Abstract:
A valve using a flexible membrane integrated into the throat or passageway. The membrane forms a portion of the passageway&#39;s sidewall. The membrane is designed to collapse against another portion of the sidewall to restrict flow of product through the passageway, when it is in one position (i.e., its open position) the flexible membrane forms an inconspicuous part of the sidewall (as far as product moving through the passageway) and product can pass through the passageway freely, when it is in a second position (i.e., its closed position), the flexible membrane is collapsed against a rigid or non-movable portion of the sidewall thereby preventing flow of the product through the passageway.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present application claims the benefits under 35 U.S.C. §19(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/506,568 filed Sep. 29, 2003, titled Flexible Gate Restrictor Container System in the name of Kenneth A. Alley.  
         [0002]     U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/506,568 filed Sep. 29, 2003, is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention relates generally to devices for controlling fluid flow from a bottle or other fluid containers. More specifically, this invention relates to a flexible gate system adapted to a container for restricting fluid flow through an upper container port when the container is inverted and/or for controlling general access to the contents of a fluidic or non-fluidic container by means of flexing the gate mechanism.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     Alternative systems have been developed to address this problem with water coolers and other fluid containers. U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,448 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,860, issued to Kenneth A. Alley, provided solutions to these problems. In the systems taught by the aforementioned patents, a momentary gate was provided for fluid containers that effectively restricted fluid flow through an upper container port as the container was inverted. The momentary gate was incorporated into a fluid container including a bottle having a tapered fluid port at an upper end through which fluid passed to fill or empty the container, and means within the bottle for momentarily restricting fluid flow out of the port when the bottle was inverted. The restricting means taught by the Alley patents had a construction such that if the bottle was filled with fluid in an upright position, the fluid was permitted free passage through the port until the bottle was substantially full if the restricting means was in the bottle during filling, although it was preferred that the bottle be filled without the restricting means. This method required the addition of a separate buoyant capsule which added to the final cost of the product container.  
         [0005]     There are also other specialized two-piece closures to control access to the contents of a container, for instance typical shampoo closures. Most of these require more than one component and are therefore cost prohibitive. They also all require a specialized closure. The ideal solution for cost competitive product containers (oil etc.) would be one that would involve no additional components.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention is a specialized container comprising a flexible gate system integrated into a container for restricting (or controlling) fluid flow (or access) through an upper container port when the container is inverted.  
         [0007]     The subject invention provides a one-piece container system with a built-in flexible gate restrictor. The present invention will also work with standard closures. The flexible gate restrictor may be built directly into the container, thus not requiring a special closure.  
         [0008]     The flexible gate membrane may also provide means for tamper evidence, without the need for a tamper evident closure. The adaptation of the flexible gate restrictor membrane provides the means to isolate containers contents with or without the additional cost of a closure. It also provides the means to isolate individual chambers within a single container system. There are numerous applications for the flexible gate restrictor membrane technology.  
         [0009]     Numerous fluid containers require careful control of the fluid flow as they are dispensed into their desired reservoir. Additionally, control of oil (anti-freeze, hydrocarbons, chemicals, etc.) flowing from oil containers into gasoline engines are a very common problem. There are many automotive, marine and chemical products that may pose serious safety hazards, environmental hazards and property damage if the fluid spills during dispensing. Funnels may help provide means to carefully dispense the product; however, residue remains on the funnel and it then becomes a hazard as well.  
         [0010]     Accordingly, there is a need for a device capable of restricting flow out of water bottles, oil containers, or other fluid and non-fluid containers when they are inverted which would not interfere with normal flow of the fluid (or non-fluid) out of the container after the container was securely positioned where intended. Furthermore, such a flow restriction device was required to have characteristics that permitted control of the outlet port restrictor. Additionally, a flow restriction device for use specifically with oil or other fluid containers is needed that can be adapted for use with existing receiving means, for example engines, reservoirs, etc.  
         [0011]     In order to be useful, the restriction device was required to involve minimal expense for manufacturing, must be easy to fill and would ideally be designed to work within current filling, manufacturing and assembly infrastructures.  
         [0012]     The present invention consists of a fluid reservoir/container and a specialized flexible gate restrictor built into the bottle neck. The flexible gate restrictor is designed to have a collapsible diameter/geometry with respect to the bottle neck&#39;s exit port. The flexible gate restrictor provides the means to occlude the container&#39;s exit port.  
         [0013]     When the flexible gate restrictor is pushed or snapped inward the bottleneck exit port will be occluded. When the flexible gate restrictor is pulled outward the bottleneck exit port is opened to allow fluidic or non-fluidic product to flow through not restricted.  
         [0014]     Unlike other oil containers the present invention would not require the use of a funnel and will provide an economical, simple and safe means to invert the container into its desired location without spilling its contents. That is, the oil container may be partially or completely inverted while the exit port is occluded, and at the designed time the exit port can be opened by operating the flexible gate restrictor.  
         [0015]     The present invention also provides restricting means that are built into the container during its molding and or manufacturing process minimizing additional expenses. The present invention becomes a closed loop living hinge thus, no extra components are necessary. The flexible gate may be designed to have numerous geometries and may be designed to open and close by numerous means such as a pull tab or ring; in this particular case the flexible gate restrictor will be either open or closed depending on its static position.  
         [0016]     A flexible gate restrictor could be designed to always be in either an open or closed position thus requiring an additional and constant outside force to open or close the flexible gate restrictor (container). One method of doing this would be to manufacture the flexible gate restrictor so that there is a constant force on the restrictor thereby keeping it either always open or always closed when there is no force applied to the pull tab. For example, if the flexible gate restrictor is always closed, a person can open the restrictor by pulling on the pull tab; however, once the person releases the pull tab, the restrictor reverts back to the closed position.  
         [0017]     The present invention may require parison profiling during the extrusion blow molding process. The bottleneck portion and flexible gate restrictor section of the parison would require unique tolerances and dimensional geometry in order for the material/plastic to provide the desired features after molding. This geometry requires various container wall thicknesses and wall weights. If the manufacturing process included injection blow molding, stretch blow, (or injection molding) these required tolerances could be built into the injection and blow molds. In the case of extrusion blow (or form fill and seal technology) molding, the existing extrusion molding equipment is capable of providing control of the wall weights in the vertical direction along the parison, for example a control pin will move up or down inside of a tapered extrusion die controlling the thickness of the parison wall along the vertical direction (Y-plane).  
         [0018]     Although, the current technology will allow perpendicular control of the parison wall weight the existing technology does not allow means to mechanically control the circumferential (X-Plane) wall weight of a parison along the perpendicular at any given point.  
         [0019]     The subject invention also teaches in this invention that the extrusion molding machinery may be adapted to move the control pin either to the left or right or more specifically in the entire X-plane to provide the means to control wall weights at any side of the parison along the perpendicular. Also the subject invention teaches that it may be desired to split the control pin perpendicularly into controlled segments (as many as desired) so that the different sections/segments of the die pin can move up or down independent of the other sections. This improvement will allow very specific wall weight distribution control anywhere along the perpendicular and in many cases would be better than just moving the pin left or right (x plane). This will be illustrated in  FIG. 16 .  
         [0020]     The present invention also teaches that alternative to splitting the extrusion pin would be to split the extrusion die perpendicularly into controlled segments (as many as desired) so that the different sections/segments of the die can move up or down (relative to a fixed pin) independent of the other sections. This particular alternative may be easier to retrofit existing machines because the die is on the outside of the pin and therefore provides easier access to add such a control features.  
         [0021]     Although, the previously mentioned invention focuses on fluid containers, the present invention could be used for food and beverage containers, lyophilizing container systems, prescription containers, child resistant containers and many other applications where a flexible gate restrictor could be adapted to everyday fluid or non-fluidic containers. All of these containers may also use the flexible gate restrictor for the sole purposes of a tamper evident membrane thus, eliminating the need for a more expensive tamper evident closure. The flexible gate restrictor could also be adapted to containers, as a splash proof or spill guard, to provide additional safety features.  
         [0022]     There are several containers on the market that require special (CRC) child resistant closures. The present invention could be an alternative to the CRC closure whereby, the present invention provides a child resistant container. A container with the flexible gate restrictor System adapted could be designed to work with either a standard closure or by incorporating a CRC feature within the flexible gate membrane to create a child resistant container without the need for a (CRC) closure. The flexible gate membrane could be used to replace the standard closure of many containers and or replace the tamper evident features on closures.  
         [0023]     Although the invention description focuses on a fluidic container, thus controlling the flow as the container is inverted; there are numerous container applications that are used for everyday food and beverage packaging, drug and pharmaceutical packaging and chemical packaging that could benefit from the present invention functionally from a cost perspective and from a safety perspective. The present invention will be further described in connection with specific applications to provide the larger scope of this novel invention and technology. Some embodiments include a single piece lyophilization baby bottle, standard lyophilization containers, water/beverage/food container with built in closure/reseal-able features, unit dose applicators, and eyedropper bottles with built-in dropper tip, etc. to name a few. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0024]     The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description, may be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification. The drawings serve to explain the principles of the invention and illustrate embodiments of the present invention that are preferred at the time the application was filed. It should be understood however that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.  
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is an upright side view of a novel fluid container utilizing a flexible gate restrictor in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 2  is a perspective side view of the flexible gate restrictor which is incorporated into the container shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a perspective side view of another embodiment of the flexible gate restrictor showing the use of a lever that keeps the flexible gate restrictor in a normally open position and which requires a constant force to activate the restrictor.  
         [0028]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the flexible gate restrictor. This embodiment locates the flexible gate restrictor at the uppermost portion (above the screw threads) of the container. This embodiment would be adapted for use with child resistant containers and may be adapted for use with dry powder or pills.  
         [0029]      FIG. 5  is a perspective top view of a different configuration of a flexible gate restrictor which could be adapted to a container.  
         [0030]      FIG. 6  is an expanded view of the flexible gate restrictor shown in the closed position.  
         [0031]      FIG. 7  an alternative embodiment of the flexible gate restrictor that may be adapted to catheter tubing or other applications where a check valve may be incorporated into the tubing.  
         [0032]      FIG. 8  is another embodiment of a flexible gate restrictor membrane. In this particular configuration the flexible gate restrictor membrane is located at the uppermost section of the container, replacing the need for a separate closure.  
         [0033]      FIG. 9  is another embodiment of a flexible gate restrictor membrane illustrating tamper evident and child resistant means which are manufactured as part of the flexible gate restrictor membrane technology.  
         [0034]      FIG. 10  is another configuration of a flexible gate restrictor membrane. In this particular configuration the flex gate restrictor membrane is designed to function as a controlled dropper tip.  
         [0035]      FIG. 11  is another container configuration where the flexible gate restrictor membrane is located at the uppermost section of the container, replacing the need for a separate closure.  
         [0036]      FIG. 12  represents a perspective side view of an applicator device with the flexible gate restrictor membrane technology.  
         [0037]      FIG. 13  is a perspective isometric view of a multiple chambered baby bottle. This particular baby bottle has the flexible gate restrictor membrane incorporated between two separate chambers of the container. This particular application will provide an economically feasible single-piece lypholization container for mixing liquids and or powders or a combination of substances.  
         [0038]      FIGS. 14 and 15  illustrate additional embodiments of the flexible gate restrictor membranes integrated into various containers.  
         [0039]      FIG. 16A  is a prior art die.  
         [0040]      FIGS. 16B and 16C  illustrates two novel pin-die apparatus that can be used to manufacture a passageway having variable thickness sidewalls. The pin-die apparatus controls the wall weight of the parison during the extrusion molding process. By incorporating this technology waste material (plastic resin) could be minimized and design detail and product design capability could be substantially improved. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0041]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , container  10  for controlling fluid flow especially when a container is inverted is shown. Container  10  consists of a flexible gate system  20  adapted to container  10  for restricting fluid flow through an upper container port  13  when the container is inverted.  
         [0042]     Container  10  would be molded with the flexible gate system  20  in the open position shown in  FIG. 1 . The membrane  23  of flexible gate restrictor  20  does not interfere (in the open position) with the filling of container  10 . In the open position, entry/exit port  13  has an uninterrupted passage way to reservoir  11 . (Of course, if the restrictor gate is manufactured to be “always closed”, and there is no external force, a filling tube may be inserted into the neck of the container, gently opening the restrictor in order to allow the container to be filled. When the tube is removed, the restrictor closes.)  
         [0043]     Once container  10  is filled, flexible gate restrictor  20  may be closed by applying a force onto membrane  23 . When membrane  23  of flexible gate restrictor  20  is pushed inward, the inner wall of membrane  23  is moved against the inner wall of the neck&#39;s sidewall opposite to the restrictor and forms a restricted passageway between entry/exit port  13  and reservoir  11 . Specifically, the diameter of inner bottleneck  25  is effectively reduced to zero when the restrictor membrane  23  frictionally mates with the inner wall of the bottle neck  25 , thus creating a restricted passageway between container reservoir  11  and the entry/exit port  13 . A standard closure or lid (not shown) may then be applied to threads  17  and snapped over tamper proof bead  19  of container  10 . Of course, a foil seal may also be used to cover the exit port  13  to provide evidence of tampering. Further, the membrane  23  may be ultrasonically sealed to the bottle neck&#39;s inner sidewall which would also provide a tamper evident closure.  
         [0044]     Container  10  with the flexible gate restrictor  20  (when in the closed position) would then be ready for packaging and shipping of reservoir  11 . The contents can be emptied, for example, the user may hold container by finger grips  15  (not necessary), invert the container  10  and pull the restrictor away from the neck&#39;s sidewall allowing the product in the reservoir  11  to empty out.  
         [0045]     When the entry/exit port  13  of container  10  is safety oriented into the desired position, pull tab  21  may be utilized to retract/open membrane  23  of flexible gate restrictor  20 , thus providing an unobstructed passageway between the reservoir  11  and entry/exit port  13  of container  10 . (A rapid compression or squeezing of the container may also activate the flexible gate restrictor which would force product between the membrane  23  and the neck&#39;s sidewall thereby forcing the restrictor into the open position.)  
         [0046]     It may be desired to keep membrane  23  open and let the end user decide if they wish to close off membrane  23  and aseptically seal the container. This embodiment could replace the need for a tamper evident cap.  
         [0047]      FIG. 2  is an expanded view of the flexible gate restrictor  20 , incorporated into container  10  shown in  FIG. 1 . Flexible restrictor gate  20  is shown in the open position which allows product to pass into or out of the reservoir  11 . Membrane  23  has unique and controlled wall weight distributions/dimensional tolerances  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 , and  30 . In the preferred manufacturing process (extrusion blow molding) these tolerances will be controlled by profiling the parison, (available with more modern material weight distribution and temperature control systems). Although, the subject invention teaches improvements to the existing technology as explained hereafter and illustrated in  FIG. 16 .  
         [0048]     When membrane  23  of flexible gate restrictor  20  is pushed inward, the inner bottleneck sidewall  25  frictionally engages with the inner sidewall of membrane  23 , thus creating a restricted (controlled) passageway between container reservoir  11  and the entry/exit port  13 . The frictional mate quality between inner diameter  25  and membrane  23  is enhanced by the nature of the plastic and the controlled wall weight distribution. Plastic distribution in specific areas  22 ,  24   28  and  30 , help provide an increased frictional pressure at sealing surface  26 . This configuration provides a closed loop living hinge built within the container. Additionally, this sealing surface may be ultrasonically sealed to provide an aseptic liquid seal, or other means may be adapted to create a tamper evident or liquid seal, including co-extrusion materials, adhesives or induction technologies for an example.  
         [0049]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an alternative embodiment is illustrated. Container  30  is adapted with a modified flexible gate restrictor  34 . This embodiment would require a constant force to activate (i.e., close) the flexible gate restrictor  34  and to maintain a restricted passageway. The membrane  31  is designed to stay in the open position unless a constant force is applied. Lever  32  of container  30  provides the force to close the membrane  31  of flexible restrictor gate  30 . In this configuration, lever  32  will be compressed against membrane  31 , thus, occluding the passageway between entry/exit port  36  and reservoir  38 . When the entry/exit port  36  of container  30  is safety oriented into the desired position, lever  32  will naturally swing outward, simultaneously, membrane  31  will return to its static state (open position) of the flexible gate restrictor  34 , thus providing an unobstructed passageway between the reservoir  38  and entry/exit port  36  of container  30 . Lever  32  could be eliminated and an enduser may use his thumb, by squeezing the flexible gate restrictor and after releasing it, the flexible gate restrictor would pop back open. In a variation of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the lever  32  may be physically connected to the membrane  31  and the lever  32  provides the force to keep the restrictor open.  
         [0050]     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an alternative embodiment of a container with a flexible gate restrictor is shown. This embodiment locates the flexible gate restrictor at the uppermost portion (above the screw threads) of the container. This embodiment would be adapted for use with child resistant containers and may be adapted for use with dry powder or pills.  
         [0051]     Container  40  consists of reservoir  42 , pulltab  47  and flexible gate restrictor  45 . Container  40  is shown with the flexible gate restrictor  45  in the open position. Living hinge  46  provides the means to collapse the flexible restrictor gate  45  inward towards the inner sidewall  48  of exit/entry port  44 . This configuration could utilize a specially designed closure or cap to attach to the threads  43  of container  40 .  
         [0052]      FIG. 5  is a perspective top view of another embodiment of a flexible gate restrictor  50 , which could be adapted to a container.  
         [0053]     Flexible gate restrictor  50  is shown in the closed position. As previously mentioned specific wall weight distribution will help to create living hinges  51 ,  52  and  56  thus, providing the means to flex membrane  57  inward towards inner sidewall  54  of flexible gate restrictor  50 . In this position the exit/entry port would be occluded.  
         [0054]     It should be noted that pull tab  53  could be made longer, then flexed to either side and snapped into locking features (not shown) which could be located on the outer diameter of hinges  51 , thus catching the tab  53  and holding flexible gate restrictor membrane closed. This feature could be used for tamper evidence and/or child resistance features.  
         [0055]     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , an expanded view of the flexible gate restrictor  20 , which can be adapted to a number of different containers is shown. Flexible restrictor gate  20  is shown in the closed position. Depending on the particular application, the flexible gate may be frictionally sealed or mechanically sealed. In the oil container application it may be desired to leave the gate open and let the end user decide whether or not they wish to use the gate restrictor. If the flexible gate restrictor is sealed (for example, ultrasonically) after the container is filled, it will provide both tamper evidence and flow control means, thus, providing cost savings by eliminating the need for more expensive tamper evident closures.  
         [0056]     When membrane  23  of flexible gate restrictor  20  is pushed inward, the inner bottleneck sidewall  25  frictionally mates with the inner wall of membrane  23 , thus creating a restricted (controlled) passageway between container reservoir  11  and the entry/exit port  13 .  
         [0057]     Referring to  FIG. 7 , an alternative embodiment of the flexible gate restrictor is illustrated that may be adapted to catheter tubing or other applications where a check valve may be incorporated into the tubing. For example, infections can occur when waste fluid backflows up through catheter tubing and into the patient&#39;s bladder. There are also numerous other applications where this alternative flexible gate restrictor may be adapted.  
         [0058]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , another configuration of a flexible gate restrictor (neck finish)  80  is illustrated. In this particular configuration, the flexible gate restrictor  80  is located at the uppermost section of the container, replacing the need for a separate closure. Flexible gate restrictor  80  would be molded as part of the container in the open position. This particular configuration has flexible membrane  23 , pull tab  21  and one or more sealing undercuts  81 . The undercuts  81  would provide a seal when the flexible membrane  23  is closed and inserted under the undercuts  81 . This particular seal would be adequate for liquids, powders, pills etc.  
         [0059]     The flexible gate restrictor membrane  80  replaces the need for a typical closure. The sealing undercuts  81  are designed to close off the container contents whenever the flexible membrane  23  is pushed inward. If desired, an inexpensive over cap may be applied to cover the flexible gate restrictor or to add additional features, such as tamper evidence or child resistance capabilities. As in the other configurations of the flexible gate restrictor, it may be desired to use ultrasonic, induction or adhesives to aseptically seal the contents for tamper evidence means or (lyopholization) which is more fully described herein in connection with  FIGS. 12 through 15 . Flexible gate restrictor  80  would be ideal for food, and beverage and pharmaceutical containers. If undercuts  81  are not incorporated, the flexible gate restrictor membrane would rely on the frictional engagement between the interior wall of the container and of the flexible membrane  23  to provide a quality sealing surface.  
         [0060]      FIG. 9  illustrates an embodiment that may be used with prescription-type vials  90 . The membrane  23  would be molded in the open position, then pull/push tab  21  is pushed inwards to close off the exit port of the vial. An extended lip  91  has a tamper evident slot  92 .  
         [0061]     When the membrane is closed, lip  91  is folded over the membrane and push tab  21  is inserted through slot  92 . The tab  21  can then be folded left or right to prevent the lip  91  from popping open. Alternatively, the lip  91  can be sealed in this position overlapping the membrane  23 .  
         [0062]     There are numerous configurations and designs that could be adapted to provide a CRC (child resistant closure) and tamper evident features which are built into the flexible gate restrictor Membrane Technology. Depending on the individual application an additional over-cap may be applied to help add these features as well.  
         [0063]     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , another configuration of a flexible gate restrictor membrane molded as part of a container  110  is illustrated. In this particular configuration, the flex gate restrictor membrane  23  is designed to function as a controlled dropper tip.  
         [0064]     There are numerous applications where dropper tips are attached to containers for the purpose of dispensing one drop (or controlled portion) of the containers contents at a time. Most commonly are eye dropper containers. Other applications include paints, liquid candies, etc.  
         [0065]     If and when a dropper tip is required, the manufacturer must not only purchase the expensive tips, they must also have specialized equipment to insert or attach them to the container. The extra component along with the additional manufacturing process and equipment adds substantial cost to the overall product. Additionally, in many cases there is a hazard that the tip may fall out creating a danger to small children. This particular application incorporates the dropper tip means as part of the container  110 . There is no need to purchase a separate components (dropper tip) or special assembly equipment. The dropper tip feature may be incorporated as part of the flexible gate restrictor membrane and therefore cannot be removed or fall out of the container.  
         [0066]     For example, container  110  will be molded with the flexible gate restrictor in the open position, thus membrane  23  will be in the open position. In this particular configuration, membrane  23  does not require a pull tab  21  as previously described. Container  110  will be filled with a liquid solution and afterwards, membrane  23  will be pushed inward (permanently), thus forming a controlled dropper tip  111 . Controlled dropper tip  111  includes an orifice  112  that extends the entire length of the membrane  23  and will provide the means to dispense the solution when the container is inverted. Orifice opening  112  of container  111  is made to a pre-determined diameter and will provide means to control the flow/dispensing of the containers contents. A special closure (not shown) can be adapted so the landing area of the interior of the cap mates with the sealing surface of the dropper tip.  
         [0067]      FIG. 11  is another container configuration where the flexible gate restrictor membrane is located at the uppermost section of the container, replacing the need for a separate closure. This particular container  100  could be used as a water, or food and beverage container. Flexible membrane  23  will open and close the container. A special sealing bead  81  may be incorporated to provide a liquid tight seal when the flexible gate restrictor membrane is in the closed position. An over-cap (not shown) could be adapted to frictionally engage flexible membrane  23  to enhance the sealing quality or to provide tamper evident features. Container  100  would be a very economic food and beverage container. The elimination of the screw threaded cap would be a major cost savings.  
         [0068]     Now referring to  FIG. 12 , a perspective side view of an applicator device  200  that utilizes the flexible gate restrictor membrane technology is disclosed herein.  
         [0069]     There are numerous applicators on the market; most commonly they require a sealed plastic housing (or container) around a breakable glass ampule. To activate the system the plastic housing is bent, thus breaking the ampule. The prior applicators require multiple parts and specialized equipment to make and fill the ampule.  
         [0070]     In  FIG. 12 , applicator  200  includes liquid chamber  202  and applicator head  201 . Flexible gate restrictor membrane  20  is aseptically sealed after chamber  202  is filled. In order to activate the applicator, tab  21  is pulled outward breaking the aseptic seal, thus, allowing liquid to flow into applicator head. There is no need for additional parts or glass ampules. The applicator may be sealed by ultrasonically sealing the flexible membrane just enough that sufficient outward force will break the seal. Alternatively, adhesives, induction sealing and or a combination of these or similar technologies may be adapted to seal the chamber. The application head  21  may be made of cotton, or any of the normal absorbent materials applicators typically utilize.  
         [0071]      FIG. 13  is a perspective isometric view of a multiple chambered baby bottle. This particular baby bottle has the flexible gate restrictor membrane incorporated between two separate chambers of the bottle. This particular application will provide an economically feasible single piece lyopholization container for mixing liquids and or powders or a combination of substances. There are numerous applications for lyopholization containers; these include light sticks, pharmaceuticals, premix drinks, baby formulas etc. One thing they all have in common with their design is that the mechanisms used to isolate the various substances include separate containers that are either broken or pierced in order to mix the substances. They all include multiple containers, ampules or vessels, etc. In some cases, the expense of the extra components will outweigh the benefits of the application.  
         [0072]     In  FIG. 13 , this particular baby bottle has the flexible gate restrictor membrane incorporated between two separate chambers of the container. It utilizes two containers to provide the means to isolate, and then mix substances at a desired time. For example, baby bottle  250  would be molded with the flexible gate restrictor  20  in the open position. Chamber section  210  of baby bottle  250  would then be filled with a liquid (water), a mechanical arm will push inward and heat seal (aseptically seal) flexible gate restrictor  20  in the closed position thus, isolating chamber  210  from upper chamber  212 . Further down the filling line a powdered baby formula, pill or nutritional substance will be placed into upper chamber  212  and finally baby bottle nipple  213  (or other suitable cap) will be placed on to container  250 . This particular configuration could be used as a single-use humanitarian baby bottle that could be shipped all over the world without refrigeration. Alternative systems would require separate containers and or components including clean water to mix substances. This could also serve as an economical single-use instant nutrient container for everyday applications. (Although, this particular example includes only two different chambers it would be possible to add as many chambers as necessary each separated by a gate restrictor for the particular application.)  
         [0073]      FIGS. 14 and 15  represent alternative containers with differently designed flexible gate restrictor membranes  300  and  400  respectively. These containers also include chambers  305  and  306  that are also isolated when either flexible gate restrictor membranes  300  or  400  are closed. The screw threaded finish  304  could be designed to accept a baby bottle nipple, regular bottle cap, spout cap (water) or any closure, again depending on the application.  
         [0074]      FIGS. 14 and 15  could be used to hold chemicals, pharmaceuticals and or foods and beverages. For example, water and powdered milk/chocolate may be isolated and un-refigerated until ready for use. Water and nutrient drinks may be isolated thus, enhancing product shelf life. Just prior to use the restrictor membranes may be unsealed and the products could then be mixed activating the active substances. There are numerous uses for such a novel container system that range from cosmetic to pharmaceutical applications to foods. The purpose of the described examples is to show the wide scope of the novel flexible gate restrictor membrane technology and not to limit this technology to these particular examples. The economic impact of eliminating the need for tamper evident closures or even any closure could have a very positive effect on cost, environment and product designs of the future.  
         [0075]      FIG. 16A  is a representation of existing technology to control the wall thickness-weight of a parison. The extrusion pin moves either up or down relative to the die. This widens and tightens the opening between the pin and die thus, controlling the wall thickness of the parison. This technology is limited in the fact that the wall weight will be equally distributed around the circumference of the parison at any given cross-section. Therefore, during processing it is necessary to use heat and cutouts to remove excess material, thus limiting the overall capability of the extrusion molding technology. For example, to manufacture the flexible gate restrictor membrane, we need to have a relatively heavy thick wall on the opposite side of the membrane to support the neck of the container (loading purposes, etc.). On the membrane side there is a substantially thinner wall which allows movement of the membrane relative to the opposing sidewall. Most commonly there will be a cutout (material waste) on the light weight side in order to manufacture both extreme wall weight distributions at the cross-section.  
         [0076]     Referring to  FIGS. 16B and 16C , the present invention teaches and alternative method to control the wall weight distribution along the parison circumferentially at any given cross section. Therefore, on one side of the parison there could be a thin extruded wall thickness-weight and at the same (cross-section) y-position there could be a heavy wall thickness-weight distribution.  
         [0077]     In  FIG. 16B , the pin is divided into one or more segments. The segments may be equally-sized or of different sizes depending on the application. The extrusion pin is segmented and each segment may move vertically independent of the other segments providing multiple wall weight capability in both, the X and Y planes. The present invention teaches to split the pin into (two or more) sections, thereby providing means to alter wall thickness along the circumference of the parison (thick on one side-thin on opposite, etc.) and utilize as many segments as required depending on the container.  
         [0078]     In  FIG. 16C  the extrusion pin has the control capability of moving to the left or right (X-Plane) also providing means to alter wall weight along the cross-section, although in the approach when moving the pin in any left or right direction the opposite side will be altered as well. The approach in  FIG. 16B  will provide the most flexibility to the extrusion process and provide much greater control allowing for more complex product designs and simultaneously eliminating resin (material) waste compared to existing extrusion molding technology.  
         [0079]     Additionally, the present invention also teaches an alternative to splitting the extrusion pin (as in  FIG. 16B ). In an alternate embodiment, the extrusion die would be split perpendicularly into controlled segments (as many as desired) so that the different sections/segments of the die can move up or down (relative to a fixed pin) independent of the other die sections. This particular alternative may be easier to retrofit existing machines because the die is on the outside of the pin and therefore provides easier access to add such control features.  
         [0080]     Although this invention has been described and illustrated by reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made which clearly fall within the scope of this invention. The present invention is intended to be protected broadly within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.