Abstract:
A fluid container is provided that includes at least two separate reservoirs therein and a metering pump device for delivering a substantially equal metered dose of fluid material from one of the reservoirs to the other reservoir with each dispensing operation. In one example, a beverage container is provided that allows the user to introduce a metered dose of ingredients or additives from a separate reservoir to the beverage contained therein prior to or while drinking. In another example, a cap is provided that can be affixed to a beverage container, wherein the cap contains ingredients or additives and a metered dispensing system. The container or cap allows the user to add or adjust the levels of flavorings, supplements, purifying agents, or other ingredients prior to or during drinking.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is related to and claims priority from earlier filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/889,582 filed Feb. 13, 2007. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to product packaging and/or containers that include integrated dispensing devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a dual reservoir fluid container that allows the user to introduce a metered dose of ingredients or additives to the primary fluid contained therein prior to or during use. 
         [0003]    Various types of fluid material and media are employed for different purposes throughout commerce and industry. For example, there are various products in the areas of personal care, home care, air care, transportation care and food industries that require a fluid material to be dispensed in some manner from a source of such material. Further, when this material is sold in commerce, it must be contained and stored in some type of container while awaiting use. Ultimately, when that product is used, it must be dispensed from its storage container to the desired location for use. 
         [0004]    In the prior art, there are many different types of dispensers that are employed for the delivery of a stored fluid material to their desired location for use. For example, a storage container having a flexible body with a nozzle tip extending therefrom is commonly provided for such a purpose. An example of such use can be seen in the context of a ketchup dispenser, where a user squeezes the container body to urge the fluid material (ketchup) out from container body and through the nozzle tip to accurately deposit the fluid material at the desired location. In such an application, the amount of fluid that is ultimately delivered is determined by the how much the user actually squeezes the container body. While this method has provided marginally acceptable results, this method also typically yields an erratic fluid volume since more or less fluid material may be delivered on each successive squeeze of the container body. Also, the container must be held upright to avoid leakage because no valves are employed in the fluid nozzle tip. 
         [0005]    In another example of a prior art dispensing device, a flexible container is provided that holds a volume of fluid material to be delivered. In an attempt to overcome the leakage issue noted above, a single one-way check valve is provided at the exit port of the flexible container. When the flexible body is squeezed, the material is urged out under pressure through the valve. The difficulty here is that the valve over time becomes partially clogged thereby requiring that the user apply additional pressure to cause the valve to open. As a result, once the valve opens, the additional pressure causes more fluid material to be deposited than the user typically would have desired. 
         [0006]    In addition to the above noted need for simply dispensing a volume of fluid material onto an available surface, or in the case of a condiment onto a food item, there are currently in the marketplace a wide variety of consumer beverages that are differentiated by the inclusion or exclusion of specific ingredients or flavorings. For example, in the area of beverages, sports drinks and flavored waters, many times the same beverage will be offered both with and without a dose of caffeine. Other examples include drinks that are differentiated based upon the type of sweetener or artificial sweetener employed therein, often denoting a diet verses a standard beverage. Still further, there are beverages that are formulated to contain specific vitamin supplements or other nutrients that are specifically tailored for athletic activity or other health benefits. 
         [0007]    Generally, in the prior art, in order to have the benefit of either a caffeinated or non-caffeinated beverage or a sweetened versus non-sweetened beverage, the user had to purchase two separate containers that each contained a version of the beverage that the consumer desired. Similarly, in the context of flavored waters, some consumers may desire the water to be highly or intensely flavored while others may prefer less flavor intensity. In this regard there is a need for a product that allows a user to selectively adjust the use of additives such as sweeteners, flavorings, caffeine, vitamins and the like based on their current need or particular tastes. 
         [0008]    While in the prior art, the concept of dual chambered beverage or food containers is not novel, the user typically had little control over the amount or rate at which the material in the two chambers was combined. In other words, in the prior art it is typically an all or nothing proposition when mixing the contents of the two chambers. In other words, the previously available prior art devices are incapable of delivering a substantially equal dose of fluid with each operation because they simply open up the container body and permit the combination of the two fluids that were previously maintained separately in the two chambers. In this context, such a lack of control is highly undesirable when a user is attempting to controllably dose caffeine or vitamins into a beverage for consumption. 
         [0009]    In view of the foregoing, there is need for a device that eliminates a user&#39;s need to carry two different beverage containers in order to have both a dosed and un-dosed version of the beverage contained therein. Further, there is a need to eliminate dual chambered beverage containers of the prior art that suffer from various disadvantages that make them difficult and awkward to use. Further, these prior art dispensers often provide a user with unexpected results. Therefore, there is a need for a fluid container that provides a selective dosing mechanism that is easy to operate. There is a further need for a accessory fluid dispenser that operates in connection with a primary fluid reservoir that is capable of delivering a metered dose of the accessory fluid with each dispensing operation in order to produce predictable flow and a better control of the accessory fluid material application. Many of these needs are met by commonly owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/074,817, filed on Mar. 8, 2005 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/951,351, filed on Dec. 6, 2007, which are incorporated herein by reference. This application sets forth a device for dispensing accessory liquids from an accessory reservoir in a metered fashion into a primary fluid that is contained in a primary fluid container. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    In this regard, the present invention preserves the advantages of prior art metering dispensing devices and dual chambered fluid containers. In addition, the present invention provides new advantages not found in currently available devices and overcomes many disadvantages of such currently available devices. The present invention is generally directed to a novel and unique fluid container that has at least two separate reservoirs therein and a metering pump device for delivering a substantially equal metered dose of fluid material from one of the reservoirs to the other reservoir with each dispensing operation. In one example, the present invention relates to a beverage container that allows the user to introduce a metered dose of ingredients or additives from a separate reservoir to the beverage contained therein prior to or while drinking. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a cap that can be affixed to a beverage container wherein the cap contains ingredients or additives and a metered dispensing system. The container or cap allows the user to add or adjust the levels of flavorings, supplements, purifying agents, or other ingredients prior to or during drinking. Still further, the present invention may be in the form of a ring that includes an accessory reservoir and a metered dispensing pump that is installed around the neck of a primary fluid reservoir to allow dispensing of the accessory fluid therein. 
         [0011]    Generally, the present invention allows for the accessory fluid or ingredients to be added to the primary container on an interactive basis on the part of the consumer. Thus, a bike rider for example can purchase a sports drink for a long ride and have the option of adding caffeine at various dosage levels or not adding caffeine at all depending upon their feeling and performance in a ride. In other instances, the user can meter the amount of other nutrients or supplements or flavorings into the beverage on an interactive basis. In still other cases, the present invention could allow the use of ingredients that would spoil, degrade in taste, or otherwise lose potency or effect if exposed to the beverage or the environment for too long. 
         [0012]    The teachings of the present invention may be part of any basic beverage container, which is made out of materials well known to those skilled in the art of making such containers. The invention consists of a primary container, at least one accessory fluid reservoir and at least one metered dosing actuator, which will be affixed to the primary container or molded as part of such a container. The accessory reservoir contains the ingredient or ingredients to be metered and the dosing actuator is designed so as to pump ingredients from the accessory reservoir into the primary container or alternatively the pumping mechanism can be designed as to pump the ingredients directly into the mouth of the consumer by directing them in or around the mouth of the beverage container. 
         [0013]    The metering mechanism employed within the present invention is substantially similar to that found in the above noted U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/074,817 and 11/951,351. The accessory reservoir is formed to include an interior fluid storage region therein. A metering housing, having a preferably flexible construction, is disposed in fluid communication with the fluid storage region and a first one-way valve is disposed between the container and the flexible metering housing. When the flexible metering housing is depressed and released a vacuum action generates a one-way flow from the interior fluid storage region of the container that serves to fill the predetermined volume of the chamber within the metering housing. A second valve, in fluid communication with the metering housing output port, permits one-way fluid flow from the metering chamber to the primary container or the mouth of the user when the metering housing is depressed again. Each time the metering housing is depressed a substantially equal volume of fluid is dispensed from the accessory reservoir, while upon release, the metering housing is refilled by drawing fluid from the fluid storage region. 
         [0014]    Further, in the context of the present invention, while a beverage container is primarily described, it should be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the present invention is equally applicable for use in connection with any two part fluid system including but not limited to candies, epoxy adhesive materials, hair colorants, other applications including two-component reactive chemicals such as chemical glow sticks. The scope of the invention is directed to the use of a two compartment storage system with a measured dosing pump to transfer material from one reservoir to another in a controlled and measured fashion and is not limited to those materials that are contained therein. 
         [0015]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fluid dispensing device that can transfer a substantially equal volume of fluid additive from an accessory reservoir to a primary storage container with each dispensing operation. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a metered fluid dispensing accessory that can be added to a primary fluid storage container to allow metered dosing of the ingredients contained within the dispensing accessory. It is still a further object of the present invention is to provide a fluid dispensing accessory device that can deliver a metered dose of the fluid from within the accessory device at any point from the device. 
         [0016]    These together with other objects of the invention, along with various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a dual reservoir dispensing device of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of the dispensing device of the present invention taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a first alternate embodiment dual reservoir dispensing device of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a second alternate embodiment dual reservoir dispensing device of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a third alternate embodiment dual reservoir dispensing device of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a fourth alternate embodiment dual reservoir dispensing device of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment dispensing pump of the invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a fifth alternate embodiment dual reservoir dispensing device of the present invention; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a sixth alternate embodiment multi-reservoir dispensing device of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    Now referring to the drawings, a first embodiment of the dispensing device of the present invention is shown and generally illustrated at  10  in  FIG. 1 . As can be seen, the dispensing device  10  of the present invention is generally shown to include a first fluid reservoir  12  containing a first fluid  14 , a second fluid reservoir  16  containing a second fluid  18  and a metered dosing pump  20  that is operable to transfer a portion of the second fluid  18  from the second fluid reservoir  16  to the first fluid reservoir  12 . In the context of the present invention, this arrangement is suitable for use in connection with any application that requires two different fluids be stored separately prior to their use by the consumer, as in the case for example of, two-part epoxy adhesives, hair colorant or for ingredients that would spoil, degrade in taste, or otherwise lose potency or effect if exposed to the first fluid or the environment for too long a period of time. Similarly, the present invention is particularly useful in connection with beverages in a manner that allows the user to customize the flavor or potency of the beverage through the transfer of additives from the second fluid reservoir to the first fluid reservoir via the metering pump. Further, the second fluid may actually be a powder rather than a fluid. Still further, the present invention contemplates the possibility that more than one secondary or accessory fluid reservoirs and metered dosing pumps are employed as will be described in detail below. While specific examples have been provided above, they are meant for illustration and are not intended to be limiting on the scope of the present invention. 
         [0028]    As can best be seen in  FIG. 1 , the first fluid reservoir  12  is shown roughly as a beverage container that has an outer wall  22  that forms an interior cavity that serves as the first fluid reservoir  12 . The first fluid reservoir  12  can be seen to include an opening  24  therein through which the first fluid  14  contained therein can be consumed, either by drinking in the case of a beverage, or by application in the case of other materials. Further, the second fluid reservoir  16  can be seen to encircle an outer surface of the first fluid reservoir  12 . The second fluid reservoir  16  serves to contain a second fluid  18  in the form of an additive or ingredient that is to be added to the first fluid  14 . The metering pump  20  can be seen positioned between the second fluid reservoir  16  and the first fluid reservoir  12  such that a metered dose of second fluid  18  is deposited directly into the first fluid reservoir  12  and the first fluid  14  contained therein. 
         [0029]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , a cross-sectional view through the metering pump  20  along the line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1  is shown to illustrate the internal construction of the metering pump  12  used in connection with the fluid dispenser  10  of the present invention. The second fluid reservoir  16  is provided to include fluid storage region  26  that contains a volume of second fluid material  18  therein. The outer wall of the second fluid reservoir  16  is preferably made of a flexible material, such as plastic or nylon. Thus, as fluid material  18  is evacuated from within the second fluid reservoir  16 , it will collapses gradually for a compact structure. 
         [0030]    A metering housing  27  is provided at a first opening  28  in the second fluid reservoir  16 . The metering housing  27  includes an intake one-way valve  30 , such as a check valve, to pull fluid  18  from the fluid storage region  26  of the second fluid reservoir  16  into a metering chamber  32  of a predetermined size. Any type of valve can be used to suit the given application. The intake valve  30  is positioned in a base plate  34  of the metering housing  27 . Thus, fluid  18  can only flow in one way from the fluid storage region  26  into the metering chamber  32 . The metering chamber  32  is defined by a flexible membrane  36  in the form of a button or bulb that is accessible and manipulatable on the exterior surface of the second fluid reservoir  16 . The button  36  is preferably clear to provide an indicator to the consumer when the metered dosage of fluid material  18  is ready for delivery. 
         [0031]    An output valve  40  is provided in fluid communication with the metering chamber  32  of the metering housing  26 . Thus, the fluid residing in the metering chamber can only exit through the output valve  40 . Also, a fluid conduit  42  is provided to direct the exit of the second fluid  18 . In this particular case to the interior of the first fluid reservoir  12 . Preferably, as seen in  FIG. 2 , the fluid conduit  42  connects the output valve  40  of the metering housing  26  to an exit port  44  located on an interior side of the first fluid reservoir  12 . This permits the metering housing  27  to be on an opposite side as the side through which the fluid  18  exits. The fluid conduit  42  can be directed and located to exit at any point through the second fluid reservoir  16  depending on the application at hand. Also, the output valve  40  may be located at the exit port  44 , as an alternative depending on the requirements of the application. 
         [0032]    In accordance with the present invention, each press of the flexible membrane  36  causes a metered amount of second fluid  18  to be forced through the outlet port  44  to provide the desired measured dosing application. This button/membrane  36  can be placed anywhere on the device, as needed. Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the operation of the metered dosing pump  20  is further explained. The button  36  of the metering housing  27  is depressed to initiate a vacuum operation. More specifically, when the button  36  is further released, second fluid  18  is pulled from the second fluid reservoir  16  into the metering chamber  32  which is configured to be of a certain known volume. The act of releasing the button  36  fills the metering chamber  32  to substantial capacity. Thus, a metered amount of second fluid material  18  is contained within the metering chamber  32  in preparation for delivery. The size of the metering chamber  32  can be selected according to the type of second fluid material  18  to be dispensed, the application therefor and the desired dosage volume. A further depression of the button  36  urges the measured volume of second fluid  18  within the metering chamber  32  to exit out through the output valve  40  of the metering housing  27 . This known amount of second fluid material  18  is then routed into the first fluid reservoir  12 . This allows in most cases for the second fluid  18  to be deposited into the first fluid  14  within the first fluid reservoir  12  to allow the second fluid  18  to mix with the first fluid  14 . In the case of a beverage for example, flavorings or other additives in the form of a second fluid  18  are deposited directly into the first fluid reservoir  12  containing a first fluid  14  in the form of a beverage, to allow for the additive to be mixed with the remainder of the beverage. Further, the second fluid  18  may be dispensed in a powder form into the first fluid  14 . This would especially be true if the supplementary ingredients have an unpleasant taste or odor, or if these ingredients are flavorings that are designed to flavor the entire beverage. 
         [0033]    It can also be seen in  FIG. 2  that a number of standoff legs  50  emanate downwardly from the base plate  34  of the metering housing  27 . These legs  50  prevent the base plate  34  from completely bottoming out against the second fluid reservoir  16  wall thereby blocking flow of second fluid material  18  into the intake valve  30 . The standoff legs  50  are particularly useful when the volume of second fluid material  18  left in the second fluid reservoir  16  is running low and the second fluid reservoir  16  is becoming relative flat in configuration. In this situation, there is a possibility that the aforesaid bottoming out may occur. However, the use of the standoff legs  50  of  FIG. 4  prevents this from occurring. It should also be appreciated that while standoff legs  50  are shown, other spring biased or spring like structures may be used to accomplish the same function and should be considered interchangeable with the standoff legs  50 . 
         [0034]    Turning now to  FIG. 3 , an alternate embodiment  100  of the present invention is depicted. In all respects the construction and operation of the device is the same as described above except that this embodiment includes a fluid conduit  142  that extends from the output port  40  of the metering pump  20 . This fluid conduit  142  can be positioned within or on the surface of the outer wall  22  of the first fluid reservoir  12 . The fluid conduit  142  serves to direct the second fluid  18  being dosed by the metering pump  20  upwardly to an exit port  144  at the outlet  24  of the first fluid reservoir  12 . In this embodiment, the second fluid  18  is either deposited onto the rim  52  of the first fluid reservoir  12 , directly into the mouth of a user consuming the first fluid  14  or onto a surface wherein the first fluid  14  and second fluid  18  are to be deposited. 
         [0035]    Further, it is possible for the second fluid reservoir  16  to be affixed to the outside of the first fluid reservoir  12 , or as shown at  FIG. 4  built into a cap structure  150 . In this embodiment, the second fluid reservoir  152  is shown built into a cap structure  150  having a metering pump  154  constructed thereon. The metering pump  154  operates as described above and includes an outlet port  156  that can direct the output of second fluid  18  into the first fluid reservoir  12 , into the mouth of a user or onto any other surface desired by the user. Further the cap  150  is formed to include engaging means  158  that serve to engage the opening  24  in the first fluid reservoir  12 . In this embodiment where the second fluid reservoir  152  and metering pump  154  are built into the cap  150 , the cap  150  could either be sold attached to the first fluid reservoir  12 , or it is also possible that the cap  150  could be sold separately and later affixed to the first fluid reservoir  12  by the user. For instance, the user could purchase a standard beverage, and then select from a variety of caps  150  each containing different second fluids  18  in the form of additives or collections of additives. If the user wanted to add caffeine to a sports drink, for example, they could purchase a caffeine cap  150  separately. 
         [0036]    In yet other embodiments as depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the second fluid reservoir  160  could be built into any form that could be affixed to the first fluid reservoir  12  as a retrofit. As an example, the second fluid reservoir  160  could be in a ring form to encircle a neck  54  of the first fluid reservoir  12 , or could be built into a strip that attaches along one side. The second fluid reservoir  160  could be integrated into the molded shape of the first fluid reservoir  12 , or could be external to the first fluid reservoir  12 . The second fluid reservoir  160  could also be constructed so as to fit into a molded recess on the first fluid reservoir  12 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the second fluid reservoir  160  includes a fluid conduit  162  to deposit the second fluid  18  adjacent a rim  52  of the opening  24  in the first fluid reservoir  12  but may alternately include a bend  164  in the end of the fluid conduit  162  that deposits the second fluid  18  into the first fluid reservoir  12  as depicted at  FIG. 6 . In still another embodiment, the second fluid reservoir  160  and metering pump  20  could be designed to pierce the first fluid reservoir  12  and form a seal thereto. 
         [0037]    While the above embodiments and descriptions describe particular locations or depictions of the second fluid reservoir and the metering pump, the invention is not limited to any particular location or second fluid reservoir design or pumping methodology. Also, in addition to supplements and flavorings, the invention could also be used for dosing medicines or for introducing other treatments or ingredients such as those used for the purification of water. An example would be a camping canteen bottle wherein the second fluid reservoir contains a purification chemical that can be used to treat water. The camper could fill the canteen from a water source and then press the dosing pump button one or more times as prescribed to introduce the appropriate amount of chemical to purify that volume of water. In such a case, as in the case of caffeine or other supplements, a specified amount of chemical would be introduced with each press of the button. The user would determine the amount of purification chemical needed and press the pump button one or multiple times. 
         [0038]    Turning now to  FIG. 7 , details are shown of an alternate metering pump  300  that includes the improved valving of the present invention that prevents inadvertent or accidental dispensing of second fluid  18  even when pressure is placed on the pump  300  or second fluid reservoir  320 . In this embodiment of the pump  300  of the present invention, the base plate  410 , through which the flow through aperture  412  passes, is preferably slightly convex, although it may be flat, if desired. Resting above the aperture  412  and within the cavity  405  of the dome is a flapper valve  408  of preferably thin film construction. It is possible that this flapper valve  408  be configured of a normally open condition but also may be configured to lie flat when at rest. As long as the plate  410  with the aperture remains convex, the flapper valve  408  does not seal against the aperture  412  such that any inadvertent contact with the flexible dome pump housing  404  does not result in the dispensing of the product. Instead, since the flapper valve  408  is open, liquid product residing inside the cavity  405  of the flexible pump housing  404  will tend to simply flow back through the inlet aperture  412  to the reservoir within the storage container itself, as indicated by the arrow, rather than flow undesirably out through the exit valve to outside of the pump  300 . In use, if a person has the fluid dispenser in their pocket or purse and pressure is accidentally or unintentionally placed on the flexible housing  404  of the pump  300 , liquid will not flow outside the dispenser thereby preventing a mess from being made due to unintentionally dispensed product. 
         [0039]      FIG. 7  illustrates intentional dispensing of second fluid  18 . When it is desired to actually dispense the liquid product  18 , the user&#39;s thumb  430  can depress the flexible dome  404  and the user&#39;s index finger  432  can invert the base plate  410  from convex to concave, by application of force against the stand-off legs  424 , such that flexible dome  404 , with the assistance of the stand-off legs  422  under the flexible dome, securely seals and provides a positive lock of the flapper valve  408  over and about the aperture  412  thereby closing the liquid flow passage back into the reservoir  434  of the second fluid reservoir  320 . It is also possible that the base plate  410  is concave and then is inverted to a convex configuration. Other fingers of the user may be used to carry out this operation. Thus, the only path for the liquid  302  contained within the cavity  405  of dome  404  is to exit through the one-way outlet valve  436  for intended dispensing of the product, as indicated by the arrows. 
         [0040]    In still another embodiment depicted at  FIG. 8 , the second fluid reservoir  160  includes a fluid conduit  162  to deposit the second fluid  18  adjacent a rim  52  of the opening  24  in the first fluid reservoir  12 . Further, the fluid conduit  162  can be seen to include a spray nozzle  163  on the end of the fluid conduit  162  that dispenses the second fluid  18  in a spray or atomized form at a point adjacent the rim  52  of the device. 
         [0041]    Turning to  FIG. 9 , another alternative embodiment of the present invention is depicted and can be seen to include more than one second fluid reservoirs. Specifically, the device includes a second fluid reservoir  160  and a third fluid reservoir  161 . Each of the reservoirs  160 ,  161  may contain the same fluid or may contain a second fluid  18  and a third fluid  118 . In addition, a single metered dosing pump  20  may be used to dispense the second fluid  18  and third fluid  118  simultaneously or a second metered dosing pump  21  may be provided to allow the second fluid  18  and third fluid  118  to be dispensed separately. Further, this arrangement could be built into any form that could be affixed to the first fluid reservoir  12  as a retrofit or integrated as taught above. 
         [0042]    It should be understood that the stand-off legs  422  on the bottom of the flexible dome housing  404  and the stand-off legs  424  on the bottom of the base plate  410  can be modified in size, length and configuration to adjust the amount of squeezing necessary by the user&#39;s fingers  430 ,  432  to effectuate sealing of the flapper valve  408 . For example, preferably four standoff legs  422  are provided on the bottom of the flexible dome housing  404  in a 2×2 array and can be 1/32 of an inch in length. It is also possible that these standoff legs  422  can be a single downwardly depending wall, such as in the shape of a circle or square. Such an array is configured to downwardly press against the one-way flapper valve  408  outside of the diameter of the aperture  412  through the base plate  410  to provide a good seal of the flapper valve  408  to the base plate  410 . 
         [0043]    In application, the dispensing device  10  of the present invention, the size and construction of the metering housing  27  as well as the positioning of where the second fluid material  18  is delivered to the surface of the device can be easily modified to suit the given application. The materials used for the second fluid reservoir  16  and the metering housing  27 , while preferably flexible plastic, can be any suitable material for the application at hand. Also, the second fluid reservoir  16  can be made of a different material than the metering housing  27 . 
         [0044]    In summary, this invention offers many advantages over the prior art by allowing the user flexibility to introduce ingredients on an interactive basis and to control the amounts of such ingredients. The present invention also allows the ingredients to be added just prior to consuming them, which may prevent spoiling or other degradation in the effectiveness or taste of the ingredients. Another advantage is that the consumer can purchase a single beverage and decide on the supplemental ingredients at the time of use. In the case of the cap containing the dosing device, the user can change caps to provide alternative additives to the beverage. 
         [0045]    It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be covered by the appended claims.