will 
be described in more detail, removal of collar 86 leaves a gap for overcap 
assembly 68 to travel downwardly which in turn allows movement of second 
container 24 and plug member 36 downwardly to achieve a mixing position 
for embodiment 10. Removal of pop-out insert 74 would then allow insertion 
of a needle or cannula through second plug 66 to withdraw the mixed 
formulation. 
FIG. 2 depicts the parts of embodiment 10 of FIG. 1 in exploded form. It 
can be seen that top flange 88 of pop-out insert 74 fits within recess 90 
in cap 72. Downwardly extending rim 84 of pop-out insert 74 is retained by 
interference fit within aperture 76 in cap 72 so that it is retentively 
held in that position. 
It can also be seen that an internal wedge-shaped ring 92 is positioned 
inside of cap 72 cooperates with wedge-shaped ring 94 on the exterior of 
the top of tubular portion 70 so that cap 72 "snaps-on" to the top of 
tubular portion 70 and forms one unitary overcap assembly 68. It is again 
mentioned that collar 86 can be attached to tubular portion 70 in a manner 
that it can be easily broken away from tubular portion 70 or can be a 
separate piece. Collar 86 may or may not be shaped to extend around neck 
20 of first container 12, but should be able to be easily removed from 
neck 20. In fact, collar 86 could be more in the form of a tab or blocking 
piece between overcap assembly 68 and first container 12. 
Second plug 66 has a top flange 96 wider than aperture 64, and a lower 
flange 98 wider than aperture 64. Lower flange 98 has a beveled edge 100 
to allow insertion into aperture 64, and then allow retention therein. It 
is to be understood that second plug 66 is solid yet elastomeric, to allow 
a needle or cannula to puncture and extend through it, and yet maintain 
sealing relationship with respect to second aperture 64. It can also be 
configured to allow operative connection to irrigation spikes or I.V. 
needles. 
FIG. 2 also shows that the end of second container 24 near open end 32 
includes two parallel annular grooves 102 which receive and retain O-rings 
58. 
Retaining portion 38 of plug member 36 also contains an upper beveled 
flange 104, and a lower flange 106, both of a larger diameter than middle 
section 108. This allows retaining portion 38 to retentively fit into open 
end 32 of second container 24, which includes inwardly extending flange 
110. 
In FIG. 2, it can also be seen that the interior of tubular portion 70 of 
overcap assembly 68 has two spaced apart and parallel wedge-shaped rings 
112 and 114. Rings 112 and 114 are positioned below annular portion 78. 
Ring 114 serves to cooperate with wedge-shaped ring 116 at the top and 
exterior of neck 20 of first container 12 to define the limit of 
separation between second container 24 and first container 12. Ring 112 
also cooperates with ring 116 on first container 12 to lock second 
container 24 into a mixing position with first container 12 when second 
container 24 is moved a sufficient distance towards first container 12. 
These functions will be described more specifically later in this 
description. 
FIG. 3 shows in cross-sectional view a preferred embodiment of plug member 
36 in disassembled form. It can be seen that retaining portion 38 and 
extension portion 42 are formed of one unitary piece 118, with the lower 
end of extension portion 42 consisting of an outwardly extending portion 
120 which terminates in a head 122 wider than the diameter of outward 
portion 120. Stopper portion 46 includes a bore 124 which is roughly the 
same shape as outward portion 120 and head 122 of extension portion 42. 
The elastomeric nature of plug member 36 allows outward portion 120 and 
head 122 to interference fit into bore 124. It can be seen therefore that 
fluid from second container 24 can flow through hollow center 40, and 
between legs 44 of extension portion 42. 
FIG. 4 shows a top view of unitary piece 118 and in particular shows legs 
44 of extension portion 42 and hollow center 40. 
By reference to FIGS. 1, 5, 6, and 7, operation of embodiment 10 can be 
seen. In FIG. 1, collar 86 is in place. Therefore, overcap assembly 68 is 
held in a raised position, which in turn holds second container 24 in a 
raised position. Stopper portion 46 of plug member 36 is thus sealingly 
held in neck 20 of first container 12, and prohibits any exchange of 
fluids between second container 24 and first container 12. Collar 86 
prohibits any downward movement of overcap assembly 68, whereas the 
abutment of wedge-shaped ring 116 on neck 20 of first container 12 with 
wedge-shaped ring 114 of the interior of tubular portion 70 of overcap 
assembly 68 prevents the sliding of overcap assembly 68 upwardly and away 
from neck 20 of first container 12. 
Additionally, the abutment of second shoulder 54 of second container 24 
with upper shoulder 80 of annular portion 78 of tubular portion 70 of 
overcap assembly 68, causes pop-out insert 74 to lightly abut second plug 
66 to cover any access to second plug 66. The configuration of FIG. 1 
therefore allows for reliable storage and separation of the first and 
second fluids which would be contained in embodiment 10. It also would 
allow a visual indication if any tampering had been done to embodiment 10 
or if any accidental or non-intended mixing of the fluids had been 
attempted or accomplished. 
FIG. 5 shows the configuration of embodiment 10 with collar 86 removed. It 
can be seen that a gap 126 then exists between lower edge 128 of tubular 
portion 70 of overcap assembly 68 and shoulder 50 of first container 12. 
Embodiment 10 is thus in a state where it is ready to be converted to a 
mixing mode. The frictional sealing fit of stopper portion 46 in neck 20 
of first container 12, however, holds second container 24 and overcap 
assembly 68 in the upward position until mixing is desired. Therefore, the 
invention continues to provide features for accurate and reliable use. 
Additionally, it is pointed out, that once collar 86 is removed, a user 
will be alerted to the fact that mixing may have occurred. It is also 
noted that in this position, as shown in FIG. 5, cap 72 and pop-out insert 
74 are still in a position covering second plug 66 to prevent withdrawal 
of any fluid. 
FIG. 6 shows embodiment 10 in a mixing position. It can be seen that 
overcap assembly 68 has been manually pushed down to the point where rim 
60 of neck 20 of first container 12 abuts first shoulder 52 of second 
container 24. This stops downward movement of second container 24, and it 
can be seen that stopper portion 46 of plug member 36 is free of neck 20 
of first container 12, and extends into chamber 16 of first container 12. 
Fluid from second container 24 is thus free to flow through retaining 
portion 38 and extension portion 42 of plug member 36, into first 
container 12, or vice versa. 
Overcap assembly 68 (and particularly insert 74) still covers second plug 
66 to prevent withdrawal of any fluid. It is also to be understood that 
wedge-shaped ring 116 on neck 20 of first container 12 comes into abutment 
below wedge-shaped ring 112 on the interior of tubular portion 70 of 
overcap assembly 68 to bring overcap assembly 68 to an intermediate 
stopping point. 
It is to be noted that a gap 130 still exists between lower edge 128 of 
overcap assembly 68, and shoulder 50 of first container 12. 
FIG. 7 depicts the final position of overcap assembly 68 to enable 
withdrawal of the mixed fluid from embodiment 10. Overcap assembly 68 is 
continued to be pushed downwardly from the position in FIG. 6. While any 
further movement of second container 24 is restrained by the abutment of 
rim 60 and first shoulder 52, tubular portion 70 can continue to travel 
downwardly until lower edge 128 abuts shoulder 50 of first container 12. 
This movement would cause rim 84 of pop-out insert 74 to abut against the 
top flange 96 of second plug 66, and cause pop-out insert 74 to be moved 
upwardly in aperture 76. As shown in FIG. 7, pop-out insert 74 can be 
gripped by flange 88 and easily removed. A cannula or needle can then be 
inserted through elastomeric second plug 66 into chamber 28 of second 
fluid container 24, where by inverting embodiment 10, fluid will flow into 
second container 24 where it can be withdrawn. 
It is to be understood that in the position in FIG. 7, overcap assembly 68 
is retentively held by a snapping or locking of wedge-shaped ring 116 of 
first container 12 over wedge-shaped ring 112 of overcap assembly 68. By 
movement or gentle shaking, mixing of the two fluids can be completed. 
Thus, once put into the position of FIG. 7, the components of embodiment 
10 are held in that position to allow quick visual identification that 
mixing has occurred and that embodiment 10 is in a dispensing mode. It is 
also to be understood that this locking also prevents inadvertent blockage 
of the fluid path from first container 12 into second container 24. 
The locked cap 72 and insert 74 provide tamper-resistance and assures 
sterility of the product in at least second container 24. It also allows 
automatic "pop-up" operation of insert 74. This is the preferred 
construction. However, it is to be understood that in the configuration of 
embodiment 10, cap 72 can be in certain situations removed from overcap 
assembly 68, and second plug 66 can also be removed to gain access to 
second container 24. However, in this embodiment, the primary means of 
withdrawal of fluid from embodiment 10 is by insertion of a cannular 
needle through second plug 66. It can therefore be understood that 
embodiment 10 is easily disassemblable, and easy to operate; along with 
being easy to manufacture, assemble, and fill. 
FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment, which will be referred to as 
embodiment 132. Its operation is essentially similar to embodiment 10 
shown in FIGS. 1 through 7, except for the following differences. 
Embodiment 132 utilizes a first fluid holding container 134 having a neck 
136. A neck insert 138 has a lower portion 140 extending into neck 136, a 
shoulder 142 abutting the top of neck 136, and an upper portion 144 
extending upwardly and outwardly from neck 136. 
A second fluid holding container 146 includes a neck portion 148 which 
slidingly fits within neck 136 of first container 134. Second container 
146 has integrally formed with it a sleeve portion 150 which fits over 
neck insert 138. Neck insert 138 thus is slidable between sleeve portion 
150 and neck portion 148 of second container 146. 
Second container 146 has an aperture 152 sealingly closed by plug 154. A 
cap 156 is removably mounted to cover plug 154. A plug member 158 has a 
first portion 160 attached to neck portion 148 of second container 146, 
and extends to a stopper portion 162. Plug member 158 functions similarly 
to plug member 36 of embodiment 10. Movement of second container 146 
downwardly causes stopper portion 162 out of neck 136 of first container 
134 and allows fluid from second container 146 to communicate with fluid 
in first container 134. 
Embodiment 132 also utilizes a collar 164 which would be positioned between 
sleeve portion 150 and shoulder 166 of first container 134 to hold 
embodiment 132 in a storage position. Removal of collar 164 allows 
movement of second container 146 to a mixing position. Removal of cap 156 
then allows withdrawal of the mixed fluid from embodiment 132. 
FIG. 9 depicts an optional feature which can be used with any embodiment of 
the invention. A filter member 168 can be secured to second plug 66 of the 
embodiment 10 shown in FIG. 1. Filter 168 can comprise a basket shape with 
an open end covered by the lower end of second plug 66, and all other 
portions enclosed by a filter material such as a membrane or mesh. Such a 
configuration for filter 168 would allow a cannula or needle to be 
inserted through second plug 66 into the interior surrounded by the filter 
material, and allow filtering of particulate matter from the mixed 
formulation before withdrawal out of second plug 66. 
It is to be understood that other types of filters and filter means could 
be utilized. For example, a filter could extend across the upper portion 
of second container 24. It is also to be understood that in the preferred 
embodiment, filter 168 is made of a material which is not either 
penetrable by a needle or cannula, or preferably the shape and location of 
the filter is such to disallow penetration by a cannula, needle, irrigtion 
spike or I.V. needle to insure the reliability of the filtering. 
FIGS. 10 and 11 show an embodiment 170 which operate essentially the same 
as previously described embodiments (particularly embodiment 10). The 
primary difference is that plug stopper member 172 is not attached to or 
retentively held in second container 24. Rather it is wedged or 
frictionally held in position in neck 20 of first container 12 by its 
resilient elastomeric properties. In FIG. 10 it thus seals off any fluid 
communication between second and first containers 24 and 12. In FIG. 11, 
it can be seen it allows such fluid communication, but is still 
frictionally held in neck 20 and does not drop into first container 12. 
This alternative embodiment allows somewhat more flexible and easier 
manufacturing, component molding, and assembly. 
It will be appreciated that the present invention can take many forms and 
embodiments. The true essence and spirit of this invention are defined in 
the appended claims, and it is not intended that the embodiments of this 
invention presented herein should limit the scope thereof. It can be seen 
that the invention achieves at least all of its stated objectives.