Patent Publication Number: US-8991660-B2

Title: Squeeze bottle for sinus cavity rinse

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 as a continuation-in-part of U.S. design application No. 29/352,093 entitled “Squeeze bottle for sinus cavity rinse” filed 16 Dec. 2009; as a continuation-in-part of U.S. design application No. 29/352,100 entitled “Nozzle” filed 16 Dec. 2009; as a continuation-in-part of U.S. design application No. 29/352,101 entitled “Nozzle and collar” filed 16 Dec. 2009; and as a continuation-in-part of U.S. design application No. 29/364,669 entitled “Faceted nasal seal with bottom rim” filed 25 Jun. 2010, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. This application claims the benefit of priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. provisional application No. 61/287,016 entitled “Squeeze bottle for sinus cavity rinse” filed 16 Dec. 2009 and of U.S. provisional application No. 61/369,378 entitled “Faceted nasal seal” filed Jul. 30, 2010, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     This application is related to the application entitled “Pot for Sinus Cavity Rinse” filed contemporaneously herewith and having Ser. No. 12/970,610; the application entitled “Bottle for Sinus Cavity Rinse” filed contemporaneously herewith having Ser. No. 12/970,788; the application entitled “Powered Irrigator for Sinus Cavity Rinse” filed contemporaneously herewith having Ser. No. 12/970,345; and the application entitled “Faceted Nasal Seal” filed contemporaneously herewith having Ser. No. 12/970,854, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     TECHNOLOGY FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to a squeeze bottle for a sinus rinse having a soft, self-sealing nozzle with air pressure-actuated firmness of the nozzle being affected by the bottle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The benefits of rinsing one&#39;s sinus cavities have been well established, and include improving resistance to sinus infections, clogged sinuses, allergies, and general health. Oftentimes, however, the articles which one uses to rinse their nasal passages make the process unnecessarily difficult and uncomfortable. One of the issues is related to the inability to obtain an effective seal between the nozzle of one of these articles and the user&#39;s nasal passage. If the seal is not adequate, during use the fluid can leak from between the nozzle and the nasal passage, thereby making the rinsing process messy. 
     In addition, the control of the flow from the vessel into the sinus cavity has not been adequate in the past, and users have found it difficult to regulate the volume of flow so as to make the rinsing process comfortable. In one existing product, as shown in U.S. Patent App. No. 2008/0294124, an aperture is formed in the lid of the vessel which can be used to restrict the flow of the fluid in the vessel through the nozzle during the rinsing step. However, because the aperture is positioned in the lid, the user uses one hand to hold the vessel and another hand to control the flow by covering and uncovering the aperture. This proves to be a relatively difficult process when the user is already in an awkward position, such as being positioned over a sink during the rinsing process. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one implementation, a vessel for use in rinsing a user&#39;s nasal passage includes a main body, a nozzle, a check valve, and a collar connecting the nozzle and check valve to the main body. The check valve includes a first opening and a second opening, where the first opening provides fluid communication between the main body and a void formed in an interior of the nozzle, and the second opening provides fluid communication between an exterior of the main body and a fluid reservoir formed in the main body. The second opening cooperates with a valve that allows selective fluid communication between the exterior of the main body and the reservoir formed in the main body. 
     In another implementation, an article for rinsing a user&#39;s nasal cavity is disclosed. A main body defines a reservoir that receives a liquid and includes resiliently deformable walls and an upper opening defined by a rim. A nozzle includes an outer wall that forms a tip and defines an aperture, an inner wall that forms a fluid passageway in communication with said aperture and extends inside said outer wall, and a void space that is formed between the outer wall and the inner wall. A check valve housing is in fluid communication with a liquid delivery tube that extends into the reservoir. A collar is removably connectable with the upper opening of the main body and the collar couples the nozzle and the check valve to the upper opening of the main body when the collar is connected. A first opening formed through said check valve housing allows communication between the reservoir of said main body and the void space in the nozzle. The second opening is formed through the check valve housing and allows fluid communication between the exterior of said main body and the reservoir of said main body. A valve is associated with the second opening to allow fluid to flow from an area exterior to said main body into said reservoir. 
     In a further implementation, an article for rinsing a user&#39;s nasal cavity is disclosed. A main body defines a reservoir that receives a liquid and includes resiliently deformable walls and an upper opening defined by a rim. A nozzle includes an outer wall that forms a tip and defines an aperture, an inner wall forms a fluid passageway in communication with said aperture and extends inside said outer wall, and a void space is formed between the outer wall and the inner wall. A check valve housing is in fluid communication with a liquid delivery tube that extends into the reservoir. A first opening is formed through the check valve housing and allows communication between said reservoir of the main body and the void space in said nozzle. Deformation of the resiliently deformable walls of the main body causes fluid in the cavity to flow through the first opening and into said void space to increase the pressure in the void space. 
     The information included in this Background section of the specification, including any references cited herein and any description or discussion thereof, is included for technical reference purposes only and is not to be regarded subject matter by which the scope of invention is to be bound. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a squeeze bottle for sinus rinse including a main body, a soft, self-sealing nozzle having an aperture, and a collar attaching the nozzle to the main body. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-section view taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1  showing the main body defining a reservoir, a nozzle attached to the top of the main body by a collar, a check valve positioned between the nozzle and the top of the main body, and a tube connected from the bottom of the check valve extending into the reservoir of the main body. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the check valve with the collar and main body shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are exploded, top and bottom isometric views of the check valve similar to  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5A  is an isometric, isolated view of the check valve, with the check valve including an upper portion and a lower portion, and together forming the air pressure channel, as well as the air inlet channel. 
         FIG. 5B  is a cross-section view of the check valve in  FIG. 5A  as indicated by line  5 B- 5 B in  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-section view of the squeeze bottle depicted in  FIG. 1  with a faceted nozzle, and shows the main body moving to an unsqueezed. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-section view similar to that shown in  FIG. 6 , with the main body being squeezed to force liquid up the tube through the check valve and out the nozzle into the user&#39;s nasal cavity, as well as increasing the pressure and possibly the internal volume of the nozzle. 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged cross-section view of  FIG. 6  showing the reed valve in the opened position allowing air to pass into the main body through the air inlet passageway and the ball member in the valve seat preventing liquid or air from entering through the top of the check valve. 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged cross-section view of  FIG. 7  showing the reed valve in the closed position preventing air or liquid from passing through the air inlet passageway and the ball valve moved from the valve seat allowing liquid and air to pass from the reservoir of the main body through the check valve. 
         FIG. 10A  an isometric view of an embodiment of a faceted nozzle. 
         FIG. 10B  is a side elevation view of the nozzle illustrated in  FIG. 10A . 
         FIG. 10C  is a top plan view of the nozzle illustrated in  FIG. 10A . 
         FIG. 10D  is a bottom plan view of the nozzle illustrated in  FIG. 10A . 
         FIG. 10E  is a bottom isometric view of the nozzle illustrated in  FIG. 10A . 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-section view of the nozzle illustrated in  FIG. 10A , viewed along line  11 - 11  in  FIG. 10B . 
         FIG. 12  is an isometric view of a squeeze bottle for sinus rinse with a faceted nozzle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows an implementation of a squeeze bottle  80  for a nasal cavity rinse. The squeeze bottle  80  includes a main body  85  made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE). The main body  85  defines a reservoir  87  in which a solution is placed for use in rinsing a user&#39;s nasal cavity. The top of the main body includes an opening upon which is secured a soft, self-sealing nozzle  10 . The soft, self-sealing nozzle  10  is secured to the top opening of the main body  85  by a collar  82 . The nozzle  10  includes an aperture  62  which allows the solution inside the main body reservoir to exit the squeeze bottle  80  as desired by the user. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the main body  85  has a bottom portion  81 , which is relatively bulbous and fits well in a user&#39;s hand, and a top portion  83 , which narrows down significantly from the bulbous portion of the bottom portion  81  to a generally circular dimension having an outer maximum dimension approximately the same as the maximum dimension of the circular collar  82  which attaches the sealing nozzle  10  to the top opening of the main body  85 . 
     The sealing nozzle  10  is relatively dome-shaped with an aperture  62  positioned in the center of the top portion of the dome. The outlet aperture  62  of the nozzle  10  allows the solution inside the reservoir  87  of the main body  85  to exit the squeeze bottle  80  as desired by the user. The sidewalls of the sealing nozzle  10  extend down into the collar  82  to be secured by the collar  82  to the top opening of the main body  85 . The outer diameter of the sealing nozzle  10  at the bottom edge may be significantly less than the outer diameter of the collar  82  holding the seal of the nozzle  10  to the main body  85 . 
     The collar  82 , securing the nozzle  10  to the main body  85 , has a sloped outer surface angling from a smaller diameter to a larger diameter in the direction from top to bottom to form a frustum shape. An inner wall of the attachment collar  82  may define threads  89  for engagement with the squeeze bottle  80 . A top portion of the collar  82  forms a top edge  72  for coupling with the nozzle  10 . A bottom portion of the collar  82  may have a vertical sidewall. The collar  82  includes threads  89  formed on its interior surface for engaging with threads  88  of the main body  85 . 
     In  FIG. 2 , a section is shown through the squeeze bottle  80  of  FIG. 1 . In this figure, a check valve  86  is positioned between the nozzle  10  and the tube  90  extending into the reservoir  87  of the main body  85 . The delivery tube  90  fluidly connects liquid within the reservoir  87  of the squeeze bottle  80  to the check valve  86 . The check valve  86  allows fluid to be squeezed out of the main body  85 . It opens when the main body  85  is squeezed to allow fluid to leave the aperture  62  of the nozzle  10  after traveling up the tube  90  from the bottom of the reservoir  87  formed in the main body  85 . The check valve  86  closes once the main body  85  is no longer squeezed and is returning to its original shape. 
     The nozzle  10  is held to the top portion  83  of the main body by the collar  82 . The lower rim  68  of the nozzle has a flange or rim formed thereon which is retained against the flange  111  of the check valve, which in turn is retained against the top rim  91  of the main body  85 . Each of these is retained in position by the top edge  72  of the collar  82  which, once positioned over the nozzle  10  and the collar threads  89 , is threadedly engaged with the threads  88  on the outer perimeter of the top portion  83  of the main body, clamps the lower rim  68  at the bottom of the nozzle and the check valve  86  to the top of the main body  85 , and an airtight seal is formed between the nozzle  10 , check valve  86 , and top surface  91  of the main body. However, air can flow through the void  93  formed between the threads  88 ,  89  and into to the air inlet passage  110 , as described below. Also, the threads  88 ,  89  may be removed along a portion of their length to create a “flat” spot to facilitate more direct and free airflow to the air inlet passage. In certain implementations, the nozzle may be faceted as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  10 A- 12  in which a faceted nozzle  60  is shown. It will be understood that common reference element numbers provided above and herein below denote common features shared between the nozzle  10  and the faceted nozzle  60 . 
     Accordingly, the nozzle  10  and the faceted nozzle  60  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 6 , respectively, have an elliptical cross-section shape having a tube extension  74  extending downwardly from the aperture  62  at the tip  70  of the nozzle, the tube extension  74  having a cylindrical shape. The tube extension  74  may have a wall thickness of approximately 0.060 inches. A skirt wall  61  extends downwardly from the aperture  62  at the tip of the nozzle and forms the outer elliptical cross-sectional shape of the nozzle. The skirt wall  61  terminates in a lower rim  68  which extends radially outwardly from the skirt wall  61  and is part of the structure which is captured by the collar  82  as described above and again herein below. An annular bead  63  is formed on the inner diameter of the lower end of the skirt wall  61  for receipt in an annular groove  114  formed on the outer periphery of the upper check valve housing  104 . The skirt wall  61  may have a thickness of approximately 0.040 inches. The skirt wall  61  may be smoothly curved in the generally conical shape as shown, or may be faceted or otherwise made up of regions having flat extensions or mixed flat and curved extensions. Also, a rib may be formed around the skirt wall just above the bottom edge to provide a protrusion for enhancing a user&#39;s gripping force on the nozzle if necessary. 
       FIGS. 10A-10E  illustrate the faceted nozzle  60  in detail. The faceted nozzle  60  may include a flange  68  at the terminal edge  24  of the skirt  61 . Additionally, the skirt  61  in this embodiment defines at a recessed groove  64 , which then expands outwards forming the flange  68 .  FIG. 10A  illustrates an isometric view of the faceted nozzle  60 ,  FIG. 10B  illustrates a side elevation view of the faceted nozzle  60 ,  FIG. 10C  is a top plan view of the faceted nozzle  60 ,  FIG. 10D  is a bottom plan view of the faceted nozzle  60 , and  FIG. 10E  is a bottom isometric view of the faceted nozzle  60 .  FIG. 11  is a section view of the faceted nozzle  60  of  FIG. 10B  taken along line  11 - 11 . Referring to  FIGS. 10A-11 , the faceted nozzle  60  includes an outlet aperture  62  located at the apex of the tip  70 . Extending outward and downward from the outlet aperture  62  is the skirt  61 . The skirt  61  includes steps  66   a - 66   e  or facets along its outer surface. The steps  66   a - 66   e  also act to provide a seal against a nostril wall when the faceted nozzle  60  is inserted into a user&#39;s nasal cavity. 
     The skirt  61  of the faceted nozzle  60  acts to form a seal with the user&#39;s nostril when the faceted nozzle  60  is attached to the reservoir body  80 . The skirt  61  includes steps  66   a - 66   e , which create ridges the outer surface of the skirt  61 . In some implementations, the steps  66   a - 66   e  may be approximately the same height; however each step  66   a - 66   e  may have a different average or center diameter. In these implementations, each step  66   a - 66   e  increases the overall outer diameter of the skirt  61  and the faceted nozzle  60  maintains a generally rounded shape. For example, the first step  66   a  has a smaller average diameter than the second step  66   b , and so on. In other implementations the steps  66   a - 66   e  may have different widths, such that the first step  66   a  may cover a greater portion of the outer surface of the skirt  61  than the second step  66   b.    
     For example, as can been seen in  FIG. 10A , the steps  66   a - 66   e  may be a series of stacked conical frustums having different outer wall angles. Each step  66   a - 66   e  is sloped at a predetermined angled and the outer wall has a larger diameter at the bottom edge of the steps  66   a - 66   e  than at the top edge of each step  66   a - 66   e . In these implementations, each step  66   a - 66   e  decreases in diameter from the bottom edge to the top edge. Additionally, each step  66   a - 66   e  may have a different average diameter than the preceding step  66   a - 66   e . This is because each step  66   a - 66   e  may have a different outer wall angle than the previous step  66   a - 66   e . In some embodiments, the configuration of stacked frustum sections on top of one another may include ridges between each of the steps  66   a - 66   e  at the point of transition, from one step  66   a - 66   e  to the next. This gives the skirt  61   a  faceted appearance and feel. 
     The tip  70  may be inserted into a user&#39;s nostril and one of the steps  66   a - 66   e  creates a seal between the faceted nozzle  60  and the nostril walls (see  FIG. 7 ). The particular step  66   a - 66   e  that engages the user&#39;s nostril depends upon the size of the user&#39;s nostril. For example, the larger the user&#39;s nostril the lower the step  66   a - 66   e  may be that engages the nostril wall. The steps  66   a - 66   e  create a better seal than a purely rounded nozzle, as the steps  66   a - 66   e  better conform to the nostril wall—the nostril wall is not purely oval-shaped or conical-shaped—and the steps  66   a - 66   e  better mimic the inner surface of the nostril wall. It should be noted that although five steps  66   a - 66   e  have been illustrated, any number of steps  66   a - 66   e  may be included. The number of steps  66   a - 66   e  may be altered to create a smoother or rougher skirt  61 . For example, depending on the desired sealing level the number of steps  66   a - 66   e  may be increased or decreased. 
     The skirt  61  illustrated in  FIGS. 10A-11  terminates at the recessed groove  64 , which has a smaller diameter than the fifth step  66   e , such that the diameter of the faceted nozzle  60  decreases after the fifth step  66   e . The recessed groove  64  then expands into the flange  68 , which has a larger diameter than the fifth step  66   e . In this implementation, the groove  64  reduces the diameter of the faceted nozzle  60  at the end of the skirt  61 . The groove  64  may be used to better attach the faceted nozzle  60  to a nasal rinse reservoir by providing a connection location, for example, for the collar  82  described below. In other embodiments the groove  64  may be used to reduce the material used to create the faceted nozzle  60 . As can been seen from  FIG. 10C , the flange  68  may form the largest diameter of the faceted nozzle  60  and may be larger than any of the steps  66   a - 66   e . The recessed groove  64  and the flange  68  may be used to secure the faceted nozzle  60  to a nasal rinse squeeze bottle, which will be discussed in more detail below with respect to  FIGS. 2 and 6 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10A-11 , the faceted nozzle  60  includes an inner collar  74  or conduit extending downwards from the tip  70 , creating the outlet aperture  62 . The inner collar  74  may extend to the tip  70  and be substantially the same diameter throughout its entire length. The inner collar  74  extends downward and is surrounded by the skirt  61 . The distal end  76  of the inner collar  74  terminates before extending as far as the outer groove  64  or the flange  68 . However, in other embodiments the inner collar  74  may extend the entire length of the faceted nozzle  60 . In some implementations, the inner collar  74  may have a wall thickness of approximately 0.060 inches. 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 10A-11 , the inner wall  79  of the skirt  61  surrounds the inner collar  74  and the inner collar  74  is separated from the inner wall  79 , such that the inner collar  74  and the inner wall  79  may not contact each other. In this implementation, the space between the inner collar  74  and the inner wall  79  of the skirt  61  creates a void  78  or empty area when the nozzle is connected to the squeeze bottle reservoir. 
       FIGS. 2 and 6  illustrate the faceted nozzle  60  attached to a nasal rinse squeeze bottle  80  by an attachment collar  82 . The attachment collar  82  extends over a portion of the faceted nozzle  60 , to better secure the faceted nozzle  60  to the squeeze bottle  80 . The outer diameter of the faceted nozzle  60  at the flange  68  may be less than the outer diameter of the attachment collar  82  holding the faceted nozzle  60  to the squeeze bottle  80 . A top shelf or shoulder  87  of the attachment collar  82  sits on top of the flange  68  and rests on the upper surface  72  of the flange  68 . Additionally, the shoulder  87  extends at least partially into the recessed groove  64  on the faceted nozzle  60 . The attachment collar  82  helps anchor the faceted nozzle  60  as well as create an airtight seal when the faceted nozzle  60  is held in place against the squeeze bottle  80 . 
     Additionally the flange  68  is retained against a collar of a check valve  86  (further described below), which in turn is retained against a top rim  91  of the main body  85  of the squeeze bottle  80 . Each of these is retained in position by the shoulder  87  of the attachment collar  82 , which once positioned over the faceted nozzle  60  and threadedly engaged with the threads  88  on the outer perimeter of the top portion  83  of the main body  85 , clamps the flange  68  of the faceted nozzle  60  and the check valve  86  to the top of the squeeze bottle  80 . 
     The faceted nozzle  60  is also attached to the check valve  86  by the inner collar  74 . The valve assembly  86  includes an upwardly extending rim  112  that connects with the inner collar  74 , fluidly connecting the inside of the squeeze bottle  80  with the outlet aperture  62  of the faceted nozzle  60 . In this implementation the inner collar  74  may be received partially within the extending rim  112 . However, in other embodiments, the extending rim  112  may be received within the inner collar  74 . Additionally, an o-ring or other sealing mechanism may be inserted within the rim  112  to fit around the inner collar  74  in order to better seal the connection between the extending rim  112  and the inner collar  74 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 6 , an annular rim  112  of the check valve forms a recess above the flange  111 , and the annular recess receives the tube extension  74  of the nozzle to help anchor the faceted nozzle  60  as well as create an airtight seal when the faceted nozzle  60  is held in place against the check valve  86  and the top rim  91  of the main body by the collar  82 . The annular bead  63  or rim at a bottom portion of the skirt wall  61  is received in the annular groove  114  formed in the outer perimeter of the upper check valve  104  as described above. A flange or lower rim  68  extends radially outwardly from the base of the skirt wall  61  on the nozzle and is the bearing surface against which the collar  82  engages to clamp the rim  68  with the flange  111  on the upper check valve housing  92  against the top rim  91  of the main body  80  to create an airtight seal between the faceted nozzle  60 , check valve  86 , and top surface  91  of the main body. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-section view of the nozzle secured to the squeeze bottle  80  and  FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view of the attachment collar  82  and the check valve  86 .  FIG. 4A  is an enlarged, left-side, exploded isometric view of the valve housing illustrated in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 4B  is an enlarged, right-side, exploded isometric view of the valve housing illustrated in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 5A  is an isometric view of the valve housing removed from the squeeze bottle.  FIG. 5B  is a cross-section view of the valve housing viewed along line  5 B- 5 B in  FIG. 5A . Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 6 , the check valve  86  is positioned in fluid communication between the outlet aperture  62  in the faceted nozzle  60  and a delivery tube  90  extending from the bottom of the check valve  86  into the reservoir formed in the squeeze bottle  80 . The check valve  86  has an upper portion  104  and a lower portion  92 , as shown in  FIG. 5B , and defines a contained space forming a cavity  95 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3-4B , the upper portion  104  and the lower portion  92  of the check valve  86  may be secured together via attachment pegs  108  extending from a bottom surface of the upper portion  104 . The attachment pegs  108  are received within receiving apertures  98  on the lower portion  92  of the housing. The attachment pegs  108  may also attach to a reed valve  102  through securing apertures  107  disposed on the reed valve  102  at the terminal ends of the semi-circular shaped reed valve  102 . In this implementation, the upper housing  104 , the reed valve  102 , and the lower housing  92  are secured together to form the check valve  86  as illustrated in  FIG. 5A . 
     An annular extension  94  extends from the bottom of the lower check valve housing  92  for receiving the top end of the liquid delivery tube  90  in a friction-fit engagement. The end of the annular extension  94  may be chamfered to help guide the liquid delivery tube  90  onto the annular extension  94 . 
     The lower check valve housing  92  includes a circular conical wall  100  protruding from a top end that is received in a recess formed by the upper check valve housing  104  when the housing portions are positioned together. The ball member  84  is received within the cavity  95  defined within an interior the assembled check valve  86 . At the bottom of the lower check valve housing  92 , the delivery tube  90  is attached to an annular extension  94  depending from the lower check valve housing  92 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 A, and  5 B, a cavity  95  is formed within the lower portion  92 , and a valve seat  116  is formed near the bottom of the cavity  95  by a circular conical wall  100 , and a retention structure  113  is formed at the top which allows fluid through but does not allow the ball member  84  through. In operation, with fluid pressure from below when the main body  85  is being squeezed, the fluid pushes the ball member  84  out of the valve seat  116  and up against the retention structure  113 , with the liquid flowing around the retaining structure  113  and out the aperture of the nozzle  62 . When the main body  85  is not being squeezed, it is resilient and returns to its original shape which relieves the pressure of the fluid on the ball member  84 , which allows the ball member  84  to move back down into the valve seat  116  and keep any liquid from flowing back into the reservoir  87  in the main body  85 . This is beneficial to keep any fluid that may come back into the tip from the user&#39;s nostrils or sinus&#39; from getting back into the liquid positioned in the main body  85 . 
     The ball  84  may move freely within the cavity  95 . However, the retention structure  113  is at the top of the cavity  95 . The retention structure  113 , which may be in the shape of a cross extending across the fluid passageway formed through the center of the check valve  86 , prevents the ball  84  from moving out of the cavity  95  into the upper portion  104  of the check valve  86 . The cavity  95  and the retention structure  113  are in fluid communication with the inner collar  74  above and the liquid delivery tube  90  extending below into the squeeze bottle  80 . That is, the recess  95  acts as a fluid conduit, connecting the delivery tube  90  and the extending rim  112 . The sidewalls of the recess  95  are generally cylindrical, and taper at their bottom ends to form a valve seat  116 . When the ball  84  is on the valve seat  116 , the fluid in the cavity  95  above the ball  84  is largely restricted from flowing back down into the liquid delivery tube  90 , and thus may not go back into the squeeze bottle  80 . In this way, any liquid coming back into the faceted nozzle  60  is unlikely to contaminate the liquid in the squeeze bottle  80 . 
     The upper check valve housing  104  defines a vertical rim  112  protruding from its top end, which receives a tubular extension  74  depending from the aperture  62  formed at the tip  70  of the faceted nozzle  60 . The inner diameter of the vertical rim  112  and the outer diameter of the tubular extension  74  may have substantially similar dimensions to provide a sealing fit or a friction fit engagement. The extending rim  112  is fluidly connected to the outlet aperture  62  when the faceted nozzle  60  is connected to the squeeze bottle  80 . The cavity  95  acts as a fluid conduit, connecting the delivery tube  90  and the extending rim  112 . Additionally, the sidewalls of the cavity  95  are generally cylindrical, and taper at their bottom ends to form the valve seat  116 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5B , the check valve  86  also defines a passageway  118  creating communication for air or liquid from the reservoir  87  of the squeeze bottle  80  through the passageway  118  and into the void space  78  between the faceted nozzle  60  and the check valve  86 . The air pressure passageway  118  is formed to extend through the lower check valve housing  92  and the upper check valve housing  104 , and a lower opening into the squeeze bottle  80  and an upper opening into the void space  78 . The air pressure passageway  118  allows fluid and/or gaseous communication between the reservoir  87  of the main body  85  and the void space  78  formed between the tube extension  74  and the skirt wall  61  in the faceted nozzle  60 . The void space  78  may be annular around the tube extension  74 , or may not be continuous. 
     Additionally, an air inlet passageway  110  and a reed valve structure  102  is also formed in the check valve  86  which allows air to be drawn into the reservoir  87  in the main body  85  when the main body is not being squeezed and is returning from a squeezed to an unsqueezed configuration, and thus draws air in through the air inlet passageway  110 . The air inlet passageway  110  is provided in a discrete location of the check valve  86  housing in relation to the air pressure passageway  118 . For example, as depicted in  FIGS. 3-5B , the air inlet passageway  110  and the air pressure passageway  118  are arranged at opposite ends of the annularly shaped check valve  86 , e.g., the two are separated by approximately 180°. In addition, while the air pressure passageway  118  provides open fluid communication between the void space  78  of the faceted nozzle  60  and the reservoir  87  of the main body  85 , the reed valve structure  102  resiliently seals the air inlet passageway  110 , as described below. 
     In  FIG. 3 , the air inlet passageway  110  is shown extending from an outer portion of the upper check valve housing  104 . In one exemplary embodiment, the outer opening  105  of the air inlet passageway  110  may have an area of approximately 0.01 inches squared, is generally oval in shape and extends radially or laterally into the upper check valve housing  104 . However, it may be differently shaped as desired. The inflation port  106  of the air inlet passageway  110  extends axially in the upper check valve housing  104  and forms a continuous passage with the radially extending outer opening  105 . The check valve housing has an outwardly extending flange  111  around about its middle which is the portion of the check valve housing that is trapped by the collar  82  against the top rim  91  of the main body. As shown in  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B, and  6 , the inflation port  110  is formed in the check valve  86  that communicates between the reservoir  87  of the squeeze bottle  80  and the atmosphere. The threading  89  of the attachment collar  82  and the threading  88  of the squeeze bottle  80  are designed to create a void  93  to allow an air gap between adjacent threads. Thus, air can travel in a spiral path between the threads  88 ,  89  to enter the inflation port  110  and fill the reservoir in the squeeze bottle  80  after fluid has been dispensed, thus preventing the check valve  86  from creating a vacuum. 
     The valve on the air inlet passageway  110  may be a reed valve  102 , such as a flapper valve, and when the main body  85  is being squeezed to force fluid out of the nozzle, the flapper valve covers the inflation port  106  of the air inlet passageway  110  and thus blocks the flow of air out of the air inlet passageway  110 , which helps force the fluid up the delivery tube  90 . This is described in greater detail below. The reed valve  102  is shown in  FIG. 5A  as extending in a semi-circular orientation inside of a slot formed below the flange  111  extending from the check valve  86 . The lower bounds of the semi-circular slot are formed by the guard  96  mentioned above with respect to  FIGS. 2 and 6 . The reed valve  102  is a thin, flexible piece of FDA grade silicone rubber having a thickness of approximately 0.015 inches thick. Again, the guard  96  helps keep the reed valve  102  from opening too far as well as protects the reed valve  102  from interference by any particulates that may find their way into the liquid received in the reservoir  87  of the main body. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A through 9 , the reed valve  102  is disposed between the upper portion  104  and lower portion  92  of the check valve  86 . The reed valve  102  covers the air inlet port  110  to selectively connect the inflation port  106  to the reservoir  87  of the squeeze bottle  80 . The inflation port  106  is the internal opening of the air inlet port  110 . The reed valve  102  may be a flat flexible semi-circular plate structure which is attached on the pegs  108  between the upper portion  104  and the lower portion  92  at its ends in a cantilever fashion. This reed valve  102  is typically in a closed position in which it seals against the inflation port  106  and opens under the negative pressure of the squeeze bottle  80  when moving from a squeezed to the un-squeezed position. The reed valve  102  material may be FDA grade silicone rubber and may be approximately 0.015 inches thick. 
     A guard plate  96  extends radially outwardly from the outer surface of the lower portion  92  of the check valve  86  in order to protect the reed valve  102  from interference by particulates and also to keep the reed valve  102  from opening too far. In  FIG. 6 , a gap  10  is formed between the end of the guard  96  and the inner wall of the top portion of the main body  85  to allow air or liquid to flow thereby towards the reed valve  102  and the inflation port  106  of the air inlet passageway  110 . When the reed valve  102  is open, the gap  10  allows air to flow from the void space  93  in the threaded interconnection into the air inlet passageway  110 , past the reed valve  102  and through the gap  10  into the reservoir  87  of the main body  85 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 through 9 , in operation, when the faceted nozzle  60  is inserted into the user&#39;s nostril opening, the skirt  61  may deform based on contact with the edges of the nostril. With fluid pressure from below when the main body  85  is squeezed, the fluid travels via the delivery tube  90  and pushes the ball  84  out of the valve seat  116  up against the retention structure  113 . Liquid then flows around the ball  84  and the retention structure  113  and out the outlet aperture  62  of the faceted nozzle  60 . The liquid cannot escape through the inflation port  106  because the reed valve  102  is closed. 
     When the main body  85  is squeezed ( FIG. 7  and  FIG. 9 ), the passageway  118  formed through the check valve  86  allows air or liquid pressure to be applied to the skirt  61  walls inside the void space  78  in the faceted nozzle  60 , thus creating an outward pressure on the skirt walls  61  of the faceted nozzle  60  and enhancing the fit of the faceted nozzle  60  within the nostril of the user. Whether it is liquid or air flowing into the void space  78  in the nozzle, that liquid or air pressure helps create a firm but forming fit of the faceted nozzle  60  against the user&#39;s nostril during the nasal cavity process. Pressure in the void space  78  also causes the skirt  61  and/or the tubular extension  74  to force liquid out of the nozzle aperture  62 . 
     When the main body  85  is no longer being squeezed, the resilient sidewalls are biased back into their original position, which creates a vacuum or negative pressure inside the cavity  95 , allowing the ball  84  to move back down into the valve seat  116  and prevents fluid from flowing back into the reservoir  87 . This is beneficial as it prevents fluid that may come back into the outlet aperture  62  from the user&#39;s nostrils or sinus from draining into the reservoir in the squeeze bottle  80 . 
     Furthermore, the air inlet passageway  110  in combination with the reed valve  102  substantially prevent a vacuum from occurring within the squeeze bottle  80  after squeezing. That is, after squeezing, the squeeze bottle  80  reservoir  87  may be under negative pressure or vacuum pressure, and the reed valve  102  opens based on this pressure. When the reed valve  102  opens, the air inlet passageway  110  connects to the reservoir  87 , as the inflation port  106  becomes unblocked, allowing air to enter. The air flowing into the air inlet passageway  110  comes through the void space  93  in the thread structure  88 , into the outer opening  105  of the inlet passageway  110 , through the inflation port  106  of the air inlet passageway  110 , and past the reed valve  102  and the gap  10  formed between the end of the guard  96  and the inner wall of the top portion of the main body  85 . The air then flows down into the reservoir  87  in the main body  85  until the main body  85  is back to its original configuration. 
     After the squeeze bottle  80  has returned to its original shape and pressure within the reservoir  87  has been equalized, the reed valve  102  resiliently moves to its closed position and closes over the inflation port  106  of the air inlet passageway  110  and the bottle  80  is ready for the next application. This helps to prevent the squeeze bottle  80  from remaining in a compressed shape after the user has stopped squeezing the bottle  80 . 
     The compression of the main body  85  to force liquid out of the reservoir  87  therein is shown in  FIG. 7  and the extension of the main body  85  from the squeezed configuration to the unsqueezed configuration with the associated liquid and air flows are shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     The two valves, the reed valve  102  and the check valve  86 , operate together to provide improved protection against the drawing of the nasal wash from back-flowing into the bottle  80 . The check valve  86  moves to the closed position (under vacuum pressure) when the squeeze bottle  80  is moving to the uncompressed configuration. This provides a physical block to the passage of any used nasal wash flowing back into the delivery tube  90  and into the bottle  80 . In addition, however, the reed valve  102  acts as a vacuum breaker to allow air into the bottle  80  through a different passage than the check valve  86 , which reduces the vacuum pressure caused by the expansion of the bottle  80  sidewalls that tries to draw fluid in through the check valve  86 . 
     While the methods disclosed herein have been described and shown with reference to particular steps performed in a particular order, it will be understood that these steps may be combined, subdivided, or re-ordered to form an equivalent method without departing from the teachings of the as claimed below. Accordingly, unless specifically indicated herein, the order and grouping of the steps are not generally intended to be a limitation of the present invention. 
     A variety of embodiments and variations of structures and methods are disclosed herein. Where appropriate, common reference numbers were used for common structural and method features. However, unique reference numbers were sometimes used for similar or the same structural or method elements for descriptive purposes. As such, the use of common or different reference numbers for similar or the same structural or method elements is not intended to imply a similarity or difference beyond that described herein. 
     The references herein to “up” or “top”, “bottom” or “down”, “lateral” or “side”, and “horizontal” and “vertical”, as well as any other relative position descriptor are given by way of example for the particular embodiment described and not as a requirement or limitation of the squeeze bottle  80  or the apparatus and method for assembling the squeeze bottle  80 . Reference herein to “is”, “are”, “should”, “would”, or other words implying a directive or positive requirement are intended to be inclusive of the permissive use, such as “may”, “might”, “could” unless specifically indicated otherwise. 
     The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments of the invention as defined in the claims. Although various embodiments of the claimed invention have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention. Other embodiments are therefore contemplated. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only of particular embodiments and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the basic elements of the invention as defined in the following claims.